Feb 25th, 2008 | Test Rugby | 2 Comments | print
In one of three exciting Six Nations matches this past weekend, Ireland with an impressive 5-try effort emerged victorious over Scotland. Ireland flashed memories of last year’s Six Nations further quelling any speculation that after their disappointing World Cup campaign that they were on a downturn. After narrowly defeating Italy in their opening match and staging a miraculous, near victory comeback against France in Paris, Ireland appear to have rediscovered their form from a year ago.
Ireland began the match on their heels as Scotland pounded the ball successfully downfield for the first 7 minutes of the match only to concede a penalty to Ireland after often hot-tempered Nathan Hines took a swing at Denis Leamy. While Ireland’s defense looked suspect at times often looking a little lax, their attacking lines were very effective and in some instances showed some glimpses of the renewed “French Flair” that we have seen from France’s Six Nations squad. Ireland played a very balanced match against Scotland continuing their surprising pack play and spinning it out wide to the backs, Ireland’s strength in recent years. Still, Ireland’s lineout struggled once again losing several lineouts and looking sloppy at times. Perhaps the return of feared lock Paul O’Connell will remedy Ireland’s lineout woes when they face off against undefeated Wales at Croke Park on March 8th. O’Connell received tremendous applause when he came onto the field for Mick O’Driscoll most certainly having an impact on Ireland and even further lifting their spirits and confidence with the return of their massive lock. → continue reading
Nov 7th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 11 Comments | print
South African rugby: a nation in union? Not any time soon.
Since the end of the apartheid era in South Africa, racial quotas (whereby a specified number of each team must be non-white) were instituted in South African sports in an attempt to increase participation by non-white players. As in America, this type of affirmative action has been controversial primarily since it has led to team selections not being based on merit.
Unlike the non-elite teams, the South African national rugby team has been immune from racial quotas, but the lead-up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup intensified calls for quotas to reach all levels of sport, including the elite/national level. Parliamentary Sports Committee chairman Butana Khompela even suggested that passports might be confiscated if the Springbok world cup squad was not representative of the country’s demographic which is 8% white.
In the aftermath of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victory, it seems that the focus has started to shift away from quotas to support player development. In October when presented with the Webb Ellis Cup in Pretoria, President Thabo Mbeki indicated that development should be built from below.
In Cape Town today, Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile officially endorsed this notion:
Quotas are out. We are not going to decide who must be on the team. All we are saying is expose everybody, give them an opportunity. […] Let us put our resources into the development of talent.
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Oct 29th, 2007 | Laws and Refereeing, Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 19 Comments | print
The best offense is a good defense.
by Yue-Houng Hu and Victor Drover
Much has been made of the Stellenbosch Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) which last week were given preliminary approval by the IRB to be more widely circulated and analyzed for further approval on 1 May 2008.
The IRB Council last week approved the ‘experimental law variations’ (ELVs) be circulated to all unions and returned with comments by January/February. The council will then vote on 1 May whether or not to bring them into worldwide rugby for a year’s trial. South Africa, Australia and New Zealand have also been asked to trial them in the Super 14.
The ELVs remain controversial as they amount to a revolution in the way rugby is played. Aimed to render rugby faster, more exciting, and simpler for both fans and officials, it is clear that the IRB is attempting to create a more ‘viewer friendly’ sport. What is not apparent is the dirty little secret exposed by the proposed law changes:
rugby as we know it, may be dying. → continue reading
Oct 17th, 2007 | RWC 2007 | 14 Comments | print
The Rugby World Cup 2007 Tournament saw the emergance of several countries as legitimate teams or at least legitimate in years to come. Georgia made some enormous strides with their limited resources and in perhaps the toughest of the four pools. Fiji made the quarterfinals, upsetting the Welsh in possibly the most thrilling match of this years World Cup. Even Tonga turned some heads finishing third over Somoa and USA while coming dangerously close to defeating now World Cup finalists, South Africa. One team does stand out more so than these teams and that team is Argentina.
Argentina shocked the world when they defeated France at their home stadium in the ceremonial opener, then cruised on to handily defeat Namibia and Georgia and then showing Ireland the door. Argentina has been on a role before the World Cup began and they have been a good team for several years now. Their biggest problem in terms of being mentioned in the world’s elite is that there is little competition for them in the southern hemisphere and certainly even less in North America. Argentina has been making a case publicly for their inclusion in the world stage, that being the Six Nations Tournament which includes, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France and the Tri-Nations Tournament which includes New Zealand, Australlia and South Africa. Felipe Contempomi, one of Argentina’s standout players has suggested that the Six Nations would be good for the short term, but that the Tr-Nations is where they belong.
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Oct 11th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 14 Comments | print
Only four matches remain in the 2007 Rugby World Cup and following last weeks results there is currently no clear favorite for even the semi finals, let alone who will be crowned champion. The early exit of Australia and New Zealand has effectively debunked all pundits and experts, leaving predictions for the finals anyone’s best guess.
Rather than speculate wildly as to the results of this weekends games, let me make a case for the best possible result for Saturday’s semi finals: France over England and Argentina over South Africa. This sets up a repeat of the epic championship opener of France v Argentina. Even if beleaguered England managed a place in the final, the ‘down-and-out team does good’ story will not have the drama of the first and final matches of the tournament featuring the same 2 teams. → continue reading
