Sure Our Internet is Slow, But It Is Faster Than Australia's!

New Zealand is ranked 42nd most fastest broadband speed according to a recent "2010 State of the Internet" report. While we lag behind Asia (who dominate), Europe and North America, at least we beat Australia who rank 50th. Check out an article about the report.

http://www.techday.co.nz/netguide/news/kiwi-connection-speeds-beat-australias/17212/1/

The Best Goal Celebration Ever!

This clip is of an Icelandic match. It is an amazing goal celebration with the guy who plays the fish surely destined for higher honours. It is awesome! We should do it for Sports Camp.

Fallon Waiting For God - What Do You Think?

The phrase "Waiting for God" and "All in God's time" springs to mind here, but it is inspirational to see a brother in Christ sticking to his beliefs. This article is slightly wrong as it suggests Rory Fallon is only 23 when he is more like late 20s and his time as a professional is ticking by. This must make it difficult for him to know whether to stay at his current club or go for the dollars or prestige of a different team in a different league. It would be great if his faith is rewarded, but it is so difficult sometimes. I had a similar conundrum in my younger days with jobs and eventually threw it in to go to Europe and then on my return I ended up getting a job in Wellington. These things often work out. I wonder how long Fallon will wait? Do you think we should wait? or take a quicker option knowing the Lord will protect us? Sam Callander once mentioned that these options in life are like a playground. All the toys are good and correct options to enjoy and that the Lord will help us through them no matter which route we take. What do you think?


http://tvnz.co.nz/football-news/rory-fallon-waiting-god-3677264

Brad Pitt Spotted In Dunedin and Wellington?

The rumour mill is churning as Brad Pitt as been spotted in two my stomping grounds, Dunedin and Wellington. Do you think this is a media myth like when people kept thinking they had seen Elvis Presley? or do you think Brad Pitt is really somewhere in God's Own?

Have any of you seen Brad Pitt around the streets in recent days? Do you think this is for real or that people have seen someone similar looking and mistaken them for Mr Pitt? Since he is high on the most desirable list for the ladies and the guy that many guys would turn gay for, do you think people just wanted him to be in New Zealand even if he hasn't stepped foot on Aotearoa?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/3968121/Brad-Pitt-spotted-in-Dunedin-too

Check Out This Penalty Kick

This is one of the best penalty shots I have ever scene. I don't want anyone trying to replicate this at Sports Camp if we get to a penalty shootout again! It is the way this Spanish youth international kicks with the wrong foot which confuses the keeper!

David "DeLiminator" Beats Guns In Bench Press Competition

David "DeLiminator" Lim gained the respect of a nation when he defeated Kevin "Guns" Sowerby in The Street Bench Press Bantham Weight competition match last night at Les Mills Extreme. Lim bench pressed 95kg to defeat Sowerby who was left crying into his Mutant Mass powdered shake after managing 60kg. This was a victory for the little guy who for one night was the most celebrated athlete of the Claremont Grove ghetto. Lim slept with a smile on his face last night knowing he has finally achieved sporting greatness. He is now considering a career in powerlifting but is still wondering if it pulls the ladies like his other sporting ambitions mountain biking, surfing and golf? Lim also announced that the last 72 hours have been the best in his life with this result the cherry on top, after his smooth dance moves grabbed the attention of some gorgeous blondes at Red Square.

Can David "DeLiminator" Lim Bench Press More Than Kevin "Guns" Sowerby?

The Street Bench Press championship match between Kevin "Guns" Sowerby and David "DeLiminator" Lim takes place this afternoon at Les Mills in Wellington city. Lim was talking up his abilities heading into this one with 90kg a personal best. Lim is the pint size assassin who has been targeting the bench press for several years as a way to hold his own on the rugby field and to have the biggest chest in the flat. He is 65kg wringing wet and if his hair is short he is 5 foot 5.

Guns Sowerby usually can bench less (around Lim's weight actually) and despite attempts to bulk up using Meerman's pancakes and Mutant Mass he is still about 80kg and taller around 5 foot 10. Lim usually lifts Sowerby's weight at the gym in an attempt to impress the blondes riding the exercycles nearby.

We will have coverage of this event when it comes to hand. The lift off starts at 4:30pm Monday 26th July.

Who will win this one? Will Lim impress those blondes? Will Sowerby repeat his heroics from five years ago and win?

Stay tuned!

The Weekend of Baked Goodies

This weekend will go down as one of the more exciting ones in recent memory. I am not going to tell you about my long but amazing weekend of events, but rather the reoccuring theme of delicious baking! Nothing brings people closer together than tea and baking.

On Friday night after the fun times at Laser Force we went back to the Loveshack and were treated to some brownie and lemon muffins. There was plenty on offer and plenty of females who generally hold back with these things, so I indulged. Mandreth is the true all rounder and between fixing the fuse, taking tea orders and being the gentleman he is, he provided us with a treat as he had made the brownie. His favourite is making it with jam. While it was top brownie, it was not quite as good as Emmas mum's brownie with white chocolate or Diana's moist brownie with berries. It was still top stuff. Sue's lemon muffins were also tasty.

Despite going out to plenty of establishments I indulged again in some lollie cake leftovers from the Christians in Poverty seminar. It was a tad ironic to have food leftovers, but I haven't had lollie cake in ages. It took me back to my 21st cake which was lollie cake.

Sunday came and I went to a combined lunch and Diana who makes the best brownie literally, had done it again with these banana chocolate muffins which had lashings of melted Whitakers chocolate inside. They went down the hatch so easily. Again, it was the texture that set them apart. Becs made some delicate lemon cupcakes which were like Sue's muffins, tasty, but I am more of a chocolate fan!

I think home baking is making a comeback with the recession, even though with this amazing range on display, they probably end up costing an arm and a leg to make once you buy ingredients. I am a fan of brownie/gooey chocolate cakes. I will have to cutback if I am to fit into my swimming trunks! What is the difference between a muffin and a cupcake and when does brownie become cake?

Eating baked goods was not the only thing I did over the weekend, but it was defining feature!

Britains Got Talent 2009- Ep 5- Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai

I can't believe Simon Cowell is being sued by this Britain's Got Talent contestant Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai. She may have a disability that makes her sing this badly (although it looks worse on this video since it looks out of sync) but seriously, how could someone be so disillusioned as to their actual singing ability and go on a television show with such a big worldwide audience?

This is why you have to be honest with your friends if they actually do stink at something, rather than making a fool of themself! I sometimes think Christians struggle with such honesty. Surely Cowell doesn't have a case to answer to!

The world's favourite nasty judge Simon Cowell is being sued for $5.2 million (£2.5 m) by a former contestant on Britain's Got Talent, according to British press reports.

Cowell and his TV show are being sued by contestant Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai, who claims she was humiliated and degraded on the show in a broadcast in May 2009.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/3950059/Simon-Cowell-sued-by-talent-contestant

Capital Football Cancelled For 24th and 25th July

Capital Football have cancelled most grades this weekend 24/25th July. It is hardly surprising given how wrecked the grounds were after last weekend and the heavy rain that has and is expected to fall tomorrow.

It is interesting because Capital 1 and 3 have one catch up game, while Central and Premier Leagues are all still on with transfers. It is shocking weather and it will be interesting to see how much of a crowd shows up to watch the Boca Juniors play the Wellington Phoenix in a friendly tonight. I am not going!

Most eight team leagues in captial football have finished, but will have a Post Season Cup format to milk a few more games out for the punters, but there is nothing riding on it. I have had a frustrating season playing about half of the games. My knee and quad injuries have never been far off and it has also affected the Marist Skins who despite having a large squad, have struggled for numbers recently. We have finished fifth out of eight teams in Captial 8. Although we were in it until the last round. We let a few easy games slip against the bottom side and a few potential draws became losses. We were never thrashed unlike most other teams were in our grade by the strong Western Suburbs side.

I will miss the next two weeks so may almost be finished for the season, although I may sneak in the last game of the cup, which is a flash name for a friendly!

www.soccer.org.nz

The Chosen One to Fight The Chainsaw - NPC Mascots Unite Classic Video

Two rugby legends from the south and cult heroes Jeremy "The Chosen One" Winders and Brendan "the Chainsaw" Laney look set to square off in the ring. These guys have inspired me to follow rugby through their personality both on and off the field during the 1990s when they were in their prime. The Chosen One admits to losing all 99 of his fights at kindergarten, but who cares, as they are doing it as part of a Fight for Kidz at Stadium Southland on August 28th. The beauty of it is that they already have nicknames and Jerry could always walk in to music he has made as part of iconic band The Swede Eaters.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/sport/3948844/Winders-gearing-up-to-fight-for-kids

Above is a video to whet the apetite in preparation for the National Provincial Rugby championship or ITM Cup as it is known. Check out the mascots as they unite and then divide in a promotional video for last season!

Go the Stags against Wanganui tonight!

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Check Out This Ridiculous Fight - Boxing Has No Credibility

Just when you think boxing couldn't lose any more credibility!
Danny Green who Shane "The Mountain Warrior" Cameron is eyeing up completely demolished Christchurch based Paul Briggs in 29 seconds. I love the reference to a chihuahua!

From Yahoo.

Call me gullible but I wonder if there is something seriously wrong neurologically with Briggs. It doesn't look to me like it was a complete fake and he's had problems in that area before.

Yes, on one of the replays you can clearly see he got a blow to the forehead - but I reckon I could have dealt with that even in my condition!

But colour Danny Green unimpressed - he was certainly of the opinion that Briggs just chucked it. Here's what he said after the 29 second farce.

"Guys just chill out, no one's as pissed off as me, believe me. He (Briggs) ain't even a canine.

"Paul Briggs ain't getting paid a cent. He dogged it, that's criminal what he did.

"My chihuahua Rocky has got bigger balls than him.

"He ain't getting paid guys, I'm very sorry. I can't do anything more.

The crowd certainly let Briggs know what they thought - he was showered in beer, fruit and bottles and some in his corner responded by giving one-fingered salutes to the fans.

A team of police escorted him from the stadium and his trainer said he had no idea what happened.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/-/mikekilpatrick/3815/1

Tim Shadbolt vs Michael Laws - As The Stags Defend The Shield Against Wanganui

The two most colourful mayors in New Zealand go head to head in this piece I got from the Southland Times website. In the blue and black corner, Michael Laws has come out swinging punches hopefully in jest as his Wanganui rugby team come to Invercargill to challenge for the Ranfurly Shield tomorrow night, while Tim Shadbolt defends the defenders from the maroon and gold corner.

Laws thinks that Southland has gone soft by becoming too professional and I actually agree with him to a point. Southland used to be all about farmers, labourers, whatever profession rolling up their sleeves on a diet of swede, oysters and Speights and scoring the wins. There were no classy mullets or professional players. Now most of the Stags are professional players in the Super 14 or at least semi pro.

Mr Laws, along with his two daughters Lucy and Zoe, will head south for the Stags' second Ranfurly Shield defence tomorrow night and he believes the Southland team has lost its heartland feel and become a bit soft.

"The reality is you [Southland] are a professional team. You go from training to the hairdressers, training and back to the hairdressers again.

"Our guys are real men with real jobs – farmers, meat workers, factory workers."

The Wanganui team was not even professional enough to have a nickname, he said.

And you would be hard pressed to find a Wanganui player with gel in his hair, Mr Laws said.

Check out the article here!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/3943249/Wanganui-will-win-Shield-because-Stags-too-poofy-Laws

Black Cap Andy McKay - Great Thigh Rubs!

I have been suffering from quad injuries over the winter, but during a few session I got thigh massages (very painful) from Andy McKay who was announced among the top 20 cricketers in the country when New Zealand Cricket announced the players who had successfully gained a contract recently. Andy McKay did inflict pain on my thighs a few times, but hopefully he will do the same when he makes his test debut finally in the sub continent. McKay was a revelation last season in domestic cricket and despite being 30, is one of the quickest bowlers in the country. Hopefully the physiotherapy goes on hold for a while as he chases the cricket dream! He is yet to make his test debut which is surprising, but with Shane Bond gone, we need any pace bowlers we can get, even though the pitches over there don't suit the quicks.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/3938436/Andy-McKay-chases-first-test-cap

Check Out This Brazilian Woman - She Is Amazing!

The New Zealand Under 20 female football team got thrashed by Brazil overnight, but the game was more memorable for the Brazilian woman who threw the ball about 30 metres using a unique flip throw in. That is correct, she did a flip and launched the ball from the sideline into the penalty box! I wish I could do that! Many footballers the world over are envious!

David Bain or Robin Bain - Let Paul The Octopus Decide!

In keeping with the current theme of letting Paul the Octopus decide on World Cup results, may I suggest that we let Paul the Octopus decide once and for all if it was David Bain or Robin Bain who killed the rest of the Bain family in Every Street Dunedin.

Do you think this is taking Octopus Mania a step too far? The odds of Paul picking the correct result in eight World Cup matches is 1 in 256, but he defied the odds, and picked accurately, far better than most people. So, let him loose if and when David Bain comes up for re-trial!

Gay Coach Gets Sacked From Christian School - Should Homosexuality Be Punished?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/3940616/Gay-coach-sacked-from-Christchurch-Christian-school
This is an interesting debate, should this homosexual coach at Middleton Grange get the sack because homosexuality is a sin? Is it against the constitution or anything like that to do this? I applaud Middleton Grange School for making a stand, but is this guy a Christian too? If he is, should he be living like this? I am pleased that he has been compensated and without knowing the guy or anything it is hard to know if he is actually a practising Christian or homosexual? The ironic thing is that he was coaching a girls sports team and you would almost think it would be safer if you are having a male coach, that he is gay!

What do you think? I think Middleton Grange is a bit heavy handed as this is surely illegal, but at the same time I admire them for making a stand! Should this guy have been sacked?

Fact: There Is Only One Austin Powers.....Impersonator

This guy Gary is actually the only person in the world authorised to imitate the lovable Austin Powers. There is actually going to be a new Austin Powers movie soon and this will mean Gary gets some more publicity.
http://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/real-life/article/-/7615115/playing-austin-is-groovy-baby/


If you love this random news then you will definitely love this as part of an advertising campaign a donkey was launched into the sky with a parachute. Russian beachgoers got the fright of their lives when they saw a donkey in the sky. OK, it is a slow news day!

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/7613451/parachuting-donkey-shocks-beachgoers/

All Whites Ticker Tape Parade Awards Mediocrity!

This could be controversial, but I don't think we should have a ticker tape parade for a team that didn't win a single match. I agree that we did better than expected, but I think ticker tape parades are for teams who actually win trophies or events like the Ranfurly Shield, World Cup or the Americas Cup. For this reason and because I work miles away from where the parade will take place, I will not be attending. For the record it is on in 30 minutes in Wellington. Maybe they are suggesting this is a celebration of football rather than rewarding the World Cup team since the Boca Juniors are in town, but I think this is a cop out. It is awarding mediocrity in my opinion. We didn't win a game, made the least number of passes in the World Cup and had the least number of shots on goal in the tournament. Should we really get a ticker tape parade for a gutsy but unsuccessful FIFA World Cup where we didn't even make the second round? The Tall Blacks made the World Cup semi finals in the second most popular team sport in the world and didn't get a parade why should the All Whites?

Stop The Outrage Please - Let Them Eat Cake But Theres A $12 Fee

http://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/3936500/Let-them-eat-cake-but-theres-a-12-fee
I would like to write this in response to the article on Stuff about a birthday party being charged $12 for cake fee. I know of places who charge a $3 cake fee and I don't have a problem with that. By providing their own cake, it would mean that no one else there in the party would purchase an overpriced dessert. It also means that staff will have to serve, gather and wash plates and cutlery. While it would be a measure of goodwill, I can see where this restaurant is coming from. They need to pay the bills and the staff will have to wait on the table for no return if there is no cake fee where they could be serving other patrons.

What do you think?

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The Perfect Handshake

The perfect handshake does exist as researchers in Great Britain have deduced a formula for the ultimate greeting. I believe you can tell plenty about someone by their handshake. This latest study sucks for those who get sweaty palms when nervous for job interviews. I always find when I meet rich and famous people they reuse your name in a sentence or question and give a good firm dry handshake. Chris Dodds loves his handshakes and rightly so as he gives the perfect three shakes and is probably the best handskaker I know. A good handshake leaves you feeling positive about your mutual meeting exchange. The study showed that most people (70 percent) feel uncomfortable with giving handshakes. Is the art of the handshake becoming lost on the young people of today?

It is fun though playing around with different styles of shakes from the double hander (Moss Leauga), to the limp fish (Murray Jones), the mind the wart (Chris Dodds), the openly gay, the Left Hander (Jess Warren), the dorky gangster (Jon and Dom) and the bone breaker (Calum McLeod). There is also the "Shake Hands Lady" from Bonzai the television game show where viewers place bets on how long she can shake the hand of a celebrity for. I actually enjoy the awkwardness of the "Shake Hands Lady" which goes for more than three shakes and can last far more than the two to three seconds recommended by the research.

I love the concept of the worst possible shake with friends we usually stick with the right hand but usually it is a limp fish just in front of the body so the non limp fish has to really reach for it. It could be a hot and clammy hand for a long period of time. There is just something wrong about some handshakes!

Some people go for other greetings like the European kiss on each cheek or cheek to cheek, knuckles are good for a less formal shake, there is of course the Christian side hug and the normal one. Justine is also a staunch advocate of the high five along with Borat.

What is your favourite handshake or greeting? What do you like in the perfect handshake?

``The rules for men and women are the same: right hand, a complete grip and a firm squeeze (but not too strong) in a mid-point position between yourself and the other person, a cool and dry palm, approximately three shakes, with a medium level of vigour, held for no longer than two to three seconds, with eye contact kept throughout and a good natural smile and accompanying verbal statement,'' he said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/3930575/Formula-for-perfect-handshake

Unsuspecting Karaoke

Check out these two versions of Unsuspecting Karaoke with Classic Hits version the top one taking place here in New Zealand. It is in response to Jewel you went undercover into a Karaoke club in USA and sang one of her own songs. I love the way that people reacted to it. Someone thought she was better than Jewel.

It would actually be pretty fun to do!

Same Old Aussies, Always Cheating!

Same old Aussies, always cheating! They are at it again, this time Aussie cyclist Mark Renshaw head butted New Zealand's Julian Dean. It is blatantly poor form and adds fuel to the fire of why we hate those cocky yobbos from across the ditch. I have lost respect for the Aussies following the World Cup friendly match against the Socceroos when they went into several challenges late and studs up. Add this to the cricket incidents of the underarm incident of 1981 and the Greg Dyer claimed non catch. They play hard, but not fair sometimes these Aussies. I used to admire it about them, with their win at all costs attitude, but when it starts hurting and injurying people, then it isn't fun for anyone. Just ask Leo Bertos and Tim Brown following that World Cup friendly in football. I also love the way they claimed the All Whites, Phar Lapp, Russell Crowe and the Pavalova.

Same old Aussies, always cheating!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/3925166/Banned-Aussie-cyclist-claims-Kiwi-headbutted-for-balance

Hands Up Who Has Sent A Racy Text To The Wrong Person?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3916771/One-in-5-Brits-send-sexy-texts-to-wrong-person
According to this Stuff article, one in five Poms have. Do you think this would be the same in New Zealand? Do kiwis send racy text messages? I am doing an informal poll to see if this is the case. Vote down the side panel or make a comment on here and we will do the sums and find out.

I haven't sent a racy text to the wrong person, but a text that sparked a bit of controversy. As the song says, "you live, you learn"!

Ticker Tape Parade? = Joke!

This could be controversial, but I don't think we should have a ticker tape parade for a team that didn't win a single match. I agree that we did better than expected, but I think ticker tape parades are for teams who actually win trophies or events like the Ranfurly Shield, World Cup or the Americas Cup. For this reason and because I work miles away from where the parade will take place, I will not be attending. For the record it is on next Wednesday in Wellington. Maybe they are suggesting this is a celebration of football rather than rewarding the World Cup team, but I think this is a cop out. It is awarding mediocrity in my opinion. We didn't win a game, made the least number of passes in the World Cup and had the least number of shots on goal in the tournament. Should we really get a ticker tape parade for a gutsy but unsuccessful FIFA World Cup where we didn't even make the second round?

Paul The Octopus Has Testicles?

Check out this balls up from an Australian television presenter regarding Paul "The Oracle" Octopus. It pays not to try and be too clever on national television.

Ode to Dave Marsh!

Dave "Crouchy" Marsh I just got this from Jono Swan and thought the world should know that you love a good sticker book. I guess now that you have moved away from the hectic pace of life in Wellington from Invers it is up to you to find some hobbies to keep you busy on those cold winter nights! Anyway Crouchy, I look forward to catching up with you when I am in Invers in the first week in August. You are a top man, fellow Stags fanatic and brother in Christ.

Will It Blend? - Vuvuzelas

Check this out. It is a video from the people who love blending stuff like the iPhone and Silly Putty. The Vuvuzela blends and it is far less annoying.

I hope they have banned vuvuzelas from the All Blacks vs Springboks test on Saturday night!

Ricki Herbert Staying Put

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/3914022/Ricki-Herbert-staying-put

Ricki Herbert will stay in New Zealand coaching at the Wellington Phoenix for at least three more years and you would imagine he will stay until after the next FIFA World Cup. That is so cool that he hasn't become a sellout and gone overseas to where the money is. Good on you Ricki!

David Bain or Robin Bain - Let Paul The Octopus Decide!

In keeping with the current theme of letting Paul the Octopus decide on World Cup results, may I suggest that we let Paul the Octopus decide once and for all if it was David Bain or Robin Bain who killed the rest of the Bain family in Every Street Dunedin.

Do you think this is taking Octopus Mania a step too far? The odds of Paul picking the correct result in eight World Cup matches is 1 in 256, but he defied the odds, and picked accurately, far better than most people. So, let him loose if and when David Bain comes up for re-trial!

Football Warm Fuzzies!

The World Cup is over and our sleep patterns can return to normal, but there are some warm fuzzies to remember the tournament by.

1) Paul the Octopus is definitely an enduring memory as he picked 100% of Germany's results and the final winner.

2) Ryan Nelsen was named in an ESPN World Cup dream team. Here is the side.

ESPN's Best 11 were: goalkeeper - Eduardo (Portugal), rightback - Philipp Lahm (Germany), centrebacks - Carles Puyol (Spain), Ryan Nelsen (New Zealand), leftback - Carlos Salcido (Mexico), midfield - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Xavi (Spain), rightwing - Thomas Muller (Germany), attacking midfielder - Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), leftwing - David Villa (Spain), striker - Diego Forlan (Uruguay).

Substitutes: Justo Villar (Paraguay), Maxi Pereira (Uruguay), Lucio (Brazil), John Mensah (Ghana), Fabio Coentrao (Portugal), Mark van Bommel (Holland), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Robinho (Brazil), Miroslav Klose (Germany).
Manager: Joachim Loew (Germany).

Sure, there are plenty of these teams named by different publications, but lets claim this one. Do you agree with this team? I think it is on the money, which is even more scary.

http://g.nz.sports.yahoo.com/football/world-cup/news/nelsen-named-in-world-cup-dream-team--fbintl_nzpa-nz-50e0c0816481d415725db1a40caba5ea.html

3) Ricki Herbert restores faith in human nature by declaring he will most likely stay at the Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand Football as coach. Sometimes it is better to love the life you live rather than have all the money in the world.

http://g.nz.sports.yahoo.com/football/world-cup/news/wellington-phoenix-and-nz-boss-herbert-to-spurn--fbintl_tribal-nz-30c1b4d2478f8f03f38f4028344238da.html

4)Shane Smeltz has signed a deal worth a million dollars to play for Chinese club Shandong Luneng. It is big money to play in a Chinese league which is hardly big on a global scale. It will be interesting to see how he goes!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/11/2950442.htm?site=sport§ion=football

Should Andy Haden Lose His Role As Ambassador For The Rugby World Cup?

The latest outburst by Andy Hayden surely must see him fired from his role as Ambassador for the Rugby World Cup 2011. Surely an ambassador role encorporates elements of political correctness and demanding of respect from all people. Andy Haden lost my respect years ago, but ironically I think is latest outburst and the one suggesting that Canterbury Rugby has a racial quota system is not far off the mark. Is this world too politically correct?

Here is what Haden said.

Haden, a former All Black, is under fire after saying women who target sportsmen "do so at their peril". His future as an ambassador for the 2011 Rugby World Cup is now in serious doubt.

Haden made his latest controversial comments on the Sky TV show Deaker on Sport on Wednesday. He was being interviewed after claims fellow former All Black Robin Brooke had sex with a near comatose teenager and later paid for her silence.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3901453/Andy-Haden-under-attack-again

Let me get this straight, there is no room for this sort of behaviour to be tolerated, but I worked in the hospitality industry, most notably as a sole charge Night Porter at a hotel in Dunedin where all the top sports teams stayed at and I know for a fact that these guys have a price on their heads. We used to get groupies hanging around the hotel wanting me to give players CDs and photos of themselves and trying to get lucky with the players. It would be great to brag to their mates, I guess. It is also the case in public with people picking fights with professional athletes. They are constantly in the spotlight and I believe professional athletes often get the wrong end of the stick. However, even in these days of professionalism these guys don't help themselves with alcohol and other drugs. It is a messy lifestyle of young famous guys with too much money, and they often find themselves in compromising situations. There are also some athletes who assume that they are God's gift and probably do assume that every girl finds them attractive.

It is hard to know what Andy Haden is inferring, but I think he has a point. It is dangerous territory when young athletes and groupies mix. But like his quota system comments, I believe he isn't suited to the Ambassador role. We don't want a similar outburst once the World Cup starts. It could overshadow the tournament!

The German Coach Picks His Nose and Eats It!

German head coach and style icon Joachim Löw has been spotted having a good rummage up his nose against USA, removing the contents, waiting until he thinks he's in the clear, then lobbing it down his throat.

And it's not the first time! The bodily obsessed bigwig previously showed the world his nasal munching back in summer 2008, before having a good swipe and sniff of his underarm.

Check out the evidence above.

The Ranfurly Shield Parade - Long Live The Shield Tenure

Before the first defence tomorrow for Southland against North Otago it is remembering what an impact the Ranfurly Shield has had on Southland. Fans are asked to wear maroon to work as Maroon Friday before walking to Rugby Park from Wachner Place. It is re-enacting the march to the ground in 1959 when Southland last held the Shield. Then 10,000 fans are expected to show up to watch minnows North Otago challenge for it. They got 500 last year for this match. What a difference a year and a shield makes!

Pledging Allegiance - What Makes A Fan?

Since New Zealand have been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2010 several people I know have been pledging their allegiance to other teams based on ancestory, the hottest fans, style of play, underdogs, office sweepstakes, you name it, people find a way of supporting other sides. It raises the issue of how we actually become fans of a certain sports team. The debate was initially fuelled by an Irish friend of mine supporting the All Blacks when her brother supports Ireland and they were playing earlier this year.

It is often easiest to be fans of the top sides in the world, so people to tend to jump on the All Blacks or the Netherlands bandwagon, rather than backing the Dutch in the cricket World Cup and the All Whites in the FIFA World Cup. There are also some rare extremely fickle fans who support teams and then switch allegiance to another winning team.

Fans are usually based on who we first supported when we started watching a sport. For some people in sports where New Zealand don't participate at a high level these are often other countries. Then when New Zealand actually qualified, I love throwing the curveball saying which team would you support if New Zealand played them? I consider any born and raised New Zealanders as unpatriotic if it isn't New Zealand they support when their own country is playing any other team.

I must admit that since we were eliminated from the World Cup, that my interest has dropped, while those who support numerous teams (my flatmate has about 10 sides he supports) still have an interest. I wonder how these people choose which of their favorite teams they want to win.

I consider myself to be a true fan, and this is what makes being a fan so much more rewarding than simply jumping on the boat of a winning or popular team. A true fan only supports one team in any competition whole heartedly. I don't mind a passing interest in other teams. The last year of my life has seen the Southland Stags who I have supported through plenty of rain and very little shine for the last 25ish years have been the whipping boys of New Zealand rugby, make the semi finals of the Premier Division and win the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 50 years. This made it so much more satisfying than a team I have adopted winning yet another trophy. Heck, for a lot of the time just getting one win would give me heart problems.

It is the same with the All Whites who I have followed since I was a wee nipper and seeing them qualify for the FIFA World Cup and representing themselves well in South Africa was far more rewarding than yet another win for Germany where my great uncle once went for a long holiday.

I noticed in my time in Dunedin in the successful late 1990s, that heaps of people would come to Dunedin and suddenly become Otago fans. I would love to see if they are still wearing that blue and gold jersey now!

In summary, I hate boat jumpers who only supporting winning teams and so I am hoping that those people who support the successful teams at the World Cup, only do it to increase enjoyment in the game and would put heaps more of their efforts behind being a patriotic New Zealander if they were still involved.

What do you think? Am I being too harsh? Which teams do you support?

My teams are Southland Stags, Highlanders, All Blacks, All Whites, Wellington Phoenix, Otago United, New Zealand Warriors, Kiwis, Silver Ferns, Southern Steel....
as you can see, only one team in each competition! Loyal!

Maroon Friday and Southland March As Ranfurly Shield Goes On the Line!

This Friday is Maroon Friday where everyone who supports the mighty Southland Stags must wear maroon to work. I will have my Stags jersey on! There is also a march taking place from Wachner Place to Rugby Park mirroring the same path of the Southland public in 1959 when we last held the Log of Wood.

This Friday will be the first defence of the Ranfurly Shield in front of 10,000 expectant fans as North Otago comes south to play the Southland Stags. This pre season match usually pulls 500 punters, but this year will be different with the Southland boys set to prepare themselves for a dose of reality. With the Ranfurly Shield on the line, the challengers go up several notches in intensity, but the Southland public are aware of this and are making the most of the Ranfurly Shield while it remains among the fans in the wider Southland area. There are only 50,000 people in Invers but people down there are passionate and loyal and so will show up.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/sport/3883719/Southland-rugby-fans-called-to-march

New Zealand Should Have More Eating Competitions, But What Should We Eat?

The recent happenings in the USA with Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championships have made me wonder what we should eat when we eventually host lucrative professional eating championships? I think there is money in it as people will pay to watch people make pigs of themselves. So what should we eat at these competitions? Mince pies, fish and chips, muttonbirds? Surely it has to be something kiwi? I do know someone who went in an ice cream competition, maybe Weet-bix? It actually gets television time on one of the ESPN channels in the USA.

For the record Joey "Jaws" Chestnut (aged only 26) won his fourth Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championships devouring 54 hot dogs in 10 minutes (1 hot dog every 11 seconds). Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi the six time former champion was banned for contractual reasons as he didn't want to give exclusive rights to this competition on Coney Island. Only in America. How many hot dogs can you do? Can you believe Jaws is only 26?

Which food should we eat at New Zealand eating competitions? How many mince pies can you do in 10 minutes?

Paul The Octopus Picks Spain to Beat Germany

Paul the result picking Octopus has put the mockers on Germany and picked Spain to beat them in tomorrows FIFA World Cup semi final. Paul outpicked plenty of punters by predicting Germany results 100% so far. Yes he selected Serbia would beat Germany. Although the draw is never an option with Paul. So do we do what Paul does and slam $100,000 on Spain? I think not. Germany looked the best side in the semi finals, but it is not always the teams that look the best in previous rounds that win. Just look at Italy in 2006. They were almost beaten by Australia in the Round of 16. I am going Germany to advance although it could be a draw or Germany win after 90 minutes. The odds are incredibly delicious for this one.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/fifa-world-cup/3891056/Paul-the-psychic-Octopus-tips-Spain

Marist Women Make National Semi Finals

The jelly wrestling fundraiser a fortnight ago at the Marist Clubrooms in Kilbirnie was well worth the effort as the Marist AFC team of the female variety made it to the National Women's Knockout Cup semi final against Three Kings of Auckland. Marist AFC is not a big club so this is a huge achievement for the green and whites. We have won the Chatham Cup a few times, so it would be a pleasant change. I play for the Div 8 Marist Skins who are heading for mid table mediocrity, but it is great that one team from our club is doing the business.

I am not sure if Kilbirnie Park will be up for hosting this semi final, so stay tuned for details of which field will host this must see match on August 8th. I guess being from a smaller centre, I am not used to a team from my club doing so well nationally, but it happens all the time for bigger clubs like Olympic, Miramar and Wellington United which are all located nearby.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/3889643/Derby-matches-highlight-of-Chatham-Cup

http://www.maristafc.org.nz/

The Swede Eaters Are Back - We Won in 09 Southland Stags Song!

The brilliant band, The Swede Eaters fronted by Jeremy "The Chosen One" Winders are back and have released a song called We Won in 09 to inspire the Southland Stags after winning the Ranfurly Shield. They are one of my favourite bands and few people know them. It has been a while between drinks for the former Southland rugby players who formed a band and released classics like "The Roaring Pen", "Last of the Breed" and "Y Fronts" and the album Wind up ya Y Fronts. These guys are Southland through and through, so it is great that they have released another classic. They have principles based on swedes, Y Fronts, blood, sweat and tears along with pride in the maroon, blue and gold of Southland. It will be tough defending the Log of Wood, but with these guys behind them, surely the Stags can do it. Jeremy Winders is an inspiration. The Chosen One played heaps of games for the Stags and was an enigmatic openside who played for the jersey. He also helped me with my radio documentary in 2003 and was a commentator for SKY. He is a real character.

Southlanders are a parochial group. Get in behind Maroon Day this friday by wearing your Stags top to work along with your Y Fronts which are only available in Southland these days. Join the march from Wachner Place to Rugby Park and watch the Stags defend the Ranfurly Shield against the Old Golds of North Otago.

Comedy of Football (This Is Funny)

Check this out. Man footballers can be simple at times. Not New Zealand players like me though!

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Controversy

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut (aged only 26) won his fourth Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championships devouring 54 hot dogs in 10 minutes (1 hot dog every 11 seconds). Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi the six time former champion was banned for contractual reasons as he didn't want to give exclusive rights to this competition on Coney Island. Only in America. How many hot dogs can you do? Can you believe Jaws is only 26?

Why Are Young Guys Dying In Wellington?

What the heck is happening around Wellington city at the moment? There have been three young men killed in the space of 48 hours one was near an inner city apartment block down an alley, another was in Newtown when a man got hit on his motorcycle and this latest one takes it to a whole new level when a guy was found dead in a Reading Courtenay Cinema after the evening screening of The New Twilight Saga: Eclipse. You have to feel for the under paid youth worker at Reading who found the body at 8:30pm last night. This person must have gone to the movies alone, otherwise your mates would raise the alarm. At least this person died doing what they loved, but why would any normal 23 year old male be going to Twilight, aren't they chick flicks re-known for the six packs and ripped guys with no shirts on rather than the storyline or masculinity? This movie is big with teenage girls mainly. It is sad though. This is ridiculous.

What do you think is to blame? Has the stress of some cliffhanger matches caught up with people? Are we all fatigued? This just seems crazy!




http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3885798/Man-found-dead-after-Twilight-screening-in-Wellington