New Website
You can find all Jono's news photos and more on his new website www.jonomiller.com
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Rugby - Ukraine vs Holland
It's a lovely sunny Sunday in Kiev at Spring time. Jono and Anya are heading out to the Sporta Stadium. Most people here are unaware of the sleeping giant in Ukraine. I speak of the Ukraine Rugby Union. Only 13 years old they have worked hard to reach this place and today they play in the European Cup against Holland.
The stadium is 3/4s full when we arrive but manage to find two seats almost on the half way line. The big screen is playing re-runs of IRB World Sevens matches. We even get to witness the historic win by Kenya over Australia in a Sevens match.
The Red Fox dancing girls come out, the President welcomes everyone and then the National Anthems are sung. The crowd is definitely not going to give any support to Holland today.
There are a few people in English, Australian and All Blacks gear. They don't actually understand my English so shouting out soon became futile.
The game gets off to a fast pace and its all Ukraine. Anya says to not bother trying to explain the game and we'll just enjoy it. After a couple missed attempts, Ukraine draws first blood with a penalty. Holland is struggling to get out of their half.
I am extremely impressed with the mauling ability of the Ukraine team and their pick and go also very good. Their backs were rather unimaginative and lacked finishing class, but all the same pulled off the tackles when needed. About half way through the first half, a line out (caught much in the manner of the great Jono Miller from Beecroft) is turned into a driving maul and Ukraine goes over for its first try and it's the forwards all the way. Well done piggies! Conversion from near the sideline, its 10 nil and looks like a long day for Holland. But they weren't to give up. Holland had some great passages of play but Ukrainian pride stood strong and they were not about to let their line be crossed.
Half time Jono heads on down to get some snacks for Anya and himself. Estimates the crowd at about 5000, not bad for a Soccer (football Ed.) mad nation.
The second half, (Anya is beginning to like rugby) Ukraine is on top and we both know how to cheer for our team. One more forward try, and then a clever run from the inside centre round the back of the ruck sees a the line open for a third try and the score heads up to 22 nil.
Holland realise the only hope they have left is to play dirty, so right in front of the crowd a big fight erupts and even a few sideline people get involved. The officials struggle to get everything under control and the President gets on the microphone and says something about the emotional side of rugby (bummer, this is not the way to get Anya to like rugby). The match ends 22 to nil and we sing "we are the champions" and head on down to the field.
This is where having a rugby ball and wearing All Black's gear makes you famous. Someone wanted to buy my ball off me and one mother got me to sign autographs for all her kids. Others came up and wanted their photo taken with me and I even got my photo taken with the President of the Ukrainian Rugby Union!
A good day? I think so!
The stadium is 3/4s full when we arrive but manage to find two seats almost on the half way line. The big screen is playing re-runs of IRB World Sevens matches. We even get to witness the historic win by Kenya over Australia in a Sevens match.
The Red Fox dancing girls come out, the President welcomes everyone and then the National Anthems are sung. The crowd is definitely not going to give any support to Holland today.
There are a few people in English, Australian and All Blacks gear. They don't actually understand my English so shouting out soon became futile.
The game gets off to a fast pace and its all Ukraine. Anya says to not bother trying to explain the game and we'll just enjoy it. After a couple missed attempts, Ukraine draws first blood with a penalty. Holland is struggling to get out of their half.
I am extremely impressed with the mauling ability of the Ukraine team and their pick and go also very good. Their backs were rather unimaginative and lacked finishing class, but all the same pulled off the tackles when needed. About half way through the first half, a line out (caught much in the manner of the great Jono Miller from Beecroft) is turned into a driving maul and Ukraine goes over for its first try and it's the forwards all the way. Well done piggies! Conversion from near the sideline, its 10 nil and looks like a long day for Holland. But they weren't to give up. Holland had some great passages of play but Ukrainian pride stood strong and they were not about to let their line be crossed.
Half time Jono heads on down to get some snacks for Anya and himself. Estimates the crowd at about 5000, not bad for a Soccer (football Ed.) mad nation.
The second half, (Anya is beginning to like rugby) Ukraine is on top and we both know how to cheer for our team. One more forward try, and then a clever run from the inside centre round the back of the ruck sees a the line open for a third try and the score heads up to 22 nil.
Holland realise the only hope they have left is to play dirty, so right in front of the crowd a big fight erupts and even a few sideline people get involved. The officials struggle to get everything under control and the President gets on the microphone and says something about the emotional side of rugby (bummer, this is not the way to get Anya to like rugby). The match ends 22 to nil and we sing "we are the champions" and head on down to the field.
This is where having a rugby ball and wearing All Black's gear makes you famous. Someone wanted to buy my ball off me and one mother got me to sign autographs for all her kids. Others came up and wanted their photo taken with me and I even got my photo taken with the President of the Ukrainian Rugby Union!
A good day? I think so!
