Two a penny

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The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) faces a public backlash of calamitous proportions if it goes ahead with announced changes to next year’s provincial competition format.

Momentum is gathering in the provinces among some unions, supporters and the rugby media for the NZRU to scrap those changes or face the consequences.

The Air New Zealand Cup (ANZC) is enjoying unprecedented popularity this season and is proving to be one of the most competitive and evenly fought since the old NPC was established in 1976. On a Sky Reunion programme poll conducted this week, more than 70 percent voted for the ANZC competition to remain unchanged.

Crowd numbers are generally well up, and television viewing audiences were up more than 86 percent after four rounds.

New teams Tasman, Counties Manukau, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu have taken time to get up to speed onfield, but now, four years down the track, they are more than matching it with the big boys. The quality of rugby has been excellent, the All Blacks are keen to play whenever they get an opportunity and several exciting new players have been uclose tothed. On their day, any team can beat the other, as has been proven so far in 2009.

Tasman, Northland and Counties Manukau, who struggled financially in the initial stages of the ANZC, have now cut their cloth to fit and are keeping their heads above water. The Heartland competition kicked off in similar exciting fashion last week. Four will drop out of the current 14 team competition to form a first division, effectively a second division, which will also include two promoted Heartland teams, making a six-team division. . Also, if Tasman or Manawatu were demoted, most of their best now almost entirely home-grown players would leave for premier unions.

The problem is that the Heartland teams have little chance of being competitive.

Under a list of criteria to remain in the premier division, onfield performance is only a 20 percent factor and that, like the other criteria, is judged over the past four years.

Under a list of criteria to remain in the premier division, onfield performance is only a 20 percent factor and that, like the other criteria, is judged over the past four years. Promotion relegation of up to two teams is an option being considered.

The Heartland competition will comprise 10 teams.

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The changes were adopted after a series of workshops involving New Zealand’s 26 provincial unions, Super 14 franchises and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association

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A wire-haired dachshund that held the record as the world’s oldest dog has died on Long Island at age 21 – or 147 in dog years.

The dog, named Chanel, died Friday of natural causes at her owners’ home in suburban Port Jefferson Station, outside New York City.

Chanel, as stylish as her legendary namesake, wore tinted goggles for her cataracts in her later years and favored sweaters because she was sensitive to the cold, owners Denice and Karl Shaughnessy said Monday.

Along with her owner, Chanel spent nine years on assignment in Germany, where she became adept at stealing sticks of butter from kitchen countertops and hiding them in sofa cushions in the living room, Shaughnessy said.

The playful dachshund was only 6 weeks old when Denice Shaughnessy, then serving with the US Army, adopted her from a shelter in Virginia.

“She once ate an entire bag of Reese’s peanut butter cups, and, you see, she lived to be 21, so go figure,” Shaughnessy added. She also liked chocolate, usually considered toxic to dogs, Shaughnessy said.

Karl Shaughnessy nominated Chanel for the title of world’s oldest dog after noticing the Guinness World Records book had no record.

Chanel loved the party, especially the cake, which had a peanut butter flavor and had been made for dogs, Denice Shaughnessy said.

Guinness World Records officials presented Chanel with a certificate as the world’s oldest dog at a Manhattan birthday bash hosted by a private pet food company in May.

“Dogs are God’s angels sent here to look out for us,” Denice Shaughnessy said. . Owner Janelle Derouen said Max marked his 26th birthday on Aug.

A dog from Louisiana, named Max, is vying for the record of world’s oldest dog. 9. 9.

“I have five kids, and all my kids are grown and gone,” she said.

When asked the secret to her dog’s long life, Derouen said she was shocked he’s still with her.”

. “Now my grandkids are playing with this dog

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The woman at the centre of “moustache-gate” says Breakfast host Paul Henry “still doesn’t seem to have got the point” about the outrage his comments sparked.

Stephanie Mills, who appeared on the TVNZ show in March to talk about compensation for people suffering the health effects of nuclear testing, says Henry got it wrong focusing on her appearance.

“I think of the wonderful, good-hearted and courageous people who have struggled with their own illnesses, the death of their children, and intimidation from the French government to fight for what they knew was right – compensation for the effects of nuclear testing at Mururoa – and it saddens me that we’re still talking about Paul Henry, not about them. Despite attempts by his co-host to move on to a new topic, Henry continued.”

After Mills’ appearance on Breakfast, Henry read aloud viewer feedback commenting on the guest’s “enormous moustache”.

A flurry of complaints to TVNZ followed, and one formal complaint was lodged with the Broadcasting Standards Authority. “That is a moustache on a lady,” he said.

On Wednesday, the authority issued a decision saying Henry’s behaviour was a blatant breach of broadcasting standards. . It agreed with an earlier decision by TVNZ to uphold a complaint under the fairness standard, and decided not to uphold a complaint that the broadcaster’s response, which included counselling for Henry, was insufficient..

But last week Mills said the issue was “never me and my feelings . it was about his failure to deal fairly and professionally with the compensation story”..

“People are still dying of leukaemia and children are still being born with genetic disorders in Tahiti.

“People are still dying of leukaemia and children are still being born with genetic disorders in Tahiti.”

. If Paul spoke out on their behalf as loudly as he does on his own, that would really be news

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Cabinet is set to make a decision about Maori seats on a new Auckland super city today – likely ruling them out and averting a ministerial resignation.

Prime Minister John Key this morning confirmed Cabinet would make a decision today. His stated preference has been that Maori issues would be best dealt with by an advisory board to the council, rather than separate seats.

The Maori Party has been lobbying to overturn the Government’s decision and a compromise was on the cards.

The Royal Commission which reported on Auckland’s local government structure recommended reserved Maori seats but the Government scrapped that when it set out its plans for the city.

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples said resigning was not an option for him or co-leader Tariana Turia at this point. However that was derailed by Local Government Minister and ACT leader Rodney Hide, who is in charge of super city legislation, who said he would resign if the seats went ahead.

“Do we throw the baby out with the bathwater now? Or do we stay in the tent?” he told Radio New Zealand.”

Dr Sharples said Auckland Maori would see a rejection of seats as a “rebuke” which might affect decisions by Maori landowners.

“That’s something we will decide when we meet after but we’re not putting it up as an option at this stage.

“Does (Mr Key) really want to have Rodney Hide’s resignation? That’s one thing he’s got to consider.

He hoped Cabinet might still decide to go ahead with the seats but believed Mr Hide’s ultimatum would have an effect.”

While Dr Sharples respected Mr Hide’s view he disagreed with his resignation threat over a small part of the super city proposal that was important to Maori. On the other hand, he has created a first for New Zealand, with National and the Maori Party, just achieving so much together in good partnership – does he want to affect that relationship?

“So, you know, it is a hard decision for him to ponder over, but at the end of the day I’m hoping that it will be decided by Cabinet.

One option proposed but rejected by Mr Hide was that the seats be set up via an amendment that he could vote against.

One option proposed but rejected by Mr Hide was that the seats be set up via an amendment that he could vote against.

“I didn’t think it would end in one of them throwing their toys away.”

Dr Sharples said the Maori Party and ACT were always expected to have differences but did not think Mr Hide would have held the Government to ransom.

“I guess it’s a matter of principle for him.”

Mr Key was unruffled by Mr Hide’s ultimatum, which followed the prime minister sounding him out about the possibility of a changed position on the seats. . . . I haven’t lost respect for him for it.”

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A Kurdish refugee was today jailed for
two years for threatening to kill his wife.

Ismail Karim Mataay, 44, was earlier found guilty by a jury of making the threat against his wife and a fifth breach of a protection order she took out against him.

She now lived in fear because leaving and defying husbands had led to the deaths of other wives in her culture.

At today’s sentencing in Christchurch District Court, Judge Colin Doherty said leaving her husband was a significant move for the woman and placed considerable pressure on her as a result of the cultural and social attitudes of Mataay and the Kurdish community.”

Judge Doherty said Mataay had not acknowledged his propensity for violence. .

He imposed conditions that Mataay must undertake counselling, a Stopping Violence programme, and courses to improve his English communication and literacy skills.

He imposed a two-year prison term for the latest charges, as well as resentencing for a breach of an earlier sentence of supervision.

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The couple are believed to have married in a refugee camp and then emigrated to New Zealand late in 2005, about a year before the wife took out a protection order against him

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LATEST:
Thousands of people welcomed the terminally-ill Lockerbie bomber at Tripoli’s airport as Libya celebrated his release from a Scottish prison.

The Associated Press reported a festive atmosphere at a military airport in Tripoli, with loudspeakers blaring patriotic music and some wearing T-shirts depicting Abdel Baset al-Megrahi.

Relatives of the American victims, most of whom are convinced of Megrahi’s guilt, said he should die in jail, while British families believe the Libyan is innocent and supported his release.

Megrahi, 57,was the only man convicted of the 1988 atrocity in which 270 people died when Pan Am Flight 103 crashed on the town of Lockerbie, south-west Scotland, as a result of a terrorist bomb. .

Scenes of jubilation in Tripoli will further infuriate the US Government, which had pleaded with Scotland not to free Megrahi. Medical experts said he had less than three months to live. Megrahi has terminal cancer and asked to return home.

“Megrahi now faces a sentence imposed by a higher power.

At a news conference in Edinburgh on Thursday, Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill said: ”Our beliefs dictate that justice be served and compassion be shown. He is going to die.

“It is terminal, final and irrevocable.

“We’re now in contact with the Libyan Government and want to make sure that if, in fact, this transfer has taken place, that he’s not welcomed back in some way, but instead, should be under house arrest.”

US President Barack Obama said: “We have been in contact with the Scottish Government, indicating that we objected to this, and we thought it was a mistake”.

“A large gathering is planned in Green Square, in the heart of Tripoli, and Megrahi should be there alongside Seif al-Islam,” the source said.”

A source close to the Libyan delegation that accompanied Megrahi said Seif al-Islam, the son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was travelling with him.

He lost an appeal against his conviction in 2002.

Megrahi was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2001 after a trial held under Scots law at a special court in the Netherlands.

.However, a Scottish review of his case ruled in 2007 that the case may have been a miscarriage of justice

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A heli-skiing guide was killed today in an avalanche in Canterbury.

The man from Alpine Guides died after being buried by the avalanche on Ragged Range in Methven – the same area where an Australian tourist was killed while skiing with the company a month ago.

The guide, who was with four clients, had been looking at the runs in the Ragged Range when he was caught directly in the avalanche about 4pm, Alpine Guides managing director Bryan Carter said.

“He was unconscious and despite treatment.

“He was subsequently located and dug out by other guides. . . over the next two hours, I understand, unfortunately he didn’t survive.30pm.”

Mr Carter, who spoke to while on his way to Methven tonight, said he did not know how long the man had been buried but the guides had returned from the rescue about 6.

“But one of them has a twisted back or a bit of a back injury – but nothing serious.

He understood the four clients were not caught in the avalanche.

The company would be reviewing the types of conditions it took people out in, he said.”

The company had rated the avalanche risk in the area today as considerable, which was a step up from moderate but a step down from high, Mr Carter said.

“It’s important to realise that a lot of people have been out heli-skiing over the last month in difficult conditions and with mostly very successful outcomes.

“It’s important to realise that a lot of people have been out heli-skiing over the last month in difficult conditions and with mostly very successful outcomes.

“Very sadly I have to say we’ve had two within a month.”

Before the Australian client was “regretfully” killed in an avalanche about a month ago the company had not had a fatality for 30 years, he said.

“Until I get fully briefed on what’s happened that’s probably about all I can say at the moment. .

Police said helicopters had transported the patients to accessible airfields as fog in the area was resulting in problems.”

The guide, who died today, was very experienced and had been working with the company for about 12 to 13 years, Mr Carter said.

Methven police would be talking to the injured.

The rest of the party had been transported to Glenfalloch Station.

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One other man has been killed in an avalanche while snowboarding at Coronet Peak near Queenstown this winter

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The suspected terrorists arrested today in Melbourne allegedly intended to become martyrs in an attack on Holsworthy army base in New South Wales.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard police believed there was a conspiracy to use weapons to fire upon Australian military personnel.

Prosecutor Nick Robinson, SC, alleged the men intended to keep shooting until they were killed or arrested.

The court heard only one man had been charged with terrorism-related offences while three other men remained in custody without charge.

Mr Robinson agreed with Magistrate Peter Reardon that their intention was to become martyrs.

One of the men, Saney Aweys, appeared in court handcuffed and flanked by two federal agents.

Investigators are seeking a court order to extend their questioning of the men for eight hours. He denied any connection with the men mentioned in court by Mr Robinson. .

Aweys, who has not been charged and who was unrepresented, said he was a boilermaker and needed sleep after being awake for the past 30 hours. “I want to have a rest.

“I want it to stop now,” he said. He adjourned today’s hearing until 2pm for further applications to be made by the prosecution and their defense.”

Mr Reardon granted the application for Aweys to be interviewed for eight hours from 6pm tonight.

Federal agent David Kinton told the court the telephone intercepts had recorded text messages exchanged about the Holsworthy base.

Federal agent David Kinton told the court the telephone intercepts had recorded text messages exchanged about the Holsworthy base.”

He said the men had attempted to find an Islamic sheik or religious authority to give them support to engage in violent attacks in Australia. It is easy to enter. “I’m waiting for your message,” one allegedly said in relation to the information about the Holsworthy base.

Mr Kinton said there had been other text messages sent between the men.

CCTV footage allegedly shows one of the men arriving at Holsworthy on March 28, Mr Kinton said.

“Can you give me the address of Australia and name of train station,” another text allegedly said.

Mr Robinson said that evidence would involve electronic and physical surveillance. He said one telephone discussion intercepted by police involved a man believed to be in Somalia who was engaged in violence there. He said he would allow the questioning of “such serious allegations” to continue.

In granting the application for the extension Mr Reardon said terrorism acts “strike at the heart of our democratic society”.

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LATEST:
The New Zealand Warriors rued some agonising missed field goals as they clung on for a 32-32 draw with Penrith in a remarkable National Rugby League tryfest at CUA Stadium in Sydney.

Both sides scored five tries as they couldn’t be separated in a scoreless, yet thrilling 10 minutes of golden point extra time after the Warriors led 32-6 at one stage.Lance Hohaia went closest to winning it for the Warriors when his 35m field goal attempt three minutes into extra time hit the crossbar, while veteran Stacey Jones also had his chance with 90sec remaining but pushed a handy attempt just wide.It was a match the Warriors blew after they raced to 32-6 in the 51st minute thanks to a four-try haul by centre Joel Moon.The Warriors, who had four field goal attempts to the Panthers’ one in extra time, attacked desperately in the dying seconds but the hosts hung on.After an ordinary first half from the hosts, they awoke from their slumber to pile in four tries in 21 minutes in classic Panthers fashion.Both goalkickers Kevin Locke and Michael Gordon were outstanding, each kicking a perfect six from six.Big Kiwis forward Frank Pritchard, a late recall after recovering from a broken hand, made his presence felt and when Frank Puletua charged over in the 70th minute it was back to an eight-point deficit.Gordon’s goal from the sideline made it 32-30, then a desperate Wade McKinnon high tackle on Jarrod Sammut with two minutes left saw Gordon tie the scores from the penalty.Then Panthers flyer Michael Jennings scored his second got them within two points when he bulldozed over out wide with five minutes left.30 favouritism.It should have been elementary, and so Australia’s big sports punters thought as they made the Panthers the best-backed side all weekend, into $1.But it was the reverse early on as the Warriors showed urgency and took their chances while the Panthers looked flat before their home faithful of 12,677.The Panthers were coming off an away victory at North Queensland to sit sixth on the ladder while the Warriors were without captain Steve Price and recovering from a heavy home defeat to the Dragons to sit 13th, five points outside playoff territory.Moon – with just two tries from 17 previous matches in 2009 – had his hat-trick by halftime as the Warriors piled on their most prolific first half of a pop-gun attacking season to lead 20-6.Moon – with just two tries from 17 previous matches in 2009 – had his hat-trick by halftime as the Warriors piled on their most prolific first half of a pop-gun attacking season to lead 20-6. .Moon had his second in the 16th minute after hard-toiling prop Sam Rapira busted the line and sent five-eighth Isaac John away.Four minutes after the break the Warriors attacked and Hohaia’s grubber was grabbed by, sure enough, Moon, and Locke’s conversion made it a 20-point buffer.When the Warriors were handed another penalty, stand-in skipper Micheal Luck ordered a shot at goal and Locke drilled his fourth in a row for a 14-point halftime lead.

.Lewis Brown then extended the lead when he steamrolled Sammut to make it 32-6

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Race organisers have lost contact with four New Zealand men who are rowing across the Indian Ocean to raise money for a prostate cancer charity, but the wife of one man says the team is well-prepared and she’s not worried.

Competing in the Indian Ocean Rowing Race, the Rowing for Prostate team of Tom Wigram, Peter Staples, Billy Gammon and Matt Hampel had been reporting daily for 71 days until Saturday.

Their last confirmed position was received on Saturday, when they were 553 nautical miles from Mauritius.

Mr Wigram’s wife Rebecca told she was “really, really not worried” about the team, who had trained hard for two years, including in incredibly bad weather, ahead of the race, and who were prepared for anything.

Organisers said the boat’s GPS system has been faulty and the crew’s satellite phone stopped working at the weekend.

A spokesperson for the race organisers, Alan Gwyer, said there was nothing to suggest the boat was suffering anything more than communication problems.

The men had an emergency beacon and personal locator beacon and would have set those off if they ran into any trouble, she said.

A race support boat was being sent out to the boat’s last position, over two days’ travel, Mr Gwyer said.

The inaugural charity race from Geraldton, West Australia, to Mauritius, off the coast of Africa, has already been won by a British crew. .

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NZP 30/06/09 1913NZ

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Nick and Phil McCorry, 25 and 24, Matt Hellier, 20, and Ian Allen, 25, last Thursday won the 3132 nautical mile race, finishing in 68 days, 19 hours and 40 minutes