Field Theory: Loss on two scales (2) : Public Address

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Field Theory: Loss on two scales (2)

Posted at 4:56PM on 19 Jun 09. Permalink.

The second:

Read More Original Blog Entry

The second:
Casey Williams is a fucking panther. And I don't mean that in a sexually euphemistic way (ala "cougar"), although she is hot. What I mean is she's a predator. Her eyes very rarely leave the ball, she's constantly aware of her surroundings and she attacks everything. It was about half way through the game when I realised she was hunting down the fucking ball.

This is winning, and winning with intent.

But if the Magic lose it's annoying (to Magic fans). Such great potential squandered usually because of stupid mistakes. But unbeaten seasons are rare.

There is an urban myth that the surviving members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins (the only NFL team to ever go through an entire season unbeaten) open a bottle of champagne and have a toast each year after the last unbeaten team finally loses one. Sports people take great pride in their invincibility.

So it shouldn't come as a shock that the All Blacks aren't happy about their loss to France. Neither are some fans and neither are a bunch of reporters.

Personally I'm content. I'm not pleased but I'm far from writing a frothing diatribe about it. A very good French team came and completely outplayed the (admittedly not top-strength) All Blacks.

Don't expect it again.

Before the Dunedin game everyone was talking about 1994 French tests. Nineteen Ninety Four! That's the last time they beat us here. We cry when they send us under strength teams, we cry when they beat us. But we need those losses.

The All Blacks are a myth. The Bledisloe Cup is a myth. For every lengthy winning streak by the greatest rugby team of all time, there has to be a trough where we can't seem to string a set of passes together. For every extended stay for the cup on this side of the Tasman there needs to be a similar (though somewhat shorter) trip over the ditch.

The All Blacks are nothing without their losses. We need the "remember that time they beat us". Can you imagine how arrogant and posturing the All Black fan would be if we had won all those World Cups we were supposed to? For goodness sake, we're not Australians.

So when the losses happen, revel in them. Drink and cheer with the victors (heck, they may be buying the drinks). And remember that losses are good for us.

-----

And because I know you kids love this stuff, here are the official stats from the last game. Sorry about the jpg, but that's how I got them:

--------

Quick notes:

I keep forgetting to pimp Jed Soane's photographs, which is bad because I keep dragging him to boring netball matches that are hard to photograph.
Due to a flu-like illness I couldn't make the All Black press conference yesterday, so instead I sent cub-reporter Naly D. His write up and audio will be on the Dropkicks soon.
Naly sent me a text saying "Just spent 15mins talking to Rokocoko, afterwards realised recorder was on pause"
Last week I posted a story featuring pics of a jersey sans man, Emma posted one featuring pics of a man sans jersey.
I'm just about to head to the NZRU for a press conference with Steve Tew, any questions for the man? (I'll check the site beforehand)

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Neil Graham
From: Christchurch
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 83

Posted at 4:56PM on 19 Jun 09. Permalink.

And I don't mean that in a sexually euphemistic way

I think there may be a need for a standardised emoticon or abbreviation for that phrase. Maybe a variant of ಠ_ಠ

LegBreak
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1094

Posted at 5:25PM on 19 Jun 09. Permalink.

Ask Tew where he stashes all that Teflon.

Emma Hart
From: Christchurch
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 2629
Moderator

Posted at 5:28PM on 19 Jun 09. Permalink.

Last week I posted a story featuring pics of a jersey sans man, Emma posted one featuring pics of a man sans jersey.

Someone owes you some pants, then.

Bruce Thorpe
From: Hokianga
Since: May 2007
Posts: 31

Posted at 9:12PM on 19 Jun 09. Permalink.

When are the selectors going to go past the Super14 contract holders to select test teams?

Hadyn Green
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1802
Moderator

Posted at 5:57PM on 21 Jun 09. Permalink.

Quick announcement: the Junior World Cup final (NZ v ENG) is available to watch streaming free from the IRB website

Mike Graham
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 124

Posted at 7:34PM on 21 Jun 09. Permalink.

Thanks - I'm now watching the last quarter.

Hadyn Green
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1802
Moderator

Posted at 8:02PM on 21 Jun 09. Permalink.

Wow that was a fantastic game, my "coverage" is here.

Tom Semmens
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1094

Posted at 10:55PM on 21 Jun 09. Permalink.

Aaron Cruden was really good. He is a first five eight.

Just saying.

Kyle Matthews
From: Dunedin
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 4400

Posted at 12:10AM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

That game was at least twice as good as any All Black game I've seen in... ages. Speed, talent, open game of rugby, and they hardly seemed to drop the ball.

Hadyn Green
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1802
Moderator

Posted at 7:48AM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Aaron Cruden was really good. He is a first five eight.

He needs a bit of work on his place kicks a wee bit, but yes very good!

Speed, talent, open game of rugby, and they hardly seemed to drop the ball.

How about we just let them play together from now on and enter them in 2011?

Kyle Matthews
From: Dunedin
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 4400

Posted at 10:07AM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

How about we just let them play together from now on and enter them in 2011?

I suspect the conditions helped make the game so good, but gee, we should see more under 20s rugby if it's all like that.

Did you see the try-saver the fullback made on the English player in the first half? Tackled him and ripped the ball out of his arms as he was sliding across the line about to put it down. That's like George Gregan but better. Absolute fullback robbery.

LegBreak
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1094

Posted at 10:39AM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

How about we just let them play together from now on and enter them in 2011?

Or even just keep them away from a coach who is so staggeringly patronising that he can’t tell his team how many points they need to win by to win a trophy.

Tom Semmens
From: Auckland
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1094

Posted at 11:05AM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

I was thinking about Graham Henry. I had a rant the other week about the lack of talent in the AB's and Super 14.

I am beginning to think it is maybe time for a change at the top, and a more real shake up of all our coaches.

Henry's loyalties to players like the (ex) Rocket man while better choices for speed like Zac Guilford and Rene Ranger are on the outer without it seems even being discussed makes me worry we will go into the 2011 RWC with an aging and not-the-best-available squad led by a stale coaching unit.

Kyle Matthews
From: Dunedin
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 4400

Posted at 12:37PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Or even just keep them away from a coach who is so staggeringly patronising that he can’t tell his team how many points they need to win by to win a trophy.

That truly was astounding.

I wouldn't mind if the Captain/halfback/first five decided not to risk going for the extra points, and just settle for the win. Not to tell them and give them the option as it might overload their wee brains?

LegBreak
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1094

Posted at 12:46PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Kyle,

Remember when he said he'd learn from his mistakes in management style?

And people fell for that...

Kyle Matthews
From: Dunedin
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 4400

Posted at 1:59PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Yeah.

I've been on the "don't care either way" about the ABs coach since the world cup.

I suspect I'm tipping now however.

LegBreak
From: Wellington
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 1094

Posted at 2:02PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Pretty similar with me.

The only thing I don’t care about now is who replaces them.

Kyle Matthews
From: Dunedin
Since: Nov 2006
Posts: 4400

Posted at 11:12AM on 23 Jun 09. Permalink.

Zac Guildford's father died in the stands some time at the end of watching his son with the U20s.

Crappy.

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Field Theory: Loss on two scales (2)