Letters: Lions' top coach should be celebrated, not shunned

The British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland.

There has been a considerable amount of criticism from certain rugby experts in the New Zealand media about the coaching qualities and team selection processes Warren Gatland employs as head coach of the Lions.

Even his performance at the various meetings with the press has caused negative comment. None of this is new, at one stage even Sir Graham Henry was not flavour of the month with a number of rugby commentators.

I think it is time we shared as New Zealanders in the success Warren Gatland has achieved as a player and coach over the past 20 years.

He played 140 games for Waikato 1986 to 1994 and 17 games for the All Blacks. He went on to be selected to coach Ireland from 1998 to 2001 and from 2007 coach of Wales. He was technical advisor to the Chiefs from 2006 to 2007.

In 2009 he was appointed assistant coach of the Lions and gained head coach position for the Lions tours of 2013 and here in NZ in 2017.

To coach the Lions is the pinnacle of a UK coach's career. Other New Zealand coaches are making a reputation for themselves too in the UK and we can be proud of their success.

WAYNE HALL
Lynmore

Narrow-minded

Thank you for bringing the topic of euthanasia to the forefront, however I felt Rosemary McLeod was very narrow-minded in her article regarding it and tells me that she has never experienced a journey with a family member who has died from a terminal illness.

I do agree there is a possibility of people trying to encourage their parents to an early death, however I strongly believe that a report by two doctors stating that a person is terminally ill would alleviate these concerns.

Prior to my own father's agonising death, I was undecided whether euthanasia should be legal. But watching a strong, fiercely independent man who had been the rock in our family and worked so hard during his life deteriorate, his body eaten away by cancer, was so very cruel.

He spent the last month in his bed, his back broken by a fall, legs swollen with oedema, going blind, moaning in agony, crying daily, asking when it would end and why he had to suffer as he was. It was absolute hell for him. His lack of a right to die with dignity was dictated by laws.

Referring to Article 5 of the United Nations' universal declaration of human rights, "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."

It was torturous for him, it was cruel to watch a man of his calibre and stature to have to end his life in this inhumane and degrading experience.

Before people cast their opinions or vote regarding euthanasia they should sit down and talk with family that have been through this horrific experience.
(abridged)

MARIA SPYKERBOS
Rotorua