13 minute read
On tour with Peter O'White
As the dust settles on the Irish victory over the All Blacks, and the country licks its wounds, there is one Shore local who has been close to the action with the Irish. Former North Shore City councillor, Takapuna Beach Business Association General Manager, and current North Harbour Rugby team manager Peter White was the New Zealand Liaison Officer with the Irish as they toured the country. It is a role that Pete has performed on several Irish rugby tours over two decades. Channel Mag’s Aidan Bennett talked with Pete about his experience with the Irish in late July, just as the victorious team was departing our shores.
Peter White (far right) with members of the Ireland management team after their series win in Wellington: From left – Gerard Carmody (Director of Operations), John Fogarty (Scrum Coach), Mike Catt (Assistant and Attack Coach), Simon Easterby (Defence Coach), Paul O’Connell (Forwards Coach), Mick Kearney (Manager), Peter Wilkins (Coach Development). In Front - David Nucifora (High Performance Director).
Two Peter's – Ireland’s world class loose forward Peter O'Mahony and Pete White.
AIDAN BENNETT: How many tours have you now done with the Irish, Pete?
PETER WHITE: Six tours with the Irish: 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2022. I have also had a great deal to do with many Irish players and management as Liaison Officer with the British and Irish Lions team tours in 2005 and 2017.
AB: What duties does the New Zealand Liaison Officer perform on tour?
PW: Generally the Liaison Officer ensures that both New Zealand and Ireland are treated fairly according to the Tour Agreement – which covers all details of the tour. Squad numbers, landed costs (accommodation, food, training venues, internal travel etc), resolving issues that may arise and utilising established networks to assist as required. Because of Covid the Irish management couldn’t do a pre-tour recce to establish hotels and training venues. For previous tours I usually travel with management to assist in this respect, some months in advance of the tour. I had to do this myself for this tour and as a consequence spent a great deal of time in video calls with Ireland discussing various options. It has probably been the most difficult and satisfying tour that I have been involved in. Initially, there was uncertainty as to whether the squad would have to isolate upon arrival in New Zealand and as a consequence the tour was only confirmed once New Zealand lifted this requirement – meaning there was little time to prepare adequately. Complicating this was the changing hospitality landscape. Most traditional hotels used in previous tours were being used as MIQ centres or had changed their operating model and were no longer suitable for touring teams.
Touring teams need a great deal of conference room space to cater for their requirements – medical, analytical, dining and meeting rooms as well as leisure spaces for the squad. They also need twin rooms for players with double double beds and large storage rooms for the kit that travels with a squad of 40 players and 29 management. In addition the hotel needs to be experienced in looking after large groups of sportsmen – providing nutritious meals of generous portions, ensuring the team's privacy and security are maintained, having parking for two 50-seat buses, plus minivan and a cargo van
Ireland coach Andy Farrell making a presentation to New Zealand Liaison Officer Peter White in appreciation of his efforts on the tour, following the third test in Wellington. Peter White being asked to perform for the Irish during the celebrations in Wellington.
Peter White at work on the sideline.
and also satisfy a range of other special requirements.
We had a large number of injuries in the first two weeks of tour meaning players had to be replaced and sent back to Ireland. Covid also affected the team with eight of the squad having to isolate alone for seven days, with the team travelling to Dunedin without them.
The team didn’t miss a beat – with others stepping in to fill the breach and everyone helping out as required.
AB: You were pretty close to the action and would have seen the team lose their first two matches. Did you get a feeling then that the tour could go either way or was there a resolve?
PW: There was a huge amount of resolve amongst the team. Although disappointed with the result of the first test at Eden Park they realised that they could have won if they had converted a number of opportunities and hadn’t let themselves down in the second quarter.
Unlike previous tours this squad believed they could beat the All Blacks.
Andy (Farrell) is an outstanding leader and motivator who instils confidence and inspires performance. Likewise Peter (O’Mahony) and Johnny (Sexton) are marvellous leaders.
The second test win was huge as was the midweek performance of the youngsters in the squad in beating the Māori All Blacks in Wellington, meaning there was a great deal of momentum going into the third test. management. They display genuine friendship and appreciation of assistance provided and work done on their behalf. I have worked with many of the management on previous tours and feel lucky to count them as true friends. To experience such a historical occasion with them all was magical and will remain a highlight of my career in rugby.
AB: Which players in the Irish team really impressed you on the tour?
PW: I have completed many tours with the senior players – the likes of Johnny Sexton, Peter O’Mahony, Connor Murray, Cian Healy and Keith Earls. These are true professionals and even though some of them are no longer starting players, they all give 100% to ensure those who have taken their place are best prepared. Cian looked down and out after the injury he suffered in Hamilton but showed remarkable resilience, perseverance and strength of character to start off the bench in the test series.
I was also very impressed with Josh van der Flier, a delightful man and quality player. Mac Hansen, the Australian, is a real character and dynamic player, as is Andrew Porter, the prop who scored twice in the second test.
The Kiwi contingent in the squad are all strong performers, and it was great to see Michael Bent (who played for a New Zealand Barbarian side last year that I was involved in) getting a call up and match time versus the Māori All Blacks.
AB: They are obviously close to being the world’s very best at the moment. What makes them so good from your observations?
PW: I would say six key things: They’re quality people, they have outstanding management, excellent coaching, there is a mix of experience and youth, they have real belief, the team contains some of the best players in the world in key positions.
Coach Andy Farrell had asked for this tour which was really five tests and three shifts in 17 days – against the best in the world in their own back yard. He wanted to test his squad (players and management) in preparation for next year’s Rugby World Cup. He wanted them to also do something special which will probably never happen again due to the proposed global calendar coming into effect in 2024.
AB: I know you are now back to your role as the manager of the QBE North Harbour team for the Bunnings NPC competition. How is the team shaping up for 2022?
PW: The team is looking good – we will hopefully have Karl Tu’inukuafe for 8-9 games before he heads to France and also welcome back former Harbour and now international players Mark Telea (All Blacks) and Ray Niuia (Samoa), Tevita Li is back from Japan and Danny Drake from Wales. New signings include England international Denny Solomona and Samoan international Kalolo Tuiloma. Returning players include Māori All Blacks Shaun Stevenson and Cameron Suafoa; New Zealand Sevens player Moses Leo and standout Chiefs first five Bryn Gatland.
AB: I am sure the tours are always fun as the Irish always have some good blarney. Any stories you can share?
PW: What goes on tour stays on tour Aidan. But the squad accepted me from day one and treated me as a valued member of
AB: When is the first Harbour home game for 2022?
PW: Sunday August 14th at 4.35 pm v Manawatu at North Harbour Stadium. We would appreciate you all coming and supporting North Harbour.
By Naomi Watts, Pou Āwhina (Cultural Support)
Immerse: Cultural Support Service (Iho)
Naomi Watts.
Immerse’s Cultural Support Service is offered to children in our care and foster parents who identify as Māori. Through this service, we aim to normalise Māori culture, practices, and language in foster homes with hopes to strengthen the child’s cultural identity. It is consistent and tailored support for tamariki and rangatahi Māori (Māori children and young people) and their whānau whāngai (foster family) designed to give them their voice and empower them.
For many years, it has been a privilege to grow up in Aotearoa with knowledge of te reo Māori (the Māori language), culture, and heritage, it shouldn't be, which is why this work is so important. It’s especially crucial for our tamariki and rangatahi who have come from ‘hard places’ and are away from their whānau whānui (extended family). 70% of the children in our care identify as Māori, so it’s evident that the need is there.
At Immerse, we utilise Sir Mason Drurie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā wellbeing model as a framework in how we identify the needs and provide care for our tamariki and rangatahi. One of the four dimensions of the model is Taha Wairua, or Spiritual Wellbeing, which includes your culture and identity. To help meet this need, our cultural support service engages directly with tamariki and rangatahi as well as their whānau whāngai to normalise aspects of their culture and identity at home, positively impacting the entire whānau (family).
Fostering is driven by a genuine desire to help and nurture. As an organisation, we look at what resources our whānau whāngai would also benefit from in order to provide a nurturing environment where their tamariki and rangatahi can thrive. Our trauma-informed caregiver training involves a module on intergenerational trauma and how it affects tamariki and rangatahi Māori. This pre-engagement, along with on-going coaching, cultural, and social work support is how we inform and empower our whānau whāngai to provide a home where the tamariki and rangatahi overall wellbeing and identity can thrive.
Naomi Watts.
For more information about Immerse and becoming a foster parent visit our website: www.immerse.org.nz or email: info@immerse.org.nz By Lewis Rudall, Master Electrician and Director at Lake Road Electrical Why you should choose low glare downlights
Lewis Rudall.
The main problem with most economic downlights is the glare.
The best way to explain this is to imagine the strong dazzling headlights of an oncoming car at night. Cheap LED fittings often have a 100%-plus beam angle which spreads the light everywhere. Low glare downlights concentrate the light to a beam angle of 60% or less. Often you can 't actually see where the light is coming from, giving you a nicely lit space but without the 'oncoming car headlight’ effect.
Bright lights are harmful to your eyes. When the retina's lightsensing cells become over-stimulated from looking at a bright light, they release massive amounts of signalling chemicals, injuring the back of the eye as a result. The low glare downlight makes a huge difference; not only is the softer light better for your eyes, it will also allow you to set the mood while creating an atmosphere that suits the purpose of every room in your home.
The Unified Glare Rating (UGR) is a measure of the glare in each environment. A lower UGR value indicates less glare and therefore relates to a more visually comfortable environment. The correct lighting solutions combat glare, allowing you to control the illumination of objects through beam angle, diffusion, and output options. This is why we recommend you use recessed downlights that sit deep in the light cavity, hidden away for a relaxed atmosphere, or a prismatic diffuser giving softer light beams. It makes such a difference!
The beam angle is the trajectory at which the light is emitted, while the diffuser is positioned in front of the source to shape or soften the light and reduce the sharpness of shadows. You can find a wide range of beam angles from 9-100+ degrees. Dimmers are another great option to control the lighting in a room as you desire. Call us to discuss options and to book a free trial.
Visit www.lakerodelectrical.co.nz for more news and tips. Lake Road Electrical is a family-owned business that specialises in residential electrical services. We currently offer 10% off for new customers up to $1000 & $250 off switchboard upgrades. So don’t wait call us now! Phone: 09-242 2204 Text: 0291287494 or email: Lewis@lakeroadelectrical.co.nz
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