Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Tuesday, 11 March 2014 01:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Shocker of the day
At a Havies lineout the man was in mid air and the person propping him up was taken out resulting in a large thud as the Havies lock forward crashed to earth. The offender was given a talking to by the referee and then sent scot free. Many at the venue believed that the act amounted to dangerous play and warranted a yellow card at least.
Hero of the day
The Navy three quarters who in the second half woke up from their deep slumber and finally challenged, threatened and eventually cracked the Havies’ defence. After being down by 19 points to three to come back and win in a final is superlative effort. Even the forwards were back at their counter rucking best.
Villain of the day
In the first half Dabare was a hero as he chased a kick ahead, got the better of the Navy fullback and then acrobatically pounced on the loose bouncing ball to apply adequate downward pressure that resulted in a try. In the second half with Havies still leading and a few minutes of play left yet another moment of madness courtesy of a blind looping pass saw the end of the Havies hopes as Navy gleefully accepted the ball and touch down under the posts. A hero in the first half turned to Zero in the second half.
Talking point
The desire to win is great by any team. Both teams had been served well up to that stage with their current crop of players, yet they chose to have more ‘imports’ for the final game. The message that is given to the squad that had trained diligently throughout the season would have been a bit coloured.
Resource allocation
The entire final round of games were officiated by expatriate referees. Thus the message to the local referees is loud and clear – that they are not good enough. Some of the decisions taken by the expatriate referees were tough calls and the general consensus was that local referees would not have had the muscle and the bravery to execute such decisions. If that assertion is correct, it does not augur well for the local game. Thus whatever training that may be imparted and whatever skills that are imparted would amount to zero if the will is not there to execute decisions impartially and judiciously.
Annoying aspect
All teams in the club circuit can never get their players to wear the jersey coinciding with the number pertaining to their positional play. We see games starting off with players wearing No. 49 and that confuses the spectators and the commentators. To the best of my knowledge this happens only in sunny Sri Lanka or maybe in certain parts of Africa where resources are scarce. I see an opportunity for all garment manufacturers. What if the jerseys are printed without a number in the first instance and the numbers are attached/stuck on the jersey just before play?
International Women’s Day 2014 was celebrated over the weekend. The Queensland Reds played the Cheetahs last Friday and all the Reds players had the name of their mum at the back of the jersey. It was indeed a fitting tribute to all the mums of the world and for the mums to see their names at the back of their son’s jersey must have been a proud moment and a sense of honour. Well done the Reds.
(The writer can be reached via [email protected])
