Rasool the Fool?

Posted June 18, 2007 * Comments(0)

Did anyone else watch Boots ‘n All on Thursday evening last week. The show was hosted at Primrose rugby club, in Cape Town and was hosted by Darren Scott.

Guests on the show included the Chairman of Primrose (the name escapes me), Ebrahim Rasool, Ashwin Willemse and Bryan Habana.

Darren Scott was posing questions to Rasool, and in answering one made the comment “If we didn’t win the match, we made sure we won the fight.”, which was greeted with muffled laughs.

I can’t help but wonder how appropriate this was in a province where rugby violence is rife…. Players have been maimed and even killed in club matches in the WC. And then up steps a prominent politician who (albeit in a tongue in cheek manner) advocates violence in rugby. This only days after his claims that Luke Watson is being overlooked on a racial basis.

Is Rasool a fool, or am I being too sensitive?

Only Downunder:

Posted May 30, 2007 * Comments(0)
  • do you take the most expensive centre in World Rugby and put the number 9 on his canary yellow
  • do you have to elastoplast your flyhalf together before a test. (Rumour has it they pack Larkham in bubble wrap when the team flies. But seriously – when was the last time anyone saw more than 10cm2 of Stevie’s actual flesh? Have a look next time…)
  • do ALL their teams get to watch the last two weekends of S14
  • can you throw punches/bite ears/take steroids and only be slapped on the wrist or banned for all of the 6 days between Saturdays…
  • BUT take recreational drugs which “enhance performance” (sorry what?) and you can never play rugby again
  • do they complain about how unprofessional/childish their commentators are and long for Hugh Bladen (still trying to figure this one out)
  • is their no provincial tournament (ala Currie Cup/NPC) and yet they still moan about player fatigue and ‘hectic’ schedules
  • do you have to live next door to Australians!

Nords from Jammie Steps

Super 12 Kick Off!

Posted January 31, 2007 * Comments(1)

So the MTN Super 12 starts this weekend and it looks set to be a ripper tournament. Even if you’ve had your head in the sand the last month or two, you’ve no doubt heard the prevailing expert opinion:

 

“The Sharks are looking shit hot. There’s an impressive mix of players, with youthful exuberance, valuable experience and Dick Muir. This team will surprise many and could well finish in the top 2”. 

 

I’d go one step further and say that they WILL win the Super 16.

Hell, I reckon they could even take the World Cup. Forget the hype about the All Blacks… I would even go so far as to say that their second string side would shit all over the All Blacks. I can see Keegan “The Keegster” McDaniel, Bradley “The Bradmeister” McBarrit and Ady “The Killer” Jacobs running all over McCaw and the boys and upsetting the favourites to take the Webb Ellis trophy.  

 

Which would be their first trophy since, what, 1994.

 

Have we not learnt by now?

 

I’d really love the Sharks to do well. No really. But getting it together after 10 lean years is still a big ask. I don’t want to piss on anybody’s grill here, but I think people are getting alittle too excited about their prospects. It’s like when somebody uses the word “quintessence”. It’s stoopid. It’s unnecessary.Why would you do that? Just keep quiet and let it unfold.

Boring Bulls Rugby (I like to call it Bulls-shit) is the order of the day in the Super 10. Unless you are a Kiwi team, and consequently have the ability to tick both boxes, namely:

a)      Play attractive, running rugby, and

b)      In so doing… WIN 

My Sharks towel will never be good for anything but cleaning my golf clubs. and / or vomit. That said, all they need is about 6th place to take out this years Stormers team.

Regardless, I can’t wait for the Super 14. I hope I’m proven wrong. 

Fire up the Weber! 

New rules, will they work??

Posted January 29, 2007 * Comments(1)

A recent article on sarugby.com highlighted some proposed rule changes which are being implemented in the Australian Club leagues to improve the game. Here are the changes listed below, and my views on them.
1.      Downgrading most penalty offences to free-kicks
2.      Backs must be 5m behind rear foot at scrum
3.      Ball cannot be passed back into 22 and kicked out on the full
1.    I don’t think this will work. You will end up with more deliberate infringements and this will slow down the game. All of a sudden players will not be giving away a guaranteed 3 points by infringing. I know I would deliberately commit an offence if it meant that the game would come to a stop, my teams defensive lines could be re-arranged, and I would not end up giving away 3 points (from a penalty). I think this will end up with the game having more of a stop start feel, much like rugby league, which I think should be avoided.
2.    This may very well work, it will give the backs an extra second to get over the gain line, and create space. A full second at the highest level is an eternity, and will hopefully lead to more creative play.
3.    I think this may lead to players passing the ball back into the 22m, forming a ruck and then simply booting it out. The result? An initial loss of ground (very negative) which then leads to a lineout. We may find that this also leads to more aimless kicking, with a reliance on a kicker with a booming boot and accuracy. The intention would be to kick the ball as far down field and into the corners as possible. There is no way the defending team will then run it back when the rest of the side is still upfield. The ball will be kicked out, net result, another lineout.
I know I have only pointed out the possibilities of what may transpire should these rules come into play, and have not offered any solutions. Anyone out there have any other ideas to improve the game? Let us know.
Tukkers out.

Andre Pretorius…. The new Cats captain.

Posted January 22, 2007 * Comments(0)

Does anybody else think the decision to make Andre Pretorius captain of the Cats the other day is ridiculous? I would give good odds on the chances of him getting injured during the season.

Surely the Cats have better candidates in a team which boasts the likes of academic giants and well known strategists such as Pietman ‘game played in good spirit award’ van Niekerk, or that brain surgeon-cum-centre/wing, Grant ‘L’Oreal’ Esterhuyzen?

I mean the Lions are soooo pathetic they still list Wickus van Heerden (another rocket scientist who can like to play) and Conrad Jantjes on their official website. I heard there is a job going in the marketing department at Ellis Park. But then again who would want to market a product as marketable as anthrax?

Let us know what you think….

Tukkers oooooover and oooot.

What do Bob Skinners and the World Cup have in common?

Posted January 22, 2007 * Comments(0)

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

 

JOKES BOB!!

 

They’re both gonna be hooooooge in 2007!

 

The Sinbin is back and we’d like to wish Bob all the best with his venture at the Sharks.

 

Will you be instrumental in changing the Shark jerseys as you were with the Stormers?

 

May I suggest Red and White Hoops?

Hit me Face…

Posted October 18, 2006 * Comments(15)

An article on sarugby.com has highlighted the possibility that bulls captain Gary Botha punched Derick “Liefling” Hougaard in order to have him replaced. Was this purely because Liefling has a hit me face, or were there more sinister forces at work?

 

Tukkers wonder if there are any other players who you think deserve a punch for a variety of reasons, be they looks, attitude, general lack of rugby ability or all of the above. Let us know who you think deserves the punch and why!

 

A few of my own….

 

Philip Burger – his head is too big to miss

Bolla Conradie – pure irritation value

George Gregan – need I say more?

Percy Montgomery – to ruin his modeling career

Jerry Collins – what a way to go, imagine being killed by a Jerry haymaker!

 

I’m sure there are a few more out there. Let us know…

 

Tukkers out.

Kissing Your Sister!

Posted October 16, 2006 * Comments(8)

This is going to be brief, but Joel’s comments following the 28-28 draw in Saturday’s Currie Cup final deserve special mention. First was his perennial favourite, this time in the context of the anti-climatic result:

“Well a draw is really like kissing your sister”

What a pearler… it’s not like we’ve heard that one before. It seems everything to you is like kissing your sister. Is there something you’d like to tell us Joel?

I’m looking forward to his commentary during the end-of year tour:

“Great try in the corner by Pierre Spies. High fives all round for the big man. That was a bone-crunching hand-off he gave O’Driscoll. An awesome try… a lot like kissing your sister”.

But I digress, after kissing his sister Joel then proceeded to tell South Africa that this game would go down in the ANALS of Currie Cup Rugby. Awesome huh! In commentary 101F, Hugh Bladen forgot to explain to Joel the difference between ANNAL and ANAL.

As irritating as he is, one has to appreciate the entertainment he provides for our country. Between ‘kissing sister’s’, ‘anal’ and ‘high fives all round’, Joel Stransky ensures there’s never a dull moment on a Saturday afternoon.

And he won us the World Cup. Top bloke that Joel.  

Beast Out

The good, the bad and the ugly…

Posted October 13, 2006 * Comments(3)

WE are at the business end of the 2006 Currie Cup. I like to take a few moments to reflect back on the season, identifying some good, bad and ugly aspects of the season.

 

The good…

 

It has been encouraging to see the attacking prowess of most of the sides in this years competition. Too often fans have had to sit through game after game of dour, stereotyped crash and bash rugby. This season has shown a remarkable turnaround. This was exemplified by Hottie Louws’ try for the bulls against province this last weekend. The interpassing between forwards and backs was excellent. The sharks, province, cheetahs, lions and even the griquas have shown the willingness to keep the ball alive instead of seeking contact, thereby slowing down the game. What a welcome relief.

 

Another good has been the emergence of one or two really good players who have performed consistently and should come into the reckoning come World Cup time. Hilton Lobberts confirmed his arrival on the big stage with an audacious pickup and score against Province. Bevan Fortuin has not put a foot wrong all season, and would not let the Boks down. Bradley Barritt has shown consistent form for the Sharks, as have Waylon Murray, Keegan Daniel and Francois Steyn. For Province, Robbie Diack has been immense, the Lions are fortunate to have the services of a player like Jaco Pretorius, and the Cheetahs have given Kabamba Floors the opportunity to confirm what many people already knew – that he is a player of genuine class.

 

It has also been encouraging to see the quality of rugby being played when one considers that many of the leading Springboks were not involved in the competition. This has given the opportunity to the above-mentioned players to show their worth on the big stage.

 

The bad…

 

In the same breath, the number of points being scored in some of the games in the knockout section has been a worry. But I for one would prefer to see points being scored, than a battle of two kickers. The inclusion of sides like the Pumas and the Valke continues to amaze me. Now don’t scream at me saying that the only way they will improve is by being exposed to this level of competition. I would concur that they are being badly exposed. The Griquas claimed the notable scalp of the Sharks, and ran the bulls, province and the lions close at various stages during the competition. How much good can you be doing for a rugby players career when week in and week out he is on the receiving end of a 40 point plus hiding, and at the end of the season to be told not to come back next season as his union is under financial pressure?

 

The ugly…

 

Ollie le Roux’s mullet. I battle to keep my beer down every time I see the Cheetahs play!

 

On a more serious note…

 

I have been disappointed by the level of refereeing  in the competition this year, in particular the performance of the TMO. The now famous, “I cannot see the ball being grounded. I have no reason not to award the try. You may award the try.”, comes straight to mind. Too many “home team decisions” have been made. The role and definition of the TMO is a simple one. If the men in the TMO box are making errors with the benefit of slow motion replays and endless angles, what are the chances that they are going to get it right on the pitch in the heat of battle. I believe this is something that needs to be addressed, I don’t have the solution.

 

Perhaps you do? Or do you have any additions to the Good, Bad and Ugly of the 2006 Currie Cup? Let us know.

 

Tukkers out.

Luke Norris!

Posted October 13, 2006 * Comments(6)

Luke Watson has very quickly wormed his way into the hearts of millions of South Africa with his courage, determination, dedication, decisiveness, (don’t know any more d words…………..doos????).
 

But Chudster reckons there is something sinister behind that ugly mug.
 
I think he’s after world domination!
 

Why does he always have to give a 30min speech after every match??? Is he rehearsing for parliament??
 

Mr. IwassoCHEEKY Watson certainly laid the brickwork for Lukie to go into politics. He already has a huge following and can compete with the likes of Jacob Zuma, Thabo Mbeki and Pj Powers.
 
Luke already has the perfect P.A. in Bolla.
 

Every successful leader had some assistant that would do anything to increase the bosses’ popularity.
 

Just think what the country would come to if Luke Watson was leader………………I know it’s scary.
 

Everyone would have to wear a province jersey
 

The only drinks allowed would be (notso)Brutal Fruit Kiwi
 

Only Province games would be broadcast, with highlights of Luke and Bolla.
 
The future seems grim with Luke around, but thankfully there are still some heroes around not afraid to lead the fight against the Luke cult. The bulls, Cheetahs, Sharks, Lions and off course the CHUD.

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