sportsthought on for the warriors, who are playing for a spot in the grand final. Bring it.
*****
Robsterlicious!
This is the first year I've been involved in Forum 7's League. I remember seeing a thread about 'Forum 7's' last year at NZWarriors.com. I never read it as I figured it was a betting game or something like that and that it would hold no interest for me.
This year, when Jesbass explained it to me and asked if I wanted to join, it sounded like fun. After some quick negotiations I signed up.
It was about then that I started reading about 'Robster'
He used to post over on NZWarriors.com, and quite quickly it became clear this guy was slightly different from the others.
For a start, there were the never-ending cheeseburger references. I didn't witness them personally as the evidence came mainly from the other posters. Then there is the absurd obsession with one time Warriors winger Justin Murphy. I am yet to understand, why Robster is obsessed/possessed by this bloke, who was average at best.
I can't go without mentioning his awful/brilliant videos on You Tube. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I can't comprehend for the life of me why someone would put that on the internet. I have to confess though, I watched them all.
For these reasons, it seems, Robster is a bit of a recurring joke in the forums.
Allow me to be critical but he's not the most articulate of writers. He's what I would call average, hardly creative, and far from being a chip'n'dip writer. Whereas most writers would spend time crafting their articles, the kid seems to just spew his out, like he's blogging.
Speaking of blogs, I became so curious that I paid a visit to his blog once. OK, ok maybe more than once.
I sometimes wonder whether Robster is just taking the piss out of everyone. Anyone who's seen his blog (invite only for a while) could understand. Most of his ramblings seem totally idiotic, yet at the same time they seem totally real and innocent. I should clarify of course, that the innocence stems not from what he says, but that fact that he says it at all.
And of course, there is the 'have you got a blog' thread, somewhere on this very website. I stumbled across it, and without skipping a beat, I read all 16 pages. In the words of Gus Gould all I can say is 'Unbelievable'. Or perhaps that should be peow peow?
The NRL has Willie Mason, the human headline, and we, well; we have Robster, the Forum 7's headline. Truth is though; we really don't know how lucky we are to have him.
It's not just the stuff he writes, but it's the way it generates such debate. I mean 16 pages? If ever there was proof that this site and competition needs him that was it.
Just like the NRL needs Mason, Gallen and Bird (well maybe not Bird) this comp needs Robster.
Like a succulent cheeseburger, he draws you in. You ridicule him, but at the same time you can't wait to see what he's got next. Unlike say, a competition full of people like me; good articles, but no theatre. As an aside, this sort of skill is both rare and valuable on the internet – you should think about that Robster.
Earlier this year, someone issued a challenge. If Robster got fewer points than his opposing captain he would have to wear the opposing team's banner. To me it seemed like people just wanted another chance to take the piss out of him, which smacked of schoolyard bullying.
The guy has had so much piss taken out of him, his bladder barely gets used, and unfortunately he's become an easy target.
The last I heard of him, he'd given up the Titans Captaincy and hasn't written since. Will he be with the Titans next year? Would the Warriors approach him as a free agent?
If up to me, I'd have him back tomorrow. In 'real' sports, you pick the best players and work with their personalities - it should be no different here. One of the challenges in this competition is consistently getting 5 articles out in time, so the more the merrier really. I mean another article about the Samoan rugby league isn't going to hurt is it?
Robster, assuming you have a peak at this article, keep up the good work bro. Have a burger for me while you're there, because keeping all these forum goers entertained must be hard work.
750 words between the stars