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JG Our undercover man inside the game
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Our undercover man inside the game.
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JG's Round-UpOur undercover man’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: praise for Englands Womens victory, Ronan O’Gara notching up his 200th Heineken Cup appearance, the Heineken Cup’s rugby feast and Ben Ryan’s leadership of the English Sevens squad.
Shane Williams - bloody legend!It is always sad to see the retirement of players who have contributed significantly to the game over many years. However, in certain instances you sense the end of an era and that will be the case when Shane Williams plays his 87th and final Test for Wales against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. While he will continue to perform on the domestic front for the Ospreys, he will be sorely missed on the International stage.
JG's Round-UpOur undercover man’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: the Heroes Rugby Challenge, Bath’s Beaver Fever, Welsh sense of injustice and the loss of a South African “trailblaizer”.
JG's Round-UpOur undercover man’s weekly round up of news from around the rugby world, this week featuring: the Heineken Cup v Super Rugby debate, Celtic teams performance in the opening round, Jim Mallinder inspiring Northampton and the filling of vacant coaching positions…
Rugby’s Core ValuesWhile winning the Webb Ellis Cup was the goal of every player who participated in RWC 2011, for many this may have been unrealistic and for most it was unrealized. Having had time to consider the tournament, below are listed a number of individuals who deserve recognition for the manner in which they conducted themselves, often in the face of adversity. They each demonstrated an intrinsic understanding and embodiment of rugby’s core values…
RWC 2011 FinalMany congratulations to the All Blacks on their thrilling victory over France in the RWC 2011 Final. Despite ridiculous odds from bookmakers predicting a convincing All Black victory, RWC history suggested that a tight game was always likely. However, few would have anticipated the titanic battle which took place at Eden Park.
JG's World Cup MusingsIt would be a shame if the abiding memory of Wales’ contribution to RWC 2011 is the red card received by Sam Warburton for his tip tackle on Vincent Clerc. Alain Rolland correctly applied the IRB guidance to such situations. Some say it spoiled the game, but perhaps it made a contest of an encounter that Wales would have run away with, if they had 15 players on the field for the 80 minutes.
Quarter FinalsThe beaten quarter finalists from RWC 2011 are now home or nearly there. It is a sudden and brutal end to the dream for players, some of whom are amongst the greatest the game has seen. It seems appropriate to look at the 4 most recently departed teams and assess their contribution to the tournament and to acknowledge some legends that have played in their last world cup.
JG's World Cup MusingsOur undercover man’s musings on Rugby World Cup happenings, featuring: pool highlights, Ireland’s victory, the 6 Nations bonus point debate, the volume of tries per pool, super fan awards, England’s tournament disappointment, injury impact on the quarters and JG’s Team of the Pool Stages.
JG's World Cup MusingsOur undercover man’s musings on Rugby World Cup happenings, featuring: a Scottish selection oversight, praise for the Namibian performance, the ball debate & McCaw’s 100.
