Blood and MudBlood and Muda light-hearted but well-informed look at the world of rugby though the eyes of the fans, not journalists, and hopefully you will find plenty that you like. Articles
Crap lookalikes: Andy Goode/Alexei Lalas
2007-11-11 23:16:00 As a classic example of a professional sportsman who looks more like a bricklayer/pirate you cant help but like Andy Goode. Alexei Lalas of course scored that goal that consigned England to their first embarrassment of the Graham Taylor era. We weren't to know at the time that there was much worse to come. More About: Crap
Heineken Cup KitWatch: Stade Francais
2007-11-11 23:03:00 What on earth is going on here? This shirt has divided opinion somewhat, with some people believing it is actually quite cool in a kitsch way, and others (me) believing it looks like a dirty blanket that a psychadelic tramp has thrown up on. What say you? <a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com" >Polls</a> - <a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com/poll.asp? p=135934" >Take Our Poll</a> More About: Francais , Franc
Video: Soccerballers, have a look at yourselves..
2007-11-05 22:35:00 ...then have a look at what rugby boys are capable of. More About: Video
Video: Amazing Rory Lamont try vs Cardiff
2007-10-28 21:36:00 EDF Energy Cup, 26th October. Sale lost this game, but you'll have to go a very long way to see a try as good as this one. More About: Video , Amazing , Cardiff , Diff , Mont
Dallaglio: I was shit but it was Brian Ashton's fault
2007-10-28 21:30:00 Footballer Joey Barton, then of Manchester City, famously said "I was shit, here's my book" as a pop at the rash of player's books that appeared after England failed at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. I am reminded of this when I read Lawrence Dallaglio's comments about Brian Ashton today. Dallaglio, less we forget, had a terrible World Cup. He was so awful against the USA that he was dropped, but subsequently talked his way back into the team via the media, only to then have about as much impact on those games as me sat on my arse at home. You would think that this would embarrass him slightly and lead him to shut his legendary gob for a little while. No, Larry wants to get his excuses in early and those excuses revolve around Brian Ashton and the fact that the players had to run the campaign. There is some precedent for this. The Wales players did the dirty on their coach after an unpredicted Grand Slam success in 2005, Mike Rudd... More About: Shit , Fault , Alla
Thabo Mbeki finally talks some sense about racial quotas
2007-10-27 09:19:00 After losing the World Cup on Saturday, I was in a bar (blind drunk, obviously) in Richmond having a conversation with a South African bloke about the impending racial quotas we all expected to be placed on their World Champion team. It was interesting that the Bok in question did not really enter into the debate about quotas, preferring to repeat the refrain, "It is going to happen" no matter what drunken logic I threw in to suggest it should not. Thinking back he probably couldn't understand a word I was saying, especially as I kept punctuating my conversation with the loud singing of Oasis songs. Anyway, I imagine he is as surprised and heartened as me following the words of Thabo Mbeki yesterday. The president said, "We must put behind our backs the controversies about how representative our teams are and the way to ensure this is by ensuring we have the players. We need to build up sport and use this victory to accelerate the process of ... More About: Sense , Finally , Racial , Some
Rugby World Cup: Anti-Team of the Tournament
2007-10-23 17:06:00 The team of the tournament that you wouldn't cross the street to watch if they were offering free beer and women. 15. Gareth Thomas - WalTalked a lot, fouled a lot, got banned a lot. Did little else. 14. Cedric Heymans - FraHampered slightly by being played out of position at full-back, but even when returned to wing looked sluggish. 13. Brian O'Driscoll - IreFinally toppled from his perch as the automatic choice as "best centre in the world" for lazy fans and journalists. His performance summed up the whole Irish effort. 12. Andy Farrell - EngIf an alien had come down to watch this tournament knowing nothing about Farrell's previous career, they would be mystified as to why he was playing. 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu - NZSuch a big reputation, such a turd-like performance 10. Dan Parks - ScoWasn't very good before the tournament, even worse in it. 9. Shaun Perry - EngThe former welder from the midlands who ... More About: World Cup , World , Team , Rugby , Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup: Team of the Tournament
2007-10-23 16:34:00 Bloodandmud.com's pick of the best. Do you agree? 15. Ignacio Corleto - ARGHis spark for the Argentina wonder try in the play-off match was a wonder to behold. Offered threat from deep every time he took the ball and hit the line wonderfully all tournament. 14. Takudza Nwengya - USAAbsolutely smoked the bloke playing at No.11 in this team to score a wonder try. A no-doubt fulfilling career at Saracens awaits. 13. Seru Rabeni - FIJ Awesome power alloyed with wicked pace and touch so deft you could pin a tail on it and call it a squirrel. A masterclass in modern centre play. 12. Felipe Contepomi - ARGAn absolute powerhouse in defence and attack. Missed very few kicks and will return to Leinster as a world class centre who plays fly-half. Odd.11. Bryan Habana - SAAdd your own superlatives here:.................................... ......................................... ......................................... ......... 10. J... More About: World Cup , World , Team , Rugby , Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup 2007: It's All Over!
2007-10-23 16:05:00 Apologies for the delay in updates here at bloodandmud.com, but I'm afraid that I have only recovered from my Saturday night hangover about 20 minutes ago. South Africa have won it, and I think it was fair that the best team in the tournament took the trophy home to be put in a cupboard while they row about skin colour for two years. But deserved winners of a great tournament nonetheless. The final itself was not exactly a fantastic game of rugby, with the Springboks quite happy to allow England to make mistakes and capitalise on the infringements and territorial advantage that ultimately led to. There was debate about Mark Cueto "try" and for the record I'm in the "it wasn't one" camp. In fact I'm mystified as to how anyone can be in the other camp as the winger's boot blatantly brushed the whitewash before popping back up as he grounded the ball. A no-brainer that one as I see it. Forget that try anyway, no team that l... More About: World Cup , World , World Cup 2007 , Rugby , Rugby World Cup
Third place play-off: France 10 - 34 Argentina
2007-10-19 23:11:00 Well, that certainly told me didn't it? Oh me of little faith. What a game of rugby this was: passion, handbags, bearded blokes with bleeding eyes - it had it all. The physical commitment from both sides was so all consuming that the game sometimes resembled a mass UFC bout on steroids; but that was not the whole story. This was a glorious win for Argentina . A complete display of total rugby that no other team in France has achieved, nor has a hope of equalling tomorrow night given the personnel and the situation. Length of the field tries, check! Dogged defending on the line, check! Intelligent kicking, check! Strong scrum, check! The list could go on and on. In winning in the manner in which they did, the Pumas not so much thumbed their noses at those who criticised their game in this tournament, but rammed their joyful thumbs into those critics' eyes. France by contrast were muddled a... More About: Play , Place , Third
Crap lookalikes: George Gregan / Errol Brown
2007-10-19 11:55:00 Errol: "I believe in miracles, where you from you sexy thing?" George : "Zambia, actually, although I play for Australia" More About: Brown , Crap , Kali
Rugby World Cup: Third Place Play-off Fever!
2007-10-19 11:45:00 Advertisement Feature from the "Couldn't Give a Toss Rugby Tour Company"SPECIAL OFFER!! Does your idea of a good time involve standing in a half empty stadium watching second string teams play a match when they would rather be down the pub? Do you long to see the type of half committed rugby that you wouldn't look out of your kitchen window to see if it was being played in your back yard? Maybe you want to see players walk around depressed for 80 minutes because the organisers think that anyone gives a shit as to who is the third best team in the world, as if somehow it really matters? You know the Argentina and France players would rather be licking salted broken glass shards than play this match, so come and join the fun!!CALL THIS NUMBER NOW for tickets to the 3rd place play-off!Ticket Coldline: 07813 BAG-OF-SHIT More About: World Cup , World , Play , Place
South Africa vs England: Video highlights retrospective
2007-10-17 22:05:00 The big one is coming, so let's look at all the big games between the sides up to this point. Here is the first. Warning: If you are English you may wish to look away.. Rugby World Cup 1999 - Jannie De Ginger Beer kicks England out of the Cup More About: Video , Africa , South Africa , Highlights
Rugby World Cup final: Match betting
2007-10-17 18:56:00 Those lovely people at paddypower.com have come forward to offer all you even more lovely readers a free £10 bet. So, let's have a look at where there might be some value for you lot to spend your free money on. The markets for the match are many and varied, from straight winner, to handicaps, drop-goals, how many times the TMO will be used, the list is endless. So what tips do we have?The "To score a try in both halves" market looks pretty good with England an incredible 14-1 against doing such a thing. Even if things go terribly wrong, it seems logical that England could score in the first half and get a consolation try at the end doesn't it? Eh? Oh... First try scorer. I think it will be a forward, and a flanker is always a good bet from the back of a driven line out. Juan Smith at 25-1 or Lewis Moody at 33-1 seems worth a punt. To claim your free bet simply click here or on the banner above, and follow the registration instr... More About: World Cup , World , Final , Rugby , Match
How Will Greenwood are you?
2007-10-15 16:54:00 Fancy a job as a professional Rugby World Cup pundit? Well first you must benchmark yourself against the best pundit that ITV has (apparently) to see if you have what it takes. Take our simple quiz to see if you can compete with Will Greenwood . 1. France have just missed a drop-goal, do you:a) wax about how sitting deeper in the pocket would allow more time to get the kick awayb) question the validity of attempting a three-pointer at this stage, possibly mentioning 2003 world cupc) start weeping inconsolably while listing every point England have scored via a drop goal since 1992 2. Tonga vs South Africa, a ruck has formed and a questionable offside has been given against Tonga, do you:a) view the replay while outlining what the referee is looking for in such a situationb) make observation about what the South Africans did to secure the ball and frustrate Tongan ruckers, and that a strong pack, like the Boks and England, is essential.c) Say that the mighty ...
Lewsey out; but who in?
2007-10-15 16:14:00 Yoda would no doubt have wanted to name an unchanged side for Saturday, but with Josh Lewsey injured he has to make a choice. What would you do? <a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com&q uot; >Surveys</a> - <a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com/poll. asp?p=120684" >Take Our Poll</a>
Rugby World Cup final: All set up and ready to go
2007-10-15 15:33:00 It just had to be didn't it? After the 36-0 drubbing that was the catalyst for probably the greatest turnaround in the history of any sporting tournament, it seemed fated that England and South Africa would meet again in the final. The worrying thing for England is that the Springboks seem to be making a habit of ending unlikely dreams in this tournament: Fiji in the quarters; Argentina last night; Andy Farrell's rugby union career; and will now focus on shaking the English awake from the nonsensical rapid eye movement they are enjoying. South Africa are overwhelming favourites for this, make no mistake; and unless England can move on another step this week, the complacency that this status may bring to the 'Boks is about the only hope that England can cling onto. But haven't we said that prior to every England game since the horror in Paris four weeks ago? More About: World Cup , World , Final , Rugby , Rugby World Cup
Video: England 14 - 9 France highlights
2007-10-14 10:22:00 Josh Lewsey's try from the game. We did have the full highlights on here, but the RWC organiser morons seem to think that having more places to see the tournament is a bad idea. More About: Video , England , France , Highlights , Franc
England 14 - 9 France: Have some of that!
2007-10-13 23:32:00 Many a true word is spoken in song. In 1971, famous rugby fan* Marvin Gaye said, "Oh mercy mercy me, things ain't what they used to be". He then banged on about blue skies and fish full of mercury and the like, but his sentiments were never more apt than at the Stade de Franc e tonight. When England crumpled like a cheap concertina against South Africa, everyone (including this blog to be fair) wrote the obituary for the current and previous generation of England rugby, only for them to rise like the cast of a George A Romero film. But, what people forget is that England are the attack dogs of the rugby world, and when you alloy that with a world that has written them off, plus a fly-half who does the necessary even when he is not exactly playing well, you have an awesome proposition of a team. After the SA game, a post was published on the Guardian Unlimited Sport Blog reader which I will never forget, it said, "This tournament will show up the 20... More About: Some
Video: Kenny Rogers singing The Gambler in an England rugby shirt
2007-10-12 23:16:00 I can honestly say that this is one of the most bizarre videos I have ever seen. And why does Kenny Rogers not look like Kenny Rogers anymore? I need a lie down... Online Video s by Veoh.com More About: England , Rugby , Shirt
Paul Emerick banned for five weeks
2007-09-11 17:29:00 Paul "Backbreaker" Emerick has been banned for five weeks following his horror tackle on England's Brother Beyond lead singer Olly Barkley. <a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com&q uot; >Free Polls</a> - <a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com/poll. asp?p=102449" >Take Our Poll</a> More About: Paul , Paul Emerick , Banned , Weeks
All Blacks 76 All Chumps 14; video highlights
2007-09-11 16:54:00 New Zealand give Italy a pasting on Saturday More About: Video , Highlights , All Blacks , Blacks , Lack
Video: Australia 91 Japan 3 highlights
2007-09-11 16:47:00 Look away now if you are Japan ese. More About: Video , Australia , Highlights
England name team to face Springboks, and it doesn't look good
2007-09-11 14:23:00 Yoda Ashton has revealed his masterplan, hooray! It appears to involve Paul Sackey and Nick Easter, oh. With Lawrence Dallaglio playing like, well like a bald 35-year-old, he has been flirted from the entire 22; this after Ashton talked him up repeatedly before the tournament. Mark Cueto has been dropped following his catalogue of unconvincing displays at full-back, with St Jason of Robinson slotting back in there; this after Ashton said that his best position is left-wing. One of the great Rugby thinkers in the country is Yoda. Wilkinson is still injured and Barkley is awaiting scan results, so this team could change again, with Catt likely to move to 10 and Farrell likely to come in should no-one recover. The Kaiser Chiefs famously predicted a riot, well I predict one here. Closely followed by a cricket score. Team : Robinson, Lewsey, Noon, Catt, Sackey; Barkley, Perry; Sheridan, Regan, Vickery (capt); Shaw, Kay; Corry, Rees, Easter. Replacements: Chuter, Stev... More About: England , Face , Good , Springboks
Video: England vs USA "highlights"
2007-09-11 14:05:00 Lowlights from the shocker on Saturday More About: Video , England , Highlights
Video: France vs Argentina highlights
2007-09-11 14:01:00 Aa Los Pumas gear up for a certain victory tonight, let's once again take a look at their finest international moment. I don't know about you, but I could watch this over and over again. What a game. More About: Video , France , Argentina , Highlights , Gent
Video: Ireland vs Namibia highlights
2007-09-11 13:54:00 Tries from the miserable performance by Ireland vs Nami bia on Sunday. More About: Video , Highlights
Vote: Who should England play at 12?
2007-09-11 12:59:00 The performance of Olly Barkley was the only floating pearl in the fetid cesspool that was England 's performance on Saturday. If Wilkinson is fit he will play at 10, but should Barkley stay in the side to solve the problem position at 12? Or is there another solution? Have your say here. Yoda Ashton may need all the help he can get, because on current form, training for the Springbok match probably involves the squad bending over and spreading their arse-cheeks in anticipation of what's coming <a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com" >Free Poll</a> - <a href ="http://www.polldaddy.com/poll.asp? p=102362" >Take Our Poll</a> More About: Play , Vote
Blog of the Week: Ruggerblogger
2007-09-11 12:46:00 There are not many rugby blogs about when you look around cyberspace, but of those that are out there this one is a corker. Written by Kiwi lovely Ferdy, Ruggerblogger is a great mix of humour and fun, coupled with penetrating insight and a lot of piss taken out of the Aussies. That, my friends, is a heady cocktail of rugby entertainment. Get yourself over there for a treat. More About: Blog , Week , Gerb
Schalk Burger cited for being a very naughty boy
More articles from this author:2007-09-11 12:37:00 South African flanker Richie Cunnigham may have to spend Friday night working at Arnold's, instead of pummelling the England team, as he has been cited for being naughty against Samoa. His dangerous tackle on Junior Polu was not picked up by ref Paul Honiss, who was proabably too busy disallowing a perfectly good Samoan try at the time, and so the citing official has stepped in. Is it me, or is citing just institutionalised snitching? If that citing official had been in my school he'd have been beaten up for being a mardy-arsed grass. More About: Burger , Naught , Urge 1, 2, 3 |
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