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Goldie locks onto Bay midfield in Otago bid |
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Written by The Bay Badger (from the BOP Times)
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Friday, 31 August 2007 |
THE Badger's not one to gossip, but he has been known to lie pretty convincingly while staring Truth directly in the jowls.
That aside, there's no way I'd get my grubby snout dirty with tales of how former All Black wing Jeff Wilson was seen sipping a chai latte with one of the Steamers' midfield before last week's game.
Is the Golden One really trying to entice our bloke south, to play for Otago and the Highlanders? Say it ain't so Cory?
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If you Steamers fans reckon you're getting a raw deal this year, spare a thought for the two-dozen long-suffering fools who masquerade as North Harbour supporters. At least half of them turned up to farewell the Shield on Saturday night, including this dark and insightful genius who contributes to www.harbourrugby.com:
``We're very good in the Harbour at choking the big occasions, but the consensus around us appeared to be that this was the crowning bone in the oesophagus. A big, fat, sweaty side of prime Mooloo spine wedged firmly between our hearts and our shrivelling dignity.
``MacDaddy's Friday bravado: ``Pivac's okay; Harbour by eight'', flew in the face of what many of us suspected, but we wanted to believe it. The fact is, however, that MacDaddy has now done a runner, last seen stumbling up the Northern Motorway in full kilt regalia mumbling something about going to smoke weed and support a side with guts.''
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Say what you like about Steamers coach Kevin `Herb' Schuler (and plenty have) - but the bloke fronts up.
He's in the middle of the toughest of tough starts to a coaching career, but continues to turn up at media calls with a positive attitude and no hint of bitterness.
It sounds like the Bay Union have secured his services for at least two seasons and an option for a third, which is great news.
You wonder what might have been if they'd extended the same courtesy to the bloke with the reigns last year, instead of hedging their bets with a short-term six-month contract.
Herb's also let it be known that, if his Japanese commitments start to conflict, the Steamers will get his full attention. On ya.
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An amused correspondent wonders what will happen if Jim Smylie is successful in his run for Mayor of Tauranga. Will council then sponsor the Steamers, all games be held at Tauranga Domain and Jack the dog start at first-five? Will they have to pass a special bylaw to let Jack on to the field? Will that provide the mongrel the Steamers so badly need?
Interesting also that one of the Smiling One's fierce rivals is his former bosom buddy Hori BOP - the bloke he tried to convert into Steely Dan of Counties-Manukau fame. Rumours Hori has also auditioned for the role of pitch roller (geddit?) at the new Blake Park cricket oval are grossly untrue, so you won't read them here.
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