Reunion for one of league’s great teams
‘‘Hopefully come next week I will be writing about a fine win for the VodafoneWarriors, and an even better one for the All Blacks.’’
the fixtures, has set out to reunite all 19 players. ‘‘I’m very proud to have been part that side,’’ he told me.
It’s hardly surprising that many of those involved in league believe the side was the best Auckland team ever, and the most successful. Of the 19 players, 14 went on to represent the Kiwis, five captained the side, and three made the NZRL Legends of League. One, Mark Graham, was the NZRL’s Player of the Century. So I’m delighted they will be guests at the match on Friday, which kicks off at 8pm.
On Saturday the Auckland Rugby League pays tribute at the Richmond Bulldogs Grey Lynn Park, where clubs, players and fans can join them.
And despite being a proud league man, I’ll be at Eden Park when the All Blacks take on the British and Irish Lions in the first rugby test. There’s been so much talk about the visitors being onetrick ponies who can only keep it in the forwards, and that style of play will be no match for our boys.
I certainly hope so, and I thought they All Blacks were great against Samoa on Friday night. If they can unleash like that against the Lions, it is going to be a tough night for the boys in red, but I’m no kind of expert, so who is to say that tough and gritty – if somewhat dull - style of play the Lions favour will not get the job done.
But please people, if the unthinkable happens and we lose, can we do it with good grace. And if we win, can I make the same plea.
I regret to say it, but we have become so used to winning – and why wouldn’t we when we have lost just four of 69 tests under Steve Hansen – that we can be a bit over the top.
Hopefully come next week I will be writing about a fine win for the Vodafone Warriors, and an even better one for the All Blacks, but it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t happen.