Weekly Ramble

Still mulling my rest period, enjoying it whilst I can. Questions and accusations are being made in the comments and I can only smile at them. I don't know what people expect? What role have they given us? Or what role do they think we took up? Remember it is 100% voluntary and those with burning issues can either post them in the comments, or mail the blog owner. They can also request to be guest bloggers as this access has been provided before. Some people who felt they had issues to air left without even a single post. Others posted one or two articles and quickly retreated once the stinging comments came in. Blogging is not easy, and many a time I too have felt under siege, and under pressure. However I can only speak for myself and remain true to myself, as after all, I only blog for myself. Right now I'm enjoying the Rugby World Cup and who can deny me this one joy?

After all is said and done, most of my comments are based on information that is released and my reading of it. But with the carefully controlled press releases, a compromised media, and lack of live interviews, so little is coming out. But give it time, the boat will rock. And I will be there.

Anyway, this weekend is the last round of the sponsorless National Sevens Circuit and no surprises who the winners will be. Surprising however is that despite our much lauded growth and spreading of the game, increased competition in the circuit, increase opportunities to participate in the circuit, only ten teams have managed to garner even a single point!

Let us enjoy the Driftwood Sevens and the Rugby World Cup as well as our weekend

Aussies fully focused

Australia's star fly-half Quade Cooper has admitted his side are fully focused on not underestimating any opponent at this tournament, ahead of the Aussies' final Pool C match against Russia. Ireland stunned Australia in the second game of the group campaign, claiming a famous 15-6 victory at Eden Park. The Tri-Nations champions will now likely have to face defending champions South Africa in their quarter-final clash, but will have to see off the ever-improving Russian side this weekend.

Cooper has claimed the defeat to Ireland was a massive wake-up call for the Aussies, showing just what World Cups are capable of doing to the big teams should they lose focus at any time. Ireland deserved their victory on that occasion but Cooper insists lessons have been learned from that defeat, standing them in good stead for the latter stages. Those looking at the rugby world cup betting should remember this.

"The best thing we got out of it was that you have to prepare properly for each game - that's how serious the World Cup is," he said.

"It does help the mood of the team in that you don't get complacent and you realise there might have been areas in our game that we'd brushed over."

"The Irish showed us that you can't take any game lightly - not that we took them lightly - and you have to give respect to all the teams."

After beating South Africa twice in the recent Tri-Nations campaign, Australia will be confident of beating the Springboks should the two meet in the quarter-finals. Neither team has managed to find their best form so far in this tournament, but the defending champions won't give up their title easily. A strong performance against Russia will be important for the Aussies as they look to continue the momentum they've picked up since the Ireland defeat. The rugby union betting odds show they should have no problem sealing a convincing win.

While the Russians have done themselves proud in their debut appearance in the World Cup, anything less than a comprehensive Australia victory would be a major surprise. The physical Russians won't give their opponents an easy ride though and Australia will need to be up for a battle.

Namibia crash out

Namibia crashed out of the Rugby World Cup with a crushing defeat to Wales.

The men in the Namibian 2011 RWC Shirts were demolished 81-7 in their Pool B clash in New Plymouth, which signals the end of a disappointing tournament.

The minnows have now lost their four matches in New Zealand and have conceded 266 points in total.

Their heaviest defeat was against their rivals and role models South Africa, when they were humbled 87-0.

Wales cruised over the whitewash an astonishing 12 times, with Shane Williams crossing a trio of times, and outclassed their opponents.

Playing four games in just over two weeks took its toll and fatigue showed as the Africans, who don’t compete in many Test matches, failed to make 41 tackles during the 80 minutes.

Trailing 22-0 at half time, Namibia, who showed glimpses of showing some fight, were the architects of their own downfall as they were reduced to 14 men for a 10-minute spell when Raoul Larson was sin-binned.

There was a pleasing point for Namibia as they got on the scoresheet when Heinz Koll’s second five-pointer of the competition was converted by Theuns Kotze to give their fans something to be positive about.

Kotze could have added to his tally but missed two kicks as he tried to get his side into double figures.

Captain Jacques Berger knows his side need to cut out the silly, costly mistakes if they are to prove to be competitive in future tournaments.

"We made a few mistakes in our other games, and that is how we learn,” he said.

“We have to make less mistakes. Good sides make you pay when you make mistakes.

"When we get the ball, it is precious, and we have to keep it. Mistakes are points, so we have to cut them out.”

Wales unsure whether to stick or twist

Following their spirited 17-10 victory over bogey-team Samoa last weekend, opinion is divided in Wales as to how they should approach their next Pool D match against Namibia on Monday. On one hand, there is the argument that continuity breeds confidence, and as Wales move into the latter stages of the competition such self-belief and autonomy would be of great benefit to them; but the other side to that argument revolves around the need to rest players and avoid injury to key players when even a weakened side should be more than capable of doing a job on the group's whipping boys. Those looking at the Rugby World Cup betting should bear this in mind.

Today, Wales' coach Warren Gatland has suggested that he plans to make as many as twelve changes to the starting line-up that performed so well against the Pacific Islanders and kept the country's dreams of a quarter-final tie against Ireland in Wellington alive – a move that directly contradicts the thinking of former Wales captain Gwyn Jones. Jones believes that Leigh Halfpenny should continue his stint at full-back ahead of Lee Byrne, although the former is expected to be drafted back into the fly-half berth which was vacated when James Hook was forced off following a shoulder injury in their last match. People looking at the Rugby World Cup betting odds should bear this in mind.

However, the rumours are that Gatland will attempt to let Byrne play his way into form – meaning that Halfpenny will most likely be rested as Stephen Jones attempts to prove that he is over the calf injury that has blighted him this last month. Speaking candidly this week, Gwyn Jones rubbished this anticipated selection and went on to explain the importance of consistency on the biggest stage of world rugby.

He said: "It might well be windy and wet in Wellington, so let's play Halfpenny there. Lee Byrne, I wouldn't even trust him with a kettle at the moment - let alone a high ball in Wellington - so let's pick the team we're going to play."

Whatever side Gatland selects, the win and accompanying bonus point will be essential to Wales' hopes of reaching the last-eight of the competition – but with Namibia already eliminated they will be a dangerous opponent as they play for both pride and the chance of an memorable upset.

Uganda Rugby in landmark Rugby Sponsorship

Rugby body lands KShs 75 Million sponsorship with Supersport

The South African pay TV company will be in Uganda for at least three more years after announcing a landmark US$750,000 (about Kshs 75 Million) deal with Uganda Rugby Union (URU) at the Kampala Serena Hotel yesterday.

“The partnership will help open up more doors for Ugandan rugby with various links in South Africa where rugby is played at a professional level,” Gary Rathbone told the media. “The URU is an exciting, ambitious union with a vision to take the game to another level in East Africa.”

URU chairman William Blick promised even more. “We expect about Shs450m (Kshs 18 Million) to be generated in form of revenue from local and international companies.”

Do or die for Tonga

The Rugby World Cup is dominated by the teams such as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, France and Wales but the matches involving the so-called lesser nations offers hope of more competitive tournaments in the future.

In the 2011 tournament so far we have seen promising performances from teams such as the Argentina, the USA and Canada but the games played by Tonga has also provoked interest.

The Tonga “Sea Eagles” have had a couple of tough games to start with. They began with a match against New Zealand in the opening game of the competition and fought hard throughout. The All Blacks triumphed as expected but the final score of 41-10 was less one-sided then many had anticipated.

Indeed, the Tonga team coped reasonably well with the competition odds-on favourites and although New Zealand were comfortable throughout the game the Sea Eagle left with their heads held high.

The second match for Tonga was against Canada and the game was a much closer affair. Tonga were expected to win but Canada scored two tries in just 12 minutes and went on to win the match 20-25. Whilst the performance from the Tonga team was disappointing there were patches of quality play.

Tonga were back to form in their third match against Japan. The final score of 31-18 was an accurate reflection of the game and both sides could take some positive aspects from the game. The Japan team put in a spirited match but Tonga proved too strong for them and ran in three good tries.

The final pool match for the men in Tonga Cup Shirts will be against France and the Polynesians will be hoping to put in a much stronger show.

Whilst France are solid favourites to win the match many pundits will be looking to Tonga to show more of the type of rugby that they are capable of.

Weekly Ramble

Sorry for my long absence. Had taken a sabbatical so to speak. Watching from afar, but more hoping my co-bloggers would take up the void and fill you with their issues. I tend to watch more on game related issues and not so much about the shenanigans that surround the administration and their cohorts. Not that I would not hesitate to point out something that seems totally out of place, but again not my style.

This is the period of the Rugby World Cup and I have been keenly watching the matches. Interesting that the teams that used to perceived as perennial underdogs, are finally rising to the challenge. Not really to being competitive, but we're yet to see a 100+ score and these have usually been handed out in not so pleasant doses to the African and Asian teams. Which led me to thinking, can we ever qualify for the Rugby World Cup?

Looking at the African teams that have been to the RWC, we have Zimbabwe, Cote d'Ivoire and Namibia. Tunisia have come the closest but that's about it. Zimbabwe seem to have fallen in standard and Cote d'Ivoire, no one really knows. Do we as Kenya have what it takes to qualify? Do we have the players? Do we have the technical nous? Do we have the technical teams? Given, qualification is a lengthy process, but it does ride in 4 year cycles. Do we have a plan for the next 4 years? Or are we just hoping for a miracle? Being African we do believe a lot in natural wonders and those of the spiritual kind, but have we assessed our standing or our ability to actually qualify? This brings to mind a ramble I did two years ago (link here) and even then nothing seems to have changed? We are left to our own designs and even those are totally lacking in anything constructive. Last time Kenya played Namibia, we beat them at home. In the same year, we had faced our heaviest defeat ever in international rugby. Had we improved? Was that the same side we beat? Is there any chance of us beating the current Namibia team in the RWC? Why then do we have hope of qualifying for the RWC? What are we doing to be able to qualify for the RWC? Waiting for a messiah it seems. And we all know what happens to those!

Love the game as we might, we have to face reality at times and that is we will not qualify for the RWC, even in the next 10 years. And we need someone who can see and accept that, and put steps in place, that he will not reap the benefits, but look back in time and say - that's my baby, all grown up! Pity I had to give him up for adoption.

Do have a good week and enjoy your rugby. Do enjoy the ongoing National Sevens Circuit as well, with the Kabeberi Sevens this weekend. And lastly, enjoy the Rugby World Cup, on TV or in the stands, for that is all we will ever do.

What next for Team England?

White water rafting, Bungee jumping, Helicopter riding, Midget wrestling and beds that are too soft. Are England in New Zealand to play rugby or to see who can be involved in the most unusual front page headline ?

After disappointing performances against Argentina (in the now famous Black England Shirt) and Georgia you would think that the focus should be on performances on the pitch, not Mike Tindalls showing on the dancefloor.

But are we being too harsh ? Are players not allowed to unwind and relax after an extremely physically tough Test Match ? I would say that they are, only I don't believe that any of the things they have done are particularly relaxing.

I certainly don't believe that throwing yourself off a cliff helps you unwind, so maybe the players are adopting a different approach. Maybe they are getting involved in what is known as 'team bonding exercises'.

Before the 2001 Ashes held in England, Australias cricketers visited Shell Green, near the coast of the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. 9000 Australian soldiers lost their lives there during the 1st World War.

The then captain of Australia Steve Waugh noted how the trip had brought everyone involved closer together as a group.

How having shared an experience like that with his team mates it made him really want to give everything he had for them whenever he was on the pitch, and how it was also an opportunity for personal development. The result of the following test series? Australia demolished England 4-1.

Maybe England would benefit from a similar trip where the players could come together as a group to experience something real, something that matters to people, instead of coming together to sort out the next round at the bar.

Should England stutter again this Saturday against Romania then they will have nowhere to hide next time they go out.

All Blacks with decision to make at fly-half

New Zealand were this week handed the least welcome news possible, when it was revealed that their talismanic fly-half Dan Carter will most likely be forced to sit out their next Pool A encounter against Japan at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton in September 18th. Having made 84 appearances for the World Cup hosts in his eight year international career whilst scoring a record-breaking 1,238 points in doing so, there can be no doubts over his importance to the All Blacks side.

Team doctor Deb Robinson said: "He [Carter] pulled up sore at an indoor training session this morning so we have made the decision not to risk him, and we will aim to have him back fully training next week in preparation for the France Test."

With Graham Henry having felt that Carter had recovered sufficiently – from what he believed to be no more than a stiff back – to be included in his starting XV for Thursday's match, the fact that his team will have to take to the field with the Highlanders No. 10 Colin Slade in the role of midfield play-maker. The fact that Slade will only be making his seventh appearance in an All Black shirt shouldn't be too great a concern given the quality of the opposition they will be coming up against this week, but should this niggling knock draw itself out into a prolonged injury saga, then doubts will understandably be cast over their World Cup winning credentials. Those looking at the rugby union betting odds should remember this.

New Zealand's exit at the quarter final stage of the 2007 World Cup coincided with Carter's absence from their line-up against France that round, but Henry would be foolish to field Carter if there is any risk of aggravating the injury and ruling him out of the knock-out stages. The Rugby Union World Cup betting indicates the side can go all the way, but they will need their top players fit.

Henry must also make the decision whether to go with the exciting young Israel Dagg – whose two tries against Tonga in the tournament opener helped get New Zealand on their way – or the more experienced Mils Muliaina at full-back. Competition for places is certainly a welcome issue in any World Cup squad, but with 98 caps to his name to date, Muliaina would be bitterly disappointed to fall just short of his century landmark.

Tusker Safari Sevens possible as EABL launch comeback

EABL today unveil their Ksh 15 Million sponsorship of Kenya Rugby. The
first significant sponsorship deal by Mwangi Muthee is also insurance
in case Safaricom pull out of this years Safari Sevens if the event is
held at Nyayo National Stadium.

Tonga facing uphill battle

Following their defeat in the opening match of the 2011 World Cup campaign, Tonga now know exactly what they have to do if they want to qualify for the knock-out stages of the completion: namely, beat all the other sides in their group. Having played the toughest fixture of their Pool A opponents – and arguably the toughest opponents that any side will face this autumn given the strong home support following a rousing opening ceremony – they are now likely to be competing with France, Canada and Japan for that second qualifying spot.

It was always going to be tough for Tonga given the circumstances in which they found themselves on Friday: a 60,000 capacity crowd at Eden Park filled in the main by All Black fans and up against the favourites for the tournament. However, their second half performance will have given them a fair amount to be positive about despite the eventual 41-10 score-line. Those looking at the Rugby World Cup betting odds may have expected a bigger margin of defeat.

Trailing 29-3 at the interval, only the most fanatical of Tongan supporters would have envisaged anything other than complete annihilation, but in restricting the All Blacks to just twelve points between that point and the end of the match – and by adding seven of their own through a try by Alisona Taumalolo – they will have restored some national pride and will now harbour a great deal of hope going into their remaining group matches.

England Need Ewe



It would now appear that Tonga will need victories over both Japan and Canada – and depending on the result between France and New Zealand, possibly a victory over Marc Lievremont's side as well if they are to make it through to the quarter-final stage of the competition. The Rugby World Cup betting shows just how unlikely this is to happen.

But the psychological boost of having got that game out of the way might just play into the Tongans' hands and give them the edge over the other sides they have left to play. They have faced the best that this world has to offer, and have come through it. Okay, so they didn't win, but in the second half they had their moments – and if they can do it against Graham Henry's men, they must believe that they can do it against anyone.

Ashton: rugby players can learn from the cricketers

By William Taylor

Former England coach, Brian Ashton says that Martin Johnson’s men can take inspiration from the country’s cricketers if they are to be successful.

Writing in his column in The Independent, Ashton noted the impact that Eoin Morgan has had on the side, and said England could do with a rugby player in his creative mould.

He wrote: “Eoin Morgan strikes me as a cricketer of this (creative) type, with the courage to cry freedom, to go exploring in a dangerous environment in the knowledge that the first mistake might well be the last.

“As the England World Cup squad is concerned, no name jumps off the page and makes me think: ‘There is our Morgan – a man blessed with the intuition and self-belief to change the nature of a contest.’”

Ashton coached England at the last World Cup, taking them as far as the final, against the odds, where they were eventually defeated by South Africa.

And he believes the side are better equipped now than they were back then, but warns that their rivals will be too.

“These contenders are much better prepared this time round. So they should be, for the circumstances are entirely different.

“It is equally true to say that the range and tempo of the world game has moved on since 2007. The narrow, supremely bloody-minded rugby we ended up playing four years ago will not be good enough to reach the latter stages of this tournament.

“They still have to find a way of prospering against the stranglehold defence, especially in the midfield channels. Only then can the wider attackers be released into the less populated defensive areas.”

Those in a English Shirt begin their World Cup challenge with a tricky opener against Argentina in Dunedin tomorrow.

Friends Nor Lovers

Star crossed we may seem
Forever to traverse this realm
My path crossing yours
Even without effort from ourselves
Try as we might to stop it
With open cheating and flirting
Fights clear for all to see
That seem to hurt no one
Many years it had been
And our parting was really forced
But now that is done
It's time to have some fun
Greater heights we must climb
And more people must see
Just why it's hard to tell
Why we are neither friends nor lovers!

Since nobody missed me, let me welcome myself back.  Word on the street is that KRU is ditching it's new lover Safaricom and going back to Tusker as the sponsor of the Safari Sevens.  Apparently, the move to Nyayo Stadium did not go well with Safaricom who spent upwards of Ksh. 15M on "New Stands" at the RFUEA grounds, the traditional venue.  Do we really need more numbers at the games, or are we happy with the quality we get on the grounds?

Wilkinson hails Flood influence

Jonny Wilkinson knows what it takes to be a Rugby World Cup hero for England and he reckons Toby Flood can definitely fill that role this time around.
The 32-year-old is entering his fourth World Cup but will always be known as the man who hit a last-minute of extra-time drop goal in the 2003 World Cup final as England beat Australia.

He is now behind fly-half rival Flood in the pecking order going into this year's competition in New Zealand but will be a vital figure around the England camp, as he is a veteran among a youthful squad chosen by Martin Johnson. Those looking at the Rugby World Cup latest odds will know this.

Flood is likely to wear the shirt in England's opening World Cup clash with Argentina and Wilkinson admits they have been working together to "improve and help each other" going into a tournament the Lions feel they could do very well in.

"I'm bringing my experience, Floody's bringing his youth and flair and also his experience because he has got a large number of caps already," he added.

"And he will be leading England through big tournaments in the future and having a big influence."  

England are the favourites to win Pool B but could face a mammoth challenge from Scotland and Argentina to top the pile, with Romania and Georgia making up the group. People placing rugby bets shouldn't rule out an upset.

The Lions come into the World Cup with good momentum following some warm-up victories but know a vital start is needed against a strong Pumas side.