James William de Mortimer on LinkedIn: The Springboks kick off a bumper 2024 mid-year Test schedule but despite… (2024)

There is a saying which has been torn to pieces over the last two decades, that New Zealand Rugby is strong when The Blues are strong.For 21 years, the stronghold of New Zealand's rugby power has been in the South, headlined by the Crusaders winning a remarkable 12 titles (and reaching 16 finals) since 1998.With players like Andrew Mehrtens and Scott Robertson (now the All Blacks coach), Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter and recently Richie Mo'unga and Sam Whitelock, the red and black machine's dominance flowed onto national team.But the Blues set the original benchmark.In 1996, rugby union became professional, and an All Blacks team laden with Blues players led by legends like Sean Fitzpatrick, won the first Tri-Nations.The following year they repeated the feat while winning their first ever Test series in South Africa.Naturally, a Blues side featuring over two-thirds of the All Blacks, including the indomitable Jonah Lomu, claimed the 1996 and 1997 Super Rugby crowns.While the Blues wouldn't win their third championship until 2003, it was fittingly the year the Kiwis wrestled the Bledisloe Cup off the Wallabies after the dominance of the Brumbies boosted Australians at the turn of the century.New Zealand have not lost the famous cup since.When the Blues won those first three titles, a mix of awesome forward power and razzle dazzle swept all before them.And now, 21 years later, we are here again.Some might have thought this year's All Blacks team, like recent vintages, would not be as invincible as it was duing those heady years that began with Sir Graham Henry from 2011 (who ironically won the first two Super Rugby trophies with the Blues).But with Vern Cotter, Patrick Tuipulotu and co smashing Chiefs Rugby Club 41-10 to win their fourth major Super Rugby title, one suspects that they will provide the spine of what will be a fine looking All Blacks team.Big Patrick, who played despite a knee injury, led a fierce pack in an awe inspiring display that showed the absence of legends like Whitelock will not be missed.It was fire and brimstone stuff in the coalface.The Chiefs, no slouches in this department, reeled backwards all evening.Coach Cotter, a former Crusaders assistant, winner of the Bouclier de Brennus with Clermont and former Scotland and Fiji boss, has in a few months established a heady All Blacks succession plan.If the current setup fails, he would not be out of place leading rugby's biggest brand.Robertson names his first squad, the debut selection of 2024, this coming Monday.Leanne Bats ᵍᵐ Craig Fenton Gordon Bray AM Matt Hymers RugbyDAO Andrew Hore David Algie David Robertson Mark Robinson

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WARNING ⚠️ The following post mentions suicide and may be distressing to some. This week is Men's Mental Health week.Well actually, it was officially last week.But the point is that every day of every week we need to focus on our mental health.Special days and weeks are fantastic to help the conversation, but it is so important that we never forget those who are struggling every day - and those who succumb to the most terrible aspect of mental illness.To increase awareness, and hopefully raise some funds for headspace, I'm taking part in the 2024 push up challenge.The goal?To complete 3,249 push ups by June 28.This is the number of Australians that took their own life in 2022.That is nearly nine individuals each day, six of those men.Globally over 700,000 people lost the fight annually.I've set myself a tough goal = 325 push-ups each day (I'm starting late). Below is a shot of myself after completing today's ledger.The charity I've chosen, headspace, is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people access vital support through our headspace centres in communities across Australia.headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. If you're willing to donate for a great cause, I'd be extremely grateful as I challenge myself to bring awareness to a very serious global problem.🙏RugbyDAO Rob Shotton David Robertson Steve Andrew Hicks Simon McMaster Matt Hymers Andy Marston Roger Mitchell Leanne Bats ᵍᵐ Petra Zink Dave Letele https://lnkd.in/gfmXtd-c

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I couldn't think of a more appropriate video than 'He Piko He Taniwha' to celebrate Chiefs Rugby Club's victory over the Hurricanes to reach their fifth Super Rugby/TRC Final.Yes, it hurts a little bit. I was born in Wellington and was hoping for a Canes victory.But I've also got plenty of love for the Chiefs. I worked in rugby during 2012/13 when the Waikato based franchise won back-to-back titles.At the time, I interviewed Dave Rennie who spoke passionately about the Maori culture and mana of the team, represented so beautifully in the haka below.This year, they performed He Piko He Taniwha for Sam Cane, the All Blacks captain who announced recently that this year would be his last season playing in New Zealand.It was fitting.Cane, unfairly maligned as the national team's leader, replaced Kieran Read as skipper of the three-time World Champions, and began his career with Bay of Plenty (one of the six provincial regions of the Chiefs) in 2010 before making his Super Rugby debut a year later.He would go on to become an integral part of the team when winning championships in 2012 and 2013.This evening the Chiefs won their first ever Super Rugby semi-final away from home, with a 30-19 win over the top-of-the-table qualifying Hurricanes to reach their fifth decider - which will be at Eden Park next week against The Blues.What a match that will be.For the second week in a row the Chiefs put together a compelling opening quarter of rugby, showcasing the sheer strength of depth that New Zealand Rugby possesses. The Chiefs encapsulate everything that is good about rugby in New Zealand and despite being the away team and playing a Blues side undefeated at Eden Park this season, they'll be in with a serious chance.Following the final the first All Blacks squad of the year will be named (June 24) ahead of back-to-back Tests against England Rugby on July 6 and 13.Simon Graafhuis Avan Lee Nick Riggall 🏉🤖W C 👽Leanne Bats ᵍᵐ Matt Hymers David Algie Stuart Ramsey Crystal Kaua Wayne Maher David Fox Samu Nkomo Alex Chalmers Tim Lambert Giles Morgan Tim Horan AM Gordon Bray AM

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News that Noah Lolesio today has re-signed with Rugby Australia has been offset with the loss of Carter Gordon to rugby league.Gordon, who had a standout season with the Melbourne Rebels, was announced as the second up-and-coming Wallaby to be lured to the 13 man game, with the Gold Coast Titans locking up the prodigy on a two-year contract.This follows the recruitment of Wallabies wing Mark Nawaqanitawase by the Sydney Roosters last year.Gordon was initially the first choice flyhalf for the Wallabies ill-fated 2023 World Cup campaign last year, playing eight Tests.His decision likely means the end, for now, of his career in the green and gold, with new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt having already omitted Nawaqanitawase from a train-on squad that is preparing to face Wales and Georgia next month.Schmidt also scratched Ned Hanigan, Izaia Perese and Lachie Swinton who have all opted for overseas contracts.Union to league switches are not common.When When Brad Thorn, Sonny Bill Williams, Lote Tuqiri and Sam Burgess went from union to league it was not a transition, but more a homecoming.Scott Gourley, Peter Jorgensen and Garrick Morgan switched to league in the nineties - while Gareth Thomas and Luther Burrell switched from Wales (to the Celtic Crusaders) and England (Warrington Wolves) respectively in 2010 and 2019.Losing two young tyros in quick succession to the NRL is not ideal for rugby union in Australia.Gordon is the first 2024 Rebels squad member to announce his location for next season.Lolesio has been strong for the ACT Brumbies this year after a stint in France and his stocks will increase if the last remaining Australian Super Rugby team can become the first such side to win a knockout game in NZ.It is a feat that has never been achieved since the competition began in 1996.Nick Riggall 🏉🤖 Timothy Whiley Leanne Bats ᵍᵐ Matt Hymers David Algie

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I recently subscribed to Chris Williamson and am a fan of what Ben Francis MBE has achieved with Gymshark - a great couple of role models for Men's Mental Health week.I've got my own little announcement coming this week but thought I'd focus first on other messages while piggy backing off something Jehan Casinader wrote today:"A health system that’s failing women may also, in very different ways, be failing men."That is where the video below resonated.Things changed for me when I heard Jordan Peterson for the first time with a simple message - life is hard.My upbringing had focused around a Mother's love. It had it's moments, but when I moved into my teenage years in NZ, an absent father never taught me about the things I've focused on in recent years.When my struggles worsened in 2015, as I was working with the All Blacks (the ultimate symbol of male supremacy in NZ) I didn't speak up.No-one told me it was hard and that I needed to be equally so.The team was doing so well I thought my own struggles were insignificant. For goodness sake, the legendary Richie McCaw played in the 2011 Final with a broken foot.But life is tough and I never talked about that. You need to speak up and speak up early.Working with the greatest brand in such a tough sport requires discipline. This is the first message from Ben below. I needed to be more focused and without that things got more difficult. When they did I let it overwhelm me. My inner critic ran wild and instead of realising this was normal (thanks Mike King for your wisdom in this space), feelings of helplessness became too much.I needed a voice, absent in my life at the time, to deliver the second message seen below:"What are you going to do about it?"I speak this language now and know that action conquers all. If it isn't physical activity, inspired by Dave Letele, it is straight talking.It was Tyron who first inspired this in me, followed by Roger combined with the real talk of guys like David, Lucien, Edward, Simon and Steve (thanks lads).And of course, I'd be remiss to not mention the importance and power of community, led by Andy and Sports Pundit and Leanne, David and the RugbyDAO. So on this most important of weeks for men in New Zealand, Australia and around the world, remember:- Love is great but sometimes we need to get firm- Remember things get tough. But they always pass- You are capable. Capable of anything- Listen to people. Learn about this space- Keep moving- Community is awesomeI'll add my own piece of advice. Don't just 'talk about your problems', especially as a man.This advice appears ad nauseam.Talk to yourself first. Then talk to those who will listen. And talk with the knowledge that while some will help (and other's won't), you'll need to do all the heavy lifting. Last but not least. Treat the Women in your life really well. They'll then do the same and things are WAY easier.Happy Men's Mental Health week 💪

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