Whats on this weekend to look forward too well the biggest match-up at the Rugby World Cup has this weekend has to be Ireland vs Argentina. All eyes will be on that game with their similar style of play it looks like their are going to be serious battles from the front row all the way to full back. A battle to watch will no doubt be Brian O'Driscoll up against the Contepomi brothers.....yes Brian is that good. Its going to be a humdinger and if you get time this weekend you must watch ( the schedule is in the bottom right corner of this page). For me I think.......geez its a tough one....but Ireland will be eventual winners.
Yes many can say that Argentina beat France so they should beat Ireland but I don't think it will happen that way. If you look at Argentina's performances none of them have been as high pressure as this one they have just put 'balls to the wall' and gone out there and played.
What is common with sides that are facing this kind of game for the first time or that have lack of experience in pressure matches of this calibre they change their tactics and end up playing right into the hands of the more experienced opposition, Samoa vs Tonga case in point. Samoa felt they had a chance against England and thought they did pretty well against SA which they did so they changed their tactics in the game against Tonga to prepare for the England game and then look what happened. It is basically do or die for Ireland and I think they will win it but they will not get enough tries or enough points so they will still go out and Argentina will end second and France first.
If there are any Springbok supporters reading this they are probably hoping I am wrong because if France finish top then in all likelihood they will meet the Boks in the Semi-finals. But word on the street (well if you read Elmo's post) the New Zealanders would like it if France won then the ABs can play them in the 1/4 finals, Australia in the semi-final and the Boks in the final....if they get that far and then they will undoubtedly be worthy Champions.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Who is this guy?
His name is Takudzwa Ngwenya, Taku for short. Well if anyone watched the Samoa vs USA game last night they would have seen an awesome try from this young man originally from Zimbabwe and currently playing and studying in USA. He showed some serious off the mark gas!
There is a link below that shows Taku's profile and you will see that he is currently studying radiology....mmmmmm? Anyway congrats to the 22yr old youngster he is representing, not many Zimbabweans can say they scored a try at the Rugby World Cup!
http://web.usarugby.org/viadesto/natteams/mnt/headshots/2007/takudzwa-ngwenya.gif
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Is it Grant or is Van Basten?
What the hell is going on at Chelsea? If those guys are not careful they will be in trouble tonight in the Carling Cup against Hull, ok they should win, but hey thats what we said against Villa and look what happened. I watched the game from the weekend and Chelsea did not look to bad but they have become individuals again trying to take the challenge on by themselves and it is a scary thing (for Chelsea fans anyway). Not anyone can just bring a team of stars together especially if you don't even have a coaching license.....oops did I say that. No seriously Roman is losing it!
Yah Chelsea can deny all they want about Van Basten but I mean really he was sitting right behind The boss at the game even I picked that out now what was he doing there? This Premier League is shaping up to be all that we hoped and more.
Carling Cup Action
I see Torres collected his first hatrick ball, he had to haggle for it but he eventually got it...stingy refs!! Congrats and that should ring bells in Benitez's head that that kid is star quality and he must be the first choice stricker he can rotate the others, but hey who am I?
Arsenal did the job again, damn! this is getting boring for them. There is just such a good vibe about the club and Venger is not as involved in other clubs business so its working, whatever they are doing its working. They put away Newcastle 2 - 0 impressive as Newcastle are not a bad side this season. I guess in the famous words of Murray Mexted - 'the ebb and flow of psychic energy is with them'.
United play Coventry tonight and Chelsea take on Hull. Oh if you wondering why don't speak about anyone besides the top four well, one, think about it, who would listen? And two, get over it!
What the hell is going on at Chelsea? If those guys are not careful they will be in trouble tonight in the Carling Cup against Hull, ok they should win, but hey thats what we said against Villa and look what happened. I watched the game from the weekend and Chelsea did not look to bad but they have become individuals again trying to take the challenge on by themselves and it is a scary thing (for Chelsea fans anyway). Not anyone can just bring a team of stars together especially if you don't even have a coaching license.....oops did I say that. No seriously Roman is losing it!
Yah Chelsea can deny all they want about Van Basten but I mean really he was sitting right behind The boss at the game even I picked that out now what was he doing there? This Premier League is shaping up to be all that we hoped and more.
Carling Cup Action
I see Torres collected his first hatrick ball, he had to haggle for it but he eventually got it...stingy refs!! Congrats and that should ring bells in Benitez's head that that kid is star quality and he must be the first choice stricker he can rotate the others, but hey who am I?
Arsenal did the job again, damn! this is getting boring for them. There is just such a good vibe about the club and Venger is not as involved in other clubs business so its working, whatever they are doing its working. They put away Newcastle 2 - 0 impressive as Newcastle are not a bad side this season. I guess in the famous words of Murray Mexted - 'the ebb and flow of psychic energy is with them'.
United play Coventry tonight and Chelsea take on Hull. Oh if you wondering why don't speak about anyone besides the top four well, one, think about it, who would listen? And two, get over it!
St Elmo's Fire
What do you know?............... Well this raving madman of a critic must have made some sort of impression on Mr Sports-Crazy as I have been given the Keys to his City. My piece will be known as the aforementioned title. I will attempt with the permission of The Man, to dissect and offer my point of view(suffice to say it could be rather Fiery!) on all sorts of topics but first my Introductory thesis:
Alot infact too much has been said about the ABs strength and reconditioning programme in the last few months. What people dont realise is that this is not the first time a team or athelete has been audacious enough to do the extraordinary to ensure peak physical and mental toughness required to conquer all. The Pele led Brazilian team of the 70s spent 20 weeks in high altitude conditions before the '72 world cup to do just that:prepare to win. Roger Federer spends his entire off season playing in +45 deg sweltering heat of the Dubai desert.Most of you are probably wondering now what I'm aimimg at.
The permutations at the current RWC are such that the ABs may meet France in the 1/4s(if Argentina beat Ireland) then it would be Oz in the semis and then the Boks in the Final. Now if this doesnt require physical and (more importantly)mental toughness, then I dont know what does.
Well personally im salivating at the thought of the ABs running riot over all the Pretenders to the Throne and this would show that they are Pound for Pound deserved World Champions.These guys are always the best team every 3 of the 4 years so this would truly 'shut those gates' and cement their position in Rugby Folklore
I geuss all I can say now is Go Argentina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ka Mate!
Alot infact too much has been said about the ABs strength and reconditioning programme in the last few months. What people dont realise is that this is not the first time a team or athelete has been audacious enough to do the extraordinary to ensure peak physical and mental toughness required to conquer all. The Pele led Brazilian team of the 70s spent 20 weeks in high altitude conditions before the '72 world cup to do just that:prepare to win. Roger Federer spends his entire off season playing in +45 deg sweltering heat of the Dubai desert.Most of you are probably wondering now what I'm aimimg at.
The permutations at the current RWC are such that the ABs may meet France in the 1/4s(if Argentina beat Ireland) then it would be Oz in the semis and then the Boks in the Final. Now if this doesnt require physical and (more importantly)mental toughness, then I dont know what does.
Well personally im salivating at the thought of the ABs running riot over all the Pretenders to the Throne and this would show that they are Pound for Pound deserved World Champions.These guys are always the best team every 3 of the 4 years so this would truly 'shut those gates' and cement their position in Rugby Folklore
I geuss all I can say now is Go Argentina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ka Mate!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Fresh Off The Block!!
Ok this is a little something I thought I would include in my blog since
there were complaints that I am stating the obvious with my stories
( I mean really like I am a journalist I already have critics). Anyway
we aim to please. So I am starting a section called, Fresh Off The Block which basically is useless info like everything else ( and since I have had not comments I am probably te only one reading this well me and my Nemisis/critic).
Moving on my very first FOTB news is about Orene Aii. Former Blues
flyhalf and New Zealand 7's player, tiny dude with a super-dooper,
bamboozling sidestep of note yip him. Well he has released an album
or single not too sure which one. I thought is was the funniest thing.
Well if you don't believe me check out what these crazy maori's have to say about it and fyi I would buy it.
http://nz.messages.yahoo.com/nz-news/rwc/1351/
I'm Back!!!
Hey guys I have been away so I am just catching up with all that happened this weekend so give me time to get all the info. So far I see that 20/20 is not the format for the Aussies and what did I tell you India vs Pakistan final pity it was not in Durban. At one stage India were out, but pulled it out of the bag with 3 brilliant performances to win the final. Well Pakistan redeemed themselves after a distater of the One Day World Cup and congratulaions to India. One World Cup down one to go.
Springboks 30; Tonga 25 can someone tell me what really happened besides the biting and the poor kicking? The ABs still seem to have it in check judging from their result but I need to see that game as well. Aussies looking good as well as France Boks and the ABs need to watch out for these teams if they meet in the semi-finals. But do not overlook the Pumas for top spot in Group D yet they still play Ireland which is going to be a humdinger of a match.
Well if there was ever a time to play against Chelsea it is now. Again I have not watched the match but what a result for a United side that seems to be on the right track. Five is the magic number as Arsenal kept top spot after chowing derby 5-0 and they are looking dangerous maybe Henry bouncing was a blessing in disguise because those guys I super blazing. Shock result in the Liverpool game though I really think Benitez needs to smell the coffee and realise that he has a championship winning side and his team rotation may work in Europe but does not work in the Premier League.
Anyway guys I am out I need to catch up with all that I missed, later.
Springboks 30; Tonga 25 can someone tell me what really happened besides the biting and the poor kicking? The ABs still seem to have it in check judging from their result but I need to see that game as well. Aussies looking good as well as France Boks and the ABs need to watch out for these teams if they meet in the semi-finals. But do not overlook the Pumas for top spot in Group D yet they still play Ireland which is going to be a humdinger of a match.
Well if there was ever a time to play against Chelsea it is now. Again I have not watched the match but what a result for a United side that seems to be on the right track. Five is the magic number as Arsenal kept top spot after chowing derby 5-0 and they are looking dangerous maybe Henry bouncing was a blessing in disguise because those guys I super blazing. Shock result in the Liverpool game though I really think Benitez needs to smell the coffee and realise that he has a championship winning side and his team rotation may work in Europe but does not work in the Premier League.
Anyway guys I am out I need to catch up with all that I missed, later.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Eish Proteas!!
Oh well it happened again. How many times do the Proteas get there look good but don't quite make it. I mean these guys must have thought that all they needed to do is pitch up but alas. Credit to India those guys blazed. Their batting was awesome and I am not an avid cricket fan so the names run away from me but that guy who was given his chance to open ( I remember the commentators said that) did superb. To add to that I don't think I have every seen such fielding from India, like I said I am not big on Cricket but I have always known them for being very slack fielders and in the past that is what let them down but not this time (oh and I heard they got help from a poor wicket...hmmmmm are these excuses?)
Proteas top order cost the team and the way their fielding session ended played a major role. I wonder how the host nation not being in the tournament will affect the mula that these grounds are making. You can only hope for two scenarios - one Australia make it to the final beacuase as much as SA supporters hate to see them win they love to see them lose, and two, it must be a Pakistan - India final played in Durban......full house garuanteed!!
Hard luck Proteas I really thought they were doing well. But aren't these tournaments funny Australia lost two games and they are in the semi-finals whereas the Proteas first loss last night determined their fate.
Proteas top order cost the team and the way their fielding session ended played a major role. I wonder how the host nation not being in the tournament will affect the mula that these grounds are making. You can only hope for two scenarios - one Australia make it to the final beacuase as much as SA supporters hate to see them win they love to see them lose, and two, it must be a Pakistan - India final played in Durban......full house garuanteed!!
Hard luck Proteas I really thought they were doing well. But aren't these tournaments funny Australia lost two games and they are in the semi-finals whereas the Proteas first loss last night determined their fate.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Who will take the Premier League '08
Yeah yeah yeah its too soon to say but from early form who would bet against the big four in particular Arsenal and Liverpool. Those guys have raced off the starting blocks and they are looking very good. Thisis the first time in a very long time that I can say Liverpool are in real contention.
Chelsea and Man U both had shaky starts and they are equal on points on the log. Bothe teams are going through a phase of not being able to score goals but I must say having your coach stick around is a good after six games is a positive for United unlike Chelsea. Jose has bounced!!! Where did that come from? should we really be surprised? Roman the big kid is not having fun because he is not winning 'I want to win boohoo' well that is junk if you ask me.
Mourinho is one of the best coaches to have coached in Europe and he is letting him go for not winning the Champions League I mean really!! Well I would like to see who he has next in line because looking at Mourinho's record the next dude has a tough job on his hands. Deschamps needs to think twice and not just think about the 'kching' which i am sure he will be offered well that is if he is next?
We will wait to hear to full story...oh and keep an eye on Sven and Man City
Chelsea and Man U both had shaky starts and they are equal on points on the log. Bothe teams are going through a phase of not being able to score goals but I must say having your coach stick around is a good after six games is a positive for United unlike Chelsea. Jose has bounced!!! Where did that come from? should we really be surprised? Roman the big kid is not having fun because he is not winning 'I want to win boohoo' well that is junk if you ask me.
Mourinho is one of the best coaches to have coached in Europe and he is letting him go for not winning the Champions League I mean really!! Well I would like to see who he has next in line because looking at Mourinho's record the next dude has a tough job on his hands. Deschamps needs to think twice and not just think about the 'kching' which i am sure he will be offered well that is if he is next?
We will wait to hear to full story...oh and keep an eye on Sven and Man City
The ABs will take it home?
Well is this another case of the same story different song and will it lead to another dissapointing World Cup year for the all blacks? I don't think so the are just too good. The ABs are in peak condition they are play fluent rugby ( when they get going ) and one thing that puts them above the rest (particularly th Boks) is that they are able to play at a high level of instensity for the longest period of time.
Autralia, who we can never count out, are not up to scratch and will go down before the final. Either in the semis to the All Blacks but they still need to battle against England (well thats if they make it past the group stages).
Boks looking OK people can't get too excited about the way those guys are playing and their emphasis on strong defence and with all three back rowers trying to get to every ruck they are always going to tire before the 80mins and this usually happens at about 60 - 65mins (same time as Os takes his stroll off the field)
France well I would usually say if anyone can take down the ABs it them but they are just not looking the part this year. Yes they had a convincing win the other night but if you watched the game they were all over the place and when under pressure they turn to themselves and become agroup of individuals - Argentina game cas in point. Well les bleu will take out the Boks in a semi-final clash if they top their group and will bow out if they come second and meet the ABs quaters.
Check this out Justin Marshall agrees with me: http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2009955.html#marshall+picks+all+black+trophy+grab
Autralia, who we can never count out, are not up to scratch and will go down before the final. Either in the semis to the All Blacks but they still need to battle against England (well thats if they make it past the group stages).
Boks looking OK people can't get too excited about the way those guys are playing and their emphasis on strong defence and with all three back rowers trying to get to every ruck they are always going to tire before the 80mins and this usually happens at about 60 - 65mins (same time as Os takes his stroll off the field)
France well I would usually say if anyone can take down the ABs it them but they are just not looking the part this year. Yes they had a convincing win the other night but if you watched the game they were all over the place and when under pressure they turn to themselves and become agroup of individuals - Argentina game cas in point. Well les bleu will take out the Boks in a semi-final clash if they top their group and will bow out if they come second and meet the ABs quaters.
Check this out Justin Marshall agrees with me: http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2009955.html#marshall+picks+all+black+trophy+grab
Welcome!
Well there are no prizes for guessing what my blog is all about. Being very opinionated about sport and a crazy enthuisast I only thought it would be right to have my say instead of moaning at home to my nonresponsive wife. So here we go!!!
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