Debate

Freeview, is it free?

 

No It's Not!

 

 If you are thinking of having freeview, which by the way, you have no choice because New Zealand is going digital in October this year, then there will be a rather large cost to buy the accessories to get it set up. 

 

For example, you will either need to set up a satellite dish or UHF aerial, which isn't cheap.  You will also need to run cables into the rooms required which will also require splitters to feed into the different rooms.  You will also require a satellite receiver (top box) or maybe even a freeview built in TV!!  So far this sounds very expensive for so called "freeview" to be set up, don't you think! 

 

We really are left with no choice, unless of coarse we have no TV reception!  Who wants that!

 

So you tell me, how is it free?  It costs a fortune!

 

Freeview - is it free?  I don't think so.

After 103 test matches

Henry, who stepped down after 103 Tests in charge of New Zealand, winning 88 internationals, is currently working with the Blues in Investec Super Rugby, but will link up with Argentina and their head coach Santiago Phelan when the season concludes.

Manuel Galindo, Chairman of the Department of High Performance Rugby, spoke highly of Henry’s decision to keep assisting with Argentinean rugby, saying that his influence went far beyond technical assistant to the Test team.

 

 

My Opinion On This Article is: I think it is great that Graham Henry hasn't quit with being a coach because he is an amazing coach.

All Blacks VS Australia

No team has ever been beaten on the way to winning the World Cup. Australia have never lost to New Zealand in a World Cup. One of those facts is going to change in the next two hours.

What it all means is that New Zealand is a very edgy place to be right now. Everything from Quade Cooper to the kick-off time (9pm local time) is causing huge levels of anxiety across both islands. Merely mention Dan carter's name and even the most reserved individual will drop to the floor, beating the fist on the ground, screaming "why, why, why". But, hey, there's always Aaron Cruden.

 

 

My Opinion On This Article is:  This was a very nervous time for both Australia and New Zealand.

 

 

RWC NZ 2011

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally light, peace and relief for a long-suffering New Zealand, which has been haemorrhaging badly through the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake and Pike River mining disaster – we can find relief in the fact we are again officially the world's best in what we do best – playing, living and breathing rugby.

After all, it is our game. A rejuvenating game, but still a cruel game. It is an all-encompassing passion that has given us so much anguish – long stretches of nationwide depression in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007, but not in 2011 when it again became New Zealand's glorious game. The New Zealand rugby heart is once more in union.

From the Bay of Islands to Invercargill the party will go on for weeks. The celebrations began well before kickoff with the centre of Auckland transformed into a party zone of kilometre after kilometres of All Blacks jerseys, flags, banners with its owners converging on the city from all parts of the the country to be part of an unforgettable moment in its history.

Arise Sir Richie and Lord Ted, you have succeeded in bringing home what New Zealanders have lusted after for so long – the Webb Ellis Cup, and proper recognition that we are No 1.

 

 

 

My Opinion On This Article is: It is great news for New Zealand especially after the Christchurch Earthquake and the Pike River mine. It was the best game EVER!!!

 

 

RWC 2011

Good morning and thanks for joining me for the last of our early starts together. The final is upon us and it's kind of perfect, isn't it? Hosts New Zealand hoping to end 24 years of hurt against France, the team that inflicted two of those wounds in 1999 and 2007.

This World Cup has been far from perfect, with very few of the 47 games so far exploding into life, but anyone who's ever seen a match between these two nations will know that we're in for an excellent final. I'm told the conditions are great in Auckland. It's a cool evening with a gentle breeze but thankfully the clouds clearing over Eden Park. Everything's set up for a cracker. Are you ready? Well then let's go.

My Opinion On This Article is: It is so exciting to know that the All Blacks are in the finals. It is great that the weather is good for the finals. A very exciting moment for New Zealanders.

Eden Park

Eden Park is New Zealand's largest stadium. Every year almost half a million local and international sports fans enjoy matches and functions at the Park.

Eden Park has been the home of Auckland Cricket since 1910 and Auckland Rugby since 1925. It's 100 year history boasts some of New Zealand's proudest sporting moments, including the 1950 Empire Games, inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup and 1992 Cricket World Cup.

Today Eden Park seats 48,000 spectators. The Park will be redeveloped to a 60,000 seat capacity in time for Rugby World Cup 2011.

 

My Opinion On This Article is:  I think it is awesome that they added 12, 000 more seats for the Rugby World Cup.

 

Sevens

 

 New Zealand remain as IRB Sevens series leaders despite falling in the semifinals at the Hong Kong Sevens to eventual winners Fiji.

The All Blacks Sevens beat Kenya 36-5 in the third-place playoff stretching their series lead after six of the nine rounds. New Zealand now have 113 points, 25 more than Fiji in second place (88).

In the final defending champions Fiji fought back to beat a valiant Wales 26-19, the 14th time they have taken home the trophy.

The sixth and most high-profile tournament of the nine-leg World Series saw the Welsh go into halftime 19-0 up, but the powerful Fijians gave a rugby masterclass as soon as they were back on the pitch.

They scored three tries in as many minutes to be back on level terms before Osea Kolinisau, who had been on the subs bench in the first half, sealed victory just before full-time with his hat-trick try of the game.

As fireworks lit up the packed Hong Kong stadium, crowd favourites Fiji lifted the trophy.

"We just had the faith that we could win - I'm proud of the boys because without them I could never do what I did today," said Kolinisau.

 

 

 My Opinion On This Article is: I think it's awesome that they are the series leaders even though fiji beat us.

Jerome Kaino

When Jerome Kaino departed the Blues there was a sense of shock.

Not only was his decision to leave for Japan premature, in terms of wasting his world-class ability but, at that point, the Blues had no clear replacement.

Then along came Steven Luatua.

While he made his debut during last year's horror campaign, playing at lock and blindside flanker, Luatua's impact was not truly felt until this season. To date he's been the Blues' most consistent and influential forward in 2013.

The 21-year-old speaks with maturity beyond his years and that is reflected in his on field abilities. Some of his rugby lessons can be attributed to Kaino, the man he credits with being his mentor.

 

 

My Opinion On This Article is: I think he should have given them more notice so they had more time to get a replacement. Replacement (Steven Luatua)

 

Ardie Savea

Ardie Savea got his jersey from his brother Julian, a burst of pride from his parents and high praise from his coaches after his eye-catching Super Rugby debut.

"It was pretty special," the 19-year-old openside flanker said after the Hurricanes' 41-29 win over the Waratahs. "It's a proud moment, not only for both of us, but for mum and dad.

"They like to do their own thing after the game but I know they're happy because when I told them I was playing and Jules was too, they were really happy. It's an awesome feeling to make them proud."

 

 

My Opinion On This Article is: I think it is great that he cares about his rugby career and also what his familythinks and he makes them proud.

 

Rugby Sevens

New Zealand have won a dramatic Hong Kong Sevens quarter-final against Samoa, Luke Masirewa scoring the match-winning try after the hooter.

The Kiwis, leading the overall standings by some distance, have a real chance to go further ahead following their 21-14 win tonight.

Masirewa's try, a swan dive under the posts, was the highlight for New Zealand, who went out to a 14-0 lead through Tim Mikkelson, who scored after the Kiwis won the ball back from the kick-off, and Gillies Kaka, only for Samoa to fight back.

 

 

My Opinion On This Article is: I think that it is excellent that Luke Masirewa  got a try just after the hooter went at full time because it shows that they didn't thumble the ball at at the end.

RWC

 

Co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, the RWC concept was not born out of any altruistic ideal.

Instead it was the latest manoeuvre in a power struggle between amateur ideals and the tentacles of professionalism creeping into rugby.

Despite opposition from some quarters, it was agreed a competition to determine the pecking order in world rugby should be played.

There is no doubt the four-week tournament did exactly that.

No team has dominated a Rugby World Cup in the manner the All Blacks did, winning all six games in emphatic style, including 29-9 defeat of France in the June 20 final.

 

 

My Opinion On This Article is:  I am so happy the All Blacks ended up winning that game it was the first Rugby World Cup and New Zealand.

Rugby Fight

There was no love lost during a Rugby World Cup qualifier between Belgium and Georgia when a massive full-team brawl broke out between players in Brussels.

The fight spanned half the length of the pitch as refs could only watch on.

Two players eventually received red cards for their involvement, with Georgia winning the match 17-13.

My Opinion On This Article is: I belive that they shoundn't be having a fight because it is a game and you should enjoy it nomatter who wins.

Zac Guildford Alcoholic

All Black Zac Guildford has for the first time publicly admitted he is an alcoholic after being reinstated by the NZRU today.

A brutally honest Guildford told a packed room of media in Wellington he had finally accepted he had a mental illness that includes "addictive tendencies".

The Crusaders and All Blacks wing answered simply "Yes" when asked if he was an alcoholic.

Guildford said he had been "powerless" against alcohol in the past, but no longer believed he would struggle say no to a drink.

‘‘If you asked me this time last year while I was still in denial I guess it would have been. But now I’ve been away, I’ve seen the experts and had help. I have a great acceptance of who I am,’’ the 24-year-old said.

 

 

My Opinion On This Article is:  I think that it is good that he admitted that he was an alcoholic for the the first time but he still shouldn't be drinking.

Graham Henry Resign

Graham Henry has made a decision regarding his professional future – he’s standing down as All Black coach.

“At some stage you get to the stage where you think ‘well, I don’t want to battle it any more’, I’ve done my bit and I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been a privilege, but it’s time for me to move on and do other things and the people who are close to me want me to do that as well,” he says, speaking of his children and wife Raewyn.

The Rugby World Cup and Super 12 winning coach held a press conference along with NZRU CEO Steve Tew in Auckland at midday today.

The five-time IRB Coach of the Year says he has felt “privileged” to be able to coach the team and lead it to its first world title in 24 years.

He paid tribute to his closest colleagues and players, ranging from his assistants, Wayne Smith, Steve Hansen and Mike Cron to the two main captains during his time with the team, Richie McCaw and Tana Umaga.

“I’d just like to say thanks to those guys who’ve played over those eight years, those 103 test matches, they’ve been special, they’ve created something that I’m very proud of,” he says.

Henry also made special mention of Tew and the NZRU board, thanking them for their decision to re-appoint him and his coaching team following their loss to France in the 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

 

My Opinion On This Article is: I think that it is stink that he resigned because he was a great coach and he tought the team very well, but after all he chose to leave at the right time just after accomplishing what he wanted too. After winning the Rugby World Cup. 

NZ VS TONGA

 

Some magical moments in the first half as they scooted 27-0 clear after 31 minutes.

It was downhill from there as the Tongans refused to budge and improved their error rate.

The All Blacks fell on the wrong side of referee George Clancy and because they struggled for physical control up front, they were left relying on backline brilliance for their points.

This came often enough to establish a sizeable win but the lack of coherency will concern All Blacks coach Graham Henry ahead of their next match in a week's time against Japan in Hamilton.

McCaw, who was far from the influential figure All Blacks supporters have come to expect, seems relaxed enough.

"Perhaps we expected it to happen in the second half rather than be ruthless," he tells Sky Sport.

"We're happy to get a winning start in front of a big crowd like this."

Fulltime: NZ 41 Tonga 10.

80: Tongan lineout on halfway and this should be the last play of the game. Tongan turnover and the All Blacks go wide but Dagg is bowled and loses the ball forward.

79: Lineout win for the Tongan's who swing it wide to the right. The All Blacks are penalised at the breakdown once again. This time it appears to be Nonu.

79: Flynn's on for Hore. The All Blacks bench is cleared and they'll want to finish on a high. They attack neatly and find touch 25m out from the Tongan line.

78: Conversion Slade. NZ 41 Tonga 10. 

 

 

 

My Opinion On This Article: It is awesome that the All Blacks won but I am happy that Tonga got some points.








 

What Is Our National Sport

Rugby is New Zealand’s national sport, and whenever the All Blacks appear on the international stage a nation of supporters watches their every move.

How Would You Explain These To Someone That Had Never Played Them?

There are 15 people on a rugby field on each team playing, but there is 22 in each team all up.  7 of them will sit at the side line until they are told to switch with someone that is playing so the player gets a rest and the people at the side line get a turn playing as well. They play with a big egg shape ball that they pass behind them to another player. They also kick the ball to get it closer to there try line. When you get a try you go past the post and touch the ball on the ground. For a try you get 5 points, after you get a try you get to kick a conversion goal which is equivalent to 2 points, when the opposing team does something wrong the other team gets to kick the ball in between the goal, when you get a penalty goal you get 3 points. The aim of the game is to get more points than the other team at the end. A full game is 80 minutes and they have a break at half time (40 minutes)

What Role Do They Play In Our Daily Lives?

 

Rugby is a well loved sport in New Zealand and many people love to sit down and watch a game when it is on tv. Some people will even display an ALL BLACK flag which is New Zealand's national team when a game is about to be played in support of them.

 



Article, My Opinion

The All Blacks have finally done it! After 24 years of heartbreak they have beaten France 8-7 in a Rugby World Cup final of great theatre at Eden Park on Sunday night.

Written off by everybody, France came to play and dominated the second half after inspirational captain Thierry Dusautoir closed the gap to one point with half an hour remaining.

New Zealand nerves had already reached breaking point when the much maligned Stephen Donald entered the contest late in the first half for the injured Aaron Cruden but ironically it was Donald who landed the decisive penalty before France stormed back into the contest.

He was needed after Mr fix it Piri Weepu had a nightmare evening, especially with the boot, missing three shots of goal.

 

 

My opinion on this article is: I think its awesome that after 24 years we have finally beaten France with the final score 8-7.  Personally I believe that Piri Weepu should not have been blamed for missing 3 shot goals because he tried and it can't have been his day.  However he did play a great game.