We have no problem whatsoever with Sir Peter Leitch getting a knighthood. The Mad Butcher, or Butch as he is known to all and sundry is something of an iconic New Zealander. He's a self-made man, he calls things as he sees them, and he is generous to a fault. In many ways, he IS Rugby League in New Zealand, and it was fitting that he was the Manager of the Kiwis when they recorded their sensational 24-nil win over the Kangaroos a few years ago in the tri-series- a job no-one else wanted. And as the Herald reports, he works tirelessly for a number of less-fancied charities, despite his own battle with cancer:
Sir Peter - "one of the most remarkable networkers in the country", in the view of former Prime Minister Helen Clark - has helped to raise millions as an ambassador for Allergy NZ, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Diabetes Auckland and Muscular Degeneration NZ.
His most recent effort, a dinner with master NRL coach Wayne Bennett in Auckland on Friday, raised $113,000 for the charities - the latest in his contributions since he began supplying meat packs and player-of-the-day prizes for the Mangere East Hawks Rugby League Club more than 40 years ago.
"I've always felt it important to give something back to the community, mate - always will."
And we also applaud the belated award of a knighthood to Sir Fred Allen. Fred the Needle is the first All Black coach we really remember. He left the game with a perfect record - 14 tests; 14 wins. He was a master motivator and a shrewd tactician, and was a devotee of the three P's in rugby - possession, position and pace. Sir Fred is a WWII veteran, and was a skilled player as well, captaining the 1949 All Blacks in South Africa. Even at 90, he still has a shrewd rugby brain.
So we salute these two new Knights in particular; both honours are richly deserved in our exceedingly humble opinion.
4 comments:
I am not a huge supporter of Sir Butcher but we used to support him by buying most of our meat from his Hastings shop. It is fair to say we always got value for money.
Sir Fred is a different matter. How I woul love to see him taking the AB's into next years world cup. I am sure we would have better team discipline and there would not have been as many contenders heading off overseas. Then again perhaps there would have been more because they would not be able to take his discipline and directnesss.
Agree with Butcher and Sir Fred.
One thing that always annoys me is the number of MP's who seem to get an order of some sort. Does anyone else feel he same??? Even for ones that I like it doesn't sit right with me.
Inv2 - I have just found this out and it deserves a special post.
Kevin Atkinson past Chairman of the HBDHB has received and MNZM.
A nice `kick in the guts for Silent T Cunliffe
Aw, mate, to be fair, Sir Butch is a win for the man in the street.
His mate, Helen Clark, a great Warriors fan and a great mate, will not be so pleased.
But he will still love her like a brother.
David
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