Graham Henry on Tony Veitch

I was completely gobsmacked to read on the front page of the paper today, a statement from All Black coach Graham Henry sticking up for ‘popular’ sports Jock and TV newsreader Tony Veitch.

For those of you not familiar with New Zealand current affairs, Tony Veitch yesterday admitted in court to being guilty for violence so bad against his former partner, he broke her back in two places.

Here’s what Henry had to say: “Veitch was fair, objective and had a good "feel" for people and their situations. He never got involved in "bagging" individuals after the All Blacks' 2007 Rugby World Cup defeat in Cardiff. Because of his qualities as a journalist and his willingness to help others, Tony has many supporters in the community and they all hope that he gets an opportunity as soon as possible to be able to get on with his life."

Earth to Mr Henry?! How can you possibly compare the two things? Tony was nice to your rugby team so he’s a good guy? But he kicked a woman so badly when she was already down on the ground that he fractured the bones in her body? How can you compare that Mr Henry to rugby? How dare you compare that!

I’m so disgusted not just with this Veitch case, but the horrible ‘z list celebrities’ who have come to Veitch’s defence (Bernadine Kerby, Susan Davoy, Hamish Carter – you’re forever on my black list). Meanwhile, the victim, Veitch’s former girlfriend Kristen Dunne Powell, has been vilified in the press and by the public for the last six months while short man Veitch swaggers around saying how happy he is it’s all over and how he wants to start having ‘kiddies’. (Excuse me while I vomit).

As for Graham Henry – well you’ve broken me Graham. I’ve supported you through thick and thin, through the hard times when you lost the world cup and the country was against you. But I can’t support you anymore. Not after this. Now I know what you truly think about women and where you rate domestic violence in the big scheme of things.

I think Women’s Refuge Heather Henare best summed up my feelings about Graham Henry by saying, “Veitch supporters should be embarrassed after he was convicted of a "serious charge". As for Henry - that's somebody else who needs to go to counselling, if you ask me. It's completely irrelevant for the situation. To compare them both is hideous.

"We're talking about someone who had a broken back as a result of an assault."

You can read the background to the Veitch case here

You can read the victim Kristin Dunne Powell's statement here: 'Innocent people don't plead guilty'

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.