Being a rude host
Here in New Zealand we take hospitality seriously, hence the wailing and gnashing at the suggestion - perish the thought - that one or two of us might have wanted the French and Australians not to win the World Cup. There were even reports that some people - gasp - said rude things to our convict-descended neighbours and to the garlic-hunting nuke-testers during the tournament.
Over in North Korea, they have no such qualms about playing the role of the rude host when sporting rivals are in town. When the Japanese soccer team (hated representatives of the former colonial power) arrived at Pyongyang Airport (glorious testament to population's wondrous leadership) for a World Cup qualifier on Monday, they were treated to four hours of body searches and luggage overhauls.
The North Korean officials told the players off for chatting and laughing. Later they confiscated such outrageous expressions of Western decadence as bananas, chewing gum, and noodles.
Horses for courses
While Zac Guildford recovers from his Terminator moment ("I need your clothes, your boots and your motorscooter"), the Super 15 coaches will be feeling altogether more Seabiscuit-y.
The NZRU has the five franchise gaffers on a two-day leadership course focused on horses. Each is assigned a horse to work with in a series of exercises designed to improve their leadership and communication skills. The NZRU's omni-quoter rugby Neil Sorensen said: "We wanted to tap into the special nature of this course focusing on body language and people management - through work with horses - to broaden other areas including communication skills."
Note to Pat Lam: We're really not all that sure if Piri Weepu would respond well to a whip or a carrot in training. Maybe some grated carrot in a kebab? Just a thought.
Beckham bucks
David Beckham's American odyssey could finish this weekend when the most marketable soccer player in the world plays in the MLS final, possibly his last match in the LA Galaxy uniform.
Beckham arrived with a hiss, a roar and a lot of hype. The romance quickly soured with Galaxy fans - in five seasons he hasn't won a title and has started less than half the Galaxy's MLS games. In 2009 and 2010, he made more appearances as a loan player for AC Milan than he did in Galaxy white. So, has it been worthwhile?
Ask the accountants. In the five years since he signed the fee for launching an MLS franchise has quadrupled to US$40 million. The MLS no longer pays to have its matches broadcast - from next year NBC is paying them US$10 million a year to screen games and the Galaxy will pocket US$55 million over 10 years for a broadcast contract with Time Warner Cable. Average attendance across the whole competition went up 7 per cent to 17,872 - that's better than the NBA and the NHL.
Tim Leiweke, president of AEG, the entertainment group that owns the Galaxy, told the LA Times: "That's all David. From a financial standpoint ... he's been undeniably successful. Show me one measuring post that hasn't increased significantly."
