Foundation Presents Robertsons with World Cup Trip
August 15, 2011 (Knoxville, TN) The Volunteer Rugby Foundation, on a conference call Monday night, presented Butch Robertson with a trip for two to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in appreciation of his 34 years of dedication to rugby at the University of Tennessee. A stunned Robertson said, "There are very few times in my life when I have been left without words, but when they told me about this trip on Monday night, I was truly speechless. Words cannot express our appreciation for this once in a lifetime opportunity." Butch and Rebekah will spend 7 days in New Zealand and will watch the United States take on Ireland on September 11 and Russia on September 15 in New Plymouth. The package includes airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to the World Cup. This gift was made possible by generous donations from alumni of the University of Tennessee Men's Rugby Team and the Volunteer Rugby Foundation. Specific recognition goes to Dr. John Shaw and Scott Sandman for their efforts in coordinating and organizing this amazing gift to the Robertsons. Anyone that would like to contribute to this effort can simply send a donation to the Volunteer Rugby Foundation marked as a "World Cup" contribution. Donate |
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Robertson Reports from New Zealand September 09 Report First Rugby Story - couple of travel shocked Americans were walking around the New Plymouth Municipal Library and Museum on the 8th. Female Security guard approaches and asks if she can help us find our way to an exhibit. We started talking and after a few minutes we had her husband's name and phone number - retired referee. September 9th, the guy, Trevor Warner, shows up at the motel and the next thing we know we are being given an driving tour of the small city including a stop at the Rugby Park, the waterfront, a couple of public parks, an old church. We wind up back at his club - The New Plymouth Club - think Elks or American Legion but the basis being a city working class group. Big dining room, nice bar, good food. And big screen TV's. We hooked up with some of his friends for dinner and a ringside seat for the opening ceremonies and the All Blacks v. Tonga match. Had two ladies who were at least in their 60's arguing over the selection of one #9 over another. These people know their stuff. Don't know if you saw the match or read anything about it. Ball moved so quickly through hands that there were times when I though I missed a pass. Tonga paid for turnovers quickly. Tongan's were huge! NZ was favored by 60+ so the result was a disappointment in some ways for the home side. They did use a fair number of reserves as starters although the familar Carter, McCaw, Thorn and company were persent. The athleticism of these guys is unbelieveable. Tonga did hang on and hold possession in the shadow of the New Zealand line for @ 12 minutes and a huge number of phases before finally getting the try. Great evening. Bogan and Gruner were at the opening ceremonies. Will hook up with them later. Shaw is supposed to get here today. Have done a little site seeing this am in preparation for driving across country tomorrow. September 13 Report Update - USA vs. Ireland and there rest of the stuff I have seen here.
When O'Sullivan said he wanted players committed to defense first, he really meant it. Wow! These guys can hit. Bottom line the Irish pack owned the sets. We got our own lines - what few there were. But since the Irish were on attack most of the time, we didn't see very many of them. But USA defense was outstanding
Our seats were great. Close down but not too low. Under cover. Sat next to a guy who is directs youth rugby in Colorado. Knew Mark Williams and was acquainted with Marty. Guy on the other side was a former player from Minnesota. He had a camera with a lens that looked like a small cannon. Showed me a photo of Emrich going over. Asked him to send it to me if he could. Follow on story. Touring winery's in Hawks Bay yesterday and ran into Emirch's parents. Will try to send the photo to them.
Have met some great people. Welsh, English, South African, Canadian and of course New Zealanders including one guy who flew planes off aircraft carriers in WWII and Korea for the RNZ Navy.
Watched some matches on television. In truth, the New Zealand - Tonga match had its moments but it was easy to see Tonga was playing out of their minds and New Zealand had their reserves to some extent on the field.
Most disappointing match was England vs. Argentina. Argentina didn't want to play outside and England couldn't seem to get away from unforced errors and the ref's whistle. When three international players including Johnny Wilkenson go 3 for 12 or 13 or 14 including shots in front of the posts - yaggh.
Didn't see the South Africa - Wales match but heard about it when I was on a wine tour with a couple from Wales and a South African. Everybody was a good sport about it.
Most entertaining match I have seen - again on television was Fiji and Namibia. 43-29 or something like that. Namibians have several players that were exciting and of course FiJi - what needs to be said.
The phrase "quick ball through hands" has new meaning to me. There were several times during the NZ Tonga match where I knew the ball had passed through a players hands but I didn't see it. It was amazing.
USA Russia tomorrow then back home.
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