TRF Southern Hemisphere Rugby Union Round-up

The All Blacks sent out a strong message to the rest of the world with a crushing 4-try, 32-12 win over the Springboks at Eden Park.

The opening fixture of the Tri-Nations was expected to be a tight affair, but Graham Hendrys men had other ideas as they put the reigning world champions to the sword and picking up the five pointer.

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That's not all the rugby this weekend though as the Currie Cup begins in earnest later as the GWK Griquas take on Natal Sharks to start things off.

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Regular rugby is back and TRF is the best place to find it.

It's that time of year again, and thank goodness for that.

There's a sense of uncertainty as the kickoff to the first game nears. Where exactly are the worlds top 3 sides in comparison to each other? Bookies are even fretting on calling a clear cut favourite.

Many rugby fans view the Springboks and All Blacks in a league of their compared to the rest of the world, and it's almost becoming a bit of a cliché to not tip the Wallabies as true contenders but to write them off completely.

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After the June Internationals and the Lion's Series we've all got a pretty good look at South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.  I've heard people say that the Bokkes are the clear favourites after seeing their hard hitting displays against the British and Irish Elite.  Personally, I think that Australia were equally impressive with their new style, Robbie Deans-supercharged attitude.  For the first time in a while a big question mark looms over the All Blacks.  They are the team with something to prove.  It is the Kiwis that must fight to retain the #1 spot on the IRB rankings chart. 

This weekend we saw the first match with the Wallabies hoping a flight over to the Land of Kiwis, Sheep, Lord of the Rings, Flight of the Conchords and the Long White Cloud for an epic match.  Personally I really enjoyed this game.  Australia fully showed their attacking prowess in the first half, with the All Blacks demonstrating their resolve and mighty defense and rucking skills in the second.  For obvious reasons I won't post the results on the frontpage, but to read more about this match and the upcoming Tri-Nations excitement make TRF your homepage and check back thrice daily, at least...

 http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49747

By this point we've all seen the match, or seen the highlights, or at least heard of "The Eye Gouge.  Eye Gouging is one of the dark blemishes of the sport that if you play you will eventually encounter.  There is always some douchebag that can't control himself and always crosses that invisible line everyone else seems to understand that seperates rugby from barbarism.  This weekend past that douchebag was Schalk Burger.  Oh, he looked so proud as he ran out on the pitch ahead of his team with his specially and carefully embroidered "50th Test" on his kit.  Then 30 seconds into the fray and his pride had turned into thuggery with Luke Fitzgerald wondering if he had an eyeball left or if Schalk had mistaken it for a gumball. 

I think we have all come to expect these sorts of incedents occuring every now and again.  Not that we condone it, it's just that this isn't the first time and I suspect it won't be the last time.  The Rugby Community is always harsh and critical of this sort of incident and the punishments are high, as they should be.  The real, and growing controversy is the slight punishment dished out by the IRB and South Africa's Coach Peter de Villiers cavilier attitude towards it.

"This is sport, this is what it's about. If things were clear-cut then we shouldn't even bother preparing for a game," said de Villiers in regards to the eye gouge.  This almost approval of Burger's villainary against Fitzgerald has aroused deserved condemnation from the Rugby world.  "We are trying to promote the game and yet you hear comments like that. I just find it appalling. I truly find it a disgrace," said Brian O'Driscoll of de Villiers.  

I'm aware that Burger isn't the first a-hole that can't control himself.  He's the same guy we all see whether on the pitch or in the pub.  The point is in society there is no place for this.  In my opinion an 8 week ban is nothing.  Compare it yourself to other rulings from the IRB.