All Blacks’ feats inspire touring Kiwis
What a great week I have had in England on tour for the Four Nations with the Kiwis.
You would not believe the level of excitement as the boys gathered around the television in London to watch the All Blacks take on Australia. The Wallabies held us in check for much of the match before we kicked clear – and showed them a clean pair of heels when we did, and the hooting and hollering levels ramped up ferociously as the Kiwis cheered on their rugby opposites. A lot of nonsense gets talked about the rivalry between the codes, rugby and league, but I know from a professional athlete’s point of view the Kiwis admire the All Blacks very much, and I also know the reverse is true. So the Kiwis were very keen to celebrate the All Blacks achievement in securing 18 straight wins. What a muppet Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made himself in the aftermath, although he did have something to complain about when his side was denied a try. If we are honest, we would have been calling for the death penalty for the ref if we had been denied that try, and who knows what it might have meant to the final result. But moaning and whinging is never a good look, and Cheika would do well to learn when to put a sock in it. We will be on the move this week though, relocating to Leeds ahead of our first game in the Four Nations, against England at the John Smith Stadium in Huddersfield. Leeds happens to be one of my favourite places, because as many of you will know, I am absolutely nuts about Emmerdale, my all-time favourite TV show, so I will grab the chance to visit the studios and meet some of the people who make it all happen. I have had the pleasure of going before and they are marvellous people and can’t do enough for me, even introducing me to some of the cast members. I get a bit star-struck actually. But it will be all business after that, with the players completing their build-up, holding their captain’s run, and heading to the traditional test dinner on Friday night, ahead of the game the next day.
There is nothing more certain than that it will be a very tough encounter. Coach David Kidwell has been doing a fine job, working one-on-one with some of the group, and doing everything in his power to give his men the best possible chance in the test. Wish us luck, tune in or send the boys an email of support to nadene@nzrl.co.nz. Go the Kiwis.