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Tough choices in ‘Team of the Week’

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Tough choices in ‘Team of the Week’

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By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

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Rugbyheaven

Last updated 09:51 30/03/2009
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Ma’a Nonu in action against the Lions.

The Highlanders celebrate Matt Berquist’s try against the Bulls.

Todd Clever scores for the Lions against the Hurricanes.

Jamie Mackintosh is tackled just short of the line.

Jamie Mackintosh is tackled just short of the line. .

Keven Mealamu tackles hard against the Waratahs.

Ali Williams tries to tackle Luke Burgess.

A dejected Blues captain Keven Mealamu and coach Pat Lam.

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– Successful stretch for NZ S14 teams –

– –

S14 teams for week five

Our Super 14 team of week

Bulls’ stars likely to play Crusaders

Frustration with some Super 14 refereeing

Our team of the week

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There is no lack of contenders for the latest New Zealand team of the week after a solid weekend’s work from the Kiwi franchises in round seven.

The Blues were the only side to lose as a bit of New Zealand presence came to the points table.

The Crusaders showed true grit in edging the Stormers. But in times when the finger is being pointed at the Super 14 as being a dull affair in 2009, we are going for some flamboyance in our latest side and there was no lack of that in the way the Chiefs, Highlanders and Hurricanes won their matches to dominate our star XV.

Fullback is a toss-up between emerging Highlander Israel Dagg and Chiefs veteran Mils Muliaina.

Dagg backed up last week’s double with a late try in the stunning upset of the Bulls in Palmerston North. He runs the ball back strongly and his kicking game is on song. This young man is examining more and more comfortable in his surroundings.

But no one can underestimate Muliaina’s contribution to this remarkable turnaround by the Chiefs. He scored two tries himself in the big win over the Reds in Brisbane and organised the Chiefs’ attack from the back to get our nod.

His efforts certainly helped those around him. That’s why Sitiveni Sivivatu gets the left wing jersey. He was only on for just over 10 minutes. But he scored twice and should have had another but for an officiating balls-up. The guy is in magic form and now it’s only a shoulder injury that is holding him back.

There wasn’t much to celebrate in the Blues’ loss to the Tahs but we loved the effort of Anthony Tuitavake on the right wing. He scored a magical try. After spending much of the season at centre, he looked good value with a bit of space out wide and that finishing flourish earns him the No 14 slot.

Centre is a tough call this week with internationals Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui building form nicely as is Highlanders No 13 Jason Shoemark.

The Hurricanes got themselves into a heck of a battle with the Lions on the high veldt and Smith’s early double strike certainly set up this win. Take a bow Conrad.

Ma’a Nonu did the business alongside Smith as this pairing show the value of their long association. It’s enough for Nonu to edge worthy efforts from Daniel Bowden (Highlanders) and Callum Bruce who has been a quiet achiever in the star-studded Chiefs backline.

There’s a similar tight tussle at 10 where Steve Donald (Chiefs), Piri Weepu (Hurricanes) and Matt Berquist (Highlanders) directed their teams to crucial wins.

It’s hard to go past Donald though. The Chiefs backline has been outrageous over the last two weekends. Donald got things humming in Brisbane with a stunning solo try to open the floodgates. His goalkicking and field kicking were spot-on too.

The All Blacks selectors have got a job on their hands at halfback now that Brendon Leonard is firing up. He’s a ball of energy and his bullet pass has freed the Chiefs backline. But is there a more gritty character than Jimmy Cowan? He sparked the improving Highlanders’ attack with several strong runs and was there at the end to snuff out some dangerous revivals from the Bulls.

Sione Lauaki holds on to the No 8 jersey again with another barnstorming effort although Rodney So’oialo’s work rate in difficult circumstances in Johannesburg didn’t go unnoticed.

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The loose forwards, as usual, are a competitive area.

The super-consistent Adam Thomson (Highlanders) heads off Liam Messam (Chiefs) and Kieran Read (Crusaders) for our blindside role and Karl Lowe stepped up when he was needed for the Canes at No 7 in the absence of All Black Scott Waldrom.

Hayden Triggs (Highlanders) got geed up by his emotional homecoming in Palmerston North to produce arguably his biggest Super 14 effort. But in a close tussle he got edged by his team mate Tom Donnelly for one of our locking spots. The other goes to Brad Thorn (Crusaders) who was at the heart of the Crusaders’ haggle with the Stormers.

Clint Newland stood up to the test of the biggest pack in the championship at tighthead for the Highlanders and Jamie Mackintosh’s return to full action alongside him was highly energetic against the Bulls.

The same can be said of Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles who got through a ton of work in Jo’burg to shadow All Blacks Keven Mealamu, the Blues’ skipper and new Super rugby centurion, and Hika Elliott who made the most of a rare start for the Chiefs.

Here’s our team of the week for round 7 of the Super 14:

15 Mils Muliaina (Chiefs), 14 Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Ma’a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 8 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 7 Karl Lowe (Hurricanes), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Tom Donnelly (Highlanders), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Clint Newland (Highlanders), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders).

Who do you think is missing from this team or have we got it right? below.

.
All Black reveals heartache over son

By DAVID LONG – Sunday, 22 February 2009

ALL Blacks star Mils Muliaina has spoken of the emotional turmoil he and wife Hayley went through when their son was born with a hole in his heart.
Mils had stayed in Auckland for the birth of his first child, Max, in November when the rest of the national rugby team left for a four-test tour of the UK and Ireland plus a Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong.
But medical staff planning corrective surgery on Max's heart told Mils he would have time to take part in the tests before the operation.
The 68-test hero a vital member of the touring side immediately put plans to join his teammates on hold when he was told of the youngster's condition.
"If he needed to go in for an emergency operation they would need to get him stable for two to five days beforehand, so that would have given me plenty of time to come back from playing for the All Blacks.
"We had a talk with the doctors and the biggest thing was that he wasn't going to deteriorate overnight," Mils told . The All Blacks jersey is so precious and you don't ever want let it down or miss out on going on a tour.
"It's a pretty hard thing. .
"The defining moment was the doctor saying he wasn't going to deteriorate overnight and rather than me waiting and worrying about him I should go over (to Europe)."
Max had open-heart surgery at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital over the Christmas holidays. She thought it was best that I go over and play for the All Blacks and then come back and we'll have the operation.
Mils and Hayley were recently given the all-clear over Max's health and the star fullback can now relax enough to reflect on the last few months. Doctors placed a piece of felt over the hole, which his heart will eventually grow over. I came back from the tour and we were in the ward at Starship over Christmas and he had his operation," Mils said.
"It was pretty tough. I look back now and I just can't believe how close it was back then how I felt and how hard it was.
"We were very fortunate. He had a check-up a couple of weeks ago and he's humming.
"Now he's a bubbly little kid and everything's so rosy.
"It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make to go on that tour. He's done really well and we're pretty stoked about that."
Mils says becoming a dad has been a life-changing experience for him. We came away with the Grand Slam again and hopefully, when Max is older, he'll look back at that tour and have something to be proud of his dad for going on. It's great for me," he said, beaming. It's great for me," he said, beaming.
"I really get excited about going home, seeing the little fella there. It puts a different perspective on life and makes you grow up a lot quicker."

.
All Black reveals heartache over son

By DAVID LONG – Sunday, 22 February 2009

ALL Blacks star Mils Muliaina has spoken of the emotional turmoil he and wife Hayley went through when their son was born with a hole in his heart.
Mils had stayed in Auckland for the birth of his first child, Max, in November when the rest of the national rugby team left for a four-test tour of the UK and Ireland plus a Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong.
But medical staff planning corrective surgery on Max's heart told Mils he would have time to take part in the tests before the operation.
The 68-test hero a vital member of the touring side immediately put plans to join his teammates on hold when he was told of the youngster's condition.
"If he needed to go in for an emergency operation they would need to get him stable for two to five days beforehand, so that would have given me plenty of time to come back from playing for the All Blacks.
"We had a talk with the doctors and the biggest thing was that he wasn't going to deteriorate overnight," Mils told . The All Blacks jersey is so precious and you don't ever want let it down or miss out on going on a tour.
"It's a pretty hard thing. .
"The defining moment was the doctor saying he wasn't going to deteriorate overnight and rather than me waiting and worrying about him I should go over (to Europe)."
Max had open-heart surgery at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital over the Christmas holidays. She thought it was best that I go over and play for the All Blacks and then come back and we'll have the operation.
Mils and Hayley were recently given the all-clear over Max's health and the star fullback can now relax enough to reflect on the last few months. Doctors placed a piece of felt over the hole, which his heart will eventually grow over. I came back from the tour and we were in the ward at Starship over Christmas and he had his operation," Mils said.
"It was pretty tough. I look back now and I just can't believe how close it was back then how I felt and how hard it was.
"We were very fortunate. He had a check-up a couple of weeks ago and he's humming.
"Now he's a bubbly little kid and everything's so rosy.
"It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make to go on that tour. He's done really well and we're pretty stoked about that."
Mils says becoming a dad has been a life-changing experience for him. We came away with the Grand Slam again and hopefully, when Max is older, he'll look back at that tour and have something to be proud of his dad for going on. It's great for me," he said, beaming. It's great for me," he said, beaming.
"I really get excited about going home, seeing the little fella there. It puts a different perspective on life and makes you grow up a lot quicker."

.
Police warning after abduction attempt

Thursday, 19 February 2009

North Shore police are warning parents to be on the look out for a man who attempted to snatch an 11-year-old girl from the street today.
The North Shore Child Abuse Team are investigating the attempted abduction of the 11 year old in Beach Haven as she was walking to school on Fordham Street.
A man described as Maori or Polynesian in his late teens approached the girl from behind in a white Honda Civic, jumped out and grabbed hold of her.
Inspector Jacqueline Whittaker is appealing for any sightings of the man who is approximately six foot tall, and was wearing a white and black cap with thick white stripes, baggy jeans and a green and white basketball type shirt.
The girl struggled free and ran to school where she immediately raised the alarm. .
His car was a white Honda Civic two door hatchback with a dent in the driver's door.
People are asked to call the North Shore Child Abuse Team with any information on Ph (09) 477 5000.

.
Children’s hospital stays put

Wednesday, 11 February 2009

MAARTEN HOLL/The
FAMILY ROOM: Anna, 21, Joshua, 13, and mum Helen Wood at Wellington Children’s Hospital. .

Plans to move Wellington Children's Hospital into an old tower block have been scrapped because patients would be worse off.
"We will not be able to provide a physical facility `significantly better than what we have now' which has always been the bottom line in any proposal to move from the current children's hospital.
In a memo from clinical director Graeme Lear and child health managers, staff were told the proposal to shift to the 30-year-old Grace Neill Block was no longer considered workable as a result of "a serious and insoluble" lack of storage and cramped rooms, which meant parents would have been unable to stay with their sick children. But Capital and Coast District Health Board was forced back to the drawing board when it was revealed the new hospital would not be big enough."
The 11-storey Grace Neill Block, being vacated by women's health and maternity services this week, was targeted for demolition with the opening of the new regional hospital.
Last April, interim chief executive Derek Milne announced plans to retain Grace Neill to house child health services, and convert the children's hospital into offices.
It depends, however, on "the availability of government funding, and this in turn depends on the ability of Capital and Coast to emerge from the financial troubles of the last few years".
The latest plan involves moving child outpatients to Grace Neill to free up space in the existing children's hospital, and bringing forward plans to build a new facility within 10 years.
The current children's hospital was built in 1988, but has struggled to accommodate services, including child cancer.
The board faces a $70 million budget blowout this year.
A board spokesperson said the change of plans would not jeopardise redevelopment of child cancer services.
It is believed a lack of progress on creating a separate unit was one factor in the resignations of the hospital's previous two child cancer specialists, which meant the hospital was unable to accept new cancer patients for 15 months.
Paediatric oncology has had its own "designated area" within the children's hospital for a year and management was working with the two paediatric oncologists to improve its layout.
Paediatric oncology has had its own "designated area" within the children's hospital for a year and management was working with the two paediatric oncologists to improve its layout. "But one thing I don't like is being so close to other kids with contagious diseases that I can catch because my immune system is not working so well.
Thirteen-year-old Joshua Wood, who has leukaemia, said he was impressed with the food and the nurses at the hospital."

.
$18,500 chance ‘to care and give’

Monday, 09 February 2009

CAST-OFF: The Wellington businessman who spent $18,500.10
on Prime Minister John Key’s cast from his broken arm is happy with
the purchase. .
The Trade Me auction raised funds for The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Cherian, who part-owns a headstone business in Lower Hutt, is the proud new owner of the cast worn by Key after his New Year tumble at a Chinese restaurant. "It's an opportunity to care and give, we actually are an extremely wealthy country.
"Part of this is saying we have what we need and there are other people out there in the world who don't even have the basics, such as eyesight," he said."
Cherian said he was considering either on-selling the cast or renting it out to raise more money for the foundation.10 bid, placed late on Saturday night, was enough to win. He was "shocked" his $18,500.
The cast bears the signatures of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and several other Pacific leaders.
Money raised from the auction will go to the foundation, which operates blindness prevention programmes across the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, the two countries Key visited after he broke his arm the previous month.
Doctors on two similar trips last year performed close toly 100 sight-restoring surgeries.
The proceeds would go towards funding two eye surgery outreach visits in the Solomon Islands later this year, the foundation said.
Cherian said he was more interested in supporting a worthy cause than in having a piece of memorabilia to show off.
Cherian said he was more interested in supporting a worthy cause than in having a piece of memorabilia to show off."
He was unsure when the cast would be handed over or when his morning tea with the Prime Minister would take place. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to give on such a level.

.
And was he worried the cast would be a bit pongy after close toly six weeks on Key's arm? "I suspect they'll encase it," he said hopefully

.
David Kirk now half Australian

The Tuesday, 27 January 2009

The man who held the William Webb Ellis Trophy aloft to celebrate New Zealand's only Rugby World Cup win is now half Australian.
David Kirk took up Australian citizenship at a ceremony yesterday Australia Day. He has lived in Australia for 10 years. He would hold dual New Zealand and Australian citizenship.
"It just seemed like the right time," he said. My heart, my emotion, my commitment is of course to New Zealand, particularly in rugby of course.
"I grew up in New Zealand."
Mr Kirk was born in Wellington, raised in Palmerston North, and later trained as a doctor. Muddied and bloodied, he held up the William Webb Ellis trophy in what has become awell knownKiwi image.
In 1987 he captained the All Blacks to their World Cup win. He entered the business world and in 2005 became chief executive at until resigning in December.
After quitting rugby, Mr Kirk became a Rhodes Scholar and adviser to former prime minister Jim Bolger. "There are a lot of similarities between New Zealanders and Australians.
His wife and three sons are Australian citizens. . In many ways I think of myself as an Australasian

.
Plastic chemical study prompts health alert

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Health concerns have been raised by a consumer watchdog after a full re-evaluation was ordered on research into a common plastic found in products such as baby bottles and lunch boxes.
Consumer New Zealand said the United States National Institute of Health's toxicology programme was now re-evaluating all scientific data on exposure to bisphenol A, known as BPA an industrial chemical used in products such as baby bottles, water bottles and food containers.
Although safety authorities overseas have concluded that exposure to BPA does not pose an immediate health risk, the international experts assembled by the institute found that infants and foetuses may be especially vulnerable.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand assessed the risk to infants from exposure to BPA and concluded that the levels of exposure were very low and did not pose a significant health risk.
Concerns focused around the small amounts of BPA that leach out when the product is heated, with possible effects to brain and behaviour, damage to the mammary or prostate glands and an earlier puberty in girls. .
But the New Zealand Food Safety Authority says it will await the outcomes of the research. "It wouldn't surprise me that, when the data is produced, in fact it all comes out OK, but you've got to be prepared for anything.
Action would likely include the banning or withdrawal of certain products."
Reeve said the authority would be highly likely to take immediate action "to protect the population particularly the infants" if any results showed there was a concern. It is used in baby bottles, water bottles, food containers, in the inside coating of some food tins, and beer jugs.
WHAT IS IT? Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic the type that doesn't melt when heated in a microwave or hot water, for example. Further research is still under way.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU? Initial research including some evidence from the US National Institute of Health expressed concern regarding effects on the mammary gland, prostate gland, brain and behaviour effects, and an earlier age for puberty in girls.
HOW CAN YOU AVOID IT? To check if a bottle has polycarbonate in it, look for the plastic identification code "7" or "7 PC" on the bottom.
HOW CAN YOU AVOID IT? To check if a bottle has polycarbonate in it, look for the plastic identification code "7" or "7 PC" on the bottom.

.
Ice collapse witnesses speak to police

Parents revisit scene

Friday, 09 January 2009

, DOC, Facebook
SCENE SHOTS: Akshay Miranda, 22, and his 24-year-old brother Ashish, and the spot at the Fox Glacier where they died after the ice shelf collapsed. Bottom left shows file pictures of tourist watching ice crash into the Fox River and, bottom, tourists looking at the river after advancing past warning signs.

Supplied
AFTERMATH: Blocks of ice the size of large vehicles were among the debris that fell when the face of Fox Glacier collapsed burying toruists Ashish Miranda and Akshay Miranda.

DOC/Supplied
ICE FALL: Two tourists lost their lives when they were buried by falling ice at the face of Fox Glacier.

FOX GLACIER

Photo 5 of 5

LATEST: The parents of the two Melbourne men crushed at Fox Glacier yesterday witnessed the ice collapsing but didnotknow their only sons were underneath it.

BROTHERS: Ashish Miranda, 24, and Akshay Miranda, 22, of Melbourne, at World Youth Day in Sydney last year.20pm yesterday when a section of ice collapsed.
Brothers Ashish Miranda, 24, and Akshay Miranda, 22, of Melbourne, crossed safety barriers at the terminal face to take photos around 4. The brothers were reportedly standing directly under the ice shelf when it collapsed.
Their parents, Ronnie and Winnie Miranda, who they wereon holiday with,were at the sceneat the time.
Constable Tony LeSueur, of Hokitika police, said the Mirandafamily had visited the site of the tragedy and were extremely distraught.
The body of Ashish Miranda, an aerospace engineer for Boeing, was recovered last night while the body of his brother Askhay – presumed dead – is thought to be right at the bottom of the ice shelf, an area believed to be extremely dangerous.
Police have postponed the recovery of Askhay Miranda's bodydue to safety fears.They would remain in the areauntil Sunday- assisted by the Australian High Commission -before returning to Australia.
"The results of this rainfall can not be predicted and at this time the police can not say when or if another active search will take place.
"At this time, heavy rain is falling in Fox Glacier and this may have a significant impact on the dynamics of the glacier," Mr LeSueur said."
More than 100 tonnes of ice was believed to have fallen on the men. These options will be continually reassessed as conditions change.
Constable Paul Gurney, of Franz Josef police station,saidseveral other tourists had witnessed the brothers being crushed and they had been interviewed by police to help them get a clearer picture of what had happened. Some of the ice blocks in the rubble were the size of large vehicles.
Conservation Department staff are monitoring the site, and will do until at least Monday.
They had taken before and after shots but had no footage of the ice collapsing.
The brothers attended World Youth Day in Sydney in last year, with the younger brother Akshay describing it as "the most kick ass week ever'' on his Facebook profile.
TRAGEDY ON FAMILY HOLIDAY
Thetwo men were the only children of their parents, who they lived with in Melbourne.
He was an engineering student at Monash University, due to finish his studies this year.
He was an engineering student at Monash University, due to finish his studies this year.
Ashish, an aerospace engineer for Boeing, had studied at RMIT where he was part of a team that won an international award for helicopter design.
According to Indian website Daijiworld Media Network, the family had migrated to Melbourne from the Indian city Mangalore.
The boys' parents, Ronnie and Winnie Miranda, were original from Mumbai, it said.
Tributes to Ashish were already being posted on his Facebook page.
"Rest in peace, Akshay,'' wrote Elise Aycardo. "You'll be forever missed, forever loved, and always, forever, in our hearts. I'm sorry .. . And my thoughts and prayers are with your family.''
John Oddo wrote: "You were such a great man and such a valuable friend. I will really really miss you and I know you're making fun of me right now from up there but I love you and thanks for putting up with me.''
An aunt of the brothers told Daijiworld the family was still praying Akshay, whose body has not been recovered, would be found alive.
On Sunday, Akshay proudly boasted on Facebook that he had completed a 134-metre bungee jump.
GLACIER RISKS
Conservation Minister Tim Groser said it was a "tragedy of almost unimaginable proportions (for the parents) to lose both sons in one tragedy".
Mr Groser was at Fox Glacier but was staying out of the way of the operational staff conducting the search.
"There are extensive safety procedures in place, these are reviewed annually, there's also been independent assessment of these procedures.
"We're dealing with a situation that is a highly dangerous and dynamic natural environment involving rock, ice and rivers."
The procedures were last reviewed in August last year.
He said the facts of the latest incident would be reviewed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), police and probably the coroner.
There will always be risk, but also "some responsibility on the part of these individuals who go into these areas".
In 2007, DOC said almost a third of the 600,000 visitors to the West Coast glaciers ignored warning signs and entered danger zones.
In February that year, a tourist standing beside an ice cave at the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier was injured when the roof collapsed.
He had walked past signs warning of the danger of falling ice.
– With Michael Fox, , Arjun Ramachandran

.
Farmer survives 60m gorge fall

By CLIO FRANCIS – Tuesday, 30 December 2008

A farmer has escaped serious injury after plunging around 60 metres down a steep, narrow gorge in the Manawatu.
A helicopter plucked the 58-year-old man from the bottom of the gorge close to Rangiwahia today.
Police said he had been staying with friends at a farm bordering gorge when he disappeared.
Police said the man's friends found him close to the bottom of a gully just before 10am this morning.
It is understood he had been recovering at the farm after a recent trip to Hospital.
Due to the rugged, isolated nature of the area a massive rescue operation – involving around 30 people from seven different agencies – was launched by emergency services.
A spokeswoman from the Fielding police said the part of the gorge where the man had fallen was very deep – estimating his plunge to have been around 60 metres.
A spokesperson for the Square Trust Rescue Helicopter said the rescue was complicated by the difficult terrain.
The man was flown to Palmerston North Hospital where his condition was described as stable. .