And the wooden spoon goes to......

Every great entertainment show has it's guest format - guest presenter, guest writer, guest singer.  And this week, you lucky lucky people, you get a guest blogger, as Rugby Grrrl is still running around China taking a great leap forward.  Now, obviously one cannot compete with the Grrrl in many areas - to quote a certain judge, 'Your vision of her probably will never disappear. Has she elegance? Has she fragrance?"


Actually, probably not a good quote, as the judge then went on to talk about something not very nice at all in the case he was commenting on, but I won't bring the tone down. er.....that looks like Rugby Grrrl was on trial, so I should clear that up -no, she has never been charged with a felony. 


Not easy this guest blogger stuff.  Don't think I'll be invited back.


So - this week the Rebels reached for the wooden spoon for the Australian conference and firmly wrested it from the Brumbies.  The rejoining of Danny Cipriani to the starting lineup gave supporters hope that they might repeat the performance of week two, this time in an away format much more chilly - in all senses of the word - than Melbourne had been.


Rebels watchers have learned to dread the 20 minute burn - that initial 20 or so minutes when the brains of the team havent yet warmed up, and opposing teams slam 15-30 points away before a slow fightback begins.  true to form, the Brumbies dominated the first half, with 13 points in the first 20 and another 12 before the mid-term whistle.  25-3 was not the score hoped for at this juncture.


And then......once again, a different team walked out in the second half.  Quick balls, flicking back and fowards between multiple blue jerseys, fast breaks, and a willingness to drive hard up the middle (at one point I am sure there was a 18 phase attack!) gave the Rebels two unanswered tries, bringing them within one converted try and a penalty to win.  Rousing stuff....especially as Prettyboy Danny actually made a couple of tackles without looking like he was trying to save on the washing powder.


But, in the end, the Brumbies pushed another try over, and the whistle cemented the spoon; nice for them, as it was the final game in the stadium for a number of their key players who are moving on.  For the Rebels, the question now must be how can they prepare for the next season to avoid another spoon for the dressing room wall.....


One more thing before I hand back to the Grrrl - congrats on Gareth Delve on getting a Welsh jersey for the World Cup in just a few months.  I for one will be cheering him on from the sidelines of at least a couple of the games.....


right, I am off to find a lawyer who can protect me from vengeful kiwi wimmin......