billgray.biz » Sport

Aussie step up in the Tri Nations

billgray — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:01:03 +0000

Good to see the Wallabies get u and win last night. Seems that the changes Robbie Deans made was enough to break them into a bit more urgency.

Sth Africa were off their game but also weren’t allowed to get into it. Aussie kept the pressure on and managed to hassle them enough for the mistakes to come.

Next weekend it is the All Blacks playing Sth Africa. New Zealand now have a sniff of winning the Tri Nations thanks to Aussies deed last night but they will need to collect the maximum 5 points in their remaining two games and deny the Sth Africans any competition points next week.

Looks like the All Blacks will have something to play for!

Running Rugby, yeah right!

billgray — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:37:38 +0000

It is interesting that “before” they dropped the ELV’s (experimental law variations) or at least changed them to appease the northern hemisphere, that there was more running rugby. The changed law’s as they stand, didn’t actually have anything to do with the kicking.

The last two world cups were won by teams playing predominantly 10 man rugby. Forward power and then kick for field gain. I cannot see anything to change this approach, it works. Even Argentina who were placed 3rd in the last world cup made a habit of mid field bombs and taking a chance on the 50 50 bounce of the ball… It got them third from a ranking well down from that.

So who is right?
The sides are kicking 10 man rugby verses 15 man running rugby.

The running rugby has too many variables to be successful. It requires to many skills that can break down at any time. The current All Blacks are showing this. Whereas South Africa are proving that the kicking style works well whatever.

For New Zealand to win the World Cup, they will need to change their view on proceedings.

In this last game played by two running sides… penalties still provided the majority of points.

The ELVs were supposed to work towards running rugby. They have now been canned. Fans now have to get used to the idea that test matches are going to be kickathons. Enjoy!!!!!!

The Bledisloe remains in NZ

billgray — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:31:41 +0000

The Bledisloe Cup remains in NZ hands after their narrow 19 to 18 win over Aussie. The game itself had a touch of everything. With Penalty kicks being the order of the day to win Test Matches these days it was good to see some running rugby.

It was always a case of catch up for the All Blacks and even after they hit the front, their line came under attack until an Aussie mistake bought up full time.

The All Blacks still have a faint hope of retaining the Tri Nations Championship but it will require Aussies’ help in the matter. Australia play Sth Africa next weekend

Winners are Grinners

billgray — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:43:27 +0000

In celebration of the Coogee Juniors Rugby Club’s 50th Anniversary, here is something to show what a mighty Rugby Club it is.

Coogee Juniors '82. Winners are Grinners

How good is that!!!

In the competition we played 18 games, won 14, lost 4, points for 358, points against 162.
We then went on to win the semi and the final.

I scored 99 points in those 18 games. Makes for a better conversation than scoring 100, I can assure you! (especially for everyone else)