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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There are try-saving tackles and then there are momentous try-saving tackles. George Gregan performed the latter in the 1994 match against the All Blacks.…
Ken Wright may not have been the greatest back to represent Australia, but he did something on the rugby field that I still remember…
There are those who are exceptionally good at one career option, others who can combine two choices, those who are multipotentialites - those with…
My memories of Roger Gould from all those years ago - yes it was the 1980s - are of an icy cool player with…
Mark Ella is another player who did not depend on rugby union for his life satisfaction. I wrote recently that if a player’s mind…
Is the current division in Australian cricket related to which side of the political aisle each party stands on? And which generation they belong…
Being a New Zealander, it is against our DNA to admit that a certain Aussie rugby player is, actually, rather good. The level of…
News is filtering out that Novak Djokovic may be able to play in the French Open under new covid rules. Various news platforms are…
Thanks to Mungo69 who asked this question about my favourites team: “Great side, who do you think would be strong enough to coach a…
Over the past six months I have brought to you my favourite All Black players since 1970. I have enjoyed testing my memory as…
Carl Hayman rounds out my favourite All Blacks with his confirmation as tighthead prop. He lines up in the front row with Sean Fitzpatrick…
I needed a locking partner for Peter Whiting in my favourites team and narrowed it down to three. Ian Jones, Colin Meads or Andy…
I tried to find one word that would describe Carlos James Spencer and initially thought 'maestro', then 'magician', but settled on 'conjuror': a person…
Today’s rugby fans may never have heard of Joe Morgan, but to Northlanders especially, he will always be remembered as one of their favourite…
It would be easy to bore you all with the stats and background of Christian Mathias Cullen, when all you must do is watch…
People speak of having balance in life; a need to combine what is important to them. Sir Michael Niko Jones had balance, both on…
Zinzan “Zinny” Brooke, Definitely not a Murray! If ever you wanted to make a rugby movie about an All Black, Zinzan “Zinny” Brooke’s name…
To me, Sean Brian Thomas Fitzpatrick is the All Blacks' greatest ever hooker and one of their most iconic players. He is a true…
Steven Clark 'Steve' McDowall was a unique All Black who liked to do things his own way. One of the All Blacks' most powerful…
I do not specifically remember Peter 'Pole' Whiting for a giant leap in a lineout or massive scrummaging, I remember him for possibly the…
Would say Ponsonby Rugby Club vs Lincoln Club in a game (with TV, All Blacks, marketing) work better than say the Blues vs Crusaders long term is the question I have to ask. With a provincial comp to act as a stepping stone to All Blacks.
Super Rugby's failure was letting Rebels exist for 14 pitiful years - one less also-ran is a blessing
Yes Micko, it would be easier if the All Blacks weren’t such a powerhouse, well “were” a powerhouse! Then the focus could be on a tribal club competition. It would only work though if the All Black players were fully committed to it. Imagine DMac playing for his club at the local ground and fans meeting him after the game in the clubhouse? Oh no that’s right, that is what used to happen!
Super Rugby's failure was letting Rebels exist for 14 pitiful years - one less also-ran is a blessing
Excellent article Hamish and I agree with a lot that you say. Some thoughts: Do you think an NRL or AFL fan is disappointed that internationally they lag behind rugby union in exposure etc? They both have great club competitions which are surely what counts in your own country. A problem though, NZ has the All Blacks so all most fans want to see is the All Blacks winning so is SR really suited to being a major fan attraction? Should they just be a feeder to a successful international team? Would you rather a great, local club competition and less success for the All Blacks or a mediocre club comp and great success for the All Blacks? NRL and AFL have to have successful club competitions because that is all that they have. Can you have both, an excellent club comp and a successful international team? Just to confuse things, ask an NFL fan if they are disappointed the US does not compete in an international American football comp and they would laugh. I remember 30000 fans crammed into Okara Park for a Ranfurly Shield match against Auckland in the 70s, appeals more than following the Blues?
Super Rugby's failure was letting Rebels exist for 14 pitiful years - one less also-ran is a blessing
Not being in Australia at that time I hope I brought some insight into him.
'Fast, physically impressive and a tough centre': Cyril Towers was the godfather of running rugby
Thanks TLN
'Fast, physically impressive and a tough centre': Cyril Towers was the godfather of running rugby
You’re right sheek, players should be adaptable. A basic philosophy would be wear them down in the forwards then unleash the backs?
'Fast, physically impressive and a tough centre': Cyril Towers was the godfather of running rugby
Just watched highlights of Blues vs Drua match and the superbly planned try of Caleb Clarke. Rather than have the hooker score from a driving maul which is one of the worst sights in rugby they pulled a brilliant move involving the backs. That is what should be aimed for and would be approved by Cyril Towers.
'Fast, physically impressive and a tough centre': Cyril Towers was the godfather of running rugby
It’s good to reminisce and remember those who influenced rugby KFTD.
'Fast, physically impressive and a tough centre': Cyril Towers was the godfather of running rugby
We hope that Joe Schmidt has an attacking philosophy based on the great running players of Australia’s past. A guy like Tim Ryan fits the bill.
'The loping ghost': Tom Lawton Snr was the patriarch of Australia’s greatest rugby family
Yes, I was surprised when I found he was a flyhalf. It would be interesting to see where most players end up playing in the footsteps of their fathers.
'The loping ghost': Tom Lawton Snr was the patriarch of Australia’s greatest rugby family
Yes, I was there in 94,its a great place. Especially Cape Town.
George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?
I’ll research it JD but I’m sure they have never been.
George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?
Thanks m. Imagine the impact of a fully fledged NZ Maori team to SA, which I believe has never happened?
George Nepia made his New Zealand debut 100 years ago, but was he really an All Black at just 16 years of age?
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?
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
You just triggered something Khun Phil, imagine if club rugby players were rewarded handsomely for playing rugby what that would do for the game?
'Fast, physically impressive and a tough centre': Cyril Towers was the godfather of running rugby