Never Let The Truth Spoil A Good Yarn

Never let the truth spoil a good story seems to be the lesson coming up from down under today with news of player power threatening the future of Auckland Blues coach David Nucifora.

According to today’s New Zealand Herald, three All Blacks, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams and Joe Rokocoko have asked the New Zealand Rugby Union to release them from their Blues contract if Nucifora remains on as coach next season.

The story itself originated from the pen of Campbell Burns of the Rugby News Magazine which according to itself is a ‘a dynamic, weekly publication that has crafted a reputation as a market leader in the sports magazine publishing industry’ and whose editorial philosophy ensures they, ‘supply our readers information they won’t find in other forms of media.’

Well fair play t’ye. Must have the hardest working sleuth/journalists in the universe if that’s the case.

Anyway brother Campbell ‘understands’ (whaddya mean he’s not certain ? understands is good enough when you’re supplying information you won’t find anywhere else ), that the three boyos want out because  they struggled to get into the side on their return from injury. Now there’s no suggestion Nucifora actually injured either so they can’t have the hump with over that.

So thats the Rugby News take on the affair.

But the New Zealand Herald goes a step further. It actually gets in touch with Auckland Rugby Union board chairman Ken Baguley and says, ” Eh Maurice, what’s the story like. With the lads like ?” 

And guess what ? Ken hasn’t a clue what yer man’s on about. It’s the  first he had heard of a revolt against Nucifora. “I’d find it staggering if it was the case,” he said. There y’are now. The chap was staggered.

And former famous All Black, Blues chief executive Andy Dalton ‘angrily’ dismissed the report today, particularly in regard to Woodcock and Rokocoko, “I have spoken to Joe and Tony,” Dalton said (angrily)  “they were as surprised and annoyed as I was to see themselves featuring in such a story. They both clearly stated to me they are happy in the Blues squad and looking forward to next season.”

Furthermore, “Their end of season review completed by them supports this sentiment.” Dalton added before saying the organisation had “several positive discussions with Ali Williams” and it was now up to him the decide whether to renew his contract.

So that seemed to clear all that up nicely.

And after that ? The headline in this morning’s sports section of the New Zealand Herald

Blues’ All Blacks trio want Nucifora out

But what about……………………………………………