Crazy Fool's Newsround

sammys back
June, 15th 2011 14:22 PM

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The rugby bit:

Published 16.6.11

Sammy’s back

Super 15’s: (round 17)

Rebels boss Rod McQueen confirmed a defensive overhaul is required if they are to get anywhere next season. Their loss 32-17 to the Brumbies in Melbourne was riddled with holes, which he put mostly down to, ‘more to do with technique and working together.’ To put some stats on the subject; the Rebels have conceded 72 tries in this comp so far – that’s 26 more than anyone else/ Reds came good to over-throw the Mighty Force 24-21 in Perth. Trailing with two minutes to go sub Dom Shipperley went over in the corner to seal matters. Yet, the Force were on song in this game, securing most of the possession despite giving away a 75m dash intercept to Quade Cooper and another for Higginbotham against the run of play. Nathan Sharpe hobbled off with an ankle injury putting his World Cup place in jeopardy. Rory Davis snatched two for the Rebels and Pocock one more for the Force/ Tah’s put in a solid first half performance against Highlanders to dash their play-off spot. Kurtley Beale was the instigator with some cracking line breaks that produced 30metres every time he touched the ball. His best came from a jinking run and deft boot over the defence for Tom Carter to collect and score on his way to a memorable hat trick – Tah’s won doggedly in the second half’s rain 33-7/ Crusaders and Blues had a battle of the beards at the adopted Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru. The Canterburian’s eventually ground out a deserved win 23-16. Zac Guildford was every where in this game and don’t be surprised to see him in September/ Patrick Lambie is another making waves for World Cup contention in the Boks outfit. He instigated a Sharks comeback from 30-9 down on 48 minutes with a try of his own and set up winger Lwazi Mvovo for another. JP Pieterson added to the list and the game ended fittingly on 30 a piece against Lions. Cobus Grobbelaar and Jano Veermaack scored for the ‘vali’s.

The Reds stay firmly on top with 62, with Stormers, Crusaders and Blues respectively on 58, 57, 57 – and Bulls, Sharks and Tah’s still in the hunt.

Churchill Cup

Saxons beat Tonga 41-14 in a master-class display of scrummaging that simply took apart the experienced Tongan front five.

Let’s not forget all three of Tonga’s front row are Top 14 players, with a couple of Premiership players in the boiler house too, so three penalty tries – a record at international level, was no pushover!

Matt Stevens almost definitely penned his World Cup spot, but don’t be surprised to see Worcester’s prop Matt Mullan in the fringe nor even London Irish hooker David Paice. However, England’s biggest concern was probably lock Dave Attwood’s bin that has warning marks ringing in Johnno’s ears, as he has been binned many a game before.

South African convert Mouritz Botha, who qualifies after seven years residency is definitely pushing for a spot in the much sought after second row slot and if there was anyone who can hit harder than the islanders than him I’d like to see it.

It wasn’t all one way traffic though, as Tongan centre Suka Hafanaga and No.8 Pasuka Mapakaitolo caused plenty of problems. Tonga’s first World Cup game is the opener against the All Blacks on September 9^th!

Saxons will play Canada in the final, with Russia against USA in the bowl and Italy ‘A’ versus Tonga in the plate.

fool says:

Despite the Reds’ flair, their injuries will play a hand. Stormer, Blues, Sharks and Bulls are in the mix, but stick a cheeky tenner on Crusaders for this comp.

Some shorts:

*Argentina’s Juan Martin Hernandez looks doubtful for the World Cup, as his coach Pierre Berbizier says he’ll probably not return from his ligament injury till September the earliest – to thrust him straight into World Cup action may prove premature, but I bet he’s there.

*Isa Nacewa and No.8 Jone Qova have pulled out of Fiji’s squad on account of their wives being pregnant. Distinctly family orientated, as the south sea islanders are, I wonder if it’s coupled with the fact that they know they’re not going to win it – even if they do knock out Wales in the quarters from time to time.

*Francois Steyn has been included in South Africa’s run up for World Cup training camp. Coming from Racing Club Metro 92 the fullback/ fly half has played only three of South Africa’s last 15 games. Others to be picked following Sammy Davis Jr’s statement of never using overseas based players are Ruan Pienaar from Ulster and Butch James fresh from Bath. - good to have you back Sammy

*And the best article I’ve read for ages came from the NZ Herald who printed a piece called, The Day Rugby Changed Forever. In page after page of back slapping and total denial of having ever lost a game of rugby, not to mention never having won the World Cup, the article focussed on the All Blacks win over England in the ’95 semi 45-29 in Cape Town. In a game that described it as changing, ‘the face of professional rugby’ the emphasis cradled around a breed of high scoring running rugby, which essentially it was. But apart from applauding the Black’s as the world’s elite, the master-class of professionalism and the most entertaining side to hit the scene since David Campese’s pass that gave away ‘that try’, not once did it mention the follow up of their loss to South Africa in the final 15-12 – all to kicks, I hasten to add. Nor their drubbing to France in the semi 43-31, or the ’91 semi loss to Australia 16-6, or the 2003 22-10 against neither Australia, nor even the quarter final loss to France 18-20 in Cardiff in 2007. Undoubtedly The Oil Slick are a fine side, and run out clear favourites, as they have done every other World Cup, but a certain grip on reality is required when you start to add up the tries scored in World Cup knockout stages, which by my reckoning might go to… dunno – Australia?!

*In the International Origin (league) England went down to a last minute try to the Exiles (Aus & NZ) 12-16. George Carmont scored with 45 seconds left on the clock and English stated after, ‘It hurts like hell; I’ve never seen players so gutted.’

*Christchurch fundraiser in London sees Crowded House star Neil Finn join Zinzan Brooke, Jeremy Coney, Sean Fitzpatrick, Patrick Fitzsean, and Anton Oliver amongst the stars to have dinner with. Tickets range from 350-500 or tables for 3-4k at the Savoy Hotel, the Strand. For more info contact Melissa@3sacrowd.com

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Some competitions now: If you’d like to take part in fool’s rugby comps check out the comps & results page –win a prize! – I should probably check it myself, as I can’t remember what comps are up for grabs.

Send your team(s) to cf.crazyfool@gmail.com – argh yes, teams, that was it - teams.

end rugby here!

Tapas & Bodega: bodega, oh baby when you dance like that… Sangria, mojito’s, plenty, plenty, plenty of wine and beer; Plus, The best Spanish cuisine in Saigon this side of Spain - Which is just to the right of Vietnam, and perhaps a little off centre of Phuket. Cracking live music too.

A willow the wisp of cricket now:

And now ladies and gentlemen a thribble on the light side:

Anything for me dear?

Not much to report from the actual ‘green’ this week, but a fine Windies collapse of 96-7 almost being out classed by an India capitulation of 92-6.

India eventually won however, by three wickets to seal their ODI series 3-0, thanks largely to Rohit Sharva’s 86* to finish on 225-8. Nevertheless, the Windies Andre Russell’s 96* needs also a mention… and there it was.

The Windies won the fourth by 103 runs with Anthony Martin taking four wickets to-boot, but who cares.

Levi picked up an OBE in the Queen’s birthday presents this week. So did Flower and Cook. Levi said receiving that kind of news through the post, ‘was better than getting a gas bill.’

It’s early now and… - I’m done

The team that likes roll mops and partying and belts and rum and temptations and feathers and Steve Finn and proverbs and coordinates and pigeons and tiddly winks and Jessie’s! And spin and the Beatles and Buddy Holly and side-show Bob and Ant and Dec and capes and japes and basketball and indoor cricket and psyche and a good rib-dig and loose ends and first balls and a good roasting, and triple tons and whoa-ha-ha’s and cooking and cradles and Yorkshire puddings…and 2010/11 Ashes, and the Gods