In my second edition, in the series of articles, looking at the contenders for the Toyota Cheetahs Super rugby Squad for 2012, I am going to look at the Happy Hookers. Enjoy people, and feel free to add value. Goooooo Cheeethas!
Cape Town – Rassie Erasmus has shocked the Western Province Rugby Union (WPRU) by resigning from his position as director of coaching.
This one is brilliant, tears rolling down my cheeks I laughed so much. Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal can expect to hear from the Ligue Nationale de Rugby’s disciplinary officials after making some outrageous statements over the weekend.
A world club championship is on the cards after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Premiership chief executive Mark McCafferty has claimed.
Hello all, I have been coerced into being a contributing author on Rugby-Talk, providing a Cheetah perspective on all things rugby! This is new territory for me, but in the interests of Cheetahs supporters, and the growth of Rugby-Talk, I will give it a good old whirl.
In today’s Article, I will look at the possible contenders for props in the Cheetahs 2012 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention. I encourage all to differ from me, as that is what we all blog for. However, let’s avoid the personal diatribes.
I don’t often read the “where are you now” columns in the Sunday times – I get bored with the “i’m a second hand car salesman living with my wife, 7 children and 14 grandchildren in a semi detached on the wrong side of Pofadder, all because I missed the professional era, but gave my life to the game.” But this one caught my eye. We all remember the fiery Le Roux, and for those of you that don’t get the Times, thought you’d enjoy his recollection of the Kirsten incident.
The afternoon of the same morning they arrived from South Africa the Springboks played in their first game against a combined team of Western Australia in PERTH.
Charles Blunt the President of Australian rugby formally welcomed every Springbok with a handshake before the first match (see Picture below).
This picture shows Charles Blunt president of Australia rugby being introduced to the players by Hannes Marais before the first match. Here he shakes hands with Dirk de Vos.
The moment Martin Johnson announced his resignation as England manager in mid-November, the attack coach Brian Smith decided he had no option but to do likewise. “It was Martin who had appointed me, so I felt my position was untenable,” he says quietly, reflecting on that supremely difficult moment.
The first good news story that I have come across in 2012, and one that definitely needs sharing.
The Third Cricket Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka took place at Newlands, Cape Town. The Test was supposed to run from 3 – 7 January 2012 but finished at about 15:30 on 6 January 2012.
This was the Live Discussion Article where we chatted about the match in progress and where the scores were updated regularly.
The Cheetahs will face 3 Super Rugby sides as well as the Kings in their preparations for Super Rugby 2012, between 28 January and 11 February 2012.
Almost time for the Six Nations competition. First games will be played in four weeks time. Here is some History of the Championship.
Played annually, the format of the Championship is simple: each team plays every other team once, with home field advantage alternating from one year to the next.
Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss and unlike most other rugby union competitions the bonus point system is not used.
Wesley Fofana (photo) and Yoann Maestri are in line to make their international debuts after being picked for France’s RBS 6 Nations squad by new head coach Philippe Saint-André.
Clermont centre Fofana has impressed both domestically and in Europe and could start alongside club colleague Aurélien Rougerie while Toulouse’s 23-year-old man mountain Maestri is one of four second rows named.
Centre Steven Shingler is the surprise inclusion as one of six new faces in Scotland’s squad for the opening two matches of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.
Despite being born in Swansea and playing for Wales Under-20s, Shingler qualifies for Scotland through his mother Jeanette and his impressive form for English side London Irish has prompted Andy Robinson to include him in the 36-man squad.
Vodacom Bulls lock Fudge Mabeta will miss the 2012 Super Rugby campaign after being injured in a car accident.
STUART LANCASTER last night sentenced his England squad to community service – after giving Danny Care the boot for drink-driving.
World Cup-winning South African captain John Smit is set to play more regularly at prop for his new club, Saracens.
New Western Force recruit Toby Lynn says that he is stoked about his move from the Chiefs to Perth due to an unusual connection.
Wayward and capricious Wallaby star Quade Cooper has landed in hot water again, but the Queensland Rugby Union moved swiftly to dispel rumours that other Reds players were involved in the latest incident.
The Second Cricket Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka took place at Kingsmead, Durban, it was supposed to run between 26 to 30 December 2011, but finished a day early.
This was the Live Discussion Article where we chatted about the match in progress and where the scores were updated regularly.
An era of unprecedented success – a ten-year period where they won five Currie Cup titles (one shared) and three Super Rugby crowns – now gives way to a time of rebuilding.
This is primarily (although not exclusively) due to the crippling effect of departures, mostly of senior players.
When I read this ‘oldish’ article I decided that our resident scrum gurus would love it. Here it is courtesy of the Rugby Site’s Waterboy, Brendon Ratcliffe.
This has nothing to do with rugby, but just another Christmas story. Typical bloke, always in the drink, feigning machinery problems so as to get out of the chores, and eternal girlfriend problems – although in this regard, he sorted that problem pretty quickly! Read on to find out how.
Our sport is more enjoyable to watch than it was in the olden times when I was young, but there are a few things about the modern game I would rather be without. (I read this and posted it, purely because of Lee Grants obvious hatred of our boys, which he mentions on several occasions. What are your thoughts?)
Defending Premiership champions Saracens showed their class on Tuesday with a 19-11 victory over league leaders Harlequins at a sold-out Twickenham.
Hello,
The video says it all really… it says I’ve grown older at a rate of knots (all your fault of course), it says my hair is thinning at the top… and above all it shows I need a rest.
To EVERYBODY who reads Rugby-Talk, who contributes, who blogs, who write Articles on Rugby-Talk and who make this community so special, hearty thanks for yet another year! It is our 3rd Christmas on Rugby-Talk already!
To all of you, if you’re driving a vehicle – do it safely, if you’ll be consuming alcohol – do it responsibly AND do not drive. To those going on holiday or spending some much needed time with family and friends and loved ones over the festive period, may it be a blessed time, a time of joy and celebration, and a time of reflection about what is really important in life.
OK, OK already… here’s the video…
Former French international fly-half Frederic Michalak, who currently plays for the Natal Sharks in Durban South Africa has verbally agreed to join Toulon on a three-year contract.
The Brumbies have been hit with financial issues after their naming rights sponsor Huawei withdrew from a four-year $4 million-plus sponsorship of the Super Rugby club.
Toulouse’s South Africa hooker Gary Botha broke his right leg in Friday’s French Top 14 win over Montpellier and will be ruled out for up to four months.
From left to right: Robbie Barnard; Piet Visagie; Johan Spies and Joggie Jansen
One of the brightest stints in the history of Springbok rugby was in 1970 and 1971. In 1970 South Africa of course won the 4 test series against Brain Lochore super All Black team at home. The 1971 international season started off with two tests at home against a French touring side. The Springboks won the first one on 12 June 1971 in Bloemfontein 22-9 and drew the second one 8 all on 19 June 1971 in Durban.
Former Chiefs Super Rugby Coach Ian Foster has been named as the new assistant coach of the All Blacks and former All Black great flyhalf Grant Fox has become a selector.
The Australian Rugby Union Friday have announced that assistant coach Jim Williams will leave his position after completing his contract term with the Wallabies.
The Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) have confirmed that the cities of Rosario and Mendoza will host Test matches in what will be a bumper home shedule of six games for the Pumas in 2012.
What a year of would-haves, could-haves, should-haves and, ultimately, bitter underachievement for the Springboks in a year when the All Blacks enjoyed the delicious irony of at last winning the World Cup despite being outplayed in the final. After 26 years of being the best team on the planet but failing to land the Webb Ellis Cup because of the wicked vagaries of death-or-glory rugby, the wheel finally turned for the Kiwis at the global showpiece.
It is just a few days till Christmas, or as the little ones would say, just 6 sleeps. I decided to once again do a Christmas Greetings video for all you muppits, moepels and mopkoppe, but also to keep it till a bit later to force you to come back and back to Rugby-Talk till I hit you with the clanger!
So, this is not your merry, merry, happy, happy article, but a precurser to the clanger.
The question is, what are you all up to for the holidays, what are your plans? Who are you happy about seeing over the festive season and who are you dreading to invite or see? Where are you going and when are you coming back from holiday?