Visit Rugby Strong

Visit Rugby Strong

"Rugby Strong"

I have decided to create a new site called "Rugby Strong". There will no longer be any postings here about HR recruiting practices post 2009, the use of the Haka, Kia Kaha, the Maori culture or the movie forever strong.

To the thousands who have visited the site over the past year, thank you for your time. Check out "Rugby Strong" in a few weeks. Help spread the word. This will be a gathering place for rugby enthusiasts to share and learn. Share positive stories about how rugby is making your community a better place.

Rugby Strong Blog

Moving Forward

Now I will move forward and I encourage all, especially the players on both teams to draw a line in the sand today। Let us all look towards developing a new attitude by planting and nurturing the seeds of friendship and mutual respect. My brother Colin said, would it not be awesome to see a representative team made up of players from both United and Highland. I agree this would be terrific. It is these types of shared goals and objectives that we need to focus on together. Are you with me?

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My Apologies

I apologize if my efforts to shine a light on these issues over the years has added fuel to the fires of disrespect and unkindness as exhibited by both Highland and United players and supporters at Rio Tinto. This was not my intent and I will do my part to end this. I have tried reaching out in various ways to HR to create a positive forum but without success.

At some point in the future each of us will stand before the Almighty, to make an accounting of our actions, words and intent related to all of these issues. I look forward to that day and leave it all in his hands.

Thankyou Card

To each of my young countrymen who over the years have come from New Zealand to play for HR, let me say on behalf of many, a long overdue public thank you very much. Your contribution has been invaluable and it will never be forgotten. You are members of a very exclusive club and I hope that your experiences will always bring back good memories for you. Keep in touch with your team mates and the families that took care of you. We love you! Go see my brother Hata in Temple View and he will feed you. Tell him uncle Ra sent you. Kia Kaha.

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Call from my brother

My brother Colin, the coach of the United Rugby Club called me. We had a long talk about what we could to create a positive and inclusive environment for the future growth of rugby in Utah. Both of us were very concerned and saddened about what happened after the game at Rio Tinto. The swearing, cussing and name calling between players and supporters of both teams. A very very bad spirit at the end of the game and not a nice scene for the hosts at Rio Tinto, or families to witness. I agree with Colin it is time for a change.

The Key to Respect

Gratitude and acknowledging the contribution of others is the key to respect। Being able to say, I did not do all of this on my own. This has only been possible by the grace of God and with the help and support of countless parents and young men. The 397 wins and 18 championships could not have been accomplished, if not for the invaluable contribution, skills and willingness of the young men from New Zealand to come to Utah and play for HR. Thank you very much. (Mathew 6:1-5)

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To Ryan the Warrior

Like you another warrior at heart...
I am serious enough to stand out on the field and take all of the abuse and name calling, pathological liar, despicable human being, and on and on। Not cowering behind the wall of anonymity. This is not the way of a warrior who professes to follow Kia Kaha. You understand this and I appreciate your candor and have great respect for your opinion.

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Anonymous said...

In response to my offer of a truce ..........

Ok, Ra, I'll be the person. But let's meet at Olympus High School for an open forum. What say you?

I accepted but have not heard back। I guess he, she or they were just pulling my leg. You guys got me. Jenny where are you?

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No Worries Anons

To ease the minds of those concerned that I am neglecting my family। I spend 4-6 hours on the computer each day providing technical support for a software company. This blog helps add variety to my day. And we have no tv in our home. No worries.

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Rugby Strong Stories

Share a story about how your rugby club is helping to build character and change lives for the better.

Crossfit tip of the day

http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_FrontSquats.w
Front squats. The power comes from good technique.

The Good Samaritan ... The Good Kiwi Boys

Left out of the movie because it is a little more difficult to promote the teachings of Jesus Christ while telling the complete HR story. Left out of the missionary strong pictures as well. No Maori young men and actually no Polynesians faces in the pictures. Despite their amazing collective contributions over the years. Very sad. www.missionarystrong.com.

• Peter, James and ? (you know that other guy from the southern hemisphere.)
  
• The Good Samaritan without the Samaritan. "First guy walked by without stopping and the second guy did the same. The next day I read in the paper that someone picked him up and took him to an Inn. What a great guy. What is his name? Where did he come from? Why was he there? Where did he go? Is this the purpose of life?
• Mormon missionaries on the poster promoting the DVD .......... the Kiwi boys on the cutting room floor and in the waste paper basket.
• No no no ....... not the Haka or Kia Kaha, we definitely have to use those things in the movie
  
• It's ok because it's all about integrity and building character
  
• Jesus Saves

... Beyond their abilities ...

A quote from the Missionary Strong Facebook page:
"We’re not always the biggest, the fastest or the strongest. But we’ve seemed to develop a formula to help players play beyond their abilities. They’ve learned what it means to get knocked down and to get back up ...

The missing part of the developed formula post 2009 ... HR+kiwi1+kiwi2+kiwi3=50%@(379 wins+18 National Championships)=beyond their abilities

Calm down HR faithful. I am only giving the Kiwi boys credit for 1/2 of the victories you all get the other 1/2. After all building the HR legacy has been a team effort on a global scale.

Missionary Strong

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Missionary-Strong/67008762782?ref=nf

Take a look at the videos. I am speechless.
http://www.missionarystrong.com

A truce proposal for HR

Would someone in the HR inner circle be willing to engage in an honest conversation as Jenny and I attempted a few weeks ago.

Would HR be willing to donate $3.00 from every DVD sold and 10% of the ticket receipts from Forever Strong to a scholarship fund in New Zealand, that went to help young Maori students? Consider this a form of payback or an expression of gratitude without having to reveal all of the unpleasant details. A win win for all. What say ye HR?? We can discuss the details privately.

To all HR Anon's

Why don't you talk to the HR inner circle and select one anonymous person as a spokesperson. We will then engage in a respectful exchange of questions and responses as I proposed to Jenny a few weeks ago. It's not really fair for me to give all of you a hard time when you don't know all of the answers.
What do you think?

Not all is fair game

Re posting this from April 23rd.

There are issues related to the HR rugby program that I have chosen not to comment on in this blog, out of respect for families, children, specific individuals and their privacy. The HR inner circle are aware of one of the issues that I am referring to, which was reported in the local newspapers a few months ago. This kind of public forum is totally inappropriate to discuss personal and private challenges of this nature. You can email or call me to discuss in private.

Deleted Comment from Anonymous ...

I deleted the comment calling out 3 United players by number and calling them despicable human beings. We don't want to know who you are. Better if you remain anonymous. This is the problem with anonymity. When you don't have to take responsibility for what you say, you don't care what you say or who you attack. Hit, run and hide.

I may not agree with your comments, but this is going to far. Throw your barbs at me. This is the first time that I have deleted any comment. Thanks to our anonymous friend I have now activated the comment moderation function. Is it ok to personally attack or make fun of an anonymous person? You are a bad bad person and may the buzzard of bad luck poop on your head...he he......

How does an anonymous person hide? He closes his eyes.

Highland 45 United 13

Congratulations. The best team today was Highland. Great game! The local HR boys stepped up and made the difference. No need for the 4th import player.

D-Day 24 hours and counting

United verses Highland at The Rio Tinto Stadium. The playing field is level with import players on both sides. Now the local players and coaching will truly determine the outcome of the game. Good luck to all and may the best team be victorious. I will post the score tomorrow.