Bad Blood - Nikau & Blackmore

[Jiff]

Bad Blood No:3
By: Nathan Ashurst
Date: 10/10/2000
Source: http://www.rlwc2000.rivals.net

For a long time it has been commonplace for Rugby League players to be
archenemies whilst on the field, then the best of friends off it. But for
two players at Castleford in the early 1990's the hope of any kind of
friendship was never likely to flourish.

The men in question were Tawera Nikau and Richie Blackmore now with
Warrington and Leeds respectively, who found themselves playing pro rugby
league in a small industrial town a far cry from the bright lights of
Auckland. Things began promisingly enough, the two linking well on the field
and seeming to get on well off it.

But it didn't last. We've all heard the rumours and it is not our place to
advertise them further on this site, not least because despite all the
whispering and gossip only the men themselves know the real truth. Yet,
whatever the accuracy of the reports, their is little doubt that Nikau and
Blackmore no longer see eye to eye.

Shortly after the rumours surfaced Nikau quit the NZ international team in
favour of the Maoris, and while he has never confessed to it explicitly his
motivation for doing so is widely thought to have stemmed from an
unwillingness ever to play in the same team as Blackmore again. He also
moved swiftly from Castleford to Australia where he played for Cronulla and
Melbourne, helping the latter to a Grand Final win in 1999. Blackmore,
meanwhile, continued his career in the UK with the Leeds Rhinos.

The two did not meet again on a football field until earlier this year when,
playing for Warrington and Leeds respectively, Nikau and Blackmore locked
horns in Super League. Surprise surprise Nikau was in inspirational mood
claiming the man of the match award as the Wire trounced the Rhinos 44-10 at
Wilderspool; Blackmore, on the other hand, was shocking, eventually being
subbed with a quarter of the game still to play. Some put Blackmore's
performance down to an impending Kiwi match for which he had to fly out
shortly after the game; others had a different interpretation on events.

Now, if fate is in mischievous mood, the two could be set for a return clash
at the Word Cup. The match will again be played in daylight and be governed
by officials, but god help Richie if he ever bumps into Mr 'T' down a dark
alley.

--
\!/
(o o)
---o0o-(_)-o0o---
"Jiff the Stalker"

[Digger]

I read somewhere that it is has something to do with their wives fighting.

Digger

Jiff <je...@StevensNuts.tpizone.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8tl7hb$ip6$1...@news6.svr.pol.co.uk...