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Update #1: New Zealand & Australia Win Easily
2007-06-09 16:28:00
Well it's 10:30 am and basically I just woke up. I stayed up last night and watched the All Blacks pound France once again, winning 61-10. After the build up this week with Henry's "controversial" comments, the All Blacks took to the pitch and destroyed the French again. All week I read articles saying how the New Zealand effort last week was sloppy and blah,blah, blah, blah, blaaaah. Did this victory finally shut up those critics? Probably not. In my world, they looked good both weeks and are clearly the favorites to win both the Tri-Nations and the World Cup. I could break down which All Blacks scored but 1.I can't remember, thats a lot of tries and 2. Does it really matter? The All Blacks play host to Canada next weekend and all I can say is, I will take a lot of pleasure in watching New Zealand put 70 on Canada. If you are from Canada, I would apologize but I won't.After that game, I went to bed. While asleep, Australia beat Fiji 49-0. I'll have to watch the replay at 11:...
More About: South Africa , Update

Wow, I'm still awake!
2007-06-09 08:49:00
I've been messing around so much online tonight that I just noticed that its 2:50 am! So, I guess I will be able to watch the New Zealand vs France game live rather than later today on tape delay. We'll see if I can stay up for the entire game. I have a feeling I'll pass out on the couch around the 25 minute mark or so, but we'll see. Hell, the game will probably be over right around that time anyways.
More About: Rugby , Awake

Gold Cup: USA vs Trinidad & Tobago
2007-06-09 08:27:00
The United States hopes to improve Saturday as they continue their quest to defend their Gold Cup title. The U.S. struggled Thursday night as they held on to defeat Guatemala 1-0. Clint Dempsey scored the lone goal in the 26th minute.Trinidad & Tobago lost their opener to El Salvador 2-1. This should be a nice test for the Americans, as T&T qualified for the 2006 World Cup this past summer.The U.S. will be without defender Oguchi Onyewu, who received a red card in the 73rd minute. He will be replaced most likely by Jay DeMerit.TRINIDAD & TOBAGOGK: Marvin Phillip (North East Stars), Daurance Williams (San Juan Jabloteh), Jan Michael Williams (W Connection FC);DF: Dwayne Jack (San Juan Jabloteh), Thomas Nickcolson (W Connection FC), Anthony Noreiga (Joe Public FC), Trent Noel (San Juan Jabloteh), Seon Power (Joe Public FC), Keyeno Thomas (Joe Public FC), Glenton Wolffe (North East Stars);MD: Romauld Aguillera (United Petrotrin), Christon Baptiste (Defence Force), Kerry Baptiste (J...
More About: Soccer , Gold Cup

Reminder: Live International Rugby On Setanta Sports Tomorrow
2007-06-09 03:34:00
Just a reminder, if you live in the U.S. and have Setanta Sports , you can watch Live International Rugby, starting very early Saturday morning. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to stay up until 3:00 am to watch the New Zealand game live. My thinking is, I'm going to sleep in a bit and catch the first two matches on replay later in the day and watch the South Africa n vs Samoa test live. I'm most interested in the South African game anyways.All Times Listed As Eastern (US):New Zealand vs France-3:00 am (repeat at 6:00 pm)Australia vs Fiji-6:00 am (repeat at 11:00 am)South Africa vs Samoa- 9:00 am (repeat at 6:45 pm Sunday)Setanta is also providing delayed coverage of the Argentina vs Italy match on Sunday at 8:00 am.As was the case last week, I will provide scores and quick notes regarding these games, as well as the rest of the Rugby action on Saturday. I will also post a recap of the U.S. vs Trinidad & Tobago Gold Cup soccer game tomorrow night.
More About: Soccer

Vacation Nearly Over :(
2007-06-08 20:35:00
I've been on vacation since last Saturday and I'm closing in on the end of it. It's back to reality on Monday, but until then, I'm going to try to enjoy the last couple of days. This vacation came at a nice time for me mentally. We are having legal problems at work and in my position, it has effected me directly. In my line of work, we are targets for litigation and I'm actually shocked it hasn't happened before. Still, very stressful.Also I'm running for public office. I'm heavily involved in politics, as I serve as Vice-Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Southwest Michigan. Originally I had planned to jump into the political ring in 2008 for my first run for public office, but I was encouraged to run for Tribal Office this summer. It has been a great experience and I've learned a lot, but it also can be stressful, so this time off has served me well. The election is July 14th, so roughly a month, and I plan to turn everything up a notch with hopes of getting elected. If...
More About: Vacation , Nearly , Earl

RSL Finals: Lions Look To Win First Title
2007-06-08 06:21:00
The 2007 Rugby Super League season concludes with the Championship Game featuring the Chicago Lions vs Belmont Shore. Belmont Shore finished the regular season 7-0, winning the Red Conference, while Chicago won the White Conference with a reconrd of 6-1It's unknown whether or not Belmont star Mike Hercus will be available, as he missed last week's semi-final with an injury, but Belmont certainly has many weapons at their disposal. Francois Viljoen, Chris Osentowski & Ben Wiedemer all return to the club from their Churchill Cup duty and are ready to lead Belmont Shore to their 4th League Championship.However, Chicago welcomes back U.S. Eagles Scott Peterson & John Vitale. Chicago's lone defeat was in week 4, a 36-27 loss to Belmont. The game will be held at the Qualcomm Stadium Rugby Complex in San Diego. Kick off is at 4:00 pm Pacific time. The Division I,II & III semi-finals & finals will also be held in San Diego this weekend. If you live in the area, be sure to head o...
More About: Finals , Title , Look , Fina

USA Struggles In Gold Cup Opener
2007-06-08 06:14:00
It was a tale of two halves. The United States dominated the first 45 minutes, while Guatemala literally bullied the U.S. the final 45. Luckily for U.S. fans, Clint Dempsey was able to find the back of the net in the 26th minute and despite being down a man for the final 15 minutes or so, the U.S. held on for a 1-0 victory in Group B action.The U.S. will take on Trinidad & Tobago Saturday.
More About: Soccer , Gold , Gold Cup , Pene

Thursday Notes: All Black Injured; Playing the Springboks Causes Sickness?
2007-06-07 23:59:00
Here's a couple of news bits to tide you over until my next big update:-New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter will miss this Saturday's test match versus France . Carter left last Saturday's tilt with the French in the second half after injuring his ankle. The injury isn't considered serious and he should be back in action in time for the Tri-Nations.-Apparently half the Samoan team is sick or recovering from either the flu or colds. What in the hell is in the air in South Africa ? I'll have to ask my wife, she's from there. So for the 3rd weekend in a row, the Springboks will beat up on a team that is not 100%. Are the Springboks "that good" or are they teams they are currently playing "that bad". We'll find out soon.
More About: Black , Notes

2007/2008 Heineken Cup Teams
2007-06-07 06:31:00
The field is set for the 2007/2008 Heine ken Cup. London Wasps won the competition last season, which made me happy as hell as they are my favorite European based team. It should be another great season of Euro Rugby . Round 1 begins in early November and the finals will be held at the end of May.The following is a breakdown of teams courtesy of Planet-Rugby.com:ENGLAND (7)London Wasps (seeded)Leicester TigersGloucester RugbyBristol RugbySaracensLondon IrishHarlequinsFRANCE (6)Clermont Auvergne or Stade Francais Paris *Stade Francais Paris or ASM Clermont Auvergne *ToulouseBiarritz Olympique Pays BasquePerpignanBourgoin*(French seeded team to be confirmed after the French Championship final being played on Saturday, 10 June)IRELAND (3)Leinster (seeded)Ulster RugbyMunster ITALY (2)Benetton Treviso (seeded)Viadana SCOTLAND (2)Glasgow Warriors (seeded)EdinburghWALES (4)Ospreys (seeded)Cardiff BluesLlanelli ScarletsNewport Gwent Dragons
More About: Teams

Soccer: USA Ready To Defend Gold Cup Title
2007-06-07 06:03:00
The U.S. Men's National Team is set to defend their 2005 Gold Cup title as they take on Guatemala in Group B action. This year's Gold Cup Champion will represent CONCACAF at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. The action kicks off Thursday night at 9:00 PM Eastern, live on Fox Soccer Channel from the Home Depot Center.The two teams last faced each other on March 28th and battled to a 0-0 draw. The U.S. are undefeated under new head coach Bob Bradley. The Americans, along with Mexico, are considered the favorites to win the Gold Cup this year. Earlier tonight, the Gold Cup got underway in Miami as Canada defeated Costa Rica 2-1 , while Haiti and Guadelope battled to a 1-1 draw in Group A.ROSTERSGuatemalaGK: Luis Pedro Molina (Deportivo Jalapa), Paulo Cesar Motta (CSD Municipal), Ricardo Alberto Trigueño (Deportivo Marquense);DF: Claudio Albizuris (CSD Municipal), Gustavo Cabrera (CSD Comunicaciones), Yony Flores (Deportivo Marquense), Nestor Martinez (Deportivo Marquense),...
More About: Title , Ready

Blogroll
2007-06-06 20:42:00
If you run a rugby blog not listed here OR if you have a favorite rugby blog that you feel should get additional exposure, I'm more than happy to exchange links with you. Simply drop me an email, which is located -------------------------> (to the right of your screen if you don't understand arrow language) and supply me the link.If you don't run a rugby blog, I'll still exchange links with you as long as you don't blog about donkey bangin' or something similar. So again, drop me a line and we can exchange links.
More About: Blogroll

USA's Mike MacDonald Agrees To New Leeds Deal
2007-06-06 17:18:00
Premiership bound Leeds Carnegie have agreed to a new 2 year deal with American Prop Mike MacDonald . MacDonald scored 10 tries last season, as he helped the squad return to the Guinness Premier League for the upcoming season.MacDonald will miss the start of the premiership due to the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France. It has been a nice week for U.S. professionals, as Paul Emerick saw his contract with Newport-Gwent extended for 2 years yesterday.
More About: Eagles , Deal

Live International Rugby This Saturday On Setanta Sports
2007-06-06 16:51:00
"Summer Tour" Rugby continues this Saturday with 3 live matches on Setanta Sports .All Times Listed As Eastern (US):New Zealand vs France-3:00 am (repeat at 6:00 pm)Australia vs Fiji-6:00 am (repeat at 11:00 am)South Africa vs Samoa- 9:00 am (repeat at 6:45 pm Sunday)Setanta is also providing delayed coverage of the Argentina vs Italy match on Sunday at 8:00 am.Other Weekend Rugby actionPacific Nations CupJunior All Blacks vs Tonga-8pm Saturday, Live on Setanta SportsAustralia A vs Japan- 4:15 am Sunday, Tape Delayed on Setanta SportsIRB Nations CupArgentina A vs Namibia- SundayGeorgia vs Emerging Springboks-SundayItaly A vs Romania- SundayRugby Super League Finals (US)- 4pm Pacific Time-San Diego-SaturdayChicago Lions vs Belmont ShoreI will have a preview of the RSL finals later this week.
More About: International

Eagles & Canada Swap Spots In World Rankings
2007-06-05 15:01:00
A few days after Canada thumped the U.S. in the Churchill Cup, the two squads have swapped spots in this week's IRB World Rankings. Canada moved up to #13 while the Eagles drop to #14.Japan moved up 2 spots to #16 and Tonga dropped 2 spots to #18. The All Blacks still hold the top spot with a wide margin over #2 ranked France, who they defeated last weekend. The two sides meet again this weekend in their second test match.The rest of the Top 25 Rugby teams are unchanged from last week. Yeah I know, they rank all the teams but once you get past the Top 25, the rest really doesn't matter much.
More About: Spots , Kings