ANTiLAG
First Grade
- Messages
- 8,014
Shaun Johnson immediately after the match appeared far less composed than Adam Blair. It seemed as he was suffering just a touch of shock at NZ's surprise loss to Fiji.
After showering and getting suited, he then faced the press and delivered one heck of a public relations gaffe. He made the claim that the fans and media who doubted the Kiwis, "yous got your way".
I like Shaun Johnson's running talent. All rugby league fans do. Whether they think he's capable of being an organizing half or not. Its impossible to not acknowledge and enjoy his talent. I loved him carving up Australia in 2014/15. I loved his torpedo bombs that caused them problems. The jinking jiving side steps that opened up a defensive line.
Despite the talents of Shaun Johnson, RTS, and the sheer mass of Nelson, I had my doubts of this Kiwis team having a good chance to beat Australia and win the Cup like the '08 side did. It was more than just missing out on Jason Taumalolo. I doubted the coach, David Kidwell, was the man the to engineer and oversee a winning plan implemented. But I am not the only one here. I have read the comments of Kiwis fans for over the past year. Many people doubt Kidwell is a good coach. It is that simple.
But Shaun Johnson, you're seriously deluded at present, or been gift wrapped in media 'cotton wool' instead of scrutiny for far too long to have gotten to this point. Easily one of the highest paid NZ sportspeople with the least success behind the salary. This salary is ultimately a result of fans Shaun. And now you confirm that you're just not in touch with the doubters, the Kiwi's fans, who have been doubting the form of Kiwis in head to head contests with Australia in recent times, who drew with Scotland last year, got our way. Our way was not losing to Tonga. I predicted that was likely, but it irked me as a Kiwis fan who would rather have seen Tonga beat England or Australia. Our way was certainly not losing to Fiji.
No Shaun, we didn't get our way. Our way still would have been a surprise against the odds World Cup victory.
And now is not the time to alienate the fans Shaun. We don't need to understand the minds of millionaire footballers to doubt the teams performances, but despite the comforts of high Kiwi salaries (most Kiwi players pocketing around $50,000 for the World Cup), and playing at home (even if Tonga had a quasi home game in terms of crowd support), two teams playing for $30 a day just bundled you out two weeks in a row. Your endorsement value just plummeted Shaun. The Kiwis team as a supposed tier 1 nation, has been embarrassed two weeks in a row by supposed tier 2 nations. No cup. No glory. And further than that, Kiwi Rugby League pride has been dented.
You didn't get your way. We didn't get ours.
So what are you, the Kiwis, and the NZRL going to do about it? 'Cos the Kiwi's terrible performances of late isn't an issue that can be remedied by the fans, the media, or anyone else.
Or should the fans and the media just not bother with the Kiwis anymore?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...ointed-not-to-put-nonbelievers-in-their-place
50k salary source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11937220
After showering and getting suited, he then faced the press and delivered one heck of a public relations gaffe. He made the claim that the fans and media who doubted the Kiwis, "yous got your way".
I like Shaun Johnson's running talent. All rugby league fans do. Whether they think he's capable of being an organizing half or not. Its impossible to not acknowledge and enjoy his talent. I loved him carving up Australia in 2014/15. I loved his torpedo bombs that caused them problems. The jinking jiving side steps that opened up a defensive line.
Despite the talents of Shaun Johnson, RTS, and the sheer mass of Nelson, I had my doubts of this Kiwis team having a good chance to beat Australia and win the Cup like the '08 side did. It was more than just missing out on Jason Taumalolo. I doubted the coach, David Kidwell, was the man the to engineer and oversee a winning plan implemented. But I am not the only one here. I have read the comments of Kiwis fans for over the past year. Many people doubt Kidwell is a good coach. It is that simple.
But Shaun Johnson, you're seriously deluded at present, or been gift wrapped in media 'cotton wool' instead of scrutiny for far too long to have gotten to this point. Easily one of the highest paid NZ sportspeople with the least success behind the salary. This salary is ultimately a result of fans Shaun. And now you confirm that you're just not in touch with the doubters, the Kiwi's fans, who have been doubting the form of Kiwis in head to head contests with Australia in recent times, who drew with Scotland last year, got our way. Our way was not losing to Tonga. I predicted that was likely, but it irked me as a Kiwis fan who would rather have seen Tonga beat England or Australia. Our way was certainly not losing to Fiji.
No Shaun, we didn't get our way. Our way still would have been a surprise against the odds World Cup victory.
And now is not the time to alienate the fans Shaun. We don't need to understand the minds of millionaire footballers to doubt the teams performances, but despite the comforts of high Kiwi salaries (most Kiwi players pocketing around $50,000 for the World Cup), and playing at home (even if Tonga had a quasi home game in terms of crowd support), two teams playing for $30 a day just bundled you out two weeks in a row. Your endorsement value just plummeted Shaun. The Kiwis team as a supposed tier 1 nation, has been embarrassed two weeks in a row by supposed tier 2 nations. No cup. No glory. And further than that, Kiwi Rugby League pride has been dented.
You didn't get your way. We didn't get ours.
So what are you, the Kiwis, and the NZRL going to do about it? 'Cos the Kiwi's terrible performances of late isn't an issue that can be remedied by the fans, the media, or anyone else.
Or should the fans and the media just not bother with the Kiwis anymore?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/leagu...ointed-not-to-put-nonbelievers-in-their-place
50k salary source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11937220
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