New Zealand Sevens Captain DJ Forbes and Scott Curry.
The sights and sounds of our national rugby teams struggling in defeat are rare but well worth the wait for those who like to study the innuendo style of excuse-making.
One thing you don’t hear at these times is genuine praise for opponents, of being beaten fair and square.
New Zealand rugby expects and often gets the world to fall at its brilliant feet, but doesn’t give back. Just check a few boorish World Cup losing reactions on that score.
Gold medal winners South Africa were outstanding at the Commonwealth Games sevens, with players such as Cecil Afrika and Seabelo Senatla setting the tournament alight. South Africa should be asking itself why it can’t incorporate more of this attitude and spark into the 15’s, where they insist on retaining tactical Neanderthals like Jake White.
South Africa’s enthusiasm and acceleration in the Sevens, including at the rucks, made silver medal losers New Zealand look clunky and the Kiwis’ discipline was poor.
The television commentators – including the brief All Black Simon Mannix, who coaches in Ireland – had no trouble spotting South Africa’s superiority. But hell hath no escape clauses like a beaten New Zealand rugby team – come the final whistle the usual verbal gymnastics and circumstantial wrestling applied.
I’m not suggesting there was absolutely no acknowledgment of the Blitzbokke’s superiority – apparently there was – but it is well wrapped up in provisos. Captain DJ Forbes mentioned that Sevens was a fickle game, something that doesn’t get such airtime when New Zealand are playing well. He wondered if all their yellow cards in the tournament were warranted.
“Form is temporary but class is permanent… we’re a classy side but tonight we were a little off the pace,” reckoned Forbes.
Hello DJ – there was another team out there. They looked pretty classy, and it could be permanent. Not only were New Zealand comprehensively outplayed, and more so than the score suggested, but Gordon Tietjens was out-foxed by a rookie coach – Neil Powell took over the South Africans only late last year.
Legendary coach Tietjens and player Forbes were on the same whiteboard message, pointing out there were nine New Zealand newcomers to the Commonwealth Games arena. Excuses, excuses.
“When you put that into perspective…” said Tietjens. In other words, more blah, blah, blah. The Games legacy was a big deal for the sevens – they told us that. So don’t give us the development perspective, thanks. Tietjens questioned a lack of lead-up playing time. More excuses.
Just as predictably, the acolytes weighed in, encouraged by Tietjens’ Olympic wishlist. New Zealand would exact retribution by sending a Dream Team to Rio in 2016. Boy, are South Africa going to regret winning in Glasgow.
Just about every test All Black who can trot a bit quicker than Owen Franks was quickly lined up to join one of those infamous New Zealand rugby campaigns to right the wrongs. Platoons of superstars will be pulled out of the 15’s for a sevens version of D-day. And all this within hours of the Commonwealth final defeat.
New Zealand has an outstanding record in all rugby, and it is one to be proud of and treasured. But a more obviously generous spirit to match wouldn’t go amiss.
I wonder if he is referring to NCinChina as well?
đŸ˜‰
@ nortierd:
I congratulated the SA team and said well played, I objected to somebody taking delight in seeing the faces of the beaten NZ team rather than celebrating the great win it was, Norty sounds like you’re towing the company line how sad, free speech and all.
Where is my friend Bullscot, you see this?
So much for being gracious in defeat from those boys down in “The Land of the Silver Medal”.
Sorry, but I am with dWeeper on this, look at those two in the picture above, they should apply to our in-house GreatBlueUndertaker’s parlour to ride shotgun in that old Buick of his during funeral processions in the Panne
@ NZINCHINA:
Kudos to you mate, you did indeed, you were the first Kiwi to congratulate the Boks…I am sure Pops and Caner will be around on Saturday as well, adding their compliments to yours, as they usually do.
Cheers, and long may our rivalry continue! SA vs NZ, no other rugby contest is quite the same, let’s face it
This more or less explains why I enjoyed looking into the NZ faces. As a great rugby country NZ is, they lack the character to genuinely give credit to others when due. Read above again, I am not the only one to realize that.
As not enjoying the Boks win, my family will tell otherwise.
2 @ NZINCHINA:
Why so serious?
nortierd wrote:
Jackpot question that
@ nortierd:
Hahaha Noodles has become a freedom fighter.
Good article though.
đŸ˜†
The New Zealanders are great winners but terrible losers.
The Australians are great losers but terrible winners.
@ Stormersboy: Sooo….two peas in a pod then…SA & NZ?
@ Stormersboy:
And we are terrible winners and losers.
đŸ˜†
gunther wrote:
haha the truth
And the Stormer supporters are the best losers…..after all, we have had a hell of a lot of practice.
gunther wrote:
MacroBull wrote:
Probably lol.
nortierd wrote:
Next year is totally going to be our year!
đŸ™‚
Stormersboy wrote:
Even worse prophets
Stormersboy wrote:
That’s the spirit, just watch us next year.
That Conference Cup must come back to it’s rightful home under the “Platberg”
@ nortierd:
ja I wonder if the Sharks are going to proudly display the conference cup in a street parade on bus or something…..
Stormersboy wrote:
It is the most significant trophy in durban since 1990, Im sure there will be thousands.
Sorry I meant hundreds of people.
Stormersboy wrote:
I’m sure after round 3 of the SR they already booked the bus and set the date for the parade, so I guess they have to, can’t waste more money can they, I’m sure they don’t want another audit.
@ nortierd:
Hahaha true dat.
@ Stormersboy:
Did you check out the new thread?
Bookies are saying that THIS year is our year đŸ˜€
Every now and then, its nice to win the one that matters!
@ Pietman:
Cheers Piet all good mate.
@ dWeePer:
We throw you a bone every now and again.
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