Richie McCaw celebrates 100 games against France...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

 

Playing old rivals France in a World Cup clash at Eden Park is the perfect scenario to become the first All Black to win 100 caps, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw says...


The openside flanker achieved the mark at the clash in Auckland on Saturday night when the All Blacks beat France 37-17 in their Pool A match.

Richie McCaw is honoured with his 100th cap, having represented New Zealand 100 times at an international level.

PHOTO: AFP

---

"If you were going to pick a place to play and a team to play against, the French would be one you'd pick," McCaw told reporters on Friday.

He was set to achieve the feat last week in less glamorous circumstances against lowly Japan at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium but a calf injury ruled him out after he had been selected, Reuters reports.

"Had it happened last week it still would have been pretty cool so I wasn't too worried either way, but now that it has come down to this occasion the thing now is to make sure it is a good memory," McCaw said.

McCaw has been a mainstay of the All Blacks side since making his debut against Ireland in a 40-29 win in Dublin a decade ago.

A three-time winner of the International Rugby Board player-of-the-year award, he is widely regarded as one of the finest All Blacks and his skills at the breakdown and ability to read the play have consistently been a thorn in the side of opponents.

The 30-year-old is likely to win many more caps, although he admits few matches would rival the feeling of winning his first. "It was a day I could finally call myself an All Black. Up until that point it was a dream.", Radio New Zealand

2

Related articles

• Richie McCaw: Older and wiser than last French disaster (3news.co.nz)
• VIDEO TRIBUTE: Richie McCaw to become the All Blacks first 100 test veteran at the 2011 Rugby World Cup (3news.co.nz)
• New Zealand captain Richie McCaw ruled out (independent.co.uk)
• McCaw is a target we must protect, as is Eden Park (3news.co.nz)
• Eddie Butler on Richie McCaw (guardian.co.uk)

http://blogging-along-with-pete.wallinside.com 

Kiwi Scott Dixon still in Indy car contention after Japan win...

Image by emetsger via Flickr

Kiwi Scott Dixon still in Indy car contention after Japan win...

Getty Images

ROAD RACE WIN: Scott Dixon celebrates winning the Indy Japan.

 

Motorsport

Pole-sitter Scott Dixon of New Zealand won the Indy Japan today to stay in contention for the IndyCar series championship with two races to go.

The Target Chip Ganassi driver held off Will Power, who moved into the championship lead, to capture his second IndyCar win of the season.

''I've got to give a lot of credit to Team Target,'' said Dixon, who won the Honda Indy 200 last month. ''They gave me a great car with great pit stops and great fuel strategy.''

Team Penske's Power moved into first place in the standings with 542 points, 11 ahead of Dario Franchitti, who finished in eight place after being penalized for hitting Ryan Briscoe's car on the 26th lap.

Dixon, who finished 3.4375 seconds ahead of Power, is 59 points out of first place with two races to go. The final two races of the season in Kentucky and Las Vegas are on ovals.

The deadly March 11 earthquake damaged the oval at Twin Ring, so Sunday's 63-lap race was held instead on the recently repaved 14-turn, 4.8-kilometre road course.

Franchitti's chances to hold onto his lead in the overall standings were damaged when he made contact with the right-rear of Ryan Briscoe's Team Penske car entering turn one on the 26th lap.

 

- AP

Blogging along with Pete 

Next Motorsport story:

Danica Patrick deflects concerns about Japan

Dixon still in IndyCar contention after Japan win

I

 

Facebook

Comment (0)

Related articles

• Scott Dixon wins Indy Japan (theglobeandmail.com)
• Pole-sitter Dixon wins final Japan IndyCar race (espn.go.com)
• Scott Dixon takes pole position for Indy Japan (theglobeandmail.com)
• Indy - Dixon Wins Japan, Power Takes Points Lead (beyondtheredline.org)
• Scott Dixon beats Will Power to win Indy Japan (canada.com)

More bad news for Canterbury and Christchurch - no new insurance available...

Image via Wikipedia

Tobacco|Election|Hot Top

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has returned from meetings with insurance chiefs in Europe to report that premiums will go up and that for the meantime it will not be possible to get new insurance contracts in Canterbury.

That will severely limit the ability of Cantabrians to rebuild their region.

Speaking today on TV3's "The Nation" Mr Brownlee said overseas based reinsurance companies would not write new contracts for Canterbury until there was a more settled seismic situation.

"What we're talking about is new risk, new exposure and expansion of various insurers' books, "he said.
"Insurance companies in New Zealand are continuing to cover their clients, and in many parts of New Zealand they're still expanding their book effectively.

"In Christchurch they're sticking with their clients.

"So if you're going out of a red zone into a new house somewhere, or building a new house, then the insurance company will stick with you through that process.


"Where it gets a little difficult is the lack of willingness at the moment to expand the book to write new covers, particularly involving the earthquake in Christchurch.

"Now that will be a transitory period I think."

But Mr Brownlee said he could not say when that situation might change.

And he also said that his attendance at a major insurance conference in Monte Carlo had convinced him New Zealand insurance premiums would have to go up.

"The reinsurers are saying premiums not just in New Zealand but everywhere, have to go up because it's been such a bad 12 month," he said.

"New Zealand's been under-priced for a fair period of time, and we would expect to see some price rise. "

Just when will the Canterbury region get a fair go?

Related articles

• You: Christchurch welcomes blueprint for rebuilding after earthquake (guardian.co.uk)
• Insurers' profits up 8% despite disasters (news.theage.com.au)
• Christchurch, New Zealand - Christchurch, New Zealand (travelpod.com)
• Local body inaction leaves many in limbo (homepaddock.wordpress.com)
• Christchurch rattled by three more tremors on quake anniversary date (theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com)

New $6 million Hutt Park Stadium has opened

Maarten Holl

Hutt Indoor Sports Centre, Hutt Park, Seaview, has been developed on a shoestring to give Hutt residents easy access to sports facilities.

News

Where Wellington City Council has spent nearly $47 million on its new Kilbirnie Sports Centre, Hutt Valley residents have got a new indoor sports centre at no cost to ratepayers.


The new seven court stadium at Hutt Park, which has just opened without fanfare, is over half the size of the Kilbirnie but it has only cost $6m says developer Mukesh Dayal.

Mr Dayal, director of Wellington Indoor Sports and Hutt Indoor Sports, said it was built at a cost so that it could pay its way as a private venture.

Where the Kilbirnie centre had sprung wooden floors for basketball, netball and volleyball the Hutt Park stadium had artificial turf flooring and was set up for indoor netball, cricket and soccer.

"The comparison is not a true reflection. Where the $47m [spent at Kilbirnie] was probably overkill at lot of that was down to its design and they've gone for top of the line, we've had to make a return and make it work for us."

The Hutt Park stadium, built to be self-funding with costs covered by those who hire its courts, includes a large specially-designed Junglerama children's play area, a cafe and bar.

Construction started in January and the complex opened for business last week - an official opening is scheduled to take place once the carpark is complete.

Mr Dayal praised Hutt City Council for its encouragement and assistance. It had offered leased land on the former Hutt Park Raceway and it been very helpful by putting in a carpark.

The developer said he was now looking at the possibility of putting in a rink in a second stage development at Hutt Park where he plans to build another 2500sqm multi-purpose sports stadium next to the new centre.


Architect Geoffrey Meyer said the Hutt centre had taken just eight months to build and incorporated natural ventilation and lighting to reduce running costs. The building was insulated so it did not get too cold in winter or too hot in summer.


He said the centre was designed to meet local needs, providing sports and recreation facilities for schools and businesses in the area.

Lower Hutt mayor Ray Wallace said the new complex was a real asset for the city with its quality courts, a fantastic children's area and cafe.

Acknowledgements: - The Dominion Post

Sick of a child molester and the Judge who claimed he was talented..

I have to write about the following, even if it did happen down in my neck of the woods.

A Judge has cited a well-known comedians talent as one of the reasons she discharged him without conviction despite him pleading guilty to a sex act on a child - his four year old daughter.

In weighing the offence against the effect of a conviction the Judge said the comedian and entertainer had already paid a high price with the loss of his family and career, and the case was unusual,"And his talent - he's a talented New Zealander. he makes people laugh, and laughter's an incredible medicine that we all need a lot of."

I'm not laughing, New Zealand is not laughing, and I bet most of the world will not be laughing at an adult man who drank too much and interfered with his four year old daughter. He thought his daughter was his wife. What? He got into bed, and suddenly his wife said what are you doing? He had taken the girls pyjamas and pull-up nappies off and kissed her.
The Judge has imposed permanent name suppression. The Judge is a joke!

Now there is doubt cast on the industry, comedians and entertainers. Who is it, people are asking?

A Justice campaigner,Garth McVicar said there is one law for them and one law for us. He also said, "We're talking about a child. I can't think of a much worse act. This sets a precedent. Its disgraceful."

He said he had no time for the "excuse mentality" and saying, "I was drunk at the time.
A doctors report said the man had "odd" incidents in the past after drinking, and waking up without knowledge of what he had done.

If he had been just a poorly educated rubbish collector without any talent, I imagine the Judge would have jailed him. This makes me bloody sick! Sick of him and that excuse for a Judge!!

Community Bloggers Evolve

Labour's youth policy will dip into dole money...

• 
  Labour leader Phil Goff - Source: Q + A

• Related

  • National welfare reform plan sparks criticism watch
  • Key's 'radical policy' to target teen beneficiaries watch

Labour youth skills and employment package unveiled today will cut spending on the dole and redirect millions to fund apprenticeships.

Labour will reprioritise $80 million from existing schemes, with $58 million going to the apprenticeship subsidy instead of dole payments.

It will be funded out of revenue from Labour's tax plan.

The party proposes converting dole payments into a $8700 subsidy to fund 9000 additional apprenticeship places. Dole payments would be converted into incentives for employers to take on additional apprentices.
The package will cost $251 million over four years, starting before young people leave school and Labour claims it will see teens earning or learning within three years.

Leader Phil Goff said youth unemployment is too high.

"Our young people represent more of our total unemployment numbers than in any other OECD country," he said.

"This is a ticking time-bomb and has to be fixed. These kids are our future but at the moment they are being left on the scrapheap."

He said if something is not done now the New Zealand Institute estimates the cost of disengaged youth is $900 million a year.

Goff said Labour will also adopt ideas from the old Maori Trade training programme and apply them to Maori and Pasifika communities. The party also aims to build on proven programmes such as Gateway, the youth transition service, tertiary high schools and trades academies, and the Conservation Corps.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister John Key unveiled welfare reforms which take a hard line on unemployed youth and solo parents who do nothing to find a job.

National's policy would involve cash bonuses paid to private organisations and putting controls on teenage beneficiaries in terms of how they can spend their welfare money, while also offer them more mentoring and support to get back into work.

Labour MP Jacinda Ardern said Key is targeting a small group of unemployed and ignoring the majority.
She said he has targeted 1600 young people rather the other 58,000 people who are not in jobs, education or training.

Key responded by saying New Zealand has a welfare system that is not sustainable. National doesn't know how to manage or administer a social welfare system.

National doesn't have a youth policy or an employment creation policy - just inane and poorly worked  anti- welfare policies. National doesn't have a clue to be fair!

My Likes

The Blogfrog

Imprint

• 

  

  

  Victoria signals coming of age...

  
  

  .
  
  VICTORIA has sent a statement to Australian Secondary School Rugby League (ASSRL) organisers — we’re ready to compete against the powerhouses of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in the Junior National Championships.
  Hallam Senior College's Victorian Representatives:
  Hayden Butler, Brandon Manase, James Desaxe, Pride Petterson-Robati, Tala Titi & Philip Salue
  
  The Vics demolished their Pool B opposition in last month’s ASSRL Combined Affiliated States Championships Adelaide scoring an amazing 184 points across their three fi xtures, keeping two teams scoreless, and letting just a solitary try through against Western Australia.
  
  “We just came to play I guess and just wanted to show everyone that we were capable of playing in Pool A,” Player of the Tournament Pride Petterson-Robati says.
  
  “We were expecting to go well because Victoria has sort of dominated Pool B in the past and I reckon we should move up and play Australia’s best next year because we’ve got the team to do it.”
  The boys in navy blue dominated the carnival from the outset with a crushing 86-0 win against South Australia, before inflicting a 46-4 defeat upon WA and fi nishing with a 52-0 thumping of the Northern Territory.
  
  Petterson-Robati was instrumental throughout the tournament but was at his best against WA when he crossed the try line on four occasions.
  
  “I thought I played well but I definitely didn’t expect to be named Player of the Tournament, but was stoked that I was,” the humble teen says.
  
  The Hallam Senior College Year 11 student is a rising star on the junior rugby scene and has continued to fl ourish after being plucked from New Zealand to join the prestigious Melbourne Storm Academy.
  
  The Storm coaches including Craig Bellamy came across and attended a scholarship camp where they picked players to join the Academy.
  
  “I wasn’t actually expecting to get picked because I was about three years younger than everyone trying out but I was over the moon to be chosen.”
  
  And while admitting it was a difficult decision to leave home, the powerfully built youngster says he was eager to start playing against Australia’s best juniors.
  
  “They (Melbourne Storm) said it was up to me when I wanted to move over and when I felt old enough and ready.
  It was tough to leave but it was what I really wanted, because I wanted to start playing footy over here as soon as possible.”
  
  Petterson-Robati was one of six Hallam students to turn out for Victoria at the Championships and along with another 11 Victorians has been chosen to represent the Combined Affiliated States (CAS) team in the ASSRL Pool A Championships to be held this month in Sydney.
  
  “As long as we (CAS) work together as well as we (Victoria) did in the Affiliated States tournament then we should do all right.”
  
  Footnote: The CAS team performed creditably at the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby league tournament. Pride Petterson-Robati carried an injury into the tournament, and still played at a high level. He was awarded the "Player of the Year" trophy at the CAS awards this week in his absence; he was back home in NZ spending time with his mother who had been seriously ill in Hutt Hospital in the Hutt Valley. Pride will be returning to Australia in a week or so to resume his education at Hallum Senior College.
  
  Pride on the right
  This article was sourced from Spress: www.spress.com.au
  http://blogging-along-with-pete.wallinside.com