Field Theory: This one's for Don
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I don't really know why I dislike Wellington more than anywhere else in NZ, but I do. .There's part of me that quite enjoys disliking Wellington.
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Well, I suppose everyone should have a hobby
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I'm from the Crusaders catchment area yet support the Canes & Wellington, and anybody in fact agin that red and black lot in the Super 14 (except Aussie or Safa S14 teams). And pretty much anybody agin the Cantabs, anytime.
Wellington's lovely, wouldn't want to live there again but 'tis a home away from home for the rugby fan from afar. Or something. They play, well, it's exciting rugby isn't it. Lately with a new ruthlessness, and viciousness on defence. Mostly... you make your mind up young and stick with the team I reckons.
I just hate Canterbury rugby. Not just coz they tend to win most things, but because, er, well it's not rational so I won't get into it. Something about them being so boring for so long probably. They're a bit better now at actually playing rugby, as opposed to just defending...
Oh yeah, they buy everybody else's players, and frequently park their best ones (which they can't afford to play at Canterbury but want for the Super 14) at my original home province, or Tasman, as Marlborough is now... and coz they're All Blacks they never play for my second-favourite union! Jeez that's annoying. Well news for you, red and black wideboys: Tasman's self-destructing so that plan won't work anymore! Nyaa-nyaa-nyahahaha sob.
And, and, and, the Lions are gonna clean your clock. I hope.
Please God?
PS Can't believe the TAB's got Wellington as $2.50 to $1.50 Cantabs. And those stats DO look favourable Mr Green...
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hobby
I think that would mean I actively enjoy disliking Wellington....It's much more passive/subtle than that.
Whereas the schadenfreude I experience when an English sports team snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is much more....frequent is perhaps the word, but there's also an essence of active enjoyment about it. I read the sports pages over here, not because I'm interested in the likes of football, more that I've paid money and enjoy a good meltdown (especially one outside of the economy/financial sector). The English press does irk me a bit with the whole, single victory by an English athlete or team and suddenly they're the "Best in the World", quickly followed by "we've been saying so for ages". If Fabio Capello is reading this, which is perhaps possible with the speed by which the PA media empire is growing, please refer to the response in Arkell v Pressdram and spoliling the rest of the football world's fun.
Similarly if the All Blacks have a patchy couple of wins and (woe betide) a loss or a draw (particularly against the English like they did in '97), or the Aussie cricketers lose a test then even normally pretty sensible newspapers get their knives out....I guess it's more about trying to create a story, rather than telling it as it is.
Anyway I've tried to fathom my dislike for Wellington, which truth be known I've had a few good trips to.
They've got the shield.
Ma Nonu and eyeliner. WTF?
I didn't rate Tana as a centre. His distribution skills were poor and it was a case of trying to turn a big winger into the next Frank Bunce. (Not sure if this was cause or effect)
Stuart Wilson.
Conrad Smith and use of the phrases such as "silky skills".
Duncan Garner. (was an Aucklander, but moved there).
If Parliament wasn't in Wellington, the place would be vastly smaller and consume much less funding.
And the fact that I've got better reasons for supporting Canterbury, Otago and Auck-Harbour....(and I blame Super-12/14 for bringing about that Franken-union, despite the postive impact on the game, particularly in the late 90's) -
Impressive piece of ‘analysis’ there, Richard. It’s certainly very fashionable to hate Canterbury rugby, so you‘re not alone. A bit like the way everyone hated Auckland when they used to win everything.
To be honest, I don’t think most Cantabrians really care about the result of a trifling ANZC final, anyway. Winning six Super titles kind of does that to a province.
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I don’t think most Cantabrians really care about the result of a trifling ANZC final, anyway
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Though the Cantabs do have their vision deficiencies, I don't think they suffer from being that short sighted. ANZC is the prime feeder system, not to mention the premier domestic comp. If you don't have a good feeder system you end up like Man U...dependent on hairgel and very deep pockets for a sense of self esteem, with a polarising effect on the public despite playing really quite attractive football....Buying talent, rather than making it, is a bit like property speculation, it doesn't really add economic value...it just (over) inflates what is already there. Considering (football again...I know..I know..ick) Arsenal, who seem to much more into developing talent, or at least that's story their marketing guys seem to put out, seem to be far less hated, in fact respected for that approach.
The lower level comps are a platform from which bigger achievements are built. Deans, Smith, Henry they know this, as perhaps do the senior NZRFU guys when they're not distracted by deciding what colour sports stripes to put on their latest sponsored vehicle, or making sure they're getting what their worth.
It worries me that if the lower level comps are not healthy in strong provinces, even with regards to crowd turnout, then the next tier of players won't be gettng the support & exposure that is required to peform at the top level. If the players aren't being exposed to healthy (yet hostile..a contradiction of sorts) crowds at home, how do you think they will go if the get to South Africa where the crowd will really get into them. The opportunity to build a bit of pressure that will test the metal of these young players should be considered really valuable, in addition to putting them in a place where they can impress and entertain too. With each opportunity missed, the opposition and other competition (such as league) gets closer.
ANZC would be a prime opporunity to have afternoon games, which I think are great, in terms of a diferent offering from evening only games. Afternoon games as I recall are a bit more family & less drinking orientated than the games a few hours later. Being out in the stands during daylight hours and the ability to undertake a non-rugby activity in the evening (such as boozing or putting the kids to bed) is also handy, though this perhaps clashes with club rugby and going to the mall. (I wonder how they managed 20 years ago when it was all afternoon games?) I'd think there was less pressure from TV to have the games at night without the interest from the foreign audience, but then again those smart fellas at the NZRFU might have sold away that descision to foreign pay TV long ago. (being without a TV and being on the other side of the planet, I'm unsure if the most of the games were afternoon games and just the semi's & final are being played under lights???)
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Fashionable, well sure. But I've been hating teh Cantabs for AGES!
Basically, I reckon, they tend to be like the All Blacks used to be with Grant Fox running the play. Boring and forward-oriented... put me off rugby for years till they started playing nice rugby again in the 90s.
Canterbury still rely on being efficient and punishing rather than creating play (though it could be argued the Lions have picked up on that this season too) but they are improving in that area, I'll give em that. A bit more style and flow these days... (through gritted teeth)
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er, the Cantabs, natch
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I don't think it's stink at all that the Aussies lost. Go India!
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Though the Cantabs do have their vision deficiencies...just the semi's & final are being played under lights???
Goodness, that'll take some digestion. Makes me think I should've called the post "one for Jon" :)
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A bit like the way everyone hated Auckland when they used to win everything.
Well they fixed that this season. Must be the most loved team in the competition.
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Must be the most loved team in the competition.
I thought kewt widdle Hawke's Bay was everybody's darling this year?
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I don't think it's stink at all that the Aussies lost. Go India!
I agree, it's hilarious when the Aussie cricket team loses. Almost as amusing as the English team on a night out.
I don’t think most Cantabrians really care about the result of a trifling ANZC final, anyway
Erm, I disagree. But you know what Cantabrians really care about? The Shield.
Nonetheless, Wellington is my second-favourite team, and I don't really mind who wins as long as it's a good, exciting game.
I'm such a girl.
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Why I hate Canterbury / Crusaders.
Their feral crowds.
The luck they have with the ref when playing at home.
Their robotic style of play.
Justin Marshall.
The kid that held up the “I Hate Auckland” sign at a match a few years ago.
They way they rort the system to strengthen the Crusaders (Williams, R Gear etc)
The fact the Mark Robinson was preferred over Tana in the All Blacks.
They cheat better than anyone else.
They gave us that invisible All Black captain whose name I can’t remember from a few years back.
Justin Marshall.
Those stupid bloody horses at Crusader games.
The booing the opposing kicker.
Justin Marshall -
__I don't think it's stink at all that the Aussies lost. Go India!__
I agree, it's hilarious when the Aussie cricket team loses. Almost as amusing as the English team on a night out
I'm loving it... I'll continue loving it right up to the point when NSW spank us...
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I'm loving it... I'll continue loving it right up to the point when NSW spank us...
That's all very well Paul, but as the fullback for Canterbury surely you have an opinion on Legbreaks post above?
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Oh, and that’s another thing:
The way they froze out Paul Williams a few weeks back after he announced he was returning to Auckland. Like some petty, vindictive mafia thing.
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Justin Marshall
To be fair, a lot of Cantabs feel the same way about Mr Marshall, Leg Break.
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Oh yeah, play 'em before they hit the pitch mate.
But seriously, for years I thought my middle name, Bryan, was spelt that way 'cause of BG... it's not but... should've known really, he played for Ponsonby, my family played for Otahuhu.
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Opps, I meant...
That's all very well Paul, but as the fullback for Canterbury surely you have an opinion on Legbreaks post above?
Oh yeah, play 'em before they hit the pitch mate.
But seriously, for years I thought my middle name, Bryan, was spelt that way 'cause of BG... it's not but... should've known really, he played for Ponsonby, my family played for Otahuhu.
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Thanks Hadyn, that makes up for everything, with interest.
I think the weather forecast suits the Cantabs, a bit like the fog at the S14 final a couple of years ago.
To be honest, I don’t think most Cantabrians really care
Well, 4000 at the semi final was pathetic.
What really surprised me was how Bernie's record has stood for so long. It is not as though Wellington has been short of try scorers. I really regret that his time was before my time.
That being said, Hosea Gear has been an absolute delight to watch. He is rapier like in his dissection of defences, a nice change from the brute force and massive side step approach we have become used to.
To use a cricket analogy, he is David Gower to the Ian Bothams.
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To be fair, a lot of Cantabs feel the same way about Mr Marshall, Leg Break.
TRAITOR!
nah, I don't really care. As a BoP supporter I have a vague dislike of Canterbury but I really hate Auckland (and to certain extent the other two "Bays")
I don't think it's stink at all that the Aussies lost. Go India!
Just to check, nobody thought I was actually commiserating for the Aussies did you?
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Thanks Hadyn, that makes up for everything, with interest.
Whew, I'm glad because tomorrow I pick up Rock Band and the only thing on my TV this weekend is going to be a virtual version of me, rocking out.
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Whew, I'm glad because tomorrow I pick up Rock Band and the only thing on my TV this weekend is going to be a virtual version of me, rocking out.
What? To Little River Band?
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Just to check, nobody thought I was actually commiserating for the Aussies did you?
I wondered Hadyn, but I was prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. They were lucky not to lose in four days - I thought they would. Next Test will be a great watch. Poor Binga but, he should have stayed at home.
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