The critics have had plenty to say about Stephen Donald – and the frequently maligned fly half answered them on Sunday on and off the field.

Most importantly, he kicked the 45th-minute penalty that was enough, barely, to seal New Zealand’s triumph in Rugby World Cup 2011.

And after the victory, as his coach and teammates showered him with praise, the man who came into the match as the fourth fly half New Zealand have utilised during the tournament said he felt his performance in the 8-7 win over France proved he deserved to be playing for his country.

Said Donald: “There are people out there who undermined my status as an All Black. To get the chance to prove that I am an All Black is good. I think a World Cup Final is a pretty good place to start.

“I’m just fortunate to get the opportunity to come into such a great team.

“You always dream about it and I never gave up on that dream. When I got called into the squad the dream got closer to being a reality and now I’m here.”

Just a kick

He added that when his crucial kick went just inside the post he had no idea how significant it would be – for himself or for his country.

“At the time I didn’t think much of it. It was just a kick out in front and I just put it over.

“I haven’t kicked a ball in about six weeks. At the time I didn’t think it would be important, but it turned out that way.

“My mates are probably thinking ‘there’s the bloke who was kicking back with a few beers and going whitebaiting with us out in the middle of Eden Park’.

“My preparation hasn’t been ideal. When you go whitebaiting you usually take a couple of beers with you. So my fitness was probably not what it could have been. Fortunately I only had to hold out for 50 minutes.”

Coach Graham Henry said he had no qualms about bringing Donald on as a replacement for the injured Aaron Cruden.

He came through

“I was nervous the whole game, not just about Stephen Donald. I knew he could handle it,” said Henry. “Donald came on and played bloody well. He kicked what turned out to be the winning goal and gave us field position when we needed it.”

The veteran centre Ma’a Nonu was equally delighted at Donald’s success and his emphatic response to his critics. Said Nonu: “It’s funny how the world works. He was at the bottom of the ladder, lots of haters getting him down, but he came through, kicked that goal and won us the World Cup.”

Full back Israel Dagg and number 8 Kieran Read also took time out from celebrating New Zealand’s win to praise their back-up fly half.

“Stephen Donald played really well. He stood up under the pressure,” said Dagg.

Added Read: “Stephen Donald showed a lot of courage. He’s gone for a lot, but he just shows a lot of ticker.”

Source: Official RWC 2011 Site

We had a great winter here in the northern South Island with mild sunny weather and only a few cold blasts along the way. Spring is here now and river conditions are looking really good. Thanks to all our anglers who have already booked their fishing trip(s) for 2011-2012 with Zane, Tony and the Strike Adventure Guide Team.

Happiness is a Honeymoon with Trout: Janie Howe and Paul Dickson Jr, from southern USA, enjoy Janie’s first ever trout on the fly. Lower Motueka River, September 21st 2011

The general fishing season opened on October 1st, right as the rain came down so the trout have had a little protection for the first few days but fine weather is predicted this week…so watch out trout! We’ll be sure to keep you updated on how the fishing is going and what opportunities are on offer over the next few months.

Monday 1st August–Monday 31st October 2011

Over a hundred of Peter Bush’s iconic photographic images “Capturing the All Blacks”. The physical exhibition was sponsored nationally by CANON. With the generous support of Peter Bush we are very fortunate to have these wonderful pictures here electronically right through to the end of October 2011. The images capture some of the great moments of our national sport, some humorous, some poignant, some that must have been really quite bizarre for players and spectators alike. You choose.

The DVD that accompanied Peter Bush’s exhibition plays continuously upstairs.
The slide show will be accompanied by a special display in the Trafalgar Street window of the Museum and a display in the upper foyer celebrating Nelson as the Birthplace of New Zealand Rugby where the first game was played on 14 May 1870 between two teams, one reprersenting Nelson College and the other of players from Nelson Rugby Football Club, New Zealand’s oldest club. The display includes historic material from both sources.

Time: 10am to 5pm daily [4.30pm weekends]

Venue: The Nelson Provincial Museum – Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao
Town Acre 445, Cnr Trafalgar and Hardy Streets, Nelson

Tickets, Bookings and Entry: Nelson-Tasman residents FREE, Adults $5, Children $3, Family group $12max

Contact:
Ph. 03 5489588
peter.millward@museumnp.org.nz

photo by MARION VAN DIJK

Taken from the Nelson Mail 20th July 2011 “The festival opens this Saturday as Jennifer Ward-Lealand takes on the dazzling persona of Marlene Dietrich.

The show is already sold out, along with Jane Keller’s comedy show Boomers Behaving Badly, the Doors tribute concert and the Dave Dobbyn finale.

But how about hearing the Nelson School of Music’s new Sturgeon Steinway piano instead? Or an evening of gypsy magic?

Nelson School of Music manager Frances McElhinney says there are still plenty of options for those who missed out on tickets to the festival’s more popular shows.

She wants people to step out of their comfort zones and try something they might not usually consider, like Cathy Irons and Mary Ayre this Sunday.

Irons is a first violinist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Ayre teaches piano and performs in Nelson.

The pair will inject a gypsy flavour into their Splashes of Spain programme, with strong dancing rhythms and exciting wild melodies.

Irons has been tutoring NSOM students this week during a young composers’ workshop. Mrs McElhinney said the Spanish-French programme for her show, including gypsy cadenzas and dramatic violin work, was exciting.

“She’s going to speak to each piece, there’s a story to be told for each one – it will be magic.”

Another option is to check out Nelson’s young artists next Wednesday night during the annual Made in the NSOM concert, showcasing the school’s talented students.

Ms McElhinney described the show as a variety concert, featuring a range of performances from percussion to poetry.

“It’s a really good opportunity to sort of highlight what we do.”

Keep an eye on the Nelson Mail’s arts and entertainment pages as we follow the Nelson Winter Music Festival over the coming weeks.” Nelson Mail

Operating Season: Mid July until Mid October
Rainbow will open this Saturday 4th of July for the 2009 season. They have a good 50 cm of snow around the base area thanks to their tireless team of snow makers who work through the cold and dark hours to bring everyone snow. The intermediate platter and learners areas will be operating. There is not enough cover to open the upper field at this stage, however the weather pattern for the next week is looking productive with plenty of natural snow on the way so fingers crossed.

Access Road: 17km from State Highway 63 turnoff. Chains must be fitted or carried by all vehicles at all times from base car park. Shuttle service runs multiple trips daily from base car park.

Accommodation is available in nearby St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes

Mountain Car-park Elevation: 1540m (5,052 feet)

Lift Accessed Vertical: 218m (715 feet)

Lifts: 1 Main T-bar, 1 Platter Lift, 1 Tubing park lift, 1 learners rope tow, 1 handle terrain park tow, 1 West Bowl access tow.

More information on their website: www.skirainbow.co.nz

Daniel & his Dad do Queenstown!  The New Zealand snow season runs from June to October. All of the skiing is done up in the mountains which means that after skiing you can come down and have a game of golf or go for a jet boat ride.

The Southern Lakes area offer five snow fields within two hours drive of Queenstown. Toss together some fantastic restaurants, just a few adventure alternatives and some spectacular scenery and you just about have a real alpine resort.

Stars booked to date are internationally acclaimed tenor Simon O’Neill, the rising star of sopranos Anna Leese and the Vector Wellington Orchestra.

Entry free but tickets required.

Tickets from Nelson City and Tasman District Council, libraries, BioPaints, Everyman.

Contact: Ph. 03 545 8734

Explore, Experience, Discover. Nelson’s Saturday market defies description.

For many years, artists of every kind have been gravitating to the sunny, open-minded region of Nelson. Art trails allow visitors to see potters, painters, sculptors, weavers and ceramicists at work. The Saturday market in Montgomery Square is another way to experience the creativity of Nelson’s community.

Here you find real people, hard cash and products made and produced by the people who are selling them.

Prowl the lanes between the hundreds of stalls for Nelson’s best; crafts, pottery, unique gifts,designer wear, woodwork, organic veges, breads, fruit, cheeses, gourmet foods and treasures … treat yourself at the food stalls!