International Rugby Board Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien explains the Stellenbosch experimental law variations and their status with the IRB. This is part 1 of the 20 minute video. → continue reading
International Rugby Board Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien explains the Stellenbosch experimental law variations and their status with the IRB. This is part 2 of the 20 minute video. → continue reading
“Four more years…four more years”. Those were George Greegan’s words to New Zealand upon Australia’s semi-final victory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. I suspect many English and French fans are echoing this sentiment today as their National sides upset two championship favorites in the first day of quarter final action at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and sent Australia and New Zealand home early.
In Marseille, England starved the Wallabies of ball, stealing much possession in the rucks and disrupting their opposition set pieces. They defended with great conviction and, despite a failure to break the Aussie line, took advantage of their undisciplined opponents as Jonny Wilkinson captured the Rugby World Cup all-time scoring record with 4 penalties.
In the other test, fans in Cardiff were treated to a second-half magic show from the back line as France came from a 13-3 half-time deficit to defeat the All Blacks 20-18.
Both Australia and New Zealand will now have to wait for 2011 to get their revenge for defeats in 2003 (England over Australia in the 2003 RWC final) and in 1999 (France over New Zealand in the 1999 RWC semi-final). Todays results will make these wounds even more painful when/if these teams meet four years from now.
For Australia and New Zealand, it’s back to the drawing board. Australia have a large personell shift as their veterans retire. New Zealand on the other hand must investigate how four years of meticulous planning again failed them at the crucial moments. The Southern Hemisphere media and match commentators have been cruel and biased following weak performances by France and England, especially the latter as England have failed to impress in all of their pool matches. Now however, expect a swift and harsh introspective response as the Wallabies and All Blacks return home.
As for George Greegan, today’s loss marks the end of his International rugby career with a record 139 caps. Sorry George, but “no more years” is a lot worse than “four more years”. Welcome to the Old Boys club (well, when you hit 35 next year anyway 
).
Since the Professional Era of rugby began in earnest in 1995, the laws of rugby have not changed much beyond technical clarification and small ‘tweaks’ to increase player safety. Two obvious exceptions are (i) lifting in the lineout and (ii) television match officials for confirming trys. However, these have not had much much long-term impact on how the game is played primarily since line-outs and touch-downs constitute only a minor component of any rugby match.
However, new rules currently called the ‘Stellenbosch’ Experimental Laws are set to change that by legalizing many common law infractions at the break-down where much of the match is spent. → continue reading
And then there were 8. The quarter-finals of the 2007 RWC are set to kick off in a few days and to be honest, the match-ups are quite interesting. Even if you are a die-hard All Black fan, I think the fixtures are going to captivate rugby enthusiasts of all persuasions. → continue reading
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