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Alexjc

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Everything posted by Alexjc

  1. Alexjc
    The push (by others) for South Africa to host the Commonwealth Games began almost immediately after the election of Nelson Mandela as President. The country was pretty much at year zero and in a state of economic flux as all of a sudden, the World wanted in. It really only could've hosted the event from 2010 onwards as Fifa WC facilities were built during the 2000s. Cape Town 2014 was the missed opportunity IMHO... Why the most powerful country in Africa (at that time) acquiesced to Nigeria and its Abuja bid clearly showed a return favour over the 2010 WC. By the time Durban's amazing stadium, bid to host 2022 came around, the SA economy was in serious trouble...We had no idea of the global trauma that was coming, Durban needed Pretoria to help with costs. Durban pulling out early was probably a good thing...We got Birmingham, which I feel were the best games of the 21st century. (just, Manchester, just) BUT, moving forward...It's done and the CGF should focus on the Youth events for the future.
  2. Alexjc
    The CGF have asked Malaysia as a last resort to host the failing event. They will most likely say no as we are only two years away. This SHOULD be the cue for the Commonwealth Games Federation to finally call it a day for the FULL VERSION of the games...And move up the Youth CWGs as its focus. That version seems for in line to what the Commonwealth should be about...global youth development.
  3. Alexjc
    Agree, but Central Govt will support larger singular events such as the 2027 Women's Lions tour and the 2029 Lions tour. Probably help Auckland with a 2027 America's Cup host bid if Team NZ successfully defends the Auld Mug this year. Remember that the 2030 proposal is just that... A proper study will get back to Council in August. Already the proposal to move track cycling and some netball to Invercargill has prick the ears of that city as well as Queenstown for the mountain bike and BMX events.
  4. Alexjc
    now now now Scotguy...they call that idea 3Waters....
  5. Alexjc
    In its current form?...Yes they are done. You kind of felt it in Brum 22, the closing ceremony had a touch of farewell, but not we will see you again feeling. The games are too big and need to cut right down. The Queen passed away not long after Brum. It did feel like a proper end as she loved the Commonwealth. The sudden surge of interest in Christchurch is simply because the 50th anniversary of what was one of the finest CWGs ever hosted. It was also in a time when the CWGs were in the top tier of global track and field and swimming competitions. You could say the Brisbane 1982 CWGs was the last of these and of course the games nobody wanted in 1986 gave a double blow, with a boycott thrown in for good measure. We kind of have the commercialisation of Los Angeles 1984 to blame for the sudden diminishing of the CWGs. This allowed the IOC aligned regional sports events to do the same. Massive sponsorship poured into events that would become the Daimond League, singular sports like swimming, cycling, rowing etc tournaments had more lucrative pay days, and the now mammoth World Track and Field Champs...all the while building up to the Olympics which has now become a monster that needs a decade in preparation for a host city now. We need to look at the current Commonwealth as well. What's the point? The only thing we had in common was British conquest, and in most situations, it didn't go all that well. The world as we know it is moving away from the "post-colonial" era. Many nations are breaking ties down to a simple "hi there" at the UN, forming their own regional blocs...perfectly fine. So for me it's a YES to the current format of a singular city and 20 sports...Too costly, a strain on infrastructure, and not relevant anymore. If Christchurch wants to get the feels for 2030, let them but cut down the event calendar or do what they propose to do...Move events into the surrounding regions -Oh My God! where have we heard that before.???? (sorry to Sir Rols for the long rant...been alive too long)
  6. Alexjc
    We don't have a Federal Govt...New Zealand is not made up of a federation of states. We have a Central Govt. And yes, they would need to help out, as they do for international events NZ hosts. They are interested but 2030 could be cutting it fine and there is the large spectre on the horizon...2040.
  7. Alexjc
    Christchurch is looking into a possible rescue bid for 2030... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjjoKLXsfSDAxUza_UHHUPXB4QQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rnz.co.nz%2Fnews%2Fnational%2F507397%2Fchristchurch-council-looks-into-viability-of-hosting-commonwealth-games&usg=AOvVaw0oAJNNIyldPdaiCRNyTXuL&opi=89978449 Facilities needed to host events would be provided within the city as well as other South Island centres. The report back into a hosting would be completed in August this year...
  8. Alexjc
    50 years since Christchurch hosted one of the most popular games. And it's current Mayor wants to look into the feasibility of hosting the 2030 Games. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjjoKLXsfSDAxUza_UHHUPXB4QQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rnz.co.nz%2Fnews%2Fnational%2F507397%2Fchristchurch-council-looks-into-viability-of-hosting-commonwealth-games&usg=AOvVaw0oAJNNIyldPdaiCRNyTXuL&opi=89978449 The legacy of the 1974 Games is still fresh in memories and above all, merchandise. There was just something special about them. Sadly, it's most visible legacy, QEII Park was destroyed in the 2011 Earthquake, but there are still signs of where events were if you look for them.
  9. Alexjc
    Singapore has always been an "I wish it would host" of mine. But even better if the Commonwealth Games were downsized with some sports on an eight year rotation? As for the King and Queen doing their tour of Australia...I think we will see a different, possibly more hostile reception. The failed referendum will be an instant trigger for activists to create mayhem unless it's a short point to point tour. And I doubt they will cross the ditch to New Zealand because it really will create mayhem thanks to the new Govt that has triggered leftist indigenous activists after a rollback of Maori language names and Treaty negotiations. The more right-leaning National/ACT/NZ First Government has absolutely no interest in hosting such an event as the CWGs so soon.
  10. Alexjc
    There's a recently laid off coach nearby that's looking for a job...
  11. Alexjc
    What media? I've only heard that we lost a Cliffhanger and that ill-discipline let us down...Which was true. Sam Caine has to live with that Red card for the rest of his life. Can't blame Wayne Barnes for this one, he made all the right calls on the field. It was the review refs that picked up the more seriousness that high tackle...Sam knew the rules. Iain Foster can hold his head up high, he brought back up a team that wasn't supposed to make it past the Quarter Finals. It was one of the best finals ever...Even if it was not the best World Cup overall. Springboks had all the makings of what the ABs were in 2015...They had peaked during the Semi-Final with England and were just starting to wear down...All Blacks would have rolled them if they had 15 men on the field.
  12. Alexjc
    Ooh...I'm not counting out South Africa...Hopefully it will be a cliffhanger. Just to put something on what has been not one of the better RWCs...I wouldn't be surprised if mainland Europe doesn't host again until the 2040s.
  13. Alexjc
    Semi Final 2... ERRRRRRRRRGHHHHH!!!! England 15 - South Africa 16. What a heartbreaker for England...So close to a Final. Leading all the way up to the 76th minute... In saying that...This WAS a better Semi Final than yesterday's lop-sider match and shows us that there were really only ever five teams worthy at this event. BUT it's back to another clash of the Southern Hemisphere titans next week.
  14. Alexjc
    Shows you that a repechage finals system needs to come back in some form. This Semi Final match was flat on thrills. New Zealand there to get the job done. Also the All Blacks had already started to prepare for the Final by emptying out its bench to rest premium players and even ran the last 18 minutes with 14 men after Scott Barett got yellow carded. Coach Ian Foster has every right to smirk at half the NZ population right now...
  15. Alexjc
    Semi Final 1 Argentina 6 - New Zealand 44 Ummm... Well I'm pleasantly surprised...and dumbstruck by the winning margin. All Blacks are nearing peak form. Let's see who they will face up against next week in the final dance. England or South Africa.
  16. Alexjc
    I've been saying that for years... It should be a New Zealand only thing... Unfortunately, the other Pacific nations that do a "Haka" will have to stop performing it overseas as well. Another thing about the Haka is that most of the other NZ international sports teams are now performing it, usually in front of bewildered opposition and stadiums wondering what is going on. A quirky thing that should be NZ at home only.
  17. Alexjc
    Guttered for France not getting there... When will their name be etched on the cup? I've always wanted them to win their home tournament. (And they were my work pool draw team for a $100 prezzi card). World Rugby have only themselves to blame for this Finals set up. Supposedly to ensure a possible Northern Hemisphere final. But really, Argentina, New Zealand, England, and South Africa just had that little bit extra in the tank. The four losing teams could've been the teams that carried on to the Semis. They can all hold their heads high. All four matches were some of the best ever games at a World Cup.
  18. Alexjc
    Yeah...This World Cup set up has been terrible...although the stadiums are full. New Zealand was already mentally prepared for what was going to be a hard-fought loss. It has not been a great couple of years for the All Blacks with some painful losses and stupid snatch from potential victory Draws. Media has been disgusting but also the NZ Rugby management hasn't helped with the Foster v Robinson coach succession fiasco. We have been pleasantly surprised today. Ireland went in as Number 1 and with massively inflated confidence...Why wouldn't they? With a giant slaying winning streak like that...NZ has been there a few times, a cruel reality check, the worst was in 1991. We thought we were it, totally unbeatable until Australia burst the bubble, at, funnily enough of all places, Lansdown Road...and Ireland weren't cheering for the All Blacks that day either. It'll hurt for a year but Ireland needs to pick itself up and carry on.
  19. Alexjc
    First two matches of the Quarters. AND...JUST LIKE THAT... Argentina 29 - Wales 17...The Pumas pounced. Ireland 24 - New Zealand 28... as predicted was going to be a match for the ages...And it was. BUT the result was the wrong way around...Leaving behind a heartbroken nation and another breathing a surprised sigh of relief... (for a second time in the night after National/Act won the general election)
  20. Alexjc
    Irony is at the same time...NEW ZEALAND has swung back to the Right with National and ACT to form a more stable Centre Right government beginning Monday. May not need a resurgent NZ First party in partnership, but Winston Peters is willing to support them on confidence and supply. The NZ election campaign really did milk the Co-Governance card and it blew up in the Left's face. a total disaster with damage that will never heal... Made worse is the separatist so called "Te Pati Maori" party winning even more seats to cause an unusual overhang of extra MPs in Parliament. They will NOT, thankfully, have an influence on policies BUT they do have the potential to become serious sh!t stirrers. SOMETHING A POTENTIAL INDEGINOUS AUSTRALIAN PARTY COULD PICK UP ON.
  21. Alexjc
    NZ will be momentarily distracted by another, totally different, match up Saturday night... It seems to be cyclic...2015 was an awesome tournament...2019 ruined by weather and England's to lose. 2027 looks to be a cracker of an event.
  22. Alexjc
    My opinion of this World Cup is not great...This is the second hosting by France (first as a singular host) and it's still boring. Hopefully we will see some massive upsets this Quater Finals round. I'm fully expecting to see Ireland topple New Zealand in what will a battle of the Ages. I do hope France can get past South Africa and Argentina pull off an upset. I consider Argentina the quiet dark horse of this bland event.
  23. Alexjc
    This is the part of the RWC I don't really focus on. I've been egging on Fiji during the pools as we need one break out team to give excitement to what is a long and boring event. Do NOT like this tournament set up with a bye week. No need for it. Disappointed in Australia though. All Blacks...Pffft...Roll on knock out World Cup.
  24. Alexjc
    What next??? A resurrected hosting?...But now Melbourne centric?
  25. Alexjc
    I dunno why either... But then, Dan Carter is a popular player in France. Agree with the Haka thing, boring and clichéd... Should be performed in NZ only. NZ teams seem to think it's their right to drop a Haka everywhere they play...
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