Monday, 8 January 2018

In “honor” of a stolen game, a vacuous tribute. Campbell Live sinks to a new low (Oct. 23, 2013)

23 October 2013 at 8:41 pm
In “honor” of a stolen game, a vacuous tribute
Campbell Live sinks to a new low
TV3, Wednesday 23 October 2013
Campbell Live has been for a long time now a beacon of serious and thoughtful journalism in this country. But not tonight—because it’s PARTY TIME! Remember, it’s October 23, the second anniversary of New Zealand’s hugely controversial Rugby World Cup final “victory” over a clearly superior France.
The truth is, however, that far from a stirring one-point win for the All Blacks, as it is usually portrayed by the likes of John Campbell, for anybody who cares about rugby football that match will be forever tainted by the memory of South African referee Craig Joubert‘s failure, or refusal, to penalize the All Blacks as they engaged in a systematic strategy of flagrant cheating in the second half.
But two years is obviously too soon for the clearly still awe-struck John Campbell. It would not be seemly to raise questions about the referee’s performance (or lack of performance) in that game. It would be disloyal. And lined up for later in the program was Sir Graham Henryhimself. It just wouldn’t be nice to cast more doubt on the validity of that victory.
So instead of taking a look at Joubert’s behavior, Campbell announced that the program would not be looking at the match itself, only at the celebrations that followed.
The program had three parts to it: 1.) a visit to the Birkenhead “man cave” of one Johnny Townsend, who has been anointed by Campbell (or his producers) as the country’s number one All Black fan; 2.) an interview with “Sir” Graham Henry; 3.) to cap the good vibe, a performance of “Poi E” by the legendary Patea Maori Club.
But first it was off to Johnny Townsend’s place, and an excruciatingly drawn out, toe-curlingly mortifying tour of the man-cave, full of Johnny Townsend’s embarrassed and awkward friends and family….
JOHN CAMPBELL: Why do you love the All Blacks so much?
JOHNNY TOWNSEND: I always have. I love the game, and I’m a Kiwi. And my wife’s father was an All Black.
…..[Now THAT was an interesting bit of information. Campbell, however, didn’t follow up. Johnny revealed later that his wife’s dad was the North Auckland legend Nau “Big Horse” Cherrington, who played in the first test against the Lions in 1950.]….
CAMPBELL: Who’s that bugger over there?
JOHNNY TOWNSEND: That’s my brother in law.
CAMPBELL: He looks like a good bugger!
…..[Some awkward laughter, then further silence]…..
CAMPBELL: Coming up after the break: some whimsical memories of the match with Sir Graham Henry!
……..ADVERTISING…….
CAMPBELL: Welcome back to this special commemoration of the All Blacks’ World Cup victory! Let’s go back to that night—not the game so much, but the celebrations after.
…..[Film of deliriously happy, noisy fans. Then we’re in a pleasant garden. It’s a sunny day. Campbell is standing with a relaxed “Sir” Graham Henry.]…..
CAMPBELL: The All Blacks were euphoric! World champions again after twenty-four years!
SIR GRAHAM HENRY: It was marvelous! They had been the best team in the world for a long time, but they couldn’t win it. But then Richie and the boys did the job! *
…..[Cut to John Campbell interviewing Ali Williams straight after the final. The noise is cacophonous.]……
ALI WILLIAMS: [shouting] Boys just wanted it more!
[He hugs Campbell, who laughs in delight. Ironically, in the right foreground the non-referee skulks away from the camera.]
CAMPBELL: There are two things I remember—the noise, and then how for twenty minutes in the second half it just went deathly silent.
SIR GRAHAM HENRY: I think they’ve kept on growing which is hugely important, and they’ve ticked that box beautifully!
CAMPBELL: Champions. Truly champions!
SIR GRAHAM HENRY: A huge feather in the cap for Richie and the boys.
[Back to Campbell in the Birkenhead man cave. He speaks to camera, like he’s some kind of philosopher…]
CAMPBELL: It is only a sport. Tonight we can truly say we are the world champions. I know it’s only just a game but what a game it’s been! What a game it’s been!
The program ends with a recording of the 2011 Auckland performance at the tournament by the Patea Maori Club.
* That line (“Richie and the boys did the job”) is nearly word for word the same as Sir Colin Meads’s dodgy deer-velvet ad.
…………………………………………………………………………….
Judge for yourself whether it was the All Blacks who won that game, or a certain South African who refused to blow his whistle….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMPYRxYBba4
  • Rogue Trooper34.1
    23 October 2013 at 8:46 pm
    deeper sigh
    • Morrissey34.1.1
      23 October 2013 at 8:58 pm
      That’s one response, I guess. I would have expected something more thoughtful from your good self, however.
      • Rogue Trooper34.1.1.1
        23 October 2013 at 9:13 pm
        nothin’ personal, gist that it’s late In The Evening . Be well under observation my friend. 😀
        (now, that’s fine workmanship).
        • Morrissey34.1.1.1.1
          23 October 2013 at 9:16 pm
          Good night, sweet prince.
          • Rogue Trooper34.1.1.1.1.1
            23 October 2013 at 9:37 pm
            as you know, I dislike the behaviour of bullying immensely
            Personal Most Memorable Cinematic Moment 
            -Oskar introduces mercy to Amon (who later goes on to shoot the boy anyway).
            Second Most Memorable Cinematic Moment 
            -Goeth’s miss-firing side-arm
            Third…
            “we are not going to take orders from these people”- Amon Goeth.
            …carry on
  • millsy34.2
    23 October 2013 at 9:07 pm
    What? Did we win a world cup or something 2 years ago? Sorry, I forgot all about it. Had better things to worry about.
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