Northern Roller Mills Rugby

The Northern Roller Mills rugby tournament was held in the first week of the end of term holidays this year at Wesley college in Counties Manakau. It is an annual tournament for the finest under 13 year old players on the top of the North Island for the weight category of under 55kgs. The nine teams in participation were: Waikato, Auckland East, Auckland West, Northland, Counties Manakau (tournament hosts), Thames Valley, King Country and North Harbour.

I was part of the Waikato squad this year and we had a great time, we lost our first pool match against North Harbour but after that we had a winning streak but it wasn't enough to secure a victory in the semi final. We came up against Auckland East and lost... North Harbour went on to beat Auckland East in the final and end their 4 year winning streak and became Northern Roller Mills Champs.

Waikato beat Auckland West for 3rd and 4th so we finished 3rd overall.

All Black - Springbok Face Off

VS

This past Saturday the South African Springboks traveled to Hamilton New Zealand to play in what would turn out to be the game to decide the Tri Nations Rugby Tournament. The event was held in the Waikato Stadium, home of the Chiefs and Waikato Rugby teams.

Throughout the weeks build up to the game there were several news reports spreading the news that the Springboks were not going to stay in Hamilton until the game as "there is nothing to do" Peter De' Villiers (Pompous Springbok Coach). However the All Blacks were more than happy to stay and train in the Waikato Stadium until the game, an open training session was held on the Monday of last week so that fans could watch and meet their favorite players in person.

I would be telling the truth if I said that this was the biggest game in Waikato Stadium history. The All blacks had a lot to live up to, they would be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Wallabies side that crucified the springboks 21- 6 in the previous week to keep their chances of a 5 time winning streak at the Tri Nations. Daniel Carter would also bring some inspiration to the team with his first home game in the Tri Nations this year.

There was also various players playing out of their normal positions including Stephen Donald (playing at 12) and Ma'a Nonu (at 13), the reasoning for this was the absence of Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui through injury.

All that aside the game was a great atmosphere with fireworks, fire and dance pieces from both of the respective countries. When the game finally kicked off the All Blacks took the early lead with the Springboks conceding a penalty instantaneously from the kick off, Daniel Carter slotted it over with ease to put the All Blacks in the lead. The South Africans replied soon after though with François Steyn smashing a monster penalty from 60 meters out! instantly following this he kicked another from about 57 meters and yet another from about 51. Soon the Springboks were comfortably in the lead after Fourie Du Preez scored an excellent try in the 19th minute. From then it never looked pretty with Jean De' Villiers's intercepting a poorly judged pass from Daniel Carter to score in the 50th minute, everything was falling apart until Sitivini Sivivatu scored and then Richie McCaw did the same from a cross kick in the 78th minute. The All Blacks tried this tactic again in the last play but Daniel Carter overcooked it and sent it flying into touch ending the game and handing the South Africans the Tournament and the Tri Nations Trophy. Final score; 32-29 Springboks.

What I Aspire To Be In 10 Years

I have many dreams and aspirations but what I really love is my Rugby I would really love to play for he All Blacks or England some day. However I really want to be successful after my days of Rugby are over or if I never make it that far to be doing it as a living. I want to either be a scientist or a doctor something that earns well, I plan to go to Oxford or Cambridge University in England. I wish to get a degree in Physics so I can become a Physician and work with numbers and discover new things about the universe. To help my chances I will be choosing to study these subjects all through my time at school from High school until I end Uni'.

But moving back to my dream of becoming a professional Rugby player I will continue to train hard and work my way up slowly from premier A's level to provincial to English league or New Zealand Super 14. Hopefully from there I will be able to play for their International teams. Even if I do not succeed at Rugby I will always play my spare time for a club. Hey isn't it about enjoying the game?

However I understand to do all these things I will have to work hard at school and play hard but fair on the Rugby field.

All Black Season Starts

The Iveco series has begun and the All Blacks have got off to a...surprising start? The country was in shock on Saturday night when the final whistle blew in Dunedin's Carisbrook park to see the All Blacks lose to the French at home for the first time in 15 years and the fourth time ever!!! Saturday's game even fetching comments like this "This years All Black team is the worst in history". Although I doubt that very much, the All Blacks have been at the mercy of injuries to key players.

Here are the names listed to be in the All Black squad for 2009:


Forwards: Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Andrew Hore, Brad Thorn, Bryn Evans, Isaac Ross, Jerome Kaino, John Afoa, Kevin Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Tenarau Latimer, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett.
Backs:Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Jimmy Cowan, Josevata Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, Ma'a Nonu, Mils Muliaina (Captain), Piri Weepu, Rudi Wolf and Stephen Donald.

Some Players have not been listed as they are out from injury, e.g.Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, some of the world's best

In my opinion a interception from the French fullback was the game winning try as until that point the scores were level at 17-17 although I believe the French forwards especially the back row was physically more prominent at the breakdown which kept the All Blacks on defence and even getting to the stage where NZ could not even secure their own ball from the ruck area.

The All Black Coach Graham Henry has realised the lack of dominance and flair in the game and as a result is making three changes to the starting line up; Injured Adam Thomson will be replaced with Tenarau Latimer, Conrad Smith for Isaia Toeava and Jerome Kaino for Liam Messam who has been dropped from the squad completely!!!

I think the French will be a hard team to beat next week in Wellington as they feast on confidence and they will be thinking to themselves "we can win again". It would be a real blow to NZ to lose twice at home but I fear it could happen.

However we will have to wait until Saturday to find out the results but the All Blacks definitely need to step up their game if they have any chance of beating this French team.

Chiefs News

The Chiefs are currently 2nd on the table. They knocked the Hurricanes off their spot by defeating them at home in the Waikato Stadium it was a sellout event and Chiefs supporters left satisfied as the Chiefs left with a 16-8 victory! Unfortunately the bulls won their game putting the chiefs in second.
Stephen Donald scored all of the points for the Chiefs with 3 penalties, 1 try and 1 conversion, and for the Hurricanes, David Smith scored 1 try which Repia failed to convert, 1 penalty kicked by Willie Repia. Lelia Masaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu also made good impressions after coming back from injuries this week. Lelia Masaga making 2 try saving tackles in the second half helping the Chiefs on their way ( both tackles made on Repia in the left corner right next to the line).

Traits of a successful learner

Before the end of term we were studying what a student needs to do in order to achieve. we had to create a poster (above, sorry for it being sideways) about it and on that poster it had to have 5 points/things that a successful learner has/does. We also had to integrate our poster with some kind of ICT so this is how my group is doing it through blogger!

Here are our 5 points:

1. A diligent worker who always pushes themselves to the limit.
2. A student who listens and always follows instructions.
3. A student who offers to help others.
4. Can create a positive effect on a person/event.
5. Can be trusted and hardly fails.