Wales really should have taken their chance when they had it. The Boks were missing some key figures through selection or injury and are pissed off and on the rebound for the match against Fiji on Saturday. Continue reading
Tag Archives: One To Watch
One To Watch: Richie Gray [Scotland]
If Richie Gray came from New Zealand, you’d still be thinking that he’s right up there with any of their players to keep an eye on. Instead, he’s from Scotland and there’s no competition whatsoever. Continue reading
One To Watch: Joe Tuineau [Tonga]
Keep an eye out for Tongan second-row Big Joe Tuineau in the World Cup opener. His backstory is pretty unique. Continue reading
One To Watch: Conor Murray [Ireland]
One To Watch: Manu Tuilagi [England]
Manu Tuilagi – arnchajusickovim? The Rosbif press have a habit of hyping their players out of the stratosphere at the first sign of international accomplishment. Maybe all national rugby correspondents are guilty of it, and we just pick on poor old Angleterre; certainly the Irish rugby media have never been slow to sing the praises of Keith Earls or Luke Fitzgerald. However, I think it’s fair to say that no Northern Hemisphere rugby press is quicker to acclaim or to damn than the hacks of Fleet Street and Wapping. Continue reading
One To Watch: Pat McCabe [Australia]
In considering who to look out for in the Aussie team, it’s tempting to look beyond the obvious and think about Pat McCabe in the No12 jersey, the Warwick Taylor-esque straightman to the glittering talents that surround him. Continue reading
One To Watch: Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga [Argentina]
Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga was an amateur fullback playing for Atlético del Rosario and Pumas Sevens Rugby when he was called into the Argentine squad for the November 2009 tour of Britain. His call-up was intended to serve as cover for a severely understrength midfield short an injured trio of experienced Pumas in Marcelo Bosch, Felipe Contepomi and Juan Martín Hernández. Continue reading
One To Watch: Napolioni Nalaga [Fiji]
Clermont Auvergne have been a very potent and visible force in French and European rugby over the last couple of years, and Irish fans will be very familiar with a number of their players. Continue reading
One To Watch: Joe Tekori [Samoa]
The huge Samoan Joe Tekori has most recently been seen by most Irish and British rugby fans tearing up Twickenham and Cardiff for the Barbarians in their end of season friendly against England http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xj0onb_big-joe-tekori_sport and ridiculous ‘test match’ against Wales [yes, the Welsh awarded caps; they came with a little mullet at the back]. Continue reading
One To Watch: Mamuka Gorgodze [Georgia]
Every world cup there are players who you may not know a whole heap about going into the tournament, but by their actions on the pitch they announce themselves to the rugby world at large. Continue reading