Fistful Of Boomstick

Update

2009-07-27T10:24:00.002Z

Apologies for my tardy upkeep of this blog but the last few week have kept me sufficiently busy and as such I have found little time for this enterprise. Some news though; I took a beginners Latin course in Trinity college for a couple of weeks which was surprisingly intensive and well worth the time and effort. Just got my accomodation for Bristol sorted out last week which has really woken me up to the reality of colaiste abroad next year and on inrelation to that any and all suggestions for potential thesis topics are welcome because right now I have absolutely no idea what mine will be on

Reading at the moment

Nelson, Terry Coleman

Stalingrad, Antony Beevor

The Birds, Aristophanes

Rugby > Every other sport. Ever

2009-06-19T22:56:00.002Z

Rugby used to be an Olympic sport but for some reason not known to myself it was ousted from the pantheon of competitions deemed 'worthy' of Olympian status. The main reason for this (apparently) is that rugby was not universal enough of a sport. Which was fair enough then and is probably just as valid an argument against including the fifteen man game nowadays.

Rugby sevens on the other hand has seen massive increases in popularity in smaller rugby nations who now compete well with the more established unions at the reduced game. There is no denying the growing international movement in sevens rugby and given the various qualities imbued in rugby it does seem a crying shame that the sport is not part of the Olympic games

The IRB agree and have been campaigning vigorously to see sevens re-introduced for the 2012 games in London. Below is their video commissioned in support of their bid. I think it makes a stirring argument for the merits of rugby in general and is a brilliant reminder of why people love this sport

Scott Gibbs vs England in 1999

2009-06-18T09:53:00.003Z

Taken from a time not so long ago, when England could play rugby, this the famous Welsh try on the final day of the 5/6 nations (I can't remember if it had changed at that stage) that denied England a Grand Slam. What makes this result twice as enjoyable to any non-English fan is that sine the Millennium stadium was still under construction at the time of this game Wales played all their 'home' games at Wembley.

So not only did England bottle spectacularly (a feat that was to be a tradition of sorts for a few years, successive final day screw ups against Scotland, Wales and Ireland are fond memories of mine) but they did so a few miles down the road from HQ. ha

The ARC - The E.L.V.s

2009-06-18T09:42:00.000Z

French beat All Blacks 27-22 in Dunedin

2009-06-18T09:18:00.005Z

First off I must say France were incroyable in this game, defence was top drawer and their pack were immense. Despite being outweighed by some 80 kilos at scrum time they shunted their black counterparts about the park with hilarious ease. Their lineout functioned well and the back row of Dusautoir, Ouedrago and Picamoles terrorised the All Blacks at the break down. It was quite impressive.

New Zealand, hampered by the ferocity of the French gameplan, couldn't cope. I've seen All Black teams rattled before but I've never seen one so utterly dominated up front. Their forward pack were a timid bunch, exposed for their lack of experience at Test level. Reid and Thompson had a torrid time on the flank whilst Tialata proved (again) his ineptitude at scrum time.

Behind the pack Donald was all at sea, completely failing to impose any kind of structure on New Zealand's play. Ma'a Nonu was anonymous in the midfield, as was Toeva. Such was the lack of co-ordination in attack and the pressure exerted by the French defence that the ball rarely got out wide to Rockococo or Muiliana, the only two players to show any real threat to the French defence

The close scoreline does not tell the full story of this game; New Zealand were dismantled at the breakdown, hassled on the attack and they had no answers. They were helpless, outclassed. As a neutral it was an amazing spectacle, more of the same this Saturday please.

p.s. I apologise if I spelt any of those Kiwi names wrong, I'm not bothered looking them up

Ireland U-20s challenge Baby Blacks haka

2009-06-17T12:54:00.003Z

I have been quite surprised by the amount of negative responses to this. The haka is a challenge, why not answer it? The haka is a piece of NZ heritage/culture etc, doesn't neccesarily mean every other team should have to stand around in front of them as they jump about and grunt in their direction, not a part of their culture. New Zealanders should be happy that its afforded any kind of respect/acknowledgement at all in my opinion.

To complain about an opponent making a threatening advance towards your boys as they perform a war dance seems a bit silly.

Dream Team #3 - Pierre Spies

2009-06-13T18:25:00.002Z

Ever since rugby went pro in the mid-nineties the traditional slow and ponderous forward template has been slowly edged out of the game by the new breed; muscle-bound behemoths that can do the 100 metres in 10.7 seconds like Pierre Spies.

The man is terrifyingly quick and his tendency to rip through a defence with consummate ease has already made Spies a firm favourite of mine. Shortly after he came onto the international scene he was diagnosed with a lung condition that threatened to keep him from playing rugby ever again. He missed the 2007 world cup but recovered and has managed to maintain the form that saw him rise to prominence in Sud Afrika to begin with.

Following an excellent Super 14 campaign this year expect the big Saffer to rampage through hapless Lions' midfields in a few weeks time

Lions to South Africa 1997 - Jim Telfer pt. 3

2009-06-10T13:20:00.001Z

1997 Lions to South Africa - Jim Telfer pt. 2

2009-06-09T10:31:00.003Z

A fine example of why all sports coaches should either be Scottish or at least speak in a Scottish manner, one of a couple of Telfer speeches floating about on youtube. The man should be an integral of any Lions tour to be honest

Dream Team #2 - Carlos Spencer

2009-06-08T10:56:00.004Z

Carlos Spencer is the definition of a wildcard out-half, brilliance occasionally overshadowed by periods of frustrating inconsistency leaves a question over the legacy of this ex-All Black. Never a renowned goal-kicker or game manager in the ilk of Stephen Larkham or Ronan O'Gara Spencer relied on his skills with ball in hand to win games.

When it came off this style of play was irresistible, defences often torn apart by the mercurial number 10 and the talent outside him during his tenure at the Auckland Blues and with New Zealand. He shipped a lot of the blame for the All Blacks' crash out of the 2003 world cup and falling from grace in his native country moved north to England where he plied his trade with Northampton for several seasons becoming a firm fan favourite for his unpredictable play.

He is currently with Gloucester in England but there have been rumours floating about of an imminent return to New Zealand given the weak status of the out-half post in the All Blacks right now.

O'Driscoll vs Australia

2009-06-02T22:14:00.002Z

The British and Irish Lions play the Golden Lions tomorrow and in light of the pathetic display in their opener against the Royal XV I figured the best way to prepare for the game was to remind myself of the Lions's potential. This is O'Driscoll's solo effort against the Criminal Element in 2001. A try which cemented his place as a great player amongst the fans in the northern hemisphere and introduced him to the rugby public in the SANZAR nations in spectacular fashion. Waltzing O'Driscoll

Dream Team Pt. 1 Waisale Serevi

2009-06-01T21:58:00.004Z

The reason I watch sevens rugby today is Waisale Serevi, the Fijian maestro. The man pulled the strings as primary playmaker for Fiji for years, dominating the sevens circuit in the same way players like Dan Carter and Victor Matfield impose themselves in the 15 a side game.

The eye for a gap, the frankly ridiculous hands and the ability to dissect a defence in an instant always impressed me. On top of that he possessed the kind of raw creativity and confidence with ball in hand which is just fantastic to watch. Right now I think he's serving as a coach to the Fijian sevens team.

'The greatest try of all time'

2009-06-01T08:47:00.004Z

1973 Barbarians, vs New Zealand

I love the Barbarians, best players from around the world (plus one uncapped fella) getting together to play against international opposition. Oh and they play with a throw it about attitude. This generally results in most of their tries being absolute gems involving half the squad and sublime skills. They are a joy to watch and a truly unique aspect of rugby.

I'm posting this now in celebration of the Barbarians victory over Eng-u-lund 33-26 last weekend. A satisfying result as ze English, in their miserly manner, refused to indulge the usual Barbarian exhibition atmosphere, played as though it was a real test match, and still lost. ha.

Unfortunately the Barbarians loose style of play does occasionally result in them getting ab-so-lutely pumped but when it works it is truly a sight to behold. Recent scalps for the invitational XV include not only England but newly crowned world champions South Africa in 2008. Proof (thank christ) that there is still room in the professional game for rugby's grand entertainers

Willie John McBride's 99 call, South Africa 1974

2009-05-28T09:41:00.003Z

Perhaps more so than in Australia or New Zealand the Lions have a special relationship with South Africa. The Lions have enjoyed their most famous (1974) and recent (1997) success in Springbok country and I guess this must breed a certain desire for revenge amongst the South African team/public.

I read a recent interview (I think it was i the Irish Times) with John Smit, the world cup winning Saffer captain, and he was quoted as saying that the Lions tour meant as much to his team if not more than the world cup. Because the Lions were special, a once in a career opportunity. South Africa has waited 12 years for this chance to avenge the team of 1997, who were also world cup champions and firm favourites.

The video below is from the successful Lions tour to Afrique du Sud in 1974. Determined to match the Springbok's legendary 'tenacity' at the breakdown Lions captain Willie John McBride decided to (literally) beat the Boks at their own game. Whenever a Lions player was in trouble, the call of '99' would be the signal for all 15 Lions players to throw themselves at the nearest Springbok. The idea being that the referee couldn't send them all off.

A house divided

2009-05-27T09:57:00.003Z

For anyone interested in US or Irish history, this a wonderful quote from ol' Abe. In a few words Lincoln managed to capture the inherent problem is US society on the brink of the Civil War. Political divide between Republicans in the north, Democrats in the south. Social schism over the slavery issue, Free States in the north versus slave states in the south. Urban versus rural, industry versus plantations. Two completely contradictory attitudes and ways of life existing under the same banner, something had to give.

In Bod we trust

2009-05-25T22:20:00.000Z

The ROCKY road to Dublin... see what I did there?

2009-05-25T21:32:00.006Z

This has been loooooong overdue. The years of bottling, the era spent in the shadow of Munster, the abuse from the media, hasn't been easy to play for Leinster. Great things are expected, especially when your closest rivals become perennial qualifiers to the knock-out stages

That being said this win is a perfect reward for the team's patience and perseverance over the years. Grounding out the quarter-final win in London showed a self-belief and grit up front, especially in the tight five that Leinster have lacked in the past. Healy and Wright provided a solid base at scrum time along with Mal and Culen in the second row.

They were nicely complimented by the rampaging Elsom at 6, I guarantee every Leinster fan is praying for a return of that ROCKY! ROCKY! ROCKY! chant next year. Along with O'Driscoll the big Aussie (literally) carried Leinster into contact, through the other side and several yards onwards.

Smashing Munster at Croker felt like sweet sweet revenge for the thumping dealt out to Leinster at the same stage at Lansdowne a few years ago. If anything it was an even more emphatic whalloping than the one Munster delivered, it showed just how far Cheika has brought this team on.

The final is something of a drunken blur... but from what I remember we went pretty well

Whether or not Elsom decides to stay will have massive implications for Leinster's title defence next year. Losing Wright, Contepomi and Whitaker too, one could be forgiven for thinking Leinster somewhat screwed but as we found this year there are plenty of talent coming up through ze academy; Healy, Sexton, Toner, McFadden, O'Brien, Fitzgerald. With new signings Redden, Ross etc Leinster already look a good bet for next year

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!

Ali

2009-05-25T13:36:00.000Z

For Fitzy

2009-05-21T09:54:00.004Z

Currently Reading

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto
Thomas More, Utopia
Aristotle, The Politics
Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil

I should elaborate on this [21/5 edit]

2009-05-09T10:15:00.003Z

Having a LOT of free time on my hands these days has given me the opportunity to catch up on the pile of books that I have bought but never read (or only skimmed through) over the years as well as revisit some old favourites. A joint degree in history and classics never really left much time for non-academic reading and has left me with a slight disdain for any literary source that I feel will teach me very little to nothing. Much better to learn than simply read as a distraction for a few hours

The above quote from Cicero actually continues to 'and by literature I mean the works which give us an opportunity to understand the world in which we ourselves live, its sky, land and sea'. A noble attitude indeed.

Ah Speak English

2009-05-07T21:40:00.003Z

From the victorious 1997 Lions tour to Sud Afrika, Scotsman Jim Telfer takes offence to some enthusiastic forward play from the Boks and gets himself embroiled in a verbal exchange with some of the Saffer fans.

God dammit Chelski

2009-05-07T14:34:00.004Z

Chelski 1-1 Barcelona, Barca go through on away goal rule

92nd minutes... 91 minutes without even a shot on target... god dammit. Iniesta you schvine! Reports on this game seem to be written by those who had witnessed a footballing occasion so enthralling that it should be reserved in historical annals along side the moon landing and the collapse of the Berlin wall.

Barca were small, skillful, Chelski big, powerful. El Spicolos spent the game playing most of the football after Essien's wonder strike in the first half but whilst their short passing game is very pretty to look at when one is trying to negotiate the veritable human wall that is the Chelsea defence a change in tactics may be in order.

Except the lack of height in the Barca camp is somewhat galling. On the (incredibly) rare occasion that Alves was able to whip in a half decent cross the fight for the ball amounted to a crowd of hobbits milling around a bemused defence battling feebly for possession.

Chelski didn't deserve to win, I've never liked the whole 'grab a goal and then defend for our lives' approach and they gave away a frankly ridiculous amount of ball (possession stats were at 75-25 in favour of Barca at one point). Barca for their part should feel quite relieved that the ref never saw fit to award Chelsea at least one penalty from the myriad of claims that were thrown at him in the second period. Don't think they'll beat United in Rome though

Also, that crap the Chelsea players pulled at the end of the game was disgraceful, bunch of saps... especially you Drogba

Brokeback Munster

2009-05-06T07:34:00.002Z

Cardiff - Leicester Penalty Shoot-Out

2009-05-05T08:36:00.003Z

Weirdest end to a game I have ever seen. The game ended 26-26 after Cardiff managed to score two tries out wide in the last ten minutes of regular time which Ben Blair converted to send the match into extra-time. With no further scores after the additional 20 minutes and the teams tied on try count the game was decided by penalty kicks. Best of 5 in front of the posts from the 22 metre line.

Down with this sort of thing.

Quinlan eye gouge on Cullen

2009-05-05T08:30:00.002Z

Incident from the Leinster game on Saturday which could (should) keep Alan Quinlan out of the Lions this summer. Probably between Ryan Jones of Wales and Tom Croft of England as regards who will replace the Munster flanker

A Beautiful Day

2009-05-05T08:04:00.004Z

Leinster 25-6 Munster

I don't think anybody could have seen this coming. The odds would have been quite long for Leinster to even scrape a win in Croke Park never mind win comfortably. After Gordon D'Arcy's try but the blue man group in front 11-6 at the half hour mark in the first half I was counting the minutes until the full-time whistle.

Only when the man revered as BOD picked off an O'Gara pass at the Leinster 22 and went the length of the pitch to score did I allow myself to celebrate. The monkey was off the back, daemons exorcised etc etc. Saturday was on upset of a scale only rivalled by Leinster's victory over Toulouse in southern France a few years ago.

In front of a packed Croker (this time with a more 60-40 split in favour of Munster) Leinster smashed the Munster pack about the historic stadium for the full 80 minutes. The fields of Athenry enjoyed a rather nervous early rendition in the first half before Molly Malone drowned out a shell-shocked 'Red Army' for the remainder of the tie.

The win was forged in the work upfront by a tireless Leinster pack. Healy and Wright contested well at scrum time, Cullen and O'Kelly easily matched Lions O'Connel and O'Callaghan whilst the Leinster back three of Jennings, Elsom and Heaslip outplayed their counterparts in every facet of the game.

The backs too had a good day at the office. The Mafi-Earls points machine was marshaled well in midfield by the Leinster backs, only one clean break allowed in the entire match. Jonny Sexton filled in admirably for the injured Contepomi and Isa Nacewa was an inspired choice by Leinster coach Michael Cheika at full-back performing much better under the high ball then expected and cutting a vicious line through the Munster defence to set up the opening score.

A commanding performance from a Leinster team that showed what they can do when not overawed by the occasion, their opponents for the final are the Leicester Tigers who will be making a bid for their third title in recent memory.

British and Irish Lions - The Squad

2009-05-02T09:48:00.002Z

Not being interested in rugby at the time of the last Lions tour to Afrique du Sud has left me and undoubtedly a considerable amount of my friends with somewhat jaded views on this exhibition outfit. I caught snippets of the 2-1 series loss in Australia back in 2001 and watched every single game played by Woddward's doomed party in New Zealand in 2005 (no doubt to the detriment of my final exams). So whilst I do enjoy the legacy and prestige associated with the Lions I'm still not convinced such an enterprise can be successful in the professional era.

Which is a shame, the concept of taking the best players from the four home unions on tour is the last remaining throwback to the great touring tradition. Anyone that watched the Munster - All Blacks game back in Autumn can attest to the spectacle of provincial sides tackling international opposition.

Coming together every four years makes Lions selection special for the players but considering that the tour alternates every time between SA, Oz and the Blackness means that the locals only get to see (or more importantly play against) the Lions every 12 years. So on the flipside, a chance to play against the Lions is potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity.

On the back of an arguably below par six nations tings aren't looking particularly hopeful for the tourists this year with the Boks newly crowned world champions. Pundits already have the Boks beating the Lions for talent at nearly every position; bigger, faster, stronger, more skillful, better coached, organised and better team spirit.

Though apparently they were saying something similar in '97...

Leinster need a montage, moooooonnnnnnntaaaaaaage

2009-05-02T00:04:00.004Z

It can be incredibly frustrating to support Leinster sometimes, periods of success are usually wiped from the memory by unparalleled bottling at crucial moments in every season. Consistency is a word that is passed about only to be dropped like a hot potato when it really matters. Whilst playing arguably some of the most attractive rugby in Europe the boys in blue suffer from an unfortunate dose of the 'All Blacks', symptoms present in an unwillingness to fulfil potential resulting in a tendency to exit major tournaments early.

And then there is the gargantuan shadow thrown across the east coast by the insufferable Munster. Ever-present in the knock-out stages, annoyingly efficient at getting themselves out of sticky situations and showing an infuriating cockroach like ability to survive every conceivable punishment one could throw at the swine Munster are (unfortunately) the benchmark by which Leinster short-comings are so starkingly measured up to.

With this semi-final looming large on the horizon, what hope have Leinster of upsetting the status quo? Well, as I'm sure any Munster-man will happily point out the men from the bad side of Ireland have already beaten our cowering petals twice this, conceding one try... ONE try, 5 points, in the process. In the quarter-finals Munster absolutely smashed an Ospreys unit that could easily be painted red and used as the Welsh national team such was the amount of international talent on show while Leinster eked out a 6-5 win over Harlequins in London.

So with history and current form firmly in favour of Munster (never mind the fact that they had 8 of their squad selected to the Lions) the prospect of a Leinster upset look depressingly dim.

Yet... words cannot describe how badly I would love to see a Leinster win. For the bragging rights, to bask in the satisfaction of supporting the best team in the country, for Contepomi to have a decent game, for BOD to do a number on (that incredibly average) Keith Earls, Rrrrrrocky to run amok and Isa Nacewa to... well anything constructive from him would be a bonus.

Please?

Been a while

2009-05-01T23:55:00.000Z

Blood and Thunder

2008-12-08T16:29:00.004Z

Mastodon are described in various quarters as a 'sludge-metal' act meaning they play with a kind of stoner-esque crunchy sound whilst retaining the brutality normally associated with more conventional hard rock bands of heavier genres. Think a mix between early Metallica, Kyuss and Iron Maiden and you might have an idea of what I'm on about.

Now truth be told I was not a big fan of these chaps until about a week ago. Sure I owned both Leviathan and Blood Mountain but I'd never bothered listening to either album since after the first few songs I'd become disinterested with that 'noise' and wrap myself back into a comforting cocoon of Metallica and Lamb of God.

This all changed (as I mentioned, about a week ago) when this Georgian (that'd be the state, not the country) outfit arrived in Dublin to play Vicar St. After a spot of confusion whilst trying to actually find Vicar St. we managed to arrive having conveniently missed the usually dire first support act. The second support band turned out to be a 'rockabilly' (thanks to Dan for that term) side-project of Mastodons. And they were brilliant.

A downright bizarre mix of bluegrass and rock music coupled with equally strange stage theatrics automatically put Mastodon into my 'good guys' list. Here was clearly a group of musicians who don't take themselves overtly seriously and aren't afraid to mix things up a bit. Jolly good.

To be honest any band that writes a concept album based on Moby Dick automatically loses the right to take themselves as a serious outfit and Mastodon didn't disappoint. Sure the music was still suitably heavy (and ridiculously impressive) but there was an element of, dare I say, fun about it all. Whoever doesn't find the idea of a concert hall full of people yelling 'WHITE WHAAAAAALE' at the top of their lungs a little amusing needs their brain examined.

There is a major problem amongst rock bands that they too tend to take their music overtly seriously. Radiohead, for example. Mastodon are one of these brilliant groups that recall the good old days when rock was about having a laugh, getting drunk and falling over and encouraging your legions of fans to yell your admittedly hilarious lyrics at gigs.

0% pretentiousness 100% more White Whale

More power to them
Mastodon - Cover of Thin Lizzy's 'Emerald'. Recorded live @ Vicar St. Dublin 3/12/2008

Piece Of Mind

2008-12-03T09:18:00.003Z

My recent graduation from the esteemed UCD(D) got me thinking about the pros and cons of my college existence. What I liked (school of Classics, minimal hours, potential to become Indiana Jones) and what I disliked (school of History, the Business school and administration) are, I find, not really worth my ranting. The ultimate questions are; did I like my course? would I have preferred to do something else? just how screwed do I feel with an Arts degree? Was it all worth it in the end?

Well I won't lie when I arrived in college I hated it. The Soviet architecture, the legions of idiots, the Quinn school. UCD felt like an educational regression initially, a step back towards the swamps of ignorance. I never felt remotely challenged in first year. A feeling compounded by the school of History's plan to teach us the Leaving Cert. course again. In LESS detail then we had studied it in Secondary School.

Luckily for me, my other major Classics was run in a much more satisfactory manner. The courses were a progression from the LC. Not only that but there was a definite structure to the Classics programme. One could begin a basic module in, for example, ancient philosophy and then follow it through intermediate and advanced levels in 2nd and 3rd year. So one could pick and choose just which fields of Classics to specialise in. In stark contrast the school of History was a mess, a potluck of random time periods and subjects. The only constant module being the perennially uninteresting Irish history module.

However as the years went on and more and more people were left by the educational wayside Arts became a far happier place. A kind of survival of the fittest left a far more agreeable group in Classics and made History slightly more tolerable. In History I learnt to take the bad modules (British Empire) with the unbelievably good (medieval Japan, age of exploration Europe, Vietnam War). Classics, like a fine wine, only got better with every passing year.

In a way I'd come full circle from plans to burn the Arts bloc to the ground in first year to becoming the looming monolith's numero uno cheerleader by 3rd year. But now looking around at my friends and family in other courses (or perhaps more tellingly jobs) do I think I made a poor choice in picking Arts? I remember in sixth year when it was CAO time and I had positively no idea what to throw down on my form. I was told to pick a subject I like. Simple advice, simple answer; History and Classics = Arts.

Obviously the main argument levelled against Arts is the apparent lack of careers available after college. This is a valid point in many ways, an Arts degree is clearly not going to leave you in any way qualified to become a brain surgeon. I'll also freely admit that if you want a 'good' (good by definition being a high-paid job) specifically in Arts you will need a MA or PhD. On the flip side so long as you have a good enough degree you take your history and classics qualification and go completely off the Arty path into graduate programmes in Law or Business.

So whats the point of all this Arts malarkey if its just a stepping stone to something completely irrelevant to the study of old things? I've found the level of disdain held for Arts shocking throughout my time in college. Unnecessary and useless being two much used adjectives when describing an Arts degree. This common view stems from aforementioned 'no jobs' problem with Arts. Most folk can't understand why anyone should care what happened 50/100/500 years ago if it won't make you $$$$$$ in the near future.

I shall give some examples why it is important; to preserve and understand our own direct past, there is nothing more important than understanding just where you stand in the world and how your immediate environment has been shaped. You shall find a greater appreciation for your own history and the achievements of your ancestors. Going further afield you could learn about the events and the people that have shaped the world (personal favourites being the shogun in Japan); leaders, explorers, scientists, theologists, generals etc. History is the means by which a student can learn the most about the world around them and preserve the truth for future generations.

With Classics the ideals and virtues of history can be expanded upon by the study of ancient art, architecture, poetry, literature, plays, law and philosophy. Ancient Greece and Rome were the cradle of our western society; there is arguably no better way to understand the western world as it exists today than by studying classics. Roman law forms the basis for common law throughout Europe to this day. They gave us government, philosophy, Christianity (in a way). The history and mythology of ancient Greece and Rome inspired men for generations. The ideals of their philosophy and the grandeur of their art and architecture survives still. If one wishes to comprehend the potential of civilisation, study classics.

I'm still holding out for becoming the next Indy though.

Discussions at Tusculum - Cicero

2008-11-23T14:17:00.003Z

'For nothing that there is the slightest possibility of eventually losing can be regarded as an ingredient of the happy life'

'Moral good is the only good'

'We can disregard wealth, which I do not include in the category of good things because anyone, however unworthy, can get hold of it'

'Our customs have infected our characters with escapism and luxury and inactivity and idleness and inertia. Our false beliefs and dangerous habits have softened and enervated us.'

'For virtues can have no existence at all without happiness, and conversely, happiness cannot exist without any virtues either. Consequently, they will never allow happiness to give them the slip. On the contrary, they will hustle it along with themselves. Whatever agony, whatever torment, lies ahead, they will endure it together.'

'My shoes are the hard soles of my feet, my bed is the earth, my food is only seasoned by hunger - and I eat nothing but milk and cheese and meat. Come and visit me, and you will find me at peace.' - Anacharsis

'To have no job, to devote one's time to literature, is the most wonderful thing in the world.'

Back To School

2008-11-13T10:49:00.003Z

Currently I am snowed under with postgrad application forms which I am moving through with all the speed of a knee-capped tortoise. In an attempt to break the monotonous cycle I've decided to enlightenment you cyber-peasants of the muzak that has been pumping around the house keeping me sane amidst the never-ending mountain of paper.

(I will freely admit that Armors' blog at http://bassmentparty.blogspot.com got me thinking about this, but I've never been a huge fan of the hippity-hop)

I remember reading recently about one of the Deftones' members being in hospital for some reason or another which got me listening to their stuff again for the first time in an age and being pleasantly surprised by how much I still like their sound. They are an acquired taste granted, the musical equivalent of liquorice allsorts. Either you think of the Deftones as a delightful treat, offering something completely different from the usual batch of metal acts out there or everything about them offends your delicate conservative palate, in which case get out. now.

Album art (above): Around the Fur
Video: Back to School

Master Of Puppets

2008-11-12T14:56:00.002Z

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=mSvJwUFI_es

Killing Machine

2008-11-12T14:35:00.004Z

Alright I resisted playing the first Gears of War for as long as bloody possible for the simple reason that I knew I would get hooked and therefore desire the xobx 360 I simply could not afford. Unfortunately my will was not up to the task and my mate Seb and I ploughed through the first game with unbridled glee. Anyone with half a brain can probably pinpoint the main reason for the success of Gears of War.

'The realistic cover and advance gameplay?'

'The fantastic maps?'

'The story?'

'The characters?'

NO! you berk its the fact that you have a chainsaw on the end of your gun. This is a game that clearly realised that top of the list of priorities for the majority of frothing lunatics that cream themselves over fountains of virtually animated blood splattering across their tv screens are new and more visceral methods of violent debauchery. The ability to chainsaw enemies or if you're a pussy shooting then curb stomping them adds a whole deliciously vicious and worryingly satisfying element to gameplay.

Gears of War 2 continues with much of the same in a classic case of 'if it ain't broke don't try and fix it' although I do salute the attempt to vary up the action via numerous changes of situation/environment. Though well aware of the fact that I'm a relative n00b to GoW I did find this game to be considerably easier than the first. You almost forget as you charge like a bull through a matadors convention picking bits of Locust off your chainsaw that there is a gun attached to the bloody thing. Not that I'm really complaining though

Wherever I may roam

2008-11-12T13:57:00.002Z

So my main reason (excuse) for neglecting my blogging duties is the fact that I spent a large part of my summer... actually ALL of my summer stateside in Boston MA. After graduating from UCD (with a II.1 incidentally) I found most of my friends discussing plans for postgrad courses/jobs (the horror THE HORROR). Needless to say I fled all the way across the Atlantic, away from this lunatic talk of responsibility.

I spent three months, from June to August, in Boston painting houses as a living. I quit that job a week earlier than planned but was (in hindsight) incredibly glad that I did so as it freed up enough time in August for me to visit Chicago for a week. After returning from Chicago in September I headed on down to NYC for 2 weeks, followed by a week in Toronto, a few days in Kingston and Montreal before heading back to Bean-Town and my flight home.

Given that this was my first time in the States I came home with quite a good first impression. I loved the town pride among Bostonians, the mix of cultures in NYC and the sheer size of everything in Chicago. Toronto was considerably smaller than I remember it being but atmosphere there was positively serene after the bedlam of Manhattan. And I know this doesn't make any sense but Montreal seemed more 'French' than I remember it being.

To be honest it is impossible for me to adequately convey just how amazing a time I had in North America and I'm not about to bore everyone to death trying. Not that America is perfect, not by a looooooooooooong way but it was definitely a worthwhile experience. Boston has since been added to my 'places I can see myself living in' (along with Vancouver, Edinburgh and London) list.

Hopefully normal service will resume here shortly

Best bits
1. Fenway Park - Boston, MA
2. Steam Whistle brewery - Toronto, ON
3. Old Town - Montreal, QC
4. The L - Chicago, IL
5. Central Park, NYC, NY
6. Brooklyn - NYC, NY
7. Financial district - NYC, NY
8. Southie - Boston, MA
9. Harbour islands - Toronto, ON
10. The Lakeshore - Chicago, IL
11. Beat LA! - Boston, MA
12. 9/11 - NYC, NY

Last Man Standing

2008-05-31T11:09:00.000Z

Ray Lewis vs. Chad Johnson

2008-04-08T08:08:00.001Z

Greatest Goal Ever*

2008-03-24T17:14:00.000Z

striker_goal
by lautari

*May not be true

The Richie McCaw Facts

2008-03-07T08:50:00.000Z

Brett Favre Retires

2008-03-04T17:45:00.002Z

Brett Favre is one of those sports personalites that you just can't hate. The man stayed with the Packers for 17 years, this franchise in the back of nowhere (otherwise known as Green Bay) where he has become almost deified by the population. He's had great success in his 17 seasons but always remained humble, grounded. He battled an addiction to painkillers and won. Last season he lost his father, came out against Oakland and blew the Raiders off the park. Then this year, despite everybody thinking that he was going to retire because the '07 season had gone so badly (4-12 record, career high interception rate) he came back and led the Pack to the NFC championship game before being beaten by ze Giants in overtime whilst breaking pretty much every QB record in the book during regular season.

What a hero

The Autumn Wind

2008-02-20T12:42:00.001Z

The Autumn Wind is a pirate
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
Swaggering boisterously
His face is weather beaten
He wears a hooded sash
With his silver hat about his head
And a bristly black moustache
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He'll knock you round and upside down
And laugh when he's conquered and won

As far as Yank sports themes go this is pretty good

Music City Miracle

2008-02-20T12:33:00.002Z

Buffalo Bills - Tennessee Titans
January 8 2000 - AFC Wild Card

Trailing 16-15 with only 16 seconds left on the clock in the 4th quarter the Titans are set to receive the kickoff then BOOM! there goes the dynamite

A New Error Era

2008-02-12T09:23:00.000Z

Overcoming those World Cup Blues

2008-02-01T12:24:00.000Z

Put simply, this years Six Nations has the potential to be the tightest contest ever produced since the competition expanded to include Italy. The key phrase this year is 'rebuilding'. Every team in the tournament under achieved to some degree in the world cup (apart from England) and all are looking to start afresh with an eye towards the next world in four year's time. With tht in mind there has been a considerable shake-up not only in coaching staff but personnel too. Some countries have stuck to their old guns in the desperate hope that they will rediscover their form that was sadly lacking back in Autumn whilst others have bitten the bullet and draftede in a whole raft of young talent in a desperate attempt to wash off the murky stains left by a poor world cup. The net result of all this inter-squad activity (or lack thereof) with the return of a whole host of veterans looking for redemption after the world infused with unknown youth players makes this years tournament the most open I've ever seen from the off. There are so many untried elements entering the contest this year that it has the potential to be the most random six nations ever.

France
The Frogs have led the way, as long time coach Bernie Laporte, long accused of killing 'French' style rugby has left his job in charge of France to work for the French government. In his place new coach Marc Lievremont has retained only 11 of Laporte's charges from the world cup and has been given full licence to return France to their old style of play (think 'chaos theory' in rugby form). The terrifying thing about the French team is that unlike the other nations, the French 'veterans' or experienced players are for the most part hilariousy young. Unlike other teams in the tournament the French need not fret over development of young talent en masse. They just need to find some more to compliment the young players that have already shone on the world stage. As usual the pack is big and powerful, but without Pelous and Ibanez. With regards to their opening match against Scotland they have a virtually unknown (to me anyway) front row and a very young second row parner for new captain Nallet. If that front five works (and they'll be put to the test by a typically robust Scottish pack) the French could be a shoe-in to just walk away with this tournament. Their backline is world class, and their back three are electric although Heymans could be a liability at full-back.
If the youth step up and play well, France could do very well. They aren't helped by a tough opening weekend away in Edinburgh but if the Frogs come out of Fortress Murrayfield with any kind of win, they could prove unstoppable.

Player to watch: Winger Malzieu

England
Once again the hopes of England's rugby team lie solely on the shoulders (boots?) of one man. If Wilkinson plays badly, England do badly, if Wilkinson is injured, England implode. The Poms come into this years six nations with pretty much the same gameplan they left last years with. A forward dominated game focussed on a monstrous front 5 couple with a lumbering back row and supported by an absolute pack of retards filling numbers 9 and 11-15. The good news for England is that they uncouvered new, and potentially competent, players in the back row like Rees etc and should they get enough game time they will truly shine in this years competition. As I've already mentioned the tight five is big, heavy, slow and outside of set piece, useless.
Unfortunately there is still a very good chance of England somehow winning this tournament. Obviously they will be buoyed up by their world cup exploits and maybe Ashton will turn out to be a coaching guru. But I doubt it. His selection for the first game served to highlight the problems with English rugby in a stroke. Moody, big fast but ultimately stupid flanker whose tendency to give away idiotis penalties far outweigh his ability as a loose forward. And then Flood and Tindall in the centre. I feel sorry for Jonny boy. If you've ever wondered why he kicks so much, theres your answer. What about Tait? Or Hipkiss? I kind of hope England get trounced by Wales just to force Ashton to pick a lighter, faster, livelier team instead of this crowd of donkeys.

Player to watch: Winger Strettle (if he ever gets the ball)

Wales
New coaching staff, Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards. I approve. Wales have no need to bring in much newbies this year as they are still in a kind of development stage. Their squad is just entering the peak of its collective career and they boast one of the best backlines in the entire six nations. From 9 to 15 this team has class, creativity, pace, power and crucially, depth. The Leek-eaters are fortunate enough to have two number tens that Eddie O'Sullivan would gladly give his left nut to have as well two world class scrum halves to compliment them. Their centres Parker, Shanklin and Henson are beginning to come into their own and this year could see them truly stamp their authority on the international stage. And out wide it just gets ridiculous... Jones, Williams, Morgan, Byrne, Thomas, theres probably more I can't remember but my point is theres a lot of em.
Gatland's arrival should add a bit of composure to a pack that specalise in the loose and disrupting more traditional packs at every given oppurtunity. I've no doubt Wales will look to continue this policy of organised mayhem as it suits their backs but with a bit more structure at set-piece to secure ball. This is mainly (and has been for a while now) the front fives problem. Wales have had a tenacious back row for years now, if they could get their tight forwards singing off the same hymn sheet they'd be on fire. The return of the vets Thomas and the Ginger Monster Martyn Williams as inspirational talismans to player and fan alike leaves me thinking that this squad is capable of anything. An away game against a big England pack is a dauntng obstacle but as the likelihood of a grand slam this year is small even a close defeat would be good for the Welsh. Just as long as they don't get trounced..

Player to watch: Out-half Hook

Scotland
My dark horse of the tournament. England and France at home this season. Could lightening (and rain and thunder) strike again as it did two years ago? In his first year in charge Hadden led Scotland to huge upset wins over the travelling French and English teams in Murrayfield and if he can achieve a similar feat this year Scotland have a real sot at the title. Away games to a potentially out of form Ireland team and Italy shouldn't worry them and their games against Wales are traditionally close-fought affairs. Like the last couple of years this Scottish team is built around a powerful engine room upfront. They have a big front five and their lineout is one of the best in the tournie. There have been some major changes in the back row as Taylor (injury) and Hogg have been dropped to be replaced by Callum and Barclay, two unknowns at this level. For Scotland to get anywhere these boys will really have to step up onto the international stage with a bang. Hadden's success so far as hinged on the hard hitting White coupled with the rampaging Taylor and Hogg. If this new back row fails to ignite the Scottish team they could flounder.
Behind the scrum there are new faces as well; Henderson and De Luca comprise a traditional big and heavy/small and jinky centre flanked by Walker and Webster on either wings with Rory Lamont(able) at full-back. Controversially Hadden has dropped Paterson to the bench and has selected Parks at 10 instead of the inform and infinitely more creative Godman. This is a back line that has been growing in confidence and ability or years now and although the loss of the other Lamont(able), Sean could be costly, there is a lot of potential in that Scottish backline to take some pressure off their pack. If the Scottish back row can play its usual rampaging part and the backline is able to get motoring behind their big pack this Scottih team can go places, dark horses

Player to watch: Scrum-half Blair

Italy
Italy are getting used to this top fligt system quickly; under-achieved in world cup so in with a new coaching staff. And Nick Mallet, the former Springboks coach, is not a bad man to hire. Other than a change in the front office this Italian team is essentially the same as the one that played in the last world cup. Unlike the other countries Italy simply do not have the luxury of cutting vast swathes of underperforming players. Their team is one of the more familiar looking ones released for this weekend, the only names I didn't recognise were the new hooker Gilhandrini (or something) and the new scrum-half ... (I don't remember his name but it probably sounds like a pasata sauce). Anyway it is a testament to how far Italy have come that they are no longer a back of randoms but that their team is comprised of instantly recognisable names from across the plains of European club rugby.
For the Mafia to do well, and believe given the openess of this years tournament they could do VERY well, they will look to bully their opponents around up front before unleashing what has become of the most explosive backlines in European rugby. Last year Mirco Bergamasco set the six nations alight. Along with centre partner Canale he will be loking to do the same this year. Bortolussi, Robertson and Dallan are a back three as good as any in the competition and are willing to run ze ball from anywhere.
No matter how well their backs play Italy's success always rides on that big pasta loving pack of theirs. As usual they'll have a monstrous front five who are eerily moblie in the loose and extremely dangerous at lineout time, Dellape and Del Fava being arch-poachers of opponent's ball. Behind potentially the best frnt five in the tournament are the potentially the best back row in the six nations. Mauro Bergamasco, Josh Sole and Sergio Parrise. These guys are IMMENSE and incredibly iprtant for Italy. They carry, they tackle, they steal ball, they are everywhere. All three possess a phenominal work rate and if they can stay healthy (Parisse and Begamasco were both injured earlier in this season playing for Stade) they add an icredibly potent weapon to the Italian's arenal.

Player to watch: Number 8 Parisse

Ireland
Amidst all the talk of underachieving at the world cup the Irish rugby team stood out as THE example of a teams shortcomings on the big stage. Three triple crowns and four runners up slots in the four six nations tournaments prior to the world cup seemed to mean nothing as the most succesful Irish side in history crashed out in the group stages. The worst performance by an Irish side at a world cup ever. Now it is true that of the two teams that made it out of Ireland's group; France beat New Zealand went onto a semi whilst Argentina turned out to be the revelation of the entire world cup, losing their semi to the eventual winners South Africa before humiliating France again in the third place playoff for good measure. That still doesn't excuse a woeful Irish performance against Georgia and Namibia. Where France and Argy Bargy posted cricket scores Ireland scraped by. The Irish died with a whimper in France, broken and humiliated.
So naturally here we are with the exact same coaching staff and the exact same squad that lost to Argentina in our last world cup game, what could possibly go wrong? As though the IRFU's decision to retain steady Eddie wasn't bad enough O'Sullivan has rubbed salt into the gaping wound left by thw world cup debacle by sticking steadfastly by the same players that messed up in France. His initial dropping of the inform Leinster players Gleeson and Jennings I could take. But his decision to start the Easterbunny at 6 is mind boggling. Here is a player who has captained Llanelli to their worst Heineken cup finish ever (conceding 50 points at home on the last day), in the twilight of his career (and in clear decline) who our illustrious coach thinks desevers to start ahead of younger players who have been consistantly better than him? This is a cancer that has spread throughout the Irish team. The Italian coaching staff must be loving this; an old man at 6, a 6 playing 8, a hooker who has literally just returned from a neck injury, a full-back on one wing, a centre on the other.
Eddie's decision not select players like Jackman, Heaslip, Fitzgerald, Kearney etc shows a distinct unwillingness to select players based on form and given the rebuilding nature the other teams have adopted; a dangerous unwillingness to blood new players on the big stage. He is crippling Irish rugby. I have no doubt that this team can perform as it has in the past but that is beyond he point. O'Sullivan must seriously think about shaking up his selection policy; not simply to blood new players but also to remove this aura of complacency in the Irish squad. My brother showed me Eddie's team from his first six nations game in charge back in 2002. It is the EXACT same as the team this Saturday save for all the players that have retired.
The phrase floating around the six natins this year is 'rebuilding', apparently in Ireland we're still frozen in post world cup shock

Player to watch: Pray that Easterby gets injured

Mystic Macka

2008-01-29T08:42:00.000Z

With the NFL season coming to its close and the Heineken Cup I feel it is time for the post-season autopsy report on my predictions for this year. Now I couldn't find my NFL predictions for this year in any of my old posts but truthfully this is how I would have (confidently) called it at the start of the year:

AFC
Patriots
Colts
Chargers
Ravens
Jaguars
Bengals

NFC
Cowboys
Bears
Seahawks
Tampa Bay
Saints
The Pack

Which means I wouldn't have been that wrong at all actually (4/12 wrong).. then there were my playoff picks at the mid point in the season

AFC
1. New England
2. Indianapolis
3. Pittsburgh
4. San Diego
5. Tennessee
6. Cleveland

NFC
1.Green Bay
2.Dallas
3.Seattle
4.New Orleans
5.New York Giants
6.Detroit

Not too shabby I think you'll agree 3/12 wrong is pretty good I think

With ze rugby I was kinda worse, Heino predictions for the knock out round were...

1.Biarritz Olympique
2.Stade Francais
3.Neath-Swansea Ospreys
4.Perpignan
5.Llanelli Scarlets
6.Leicester Tigers
7.Saracens (Best runner-up)
8.Toulouse (Best runner-up)

In reality...

1.Saracens
2.London Irish
3.Gloucester
4.Toulouse
5.Cardiff
6.Munster
7.Perpignan (Best runner-up)
8.Ospreys (Best runner-up)

So painfully wrong, 4/8 of my knock out selections were right but none of em in the right places. This is essentially why I am not a gambling man

Ready For Business

2008-01-29T08:33:00.001Z

The Giants arrived in Arizona for the build-up to the Superbowl yesterday with the entire team clad in black suits; a mark of solidarity and a message to the Patriots that the trip to Phoenix was not simply a vacation following their surprise victory in the NFC championship game, they're all business. And classy, definitely classy. First blood to New York

Here's to you Mr. Tomlinson

2008-01-26T00:10:00.000Z

I never said anything about the NFL championship games last week primarily because of my extreme disappoint at the Giants beating the Pack. Belicheck could just start his second stringers against New York and we'd probably get a better game.

Anyway the Giants D turned up and shut down the Packers rushing offence, forced Favre to pass and the old man can't do absolutely everything by himself. Still, considering Green Bay had no ground attack its a credit to how dire the Giants are that the game was even that close.

In the AFC New England eventually pulled out comfortable winners against a battered San Diego outfit that really were in no condition to take on that Patriots team. Rivers could barely move in the pocket, Gates was operating at around 50% of his usual usefulness and L.T. was a spectator for the entire game after playing in the first couple of series.

As far as el Superbowl goes my brain is screaming Pats for the win, it is the glaringly obvious choice BUT New England have been shaky all post season. They were rattled by some teams in the last few weeks of the regular season (including the Giants) and they look like they've lost some of their swagger. The Giants on the other hand are peaking right now. The defence is doing all the hard work and they've got a couple of backs to carry the majority of the offensive responsibility so Eli doesn't have to. The more time the Giants can keep Manning from HAVING to throw the ball the better chance they'll have.

Still need a miracle though

Student Sportscasters - Nervousness = Hilarity

2008-01-16T21:36:00.000Z

Referee!

2008-01-14T01:45:00.000Z

Bravo good sir, bravo

Walking Amongst Giants

2008-01-14T01:18:00.000Z

From personal recollection, there always seems to be one kind of random team in the final four of the NFL playoffs. A team that is capable of being unbelievably good or diabolically poor. New York are this years bogey choice. Last week I don't think I was alone in expecting another postseason implosion from Eli Manning but it never came. The game against Tampa went pretty much to plan and the Giants uncharacteristically kept true to the script and advanced to meet up with division rivals Dallas for the third time this season.

Now the Cowboys had already beaten the Giants twice this season and despite worries earlier in the week, star wideout Terrell Owens was fit to play. Dallas may have been going through a rough patch but most would have picked America's Team over lesser Manning. I know I did. But I was wrong, the OTHER young QB capitulated this evening; Romo was completely unable to deal with the mounting Giants pressure and since his O-Line had been on the pitch for soooooooo long (they had a 10 minute TD drive in the first half) they tired as the game closed. With fatigue came the inability to block. This led to a hilariously porous offensive line. Which led to Romo being hounded and hurried. In turn this led to Romo throwing a pick with 9 seconds to go inside the Giants 20.

So Manning survives another week and will lead his Giants to Lambeau field to play old man Favre and the Pack on their home turf. I reiterate; either the Giants will click and pull out a frankly historic performance out of their asses OR lesser Manning will bottle in spectacular Rex Grosman fashion and New York will be thumped in a humiliating and reasonably embarrassing fashion.

The B-Team

2008-01-14T01:04:00.000Z

I think I'm ready to admit that San Diego are a viable Superbowl team now. Not only did they beat the Colts in Indy but by the end of the game they didn't have Rivers, LT or Gates. Granted Rivers went out later in the game but LT was gone early and Gates, although he did play, was nowhere near 100%. San Diego needed the B-Team to step up and step up they did indeed.

Jackson and Chambers made up for Gates absence in the passing game whilst Turner was an ample replacement for LT on the ground. The defence helped out too, picking off Manning twice and doing just enough to keep the Chargers out in front until the end despite Peyton throwing for just over 400 yards. Linebacker Cooper had an exceptional game with 15 tackles and CB Cromartie (the interception machine) was unlucky to have an 89 yard pick six called back for a pretty lame holding call.

If the Chargers allow that kind of yardage through the air against the Pats next week though, I'd expect Brady and Co. to punish them much more than Indy. San Diego need to sort out that pass D and pray to god that their starters are ok. It worked out fine in the end today but to go whole playoff game against this New England team without your starting RB, QB and primary receiver will only ever end embarrassingly

Guns Of The Patriot

2008-01-13T11:48:00.000Z

So much for Jacksonville being the only team capable of stopping New England. Credit to the Jags though they managed to match the Pats score for score until the end of the third quarter when the New England defence finally forced them into a field goal situation which left the score 21-17 Pats. On New England's next series Brady marched his team down the pitch and picked up another TD, 28-17. Now eleven points behind the Jags were never going to recover and New England ran out eventual winners 31-20.

For the first half the Jags made the Patriots work though, young QB Gerrard, in his rookie playoff campaign did extremely well going 12/14 in the fist half, nearly perfect. Unfortunately for Jacksonville Tom Brady was perfect in the first half and then again for most of the second. He went 26/28 in the game! The two incomplete passes were also drops by his receivers on very catchable passes; not Brady's fault. That level of perfection in the playoffs is quite frankly ridiculous.

What may be even more remarkable than Brady's near perfect play is the fact that during his immaculate display Randy Moss caught only one pass for fourteen yards. In the entire match. Not only that but RB Maroney went for over 100 yards. And I thought New England didn't have a running game? In contrast Jacksonville's own rushing offence was well contained by the Pats, Jones-Drew and Taylor held to just 66 yards between them on the day.

This game has to finally bring an end to the accusations that New England have no ground attack; its simply not true. Maroney and Faulk just get forgotten in the midst of the Brady-Moss hype; they are an extremely dangerous and capable pair of backs. Moss' relatively quiet game against the Jags highlighted that when pushed to, the Pats can pound the rock as well as anybody in the NFL.

With Moss occupying most of the Jag's defence some of the Pats 'lesser' offensive names got some limelight. Stallworth, Gaffney, Welker and Watson all cashed in on the Jacksonville fear of Moss. Double covering the big guy just left his mates open and freed up the rest of the Brady bunch to showcase their ability.

I thought if Moss was smothered and New England forced to run, they may bottle. That maybe a good ground game would outpace their linebackers but no, that didn't happen. And the Pats were only too ready to deal with the double/triple coverage on Moss. The Jags may have been the last team capable of even keeping up with the Pats scoring machine for 2 quarters. This team is unstoppable.

Return Of The Pack

2008-01-13T00:38:00.000Z

There are few moments whilst watching sport when it is permissible to dance around like a lunatic, for example; Leinster/Munster winning a big game in the H-Cup, an English club doing poorly in the H-Cup, when Ireland beat England at anything, if England get beaten by anyone at anything and perhaps most recently watching the Irish cricket team's Odyssey unfold in the last world cup (memories of a Jamaican bobsleigh team spring to mind).

Everyone has their own personal vendettas in this regard, their own private list of teams that they would love to see embarrassed and humiliated (preferably on home turf) on a regular basis. When it comes to the NFL the target of this sadistic (albeit irrational) mentality happen to be the Seattle Seahawks franchise. I can't really explain why this is. I've never been to Seattle, from what I hear its lovely.

Its not that I particularly dislike any one player either, they're all equally worthless. They have some good defensive players too, I like defence. But not this one. My problem with Seattle is that when you get right down to it, they are decidedly average; neither spectacularly impressive or shockingly poor yet ever present in the post season party. That guy that just stands in the corner quietly doing nothing before going home early without leaving much of an impression on anybody.

Every time I have seen Seattle in the playoffs this is exactly what happens; they arrive with the same amount of pomp as every other team, maybe win one game, then get thumped and head back to the North-West with a whimper. Same thing has happened again this year. Three TDs for old man Favre as well as three for the 200+ yard rusher Grant the (we don't have a running offence) Packers are looking good to make the Superbowl right now.

They came back from 14-0 down to destroy the Seahawks 42-20. Although Seattle are pants, that's still pretty impressive, clinical if you will. I'm telling ya, Green Bay's aggressive pass offence under Favre coupled with this new found running game allied to an already intimidating defence; there is NO reason Green Bay can't go all the way. I have serious doubts that Eli (lesser) Manning or Tony Romo could beat this guys, the Pack for the Superbowl methinks

Lights Out! I want to sleep...

2008-01-07T01:17:00.000Z

This may have been one of the worst playoff games I have ever seen. And this was mainly the fault of only one team. The Titans, having realised that they had no real offensive ability with which to dismantle San Diego's defensive unit and that their own defence was woefully unprepared to deal with the Chargers offence decided to try and bore the Bolts to death. Two early field goals gave Tennessee a slim lead which they clung onto for dear life but that was never going to be enough as San Diego finally began to get the ball moving on offence in the second half.

Credit to the Titans, they did manage to keep Tomlinson under wraps for most of the game but in the end it was the Chargers running back who played a pivotal role in swinging ze game the way of the Californian outfit. The first TD came off a playfake which pretty much the entire Titans linebacker corps fell for leaving WR Jackson free to make the catch from Rivers at the two and wrestle his way over. The second TD was run in by LT himself. Although hit mid flight over the line of scrimmage he had the presence of mind to pop the ball over the line for the score in comical fashion before celebrating in an equally comical fashion.

Their inability to get the running game going could be a source of great concern for the Chargers with FB Lorenzo Neal out and now Antonio Gates uncertain for the next round at Indy. Granted they managed pretty well through the air today with Rivers passing for close to 300 yards and two receivers going over 100 yards receiving. But the Colts are better. They won't leave receivers as hideously open as the Titans did and although the Chargers O-line did a good job of blocking the Titans pass rush the Colts D-line will prove much tougher opposition. The Chargers will need their own defence to step up as well. They creaked against the Titans running game early on and ye they dealt with the Tennessee passing game but compared with Manning's elite in Indy the Titans pass attacks is pathetic. The Colts have a better offensive line, better receivers and a better QB. I know San Diego beat them in the regular season but that was with a lot of help from their special teams, twas in San Diego too.

Should be a good one

The Buc Stops Here

2008-01-07T00:55:00.000Z

If one Manning rises up the football ranks does this mean that the other has to die? Or at least lose? We may find out next week when older (and so far greater) Manning and his Colts go up against the Chargers. Younger (and until proven otherwise, lesser) Manning will still around next week too after his Giants dominated a pretty poor Tampa Bay team 24-14.

Sure Manning played well today, and the running game looked competent enough but the fact of the matter is that this Tampa Defence is a spent force. It has been the backbone of the franchise for years but at this stage is looking the worse for wear. With their D unable to contain Eli (a phrase I never thought I'd use) the Bucs needed big plays from their offence which just never materialised in the face of immense Giants pressure. An injury to Galloway early on robbed Tampa Bay of their only legitimate deep threat and despite a valiant effort reserve running back Graham managed little in place of the injured Cadillac Williams. The running game was non-existent and the porous offensive line let the Giants defence bully Garcia and the Bucs' passing offence all game long.

The Giants will in all probability go into Dallas full of confidence, especially if the rumours that T.O. is out for the Cowboys turn out to be true. I'm still not entirely sure lesser Manning is capable of taking the Giants the whole way to the promised land and next week will be a true test of his credentials. The game against the Cowboys has the potential to devolve into a high scoring offensive affair which so not only will New York need a BIG game from its defence (especially its D-line) but Manning may have to step up and play the game of his life.

Still at least he's going up against fellow young QB playoff bottler Romo and not old man Favre.

(pictured above is Camilla Decesare sp?, she's Bucs' QB Garcia's wife)

The Twelve Playoff Labours Of Pocket Hercules

2008-01-06T12:35:00.000Z

1. Win Wildcard [Done]
2. Win Divisional game
3. Win Conference
4. Score a receiving TD [Done]
5. Score a rushing TD [Done]
6. Score a TD on special teams [Nearly done]
7. Rush for over 100 yards
8. Go for over 100 yards in the air
9. Get 100 yards on the ground and through the air in one game
10. Win Superbowl
11. Be Superbowl MVP
12. Be hilariously short, stocky and fast [Done]

Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jags beat Pittsburgh last night even though they did try their level best to throw the game away in the second half. Kicking the go-ahead field goal with around 40 ticks left on the clock Jacksonville now advance to play either New England or division rivals Indy depending on which team wins the Chargers-Titans clash this evening.

After all of five minutes careful consideration I compiled the above list to act not only as a method of measuring Jones-Drew's progression towards 'legend' (n the true Munster sense of the word) status but to act as a barometer of the Jags offensive prowess throughout the playoffs. But mostly I just want Jones-Drew to see more game time and get more ball.

Its pretty good to see Jacksonville progress, they get kind of jipped by having the misfortune of sharing their division with the Colts. That pretty much guarantees the Franchise a wildcard berth every year no matter how good a season they have. Sharing a state with the Bucs and the Dolphins (however shit they may be) as well as two prominent college teams robs a lot of deserved limelight for the Jaguars too. About time they got their due.

Granted Pittsburgh aren't the REAL kings of the AFC North (Cleveland anyone... *cough* and Baltimore *cough*) Jacksonville, by most reports cos I didn't get to see this game, dominated. Heres hoping they get the Colts in the next round and humiliate them too.

Please don't draw New England... please?

I hate Seattle, I truly do

2008-01-06T00:46:00.000Z

I began writing this post with about two minutes left in the Redskins - Seahawks game with Seattle up 28-14 (correction 35-14) and my fury rising steadily. I'm not usually a fan of either team but I love the underdog so naturally I was gunning for Washington to pull the win out.. but sadly it wasn't to be. And there was the whole 'gonna win it for Taylor' thing which, as cliche as it may have been, would have been unreal. No unfortunately the potential for a feel good playoff journey on the Redskins emotional rollercoaster has been swiped from us all by those bastard Seahawks.

Don't get me wrong I'm not just angry about Seattle advancing purely because they knocked out the Redskins. Oh no, my grievance runs far deeper than that. I don't like Seattle because they are ALWAYS in the playoffs. Not only is their omni-presence tedious but it is, in my opinion, completely unjustified. Their team (unlike Indy or New England, two other constants in the post-season) are devoid of any real talent, their division is hilariously weak, and this year their schedule was equally weak. Over-hyped, no-talent, boring beyond belief... they have no redeeming features as a football team. Even the Dolphins have Jason Taylor at least.

To put this in a 'soccer' context its kinda the equivalent of having this team you hate with a passion (irrational hatred is welcomed too I don't discriminate) that gets dumped in some absolutely pathetic group in the Champos league drawing several unknown teams from the depths of eastern Europe, pummeling them into submission and waltzing into the knock-out stages fresh as a daisy. Now imagine that happening every year. Its sporting injustice I tell ya.

Fuck the Seahawks

Booo Seattle

Screw Microsoft

And that Starbucks malarkey

...but thank you for Frasier

Wanderlei Silva - UFC All Access

2007-12-31T13:20:00.000Z

He may have been beaten by Chuck Liddell the other night but this Brazilian chap put up one mother of a fight, going toe to toe with the Iceman for three rounds trading punch for punch before Liddell won by decision at the end of the third (booo)

UFC All Access - Wanderlei Silva
Uploaded by moltisanti87

Striving For Perfection

2007-12-31T11:51:00.000Z

New England 38-35 New York

Having come from behind to beat off the Giants in the final week of the regular season the Patriots become the first team in NFL history to go 16-0. En route QB Tom Brady broke the record for most touchdowns thrown in a season surpassing the tally set by Peyton Manning only a few years previously. Randy Moss also took over the record for most TD receptions in a season, breaking the record held by Jerry Rice.

Ever since the spy-gate scandal against the New York Jets in the opening weeks of the season this Patriots team has been on a mission. Out to prove a point (ie we do not need to cheat, we are this good) the Pats have simply dominated teams all year long. Their consistently stellar defence has played to its full potential whilst Brady has finally been able to show off his ability at its full extent with a veritable arsenal of new weapons wideout. Wes Welker, Dante Stallworth and Randy Moss arrived in the offseason and made an immediate impact in New England. Though the Pats have definitely become a pass first offence, second year running back Lawrence Maroney and veteran Kevin Faulk have contributed significantly on the ground as well, the Patriots have a good ground game too.

Comparisons with the legendary undefeated 1972 Dolphins were inescapable as early as week 10 in the season and as they saw off the challenges from Indy and Dallas the possibility of New England going all the way was quickly galvanised into a reality. Despite close games against Philly, Baltimore and the Giants the Patriots held on to achieve their perfect regular season record. If memory serves, that Dolphins team went 17-0 INCLUDING their playoff run. If New England manage to go all the way to the Superbowl that will leave them at 19-0 and with their 4th Superbowl in 5 years or something similarly ridiculous. Should they achieve this it will leave them as indisputably the best team in the NFL. Ever. Contrary to what any of the '72 Dolphins think (search youtube for Mercury Morris, he was the 2nd string RB on the '72 Dolphins). Back in '72, there was no salary cap, no parity between the teams and less games. I don't care what kind of twisted logic Mercury Morris try to apply to the situation, if New England go completely undefeated (and god I hope they do just to shut the geriatric Dolphins up) they are the best ever, end of story.

Remember the Fallen

2007-12-31T11:31:00.000Z

With the NFL regular season over it is unfortunate that some of the premier talent and entertainers in the NFL will sadly not be present in the Playoffs. Either cruelly pipped at the post by another franchise, by losing too many games early or later on in the season or by finding that winning form a little too late; I give you my obituary of players and teams who either failed to live up to their playoff potential or deserved to be in there (*cough* Browns *cough* but some other useless pile of cack made it in instead (booo Tennessee)

AFC
Baltimore - from a good 13-3 to a not so good 5-11 I dunno what happened really

Cincinnati - similar story to Baltimore, great preseason promise, failed to deliver, Chad Johnson was hilariously quiet all season

Cleveland - should be the playoffs, looking good for the first time in years, they took advantage of an off-form Baltimore and Cincinnati to come tantalisingly close to a playoff berth

Texans - I know that finishing 8-8 is the best record the Texans have ever had but it could have been so much more, bottled spectacularly in the last few weeks

NFC
Philly - pretty tough division I guess so you can't really be THAT disappointed with the Eagles but... disappointing

Minnesota - so close.. yet so.. far. No Purple Jesus in the playoffs is a crime. Adrian Peterson is a shoe-in for rookie of the year and if he plays like he did this year for the rest of his career he'll be a shoe-in for Canton too.

Detroit - what was that Kitna, 10 wins? Another team that bottled spectacularly after showing some rare promise.

Chicago - same story as Baltimore, defence couldn't make the big plays they did last year which exposed a hideously weak offence. Propped up on more than one occasion by the brilliance of Devin Hester

New Orleans - late flourish not enough to make up for a poor poor season

Cardinals - I was daring to dream that the Cards may actually reach the promised land this year. Again, another team that let go of playoff glory when it was in their grasp. A real shame for a team with some fearsome offensive talent

Playoff Picture

2007-12-31T10:50:00.000Z

AFC Wildcard
Jacksonville (5) at Pittsburgh (4)
Tennessee (6) at San Diego (3)

NFC Wildcard
Washington (6) at Seattle (3)
New York Giants (5) at Tampa Bay (4)

New England (1) and Indianapolis (2) get byes into the next round in the AFC as do Dallas (1) and Green Bay (2) in the NFC. The (1) seed will play the winner of (4) vs. (5) whilst the number (2) will obviously play the winner of (3) vs. (6).

The AFC looks set to continue its dominance over the entire league this season, the playoff teams on their side of the draw are considerably better than their NFC counterparts. Personally I believe (hope with all my heart) that Jacksonville will roll the Steelers in Heinz Field before bowing out manfully to New England in the next round. I'd also presume a somewhat shaky looking Chargers outfit to scrape by Tennessee before being soundly whomped by Manning and the Colts in Indy.

The Jaguars enter the postseason as THE team no one wants to play. Qualifying for the playoffs as second best in their division behind the Colts kind of allowed Jacksonville to enter the playoff arena under the radar. But this team has a solid running game that could throw a sufficiently large spanner in any franchise's playoff aspirations. In David Garrard they have found an efficient QB that can kickstart that offence should the running game splutter. Their defence is gonna have to step up against the Pittsburgh unit which is ranked number one in the NFL. For their part the Steelers have the experience of winning a Superbowl a year or two ago and an offence that operates in a fairly similar way to Jacksonvilles. Smashmouth football (best phrase ever), like vs like... but J-ville do it better.

I reckon the Jags - Steelers could be a classic but the Titans - Chargers game... meh, the Titans seem to have picked it up over the last few weeks as have the Chargers after their dismal opening to the year. That being said I'm not convinced either of these two can go the distance. Both have young, inexperienced QBs who have misfired spectacularly this year and both teams have not done enough to convince me they can topple the Colts in the next round.. making this game somewhat irrelevant really

oh and btw I'm moderately upset that Tennessee got into the playoffs instead of Cleveland.

My sorrow at the Browns exclusion from the Big Dance is somewhat lessened by the ridiculousness that is the Washington Redskins finding themselves in the Superbowl hunt. If I remember correctly Washington not only needed to win yesterday to get in, but also for New Orleans to lose away at Chicago and Minnesota to lose on the road to Denver. Both duly lost, Washington won and out of nowhere the 'Skins are in the playoffs.

And I hope to christ they beat Seattle cos, well I just don't like the Seahawks. They probably are a lot better than I give them credit for but when you're in a division with the 49ers, Rams and the Cardinals... of course you're gonna do well.

Not to be too disparaging towards the NFC but I couldn't give a donkeys who wins the other game, though I suspect younger (lesser) Manning to bottle (again) and New York to crash out with a whimper in Tampa and then the Bucs will roll into Dallas to be thoroughly spanked by Romo's Cowboys So in a nutshell:
San Diego to beat Tennessee
Jacksonville to beat Pittsburgh
Tampa Bay to beat New York
Washington to beat Seattle

AFC should have just sent New England by themselves

2007-12-19T10:31:00.000Z

Offence
Quarterback
Tom Brady, New England
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh

Running back
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego
Joseph Addai, Indianapolis
Willie Parker, Pittsburgh

Fullback
Lorenzo Neal, San Diego

Wide receiver
Randy Moss, New England
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
Braylon Edwards, Cleveland
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati

Tight end
Antonio Gates, San Diego
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City

Again, boo-erns to the offensive line; 3 from New England, 1 from Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Indianapolis and San Diego

Defence
Defensive end
Jared Allen, Kansas City
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee
Jason Taylor, Miami

Defensive tackle
Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee
Vince Wilfork, New England
Jamal Williams, San Diego

Outside linebacker
James Harrison, Pittsburgh
Mike Vrabel, New England
Shawne Merriman, San Diego

Inside linebacker
DeMeco Ryans, Houston
Ray Lewis, Baltimore

Cornerback
Champ Bailey, Denver
Asante Samuel, New England
Antonio Cromartie, San Diego

Free safety
Ed Reed, Baltimore

Strong safety
Bob Sanders, Indianapolis
Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh

I would like to point out that it is STUPIDLY hard to find highlight vids of AFC players on youtube
I do my best
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=p8e3ByxI2F4

NFC will be shown the light by Purple Jesus

2007-12-19T10:03:00.000Z

Offence
Quarterback
Brett Favre, Green Bay
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle
Tony Romo, Dallas

Running back
~~Adrian Peterson~~ Purple Jesus, Minnesota
Marion Barber, Dallas
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia

Fullback
Tony Richardson, Minnesota

Wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
Terrell Owens, Dallas
Donald Driver, Green Bay
Torry Holt, St. Louis

Tight end
Jason Witten, Dallas
Chris Cooley, Washington

I'm not wasting my time on the offensive line suffice to say 3 from Dallas, 2 from Minnesotta, 1 from Philly, 1 from Seattle and 1 from Washington

Defence
Defensive end
Aaron Kampman, Green Bay
Patrick Kerney, Seattle
Osi Umenyiora, N.Y. Giants

Defensive tackle
Kevin Williams, Minnesota
Pat Williams, Minnesota
Tommie Harris, Chicago

Outside linebacker
Julian Peterson, Seattle
DeMarcus Ware, Dallas
Lance Briggs, Chicago

Inside linebacker
Lofa Tatupu, Seattle
Patrick Willis, San Francisco

Cornerback
Al Harris, Green Bay
Marcus Trufant, Seattle
Terence Newman, Dallas

Free safety
Sean Taylor, Washington
Ken Hamlin, Dallas

Strong safety
Darren Sharper, Minnesota

With Devin Hester, Chicago on special teams

Goddammit...

2007-12-17T07:52:00.000Z

Not content with ruining this season for their own fans, the Baltimore Ravens seem to be going out of their way to disappoint just about everybody who follows the NFL this year. Miami were three, THREE games away from a 'Black Season'. 0-16, it would have stood as the worst record ever in the NFL and could have acted as a fitting reflection of the Patriots 16-0 record (the one and only team to have a completely perfect season were the 1972 Dolphins, more on that in a bit). It was essentially a done deal, Miami play New England next week and after Brady had done a number on their piss poor defence Carson Palmer and his Bengalis will most probably rip the Dolphins to shreds in the last week of the season. All Baltimore needed to do, the only thing every NFL fan (bar Miami fans I guess) prayed for the Ravens to do was just not to suck for one game... one game... please?

Miami 22-16 Baltimore
... goddammit... the worst thing about this game is that the Ravens should have won it. The tie went into overtime and Baltimore worked themselves into field goal territory only for 'Mr. Reliable' to push his attempt wide. Up steps that random QB Miami have who throws an absolute bomb which blows up the already porous Ravens secondary for the winning score. Miami wins, the football community mourns

Simply Breathtaking

2007-12-10T16:54:00.000Z

Majestic, graceful, somewhat arousing. This is in contention for touchdown of the year in my opinion

It's A Moral Victory

2007-12-04T14:14:00.000Z

"Sean is the only thing we playing for tonight, you understand that? What this means? Its about family right now. One of our brothers is going home to rest, lets send him home right" - Ray Lewis

Now I had, perhaps naively assumed, that the only team to be truly galvanised by the death of Redskins Safety Sean Taylor would be his own Washington teammates. But on the evidence of Baltimore's defensive heroics last night it seems that Taylors untimely passing was all the inspiration Ray Lewis and co. needed to play possibly their best game of the season.

And for a defensive unit desperately trying to rediscover that ruthless dominance of previous years this couldn't have come at a better time. With the Pats coming to Baltimore with an 11-0 record squaring off against a poor Ravens team that had lost its last five games everything looked set for another blowout victory for New England.

New England did win eventually 27-24 after a last ditch hail mary pass from Kyle Boller was caught just two yards shy of the end zone a time expired. That's how close this game was. Despite their troubled season Baltimore have come closer than any other team this year to toppling Tom Brady's points scoring machine holding the QB to his worst rating for the season. Even the Baltimore offence stepped up for once, RB Willis McGahee going for a buck thirty-eight whilst QB Kyle Boller showed a rare (yet still ultimately unspectacular) show of competence throwing for 2 TDs and just one pick.

Still that wasn't enough to stop the New England juggernaut as the Patriots move to 12-0 and the Ravens slide further towards mediocrity at 4-8. (At least they're still ahead of the Bengals... I hope). Despite the loss it was a fitting way for one of the best defences in the league to pay homage to one of the most promising young Safetys. I still love you Baltimore, don't worry

The Steel Curtain

2007-12-04T00:58:00.000Z

When it comes to team sports I have to admit I'm a BIG fan of solid defences. I love the organisation and structure allied to the controlled aggression and overall meanness of a good, aggressive defensive unit. The refusal to submit, to never give an inch and more, to make your opponent regret even trying. In almost every sport defensive players are the enforcers, the biggest, ugliest fuckers on the squad that you simply do not mess with. There is a degree of sadistic satisfaction that comes with some poncy forward/back/offensive (football/rugby/yank football) player getting his deserved comeuppance for his impudence in attack. I like to think of an attacking player as a lamb, a wee lamb being mercilessly pursued and cut down by a pack of wolves. Like a pack of wolves every defence needs a leader, a general to orchestrate and lead his charges, preferably by example. When it all comes together A rock solid defence (contrary to what others may think) is simply the greatest spectacle to watch on tv.

And what's better than a rock solid defence? One with a damn fine nickname. The "Steel Curtain" was the affectionate term used to describe the Pittsburgh Steelers defence of the 1970s, arguably the most dominate defensive unit in NFL history. In 1976 this defence was at its peak. With the Steelers opening the season 1-4 and losing their starting QB, the defence carried the franchise through the rest of the year. Led by MLB Jack Lambert (pictured above and video below) They allowed a frankly ridiculous 2 touchdowns in the next nine games. Eight of the '76 curtain made Pro Bowl that year with Lambert named defensive MVP for the entire league in recognition of his inspirational leadership.

NHL... quarter mark?

2007-12-02T08:15:00.001Z

There is a point in a competitive sports league structure when the number of games played per season becomes vaguely ridiculous. For me this would be any amount of matches over say 40. In the NHL every team plays 82. Yes, 82 games a year. On the one hand this is kinda good for the avid hockey fan as he/she would be able to watch their favourite team (or any team they like) nearly every day of the week. Tickets for games would also be easier to come by as well I'd presume. It probably makes good business sense as well, more games = more attendance, more merchandise sales at games, greater tv audience etc etc

BUT as a neutral observer in a far away land I hate this 82 games a year bullshit. It makes it impossibly hard to keep track of whose doing well or not. Stay out of the NHL loop for a week and your beloved franchise may have crashed to the bottom of their division despite standing proudly at the top of said division last Monday. The sheer volume of matches played just seems to dilute their importance. In any league, no matter what the sport is, if a team loses ten games on the trot, that should be it. Their season should be caput, the coach/manager sacked and blame pointed at several under performing players. That's how it should be dammit.

Less games = greater importance for the teams, more excitement for the fans, greater drama for the tv viewers etc. But not as much profit... dammit

So I looked at the NHL standings today for the first time all season, turns out they're 24 games into their sporting year in the hockey world and its not even Christmas yet. Contrast that with an NFL season which runs from roughly September to February with each team playing 20 games total, at most. Anyway seems my Pingus aren't doing so well but the Vancouver (hurray) Canucks are cleaning house at the top of their division. For nostalgic (as well as for glory) purposes I'm backing those lovable Canuck swine this year. Now if only they'd play the hockey at a more reasonable hour on Setanta..

The Best Drag Race Ever

2007-11-30T09:04:00.001Z

Redskin's Safety Sean Taylor Shot Dead

2007-11-27T13:29:00.000Z

Sean Taylor 1983-2007

Sean Taylor, only 24 years old, died of gunshot wounds he received during an attempted burglary at his home in the Miami area on Monday night. Normally I wouldn't bother posting anything about this kind of malarkey cos NFL players seem to attract trouble to themselves (the entire Bengals franchise for example) but this is exceptionally depressing, Taylor was a damn good safety.

"He loved football. He felt like that's what he was made to do," [Redskins Coach] Gibbs said. "And I think what I've noticed over the last year and a half ... is he matured. I think his baby had a huge impact on him. There was a real growing up in his life."

Why The Hell Not...

2007-11-22T00:02:00.000Z

As an aside, and this has absolutely nothing to do with the below vid, but everybody should go see 'Into The Wild'. It is awesome

Maurice Jones-Drew LEVELS Shawne Merriman

2007-11-20T09:09:00.000Z

Maurice Jones-Drew: 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 208 pounds
Shawne Merriman: 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 272 pounds

Camped on the San Diego goalline the Jags use a play-fake to get in for a touchdown. Now look at the right hand side of the Jag's O-Line as Jones-Drew sells the play-fake to the right and then absolutely obliterates Shawne 'Lights Out' Merriman. The Jags went on to beat the Chargers 24-17.
I'm holding back from any further mockery of the Chargers in light of Baltimore's humiliating loss to Cleveland... which I'm going to pretend never happened

A Reason To Watch Golf

2007-11-19T13:40:00.000Z

Natalie Gublis

More pictures ici

All You Can Do Is Laugh

2007-11-17T20:27:00.000Z

John McKay was the first head coach of the new NFL expansion team in Tampa Bay back in 1976. He wasn't too successful in his first year in charge going 0-14. These are a collection of his quotes I found onlie today, I like the cut of this guy's jib.

* On the execution of the Bucs offense: ``I think it's a good idea.''

* On why he rarely had bed checks: ``You usually wind up staying up all night, or until your best player comes in.''

* On the significance of experience: ``If you have everyone back from a team that lost 10 games, experience isn't too important.''

* On the weaknesses of linebacker Hugh Green: ``He's not twins.''

* On Bill Capece, who was waived in 1983 after missing a field goal and extra point: ``Capece is kaput.''

* On place-kicker Pete Rajecki having a bad camp with the Bucs because McKay made him nervous: ``I don't think he's got much of a future here, because I plan on going to all the games.''

* On the Bucs' 42-0 loss to Pittsburgh on a very cold day: ``I remember in Pittsburgh we had no players and the ones we did have wanted to stay at the hotel by the fire. I was ticked because that's where I wanted to stand.''

* On the importance of an older quarterback's mobility: ``As a person gets older he doesn't get faster. Our quarterback will run from fright or lack of protection.''

* On fan mail he received as a Tampa Bay coach: ``It was about three-to-one that I was not an SOB. But there were a lot of ones.''

* On why coaching an expansion team is a religious experience: ``You do a lot of praying, but most of the time the answer is `No.' ''

* On the Bucs early games: ``Every time I look up, it seems we're punting.''

* On O.J. Simpson carrying the ball 47 times in a USC game: `` He doesn't belong to a union. Anyway, the ball doesn't weigh that much.''

* On blocking strategy: ``Hold when you're at home and don't hold when you're on the road.''

* On his disdain for the Packers: ``If a contest had 97 prizes, the 98th would be a trip to Green Bay.''

* On opening days: ``Opening games make me nervous. To tell the truth, I'd rather open with our second game.''

* On training camp: ``It's shattering when a player loses interest in camp. When you lose your desire to stand around and eat steaks, you lose everything.''

* Asked if Lynn Cain of the Atlanta Falcons was ready to play against the Bucs: ``Let me know if Cain is able.''

2002 Bucs (Apparently they won the Super Bowl)

Rugby World Cup Ads

2007-11-08T09:27:00.000Z

England

New Zealand

Australia

South Africa

France

Argentina

ok and now that bloody Irish Captain's ad... which as it turns out had already been done by the mighty Blackness, observe...
Ireland

The Blackness

Benneton Treviso For The Win!

2007-11-08T08:24:00.000Z

Group A
Benneton Treviso
London Irish
Newport-Gwent Dragons
Perpignan

Perpignan will top this group. Everything else is irrelevant

Group B
Bourgoin
Gloucester
Neath-Swansea Ospreys
Ulster

I like Ulster. Maybe it's because my mum is from the north, maybe it's because the half of my relatives I actually like are from there or maybe I just like the underdog
I don't know. And I can't explain it, there's nothing remotely remarkable about this team, propped up by David 'Why won't they let me retire?' Humphreys. They'll struggle (more so than usual) to get out of a group that contains Gloucester, the Ospreys and Bourgoin too.

Group C
Bristol Rugby
Cardiff Blues
Harlequins
Stade Francais

Foregone conclusion - Stade Francais to crush everyone else in this group. By 50 points. In every game. The Parisian outfit have an ungodly amount of talent in every position in the park as well as a hideous depth just in case anyone had the cheek to injure one of their starters. As well as Hernandez, Dominici, Skrela, Pichot, Corleto and mini Bergamasco in the backs, in the pack you'll find greater Bergamasco, Parisse, Taylor, Martin, Pape, Roncero, Ledesma, Szarzewski, de Villiers and Marconnet. With liberal splatterings of Beauxais, Liebenberg, Glas, Jeanjean and Rabadan. Like I said, foregone conclusion.

Group D
Biarritz Olympique
Glasgow Warriors
Saracens
Viadana

Biarritz are essentially the French Munster. The nearly men. The team that get so close nearly every year only for something to go horribly horribly wrong in the knock-out stages. Despite usually sauntering into the quarter-finals every single year the French team always seem to bottle in spectacular fashion when they relocate to that fortress of a stadium at San Sebastien. In time-honoured fashion I do expect Biarritz to advance relatively comfortably from this group. Only Saracens could trouble them but.. I doubt it

Group E
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Llanelli Scarlets
London Wasps
Munster

If Munster get out of this group... I'll be furiously angry. I've never liked Munster, sure there might have been a time when I begrudgingly rooted for them as they gallantly exited the Heineken cup again.. and again... and again and again and again until they won the damn thing. They've had their moment, its done, lets drop it. I know they've invested in some new backs this year but I'll put money on them still being one of the most unimaginative, boring rugby teams in the entire competition. And dammit, I want to see some attacking rugby. That's why I'm secretly hoping that those bogger bastards get blitzed by Llanelli, Clermont Auvergne and Wasps. For the sake of the game, lets see some teams reach the knock-out stages by using all 15 players. Say NO to 10 man rugby, throw rocks at Ronan O'Gara

Group F
Edinburgh Rugby
Leicester Tigers
Leinster
Toulouse

Oh shit... well it sucks to be Edinburgh. Not really much better if you're a Leinster, Leicester or Toulouse fan either to be honest. The Tigers travel to Dublin this weekend and the Frenchys are the first of the big three to get their hands on the sacrificial lamb that is the Edinburgh team. Needless to say Leinster need to get this years campaign off to a winning start, defeat at home this weekend effectively puts an end to the Irishmens (+ 1 Argentinian) hopes of qualification. Like Munster in Group E Leinster find themselves in a situation where fucking up is very much NOT an option.

Early Knock-Out Predictions

The Heineken cup has a relatively bizarre seeding system for the knock-out stages. Quarter-finals are not worked out by the usual '1st place in Group A plays second in Group B principle' but rather strangely the 8 qualifying teams are ranked 1 through 8 by their points tally in the group stages. Those that racked up the most wins and bonus points at the top leading down to the bottom. Given the 6 group approach of the tournie the 8 teams in the knock-out stages are all 6 of the group winners AND the two best runners up in the group stages. Once all this malarkey is worked out and the teams are ranked 1 plays 8, 2 plays 7, 3 plays 6, 4 plays 5. Simple eh?

1.Biarritz Olympique
2.Stade Francais
3.Neath-Swansea Ospreys
4.Perpignan
5.Llanelli Scarlets
6.Leicester Tigers
7.Saracens (Best runner-up)
8.Toulouse (Best runner-up)

Half-Way House - NFC

2007-11-06T15:09:00.000Z

Second part of my midway NFL season review, first part here

NFC North
Green Bay (7-1)
Detroit (6-2)
Minnesota (3-5)
Chicago (3-5)

New fan of Brett Favre right here. You gotta love the old guy for putting off retirement for another year just for the slim chance that he could accomplish something with this Packer's team. And although they may have been completely written off at the start of the season this Pack has risen to the challenge in spectacular fashion. They keep winning, Favre keeps smashing records, anything looks possible in Green Bay. Detroit run the Packers close as revelation of the year too, the very fact that they have a positive record is testament to the teams new offensive capabilities. Meanwhile Minnesota's rookie RB Adrian Peterson has been unbelievable, 8 games in and he's on course for 2000+ yards for the season. And what the holy HELL happened to Chicago? Rex Grossman, that is all.

NFC East
Dallas (7-1)
New York Giants (6-2)
Washington (5-3)
Philadelphia (3-5)

Tony Romo vs Eli Manning. Cowboys or Giants. Washington and Philly have nothing really. This division is very much between the Cowboys and the Giants. But with Dallas on fire this season, and Romo seemingly incapable of doing much wrong I wouldn't bet against the Texas franchise reaching the playoffs with a bye

NFC West
Seattle (4-4)
Arizona (3-5)
San Fransisco (2-6)
St. Louis (0-8)

Jesus Christ what a spectacular lack of talent collected into one division. No matter which team gets out of this division, the game of football loses.

NFC South
Tampa Bay (5-4)
Carolina (4-4)
New Orleans (4-4)
Atlanta (2-6)

This division is bizarre. Even last year the NFC South would have been considered one of the strongest divisions in the NFL. These days it is a hollow mockery of its former glory. Atlanta have declined at a disturbingly rapid rate following the Vick scandal and New Orleans have been hobbling along all season, a shadow of their 2006 season form. But thanks to the overall poor standard of this division the Saints still find themselves very much in the hunt behind two very ordinary sides (Tampa and Carolina) I'm expecting the Saints offence to WAKE THE FUCK UP!! and start playing the way we know they can in the second half of the season, and Carolina to implode under their hilarious amount of QB problems. Tampa are annoyingly consistent, yet not actually that good. NFC South is there for the taking if the Saints want it.

Playoff Predictions
1.Green Bay
2.Dallas
3.Seattle
4.New Orleans
5.New York Giants
6.Detroit

Record Breakers

2007-11-06T09:41:00.000Z

Ok at this stage I've actually lost count of the amount of records that have been broken this year (Just think Brett Favre and every passing record possible) but this is one of the more recent ones, Adrian Peterson (that rookie chap from the Vikings, otherwise known as 'Purple Jesus') rushed for 296 yards against a non-existent Chargers D to beat Jamal Lewis' previous record of 295 yards (set against the forever shit Cleveland Browns)

Geriatric Football

2007-11-06T09:22:00.000Z

Last Saturday in Alpine, Texas Mike Flynt stepped back onto a football field for the first time in 37 years. The 59 year old had decided to return to his old college Sul Ross State to play out his 'senior' year for the football team he had left all those years ago. The regret at missing out on his final year in college ball was all the motivation this grandfather needed as well as some gentle goading from friends at a class reunion last summer.

Having worked as a strength coach in Oregan, Nebraska and Texas A&M Flynt has kept himself in incredibly good condition. Now that he's taken his first couple of snaps this season on special teams Flynt seems determined to reclaim his starting linebacker spot that he surrendered some forty years ago. Good luck to the crazy bastard.

(As an aside Mike Flynt was a member of the '65 Permian Panthers team, the first Odessa team to win the Texas state championship which makes about 356% more of a legend)

Half-Way House - AFC

2007-11-06T08:34:00.000Z

Week 9 has just passed us by in the NFL and with every team having played at least 8 games at this stage I feel a review be in order
AFC North
Pittsburgh (6-2)
Cleveland (5-3)
Baltimore (4-4)
Cincinatti (1-7)

I'd rather skip over this division to be honest. My beloved Ravens were on the receiving end of a 38-7 drubbing last night courtesy of Roethlisberger's Steelers. A defeat that will probably turn out to be the defining moment of this season in the AFC North. The win gives Pittsburgh some breathing room at the top and condemns the Ravens to 3rd place below the Browns (oh the humiliation). With the timetable from hell coming into full effect in the second half of this season Baltimore look Donald Ducked to say the very least. (yes visits from Indy and New England are NOT going to help the Raven's situation)

AFC East
New England (9-0)
Buffalo (4-4)
New York Jets (1-8)
Miami (0-8)

New England = unstoppable, the rest of the AFC East = mediocre. After Belicheck-gate the Patriots are a team on a mission. A mission to embarrass every other offence and defence in the league. Playing with a large chip on their shoulder this ridiculously talented Pats' outfit have just simply been ripping teams apart this season. Brady's numbers are insane and he's been helped out a class receiving corps and a rock solid D all season long. Undefeated? Possibly. Playoff bound? Well bar a nuke hitting Foxboro, most definitely

AFC West
Kansas City (4-4)
San Diego (4-4)
Denver (3-5)
Oakland (2-6)

Worst. division. ever. The Chargers should count themselves lucky to be in a division that is so poor that they are still tied for top spot at (4-4). These 4 teams have probably been the most disappointing in the league. Even Oakland looked somewhat menacing this year but all the pre-season talk and posturing has come to nought. Denver have imploded, Kansas are as bad as they were last year and so are Oakland. The worst offenders however, are San Diego by the distance of a South California bush fire. New Coach Norv Turner has somehow failed to ignite an offence that couldn't stop scoring points last season. Rivers has looked a shadow of his former self as has L.T.. The AFC west is just a bit crap to be honest

AFC South
Indianapolis (7-1)
Tennessee (6-2)
Jacksonville (5-3)
Houston (4-5)

This has become the most infuriatingly predictable division over the last few years (so has the AFC east for that matter). I fully expect Manning and his Colts to recover from their loss against New England by thoroughly whomping every other team they play this season. The Titans may trouble Indy again as they did earlier in the season but I'm still highly sceptical of their chances of actually beating them. Good to see the Jags with a positive record and Houston slumping to their usual negative record at (4-5) after such promise earlier in the year. Everythings back to normal in the AFC South.

Playoff Predictions
1. New England
2. Indianapolis
3. Pittsburgh
4. San Diego
5. Tennessee (Wildcard)
6. Cleveland (Wildcard)

M.I.A.

2007-11-06T08:18:00.000Z

Apologies for my general laziness in posting recently but I have been preoccupied with several other ventures including:
28th-30th October - Giants at Dolphins in Wembley
3rd November - Bloc Party
5th November - Sir Neville Marriner, Beethoven't 6th and 7th symphonies
... actually that's pretty much been it, I'm just incredibly lazy

Buuuut Wembley was unbelievable, the new stadium is quite possibly one of the most impressive structures I have ever had the privilege to watch sports and get drunk in. And the crowd were fantastic despite (I presume) a general ignorance of the sport and judging by the myriad of different jerseys to be seen around the stadium little to no love for either the Giants or the Dolphins.

This was the first NFL regular season game to be played overseas which is kinda the equivalent of playing a Champions League game in the States and as such, the crowd really did rise to the occasion. The atmosphere inside the stadium was awesome even though the game itself came under attack from some typically blustery London weather.

This was never going to be a particularly high scoring affair anyway but the weather really threw a considerably sodden spanner in the works. Both teams struggled to establish any kind of pass offence and the match degenerated into a battle for field possession with the Giants eventually eking out a win 13-10.

Moments of the game:
1.Eli Manning's hilariously slow TD run
2.Cleo Lemon's equally hilarious fumble
3.That dropped interception by the Giants safety (closest the crowd came to a 'HI-OOOOO YOU'RE SHIT!' moment)
and this guy...

What A Ridiculous TD

2007-11-01T06:09:00.001Z

World Cup XV

2007-10-21T16:35:00.000Z

Ye olde selection below is based on the relative importance of the players to their respective team and the individual's impact on the tournament as a whole
1. Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
2. Mario Ledesma (Argentina)
3. CJ Van Der Linde (South Africa)
4. Ali Williams (New Zealand)
5. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
6. Jerry Collins (New Zealand)
7. Juan Smith (South Africa)
8. Finau Maka (Tonga)
9. Mosese Rauluni (Fiji)
10.Juan-Martin Hernandez (Argentina)
11.Bryan Habana (South Africa)
12.Felipe Contopomi (Argentina)
13.Seru Rabeni (Fiji)
14.Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji)
15.Jason Robinson (England)

Honourable mention: Marius Tincu (Hooker, Romania), Sebastien Chabal (Lock, France), Simon Shaw (Lock, England), Thierry Dusautoir (Flanker, France), Nili Latu (Flanker, Tonga), Vasco Uva (Number Eight, Portugal), Agustin Pichot (Scrum-half, Argentina), Fourie du Preez (Scrum-half, South Africa), Jonny Wilkinson (Out-half, England), Stirling Mortlock (Centre, Australia), Drew Mitchell (Wing, Australia), Doug Howlett (Wing, New Zealand), Sitivini Sivivatu (Wing, New Zealand), Ignacio Corleto (Full-back, Argentina), Percy Montgomery (Full-back, South Africa)

The Wheels Fall Off The Sweet Chariot

2007-10-21T13:15:00.000Z

South Africa 15-6 England

Justice. Sweet merciful justice. The Boks turned out to be one mountain too high for the sweet chariot to conquer. In a surprisingly close game South Africa managed to edge ze Eng-u-lish out of contention through the boot of their outstanding full-back, Percy Montgomery. The Springbok fifteen was given a solid platform to operate from his pack, Matfield in particular was immense. The two second rows, the gruesome twosome, abused the English lineout all day long. Between them Matfield and second row partner Bakkies Botha had stolen on average 7 lineouts a game in the tournament and last night it showed.

England's only chance of winning the game lay in their own monstrous pack. But after an initial show of strength shoving South Africa backwards on the first scrum the English Rose wilted spectacularly. The lineout was a shambles, the rucking was slow with poor ball presented to the backs and whenever they tried to attack around the fringes the English were faced with an implacable wall of green and gold. The Springboks were not going to be denied and their defence was ferocious.

The English may feel hard done by the video ref who denied Mark Cueto what appeared to be a legitimate score in the corner that with the conversion would have put England ahead 10-9. Though to be honest, bar that one incident the English never looked as though they were going to conjure a score to bring them back from the brink. For South Africa it was a simple case of beating England at their own game. Once they had established their lead the Boks just sat back and absorbed the English attacks, punishing England whenever they committed a mistake. Jonny Wilkinson's late attempt to drop a goal when the English were behind by 9 was a testament to the Springboks defence and typical of England's lack of creativity.

For the South Africans the joyous celebration of four years planning was uncontainable at the final whistle. All credit to the geriatric English team, Dad's Army had an unbelievable journey through the World Cup but if they had won it would've been the greatest injustice in the sporting world ever. Ever

Puma Power

2007-10-21T11:00:00.000Z

Argentina 34-10 France

Argentina. The team of the world cup. Bar the French for obvious reasons, who doesn't love the Pumas? A team of ex-pat professionals with a splattering of amateurs, recruited weeks before the world cup to a hastily constructed training camp. They don't have the same top of the range facilities as the Australians or the large, fanatical player base of New Zealand. Yet a country were football is sporting religion has shook the rugby world for the last four weeks.

With so many veterans playing their last world cup the Argentines played with such an intense passion that they had seemingly exhausted themselves by the time they lost to the Boks in the semi-finals. The Pumas were defiant to the end however. Rallying around the grizzled veteran pack the Argentine backline cut loose in the third place game. After an initial French blitz in the opening twenty minutes the Argentines replied in kind with a quick brace of tries inside 5 minutes. Suddenly the French found themselves 17-3 down despite the fact that they had been dominating the game so far.

The French tried to fight back but the Argentines fought tooth and nail every step of the way. Around the fringes the French forwards were met with a stubborn resistance by the men in blue and white hoops. Ball was slow coming back, the Argentine pack slowing the ball up at every given opportunity and frustrating their French counterparts. So great was the Argentine pressure at the breakdown that the French backline never got any good go forward ball and found themselves constantly on the back foot.

The Pumas for their part were completely ruthless. They didn't simply sit back and absorb the French attack, they struck back with scores of their own. In a display of attacking rugby sorely missing in this world cup the Argentines ran in 5 scores, including one pitch long effort by Ignacio Corleto while Argentina were down a man. France were completely dominated. They simply had no answer to the Pumas ferocious defence and opportunistic attacking play.

Argy Bargy were a joy to watch in their final game, Contopomi and Hernandez were back to their glorious best after stuttering somewhat in the earlier knockout stages. With the pressure off them the Pumas unleashed their full bag of tricks and playmakers. Fittingly, Contopomi nabbed two tries himself and the veteran prop Omar Hasan scored in his final game for Los Pumas. Third place, after beating the French in Paris, the best result an Argentine rugby team has ever enjoyed in a world cup, its not a bad way to go out at all. We should salute the latino flair of Los Pumas, many of whom we will not see playing in the blue and white of their country again. They came to this tournament as a family and played in the true spirit of the game, enjoying every minute, and although they didn't reach the final they thoroughly deserve everything they've achieved in this tournament. Not enough praise can be heaped upon Argentina, the heart of France 2007.
Argentina 17-12 France
Argentina 33-03 Georgia
Argentina 63-03 Namibia
Argentina 30-15 Ireland
Argentina 19-12 Scotland
Argentina 13-37 South Africa
Argentina 34-10 France

The Richie McCaw Facts

2007-10-10T22:22:00.000Z

Richie McCaw's hand is the only hand that can beat a royal flush

Richie McCaw can slam a revolving door

Richie McCaw can kill two stones with one bird

Richie McCaw never wears a condom, because there is no protection from Richie McCaw

The eternal conundrum "what would happen when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object" was finally solved when Richie McCaw punched himself in the face

Richie McCaw beat the black out of Michael Jackson

The grass is always greener on the other side, unless Richie McCaw has been there, in which case the grass will be splattered with blood and tears

If you google 'Richie McCaw missing a tackle' you will generate zero results. It just doesn't happen

I NEED to see this documentary

2007-10-10T10:25:00.000Z

Tony Romo - What A Difference A Year Makes

2007-10-10T06:18:00.000Z

From this mess...

..to this

Sebastien Chabal

2007-10-09T12:11:00.000Z

Crouching Tiger, Sleeping Puma

2007-10-09T10:13:00.000Z

Argentina 19-13 Scotland

Soooo tired mang. Four weeks of world cup rugby has seemingly aged an already veteran Argentina team another ten years. The Pumas, who were so devastatingly thorough in the group stages, lookded fatgiued against the Scots yesterday. Scotland were average, but were it not by an atrocious game for both of the Lamont brothers the Kilted ones could be in a semi-final right now

Argentina should have won this game comfortably but they were pedestrian to the point of warranting an Asbo for loitering. Their dangerously lazy policy of doing just enough to keep the Scots at a safe distance came perilously close to backfiring in the dying moments as the Scots pressed the Argentine line in search of a winning try and the upset of the year.

Scotland could find no way through a determined Argy defence however, a desperation cross-field kick for a woeful Sean Lamont was hideously overcooked and Argentina advance to the semis. Whilt they unquestinably deserved to be in the final four on the basis of their spectacular group form Argentina need to rediscover their earlier fire and passion or they could get a hiding from the Boks in a weeks time. And for god's sake get some sleep...

Bok Power

2007-10-09T09:12:00.000Z

South Africa 37-20 Fiji

Take a bow Fiji, the great entertainers took their exit from Rugby's greatest stage to rapturous applause from both Springbok and Fiji supporters alike. Throughout the tournament Fiji, along with their Pacific island neighbours Samoa and Tonga have the respect and affection of anyone who has had the pleasure of watching them do their islander thing. In the tense cauldron of rugby world cup game play that sees s many teams go all conservative for fear of making costly mistakes, Fiji dared to be audacious. They threw the ball around with joyful abandon, displaying wonderful handling and attacking ability throughout the tournament producing several highlight reels worth of trys.

The difference this year was the superior Fijian organisation. For a team that has traditionally simply 'played what was in front of them' the islanders showed the benefits of increased IRB funding with a more professional ethos to their play. No longer were they completely blown out at the breakdown, or failed to compete at the set-piece. Fiji, and all the islanders for that matter, have now combined their considerably impressive natural game with structure. This new solid forward base, whilst not the greatest in the world obviously, has more than stood up to the challenge in this world cup, going toe to toe with the Boks and giving those devastating backs a platform to work from.

With the Welsh dispatched in stunning circumstances 38-34 to put the islanders into their first quarter final since 1987, there were still few who believed that they could seriously trouble the Boks. Especially without their talismanic out-half Nikki Little, who tore ligaments in his knee at the end of the Welsh game. But stand to the Springbok challenge they did, defiant little Fiji fronting up to the might of powerful South Africa. However the Fijians slipped to a 20-6 deficit with half an hour to go and with Rabeni in the bin, the floodgates looked set to burst.

The South Africans were relying on their monstrous pack to win the game for them by bullying their Fijian counterparts around the park but the Boks were struggling to contain the Fijians out wide. Delasau chipping head and winning the foot race to bring Fiji back to within a try. Then the madness began, regathering the kickoff Fiji ran it from inside their own 22. Tearing the South African defence to shreds they went 100 metres in a minute and had scored again, 20-20.

For the next ten minutes Fiji put the Boks under siege in their 22 but were unable to score. South Africa eventually scrambled out of their hole, nudging ahead with a Montgomery penalty before two late trys orchestrated by the Boks' pack sealed Fiji's fate.

Boke Boke
Allez Les Bleus!!
Boooo England

Allez Les Bleus!!

2007-10-09T08:34:00.000Z

France 20-18 New Zealand

Glancing up at the big screen at half-time in the Millennium stadium the scoreline read 13-3 to the Blackness. An ominous 10 point lead it looked as well. Although New Zealand had not dominated the French as many may have expected they had looked comfortable for the majority of the opening forty minutes. They were winning French lineout ball, dealing comfortably with the French counter-rucking and defence, McAlister scything through the line of blue defenders more than once. The Kiwis had engineered the only try of the match so far, McAlister touching down after a rampaging Jerry Collins had rumbled forward taking several defenders with him. The Blacks took their chances methodically and professionally, the French bottled two early kicks and a drop goal attempt before finally getting on the board just before half with a Lionel Beauxais penalty.

With things looking potentially disastrous the French came out in the second half with a new approach. Taking a leaf from the All Blacks' book they ran everything right back a New Zealand and caught the Kiwis unprepared. The French revival was ferocious, the tempo they kept the game at was too much for the All Blacks. Their golden boy in the first half McAlister was sin-binned early on for desperately tying to slow the French down. Shortly afterwards the usually infallible Dan Carter missed with a penalty attempt of his own, the perfect Blacks were making mistakes and the French smelt blood.

Led by new arrival on the paddock, one Monsieur Sebastien Chabal, the French attacked mercilessly pressing the Kiwis into their own half and eventually generating enough of an overlap for Dusautoir to slip through for the try. At 13-13 Graham Henry seemed to panic. Mass New Zealand subs after the try saw Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher and Anton Oliver leave the field. The shot of the dejected trio in the stands looking positively shell-shocked went up on the big screen. The roar from the French support inside the Millennium stadium was deafening. The All Blacks were broken.

New Zealand, badly shaken by the expansive French play came on all conservative after the Dusautoir try using their forwards to pound the ball into the French 22 were Rodney So'ialo touched down for a second All Blacks try which McAlister failed to convert. Trailing 18-13 with fifteen minutes to go, Bernard Laporte played his trump card, the mercurial joker of the pack, Frederic Michalek. With almost his first touch of the ball the enigmatic Frenchman was streaking down the wing. With New Zealand defenders rushing across to close him off the break appeared to be about to come to naught. Michalek went to ground, looking for support runners. He delayed his pass waiting for fellow-Toulouse player Yannick Jauzion to cut the line that would break Kiwi hearts. The big centre crashed over and Elliasade added the two to leave France 20-18 up with ten minutes to go.

What followed was a Herculean effort by both teams. With the Blackness pressing hard for a game winning try (apparently they don't know what a drop-goal is in New Zealand) the French tackled themselves to a stand still (178 tackles to New Zealand's 36 in the game) and a lame attempt by McAlister at a drop goal drifted embarrassingly wide. At the final whistle, joy was unconfined for the French who march on to meet an average English team in the semi-finals.

Allez Les Bleus!!
Booooo England

Jailbreak

2007-10-09T08:12:00.000Z

England 12-10 Australia

*Yaawwwwwwwwn* As expected the Poms bored the Criminal Element into submission at Marseille on Saturday. Led by the boot of good aul' Jonny the Eng-u-lish once again proved that they are completely incapable of producing any kind of creative play to produce trys but were more than happy to subject the crowd in the stadium and the millions around the world to a thorough presentation on 'how to win at rugby when you're big, but not very good.'

Taking advantage of the fact that the Wallabies don't have the greatest pack in world rugby, the Poms set about bullying the Crooks' tight five off the park. The unsportsmanlike English refused to let the poor Aussies play. As if this was all some kind of twisted conspiracy referee Alain Rolland compounded the Wallabies misery by seeing fit to constantly penalise the belated Australians.

Despite the considerable obstacles amassed against them, the Aussies were able to navigate mount Sheridan and grab the games only try through Lote Tuquri. But with the English completely smothering the Aussie pack there was little the stifled Australian backline could accomplish with such meagre possession. The Poms turned the screw, Jonny kicked the goals and all of a sudden the Crooks were out.

As one happy (wasted) English fan I met in Cardiff said: 'After the game the most surprised guys were the 22 boys in white'

Boooo England

Island Kings

2007-10-02T06:45:00.000Z

September 25th
Canada 12-12 Japan
Romania 14-10 Portugal

September 26th
Georgia 30-0 Namibia
Samoa 25-21 USA

September 28th
England 36-20 Tonga

September 29th
New Zealand 85-8 Romania
Australia 37-6 Canada
Wales 34-38 Fiji
Scotland 18-16 Italy

September 30th
France 64-7 Georgia
Argentina 30-15 Ireland
South Africa 64-15

With the last round of group matches over and done with the eight teams left standing are an odd mixture of the blindingly predictable (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland and France), the random (Argentina) and the glaringly unpredictable (Fiji). The Boks, Crooks and especially the Blackness arrive in the knockout stages having cruised through their respective groups (bar a near slip-up by a second-string Boks team against the mighty kingdom of Tonga). The English scrape through by the boot of Prince Wilko after boring the Samoans and Tongans into submission. France progressed after their initial shock defeat to the Argies by thumping the other unfortunates in Group D and finishing in second place behiond Argentina who put the Irish out of their misery with a convincing 30-15 win. Scotland kicked the Italians to death, Chris Paterson having yet to miss a kick in this world cup. But the shock (and the most fantastic) result of this round came from the final pool game in Group B as Wales fell to proud Fiji in an epic struggle that only decided in the last 5 minutes as the Islanders found the try line again having just moments earlier surrendered their lead to a Martyn Williams intercept try.

Having lost their talisman and out-half Nikki Little to a presumed ACL tear things look bleak for the tournaments arch-entertainers as they bring their sexy rugby roadshow to bear against the might and power of Afrique du Sud. In much the same way I expect Argentina to smash a 'spirited' Scottish effort I reckon South Africa may be a step too far for the intrepid Fijians. I'm genuinely worried that the Poms could beat the Criminals too. With Wilkinson back England at least have a plan 'A'. This new found organisation may be enough to confuse and batter the convicts into defeat. Expect a lot of kicking for the corners, and the posts and.. kicking in general. The quarter final has to the Blackness againast the host's France. Being played in Cardiff (take that cocky French organisers) the French have been steadily improving whilst the Kiwis are yet to be challenged seriously (though they have dispatched all opponents with ann eerie efficiency). The best thing about this match is.. THAT I'M GOING! Mwahahaha

I love Brett Favre

2007-09-26T07:46:00.000Z

NFL Week 3
Titans 31-14 Saints... boooooooooo New Orleans boooooo, you've go nothing at the moment @ 0-3

Cowboys 34-10 Bears... Cowboys move to 3-0 wth a statement of T.O. related intent, Bears slip to 1-2

Jaguars 23-14 Broncos... I told ya Denver weren't any good

Bengals 21-24 Seahawks... hahahahahhhahaha nice football team Cincinatti

Brown 24-26 Raiders... The Browns... were .. oh so close... to back to back wins... but no

Chargers 24-31 THE PACK... I love Brett Favre, he's my hero

Lions 21-56 Eagles... that's more like the Lions we all know and love

Bills 7-38 Patriots... ouch

Colts 30-24 Texans... stupid Manning, you'll never be as loved as Brett

The NHL is back

2007-09-25T16:54:00.000Z

Round 1: NY Rangers vs NY Islanders

A New Power Is Rising, And It Wears Baby Blue

2007-09-22T21:50:00.000Z

September 16th
Fiji 29-16 Canada
Samoa 15-19 Tonga
France 87-10 Namibia

September 18th
Scotland 42-0 Romania

September 19th
Italy 31-5 Portugal

September 21st
France 25-3 Ireland

September 22nd
South Africa 30-25 Tonga
England 44-22 Samoa
Argentina 63-3 Namibia

Ireland are all but out at this stage, the boys in green need to shift something like 80 points against Argy Bargy in their last pool game to get through. The Argentines look poised to top the group and avoid the Blackness in the quarter finals, the dubious honour of playing the Kiwis set to fall to the host nation France. That is set to be a mother of a game though, both Argentina and France have been looking good in the second half of the group stages. Argentina will now have their sights set on a semi-final berth given that they'll be played ze Scots or the Italians in the next round. The French can take some heart from the fact that New Zealand haven't really been tested in the pool stages but... I reckon the Frogs are still in for a right thumping.

Across the other pools, the Islanders put on one hell of a show this week with Samoa and Tonga fist of all kicking several shades of shit out of each other. A mother of a game which saw the underdog Tongans sneak by four points. Then six days later the Tongans nearly produce the shock of the tournie by scaring the Springboks witless in a game only won when Boks coach Jake White emptied his bench to prop up his floundering second string team. Later in the day Samoa played England, and given the Poms recent form, most were predicting an upset but with the return of Jonny Boy at ten the English were back to their usually monotonous, boring ways and strangled the islanders out of the match-up. Credit to the English though, they looked about hundred times better today then they have in the last four years.

The Quarter Final teams are all but decided bar group B, with the second place spot still up for grabs between Fiji and Wales now that the Evil Wizard Mortlock and his Wallabies have clinched the first place.
I'll post again in about a week, until then, BOOOOOO England, Lets go TONGA!!

World Cup XV so far
1. Os du Randt (South Africa)
2. Mario Ledesma (Argentina)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
4. Ali Williams (New Zealand)
5. Sebastien Chabal (France)
6. Jerry Collins (New Zealand)
7. Nili Latu (Tonga)
8. Finau Maka (Tonga)
9. Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
10. Juan Hernandez (Argentina)
11. Vincent Clerc (France)
12. Felipe Contopomi (Argentina)
13. Stirling Mortlock (Australia)
14. Ignacio Corleto (Argentina)
15. Chris Latham (Australia)

UFC 76: Knockout

2007-09-20T07:17:00.000Z

Chuck 'The Iceman' Liddel vs Keith 'The Dean of Mean' Jardine

Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs Forrest Griffin

Jon Fitch vs Diego 'NIghtmare' Sanchez

I'm not gonna lie, I'm not really remotely interested in the Sanchez fight but it was the third fight on the card so I figured it must be relatively important. In actual fact I'm not too interested in the Liddel-Jardine brawl either, I'll be watching this fight night purely to see Shogun Rua potentially dismantle Forrest Griffin limb by limb. I've heard good things about this guy, painful things.

Rampage vs Shogun (Mpower)
Uploaded by Mpower077

NFL Week 2: Things Look Strange...

2007-09-17T07:04:00.000Z

Scores Of Note (home team in italics)

Chargers 14-38 Patriots... over exposure to a certain Irish WR has had a seemingly catastrophic effect on the once terrifying San Diego offence who were never ever in this game. On the other side of the fence Moss goes for over 100 yards for his second consecutive week as the Pats move comfortably to 2-0

Raiders 20-23 Broncos... The Raiders let another game slip through their fingers as the Broncos claw home in overtime. Don't let their 2-0 start fool you, this Denver team is NOT good

Seahawks 20-23 Cardinals... bahahahahahahaahhhahaha, I don't like Seattle

Vikings 17-20 Lions... hmm Lions are 2-0... that's not right..

Saints 14-31 Bucs... boooo New Orleans drop to 0-2, old man Garcia looking good for Tampa though

Bengals 45-51 Browns... I don't know whats more hilarious, the fact that the Bengals LOST to the Browns, the fact that Carson Palmer threw for 6 touchdowns and Cincinnati still LOST to the Browns or the fact that the Browns are now 2-0. Former Raven cum-Brown Jamal Lewis ran for over 200 yards in this game, take that Baltimore

Texans 34-21 Panthers... Houston are 2-0... what the hell is wrong with this league at the moment... the Texans and Browns aren't supposed to win anything.. ever... I'm pretty sure it's a rule

49ers 17-16 Rams... 49ers are 2-0... there's some kind of conspiracy going down here I'm sure of it

Packers 35-13 Giants... old man Favre and his Pack go 2-0 whilst breaking some kind of record

I was gonna put up a Browns vid in honour of their win over the Bengalis but this is the only remotely interesting piece on youtube concerning the Browns (Oh and I am aawre that the Redskins-Eagles game hasn't been played at the time of publication but... I don't care about either of those teams and neither should you