Luke McAlister returning to New Zealand

Luke McAlister has rejected lucrative offers from several wealthy French rugby clubs to come back to New Zealand. He’ll be dotting down into Auckland airport when the Northern season ends in May. It is assumed he’ll get dispensation from the NZRFU to take up All Black duties immediately in June (normally you can’t represent the All Blacks unless you’ve played the previous season in the Super 14). It’s great news for Graham Henry and his team, who have had their work cut out for them after the player drain of 2008.

With the English economy in dire straits the boot appears to have shifted dramatically to the other foot for a number of British clubs. Struggling with salaries as sponsorship deals go kaput, left right and centre, a number of English clubs have to contend with their players cutting the apron strings and seeking the more lucrative options on French shores. Here’s Wasps chairman Mark Rigby expressing his concern. I'm sorry, where did Riki Flutey come from again?

Six Nations, Tony Veitch and the silly old Super 14

More rugby on both sides of the hemisphere this weekend with the six nations bringing out a list of predictable results, although still quite spicy all the same. Particularly with the Welsh getting a bit of a scare from England. The sweet chariots (am I allowed to call them that?) even outscored those tricky welsh by two tries to one! What? Old Twinkletoes Williams (although thanks KLK - I didn't see the game so didn't realise that Williams wasn't playing) getting sidestepped by Armitage? Very impressive and I’m sure that will give Warren Gatland something to chew over before next weeks’ matches.

Ireland are sounding on form although we need to keep in mind they were only playing Italy so maybe it might pay not to get too excited yet. I mean, It’s all very well to look impressive against the probably wooden spooners of the tournament.

Even though Scotland were pipped by France this weekend, I’m still picking them to upset the apple cart this tournament. Don’t ask me my logic for this – it’s just a feeling.

Meanwhile, down south and the super 14 has started triggering the usual ‘it’s too early’ cries of woe in all the national newspapers. I’m not a huge super 14 fan. This might be because my team (Hurricanes), always seem to play quite ineptly, especially considering they've got so many supposed All Blacks representing them. I wasn’t surprised to hear on Saturday that they’d been beaten by the Warratahs (again). I think poor coaching might have something to do with it although for some reason, everyone in Wellington seems to think Colin Cooper walks on water. This baffles me.

One last thing. I began to think I was going mad when I heard that Tony Veitch was being brought back to television through Murray Deaker, another grumpy old rugby fart (are there any other types on New Zealand television?). But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Veitch has also been nominated in New Zealand’s media awards for top sports presenter! I guess all this goes to prove (not that we needed it proven anyway) that the New Zealand media is right down there at the bottom of the dung pile of world television. If you’ve never heard of Tony Veitch – lucky you. If you have– here’s an article from the Dropkicks site that sums up my feelings too.

Winston Churchill at the Sunday Times

Just a quick question here. Is it just me or do The UK Times rugby hacks seem to fancy themselves as some sort of Winston Churchill type orators? Boys – quick reminder, it’s actually just rugby (and northern hemisphere rugger at that). No need to get so hot under the collar with all the trench warfare references.

Here’s just a scattering of the many Churchillian type comments over the last weekend. (Honestly – why are they so pompous?):

• England must beware yellow peril against Wales – David Hands
• Discipline must be the watchword before Millennium Stadium clash after England make habit of incurring referee's wrath – David Hands (again)
• Ireland can dare to dream of glory – Mark Souster
• For goodness sake, let us see an England team prepared to give every last shred – S Jones

(The 'yellow peril' reference is particularly confusing).

Six Nations 2009

It is a sad fact that in New Zealand, the six nations is not shown on Sky Sport. I really love the Six Nations and I can’t understand why the major international rugby competition of the northern hemisphere is not televised if not on terrestrial, then at least on Sky.

So that’s my excuse for not watching any of the tests this opening weekend for the Six Nations. However, it looks like it could be a quite even competition with France going down to Ireland, Wales sneaking past Scotland and England beating Italy more convincingly than they’ve managed for a while.

Everyone’s money seems to be on Wales at the moment. But I wouldn’t be surprised by a few upsets this season (Watch out for Scotland!). At least the beeb show highlights every so often, and of course, there’s always youtube.