Ireland v. Italy: PreJudgement

Despite beating Australia in the biggest Rugby World Cup result in Irish history, the men in green still have it all to do against Italy in their final game in Group C this weekend.

Nothing is Created nor Destroyed...

...It is merely moved (transformed) from one being (team) to another. This phrase, we all know and it supports Einsteins 'Theory of Relativity' but us 'rugby jocks' may never have paid much attention to that stuff, I know I never did. It has now hit me like a 115kg centre on a crash ball.

Western Province Club Rugby: UCT Challenge Maties

The Ikeys started off the year by winning the Varsity Cup and it was well deserved. They however have had their sights set on something that's been a little more elusive than that, The WP Super A Trophy. The WP Super A league is the top club league in the Western Cape and this piece of silverware has eluded UCT since 1974. 37 years is a long time and that may change this Saturday at UCT.

The irony behind this final game is that they face Victorians, which for those who don't know are a Maties side and UCT's biggest rivals. 

Ikey's  made short work of newly promoted Belhar and secured a bonus point win in their second to last game of the season. They are now four points behind Maties and need a bonus point win this Saturday to win the league outright. Should they only win the game they will share the Super A League with Maties.

It is a tough game to call but UCT have been dominant over all Stellenbosch has to throw at them this season. I see UCT winning but whether it is with four tries or not is another question.

PreJudgement: UCT by 12 (4 Tries)

SA Club Champs Quarter Final Preview:

2010 National Club Champs- College Rovers (KZN)

With the first round of games completed at Stellenbosch University the Quarter Finals have been decided and things are pretty much according to plan. With Eight games tomorrow there will be two sets of quarter finals being played as the winners of the first round stay in the cup and the losers playing in plate finals.

World Cup: Fiji v South Africa Recap

Finally the 'Boks seemed to show the class that we all know thy have. I just want to know where the hell it has been hiding or who has been suppressing it for so long! Either way, it was out for all to see on Saturday as the South Africans showed some fight and determination as they took it to the large islanders from Fiji.

Australia v. Ireland: PreJudgement

The marquee game of Pool C sees two-time RWC champions Australia face off against Webb Ellis under-achievers Ireland in a rematch of their thrilling 17-16 win in 2003.

Players to Watch: Ireland

Jamie Heaslip:

It's tough to overlook Brian O'Driscoll for this pick, but in the context of this World Cup, Jamie Heaslip is the man to watch. Double Heineken Cup-winner with Leinster, and a Grand Slam winner with Ireland, Heaslip is already touted by many as the finest No. 8 in World rugby. Almost a certainty to be Ireland's next captain when BOD hangs up his boots, Heaslip already displays his leadership on the pitch from the first minute. He combines huge physicality with a great rugby brain, and his passion is little less than frightening. He is part of a strong Irish back row, and in a time when the Irish scrum is coming under increasing pressure, it will be vital for Heaslip to marshal his troops at the breakdown and keep their discipline. Ever ready to make a break through the middle, and with an eye for the whitewash, Heaslip is key to Ireland's chances in New Zealand.

A close contender is Ireland's brightest new prospect - Sean O'Brien. Defences across Europe struggled to take him down all last season, and his defensive ability is unquestionable. As pacy a flanker as you'll see, he's guaranteed to get his name on the scoresheet during the tournament.

Name: Jamie Heaslip

Age: 27

Position: No. 8

Teams: Leinster & Ireland

Test Caps: 38 (35 points)

Height: 1.92m

Weight: 109kg

Players to Watch: England

Jonny Wilkinson:

What can be said about Jonny Wilkinson that hasn't already been said? Mike Catt summed it up last month: "Jonny Wilkinson was put on this planet to win World Cups." It might be eight years since that drop goal that broke Australian hearts, but Wilkinson is still defying age to assist England yet again. It looked as though Toby Flood had secured the 10 jersey last summer, but some superb play from WIlkinson has taken it back. A place-kicker rivalled only by Dan Carter, Wilkinson adds an extra dimension to the tactical game when he takes the field - no English flyhalf in recent memory can read a game like him. Despite the trauma his body has suffered over the years, it is always on the line - he may be famous for drop goals with left and right boot alike, but watch how many try-saving tackles he gets back and makes to keep England in the tournament.
England enjoy the big occasion - we saw that in 2007 where they beat the odds to reach the final - if they are to step up to the plate again this year, there is no doubt as to who will lead them there. Enjoy Wilkinson's World Cup - it will be a long time before England see his like again.

In Manu Tuilagi England have one of the most exciting young players around - pencilled in before his Test debut, he combines raw power and pace with clever hands and feet - look for him to be a star this World Cup.

Name: Jonny Wilkinson

Age: 32

Position: Flyhalf (Occasional Centre)

Teams: Toulon & England

Test Caps: 83 (1,141 points)

Height: 1.78m

Weight: 89kg

Players to Watch: France

Maxime Medard:

French rugby at its best oozes flair, and no player in the World Cup squad epitomizes that flair more so than Maxime Medard. Although still only 24, he has already won two Heineken Cups and one Top 14 title with Toulouse, and has proven himself as a French superstar.

With the ability to play at either wing or fullback, he brings a decidedly Southern Hemisphere counter-attacking skill to the French side when playing at 15, and his mazy runs have left defenders in his wake across Europe. Like team-mates Vincent Clerc and Cedric Heymans, he creates space from nothing and can dance past tackles with ease. Certain to move between wing and fullback throughout the tournament, he offers France versatility in their backs and can change a game in an instant.

A close contender is captain Thierry Dusatoir - a wrecking ball of a number 7 who leads from the front and powers the back row along with Imanol Harinordoquy.

Name: Maxime Medard

Age: 24

Position: Fullback/Wing

Teams: Toulouse & France

Test Caps: 16 (38 points)

Height: 1.80m

Weight: 89kg

Players to Watch: New Zealand

Israel Dagg:

Ever since I first saw Dagg playing for the Highlanders I knew the All Blacks were about to produce yet another superstar. Then to confirm my worst fears they sent him to the Crusaders to see if he really has the goods, and he does.
He is deadly under the high ball and his counter attacking is close to the best I have seen. He is quick, elusive and close on to 100kg's he can pack a punch in contact too. He always gains yards with ball in hand and will punish you if your defensive lines are not in order, coupled with the fact that he has the likes of Corey Jane and Zac Guildford outside him...it spells disaster for opposition teams. He is my pick for tournaments leading try scorer.
Other danger men would be Adam Thomson and Ma'a Nonu

Name: Israel Dagg
Age: 23
Position: Fullback/Wing
Teams: Crusaders & New Zealand
Test Caps:  7 (10 points)
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 95kg's

Muliaina is trying to keep him out of the #15 jersey for this World Cup

Players to Watch: Australia

Quade Cooper:

There is no doubting that this is the man who is red hot at the moment. The New Zealand born number 10 should be a no brainer pick for most people as the danger man when the Aussies take the field as the number two favorites for this years IRB Rugby World Cup.

There are some concerns around his defense and how he may buckle under pressure but one thing is for sure, when he is cooking he will even put Gordon Ramsay to shame. 

At only 23 years old he will be in the international set up for a long time to come and I can see him taking the Wallabies all the way.

Other close contenders: Digby Ioane, Kurtley Beale

Name: Quade S. Cooper

Age: 23

Position: Fly-half

Teams: Queensland Reds, Australia

Test Caps: 28 (55 Points)

Height: 1.86m

Weight: 93kg's

What Quade looks like to defenders

Players to Watch: South Africa

Heinrich Brussow:

If there is a player in the 'Bok team that will pester and worry the opposition it is this Bloemfontein flanker. He is well known in the Southern Hemisphere as the live-wire loose forward who could turn the ball over at any opportunity. 

Brussow has just recently returned from injury but has shown some great form against Australia and New Zealand in this years Tri-Nations. With only 15 caps for South Africa you would expect him to be around for a long time to come and still annoying the opposition.

A player in close second to watch out for, would be Bismark du Plessis 

Name: Heinrich Wilhelm Brussow

Age: 25

Position: Flank

Teams: Free State Cheetahs & Springboks

Test Caps: 15 (1 Try)

Height: 1.8m

Weight: 102kg's

Just in case you never recognised him before, this will jog  your memory.

Tri-Nations Recap: Australia v New Zealand

I have yet to see a better first half of rugby from the Aussies. It was one of the best games in a long time. The Wallabies destroyed the All Blacks in the first half and managed to hold off the World Cup favorites in the second. A great try by Radiki Samo and a faultless performance from Adam Ashley-Cooper helped the Australians to their first Tri-Nations victory in 10 years under debut skipper James Horwill.