Uriah Heap

That's interesting about time in Melbourne wph
I had a similar rugby upbringing to yourself (although not quite that successful in school - but did play Senior club).
Then like yourself, I lived in Melbourne for a time and got exposed to AFL. Now back in NZ I'm envious as all hell that we can't have a game with the flow, excitement and crowds of Aussie Rules. Like the 90,000 for Collingwood v Carlton; Otago vs Wellington (NPC) should get a passionate crowd of 25,000 minimum.  
I think the three things Rugby Union could take from AFL are - 
1. No cards - incidents are reviewed post game and players banned accordingly (extended bans - so it really hurts your team.) 
2. Clock stops when ball not in play. 
3. TMO only rules on groundings over the line.

The All Blacks v Ireland World Cup match was a great contest. It reignited my passion for International rugby, which had been seriously on the wane.
And Boks get up this morning. All that talk about France and Ireland, but when the heat goes on, look who come out victorious...yet again. Let's hope both AB's and Boys haven't knackered themselves for their semi-final matches.

I like Tony Lee, but think whp makes a valid point about his calls on Saturday.
I noticed, at least in those early races, he was focusing on horses that were battling into 4th and 5th at best.
Still, it's not a major and he's such an icon it will be a sad day when he goes.

I like Tony Lee, but think whp makes a valid point about his calls on Saturday.
I noticed, at least in those early races, he was focusing on horses that were battling into 4th and 5th at best.
Still, it's not a major and he's such an icon it will be a sad day when he goes.

Congrats getting the $18 TT, for a team that had played fairly well the previous season.
Both AFL and NRL Finals were outstanding games. Hard for Rugby Union to match that, but we'll see....???

Co governance is not the threat you believe it to be Tripple A.

The man's got a damn cheek to say "I'm draining the swamp", when he pulls of moves like this phone call.

Gee, that phone call doesn't sound good does it. It's straight out of the Bullies handbook.
I really like the (Republican) Georgia Secretary of States calm reply - "Respectfully, President Trump: What you're saying is not true."
How many times could you use this line in regard to former President Trump??

The man's got a damn cheek to say "I'm draining the swamp", when he pulls of moves like this phone call.

U calling me dumb???
Yeah, I'd agree I'm just an average bloke. I look out and I see Covid came - people died in large numbers - we got a vaccine - now people don't die in large numbers.
Climate - I see much more about droughts; heat waves and floods on TV than I ever used too. To me, the climate seems more volatile. I ask "Why is that?" So I read Race Cafe for the considered opinions of Gruff; Hedley; Tripple A etc; Then I listen to Scientists -  and then I weigh things up. 

The man's got a damn cheek to say "I'm draining the swamp", when he pulls of moves like this phone call.

I have been calling in to see the progress. About 3 weeks ago the back straight looked lush from the mile chute. 
Grass had been planted around to the Ascot Stand and the main straight not. i'm thinking no show to rum the KM's here in January. Paul W. 
I called in yesterday and grass everywhere.. around the back you could mow it.
I drove around to the interior through the underpass off Ladies Mile, off Derby Downs Place. The carpark there complete. Diggers were contouring the topsoil piles into mounds. The pond is full.
Starting to believe!

There is an immediate problem when some players take the knee or acknowledge national anthem, and others don't. That's bad for a team. They're not united.

I dunno about Chilie, but giving Maori some say in the water ways via Co-Governance doesn't threaten me in any way.

There is an immediate problem when some players take the knee or acknowledge national anthem, and others don't. That's bad for a team. They're not united.

I like the NZ Netball coach. I find she has a calm and succinct manner when speaking, including a touch of humour at the right time.
However, netball as a sport, I find very hard to watch.

Co governance is not the threat you believe it to be Tripple A.

Was former President Trump a compulsive liar from an early age? Probably! What can't be disputed is the influence of gay lawyer, Roy Cohn, on Trump, from mid 70's to mid 80's.
Cohn was corrupt, ruthless and taught Trump the tactics he uses to this day. Exploit power; Instill fear. "Attack; Counterattack and never apologise." 
Cohn was eventually unmasked and disbarred. He died in 1986. Trump has never been able to find a suitable replacement, but certainly continues to follow Cohn's mantra.

I got to a couple of games in Wellington and found it a lot of fun. Weather mild; Crowds upbeat, Mexican waves; my companions kept handing me beers; I swapped teams halfway through one game - Loved it!
Reminded me you gotta get out and support these events when they come along.

I fail to see how Meng Foon's business interests are a reason to vote ACT.
Given he mentions making money from TAB; Liqour; and Pokies, I'd say it's more of a reason to vote for the Green Party.

I like the NZ Netball coach. I find she has a calm and succinct manner when speaking, including a touch of humour at the right time.
However, netball as a sport, I find very hard to watch.

The word is spelt "racist" Tripple A.   It's an important word for a person such as yourself to know.
In addition, Maori is spelt with a capital "M".
e.g. Tripple A is obsessed with keeping New Zealand Maori subservient to New Zealander's of European heritage. Tripple A is a racist.
 
 

...and the word "vaccination". Only speak of it in whispers, eh Gruff? 

If use of the word "Pakeha" worries you this much, then you've got some seriously troubling thoughts, festering away in that brain of yours.