ethos
BroncoKiwi
England or New Zealand – Please Stand Up
November 8th 2008 05:37
Category: World Cup News
Every nation in this year’s world cup has impressed me with their passion, enthusiasm and dedication. Well, every country apart from England and New Zealand.
We’ve seen some inspired performances and upsets from the likes of Ireland, Fiji and Samoa but not from the sides that should be posing the biggest threat to the Aussies.
As exciting as the games between the minnows have been (and I’m a massive supporter of the world cup) the competition would be far more exciting if Australia faced a serious challenge.
The English should be used to mediocrity by now (ouch!) but I’ve been really disappointed by the lack of fire in the Kiwis. For a group of physically imposing individuals who look like world beaters during the haka, they have surrendered quite meekly.
Perhaps rather than haka choreography lessons a group viewing of either Mighty Ducks or Cool Runnings would be in order (granted the Jamaican bobsled team didn’t actually win but the point is they gave it their best and won plenty of admiration in the process).
One team who typifies the never-say-die attitude is Papua New Guinea. Realistically speaking, PNG lack the skill and fitness to beat the Kangaroos but they wouldn’t know it. Prop Jason Chan says "We'll do everything we can hurt them...we want to rub their faces in it... we want to smash them."
The Kiwis need to learn a lesson or two from the Papuans. Firstly, they need to talk the talk to rattle their opposition; however, most importantly they must then walk the walk. It’s ridiculously cliché but New Zealand must play every game from here on in like it could be the last. Give absolutely everything on the field.
Considering the layout of the draw, only one of England and New Zealand will get the opportunity to extract revenge on Australian but both nations must stand up for the sake of the competition, their fans, themselves, the coaching staff and the credibility of the sport in general.
…
In other news, the New Zealand Warriors have announced that veteran halfback Stacey Jones will return to the club next season. Jones is one of the best playmakers of the modern era and his presence means the Warriors are now a true contender in 2009.
The acquisition of Jones gives New Zealand a very well balanced squad. I’m expecting the Warriors to lineup as follows next season:
1 Wade McKinnon, 2 Denan Kemp, 3 Brent Tate, 4 Jerome Ropati, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Nathan Fien, 7 Stacey Jones, 8 Sam Rapira, 9 Ian Henderson, 10 Steve Price, 11 Simon Mannering, 12 Ben Matulino, 13 Micheal Luck
Interchange: 14 Lance Hohaia, 15 Jacob Lillyman, 16 Sonny Fai, 17 Epalahame Lauaki
Definitely a top eight standard team and at $13.00 to win the trophy, worth a punt?
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Comment by Anonymous
Comment by ethos
NRL Live
Well, when I wrote the article the Kiwis and Poms were both playing very ordinary football. One of the two teams needed to stand up - and they did!