Northern Districts, the strongest FC team in the world

[Mr Miyagi]

Sorry - it wasn't supposed to be a dig at you or at Auckland. I don't mind Auckland tbh. I guess to me clear frost winter days when it is a high of 8C are better than rainy days when it is 18 and I love the thought of not having insects in my house.

The insects are dissipating the closer I get to June, now I have rodents, thanks all the same

Where you from?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

While I totally agree with your sentiment, the exodus from Auckland of cricketers doesn't support your point. With equal work opportunities and pay nationwide, it makes sense to move to somewhere cheaper to live and less troublesome for a professional sportsman than a big city.

While most leave for the opportunity to play, many who were destined to be stars leave anyway..

I think that is another reason why the Blues are the worst Super rugby team in the country. (As well as needing a decent 1st 5)

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I'm a bit of a gypsy to be honest - it is hard to say

 

[Mr Miyagi]

I think that is another reason why the Blues are the worst Super rugby team in the country. (As well as needing a decent 1st 5)

I think we probably agree.

Big cities are trouble for young famous money like sportsmen.

Many are advised accordingly and move, many move anyway to get an opportunity elsewhere.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

I'm a bit of a gypsy to be honest - it is hard to say

So I guess seeing you're a gypsy you walk funny.

Crystal balls n all

 

[Flem274*]

I couldn't deal with Auckland. It's ridiculously busy, very expensive, everyone looks stressed or like they spend too much time on instagram, it's self obsessed and the motorway driving is something to behold.

 

[Dan]

Is Brent Arnel officially retired? Last year Arnel FC average 21 to Baker's 24. Wags Plunket Shield average 26.

Nah, he's still going.

 

[_Ed_]

I couldn't deal with Auckland. It's ridiculously busy, very expensive, everyone looks stressed or like they spend too much time on instagram, it's self obsessed and the motorway driving is something to behold.

Indeed. It was a bloody great place to grow up and I still love a lot of things about it, but no regrets over leaving. The once-a-week commute is about as much Auckland as I can handle now.

 

[Burgey]

Well it is the closest thing to being a world city in New Zealand. Players want to move to Sydney, no?

Mate, have you been to Auckland? Fmd don’t be comparing it with the sweetest city in the south seas.

 

[Burgey]

I couldn't deal with Auckland. It's ridiculously busy, very expensive, everyone looks stressed or like they spend too much time on instagram, it's self obsessed and the motorway driving is something to behold.

Cute

 

[NZTailender]

My girlfriend is from London and anytime anyone brings up (Auckland) traffic she just laughs.

 

[Athlai]

My girlfriend is from London and anytime anyone brings up (Auckland) traffic she just laughs.

Yeah it is pretty funny how much kiwis whinge about Auckland traffic.

 

[SteveNZ]

Yeah it is pretty funny how much kiwis whinge about Auckland traffic.

Yeah, but a punch in the nose as opposed to a punch in the balls still hurts, right? No one sitting in traffic in Auckland, spending 45mins + trying to get past those ongoing ****ing traffic improvements on the SH at Karaka/Pukekohe etc is going to say 'oh well at least it's not as bad in a major city on the other side of the world I've never been to'.

I lived in Auckland for 28 years and I'd say it's a fair chance I'm never going back. I'm like cricketers, I'm in a job where my salary opportunities are the same wherever I live. Why the hell would I want to live somewhere where I lose two hours of my day to traffic? At the moment I commute 10 minutes each way. My real estate is cheaper (and thriving), my quality of life is just better. I know there's some people who can't work anywhere else and I totally get that. But Auckland isn't the place I grew up, I go up there and immediately I remember why I left. I now live in a place where people say hi to each other, there's a sense of community, my kids have space to roam and aren't in cars all the time, they'll more likely be able to buy a house, etc. And that's not a stereotype because I've lived both places.

The Aces are going to suffer, as are the Blues, because there's opportunities elsewhere without giving up too much (apart from family sometimes). It's why Kane, Tim, Trent, Corey, Wagner and now Colin de all live in the Mount - close enough to Auckland, less traffic, great lifestyle, getting paid the same. Sweet deal.

 

[morgieb]

In all seriousness, NZ has no Southern Districts, that is filled by Otago and to the north of Otago, Canterbury. Your favourite tourist destination Queenstown is part of Otago, as is Dunedin. Christchurch is part of Dunedin.

Northern Districts is however to the north of Central Districts. Seriously.

NZ's only 2 city based provinces, Auckland is isolated within Northern Districts, and Wellington is isolated within Central Districts.

You may think I am being a smart arse. And I am. And yet I am being 100% accurate and descriptive.

Don't ask why people of Whangarei and Warkworth must drive past Auckland down to Hamilton or Tauranga to play for ND, they just do.

Or why the people of Nelson must ferry to Wellington and travel past it to play for CD - they just do.
Don't ask me why CD encompasses two island, it just does.

The rugby provinces are batter divided than the cricket ones for efficiency. But that is NZ's way. Cricket is just impractical compared to rugby in NZ. And globally for that matter.

Auckland and Wellington are good cities have outrageous property prices, (think Sydney East) which makes ND and CD viable alternatives. Otago is cheap but cold. Christchurch suffers earthquakes.

Hamilton and Tauranga within ND are going to boom for NZ in the next 50 years with warm climates, cheaper than Welly and Auckland property prices and getting the benefits of city living.

Hamilton is 1 hour drive from Auckland, the Mount/Tauranga less than 3 and a wonderful beach tourist mecca, much more beautiful than anything in Auckland.

Nelson and the Hawkes Bay is also beautiful and ridiculously cheap, but so far from city standard its not funny - even if they have vineyards, jazz concerts and beaches. Think Newcastle, but with beaches and without bogans.

Err....Newy has plenty of beaches. Not sure what you mean.

 

[Flem274*]

yeah you lot sit there acting tough coz you've sat through London traffic. Couldn't give less of a ****, I don't want to live in London either. Plus it probably rains even more there than it does in Auckz.

i'm happy with countryside and busy uni towns. cities are terrible unless you're overseas on holiday.

 

[cnerd123]

I wonder which part of NZ has the better food

 

[Flem274*]

Oh God you've just inadvertently lured in all the Wellingtonian hipsters

'off some ****** windy street is this amazing little gluten free vegan dairy free non gmo cafe that does the best quiche and waffles, so good'

the true answer is it depends on what you're looking for. since you wrongly believe asian food is the best, auckland would be the place for you. burgey would rather go get drunk on wine in marlborough.

 

[Athlai]

Oh God you've just inadvertently lured in all the Wellingtonian hipsters

'off some ****** windy street is this amazing little gluten free vegan dairy free non gmo cafe that does the best quiche and waffles, so good'

the true answer is it depends on what you're looking for. since you wrongly believe asian food is the best, auckland would be the place for you. burgey would rather go get drunk on wine in marlborough.

I mean, Wellington > Auckland in general tbf

 

[Dan]

I'd move to Wellington tbh.

 

[Dendarii]

With de Grandhomme's addition to the Northern Districts squad, it could be argued they now boast the strongest first class or list A squad in world cricket.

I realise that the thread has moved on from the initial topic, but it struck me that the Titans would be contenders for that title considering that they had the following play at least one first class match for them last season (although never all together):

Aiden Markram
Dean Elgar
AB de Villiers
Faf du Plessis
Quinton de Kock
Morne Morkel
Lungi Ngidi
Chris Morris
Heinrich Klaasen

As well as having an injured Dale Steyn on their books.