The Spectator - Footy's Back!!! 2014

The footy is back for the 2014 season. Yeah baby!!pumps fist.
For everyone involved it is a welcome return. On  Friday I got to watch NZ Super Rugby heavy weights The Chiefs vs The Crusaders. The chiefs came out on top of that one but like most top NZ rugby union matches, top quality was on show for all to see. Crusaders didn't capitalise on some penalty opportunities and were left rueing their mistakes.
 Saturday saw me taking my 14 year old son to some preseason training running up and down the hills of Oatley. The boys were rewarded with some beach sprints then a cool refreshing swim.
 Super Saturday started off with the South Sydney Rabbitohs defeating the Dragons. 2013 wasn't the best year for the Dragons if memory serves me right. But they are lucky it is only a trial round and therefore no competition points were up for grabs. Congratulations must go to South's for retaining the Charity Shield.
 The next match I was very interested in watching was another NZ Super rugby union conference match between the Otago Highlanders and The Auckland Blues. Now if you don't know, The Auckland Blues are the team that signed Benji Marshall NRL premiership, Rugby League World cup winning playmaker and Tigers Legend.
 It was a well fought game won in the end by the  Otago team. Both teams will be happy for the hit out and should feel optimistic about their chances of winning a Super rugby champion ship this year. But what I really was interested in was the Benji factor. I had to wait for about 67 minutes for him to make his Super debut from the bench. Look its a very different beast compared to rugby league as far as footy goes but I think he went ok. And yes the old school classic Benji Marshall flick pass was pulled out and it did lead to a try. Beauty!!
 Now on to the big match for the night World club challenge between the Wigan Warriors and the Sydney Roosters.
 It was a cracker of a crowd at the Allianz venue full of cockadodledoos and a sprinkling of Wigan fans. I thoroughly enjoyed this  game. For starters us down here in the southern hemisphere don't get to see the English teams down here that often, I think the last time was 20 years ago when the Wigan team came down and upset the Broncos. The Roosters started the game on fire after 18 minutes the Roosters were 18 points up. You'd think a visiting would pack up and go home but to the Warriors credit they didn't. They were very skilful with the ball and they notably strung togeather a number of passes often. The Warriors had a little fight back in the second half and come within 10 points of the hosts. But it was going to  be the Roosters night. The Roosters kicked away in the end to run up a pretty good score to take the cup. I tend to agree with the commentators, the Roosters look like they can go back to back this year which hasn't been done in recent times. It should be mentioned that Michael Jennings did score a hat trick which makes him the first to do it in a World Club Challenge Match.
  I wasn't expecting much on Sunday but whilst I was flicking through the channels I was cheerfully surprised when the NZ Warriors were running onto the field to face The Brisbane Broncos. This game was played in front of a smallish crowd in the deep south of New Zealand which is a shame because the Warriors were about to turn it on, they were heading toward 50 when I had to duck out.
 They say the trials don't mean much so it  makes me even more confused when I think of the Warriors chances of NRL grand final glory in 2014??? One thing that is for sure, the English import Sam Tomkins is looking to give the southern hemisphere a bloody good shake. As the famous Warriors saying goes KEEP THE FAITH.

Keep the awesome games coming boys!!!

Capture The Magic, Share The Dream

Up The Guts

The Spectator- 2014 Cabramatta International Nines Tournament Report

The 2014 Cabramatta international rugby league tournament took place under scorching conditions this year. As an avid footy fan I was delighted by the international flavours on display and of course the local talent from teams that come from across NSW. With 30 teams competing this year, I'd like to congratulate all involved for creating such a beautiful spectacle of rugby league. Thanks must go out to the organisers NSW rugby league and the Cabramatta Leagues club for supplying a wonderful venue the steak sandwiches went down a beaut also. Thanks must go out to the men in the middle also, without them we'd end up with a street fight. Last but not least the teams, youse were absolute stars out there and played the game in fine spirits. There may have or may not have been the odd shoulder charge? but from where I was watching from not one foul shot was fired.
   This year I was lucky enough to be invited by the Niuean coach Brendan Perenara aka Bman to follow the Niuean sides around for the day. Niue had two sides competing in the tournament Niue and the Niue development side. This opportunity not only allowed me to get up and close to the action of a rugby league side it also gave me a first hand insight of the challenges a minnow nation faces in the world of Rugby League. Financials and logistics are the biggest challenges for the Niuean side. And no doubt all the minnow nations have to face these challenges to get a team out on the paddock. The Niuean teams major sponsor at the moment is Kingsford Mitre ten which helps the Niuean side by providing a venue for the team to do BBQ fundraisers. For this tournament the Niuean side had 2 players come from New Zealand, 4 players from Melbourne and 3 from the Gold Coast. The rest are all Sydney based players. Before Dwayne Johnson stole the name, Niue is also affectionately known as "The Rock". The dream for the Niuean side is to have players from the rock represent. Bman is also using this tournament as a trial for an end of the year 13 aside international against the fast growing and talented Philippines' National Side.
 I also got to talk to Paul Ruri the coach of  the Canadian side between battles. The Canadian side had mainly Australian based Players. Two of the Canadians actually train with the Parramatta NRL side. Paul noted that, Since the Canadians have been exposed to the intensity and skills and drills of the NRL and the use of these skills in the Canadian Wolverines training regime the quality of the national 13 man side has risen sharply. He did mention the recent win over the Americans. Proof is in the pudding. I asked Paul why he does it? He said he had spent 9 years in Canada working and loved Canada so much that he decided to become Canadian originally from New Zealand.. He now resides in Queensland. He said he does it to give back to his country and to the game of rugby league. He is also the sponsor of the Canadian International Nines team. Talk about giving back. Keep up the good work Paul and congratulations to the Canadian sides 2014 Cabramatta International Nines Trophy win.
 There was a tonne of awesome stories today at this tournament the flair of the Australian Indigenous side, the Passion of the Japanese, the birth of the Latin Heat, and the ever present silky skills of the Fijians just to name a few.
 In my opinion it was a day well spent and I urge you guys to get out to the next one in 2015.

For the record the Victorious teams for the day were:

Cup Winners - Auburn Warriors defeat Philippines'

Trophy Winners -  Canada defeat Cabramatta 2

Shield Winners - Burwood North Ryde defeat  Niue

Bowl Winners - Hills Bulls defeat Niue Development side

Congratulations to all our winners in 2014.

If you are interested in Sponsorship opportunities with the Niuean side in the future contact Brendan Perenara (Bman) +61415184268 in Sydney.

"Capture The Magic, Share The Dream"

Up The Guts