Tommy's reasons might be different (McCaw's body was shot), but the rationale is similar.
Tommy Smith (Auckland FC | A-League)
There was no outcry because it was well documented and portrayed (and the fact that he was falling apart at the seams probably had a bit to play too). You could also never say McCaw was disinterested in playing for the All Blacks either. But enough about rugby.
Good job!
Tommy's reasons might be different (McCaw's body was shot), but the rationale is similar.
The McCaw and Cater "sabbaticals" were a break from all rugby intended to help prolong their careers. Smith has made himself unavailable for the national team only, apparently because he thinks it's a distraction from his club football. I don't think the rationale is really that similar.
Home loss to bitter rivals, and recently demoted Norwich City in the early Championship game today.
The McCaw-Smith comparison is valid because both players are wanting/wanted to focus short-term on what was best in the long-term.
Carters sabbatical wasn’t to prolong his career. He used it to maximally exploit the limited window of opportunity he has as a professional athlete. From The Daily Mail circa 2008:
“Dan Carter is being offered the biggest contract in world rugby — £750,000 from Toulouse for one year's work… when his [NZRU] contract runs out at the end of the [All Blacks] European tour in November…
Any All Black playing outside New Zealand automatically forfeits his right to Test status but Carter can exploit his fame in Europe for 18 months and still be back in ample time for the 2011 World Cup…"
In this context, Tommy’s rationale is the same. Anyway, things may change after Hudson has spoken to him.
It isn't the same, he has a contract with Ipswich whether or not he plays for the All Whites.
Dan Carter had no chance of doing both.
Home loss to bitter rivals, and recently demoted Norwich City in the early Championship game today.
Ipswich Town 0 - 1 Norwich City
On Sommet Sports now
There is definitely truth there, I don't disagree with anything you have said, such a culture would be destructive and these are important games. But equally I come back to Nelsen as an example. Nelsen didn't play for NZ much because he didn't want to, it had little to do with Sam A and more, from what I can tell, a general disgruntlement with Ricki following the dumping of Mick Waiit. But it would have been madness to not pick Nelsen when he was willing to play. It's a case of his value to the side being greater than the negative culture that his lack of interest in playing for NZ would bring.
He did have his career to consider and it will be exactly the same for Smith. Shooting off for international friendlies for NZ doesn't help his career regardless of how important they are for the team. Smith isn't currently as important as Nelsen was so if there are other players just as good I would happily have them instead. But he is still a young guy who still seems to be improving, I think he is at a pretty similar level to Nelsen at the same stage of his career.
I don't think that allowing him to skip a year and then play again would make everyone do the same. I would like to think that playing for NZ is important enough to enough of our top players that it wouldn't happen en-mass.
I live in Christchurch, have been aware of Ryan Nelsen as a player since he was a 16 year-old at Christchurch United, have met him and chatted a few times over the years, and know people who know him.
One factor you have to consider with Ryan (and it applies to other players sometimes) is his injury woes.
A thing many don't know about is that he was born with one leg shorter than the other which places stress on various parts of the legs.
Hence he soon broke down early in the 2006-7 season and required very tricky hamstring surgery using a revolutionary technique to save his career. He only played 12 league games for Blackburn that season.
Overall Ryan missed about a third of Blackburn's league games due to injury during his time there.
Discounting his first season at Blackburn (signed in January, halfway through the season), in the six full seasons he was there 2004 - 2011, Ryan played in 156 of Blackburn's 228 league matches.
Ryan still played 49 times for the All Whites which ain't so bad.
By the time he abruptly quit playing for QPR in February 2013 his legs were totally knackered and medical advice played a part in him taking the coaching offer and QPR not objecting to him going. In the 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons he had knee injuries every season.
Tommy Smith doesn't have the injury worries Ryan had, that we know of - but there can be such issues sometimes that are not generally known.
Most people have one leg shorter than the other..it's not some strange ailment. He was injured a lot, though; think he did right by NZ when we needed him.
Not to worry - The Hudson cookie bear will sort him out - dum de do. Just one young Englishman to another.
Most people have one leg shorter than the other..it's not some strange ailment. He was injured a lot, though; think he did right by NZ when we needed him.
U wot? That's like saying most people have one ear/eye/nostril bigger than the other. I haven't noticed this. Yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZhoiVg3NAk
Looks like we found the real reason he turned down his All Whites place! To be fair, it is quite prestigious and I would want to practice too!
first he nicked a year, now Tommy takes another 3 minutes I can never have back.
Most people have one leg shorter than the other..it's not some strange ailment. He was injured a lot, though; think he did right by NZ when we needed him.
U wot? That's like saying most people have one ear/eye/nostril bigger than the other. I haven't noticed this. Yet.
AFAIK most people have one 'dominant' side that is longer than the other - it might just be by 20mm or so, but it's there. It's common. Obviously if it's a lot shorter then you'd just be walking in circles all day and not be much use as a pro footballer..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZhoiVg3NAk
Looks like we found the real reason he turned down his All Whites place! To be fair, it is quite prestigious and I would want to practice too!
they look like a really close-knit team.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZhoiVg3NAk
Looks like we found the real reason he turned down his All Whites place! To be fair, it is quite prestigious and I would want to practice too!
Ipswich are much better at this than West Ham who are utterly crap - Winston Reid is one of about two who even hit the net:
Tommy Smith > Winston Reid at hitting the crossbar from halfway - but Winston is the Hammers' best.
Fuck, I'd be better than that lot and I haven't played since I was a teenager and have only got one working eye and therefore piss poor depth perception.
Not from halfway, but 7 out of 8 (Feb 2013) for Chris Killen: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTE3NjAwNjky.html
Not from halfway, but 7 out of 8 (Feb 2013) for Chris Killen: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTE3NjAwNjky.html
Not from halfway, but 7 out of 8 (Feb 2013) for Chris Killen: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTE3NjAwNjky.html
Does the postman celebrate when he delivers his letters?
Not from halfway, but 7 out of 8 (Feb 2013) for Chris Killen: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTE3NjAwNjky.html
Does the postman celebrate when he delivers his letters?
not mine. Constantly getting delivered mail from different houses.
...and like Chris Killen, I am sure he is celebrating about always putting it in the wrong place :o)
Hmmm apparently being linked with Palace
does he become available if he achieves his dream early?
Hmmm apparently being linked with Palace
source?
Hmmm apparently being linked with Palace
source?
Great news if it is. His one year sabbatical might be only a couple months!
The Guardian's Transfer Rumours posts just round up gossip from around the web
2nd best. Dom Post FTW.
palace don't even have a manager yet do they?
Neil Warnock iirc
With dues to all parties involved, Warnock is not much of a manager, and if they are scouring the Championship for defenders (and the other 19 clubs haven't looked at Tommy that we know of) then Palace have got some serious issues and are in a right shyte state. Even more so considering he has no Premiership experience.
I hope it does come off for him.
It bl**dy came off for him last night.
#Pardewout
Didn't Pulis leave because the Palace higher ups didn't obtain the transfer targets they set out for in the summer?
Was Tommy on this list or something?
Also;
Derby County 1 - 1 Ipswich Town
Ipswich currently 19th in the Championship after that result.
Haha. Has been benched for tonight's game.
so....he could have played midweek for the all whites. Classic.
No I think the travel would have been too hard. He might not of made bench then
benched again and didnt even get on this time. and in the two games he has been benched they have won