By Roger Childs

Ruining matches

Rugby fans were reminded on Saturday how red cards affect match results. When Scott Barrett was ejected from the Bledisloe Cup match in Perth in the 39th minute, the game was effectively gifted to the Wallabies. 

At the time of the All Black lock’s dismissal from the field of play, the score was 13-12 to Australia and a close contest was in prospect in the second half. There was certainly plenty of entertainment in the second forty minutes, however the cards were heavily stacked in favour of the home side. And so it proved as the Wallabies ran out winners by 47-26.

The impact of other red cards 

Back in the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Wellington, a moment of idiocy by Sam Warburton denied the Welsh the anticipated victory. The captain was banished for upended a French player in a spear tackle early in the game, and although the Welsh battled gamely, in the end they couldn’t win a place in the final against the All Blacks.

Then in 2017 in the second test against the British Lions, Sonny Bill Williams, with a stupid shoulder charge on winger Anthony Watson in the first half, left his side with only 14 men. With just six backs to defend against the Lions seven, it was only a matter of time before the All Blacks lost the lead and the match.

A modest proposal

This comes from rugby aficionado, Raumati resident Tony Fraei. His idea is to punish the offending player and disadvantage his/her team, but only for a short time. The process would be as follows –

• The red-carded player is out of the match.
• The team cannot replace him for ten minutes.
• After then a substitute can come on.
• The dismissed player would still appear before the judiciary.

Under this system, there would be a short term disadvantage for the offending team, but they would be restored to 15 players after ten minutes. Consequently, the probability that the opponents would win the match with their extra man would be neutralised. 

The other major advantage would be that the spectators would get a contest with both teams a full strength. 

This suggestion for changing the red card rules, in my view, makes a lot of sense.

Media release from the KCDC:-

Kites, kai and local kōrero receive support through 2019 Kapiti Major Events Fund

The Kāpiti Coast District Council has awarded $175,000 to five local events that showcase a distinctly Kāpiti flavour and provide return on investment for the local economy.

Trail running event XTERRA Wellington, Māoriland Film Festival, Kāpiti Food Fair, FFFLAIR and the Ōtaki Kite Festival will each receive support through the 2019 Kāpiti Major Events Fund to deliver their events within the next year.

“We were really impressed by the quality of applications we received through this funding round,” says James Jefferson, Group Manager Place & Space.

“This year we added additional funds and clarified application criteria regarding what types of events might be successfully selected for financial support. This has resulted in some fresh ideas as well as continued support for events that have already proven themselves iconic to Kāpiti.

“Hosting a diverse calendar of events attracts visitors to our district, allows us to celebrate what we love the most about Kāpiti and is a key driver in delivering long-term economic development.”

2019 Major Events Fund recipients:

The Waikanae Health Advocacy Group is pleased to advise that at its Tuesday, 20 August meeting, Tristine Tilly from Age Concern will be talking about its Age Connect multi-pronged initiative aimed at alleviating the profound impacts of loneliness so common in our elderly community.  Any material distributed during the meeting will be made available to those unable to attend.

The Kapiti Health Advisory Group’s Hospital and Local Medical Appointments Transport Information Brochure will have been distributed to all community organisations, medical professionals and others by the time of the meeting.  Copies will also be available at the meeting.  If your organisation has not received copies by next Tuesday or you would like extra copies, please contact me on the number below.

We look forward to your joining us at 9.30 am 20 August at the former Waikanae Support Hub premises, Mahara Place, Waikanae (two doors from Kiss ‘n’ Bake).  There is ample parking in the Countdown Carpark and while a RSVP is not required, an indication of your likely support would be appreciated via waikanaehealthadvocacygroup@gmail.com or 021 024 765 95.

Nga mihi,

Sandra Forsyth

Chair, Waikanae Health Advocacy Group; mobile: 021 024 765 95

My lord, I have a cunning plan. —Baldrick to Lord Blackadder

Have objectives and stick to them

People who take their sport seriously have training schedules. Often it is a weekly program which will include some flexibility to vary the pattern if need be.

If you are just getting underway with an exercise regime, setting goals is essential to making the fitness program work and become a regular part of your life. 

Unlike those who have been training and performing for years, people new to regular exercise should be looking at progressively expanding their schedule and increasing their commitment.

Start conservatively then set targets

As mentioned in our first article, the first outings should be very easy. 

Probably the hardest part of getting going is actually “turning up or out” for the exercise! However, once you’ve walked/jogged/cycled/swum the first time, what follows is plain sailing. Getting underway should give you the motivation to keep going!

One of the best ways to make sure you are “getting out”, is to go with someone else. If you are meeting a friend(s) at 8.00 am on a particular corner, you’ll be there!

With the first week of your fitness regime under your belt, think about possible goals. These could be to —

• build up your “training” to a particular level by a certain time
• train for a particular event
• be fit enough to join a local walking/jogging/cycling/swimming group
• establish a regular weekly regime by the beginning of September, whatever
• lose a certain amount of weight
• be ready to join a gym by ________

Having more than one is fine.

Keep an exercise diary so you can realistically plan ahead and later look back on what you have achieved. It can definitely be flexible it you need to work around appointments, café meetings, the weather, whatever. However, aim to do what you have set down for the week.

Parkrun for joggers and walkers

In the Kapiti area the 5 km Parkrun is from Otaihanga Domain every Saturday at 8.00 am — same place, same time, every time. It’s a great idea to ensure your exercise becomes regular. 

(More on Parkrun in the next article in the series)

However, if you would rather focus on biking or swimming or both, the bottom line is having a regular schedule.

In America anyway; maybe coming this way soon.  They may look like a cross between a Dalek and a pepper shaker/an out-of-shape milk container, but they scan people and things, sending video feeds to human monitors.  And they make strange noises.  What we need in Kapiti?  Website

A photo by Capt Mike Grieg of Air NZ on a flight headed for Wellington.  Otaki is the closest, the lights near the first bulge in the coastline is Waikanae.

Below is a list of subjects that this media organisation will report on, but not allow reader comments about.

On first sight it may seem reasonable, but not when it is realised that Stuff is now a highly biased media organisation — reports are nearly always slanted in favour of whatever the government stance is, in expectation of government favours in return.  If the government stance is neutral, then the bias is usually that of the Political Correctness Brigade.

The easy answer: treat Stuff articles with suspicion or just go elsewhere.

by Roger Childs

Decisive win in the first Bledisloe Cup Test

You can’t argue with a score line of 47-26 and the Australians are halfway towards regaining the Bledisloe Cup after 17 years. Their victory was comprehensive and they score six tries to  four. 

Would they have won if Scott Barrett hadn’t been red carded in the 39th minute for an illegal shoulder charge? The question is hypothetical and the reality is that the Wallabies had a big win which will give them the self-belief that they can roll the All Blacks in Auckland next Saturday and take the Trans-Tasman rugby trophy.

A highly entertaining game

The crowd of more than 60,000 witnessed an excellent game of rugby. There were ten quality tries based on superb continuity, hard running and wonderful handling skills.

The home side had the better of the first half and dominated possession. However, the All Blacks were leading two tries to one when the break came, but they knew that in the second half they would be down to 14 men against a fired-up Australian team.

In the end the Wallabies scored four further tries to the All Blacks two and being a player down told in the end. The home side showed tremendous commitment in the second forty minutes and had the superiority in the forwards and the lion’s share of possession. Despite plenty of fierce tackling from the All Blacks, having the extra man meant that the Australians were able to score the decisive tries.

A great all-round effort

This was very impressive team performance from the Wallabies. Nic White at half back shaded Aaron Smith and as well as firing out quick passes to his backs, he was always dangerous when he ran with the ball from the base of the scrum. The outside backs all played well running at speed and backing each other up. Reece Hodge showed plenty of pace to score two tries and Kerevi broke a couple of tackles to set Hodge up for a try at a crucial point in the second spell. Kurtley Beale at full back came into his own in the second half and his tricky running contributed to two tries.

In the forwards captain Michael Hooper led by example and was dangerous with ball in hand and made his usual turnovers in rucks. Prop Scott Sio and other tight forwards scrummaged well and featured in some powerful runs up the middle.

All Blacks best performance?

After a narrow win in Argentina and a draw in Wellington, there were some positive signs that the All Blacks were getting back to the open, running style of rugby they like to play. But they started poorly and it was only in the second quarter that they began to play with more imagination and flair, and the outcome was two impressive tries. 

The decision to play Beauden Barrett at full back and Richie Mo’hunga at first five generally worked well. Barrett’s positional play was first class and a number of times he injected pace in the backline and he scored near the posts in the second half with an excellent jinky run. Ngani Laumape was on earlier than expected after Jack Goodhue suffered a first half hamstring injury. He tackled strongly, always made ground when running at the opposition and scored a superb individual try late in the second half.

There is no way that SBW is a better option than Laumape. Rieko Ioane was better than in Wellington, but he still not getting involved enough when the play is not running his way.

The All Blacks forwards were shaded by the Wallaby pack, but it was pleasing to see a much improved performance by captain Kieran Read. He toiled well in the tight, and is clearly now much fitter than in the earlier tests. Ardie Savea was the standout forward for the visitors with plenty of strong running, fierce tackling and he matched Hopper in the rucks. He often ran quickly from the back of the scrum to link up with the backs, especially in the second half when the forward pack was down to seven. Dane Coles was the best of the tight forwards – he threw superbly into the lineouts and always looked dangerous with ball in hand especially on the flanks.

But mistakes cost the All Blacks dearly. There were some dumb penalties given away and Scott Barrett’s idiotic no-arm shoulder charge on Hooper ensured that the visitors would always struggle to hold out the Wallabies in the second half. Missed tackles on the right flank allowed White to score in the second half, and a serious lapse in front of the posts, when the right hand side of the ruck was left undefended, allowed Samu Kerevi to dive over unopposed.

All on at Eden Park

The return match at Eden Park next Saturday will be fascinating. The Wallabies will be fired up knowing that the All Blacks are beatable and that a win or a draw will give them the Bedisloe Cup for the first time in many years.

The home side will realise that they have played three tests without being very convincing. However, there were signs in Perth that they were starting to get back to the style of rugby they like to play and if they avoid anyone being sent off, would be favoured to win a the “fortress” in Auckland.

It sounds as ridiculous as Jacinda and Stuart Nash’s claim that taking guns off law abiding firearms owners, but not criminals is somehow making people feel safer.

From this report on the Stuff website, “Success of City Safe in the central city to deter begging and anti-social behaviour has resulted in an increase in complaints about such behaviour now occurring in a number of suburban areas where there is no City Safe presence,” according to a council document. Well, that is kind of what you might expect?

It’s a pity the Stuff reporter didn’t ask the Council what they plan to do with these people.  Send them to a gulag?  They’ll get no support from Jacinda: she’s too busy bringing in Third World migrants, housing for whom ranks ahead of homeless local citizens.