Deaker on Sport

[Micistm]

Actually Lowe acheived at least as much... but 20 subsequent years of shooting his mouth off has kinda made us forget that theres a great footy brain behind the hot air.

Lowie acheived a bit on his career, although he did not achieve the test series win vs Australia in his career. Bluey did...I waited my whole life to see that as did many others- And what a game to clinch it! 24-0 to NZ. No wonder many have an emotional attachment to the guy.

And to be fair it is that emotional attachment that has made it so heavily swayed towards Bluey in this case. Lowie shooting his mouth off over the past few years has not helped him at all- Starting with the boots he stuck into Endacott and Matthew Ridge (and other players) when him and Boyle wanted the Warriors...right to, ironically calling for Blueys head last year during the Fein saga.
And the Radio Sport interview today IMO did not help them. TBH, it will probably never come to light who's right and wrong in this...and to be fair there were probably faults to a degree on both sides. But one thing that has come screaming through, is how completely unprofessional the NZRL is, and how many are there because of who they know not what they know.

And if the Rumour being floated through League circles that Boyle is to become Kiwi Manager- That will just about finish me!

 

[Auckland4ever]

This whole situation reminds me of one of those bitter custody battles where parents square off at each other with accusations and the last consideration is given to whats best for the children. In this case, "the children" are the Kiwis.

IMO the best scenario for our national side is for them to continue be coached by McLennan, and for him to devote his time exclusively to leading them towards a world cup victory.

Even though its hard to side with the NZRL on any or all of this , I dont think Bluey exactly comes up smelling of roses either.

As far as I understand it, he feels like he has been pushed into a corner because of structural changes within the NZRL and the personnel involved. But this is also the same guy that would supposedly walk over broken glass to coach the Kiwis and grandstanded over Faumuinas decision to put personal gain over national pride. Beyond the "Freeman clause" and Chalmers' & Lowe's alleged tactics to force Bluey out, the option to continue to coach NZ was still there for McLennan. He ultimately decided to pick Leeds.

 

[MKEB...]

This whole situation reminds me of one of those bitter custody battles where parents square off at each other with accusations and the last consideration is given to whats best for the children. In this case, "the children" are the Kiwis.

IMO the best scenario for our national side is for them to continue be coached by McLennan, and for him to devote his time exclusively to leading them towards a world cup victory.

Even though its hard to side with the NZRL on any or all of this , I dont think Bluey exactly comes up smelling of roses either.

As far as I understand it, he feels like he has been pushed into a corner because of structural changes within the NZRL and the personnel involved. But this is also the same guy that would supposedly walk over broken glass to coach the Kiwis and grandstanded over Faumuinas decision to put personal gain over national pride. Beyond the "Freeman clause" and Chalmers' & Lowe's alleged tactics to force Bluey out, the option to continue to coach NZ was still there for McLennan. He ultimately decided to pick Leeds.

Why would they try and force him out though, arguably the most successful coach that the Kiwis have had.

Agreed the only reason Freeman coached the Kiwis was for the corporate dollar in Konami. He never coached a side to win. I was at the test in wellington when he used up all his interchanges with 15-20 mins to spare, so we cant say he was there for his coaching nous.

In retaining the "Freeman" clause (must live in NZ clause), all they have succeeded in doing is alienating a world class coach, and are cutting our collective noses off to spite our faces. IMO Bluey represents what league is in NZ, honest bloke that embodies a true Kiwi attitude of "we are the underdog, but we arent going to let them know that".

 

[Fast Eddie]

Bluey knew the rules, he just decided to take the money in Leeds. He wasn't forced out from what I can tell but since he is the good NZ 'bloke' everyone is taking his side of the story. Can't say I can see what the NZRL did wrong. The only thing that would have kept him was to change the residency rule, which they didn't do for Freeman or Anderson. If he really wanted to stay and coach the Kiwis he would of, considering we are only 15 or so months out from the WC. Money was pretty much the big factor. I don't hold against Bluey for taking the big money, but I don't like how people are laying into the NZRL over it. Leeds offered him a big contract he took it. Simple as that.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

If the money offered was only $50K as some have stated, I'd hardly blame Bluey for jumping... that's pathetic.

 

[Lossy]

Bluey knew the rules, he just decided to take the money in Leeds. He wasn't forced out from what I can tell but since he is the good NZ 'bloke' everyone is taking his side of the story. Can't say I can see what the NZRL did wrong. The only thing that would have kept him was to change the residency rule, which they didn't do for Freeman or Anderson. If he really wanted to stay and coach the Kiwis he would of, considering we are only 15 or so months out from the WC. Money was pretty much the big factor. I don't hold against Bluey for taking the big money, but I don't like how people are laying into the NZRL over it. Leeds offered him a big contract he took it. Simple as that.

At the end of the day. He's gone. True that.

I take Bluey's side primarily because of the NZRL's history of f**k ups. Makes it easy, though admittedly not guaranteed correct.) Also, he's given a lot to the sport predating his involvement with the Kiwis. Everyone being high and mighty about loyalty is speaking out of their arse. People did that with Sione too. It's easy to apply standards to other people and live up to them ourselves. This applies to me too.

The only real issue I have with the NZRL - after cooling down - is if they said that he can do both and then said, "nah, sorry". May have been a genuine error, but if that did happen then Chalmers is not the miraculous wunderkind everyone in his camp touts him as. Bluey to me seems more a Wayne Bennett verbal agreement type of soul, and not big on getting it in writing. That's probably a bit of naivety, but whatever works for him.

Anyway. If, if, if. Done now and good luck to him and the NZRL. It would be good to see a NZ coach in the NRL who isn't coaching the Warriors one day. Players aren't the only ones who need to see pathways. It would also be good to see the NZRL kick on from here and work wonders with the new set-up.

Being a cynic today, I'm expecting both to fall over. Tomorrow I'll be an optimist and hope that the cynic in me is wrong.

 

[Micistm]

You're right. When all is said and done, both sides have to take a portion of blame. IMO after all I've heard, is McClennan was very naiive, and the NZRL was their usual, crap communicating, poor management selves.

It's done now. This new 'high performance structure' Chalmers kept bragging about through the Radio Sport interview better pay off big time...because don't think Leeds would want to offer him anything! If a new coach comes in and gets a few wins vs Aussie most will be forgotten...if not, this incident will be rammed down their throats big time. And quite rightly so too. Same goes for Lowie, who had the same big talking before owning the Warriors...not much is bought up now from that era.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Was in a postshop today and noticed NZ Superleague mag on the shelf, so picked it up.

Bluey must be really, really regretting that column now

 

[Micistm]

The whole thing just makes your head spin, he said/they said/we said/we didn't...blah blah blah.

It's disheartening, and once again fans, the game, and even the team suffers because of off the field antics by a few. I just get sick of NZRL spin- they said they wanted to have a clean out, but they haven't. and I honestly don't believe they will. I just hope this doesn't divide the team like it has the fanbase in many ways. And the sad thing is it still has months to fester until a game/tour comes up. Those Clowns had better be sure what they're doing is right...then I'll be back on to eat my words and apologise