The Roar » New Zealand

Second Test worthy of a Hitchcock script

Michael Warren — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:17:44 +0000

I watched the second Australia versus New Zealand cricket Test match, which had more drama, twists and turns and sheer edge-of-the-seat intensity than a Hitchcock movie, and it became the most thrilling Test match I have watched for decades.

The Goliaths of cricket falling to the slingshot stone of David, only seven runs short of victory after having the contemptuous expectation of New Zealand becoming, yet again, another ‘swallowed up and spat out team’ of the Australian cricketing juggernaut. This was a fairy-tail ending for David.

This time, it was not to be for Goliath and the Aussie throats were slit faster than an All Black Haka.

Australia have been stunned that this New Zealand eleven could inflict such hurt onto a team that portrays to the world an inference that its only reason they show up to play New Zealand is to collect the trophies.

In most games against New Zealand they do. Australia has great pride in winning but nothing gives them greater pleasure in victory than when they shaft New Zealand.

It is distinctly noticeable over this side of the ditch that when Australia wins against New Zealand, all bangers flash and lights pop in the Australian media, as if to place it hard, up the noses of the New Zealanders.

Should Australia lose, the media either go silent or get up the noses of their own. Simply put and because of this yo-yo attitude, Australia never seems to be humble and gracious in winning.

The Kiwis portray it as an inferiority complex, and then use it as a retaliatory, baited-barb similar to sheep inferences used by Australians on Kiwis.

No team ever likes to lose. This loss, however, has been a sudden jolt to Cricket Australia and their attitude toward the New Zealand games of having being won before they went on to the field and that the only reason they were doing so was to find out by how much.

Sometimes, the mouse does roar and bites the bum of those bending over to show it. As individuals, all the Australian players I have ever met or played with are bloody good mates and bloody good blokes with Australia having exceptionally good sporting teams.

Because New Zealand win so few cricketing games against Australia, and when arrogance, disrespect or poor attitude toward Kiwi teams are inflicted on them when they suffer a loss, they retaliate by reminding Australia about their underarm bowl.

To win against Australia, everyone reacts way out of proportion to the event. Simply savour the moment and be proud that you tried to do your best whatever team you were in.

The Kiwis are on a roll and the media should acknowledge their achievement with the same euphoria that winning Aussie teams are given. The media should get off the backs of the Aussie teams and stop lambasting them when they lose.

Team losses at the Rugby World Cup, Bledisloe Cup games, Super and Tri Nation rugby games, cricket, netball and so, are simple to understand. The team’s performance was not good enough on the day.

The Kiwis tend to accept loss or wins with grace and respect of their opposition. It is time for Australia to stand up and do the same and for the Australian media to accept that their teams are mortal.

Roaring Hot

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Article link: Second Test worthy of a Hitchcock script. Written by Michael Warren, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Suneer Chowdhary — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:59:05 +0000

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Article link: Australia vs New Zealand second Test: cricket live scores (day four). Written by Suneer Chowdhary, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Australia vs New Zealand – second Test: cricket live scores, blog (day three). Written by Suneer Chowdhary, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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The message from Michael Clarke’s men was clear after New Zealand dared to dream of ending a 26-year hoodoo on Australian soil – “we can chase anything”. The Black Caps are in the box seat to notch their first Test win in Australia since 1985 after moving to 3-139 in their second dig by stumps [...]

Article link: NZ dream of historic Test win in Hobart. Written by Laine Clark, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Australia may rue Test bowling choice. Written by Laine Clark, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Australia vs New Zealand – second Test: cricket live scores, blog (day two). Written by The Roar, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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The Roar — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:57:09 +0000

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Article link: Australia vs New Zealand – second Test: cricket live scores, blog. Written by The Roar, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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The lives finally ran out for Michael Clarke at the Gabba on Saturday. But New Zealand’s cricketers were feeling the pain in the first trans-Tasman Test. The Australia captain rode his luck to hit 139 as the hosts amassed 427, for a first-innings lead of 132, to all but bat the off colour Black Caps [...]

Article link: NZ on rack in trans-Tasman Test. Written by Laine Clark, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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owenteakle87 — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:50:03 +0000

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Article link: Black Caps should not be underestimated. Written by owenteakle87, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Only two certainties in line-up for Brisbane. Written by Kersi Meher-Homji, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: League to shine on the international stage. Written by dlang30, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Binoy Kampmark — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:46:41 +0000

For so long, a nation that has produced a string of outstanding rugby sides has stumbled at the last hurdle. Gods take it upon themselves to destroy those they deem gifted. The World Cup is hardly something that populates the otherwise stacked All-Back trophy cabinet. At a certain point on Sunday, it seemed that the [...]

Article link: Saving a country: the All Blacks at Eden Park. Written by Binoy Kampmark, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

What if All Blacks don’t win World Cup final?

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Since beating the Wallabies, New Zealand has become a land abuzz with confidence. A country brimming in the glad anticipation of seeing a second All Black captain triumphantly hoist the William Webb Ellis Trophy. All that needs to happen is a repeat of what occurred in 1987 and for us to beat the French. It’s [...]

Article link: What if All Blacks don’t win World Cup final?. Written by The Crowd, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: If it had to be anyone, at least it was the All Blacks. Written by Geoff Lemon, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

New Zealand needs a second NRL team

sportlover — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:57:56 +0000

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Article link: New Zealand needs a second NRL team. Written by sportlover, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

New Zealand lose star trio for Australia Test

AAP — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:42:42 +0000

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Article link: New Zealand lose star trio for Australia Test. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

NZRU invites rugby league to takeover

kingplaymaker — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:16:53 +0000

The Warriors’ success in making the NRL final is simply the result of a long process whereby the NRZU considers the threat of rugby league irrelevant. More and more league scouts plunder the young of Auckland, the crowds and exposure increase, the talk of a second franchise is heard. This generation alone produces players of [...]

Article link: NZRU invites rugby league to takeover. Written by kingplaymaker, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

NZers don’t know whether to laugh or cry over Cup losses

Spiro Zavos — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:16:36 +0000

The enthusiasm for the Rugby World Cup tournament by New Zealand has exceeded expectations to such an extent that an estimated 200,000 people turned up for the Auckland waterfront celebrations on the night of the opening match. About 50,000 people, at most, were expected.

All Blacks defeat Tonga in World Cup opener

The Roar — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:17:51 +0000

New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams against Tonga in the Rugby World Cup pool match at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, September 09, 2011. Credit:SNPA / Ross Setford

The New Zealand All Blacks have started their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign in style, easily claiming victory over Tonga 41 to 10 in the first match of the tournament at Eden Park, Auckland this evening.

All Blacks select an appealing blend

The Crowd — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:00:37 +0000

The All Black team for the first game of the World Cup has an appealing blend of pragmatism and experimentation. The forward pack has no great surprises (that’s the pragmatic side) with the need to keep Mealamu and Hore occupied, but not burnt out over the course of the next six weeks (assuming all goes [...]

Article link: All Blacks select an appealing blend. Written by The Crowd, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Steven Adams: a Kiwi phenomenon

Jeff Cheshire — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:59:49 +0000

When people think of New Zealand, basketball is usually far from the first thing that comes to mind. Cricket, netball and rugby have forever commanded the nation’s attention and remain New Zealand’s most successful sports. But basketball is a growing game there and it seems, finally, the Kiwis may have produced a prospect as good [...]

Article link: Steven Adams: a Kiwi phenomenon. Written by Jeff Cheshire, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Wallabies, for once, please prove me wrong

Uncle Argyle — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:02:47 +0000

As an avid fan of the Wallabies, mixed with the generally optimistic nature Australians possess, it is really hard for me to ever truly write off the Wallabies in any Test as I always believe there is chance of victory. It’s the Australian way. However, as I ponder this further, another famous Australian trait is [...]

Article link: Wallabies, for once, please prove me wrong. Written by Uncle Argyle, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

New Zealand captain hopes for AFL team

Chris Barclay — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:37:21 +0000

Andrew Crighton, New Zealand’s captain for the AFL’s upcoming International Cup, is hopeful the competition’s next expansion move will be across the Tasman Sea. Crighton, who works as an AFL development officer in Auckland, believes the prospect of the league featuring an expansion side based in New Zealand is realistic. “I definitely think it’s feasible, [...]

Article link: New Zealand captain hopes for AFL team. Written by Chris Barclay, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Haka an unfair advantage for All Blacks

flashonetime — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:29:19 +0000

Yes, I’m admitting I’m angry and upset as we just lost the Bledisloe Cup that we were chance of winning. So maybe I’m venting! But while watching the first 20 minutes it seemed to me the All Blacks wanted it more. They were more aggressive, they were harder on the ball, they were possessed. I [...]

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What Kiwis can learn from ‘cocky’ Aussies

KingsofCommentary — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:23:48 +0000

The New Zealand All Blacks' Jerome Kaino charges into a group of Wallabies. AP Photo/Rick Rycroft

From a position of inferior standing, ‘confidence’ always looks ‘cocky’. Which is why the Dominion Post headline, “All Blacks keen to quell cocky Australians” does our national side no favours.

Why I think the Crusaders will win

The Crowd — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:34:54 +0000

While this may be an unpopular view on a largely Australian sports website, no matter where I look across the park, I see the Crusaders on top of the Reds. Firstly, they’re ahead on player match-ups. The Crusaders’ pack was outweighed by the Stormers’ pack by 40 kgs, yet they swamped them. Wyatt Crockett, Corey [...]

Article link: Why I think the Crusaders will win. Written by The Crowd, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Why Kiwi kids think the All Blacks will flop

The Crowd — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:50:44 +0000

I read today that, according to a poll taken among New Zealand children of various ages, the All Blacks won’t win the 2011 World Cup. A surprising amount of kids thought that the All Blacks would make the final and then blow it again.

Will Tri-Nations see return of running rugby?

The Crowd — Sat, 21 May 2011 22:07:27 +0000

That headline might sound a little weird seeing that the Wallabies and the All Blacks already play running rugby. But the Boks, still being coached by the traditionalist Peter de Villiers, are said to be planning their old tried and true tactics for the coming Tri-Nations in July and August. Detractors call it the “kick [...]

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Highlanders 13 Hurricanes 6 in Super Rugby

AP — Fri, 13 May 2011 16:20:31 +0000

Fullback Ben Smith pressed his claim for inclusion in New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup squad, scoring the only try as the Highlanders beat the Hurricanes 13-6 in Super Rugby action on Friday night. Smith was an All Black in 2009, playing two Tests, and a member of New Zealand’s gold medal-winning Commonwealth Games sevens team [...]

Article link: Highlanders 13 Hurricanes 6 in Super Rugby. Written by AP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Playing hybrid rugby in a perfect world

The Crowd — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:07:50 +0000

What if we lived in a perfect rugby world, where both codes joined in harmony, no friction, no code war and everything to gain. Let’s just say for argument sake, Union and League joined and took the hybrid version with assault. How would this change the sporting landscape in Australia and New Zealand, also managing [...]

Article link: Playing hybrid rugby in a perfect world. Written by The Crowd, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion