I’ve been mulling this one over for a while and have decided to go for the risky option in picking All Black mad-man Sione Lauaki at number eight.
My reasoning is that my pack is already so physically superior to Dave’s that I might as well go all out and put Lauaki behind them to complete […]

Today’s New Zealand Herald picked out some interesting World Cup facts and figures…
- 95 countries have national rugby teams, although only 20 play in the Rugby World Cup. Teams like Bosnia Herzegovina, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago have missed out on qualifying
- The largest distance between World Cup venues is 1900kms from Marseille to […]

I undoubtedly would have liked Dan Carter in this position - who wouldn’t. But Jonny Wilkinson and Ronon O’Gara are two experienced campaigners that could have done the business for me at number 10. Though Michalak has been out of the game with injury for some time, he remains one of rugby’s brightest stars.
Michalak […]

If anyone needs reminding of just how devastating Spies can be in open play…remember this performance:

Delme Parfitt writes in the South Wales Echo “The path to World Cup glory begins in just a month, but today Gareth Jenkins has led Wales into no-man’s land.
He will remain in charge until the end of France 2007, there’s no doubt about that.
But his record of won three, lost 10, drawn one – with […]

I’m picking Dan Vickerman in my World XV team to partner Bakkies Botha in the second row.  A few people have suggested that I pick Pelous or O’Callaghan, but I’m opting for the South African Wallaby ahead of those other choices.
Vickerman’s lineouts are strong - he gives Matfield a run for his money every time […]

Martin Johnson - speaking at a function on behalf of his sponsors, Orange - named Joe Roff ahead of David Campese on the wing in his All-time XV.
1. Jason Leonard, England: “Solid as a rock, was regularly asked to play on both sides of the scrum and never moaned. His record of four World Cups […]

Here’s some classic footage from the ‘89 Lions tour to Australia. My best part of the video has to be the way the ref gets involved…somehow I don’t see Tappe gets his hands dirty in the same way!

Possibly the greatest prop try ever: