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Saturday, August 30, 2014

Do NZ's Cities Still Care about the Rugby?

You wouldn't have known it but two first-class provincial rugby games were played on the last two nights in Christchurch and Wellington.

Canterbury thrashed Northland 48-3 while Wellington continued their losing run at home with a 27-21 loss to Manawatu.

Both games were played out in front of fairly empty stadia - I wouldn't be surprised if the total attendance from both games didn't even hit 10,000.

Ok, Canterbury's game wasn't helped by the fact that it was played on a Thursday night although given the dearth of entertainment right now in Christchurch as the city continues its rebuild from the devastating earthquakes, you would have thought that anyone bored on a Thursday night might have thought of popping down to Addington to watch the rugby - especially when you consider how dominant their rugby team have been this season in the ITM Cup.

As for Wellington's game, well, crowds not just for the Lions but for the Hurricanes, have been on the decline since the turn of the century, with the prognosis for NPC games painting quite an ugly picture.

Wellington has always been New Zealand's most artsy and left-field cities, often preferring culture over sport - I bet you there were more people wandering around the waterfront for the free Lux Festival than paying admission fees to sit in the cold at Westpac Stadium on Friday night.

However, the Wellington region - in particular Porirua and the Hutt Valley - still continues to produce or nurture a good proportion of this country's top rugby players, i.e. current All Blacks, the Savea brothers, Cory Jane, Dane Coles, TJ Perenara and Conrad Smith. The Swindale Shield and Jubilee Cup are one of the stronger and most followed club competitions in the country.

It is quite clear that when it comes to the ITM Cup, the crowd numbers per population ratios are much lower in the big cities than in the provinces. Consumer choice is a big reason - the ITM Cup is really the only big regular season competition for the likes of Napier, Blenheim, Whangarei and Invercargill, while the bigger cities have the Super Rugby too - plus usually one guaranteed All Blacks test match.

I think the Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury unions need to acknowledge that crowd numbers for regular season ITM Cup games aren't likely to go above 10,000 - perhaps it is time for them to take games to the home grounds of the clubs that supply many of their players.


Imagine Auckland playing at Western Springs Stadium or East Tamaki Park, or the Wellington Lions playing at Hutt Recreation Ground, Porirua Park or Newtown Park. How about Canterbury playing in Rangiora or Amberley, or Otago playing in Balclutha or Cromwell?

The crowd numbers will be small but would match the size of the ground and create a far better atmosphere than at a 3/4 empty Eden Park or Westpac Stadium. Games could be played on Saturday or Sunday afternoon so to counter the problem of the small club grounds not having the floodlights of the bigger stadia - and that could get more families along.

It could also mean cheaper ground hire costs for the unions who are currently facing their most difficult financial challenges at the moment.

The provincial game is strong as ever but it is facing a key point in its lifetime in the cities and it needs some creative thinking to ensure that the game doesn't die and remains relevant in the cities - it would be the ultimate tragedy if that were to happen.





Saturday, August 16, 2014

Best of All Blacks v Wallabies!

Sydney is set for yet another exciting clash between the All Blacks and Wallabies.

There will be plenty of expectation from the Aussie crowd at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney on the back of the Waratahs' Super Rugby success at the same ground a fortnight ago - it is now 11 years since the Bledisloe Cup stayed on the west side of the Tasman Sea and this young Wallabies side - and many neutral rugby fans - are desperate to see that run end and prevent the lustre of this fabled trans-Tasman rivalry fade with the domination of the All Blacks.

My tip - It's incredible how long the ABs have had the wood over the Wallabies in recent times and given the squads of both sides, the ABs are raging favourites to keep that going even if they are missing the experience of Tony Woodcock, Dan Carter and at the last minute, Conrad Smith. However, Australian rugby has been on a bit of a rise this year in Super Rugby and with the World Cup a year away, the Wallabies are keen to show that they are contenders once again. All Blacks by 7. 

Anyway, if you're not excited yet about tonight's game starting at 10 pm NZ time, these should do it -





Friday, August 15, 2014

2014-15 #EPL Preview!

A new Premier League season gets underway this weekend and once again there is much to look forward to.

With the World Cup now history and the Euros two years away, the focus of all the players should now be fully on the league.

It's a shame that EPL coverage in New Zealand is restricted to those who choose to pay extra for the Premierleaguepass while depending on highlights or the feature game on TVNZ. That's where I really miss Astro Supersport in Malaysia.

Here are 3 things I'm looking forward to the season -

1. Louis van Gaal - Long the model of stability and success, Manchester United have followed their rivals and sacked their manager when the going was getting tough. With the era of David Moyes now written off, Manchester United fans will be looking forward to the arrival of Dutch taskmaster, Louis van Gaal. However, instant success is unlikely - van Gaal's success at Barca, Bayern Munich, Ajax and the Dutch national side all came slowly and at times that slow start has cost him his job. The big signings have not surprisingly not materialized for a United side that will not be playing in Europe so this could be van Gaal's toughest challenge yet. But van Gaal is the man for any challenge and the right man for United now. Don't expect a title though.

2. Liverpool - no Luis Suarez, their 30 goal striker but it is probably just as well given his ban following his biting incident at the World Cup. The Reds, now back in the top 4 running and in the Champions League, seem to have moved on in the pre-season with new signings, Markovic, Lovren, Lallana and Lambert, and are still on the hunt for another striker and a couple other players. Having come so close to the title last season, expectations are much bigger now for Brendan Rodger's side but they now have the challenge of the Champions League along with the domestic league and cup campaigns. The title drought might not end this season but expect progress in the post-Suarez era.

3. The Relegation Battle - in recent times, the battle to stay in the Premier League has often been frought with far more excitement than the battle at the top. This year should be no different with Leicester, Burnley, QPR likely to be in this year's scrap but given the trends in recent seasons of well-funded Championship sides surviving comfortably in the Premier League, they should no longer be considered favourites for a straight return to the EPL.

My tips -

Champions - Chelsea
Runners-up - Manchester City
Champions League - Liverpool, Arsenal
Europa League - Tottenham, Manchester United
FA Cup - Chelsea
Relegated - Burnley, Crystal Palace, Swansea
Top scorer - Daniel Sturridge

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

All Blacks Side to face Wallabies in Sydney?

Don't expect too many surprises when Steve Hansen announces his 23 to take on the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium in Sydney in Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship opener.

While Ewen McKenzie has named a few surprises in his side, i.e Kurtley Beale at first five, expect the All Blacks to name a fairly predictable team as they bid to extend their long unbeaten run over the Aussies that stretches back to 2011.

Jerome Kaino will probably start ahead of in-form Liam Messam at blindside while Ben Smith's outstanding form means he could usurp a fit Israel Dagg from fullback. 

Even without centurions Dan Carter and Tony Woodcock not available due to injury, the All Blacks still should be favourites against an always respectable opponent on Saturday night.

The team is as follows -

1.Wyatt Crockett
2.Dane Coles
3.Owen Franks
4.Sam Whitelock
5.Brodie Retallick
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Richie McCaw (captain)
8.Kieran Read
9.Aaron Smith
10.Aaron Cruden
11.Julian Savea
12.Ma'a Nonu
13.Conrad Smith
14.Cory Jane
15.Ben Smith

16.Keven Mealamu
17.Ben Franks
18.Joe Moody
19.Steven Luatua
20.Sam Cane
21.TJ Perenara
22.Beauden Barrett
23.Malakai Fekitoa



Monday, August 11, 2014

Dear Elaine #RIP MH17

This is a tribute to Elaine Teoh, as of 9 August 2014, she is reportedly the first Malaysian identified from the MH 17 crash site, as well to those who died on MH 17 and the many Malaysians worldwide who are grieving their loss and the effect it has on a nation with the one month anniversary of the disaster on the horizon. 



Dear Elaine,

I never knew you at all. As far as I know, the only similarities we have are the fact that we are Malaysian Chinese and both are based overseas happily attached to our partners of European descent. Perhaps, we have some mutual friends on facebook by dint of the fact you went to university with some of my friends from school.

Yet, like your friends, family and many of our contemporaries born around 1985-87, your shock, sudden and premature death on 17 July 2014 in what many now deem an act of terrorism has affected me profoundly.

You symbolise and represent our generation of Malaysians - growing up on nasi lemak and roti canai for breakfast, surviving the sweat bucket preparing and sitting our UPSR, PMR and SPM exams in our schools and then relaxing by watching EPL football on Astro then heading overseas to Australia, the UK, the USA, New Zealand, etc. for university and to make a living and name for ourselves. Some of us have returned home, some of us like you and I found love and happiness while overseas.

I am glad you found a loving partner in Emiel and enjoyed a happy life with him while you were both alive. It is such a tragedy that you never got to see the rest of your journey together.

It just shows you that fate is so random, yet when it decides to strike, its effects can be so powerful for a brief moment and then it's all over. Therefore, we must always appreciate what we have, what we were, what we are and what we will be.

MH 17 along with MH 370 have been particularly difficult for Malaysians worldwide. We all knew someone else who died - indeed, captain Eugene Choo was a family friend from Penang.

Yet, never has pride in Malaysia, pride in being Malaysian been stronger. You just can never remove years of growing up in Malaysia, loving char koay teow and assam laksa, complaining about KL traffic and UMNO.

One hopes Malaysia Airlines can and will bounce back.

But for now, we are mourning the loss of a fellow young 1985/6er Malaysian and the loss of a contemporary who will never be able to fulfill the dreams of wealth, marriage and children that we young Malaysians seek.

RIP Elaine Teoh.

#RIPMH17

Most Polarising All Blacks Ever

(Pictures no longer available due to copyright restrictions).

The Kick on TV One's Sunday night prime time viewing was a nice feel good movie about Stephen Donald. The fact remains he is still one of our most polarising ABs of all time.

Here is a look back at his career and some other polarising ABs. 

1.Mark Carter - think Carter, think greatest first five ever. But back before Dan the man was even on the radar of Canterbury rugby, the Carter name was treated with groans by All Blacks fans. Mark Carter, long a backup to the great Michael Jones, has often topped fans' lists as worst ever All Black - a bit harsh really given his limited appearances. Carter was part of the great Auckland and Blues teams of the 1990s and deserved a bit more respect than he did but then again you could say the same for several other ABs.

2.Stephen Donald - now immortalised in a movie and of course that penalty kick that proved to be the winner for the ABs in the 2011 RWC Final. However, Beaver will still polarise the opinions of rugby fans even after retirement - was he lucky or really good enough to be an AB? His career stats more than justify his selection into the ABs but the same could be said about many players. Hong Kong 2010 will be mentioned in any debate. 

3.Luke McAlister - polarised fans not for his talent or ability but rather his commitment and desire to play for the ABs. Going off to Sale at a young age after he was involved in the ABs' shock quarterfinal loss to France, didn't help nor did coming home and getting picked by the ABs while he was still abroad and not playing Super Rugby or NPC. McAlister's career quietly died down after his unsuccessful return in 2009 and he's now back in Europe. 

4.Keith Murdoch - probably the most controversial All Black in history but had his indiscretion occurred today, perhaps the big Otago prop would have been reprieved rather than have his reputation shamed to the point of no return to NZ. A  black mark for New Zealand rugby. 

5.Simon Mannix - widely regarded as the worst AB in history, Mannix is now a well regarded, well travelled coach in Europe - and probably will stay there given the vitriolic response he still receives in NZ. 

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Can the Warriors March into the Top 4?


The Warriors have continued their strong form in the 2nd half of the season with a hard-fought 16-12 win over a struggling Sharks side at Mount Smart this afternoon.

It is the Warriors' 2nd win in a row and the first against their bogey team in several seasons which will do a lot for the confidence of Andrew McFadden's charges especially as it came without key playmaker, Shaun Johnson and star back, Konrad Hurrell.

The Warriors led 16-6 at the break but found the 2nd half hard going against a determined Sharks side that was in a scrap with the Raiders to avoid winning the wooden spoon. The Sharks gave a far better account than their fellow strugglers from Canberra and nearly continued their lucky run against the Warriors but for some determined defence from the home side.

This latest winning run is a nice one for Warriors fans as it also sees them move within 2 points of the top 4 with games against the Knights, Roosters, Titans and Panthers to come - the Warriors should win at least 2 of those games and therefore finish on 30 points at least which historically has been enough for any side to make the top 8.

A top 4 finish would be nice as it would guarantee the Warriors 2 weekends of playoff football - even if they lose on the first weekend of the playoffs, they will get another life the following weekend.

It is a remarkable turn of events given that the Warriors got rid of head coach Matthew Elliott earlier in the season and replaced him with inexperienced coach Andrew McFadden. The fact is that the Warriors are really a squad of talented and mercurial footballers who just need a coach who knew them intimately in the dressing room rather than a big name manager to look after them - testament to McFadden's ability to get the best out of this group of players who would normally frustrated past coaches.  

Kickoff to 2014/15! My Tips for the Season!


It's been nearly a month since the end of the most thrilling football World Cup in a generation - and perhaps, for some, it feels like it has been a month too long without football even with the pre-season friendlies; some clubs have already been involved in the qualifying stages of the Champions and Europa Leagues.

Their wait will come to an end soon with the French Ligue 1 and English Football League kicking off the new season this weekend. The English Premier League kicks off the following weekend, and then Germany's Bundesliga and Spain's La Liga the weekend after - Italy's Serie A kicks off on the final weekend of August.

There is lots to look forward to, particularly in the English and Spanish leagues as usual.

How will big signings, James Rodriguez and Luis Suarez do at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively following their big money moves?

Can Louis van Gaal return Manchester United to the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson?

Can Liverpool be challengers without Luis Suarez?

Here are my tips for the football season -

England
Premier League 
Champions - Chelsea
Runners-up - Manchester City
Champions League - Liverpool, Arsenal
Relegated - Burnley, West Brom, Leicester
Promoted from the Championship - Derby County, Cardiff City, Fulham

Spain
La Liga
Champions - Real Madrid
Runners-up - Barcelona
Champions League - Atletico Madrid, Valencia
Relegated  - Almeria, Cordoba, Eibar

Germany
Bundesliga
Champions - Bayern Munich
Runners-up - Borussia Dortmund
Champions League - Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen
Relegated - SC Paderborn, SC Freiburg

Italy
Serie A
Champions - Juventus
Runners-up - AS Roma
Champions League - Internazionale

France
Ligue 1 
Champions - Paris St Germain
Runners-up - Monaco
Champions League - Lille
Relegated - Cannes, Metz, Bastia

Portugal, champions - Benfica

Holland, champions - Ajax Amsterdam





Sunday, August 3, 2014

Congrats Waratahs! A Review of 2014 Super Rugby Final!


The 2014 Super Rugby season has been some season. The order of the Chiefs, Brumbies and Bulls from the previous season was certainly turned on its head with the Waratahs, Crusaders and Sharks leading the way in each conference and the Waratahs and Crusaders ultimately making the Final.

The season deserved a final of utmost excitement and quality and boy did it get one.

Rugby union in Australia has struggled in recent times, especially in its traditional heartland of Sydney. Therefore, it will please not only the Waratahs but also Australian rugby - and rugby neutrals too - that the Waratahs made the Final and got 61,000 people to ANZ Stadium for the Final - plus sold out the Sydney Football Stadium the week before for the game against the Brumbies.

It will also please them that the Final turned out to be such a wonderful testament to the best of rugby union with both these sides who have a bit of history between each other, going for the victory for the full 80 minutes in a game that was as up and down as a roller coaster.

The Waratahs started and finished well but looked at times like they would succumb to the Crusaders' Finals experience and grit. In the end, the Waratahs finally showed the endurance they lacked in their previous 17 seasons and earned themselves the penalty that young Bernard Foley converted with aplomb to win the game and finally put to bed the Waratahs' reputation of being Super Rugby's ultimate chokers and underperformers.

As for the Crusaders, they are now in danger of reserving the chokers' tag after letting slip yet another Super Rugby Final - the 2nd time they've done so in Australia in 4 seasons. The Crusaders had this game within their grasp but some bizarre decisions, i.e. the substitution of Wyatt Crockett just as he was monstering the Waratahs scrum and having Willie Heinz kick away possession after getting that penalty to give them the 32-30 lead.

The Crusaders were their own worst enemy too, with McCaw and Crotty missing tackles they normally would have made that led to tries to Adam Ashley-Cooper. McCaw's indiscretion - a bit questionable to some - ultimately led to Foley's winning penalty but the defeat can't just be put squarely on McCaw's head.

In the end, it was just a thrilling contest that the Crusaders were just on the wrong end of. They can be proud of what they've achieved this season though just as much as the Waratahs who finally might have signalled the return of Australian rugby.

Man of the Match - Bernard Foley - will forever be remembered for that penalty kick to end the Waratahs' long run of underachievement, but should also be remembered not just for his record points-tally in the Final (28), but also his bravery and courage as well as his energy - he was just everywhere covering his wingers and centres and making big tackles on the likes of Nemani Nadolo. The Wallabies might finally have their answer to the number 10 top as well as a role model for aspiring young rugby players after the failures of Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

2014 Super Rugby XV of the Season!



The 2014 Super Rugby season is set for a thrilling finish tonight. With that in mind, it is time to look back at a thrilling season - firstly, the team of the season.

1.Wyatt Crockett, Crusaders
2.Bismarck du Plessis, Sharks
3.Tendai Mtawarira, Sharks
4.Victor Matfield, Bulls
5.Stephan Lewies, Sharks
6.Dave Dennis, Waratahs
7.Michael Hooper, Waratahs
8.Ben Mowen, Brumbies
9.Nic White, Brumbies
10.Bernard Foley, Waratahs
11.Nemani Nadolo, Crusaders
12.Kurtley Beale, Waratahs
13.Malakai Fekitoa, Highlanders
14.Henry Speight, Brumbies
15.Israel Folau, Waratahs

16.Talafa Polota-Nau, Waratahs
17.Benn Robinson, Waratahs
18.Owen Franks, Crusaders
19.Sam Whitelock, Crusaders
20.Jarrad Butler, Brumbies
21.Aaron Smith, Highlanders
22.Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes
23.Ben Smith, Highlanders