It is better to be an outcast, a stranger in one’s own country, than an outcast from one’s self. It is better to see what is about to befall us and to resist than to retreat into the fantasies embraced by a nation of the blind.
Chris Hedges

Monday, October 08, 2007

Heartbreak Hotel

Well, another World Cup, and another loss. Hand it to the French; they either allowed themselves to be beaten for the past three years and saved their skills for when it counted or they put everything they had on the line and showed maximum heart. I recon we create a secret training facility on Chatham Island and stock it with the very best players in the country... enough for three teams, and have them play each other. Then we put together an All Black team of veterans to fulfill our international obligations. When the 2011 World Cup comes around we will present this new team out of the blue. All the preparations from the opposition will have been made to counter and beat the B team and then we roll out the very best of our youngsters.
We give away too much in International play. We kick the crap out of everybody, while they sit in the bushes. I thought Graham Henry's rotation was a great idea because it kept everyone guessing... his mistake was putting a questionable mixture on the field that day. The team he put on the field was not our best... what he was saving them for, I'll never know. The difference was only a couple of points and give it to the French, their play was pretty solid. Tana or Dougie may have made the difference. Graham Henry is no fool though. I believe we should keep him on for 2011 because he strikes me as the sort of guy you don't fool twice.

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