Apr 1st, 2008 | Satire | 5 Comments | print
by Stan Doffe, International Correspondent
The International Rugby Board (IRB) today announced that former US Eagles and Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has accepted the position of Top Associate of Rugby Development for the Pacific Nations Cup.
The Cup, formerly known as the IRB Pacific 5 Nations, currently includes the nations of Fiji, Samoa, Japan, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. O’Sullivan has been brought in as TARD to expand the competition to include other Pacific Rim Nations in the Americas, namely Canada, USA and Argentina, as well as Uruguay.
“When I was first offered the job by the IRB, I jumped at the opportunity,” said O’Sullivan. “It was really, really great … something I won’t forget for a long time. But afterwards, I felt a little awkward around the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) executives. I knew when they found out about the Rim job, they would not be happy. Loyalty is a strong virtue in my relationship with the IRFU, and it was clear I had breached their trust.” → continue reading
Oct 4th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 1 Comment | print
“Nothing left but the crying” is probably the sentiment for many Irish, Welsh, Italians and Tongans this week as the pool stages end and the 3rd place finishers head back and start thinking about either retirement or the 2011 RWC in New Zealand. For a World Cup that was supposed to be a predictable spectacle by the ‘top-tier’ teams, the so-called ‘minnows’ flexed their might (and their hearts) and produced more flair and excitement than the championship favorites like France and the SANZAR nations. Here is how it breaks down pool-by-pool. → continue reading
Sep 8th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 1 Comment | print
RWC 2007 Predictions 3 - Pool B
Well, I should start by saying that a detailed analysis of Pool B is (i) totally unnecessary as Australia and Wales will undoubtedly advance to the quarter finals and (ii) I’m in Paris at the moment on Day 2 of RWC 2007 and simply don’t have time to write a lenghtly analysis. 
The one thing that sets this pool apart from Pool A and Pool D is the fact that Australia is guaranteed to finish at the top, with Wales following in second place. Everyone else is fighting for respect. Fiji and Canada (ranked 12th and 13th respectively) both want the #3 position, and their clash on Sep. 16th is the must-see game of the Pool. Win or lose, Canada must show up strong for their match against 18th-ranked Japan on Sep. 25th for the world to know that the canucks are truly developing their rugby chops.
Let’s go Canada, make you’re mark and soon you’ll be breaking into rugby’s top-10!
Jun 26th, 2007 | RWC 2007 | 2 Comments | print
We all know that New Zealand All Blacks have been the highest rated team in the oval planet since Wilco kicked England into the history books at the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final (well, since July 2004 to be exact).
Add to that their worldwide recognition of the Haka ritual (the subject of my next blog) to ruggers and non-ruggers alike and the All Blacks are favored by many to finally hoist the Webb Ellis Cup which has eluded them since the inception of the Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Contrary to popular belief, I think All Blacks PR machine may have gotten a little ahead of itself. These last few weeks have been very revealing for the All Blacks, despite back-to-back wins over Canada and South Africa. Let’s analyze each of these.
→ continue reading
