An official protest has been lodged with the MIAB (Macquarie Island Appeals Board — a neutral body) by the Australian team requesting a review of a series of photographs taken during the tug-a-war match between the Macquarie Island National teams for Australia and New Zealand. It was noted in one of the This week at Macquarie Island photos, the Kiwi team was placed in an advantageous position for both of the games when they were pulling from the northern side of the station.
The official protest made by a person wishing to remain nameless (as he feels there may be ‘payback’) has stated “Ooiiee I want to protest. They used the walkway matting as ‘grip’ aaarrrhhhhh that’s not on. We should have won” — or words to that effect.
The MIAB has since reviewed the photo in question, and others taken on the day, and unanimously concluded: the Code of Macquarie Island Tug-A-War rules’ have been seriously breached.
To ensure the decision by the MIAB cannot be challenged the below photos show clearly:
Photo 1 — first round of tug-a-war match: Mr Jack XX, Kiwi, resident of Donga No. 6, Hass House, Macquarie Island is standing on the ‘non-slip mat’.
Photo 2 — round two: the Australian national team are using ‘slippery mud’ for grip. There is no evidence the mat was used to their advantage.
Photo 3 — round three: again, Mr Jack XX, Kiwi, resident of Donga No. 6, Hass House, Macquarie Island is standing on the ‘non-slip mat’.
The MIAB have concluded:
The Australian team were disqualified for cheating Round 1 — the match was automatically awarded to the Kiwis.
The Kiwis also used the mat in round 1 to their advantage therefore the disqualified game (as per above — awarded to the Aussies) receives a double disqualification: no winner.
Round two was won by the Australians.
Round three — again disqualified due to the Kiwis using the mat to their advantage.
One could conclude the trophy and the honour of being named the ‘2012 Tug-a-war’ winner should be handed over to the Australians, and rightly so. However the MIAB, after hours of deliberation have decided a rematch will occur at the end of the month and numerous cameras and the webcam will be used for evidence. The MIAB have also concluded, due to the evidence presented, there will be no toss of the coin, the Australians will be positioned from the northern end of the station for round 1 and 3.
The MIAB have now ‘shut up shop’ for the year so no further discussions on the above will take place. Holding a rematch is final!
MIAB (Macquarie Island Appeals Board)