Roar Guru
Joined June 2017
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Thank you to The Roar for enabling me to combine my great interests in sport and writing. Specialising in biographies. If you would like a biography written about a sportsman/woman or anyone for that matter let me know. Go to peterdarrowmedia.wordpress.com for all articles.
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Fiji sits in Pool C at the Rugby World Cup with Australia, Wales, Georgia and Portugal and are the most likely to cause a…
Are the stakes too high at the 2023 Rugby World Cup to give an up-and-coming player an opportunity at the big time? Should the…
As self-designated old timer’s rugby selector of the 'favourites fifteens' from Australia and New Zealand, I can now proudly announce the Favourites Overseas XV.…
Of all the positions in rugby, hooker is the least desirable on the field. It takes a unique character to want to scrummage with…
The key to improving Australian rugby is to treat it as the best niche sport in Australia. The days of competing with the AFL…
If you played as a back in rugby union, the dark arts of prop forward play were maybe a mystery to you. Even knowing…
Was Martin Johnson a rugby thug or just an overly aggressive player? He was a good man to have on your side, as he…
I have been analysing why I currently have this fascination with the English cricket team playing Bazball. In my earlier years there was always…
The size difference between players in rugby union is what defines it from other winter codes, a game for all types. The most striking…
Francois Pienaar may not be remembered for his greatness as a pure rugby flanker, but he will forever be memorialised as one of the…
Recently I wrote an article about the incomparable French rugby union flanker Jean-Pierre Rives who stated, “he couldn’t help but admire rugby’s most gifted…
To live through the 70s and 80s and experience French rugby was to experience how rugby should be played. No one epitomised this more…
Now to the forward pack we move for our favourite overseas rugby team. We have a brilliant backline with Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Danie…
There is a perception that if you critique rugby today, you are not a true rugby fan. I disagree with that premise. The devoted…
Please, All Blacks selectors, be brave and select Damian McKenzie in the squad for the Rugby World Cup. Yes, I know he faces opposition…
One of the most exciting sporting events I have seen recently has been LIV Golf in Adelaide shown on free-to-air television this weekend. I…
I recently authored an article based on the question, “is Gareth Edwards the greatest rugby player ever?” with the answer not conclusive, but he…
A video of New Zealand Women’s Sevens star Jorja Miller caught my eye and I was impressed with her skill level, which led me…
So far, we have JPR Williams, David Duckham, Gerald Davies, Philippe Sella and Danie Gerber named in my favourite overseas team and we need…
Neil Wagner is a one-of-a-kind bowler who is admired for his ability to adapt, tenacity and unlimited energy, making him one of the great…
Thanks. Would be great to see more footage of him. Back in the 70s it didn’t feel that long ago he was playing , surprised when I realised it was now 100 years ago!
George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?
My pleasure.
George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?
Yes, I am distantly related to the Gage family. Have a good photo of a great, great (?) grandmother who looks fully Maori.
George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?
So you are part Maori too OM?
I have enough Maori blood to have once qualified for a Maori housing loan and once voted on the Maori roll! Not sure why I did that but it was strange being the only pakeha looking person there!
George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?
Just going by what I saw last night with the game between Broncos and Storm which was a great game with superb atmosphere and the game on now between St George and Knights which is a fantastic game played in horrendous conditions, rugby has some work to do.
It is possible to like both games.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
“Crowds are down, television audiences are down, the NPC, the provincial competition, draws tiny crowds … club rugby is struggling to stay alive especially in small towns. The game itself, I think, needs to have a good hard look and say to itself ‘How can we make this game more attractive a) to watch and b) to play’.”
Both experts list the same issues that are tripping rugby up. (Tony Johnson and Phil Gifford)
They include governance – where a review has said big changes need to be made, but provincial unions are pressing back against them – complicated rules, lack of money filtering down to the provinces, mystery over what’s happened to the money from the controversial Silver Lake deal, head injuries, the elitism ruining schoolboy rugby, other sports eating into rugby’s dominance, and the future of the women’s game.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
There are far too many opportunities in rugby to kick for goal which slows play, is exaggerated for the infringement, and is boring. A deliberate knock on/attempted intercept is just another chance to kick for goal. There are those from the kick and clap brigade who enjoy the sight of penalty after penalty. I don’t.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Yes, rule changes in league are for the fans, rule changes in union are for…?
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Too true
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Just one point I will put up here, why does a player get sent to the bin in rugby for an attempted intercept/deliberate knock on and RTS gets praise for doing the same thing in the Warriors game and remains on the field unpenalised? Thoughts?
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
The essence of rugby is what got me hooked, but lately I have become frustrated with it because of rules, TMO etc. If on a Saturday night I have a choice of watching a league game or a rugby game, do I sit there watching rugby because that is what I have always watched and I should be blindly loyal to it? When you have people like Umaga, Wayne Smith, Israel Dagg, Phil Gifford etc saying the same thing is it not time to make the necessary changes?
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Maybe the problem is that rugby is a more international game with more stakeholders with vested interests. Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t rucking outlawed by English rulemakers because the All Blacks were too proficient at it?
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Fixing a problem begins with taking ownership of the failures. But so far, no-one wants to accept responsibility, so finding the solutions may never happen.
That is the key issue sheek, after a loss there are many who blame the ref and do not accept the problems with Oz rugby, until they do everything will just be repeated.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
A major problem with “rugby” is the officiating, with the rules, TMO etc dominating matches and making it unbearable to watch.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Yes, where the pursuit of the dollar becomes priority.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Every point a good one BF. Your last point about Poland answers Ben’s question earlier.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Thanks Olly. I wrote an article a while ago about not competing but rugby finding its own niche.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Great question Ben. For me personally it was a dominant part of life that brought people together in the common goal of doing their best in a team environment in order for the team to endeavour to win. Lessons learned in rugby relate to other aspects in life including family and work. Leadership, helping a mate, persistence, confidence, using what skills you have…
“Rugby, as opposed to the NFL culture, traces back centuries, but the sport’s essence remains unchanged. Core values of integrity, solidarity, and respect still define rugby today. From the scrum to the full-time handshake, rugby’s rituals and traditions reveal an unwavering culture. Players compete with unbridled passion between the posts and uphold ideals of sportsmanship that transcend the pitch. Rugby has secured its place as a global sport while retaining a culture and spirit unmatched by any other athletic endeavor.”
Rugby is communal, you can travel the world and play for different clubs in different countries with the same traditions which I believe you don’t get with AFL, League etc.
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Exactly Leachy
'We have to keep the essence of what rugby is about': All Black legend's worrying words of warning
Thanks for the feedback Sheek.
Representing both sides of the Tasman: Why Des Connor is the greatest Australian halfback
Just a note that the title was changed by The Roar from Australia to International.
Representing both sides of the Tasman: Why Des Connor is the greatest Australian halfback
Thanks Muzzo.
Representing both sides of the Tasman: Why Des Connor is the greatest Australian halfback
Good post scrum. Just a thought, many Kiwis accepted the 73 match and try as being great rugby, also the try from “the end of the world” and the Bastille day loss in 78 were also praised and accepted. But with a more regulated society today and social media, have people today become greater whingers who are not so accepting of errors etc?
There's no way rugby's 'greatest ever try' would be permitted these days
They’re not very bright Sheek, too willing to accept what they see on TV and not think. They do whatever they are told to do. Sometimes you need to fight back which is what the farmers are doing in Europe, which most would not know a thing about. What does that have to do with sport? The enjoyment in sport has been overtaken by the almighty dollar and those who want to regulate the hell out of everything.
There's no way rugby's 'greatest ever try' would be permitted these days
How did the Tartaria guy go OM? What is the best place in Otago? I’ve heard Alexandra is nice.
George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?