David EdwardsNSW/Crusaders Final
June 1st 2008 03:35
The collective groan could be heard throughout NSW last night, as the Waratahs were comprehensively outdone by a Crusaders outfit that collected its 7th title. North Shore and Eastern Suburb pub patrons were left to cry into their tartan scarfs, despondent in the fact that their beloved Waratahs had failed again.
Who honestly feels passionate about this sport, particularly the Super 14? Not only does the Super 14 itself sound more like an elite gathering of intellectuals assembled under some Rudd Government initiative, but the competition itself is just as elitist. Catering to a niche market of privately educated corporate sector males, watching a game at the SFS is a hilarious social experiment. Collared-shirts, chinos and a 'tahs' scarf are pre-requisites, indicating a more stringent door policy than many exclusive night-clubs.
However Rugby Union is a different story in New Zealand. Clearly a biological characteristic - from the moment they leave the womb, the NZ male is conditioned to appreciate all that is rugby union. The intricate forward movements, pilfering the ball at the breakdown, generating a 20 metre rolling maul - all of these when mentioned to a New Zealander will spark a salivatory response.
The fact that we still have to have the rules explained to us on the screen shows that Rugby Union is too technical still to develop anything other than an elitist cult following. To have the explanation "not entering through the gate" down the bottom of screen once a penalty is blown still offers me no closure as to what the penalty was for. In fact it just generates more open-ended questions, such as "what is the gate?".
As to the actual game, and while NSW started well with a couple of opportunistic tries, it was never going to be enough against the might of the Crusaders. The cohesive forward pack combined with the skills and decision making of Dan Carter has proved to be a fruitful combination for Canterbury, and this dynasty could continue for many more years.
SportingMind was disappointed to see Timana Tahu only get a few minutes on the field at the end when the game was already lost. Tahu and Beale are the X factors that the Waratahs need to compliment their bland but competent overall brand of play. Kurtley Beale has great potential, but he is clearly a league player in a Waratahs uniform. Beale was touted at a young age, given a private education as a border at a top NSW school and instructed to play union (one of my friends actually sees this as worse than the 'Stolen Generation' acts), Beale has been playing some good football, but Union is too restrictive for him to play the kind of football he wants to play. Chipping over the top can result in a mark for the opposition. A grubber into the in-goal area results in a 22 metre drop-out, whereas in League such deft touch is richly rewarded with another set close to the line. Beale is not a strong enough positional kicker either, and i eagerly await the day he decides to play the game that he clearly would excel in.
Another Super 14 season is over. I wonder how many people in NSW woke up today, tear-stained sheets still damp from a sleepless night spent weeping about what could have been? On the other side of the coin, i wonder how many Crusaders fans woke up with a massive hangover, red and black face-paint still on, satisfied with yet another competition trophy. If only they realised that people watch Super 14 in NSW for the beer promotions at trendy Paddington bars, and to get a bit pissed before heading out to the Cross.
NSW Rugby. You gotta love the passion it generates.
-SportingMind
Who honestly feels passionate about this sport, particularly the Super 14? Not only does the Super 14 itself sound more like an elite gathering of intellectuals assembled under some Rudd Government initiative, but the competition itself is just as elitist. Catering to a niche market of privately educated corporate sector males, watching a game at the SFS is a hilarious social experiment. Collared-shirts, chinos and a 'tahs' scarf are pre-requisites, indicating a more stringent door policy than many exclusive night-clubs.
However Rugby Union is a different story in New Zealand. Clearly a biological characteristic - from the moment they leave the womb, the NZ male is conditioned to appreciate all that is rugby union. The intricate forward movements, pilfering the ball at the breakdown, generating a 20 metre rolling maul - all of these when mentioned to a New Zealander will spark a salivatory response.
The fact that we still have to have the rules explained to us on the screen shows that Rugby Union is too technical still to develop anything other than an elitist cult following. To have the explanation "not entering through the gate" down the bottom of screen once a penalty is blown still offers me no closure as to what the penalty was for. In fact it just generates more open-ended questions, such as "what is the gate?".
As to the actual game, and while NSW started well with a couple of opportunistic tries, it was never going to be enough against the might of the Crusaders. The cohesive forward pack combined with the skills and decision making of Dan Carter has proved to be a fruitful combination for Canterbury, and this dynasty could continue for many more years.
SportingMind was disappointed to see Timana Tahu only get a few minutes on the field at the end when the game was already lost. Tahu and Beale are the X factors that the Waratahs need to compliment their bland but competent overall brand of play. Kurtley Beale has great potential, but he is clearly a league player in a Waratahs uniform. Beale was touted at a young age, given a private education as a border at a top NSW school and instructed to play union (one of my friends actually sees this as worse than the 'Stolen Generation' acts), Beale has been playing some good football, but Union is too restrictive for him to play the kind of football he wants to play. Chipping over the top can result in a mark for the opposition. A grubber into the in-goal area results in a 22 metre drop-out, whereas in League such deft touch is richly rewarded with another set close to the line. Beale is not a strong enough positional kicker either, and i eagerly await the day he decides to play the game that he clearly would excel in.
Another Super 14 season is over. I wonder how many people in NSW woke up today, tear-stained sheets still damp from a sleepless night spent weeping about what could have been? On the other side of the coin, i wonder how many Crusaders fans woke up with a massive hangover, red and black face-paint still on, satisfied with yet another competition trophy. If only they realised that people watch Super 14 in NSW for the beer promotions at trendy Paddington bars, and to get a bit pissed before heading out to the Cross.
NSW Rugby. You gotta love the passion it generates.
-SportingMind
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