New York withdraw, fire salvo at Team NZ
The New York Yacht Club has decided against contesting the next America’s Cup, frustrated at a lack of information, though it’s Stars + Stripes team has vowed to stay in the game.
The famous club told Stuff yesterday they were ‘‘pausing our pursuit of the 37th America’s Cup’’.
In announcing their withdrawal, they fired a broadside at defenders Team New Zealand over delays around the next regatta which has still not got a confirmed venue.
‘‘There are few private clubs that enjoy a stronger bond with a single competition than the New York Yacht Club does with the America’s Cup, which we founded and held for 132 years. However, we ultimately have a responsibility to act in the best interests of our membership. Given the continued uncertainty regarding the 37th America’s Cup, we have decided to pause our challenge for this edition,’’ New York Yacht Club Commodore Christopher J Culver said.
Defenders Team New Zealand said they weren’t surprised by the development and aired some thoughts over the famous club’s relationships with their sailing teams.
‘‘While it is disappointing to hear of the apparent loss of the NYYC from AC37, we are not entirely surprised as we started to see them struggling with the reality of being a competing yacht club as early as December last year,’’ Team New Zealand said.
New York, who famously held the America’s Cup for 132 years, were encouraged back into the game in Auckland by Team New Zealand, ending a lengthy absence.
The New York move comes as plans to announce the venue for the next regatta have stalled.
becoming the only player in Super Rugby history to score five tries in one match.
It could have been an easy game for Wainui to sit out. The Chiefs were out of contention for the final, and he had not played for six weeks due to a hamstring injury which had him limp off on captaincy debut against the Blues at Eden Park.
Yet here he was, the 2020 coaches’ player of the year, determined to finish the season on a high. And, as his side coasted to a 40-7 victory, a man never in the spotlight stole the show.
Five minutes into the second half he had himself a maiden Super Rugby hattrick. Five minutes later he matched 18 others as four-try scorers. But then, 48 seconds after the fulltime siren, came the clincher.
Shaun Stevenson seemingly deliberately switched the point of a razzle-dazzle Chiefs attack to the left side and Wainui produced a pick-up off the bootlaces and expertly dived for the corner.
Even then, the TMO pored over replays to check his foot hadn’t grazed the touchline, before Wainui could bask in his history-making feat.
But, no, that was never going to be. While any showpony winger would claim a chunk of credit for a five-try performance, this man was having none of it.
‘‘All I had to do was catch the ball and put it down, bro – the boys did all the mahi,’’ Wainui told TV broadcaster Stan Sport afterwards, also believing he would somehow get out of shouting drinks.
‘‘Nah, I left my card at home in New Zealand, bro, so the boys have got us there, cuz.’’
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said that self-effacing, light-hearted reaction illustrated just what Wainui was all about.
‘‘He was very understated and deflected all the praise back on the team, even though scoring five tries is a remarkable feat,’’ a sombre McMillan told Stuff.
‘‘Showed a whole lot of humility, was obviously very proud of his Ma¯ ori heritage. It all comes through in the interview.’’
His voice audibly quivering at times through the phone, McMillan described just how influential Wainui was in the team environment and how much of ‘‘a huge void’’ he was going to leave.
For all his laidback demeanour, Wainui was highly driven, and in turn, inspired those around him. ‘‘He epitomised everything that you could possibly ask for in a player, he always gave 100 per cent of himself, he was a consummate team man, he was humble, and he was extremely talented,’’ McMillan said.
‘‘He turned up in pre-season this year in fantastic physical condition, won all our testing, he took a real lead in driving our culture.
‘‘There’s a strong Ma¯ ori flavour to that and Sean’s incredibly passionate about being Ma¯ ori.
‘‘It didn’t matter what team he played for [McMillan also coached Wainui in the Ma¯ ori All Blacks], he gave the best of himself. That was Sean – totally committed to the team. Those that got to play alongside him, and be involved with him, were very fortunate.’’