All those Kiwi women who have complained about a “man drought” over the last couple of years will soon have their prayers answered. Ladies, I offer you the Rugby World Cup.
Yes, that’s right. New Zealand is about to be inundated by that most attractive of the male sub species – the Rugbyhead – as if the country isn’t already over-populated with them.
And maybe that’s the truth about this so-called drought – it never actually existed at all, just another convenient excuse for our fickle womenfolk to explain their failure to find the perfect male.
But word on the street is that many of these single women have deliberately taken themselves off the market in recent months to save themselves for RWC.
If nothing else, at least that’s eliminated those who aren’t really serious about romance, the ones just looking for an opportunistic fling they can tell their girlfriends about over coffee long after they’ve become Remuera trophy wives.
Presumably, they have their sights set on some swarthy Argentine first-five in tight shorts, but unfortunately for them, it’s more likely to be a drunken lieutenant in the Barmy Army, egged on by his equally pissed cohorts.
The road to perfection is potholed with compromise.
It does happen, I suppose. Once, during a cozy rendezvous at the Heritage, my date informed me that she had spent quite a few nights at this establishment when the Italian sailors used it as their America’s Cup headquarters.
That was a pretty difficult image to dismiss for the rest of the night. Sigh!
And athletes are obviously quick to exploit such situations. Players at the Wellington Sevens are usually issued small replica footballs to toss into the crowd during the annual street parade.
Many have phone numbers written on them and are aimed at potential hook-ups among the bystanders.
Any time you put fit, young adults together in one place, hormones will inevitably intervene. Sydney Olympic organizers were said to have distributed 70,000 condoms to visiting athletes, but were still 20,000 short.
I wonder how they calculated that statistic. Maybe they had team liaisons rushing down to the nearest after-hours pharmacy each night, desperately trying to cover the shortfall and keeping count.
So, alas, last week’s short-lived “abstain for the team” campaign by Telecom was doomed to fail. Even as a tongue-in-cheek prank, it defied any passing semblance to reality.
The call would have made far more sense coming from a religious group lobbying against pre-marital relations or pitched as a war against sexually transmitted diseases (and maybe Telecom can still flick off their discounted IP and collateral to recoup some costs).
They could even have gone in the opposite direction with a variation on the old “better phone your daddy and tell him you won’t be coming home tonight” line.
See, who needs Saatchi & Saatchi anyway? This is too easy!
But, no, they didn’t.
The campaign did spark a debate among some of us about whether players themselves would be abstaining during the tournament and if this was, in fact, likely to improve or detract from their performance on the field.
Legend has it that American long jumper Bob Beamon feared the worst when he engaged in sex the night before his 1968 Mexico City Olympic final, then went out and added more than a foot (30cm) to the world record. That mark would last nearly quarter of a century.
I think you should just go with whatever you’re used to. Some guys hit the sack early the night before a big game and nod straight off to sleep, while others need a couple of beers to settle the nerves.
For some reason, our conversation turned to whether Ma’a Nonu (and I have no idea why we picked him as an example) should be allowed to have sex with 10 women on the eve of the World Cup final. My view – if that’s how Nonu prepares best, the manager should be out scouring the Viaduct bars for potential matchwinners.
That way, some lucky lasses won’t have saved themselves for nothing AND they get to take one in service of their country.
In the meantime, if you’re a sweet, sensitive Kiwi fella just looking for love, you’d better enjoy the on-field action and hope the All Blacks win, because that could be the only consolation you get from the next couple of months. You’ll be far outnumbered by the invading hordes with their sexy accents and simply won’t get a look-in.
I suppose, if you’re really desperate, you could always start swilling Guinness and learn the words to “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”.
No, nothing’s worth that.
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Saturday 20 August 2011
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?
It’s only 1.30pm Saturday, but I’m already late for my date with an ITM Cup quadruple play. Canterbury is playing ... someone I can’t remember.
This national provincial championship season has been a bit like that with games stacked on top of one another across all days of the week except (a little ironically) Monday.
Of course, a couple of other codes have made Monday night football a feature of their brand, so maybe NOT playing then has become a bizarre point of difference for rugby.
Those old skool types who have advocated a return to afternoon rugby have gotten their wish to the extent it’s almost morning rugby. This Canterbury v Taranaki (as it turns out) encounter started at 12.35pm.
I’ve got a valid excuse for my tardiness – I was watching my nephew’s soccer team squander a 2-1 halftime lead to lose 4-2 across town. Rugby might be our national religion, but family has to come first.
Try to remember that.
Anyway, the red-and-blacks are putting a beating on the ‘Naki and are already up 17-0 just after halftime. It’s their best display of the season and they don’t ease up, running in a bonus-point try in the final moments for a 27-0 outcome.
The afternoon fixtures have been a godsend for people of Christchurch. Since the quakes made AMI Stadium unplayable, they’ve had to take home games to Rugby Park, where the floodlights are not up to broadcast standard as dusk falls.
Canterbury have struggled at times this season, but such is the even nature of this competition, their victory today puts them on top of the premiership table.
Personally, I don’t really care who wins the provincial titles – I’m much more interested in which players put their hands up for a chance at the next level. Canterbury wing Patrick Osborne has definitely been one of those for me, and he again shows his lethal combination of strength and speed to good effect in this outing.
I’ve also been to the gym this morning and need a shower, but Auckland v Bay of Plenty has already started, so that will have to wait until halftime.
But the signs are ominous. Twenty minutes into the game, Auckland are 7-3 up, but I can’t remember anything about the on-field action.
The highlight has been a discussion among the commentators about how long it takes to set down a scrum and I totally agree. This whole crouch-touch-pause-engage business just seems to have made this area of the game even messier than it was before.
Maybe it’s time to totally depower the scrum, rugby league style.
A few minutes into the second half – Bay up 13-10 – promising Auckland lock Liaki Moli is being stretchered off the field with a shoulder problem. I hate seeing slow-motion replays of athletes getting injured, ever since the day I watched about six different views of a guy breaking his forearm at the world wrist-wrestling championships.
Moli is replaced by Steven Luatua, who promptly scores the go-ahead try. Luatua is another to catch my eye this season, although he’s a little short (1.95m) for a lock and may end up as a blindside flanker.
It’s a beautiful day outside and most right-thinking New Zealanders are probably mowing their lawns or taking their kids to the park. But the setting sun has the audacity to drift across my TV screen and the blind must come down.
Auckland prevail 25-16, but BOP, looking unbeatable only a couple of weeks ago, blow a possible bonus point by chasing their third try instead of taking a very kickable penalty attempt in the final minute. This is their fourth loss in a row after four wins to start the comp, and the wheels are well and truly off their campaign.
SKY’s Heartland rugby coverage is on for an hour, but maybe it’s time for a little nana nap.
OK, when I nap, there’s nothing “little” about it. I’m still drifting in and out of consciousness through the first half of North Harbour v Northland, which is probably the best way to watch Harbour this season.
Any season, actually.
When they squander an 11-point lead to trail 26-23 with 20 minutes remaining, you can just sense they’re about to let another one slip. But Matt “The Monster” Leamanu strikes right back and finally, FINALLY Harbour fans have a reason to celebrate.
The last clash of the day pits championship leaders Manawatu against the team that led the premiership into this weekend, Waikato. Guided by the young inside combination of Aaron Smith and Aaron Cruden, the Turbos have been the real darlings of this competition.
Remember, too, it wasn’t that long ago that the NZRFU had consigned this outfit to the heartland wilderness, only to reverse their decision against a groundswell of opposition from the Buckethead fans.
Commentator Murray Mexted opens the coverage with another of his pearlers – a reference to the “girls on heat” in a sideline spa pool – before Manawatu runs in a couple of the tries of the season to open up a 21-3 margin midway through the first half.
The Mooloo get a couple of tries just before halftime to breathe life into their hopes, but the Turbos aren’t to be denied, running out 54-20 victors.
With 29 points, Cruden just carves up. Over the past couple of years, he has probably suffered the weight of expectation more than any other player in NZ rugby, but this ITM Cup has really been his coming out party.
Spare a thought, too, for Manawatu coach Dave Rennie, who receives a standing ovation as he made his way down to the sideline as the final seconds ticked off the clock. He’s heading to Hamilton to take over the Chiefs next summer, so tonight’s match held some special interest for him.
It’s now 9.15pm – the ITM marathon is over for today, but the Warriors kick off against Penrith in quarter of an hour. Time to get out of this bean bag and find a change of scenery for the league.
And don’t forget, if you aren’t already suffering overload, tomorrow’s rugby fest starts at 3am with the All Blacks v Springboks.
Think I’ll be sound asleep by then, dreaming of Tasman v Otago and Counties Manukau v Hawke’s Bay in the afternoon.
This national provincial championship season has been a bit like that with games stacked on top of one another across all days of the week except (a little ironically) Monday.
Of course, a couple of other codes have made Monday night football a feature of their brand, so maybe NOT playing then has become a bizarre point of difference for rugby.
Those old skool types who have advocated a return to afternoon rugby have gotten their wish to the extent it’s almost morning rugby. This Canterbury v Taranaki (as it turns out) encounter started at 12.35pm.
I’ve got a valid excuse for my tardiness – I was watching my nephew’s soccer team squander a 2-1 halftime lead to lose 4-2 across town. Rugby might be our national religion, but family has to come first.
Try to remember that.
Anyway, the red-and-blacks are putting a beating on the ‘Naki and are already up 17-0 just after halftime. It’s their best display of the season and they don’t ease up, running in a bonus-point try in the final moments for a 27-0 outcome.
The afternoon fixtures have been a godsend for people of Christchurch. Since the quakes made AMI Stadium unplayable, they’ve had to take home games to Rugby Park, where the floodlights are not up to broadcast standard as dusk falls.
Canterbury have struggled at times this season, but such is the even nature of this competition, their victory today puts them on top of the premiership table.
Personally, I don’t really care who wins the provincial titles – I’m much more interested in which players put their hands up for a chance at the next level. Canterbury wing Patrick Osborne has definitely been one of those for me, and he again shows his lethal combination of strength and speed to good effect in this outing.
I’ve also been to the gym this morning and need a shower, but Auckland v Bay of Plenty has already started, so that will have to wait until halftime.
But the signs are ominous. Twenty minutes into the game, Auckland are 7-3 up, but I can’t remember anything about the on-field action.
The highlight has been a discussion among the commentators about how long it takes to set down a scrum and I totally agree. This whole crouch-touch-pause-engage business just seems to have made this area of the game even messier than it was before.
Maybe it’s time to totally depower the scrum, rugby league style.
A few minutes into the second half – Bay up 13-10 – promising Auckland lock Liaki Moli is being stretchered off the field with a shoulder problem. I hate seeing slow-motion replays of athletes getting injured, ever since the day I watched about six different views of a guy breaking his forearm at the world wrist-wrestling championships.
Moli is replaced by Steven Luatua, who promptly scores the go-ahead try. Luatua is another to catch my eye this season, although he’s a little short (1.95m) for a lock and may end up as a blindside flanker.
It’s a beautiful day outside and most right-thinking New Zealanders are probably mowing their lawns or taking their kids to the park. But the setting sun has the audacity to drift across my TV screen and the blind must come down.
Auckland prevail 25-16, but BOP, looking unbeatable only a couple of weeks ago, blow a possible bonus point by chasing their third try instead of taking a very kickable penalty attempt in the final minute. This is their fourth loss in a row after four wins to start the comp, and the wheels are well and truly off their campaign.
SKY’s Heartland rugby coverage is on for an hour, but maybe it’s time for a little nana nap.
OK, when I nap, there’s nothing “little” about it. I’m still drifting in and out of consciousness through the first half of North Harbour v Northland, which is probably the best way to watch Harbour this season.
Any season, actually.
When they squander an 11-point lead to trail 26-23 with 20 minutes remaining, you can just sense they’re about to let another one slip. But Matt “The Monster” Leamanu strikes right back and finally, FINALLY Harbour fans have a reason to celebrate.
The last clash of the day pits championship leaders Manawatu against the team that led the premiership into this weekend, Waikato. Guided by the young inside combination of Aaron Smith and Aaron Cruden, the Turbos have been the real darlings of this competition.
Remember, too, it wasn’t that long ago that the NZRFU had consigned this outfit to the heartland wilderness, only to reverse their decision against a groundswell of opposition from the Buckethead fans.
Commentator Murray Mexted opens the coverage with another of his pearlers – a reference to the “girls on heat” in a sideline spa pool – before Manawatu runs in a couple of the tries of the season to open up a 21-3 margin midway through the first half.
The Mooloo get a couple of tries just before halftime to breathe life into their hopes, but the Turbos aren’t to be denied, running out 54-20 victors.
With 29 points, Cruden just carves up. Over the past couple of years, he has probably suffered the weight of expectation more than any other player in NZ rugby, but this ITM Cup has really been his coming out party.
Spare a thought, too, for Manawatu coach Dave Rennie, who receives a standing ovation as he made his way down to the sideline as the final seconds ticked off the clock. He’s heading to Hamilton to take over the Chiefs next summer, so tonight’s match held some special interest for him.
It’s now 9.15pm – the ITM marathon is over for today, but the Warriors kick off against Penrith in quarter of an hour. Time to get out of this bean bag and find a change of scenery for the league.
And don’t forget, if you aren’t already suffering overload, tomorrow’s rugby fest starts at 3am with the All Blacks v Springboks.
Think I’ll be sound asleep by then, dreaming of Tasman v Otago and Counties Manukau v Hawke’s Bay in the afternoon.
Monday 15 August 2011
CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE
Whatever you think of Steve Williams’ outburst last week, he did raise the question of how any of us would get by without a little help from our friends.
To be fair, the Kiwi caddy’s comments after guiding Aussie Adam Scott to convincing victory at the WCG-Bridgestone Invitational lacked class. A whole range of factors combined to create the perfect storm of controversy as the world’s top golfers prepared for this week’s PGA Championship.
Williams’ firing as Tiger Woods’ bagman, the return of Woods from injury, Scott’s emergence as a bona fide title contender and, by no means least, the public and media’s thirst for any new twist to the Woods soap opera ... it was all too good to be true.
Even before the Williams found the microphone thrust under his nose on the 18th green, CBS coverage of the event had put him squarely in the spotlight, picking up and broadcasting much of his dialogue with Scott through the last round.
They set the cunning trap and our guy walked right into it, obviously still smarting from his sudden fallout with Woods.
The response from other golfers was curious. They didn’t seem to have a problem with Williams putting the boot into Woods, only that he claimed just a little too much credit for Scott’s win.
Sure, Scott was the one swinging the clubs. But the CBS intrusion did reveal that the caddy had a huge influence on which clubs were swung and what shots were played.
At one point, Williams called his man off the ball and handed him another club, with which he hit an approach that led to a key birdie. Even the pinpoint final approach on the 18th was achieved only after earnest discussion between the pair.
It was truly a team effort, but how often do you hear a golfer acknowledge his caddy’s contribution? You probably wouldn’t have heard it from Scott this time if the CBS interviewers hadn’t imposed their own agenda on proceedings.
Recently, I was part of a five-person support crew for Aucklander Ron Skelton as he cycled in the Race Across America – 5000km from California to Maryland in 12 days.
No question, Ron was the guy wearing saddle sores 22 hours a day on the bike. But he was also quick to tell anyone listening that the only way Team iRONman could be any stronger was if it had a better rider.
It’s an obvious exaggeration, but it showed two things – Ron was an incredibly caring guy who knew how to inspire his team, even when he was utterly exhausted, and he also knew he couldn’t have finished this race by himself.
This wasn’t just Ron Skelton’s success – it belonged to the team and he was happy to share it. There aren’t many so-called individual sports where you’ll find that selfless attitude.
Boxing might qualify. Even if trainers are largely ignored, fighters seem perfectly willing to thank God (or whichever deity they subscribe to) for getting them through this contest alive.
But maybe the only sport you consistently hear winners giving credit to their mates is motor racing, where drivers will usually compliment their pit crew on a great car.
The other day, I even heard one driver – I think it was Nascar ace Jimmie Johnson – almost in tears, desperately trying to put a positive spin on the fact his crew had clearly dropped the ball and cost him the chequered flag. It went something like this ...
“I know how hard these guys work to be great and I know how much it will hurt them to perform like this.”
Now, that’s throwing someone under the bus in the nicest possible way.
Back to Williams. Everyone has their own opinion on his comments.
There are many reasons why Scott’s victory might have meant so much to him. It’s not always about the size of the prize and undoubtedly Wood’s presence had something to do with it.
But Scott has also been something of an unrealized talent on the PGA Tour and this result may well prove a turning point. Maybe Williams is relishing the opportunity to pass his experience on to Scott at this point in his career.
One of the things I love about Kiwis is we tend to speak our minds. There are no airs or graces – what you see is what you get.
Williams went beyond that. His rant seemed to be very self serving and after all the great things he had achieved over the years (and over the previous four days), I was disappointed to have New Zealand represented so immodestly on the international stage.
Two thoughts struck me as I listened – firstly, how Woods had fired previous caddy “Fluff” Cowan when he began to enjoy his own celebrity status rather too much.
Also, Woods had an unfortunate reputation for bad behaviour around the greens and fairways, and Williams’ outburst made me wonder how much his sidekick had contributed to that.
I’m sure Williams has learned his lesson, and hopefully he’ll go on to notch up another 145 victories and a place in the Golf Hall of Fame. Then he’ll have the perfect platform to talk about himself.
Amazingly, no caddies are yet among the Hall’s 130-plus members.
To be fair, the Kiwi caddy’s comments after guiding Aussie Adam Scott to convincing victory at the WCG-Bridgestone Invitational lacked class. A whole range of factors combined to create the perfect storm of controversy as the world’s top golfers prepared for this week’s PGA Championship.
Williams’ firing as Tiger Woods’ bagman, the return of Woods from injury, Scott’s emergence as a bona fide title contender and, by no means least, the public and media’s thirst for any new twist to the Woods soap opera ... it was all too good to be true.
Even before the Williams found the microphone thrust under his nose on the 18th green, CBS coverage of the event had put him squarely in the spotlight, picking up and broadcasting much of his dialogue with Scott through the last round.
They set the cunning trap and our guy walked right into it, obviously still smarting from his sudden fallout with Woods.
The response from other golfers was curious. They didn’t seem to have a problem with Williams putting the boot into Woods, only that he claimed just a little too much credit for Scott’s win.
Sure, Scott was the one swinging the clubs. But the CBS intrusion did reveal that the caddy had a huge influence on which clubs were swung and what shots were played.
At one point, Williams called his man off the ball and handed him another club, with which he hit an approach that led to a key birdie. Even the pinpoint final approach on the 18th was achieved only after earnest discussion between the pair.
It was truly a team effort, but how often do you hear a golfer acknowledge his caddy’s contribution? You probably wouldn’t have heard it from Scott this time if the CBS interviewers hadn’t imposed their own agenda on proceedings.
Recently, I was part of a five-person support crew for Aucklander Ron Skelton as he cycled in the Race Across America – 5000km from California to Maryland in 12 days.
No question, Ron was the guy wearing saddle sores 22 hours a day on the bike. But he was also quick to tell anyone listening that the only way Team iRONman could be any stronger was if it had a better rider.
It’s an obvious exaggeration, but it showed two things – Ron was an incredibly caring guy who knew how to inspire his team, even when he was utterly exhausted, and he also knew he couldn’t have finished this race by himself.
This wasn’t just Ron Skelton’s success – it belonged to the team and he was happy to share it. There aren’t many so-called individual sports where you’ll find that selfless attitude.
Boxing might qualify. Even if trainers are largely ignored, fighters seem perfectly willing to thank God (or whichever deity they subscribe to) for getting them through this contest alive.
But maybe the only sport you consistently hear winners giving credit to their mates is motor racing, where drivers will usually compliment their pit crew on a great car.
The other day, I even heard one driver – I think it was Nascar ace Jimmie Johnson – almost in tears, desperately trying to put a positive spin on the fact his crew had clearly dropped the ball and cost him the chequered flag. It went something like this ...
“I know how hard these guys work to be great and I know how much it will hurt them to perform like this.”
Now, that’s throwing someone under the bus in the nicest possible way.
Back to Williams. Everyone has their own opinion on his comments.
There are many reasons why Scott’s victory might have meant so much to him. It’s not always about the size of the prize and undoubtedly Wood’s presence had something to do with it.
But Scott has also been something of an unrealized talent on the PGA Tour and this result may well prove a turning point. Maybe Williams is relishing the opportunity to pass his experience on to Scott at this point in his career.
One of the things I love about Kiwis is we tend to speak our minds. There are no airs or graces – what you see is what you get.
Williams went beyond that. His rant seemed to be very self serving and after all the great things he had achieved over the years (and over the previous four days), I was disappointed to have New Zealand represented so immodestly on the international stage.
Two thoughts struck me as I listened – firstly, how Woods had fired previous caddy “Fluff” Cowan when he began to enjoy his own celebrity status rather too much.
Also, Woods had an unfortunate reputation for bad behaviour around the greens and fairways, and Williams’ outburst made me wonder how much his sidekick had contributed to that.
I’m sure Williams has learned his lesson, and hopefully he’ll go on to notch up another 145 victories and a place in the Golf Hall of Fame. Then he’ll have the perfect platform to talk about himself.
Amazingly, no caddies are yet among the Hall’s 130-plus members.
Sunday 7 August 2011
WINDS OF CHANGE
Seriously, is anyone really surprised at how quickly the Hurricanes playing roster has unraveled under new coach Mark Hammett?
As many of the franchise’s established stars leave to find their fortunes elsewhere, those of us on the sidelines now understand that “loyalty” is not what it used to be, it’s not just a one (or two) way street and is now virtually a redundant concept in professional sport.
The latest to depart is All Black halfback Piri Weepu, whose signing with the Blues for next year’s Super 15 has prompted screams of betrayal from the Cake Tin faithful. How could he do this to us?
Well, why wouldn’t he?
Let’s look at it from Weepu’s perspective. His rugby world has been tipped on its head over the past 12 months.
He’s already seen some of his closest allies driven out of town and while the Hurricanes organization apparently wants him to stay, he’d likely have to adjust his approach to the game if he is to thrive under Hammett’s regime.
It’s natural for players to stick together under these circumstances. For years, Weepu has spilt blood in the trenches with his team-mates and is probably disgusted at how rudely they’re being treated right now.
It just won’t be the same without them and if things are going to change so drastically, why shouldn’t he exercise the last vestige of control he has over his destiny and go start again somewhere new?
These are the kinds of decisions we all make in our lives every day. They’re never taken lightly, so good luck to him.
With all this going on so close to home, it’s sobering to watch a similar scenario unfold in the American NFL, where quarterback Carson Palmer wants to be traded from a terrible Cincinnati Bengals side, but administrators have dug their toes in and forced him into retirement rather than tear up his contract.
Sure, a contract is a contract and the Bengals don't want to reward Palmer for breaking his, but, if it suited them, you can bet Palmer would be out of there with no control over where. Everyone expects loyalty, but it’s such a fickle commodity.
Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, I’m NOT one of those beating up on Hammett.
The former All Black hooker has come from a winning culture at Canterbury and the Crusaders, and has been asked to transform an underachieving programme in Wellington.
And let’s be very clear – given the talent available to them, the Hurricanes have been disappointing.
For whatever reason, the likes of Weepu, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Aaron Cruden, Victor Vito, Neemia Tialata and Andrew Hore (not to mention Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga, Jerry Collins and Rodney So’oialo before them) have failed to deliver a Super Rugby title to the capital.
Their free-flowing style of play has been entertaining, but hasn’t proved a successful formula and, too often, fans have been left lamenting its inconsistencies. Those are the same supporters now hammering on Hammett for trying to buck the trend.
During his first season at the helm, he tried to work with what he had inherited, but found many of his stars either unable or unwilling to move from their comfort zones. Now he’s searching for others that will share his vision.
Give the Hurricanes some credit for backing their coach in this process, because many organisations would simply have bowed to player power. But there will undoubtedly be more pain and some defeats before things turn around.
I’m also NOT jumping on the Blues bandwagon now they have a backline that features Weepu, Nonu, Alby Matthewson, U20s star Gareth Anscombe, Isaia Toeava and possibly Sonny Bill Williams.
On paper, they’re all great talents, but there are already questions over how Weepu, Matthewson and Anscombe will co-exist close to the scrum. And if both Nonu and Williams end up in Auckland, who will wear the “12” jersey they both covet at international level and who will play out of their preferred position?
Chemistry isn’t a word you readily associate with the Blues, so coach Pat Lam clearly has his work cut out molding this lineup into a championship unit.
As many of the franchise’s established stars leave to find their fortunes elsewhere, those of us on the sidelines now understand that “loyalty” is not what it used to be, it’s not just a one (or two) way street and is now virtually a redundant concept in professional sport.
The latest to depart is All Black halfback Piri Weepu, whose signing with the Blues for next year’s Super 15 has prompted screams of betrayal from the Cake Tin faithful. How could he do this to us?
Well, why wouldn’t he?
Let’s look at it from Weepu’s perspective. His rugby world has been tipped on its head over the past 12 months.
He’s already seen some of his closest allies driven out of town and while the Hurricanes organization apparently wants him to stay, he’d likely have to adjust his approach to the game if he is to thrive under Hammett’s regime.
It’s natural for players to stick together under these circumstances. For years, Weepu has spilt blood in the trenches with his team-mates and is probably disgusted at how rudely they’re being treated right now.
It just won’t be the same without them and if things are going to change so drastically, why shouldn’t he exercise the last vestige of control he has over his destiny and go start again somewhere new?
These are the kinds of decisions we all make in our lives every day. They’re never taken lightly, so good luck to him.
With all this going on so close to home, it’s sobering to watch a similar scenario unfold in the American NFL, where quarterback Carson Palmer wants to be traded from a terrible Cincinnati Bengals side, but administrators have dug their toes in and forced him into retirement rather than tear up his contract.
Sure, a contract is a contract and the Bengals don't want to reward Palmer for breaking his, but, if it suited them, you can bet Palmer would be out of there with no control over where. Everyone expects loyalty, but it’s such a fickle commodity.
Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, I’m NOT one of those beating up on Hammett.
The former All Black hooker has come from a winning culture at Canterbury and the Crusaders, and has been asked to transform an underachieving programme in Wellington.
And let’s be very clear – given the talent available to them, the Hurricanes have been disappointing.
For whatever reason, the likes of Weepu, Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Aaron Cruden, Victor Vito, Neemia Tialata and Andrew Hore (not to mention Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga, Jerry Collins and Rodney So’oialo before them) have failed to deliver a Super Rugby title to the capital.
Their free-flowing style of play has been entertaining, but hasn’t proved a successful formula and, too often, fans have been left lamenting its inconsistencies. Those are the same supporters now hammering on Hammett for trying to buck the trend.
During his first season at the helm, he tried to work with what he had inherited, but found many of his stars either unable or unwilling to move from their comfort zones. Now he’s searching for others that will share his vision.
Give the Hurricanes some credit for backing their coach in this process, because many organisations would simply have bowed to player power. But there will undoubtedly be more pain and some defeats before things turn around.
I’m also NOT jumping on the Blues bandwagon now they have a backline that features Weepu, Nonu, Alby Matthewson, U20s star Gareth Anscombe, Isaia Toeava and possibly Sonny Bill Williams.
On paper, they’re all great talents, but there are already questions over how Weepu, Matthewson and Anscombe will co-exist close to the scrum. And if both Nonu and Williams end up in Auckland, who will wear the “12” jersey they both covet at international level and who will play out of their preferred position?
Chemistry isn’t a word you readily associate with the Blues, so coach Pat Lam clearly has his work cut out molding this lineup into a championship unit.
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