Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Winning the RWC: it's complicated

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  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to BenWilson,

    Yes, that is quite shit. I have a whole bunch of vague statements to fob off persistent inquiries, and changing the subject is the best tactic. It’s annoying to have to do, but that kind of thing is by no means limited to rugby. Being asked how much I dig some kind of music that I don’t know about is in the same bag. Or books. Or religion. Sometimes the safest is to just support them all. Or pick an obscure one, and claim it’s what you’re into.

    I wonder if one issue is that certain groups of people - i.e. men - get a lot more of this than others. It's way less acceptable to just say "nah, I don't watch much sport" if you're a guy. I've indulged in versions of that in the past (like giving my male flatmates a bit of grief because none of them got up for the 2007 RWC quarterfinal, when my female flatmate and I did) and it's not cool.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • Rob S, in reply to Kyle Matthews,

    I suspect that Sky will run Soho for a period to get people hooked onto these shows and will then put them into pay to view.
    A loss leader to entice you into their maw.

    Since Apr 2010 • 136 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    got up for the 2007 RWC quarterfinal

    I seem to remember it was mid-morning?
    But yeah, your point is a good one.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • Max Call, in reply to Russell Brown,

    same with us - love MT commentary, not so much the picture.
    Had to watch TV One for the semi as the HD picture was far superior. Lucky we had so much cheering and excitement that we drowned out a lot of the commentary. Turned back to MT after the game for their post-match summing up.

    Fruit Bowl of New Zealand… • Since Jun 2007 • 153 posts Report

  • JacksonP, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Joe Bennett weighs in on the ABs...

    "Grace under pressure"

    In this song is a point, of sorts.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to John Armstrong,

    Jesus that is properly frightening. It's bad enough seeing the Herald publishing wilfully misleading photographs of balls flying between uprights simply to reinforce the 'Wayne Barnes is Incompetent' narrative.. (He said, desperately trying to stick vaguely to topic..)

    Quite. That story was utterly risible. The Herald's sports team seems to have been taking turns at trolling for the past six weeks.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to Carol Stewart,

    I seem to remember it was mid-morning?
    But yeah, your point is a good one.

    Well, 8am on a Sunday. In a flat full of uni students that qualifies as "getting up for". It's practically dawn. (For similar reasons, the University of Canterbury Fencing Club's annual "Duel at Dawn" usually happens around 10am.)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • Carol Stewart, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    Heh. That explains everything.
    We, on the other hand, had an overexcited 8 year old in the house so 8am was practically lunchtime.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report

  • 3410,

    the electric Dagg

    A memorable photo.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Danielle, in reply to Lucy Stewart,

    Well, 8am on a Sunday.

    Yes. I recall distinctly: I made bacon and eggs for my grandfather as the doom came upon us.

    I also didn't think it was likely that I'd be watching the 2011 games with Grandad too, considering he turns 93 in a few weeks. He's a bit more confused about what's going on, but it's a nice way to bond with him while he's still around, so I'm really grateful for that. (It's also why I'm not very good at dealing with 'performative disinterest' - I'm all sentimental about the family thing and get a bit quiet and hurt-feelings-y. Obviously the RWC and my grandfather aren't related, except in my tiny mind, so it's a completely illogical reaction.)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Lucy Stewart, in reply to 3410,

    Saw that somewhere else, too. Poetry in motion.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    The ghost of Foreskin’s Lament still seems to walk amoung us.

    Hah, I remember when I used to just change the subject when asked what I thought of THE HOLY TRILOGY – because even I have my limits when it comes to lung-busting rows over shit that doesn’t really matter. (Then again, it was a fascinatingly virulent outbreak of the inverted cultural cringe that thankfully burnt out without killing the patient.)

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Danielle,

    Obviously the RWC and my grandfather aren't related, except in my tiny mind, so it's a completely illogical reaction

    Culture is about many connections

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Emma Hart, in reply to Danielle,

    (It's also why I'm not very good at dealing with 'performative disinterest' - I'm all sentimental about the family thing and get a bit quiet and hurt-feelings-y. Obviously the RWC and my grandfather aren't related, except in my tiny mind, so it's a completely illogical reaction.)

    But, and I say this as someone whose cynicism is legendary, this is the root of "Don't be a dick about stuff you don't like." Because you never know what the personal, emotional associations are with the people who can hear you.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I hope relatively little was spent on “VIP hosting”

    Planned to be about $10m apparently. On top of $4.9m to host the Pacific Islands Forum.

    That's via John Hartevelt's story asking whether the tournament has been good value.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • andin, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I think I explained my point well enough, but feel free to disagree.

    Oh I will some other time tho' hope thats OK

    I've written about the practical-creative thing before, at some length.

    Damn I must have missed those.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • merc,

    It's very difficult to calculate value derived from the spend when we don't know what the strategic objectives were... = good times?
    The Govt. and Council don't seem to need these things (the value equation) in order to spend, spend more, and finally just say plainly, $spend + good times = good spend? Joyce is amazing at it, Key awesome and English, well...very creative.
    The figures never seem to add up until the spin comes in.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to merc,

    The Govt. and Council don't seem to need these things in order to spend

    There must have been business cases. You'd expect we will see some review of those now.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • merc, in reply to Sacha,

    Breath not holding.

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

  • BenWilson, in reply to Emma Hart,

    "Don't be a dick about stuff you don't like." Because you never know what the personal, emotional associations are with the people who can hear you.

    It's a good rule of thumb, but it's not universally applicable, just like all the "don't be a dick" rules. Sometimes, being a dick is the only way to move forward. Some issues are just a clash of dicks.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Sacha,

    Was it good - sure.

    Could it have been done for much, much less - undoubtedly?

    (Charging for fan-zone tickets would have deferred the cost and contained the numbers. We could have had every game in existing stadia - just with slightly smaller crowds - who could in turn have been transported more easily.

    If the government threw a few million at BDO or Homegrown, they could have free admission, too. But they don't - and I wouldn't really expect them to)

    Also, if you're having a thing, and using your own money, then that's up to you. If you're taking *my* money to do it, then I think that gives me locus standi to criticise.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Sacha,

    Planned to be about $10m apparently.

    Fuck! Why isn't the bloody Brewery coughing up the catering. Who got this money? Why do I have to pay for throwing parties for a bunch of people I will never meet (or care to)? This is just mean. Who should I email? hmmmm...grrrr....:(

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    undoubtedly?

    says it all really :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    The business case would be about the value to NZ of sucking up to whoever the VIPs were. By all means ask to see it and check their assumptions.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • merc, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    The elephant in the corner of the room...awarding competitive Govt. contracts.
    (ref, the Tuppawaka was made in secret).

    Since Dec 2006 • 2471 posts Report

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