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Issue No. 243 | 22 October 2004 |
The Perfect Storm
Interview: The Last Bastian Unions: High and Dry Security: Liquid Borders Industrial: No Bully For You History: Radical Brisbane International: No Vacancies Economics: Life After Capitalism Technology: Cyber Winners Poetry: Do It Yourself Poetry Review: Hard Labo(u)r
Sydney Water Outsources Brains Bosses Celebrate with Sack-athon Kangaroo Strikebreakers Spotlighted Pratt Backs Warwick Farm Loser
Politics Parliament The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament Postcard
Whose prosperity? Shop Till the Worker Drops Unreported Views Bob�s Silver Anniversary Hit And Myth
Labor Council of NSW |
News Union Backs League
The 22 man NSW Maori Rugby League squad, coached by former NRL player Luke Goodwin, includes several current NRL players as well as some exciting new talent. The NSW Maori Rugby League is the breeding ground of players of the calibre of current NZ International and Melbourne Storm forward Alex Chan. The current side is captained by Souths player Stevie Skinnon and also features former St George player Darren Ramika. Sydney building workers have raised $30,000 to send the side on the trip, which coach Goodwin believes offers an extra incentive for players taking on the top Maori league talent going around. In their last attempt, in 1999, the side made the final against Auckland and Goodwin is quietly confident of going the extra step and taking out the tournament. "This is one of the best sides I've ever seen," says assistant coach John Trinder, who singled out young Western Suburbs first division player Aaron Hermina for big things. "He's a freak. He can step off both feet and has a good kicking game." There is considerable interest in the side from New Zealand with Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) organiser Steve Keenan fielding enquiries from MaoriTV and TV3 prior to the side's departure. Members of the CFMEU dug deep to support the team, which includes many players who spend the summer months working on construction sites around Sydney. "Building workers should be proud of themselves for digging deep to support this team and giving this very strong NSW team the chance to be the first team from outside New Zealand to win this tournament," says CFMEU secretary Andrew Ferguson. "The CFMEU represents many Maori's workers in the building industry, as shown by the 15 players from the 22 man squad who work on construction sites between football seasons, and our rank and file members are right behind these men." "These men have a reputation for hard work, and sticking up for their mates on building sites, so it isn't surprising to see other workers doing the same for them, and helping them to achieve a dream."
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