Dare I say it theres a lot to like in rugby right now
April 27th, 2008, 6:10 pm Teen Hobbies
Its a lot easier to sound like you know what you are talking about if you are being critical.
Sound disparaging, roll your eyes, take the mick %26mdash; all guaranteed ways of giving the impression you have an inside line on whats going on.
If you dont believe me, pay close attention next time you are watching that Gordon Ramsay show where he gets a group of wannabees into his kitchen.
Wait for the camera to go out into the restaurant and get opinions from the diners on what their food was like.
Im going to generalise like its going out of fashion here.
Dont you just cringe at the amateur food critics who pull out the %26quot;its too heavy, too greasy, the flavours were fighting with each other%26quot; or some other inane comment which really means nothing? I hate to say it, but those comments more often than not come from the portly woman who looks like she rarely sends back an empty plate, while those around her nod knowingly, too afraid to mention that the emperor might have been at least wearing a thong.
My point? Sport, for the most part, is glaringly subjective.
Take for example when my editor walks in during the week and mentions a pass from Jimmy Cowan which led directly to the Chiefs scoring a try against the Highlanders two weeks ago.
Hang on a minute, mate, I said %26mdash; although in much more reverential tones than that, it was my boss after all %26mdash; what about the pinpoint cutout ball he put on Hoani MacDonalds chest a few minutes later which saw the big fella go over untouched? You can agree with the negatives, toe the line and not have your credibility challenged.
Its the anti-cheerleader, if you follow me.
Which is why Im going to have a quick peek above the ramparts and suggest rugbys not a bad watch at the moment.
%26quot;Are you mad?%26quot; comes the reply of the wailing masses %26mdash; the sweaty-handed first-time callers who are the grist for this column.
Sure the games going to the pot in a lot of ways, but I genuinely enjoyed watching a couple of games over the weekend %26mdash; the Highlanders live and the Canes on the box.
Theres too much rugby, so pick your moments, but if you look hard enough theres something to love there still.
I felt more than a brief stirring watching the Highlanders front row tear into the Lions on Friday night.
It was like watching a dog with the last chop from the Barbie.
Heres another truism to digest with your Weetbix %26mdash; rugby, by and large, is as good a game as its ever been, its our expectations that have changed.
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