Just listened, Corica definately keen to respect players and clubs before releasing names. certainly hummed and hahhed over Woud being the #1, seems like they'll have 3 keepers fighting for the #1 spot.
- Next lot of signings likely next week and will include players who are coming off contract from other A-League clubs. So maybe Brimmer & Hall - and Corica has been listening to both Hay and Bazeley re NZ players he initially didn't know much about
Solid Kiwi core, I think it can be described as whelming.
Hopefully there's a decent second keeper in line, if Woud makes a couple of mistakes he seems like the kind of player who could have a long season. If he can eliminate the errors he could be a great signing.
Randall has upside, he's been good but I wouldn't say a stand out over Olympic's other forwards (that'd be Hamish Watson). But he's got all the attributes to be a good player. Howieson and De Vries are known quantities and I expect both to get good minutes.
I'm expecting bigger signings in the future but its a solid start.
The best Woud can hope for is a keeper of a similar experience level where there’s no clear number one. If there’s a definite number one I don’t see him playing much.
The best Woud can hope for is a keeper of a similar experience level where there’s no clear number one. If there’s a definite number one I don’t see him playing much.
Senior A-League Keepers Off Contract: Heward-Belle Margush Duncan Sutton Nizic
NZ Keepers Off Contract: Tzanev
There is also the option to see if Glory want to dump Sail. Or the 'not gonna happen' option of Mathew Ryan.
24 yr old Aidan Munford a Kiwi keeper who was briefly with Brisbane Roar. Read somewhere he's now in the ACT NPL, maybe with an eye towards Canberra United, who now won't be in next season's ALM.
24 yr old Aidan Munford a Kiwi keeper who was briefly with Brisbane Roar. Read somewhere he's now in the ACT NPL, maybe with an eye towards Canberra United, who now won't be in next season's ALM.
He's at Gungahlin United. Think his Mrs got a government job that took them down to the capital.
Joseph Knowles would be a superb option if they're going longer term in the goalkeeping department, and I see he's back in Auckland after an injury stunted stint in NSW NPL.
Would also add excellent depth to an already burgeoning young goalkeeping union for New Zealand which already includes Alex Paulsen, Kees Sims, and Henry Gray.
You would hope all four of them are solely squad fillers
De Vries is good enough to start. I’d rate him similar to Tim Payne.
Howieson definitely good enough to step up. Same Woud, if he can remove the bad gaffes from his game. There have been worse keepers in the ALM.
Randall too early to tell, but looked good in the Olympics qualifiers last year. I'd rather have a bunch of Kiwis signed, than Aussie journeymen. That's one of the beauties of a 2nd Kiwi team, expanding the Kiwi pro player base.
Without the Nix existing the AWs don't make the 2010 WC. At least one future AWs star is going to get their start at Auckland FC, maybe even next season.
Kingz were instrumental in the early '00s getting half decent results in the Confeds Cup, the Nix was the 2010 WC team. Nix and AFC hopefully winning men's and women's WC Finals games for a long time to come.
The best Woud can hope for is a keeper of a similar experience level where there’s no clear number one. If there’s a definite number one I don’t see him playing much.
Senior A-League Keepers Off Contract: Heward-Belle Margush Duncan Sutton Nizic
NZ Keepers Off Contract: Tzanev
There is also the option to see if Glory want to dump Sail. Or the 'not gonna happen' option of Mathew Ryan.
The best Woud can hope for is a keeper of a similar experience level where there’s no clear number one. If there’s a definite number one I don’t see him playing much.
Senior A-League Keepers Off Contract: Heward-Belle Margush Duncan Sutton Nizic
NZ Keepers Off Contract: Tzanev
There is also the option to see if Glory want to dump Sail. Or the 'not gonna happen' option of Mathew Ryan.
You would hope all four of them are solely squad fillers
De Vries is good enough to start. I’d rate him similar to Tim Payne.
Howieson definitely good enough to step up. Same Woud, if he can remove the bad gaffes from his game. There have been worse keepers in the ALM.
Randall too early to tell, but looked good in the Olympics qualifiers last year. I'd rather have a bunch of Kiwis signed, than Aussie journeymen. That's one of the beauties of a 2nd Kiwi team, expanding the Kiwi pro player base.
Without the Nix existing the AWs don't make the 2010 WC. At least one future AWs star is going to get their start at Auckland FC, maybe even next season.
Kingz were instrumental in the early '00s getting half decent results in the Confeds Cup, the Nix was the 2010 WC team. Nix and AFC hopefully winning men's and women's WC Finals games for a long time to come.
Half decent results in the Confed Cup? Mate we were losing every game.
Some of the stronger rumoured prospects. Tommy Smith, Callan Elliot, Marco Rojas, Joey Champness, Alex Greive, Myer Bevan, Luis Toomey, Dan Hall, Jake Brimmer, Zawada, Aaryan Raj (scholarship deal).
I think YH alluded that next week could be Toomey & Elliot, plus some Australians.
From 1st June (Saturday) currently contracted players, will be officially off contract? So maybe a big number of annoucements next week.
It's one thing to sign a bunch of Kiwis, but I have a feeling there'll be a bunch of people waiting until they unveil their visa signings to pass judgement. Let's see how appealing Auckland FC is to foreign players
Two more players will be announced by Auckland FC next week — also local products — which is part of a deliberate strategy. It’s believed the club has signed 14 players, though they will be announced gradually over the next few months. [@nzherald]https://t.co/ZyV5bVF1QY
So do the National League signings e.g. Cam Howieson just stop playing? Too high a risk getting injured? Or is he allowed to keep playing until the contract officially starts?
So do the National League signings e.g. Cam Howieson just stop playing? Too high a risk getting injured? Or is he allowed to keep playing until the contract officially starts?
Surely you'd have a physical & mental break from football from a month?
Go to Fiji for 1-2 weeks or something. Just so you feel fresh when rocking up to AFC pre season training at Albany in July.
You would hope all four of them are solely squad fillers
De Vries is good enough to start. I’d rate him similar to Tim Payne.
Howieson definitely good enough to step up. Same Woud, if he can remove the bad gaffes from his game. There have been worse keepers in the ALM.
Randall too early to tell, but looked good in the Olympics qualifiers last year. I'd rather have a bunch of Kiwis signed, than Aussie journeymen. That's one of the beauties of a 2nd Kiwi team, expanding the Kiwi pro player base.
Without the Nix existing the AWs don't make the 2010 WC. At least one future AWs star is going to get their start at Auckland FC, maybe even next season.
Kingz were instrumental in the early '00s getting half decent results in the Confeds Cup, the Nix was the 2010 WC team. Nix and AFC hopefully winning men's and women's WC Finals games for a long time to come.
Half decent results in the Confed Cup? Mate we were losing every game.
True but we were competitive, eg Raf's goal. Even in the most recent Confeds games in Russia, we still got spanked.
You would hope all four of them are solely squad fillers
De Vries is good enough to start. I’d rate him similar to Tim Payne.
Howieson definitely good enough to step up. Same Woud, if he can remove the bad gaffes from his game. There have been worse keepers in the ALM.
Randall too early to tell, but looked good in the Olympics qualifiers last year. I'd rather have a bunch of Kiwis signed, than Aussie journeymen. That's one of the beauties of a 2nd Kiwi team, expanding the Kiwi pro player base.
Without the Nix existing the AWs don't make the 2010 WC. At least one future AWs star is going to get their start at Auckland FC, maybe even next season.
Kingz were instrumental in the early '00s getting half decent results in the Confeds Cup, the Nix was the 2010 WC team. Nix and AFC hopefully winning men's and women's WC Finals games for a long time to come.
Half decent results in the Confed Cup? Mate we were losing every game.
True but we were competitive, eg Raf's goal. Even in the most recent Confeds games in Russia, we still got spanked.
Ah, no no not at all. Raf's goal, 2003 France in a 3-1 loss to Colombia. Also lost 5-0 France and 3-0 Japan. GD -10. AWs worst Confeds Cup
2017 Russia. Lost 2-0 the hosts, 2-1 Mexico (goal Wood) & 4-0 Portugal. GD -7
1999 Mexico. 2-1 loss to USA (Zoricich). Lost Germany 2-0 & same Brazil. GD -5
2009 Sth Africa. The only time it wasn't 3 losses from 3. Spain lost 5-0, hosts lost 2-0 & Iraq a 0-0 draw. GD -7
Early 2000's the Kingz & then Knights were shark, and so were the AWs.
Biggest contribution made to NZ football, was giving Ricki his first pro gig. Him then going on to coach the Nix & AWs, Herbert being the right man for that time.
Introducing TĀMAKI AFC - Aotearoa Football's Left-Wing Ultras
A-League football's newest professional club, Auckland FC, will feature a proudly Left-wing active support group.
The "Tamāki AFC" (standing for "anti-fascist crew") will be cheering on the "Black Knights" from Bay 25 at Rarotonga Mount Smart Stadium, alongside other active support groups.
Tāmaki AFC are inspired by overseas Left-wing "ultra" groups such as Celtic FC (Scotland)'s "Green Brigade", AEK Athens (Greece)'s "Original 21", Dulwich Hamlet (England)'s "Rabble", or the infamous ultras of FC St. Pauli (Germany).
The group is first and foremost an active support group, like Wellington Phoenix's Yellow Fever. But it is explicitly and openly decolonial, anticapitalist. and antifascist. It opposes all forms of homophobia and transphobia in football - and in football fandom - as well as the dominance of big money over grassroots club culture. It supports fair pay and conditions for all those working in football, from star players to stadium cleaners and everyone in between.
No matter what form of Left-wing politics you identify with - or none at all - all football fans who agree with the group's kaupapa and want to have a good time are welcome to join in:
1. WE ARE ACTIVE SUPPORT We support Auckland FC, Manukau United and possibly other football clubs in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland through chanting, singing, flags, banners/tifos, dancing, support outside the stadium, etc. We want to make sure our team(s) game have as big and fun an atmosphere as possible.
2. WE'RE FOR LANDBACK AND CONSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION We acknowledge that in both so-called New Zealand and Australia we are on stolen lands under illegitimate colonial governments. We do what we can to oppose and end colonisation all over the Pacific, and the world.
3. ANTI-FASCIST, ANTI-CAPITALIST AND PRO-SOLIDARITY Our guiding principle is that FOOTBALL IS FOR ALL. We oppose racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, in football fandom and in wider society. We stand in solidarity with the oppressed and victims of imperialism worldwide. We also offer no political support to the billionaire owners of Auckland FC nor the capitalist A-League model - we are here for the fans, the players and the community.
4. WE ARE INTERNATIONALISTS We seek to create ties of friendship with other leftist Ultras groups in the A-league and around the world, and seek to inspire the creation of leftist ultra groups where they don't exist in the A-league.
5. WE ARE FOR PEOPLE'S CLUBS AND LEAGUES We want a club accessible to fans, with affordable ticket prices, food and drink prices, free public transport to the ground and increasing fan ownership of all clubs in the A-league. We want all staff including contractors to be on at least a living wage, pay equity between women and men's teams, and for the club to choose sustainable practices. We want safe standing areas and club genuinely connected to our diverse communities and actively contributing to grassroots football.
6. WE ARE A UNITED FRONT OF THE BROAD LEFT We are a group for all those who support this kaupapa, regardless if they be anarcho-communists, Labour Party supporters, or anywhere in between. We stand and have fun alongside fellow fans whom we have serious political differences, and discuss those differences in a comradely manner after the game (if at all).
Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/904892314618830
Tamaki AFC. That’s cool. Nice to see a group standing up for their principals and supporting their local club. Globally there is a lot of synicism about the corporate take over of football. What was once the people’s game is now becoming the plaything of nation states and global investment funds. I see the International players Union has flagged possible strike action if FIFA does not do something to reduce the overcrowded football calendar to help reduce player burnout.
You would hope all four of them are solely squad fillers
De Vries is good enough to start. I’d rate him similar to Tim Payne.
Howieson definitely good enough to step up. Same Woud, if he can remove the bad gaffes from his game. There have been worse keepers in the ALM.
Randall too early to tell, but looked good in the Olympics qualifiers last year. I'd rather have a bunch of Kiwis signed, than Aussie journeymen. That's one of the beauties of a 2nd Kiwi team, expanding the Kiwi pro player base.
Without the Nix existing the AWs don't make the 2010 WC. At least one future AWs star is going to get their start at Auckland FC, maybe even next season.
Kingz were instrumental in the early '00s getting half decent results in the Confeds Cup, the Nix was the 2010 WC team. Nix and AFC hopefully winning men's and women's WC Finals games for a long time to come.
Half decent results in the Confed Cup? Mate we were losing every game.
True but we were competitive, eg Raf's goal. Even in the most recent Confeds games in Russia, we still got spanked.
Ah, no no not at all. Raf's goal, 2003 France in a 3-1 loss to Colombia. Also lost 5-0 France and 3-0 Japan. GD -10. AWs worst Confeds Cup
2017 Russia. Lost 2-0 the hosts, 2-1 Mexico (goal Wood) & 4-0 Portugal. GD -7
1999 Mexico. 2-1 loss to USA (Zoricich). Lost Germany 2-0 & same Brazil. GD -5
2009 Sth Africa. The only time it wasn't 3 losses from 3. Spain lost 5-0, hosts lost 2-0 & Iraq a 0-0 draw. GD -7
coochiee
Marto
Buffon II
Marto
coochiee
Friar Tuck
AucklandPhoenix
You would hope all four of them are solely squad fillers
De Vries is good enough to start. I’d rate him similar to Tim Payne.
Howieson definitely good enough to step up. Same Woud, if he can remove the bad gaffes from his game. There have been worse keepers in the ALM.
Randall too early to tell, but looked good in the Olympics qualifiers last year. I'd rather have a bunch of Kiwis signed, than Aussie journeymen. That's one of the beauties of a 2nd Kiwi team, expanding the Kiwi pro player base.
Without the Nix existing the AWs don't make the 2010 WC. At least one future AWs star is going to get their start at Auckland FC, maybe even next season.
Kingz were instrumental in the early '00s getting half decent results in the Confeds Cup, the Nix was the 2010 WC team. Nix and AFC hopefully winning men's and women's WC Finals games for a long time to come.
Half decent results in the Confed Cup? Mate we were losing every game.
True but we were competitive, eg Raf's goal. Even in the most recent Confeds games in Russia, we still got spanked.
Ah, no no not at all. Raf's goal, 2003 France in a 3-1 loss to Colombia. Also lost 5-0 France and 3-0 Japan. GD -10. AWs worst Confeds Cup
2017 Russia. Lost 2-0 the hosts, 2-1 Mexico (goal Wood) & 4-0 Portugal. GD -7
1999 Mexico. 2-1 loss to USA (Zoricich). Lost Germany 2-0 & same Brazil. GD -5
2009 Sth Africa. The only time it wasn't 3 losses from 3. Spain lost 5-0, hosts lost 2-0 & Iraq a 0-0 draw. GD -7
I was thinking specifically about '99 and your stats back it up. Our best run. NZ football was on a high at the time with the launch of pro footie. Herbert redeemed the game nearly a decade later when NZF and the knights made it a stinking pile of poo (NZ Knights and that South American tour)
Introducing TĀMAKI AFC - Aotearoa Football's Left-Wing Ultras
A-League football's newest professional club, Auckland FC, will feature a proudly Left-wing active support group.
The "Tamāki AFC" (standing for "anti-fascist crew") will be cheering on the "Black Knights" from Bay 25 at Rarotonga Mount Smart Stadium, alongside other active support groups.
Tāmaki AFC are inspired by overseas Left-wing "ultra" groups such as Celtic FC (Scotland)'s "Green Brigade", AEK Athens (Greece)'s "Original 21", Dulwich Hamlet (England)'s "Rabble", or the infamous ultras of FC St. Pauli (Germany).
The group is first and foremost an active support group, like Wellington Phoenix's Yellow Fever. But it is explicitly and openly decolonial, anticapitalist. and antifascist. It opposes all forms of homophobia and transphobia in football - and in football fandom - as well as the dominance of big money over grassroots club culture. It supports fair pay and conditions for all those working in football, from star players to stadium cleaners and everyone in between.
No matter what form of Left-wing politics you identify with - or none at all - all football fans who agree with the group's kaupapa and want to have a good time are welcome to join in:
1. WE ARE ACTIVE SUPPORT We support Auckland FC, Manukau United and possibly other football clubs in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland through chanting, singing, flags, banners/tifos, dancing, support outside the stadium, etc. We want to make sure our team(s) game have as big and fun an atmosphere as possible.
2. WE'RE FOR LANDBACK AND CONSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION We acknowledge that in both so-called New Zealand and Australia we are on stolen lands under illegitimate colonial governments. We do what we can to oppose and end colonisation all over the Pacific, and the world.
3. ANTI-FASCIST, ANTI-CAPITALIST AND PRO-SOLIDARITY Our guiding principle is that FOOTBALL IS FOR ALL. We oppose racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, in football fandom and in wider society. We stand in solidarity with the oppressed and victims of imperialism worldwide. We also offer no political support to the billionaire owners of Auckland FC nor the capitalist A-League model - we are here for the fans, the players and the community.
4. WE ARE INTERNATIONALISTS We seek to create ties of friendship with other leftist Ultras groups in the A-league and around the world, and seek to inspire the creation of leftist ultra groups where they don't exist in the A-league.
5. WE ARE FOR PEOPLE'S CLUBS AND LEAGUES We want a club accessible to fans, with affordable ticket prices, food and drink prices, free public transport to the ground and increasing fan ownership of all clubs in the A-league. We want all staff including contractors to be on at least a living wage, pay equity between women and men's teams, and for the club to choose sustainable practices. We want safe standing areas and club genuinely connected to our diverse communities and actively contributing to grassroots football.
6. WE ARE A UNITED FRONT OF THE BROAD LEFT We are a group for all those who support this kaupapa, regardless if they be anarcho-communists, Labour Party supporters, or anywhere in between. We stand and have fun alongside fellow fans whom we have serious political differences, and discuss those differences in a comradely manner after the game (if at all).
Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/904892314618830
If you brand yourself as Ultras, unfortunately there is a high risk you are going to find conflict somewhere, with someone. Hopefully there is none. But what you may think is good natured banter, is bound to cause someone with very different views, to get the red mist. It's like the Australian cricket team with their sledging saying we never cross the line, but then appointing themselves as sole judges of where that 'line' is. Few things drag up more stronger emotions than politics.
Auckland FC are too busy setting up a new club from scratch, to be waste time on any conflict resolution stuff on match days or whatever. And there are far better places in NZ to engage in political posturing than Mt Smart Stadium. 99% of people will just want to go there to watch good football. Don't piss them off would be my advice, otherwise at some point with someone it will sadly get ugly.
Introducing TĀMAKI AFC - Aotearoa Football's Left-Wing Ultras
A-League football's newest professional club, Auckland FC, will feature a proudly Left-wing active support group.
The "Tamāki AFC" (standing for "anti-fascist crew") will be cheering on the "Black Knights" from Bay 25 at Rarotonga Mount Smart Stadium, alongside other active support groups.
Tāmaki AFC are inspired by overseas Left-wing "ultra" groups such as Celtic FC (Scotland)'s "Green Brigade", AEK Athens (Greece)'s "Original 21", Dulwich Hamlet (England)'s "Rabble", or the infamous ultras of FC St. Pauli (Germany).
The group is first and foremost an active support group, like Wellington Phoenix's Yellow Fever. But it is explicitly and openly decolonial, anticapitalist. and antifascist. It opposes all forms of homophobia and transphobia in football - and in football fandom - as well as the dominance of big money over grassroots club culture. It supports fair pay and conditions for all those working in football, from star players to stadium cleaners and everyone in between.
No matter what form of Left-wing politics you identify with - or none at all - all football fans who agree with the group's kaupapa and want to have a good time are welcome to join in:
1. WE ARE ACTIVE SUPPORT We support Auckland FC, Manukau United and possibly other football clubs in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland through chanting, singing, flags, banners/tifos, dancing, support outside the stadium, etc. We want to make sure our team(s) game have as big and fun an atmosphere as possible.
2. WE'RE FOR LANDBACK AND CONSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION We acknowledge that in both so-called New Zealand and Australia we are on stolen lands under illegitimate colonial governments. We do what we can to oppose and end colonisation all over the Pacific, and the world.
3. ANTI-FASCIST, ANTI-CAPITALIST AND PRO-SOLIDARITY Our guiding principle is that FOOTBALL IS FOR ALL. We oppose racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, in football fandom and in wider society. We stand in solidarity with the oppressed and victims of imperialism worldwide. We also offer no political support to the billionaire owners of Auckland FC nor the capitalist A-League model - we are here for the fans, the players and the community.
4. WE ARE INTERNATIONALISTS We seek to create ties of friendship with other leftist Ultras groups in the A-league and around the world, and seek to inspire the creation of leftist ultra groups where they don't exist in the A-league.
5. WE ARE FOR PEOPLE'S CLUBS AND LEAGUES We want a club accessible to fans, with affordable ticket prices, food and drink prices, free public transport to the ground and increasing fan ownership of all clubs in the A-league. We want all staff including contractors to be on at least a living wage, pay equity between women and men's teams, and for the club to choose sustainable practices. We want safe standing areas and club genuinely connected to our diverse communities and actively contributing to grassroots football.
6. WE ARE A UNITED FRONT OF THE BROAD LEFT We are a group for all those who support this kaupapa, regardless if they be anarcho-communists, Labour Party supporters, or anywhere in between. We stand and have fun alongside fellow fans whom we have serious political differences, and discuss those differences in a comradely manner after the game (if at all).
Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/904892314618830
Tamaki AFC. That’s cool. Nice to see a group standing up for their principals and supporting their local club. Globally there is a lot of synicism about the corporate take over of football. What was once the people’s game is now becoming the plaything of nation states and global investment funds. I see the International players Union has flagged possible strike action if FIFA does not do something to reduce the overcrowded football calendar to help reduce player burnout.
This whole club is Corporate FC. What are they cheering on? ACFC?
As to the player thing. Yes they have long seasons but they get paid a truck load of money (in Europe at least) and don't to 12 hour shifts, work nights or get up at 3/4am like many here.
If they're not happy, they can always get a real job instead of being paid to kick a ball around or play less and get paid less. EPL player money is an utter joke. Players are a major part of the problem in the game.
Tamaki AFC. That’s cool. Nice to see a group standing up for their principals and supporting their local club. Globally there is a lot of synicism about the corporate take over of football. What was once the people’s game is now becoming the plaything of nation states and global investment funds. I see the International players Union has flagged possible strike action if FIFA does not do something to reduce the overcrowded football calendar to help reduce player burnout.
This whole club is Corporate FC. What are they cheering on? ACFC?
Nothing says left-wing more than wearing over priced merchandise, with huge corporate logos, of a football club which exists solely as a made-up franchise, owned by not one but two billionaires... 😂
Tamaki AFC. That’s cool. Nice to see a group standing up for their principals and supporting their local club. Globally there is a lot of synicism about the corporate take over of football. What was once the people’s game is now becoming the plaything of nation states and global investment funds. I see the International players Union has flagged possible strike action if FIFA does not do something to reduce the overcrowded football calendar to help reduce player burnout.
This whole club is Corporate FC. What are they cheering on? ACFC?
Nothing says left-wing more than wearing over priced merchandise, with huge corporate logos, of a football club which exists solely as a made-up franchise, owned by not one but two billionaires... 😂
True left wing is protesting outside the stadium/at the owners homes and never watching a pro football game ever.
I'm pretty left wing myself but it comes across as bad manners/ungracious to say "we offer no political support to the billionaire owners nor the capitalist A-League model" when like it or not they are the reason why you have a team to support. Bit of a needless thing to say too, I don't think there was any danger of people thinking you love billionaires & capitalism.
Well Doloras that’s you told! By 20 Legend, Coochie and Buffy…
I have to admit it’s a bit of an odd concept to me. One of the things I enjoy about football is its escapist nature and the way it transcends a lot of these differences and the way it can be all encompassing and important and at the same time just a playground game left behind at a moment if required.
In the US it’s harder and harder to have friends across a political divide which has become extreme. Despite what people say, I don’t think that New Zealand is that divided and I’d say it feels like 70% of people would agree on many many things and they’re willing to trust people and give them a go.
But I have to admit people’s experiences of things are different and it’s more important for some, perhaps those whose ancestors used the kumara pits inside Cornwall Park or who recall that the judge of Judge’s bay, who was ridiculed at the time as a bleeding heart liberal, still refused to have natives in his house. Or for example when the Crown invites you to parliament for a symbolic apology for historical wrong only to have Maureen Pugh tell you to be quiet. I imagine you might want to represent Tamaki Makaurau differently and might consider a neutral representation whitewashing…
I read Greg McGee’s account of playing rugby in Italy and it sounded absolutely mental. A real continuation of war by other means. I think the ultra concept is somewhat foreign to NZ and perhaps to British fandom, even if hooliganism and violence isn’t.
Actually I don’t really understand how the left wing politics gets involved- you watch the game, eat a Frank’s and drink a beer and go home. Are we talking community work? A focus on player issues?
As well if we’re being historical, especially rugby has been a stronghold of rural conservative orthodoxy as can be seen in the way the forces inside rugby are currently scrapping for the future of that game.
Anyway, I’ve enjoyed the Fever and the way they’ve dealt with the odd racist or misogynist chant (She fell over, or there were comments about a Korean player at the Roar iirc which have gone) and the way it’s largely apolitical and football focused. Every now and then a figure who supports the Nix pops up and it is truly a varied bunch.
This’ll be something new, a little confusing and interesting to keep an eye on too. Each to their own I guess!
