OPEN LETTER TO: Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and the whole NZ AB's Rugby Community.
Dear Steve, Dear Ian (you may or may not remember, we met first in winter 1995, Buenos Aires Argentina, for the Southern Hemisphere Under 21's Championship). I was the 'Team Translator and Forwards Coach for the AUS U.21's.
And Steve more recently (July 2019) briefly with Mr Scrum (Mike Cron) who has done an incredible job since 2008 with scrummaging in NZ (topo marks to NZRFU) and your AB's at Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport!
Since you are regurgitating your 'sour grapes' of 2003 (bad vintage, ask John Mitchell who should have had Tana Umaga in the bench for the extra time (?). I'd like to take your mind to John Hart's AB's failed harvest in 2007; JONAH LOMU was the only NZ player who remained on the field and shook hands with each one of the French players which flogged you in the last 20 minutes.
- And...your sub-championship of 1995 in South Africa
- Perhaps Rod Macqueen's 1999 Wallabies are still hurting you?
- What about the Nick Farr-Jones' RWC Wallaby winning team.
- Please, If you don't believe me(?) go and ask Heika Reid, Gary Knight, Sean Fitzpatrick and Co, 'showdown at the fortress Eden Park (2-1) test series Australia Win, with referee Derek Bevan taking away from our pocket the 2nd test? Steve Tuynman try. Matey, it would have been 3-0, vs a combined of The Cavaliers and The Baby All Blacks?
Here is probably the only-one-thing I'd agree with JON, you should stick to your coaching, selecting or whatever you are doing for a crust (big mullah in Japan?).
You, Ian and many others are making PM Jacinda Arden's job so much more difficult in trying to stop or reduce the deportation of your fellow compatriots, freeloading on Centrelink!!!
So, you being a well educated, well-meaning and mannered individual have been caught OFFSIDE and out of your 'diplomatic' depth. Just remember that rugby without the referee or the opposition is akin to self-masturbating and wishing you can reach the podium again. Today, you and NZ are at the top of the Rugby Everest, yet on your 'Pat Malone' with COVID19 as companion adviser.
A little humbleness and humility taught by your AB's to the world in videos, books and general media, is far too rich for the Covid19 era WE, the world finds itself in. Would you like to count the deaths to date? And the families affected by it? Sorry, if I run out of grenades just now, next time I'll come out with my Exocet remotely-guided missiles!!! as part of my reception committee!
TOPO
The only Triple-Rugby-Union-International (dead or alive) 1971-1992
Sydney 18/07/2020
The Breakdown | New Zealand establishes its rugby superiority in battle with Australia