I should think opinion would have two sides, well maybe 3. One side who agree, one side who doesn’t and maybe those who simply couldn’t give a shit.
When it comes to matters-sport, this is certainly the case. When it comes to NZ rugby there is almost no fence sitting and most have an opinion on the various issues in and around the game.
What I’m most pleased with myself about is the fact that I’m not a raving lunatic with a differing opinion to all others (depending on the subject matter – in this case rugby union). I was reading through stuff.co.nz sports opinion articles and discovered a pointed little piece from Taine Randell, All Black Captain. It’s here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/10553741/Randell-Great-days-in-New-Zealand-heartland
If you can’t be bothered reading it – summarised it says that the ITM Cup is contested this year more from the provinces than the main centres. Furthermore, the article serves to warn against shutting the competition down because of the player influence from the regions.
This post deals with a format change for the ITM Cup – back to the tried and true. Offering solutions to the issue of falling attendances.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/10558724/Goile-ITM-Cup-format-needs-to-change
As I alluded to before this is a sort of commendation (put on myself of course) for my rants about the Super XV. To have an All Black Captain and a respected writer go public with their feelings, it’s time the fish heads came and had a look. At the provinces I mean. I happened to be at the Hawkes Bay V Wellington game last night – what a surprise you say!! There were more people there on a Wednesday night than there were for the Saturday-staged Bay of Plenty game a couple weeks back. More people I would suggest than some Super games got I’m sure.
My fear is that clubs/franchises will be become too powerful. We are seeing the beginnings of it now in England where clubs are demanding compensation or threatening not to release players for the World Cup next year. When clubs have too much say, International rugby suffers with weakened teams. When international rugby suffers the provincial scene suffers because there is little incentive to play in one’s own country. Given that New Zealand, South Africa and Australia are the best international sides on the planet I think it is our responsibility to preserve the integrity of the game and NOT let it turn into what the English Premier League has become.
Wow – just watching Waikato get an absolute bumming from Auckland – where’s this team been?
Anyhoooo, goodnight peeps. Get in touch if you wanna!!
mysportingvoice.com 