Friday 12th March 08h35 (GMT +2) Hamilton

Chiefs Team: 15. Mils Muliaina (Captain) 14. Lelia Masaga 13. Richard Kahui 12. Callum Bruce 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu 10. Stephen Donald 9. Brendon Leonard 8. Colin Bourke 7. Tanerau Latimer 6. Liam Messam 5. Romana Graham 4. Craig Clarke 3. Nathan White 2. Aled De Malmanche 1. Sona Taumalolo

Replacements: 16. Vern Karno 17. Ben Afeaki 18. Culum Retallick 19. Luke Braid 20. Junior Poluleuligaga 21. Mike Delany 22. Dwayne Sweeney

Crusaders Team: 15. Jared Payne 14. Sean Maitland 13. Robert Fruean 12. Ryan Crotty 11. Zac Guildford 10. Dan Carter 9. Kahn Fotuali`i 8. Kieran Read 7. George Whitelock 6. Richie McCaw (Captain) 5. Isaac Ross 4. Brad Thorn 3. Owen Franks 2. Ti`i Paulo 1. Wyatt Crockett

Replacements: 16. Corey Flynn 17. Ben Franks 18. Sam Whitelock 19. Thomas Waldrom 20. Willi Heinz 21. Adam Whitelock 22. Colin Slad

Friday 12th March 10h40 (GMT +2) Sydney

Waratahs Team: 15. Sosene Anesi 14. Lachlan Turner 13. Tom Carter 12. Berrick Barnes 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Daniel Halangahu 9. Luke Burgess 8. Wycliff Palu 7. Phil “little girl” Waugh (Captain) 6. Dave Dennis 5. Kane Douglas 4. Dean Mumm 3. Al Baxter 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 1. Benn Robinson

Replacements: 16. Damian Fitzpatrick 17. Sekope Kepu 18. William Caldwell 19. Ben Mowen 20. Joshua Holmes 21. Kurtley Beale 22. Rob Horne

Lions Team: 15. Earl Rose 14. Tonderai Chavhanga 13. Walter Venter 12. Doppies la Grange 11. Wandile Mjekevu 10. Carlos Spencer 9. JP Joubert 8. Todd Clever 7. Derick Minnie 6. Cobus Grobbelaar (Captain) 5. Willem Stoltz 4. Franco van der Merwe 3. Kevin Buys 2. Hannes Franklin 1. Heinke van der Merwe

Replacements: 16. Charles Emslie 17. JC Janse van Rensburg 18. Robert Kruger 19. Jacques Lombaard 20. Jano Vermaak 21. Burton Francis 22. Wigan Marvin Pekeur

Saturday 13th March 10h40 (GMT +2) Canberra

Brumbies Team: 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper 14. Pat McCabe 13. Stirling Mortlock 12. Christian Lealiifano 11. Francis Fainifo 10. Matt Giteau 9. Josh Valentine 8. Stephen Hoiles (Captain) 7. George Smith 6. Rocky Elsom 5. Mark Chisholm 4. Ben Hand 3. Salesi Ma’afu 2. Stephen Moore 1. Ben Alexander

Replacements: 16. Huia Edmonds 17. Guy Shepherdson 18. Justin Harrison 19. Mitchell Chapman 20. Patrick Phibbs 21. Matt Toomua 22. Tyrone Smith

Sharks Team: 15. Stefan Terblanche 14. Odwa Ndungane 13. Adrian Jacobs 12. Riaan Swanepoel 11. JP Pietersen 10. Andy Goode 9. Ruan Pienaar 8. Ryan Kankowski 7. Willem Alberts 6. Jacques Botes 5. Johann Muller 4. Steven Sykes 3. John Smit (Captain) 2. Bismarck du Plessis 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: 16. Craig Burden 17. Jannie du Plessis 18. Alistair Hargreaves 19. Jean Deysel 20. Keegan Daniel 21. Rory Kockott 22. Waylon Murray

Saturday 13th March 17h05 (GMT +2) Loftus Versfeld

Bulls Team: 15. Zane Kirchner 14. Gerhard van den Heever 13. Stephan Dippenaar 12. Wynand Olivier 11. Francois Hougaard 10. Morné Steyn 9. Fourie du Preez 8. Pierre Spies 7. Dewald Potgieter 6. Derick Kuun 5. Victor Matfield (Captain) 4. Danie Rossouw 3. Werner Kruger 2. Gary Botha 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp

Replacements: 16. Bandise Maku 17. Rossouw De Klerk 18. Flip van der Merwe 19. Deon Stegmann 20. Pedrie Wannenburg 21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter 22. Jaco van der Westhuyzen

Highlanders Team: 15. Israel Dagg 14. Ben Smith 13. Kenny Lynn 12. Jason Shoemark 11. Fetu’u Vainikolo 10. Matthew Berquist 9. Sean Romans 8. Steven Setephano 7. Alando Soakai 6. Tim Boys 5. Tom Donnelly 4. Josh Bekhuis 3. Chris King 2. Jason MacDonald 1. Jamie MacKintosh (Captain)

Replacements: 16. Jason Rutledge 17. Bronson Murray 18. Hayden Triggs 19. John Hardie 20. Scott Cowan 21. Robbie Robinson 22. James Paterson

Saturday 13th March 19h10 (GMT +2) Newlands

Stormers Team: 15. Johan Pietersen 14. Sireli Naqelevuki 13. Jaque Fourie 12. Juan de Jongh 11. Bryan Habana 10. Peter Grant 9. Dewaldt Duvenage 8. Duane Vermeulen 7. Francois Louw 6. Schalk Burger (Captain) 5. Andries Bekker 4. Anton van Zyl 3. Brok Harris 2. Tiaan Liebenberg 1. Wicus Blaauw

Replacements: 16. Deon Fourie 17. JC Kritzinger 18. De Kock Steenkamp 19. Pieter Louw 20. Ricky Januarie 21. Lionel Cronje 22. Gio Aplon

Hurricanes Team: 15. Cory Jane 14. Tamati Ellison 13. Conrad Smith 12. Ma’a Nonu 11. David Smith 10. Willie Ripia 9. Piri Weepu 8. Rodney So`oialo 7. Scott Waldrom 6. Victor Vito 5. Michael Paterson 4. Bryn Evans 3. Neemiah Tialata 2. Andrew Hore (Captain) 1. Jacob Ellison

Replacements: 16. Dane Coles 17. John Schwalger 18. Jeremy Thrush 19. Karl Lowe 20. Tyson Keats 21. Aaron Cruden 22. Alapati Leiua

Sunday 14th March 08h30 (GMT +2) Brisbane

Team sheets still to be released.

SANZAR search for CEO

The international search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer to lead SANZAR, the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions joint venture, will commence this weekend with the role being advertised in all three countries.

The creation of the new role to head up a Sydney-based SANZAR organisation to manage and develop the Super Rugby and Tri Nations tournaments follows a review of SANZAR’s existing management structures in 2009.

The CEO will report to SANZAR’s Executive Committee and will be charged with driving a strategic growth plan across multiple countries and improving SANZAR’s operational effectiveness.

Current SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew said this was a major milestone for SANZAR as it evolves not only its competitions but also its organisational structures to a new level during 2010.

“The SANZAR joint venture has been incredibly successful through the cooperation of the three Unions which have rotated the secretariat responsibilities up until this year. With the expansion of the competitions from 2011, it is timely to move to an independent, permanent executive that can focus exclusively on driving Super Rugby and the Tri Nations competitions.”

We will have to wait and see, what and if any, noticeable improvements or changes take place.

Who do you think should grab the title of SANZAR CEO? On that note, I wonder what Jake White’s future plans are looking like..?

Eeni meeni miini moh...

There has been a lot of talk lately about Springbok coach, Peter De Villiers, using the one off test against Wales on 5 June 2010, just 5 days after the close of the 2010 Super 14 competition, to test overseas based Springboks before the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

By the looks of it, De Villiers will select just two contracted players from each of South Africa’s five franchises for the game at the Millennium Stadium, meaning a chance will be given to those currently playing their trade abroad. Those players left behind will be given time to rest and focus on the upcoming 2010 Tri Nations competition.

De Villiers was quoted in the Times newspaper as saying:

“Our focus will definitely be on the Tri-Nations this year, given that we play our first game of the tournament at the same venue where we’ll be based for next year’s World Cup. We’d be stupid not to focus on that game and, by extension, on the entire Tri-Nations tournament. I will take only two (contracted) Boks to Wales from each franchise, at most.”

De Villiers has said that he will respect the ethos of the Springbok traditions and not just cap new players for the sake of this experiment, so in essence, this one-off test will act as a trial for those players who already have a Springbok cap, to push for possible inclusion in the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup squad.

That being said, I have decided to take a look at the career’s of some of these overseas based Springboks and see what they’ve been up to during their time abroad.

Joe van Niekerk

Joe van Niekerk was plucked straight from age group levels in 2001, after captaining both the Springbok u19 and u21 teams respectively, and never having appeared in either the Currie Cup or Super 14. He made his test debut against the All Blacks in Cape Town. Joe is a versatile, mobile loose forward with great hands and gas to burn. He isn’t scared of taking on, and backing himself for pace, against any back line player the opposition has to offer.

Career Stats:

• Date of Birth: 1980-05-14 (29)
• Height: 193 cm
• Weight: 105 Kg
• Test caps: 51
• Test points: 50 (10T)

Teams represented:

• South African Schools 1997 – 1998
• South Africa U19 1998
• South Africa U21 2000 – 2001
• South African Sevens 2001
Gauteng Lions U21 1998 – 2001
Gauteng Lions
Lions Super 12 Team 2003
Stormers Super 14 Team
Western Province
Springboks
Rugby Club Toulonnais Toulon) France 2008 – present

This is what “Big Joe” van Niekerk has been up to: [Toulon4ever]

But is he needed?

For: Experience can’t be bought and Joe has 51 caps behind his name. He has good hands and is one of the quickest loosies around, which is a great asset from the back of the scum, 5m out. He’s a great runner with ball in hand and links well with the backs.

Against: In a country that is currently so abundant with extremely talented loose forwards, with the likes of Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow, the smart money would say that “Big Joe” isn’t really needed.

What are your views? Would you pick “Big Joe” to be in your 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup squad?

Alright, don't touch me...

Brian O’Driscoll will become the second Irish player in as many weeks to join the legion of rugby union test centurions when he runs out against Wales at Croke Park this Saturday. 

Whilst we aren’t taking anything away from other players who have reached this milestone, we are simply highlighting what a special player and persona BOD has been to the game of rugby throughout his career. Regarded by many as the best #13 the game has ever seen, Brian O’Driscoll (Irish name: Brian Gearóid Ó hEidirsceoil, best pronounced after your 15th pint.) started his professional career back in 1999 when he was selected as a 20 year old for the Ireland squad to face Italy, but only managed to win his 1st cap later that year when Ireland took on Australia. He has since gone on to win 9 caps for Ireland and been on three British and Irish Lions tours. Here’s taking a look through the years at this amazing players’ career.

 Brian O’Driscoll career highlights: [fooledyoass]

Career highlights:

Age Groups: 

• IRB Under 19 Rugby World Championship 1998
• Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup

Professional Club: 

• European Cup 2008/2009
• Magners League 2001/2002; 2007/2008

International: 

• Grand Slam 2009
• Six Nations Championship 2009
• Triple Crown 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009
• British and Irish Lions rugby union Tourist 2001, 2005 (captain), 2009

Individual Awards: 

• 6 Nations Player of the Year 2006, 2007, 2009
• 6 Nations Top try scorer 2009 (tied with Riki Flutey)
• European Cup Top try scorer 2009
• Shortlisted for IRB International Player of the Year 3 times 2001, 2002, 2009
• IRB International Try of the Year 2008 ( Australia v Ireland)
• IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year 2008/09
• Texaco Sportstars Rugby Award 2000, 2002, 2007, 2009
• ‘Rugby World’ magazines’ Player of the Decade
• Named on ‘Rugby World’ magazines’ Team of the Decade
• English Rugby Union Writers’ Club Pat Marshall Memorial Award as the sport’s outstanding personality for 2009

Answer from Tuesday trivia #39: Diocesan College (better know as Bishops) and Paul Roos Gymnasium currently hold the joint record.

Q: Jaque Fourie recently won the award for IRB try of the year 2009, what other notable try scoring record does he hold worldwide?

Crusaders VS Blues: Since the inception of Super Rugby, these two teams have been at the top end of the spectrum. The two powerhouses of New Zealand rugby faced each other in the fist of Saturdays Super 14 games.

The Blues took an early lead off the (vastly improved from last week) boot of Stephen Brett, but the Crusaders drew first blood in the try scoring department after Dan Carter broke the Blues’  line and offloaded to Jarred Payne, who passed to Whitelock for the try.

My two cents worth:

• Stephen Brett may have put his kicking boots on this round, but he continues to miss an alarmingly high amount of tackles, missing 4 against his former team mates.
• Kurtis Haiu more than doubled anyone else in tackles for the Blues, with 19 on the night.
• Dan Carter made 3 turnovers.
• The moment of the match for me was when Ryan Crotty scored an intercept try from out of nowhere, very much against the run of play.
• I was expecting more out of a game between such powerhouses of Super Rugby.

Crusaders VS Blues 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

I wonder when the IRB are going to send me that rule book, cause I'm not sure what the f$@k I'm doing here!

Waratahs VS Sharks: In yet another game marred by the referee and his absolutely kak decision making, the Sharks were robbed of a win against the Waratahs on Saturday.

The Sharks were down to 13 men early on through silly infringements after Jannie Du Plessis was caught out for a trip and Andy Goode entered a ruck from the side. The scores were locked at 6 all when the Waratahs took a line-out without the Sharks pitching up. Ryan Kankowski intercepted the Waratahs’ pass, stepped Drew Mitchell and then proceeded to burn both him and Berrick Barnes en route to the try line.

The Waratahs hit back minutes later with a try of their own, closing the gap in the scoreline and trailing by just one point. Then came another of many questionable decisions when Tom Carter was judged to have scored a try which looked like it was grounded short and then had a hand under the ball once it finally did cross the line.

But the kakest decision of them all, and probably one that overshadowed the whole weekend of rugby, came just minutes from half time when Waratahs replacement, Kurtley Beale, in what can only be described as a professional foul, tapped the pass down, between Stefan Terblanche and Ryan Kankowski, with the try line open and the try imminent.

My two cents worth:

• Tom Carter was excellent on the night, running hard and crossing the gain line at every opportunity.
• Janie Du Plessis is a Springbok and should know better than to get caught out for silly incidents like tripping.
• Once again I refer to Law 10.2a, which refer to unfair play:

Intentionally Offending: A player must not intentionally infringe any Law of the Game, or play unfairly. The player who intentionally offends must be either admonished, or cautioned that a send off will result if the offence or a similar offence is committed, or sent off.

Sanction: Penalty kick

A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise
have been scored. A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored.

A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off.

• Then there was the incident of apparent obstruction at the death when the Sharks were camped on the Waratah’s line. I have watched the replay countless times and still have no idea where the obstruction occured.
• All in all a Super Kak showing by referee Paul Marks!

Waratahs VS Sharks 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Three strides to the try line

Stormers VS Highlanders: The Stormers faced up against the Highlanders in Saturday’s first game on South African soil. The men from Cape Town were desperate for a win after last week’s narrow defeat to the Brumbies, and came out guns blazing with the return of talismanic Stormers captain and Springbok, Schalk Burger, who went on to have one of his best performances in the blue jersey in quite some time.

Deon Fourie who replaced a sick and slightly injured Tiaan Liebenberg was one of the catalysts up front and opened the try scoring after just 15 minutes, in what was to be a Stormers only bonus point try scoring show.

The Highlanders tried hard to stay in the game, but couldn’t quite finish on their opportunities to score, and were held to a scoreless defeat by a Stormers team who were leaps and bounds better on the day.

My two cents worth:

• Schalk Burger was amazing on the day, but might well find himself in hot water due to a “shove” on the referee, albeit a tiny one.
• I would lie to see Jaque Fourie getting some more ball and showing the Newland’s faithful why he is arguably the best #13 in world rugby.
• Michael Hobbs has had a great Super 14 season thus far, but was nowhere to be seen on Saturday.
• Sireli Naqelevuki decided to play some rugby for a change. What a difference. Let’s just hope he keeps it up.
• Did you see the look on Jimmy Cowan’s face after the Highlanders’ medical staff tried to put his finger back into joint…? Ouch!
• Andries Bekker was absolutely amazing at line-out time.

Stormers VS Highlanders 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Cheetahs VS Hurricanes: The Cheetahs managed to score the second and last major upset of round 4 of the 2010 Super 14, when they ground out a well worked 28 – 12 win over the Hurricanes at Vodacom Park on Saturday.

The Cheetahs will be happy with the win, but it has cost them dearly in the process, losing Springbok flank, Heinrich Brussow to a knee injurywhich rule him out of rugby for the rest of the year.

The Hurricanes will be dsapointed with thedefeat which ended their winning streak in tis year’s competition and helped the Bulls remain ontop of the standing without even playing. That being said though, it was more the case of the Cheetahs being good on the night rather than the Hurricanes being so bad.

My two cents worth:

• Ma’a Nonu needs to work on his discipline. He’s becoming quite at home in the sin bin these days.
• Lionel Mapoe gained 116m with ball in hand and is maintaining his run from last year which saw him just miss out on Springbok selection.
• Both teams were shocking on defense, with the Hurricanes missing 27 tackles, whilst the Cheetahs missed a staggering 37, but were able to use their opportunities better.

Cheetahs VS Hurricanes 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Sona Taumalolo

“Chiefs prop Arizona (Sona) Taumalolo has been found guilty of a dangerous tackle during the Super 14 Chiefs v Reds match at Waikato Stadium, in Hamilton, on Friday 5 March 2010.

Taumalolo was cited by SANZAR Citing Commissioner Steve Hinds for a dangerous tackle on Reds first-five eighth Quade Cooper, 11 minutes into the first half of the game.

Judicial Officer Peter Hobbs today considered evidence from the player, video recordings, and heard submissions from Taumalolo’s representative.

As a result, Mr Hobbs deemed that while Taumalolo’s tackle breached the laws of the game, his overall culpability did not warrant any further penalty in this case.”

That's how we roll...

Chiefs VS Reds: Round 4 of the Super 14 got underway with the Reds reminding us once again that they are no longer the doormat of Super Rugby and that they now have the players, the coaching, and finally the hunger to once again be a successful Super Rugby franchise.

The Chiefs opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute of the game when Sivivatu, as he frequently does, eluded several defenders to cross the chalk and score the try. Lelia Masaga, in only his second game back from injury, added to the Chiefs lead just 5 minutes later.

The Reds didn’t give up there though, and mounted their counter attack, chipping away at the Chiefs’ lead until they found themselves on top. It all began with a very deft, no-look pass from Reds’ #10, Quade Cooper to Will Chambers, who touched down near the posts. Just like that, the Reds were only 8 points down, 26 minutes into the game.

My two cents worth:

• Quade Cooper and Will Genia are really coming into their own, more and more so every week, making strong statements for themselves as potential Wallaby halfback combination for years to come.
• The Reds’ depth is really going to be tested in the next couple of weeks, as they sustained injuries to their entire back three as well as captain, James Horwill. Hynes and Ione are expected to be fit by next week, but time will tell.
• The fact that the Chiefs let the Reds back into the game highlights the importance of converting tries and gaining the extra two.
• Lelia Masaga and Quade Cooper each missed 5 tackles whilst Stephen Donald missed 3. That kak just doesn’t fly at this level.
• Tanerau Latimer made an incredible 26 tackles, whilst Liam Messam made 23.

Chiefs VS Reds 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

You've been taking the camera off of me mate, you're out of here...

The game got underway with a relatively slow start, each team picking up 3 points through penalties, before (now) Australian referee, Steve Walsh, who was discarded by his own country, New Zealand, and recently came back onto the scene after a lengthy suspension, for some obscure reason, yellow carded Lions prop, Kevin Buys, for repeated collapsing of the scrum. An offense that I can’t ever recall a player being yellow carded for in the past.

A few minutes later, in what can only be described as a brain-fart, Walsh awarded a penalty try to the Brumbies after Lions #9, JP Joubert, played the ball at the back of the Brumbies’ scrum, after Walsh had judged that the ball was out.

My two cents worth:

• Steve Walsh obviously enjoys being on camera, I’m not sure what he is trying to do with the old “card in the sock” trick. take that as a sign never to play poker with him though.
• The whole Lions backline needs to learn to tackle. They collectively missed 17 tackles.
• Law 10.2a, referring to intentionally offending, states that: (I have highlighted the section referring to the penalty try in bold and italics. The operative words in that sentence being “probably otherwise“)

A player must not intentionally infringe any Law of the Game, or play unfairly. The player who intentionally offends must be either admonished, or cautioned that a send off will result if the offence or a similar offence is committed, or sent off.

Sanction: Penalty kick.

A penalty try must be awarded if the offence prevents a try that would probably otherwise have been scored. A player who prevents a try being scored through foul play must either be cautioned and temporarily suspended or sent off.

Brumbies VS Lions 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Scorecard:

Instead, I’m featuring some rugby humour on the site today. I saw this clip featured on our good mate, Seth Rotherham’s blog, 2oceansvibe yesterday, and thought it was hilarious. Now before anyone gets offended, this is in no way meant to belittle the Haka (which I love, and have great respect for) in any way. Funny stuff non the less.

Teletubbies perform the Haka: [Gringo1955]

I was once again pretty engrossed by the 2010 Super 14 games this weekend and only managed to catch bits and pieces of round 3 of the 2010 6 Nations. Here are the highlights of all the games for those of you who missed them too.

Wales VS France 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

Italy VS Scotland 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]

England VS Ireland 2010 Highlights: [WRNrugbynews]