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Just an Opinion, Murray Deaker
HarperCollins
Reviewed by Glenn McLean (Courtesy of Taranaki Daily News)

Broadcaster Murray Deaker's book is as loud and forthright as the man himself. Love him or loathe him, Deaker is never one to back down from an argument or soften his stance on any issue, sporting or otherwise.

Two topics close to the larynx of the self-appointed expert of all things sport dominate the pages of Deaker – All Black rugby and America's Cup yachting.

It's a sure bet John Mitchell's Father's Day presents did not include this paperback.
Mitchell, who coached the All Blacks to third place at last year's Rugby World Cup, cops more than his share of criticism. Deaker is adamant he was too young, too naive and too complicated to have held the coaching reins of New Zealand's favourite sporting side.
"John Mitchell was the wrong man to have as coach," Deaker writes.  "His major faults were his inflexibility, his arrogance, his unwillingness to select players who displayed individualism, his preference for surrounding himself with assistants of average ability, his reluctance to use those with specialist knowledge, his complete inability to communicate with the public, the media and presumably the team and his obsession with total power."

Team New Zealand's infamous defectors – Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth – are also berated by Deaker. "Never again will we trust any professional yachtsmen. Not that it will worry Coutts and Butterworth. They may be brilliant sailors but their morals and standards are those of mercenaries."

Deaker's ravings also include chapters on how he dealt with his alcoholism, his depression and an honest and frank look at fellow commentators.

The enthusiasm Deaker has for sport has to be commended, despite the book losing its fizz a few chapters from the end. That is, however, a criticism that follows just about every modern New Zealand sports book.