Oct 4th, 2007 | Test Rugby | 15 Comments | print
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
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 28th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 31 Comments | print
Has anyone other than me noticed what has happened to the All Blacks in the last 8 years? Aside from hardly ever losing and absolutely destroying even good teams, the All Blacks have spun completely out of control with their image and mysitque. This year’s Rugby World Cup has already seen the All Blacks demolish all of their opponents so far, albeit in a very week pool and all signs point to an inevitable victory for the storied All Blacks. But as in past years, the All Blacks will fall again.
The problem with the All Blacks is that their team has become Americanized as I like to call it. That is the team has lost sight of what the game of rugby is about and have turned it into more of a them against the world conquest. This team is so far ahead of other rugby teams in the world that it almost seems as if they’re a different race of people. I mean have you seen the size and speed of these guys, it’s disturbing at the very least. I often wonder if the pressure of being the best in the world has driven many of them to do steroids. I read an article recently about one of their players who had to stop working out his biceps because he was having trouble wrapping up people for tackles!!
The pressure has become so great for the All Blacks that several players have been quoted saying they don’t even enjoy playing for the All Blacks because it’s too much. Too much pressure, too much hype, too much of everything. → continue reading
Sep 25th, 2007 | RWC 2007 | 9 Comments | print
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of traveling to France for the 2007 Rugby World Cup with my wife and some close friends. It was an experience of a life time and something I plan on sharing with my son when he’s old enough to appreciate the sport. The atmosphere of an international event such as this one (officially the third largest international event behind the Summer Olympics and the Soccer World Cup) was something incredible to be a part of. You had people from countries all over the world in France to support their country’s conquest to hoist the coveted Webb Ellis Cup. People drinking in bars, eating in restaurants all eagerly watching whatever match happened to be playing. It didn’t even matter what teams were playing, if it was rugby, they were watching. It didn’t matter what country you were from either, there were South Africans mingling with Australians, two countries who are fierce rivals.
Not only did I get to just be in France while all of this was going on, I got to actually see two live matches. What an experience this was! I’ve been an avid sporst fan all my life. I’ve seen football both pro and college live, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer and even golf. Nothing compares though to being a part of such a special international event like a World Cup, something that only comes every 4 years. I think it’s the fans that really make it different. There isn’t that fear that when you’re sitting amongst a bunch of fans that are rooting for the team you’re not, you might get stabbed, something anyone who’s been to a inter-division pro football game would know. Everyone there is there for rugby, not even necessarily for their team. That might be an exaggeration, but it’s not far off. Even when a fan’s opposing team is taking a penalty kick, they quiet down to allow him to take his kick. This level of sportsmanship and respect is unheard of in the U.S.
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