I attended the official Hong Kong Sixes afterparty at Stormies in Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) a couple of weekends ago and was surprised at all the construction that’s going on in the city’s premier party district.  Seems Mr Lan Kwai Fong himself (Allan Zeman) has bigger plans for the district.

While it was a Sunday evening, LKF was nevetheless quite busy.  I even saw some folks in their pajamas (we don’t bat our eyelids upon seeing this here in Hong Kong).  They obviously live in the area.  Age is probably catching up with me but I could never understand why someone would want to live so close to Lan Kwai Fong, or SoHo for that matter.

James Durston obviously does and he recently went into quite a public (online) rant about it.

Here’s an extract:

Li Ka-shing recently asked the Hong Kong citizenry for some “good ideas” that could make Hong Kong a better place. Here’s one:

Sentence all drunken idiots stumbling around Soho/Central/LKF to 100 days chained to a bar in Soho/Central/LKF … with no booze. Let’s see how many a cappella renditions of Frankie Valli’s “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” they can take, then throw in a few strangers draping their arms around them and breathing over and over into their face, “Yuh know, I dunno whoyooarr, buh I love you sho mush.”

An eye for an eye, and all that.

And if they happen to be English, castrate them too. That might sound a bit severe, but if someone insists on singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” at 4 a.m. outside my apartment, as many Brits do, the least they can do is make sure they hit those high notes.

Anecdotes about drunken British morons abroad are about as original as … the antics of those drunken British morons. But that’s exactly my point. How many times do we have to hear about some beered-up banker arrested for indecently assaulting a taxi exhaust before we make an example of him?

Just to give this some context, I’m English, and I’m no stranger to the odd beer or six on a Saturday night. But I’ve never felt the urge to take off my pants, wrap them around my head and sit in the middle of the street singing “We Wish You A Beery Christmas.”

Yes, I saw that, from my apartment window. In August.

Read more: James Durston: Drunken British expats should be chained up | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/life/drunken-british-expats-in-hong-kong-113818#ixzz16G7oranJ

With the third-ever Bledisloe Cup to be played on neutral soil looming, local rugby fans are rejoicing because yet another iconic rugby side will be calling on the SAR, albeit only in 2013.

The British and Irish Lions will kick off their 2013 tour to Australia with a match against the Barbarians in Hong Kong, it was confirmed on Monday.

The Lions, who last toured Australia in 2001, will be making their debut in the former British colony, which is rapidly emerging as a popular Asian venue for high-profile rugby internationals.

Former Scotland and Lions international Andy Irvine will manage the 2013 campaign, succeeding Gerald Davies who steps up to chairman.

“To be able to confirm today that the Lions will break new ground with their first ever fixture in Hong Kong will ensure the tour to Australia is even more special,” Lions chief executive John Feehan said.

“I’d also like to congratulate Andy and Gerald on their appointments.”

“The Lions will benefit hugely from having two highly regarded and respected former Lions at the helm for the tour to Australia.”

The Lions last won in Australia in 1989, defeating the Wallabies 2-1.

Much like the late-night shenanigans of the recently completed World Cup, this was one to stay up for.

I caught the final flurry of The Open at St Andrews where Louis Oosthuizen captured his first Major in fine, fine style, concluding at the 18th hole at about 01h30 Hong Kong time.

Mosselbaai native Louis Oosthuizen (or “Lewis Oorsten-howzen” as per the ESPN commentary team) just clinched his first-ever golf Major by winning The Open at the home of golf, St Andrews.

Oosthuizen won his first major title by seven strokes over runner-up Lee Westwood of England on the famed Old Course.

He also became the first player since American Tony Lema in 1964 to win his first major title at the birthplace of golf, firing a final-round one-under par 71 to finish 72 holes on 16-under par 272.

England’s Lee Westwood finished second on nine-under, his fourth top-three finish in the past five majors.  Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and England’s Paul Casey shared third on eight-under.

This historic win was made special when Oosthuizen, before saying anything else during his acceptance speech, wished former South African president Nelson Mandela a very happy 92nd birthday.

All hail our newest Champion:

Lodewikus Theodorus Oosthuizen.

The Champion at St Andrews… Louis Oosthuizen

This is mine! The Open 2010 Champions Louis Oosthuizen

Louis Oosthuizen embraces his caddy after clinching The Open title.

As my son Ethan will say: “Group Hug!”

I don’t know if Danny Jordaan (CEO of the 2010 LOC) had a chat with his SARU counterpart when the Confederations Cup (Soccer) and British & Irish Lions test (Rugby) were put together, but it’s all working out rosy insofar as testing the SA infrastructure is concerned.  The SA daily newspapers are headlining 2 important issues for FIFA:

(1) does South Africa have enough beds to accommodate the expected 100′s of 1000′s of soccer fans next year and

(2) do the country’s plethora of pubs have the capacity to deliver enough beer to cool the 100′s of 1000′s of hot and thirsty soccer fans next year (bearing in mind that it will indeed be WINTER in the Southern Hemisphere.)

As far as the latter is concerned, apparently not.

The following report appeared in The Argus (a Cape Town daily) today:

Lions supporters drink pubs dry

Emergency beer supplies had to be trucked in to pubs in Durban and Umhlanga to cope with the demand from Lions rugby fans

And one venue ran out of beer not once, but twice on the same day.

“It was completely wild and I had to deliver emergency supplies to venues all over town on Saturday morning,” said SA Breweries sales manager Paul Bartmann.

Some venues had to hire trucks to pick up extra supplies.

Seven hundred extra cases of beer had to be rushed to the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World where restaurants were said to be “a sea of red”.

In Umhlanga, there were so many partying Lions supporters that they were 15-deep in one pub at one stage, with another venue running queues to get inside.

“It was absolutely unbelievable. We were just not prepared for the onslaught,” said a delighted Eleanor Gillies, manager of The George Tapas and Wine Bar.

“The Lions twice drank us dry on Friday and I had to close the doors at midnight as we had run out after getting a resupply at lunchtime,” she said.

Over at the Cotton Fields restaurant, owner and partner Gordon Jestin said the Lions fans had got through about 6 000 beers. He had also had to call for a resupply. Jestin said he did not normally open on a Sunday but had done so to put on a braai for fans.

Would you rather see rugby pics like this or listen to Naas Botha’s comments? No really? Would you?

The Springboks are playing the British & Irish Lions in the first Test today (Saturday June 20, 2009) and no other TV ad encapsulates the feeling of thousands of rugby-loving Saffa expats all over the world as this Castle Beer TV advert.  Images of my own time in Taiwan, watching the Springboks play from a braai on a rooftop way over in Taoyuan City, Taiwan with a smattering of Yanks, Canadians and even a Pommie or two come vividly to mind!

Hope that this is how you feel!

Bokke Bo!

(Sunday morning, 03:20 after the Super 14 Final)

Jislaaik! What a game!  After the Chiefs stunned the Loftus faithful with a quick Leila Masaga try… and in the process making the Kiwis at Delaneys (WanChai) scream with delight,  what a turn-around by the South Africans!

It’s always interesting to wait and see how (and when) the South Africans in the bar make themselves known!  As the game progressed, the Saffas became more and more vocal and by the end of a fantastic Super 14, I knew exactly who the South Africans were!

The Super 14 is now over so our attention turn firmly to the next game for the British & Irish Lions: a mid-week jaunt against the Golden Lions.

WED.03 June —- vs. Golden Lions (Jhb) TV: SA 19:10 HK 01:10 (04 June)

We will probably not get a crowd turning out for this game so we turn our attention to the weekend outing: British & Irish Lions vs. Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday Saturday 6 June (9pm HK time)

If you’re a Saffa and want to watch the game at Delaney (WanChai) mail me on mike(at)howzit-hongkong(dot)com and let’s watch it together.  Hopefully we’ll have a solid list for the Springboks’ first Test against the Lions on June 20.

Bulle Bo!

“Maak die Bulle ammal Bokke!” or so the song goes! (Pic: Anesh Debiky – Gallo Images)

Paul O Connell, Captain of the British & Irish Lions Tour to SA

Rugby pundits across South Africans and the UK are unanimous in their prediction that the British & Irish Lions side selected was done so as to take the Springboks on where it matters: up front. 

The side, made up primarily by Irish and Welsh players are mostly known as tough, hardy ruggers and were picked to take the South Africans on at their own game: the forwards.

The following from Sport24:

By Stephen Nell – Die Burger

Cape Town – The British and Irish Lions are planning to take on the Springboks at their own traditional strengths in the series of three Tests in June and July.

That was the reaction on Tuesday from a panel of experts approached by Sport24 following the announcement of the squad for the tour of 10 games in South Africa.

Alan Solomons, Eddie Jones, Jake White and Cobus Visagie all agreed that Ian McGeechan (head coach) made a good selection and believe the Lions will take South Africa on physically.

“The Lions are not going to be out to entertain. They have picked a very physical squad,” said Solomons, who is a former Bok assistant coach and has also been at the helm of Irish side Ulster.

He believes the choice of Paul O’Connell as captain, as well as three physical scrumhalves – Mike Phillips, Harry Ellis and Tomas O’Leary – underline that point. 

“O’Connell was a very good choice as captain. He has done an excellent job at Munster and has a hard edge,” said Solomons. Mike Phillips reminds me of Robert du Preez (a former Blue Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf). All the scrumhalves are big and physical. 

Mike Blair and Dwayne Peel (who were omitted) are more classic scrumhalves that are perhaps better passers of the ball. This sends a clear signal on how the Lions intend playing.

The two flyhalves (Stephen Jones and Ronan O’Gara) are good at game management. They kick well at goal and their tactical kicking is also good.”

Jones, a former Wallaby boss who coached Saracens until recently, also believes the Lions have picked a squad that can stand their ground physically.

“They have picked big and aggressive forwards. They will definitely be out to take South Africa on physically,” he said.  There are not many surprises among the backs. I don’t think they’ll be out to beat South Africa with flair. I doubt we’ll see high scores in the games. It’s going to be hard and uncompromising. The Lions will have a very recognisable style of play.

“The big question is whether they have enough talent. If you weigh the sides against one another, South Africa will have more talent at their disposal.”

McGeechan surprised by not picking the captains of Scotland (Blair), Wales (Ryan Jones) and England (Steve Borthwick). Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will play a supporting role under O’Connell.

White, who coached South Africa in their triumphant World Cup campaign, was impressed by the manner in which McGeechan approached the issue of leadership.

“It shows he has his own vision and that sends a very good signal to the players. I have to compliment him on that,” said White.

“He did not fall into the trap of sentimental choices. Some people would have wanted Borthwick there because he is England’s captain and Ryan Jones would have had a lot of support in Wales.

“O’Driscoll is also not the skipper, irrespective of the reverence in which he is held in Ireland. With the squad he picked, McGeechan is also keeping his cards close to his chest with regards the first 15 for the tests.”

Visagie, a former Bok tighthead prop who now plays for Saracens, also sees a physical onslaught coming South Africa’s way.

“The choice of O’Connell ahead of O’Driscoll tells you what the philosophy will be. They wanted a skipper that can impose himself physically,” said Visagie.

“Simon Shaw over Borthwick is a further indication. Shaw is a bruiser and Borthwick a lineout specialist. However, I think South Africa have the ability to dominate the Lions physically.”

For those rugby-mad South Africans out here on this side of the noodle-gordyn, in case you missed it, the touring side for the 2009 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa has been announced.  Here at Howzit-HongKong! HQ were are chomping at the bit and have subsequently opened a special catagory on the website.  So, as they say in media circles, stay tuned for all the latest, especially where and when we can catch all the games… right here on Howzit-HongKong!

Bokke Bo!

British & Irish Lions onner!