blogging it real

I thought I had better mark the landmark occasion of our 212th post by ...... blogging

One million thoughts from this weekend

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Panthers 72 Sea Eagles 12 (what's the bet the Sea Eagles beat the Knights at Brookvale next week?). That was the Sea Eagles biggest defeat in their history, eclipsing their 61-11 defeat at the hands of St George back in 1947.
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They need to introduce one new team for next season to make it 16 teams and shorten the season by about 4-6 games. You could break the 16 teams into four groups of four. Each team plays each other side once except the other three teams in their group who they play twice. See above for the reason (not to mention the Tigers beating the Rabbitohs 56-6 this avo). Less games equals higher standard and windows for rep football.
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Southern Orcas perhaps?
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The Warriors got the expected result yesterday. While I picked them to upset the Broncos I thought it would at least be close but we haven't been winning the close ones like we used to.
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The ABs need to sort their lineout out... again. The stats aren't bad (14/17) but there were several shambles where we won it but then lost it soon after.
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The ABs need to have a flexible approach when it comes to the backline and hit the ball at pace so our wingers get it with space and time.
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We also need to stop kicking in behind the defensive line when we are on attack. We almost never score from it (near misses mean diddly shit on the scoreboard) and it gives away great attacking ball needlessly.
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Changes I would make: Tuitupou in for Carter (assuming he is fit). Carter has been a real disappointment with the ball in hand this season. I was expecting big things of him. I'd say it has a fair bit to do with the lack of room he has been getting lately. The other change I would make would be to start with Mehrtens. If they are going to persist with standing shallow then he is better suited to it than Spencer.
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Hayward has been bloody good when he's been on the pitch this year, while Meeuws needs to sort out his handling and also get around the pitch a bit faster.
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Johnathon Kaplin needs to see a psychiatrist.
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Aussie played very well and deserved to beat us.
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Who the hell can pick the score next week against the Springboks? If we go that is.
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Racism is alive and well in North-eastern Asia. The two Korean sides don't particularly get along, the North Koreans despise the Japanese and the South Koreans don't think much of them either (Japan has still failed to apologise for many ofthe atrocities comitted during their long occupation of Korea last century). The Japanese think the Koreans are inferior, the Koreans dislike the Chinese and the Chinese hate everybody (perhaps something to do with their growing affluence and world domination aspirations). Oh well the nuclear war with America should sort the both of them out.
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The Asian Cup was insane.
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Korea were knocked out 4-3 by Iran in the quarterfinals.
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Iran lost to China on penalties in the semi-final.
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Japan beat Jordan on penalties in their quarterfinal after they were down 2-0 after the first 4 had been taken. They complained about the penalty spot being rubbish (ala Beckham) and so the penalites were moved to the opposite end. Jordan started missing and Japan started hitting.
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Japan beat Bahrain 4-3 after the scores were locked at 3-3 after regulation time in the semifinal.
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The third/fourth playoff was won by Iran 4-2 over Bahrain but was marred by three sendoffs and handbags at ten paces in the last few minutes.
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And to the final...

China lost 3-1 to Japan. Chinese fans had booed and jeered throught the Japanese anthem for the entire tournament. Japanese fans had been instructed to avoid large groups and not wear their Japanese shirts while in China. 6,000 riot police were used to make sure there was no violence on the part of the locals. There was still violence by the locals. The Japanese supporters were locked in the stadium for three hours after the game for their own safety. The Chinese coach (a foreigner) refused to accept their silver medal.
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When Korea played in China earlier this year in Beijing the Korean supporters were spat on, had urine thrown at them and various others objects (such as bolts) thrown at them.
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It doesn't look so good when they are hosting something called the OLYMPICS in 2008. Which reminds me, Ill do a bit of a breakdown of the NZ team at the Athens Olympics during the week. Just names and medal hopes.
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I won't be watching much of the NZ athletes mind you. I'll get plenty of the Koreans winning their twenty odd medals and US athletes standing on the dias since I get the American military channel beamed live into my bedroom.
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Why won't Zack de la Rocha (former Rage Against the Machine frontman) ever release his bloody solo hip hop album??!!
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Twenty people drowned in Korea today (in calm seas). They really do need to learn how to swim. Everyday there have been drownings lately and in the weekends it's been ridiculous. It's not like there are no lifeguards either, and they are anal as well. I remember once I was swimming here in about 7 feet of completely calm water and was asked to go closer to shore by some turkey in a boat.