ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
HERE WE GO
Barry Griggs, 68, from Stokes Valley in Wellington has once again reminded the nation that no All Blacks coach is safe from the wrath of people in the pub who have opinions.
After New Zealand’s 33–24 win over the Wallabies at Eden Park last night, their 23rd straight Bledisloe Cup triumph, many fans were toasting coach Scott “Razor” Robertson. But not Barry.
“Cam Roigard? Brilliant. Two tries, sharp as a tack, lad’s got a lot of ticker. There’s complete daylight between him and the next best halfback” said Griggs, slamming his Speight’s handle on the bar for emphasis. “But Razor? Don’t talk to me about Razor. Still in my bad books. Bloody dancing round like it’s Riverdance when we haven’t even won a Rugby Championship yet.”
“People say ‘oh but he’s unbeaten in Bledisloe tests as head coach’,” Griggs scoffed, wiping foam from his moustache. “Mate, Fozzie won Bledisloes too, and I didn’t like him either. Winning the Bledisloe is like mowing the lawns, you’re expected to do it against the Aussies, not get a medal for it.”
When asked if he thought Razor had shown tactical nous in unleashing Roigard to start instead of the bench, Griggs nearly choked on his peanuts.
“Don’t give me that! Razor only picked him ’cause he finally got fit again. A blind goat could’ve made that call. If Razor had his way, he’d have the whole past Crusaders team starting! Is he really any better than Fozzie?”
Despite the All Blacks extending Australia’s misery for a 23rd year, Griggs said Razor still had much to prove.
“I’ll tell you what, son,” he said, stabbing the bar with his finger. “You don’t get into my Good Book for doing a breakdance after a win over the Wallabies. Win a World Cup, then we’ll talk. Until then, Cam’s the only bugger worth writing down in gold ink.”
At press time, Griggs was overheard telling a stranger in the pokies lounge that Razor’s All Blacks were definitely going to lose against the Wallabies in Perth next week.
More to come.
