All Black Nation

A selection of photos taken around our rugby-obsessed country.

Manu Overboard & Slade Slayed

The Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals provided some entertainment and surprise. Surprisingly, much of the entertainment came from the Northern hemisphere teams, whilst the Southern hemisphere teams played out the drab ‘Northern-style’ rugby!

The atmosphere in Wellington over the weekend was nothing short of sensational. To have four world class teams in town meant the place was abuzz. The Irish sea of green was complemented by a fair splash of gold, a good dose of red and a darker, more African shade of green. We had springboks, wallabies, leeks and shamrocks. There were hymns and arias, cockles and mussels and even Matilda was waltzing.

We had the privilege of going into town to soak up the atmosphere just prior to the Wales v Ireland game. It was fun, as fans of all teams mingled awaiting the big game. All four of us wore our Ireland shirts, and Sam and Josh (in their pushchair) used the Ulster flag as their blanket.

Walking around, we just happened to arrive outside the Irish team hotel as they were boarding their bus. A crowd of several hundred was singing, cheering and yo-ho-ing (a good Ulster word). It was one of those memorable occasions. We got to wave ourflag, and encourage the boys as they drove past us en route to the ‘Cake Tin’. It saddened me that even in NZ, we had several disparaging remarks about an Ulster flag, even being told “There’s no need for that.” Surely the Irish RFU needs to actively embrace the fact they represent “the four proud provinces of Ireland”, and do all it can to combat bigotry and prejudice. As an ‘outsider’ looking in, it does seem that Ulster boys seem under-represented in the Irish set-up. I recognise it’s not uncomplicated, but for the team to be truly an 'all-island' team, steps forward still need to be made.

On to the rugby…

Sadly, the Irish team who beat the Aussies were nowhere to be seen. The decision (3 times) to go for tries rather than the 3 points on offer came back to haunt them. A lesson learned is that points on the board can really swing momentum in a game. The Welsh, were superb. Their discipline off-field and on-field has been outstanding. Warburton, who I’d not heard much about pre-tournament has been an excellent leader. And the discipline they’ve shown off-field means they deserve to be in the Semis.

What to say about the English?! I watched them play live in three of their games. In all three, they were poor. The Quarter Final was nothing short of awful. Serious questions need to be asked of the management and leadership when players can’t survive 6 weeks or more without a drink. Some of the behaviour and attitudes shown exemplify the deep rooted problems in the RFU. It seems I, along with most others, are happy that the English were knocked out. Manu Tuilagi proved to be the best English player of the tournament, but even he jumped ship the day after their exit. If only some more of the English squad would follow suit.

From Sacre Bleu to Allez les Bleus went the French, in a way that only the French could. South Africa can only blame themselves, though they are making a good fist of blaming the ref, Bryce Lawrence. Sure, Australia didn’t deserve to win, but then neither did the Springboks against the Welsh or Samoans. Cup rugby is all about taking your chances and the final score is what counts.

And then we have the All Blacks…a seriously underwhelming performance cost them dearly. Slade is now gone – surely making Graham Henry’s job easier and less costly for his ego. Although, calling up Stephen Donald would have hurt Henry, he had no choice. I feel for Donald, and although we’ll start with Cruden, I hope Donald gets some time to prove some people wrong. You have to feel for the likes of Carter, Muliaina and Slade, who have experienced the highs, but now face a fairly major low.

Which all leaves us with the question of who will go through to the final?

Personally, I think and hope that the Welsh manage it. For all their irrational dislike and hatred of the English, I had a happy 3 years there and I wish them well. As folks here have frequently said “The French only have one good performance per tournament and they’ve used it up.”

And what of the Wallabies or All Blacks? On form, it’ll be pretty close. But, thankfully games aren’t played on form alone. One would have to say the All Blacks have the better team and should make it through. I predict they will, but it’ll be a close game, even if the scoreline doesn’t fully reflect it.

All that remains to be said is there are 4 teams left, 3 of which are coached by Kiwis. These boys know their rugby, and I still believe in 2 weeks’ time, it’ll be a Kiwi coach whose team are champions. See you Wales in the final and 'go the All Blacks!'

Godzone

To say that Godzone is one of the most exciting and inspiring projects I've been involved in is no exaggeration. It's been a privilege to head up the project and a thrill to see it come to fruition.

Way back in 2006, when I first visited NZ and contemplated the idea of moving here to head up TSCF's outreach amongst students, one of the dates that loomed in my mind was 2011. The Rugby World Cup was 5 years away, but the potential of the world's third biggest sporting event being in NZ was enormous.

Since moving here, we've been working towards the Rugby World Cup, knowing it would provide unique opportunities to speak of Jesus in a way that connects with much of the NZ population. To that end, one of the initiatives we agreed to work on was a rugby-themed Gospel which included the Christian testimonies of a number of high profile players.

After a significant amount of effort and investment, and a number of obstacles and frustrations, it was great to finally see the fruit of of our labour with the arrival of 'Godzone' in the early stages of the RWC.

Using the easy to read, New Living Translation, it is designed to introduce people to Jesus. We have used Luke's account of Jesus' life, as it starts with the more familiar Christmas birth narrative and includes stories that have resonance with Kiwis, such as the lost sheep in Luke 15.

Godzone includes 10 stories of high profile international players from around the globe. Brad Thorn, the current All Black lock is the player most Kiwis recognise and respond to, but numerous others elicit positive repsonses. Fijian Captain, Deacon Manu who grew up in New Plymouth (NZ) is well known on these shores, whilst RWC winners Nick Farr-Jones and Jason Robinson bring significant credentials on the rugby field. Euan Murray, the Scottish Prop is widely known as a Christian, mainly due to his stand of not playing on Sundays. Doris Taufateau is probably a name not widely known, but as a women's rugby player & women's RWC winner, she has achieved great success. Pierre Spies and Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira are part of the Springboks RWC squad, with David Pocock and Sekope Kepu are members of the Wallabies squad.

As well as these, Godzone features pictures of scenery from around NZ, which is also where the name 'Godzone' comes from. NZ is frequently referred to as 'Godzone' or 'God's Own Country'. Our desire in publishing Godzone is that people in NZ and beyond would come to know God's Own Son, Jesus as they read it.

Within TSCF, we have made Godzone available to our students to give to their friends personally with the challenge and encouragement to read it. We have also made it available for churches and organisations in NZ, so that it can also be given to unbelieving friends. One leader wrote to us saying "I have just a had a good look at Godzone...IT'S BRILLIANT. Thanks for this wonderful gift you have given us!" We've consistently had this sort of reaction as people have seen it and realised its potential. The fact it is Kiwi designed and made brings extra appeal.

It's been thrilling to see it get some coverage in the national and international media. The Dominion Post in Wellington had a story on it, whilst the Irish Independent and Guinness websites picked up on it! Our good friend Paul Windsor has also made some kind comments about it here on his blog

Our vision for Godzone is that as people read it, they would come to meet Jesus for themselves. We've been encouraged to hear of a number of people giving it to friends, including some of the players and teams, school pupils, students, sports team members and work colleagues. So, we would love people to do likewise - if you would like to get hold of copies of Godzone for yourself and/or friends, you can do so here. (We will ship around the world, although obviously it costs more to send overseas.)

Rugby World Cup Reflections on Pool Stages

After 3 weeks of intense rugby, the 2011 Rugby World Cup pool stages are over. 4 pools of 5 teams have played their hearts out, and we now know the 8 teams who will compete the knock-out stages to find the winner of this year's Rugby World Cup.

In the midst of a busy season work-wise, I have been privileged to watch a number of the games live. Work commitments have probably meant I've watched less games on TV than I normally would, but given RWC fever is all around us, feel I've not really missed out.

So, what do I make of the teams I've seen and of the 40 matches that have gone before us? Here's some reflections on RWC 2011 Pool Stages:

Grassroots Rugby

The first day I attended of RWC was an epic. We travelled to Dunedin for England v Argentina, but due to the shift of match from Christchurch, we were able to add a quick road-trip to Invercargill to watch Scotland v Romania. The atmosphere in Southland was fantastic - so many kilts and such a close game. Scotland were poor, but the Romanians were passionate and unfortunate. At the end of the match, we were able to "hang around" the tunnel as the players left, which for me brought back memories of the 1991 RWC when commercialism hadn't taken it's vice-like grip on the IRB. It was a great insight into the passion for rugby in ordinary Kiwi's lives.

Global Rugby

After a quick drive North, we were in Dunedin for the Falklands' Classic in the new Forsyth Barr stadium. On arrival, we were greeted by a cacophony of noise which was incessant throughout. Fair play to the Argentinian fans, who came in their droves, bounced like crazy and sang with gusto. As with the Scots, England were lucky to win, but we enjoyed a night when global rugby with its modern stadia, vast numbers of fans, Mexican waves and streakers added to the evening's spectacle.

Pacific Island Rugby

Over the tournament, I have seen 2 of the 3 Pacific Island nations play. With TSCF's involvement with Deacon Manu, I enjoyed supporting the Fijians in their ultimately unsuccessful tournament. The best passing I have ever seen on a rugby pitch came from the Samoans, who were ultimately let down by poor refereeing by Nigel Owens and cynical play from the South Africans. Their speed of pass, belief in their running support play and willingness to give it a go was wonderful to watch. I'm told, although I wasn't there, that the Tongans fully deserved their win against the French.

However, in the midst of all of this, I see the IRB and the likes of NZRU's Steve Tew don't give these supposed "minnow" nations the credit they deserve. On Queen Street last Friday, after Samoa had been knocked out of the tournament, the party atmosphere created by their fans suggested they had won the tournament. Considering all they bring, it seems unfair to give them the playing schedule, the massive fines (particularly compared with England's let-off) and diminishing of their culture (stopping Bible verses being written on shirts, reducing the impact of war-dances with various rules and regulations). Come on the IRB - it's time to recognise the value of these nations!

Northern Hemisphere teams

Of the bigger teams, I have seen England, Scotland, Romania and Wales play so far. (I'm hoping that I get chance to see the Irish before the tournament ends!) Of these, Wales have looked far and away the most convincing. They deserved to win against SA, although I was sat directly in the line of fire of 'that' kick, and can confirm it looked doubtful as to whether it was over. In Sam Warburton, they seem to have a great leader and player. Their clash with Ireland looks set to be a classic. The Irish result against the Aussies was fantastic - the Irish have some of the best players around and so it was great to see them do their reputation justice. Although I'm an Englishman, even I can see they've not been playing well and that there appears to be a major discipline problem revolving around the sense of privilege there should be in playing for your country.

Southern Hemisphere teams

I've been privileged to watch NZ, SA & Argentina play. Of those, only NZ have looked anything like contenders for the trophy. SA have ground out results, but have looked anything but impressive. They have the players, but they are also getting older. Argentina are fortunate to be there, but we would expect them to returning home to BA at the weekend. The dark horses for me are Australia. Robbie Deans is a good coach. They have some good players, and I would anticipate they will beat SA and meet NZ in the semi. For me, the winner of that clash will win the tournament. Of course, the All Blacks suffered a massive blow with the tournament ending injury for Dan Carter. I've written about that elsewhere. They can still win the tournament, but to do so has just got harder.

Quarter Final Predictions

Who will win? Realistically, anything could happen (well, apart from the Pumas beating NZ), but here's what I think...

QF1 Ireland v Wales. This is the toughest to predict. My head says Wales, but my hearts say the Irish. I think on the basis of the way they've been playing, it'll be the Welsh, but either way, I think there'll only be a few points in it.

QF2 England v France. Unless the French have a Sacre Bleu moment or two, this is England's to lose. They have looked awful and their team unity seems as bad as English off-field discipline. This is England's.

QF3 SA v Australia. Could be a close one. I think the Irish win against the Aussies was a good wake-up call for them. For me, the Springboks have just not looked convincing. Their cynicism could cost them, particularly if it is refereed well. Bryce Lawrence has been appointed, so as Brian Moore said "You might as well toss a coin to see who wins!" Australia by 5 points or so.

QF4 NZ v Argentina I have no doubts NZ will win this one. But, I think the big story to come out of this game will be Colin Slade (who I like & rate) having a poor game as his lack of confidence continues. Piri Weepu will come to the rescue and NZ will win by about 20 points. Weepu will then start the semi and Cruden come onto the bench. You heard it here first...

So, the semis should be Wales/Ireland v England - head says Wales, my heart (& wife) wants Ireland, and Australia v NZ. Not long to go until we find out!