harbourrugby.com - Harbour Hamster

The Hamster's Great Idea

The Hamster came to after a particularly arduous night on the turpentine but through the haze of another shocking binge-drinking display arose an idea worth pursuing with some vigor.

It's not what we are drinking; it's how we are drinking? The Hamster had a nocturnal epiphany no less.

The Hamster Sings ...

This season looks to be as long as the last, we pay a special tribute to Pivac and the lads as they embark on their journey by butchering a great Beatles tune.

The Long and Winding Oteha Valley Road

2007 Season Review

Possibly the worst season in the Union’s history, let’s get the knives out …

J Hinchco – no good. Possibly the worst player on the park. Can’t throw, can’t catch, doesn’t commit to the tight ... apart from that a fair player. In my opinion just not ...

The Hamster has finally pulled his head out of his rain-soaked hole after a self-imposed two day mourning period.

This unusually hairy rodent is a pissed-off little mammal. I am loathed to direct it in any particular direction but have decided on Pivac and his merry band of coaching disasters.

My god boy’s why has it gone so wrong so fast? ....

Pivac Must Go!

The French Army in 1940 put up more of a fight than our lot on Saturday, the performances thus far have been piss poor. Sadly for North Harbour we are unlikely to be able to call on the resources of the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Russia and the forces of the Commonwealth to come to our aid. ....

This report is aimed at the pointless journalism and speculation surrounding the crowds that don't arrive at North Harbour.

There are a few certainties in life; taxes, death and Frenchmen contracting syphilis from the local bordello.

Since 1985 you could also have added people in North ....

The Hamster would at this stage like to say a few words on behalf of the departing superstar - Charles Luke McAlister.

While forgiving him the sin of being born in the provincial boundaries of Taranaki, Luke has gone on to become one of Harbour's most talented and respected players in our relative short history (well he's a bit better than Warren Burton). In recent times we have been reasonably critical of his performances ...

2007 Season Preview

2007 AD, a new year, a new chapter?

The arrival of Pivac should settle things down this year and get us back to some decent footie.

The players available look overall to be sound but lacking in experience. We have an exceptionally young side and that may cost us in the end. Without Luke "can't-make-millions-overseas-until-Dad-gets-a-bullocks-position-and-takes-20%-of-my-package-and-endorsement-revenue" McAllister and Woody the Magnificent, the side lacks ...

Full credit to Wayne Pivac for taking the time to send us an e-mail in response to the warm welcome from the Harbour Hamster - Editor

Dear Hamster,

On behalf of the 2007 North Harbour Management team I would like to thank you for your early show of support.

I am always open to discussion on most things rugby ...

Hamster & Pivac

Dear Mr. Pivac

On behalf of the devoted readers of Harbour Rugby's most famous and informative website, the Harbour Hamster (your grassroots expert) welcomes you to the position of Harbour Head Coach. While this vocation has at times proven to be a poisoned chalice, we believe you may have what it takes to make a real positive difference.

We also said that about ...

Hamster & Pollock

It is fair comment that Pollock and harbourrugby.com didn't really see "eye-to-eye" on a myriad of issues pertaining to team selection at our Union.

Pretty much thought he was a bit of a knob to be honest but I have to say that I thought that he was very unfairly treated by an administration that who excels at being a bit average.

The 2006 season wasn't fantastic on the Air NZ Cup front but we made the quarter-finals and more importantly came away with a real piece of silverware even it was disguised as the Ranfurly Shield. We are yet to see how this ...

New Year Greetings!

Happy New Year to all fans of North Harbour Rugby!

It seems that we will be beginning the year with another worrying bout of indecision and negative media exposure.

In the latest saga untitled, "Appointment of New Coach", NHRFU again seems unable to complete this reasonably straight forward business task. Once again we are seen to be acting with acutely unprofessional behaviour ...

Season Review 2006

We won the Ranfurly Shield which must go down as one of our best performances of any year.

Sadly, I still felt we under-achieved and despite good selection into the Super 14 we must do a lot better to be taken seriously.

1. A Donald (Takapuna)
Probably played more games this season than ever before, largely due to his decision to play loose and tight. While he is a very solid player he ...

Hamsters, Pat's Garage and the Shield

In scenes reminiscent of the Poe of old, Pat's Garage has firmly established itself as the "Home of Harbour Rugby". Hardened veterans remember the Irish Bar at the Poenamo Hotel, which was known to be a very convivial and accessible place in to "mix and mingle" with the players of the mid-nineties. This practice declined markedly when Harbour relocated to the Stadium of Ratepayers Burden and a new climate of ...

As disclosed in the Otago match report rumour has it that player influence has once again taken over at Harbour. Last year there was a definite 'bloc' of athletes who did not subscribe to the Pollock regime and things got well out of hand before commonsense prevailed. Despite efforts to dispel that rumour as a 'red-herring', the departure of Coughlan, Ward and co. showed that they were no longer prepared to take direction ...

Harbour Hamster: Report #1