OPENING THE BORDERS

ON a recent trip up North I had the good fortune to visit the Waitangi Golf Couse in all its glory.
It's a stunning picturesque venue that looks out to the beautiful Bay of Islands.
There were a handful of groups enjoying the surrounds in these international tourist-less times and it became apparent the players were in their "golfing paradise."
This reinforced the indisputable fact that along with all our other outstanding attractions we are one of the planet's ultimate golfing destinations.
Scattered all around the country are courses ranging from the awe inspiring and majestic to the ones off the beaten track with fences around the greens to keep the sheep off.
There are courses for everyone.
It's a huge selling point when the borders re-open and the world returns to some normality.
I've often wondered why we haven't made more of  our golfing pedigree.
The Government invested $136.5m in the recently completed America's Cup campaign. While it would be churlish to question that investment there's no doubt a fraction of that spent on, say, a fully fledged co-sanctioned tournament with the PGA or the European Tour would reap rewards.
The current New Zealand Open (a Pro-Am type tournament) does a magnificent job of showcasing all that is good about Aotearoa so just imagine what substantial Government funding could realise.
It's time to tee-off post Covid and utilise our vast golfing potential.

***

LAST Sunday afternoon there was a collective groan when Blues' prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi lined up Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett and took him out in a sickening "clean out" during the Super Rugby clash at Eden Park.
Tu'ungafasi was yellow-carded for clipping Barrett in the chin with his shoulder. There's no question it could have been a lot worse. That it wasn't can only be put down to good luck - pure and simple.
Ironically the Blues' player was cleared of any wrongdoing in a baffling decision from the judiciary which will only serve to encourage the "Exocet missile" (i.e. flying in at a low trajectory) technique of taking players out.
As club rugby gets set to kick-off "clean outs" like this will be the norm. 
There will be yellow and red cards issued. There will be injuries, bad injuries. Players seasons will be finished and, in some cases, careers. 
The illegal cleaning out appeals to the boofhead element in rugby but for everyone else it's a shameful part of the game.
It's dangerous.

***

ON THIS DAY 

1896

At 9.30 a.m., an explosion tore through the Brunner mine in Westland’s Grey Valley. Two men sent underground to investigate were later found unconscious after inhaling black damp, a suffocating mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Rescuers began bringing out bodies around 11 a.m. The noxious gases took their toll on the men in the rescue parties, many of whom collapsed and had to be carried out.
The final death toll was 65 – almost half of Brunner’s underground work force. This remains New Zealand’s deadliest industrial accident.
(Courtesy: nzhistory.govt.nz)

1978

The IRB at its annual meeting decided to introduce free kicks, from which points could not be scored, from the start of the 1977-78 season.

BY THE NUMBERS

WE like our heroes to be understated.
We like them to be tough in combat and uncompromising in their approach but humble when the competition comes to an end.
We don't mind a bit of white-line fever but we're not big on show ponies or try-hards.
We celebrate their hard work ethic and  their "team first mantra".
We' like them to be selfless not selfish.
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke (and their mates) proved that - once again - this week.

***

 ONE of the primary roles of any rugby (i.e., the 15 man game if there's any confusion from our league friends) halfback  is to ignite the backline.
Setting the backline alight starts with an accurate fast pass off either hand.
The man who plays his 100th Super Rugby game on Sunday has proven to be one of the finest exponents of that craft.
Bryn Hall - the Crusaders' halfback - clears the ball brilliantly and consistently ignites the Red n'Black backline. The success of the Christchurch based outfit is testament to that.
It's also no surprise that Richie Mo'unga has excelled in the No.10 jersey given the quality ball he receives.
Hall is an outstanding player and has flourished in the positive environment the Crusaders embrace on and off-the-field. He's not "The Lone Ranger" there though as Super Rugby's most successful franchise continue to challenge the players to not only succeed but to excel.
It must seem a different set-up to the bumbling Blues outfit that shamefully showed Hall the door several seasons ago. But as that closed the Crusaders' door opened and Hall has excelled in the professional environment headed by New Zealand Rugby's outstanding coach Scott Robertson.
Ironically the Blues have turned to the Crusaders' blueprint implemented by former Red n'Black and All Blacks utility Leon MacDonald as coach to improve the franchise's fortunes. So far the Canterbury playbook seems to be working for the Blues.
Not that it will concern Hall. He'll be looking to continue to unleash the Crusaders' backline just as he has done since joining them for the 2017 season.
It's a stunning achievement to play 100 games at any level and Hall's efforts, like those of any player, will be celebrated.

***

I WAS asked during the week what the test match record of the All Blacks was.
Here it is.
(Played) 597 (Won) 460 (Drawn) 22 (Lost) 115 (Points For) 16,575 (Points Against) 7944 (Win Percentage) 77.05%

***

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"I play golf for a living.
"I mean, I should be able to shoot a good golf score occasionally. It doesn’t happen as much as I want.
" But yes, I’m very happy with it. I was very calm, I was very relaxed out there."

Aussie golfer Matt Jones after hitting a nine-under-par 61 in the first round of the PGA Tour Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Euphemistically Speaking

 IT would have been too blunt for the spin doctors at Buck House to condemn the Los Angeles based Royal exiles by simply stating: "You aren't telling the truth - we don't believe you."
Instead create something that politely conveys what you're really thinking.
"While some recollections may vary," goes straight to the top of the euphemism podium for 2021 and should remain there for some time. That's how good it is in undermining the heartfelt veracity of what was said.
With just four words the "The Firm" (as the Royal Family is known) shamelessly discredited the exiles - Prince Harry and his wife Meghan.
It's amazing the statement didn't add that the Prince was on "gardening leave" and was having a  "workforce imbalance correction" or that his wife, wary of "underperforming assets" or, perhaps,  a "temporary negative clash flow" decided on the "tell all" interview.
Of course, with Queen's husband looking at an imminent "negative patient outcome" this whole dramedy will be further drawn out which rather begs the question of just how long this type of  colonialism (i.e. the Commonwealth) with its ingrained "dark ages" attitudes will go on for.
Hopefully not much longer.

***

THERE has been an overwhelming, and humbling, response to last Friday's blog.
To all those who replied to the post - publicly and privately - thank you.
What the post, regarding "ageism", has highlighted is just how widespread it is. Many "mature" people have contacted me describing how they've been subjected to "demeaning" questioning from prospective employers which has left them feeling disillusioned and, at times, desperate in their quest for work.
This shouldn't be happening and, perhaps, it provides an opportunity for the Government - who have been at pains to tell us all "to be kind" in these tumultuous times - to reinforce how important an experienced and elderly workface is to the economy but, more importantly, to society.

***

I'M looking forward to the NRL season.
I enjoy watching a game where I can understand the majority of the rules, see the ball most of the time, watch backs run with freedom, admire forwards with genuine skills, reflect on the engaging  personalities of the players and the coaches and, generally, enjoy the spectacle of a game that doesn't resemble glorified "force back."
It certainly is a novel approach.

SORRY YOU'RE TOO OLD

ANOTHER email lobs into the inbox.

“Thanks so much for taking the time to apply for the position of …

“In reviewing your application, we’d like to acknowledge the experience you’ve gained, though unfortunately on this occasion, we won’t be moving forward with your application for this role.

“While we couldn’t get things to work out this time around, our relationship definitely isn’t over and we'd like to keep your details on our files."

I’ve had 78 of those emails. I expect to go past 80 and slowly work my way to a well fought, if rather pointless, century in the next few weeks.

While the rejection emails always try to convey some sense of positivity after the “we don’t want you” line the irony is that the majority of employers don’t want a follow up as it’s an inconvenience. It seems it’s just too difficult to do that.

Since raising my bat at 50 I’ve decided to contact every one of the outfits I’ve applied for roles at. Only a few have come back to me (which is pretty ordinary in itself) and of those that have, apart from a suggestion that a tweak of the CV wouldn’t hurt, I’ve been told “Sorry you're too old.” 

Of course these calls are always made “off-the-record” and in “total confidence” with the “I shouldn’t be telling you this but …” explanation offered as some sort of softening up preamble to the hit that’s coming.

For a spritely bloke (and I do give myself a rap here) of just sixty it’s difficult to take especially when you know you would excel and enhance in the roles you’ve been applying for.

Perhaps, though, it’s probably better to face the indisputable fact that if you’re part of the “no hair or grey hair” brigade it’s going to be tough nowadays. That’s especially relevant if, like me, you haven’t got a degree.

“They’ll use the no degree excuse but it’s just code for you being too old,” a former colleague told me. 

“It’s demeaning but there are plenty of us mature types having the same battle,” he said ruefully.

A professional consultant confided that many employers are wary of taking on “more mature” workers.

“It’s especially relevant for the 55-60 plus group. Many organisations see these people as set in their ways, technically adverse to new technology, unwilling to look at new ideas and, let’s face it, they’re not that far away from getting the gold card and being looked after by the Government.”

When I replied that it’s a cynical way of looking at aging workers given many of us are technically adept, have a great deal of maturity (finally), wisdom and life experience he told me: “That may be so but it’s not the reality I’m hearing about. So you’d better get used to it.”

Is that the case? Do we need to face facts and “get used to it”? 

I reckon, despite the challenges, despite the knock-backs we have to battle on. There’s the honest appraisal that “there’s always someone worse off” and while that can come across as patronising and condescending sometimes it’s all you’ve got to hang on to.

And seriously for someone who didn't make many centuries in senior reserve cricket getting to a hundred could be an interesting experience.

Super Rugby; Tiger and Bradman

SUMMER hasn’t fired its last shot; cricket continues to entertain and the national game, under the guise of Super Rugby Aotearoa gets set to kick-off.
Yes another rugby year is about to hit us and, despite the perennial questioning as to why the season starts at this time, there is a level of anticipation surrounding Super Rugby.
Which teams will dominate early? Which players will shine? Which players will have slow starts? Will there be new stars emerging?
These are just some of the scenarios that fans love as they indulge in plenty of crystal ball gazing.
For starters I’m hoping this Super Rugby season brings some clarity with policing the persistent offside offending masquerading as defending in the midfield. If there’s a way to spoil a game then the flat defensive screens will do that. Referees have red and yellow cards so surely they should use them on players who consistently offend to gain an advantage on defence.
Sounds simple but it rarely is enforced.
Another aspect of the game that makes for a collective shudder is the cleanout. Players (primarily forwards) rocketing in to take a prone opponent out is dangerous (more on concussion in the next few weeks) and not a good look for the game.

***

AS you’d expect there have been some creative headlines relating to Tiger Woods and his car accident in the hills of Los Angeles.
“Bad Drive”, “Tiger Drives Out Of Bounds”, “Tiger In The Rough”, “Tiger Cheats Death”, “Tiger In Trouble … Again”, “Tiger’s Dodgy Drive”  and “He Should Have Taken The Driver”.
It’s another chapter in the life of a modern day sporting icon that will be followed closely.

***

IT’S the 20th anniversary of the death of cricket’s greatest batsman.
Don Bradman - the diminutive Aussie whose name became a metaphor for excellence - was a dominant and divisive figure on and off-the-field during, and after, his amazing cricketing career.
The test match average of 99.94 will not be threatened and the way he dominated made his name synonymous with a supreme brilliance that transcended the game.
His name endures with comparisons of sports stars who dominate, as he did, being of “Bradmanesque” quality. The term has even been applied to business prodigies or musical virtuosos - in fact anyone who excels - as the “Bradmans” of their particular field.
It’s a legacy that will endure.

Stats, Stats and Pre-Season Training

 MY post last Friday regarding the pandemic and whether we'd be looking at the finish line or eyeing up more of a marathon effort was put in context by increase in "levels" for Auckland and the rest of the country following the community transmission outbreak.
It also raised the speculation as to when (or if)  the pandemic will be sufficiently controlled as to allow international tourism to resume.
A reader of the column sent me the following stats to confirm just how important tourism is to Aotearoa and why it's essential the world-wide vaccination process is accelerated.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism made a huge contribution to the New Zealand economy:

• Total annual tourism expenditure was $41.9 billion – $115 million per day.
• Annual international tourism expenditure was $17.5 billion – $48 million per day.
• Annual domestic tourism expenditure was $24.4 billion – $67 million per day.
• Total annual tourism expenditure had increased by almost $15 billion, or 55%, in the past seven years. Tourism was New Zealand’s biggest export industry, contributing 20.1% of total exports.
• Tourism generated a direct annual contribution to GDP of $16.4 billion, or 5.5%, and a further indirect contribution of $11.3 billion, another 3.8% of New Zealand’s total GDP.
• 225,384 people are directly and another 158,802 indirectly employed in tourism in New Zealand – 13.6% of the total number of people employed in New Zealand.
• The annual GST paid by tourists is $3.9 billion, including $1.8 billion collected from international visitors

PRE-SEASON training is in full swing.
On a sticky night on Auckland's Gold Coast I watched a local team labouring through their paces as I was out wandering.
It looked tough.
There was plenty of sighing, double teapots and frequent swigging of the water bottles. It's not meant to be too much fun at this time of the year and it didn't look like it.
Once I got home I reached for "Rugby on Attack" by All Blacks great Ron Jarden. Published 60 years ago by the visionary wonder winger it is an enlightening read.
Jarden - who was ahead of his time as an analytical thinker of the game - had the final chapter of the book titled "Coaching, Captaincy and Training". As part of that he had some fascinating insights into pre-season training.
He writes that "long slogging runs up hills and along bitumen roads, for as far as four or five miles" serve no purpose for the backs.
"I cannot imagine anything worse for them. Especially in the early part of the year they should be concentrating on developing speed and nimbleness. Slow work develops slow players. Backs should never run slowly at practice. "
Jarden - who must always come into the conversation regarding the ultimate All Blacks XV - also reiterated the concept that a "rugby ball should be present."
"From the very first session players should be handling and passing, catching and kicking - learning to get the feel of the ball again.
One cannot over-estimate the importance of training with the ball at all times. Most certainly backs have not trained if they have not handled the ball during a training session."

Note: There will be more from Rugby on Attack over the course of the year. 

Playing The Long Game

IS the finish line in sight?
Or is it getting further away?
It depends on where the Covid-19 race is being run. If the track is Aotearoa - New Zealand along with the Pacific Islands, and possibly Australia, then the finish line is in sight. If the track is the "Rest of the World" (with a few exceptions) then it seems to be getting further away.
The rollout of the vaccine here will reduce the danger of this  serious disease developing and go a long way to ring-fencing our country against the risk it presents.
But what happens if there's another outbreak as there has been in Melbourne this week?
There's no doubt that proportionate short term and measured solutions as we've seen since the major lock-down last year will ensure we continue to lead the way in our Covid-19 response.
As much of the world battles to combat the pandemic we should be thankful that we live where we do. 

***

WHY would Team New Zealand get ahead of themselves and start planning for the next America’s Cup before the current one has been done and dusted?
All the talk about what the outfit will do in the future has been centre-stage despite not having defended the America’s Cup.
Is Team New Zealand so dominant that a crushing win is a foregone conclusion? Is the outfit so strong that the Old Mug can be locked away at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron? 
Surely the Grand Dalton led organisation wouldn’t want to get too carried away and go off early.
We’ve seen that before.

***

RUGBY officials won’t rule out more changes in order to speed the game up and make it “more fan friendly and easier to watch.” 
Two new innovations – the goal-line drop-out and captain’s referral – will be introduced for Super Rugby Aotearoa this season.
A media release from NZR (New Zealand Rugby)  this week outlined: “A goal line drop-out will occur when an attacking player carrying the ball is held up in the in-goal or knocks the ball on in the in-goal area, or when an attacking kick, other than a penalty or drop goal attempt, is grounded by the defending team in their in-goal area. 
“A captain’s referral will see each captain given one opportunity per match to ask the referee to have the Television Match Official (TMO) check for an infringement in the lead up to a try, or to review foul play.”
Sources close to the NZR High Performance team believe more innovations, primarily seen in the NRL (National Rugby League), will be introduced.
“The two changes introduced this week have been taken directly from the NRL and we’re keen to integrate more of those wonderful innovations from across the Tasman into our game in order to make it more watchable,” the source said.
“Our focus groups have told us they enjoy watching league more than the 15-man-code so we’re keen to explore more ways of streamlining our game.”
Reducing team numbers to 13 on-field players per side, ensuring any player can form a scrum and eliminating lineouts will be trialled.
A spokesperson for NZR Ms Nomore Scrummagin would not elaborate other than to say: “We are engaging with our stakeholders, broadcast partners and American hedge funding consultants as to the way forward.
“We will not be making further comments unless we need to.”

Back On The Horse

HOW are those New Year resolutions going?
It's a month into 2021 and according to the experts (a scientific term apparently) 94 percent of us have either issued a yellow card or the dreaded red card to our resolutions.
The same experts reckon the top 10 resolutions at the start of every year are:
Exercise more
Lose weight
Get organised 
Learn a new skill or hobby
Live life to the fullest
Save more money - spend less money (LOL)
Quit smoking (I assume this refers to tobacco)
Spend more time with family and friends
Travel more (Don't leave town until you've seen the country)
Read more 

To be fair five out of 10 is reasonable.

***

A LICENCE is mandatory in order to drive. While it's questionable - given what I've witnessed during the summer - how some drivers got their licence the fact is that you need one to legally operate on our roads whether that be a car, van, motor-bike, truck, bus, steamroller, whatever.
So why don't you need to a licence to operate a boat (I'm not talking cruise liners, cargo ships or super yachts) but rather the Haines Hunter types.
Why don't owners have a test to go through? Questions along the lines of : Should swimmers be terrorised close to the shore; why is it acceptable to ignore ski lanes or, perhaps, whether life-jackets are a fashion accessory or a necessity? 
Jet skiers - the motor bike riders on water - could also be subjected to a test before they're licensed. Perhaps something like - how much mayhem is acceptable when dodging swimmers (especially children) five metres offshore. 

Answers on a post card please.

***

THE Matariki public holiday is unique to Aotearoa. It has more relevance than, for example, the annual Queens Birthday public holiday.
Matariki should always be celebrated here.
(Note: Matariki is both the name of the star cluster and also of the season of its first risingin late June or early July. This is a marker of the beginning of the new year.)

 ***

MEMO all millennial sportspeople: When you are asked as to which team you are playing on a particular weekend please refrain from using the word "versing." 
You are playing against A, B or C not "versing" A, B or C.
(It's a losing battle but I thought I'd try.)   

 ***

IT'S been a long time between drinks but, despite the tumultuous challenges, of 2020 it is an appropriate time to kick-start the blog.
I'll do my best to keep it going weekly.
Shoot through any tips or suggestions you may have. 
I reckon the cartoon sums it up.