Mark Keown

Have you ever noticed that the Olympics fall every four years as do most sports in terms of world cups e.g. soccer, rugby, cricket etc. Now that is a great idea in one sense as it makes it very special to win one. The problem is that it makes winning one of these events rather based too much on luck rather than on skill. Take an athlete who gets a slight injury just before the Olympics (e.g. Sarah Ulmer in 2000) and thus it is 8 years between opportunities. Or take a rugby team that has a key player injured (Tana Umaga in 2003) at the wrong time or gets food poisoning before a final (All Blacks 1995) or has a one off shocker despite being the dominant team for the years before and after (1999, 2003 All Blacks). In addition, as we see in rugby of late, the internationals between world cups are being devalued because it is world cup or bust. The latest French team to come here is a joke! I think we should look at a different model for judging greatness in sport rather than basing it on o...

Brian Tamaki is in the news again, this time questioning the statement on diversity on the basis that NZ is a Christian country. So what does the statement say? Statement on Religious Diversity New Zealand is a country of many faiths with a significant minority who profess no religion. Increasing religious diversity is a significant feature of public life. At the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, Governor Hobson affirmed, in response to a question from Catholic Bishop Pompallier, "the several faiths (beliefs) of England, of the Wesleyans, of Rome, and also Maori custom shall alike be protected". This foundation creates the opportunity to reaffirm an acknowledgement of the diversity of beliefs in New Zealand. Christianity has played and continues to play a formative role in the development of New Zealand in terms of the nation's identity, culture, beliefs, institutions and values. New settlers have always been religiously diverse, but only recently have the number...

If you have been watching Survivor Fiji as I have, you will have seen an amazing ethical dilemma unfold. A few weeks ago the contestants played a reward challenge for a car. Dreamz, an African American ex-homeless young man, had expressed his desire to win the car. At the challenge however, Yau Man a really amazing Asian man won the car. After the challenge he offered to give the car to Dreamz on one condition; that if Dreamz and he were together in the last four, and if Dreamz won the immunity challenge, that he would give immunity to Yau Man. At this point Dreamz agreed, swearing in the name of God and his son that he would honour the commitment. He also restated that he was a man of his word and wanted his son to see that. Well as it played out, Dreamz did win what turned out to be the final immunity challenge and was in the position envisaged at the giving of the car. When the crunch came at Tribal Council, Dreamz chose not to honour his word. He realised if he did give immunity to...

So I was close. I missed Schwalger in the props. I missed Hore at hooker; I should have realised they would go for him. I got the locks. I am surprised at the loosies with Luaki missing out! I am pleased Leonard got in, but I didn't think they would pick him yet... he is a rare talent. I feel sorry for Jimmy Cowan who has been in great form. I am glad they went for Evans and not Donald; I am a great fan of Evans and believe Donald has some serious deficiencies. The second fives picked themselves; Mauger and McAlister. Great to see Toeava and Smith together; two styles at centre. I feel sorry for Nonu however; he is a game breaker. So Howlett got the nod ahead of Gear at wing. Fair enough, he has played very well. I am not sure that he is a better option. Great to see Rokocoko in; he has been poorly treated at the Blues and I am confident he will be back to being the worlds number 1 or 2 again asap. I wonder if Smith is so brilliant that we are erring in promoting him; he could be a...

Irene Van Dyk is not playing well. Her performances in England this week have been far below her brilliant best. She is the greatest team sportswoman I have ever seen but, is this the beginning of the end? Our mid court is a problem. Why we have to go back and pick a 36 year old even if she is a fine player. At her peak, she, Leslie Nicholl and Anna Rowberry were consistently out performed by the Australians; why bring her back now? Where are the young mid courters with pace and flair? Tutaia is sensational as is Casey Williams. Having said that Irene is not playing well... she is not being fed well and the opposition defenders are getting away with murder. As I said in an earlier blog, they need a card system to stop blatant cheating. I thought the Aussie defenders played more cleanly; the English were a disgrace as was Anna Scarlett! Get on top of this netball! I am concerned about the World Cup. They will have to get a speedier midcourt and get Irene and Tutaia working well. It shou...

In 45 minutes the AB's will be named. Here is my team: Fullbacks: MacDonald, Muliaina Wings: Sivivatu, Rokocoko, Gear Centres: Smith, Tuiava 2nd Fives: McAlistar, Mauger 1st Fives: Carter, Evans Half Backs: Weepu, Kelleher, Cowan Nos 8: So'oailo, Lauaki Flankers: McGaw, Collins, Masoe, Thorne Locks: Williams, Jack, Flavell, Robinson Props: Woodcock, Haymen, Tialata, Afoa Hookers: Mealamu, Oliver, Whitcombe We could see Muliaina at centre; but who would then be the other full back (Hamilton?; Howlett?) Howlett may make wing? I would like to see Smith in there.. Nonu could knock Smith out. Donald may be a bolter at first five Leonard could be a bolter at halfback ahead of Cowan Tuialii could be number eight with Lauaki at flanker for Thorne Rawlinson could be lock and Flavell flanker for Thorne. The fourth prop could be Demody, Schwalger, Crockett? The third hooker could be Hore or Willis We will see in 32 minutes

I am one of the those people who do not subscribe to Sky TV. It is simply too expensive with our family costs. I live my life following sport on the net, papers, radio etc. It is a tragedy to me that I cannot watch at any reasonable time (except one game every Saturday night) the rugby, league, cricket, soccer, golf and other sports which are exclusively on Sky Sport. I think it is also destructive to the sports involved. A generation of NZer's are growing up who really do not get to watch these sports. This will affect playing numbers I think over time. There is thus a gap in the Free to Air world for lesser known sports to make their move for the hearts of NZer's. There are some who do like surf lifesaving, motor sport and netball who retain their Free to Air commitment. What I am advocating is that those of you in minor sports like hockey, lacrosse, athletics, swimming, triathlon, biathlon, cycling etc move decisively to fill Free to Air TV with your products. This would mea...