KeithQuinnRugby
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You are here: Home » One Wellington man's views about the woes about the State of the Game in NZ
3 October 2014
Hi Keith, I can't believe how bad Wellington is and Auckland, despite some of their wins are not much better and even Canty has gone into a tail-spin. I believe there is a reason for this which none of the present cheer leading media can deduce.
First of all the Rugby Union puts all its focus on the All Blacks, and plays them at the same time as the ITM Cup. Imagine what Wellington would be like if more regularly it had Jane, Savea, Smith, Nonu, Perenara, Thrush and Coles.
It's also suffered a lot of injuries with players having no time to recover from the S15 because, again the NZRU's fault, they allow that competition to go on too long. So Wellington is without A Savea, Toomaga-Allen and Goodes. Similarly, look at Canterbury, with no first fives because the ABs take fringe players into their squad like Slade and Taylor, who hasn't even stripped for the ABs has he? And of course the constantly injured Carter.
I've liked the rise of Taranaki and Tasman in the ITM Cup, and Manawatu too, but it's partly due to the NZRU having lowered the standard of provincial rugby. It might be a more level playing field but it is also a recipe for mediocrity.
Oh well keep smiling; I'm trying to. (Name withheld by request) (messages sent to kqrugby@hotmail.co.nz )
Comments 1
the 1906-07 All Black fullback), Ernest Edward 'General' Booth was born. He was nicknamed after William Booth, the founder and first General of the Salvation Army. After touring Great Britain with the 1905-06 New Zealand team E.E.Booth later became a rugby writer and was one of the first touring rugby correspondents. He travelled with the 1908-9 Australian team to Great Britain. Later still he gained notoriety (in the strictly amateur game of the time) when he was hired as a professional rugby coach by the Southland Rugby Union.
BAXTER, JAMES
Birkenhead Park, and England
3 internationals for England 1900
Respected as a diligent and determined administrator in England, but reviled in New Zealand as the man who stole the All Blacks’ birthright, ‘Bim’ Baxter holds a key place in rugby history.
Already a member of the IRB, and England team manager to Argentina in 1927, Baxter was appointed manager of the 1930 British touring team to New Zealand and Australia.
There he was outspoken, to say the least, in his denunciation of the New Zealand wing forward position. Baxter stated the wing forward was ‘nothing more than a cheat’, and his influence on the world scene led to the framing of laws which effectively stamped out the two-man front row, and with it the wing forward position.
Baxter was also highly critical of the game of rugby league. When being shown the sights of Auckland, Carlaw Park, the local rugby league ground, was pointed out to him. Baxter offered a quip that has always been quoted by Kiwi league followers when their rivalry with rugby union is discussed. Baxter said of the park, ‘Every town must have its sewers.’
Baxter was an international referee on nine occasions and was on the IRB from 1926–39. A silver medal-winning yachtsman at the 1908 Olympics, Baxter was also involved in golf and rowing.
Which club supplied seven players of the 1971 British and Irish Lions touring team to New Zealand - five of whom played all four tests?
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8 October 2014 (11 years ago)
boone
Firstly Keith, let me say how I have grown up as a rugby fan and in my mind Quinn and Rugby go hand in hand. Congratulations on the excellent new site. I will be a constant visitor.
My comment is in regards to the inaugural Jock Hobbs Under 19 tournament,currently under way in Taupo.
I am a Manawatu supporter of all levels of rugby. Great to see young men on the national stage that I have watched in school boy sides throughout the years. A large number of boys did not make the 1st XV so again good to see that hardwork and perseverance still pays off.
Hopefully this tournament will lead to opportunities for many to further their careers.
One concern is the number of scouts who may use this as an opportunity to hoover up talent from outside their own area, drop them in a bigger pool and let them sink or swim.
My major passion is the Manawatu Turbos and the big percentage of locals in our side.
I much prefer to watch people in the Green and White who have come through our system and not try and import a team each year.
Otere Black, Jamie Booth, Jade Te Rure, Nehe Milner-Skudder are just a few examples of this.
Our Under 19's will contain the next crop of the above, if we get a chance to keep them.
Keep up the great work