So we have been featuring quite a few Super 14 cheerleaders posts of late, but I think it is time to do something for the ladies. Enjoy this, it wont happen often… [Sport24]

One for the cougars... - Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Read More >>

The following from the Rebels’ camp: Melbourne Rebels announced today that inspirational fullback, Julian Huxley, is the 19th signing to its Super squad.

Two months ago, and two years after having a brain tumour removed, Huxley astonished the rugby world with his courageous return to the Brumbies side in a game that saw him inspire his team mates to victory.

Now the 30 year old, in the best shape of his career, is ready for fresh challenges with the move to Melbourne for the expanded Super competition in 2011.

“I’ve had amazing support from the Brumbies and the rugby community in Canberra, particularly over the last two years, and now need to start a new chapter in my life. It’s very rare to get the opportunity to be a part of a start-up, to help build the foundations of a club. I am extremely fortunate to have this chance.” Huxley said.

“I have enormous respect for Rod Macqueen and look forward to helping him deliver on his determination to do things differently with the Melbourne Rebels. I must say I have a more holistic approach to life through my recent experience and I expect Melbourne to offer as much off the field as on.”

In commenting on the signing of the 9-capped Wallaby, Coaching Director Rod Macqueen said,

“Julian has shown great form since his return. He brings with him a fantastic attitude to life and the game we can all learn from. He is an intelligent player who will make a significant contribution to the Rebels.”

Julian Huxley Super Rugby Career

• 2002-2003 ACT Brumbies
• 2003-2006 Queensland Reds
• Awarded Pilecki Medal as Reds Players’ Player 2003
• 2007-2010 ACT Brumbies

Honours

• 1998 Australian Under 19s
• 2000 Australian Under 21s
• 2001 Australian Sevens
• 2005 Australia A
• 2007 Australian Wallabies (9 caps)

A mass brawl erupted during the round 14 of the 2010 Super 14, in the clash between the Reds and the Highlanders. The two main culprits were Van Humphries and (as always) Jimmy Cowan.

Whilst I don’t condone this type of behavior in rugby (it isn’t soccer after all), it is quite entertaining to watch afterwards. Kind of reminds me of school days, where we were banned from ever playing SACS again after a similar situation…

Reds VS Highlanders fight [greenandgoldrugby]

Jeez, Van Humphries got eaten alive by that #8. I like how 3 Reds okes attack Vainikolo. What’s with that?

Chill out mate, have another cold one.

It seems as if all those doom-sayers have egg on their face this morning, as the tickets for the Bulls VS Crusaders clash at Orlando Stadium is sold out. This from the Bulls camp:

Tickets for the Vodacom Super 14 semi-final at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 22 May 2010 has been sold out. The tickets for the public were available at Computicket from 09h00 this morning, but sold out in hours.

Tickets not taken up by season ticket holders by Tuesday 18 May at 16:00 will be released to the public and an announcement in this regard will be communicated as soon as possible. (So there may be an opportunity for all the little people to still get tickets, but I doubt it…)

Transport to Orlando Stadium:

The Bulls have also been kind enough to organise transport to and from the stadium, as well as secure parking. As far as I know, they are even offering this to Crusaders fans. Nothing wrong with that:

The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd would like to announce the following transport information with regards to the Vodacom Super 14 semi-final between the Vodacom Bulls and Crusaders at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on the 22nd of May 2010 at 17h00.

Park and Ride SuperSport Park:

There will be a park and ride facility available at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Cost:

• R 100 per person and tickets will be available from Computicket on Tuesday, 18 May 2010 at 13h00. Only 4000 tickets are available.

Times:

• Saturday: Busses will depart from SuperSport Park between: 11h00 and 13h00. Busses will depart from Orlando Stadium between: 19h00 and 21h00.

Please note that due to the rules and regulations of no liquor or braais will be allowed in the Supersport Park parking area. (What kind of kak rules are those?)

Park and Ride at Nasrec:

There will be 8000 secure parking bays available at Nasrec.

Cost:

• R 30 per vehicle for parking.
• R 25 traveling cost per person for the bus transfer to and from Orlando Stadium.

Ticketing:

• Tickets will be available from Computicket on Tuesday, 18 May 2010 at 13h00.

Please note that due to the rules and regulations of the City of Johannesburg no liquor or braais will be allowed in the Nasrec parking area. (Again with the kak rules. Who’s in charge here? I want to speak to the manager!)

Arriving at Orlando Stadium:

• All tickets purchased from Computicket or SuperSport Park must be picked up before 16h00 on Friday May 21st.
• No tickets will be available for collection on match day and no tickets will be available at the stadium.
• Nobody will be allowed near the stadium without a valid ticket.
• Supporters are encouraged to arrive early at the stadium and wear blue to support the Vodacom Bulls.
• There will be a beer garden available with entertainment as well as other refreshments before and after the game. (thank God for that)
• There will also be on-field entertainment available in the stadium from 16h00.

We look forward to hosting our Vodacom Bulls supporters at Orlando Stadium in Soweto!

Directions from Pretoria to Orlando Stadium:

Click here for detailed directions on getting there. Click below for more beer. (Don’t mix the two)

Saturday’s games:

Blues VS Chiefs: In the first of the ‘doesn’t really matter’ match ups of Saturday, the Blues, demolished their fellow NZ counter-parts, the Chiefs, 30 – 20.

The scoreline might suggest the game was closer than it actually was, but the Blues outscored the Chiefs 5 tries to 2, with the difference in score reflecting the lack of Stephan Brett’s kicking ability. He’s been a mixed bag for them all season.

Both teams have been disappointing this season, and are probably happy to put the 2010 Super14 behind them and enjoy a good break.

The Blues managed to put three tries on the board before the chiefs managed to open their try scoring account, but just three minutes later, the Blues added insult to injury when they scored the bonus point try.

Each team scored another after that, but by this stage, I’m sure no one cared.

My two cents worth:

• If I were the All Black selectors, I’d be getting worried at the lack of experienced or quality replacements for Dan Carter, should he pick up an injury. There really is no (other) stand out #10 in NZ at the moment.
• Rudi Wulfe was impressive from the wing, breaking the line twice, scoring twice and gaining 134m with ball in hand. Not bad from a gut who almost ended up paralysed after diving into a swimming pool wrong.
• Tanerau Latimer was once again a machine on defense, making a strong statement with his 24 tackles on the night.
• Both teams’ defense was horrid, but non more so than the Chiefs’ backline. Shocking stuff for this level of rugby.
• The scoreline would have been further apart if toss-box referee, Paul Marks hadn’t obstructed the Blues defense to allow Liam Messam through for a try in the 58th minute (1m14sec mark in the 2nd half)

Blues VS Chiefs 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017] Read More >>

Young Sharks fullback, Patrick Lambie has been superb under the high ball all season, in this pic he goes up against veteran Wallaby lock, Nathan Sharpe, and only just misses out. Not bad height though, considering Lambie is about half Sharpe’s size [Sport24]

This season, we have all seen what Quade Cooper is capable of. Causing headaches for oppostion defense in almost every game. This pass(below)  to Peter Hynes, against the Highlanders, took things to a new level though.

It’s all good and well saying that he could take those risks, with nothing left to play for, but what which way you look at it, this guy is fast becoming one of the leading rugby brains around.

He is a must for the Wallaby #10 jersey, with Matt Giteau shifting to the #12 jumper. Genius, pure genius…

Quade Cooper’s crazy ass pass against the Highlanders 2010 Super 14: [tonytai2017]

Imagine how much better that would have looked in a pair of Puma boots…

Friday’s games:

Will Dan be back to his best for the Orlando clash?

Crusaders VS Brumbies: The Crusaders, still upset from last week’s defeat to the Bulls, were the first of the ‘probables‘ to secure their place in the 2010 Super 14 semi finals, when they took apart their biggest rivals, the Brumbies, in Christchurch on Friday.

The Crusaders had their eye on the prize from the get go, and always looked like they were going to end the night with a win and in the process, earning a much wanted rematch against the Bulls, this time at Orlando stadium though.

The Crusaders opened up the try scoring sheet when Sean Maitland crossed the chalk after the 12th minute. The Brumbies weren’t ready to lie down though, and just 6 minutes later, Tyrone Smith, who has been firing from the midfield in recent weeks, hit back with a try for the Brumbies.

The Brumbies kept themselves on the right side of the stats, but it was all the Crusaders from there on out, as the Brumbies didn’t really look confident enough to win it, not using their opportunities, and ending their playoff hopes.

My two cents worth:

• AAC was superb with ball in hand on the night, gaining a total of 155m, and most likely cementing his #15 Wallaby jersey.
• The Crusaders defense was surprisingly bad on the night, missing 33 tackles on the night, with Richie McCaw worst of all, missing 4 on the night.
• Huia Edmonds has been good all season when coming off the bench. He took the field for Stephan Moore who broke his jaw, and is subsequently out for 12 weeks. Edmonds broke the Crusaders line twice on the night.
• Mitchell Chapman forced 4 turnovers on the night.
• Good kicking effort by George Smith at the end of the game, had the distance too.

Crusaders VS Brumbies 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017] Read More >>

The following from SANZAR: SANZAR have today welcomed the decision of the IRB Council to change the player availability regulation marking a major step towards Argentina’s national team, Los Pumas, participating in a new SANZAR Four Nations competition from 2012.

The decision by the IRB Council today to alter IRB Regulation 9 which governs the release of players for international duty, greatly assists in meeting the condition set by SANZAR that Argentina was required to secure the availability of its best players to participate in the Four Nations tournament.

The change will ensure that the release period for the new Four Nations (currently Tri Nations) aligns with the new dates for the competition from late August through until early October.

In September 2009, SANZAR issued an invitation to the Pumas to join the SANZAR competition from 2012 subject to several conditions which have now been resolved. Negotiation of a participation agreement with the UAR remains the last hurdle for inauguration of the new competition.

“This is an exciting step for SANZAR and for world rugby, as it confirms Argentina’s participation in a top-flight rugby competition, which they thoroughly deserve, and will add a dynamic new element to the current Tri Nations, which is already regarded as one of the world’s toughest tournaments.

We now need to finalise a participation agreement with the UAR so we can move to full planning for the introduction of Argentina in 2012,” said SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew.

The IRB confirmed in March that it would match SANZAR and provide a significant investment of US$2.5m per annum from 2012 to 2015.

SANZAR has also confirmed today that the three SANZAR Unions and their Super Rugby teams will work with the UAR to look at providing greater opportunities for Argentinean players to play in Super Rugby teams as part of the lead-up to the new Four Nations.

In my opinion, this is great for the growth of rugby. Bring on Los Pumas and click below to get a pair of Pumas.

I saw this pic whilst browsing through the photo galeries on the Sport24 website, and couldn’t help but laugh when I read the caption at the bottom. It seems a few of the captions are muddled up in the recent Bulls training gallery. Not a biggy, quite funny though.

I present to you, De Wet Mangweni:

Seems like De Wet has been getting a fair amount of sun in P.E…. Have another beer mate!