Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Winning the RWC: it's complicated

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  • BenWilson, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Richard Loe, right?

    O Sensei, he say "First, smash the eyes"

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to 3410,

    (And, Bart, without wanting to make a thing about it, your last paragraph was unjustified in at least three different ways).

    I think what Bart's responding to is what I like to call the performative disinterest of non-rugby-attracted Kiwis over the last few weeks - people seem to feel the need to announce loudly and dismissively they're not interested, even in forums where no-one is importuning them to be. I can understand that sort of response when you're being personally harassed to pay attention, but if it's just a bunch of people on the Internet being happy together about something? It comes across as very inducing-precipitation-on-the-parade-ish.

    Once a year America - especially the American media - goes absolutely nuts for the Superbowl, the pinnacle of a competition I don't care about in a sport I find somewhere between bizarre and pointless. But I don't feel the need to go around telling people how much I don't care about American football and the details of the things I will be doing in lieu of having a Superbowl party.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • 3410,

    announce loudly and dismissively they're not interested

    Never. Even. Said. That.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to 3410,

    Never. Even. Said. That.

    You may not have, specifically, but a bunch of other people definitely have said things along those lines.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    After all, when was the last time the collective nation got overwrought to the point of violence and depression because a Kiwi didn’t win a Nobel Prize for which they’d been nominated?

    Such events don't generally involve alcohol consumption, which I suspect is a more proximate external cause than the rugby per se. Christmas has nothing to do with rugby, but is a reliably bad time of year for family violence.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    You may not have, specifically, but a bunch of other people definitely have said things along those lines.

    Some of whom are now watching intently with the rest of us ;-)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Richard Aston,

    I noticed that too, Richard. With one kick, I think it was the first one, he was murmuring to himself - maybe an entreaty to his koro?

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Leopold, in reply to jb,

    Boofheads? Rubbish. Maori TV commentary (by an ex AB and an ex-Wallaby ) was entertaining, knowledgeable and without rancour.
    Far superior to the usual TVNZ hacks
    My compliments to Maori TV

    Since Jan 2007 • 153 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Leopold,

    I enjoyed their commentary very much. I found them entertaining, and very genial.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Leopold,

    To these ears, both TVNZ and TV3's commentary teams sound like commercial radio bellowers. Maori TV doesn't and though they're all knowledgeable that tips the balance for me.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Ana Simkiss,

    Maori TV also had the best call of the night, from Peter Fitzsimons to Buck Shelford "Better take that one down to the metaphor shop"..

    Freemans Bay • Since Nov 2006 • 141 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    because a Kiwi didn’t win a Nobel Prize for which they’d been nominated

    Or celebrated the folks who got Marsden Funding (equivalent to winning the NPC) or commiserated with those who didn’t … sniff.

    Rugby is special to NZ, despite many other things being much more (objectively) important.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to 3410,

    Never. Even. Said. That.

    No you didn't and I got ridiculously preachy at you, for which I apologise.

    That said, at a time when half the nation (or thereabouts) watched one game on TV you decided to mention that half didn't ... shrug.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    And let's not forget that " half the nation" actually refers to "half the people that have those meter things on their tellies". I would be very surprised, anyway, if the actual number wasn't far higher than that. Everyone I've come into contact with since Sunday, including the lovely staff at the Auckland Council service centre in Greys Ave, did, certainly.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • 3410,

    No you didn't and I got ridiculously preachy at you, for which I apologise.

    Think nothing of it, sir!

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    The other half was of course down at the pub. Or 16 and hanging around the streets trying to get me to buy them alcohol...

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • JacksonP, in reply to BenWilson,

    Richard Loe, right?

    O Sensei, he say "First, smash the eyes"

    I caught a pre match interview with Low, and he did use the word 'smash' far more times than was necessary. Probably doesn't contribute much to the impression many people have of the game.

    Then again, saying the players 'smashed into each other' is not an entirely inaccurate description, with the ABs losing the most 'claret' as a result.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Jackie Clark,

    And let’s not forget that ” half the nation” actually refers to “half the people that have those meter things on their tellies”. I would be very surprised, anyway, if the actual number wasn’t far higher than that.

    Yes. When you and Craig not only watched but expressed enthusiasm about the result, something was clearly going on :-)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to JacksonP,

    Probably doesn't contribute much to the impression many people have of the game

    I would have been happy to see Loe cop a life ban for persistent thuggery.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • BenWilson, in reply to JacksonP,

    Probably doesn't contribute much to the impression many people have of the game.

    Oh yes it does. It's a smashing game.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • hamishm,

    The Tour put me off rugby for awhile and I've always been a soccer Nancy anyway (come on you Hammers). Then we went to live in Melbourne and they have that other football which is like a religion but more serious (if equally incomprehensible).
    So I lost interest for a long time.
    These guys seem all right, though, no real animals and about the usual levels of stratospheric egos but I think having professional sportsmen so important to a culture has very real dangers. The talkback radio at the time of the Cardiff disaster was straight-out psychotic.
    Yeah, be interested and passionate and enjoy the thing, have a great time! But realise that it is just a game. While we might share some of ideals that the game does, strength, agility, whatever, those are part of the picture, we have to be a bit deeper than that, I think.

    Since Nov 2006 • 357 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to hamishm,

    Yeah, be interested and passionate and enjoy the thing, have a great time! But realise that it is just a game. While we might share some of ideals that the game does, strength, agility, whatever, those are part of the picture, we have to be a bit deeper than that, I think.

    Oh, quite. A large component of my dread about NZ not winning this year comes down to a dread of the wailing and gnashing and general dickishness that would inevitably follow such a result.

    I cannot even fathom the ghastliness of the All Blacks losing at this point in the competition.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • JacksonP, in reply to Sacha,

    I would have been happy to see Loe cop a life ban for persistent thuggery.

    One thing I thought, although in this context it may seem odd, is the incredible discipline shown by both teams overall on Sunday. Apart from the SBW moment of course, which we won't mention.

    Did I here someone say 'showboating?' Oops.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report

  • merc, in reply to hamishm,

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rwc-in-auckland/5799249/Whats-on-in-Auckland-October-18
    Count the rugby related things that are on. There are things going on here that seem to suggest deeper motives methinks.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • John Armstrong, in reply to Jackie Clark,

    I enjoyed their commentary very much. I found them entertaining, and very genial.

    Absolutely. I've developed a strong loyalty to Maori TV's coverage during this tournament, which was only strengthened on Saturday when I heard (during TV1's buildup to the first semifinal) Tane Randall claim that he had 'a sneaking suspicion that France might play like France'. Those are your tax dollars paying for such insights folks. Give me Glen Osbourne's constant teasing self-promotion any day.

    I've also been quietly enjoying Peter Fitzsimon's apparently sincere attempts to plug his fellow commentators' for insights into Te Reo and various aspects of Maoritanga in general. Given the general thrust of the opening ceremony, Maori TV has just felt like the natural place to watch the Cup. Capital 'C' intended..

    Hamilton • Since Nov 2007 • 136 posts Report

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