Another Covid weekend of Rugby has passed and I have to say, the Supporters showed real good control in terms of social distancing etc. The weather held off with a low mist hanging in the Trees in the Western Hills – almost Ghostly! But on the ground battle was getting ready to commence.
First up was our Premier Reserve against the new team in the Reserve competition, Stokes Valley. This is the Club that stepped up when the new (Covid effected) competition was put together and not all Clubs could put together a full complement of 3 Senior Teams. The Stokes
Valley Boys have had a bit of a Baptism of Fire - but have all in all done okay. Currently they are in 10th position on the Ladder, but by no means last. They showed up in numbers and with plenty of heart. They did hold their own in phases, but our Boys endured. At 80 minutes it was not all over. Our Reserve Boys put on a feed for Stokes Valley that was fit for a King. A wee story on the way to cooking the Food – George lost his job as Head Chef and we all vowed to tell no-one why.
Starts with F and rhymes with wire – probably enough said, but not divulged, as agreed. Good thing our new sponsors Cory and Trudy from Beaurepaires, Porirua were there to supervise.
I was asked to say a few words at the Luncheon and I said that on a personal basis, I would really like to see Stokes Valley play in the Reserve competition. I believe this could well be the making of their Club to play at this level and offer young men the chance to see a
pathway in Rugby. Maybe changes will be made for the future of the great Game we crave.
The Premiers played Upper Hutt who although they are 10th on the Ladder, do not appear to be a shadow of their past – the days where you just never knew who was going to win until the last minute. That aside, they worked hard, but our defence was up to its usual
form.
On to the North vs South game at Sky Stadium. Kind of strange to have such a hyped Game with no Supporters, but very loud (canned) crowd cheering when a Team scored. For all that, it was a typical North South game with both teams playing open Rugby, as they always used to.
Maybe Covid has ensured that this Competition continues for another 100 years plus. Very appropriate that this Game was finally played at the Birthplace of the North vs South, albeit at Athletic Park. Lets hope it continues.
The 2020 All Black squad was announced at 1100hrs on Sunday. No real surprise due to the Super Rugby Aotearoa Competition, but what a Team!! Fortunately, the whole squad is young enough to become the 2021 All Blacks, as I think they will extremely lucky to play a Test this
year.
Kiwis Rock!! The Supercar series in Australia has been raced in Ozzie States relatively free of Covid for the last several months. Some Teams (including Drivers) have not been united with their Families for up to 3 months. This weekend was the second weekend of racing in Townsville, Queensland.
The results are as below;
Race 22 Saturday 5th September FIRST Scott McLaughlin – KIWI - Blue Badge
Race 23 Sunday 6th September FIRST Shane van Gisbergen – KIWI - Holden
Race 24 Sunday 6th September FIRST Shane van Gisbergen – KIWI - Holden
This Country has so many Race Car Drivers doing so well Worldwide, it is amazing. Currently the greatest Bike Race in the World, Tour de France, has at least two Kiwis in it. Kiwis are everywhere. Makes you so proud!
