Archive for the ‘Rugby’ Category
Posted on March 9, 2009 - by John
Wales Win the World Cup
At last! The pinnacle of rugby achievement…Wales are the IRB World Champions. Is this a dream? No. Wishful thinking? No. We haven’t hit WRC2011 yet. No. Wales have just won the IRB Sevens World Cup. I know one know about it.
I was shocked when I read an erroneous report on the BBC based on a Scrum V interview. That Wales, last Saturday beat the best Sevens teams in the world and it hit these shores without a whimper. What the hell is wrong with the media? This should be celebrated from the roof tops! Where’s the parade? Where is the homecoming for our warriors from far shores?
Nothing. Zip. Nada. Just a Scrum V interview. No TV coverage. No news spots. No fanfare.
Well, I call on all those who were passionate about British rugby to make a song and dance. From reports, the English supporters were roaring to choruses of “Delilah” around the Dubai stadium. This is a win for a Northern Hemisphere team that does not come regularly for any of us. And considering these boys represent second string teams in England and Wales is a testament to the talent that exists out there.
I am a proud Welshman…it’s just a damn shame I cannot see what I am proud about.
Posted on November 29, 2008 - by John
Wales Finally Claim Scalp
Wales fullback Lee Byrne (top) celebrates with Andy Powell after beating Australia in Cardiff. Photo / Getty Images
Well, it’s about time but Wales finally overcame their demons to claim a southern hemisphere scalp for the first time under Warren Gatland’s reign by beating Australia 21:18 at the Millennium Stadium. And it was a good match, although my heart could not take any more drama.
I don’t mind Wales losing as long as it is a good test, and that’s the way I feel about losing to the Kiwi’s last week, but this time Wales could hold on. The odd thing is that Australia seem to be the southern hemisphere team that Wales an consistently have a good match against. It the Boks and Kiwi’s that seem to have some major boogey-man mojo against the Dragons.
Not that this win was easy – it should have been far more convincing with a string of horrible errors that led to at least one Martyn Williams try being fouled up (twice!) and poor concentration that once again saw a last minute try for the opposition that dented the Welsh performance. That said, a win is a win which is more than can be said for the rest of the home nations.
And even the New Zealand Herald thinks this is worth reporting!
Posted on November 4, 2008 - by John
New Wales Rugby Strip
Yellow is the colour. And yellow is an odd choice.
I have been wondering what this jersey will look like for a while and now that it has been unveiled the main home strip is predictably red and white. Not too different visually and what I would call safe, with most of the changes appearing in the shirt’s construction opposed to anything else (fancy sciency stuff about the stitching and other bits…). The ‘Away’ strip is a different kettle of fish…
Yellow? I blame the football. I don’t know where the Hell this colour has come from but it is an odd choice to say the least. I don’t think it looks bad, but I just wondered where the idea came from…unless the writing is on the shirt and Brains had anything to do with the SA Gold sponsorship.
I think there must have been a very decisive move to stay away form the darker colours that have plagued the WRU over the past few years. 2005’s debacle of “Wales in Black” had the team foolishly thinking they were up to the task of beating the All Blacks, or even being the “All Black’s Of Europe”. 41-3 later hammering from the Kiwi’s, and very dodgy showings against Australia and Fiji put the kit to bed for good. Wales were not ready to be All Black.
The next strip was a gun metal grey, which I will be honest, thought was pretty cool. I even bought the 2007 World Cup strip (as it was £14 is Sports World). There’s nothing I can do about the World Cup logo, but the kit is nice to wear down the cinema.
So I think that yellow is to be seen as new and vibrant, just like the attitude brought in by King Gatland. We will have to see how it performs against the Canucks on November 14, but I am pretty sure it will do well.
However, it will be highly doubtful that I will ever buy the ugly thing.
Posted on August 27, 2008 - by John
Welsh Rugby Attitudes and the Fifth Region
The results of a national survey into Welsh Rugby perceptions have been published. The Western Mail carries the story in a thinly veiled explanation that Regional Rugby has been very good for the National Team, but I think they have missed the point.
Undeniably, there has been an attitude switch in Wales in favour of supporting the national team, with the lack of local rivalry and inter-region animosity begin cited. But this is simple mathematics. There are fewer professional teams, and as such, the phrase “local” has a lesser importance.
The rivalry between Pontypridd and Cardiff is legendary. The distance between the towns is a matter of miles, and there is a real local bias between the two for many reasons including which side of the M4 you’re form to that fact that there are more Mexican restaurants – you name it and local’s can get upset about it.
Speaking from personal experience, I cannot identify with the Blues as “my team”. Pontypridd are, and Pontypridd don’t play professional rugby. We can point the finger and get upset…but there still is no pro team for me. It is natural that my enthusiasm gravitates up a notch to the national team.
Posted on October 2, 2007 - by John
Viva La Argentina!
There is something beguiling about watching the Argentine team on the rugby pitch. They have something that is so lacking in all of the other big teams in the upper echelons of world rugby. The likes of the home nations are devoid of one simple thing: Passion.
Passion for during a game as if it is the last to ever be played, passion for team work and camaraderie, and passion for the beautiful anticipation of a clock surely, and ultimately counting down to its end. This is passion that only the black sheep of the IRB Top Ten could display. And passion that is sorely lacking from Wales.
{mosimage}Argentina are in the very real prospect of getting a medal in the 6th Rugby World Cup. The quarter final match with Scotland should pose no real problem for the Pumas, owing to a lack in form from those north of Hadrian’s Wall, but that’s not to say they will be easy. However, they should put at least 40 points on them, if the fires are burning the way that they did against France and Ireland*.
It was interesting to see the Argies constantly smile. Even when they are down, they are not out, and they revel in the opportunity to cement victory and fight to the dying end of 80 minutes. Fiji have similar traits, and it seems that these second tier countries are no longer to be toyed with in major tournaments.
And it is a breath of fresh air to see this sportsmanship in professional rugby. You get the distinct impression that the Argentina team love what they do. Case in point, Agustin Pichot’s remarkable grace during the narrow defeat to Wales was of the same tone as his enthusiasm for beating the Lion (cubs) in 2005 in the Millennium Stadium. In fact…a lot seems to happen to Argentina in Cardiff.
At the time of writing, Argentina are ranked the fourth highest in the world (IRB Rankings 1st Oct 2007). I cannot see how this status can rule them out of either the 6 Nations or the Tri-nations any longer. Argentina must simply be allowed to play in one of these tournaments, because any other cobbled together league simply would not do for them. If they played an American continent cup of sorts….they would simply win all the damn time. Who could pose a threat to them other than the big guns of the tri-nations? Wales just scraped by with a win in the Millennium Stadium prior to the World Cup (thanks Duncan Jones!). But if the Pumas were to compete in the 6 Nations, it is a fair bet that there would be succession of titles (Grand Slams even) for the foreseeable future.
Argentina by all rights could end up winning the World Cup, if they can beat South Africa in the semi-final at Saint-Denis on October 14. That would conceivably set them up for New Zealand (or Australia if a shock is order). And then….who knows? Could the All Blacks be beaten by a Black Sheep? Let’s hope so.
Originally printed on TEAMPONTY.NET .
* Interestingly, some Scots fans seem to be under the impression that Wales' win pre-RWC is a eason to think Scotland can win. I had to put them straight on that one.
Posted on September 20, 2007 - by John
RWC Ticket Prices
You probably notice that a couple of stories down I was selling 3 tickets for the Wales V Japan Rugby World Cup Pool match in the Millennium Stadium. I'm glad to say I sold them, and got face value for them too. Which is great considering the number of empty seats that I can see on the TV as I watch Wales demolish the (mostly) Japanese opposition.
{mosimage}The tickets I bought were a few pence off £45 each. And these weren't even the most expensive. No…they were one rung up form the cheapest seats. Top price tickets were over £100, which for a Pool match in the World Cup is quite frankly obscene.
I can expect that maybe a quarter or semi would stump up the prices a little, but putting that kind of fee on a Pool match is madness. And now the IRB is paying the price, with the second largest stadium in the tournament is less than a third full. I hope someone is listening.
There is far too much emphasis on the corporate pandering in international tournaments. Rugby does not have the high profile of something like football, but it is obvious that the IRB think there is. And while the majority of stadiums that are hosting matches will not look as empty as Cardiff does tonight, they are certainly not all full.
{mosimage}Last week's Wales v Australia match was one of the biggest games in the pool rounds, and as expected it was a full house. Tickets were changing hands for hundreds of pounds, but not every game has this profile…maybe two per group at best. There are going to be many games that the corporate whores won't be interested in, and those seats will go begging. Japan v Fiji last week only had about 30,000 attendance and you wouldn't even get a high turnout in the local populace for that one if the national team aren't playing. I mean, I wouldn't pay £45 to see two teams play who I have no interest in. £15 maybe…
I cannot get my head around this attitude. Surely to grow the sport in the countries where these matches are held, and to provide a worldwide platform that advertises Rugby Union as a fantastic spectator's sport must rely on packed venues and a carnival atmosphere. This is the WORLD CUP…not the world cup…
I hope the backlash to the ticket prices is felt with the Powers. Taking rugby away from the grassroots will only ultimately damage the game. Rugby in Wales is hit and miss at best, but it would have been fantastic to see thousands of kids cheering on Wales tongiht. And while there are certainly more children than a grade A game, there could have been far more. This must have been an option for the WRU in case of a minimal turnout for a match, and it would be nice if some forethought was put in incase of just this eventuality.
Posted on September 8, 2007 - by John
Wales V Japan Tickets for Sale
Wales V Japan – 20/09/2007 20:00 Kick Off
{mosimage}Oh cruel fate! I have 3 Rugby World Cup tickets for sale for Wales V Japan at the Millennium Stadium on September 20th. Unfortunately my bundle of joy is due to be delivered on the 19th. So I have them for sale, bearing in mind that being with my new family is way more important than watching Wales crush inferior opposition. If anyone is interested, email through this site. Face value is £44.65 and that's what I am asking for. Tickets are block U23, Row 26.
The tickets are going on Ebay this weekend, but I will leave them open if anyone wants them, and close the auction.
Posted on August 11, 2007 - by John
Ponty Fan Auctions Off Jenkins
A Pontypridd rugby fan has auctioned off Gareth Jenkins, the national Wales coach owing to his recent string of poor results. The South Wales Echo reports that Gerwain Smith had enough of stick from his English colleagues, so set the auction in order to raise money for the Noah's Ark Appeal.
Despite this, last count was £15 offered, however there doesn't appear to be any trace of the auction. Maybe Gareth has gotten touchy and asked for the auction to be removed? Regardless, it just goes to show how little the Welsh public think of the current Wales coaching setup.
