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.

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.

Antoine Dupont update, France 96 - 0 Namibia, Thursday 21 September, 19h, Stade de Marseille, Rugby World Cup 2023 , Rugby World Cup 2023

Yes.

Antoine Dupont is still in the squad. Regardless if he, the team, Fabien Galthié know when he will play next but are not saying, he is mentally, psychologically there. Morale is a factor, and he's the Captain too. If he was sent home, the impact would be even worse.

22 September when he had his cheekbone fractured until France's next game on 6 October against Italy is two weeks.

One of my contacts said he didn't know if we could win without Dupont when I asked, the other said without him the team are still strong.

On the foul play being intentional or not and Galthié's decision to keep Dupont on the pitch, one, no one could 100% predict the injury and two, it really doesn't matter because it doesn't change the outcome, it happened, you cannot undo it. The priority for Dupont is his health and the team, to win. The consequences you have more if not total control over, and you can learn.

Not to go into the what ifs (which at the end of the day also don't matter, because they're abstract) and people who are tuning in to the World Cup know so what you're going to read is irrelevant, South Africa and New Zealand also have injuries/players out, and the latter basically need to improve their performance too and Ireland don't count for me. Then there's the "unexpected" teams, the upsets. Looking at you Fiji.

Incidents like this can make a tournament more interesting, and as with most things, negative and positive impacts to all, from Dupont to supporters who don't want France to win but empathize. Even Dupont's injury generated support because France supporters were upset he was and is in pain.

Les Bleus, I would say try not to feel even more pressure (which may be easier to handle because pressure is part of French identity), you are at home, you have tonnes of support, maybe even more now, and technically nothing to lose, and everything to gain and win. Show those tuning in you can win without Antoine Dupont, you are not dependent on him to win, you can and will lift the World Cup for the first time at le Stade de France as hosts. 

And maybe even that South Africa's win was a fluke, stolen from the All Blacks and after England woke up to win and then went back to sleep to lose. "Waste of space" England, who maybe missed a possible win because, as usual, they just can't do it. In rugby, football, tennis, maybe even cricket. They're not in the top four now, they're sixth.

If the final was France and the All Blacks, especially a great game to end the tournament, that would be fucking poetry. New Zealand's win in 2011 wasn't just a win, New Zealand needed it, Christchurch needed it, Richie basically had a broken foot, they had all the pressure from their country on them. And they pulled it off. By one point. I can still remember the fear in Richie's eyes. When the whistle blew, relief followed by happiness. Then four years later, in 2015, They did it again. Richie, Dan, Conrad Smith, Nonu.

France did so well and they probably deserved to win too, but now, they can. It is their time. And what if they did equal New Zealand with two consecutive wins? Two of the best teams in the World with massive respect for each other which they openly express.

And what a fire les Bleus would have under their asses to win. The All Blacks too, or at least those who've won the Web Ellis Cup before, but I doubt they're as hungry, but some do know what it takes to win. Likely an incredible haka. And what a way to win and to show up the All Blacks respectfully. And continuing the history between them.

But that's relevant and not relevant. I guess I'm really showing who has my heart.

I might not watch the final if France or NZ aren't there. Maybe if it's interesting and/or unexpected like Fiji.

Now I think of it, I suppose all anyone can ask for in a final is a great game, preferably with one of the favourites, or at least two evenly-matched teams, because no one really wants to see a top-ranked team obliterate a much lower-ranked team.

Allez les Bleus! 

-A.M.