Mc Caw awarded with IRB player of the year

All Black Richie McCaw has become the first player to receive the prestigious IRB player of the year award twice.

McCaw was presented with the title after the All Blacks’ 12-39 victory over France this weekend. He previously won it in 2006.

He shrugged off competition from Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip and Brian O'Driscoll, South Africa's Fourie du Preez and Francois Steyn, Australia's Matt Giteau and England's Tom Croft.

Do you think the award went to the right person?

You can’t argue that McCaw is one of the best players in the world, but has he been the best in 2009?

He has been sidelined for the majority of this season through injury, and was involved in three straight defeats to South Africa. Personally, after an incredible season for the men in green, I think the award should have gone to Brian O’Driscoll.

Here is a man who has won the Triple Crown, a 6 Nations Grand Slam, a Heineken cup and earnt his place on the Lions tour and managed to be captain for a game. This weekend, O’Driscoll and Ireland secured a victory over the Springboks.

In my opinion this should have been the award to top off a phenominal year for the Leinster man.

Also with the awards, World Champions South Africa won team of the year, while, Irish boss Declan Kidney received coach of the year.

Save the game bring back the ruck!

Elite rugby needs to be assessed as is it becoming in jeopardy of being considered a non spectator sport unless the current rules are not sorted out.

Some people hold the view that it’s not how you win, at the end of the day a win is a win. Some people do not view the game of rugby as a main entertainment provider.

But the current game, is well, kind of boring. In the Guinness Premiership and international level, teams are forced to senselessly kick away possession, and initiate an extreme game of ‘rugby tennis.’ After about five or six kicks, everybody in the stands switches off.

The game should encourage attack to result in tries. It should be an entertaining sport, a fast paced game that is exciting for any spectator. But somehow the balance has switched, and the defending teams have the upper hand.

The breakdown has become, let’s face it a mess. The penalty counts for ill discipline come ruck time have soared through the stadium roofs.

Teams are scared to take the ball into contact, the ball is played back to the fly-half who puts an up an under for his team-mates to chase. The opposition do the same after they recycle possession.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Barbarians run out at Twickenham against the All-Blacks this weekend.

I love the way the barbarians play, because they experiment well with possession, they have nothing to loose so they play what’s in front of them with a minimal game plan.

I don’t think they will beat New Zealand, but they certainly will give them a run for their money. I was at Twickenham this time two years ago to see the World champions, South Africa being defeated by the baa-baa’s. So it shows that sometimes the ‘barbarians’ style of rugby can be the best.

Don't fancy a game? try Domino's pizza instead

As I’m sure you are all aware, the weather recently has not been great at all. I’m struggling to think of the last day it hasn’t rained.

I have been used to all sorts of conditions on a rugby field, from the blistering sun during 7’s tournaments to being stuck out on the wing in the winter time and the only action that I seen of the match was the pelting of razor sharp hail stones on my face.

The weather conditions are what make rugby, it’s a factor on what type of style you should play and it can be a way to excuse a bad performance “the weather was against us, it didn’t allow us to play.”

However Wasps had a different Idea on Friday when they turned up to play Sale in Stockport.

The team got off the bus from and deemed the pitch unplayable over safety concerns with the conditions of the water logged pitch.

Wasps coach Tony Hanks believed that when it came to scrummaging, it would be unsafe, and he felt that it was not the conditions to play professional rugby. Well tell that to all the Sunday league clubs whom I have played for in mud so thick you had to wrestle with the ground to retrieve your foot. Because there would not be many rugby games played if the conditions in Stockport where deemed unplayable.

What is so surprising is that both Sale Sharks and the referee David Rose deemed the pitch playable and had no problems with safety concerns.

Personally I feel sorry for the fans, both Sale and Wasps. They dedicated their Friday evening to see their team play. They battled the extreme conditions and made it fine.

Can you just imagine, you walking up to the ground, and seeing the players leaving and boarding their coach. You would have to question yourself and your time keeping at first, but after you realise that not everybody is late you would have to raise your eyebrows.

However, Wasps are fully within their right to call off a game, a law within the game allows a team to refuse to take the field of play if they deem it unsafe. Do you think this law is fair enough?

Think of the financial loss that Sale incurred on Friday night. I think it would be fair to say, if this game was being showed on Sky Sports, Wasps wouldn’t have dreamed of cancelling it.

But for the time being Wasps were happy with their delivery of pizza and 4 hour coach journey back to London on Friday evening.

Have Wasps been out of order here? Or do you think it was a sensible decision by Tony Hanks to avoid adding to English rugby’s long list of injuries.

Also should i point out, that the Stockport game was cancelled on Saturday due to the conditions of Edgeley Park

Bloodgate Williams returns

Tom Williams marks a bloody comeback.





So unless you have been living under a rock and avoiding any sporting news over the summer, chances are all I’ll need to reference is "Bloodgate" and you will all know what I mean.

Well, Tom Williams, the capsule biting culprit had done the crime and served his time of four months and made his return. Harlequins were away to Northampton Saints last weekend. May i just point out Harlequins boss John Kingston's clever tactic with regards to his selection of Williams. The team announcement was delayed until late in the week. Also, Northampton's kick off clashed with the England All blacks game, so all media attention was diverted from Franklin's Gardens to the home of english rugby.

But the Harlequins wingers return involved a chilling reminder of the recent past. Just after Half-time Williams had a clash with Saints’ winger Chris Ashton, which lead to the Harlequins physio running onto the field needing to deal with a blood injury, you just couldn’t have written it. Blood was coming from Williams(this time real), the physio managed to plug some cotton wool into Williams’ nose to stop the bleeding, it didn’t really work and after 20 mins, a replacement was made. However I don’t think that this replacement was as tactical as that of the events at The Stoop in April.

Harlequins have been haunted with reminders of Bloodgate since that fateful day, the referee against London Wasps during the London double header ironically was Dean Richards whose namesake is the coach who planned the blood capsule, and now in a cruel twist of fate, on Williams’ return he needs treatment for a blood injury. I was at the London Double header at Twickenham and there were many fans dressed up as vampires, which added comic effect to the day.

Who would have thought it? What do you think, is this karma coming back at Williams?

Should Bloodgate be forgotten of now? Should we all move on and just occasionally give their supporters a bit of jip when they begin to irritate us. I think this Scandal will forever be cemented in Rugby’s history but for now I think it should be left alone and let’s just let the rugby do the talking.

Familiar image? Tom Williams at the beginning of the Bloodgate scandal

Scotland secure a heroic victory over Australia

Two wins from two for Andy Robinson and Scotland.

Matt Giteau missed a last minute conversion to reward a heroic Scottish performance, to beat the Wallabies for the first time in 27 years.

I have not seen Scotland play that well in a long time! In the last ten minutes their attacking play and defence was solid and inspirational.

My emotions were taken on a roller coaster ride. After Chris Paterson’s drop goal I was certain that was the victory sealed, but how wrong I was and a quick break from Australia’s James O’Conner seen them threatening the Scottish line. I thought that Scotland would hold off. But Ryan Cross managed to cross over the line to bring the Aussies within a point!

It was now down to Matt Giteau, who had left his kicking boots in Australia, to kick for the win. All he needed to do was kick from the left of the posts out on the 22 and a win would have been in order. It was a sure bet, I would have put my student loan on him securing it, but thank god I didn’t, and thank god he missed.

There were a number of notable performances that stood out within this near perfect performance. Alex Grove is fantastic in defence he seems so comfortable on the international stage, although he has only earned his second cap, he looks as comfortable as the most experienced men on the field.

Rory Lawson had a notable performance coming on for an injured Chris Cusiter. His tactical kicking was effective and played well, with good distribution to Phil Godman. It really has enhanced my view at how competitive the Scrum half position is within the Scotland team. Mike Blair failed a fitness test and had to miss the game which allowed Lawson to bench even though he is considered third choice.

It was seriously the best defensive performance I have seen from any international team, never mind just Scotland. Scotland made 129 tackles and missed just 5, which just shows the effort and defensive technique that went into the performance, Scotland have always impressed defensively, even under Frank Hadden Scotland would always tackle well.

The only worrying thing, and I’m not taking this win away from the Scots, but they were rarely given an opportunity to attack the Aussie's line. Alex Grove, although fantastic in defence, has not yet shown his creativity in attack, something I’m eagerly awaiting. Graeme Morrison had a few spills under pressure, but was replaced by Nick De Luca at half time who made a couple of good runs. The Scottish scrum held up well against an Australian pack who are fast becoming famous as one of the best Scrummaging sides in the world.

Once again it was a fantastic win for Scotland, even if Giteau had converted the try, I would have still been pleased with the Scottish performance. Andy Robinson is doing something right. However I’m not getting too ahead of myself, Scotland still need to face a tough Argentine side and the whole 6 Nations campaign is yet to follow. I think then we can have a fair assessment of how well Robinson is doing.

Another crazy kit introduced to the world of rugby

If I was to pose the question to you, who has the most extreme playing jersey within rugby? Your answer would probably be Stade Francais, and rightly so.

They have been famous over the last few years with their extreme kit designs, including the Andy Warhol inspired florescent multi colouring of Blanche de Castille, the wife of Louis VIII on their shirt. Not forgetting the flowers printed on the front of their shirt and also their electric pink jersey.

Some of these have been pretty extreme, however put your sunglasses on….. squint your eyes…… now get ready for one the most extreme kit I, rugby and Scotland has ever seen!

This kit, which looks like some one has given a child a paint set and said, do what you want, is noticeable to say the least.

It has been designed to celebrate the 1872 cup derby matches as Edinburgh take on Glasgow on both the 27th December and 2nd January, it will certainly prove to add a bit of colour to the festive season. The kit has been designed by Rhino and will become a valuable collector’s edition in the future. However priced at a steep £60 it will take a lot of saving if I’ll want one.

But this is the question is this kit nice? Would you buy and wear it? I’d recommend this kit to anyone who feels that they walk down the street and fail to be noticed. Because well lets be honest, you could stand a mile away on a foggy day and we would still see you. What do you think? Would you buy it and wear it?

Nick De Luca shielding his eyes from the brightness

"The French disrespected our anthem" - Peter De Villiers

What a rendition of “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika”

Ok, so you’re a South African professional Rugby player. You get selected for South Africa, you run out onto the pitch in front of thousands of fans packed within the stadium cheering for you. TV cameras fix on you and beam the pictures far and wide across the earth.

Here’s you moment, to sing your national anthem, to unite with your nation and team mates and get quite patriotic. It’s a chance for you to get fired up for the game. So you line up on the half way line and you begin to sing “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika”(God Bless Africa).

Well that’s how it should go down anyway. But there has been heavy criticism of the rendition that Reggae singer, Ras Dumisani blasted out on Friday night infront of the French crowd.

I honestly believe that Jedward could have done a better job of this. I have heard the South African national anthem at Twickenham and (when sung properly) it is a very emotional anthem. However this version (below) is utterly appalling at its very very best. It’s sung out of tune out of time and the South African team quite rightly feels insulted and disrespected by it.

Have a listen for yourself…………





Unbelievably Dumisani was under the impression he sang ‘beautifully.’ Let’s be fair to him he did sound like an angel….being strangled.

"No one told me they were upset with the singing," the Durban native said. "In fact, someone just came up to me and told me how beautifully I had sung."

(They were probably drunk)

“Everyone at the stadium told me I sang well, even after the match. The Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika has been my tune since a baby," he said. "How can I not know the words?

(Okay fair enough he did know the words, his problem was putting them in the right places)

"There are four languages: Zulu, Sesontho, Afrikaans, English. It's just four bars, always saying the same thing," said Dumisani, now based in Paris where he currently records is music and from where he is about to embark on a tour.

"I am the biggest reggae man in South Africa and the Springboks are my team.

"Everyone has their own tastes and you can't always account for that but most people find my music so beautiful."

Sorry mate, just give up music, that was awful!

Now some of the South Africans have came up with the excuse, that the terrible anthem, resulted in them loosing 20-13 to France. Okay lads steady on I wouldn't go that far!

What are some of the best excuses you have heard in sport?

Fast, furious and physical Samoa almost got the better of an inconsistent Wales

My god what a game, so tense and exciting, those last few moments I was on the edge of the seat and I apologise to all my Welsh friends but I was rooting for the men in blue.

Samoa stated that they will be playing for the souls of the deceased from the tsunami, and they seriously did their nation proud this evening in front of an impressive 58,900 crowd. While the sun had set in Cardiff it was just rising in Samoa as a nation born and bread for rugby woke up to see the Samoan team, who only come together four days ago, give Wales a scare nine years after their last fixture.

It was expected to be a physical encounter. And to describe this game as a physical encounter is an understatement. Henry Tuilagi laid down the law within the first minute running straight into Gethin Jenkins and Alun Wyn Jones, leaving quite literally a crater in the earth.

Moments later a late challenge on Dwayne Peel by Lolo Lui left the Sale Sharks scrum half in a daze for a few moments. And it didn’t stop their Tuilagi was a man on a mission throughout the whole game, to top is previous tackle with an even bigger hit!

The Samoans played with real fire and provided a great source of entertainment for a neutral fan.

Wales however, well that is just a different story. They started very strongly, Dan Biggar introduced himself to the international rugby stage with a pin point accurate cross filed kick, which found Leigh Halfpenny who crossed over for his fifth Welsh try, this happened moments after Biggar put the home team 3-0 ahead.

However signs of Wales’ inconsistency shown last week began to creep in again. A few of their early attacks were ended due to lack of discipline and precision at the break down.

Wales did though; defend brilliantly against such a physical opponent. Let’s be fair if all 17 stone of Henry Tuilagi runs at you on your own, chances are, you will come off second best. Therefore Wales committed two men to one attacker, which ensured that the Samoans could be stopped easier without making too much ground. One player would take the legs while another would wrap around so the option of an offload was impossible, therefore slowing the Samoans game down and putting Wales in control.

The Samoan’s tactical kicking wasn’t up to scratch and it allowed Wales, specifically James Hook to counter attack easily as the defensive line was almost none existent.

And this is where the problem lays, Wales dominated the game. On the day, Wales were the better team, they had the majority of possession and the majority of territory. However they didn’t take their chances. Hook had a number of breaks as well as Warburton, but something would always bring the attacking phases to an end, either a turnover, a knock on, or poor discipline.

It’s something Wales needs to look at. All that needs to be tweaked is their precision, and possibly a slight element of luck. If that last pass is made, or if the last pass is caught, it’s a guaranteed score, but that’s just not happening at the moment.

Samoa had two players sin binned, therefore Wales were playing against 14 men for a quarter of the game. During the second sin binning (H. Tuilagi) Seilala Mapusua managed to score an interception try, and I was off my seat cheering him on.

After this interception, in a point in the game where the match should have been put to bed and where Wales should have been fairly in control, the panic buttons where frantically being pushed.

Wales were playing at 100 mph and where making the wrong decisions, they seemed to panic in attack in the last quarter. It seemed to me they didn’t know what to do with the ball as they looked up and seen blue jerseys wanting to slice them in two.

Wales discipline could have cost them the game. However, Samoa missed a penalty that would have brought them within a point. Wales had completely lost all their composure toward the end of the game.

Samoa’s golden opportunity came when Mapusua grubber kicked the ball into space which just dribbled into touch. Three or four inches to the left, and Samoa would have been victors.

Although this wasn’t a great performance by Wales, we have to remember it what a young side that was fielded, 1/3 of the team that played the All Blacks was missing. Debutants like Biggar, Warburton and Jonathon Davies can learn from this game and this ‘victory’ will develop them into better players.

Persuade Santa to bring you something Rugby down the chimney this Christmas.

Yes it’s growing ever closer, the ad’s are on TV, the shops are starting to decorate and town centres are switching on the lights. It’s almost Christmas. However it is my opinion that it’s never truly Christmas until Coca cola release their advert.

Anyway, for all you organised folk, who are currently making lists for Saint Nick and thinking of what to get friends, siblings and parents, here are a few rugby presents that might go down a treat this year.

First of all I shall start with what went straight to the top of my list to Santa.
The Lions 2009: Living with the Pride.

In this compelling documentary we follow the Lions from the pre-tour training camp all the way to the final test, with exclusive access to every player and backroom staff member, management and selection meeting and training session, giving us an insight into the life of a lion, through the highs and lows of winning and loosing. The DVD is out now to buy in a two-disc set. Not persuaded quite just yet? Well have a look at this preview!




Next on the list comes from, undoubtedly one of the best referees in world rugby at the moment, Nigel Owens with his book “Half time.” This Autobiography outlines the highs and the lows that Owens has experienced in his life, ranging from bullying and bulimia to Bloodgate and his attempted suicide before coming out as homosexual.

Next is the Autobiography of Kenny Logan titled
“Just for kicks.” I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of his book when I went to Twickenham earlier this year for the London double header.

Logan discusses his life growing up in a rural farming community. Earning his first Scotland cap at 19 and winning the 5 nations in 1999. He reveals at the age of 30 he was still unable to read or write, until his wife Gabby pushed him to confront and battle his Dyslexia. Also included is how he wowed millions on BBC’s strictly come dancing and his successes with London Wasps.

My final book to offer you is current USA head coach and ex-Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan. His book, “Never die wondering” reveals how a Galway Women’s Basketball coach went on to lead Ireland to three triple crowns, while almost choosing the route of becoming a Christian brother. O’Sullivan, who won 64% of his 78 games in charge, is widely known as the coach who laid the foundations for Ireland’s success before quitting early last year. It’s an enjoyable read from a man who extended the possibilities of rugby coaching.

Hope this has given you some ideas and made cristmas presents this year slightly easier. Hope santa is good to you.

England will do very well not to underestimate what the Pumas are capable of!

The Pumas although underdogs will take tha game to England, this will be no walk over!

England after tomorrow will be halfway through their autumn international campaign and thinking a fixture against Argentina will be an easy, England has another thing coming.

Currently the South Americans don’t have the same status within rugby that can match the South Africans or the All blacks, but their physical and competitive nature can match anyone.

If I’m honest Argentina deserve far higher status and respect than they get. Currently above England in the IRB world rankings, the Puma’s have won two of the last three encounters with England. Their heroic victory at Twickenham two years ago seen the end of Andy Robinson’s reign at England.

Argentina are in a similar situation to England, They are missing a number of key players like Juan-Martin Hernandez, Jaun leguizamon and the illustrious fly half Felipe Contepomi. However their biggest lost is scrum-half and captain Agustin Pichot, who lead Argentina to a unpredicted third in the 2007 world cup shrugging off France and Ireland, while giving South Africa a scare in the semi’s. Pichot was also at the front seat of Argentina’s climb up the rankings these past years.

However, one thing that is of concern to me, is that Argentina’s squad is currently scattered all over the globe eight players have joined the international team from amateur clubs back in Argentina. While the other 21 in the squad have regular appearances in the Guinness Premiership, the French top 14 and the Magners league.

Although Argentina will suffer without players like Pichot, Contepomi and Hernandez, the prospect of playing at Twickenham as underdogs is no worry for Captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Jonny wilkinson’s team mate at Toulon), who views Twickenham stadium as the pinnacle of rugby.

The puma’s as ever, will defend fiercely and attack creatively so Martin Johnson’s squad will have to treat the underdogs as if they are the favourites.

(oh yeah, and keep you eye out for England’s new purple kit, I think it still needs to grow on me)

Television match officials, good or bad?

Tell me I would like to know..........should they stay or should they go?

There has been a lot of discussion recently about the use of the TMO in rugby. Many questions have arisen, such as: is it used too often? Are referees scared to make a decision on impulse? Should the video ref be forgotten?

This comes in the light of the Wales New Zealand game, where referee Craig Joubert went upstairs, not once, not twice but three times. Of which, every decision came back ‘No Try.’

Conrad Smith who crossed the line in the 62nd minute was positive he scored, despite the referee’s decision: “I thought I grounded the ball but who knows? I got up thinking they'd called a forward pass because that's all the Welsh fellas were telling me, so I didn't celebrate then they went upstairs... I'm not a fan of the video ref,"

"I'd love refs just to make the call. That's a big part of rugby. But there's a fair argument if they're big calls in test matches and video refs can help them, maybe there's a case for that but it's out of my hands."

Games can be won and lost based on a referee’s decision. So much pressure is on a referee within a game, when faced with a decision balanced between a match winning try or match saving tackle to prevent one, I don’t blame them for using the ‘cushion’ of the video replay.

Currently, I feel sorry for referees in sport, they are always wrong in some one’s opinion. Warren Gatland has slated Joubert for missing Dan Carter’s high tackle on Martin Roberts. Alex Ferguson in football seems to loathe referees currently. Any decision a referee makes, is always criticised. So how can anyone expect a referee to confidently make a 50/50 call?

There has been some criticism that the video ref was used excessively in the Welsh game. Why have the technology, if you will moan about it being used? It’s not like any of the game is being lost, the clock stops until a decision has been made. So I say; fair play to a referee who wants an extra opinion or a slower version of events to help make a decision.

I feel that if the video ref is scrapped, it will be quickly requested to make a return. Players and managers won’t have realised what they had until it was lost.

Possibly we could go down the route of Tennis and Cricket where there is a restriction on the amount of times Hawk-Eye can be used. However, the technology used in rugby is not as advanced as Hawk-Eye. Computer systems track the flight of a ball and make a very accurate estimation of where the ball landed. In rugby, the decision goes to another human being who may be exposed to different interpretation and could make an error under pressure.

I’m not saying Hawk-Eye is flawless but it is far more accurate that human judgement. It’s fair to say though, Hawk-Eye would have no place in rugby, it wouldn’t work. So if the technology for referees was to be adapted, something pretty sophisticated would have to come up.

Until then however, I say to referee’s, use the technology available, it’s there and it should be used.

All blacks too strong for a tired Wales

New Zealand kicked off their Autumn international campaign with a 12-19 win over an inconsistent Welsh team.

Wales started the game well, holding off a strong all black attack, but didn’t create many attacking opportunities. Wales in attack never seemed too dangerous, however both teams went into the half head to head at six each. My prediction of a second half All Black surge came up trumps though.

This time last year, Wales ended the half 9-3 ahead but the all-blacks came out and dominated for the final 40 minutes.

History seemed to repeat itself. Wales started the second half very poorly, loosing a lineout within their half, Full-Back James Hook buckled under a highball and then Wales conceded a penalty to allow man of the match Dan Carter to add three points minutes into the second half. It didn’t seem to get much better from here.

To sum up Wales’ performance they defended well for the majority. I was particularly impressed with their defence during the second half, there was a large period of time where the All-Blacks were camped in the Welsh 22 and after three unsuccessful television match official decisions, New Zealand eventually went over the white line.

Notable defensive players came in the form of Gethin Jenkins, who managed to make two very important saving tackles. Veteran Flanker Martyn Williams was very good within the breakdown while New Zealand pressurised the Welsh line.

The Welsh attacking platform was very weak in comparison to the All-Black’s. It seemed any attack they initiated ended in conceding a penalty at the breakdown or an All-black turn over. Which allowed Dan Carter and his flawless tactical and territorial kicking to advance New Zealand 50+ yards.

He also had very precise chips over the Welsh defence line and debutant Zac Guildford (who had a fair debut) was always running to contest for the ball and apply pressure to Leigh Halfpenny and Hook. If I’m honest Carter was unlucky not to over take Andrew Mehrtens record points of 967. However Carter is now 1 point off the record, it’s probably fair to say the record will be his this time next week.

The Kiwi’s always looked dangerous from attack, whether from a set piece or in open play. Contrastingly to the Welsh attack, New Zealand always had a man in support looking for an off load, and this put immense pressure on the Welsh.

The Kiwi’s are famous for their defensive work as much as their attacking plays. They are very patient when it comes to defending, when they see that a ruck is lost, they fan out and line their defence. On a number of occasions the only black shirt present in their defensive ruck was that of the tackler.

However, when there is a glimpse of a chance that a turn over could be executed suddenly four or five players pile in and 9/10 times, they come away with the ball.

The reason Wales were turned over so regularly is that their players would always run into contact alone, their support was three or four seconds behind. Now that doesn’t seem a long time, but against a clinical side like New Zealand, those three seconds is more than enough for world class flanker Richie McCaw to regain possession for the Kiwi’s.

James Hook seemed to struggle at Full-back, he certainly felt the pressures from High balls. I wasn’t overly impressed with Gareth Coopers performance at 9. I noticed one aspect of his passing that really bugged me. He never seemed to pass the ball from the base of the ruck. Cooper would pick the ball up take two unnecessary steps back and then pass. This allowed the All-Black defence to come up and pressurise Stephen Jones far quicker than usual.

From this game it is still quite clear to see that southern hemisphere rugby is better than northern hemisphere rugby, although we cannot forget, New Zealand have been playing recently in the Tri-Nations and had an international test against Australia in the Bledisloe cup last weekend, this is the first International test that some of the welsh players had since the 6 Nations in March.

Wales will now hope to recuperate and look for a better performance against Samoa.

Blair and Cusiter to share Scottish captaincy

It has been announced that Mike Blair will regain his captaincy armband ahead of Scotland’s autumn tests. But interestingly, he will have to share the captaincy with fellow teammate and Scrum Half Chris Cusiter.

Cusiter, under Andy Robinson, captained the Scotland A team to success in the Nations Cup in Romania earlier this year. Andy Robinson while head coach at Edinburgh appointed Blair as the club’s captain and since becoming head coach of Scotland had made it very clear that both Blair and Cusiter would heavily contest for the role of captain.

How do you feel about the captaincy role being shared by players of the same position?

In my opinion, it’s tricky. Both players are of a world class standard and deserve the role just as much as each other. Robinson’s explanation for the decision is: “leadership is not about one person, it’s about developing a number of leaders.” And I just feel his comment doesn’t really make sense.

I feel that if a joint captaincy is to be deployed and to work effectively, both players should be on the pitch at the same time, obviously with two Scrum Halfs, this is impossible.

If you cast your mind back to the England squad of 2003, Sir Clive Woodward and Andy Robinson had a number of leaders who could easily be considered as captain on the field. Although Martin Johnson was captain, leaders like Jason Leonard, Phil Vickery, Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson, Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson had a heavy presence within the starting team.

Scotland has the experienced players who could step up, Jason White and Chris Paterson could easily fill the role and each have experience in captaining the National side. It seems to me that Robinson should name just one captain, in my opinion, Mike Blair, and have influential players such as Cusiter, Paterson and White fulfilling a form of vice captain role.

Would it be right for the match day captain to constantly change? Should a team have a captain cemented long term rather than it inconsistently changing? Recently I have thought about the selection of captain. Why not let the players themselves decide? Each member of the squad votes and whoever has the most votes is assigned the role.

I am however looking forward to the competition between the pair of 9’s, it will be good for them and the contest will develop them into better players because of it. Both players are as good as each other and Robinson will probably have sleepless nights in deciding who will start. But make no doubt about it, just because one player will start doesn’t mean the other will not have a serious impact coming off the bench.

Wales team to face New Zealand

Prop Paul James earns a surprise call up to earn his second cap, six years after his debut.

James Hook will start at Full-Back, against speculation earlier in the week that Wales would be choosing him at stand-off.

Should James Hook play in his preferred position of Fly-Half? Or should he just accept his utility back status and be thankful that his selection is partly due to his versatility within a back line.

Dwayne Peel has not been included in the team. As this international fixture has fallen outside of the international window, Peel’s club, Sale where not obliged to release him to Wales.

Is this fair? Should a player’s international opportunity be jeopardised because of an international window? How will Dwayne feel as he runs out on Friday in Newport to play in the LV= Cup, knowing that he could be in Cardiff at that very same moment preparing for the All Blacks on Saturday?

What would seriously rub salt in the wound is if he didn’t get a starting position and if he isn’t included, livid would be an understatement.

But I however, am now focused on the game itself. Partly, the reason I look forward to any fixture with New Zealand is, I Love the Haka. It’s an iconic symbol that represents rugby, never mind New Zealand. I am yet to experience this ritual first hand, but I’m going to make sure one day I do. But these specific occasions have real significance to me.

This Fixture last year, Wales stood on their 10 metre line and faced the famous Haka lead by Piri Weepu. The crowd was electric as the famous war dance commenced.

The ritual ended and this, traditionally, is where teams would turn and set themselves for kick off. But the Welsh stood motionless and fronted up to New Zealand and for a good 30 seconds each man stood and starred face to face with the opposition. Referee Jonathan Kaplan was moving along the line telling the players to get on with it, but still no one moved. Eventually New Zealand turned away and the game commenced.

Wales lost that fixture but you have to respect their daring edge and defiance to be dominated, Saturday is round 2. Wales have not beaten the All Blacks in 56 years.



It seems the Millennium Stadium has a strong defiance against the All Blacks. During the 2007 world cup New Zealand faced France in the quarter finals. As the Haka was commencing, the French moved ever forward towards the All blacks and the routine finished with both sides touching noses almost. Within the Clip you can see Chabal growling at the opposition. Front up rugby at its best.

It’s memorable moments like that which make me proud to be a rugby fan. I seriously cannot wait to see what will happen as Wales line up to face the Haka again.



Wales face the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, Kick off is at 5.15 on BBC 2

Wales Team:

James Hook (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts (all Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper; Gethin Jenkins (both Blues), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Paul James, Alun-Wyn Jones (both Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Andy Powell, Martyn Williams (both Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).Replacements: Huw Bennett, Duncan Jones, Bradley Davies, Dafydd Jones, Martin Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Tom James.