The Best Players Not Selected For The World Cup: Part One, The Front Row
What’s the point of doing one of these things now? Aren’t they normally a space-filler in the lead up to the world cup, tacked together once the squads are announced but before a tackle is missed in anger? Continue reading
Canada turned in a cracker of a performance to upset the odds and break the hearts of a Tongan team who failed to take advantage of a strong second-half wind. Continue reading
http://games.crossfit.com/node/629848
…you may remember me from NZ v Canada in Lille ’91 and being selected for a World XV to celebrate the NZRU centenary. Mike Teague and Mick Skinner? I’m still fitter than Nick Easter.
Mate ... I love you, mate. There. I've said it.
Adam Ashley Cooper was ladling it on pretty thick when it came to his opinion of his next opponent, Brian O’Driscoll: Continue reading
Stoosh ahoy!
The Scots rolled the Georgians in an arm-wrestle of a game, taking it five kicks to two. Continue reading
Tortured genius overlooked for versatile nipper
Confidence-drained David Skrela will not feature any further in France’s World Cup shambles campaign. The Clermont Auvergne-bound outhalf re-injured his shoulder against Japan, an injury that first flared up during the August match between France and Ireland in Dublin. Continue reading
Injury-plagued monster once again plagued by injury monster
Ted has had to go home. Scans of his dickie shoulder were sent to specialists back in England and it was decided that his World Cup dream was over. ESPN scrum.com has more: Continue reading
So who's going to be the one to tell him? Not in goals.
It’s time somebody said it out loud: Paul O’Connell’s looks are becoming a problem. No, that’s not right. Paul O’Connell’s carrying continues to be a problem. Continue reading
Lawes was cited for a knee-strike on Puma hooker Mario Ledesma in the England vs Argentina group match on Saturday. He pleaded not guilty, but Australian beak Terry Willis disagreed, and sent the big lad down for two weeks of hard labour. Continue reading
Fly my pretties, fly. Just don't try to maul it.
A few things have stood out for the Mole after the first round of matches:
Firstly, the Rugby World Cup is a Good Thing. Yes, it overshadows traditional tournaments, disrupts the season, the politics of who gets the tournament is not transparent and hoteliers gouge fans but the atmosphere, sense of occasion and opportunity to see rugby cultures collide in competitive test matches is great. Continue reading
Digging Like a Demented Mole 