Field Theory by Hadyn Green
21:22 Oct 16, 2011 82
All Blacks v Wallabies Tensionfest
This game is going to affect you. You may not give a shit about rugby but if you live inNew Zealand then this game has significance. Someone you know will have anemotional investment in the outcome.Youwill have an emotional investment in this game.
As I drove north from Wellington, the signs were all there. Literally. Hand-written signs in fields. Flags hanging from trees and fences and balconies. Words carved into hillsides. All spurring on our national rugby team, despite the fact that the players themselves will never see it.
Approaching Auckland a bright yellow ferrari screams past me heading south, with an All Black flag attached to the window. Going in the other direction is a motorcycle with a large Welsh flag trailing out behind it. On the motorway a van has been painted with the orange, white and green of Ireland complete with scores of the games written on the back window (and a message that read "save your horn for your wife").
It's the night of the semi-final between France and Wales. My friends walk me up throughKingsland along the fan trail, where the number of daffodil heads out number the chicken heads. The mood is, as it has been for all the games, light and joyful. Everyone in good spirits and laughing. Only those fans in black look a little pensive.
Along the trail are buskers and bands and hawkers and fire. It is an amazing sight. Andof course, you saw or heard about the game.
There is also the possibility that the outcome of this match could alter the political landscape. If the All Blacks lose, we could see a change of government as the rose-tinted glasses are lifted and a fog of undirected angst falls on the population.
And now, here I am jotting down awful unfinished thoughts, as the anthems start ... And I am so fucking tense! So please excuse grammar and spelling, but go for it in the comments.
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82 responses to this post
Okay, I'll say it. You know what? We could win this next week.
Tom Semmens, 23:20 Oct 16, 2011
Australia was so dominated, and we forgot to tell them the safe word.
Jackie Clark, 23:33 Oct 16, 2011
I haven't watched a game of rugby for years and years. and I did tonight. A friend of mine has come from Wellington, and wanted to walk the Fan Trail, absorb the atmosphere, that sort of thing and then wend our way to Dominion Rd to have something to eat and watch the game. I am so glad she insisted. The Fan Trail? Meh, could have done without it. Too many fuckwits around us - all talking it up big in a really misogynistic and unpleasant way. The highlight was one of them asking when the next pub was, as we walked up the St Kevin's Arcade stairs. "Just along the road" says I. And lo and behold, they spied Family Bar (a famously gay bar for those who don't know it) and yes, they went in. Oh, I pissed myself laughing. Because, you see, it wasn't really a lighthearted walk. I got the feeling this particular game meant too much to too many people - there were, after all, very few foreigners accompanying us, it was mostly NZ fans. We got to Eden Park and it looked magical, and then we walked past on our way to find something to eat. As I said to her, here we are swimming against the tide. All is as it ever was. We made our way to an eatery - which had just emptied of rugger buggers, and as we made our exit, was expecting another deluge - and settled in to watch the game. I'm not a great rugby person, but the game had me enthralled from the first minute. I was hooting and hollering with the others who were there (mainly the staff). It was fantastic. My new catchphrase is "Touch. Pause. ENGAGE". Love it. And I'm thrilled that NZ are in the finals. I never thought that I would say this, but that game made my heart sing. Don't tell anyone I said that, though, or I may have to kill you.
Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply
Islander, 23:40 Oct 16, 2011
Didnt watch it, but was with my mother and one of her friends while they did.
Ho hum for me, and less than entrancing for them.
That game and the final will NOT affect me.
Cheers and all that - simply because we live in a problematic & direly threatened motu and we need all the cheers we can get.
And ruggerbuggery *wont* do a thing to help most of our problems.
Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply
Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Islander, 00:07 Oct 17, 2011
We went to the Cav. With a friend. The Kitchen staff are friends too. Our bestest mates own the Kitchen. We had Nachos. We had a reserved table with a view for the game ,a place to smoke and strangers to liase with. The yells, the cheers, for reasons basically unknown to me. but, the peeps were happy. Of course our friend commented that her mate who jumped off a plane yesterday (tandem) kinda hoped the All Blacks could loose, as she believed it would influence the election for the better. We could be rid National. My man, in the loo crossed path (urinal) with another.He said" How was that!. He replied "Comme Ce Comme Ca.:)
I'm glad my friend thought about politics, I'm glad I didn't. I really hope we be rid NACT.I really hope the AB's win.
Luv you Hackis, luv you Islander.All Blacks won tonight, next.....!
here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply
BenWilson, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca, 00:40 Oct 17, 2011
My man, in the loo crossed path (urinal) with another.
Bad luck you know. But fortunately it was in the bag. Tempted to check out Kingsland, but only got jandals. Will they let me in?
Craig Ranapia, 06:18 Oct 17, 2011
Saw bits of the game while channel surfing in bed. Now, just got to get over the urge to track down an Aussie sports writer and start screeching "choke on THIS, fuckhole" while doing a Michael Jackson crotch-crunch dance.
It's wrong, I know. I don't do this kind of thing. But it feels sooooo good.
David Cormack, 08:46 Oct 17, 2011
It's almost a shame we played France in pool play .... to meet them in the final for the first time since that night would be tres excitement.
Now we mustn't get complacent.
Suburbia, Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 218 posts Report Reply
Ian Dalziel, 09:18 Oct 17, 2011
The Tokoroa Candidate...
Can sleeper Quade Cooper now come in from the cold?
After enduring years as a 2nd class non-citizen in Australia,
and playing his part to the hilt, his work now is done.
Will he be given his place in the sun and the heroes medal he richly deserves in guaranteeing New Zealand's place in the RWC finals...
Rich Lock, 09:26 Oct 17, 2011
I don't do this kind of thing.
Me neither. But can we grab a camera crew and track down George Greegan? 'Four more years, boys, four more years'.
It's almost a shame we played France in pool play .... to meet them in the final for the first time since that night would be tres excitement
A shame Wales didn't go through. That would have been a final with some heart.
back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply
Dave Patrick, 09:50 Oct 17, 2011
Here's hoping Sonny Bill picks up a one-game ban for his yellow card and we never see that particular side-show in an Al Black jersey again - or at least until he's played some rugby and got rid of the league-isms in his game (running with ball in one hand, instinct to take the tackle rather than look for support when he's broken through, no-arms tackles), and earned his place in the team.
Rangiora, Te Wai Pounamu • Since Nov 2006 • 261 posts Report Reply
BenWilson, in reply to Dave Patrick, 09:55 Oct 17, 2011
He was worth it just for the strip show in the first game. My wife got a whole lot more enthused about watching it, although last night took a bit of the fun out (she's an ozzie).
Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to BenWilson, 10:01 Oct 17, 2011
Jandals never been a prob for us.
hamishm, 10:03 Oct 17, 2011
Watched with the sound off, as usual. Good game aside from the handling errors by the AB's. Q.Cooper was sleepwalking, did he not realise what time it was, or something? Israel Dagg was brilliant.
Bad weekend for the boot, though, Jebus those drop kicks!!
Since Nov 2006 • 357 posts Report Reply
perplexed, 10:38 Oct 17, 2011
I loved it. Less tension than I expected, so glad the ABs started off with a hiss and a roar and never looked likely to fade. I was impressed with the whole squad (except SBW wtf!). Love the joy Jane and Dagg bring to their game .Cruden showed real guts and composure and I hear that Weepu had the flu (and a Tangi) but still fronted. Top effort.
Wellington • Since Aug 2011 • 12 posts Report Reply
BenWilson, in reply to perplexed, 10:39 Oct 17, 2011
I hear that Weepu had the flu (and a Tangi) but still fronted. Top effort.
Indeed. If anyone can bring red beards back, he's the man.
Ross Mason, 10:39 Oct 17, 2011
My jaundiced eyes saw the best game of winning AB rugby for an awful long time. There were only a couple of short interludes where an ozzie would get the ball and ACTUALLY get past a couple of "our" blokes. But it was shortlived. Dominating and it was great to witness the brashness of youth causing mayhem.
And that kid from Upper Hutt?...what.....a .....guy...!
Never seen so much "clean blood" in a game either. I say clean because a workmate has just mentioned that it was noticable there was little dirt with the blood. Eden park is holding up bloody well with all those games.
Poor old Piri. In cricket he would be called a chucker. Now HE knows how the Sally Boys felt.
I have no hesitation in congratulating the NZRU for having the balls to keep those three coaches together four years ago. All NZ sport should take a hint from that decision as I felt NZ came of age with that by not reverting to type and dumping the losing coaches.
Christ. We might have been congratulating Dingo this morning.........or......we might not have been....and Australia might have been cheering Henry.
perplexed, in reply to Ross Mason, 10:45 Oct 17, 2011
I agree on the 3WM, been through the fire and came out stronger. I don't know about Robbie, he stuck with QC too long and he hasn't put together a decent tight five. I suspect he could be in trouble after the Aussie review.
andin, in reply to Rich Lock, 10:55 Oct 17, 2011
A shame Wales didn't go through. That would have been a final with some heart.
Now we mustn't get complacent.
What about Dave? ohhh that, too late
raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply
As I have just read this very minute, Australia had the youngest team at the Tourney. Robbie has rid it of the dead wood and there is no doubt they will improve with age.
What am I saying.........
Don't worry...Be happy!
Russell Brown, in reply to Dave Patrick, 11:10 Oct 17, 2011
Here's hoping Sonny Bill picks up a one-game ban for his yellow card
I wouldn't think so. As dangerous tackles go, that was harmless.
and we never see that particular side-show in an Al Black jersey again – or at least until he's played some rugby and got rid of the league-isms in his game (running with ball in one hand, instinct to take the tackle rather than look for support when he's broken through, no-arms tackles), and earned his place in the team.
Oh, c'mon. SBW topped the tackle count in the game against Canada, has made more line breaks and offloads than anyone else in the competition, handled wing well despite never having played there, etc. He's not perfect, but I'd much rather have him on my side.
Grant McDougall, 11:18 Oct 17, 2011
Mark Hammett must feel sillier and sillier for getting rid of Nonu, Weepu and Hore given how well they've played for the ABs this year.
A dollar on Wayne Barnes for the final????
Well, I had no idea who most of the players were. I kept having to ask Sally. But I, for one, will be watching the final next weekend. I mean, how can you not?
BenWilson, in reply to Russell Brown, 11:29 Oct 17, 2011
He's not perfect, but I'd much rather have him on my side.
I just love how he runs. He seems to glide. It really draws the tacklers.
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