How do we, as Australians reduce the number of incidences of alcohol related violence? Early closing times, and 1am lockouts are not the answer, says NSW Premier Kristina Keneally. This may have been the solution in Newcastle, however Ms Keneally has said that "There is no silver bullet here, there is no one-size-fits-all approach." Police officers, doctors and paramedics would beg to differ, still calling for bans on shots, cocktails, mix drinks and any drinks containing over 5% alcohol after 10pm. Followed by 1 am lockouts.
For Sydneysiders this solution is not be an option, due to the many attractions that Sydney has to offer to the 'night owls' of the world. These attractions are frequented, not only by residents themselves, but tourists who travel from within Australia and around the world to participate in what they have to offer. The majority of patrons can drink safely and in a responsible manor, however there few that can not seem to control themselves and this is where the issue is created.
Ms Keneally does not want to turn NSW into a "dull and boring" state, and in fact there have been calls for pubs and clubs to be open 24 hours. The premise behind this is that, if all of the alcoholically over lubricated patrons are flooding onto the streets between 3 and 5 when the establishments are closing, then there is an influx of people into small areas. Especially around 3, when it is the designated Taxi changeover time. This creates a situation where there are few feasible transport options, and so there is commotion on the streets. Consequently, something has got to give, and that can on occasion result in violence, that most likely would not occur, had the parties involved not been under the influence of alcohol.
Ms Keneally's view that there is no "one-size-fits-all approach" is of great value, as our alcohol problem in Australia and NSW is a highly cultural problem, a solution needs to be created from within our culture. Otherwise, for example, we could just copy Italy, and have no legal drinking age. But we are not Italian, we are Australian.
What is your opinion? Lock out or rock out? Have your say in the comments section.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Lachie Turner puckers up to lady luck to bring home a waning Waratahs.
Lachie Turner brought the Tahs home on Saturday night, with an amazing and somewhat lucky 90m intercept try. Blues half back Taniela Moa had a number of options in the dying minutes to put the game away, for what would have been a very disappointing loss for NSW after they showed their best attacking flare of the season early in the game. However when faced with the tough decision whether to run or pass, Moa chose to pass... Wrong option.
To everyone's surprise, on Saturday night, for the first 8 minutes, the Waratahs didn't kick the ball once. This resulted in 2 superb tries to take the Tahs out to a 14 point lead. The lead up to the first try, showed the competition what the Tahs are capable of, with man of the match, Daniel Halengahu, opening up the defense from fly half, followed by a flourish in the back line that resulted in a 50m gain and the site of a rampaging Benn Robinson running down the wing. Resulting in Dean Mumm crossing for the try a few phases later.
The second try, was once again thanks to the brilliance of Halengahu who showed his strength when he attacked the line and shrugged off two tackles to take the ball over under the posts. Up to this point, the Tahs held 88% possession of the ball, smothering the Blues attacking genius, and preventing any threat of a try. Though, it wasn't long before the Auckland back line was able to show it's colours, through a lineout mistake from Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau. The Blues put together a number of phases through the forwards, then spun the ball wide to Rudi Wulf who walked right over Drew Mitchel for the Blues first try.
Halengahu, again came up with the goods, to put the Tahs back out to a 12 point lead. Using a step off his right foot then shrugging off a couple of tackles, going over for his second try. In the coming minutes, the Tahs made some risky play making decisions, and took some gutsy penalty options that looked promising for a grandiose victory.
However they then let Auckland back into the game through poor defense at the ruck resulting in tries in the 33rd and 38th minute. The first try coming through Isaia Toeava after some sparkling back line play that contained 2 dubious looking passes. And the second coming to Rene Ranger, who was a dominant force for the Blues towards the end of the first half.
The second half started where it left off in the first, with Rene Ranger once again dominating play and capitalising on the poor defense and tactical kicking choices by the Tahs with a try in the 49th minute to give Auckland the lead for the first time.
Unwilling to show the guts they had in the first half, the Tahs opted to take a penalty goal to keep them within a try, but this was followed once again by some poor discipline, resulting in a penalty to the Blues. NSW now showed some innovation with a great play from an offensive lineout, with Palota-Nau running down the sideline and barging over Rudi Wulf for a try to bring the scores to level.
With captain Phil Waugh and inspirational inside centre Berrick Barnes off the field through injury, the new generation of Waratahs had to step up after going back down by 3 points after another penalty. Step up, Lachie Turner, with an intercept try, followed by another penalty to Halengahu to take the lead back out to 7 points to the Tahs and to secure the win and desperately needed bonus point.
Final score 39-32.
NSW WARATAHS 39 Tries: Daniel Halangahu 2, Dean Mumm, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Lachlan Turner
(Halangahu 4 cons 2 pens)
BLUES 32 Tries: Rene Ranger 2, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf
(Stephen Brett 3 cons 2 pens)
To everyone's surprise, on Saturday night, for the first 8 minutes, the Waratahs didn't kick the ball once. This resulted in 2 superb tries to take the Tahs out to a 14 point lead. The lead up to the first try, showed the competition what the Tahs are capable of, with man of the match, Daniel Halengahu, opening up the defense from fly half, followed by a flourish in the back line that resulted in a 50m gain and the site of a rampaging Benn Robinson running down the wing. Resulting in Dean Mumm crossing for the try a few phases later.
The second try, was once again thanks to the brilliance of Halengahu who showed his strength when he attacked the line and shrugged off two tackles to take the ball over under the posts. Up to this point, the Tahs held 88% possession of the ball, smothering the Blues attacking genius, and preventing any threat of a try. Though, it wasn't long before the Auckland back line was able to show it's colours, through a lineout mistake from Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau. The Blues put together a number of phases through the forwards, then spun the ball wide to Rudi Wulf who walked right over Drew Mitchel for the Blues first try.
Halengahu, again came up with the goods, to put the Tahs back out to a 12 point lead. Using a step off his right foot then shrugging off a couple of tackles, going over for his second try. In the coming minutes, the Tahs made some risky play making decisions, and took some gutsy penalty options that looked promising for a grandiose victory.
However they then let Auckland back into the game through poor defense at the ruck resulting in tries in the 33rd and 38th minute. The first try coming through Isaia Toeava after some sparkling back line play that contained 2 dubious looking passes. And the second coming to Rene Ranger, who was a dominant force for the Blues towards the end of the first half.
The second half started where it left off in the first, with Rene Ranger once again dominating play and capitalising on the poor defense and tactical kicking choices by the Tahs with a try in the 49th minute to give Auckland the lead for the first time.
Unwilling to show the guts they had in the first half, the Tahs opted to take a penalty goal to keep them within a try, but this was followed once again by some poor discipline, resulting in a penalty to the Blues. NSW now showed some innovation with a great play from an offensive lineout, with Palota-Nau running down the sideline and barging over Rudi Wulf for a try to bring the scores to level.
With captain Phil Waugh and inspirational inside centre Berrick Barnes off the field through injury, the new generation of Waratahs had to step up after going back down by 3 points after another penalty. Step up, Lachie Turner, with an intercept try, followed by another penalty to Halengahu to take the lead back out to 7 points to the Tahs and to secure the win and desperately needed bonus point.
Final score 39-32.
NSW WARATAHS 39 Tries: Daniel Halangahu 2, Dean Mumm, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Lachlan Turner
(Halangahu 4 cons 2 pens)
BLUES 32 Tries: Rene Ranger 2, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf
(Stephen Brett 3 cons 2 pens)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Can the Waratahs walk away tonight with a victory?
The Tahs have made a somewhat convincing start to this Super 14 season, with wins such as their 73 - 12 victory against the Lions. However their unconvincing win last weekend against a struggling Western Force team, brings doubt into the mind's of any Waratahs fan.
This week, the Tahs are playing a Blues team that are full of confidence after their narrow victory last week over a strong Brumbies outfit. The Blues managed to make a magnificant comeback by blitzing the Brumbies with 3 quick tries after half time, to walk away with a 5 point victory and a bonus point to place them 9th on the table.
Last weekend the Tahs came away with an ugly victory that fans have become accustomed to under the coaching of Chris Hickey, that did not represent the running game they played the weekened before. Playing an expansive running game will provide the Tahs with the highest percentage of a victory against the Blues, with this style of play is suiting the new look backline of 2010.
Last week's win saw Berrick Barnes in very poor form, fumbling the ball, passing no look intercept passes to the opposition and missing easy penalty kicks. For the Tahs to come away with a win tonight, Berrkick needs to find the same form that he has had so far this season, which will in turn, fire up the rest of the Waratahs back line. Berrick is a key to the Tahs reigniting the spark they held against the Lions.
In the forwards, Phil Waugh needs to have a strong game and lead his troops by example, starting with less penalties. Last weekend the Waratahs gave away a number of penalties at the breakdown, and were just lucky that the Force were similarly not able to convert on their penalty kicks. The Force were unlucky not to take the match in the dying minutes with rookie South African referee, Jaco Peyper, allowing Phil Waugh to make two pivotal defensive turnovers whilst defending his own try line, where the tackled player had not been allowed time to release the ball.
Both Waugh and Chris Hickey hinted to the fact that they would be playing a more 'field position' style of rugby after last weeks match, quoted as saying that last weekend the team did not play enough for field position in the first 30 minutes. When in fact they gave away too much ball to the Force, which filled them with confidence after a number of attacking plays. One can only hope that this is not a tactic that the Tahs enforce tonight, as this will most definately hinder their attempts to dominate the Blues, who hold such counter attacking guru's as Joseteva Rokocoko in their back line.
This week, the Tahs are playing a Blues team that are full of confidence after their narrow victory last week over a strong Brumbies outfit. The Blues managed to make a magnificant comeback by blitzing the Brumbies with 3 quick tries after half time, to walk away with a 5 point victory and a bonus point to place them 9th on the table.
Last weekend the Tahs came away with an ugly victory that fans have become accustomed to under the coaching of Chris Hickey, that did not represent the running game they played the weekened before. Playing an expansive running game will provide the Tahs with the highest percentage of a victory against the Blues, with this style of play is suiting the new look backline of 2010.
Last week's win saw Berrick Barnes in very poor form, fumbling the ball, passing no look intercept passes to the opposition and missing easy penalty kicks. For the Tahs to come away with a win tonight, Berrkick needs to find the same form that he has had so far this season, which will in turn, fire up the rest of the Waratahs back line. Berrick is a key to the Tahs reigniting the spark they held against the Lions.
In the forwards, Phil Waugh needs to have a strong game and lead his troops by example, starting with less penalties. Last weekend the Waratahs gave away a number of penalties at the breakdown, and were just lucky that the Force were similarly not able to convert on their penalty kicks. The Force were unlucky not to take the match in the dying minutes with rookie South African referee, Jaco Peyper, allowing Phil Waugh to make two pivotal defensive turnovers whilst defending his own try line, where the tackled player had not been allowed time to release the ball.
Both Waugh and Chris Hickey hinted to the fact that they would be playing a more 'field position' style of rugby after last weeks match, quoted as saying that last weekend the team did not play enough for field position in the first 30 minutes. When in fact they gave away too much ball to the Force, which filled them with confidence after a number of attacking plays. One can only hope that this is not a tactic that the Tahs enforce tonight, as this will most definately hinder their attempts to dominate the Blues, who hold such counter attacking guru's as Joseteva Rokocoko in their back line.
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