Another of the Dropkicks famous email conversations. We may not be insightful but we do talk a lot.
Hadyn:
While NFL stars are throwing bags of cash around at stripbars, tennis players can't eat and runners are broke.
Che:
Example 1 = “cheap bastard”
Example 2 = “drug abuse”
Dom:
Cheap? They are charging something like 10 pounds (~$30 NZD) for a burger, fries and a coke???????
WTF? I wouldnt eat it either?
Mind you Safin has career earnings of something over 20 mil, so whats he cryin about.
James:
Actually, 30 bucks for a nice plate of spags at the top tennis club in the UK is probably pretty reasonable.
Che:
Exactly.
You’d think 20mil would make it easy to spend $US25 on spaghetti.
Hadyn:
Hold tight player haters.
That's 20M over the course of his (??) year career. Include in that training, flying, hotels, coaches, food (athletes eat a lot), etc and the fact that he's in the tournament and so might have to eat there every day it could get pricey.
I'm not saying he's going to have to sleep in a cardboard box outside the stadium but still, he's speaking out for his fellow man. Like a commie.
ps. I'm not coming to the defence of Marion Jones
Dom:
This aint fancy Logan Brown spaghetti. This is a bowl of carbohydrates. You pay a buck and change for a massive pot full at the supermarket.
Hadyn:
I really wish you'd said "yer" in that sentence:
"This aint yer fancy Logan Brown spaghetti"
Dom:
Damn, I wish had too.
Che:
I’m calling poor budgeting on that one.
Mtherfcker should have stayed at The Y more often.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The Dropkicks Discuss: Women's Tennis
We're trying to figure out a better way of doing this in the future (any super-techies think they can help, please email us) but here is yesterday's email conversation between the Dropkicks about women's tennis (mainly).
Note: before reading, please see this research article from Waikato University on "New Laddism" and know that the Dropkicks subscribe whole-heartedly to being anti-New Laddism and Marc Ellis in general.
Dom:
If I had to guess, I'd say she was right handed...
...or Popeye was new coach.
Che:
Speaking of manly.
Hadyn:
ah, I always feel sorry for Amelie. She and Lindsey Davenport (former world #1) never got the big bucks or big attention because they don't happen to stunningly beautiful AND good at tennis.
For the same amount of money that was paid to Anna Kournikova to come and lose in Auckland a few years back we could've had Davenport and watched some fantastic tennis.
Che:
It was more the arm and shoulder that freaked me out for manliness.
But, on the good looking note. You’ve got to admit that males stars tend towards the good looking as well.
Must be the code. Attracts the “purdy”
Dom:
Hmmmmm maybe.
I think If I wanted to watch the style of tennis of Mauresmo and Davenport, I'd watch men's tennis. seriously. Yes they were good but mainly cos they played the men's power game.
Justine Henin, now she knows how to play tennis. she has the best combination of power and touch. And she's better lookin than M and D. I think its very very very rare to find someone who is both very attractive and at the top of their sport.
In fact, I cant think of anyone, female or male...apart from me, of course.
Hadyn:
yeah the boys are goodlookin too. Tennis is a fitness sport (to a large extent) which helps with the goodlookingness.
I agree that JH-H is a fantastic player and deserves the top ranking but I'd also argue that Federer is not the World's #1 because of his power play.
Last year's women's #1 was Maria Sharapova. Pretty and at the top of the game. (not as good as JH-H but she was injured)
Dom:
I'd argue that Sharapova wasn't that hot. And Federer has plenty of power. I think what I was trying to say was that they were at the top of their code because they played with the power of men. I think I've forgotten my point. ah well.
And the top guys aren't exactly models. Federer has the sort of brow common south of Wellington, Nadal looks like an angry chipmunk, Tiger is actually quite goofy looking and none of the top All Blacks are oil paintings.
Hadyn:
Yeah, I agree (except about Maria). Mostly there is a tendency to go "wow they're hot because they're on TV a lot" (see P. Hilton). I suppose there is also some evolutionary thing going on with watching sports people too (sussing out good genes etc).
ps. we should figure out some way that we can have these discussions live on the blog
Dom:
Yip I agree with that. Its tragic to see so many people fascinated by a bung-eyed waif with all the personality of a bag of three day old fish & chips (Paris H) just because shes on TV.
But yes I agree the attraction is the fitness. Sharapova, Kournikova, that rookie indy car driver-chick (MmmMmmmm), its a genetic thing to be attracted to healthy bodies.
Hadyn:
Rookie indy car girl? Coz there was a bit of a stir over Miss Danika Patrick
Dom:
yeah, but this one is from Venezuela.
Milka Duno. And holy cow, shes amazing. Degrees up the wazoo, a racing driver, and pretty cute to boot.
James:
4 masters degrees! Show off.
Hadyn:
I hope that's a bad photo you sent through.
Because I'll still take Danika (anyone see her in that Jay-Z video driving the Bugatti?)
Dom:
Yeah she wasn't quite as I remembered her when they showed her on TV. Ah well.
Hadyn:
See, she was moving and athletic and stuff and your DNAs were all like "I believe that this female would a good vessel from whence* to pass on my genetic traits"
* which your DNAs say because they ain't so bright
Dom:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
You dont need to say FROM when you say WHENCE!!!!!
Hadyn:
Did you see the asterisk?
Note: before reading, please see this research article from Waikato University on "New Laddism" and know that the Dropkicks subscribe whole-heartedly to being anti-New Laddism and Marc Ellis in general.
Dom:
If I had to guess, I'd say she was right handed...
...or Popeye was new coach.
Che:
Speaking of manly.
Hadyn:
ah, I always feel sorry for Amelie. She and Lindsey Davenport (former world #1) never got the big bucks or big attention because they don't happen to stunningly beautiful AND good at tennis.
For the same amount of money that was paid to Anna Kournikova to come and lose in Auckland a few years back we could've had Davenport and watched some fantastic tennis.
Che:
It was more the arm and shoulder that freaked me out for manliness.
But, on the good looking note. You’ve got to admit that males stars tend towards the good looking as well.
Must be the code. Attracts the “purdy”
Dom:
Hmmmmm maybe.
I think If I wanted to watch the style of tennis of Mauresmo and Davenport, I'd watch men's tennis. seriously. Yes they were good but mainly cos they played the men's power game.
Justine Henin, now she knows how to play tennis. she has the best combination of power and touch. And she's better lookin than M and D. I think its very very very rare to find someone who is both very attractive and at the top of their sport.
In fact, I cant think of anyone, female or male...apart from me, of course.
Hadyn:
yeah the boys are goodlookin too. Tennis is a fitness sport (to a large extent) which helps with the goodlookingness.
I agree that JH-H is a fantastic player and deserves the top ranking but I'd also argue that Federer is not the World's #1 because of his power play.
Last year's women's #1 was Maria Sharapova. Pretty and at the top of the game. (not as good as JH-H but she was injured)
Dom:
I'd argue that Sharapova wasn't that hot. And Federer has plenty of power. I think what I was trying to say was that they were at the top of their code because they played with the power of men. I think I've forgotten my point. ah well.
And the top guys aren't exactly models. Federer has the sort of brow common south of Wellington, Nadal looks like an angry chipmunk, Tiger is actually quite goofy looking and none of the top All Blacks are oil paintings.
Hadyn:
Yeah, I agree (except about Maria). Mostly there is a tendency to go "wow they're hot because they're on TV a lot" (see P. Hilton). I suppose there is also some evolutionary thing going on with watching sports people too (sussing out good genes etc).
ps. we should figure out some way that we can have these discussions live on the blog
Dom:
Yip I agree with that. Its tragic to see so many people fascinated by a bung-eyed waif with all the personality of a bag of three day old fish & chips (Paris H) just because shes on TV.
But yes I agree the attraction is the fitness. Sharapova, Kournikova, that rookie indy car driver-chick (MmmMmmmm), its a genetic thing to be attracted to healthy bodies.
Hadyn:
Rookie indy car girl? Coz there was a bit of a stir over Miss Danika Patrick
Dom:
yeah, but this one is from Venezuela.
Milka Duno. And holy cow, shes amazing. Degrees up the wazoo, a racing driver, and pretty cute to boot.
James:
4 masters degrees! Show off.
Hadyn:
I hope that's a bad photo you sent through.
Because I'll still take Danika (anyone see her in that Jay-Z video driving the Bugatti?)
Dom:
Yeah she wasn't quite as I remembered her when they showed her on TV. Ah well.
Hadyn:
See, she was moving and athletic and stuff and your DNAs were all like "I believe that this female would a good vessel from whence* to pass on my genetic traits"
* which your DNAs say because they ain't so bright
Dom:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
You dont need to say FROM when you say WHENCE!!!!!
Hadyn:
Did you see the asterisk?
Dom: Prediction Genius? You decide.
The following is an email (allegedly) from Dom about the All Blacks versus South Africa last weekend. Note that in gambling lingo putting in a forward slash (/) symbolizes halftime, (i.e. X/Y means team X leads at the half but team Y wins).
-----Original Message-----
From: Dom Gibbs
Sent: Friday, 22 June 2007 10:23 am
Subject: Tri-Nations
I had a dream the abs won 70-7. might venture a private bet.In my opinion the boks 12 and under is the hedging bet. NZ have had the goods on SA over the last couple of years. Despite that 22-21 loss last year which was an anomaly. I mean we gave them a lesson in the other games. Apart from the locks its the same team.
We havent gotten any worse. We have played down at the level of France C and Canada so I think a top team will bring out a top performance.
But at home and full of confidence the boks will come out strong. Thats why I like the boks/blacks as the best bet.
They will be weaker without Smit and Dan can do dropgoals just as good as them.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The 'second-string' Boks
So, Jake White is taking the chance to do his own spot of reconditioning, and resting and recuperating his top 20 players from the Tri-Nations squad headed to Australia and New Zealand.
Now, of course, we all know Graham Henry was successful in getting 22 NZ players out of their respective Super 14 squads for the first half of that competition earlier this year for a spot of 'reconditioning'. Despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth, this still didn't stop the Crusaders and Blues from making the semis (where they lost, with their full contingent of All Blacks at hand), and Waikato likewise went close to to the top 4. In other words, the NZ teams were still competitive.
This South African side won't be. While they might push the Aussies, they are going to get thumped by the All Blacks.
One of the arguments for the move is that "the All Blacks have been doing it for years!" Witness this statement from Gerard O'Neill on the NZ Herald "Your Views" page...
There is a difference between resting players but still sending a competitive squad (as per the 2002 All Blacks to Europe), and pulling your entire top squad and sending a 'B' team to the slaughter (as per the current SA squad headed to the Antipodes).
And it's probably going to be counter-productive anyway. The 'reconditioned' All Blacks only seem to be hitting their straps now, after half a season of Super 14 and a handful of test matches. How are the top South African players going to fare after no competitive games for a couple of months, the usual soft World Cup pool matches, and then the do-or-die intensity of the knock-out stages.
We shall see, I suppose. In the meantime, let's just enjoy watching the All Blacks dent some South African pride by giving the Bokke new boys and recalled old hands a rugby lesson on July 14.
Now, of course, we all know Graham Henry was successful in getting 22 NZ players out of their respective Super 14 squads for the first half of that competition earlier this year for a spot of 'reconditioning'. Despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth, this still didn't stop the Crusaders and Blues from making the semis (where they lost, with their full contingent of All Blacks at hand), and Waikato likewise went close to to the top 4. In other words, the NZ teams were still competitive.
This South African side won't be. While they might push the Aussies, they are going to get thumped by the All Blacks.
One of the arguments for the move is that "the All Blacks have been doing it for years!" Witness this statement from Gerard O'Neill on the NZ Herald "Your Views" page...
This is all a bit rich isn't it? Didn't John Mitchell take a NZ C team to Britain a few seasons ago?Did he? A "C" team? In the last overseas tour to Europe before the 2003 World Cup, the squad included the likes of Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Andrew Mehrtens, Doug Howlett, Keith Robinson, Kees Meeuws and Ali Williams. We were, admittedly, a little lighter in the forwards than usual, but it was hardly 'C' squad - hardly even a 'B' squad really - and didn't stop the team from being competitive. We only lost by three points to the eventual World Cup champions England, drew with France (despite the ABs being shown three yellow cards), and thumped Wales. I don't think anyone really expects the South African team headed our way now to be a challenge to the All Blacks, who just beat the 'A' squad (minus several top players, admittedly), at Durban. Australia, maybe, but not the All Blacks. (We could, of course, be proven horribly wrong, which, if anything, would throw Jake White into more of a quandary - if his 'B' team can beat the ABs, why would he change a winning formula going into the World Cup?)
There is a difference between resting players but still sending a competitive squad (as per the 2002 All Blacks to Europe), and pulling your entire top squad and sending a 'B' team to the slaughter (as per the current SA squad headed to the Antipodes).
And it's probably going to be counter-productive anyway. The 'reconditioned' All Blacks only seem to be hitting their straps now, after half a season of Super 14 and a handful of test matches. How are the top South African players going to fare after no competitive games for a couple of months, the usual soft World Cup pool matches, and then the do-or-die intensity of the knock-out stages.
We shall see, I suppose. In the meantime, let's just enjoy watching the All Blacks dent some South African pride by giving the Bokke new boys and recalled old hands a rugby lesson on July 14.
Monday, June 25, 2007
South Africa v. All Blacks, Tri-Nations 2007: video highlights
Final Score: South Africa 21 - 26 New Zealand
Date: 23rd June, 2007
Location: Absa Stadium, Durban, South Africa
Crowd size: 51,861
SOUTH AFRICA: Montgomery; Willemse (Olivier 66), Fourie, De Villiers, Pietersen; James (Steyn 52), Pienaar; Du Randt (Van der Linde53), G Botha, BJ Botha (Muller 66), B Botha, Matfield (capt), Burger, Rossouw, Skinstad (Wannenburg 52)
Tries: Burger, James
Conversion: Montgomery
Penalties: Montgomery 2, Pienaar
NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina (MacDonald 70); Rokocoko, Toeava (McAlister 67), Mauger, Sivivatu; Carter, Kelleher (Weepu 69); Woodcock, Oliver (Mealamu 51), Hayman, Flavell, Rawlinson (Filipo 45), Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo
Tries: McCaw, Rokocoko
Converions: Carter 2
Penalties: Carter 3
Drop goal: Mauger
Date: 23rd June, 2007
Location: Absa Stadium, Durban, South Africa
Crowd size: 51,861
SOUTH AFRICA: Montgomery; Willemse (Olivier 66), Fourie, De Villiers, Pietersen; James (Steyn 52), Pienaar; Du Randt (Van der Linde53), G Botha, BJ Botha (Muller 66), B Botha, Matfield (capt), Burger, Rossouw, Skinstad (Wannenburg 52)
Tries: Burger, James
Conversion: Montgomery
Penalties: Montgomery 2, Pienaar
NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina (MacDonald 70); Rokocoko, Toeava (McAlister 67), Mauger, Sivivatu; Carter, Kelleher (Weepu 69); Woodcock, Oliver (Mealamu 51), Hayman, Flavell, Rawlinson (Filipo 45), Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo
Tries: McCaw, Rokocoko
Converions: Carter 2
Penalties: Carter 3
Drop goal: Mauger
Christian Cullen - could get out of Hampden Court Maze...
A quick flashback to a piece of Christian Cullen seven's magic...
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The Dropkicks - 2007 - Episode 20
The Dropkicks look back on the brave Canadian showing against the All Blacks, the thrilling encounter between Australia and South Africa, look ahead to the NZ Netball Championship final, reminisce on the NBA Finals, the US Open and various other sporting events.
Download Episode 2007/20.
Download Episode 2007/20.
Friday, June 15, 2007
The Dropkicks - 2007 - Episode 19
The Dropkicks review the second test of the All Black's 2007 international programme against the French (a record drubbing), other international rugby tests, England v. Estonia football, the French Tennis Open, Athlete and Dick of the Week...
Download Episode 2007/19.
Download Episode 2007/19.
Monday, June 11, 2007
All Blacks v. France, 9th June 2007, video highlights
Final Score: All Blacks 61, France 10.
Chabal highlights: a broken jaw for Ali Williams...
Chabal highlights: a broken jaw for Ali Williams...
All Blacks v. France, 2nd June 2007, video highlights
Final score: All Blacks 42, France 11.
...and Sebastian Chabal: such good viewing he deserves his own highlights package...
...and Sebastian Chabal: such good viewing he deserves his own highlights package...
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Another All Black team
Keith Robinson has replaced Chris Jack as Ali Williams' locking partner for the All Blacks' second test against France. This possibly just so we've got someone on our team as mad-crazy as the French #8, Sebastien Chabal.
Before the weekend's match Chabal could be seen staring at the Kapa O Pango Haka* like a hungry caveman. He then coughed the ball up three times before laying out Chris Masoe on the turf (best play by a Frenchman on the night).
*Note this is not the one from the weekend
Forwards: Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo
Backs: Byron Kelleher, Dan Carter, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Josevata Rokococko, Leon MacDonald
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Nick Evans
Masoe had a terrible game this week and deserves the bench. Anything else you want to discuss?
 |  |
Before the weekend's match Chabal could be seen staring at the Kapa O Pango Haka* like a hungry caveman. He then coughed the ball up three times before laying out Chris Masoe on the turf (best play by a Frenchman on the night).
*Note this is not the one from the weekend
Forwards: Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo
Backs: Byron Kelleher, Dan Carter, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Josevata Rokococko, Leon MacDonald
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Conrad Smith, Nick Evans
Masoe had a terrible game this week and deserves the bench. Anything else you want to discuss?
Friday, June 01, 2007
The Dropkicks - 2007 - Episode 17
International rugby is now upon us, and the Dropkicks take a look at the first match-ups of the year, with Ireland v. Argentina, Wales v. Australia and England v. South Africa. Some motorsport (Indy 500), French Open Tennis, Football (Wales v. New Zealand) and a whole lot of Nintendo Wii Bowling...
Download Episode 2007/17.
Download Episode 2007/17.
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