The
juggernaut that was the 2007 Rugby World
Cup came to a shuddering halt on Saturday night with a stuttering
game between England and South Africa. This may not have
been the most skillful of competitions but it certainly
was one of the most exciting and very, very enjoyable. (Once
you got past Ireland's abject failure!)
I'll remember for a long time the sheer
joy of the Portuguese players and supporters when they scored
against New Zealand, the excitement of the Japan Fiji game,
the Samoan and Tongan brutal skills and the sight of two
thirds of the bar willing Georgia to score in the final
minutes of their game against a lifeless and dim-witted
Ireland.
Argentina set the competition alight on the opening night and their intensity set the benchmark for the rest to aspire to. Most of the intensity came from the minnows and it was wonderful to behold. England eventually caught on as did France and that Saturday of the Quarterfinals was one of the most exciting and unpredictable days of rugby I have ever seen. (Which says a lot as I also managed to fit in the dreadful Ulster match in Newport that day!)
It's a pity Argentina were not involved in the closing day final, but the 3rd place play off on Friday night was a wonderful game where Argentina showed how to destroy a team using the pure force of their will.
Will Irish Rugby withstand another four years of the Grim Reaper?
So where now for Ireland? The comparison with Argentina could not be more diverse. Where the Argentina players had belief in the team and played for the team the Ireland players had spats and hissy fits and played for themselves. There could be no more marked contrast to the attitude between the two teams than the occasion of O'Driscolls behaviour when he scored against Argentina. Instead of going to his own team and driving them forward he though it more important to spit invective at the opposition. Distasteful to say the least, unfortunately it is not the first time we have seen this sort of behaviour from Ireland's "untouchable" captain.
While central contracting of Ireland players does have it's undoubted benefits it also has it's pitfalls if not managed correctly. This site has been questioning O' Stunted's selection and playing policy for the last two years, namely the restricted availability of certain players in the Magners League and the lack of opportunity and rotation in the squad in general, and this cosseting and arse licking of selected players has brought us to where we are today - the laughing stock of world rugby.
To move forward Ireland must open up the team to genuine competition in all positions. Young players have to be given the chance in meaningful games over a sustained period of time. The culture of "the chosen ones" has to be eliminated and the players have to earn their wages by turning the Magners League into a meaningful competition all year round. It must be hard to get into the Ireland side, but it has to be harder to stay there!
Is O' Stunted the man to move Ireland forward in this manner? The actions of his captain tell you the answer.
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If Only!
In the wake of the RWC Final the media has been awash with Fantasy World Teams selected from players who participated in France 2007. Not to be outdone, the FRU has compiled half a "Fantasy" Rugby Team selected from the ranks of our local politicians.
Loose head Prop: Because of the pivotal nature of this position it is important that the incumbent has an intimate knowledge of the game, hence the FRU’s selection of Lord Ken MaGinnis. Ken did play rugby in his youth and is a past President of Dungannon RFC. His background in politics means he is well versed in the Front row art of 'boring'.
Hooker: If you believe the English hacks, Mark "Ronnie" Regan lifted sledging to new levels in France 2007 therefore the FRU chose a man who can hit the target with his tongue as well as with the ball, namely Sammy Wilson. The only problem with this selection is Sammy’s not so closet naturist predilections, especially when away from the conservative restraint of "home soil". The FRU have decided that the temptation to change shirts et al at the end of the match might just be too much of a temptation for Sammy, so he will be replaced by Martin McGuiness in the second half.
Tighthead Prop: A good Tighthead gives stability to the scrum therefore the FRU has plumped for someone with a bit of ‘ballast’, namely Michelle Gildernwew. More importantly, as Minister of Agriculture she will be able to ensure the team has a ready supply of Aberdeen Angus steaks.
Second Row : At approaching 6 foot six, the most obvious candidate for one of the second row berths is the Shinner MLA from Upper Bann, John O’Dowd. His close association with the reserve hooker might be beneficial, especially if line out calls are made in "Chucky Language". Given his background, he is likely to prove useful if the Captain makes a "99"Call.
Second Row : Big Ian captain. Enough said!
Openside Flanker: An Openside Flanker has to be someone who is brave and not afraid to dive into difficult situations irrespective of the dangers to their own safety. The FRU’s unanimous nomination for this position is the Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie.
Blindside Flanker: This position has traditionally been the preserve of players who are not afraid to indulge the more menacing, darker side of their psyche. After considering the histories of numerous candidates the FRU decided to nominate Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly for this exacting role – ostensibly because we were all too afraid to tell him he had n’t made the team!!( The FRU cannot confirm that TOK went through a packet of Imodium and 2 rolls of Andrex when considering this selection).
Other selections could be Wee Geoffrey for scrum half and the choice between Peter Robinson or Gerry Adams for the strategic position of out half would keep Folkbaik and iluvni in "Letters to the Newsletter" for years! Let's not even start on "Flegs and Anthems".
As always in Northern Ireland there are plenty in the running for the Management:
Bagman and Commercial Manager:Ian Paisley Jnr. was the unanimous choice for this role. (The FRU has been advised it would be purely coincidental if the Team was to be sponsored by Sweeney Developers from Bushmills.)
Physiotherapist: Despite extensive lobbying from ex DUP and Independent MLA, Paul Berry, this role is to be filled by Naomi Long from the Alliance Party.
Medical Advisor:Dr Kieran Deeney – Independent MLA for South Tyrone.
Cheerleading: Given her extensive experience of parading with the Rosslea Accordion Band, rousing the Faithful at a rugby match should be no problem for the DUP’s pin up girl, Arlene Foster. The FRU did consider representations from Arlene’s colleague, Willie McCrea but his appeal was deemed to be less universal.
Logistics and Travel Manager: Given his avowed interest rugby and his extensive experience of various modes of transport the FRU couldn't look past Lord Laird for this position.
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News from the Colonies!
A Look Ahead to the Play Offs. (Part 1) Coach Scot brings us up to speed on what's in front of the girls this weekend.
As we get ready for playoffs we have to look at our ability to advance and what our chances are against the teams we will face. Overall, we may have more depth on our team than most in the Midwest, but at the playoff level sometimes one truly dominant athlete can create a world of trouble.
First round we take on Winona State University. Definitely a tough team coached by Kiwi transplant Roger Riley. Worked with Roger a lot and he's a great person and coach. We did beat Winona in the Highland Games preseason tournament. Winona had recently returned from a playing tour of New Zealand, oddly enough. Can only imagine that they didn't field their true A-side in the Tournament.
However, from what we saw of them in preseason play they relied heavily on their forwards. Had a tendency to over-commit to the breakdown offensively which made turnover ball easy on second and third phase for UWM. We have to assume that they have improved over the course of their league season. However, there seem to be some vulnerabilities as they placed third in their LAU (Local Area Union) Tournament with a loss to Gustavus Adolphus 41-26 in the quarter final. Took third place over St. Cloud State University 27-5.
The key to the match will be organized defense from the forwards, and pressure defense from the back line at the set-piece. If we concede the first phase to Winona in the forwards, we should be able to create turnover ball on second and third phase. At the set-piece, we hope to generate enough pressure to cause miscues in the back line and create turnover ball, or force them to kick away possession.
Offensively we will be outsized by the Winona forwards, but should still be able to grind the ball up field a bit - particularly late in halves as they tire. We will probably look to spin the ball wide and force Winona to cover our back line. Hopefully we can generate at least three phases in the forwards before sending the ball wide. We hope that we can overload the Winona Defense by sending all six backs strong and forcing them to stay static defensively to cover our back line maneuvers.
Dear Ulster Supporters,
Girls all say hello! They all thank Gary for his offer of accommodation, but are a bit standoffish at this point.
Please send my warm regards to Stately. I do appreciate his research into the subject of drink. Not sure if Mr. Homes has his advanced degree yet, but we would be willing to have him stateside to do doctoral research on the subject. UW-Milwaukee has somewhere over 100 post-graduate areas of research....sure we could find him a place!
Also pass along our shared mourning to Bogboy....alas it seems we have our fare share of fertilizer in the states as well.
Not too much in the way of test-match activity here - just our bye week waiting for playoffs. We did have a scrimmage with a local Women's club after our normal practice this last thursday which went well. Girls were a bit tired and unfocused, but they need some low pressure situations. The Women's Club was handling us pretty well until someone said something that put a bit of fire in our girls right at the end. Then our girls put in a try in about 15 seconds. It's pretty amazing what these girls do when they put their minds to it.
If you wish to make a donation to help the Panthers with their trip to Ulster contact editor@thefru.co.uk or contact the Panthers direct through their website.
Had an unopposed run-through this Saturday to keep the squad limber. Saw lots of good decision making from the set piece when given match situations - e.g. 60th minute of match, down by 5 points.... What kind of lineout do you want to run?
All-in-all it looks like we're ready for a few tough practices this week and hope to put on a good showing in our playoff matches. The girls are focused on taking it one game at a time, but all have aspirations of extending their season a few more weeks.
Had a small gathering Sunday night with Coach Jeff, Coach Deanna and a few guests to watch South Africa v England. Coach Deanna, a Lady Panther Alumni, is hoping to get in on our Ireland Tour now. She's hoping to clear it with her husband and hopes to bring her kit and get in a few matches!
Regards,
Coach Scot
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Letters to the Editor
Dear Eddie,
I wish to address rumours of a split in the Grousebeaters. It is said that their funding for away travel this season has been cut because of a failure to put last season's Ulster Rugby scarves and baseball caps beyond use.
This is a rumour, as is the rumour that a new breakaway group has been formed known as the Magners' Brigadiers. The Brigadiers are said to be on their way to Glasgow, Friday week next, traveling covertly by car to escape the usual piss stops at Girvan and dodgy halts at the Hawks clubhouse. If indeed the Brigadiers turn up as threatened they will be instantly recognisable with their baseball caps and scarves over their faces. This is not meant to intimidate anyone, merely a sign that Glasgae can be feckin' cold at this time of the year.
Yers in the know,
Major G.R.M.Lynn.
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Big week for Aarons who got all the games correct. Well done that man!
Week 7.
Weekend Friday 26th October 2007.
Connacht v Edinburgh
Warriors v Munster
Ulster v Leinster
Predictions to be in by 6:00pm Friday
26th October.
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