Hey Kamo
Instead of watching the NZRU's red team play the NZRU's yellow team, wouldn't it be great to see a competition at this time of the year that was grounded in provincial fibre? With privatised unions, we could see expanded academies, unions with international stars and, most importantly, a super rugby competition that was gained by promotion from the ITM Cup.
Jed Smethurst
Jed, I totally understand the importance of provincial rugby to New Zealand and how many people are passionate to see their teams play at the highest level in the Southern Hemisphere, but the reality is, in the short term, it's not going to happen.
We have a great place for our NPC, placed well away from impacting on club rugby. The NPC at all levels should satisfy our provincial allegiances. It has the promotion-relegation element to give it that edge, and is getting financially sustainable because of the length of the competition and its condition of entry. To put extra burden on our unions with an extended academy system or force them into negotiations with the stars of the game would be financial suicide. Privatisation is not an option when the NZRU doesn't want to give up anything to sell.
Hi Kamo,
Ali Williams is obviously in the twilight of his career and copping a bit of criticism of late. I seem to recall you went through a similar situation towards the end of your career. How did you deal with it?
Cheers,
Kelly Johnston
Criticism isn't nice on any level, Kelly, and we have all copped plenty over the years. One thing I was taught was to take the good points and learnings from what respected critics were saying about you or your game and make sure some good would come out of the comments.
The other important factor for me was if I could look at myself in the mirror after a game and say I gave it my all, then I could walk away proud. If the answer was no, I was disappointed, took that criticism as a positive and made sure it didn't happen again.
In Ali's case, he is copping plenty but he has been given a chance in the black jersey because people believe in him. My advice would be: take that chance, concentrate on your role only and make sure you can nod "yes" when you look in that mirror.
Hi Kamo
Can you tell me what those first years in the Chiefs were like? It seemed like an odd mix having Shore boys mixing with Waikato lads. Does it make more sense the way they have the boundaries now?
Greg S.
Greg, the mix of provincial unions that make up the Blues and Chiefs now are spot on. It seemed madness at the time the way the original Super 12 franchises were set up but as I recall this was done to split up the then two strongest sides in the country, Auckland and North Harbour, who had played in the NPC final back in 1994 and the NZRU didn't what an imbalance in the five franchises.
The base for the Chiefs franchises was also hotly contested. With this it bought some tension at the top but never in the playing ranks.