About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Monday, October 24, 2011

O is for OPPOSITION

"France's spirited challenge to the haka backfired on them last night as the All Blacks took heart to win the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 24 years. As the haka began, the French players stood in a "V" formation and joined hands. Then they began to move forward slowly - over halfway - until they were standing in a wavey line about 10 metres from the All Blacks.

Last night was not the first time the All Blacks' opposition did not passively watch the pre-match tradition. This came about after a fiery response to the haka by the Ireland rugby team at Lansdowne Road in Dublin in 1989. Captain and lock Willie Anderson led his team in a slow march forward until they were standing directly in front of the All Blacks. The tactic had no effect on the match, with the All Blacks running out 23-6 winners.

In Wales in November 2008, a tense standoff at the Millennium Stadium delayed the start of the match for about a minute as both teams eyeballed each other at the end of the All Blacks' stirring rendition of Kapa o Pango. The referee had to implore both captains to get on with the game as each team refused to budge." (from nzherald.co.nz)

Here is my take on the word "opposition" in poetic form.

OPPOSITION

Opposition's the colour of New Zealand All Blacks.

It looks like crazy crowds before they attack.

It sounds like hisses and boos from rioting punks.

It smells like a living, breathing funk.

It tastes like cod liver oil recently drunk.

It feels like antagonism in some aspect.

Opposition is conflict between instinct and intellect.

Enjoy this rendition of the "haka" showing opposition to the 'nth degree at the 2011 Finals against the French, who got right in the faces of the New Zealand All Blacks!


28 comments:

Jo said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Haka dance. You should get the one from the actual game on Saturday night/Sunday morning, where the French players actually got right in the All Blacks' faces when they were doing the Haka dance. It's WONDERFUL...!!!! Go to YouTube and request Haka dance New Zealand France 2011.

(My rugby player buddy told me about it...) Of course, he stayed up to watch the game. *heh*

Jo said...

Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JSqnjGlgMg

Leslie: said...

Thanks, Jo! I couldn't find it before but it's on now!

Jo said...

Isn't it a hoot??? I would get on a plane and go all the way to New Zealand and attend a rugby game JUST to see that!

Leslie: said...

Me too! Wonder why rugby isn't so popular here...I think it's quite exciting!

Jo said...

It is popular her! The Fredster plays for the Burnaby Rugby Club.

http://www.burnabylakerugby.com/

Rugby is the best game ever! My grandfather was the captain of his rugby team in South Africa, and I gave the Fredster his silver whistle. It love rugby and it's much more exciting than soccer or North American football. You'll have to come to a game with me something, and we'll cheer the Fredster on!

Leslie: said...

I'd love to watch him play, but I really thought he played football, as in the CFL.

Roger Owen Green said...

It was quite the holiday for the Kiwis, according to my friend down there.

mrsnesbitt said...

Oooooooooh! very emotional I would think - very intimidating - but I guess that's the idea..is it?
Thanks leslie - was talking about you this afternoon when Diane popped in for a cuppa! All lovely things, I hasten to add. Dxxx

Meryl said...

Imagine world politics being solved this way!!!!!! LOL

Great post.

Nanka said...

Leslie I'm sorry :( Rugby is not a very popular game and hardly played here!! It is more of Football and Cricket which is like religion here!!
Opposition is very important whether in sports or in the parliament, does a lot of good!!

Carver said...

I love your poem and great take on the letter O.

MaR said...

A big thank you for posting The Haka, I simply love it and we could not watch the world cup on open tv.

O is for..

VioletSky said...

This was actually the first time I watched a full rugby match and was surprised to find I quite enjoyed it. I, too wonder if it will ever become popular here.

Kay L. Davies said...

I've seen the word "haka" but had no idea what it could possibly be. I certainly didn't think it would be a dance. Amazing! Learned something new today.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

J.Rylie.C said...

I like that video!

Please come and take a look at my O entry, have a good day!

Roy Schulze said...

The French boys all holding hands at the beginning of that video made them look not the least bit intimidating! Thanks for sharing. My ABC Wednesday is O is for Oracle.

Francisca said...

That sure was an Original way for me to end my day, Leslie! :-D

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Gonna have to check out that other link-I was mesmerized by what you had posted!

photowannabe said...

Oh my, amazing. The Haka is fascinating.
The poem description of opposition really touched all my senses. A+++ and 3 gold stars.

Reader Wil said...

Beautiful! I was in NZ and saw the Haka, which was very impressive, so threatening that my two year old grandson started to cry. The Maoris have very long tongues.
Have a very great week, Leslie!

Hildred said...

They certainly make a statement, don't they!!!!! Love it.

Chubskulit Rose said...

We might be heading to NZ in the future. The employer is very interested with my hubby's recent employment application. Lovely video!

Rinkly Rimes said...

In the haka NZ has something no other country can copy. Other teams may threaten, but only NZ can intimidate so well.

Wanda said...

That is so cool. The poem was excellent too. And you were NO. 1 today!!

Liz Hinds said...

I was THERE when Wales and NZ had the stand-off! It was so brilliant.

Tumblewords: said...

Interesting to be sure! I read recently where a football team broke into Haka and ended up being tear gassed. Apparently the crowd controllers didn't recognize the moves. Whoosh.

Shrinky said...

Ha, I love the NZ sprit! We watched the rugby live on the telly, and as France were responsible for knocking us out of the finals, no guessing for the team we were cheering for!

That's a powerful poem you've written.