A Rant
The bloody Kiwis are hilarious. Getting kinckers in a knot over England's plan to wear an all black jersey at the World Cup. Playing right into their hands. Losing focus.
Blah blah "slap in the face for all the all black jersey stands for". They friggin' trade marked their friggin' haka and had one choreogrpahed purely for that purpose, they've sold out to Adidas etc. years ago and have a bloody cheek. They're really a bunch of whiney shites when it boils down to it.
Old Belvedere Ladies 1st XV are looking for a coach
This may be of interest to anyone based in, or near Dublin who is interested in getting into coaching.
Old Belvedere Ladies Rugby
Old Belvedere Ladies 1st Team are Seeking a Coach
With the 2011/12 season only a few months away Old Belvedere Ladies are looking to add to their coaching team. There are options available in regard to the coaches role but backs experience is essential. Our 1st team had a very successful first season in Division 1, coming third in the competition and reaching the finals of the Leinster Cup competition. We hope to have 40+ players this year and currently field two teams. With three International players and eight Leinster players we are seeking someone who can deliver a high standard of coaching and help improve our team.
If interested please contact Nora on 085 1327032 or email oldbelvedereladies@gmail.com
Western Force Part Ways With O’Connor
James O'Connor
From the Emirates Western Force website:
"The Emirates Western Force has withdrawn from talks with James O’Connor’s management after further intensive negotiations failed to find common ground on contract length and remuneration.
RugbyWA was advised by O’Connor’s management last week that the utility player had chosen in principle to remain with the Emirates Western Force on the basis of the club agreeing to a new set of contract terms and conditions.
These conditions, relating specifically to contract length and remuneration, were considered by RugbyWA before a final counter offer was made to O’Connor.
Elsom has no plans to return to Leinster
Elsom was a Heineken Cup Winner with Leinster in 2009
Rocky Elsom, Wallaby captain and Brumbies flanker, has indicated on the latest Rugga Matrix podcast, that he has no intention of returning to Irish provincial side Leinster.
There has been mounting speculation about whether Elsom will stay with the Brumbies next season. Several clubs being rumoured to be interested in the Australian, including The Warratahs, Rebels, Stade Francais, Toulon and former club Leinster.
Alan Gaffney contender for Brumbies Coaching Role
Former South African rugby coach Jake White has been favourite to take over the ACT Brumbies side since the sacking of Andy Friend. However, experienced Australian coach Alan Gaffney has emerged as a dark horse to fill the vacant position.
Brumbies CEO Andrew Fagan has confirmed that he has spoken with former Wallaby assistant coach Alan Gaffney regarding the Brumbies coaching job.
There are doubts about the type of game that White would employ were he to gain the coaching role at the Canberra club. The club is hoping to revive it's style of attacking rugby. White is seen to espouse a more dour style of play.
November International Series with TV Broadcasters
The following are the dates and times for the November international series of matches including TV broadcaster. We will update this list as more information becomes available. If you have any broadcast information for other parts of the world if you would like to leave the details in the comments and we will update the post accordingly.
Enjoy the rugby!
Saturday, 06 November 2010
It’s all ’bout the money …
As the Autumn Internationals loom on the horizon, the issue of ticket pricing has reared its head once again. It seems to many fans that the various national unions are more interested in filling the corporate boxes than filling the terraces.
Ticket prices, particularly for internationals, have failed to correspond with the financial realities facing most fans. As a result many are no longer in a position to attend games. Particularly if attending games involves travel and accommodation expenses.
To give an example of how ticket prices have changed in Ireland:
One Irish rugby fan is quoted as saying "In 1996, a family of 2 adults and 2 children could attend Three 5 Nations matches for IR£72 or €91 in new money. At 2011 prices, a single adult going to One match, costs €100, and our family of 4 would pay €840 to go to 3 matches (NOTE: there are only 2 home matches in 20111). €840 instead of €91" You can find more stories like this here.
Has Tony McGahan quit as coach of Munster?
We're hearing unconfirmed reports at SmashingRugby towers that Munster head coach Tony McGahan has quit.
This follows Munster's defeat to London Irish on Saturday, in Round 1 of the Heineken Cup.
Does this rumoured departure signal at the level of unrest in the Munster camp?
Heineken Cup – Round 1 – Games to watch
Leinster V Racing Metro 92 KO 1:30 (GMT) Pool 2
Leinster have struggled to find form so far season. Already with 3 losses in the Magners’ League, it seems that things haven’t quite clicked for the province. A home win, against Irish rivals Munster, last weekend showed signs of things maybe coming together. Their defence, which up to then had appeared fragile, withstood the Munster onslaught and there was definitely evidence of some of the Leinster magic of seasons past.
The Parisian club’s first season of Heineken Cup rugby could prove very interesting. Currently leaders of the French Top 14 they are definitely no pushovers and are in the competition on merit, showing some very impressive form against the traditional powerhouses of French rugby. However, as we have seen in the past domestic form for French teams often counts for naught in the Heineken Cup, particularly away from home. Which Racing Metro club will show up in the RDS on Saturday, is a big question.
Here we go again – Heineken Cup 2010/11 Opening Weekend
This is always an exciting time of year for me, as the anticipation mounts in the days and hours leading up to the opening weekend of the Heineken European Cup.
It’s so easy to get lost in the deluge of pre-competition predictions. The hyping up, or even over-hype of certain teams, the attempts in certain quarters to downplay their team’s chances and the sometimes premature dismissal of others. And all of this before a ball has been kicked. This is why we love the biggest competition in European club rugby. It's never without drama.