The wrap
Unfortunately, we are starting to see a divide in the comp, and we are only four games deep.
Women’s rugby
Premier women’s rugby kicked off two weeks ago and AU made a statement that they will be there when the whips are cracking when they put 50 on last year’s finalists, Dunedin.
But who is running this asylum? There are only five teams in the comp, but they are playing three games this week to get all their competition in. They finish before they start halfway through June, apparently, and they need to play three games in a week? This is just lunacy. Have the CRC contracted a Labour Party working group to run this competition?
NZR board fiasco
I wasn’t going to get involved in this debacle, but I can’t help myself. The players’ association want us to help grassroots rugby — do they even know what grassroots rugby really is? The provincial unions want to help grassroots rugby — really? They’ve never helped us before! The current board want to help grassroots rugby — the same applies; they’ve never helped us before. Grassroots rugby seems to be the catch cry, but these august bodies have never even talked to grassroots rugby. We seem now to be a convenient slogan to get backing. I, for one, smell a very big rat. More soon.
Am I too mean?
As you may or may not know, I run a weekly video on club rugby to give our readers an insight into what is happening around the club scene (odt.co.nz). This year, I’ve been trying to get all nine clubs’ premier coaches on so they can tell us how their clubs are shaping for the year — their moment in the sun, as it were. Admittedly, I’ll ask the odd hard question if needed. This week, Harbour have declined to come on. That is their right, but they’ve cited that I am biased against them, and they don’t get a fair go, so they’ve blacklisted me for the near future. Obviously, I beg to differ as I see my role as highlighting the good and the bad of club rugby, and the humour that is always present on the sidelines — but I am happy to call a spade a spade. I hope they’ll reconsider.
Down on the farm
In the North, Valley crashed to Excelsior, and by a big margin, to end a 13-game winning streak. Perhaps the town clubs might hold sway up there this year.
I see four players from Athies have been kicked out for a few weeks for bad behaviour in the Maheno game. My question is: why do all unions refuse to divulge the names of those suspended? Surely this would act as a further deterrent. It is my understanding that a couple of the players are in the North Otago squad.
In Central, Upper Clutha are the only unbeaten team after dispatching Wakatip in the weekend. In South Otago, only West Taieri remain unbeaten after Crescent were beaten by their bitter rivals in Clutha. It was a quiet night in the colliery! Star beat Woodlands by 80 down in Gumboot. Pirates Old Boys and the Eastern, Northern, Southern Barbarians still look the goods down there.
This weekend
Destroyed the twins with a perfect score last weekend so I am buoyed up. On to Dunedin’s No 1 citizen, Mayor Jules Radich, so it will be a cakewalk. Dunedin (12-) are on a route march to the high veldt to take on Kaik who go in as favourites. Kaik have lost their Highlanders and Dunedin may have gained a couple in the form of prop Wingham and flyhalf Faleafaga. It will be close, but the Sharks pack may have the edge. It’s the battle of the Saddle out at the Eelpit and GI (13+) must be favourites. The Eels will slither about, but GI get it done convincingly. Varsity (13+) are at home to Harbour and the students will make it two from two. AU are at home to Zingari (13+), and this will only go one way — Colours too strong. In Central, destroyed Trevor Washington and on to Jenny Affleck from Owaka this week so the run continues. Jenny is the longtime secretary of the club and just loves the place. Crescent (13+) will bounce back and take Clinton apart. Clutha (13+) will just be too quick for Heriot out wide. West Taieri (13+) remain unbeaten and consign Lawrence to the dredgings in Gabriels Gully. Clutha Valley (12-) visit the prison and start a riot over Toko.
The late mail
Congrats to Jordan McEntee from Kaik, the intercept king, on his 100th game last week. Can somebody tell me how many intercepts in the 100 games? Surely a 50% success ratio?
