Friday, October 03, 2003
Mr Pot, you've met Mr Kettle?
Apparently, Martin Johnson is "one of the dirtiest captains in world rugby". Which, strictly has some truth to it - Johnson's a second row, who tend to get involved in the dirty stuff, Johnno's not a very innocent second row, and very few other captains are so close to the coal face. So it's probably true.
However, the person saying it is Corne Krige, the South African captain. Who, as the article goes on to point out, "has been accused of playing dirty himself and came under fire after TV footage highlighted 11 cases of foul play from the Springbok skipper during last November's Test defeat against England at Twickenham.
But he insisted he had cleaned up his game.
"I have never played like I did at Twickenham since then," he said. "I said sorry to the people I needed to.""
Presumably including the various players he assaulted during the match...
Mr Pot now added to the glossary...
However, the person saying it is Corne Krige, the South African captain. Who, as the article goes on to point out, "has been accused of playing dirty himself and came under fire after TV footage highlighted 11 cases of foul play from the Springbok skipper during last November's Test defeat against England at Twickenham.
But he insisted he had cleaned up his game.
"I have never played like I did at Twickenham since then," he said. "I said sorry to the people I needed to.""
Presumably including the various players he assaulted during the match...
Mr Pot now added to the glossary...
Getting tuned up...
Well, its almost exactly a week until my beloved Wallabies run out onto Stadium Australia (screw the sponsors I say) to face the blue-and-white might of the Bargies. I have to say that I'm getting somewhat excited at the prospect of this game, especially since I was lucky to score tickets to both the game and the opening ceremony.
For a bit of background info - I tried playing rugby, but figured out quickly I'm pretty crap at it. I've only really been a big fan of the game in the last 6 years or so, since I moved out of Backwoods, New South Wales, where Rugby League was king. This is also my first Blog work, though I'm a long-time (recently departed) contributor to Planet-Rugby Message Board(s) under the handle Nick the Aussie. I too must thank Cowboy for his generous invitation - I'm quite flattered ;-).
I'm only going to talk briefly, and basically about how the Cup momentum is being generated here in Sydney.
Its funny - some days the average person could walk through Sydney and barely notice a world event was coming to their doorstep. Other days you can't get away from rugby (but who in their right mind would want to?) and its all over the news, billboards, and coffee breaks around the place. Of course, there is still the NRL season to conclude here, and it has been one of the best seasons for the League boys ever; but I think once 9PM Sunday comes around, and the NRL Premiers are decided, the engineers will move into Stadium Australia to change the advertising boards, and set up equipment for the dress rehearsal.
Then we will truly know that things are getting into full swing.
As a fan, I've been immersing myself in it. I know that Sydney and Australia in general can turn on a world class event, having lived here through the Olympics. Despite the fact that only about half the population could identify a game other than Aussie Rules, we love any sport where we can take on other nations, and even the cynics and hardcore supporters of other codes will flick lazily through the coverage. Especially those with pay TV - FoxSports Channel 2 is providing 18 hours of rugby per day for those who can shell out AUD$50/month for the privilege.
For the visitors, they will find all cities hosting games to be welcoming and generous, and we appreciate the goodwill and, let's not deny it, the money that happy people from all over the world will bring. We look forward to making everyone feel at home and share the bounties of the dry continent.
That's probably enough waffle for now, but I'll just touch on what I think are 3 crucial games that I'll be watching with great interest:
South Africa v England - obviously the result of this game will go a great length to shaping the tournament. If the unthinkable should happen and England lose, then it is highly likely we're going to lose one of the tournament favourites at the Quarterfinal stage when the Men in Black meet the Men in White. It would be a minor tragedy, but it would make the French happy. But we can safely assume the Roses will do the business on the Bokke. It'll be a hard game though.
Georgia v Uruguay - you love to see two minnows go at it. No matter the sport. Especially when you're not a citizen of either nation. Personally, I'm seeing both of Georgia's games in Sydney (the other against South Africa), and I've taken the mountain men of Central Eurasia under my wing. I still can't find a Georgian national jersey though ... :-(
Australia v Ireland - while based on recent form you'd expect the Wallabies to walk away with this one (its being played in dry conditions under the Telstra Dome after all), you can never count the Irish out. The Wallabies' last pool game before facing a potential quarterfinal against Scotland. If for any reason the Wallabies finish second, they face a more daunting task disposing of the Tricolores.
All in all, it should be a great event, and I look forward to catching up with any overseas visitors over a pint/quaff/snifter/beer while they're here. I might even be able to provide links to a few digital photos as the tournament goes on.
For a bit of background info - I tried playing rugby, but figured out quickly I'm pretty crap at it. I've only really been a big fan of the game in the last 6 years or so, since I moved out of Backwoods, New South Wales, where Rugby League was king. This is also my first Blog work, though I'm a long-time (recently departed) contributor to Planet-Rugby Message Board(s) under the handle Nick the Aussie. I too must thank Cowboy for his generous invitation - I'm quite flattered ;-).
I'm only going to talk briefly, and basically about how the Cup momentum is being generated here in Sydney.
Its funny - some days the average person could walk through Sydney and barely notice a world event was coming to their doorstep. Other days you can't get away from rugby (but who in their right mind would want to?) and its all over the news, billboards, and coffee breaks around the place. Of course, there is still the NRL season to conclude here, and it has been one of the best seasons for the League boys ever; but I think once 9PM Sunday comes around, and the NRL Premiers are decided, the engineers will move into Stadium Australia to change the advertising boards, and set up equipment for the dress rehearsal.
Then we will truly know that things are getting into full swing.
As a fan, I've been immersing myself in it. I know that Sydney and Australia in general can turn on a world class event, having lived here through the Olympics. Despite the fact that only about half the population could identify a game other than Aussie Rules, we love any sport where we can take on other nations, and even the cynics and hardcore supporters of other codes will flick lazily through the coverage. Especially those with pay TV - FoxSports Channel 2 is providing 18 hours of rugby per day for those who can shell out AUD$50/month for the privilege.
For the visitors, they will find all cities hosting games to be welcoming and generous, and we appreciate the goodwill and, let's not deny it, the money that happy people from all over the world will bring. We look forward to making everyone feel at home and share the bounties of the dry continent.
That's probably enough waffle for now, but I'll just touch on what I think are 3 crucial games that I'll be watching with great interest:
South Africa v England - obviously the result of this game will go a great length to shaping the tournament. If the unthinkable should happen and England lose, then it is highly likely we're going to lose one of the tournament favourites at the Quarterfinal stage when the Men in Black meet the Men in White. It would be a minor tragedy, but it would make the French happy. But we can safely assume the Roses will do the business on the Bokke. It'll be a hard game though.
Georgia v Uruguay - you love to see two minnows go at it. No matter the sport. Especially when you're not a citizen of either nation. Personally, I'm seeing both of Georgia's games in Sydney (the other against South Africa), and I've taken the mountain men of Central Eurasia under my wing. I still can't find a Georgian national jersey though ... :-(
Australia v Ireland - while based on recent form you'd expect the Wallabies to walk away with this one (its being played in dry conditions under the Telstra Dome after all), you can never count the Irish out. The Wallabies' last pool game before facing a potential quarterfinal against Scotland. If for any reason the Wallabies finish second, they face a more daunting task disposing of the Tricolores.
All in all, it should be a great event, and I look forward to catching up with any overseas visitors over a pint/quaff/snifter/beer while they're here. I might even be able to provide links to a few digital photos as the tournament goes on.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Welcome...
to the new format Rugby (World-Cup) Round-up. Regular visitors will notice a few changes, in particular new members of the team from Australia, New Zealand and America. We're hoping to get a few more nationalities on board as well, but for the meantime, scroll down to see the Australian take on the coming tourney.
RWC news and links
Just over to the left, you'll find these useful links for the duration of the tournament -
RWC news:
BBC RWC home
"Rugby Heaven" (Oz)
The Silver Fern (NZ)
Rugby 365 (SA)
Coupe du monde de rugby (Fr)
Planet Rugby
Scrum.com
RWC guides and links:
RWC home page
BBC team by team
RWC glossary
Adidas ads
What league fans think
RWC news:
BBC RWC home
"Rugby Heaven" (Oz)
The Silver Fern (NZ)
Rugby 365 (SA)
Coupe du monde de rugby (Fr)
Planet Rugby
Scrum.com
RWC guides and links:
RWC home page
BBC team by team
RWC glossary
Adidas ads
What league fans think
COACH JONES OR COACH MUD?
Thanks to the Cowboy for his invitation to join this site's Cup commentary. I played rugby for about 10 years, beginning in the under 12s as a second-rower and … as everyone else started to catch up to my height … finishing as a No. 8 for Sydney's Eastern Suburbs Club (Colts). I'm also a co-blogger over at Troppo Armadillo, where you may wish to check out some past posts on various rugby controversies by Ken Parish and myself, supplemented by the expertise of Wayne Wood.
No question, the main controversy over at Troppo has been Wallaby Coach Jones. It's not only that many team selections have been mystifying. The larger controversy concerns his habit of pulling off key Australian players toward the end of close matches. The story began last year, when he pulled off fly-half Bernie Larkham against the All Blacks, with the match still in the balance. He repeated this brain spasm by pulling off Dan Herbert in last year's end of season England match (remember, we lost 31-32!).
Coach Jones' form has earned him the moniker Coach 'Mudflaps' (as in, when we lose Bill, his name will be … ). In the recent narrow (21-17) defeat against the Blacks, the Wallabies were competitive throughout, and with luck could have won the game. But again, the gobsmaking question is: why did Coach Mudflaps pull Larkham in the last 10 minutes? Apart from some wayward kicks, Larkham was having a terrific game in both attack and defence, and His Mudness robbed Australia of our main playmaker when victory was still very much in the offing. All of Jones' young replacement players in these crucial moments have failed (which must have been just great for their confidence…).
With the anthems only a week away, the key question therefore is whether there has been some sort of master plan behind these bizarre moves. Did Mudflaps not really try to win these games? Did he place a higher priority on blooding younger players than winning? Has he been conditioning the players for the possibility of Bernie getting injured during the Cup? Or is he just an idiot? There has been some public criticism (Noddy Lynagh went ape in the Australian the first time he did it), but generally he has got away without much press comment. In contrast, everybody I personally know has been spewing about it ... including some players not too far from selection. If the policy had been followed in the last World Cup, it is likely Australia would have lost the final to South Africa … because Larkham … already hobbling with a leg injury … would not have been on the field to kick that glorious field goal.
It's all very strange, and could well determine Australia's Cup chances. Hope springs eternal, and the main hope is that Mudflaps has been foxing. Yet, as it stands, England is entitled to be favourite, with the Blacks not far behind. Australia could be third placed … or seventh … or anywhere in between. Bring it on ... and leave Bernie on, for godsakes.
Thanks to the Cowboy for his invitation to join this site's Cup commentary. I played rugby for about 10 years, beginning in the under 12s as a second-rower and … as everyone else started to catch up to my height … finishing as a No. 8 for Sydney's Eastern Suburbs Club (Colts). I'm also a co-blogger over at Troppo Armadillo, where you may wish to check out some past posts on various rugby controversies by Ken Parish and myself, supplemented by the expertise of Wayne Wood.
No question, the main controversy over at Troppo has been Wallaby Coach Jones. It's not only that many team selections have been mystifying. The larger controversy concerns his habit of pulling off key Australian players toward the end of close matches. The story began last year, when he pulled off fly-half Bernie Larkham against the All Blacks, with the match still in the balance. He repeated this brain spasm by pulling off Dan Herbert in last year's end of season England match (remember, we lost 31-32!).
Coach Jones' form has earned him the moniker Coach 'Mudflaps' (as in, when we lose Bill, his name will be … ). In the recent narrow (21-17) defeat against the Blacks, the Wallabies were competitive throughout, and with luck could have won the game. But again, the gobsmaking question is: why did Coach Mudflaps pull Larkham in the last 10 minutes? Apart from some wayward kicks, Larkham was having a terrific game in both attack and defence, and His Mudness robbed Australia of our main playmaker when victory was still very much in the offing. All of Jones' young replacement players in these crucial moments have failed (which must have been just great for their confidence…).
With the anthems only a week away, the key question therefore is whether there has been some sort of master plan behind these bizarre moves. Did Mudflaps not really try to win these games? Did he place a higher priority on blooding younger players than winning? Has he been conditioning the players for the possibility of Bernie getting injured during the Cup? Or is he just an idiot? There has been some public criticism (Noddy Lynagh went ape in the Australian the first time he did it), but generally he has got away without much press comment. In contrast, everybody I personally know has been spewing about it ... including some players not too far from selection. If the policy had been followed in the last World Cup, it is likely Australia would have lost the final to South Africa … because Larkham … already hobbling with a leg injury … would not have been on the field to kick that glorious field goal.
It's all very strange, and could well determine Australia's Cup chances. Hope springs eternal, and the main hope is that Mudflaps has been foxing. Yet, as it stands, England is entitled to be favourite, with the Blacks not far behind. Australia could be third placed … or seventh … or anywhere in between. Bring it on ... and leave Bernie on, for godsakes.
An atheist in the foxhole
I'd like to thank the Cowboy for letting me run amok on his site. Anyway, I'm Scott Wickstein and I run an Australian accented sports weblog called Ubersportingpundit. However, that site concentrates more on Australian football rather then rugby.
I don't know much about rugby.
Australia is divided into two halves, the south side which plays Australian Footy, and the north half, which plays two versions of rugby. In recent years, the lines are becoming blurred, with Australian football clubs based in Sydney and Brisbane doing well (the Brisbane side just won the national competition for a third year in a row.) while Rugby League clubs have been based in Melbourne, and (breifly) in Perth and Adelaide.
Rugby Union has been more hesitant in spreading to the southern part of Australia. In Melbourne the old schools do have a rugby playing tradition, but in Adelaide, not one local in a 100 would have known the difference between a ruck and maul and rock'n'roll. I didn't in 1999.
However, the power of television is strong, and in Adelaide, there's now an appreciative audience for rugby, thanks to the broadcasts of rugby internationals. The two RWC matches that are going to be played here sold out in no time, and with the AFL season over, the general public are looking forward to the RWC, even if we are all a bit confused about the fine points of the game.
I will be popping in from time to time to give a confused Australian view of the RWC. One of the things I'm looking forward to is watching a sporting event without worrying about whether or not Australia will win; even I know enough to know that we have no chance. But this means that I can enjoy the tournament from an aesthetic and sporting point of view without partisan passion getting in the way.
I personally lean towards England as favourites but New Zealand can certainly still knock them off.
I'd like to thank the Cowboy for letting me run amok on his site. Anyway, I'm Scott Wickstein and I run an Australian accented sports weblog called Ubersportingpundit. However, that site concentrates more on Australian football rather then rugby.
I don't know much about rugby.
Australia is divided into two halves, the south side which plays Australian Footy, and the north half, which plays two versions of rugby. In recent years, the lines are becoming blurred, with Australian football clubs based in Sydney and Brisbane doing well (the Brisbane side just won the national competition for a third year in a row.) while Rugby League clubs have been based in Melbourne, and (breifly) in Perth and Adelaide.
Rugby Union has been more hesitant in spreading to the southern part of Australia. In Melbourne the old schools do have a rugby playing tradition, but in Adelaide, not one local in a 100 would have known the difference between a ruck and maul and rock'n'roll. I didn't in 1999.
However, the power of television is strong, and in Adelaide, there's now an appreciative audience for rugby, thanks to the broadcasts of rugby internationals. The two RWC matches that are going to be played here sold out in no time, and with the AFL season over, the general public are looking forward to the RWC, even if we are all a bit confused about the fine points of the game.
I will be popping in from time to time to give a confused Australian view of the RWC. One of the things I'm looking forward to is watching a sporting event without worrying about whether or not Australia will win; even I know enough to know that we have no chance. But this means that I can enjoy the tournament from an aesthetic and sporting point of view without partisan passion getting in the way.
I personally lean towards England as favourites but New Zealand can certainly still knock them off.
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
The teams, the games, the players
The easy RWC guide for most countries is probably at the BBC, where's there's an individual home page for each team. However, to jump around, they don't have the best format. Here's their links reorganised into main page, the "verdict" from Aussie great David Campese, their fixtures, and their players to watch. Hope it's of help.
Argentina - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Australia - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Canada - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
England - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Fiji - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
France - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Georgia - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Ireland - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Italy - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Japan - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Namibia - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
New Zealand - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Romania - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Samoa - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Scotland - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
South Africa - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Tonga - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
USA - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Uruguay - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Wales - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
And the Beeb has other sections covering the rules, youth interest, and a rugby skills guide.
However, in spite of the amount of time I've just spent typing "players to watch", a more useful "players to watch" guide has been provided by a fan, splitting out the best players, stories and combinations for each squad under the headings "where's the quality?", "where's the fun?", and "The interest factor". So go see that instead/ as well.
Argentina - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Australia - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Canada - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
England - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Fiji - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
France - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Georgia - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Ireland - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Italy - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Japan - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Namibia - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
New Zealand - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Romania - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Samoa - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Scotland - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
South Africa - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Tonga - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
USA - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Uruguay - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
Wales - Campo, fixtures, players to watch
And the Beeb has other sections covering the rules, youth interest, and a rugby skills guide.
However, in spite of the amount of time I've just spent typing "players to watch", a more useful "players to watch" guide has been provided by a fan, splitting out the best players, stories and combinations for each squad under the headings "where's the quality?", "where's the fun?", and "The interest factor". So go see that instead/ as well.
A Rugby World Cup glossary:
A very incomplete list of standard and non-standard rugby terms I (and some other posters) may be using in the coming weeks, starting with the less esoteric.
Kiwis/All Blacks/ABs - New Zealand
Bokke/Boks/Springboks - South Africa
Wallabies/Wannabies - Australia
Eddie Twelvesubs - Eddie Jones, Australian coach - due to his taste for Rugby League law changes and for increasing rotation of players
Yellow bin-liners - Australian fans - during the 2001 Lions tour, some seats in stadia were covered in yellow plastic, and lots of free Wallabies gear given away, apparently to make Australia appear better supported than the tourists
Catteight - Mike Catt, England centre/fly-half - Stephen Jones, Sunday Times columnist, seems to invariably give Mike Catt 8/10, however badly he played in the eyes of others
B'OD/God - Brian O'Driscoll, Irish centre, captain and saviour
Johnno/the thug in chief - Martin Johnson, England second row and captain - known for occassionally going a little (and very occassionally a long way) over the line, as well as being an amazing player
Billy Whiz - Jason Robinson, England wing - after a cartoon character known for his speed
Lozza/Loz/Dally/etc... - Laurence Dallaglio, England 8
The best rugby player in the world never - Richie McCaw, Kiwi open-side flanker - because before the England - NZ game, a commentator said one of the questions answered by the game would be "is Richie McCaw the best rugby player in the world". McCaw had a decent game, though below his general level, but knocked on/messed up a number of times early on, thus the mockery...
Hello sailor - Wendell Sailor, Australian wing
I'm afraid the list is a little England-specific, but I'll happily add more as I think of them....
[Update - more added below]
Mr Pot - Corne Krige, SA captain, for accusing other people of being "dirty" players, when he managed 11 identified bits of dirty play in one match
Gumby - Steve Thompson, England hooker. If you have to ask, you've either never seen a gumby, or you've never seen Thompson. Strange agricultural experiment is the most charitable explanation
Funbus - Jason Leonard, England prop. Who knows why?
[Surname]-o - if all the players and coaches insist on doing it in interviews, so can we.
A very incomplete list of standard and non-standard rugby terms I (and some other posters) may be using in the coming weeks, starting with the less esoteric.
Kiwis/All Blacks/ABs - New Zealand
Bokke/Boks/Springboks - South Africa
Wallabies/Wannabies - Australia
Eddie Twelvesubs - Eddie Jones, Australian coach - due to his taste for Rugby League law changes and for increasing rotation of players
Yellow bin-liners - Australian fans - during the 2001 Lions tour, some seats in stadia were covered in yellow plastic, and lots of free Wallabies gear given away, apparently to make Australia appear better supported than the tourists
Catteight - Mike Catt, England centre/fly-half - Stephen Jones, Sunday Times columnist, seems to invariably give Mike Catt 8/10, however badly he played in the eyes of others
B'OD/God - Brian O'Driscoll, Irish centre, captain and saviour
Johnno/the thug in chief - Martin Johnson, England second row and captain - known for occassionally going a little (and very occassionally a long way) over the line, as well as being an amazing player
Billy Whiz - Jason Robinson, England wing - after a cartoon character known for his speed
Lozza/Loz/Dally/etc... - Laurence Dallaglio, England 8
The best rugby player in the world never - Richie McCaw, Kiwi open-side flanker - because before the England - NZ game, a commentator said one of the questions answered by the game would be "is Richie McCaw the best rugby player in the world". McCaw had a decent game, though below his general level, but knocked on/messed up a number of times early on, thus the mockery...
Hello sailor - Wendell Sailor, Australian wing
I'm afraid the list is a little England-specific, but I'll happily add more as I think of them....
[Update - more added below]
Mr Pot - Corne Krige, SA captain, for accusing other people of being "dirty" players, when he managed 11 identified bits of dirty play in one match
Gumby - Steve Thompson, England hooker. If you have to ask, you've either never seen a gumby, or you've never seen Thompson. Strange agricultural experiment is the most charitable explanation
Funbus - Jason Leonard, England prop. Who knows why?
[Surname]-o - if all the players and coaches insist on doing it in interviews, so can we.
If you're going to argue the merits of New Zealand "rucking" this comparative view of Kiwi Ali Williams (unpenalised, let off when cited) and England's Graham Rowntree (penalised on the field) is very informative.
One of the best looking ad campaigns associated with the RWC:
"IMPACT: THE ART OF RUGBY
Rugby fans know their game is an art! Perhaps the world's
most bruising art form.
Now adidas delivers the evidence. Striking original
artworks from the biggest names in the rugby world:.
Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga, Jonny Wilkinson and the entire
adidas team. Best of all, you can win one of the
life-sized, signed paintings for yourself!
Come visit the gallery at http://www.adidas.com/rugby.
The just-launched site also features a World Cup 2003
Forum, where you can thrash it out with rugby fans from
around the globe. Plus: action photos, great wallpapers,
player profiles and the latest adidas rugby gear.
The Rugby World Cup is only weeks away. At adidas.com,
you can already feel the impact. "
"IMPACT: THE ART OF RUGBY
Rugby fans know their game is an art! Perhaps the world's
most bruising art form.
Now adidas delivers the evidence. Striking original
artworks from the biggest names in the rugby world:.
Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga, Jonny Wilkinson and the entire
adidas team. Best of all, you can win one of the
life-sized, signed paintings for yourself!
Come visit the gallery at http://www.adidas.com/rugby.
The just-launched site also features a World Cup 2003
Forum, where you can thrash it out with rugby fans from
around the globe. Plus: action photos, great wallpapers,
player profiles and the latest adidas rugby gear.
The Rugby World Cup is only weeks away. At adidas.com,
you can already feel the impact. "
Monday, September 29, 2003
Wow - LA's getting a slice of the 7s circuit. I look forward to coming up with a good excuse to get over there and watch some sevens action. Given it's valentines weekend, could be some disappointed ladies around the Californian rugby scene....
