QUIZ: Is the 1999 rugby world cup holding you back?
Sport Review #124
Losing 43-31 to France in the 1999 rugby world cup semi final affected us all - but is it stopping you reaching your true potential 21 years later? Let’s find out.
It’s 4am, what’s keeping you awake?
Tossing around work-related topics like inventory, accounts and creating a safe working environment
Mentally working on your time machine and how you can force your way into the final tournament squad selection panel and make a case for taking a more robust forward pack
Anton Oliver is in town promoting his new organic whiskey slipper brand. Do you:
Make a mental note to check them out but forget all about it, who’s got the time?
Camp outside the shop for three nights, you have a long list of questions and Anton will help you understand. Or he will die
You come back from leave to find your boss hired someone French. do you:
Google French for “Welcome”, “Thank you” and “It’s kiwi style!” to make them feel at home and not weird
Play it cool while asking questions to determine if they celebrated the All Blacks defeat in the 1999 world cup semi final with a nice beaujolais, and onion soup prepared with the tears of the vanquished
You see John Hart on the bus. Do you:
Let the boys in the group chat know and get back to Angry Birds
Take the seat in front of him and start shaving your head Taxi Driver style
You’re at an open home. On the wall you spot a poster with a french rural scene with the caption ‘Provence’. Do you:
Look down - do they have underfloor heating?
Wire every appliance in the house to the same outlet with a cheap Ali Express timing device so the house incinerates three hours later, after putting your french neighbour’s details on the agents list
How did you go?
Mostly 1’s: You seem pretty normal to me. It doesn’t seem the 1999 world cup defeat to France is holding you back but it’s important to stay vigilant.
Mostly 2’s: I’m lying if I say there are no issues there. I strongly urge you to not Google 2003 or 2007 under any circumstance.
Thanks for reading - Richard
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Marty Banks’ gripping tale of playing in Russia as a young man has it all, from guns to the mafia and even a bit of rugby, from the new athlete story site afterthewhistle.co.nz.
Dana Johannsen and Zoe George with some fine reporting on Canoe Racing NZ, the latest to be found with big culture problems [Stuff]
Sarah Cowley Ross talks to Anna Simsic about winning under pressure in the 1990s, and her work with athletes now [Locker Room]
Video nasty
Be careful asking Alan Partridge questions.
Long read
How some nerds made watching Chess online an unlikely hit [Wired]
Recommendation
Stuff’s video series Munted is a look back at the Christchurch earthquakes, the machinations at the time and how it's affected where we are now, it’s a tremendous, affecting watch.
Selected weekend fixtures
This North v South match is finally here, 7.10pm Saturday night from the Cake Tin, it’s on SKY
The Warriors play Parramatta on Sunday at 6.05pm, it’s on SKY
Elsewhere, the Tour de France is on every night, the NBA playoffs continue through the mornings and early afternoons, and the Caribbean Premier League and Australia in England are your cricket options
Bring back the gif
Saying goodbye to your trackies after lockdown like:
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