Rugby and Religion

There are a number of ways religion seems to make its way into rugby. All Black great Micheal Jones was renowned for his 'no games on Sunday' stance, a number of players have been known to point skywards after dotting down a try over the years, and for some - no no, I'm not pointing fingers - rugby is a religion.

But this weekend was something totally different. It seemed the entire Super 15 roster, across all conferences, had been to something akin to confession ... surely its the only explanation for the number of Hail Mary's thrown in the 5 games I watched in full.

Otherwise, we were witness to the birth of a new, debilitating condition - I'm calling it Sonny Bill Syndrome. 

Trying to emulate the league super convert, too many players are simply throwing the ball away rather than take the tackle. Calling some of these monstrosities 50:50 passes, the commentators were too kind. Not many players have the  requisite skill and / or timing to thrown the miracle off load and I wish they'd stop trying. 

S.B.S seems to have struck the Hurricanes and Chiefs particularly hard. 

The commentators called it 'a game of chess'. I have to disagree. The number of loose passes thrown around in this game would make a $2 hooker blush.

You got the feeling that whichever side managed to actually hold on to the damn ball would win the game. And it went down to the wire.

The Rebels / Sharks at AAMI Park was another close one, but this was much prettier to watch!

Now I made full disclosure at the start of the season about my previous support for the men from Durban, but you'll all be pleased to know I stuck to my guns and threw my support 100% behind my adopted team. True, I did wear a blue wig which made it easier to remember which side of the fence I was perched on, but that's neither here nor there.

The Age made a comment in Sunday's paper that there are in fact 2 Rebels teams, the Bad Rebels (think Waratahs and Chiefs) and the Good Rebels (Brumbies and Sharks); and I couldn't agree more. It's a bit like watching the French, you're not sure what you're going to get until you see them on the day - unless they're playing the All Blacks in a RWC Quarter/Semi Final. This is something the Rebels have to work on. 

Otherwise, they played really well. Yoda used the force and had the Beast's number at scrum time, the Rebels pack dissuaded the Sharks from setting up too many of their trademark rolling mauls, and - shock horror - Danny Cipriani showed he can actually run the ball.

The Sharks conceded their first (and second, and third, and fourth) try of the season and the Rebels could hold their head high in front of the 15,000 strong crowd. 

It was an impressive turn out considering the smorgasbord of other entertainment on offer in Melbourne on Friday night: The Moomba Festival, AFL NAB cup final, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and ... wait for it ... Neil Diamond concert.

In other news. The Crusaders are looking increasingly comfortable in Nelson where they completely demolished the Brumbies.

I have to say though, as accustomed as I am to Crusaders starting their seasons slowly, I'm not sure I'm entirely comfortable with the way they are starting games slowly - although with results like these I can't really complain can I?

For the second week in a row the red and black machine had a fairly sloppy first half, but totally shifted gear in the second - doubling their first half score in the first nine minutes of the second.

Kudos must be given to Robbie Fruean for an absolutely stunning tackle. Chasing Adam Ashley Cooper half the length of the field, pulling him down less than a meter from the line and winning the penalty.

Stormers v Highlanders was, how did the commentator describe it 'Abrasive' rugby. These teams were feisty and happy to get physical. It was nice to see Tony Brown popping in for a cameo for the club he started at. But how the Stormers, with Bryan Habana and Gio Aplon on the park, have managed to go 2 weeks without scoring try is beyond me.

I must say, I kinda jinxed the Highlanders. I finally abandoned my 2010 prejudice and picked 'em. Of course they were going to lose.

Cheetahs v Lions. I must admit I cheated - watched it on x6 fast forward ... could almost hear the Benny Hill music ... but the sighting of a rare and endangered species made it all worth while. 

I actually saw, with my own eyes. John Mitchell. Smile!!!!

Speaking of endangered species ... I wonder how they managed to get the random fox which invaded the pitch at Twickenham before the England v Scotland 6 Nations match off the field? The ref got carried off, but I doubt the same courtesy was extended to the fox ...