[kall]

Seems that Mr Marshall, who was not selected for the All Blacks this time around, feels that the Selectors have cheapened the All Black jersey by naming a lot of 'unknown' names.

What do you think of this statement?

[Sparklechick]

It's a tricky one. I can understand why Justin Marshall would be a bit sore about not being selected especially considering I feel he deserves to go, he's played excellent rugby this year - Andrew Mehrtens as well.

BUt, cheapening? Hmmm, not sure about that so I'm going to leave my vote undecided.

[Penny]

I am pretty sure that Justin opted himself out of the tour. Otherwise I think they would have taken him.

He's got the option to play for the barbarians against teh All Blacks, sounds like he is taking it up, that will be so interesting.

[shrub]

Justin Marshall is arguably the worlds greatest rugby player. He plays his position stunningly well, has experience and smarts and is a good sportsman. He openly admitted to throwing his toys out of the cot, and I can understand his point of view.

Wearing the black jersey is a huge honour, and it's something you earn by being the best, or potentially the best in your position in NZ. You earn the black jersey by talent, hard slog and passion. You shouldn't get the jersey just to give you a shot at being an All Black to see if it builds your career. When you wear the black jersey, you are at the top.

I personally think Henry is a buffoon, and half the coach Mitchell was on a bad day. I just don't get why Mehrts and Marshall have missed selection after playing such good rugby, just as I don't understand why that tragic flat back line is still being used after failing dismally all season.

Bring back Mitch. At least he has a decent hairdo.

[Penny]

Ask Trogg what he thinks of Henry... he had him as a principal after all

[trogg]

Originally Posted by shrub

I personally think Henry is a buffoon

I will bite my tongue and not add all of my thoughts on the influence of Henry on Kelston Boys High School in the mid to late 80's.

However, if you (or any others reading this post) are interested then I suggest you check out www.oldfriends.co.nz and have a read of the memories of pupils of his era.
Almost all of them are negative towards Henry and his method of controlling a school. Maybe it is just me, but I thought the purpose of a school is to learn life skills and standard things (like reading & writing etc) and that there are more important things that making the 1st XV

[Raine]

Originally Posted by shrub

Bring back Mitch. At least he has a decent hairdo.

ha ha ha ... i don't know about decent but it's certainly very popular.

i voted no, no name doesn't necessarily equal no talent.

[Sparklechick]

Trogg .. I think the 1st XV rugby teams of most high schools were treated far above any other sports teams. It certainly was the case at my high school.

Our 1st XV wasn't overly fabulous ... our girls hockey 1st XI were pretty good - we won tournaments etc and yet the rugby boys got given new uniforms, including travelling uniforms, blazers etc and training tracksuits ... got given time off school to practice and what did we get? We got hand-me down uniforms from the netballers. Totally sucky.

[shrub]

Hah! I know that one. WHen I was at school I was in the boys hockey team, and in the one year I played (the only year we could put together 11 players) we won the Western Bay of Plenty Junior Men's tournament with 11 players (no reserves), no coach and the goalie (me) used a pair of cricket pads, a softball glove and my old rugby boots..

The 1st 15 on the other hand had everything and one of the few rugby games I remember them winning was against us (all 11 of us). They whimped out on facing us in a hockey game though.

[Penny]

I don't remember any sport being favoured more over another at my school. Given it was an all girls school I'm sure it would have been, maybe the soccer team?

We did play hockey with chicket pads and a big horrible helmet etc that wasn't the best gear for a goalie (me) but we were just the Social team, we had to play in the B grade, and ended up playing against the other B team from our school, and we won the B grade compeition (the social team without the proper gear AND most people not going to practises). Just goes to show the money isn't everything.

[trogg]

Originally Posted by Sparklechick

Trogg .. I think the 1st XV rugby teams of most high schools were treated far above any other sports teams. It certainly was the case at my high school.

Fully agree, and it is a pitty that it happens... however under Henry's reign of Kelston Boys High the 1st XV were not just a sports team they were nearly Gods that the whole school (not just other teams) were compaired against.

A couple of the guys I went to school with have done really well in but they were considered shit at school because they were not in the 1st XV. One become Speedway champions (Kevin Hyde), another has made a feature horror movie ("The Ugly" - Scott Reynolds), another (I think his name is Andrew Grey) has represented NZ in soccer and yet they were all nobodys because of Henry's style.