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 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 4th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 18 Comments | print
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
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!
