Locally Sourced, and Organic Reporting: 2017

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Cathedral (empire of space)

Cathedral (empire of space)

High ceilings don't make me feel
closer to god (they make me feel
small)
Rows of benches don't suggest order
(just prescription)
Gold doesn't impress me
And caverns of quiet only make me
wish
Noise filled the gaps

In short, I don't pray.

The marks of those who do
Kneel in the presence of
Something
Doesn't show me god (but humanity)

I don't want to smash the cross (just
the crown)
I want to take pictures
Not for the smell or sense
But for the angles and
Engineering
And memory of the sods who fell
Under the buttresses not complete.

There's a space for quiet
contemplation

But fill it with books
And art
Reflecting life lived
Not imagined or
Sought

High ceilings don't make me feel
closer to god
But closer to the hands
Of the person
Not far from my shape or size
Who lifted it
Because the Holy Spirit
Doesn't have the hands
Or skill
Or strength
To make the shapes and spaces
We do

In Manchester we sing

In Manchester we sing

We create, use verse,
To converse and sing.

Our mission, to fission,
rhyme and relics
To find truth and
Power
In sentences, chords, and shouts
Even in the shower.

Anthems or quiet solo
Tunes, both, we don't care
Give your thoughts the air
And someone will listen and stare
Their dream found
Out loud- it's there.

I'm not the first,
Nor surely the last
To put words down, to understand
the past.

Elbow, The Smiths, Oasis, and more
From the Buzzcocks, and punk to
Acid house raves,
The hacienda of daze past, and
sankeys now
Parklife in the summer (yet always
rain)
The Stone Roses on the island, to the
Deaf Institute stage

We won't judge,
Canal street to Hulme,
We'll call it ours,
So make it your home.

Monday, 12 June 2017

Malakai Fekitoa: Inside threat despite being left out in the cold

The Highlanders of New Zealand's rugged southern Otago are a tough team for any tourist. Ask James Haskell, the Lions back row on his first tour. He played for the Super Rugby team from 2011 to 2013.

Although they will be without All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith and fullback Ben Smith, their backline remains a formidable threat and a powerful defensive guard. Goal kicking and will be taken care of by Lima Sopoanga, who will also be responsible for leading their attack in the Smith’s absence.

On the boundaries, and floating behind the defensive wall will be a World Cup winner in Waisake Naholo. The Fijian-born utility back (though he will probably start on the wing) has already racked up 22 Super Rugby tries, despite a lengthy injury lay-off in 2016. The 26-year-old may be on the fringes of the All Blacks test side due to that time off, but he will be looking to claim a place in Steve Hanson’s side with a good performance at the Forsyth Barr stadium.

The pack, too, is a strong unit with Super Rugby pedigree. Brother of All Black second row Sam Whitelock, Luke is also a capped international with over 60 Super Rugby caps since 2012 for the Crusaders and Highlanders. He will hope to challenge a Lions back row that has so far been a highlight for the tourists. His work in the loose, if allowed to be effective, could cause real problems for the Brits.

At hooker too they have a provincial heavyweight with a solitary All Black cap to his name. Liam Coltman broke into the Highlanders squad in 2013, aged just 23. Described by his team as an “abrasive hooker”, his performances have impressed selectors, and he made his test debut against Italy in 2016.

But all of the names above are somewhat obvious choices.

One man that the Lions really need to watch out for, and has so far been overlooked by some previews is the Tonga-born centre Malakai Fekitoa.

Fekitoa was unceremoniously dropped by Steven Hansen for this test series, with Stuff.nz citing “doubts” over attacking ability and error rates. The Hurricanes’ Ngani Laumape looks like he’ll be favoured to face whichever combination of Davies/Te’o/Joseph/Henshaw Gatland and Howley choose. Perhaps Hansen is opting to front up against the battering ram of so-called ‘Warrenball’.

But tomorrow’s game will be an opportunity for Fekitoa to show that his flair and exciting attack (though, yes, he is plagued with the occasional knock-on) will be missed in the tests.

A graduate of Wesley College, he possesses some of the physical might of the school’s most famous son, a certain Mr Lomu. This, along with a willingness to put his body on the line for his side, has resulted in some incredible defensive hits in the past few years. (Not many can make Conrad Smith feel as much like a sack of potatoes as a young Malakai did in 2014, see below)

Enough of his defensive capabilities. Fekitoa has to outplay the outrageously talented Laumape to earn a spot on future All Black tours. But whereas the Wellington 18-wheeler smashes through even the hardiest of South African defences, Fekitoa uses his magic footwork and silky hands to great effect.

Just watch this effort against the Melbourne Rebels in April (okay, the Rebels, I know). Not only was he in prime position to receive an admittedly wonderful off-load from Buckman, but he then went on to beat four defenders, over the 20 metres to the line, with a deft side-step, a quick hop, and then a burst of pace and strength that left the poor Melbourne defenders wondering why they even bothered to catch their trans-Tasman flight.

And what about this on a day of truly awful weather at the Loftus Versfeld, just a month back?

Okay, his hand-off may draw the most attention and there’s no reason it shouldn’t. But the line chosen to run rings around a weary 75^th minute Blue Bulls defence is supreme, as is the intelligent burst of pace when Fekitoa realises he has dumbfounded the unfortunate winger tasked with policing his outside options. Again, a subtle step around the full back, and it’s straight home under the posts.

***

Yes there will always be Kiwis sitting on a beach or sofa somewhere cursing the selectors. And it is Fekitoa’s turn this summer. But he’s already been linked to the big money of the European leagues, as almost every dropped All Black seems to be (Mr Piatau, we’re looking at you). That shows that he’s unlucky, even if only time will tell if Hansen et al have made the right choice.

And it also shows that the Lions can’t rest on the laurels of beating the Crusanders team that had gone unbeaten before their Christchurch meeting. Aaron Smith and namesake Ben may be having a quiet beer with the excitable University of Otago students who often fill the Forsyth Barr when the teams clash (Hansen will be hoping Aaron only has one, with his dubious record), but just with every New Zealand side: where one All Black is missing, there seems to be another ready to fill their boots with an experience only available to each Southern Hemisphere team once every 12 years.

The Lions must continue their good work in the pack, and the back row will again be key. But if the backline is slow on defence, or wayward in their passing game, the likes of Malakai Fekitoa will be ready to prey on their mistakes and show Laumape and the indomitable Sonny Bill that there are always players nipping at the heels of the 12 and 13 positions.

Tuesday, 10 January 2017