Hi ,

31 AUGUST 2023

Wow, what a 10-14 days of Rugby! NPC has lit up the competition like never before. There are Games which in our minds are written off before they start, only to review the score and wonder what happened. That is except for the All Blacks. 

Starting on the 19^th of August, Wellington Lions played Southland at Home to win fairly convincingly, 39-17. Then on Wednesday, only 4 days later another Shield Challenge against Tasman who were certainly showing good form. People are still talking about an 80 minute Game of which seemingly 78 minutes were played in the middle of the field. Apparently the Groundspersons did not have to repaint any white lines past the 10 metre mark on the halfway. The tackle count was something like 240 for the Lions against 130 by Tasman. Then 4 days later an away match in Christchurch against Canterbury – a Game won by the Lions 36-31. The amazing part about this win, was that the Lions rested a number of key Players that have successfully defended the Shield. This weekend we have Counties Manakau for a Challenge. The Lions are looking strong under Tamati Ellison’s control.

Some interesting results over the same period have been Canterbury over Manawatu 68-26, Then Manawatu over Auckland 33-31. This years NPC is certainly showing a lot of inspirational Rugby. Our Lions have the most Tawa Boys in almost living memory playing for them – that is good for those playing and also for those who play with them in the local competition. 

So much for the highs. There have been some awful lows! I really don’t think St Anthony’s B under 8 Rippa Rugby Team could have done worse than the AB’s against the Yarpies. I have no idea what the Penalty count was, but it seemed we had no knowledge of the Rules. Captain Cane did not appear to be able to discipline his Team, or at least remind the Team that the TMO was watching every move and that there seems to be a half dozen or more Cameras on all Players. Here’s hoping that they now realise that this is how the World Cup will be played. 

Tupou suggested the Wallabies did not wish to let France or anyone else know their Game plan pre World Cup. If ever Rugby comes to this, then I would suggest a lot of Fans will be cycling on NZ’s prolific cycle tracks instead of following our Game. 

A highlight for me was the win by Fiji over England and the close loss of Samoa to Ireland. Pasifika Rugby has come of age, although Samoa have always been able to put on a good Game when required. There are going to be some surprises this World Cup for sure, including the AB’s and Ozzie -perhaps for the wrong reasons. Here’s hoping I am wrong!

Not all doom and gloom for Kiwis. Last weekend was a “dream come true” for Liam Lawson. At last Liam was called up to drive in a Formula One Race due to Daniel Riccardo having surgery on a broken wrist caused during a Formula One crash. An incredible weekend of rain, dry, rain and more rain. Hellish conditions from where Liam started 20^th and finished 13^th. No mean feat for sure, and ahead of his Team Mate. This weekend Liam gets another chance racing at the famous Monza circuit in Italy. Hopefully better weather.

Last Monday morning (NZ time) saw the running of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 IndyCar race in Madison, Illinois. Our man Scott “The Iceman” never looked like losing after his Teams usual meticulous strategy. Two wins in a row and only 70 odd points from the Ladder Leader. Only two Races to go in the series for 2023. My money is on the Kiwi.

I don’t have the details, but our Kiwi, Courtney Duncan is still leading the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship at this time.

Just over a week to go to see what the AB’s are made of. In the meantime the Lions host Counties-Manakau for a Shield Challenge at Sky Stadium on Saturday evening. 

Allan G Davidson

President

Hi ,

14 SEPTEMBER 2023

Since the above Report, the AB’s only on a downhill spiral. What a woeful AB start to the RWC! I just saw a headline from Warren Gatland suggesting “kick-fest at RWC a real turn-off”. Personally. I would drink to that. So often the ball retriever barely moves 500mm to catch the ball. Whatever happened to positional play? Or even the 50/22 kicks, seen occasionally. I could be wrong, but isn’t Rugby a possession game? I mean, he/she who has the Ball surely creates the play?? 

Fiji were unlucky in their Game. They had the goods, but left it all a little late. Fiji will get stronger from this encounter. England showed what kicking is really about. In these competitions you go for points, not kicks to the corner with a lineout that probably has a less than 50% chance of getting points. And Drop Goals!! 

In the meantime, we had the Home Game against Counties Manakau and quite frankly, chewed them out! Next was Waikato away and the same happened. The Lions are showing what they are made of with a Season continuing on from last year when we won all the top prizes. This week we are away again against Bay of Plenty, who can turn up on any given day. Round 8 & 9 are Home Ranfurly Shield Challenges. 

Not all doom and gloom in NZ’s sports. Courtney Duncan took out the Women’s World Motocross title for the 4^th time. Absolutely magnificent! 

Liam Lawson had another drive in Formula !. Lawson qualified 12^th and finished 11^th. No mean feat in this quality field of top Drivers. 

On to IndyCar racing. Since my earlier report, there has been the penultimate Bitnile.com Grand Prix of Portland race at which Scott Dixon came third whilst his Team Mate Alex Palou not only won the Race, but won the Championship. Then the IndyCar entourage went to the Final Race of the Season being the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey. Scott Dixon 1^st, Scott McLaughlin 2^nd and Palou 3^rd. Marcus Armstrong came in 8^th and took out Rookie of the Year – pretty dam good when you consider Armstrong did not compete in the Oval Races. The Team Owner , Chip Ganassi and the Team took 1^st in Championship, 2^nd in Championship and Rookie of the Year, apparently never done before. Armstrong now has a full time drive with Chip Ganassi’s Team, along with the other two mentioned. 

This weekend has the first of the Supercar 2023 endurance races at Penrite Oil Sandown 500. Huge amount of Kiwi’s in here including one of my favourites, Richie Stanaway driving with Shane van Gisbergen. 

A few lack lustre RWC Games this weekend with the watchable ones being Ireland vs Tonga and Australia vs Fiji. Samoa should get points on the Board. If we don’t win against Namibia by in excess of 50points, then perhaps we should quietly pack up, sneak out the back door and come home.

Onward and upward.

A couple of Games at The Fortress this Saturday;

1300hrs Centurions U18Boys vs Wairarapa Bush U18 Boys

1430hrs Wellington Black U 16 Boys vs Wellington Gold U16 Boys 

Allan G Davidson

President