News

THE LOOP: September has Sprung

9 September 2008

The Champions Trophy is dead as The Don as of last month, but despite the paucity of cricket, there's plenty of shenanigans to report from Beige HQ - especially at the English end of things...

PULP SPORT  >>   Back later in the year and vlearly not looking to be too PC if this Symonds v Harbhajan shot is anything to go by.

RUGBY: Beige Up for the Grand Slam in November >>   We still have limited places available on the Beige Brigade's return missions from London to NZ v Scotland in Edinburgh; NZ v Ireland in Dublin; and NZ v Wales in Cardiff in November... but the slots are filling so stop diddling about! Look out for the new Beige Brigade inspired 'NZ Jandal Flag' that will make its debut appearance on these tours too.

TOAST NZ: Kensington Olympia, London, September 27 >>   Get 5 squid off and watch us try and run/ruin the SPORTS ZONE! Toast NZ is coming up on the 27th...would be bloody rude not to go see Supergroove and Opshop, plus fatten up by imbibing some Kumara chips and mussels that are actually bigger than your finger nail! PLUS the Beige Brigade are in charge of the Sports Zone...so watch out. Dan 'Oh he's so dreamy' Carter and Zinzan 'I was named after Chris Harris's old man' Brooke will be joining us in the zone. It may get messy. Book by Sept 24 and get £5 off your Toast Ticket by quoting "BEIGE". Tickets can be purchased at www.toastfestivals.co.uk  or by calling 0871 230 7143

ANZAC DAY 2009: Join the Beige Brigade in Turkey >>   Our mission to Gallipoli is a wee way off but well worth considering. Check out our 2009 plans here, and revisit last year's effort via the TV3 story that is online here.

WAITANGI DAY 2009: Come to Australia with the Beige Brigade >>   Looking at doing 4 days in Australia and taking in two NZ v Australia one-dayers in Melbourne and Sydney and getting amongst the Australians with Jesse Ryder back on deck, bourbon, fixed tendons and all. Flick a note to beigebrigade@clear.net.nz to stay in the loop as we pull this one together.

CRICKET SCHEDULE: Indies and India on the way >>   NZC has unveiled the 2008/09 schedule: we have the swashbuckle of the West Indies and the might and power of the supreme beings from India visiting our shores between now and autumn. Initially, the crucial question will be whether the Windies will still be nursing rum-induced hangovers from their November 1 match against England for US$20 million. (Not that they will appear in that match as the "West Indies" - sponsorship deals preclude that from happening. Instead, they will be operating under the banner of the IPL-esque sobriquet of the Stanford Superstars. For a share of US$20m they would happily play under the name The Spice Boys or the Allen Stanford Is My Daddy XI, let's be honest.) More from the Sideline Slogger on the summer schedule here...

DINGO DESTRUCTING: NZ vs Australia at The Southerner, Temple, London >>   If you need a place to watch the Tri-Nations decider against the Dingos this Saturday - The Southerner Speights Ale House in Temple (directions are here if you are yet to indulge there) is our wee beige beer swilling home away from home. £6 Jugs of Speight's and also £3 glasses of Oyster Bay for the whole day! Along with their Jesse Ryder inspired Breakfast of Champions...dirty old pies!

BLACK CUPS UP FOR LAME AWARD >>   Great news - New Zealand has been nominated for the ICC's terrific Spirit of Cricket Award. This is the cricketing equivalent of the "Award for the Fat Kid for trying hard (even though he still rubbish)". We join other magnificent nominees and fellow fat kids Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. It is all about haveing respect for opponents, own captain and team, umpires and the "game's traditional values". All the rest of the awards - including the one for the skinny, fit kids are here.

HARDCORE BEIGE SUPPORTER PLAYS WITH A STRAIGHT BAT  >>   See if you can spot the Beige Brigadier undercover in this Close Up story on TVNZ with Mark "Steve Rixon" Sainsbury at the helm. 

WELL PLAYED MIIIICHAEL >> How good is this wee letter from departing English captain Michael Vaughan? Whatever you think of the bloke it is wonderful to see a man of his status personally acknowledging the relentless support of the English and Welsh fans. 

CHRISTOPHER CAIRNS: Walks out and walks on >>   "My wife is the most beautiful woman in this world. Of course, there are other women who look nice. Indian women, for sure. There are so many Miss Worlds from India." That was the recently unbetrothed Chris Cairns back in June. He is no longer with his wife (having shacked up with a former Australian basketball star and sports agent), but nevertheless you should be making a contribution to his Foundation for his 1000 kilometre walk.

DHONI PEPSI AD >>   The man we call the Ministry of Social Development - Mahendra Singh Dhoni is advertising carbonated drinks. Does he say: "Do you have the balls?" in this advert? The man is a loose cannon. When is Vettori going to do some wonderful ads like these instead of ones for books, nerd glasses and banks?

FAT ROB KEY >>   This is a wonderful piece of viewing - Nasser is out of control on the mic as a man identified as a young Robert Key is caught on film dancing up a storm in the stands during Finals Day. It is the cricketing version of that Jamiroquai moment in Napoleon Dynamite. Even Owais Shah gets a slightly excited. In between some bloke hits a 4 as well. And a final touch - nothing to do with cricket at all - make sure you have seen the Robert Key of New Zealand sports television - James McOnie - and his escapades at the Olympics, most memorably with Michael "I know more about NZ than you think" Phelps. Magic stuff big fella.

Take care out there

Paul & Mike, BEIGE BRIGADE HQ