Currie Cup openning weekend fixtures: And so it begins...

The first week of the 2009 Currie Cup sees two of South Africa's Big derby matches. Last years winners, the Sharks vs Western Province in Cape Town and last years runner up the Blue Bulls vs the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld. These battles of titanic proportion will undoubtedly set the tone for the season to come, with Province and the Lions having points to prove against their formidable opponents. Other games this weekend include; Cheetahs vs the Griquas in Bloemfontein and the Platinum Leopards start their lives in the premier division in Wellington against the Boland Cavaliers. This should be a great weekend of classic clashes so have a beer and enjoy.

Currie Cup Fixtures this weekend:

Friday:
15:30 Cavaliers vs Sharks
19:10 Cheetahs vs Griquas
Saturday:
15:00 Bulls vs Lions
17:05 WP vs Sharks

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IRB not happy with Bok protest

The IRB will charged the South African Board with misconduct after the players "justice" protest against the citing of Bakkies Botha during last weekends Lions Test match. Lead but John Smit, the players wore arm bands with the words "justice" written on them. This protest was also worn be coach Peter de Villiers and the players not involved in the match.

"The International Rugby Board (IRB) takes the view that such an act demonstrates a clear disregard of the disciplinary process and does so in a manner which brings, or has the potential to bring, the game into disrepute," (IRB statement)

An independent third party will undergo and investigation into the offense to see if the South African Rugby Board can be charged.

More information will follow...

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Freestate Cheetahs unlikely to hold onto Nokwe

It is obvious that Jongi Nokwe's market value has risen in the last 12 months after his 4 try debut in last years Tri-Nations record win over Australia and culminated in a starting spot on the left wing against the British and Irish Lions. Jongi posses' immense pace and a good understanding of the wing position. He will have a good future in the green and gold but the question is, will he stay in Freestate?

The Cheetahs will not be able to keep Nokwe if he asks for more money, however coach Naka Drotske believes that the close relationship between Nokwe and assistant coach Hawies Fourie may be enough to make him stay. It is not known which clubs have made offers to the Cheetah of Freestate, but he will have to stay put until his contract runs out at the end of this years Currie Cup.


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Bulls 9, 10, 12 for Boks?

We still see it in the forums and on the chat feed: Maak al die Bulle Bokke!!!. We laugh, but maybe they have a point...

With the series won and 12 years of bragging rights regained, do the South Africans now reward form? With the bulls domination in the Super 14 do we not now reward those players who have played the best rugby consistently over the past few months with an opportunity that comes around once in a career.

Du Preez at scrumhalf, Morne Steyn at Flyhalf and Wynand Olivier at 12 were one of the best combinations, if not the best, in the toughest provincial competition in the world. Olivier was in great form for the bulls and would definitely not let the Boks down at inside centre he has also played a lot of (successful) rugby outside of Steyn and Du Preez; can you imagine if they click in the final test against the British and Irish Lions? We could see the kind of scintillating rugby we saw in the semis and finals of the Super 14.


Jaque Fourie should be back at outside center, after he showed that he is one of the deadliest finishers in the world with his match winning try against the Lions last Saturday. It would also be a good occasion to give Zane Kirchner his first test, with Steyn as insurance on thee bench, it would be wise to give him some game time before a long and grueling tri-nations series. If Frans Steyn gets injured the Boks will be in a slight bit of trouble without an understudy.

The forwards should stay the same, with thee exception of Brussow and Muller, who come in for Schalk Burger and Bakkies Botha respectively. Both are out for foul play int the second test in Pretoria. With the possible inclusion Chilliboy Rallapelle being a step towards a well rounded and match squad for the tri-nations starting in just a few weeks time.

Whatever the selectors decide the third test should still be a tough outing for the world champions and a 3-0 scoreline will be the only thing on their minds. Expect more running rugby this weekend and maybe a few more tries...till Saturday: peace and enjoy!

sgr

Peter de Villiers; the George Bush of world rugby?!

Here is an article published by sarugby.com which has a list of de Villiers-isms (quotes that the Boks coach has made during his tenure)

The Peter de Villiers Quote Hall of Fame:

"If we want to eye-gouge any Lions we will go down to the bushveld like we do and eye- gouge them there." - In the wake of the Schalk Burger incident Peter reverts to bush analogies.

"If we are going on like this, why don't we go to the nearest ballet shop, get some tutus and get a dancing shop going? There will be no eye-gouging, no tackling, no nothing and we will enjoy it."- And to think Saru had to send out a press release to clear up that they didn't condone eye-gouging and statements were mis-interpreted!

"What we try to tell them is when you point your finger into the sky, don't concentrate on the finger because you'll miss all the heavenly glory out there. Concentrate on the heavenly glory you can bring and make yourselves so fulfilled."- Umm.. Yes quite!

"There's little difference between winning and losing, except you feel better after winning."- Simple really.

The same people who threw their robes on the ground when Jesus rode on a donkey were the same people who crowned him and hit him with sticks, and were the same people who said afterwards how we shouldn't have done that, he's the son of God. So that's exactly what we do. You have to look at history as repeating itself. And I'm not saying that I'm God."- Well we're glad we cleared that one up.

"The small things like judicial hearing will not take away the fact that we won. Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk won the Nobel Peace Prize. No matter what they did wrong in their lives, no one can take away the fact that they won it."- All in a day really - comparing Schalk Burger & Bakkies Botha to FW & Madiba

"I'm a God-given talent, I'm the best I can ever be. So what you think doesn't bother me. I know what I am and I don't give a damn."- Peter has a little go at the media

"What I learned in South Africa is, if you take your car to a garage and the owner is black or a black man, and they mess it up, you never go back to that garage. If the owner is white, you say ag, sorry, they made a mistake and you go back again. This is how some people live their lives in this country."- Peter seems to be defending Ricky Januarie ahead of the second Lions Test, but then doesn't pick him. Panic Mechanic? (thanks to Deon1980 and supersport).

"Ja, you know. Morgan Newman has been in form his whole life." (unsubstantiated!)- From Villian - "My favourite P Divvy quote, was when he was asked why Morgan Newman was picked for the SA XV against Namibia".

http://www.sarugby.com/

http://www.sarugby.com/news/News/article/sid=11775.html

French center attempts suicide

The 20 year old French centre Mathieau Bastareaud attempted to end his life by jumping off a bridge into the River Seine in Paris. Bastareaud has reportedly been struggling with a psychological problem after lying about being beaten up on the streets of Wellington during the recent French tour of New Zealand. The young superstar has been having treatment for his condition in a Paris hospital, the doctors believe that he is finds it difficult to cope with the constant scrutiny that comes with being an international athlete.

From the Team at Rugby Window, we would like to send out our best wishes to the French Powerhouse. I'm sure every rugby fan, no matter where their loyalties lie, would love to see the incredible Bastareaud charging up the French center for many years to come.

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Peter de Villiers makes 10 changes to Boks side ahead of 3rd Lions Test

Bok coach Peter de Villiers has shown his confidence in the strength and depth of South African rugby by ringing 10 changes to the Springboks starting line up ahead of the final test against the British and Irish Lions.

de Villiers decision has been met with some uncertainty by the public, but after winning the series in the second test last week who can blame him for trying out some of his bench warmers.
The new look Boks side includes Super 14 hero's Ryan Kankowski, Zane Kirshner and Jongie Nokwe. Former Boks superstars Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Johann Muller and the new found star Heindrich Brussow also get their chance to start. The Lion tamer Morne' Steyne will start his first test match after shattering the hopes and dreams of Lion supporters everywhere courtesy of Ronan O'Gara.

Springboks Team for 3rd Test:

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Johann Muller, 3 John Smit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Guthro Steenkamp, 18 Dean Carstens, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Pierre Spies, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Frans Steyn

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Wallabies anounce their squad for the Tri-Nations

The 2009 Tri-Nations will see the three best rugby nations in the world go head to head. With New Zealand having a poor start to the season against France, Australia smashing both the Azzuri and the French and South Africa sealing their victory over the lions in last weeks second test, this years Tri-Nations could be a belter.

Wallabie coach Robbie Deans is the first to anounce his Squad for the up comming Tri-Nations and Bledisloe cup matches.

Australia squad:

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Ryan Cross, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Peter Hynes, Drew Mitchell, Stirling Mortlock (captain), James O'Connor, Timana Tahu, Lachie Turner.

Forwards: Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Rocky Elsom, Matt Hodgson, James Horwill, Peter Kimlin, Stephen Moore, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, George Smith, Phil Waugh.

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Tuqiri axed by Austrailian Rugby Union

The Fijian born Australian rugby superstar has had his contract with the ARU terminated with immediate effect. The ARU say that the matter is subject to legal proceedings. Loti, who started his career in the NRL has made 67 international appearances and scored 30 trys for the Wallabies. For the first time in five years the iconic figure of Loti Tuqiri will not be included in the Tri-Nations. He has not made a start in the Gold and Green in 2009 but he surely wont be gone for long. Updates will follow as and when we receive further information.

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O'Driscoll sends himself home

Brian O'Driscoll starts the long flight home a week early after his frankly dangerous "tackle" (with no arms) on Dannie Russouw which left both of the players concussed. It is a wonder how he is has not been cited for this, seeing as the Springbok Lock Bakkies Botha got cited for rucking.

O'Driscoll said that the 2009 Lions Tour was a "highlight of his career" being undefeated in the first 6 warm up games (well done Brian) and getting out muscled by an all round better team in the Springboks. However any result would have been better than that of his last Lions tour which saw him brutally injured early on in the first test.

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