N-n-n-n-nineteen
Sport Review #100
The NBA was called off only eight days ago - it seems like years since then.
The rug’s been ripped from under everything, then we’ve been beaten up with the rug. Tha counts for sport, and your life in general.
Everything is COVID-19 now, from how you work to whether you’re going out to grab lunch. While we try to piece some kind of big picture together in our minds, the breaking news keeps coming, changing it again.
It’s the lack of routine that throws you. Friday night in front of the rugby, tuning the car radio to the cricket, getting up early on a Sunday to watch the football. These are like family, sometimes they’re amazing, sometimes they’re frustrating, but they’re always there. That’s all not happening for the foreseeable.
The thing that’s bothered me most is junior sport - we all probably get as much (if not more) satisfaction watching our kids play as watching the pros, and that’s off too. Along with the sideline chat and family tootling about on a Saturday.
But - good things are still happening. I’m grateful for health professionals and the work they’re doing. Creativity is thriving. Whatever we can do to support people in entertainment, sport and hospitality industries that rely on people being out and about is really important, and we should keep doing it as long as we’re safe. I keep selfishly thinking I’m really glad we live in New Zealand.
BTW, this is the 100th email I have sent you in this particular format. The days of the other 99 emails, and writing about the tribulations of sitting around watching sport from the couch seem a world away hey. Thanks to you for being part of it, it’s so much appreciated. I hope you and the whanāu are going well.
Thanks for reading - Richard
The week's best NZ sport content
Dylan Cleaver on COVID-19’s effect on sport - solid points, but Monday already feels like years ago [NZ Herald]
Alice Webb-Lidell got personalised motivational speeches from Colin Munro and Katrina Rore. They’re honestly lovely and if ever there’s a service whose time has come… [Spinoff]
Netball is still happening this weekend - Dana Johannsen on the breakup between Netball New Zealand and Australia, and why it’s working out [Stuff]
Football Fern Rebecca Stott is playing in Australia’s W-League grand final this weekend, she spoke to Ella Rilley [LockerRoom]
Video nasty
“He’s put my stapler in jelly again.”
Long read
The tale of the Millenium Dome, a dazzling structure and exhibit that everyone hated at the time, but might have actually been OK in hindsight [Guardian]
Recommendation
In desperate times, I give you the gift of Rake, one of the greatest TV series I’ve ever had the pleasure of viewing. It’s got sex, drink, drugs, superb writing, just about every New Zealand and Australian actor you’ve ever seen and is equal parts hilarious and heart-warming. There are four series on Netflix - if you’ve not seen it, you’re in for a treat. Do your self-isolation the right way.
Selected weekend fixtures
SKY has four classic Crusaders v Hurricanes encounters (fog final?) at 7.30pm tonight, get ready for a bit of this, you can ask them for your favourite
The now-Australian Warriors play the Raiders at 5pm tomorrow, it’s on SKY
There’s a full round of ANZ Premiership netball on Sunday, starting with Northern Mystics v Mainland Tactix at 4.10pm, it’s on SKY
Bring back the gif
Every time the sodding breaking news thingo goes ‘bing’.
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