The Silver Fern

@Catogrande I lived 12 years in Primrose Hill, by the Zoo. The only animals we heard regularly were the wolves.

@Bovidae
How do I recognise it?

Even better, at Murphys.

@Bovidae
Yep. I'm going.
Wind and snow in the high country.
Needs must, a warm-up pint of IPA at Murpys.

@taniwharugby
When Mark Shaw was 20, he was playing for Belsize Park RFC in London. Rare was the Saturday when the opposing forward pack was not enraged and outraged. He had a talent for generating power with a punch that travelled no more than 12 inches.

Has anyone seen Schmidt and Foster speak to, or even look at, each other? In the coaches box Foster always turns left for comment, with Ryan.
It is almost as if Schmidt has had enough of being subordinate to a weak fool.
Can’t wait for the memoir.

@broughie
What a cleverly worked political reference. Is it also your judgement that, if unsubstantiated insults work for Donald Trump, they are fine for a rugby forum?

@crazy-horse
There are other peoples’ dogs, and then there are your own.
I looked out of the window, and there was one of our dogs eating the other one’s fresh shit off the grass.
I don’t like that sort of thing.

@booboo Thank you. Not that you are asking, but a) neglecting homework, b) being a smart-arse, c) three strokes.
Respect to Ross Taylor and for his fine achievements.

@higgins
Jack Alabaster was my maths teacher at Southland Boys, I had the privilege of being caned by him. There was no mistaking that legspin tweak in the delivery.

@Kirwan
As with magpie above, I have the same questions.
Did you reply to him?

Peeve provoking rugby comments.
“run the cutter”
“early doors”
“could of”, “would of”, “should of”
interrogative “eh” spelled “aye”
“complimentary” players/playing styles
“mouth-watering”
“decimated” meaning just about anything but decimated
“rich vein of”
not sure about “handbags.

New Zealanders.

The Fern lets me through the defences again, to unload some ancient history.
What about that fourth test against the Boks in 1956?
It was a time when New Zealand had a monolithic rugby culture. There was national unity in the desire to beat these more-than-lifesized invaders. That desire was the highest form of passion allowed a Kiwi bloke.
Selwyn Toogood commentated. Peter Jones scored the clinching try. And we heard the word “buggered” for the first time on air.
I argue that no game since has mattered as deeply to a larger percentage of New Zealander’s.

How about music.
Friend and business partner managed Paul McCartney. I was backstage a lot, at tour venues.
One night with Sting, private balcony, in an Eastern European club. I left at 4, after he had taken two (yup 2) Es.
Rod Stewart bought a car off me. Reg. DPM8.
Jeff Beck is a friend of my ex. Often plays for friends at house parties.
Somebody stop me. A vicious trolling will do it.

Hoorah. I get a unique opportunity for old fart self-puffery.
Here goes. Two seasons playing with Mark Shaw in London.
Played against Nigel Wray (fullback at Old Milhillians); played cricket with him. Same team as George Milford Haven, the Queen's cousin. Got tackled by JPR Williams in a charity match. Took out, in a serious way, Stu Wilson and Bernie Fraser (Stringfellows and Tramp) the Thursday before the England test. Buy me a beer, and I'll tell you how that ended.
My brother-in-law played for Canterbury against the '71 Lions. Took Bob Burgess for dinner the next UK tour.
Many a glass with George Best at Rags, and Blondes.
Sorry for the ancient history young fellas.

@mn5
They like to stay at Home House, a club, with rooms, in Portman Square. Check it out, and its prices.