THE PRESS, Saturday, September 17, 2011 WEEKENDSPORT D7

RUGBY Playing the never-ending ‘what if’ game

Tony Smith

The Bald Facts

et’s not heap any more pressure on the heads of the Three LWise Men on the All Blacks’ coaching panel. But their selections over the next few weeks could be as critical to the All Blacks winning the World Cup for the first time in 24 years as ’s kicking or Richie McCaw’s rucking Hard to stomach: All Blacks midfielder Aaron Mauger dwells on his technique. disappointment after the quarterfinal defeat in . It could be disconcerting that the All Blacks do not English referees turning a inexperienced in that role? seem to know yet their best Lord Nelson blind eye to Poor old had options at halfback or at wing. forward passes, purist players to contend with two But their mix and refusing to kick pragmatic phenomena beyond his matching is certainly dropped goals and fantasies control in in ensuring complacency will be about a vengeful 1995. A food poisoning bug absent from the team camp. waitress ripped through the All Blacks’ The team to play France spiking tucker with toxins. ranks, meaning some of their will be their most instructive The coaching staff was not biggest stars played less than selection yet. Convention to blame for the first big fully fit in the final. And no suggests they should field a blunder back in 1991. That force on earth could have tried and true XV. But this responsibility belongs to the beaten the Springboks once may represent their best bright spark around the New Nelson Mandela took the field chance to see if fringe players Zealand board wearing Francois Pienaar’s like Andy Ellis, Sonny Bill table who suggested pairing No 6 jersey. But did Mains Williams and and John Hart as make the right call on playing have got what it takes to All Black coaches. his most poorly players? feature in the playoffs phase. Individually, they were Would it have been better You just don’t get a gauge two of the best coaches in the to have started with men like of that in games against world at the time. But they ? Did he make a Tonga and Japan which are were poles apart mistake playing his faithful the philosophically and had about servant Mike Brewer on the equivalents of the old mid- as much in common as an blindside flank? Or would the Tearful time: A look-alike phones the bad news home after the All Blacks lost to France in the World Cup quarterfinal at Cardiff in 2007. Photos: PETER MEECHAM/FAIRFAX NZ week tour matches. environmentalist and an more abrasive The All Blacks also need industrial dairy farmer. have been the ideal individual space and scoring tries from chose Leon MacDonald to That wasn’t the reason the time again, would he have decision making told. impact off their bench. They Some dodgy decisions were to fight fire with fire against nothing, rather than feeding replace an injured Tana All Blacks fell to Australia in still selected Keith Robinson The All Blacks coaches look to have a clutch of made around personnel in coves like the late Ruben outside backs. And what Umaga at centre and kept the semifinal – their at lock when the Waikato man were infatuated in 2007 with closers rather than 1991. Was Bernie McCahill Kruger and Mark Andrews? induced Hart and his at fullback and, pack was outmuscled on that was so clearly short of match their back row gamebreakers at the moment. really ’s best Hart has to be accountable coaching team to break up the moreover, made MacDonald occasion. But would the All fitness? (Rodney So’oialo, Jerry and Wayne second five-eighths? Or Mark for some eccentric selections -Andrew the first-string goal kicker. Blacks backline have Why oh why wasn’t Aaron Collins and ) as Smith have two games left to Carter the best option at in 1999. He had one of the Mehrtens combination in the MacDonald had not played displayed more confidence Mauger in the 22 when Carter partners for Richie McCaw. work out who out of Williams, openside with world’s best wings (Jeff halves by dropping Marshall centre for years and had not and more incisiveness had was under an injury cloud? But what would McCaw – Ma’a Nonu and Dagg are their Michael Jones unavailable on Wilson) at fullback and the for ? The two kicked goals since his MacDonald’s and Muliaina’s was there, on then still a tenderfoot test ultimate circuitbreakers. Sundays? Was Buck Shelford universe’s No 1 fullback stars’ strengths schooldays at Marlborough roles been reversed? form, as first-five cover but captain – have done for the Selection issues have over the hill or would he have () at centre. complemented each other. College. Yet Muliaina had On to 2007 and the World once he went off hurt too high EQ (emotional quotient) surely contributed as much to been a battle-hardened better Cullen’s genius was his John Mitchell and Robbie played centre all year for the Cup quarterfinal in Cardiff. there was a lack of leadership of beside him the All Blacks’ failing to win bet at No 8 than Zinzan sheer unpredictability. He Deans seemed to get the mix , who won the 2003 It’s easy to be wise after the in the greenhorn inside backs at a time when all around him the past five tournaments as Brooke, then relatively thrived on playing with extra wrong in 2003 when they Super 12 title. event but if Henry had his division and that dearth of men were losing their heads? Crusaders’ trials topic of talk, coach expects

Tony Smith Dave Rennie and New Zea- ‘‘It’s not only a great challenges the Crusaders Blackadder and his col- Blackadder said some of amenities because college land Rugby Union high per- honour to be reporting [to the faced this year when they leagues spent a day at the college sport facilities in players were amateurs. Crusaders coach Todd Black- formance manager Mike Chiu conference] but it’s also a were forced to play every Stanford University this California were ‘‘mind- The adder says he is honoured to have been inspecting facilities great learning opportunity.’’ game away from their Christ- week, meeting their elite blowing in terms of how trio were due to meet elite be asked to make a presen- and talking to elite coaches at He attended a similar sym- church base with earthquake- coaches and inspecting high much they’ve invested in coaches at the UCLA campus tation at a major inter- California universities. posium last year in Colorado devastated AMI Stadium performance sports facilities. them’’. in Los Angeles today. national sports psychological They leave tomorrow for where he met the US Olympic rendered unplayable. They spent time with the ‘‘One of the colleges we Blackadder said the Prime conference in Hawaii. Hawaii where they will take programme coaches. He said ‘‘everyone seems to coaches of American football were at [yesterday] spent Minister’s Scholarship pro- The former All Blacks part in a sports psychology ‘‘The learnings I took out of know about’’ the Crusaders’ team Stanford Cardinals. $500 million on high perform- gramme was ‘‘great for per- captain has been in the United conference examining elite last year were immense and I situation as he had been They also went to Califor- ance sports facilities.’’ sonal development’’ but he States for a week as part of his athlete performance. was able to implement a few asked about it already on this nia State University’s Berkley He said some college was also ‘‘looking forward to Prime Minister’s Scholarship Blackadder said from San things at the Crusaders.’’ trip. campus where they enjoyed football games grew crowds of getting back home next week programme. Francisco yesterday he was Blackadder expected he ‘‘It’s a small world, isn’t catching up with the college’s up to 114,000 so universities to catch the rest of the World Blackadder, coach looking forward to the event. would be talking about the it?’’ rugby programme staff. were able to invest heavily in Cup’’.

BOWLS FOOTBALL 1200 bowlers need new home after earthquake Deadline looms

Kevin Tutty The Burwood Park club pool table and some green has already decided to amal- keeping equipment for sale. for Phoenix boss Sixteen clubs in the Christ- gamate with the nearby He was not sure if the church area will be without Dallington club. ‘‘One of our clubrooms will have to be Sam Worthington Serepisos at the helm they greens, and 1200 bowlers will two greens is unplayable and demolished. ‘‘The engineers have been floundering during be displaced when the Bowls the clubrooms are damaged,’’ have been through and if it’s Looks like it will be a working a long off-season. Canterbury season starts this said the president of the to stay we will have to have it weekend for the Wellington Only 17 players are on the weekend. Burwood Park club, Les repaired and see about selling Phoenix owner. books, coach Ricki Herbert Damage from the February Carney. ‘‘We’ve bitten the it off or leasing it,’’ said Terry Serepisos has been has not hosed down reports he 22 earthquake and subsequent bullet and we’re moving on.’’ Carney. set a Monday deadline to meet is owed more than $100,000 aftershocks have severely The cost of repairing the Other clubs badly damaged criteria laid down by Football and staff numbers have been damaged a number of club- damaged green alone is are Mt Pleasant, which is Federation Australia or the stripped back. rooms and greens in the $80-100,000 and Carney said unlikely to get back to its licence for the A-League club No-one disputes Serepisos’ eastern part of the city. for a club with a falling mem- venue near the Ferrymead will be handed to a consor- contribution to football in The number of bowlers bership that was beyond their Bridge; Linwood, Edgeware, tium of Wellington business- New Zealand but Monday’s displaced is 25 per cent of the means. Heathcote and Parklands. men led by investment deadline is overdue. The club Bowls Canterbury member- Carney said Burwood will Many clubs without facili- banker Rob Morrison. needs financial stability. ship, says chief executive join with Dallington and the ties will be hosted by others. Serepisos, the FFA and ‘‘This is all about getting Colin Reynolds. club will be known as These have been delayed in Morrison were all mum certainty, for the players, ‘‘Some of those clubs will Burwood-Dallington this sum- many cases by advice from yesterday, leaving New Zea- Wellington, the club, Terry.’’ be ready by the end of the mer and then next year the the greenkeepers’ association land Football chairman Frank Van Hattum would not month and others will be amalgamation can be rubber that repairs should be delayed van Hattum to do the talking. share what demands the FFA repaired as the season prog- stamped. another two months until ‘‘Terry has got some stuff had set down for Serepisos or resses,’’ said Reynolds. Carney said: ‘‘We’re sorry aftershocks have lessened. to do to satisfy some people list the other names in ‘‘It is important from our we’re having to pull out of As long as there are and we’re hoping he does that. Morrison’s consortium. point of view to get bowls and here but it’s just a fact of life, aftershocks the ground will The deadline is definitely on His brother Lloyd Morri- competitions started as I’m afraid.’’ continue to settle, undoing Monday,’’ van Hattum said. son is believed to be on board, quickly as possible and in as The club has already repair work. Serepisos has debts of while millionaire philanthro- many clubs as possible.’’ begun to clear its clubrooms. Bowls Woolston will be more than $200 million but is pist Gareth Morgan has Some clubs will probably Carney said the club was providing for its own players confident of overcoming the confirmed he and his son, never play on their greens having a garage sale today and will host Linwood, Sum- odds and retaining his co-founder Sam again because of the cost of with tables, chairs, crockery, ner and Christchurch-Rich- Quake check: Sport Canterbury official Vaughan Utteridge inspects damage at Elmwood Bowling Club in beloved Phoenix. Morgan, had been approached repairing them. coolers, chillers for the kegs, a mond. Christchurch. Photo: STACY SQUIRES/FAIRFAX NZ ‘‘He’s as confident as he’s and were willing to invest in a ever been and he’s working rescue package. through his issues. If he The FFA are committed to doesn’t, then that’s a new making the Phoenix work. RESULTS discussion.’’ Van Hattum believed that a Van Hattum and NZF chief change of ownership so close executive Grant McKavanagh to the season start was ‘‘prob- 21-19. 7/6; Elisha Crosbie lost to Leanne Corbett 1 Round 2 – Waitikiri 1 Russley 3 (May Chang Brew defeated Sarah Lurajud 1up). 0); New Brighton 6 (Elliott 2, Chamberlain 3, met Serepisos, A-League boss ably not as much a disruption ❯❯ BADMINTON Pratt 1) Richmond B 3 (Mitchell 1, Harpur 0, Mixed Doubles: Cameron Lubransky & Caitlin down; Maddi Hill-Lovett halved with Di Kay; lost to Catherine Bell 2 down; Lynley Watts Coringa Bye. Lyall Gorman and members as people might think’’. Ross def. Greg Bray & Marcia Ho 24-22, 21-15. Lesley Martin halved with Sarah Lurajud). lost to Elisha Crosbie 6/5; Kate Shier lost to Hall 2). CANTERBURY CHAMPIONSHIPS Points after 2 rounds: Harewood 4 pts (5 of the Morrison-led consor- ‘‘The FFA have certain Men’s Singles: Alfred Wong def. John Morahan Plate: Anthony Chiew & Lyndsay Dick. Waimairi Beach 4 Coringa 0 (Sylvie Williams Jeanette Ross 2/1; Lyn Robertson halved with gms); Russley 3 (5.5); Waimairi Beach 2 (5.5); Division 1: Woolston 5 Hornby A 4, Hornby B 5 18-21, 22-20, 21-12. defeated Louise Gebbie 3/2; Nelly Tulisi Maddi Hill-Lovett). Christchurch 2 (2.5); Country 1 (3.5); Waitikiri 0 Richmond A 4, Richmond B 6 Richmond C 3. tium in Wellington last week. rules and obligations and con- defeated Melissa Newburn 3/2; Kim Moggach 1 1 Breaks; Gower 30. Plate: Leroy Dickson. ❯❯ Waimairi Beach 1 ⁄2 Harewood 2 ⁄2 (Sylvie (2); Coringa 0 (0). ‘‘Everyone was of the mind tractual things in place Women’s Singles: Marcia Ho def. Joanne GOLF defeated Fiona Gebbie 5/4; Georgia Wayman Williams lost to Catherine Knight 3/2; Nelly Division 2: Papanui B 5 Papanui A 4, Richmond defeated Zhantel Weekes 2/1). 5 Cashmere 4. that if Terry can come around what the Phoenix Seddon 19-21, 21-16, 21-17. POLLOCK CUP Tulisi halved with Anne Dick; Kim Moggach 1 1 ❯❯ Men’s Doubles: Alfred Wong & William Chen After two rounds of the women’s premier Waitikiri 1 ⁄2 Harewood 2 ⁄2 (May Chang halved defeated Debbie Scott 1up; Georgia Wayman SNOOKER Division 3: Richmond 6 Papanui A 3, Hornby 6 through, that will be the best brand is and what’s involved with Catherine Knight; Ava Chang lost to Anne Papanui B 3. def. John Morahan & Leroy Dickson 21-16, interclub golf competition Harewood team lost to Pam Keir 3/2). INTERCLUB result.’’ in continuing on. The players, 21-12. Dick 1 down; Kate Shier defeated Debbie 1 1 Division 4: Kaiapoi 7 Hornby A 2, New Brighton are in the lead with four points and five Christchurch 2 ⁄2 Country 1 ⁄2 (Jess Premier Division: Papanui 5 (Jones 2, Nobbs 2, The Phoenix kick off their all they need to do is get paid Scott 3/1; Lyn Robertson lost to Sue Polson A 9 New Brighton B 0. Plate: Anthony Chiew & Tian Jiang. games. Guenzerodt halved with Kathryn Maloney; Dunn 1) Richmond B 4 (Earle 1, Lilii 3, Winter 0); season against Gold Coast and turn up to training so Women’s Doubles: Joanne Seddon & Caitlin Results: Round 1 – Russley 2 Country 2 4/3). Rachel Thow lost to Leanne Corbett 3/2; Richmond A 7 (Lewis 2, Haerewa 2, Pritchard Division 5: Woolston 5 Papanui 4. Breaks; Ross def. Marcia Ho & Amanda Zhang 21-15, (Catherine Bell defeated Kathryn Maloney Christchurch Bye Jocelyn Blackmore defeated Di Kay 1up; Mel 3) Cashmere 2 (Jackson 2, Baxter 0, Fortune Wilmot 20. United on October 9. With nothing changes there.’’