-A.M.
Friday, December 6, 2024
Sunday, November 17, 2024
2024 Northern Tour: Sunday 17 November France 30 - 29 New Zealand, Stade de France
Je vous souhaite la Re-bienvenue Antoine Dupont. Le Stade aussi. Vous avez entendu les spectateurs?
Les Bleus were typically French, great under pressure and stress, they really came into their own firing in the second half. Speedy, unpredictable. My French contact wondered if the All Blacks would trample them but I never had a doubt in my mind we would win.
We got the first try which can be important. And we scored last too. When you grow up French and/or in the French culture, faut savoir gérer le stress. The All Blacks can become undisciplined. It's also French to seize opportunities. My Kiwi contact who will always back the All Blacks said they're consistent*, I think, as in they don't adapt.
Of course not only do les Bleus have arguably the best rugby player on Earth as their Captain but personally he has a lot of motivation: the Rugby World Cup 2023 was stolen from France and it was their time, this was his second game for his country since winning Gold representing France at the Olympics, so he's fresh, possibly impatient and his passion is replenished.
Historically, France's winning streak has been unbroken since 2018 against the All Blacks and this match was essentially a repeat of 8th September 2023 and the opening match of the Cup.
3 wins in a row for the All Blacks? Non non non. And to be honest, England and Ireland aren't even at the same table as the All Blacks. The All Blacks pulled up a chair for les Bleus, they sat down, both stretched out their hands and shook them and game on. I think, if you keep up to date with it, New Zealand now go down a spot in World rankings and France remain 4th.
I don't have to experience what the loss for France feels like. The All Blacks supporters have the rest of Sunday and the week to go through it.
Watching the anthems and especially the haka on YouTube after the match, the loss of one point difference must have really hurt the All Blacks.
Sure, New Zealand had to wear their alternate jersey but really? That design. You're not the All Whites, that's a different sport.
Go stick it the All Blacks.
-A.M.
* I may correct this later
Saturday, November 16, 2024
2024 Northern Tour: Sunday 17 November France - New Zealand, Stade de France
Allez les Bleus. Welcome back Antoine Dupont. So to speak. One of the best if not the best rugby union player of his generation and the planet. In le Stade de France. Just over 81 000 capacity, likely most of the spectators rooting for France. The atmosphere was once described as "hostile" by someone from the Kiwi side, no recollection of who, if memory serves me right.
The last time France and New Zealand faced each other was 8 September 2023, the first match of the Rugby World Cup which saw France dominate the All Blacks 27-13.
To me, France are the first real opponent who actually is at their level of the Northern Tour, it's a battle. Really, England and we don't even need to mention Ireland, they don't get a look in. Then Italy?
In general, France and South Africa are worthy opponents, always have been and probably always will be. Physically, mentally, they can meet the All Blacks.
One example, the Rugby Championship (2024): Saturday 31st August South Africa 31-27 New Zealand, Johannesburg and Saturday 7th September South Africa 18-12 New Zealand, Cape Town.
If you take into account rankings, the latest men's rankings dated 11 November: the Springboks, the All Blacks and les Bleus. Or the sexy Bleus, the legendary All Blacks, and the stealing Springboks. Always at the top.
As I've said before, All Blacks are my love but for some reason, I want les Bleus to win. Maybe it's pain from the Cup 2023 which was stolen from them. Dupont could still be in that fresh, impatient phase this being his second game representing France since the Olympics this year. They could stop the All Blacks in their tracks with a loss and beat them a second time on their home turf. Consecutive years.
Now I think back to it, Antoine Dupont was hurt by France's loss, very hurt, and angry, and if he can transform his emotions into a win on the pitch then there's nothing bad about that. But he'll always carry that pain from the Cup which they so deserved.
I wonder how I'll feel if France lose and the All Blacks win?
I'm behind you Antoine, beat the Black out of the All Blacks, at home, fresh from the Cup 2023 opening match and against New Zealand and the Olympics 2024 which France won. You have the brains, the body, and on top of that that sexy class no other team has.
The Northern Tour so far:
Saturday 2 November, England 22-24 New Zealand, Twickenham
Saturday 9 November, Ireland 13-23 New Zealand, Dublin
Sunday 17 November, France - New Zealand, Stade de France
Sunday 24 November, Italy - New Zealand, Turin
-A.M.
Sources
2024 Northern Tour: Saturday 9 November Ireland 13 - 23 All Blacks, Dublin
When RNZ mentioned the match on 4th November, I knew Ireland were going to choke. I felt the same way on the 8th too.
When I heard on the 9th they indeed choked, I wasn't surprised.
Anyone with a perspective that take into account all contributing factors knows it comes down to the day. I did not know Ireland's ranking but it doesn't matter. But I'll humour those who count it. It actually reinforces my point.
On 28th October and 4th November, Ireland were ranked 1st and New Zealand were 3rd.
And they lost. Not only did they lose, they lost by 10 points. At home.
What was that? They were ranked 1st going into the Rugby World Cup 2023? Which they unsurprisingly and predictably choked in when they got to the quarter-finals? And didn't many believe and say that was the time for them to win?
The All Blacks have what it requires psychologically. As in, they can actually deliver. That is why they are one of the best teams in the World if not the best. This is about Ireland and the All Blacks, but France and South Africa have it psychologically too, which is why they're always New Zealand's counterparts. Les Bleus can thrive under pressure and stress, it's part of the French identity.
Choking and being weak mentally is in Ireland's DNA. Not only is why important but what's more important is strenghtening that deficit, and yes it is a deficit when it is a barrier to winning, achieving, whatever you want to call it.
I was looking up Ireland's nickname and it's "Wolfhounds". Never in my life have I heard them referred to as that and that does show the lack of familiarity and impact they have in rugby union in my eyes. What is hilarious is Ireland are babies: they were ranked 1st for the first time ever in 2019, then a second time on 18th July 2022 until 2nd October 2023 when they lost it.
Apart from choking, no wonder I don't see them as a threat to the All Blacks, France and South Africa. Their rise might have been gradual instead of overnight which is easier to adjust to, but they're like the guest at the party who invited themself who no one likes but they have to be civil to otherwise there are repercussions. They're outranked and closer to and/or are British culture and probably always will be. One aspect of British culture is being reserved and polite and colonization was a long time ago, so they've been sitting on their white superior asses for years, no, generations. Yes, no shit, New Zealand was a British Colony, but geographically they're far away.
The All Blacks are white, Māori and Pacific Islander men and genetically some of them are physically built like warriors which can help in rugby. Example: Nonu. Aotearoa is rugby and their cultural impact at home and internationally is ubiquitous. Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, to name.
Les Bleus are (small and) speedy, unpredictable, good under stress and pressure and, aesthetically, sexy. No one can play rugby like les Bleus. They're classy too. Who is the best player in rugby union? Antoine Dupont, brains, body and sexy. Triple threat.
South Africa have physically big players, but they're controversial and seem to have more antagonistic relationships with the All Blacks and les Bleus. Less or no respect. The All Blacks and les Bleus are opponents but they ooze respect for each other. South Africa are the heavyweights in all aspects. They also are a representation of hope and unity for their country I think, but that's a double-edged knife.
I know I said this wasn't about South Africa and France, but it came from Ireland being babies. You gotta crawl first before you can walk and then run. Maybe they'll always be at walking phase, too scared and mentally incapable of running.
-A.M.
Monday, November 4, 2024
US Presidential Election 5 November 2024
It was to be Joe Biden running to be re-elected for a second consecutive term as a Democrat and the former US President Donald Trump also running to be re-elected for a second non-consecutive term as a Republican.
Long story short, Joe Biden pulled out on 21st July and his Vice-President Kamala Harris officially announced her candidacy on 27th July. She may be the first Black female President in the history of the United States to be elected.
I might not remember to express everything I want to, but Ms Harris and her opponent are basically neck and neck and it really looks to be down to the ballot counters and no one else to know the outcome. The eligible American voters who vote literally are the only individuals who decide who will be their next President and every single vote counts. The American population and the rest of the human population can only wait to see who emerges the victor. And it might not be a huge margin, but it will still make a difference.
It seems nothing will widen the margin, it doesn't matter who endorses who, (Oprah, Taylor Swift, Eminem, Beyoncé, Barack Obama, Jennifer Lopez for Kamala; Elon Musk, Buzz Aldrin, Mel Gibson, Hulk Hogan, Mike Tyson for Trump), if either candidate is deemed to have said something inappropriate or by mistake, if you are a man or a woman, if you support Israel or not, abortion or not, black or white, old or young, etc there is no clear winner.
However, it's pretty obvious Trump is unfit to be President: a white straight man, a liar, spreads disinformation, he causes people to lose common sense and he is responsible for taking away women's right to have an abortion with the reversal of Roe v Wade so millions of mothers had more rights and freedom when they were younger than their daughters now. His behaviour seems to demonstrate he is mentally unstable and it seems likely Trump will give Musk a role in some capacity which is inappropriate.
Kamala Harris, a black straight lady, will bring back women's right to have an abortion, better the economy through helping small businesses and making living costs less of a burden, for example ban price gouging at the supermarket and give tax cuts to the middle-class, impacting more than 100 million Americans. She comes from the middle-class and seems to firmly remember her roots.
This is not just an election to determine the next US President. The United States of America, whether you like it or not, has a lot of power and influence internationally, be it Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Gaza, the right to have an abortion, international trade, global warming, health, economy etc.
The USA's image is dominated by white men, educated, civilized, democratic, free, the American dream, etc, all concepts associated with positivity, yet not only was the worst American President ever elected, but the worst President ever in human history was and may be re-elected. He has been deemed immune by the US Supreme Court, he is a convicted felon and he still has legal processes against him.
Him being re-elected may not be directly an existential problem, but he could cause existential consequences and likely will.
If Kamala Harris is elected, not only will that be fantastic, but I will still be waiting. The former US President suggested he will not run again for re-election if he loses this time around, but only time will tell in my opinion, because he cannot be trusted. So definitely relief should Kamala be the next President in the White House, but with the knowledge Trump may stand for re-election at the back of my mind. Hypocritical in terms of age? I don't think that would bother him too much.
To me, it is extremely important, possibly necessary, for Kamala Harris to win. To those who are ignorant and believe the US Presidency does not affect them at all, wake up. The World is in enough shit already, global warming, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Gaza, the consequences of covid, possible increases in sexism and racism, homophobia, inequality between men and women etc. We do not need another contributing factor to add to this circular human-made pile of crap which really kicked off in 2020 and seemingly is gaining momentum. As a side note, covid-19 is alive and well.
Countries that are considered developed, rich, educated, democratic and in some cases dominated by white men have been somewhat unstable since 2020 excluding covid and during it: the UK has been through three/four PMs, Jacinda Ardern resigning followed by Auckland's January floods in 2023 then Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay, the shooting at a university in Prague, Marine Le Pen and France's snap election, Chris Hipkins and now Christopher Luxon is the New Zealand PM, the stabbing in Southport and the consequences.
Not that we should ensure they are always stable, but Western countries that are admired and envied by others and millions emigrate there for better lives, seem to be losing their footing, tripping themselves up. Since they also often have power and influence on an international level, domestic instability does not sit alongside international politics and relationships well. So yes, these Western governments with international clout dealing with internal problems and external ones is not a desired position to be in and they should know better.
This election may be one of the most emotional ones for the US and maybe even non-Americans ever. Not just the havoc the former US President could cause and possibly to an even worse extent with a second term, especially as he was shocked to be in the Oval Office, but the reversal of Roe v Wade took away women's right to abortion. Right. I don't necessarily believe the future means progress, but when it seems logical that any human being should do whatever they want with their body, that it does not matter if you are black or white or mixed, a man, a woman, transgender, gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, then when in history is irrelevant. We are all human, we all have loved ones, we have all always deserved the same salary, job opportunities, rights etc (I know this is not reality).
The US President is supposed to be a representation of the population he/(she) leads: the former US President demonstrates elitism, sexism, racism, lies, disinformation, lack of responsibility and he causes people to not have common sense among other nouns. Kamala Harris is from the middle-class, a fighter through being a prosecutor, she knows what sexism and racism are because she has undoubtedly experienced it, she has plans to implement her policies, she can communicate well etc.
It is up to eligible American voters. Please, use your voice, now more than ever, to bring back some sense, happiness, health, stability, less negativity on a daily basis in everything in your life; and by extension all the non-Americans. Give women back their right to have an abortion on their own terms.
Vote for Kamala Harris.
-A.M.