A different weekend event in sunny Khandallah. In some respects just like others, as I went with Joe to watch Wellington club rugby. This was a bit different in that the game was played at Nairnville Park, the same place graced by Joe’s cricket and football skills. Sara, Isaac and Eleanor were also present and the players’ bench was being kept warm for a while by a certain Tana Umaga.
The most recent All Black captain, as there is currently a void, and Hurrricanes lynch pin, was playing for his local club team. He has been injured for a few weeks and so was presumably a way to ease back into the action. He came on after 30 minutes and the first thing he did was drop a pass, to the groans and amusement of the crowd.
The game would normally be played at the Basin Reserve, but the cricket season has only just finished this week.
Tana playing for Petone (Pet-oh-knee) would be like David Beckham turning out at the likes of Boston Manor Park, Tooting Common or Lower Staughton village green, and playing in front of a few hundred people, maybe for his old boys team.
Because of the unusual circumstances, there were TV cameras at the pitch. There was the natural “scrum” at the end of the game, with the autograph hunters surrounding the national hero. It did not include myself. He did his duty well and was around little and big kids for a long time.
I did take the video camera, but the footage was ruined by interference in the middle of the screen; not sure what went wrong. Would otherwise have been good footage. Memories will have to do!
He played quite well by the way.
For the record Petone beat Old Boys-University. I enjoyed the game, and there is something to said for watching a game close up and real rather than high up in the stands of a modern stadium.
For those rugby officianados out there, OBU are coached by Dave Loveridge-remember him?
Category: Sport
Rugby from the sidelines
Today were at Ian Galloway Park for day one of Joe’s rugby season proper. He met his new team. Wests Under 11 “Red” team.
http://www.wests-junior-rugby.org.nz/_home/wests-junior-rugby-home.htm
The coach loooked the team over to decide positions. Joe was prop. He did well few good tackles, took the ball on a couple of times and tried to look the part in those mauls. Scrummaging was on though no push at this level. Lack of fitness told for Joe, and was of fthe action near the end and not getting the tackles in. something to work on.
The oppo was well organised having mostly played before and together. One lad really took the eye. He was a back who could run fast, was a well balanced runner with swerve, side step and eye for a gap at the age of 10. One of those who we will see again?
He reminded me of me!
Rugby from the Grandstands
A trip with older rugby mad son to the Cake Tin to see a top of the table class;Hurricanes v Crusaders, first v second. The place was officailly full though there were some empty seats. Presumably some pass holders can afford to shell out lots of dollars and not turn up to the games or be bothered to pass on their ticket for a game.
Despite the numbers still a low key atmosphere. Is it something to do with the stadium shape and size?
A good game in the first half, competitive, running rugby, fast stuff. The Crusaders always had the edge. Second half lesser quality and “Canes” looked ineffective until near the end. Crusaders just too good. Dan Carter very much in control though did make some uncharacteristic simple errors. Rico Gear looked pulsating with ball in hand and ever dangerous. McCaw cheated as well as usual.
Joseph thought hhe game was not too good becuase the Hurricanes lost! A typical kid -unable to appreciate the finer points?
Basin Reserve
Yesterday afternoon Joe and I went for a flying visit to the cricket. This was after he has hit a mesmerising 6 runs in his under 10s game and bowled a tidy 2 overs of left arm spin. The boy deserved his crunchy and his trip out.
If only the West Indies could play as well as the Onslow Shastris. We were a bit late to see the dolly catch dropped at mid off which should have accounted for Fleming, but instead watched him and Fulton hit the bowling around with ease. Penetrating bowling it was not.
I enjoyed the viewing, and Joe got the autograph of Jimmy Franklin-who000?
New Cap Listening to National Anthem at Eden Park
Well he is playing rugby this winter and has already been to two pre-season training sessions to work on his skills and fitness.
A few nuggets have been passed on in the garden about the finer points of catch and pass, with addition of hip movements in the next lesson.