A week is a long time in sport.  And that's how long-ish since I last added some rambling, so some might think it is not long enough.  In the week that was, a test match against the team that everyone loves to hate, League, rather league (they don't deserve a capital 'L' at the moment) continues to fire bazookas at their feet, and believe it or not, some 'New Zealand' franchises playing in Australia have some wins.  Yes the Kingz and the Breakers have both had wins...  Yes, that is a pig flying!

RUGBY:
Proof positive that rugby, and rugby writing should be a male dominated domain, and I quote...
"The other option is to bring over another player, and with Tasesa Lavea a surprise late withdrawal from the Pacific Islanders team, he may have got a call from the selectors to hold fire on his international plans".
This was from Jenni Rutherford in London, writing for the Sunday News. 

RUGBY:
Mind you, perhaps it is not women (apologies if any are due) that are the problem, perhaps it is the Sunday News, and who they hire to tap away at keyboards.  David Long in his assessment of the teams also gave the English loose forward trio the 'edge' over the All Blacks trio.

RUGBY:
Justin Marshall is such a twat.  Five minutes after he leaves New Zealand, he starts waffling on about the NZRFU and their on selection of any players for the All Blacks who don't play in New Zealand.  Fair enough, that's your opinion Justin, but perhaps it would have carried more credibility if you were spouting off about it before YOU left New Zealand, and if you didn't quote players past their use by dates (Spencer), or players who never had use by dates (Gibson), or still have the chances to come home (Regan King, remember him).  But he is obviously not looking at the big picture, or any pictres actaully.  The main one being how the hell do you compare Regan King with Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith?  Playing in two different time zones in two different competitions.  Who is going to watch him, and judge if he is up to it or not?  It would be the end of New Zealand rugby if that was to happen, so don't expect it soon Justin.  New Zealand rugby with NO All Blacks playing in their domestic competition (as would happen), would soon be on a par with England - and that is not a god thing at the moment, with the Poms slipping to 6th in the world!!

RUGBY:
Danny Grewcock - flagged for hair pulling.  At least in the good old days he used to kick and bite, but now he's reverted to hair pulling.  At least he didn't get a card for it, as the ignominy of getting a card for hair pulling would be hard to live down!!

CRICKET:
Well done Orstraylia, winning the ICC Champions trophy thingy.  Thumped the West Indies, after thumping the Black Craps in the semi final.  Even when they are not playing great, they still stuff everyone, damn them!!

RUGBY:
Clarke Dermody, is he a test standard prop?  He certainly didn't measure up to well at scrum time during him limited chances against the Poms, White just manhandling him.  Is he perhaps too small, or just needs more time at the coal face of international rugby, which he isn't going to get with Somerville, Tialata, Woodcock and Hayman in front of him.

STATE HOUSE RUGBY:
The New Zealand Rugby League granny gate fiasco continued last week, with the plonkers trying to wiggle out of the shithole they had buried themselves in by arguing over what they called a 'gray area', and that being that Grandparents could also mean Great Grandparents.  I think, just by looking at that last line, even a two year old could see the difference - one of those grandparent words has a prefix of 'great' in front of it, and one doesn't.  Can't get much more black and white there can you.  They were laughed out of the IRL HQ, and have continued to be laughed at all week on talkback radio and in pubs the world over.  Even better though, our Sunday News (I do read the other papers too) found out that he was not eligible for the Kiwis back in AUGUST.

RUGBY:
First Anton use's big words insulting the Pom public, then Mauger calls them racist - or at least some of them.  Where has the strong silent type All Black gone I asks ya??  Anton can stop showing off that he has learned to read a new book, and Mauger, well, just shut up and get stuck into playing rugby.  Perhaps have a word with BJ Lochore about what is worth saying, and what is not to the press.  Although, if that was to happen, then not a word would be said, but would that be all bad - do your talking on the field - actions speak louder and all that...

RUGBY:
Matt Gitau the halfback - went pretty well.  So that, along with the fact that the IRB are clamping down on players talking back to the ref might spell the end of the line for G Gregan, as all he has left now in his repertoire is the talk!!

POOFBALL:
The Mighty Kingz, or Knights, or whatever the hell the New Zealand soccer team in the Aussie league is called, had, wait for it, a WIN.  But don't worry, they didn't score a goal themselves.  An own goal (now the Knights high scorer for the season) to nothing was the margin at the end.  Who they beat?  No fucking idea!!  Who cares!!! 

BASKETBALL:
On the subject of 'New Zealand' teams competing in Aussie competitions, the Breakers basketball dudes won too, their seond win on the trot, and they beat the league leaders or something too.  Should really listen more when these reports come on, but who cares, really!

RUGBY:
Finally, one last thought on the All Black test match - the best coached part of the Poms?  Their coaching staff, and the synchronised head shaking when things didn't go their way.  Was fantastic.  Perhaps Robinson missed his true calling as a coach - I hear the British synchronised swimming team is looking for a new heard coach...

RUGBY:
England try scoring celebrations - up there with the worst in the world to be sure.  As someone said, they sure seem to know where the cameras are after they score, perhaps they should worry more about the scoring first eh??

RUGBY:
Big Andy Sheridan can't escape without a mention.  His scrumming - pretty good I thought.  Certainly wasn't torn a new arse this time around, probably still getting used to the last one - nah, thought he went well, good battle between he and Hayman.  One would have to wonder though, when he runs with the ball, does he make more ground rolling along the pitch after the tackle, or when he is lumbering along on his feet!!

RUGBY:
Speaking of lumbering along - the All Black maul, and their counter maul.  The match stats cerdited the All Blacks with 37 metres gained via mauls, while the English racked up, wait for it, FOUR metres via mauls.  Any problems there folks...???