The Tooheys New Super 12 Rugby 12 2004 is almost set to kick off!! The Reds (my team) played the Auckland Blues in a trial match on Saturday the 7th in Brisbane. Despite having won the previous trial match against my beloved Brumbies, the Blues' lineup - especially their backrow looked ominous! I'd be willing to bet there's not one team coach in the Super 12 that wouldn't give his eye teeth to have Rupeni Caucaunibuca as a winger! For those of you with short memories, Caucau is that huge, and I mean HUGE big Fijian dude who blistered and thundered down the sideline for Fiji during the world cup. When he smashed past Wendell Sailor on Saturday night the crowd expressed disappointment that Wendell hadn't stopped him... well.. it's always easy to play from the sidelines I suppose. Cacaunibuca is one big scarey unit!

Carlos Spencer seems to have regained his confidence that was smashed during the Rugby World Cup semi final - he was at his play making finest. But the Queensland Reds put up a gutsy effort. John Roe scored a try and Nathan Sharpe and Josh Valentine also had a good game. The Blues were never in any real danger of being beaten though and ran in 3 tries to the Red's one, the final score being 21-8

The game had a devastating outcome for the Red's Julian Huxley - he broke his jaw when he tackled Sam Tuitupou, and it looks like he might be out for the season. Bugger! For those of you who may have glanced at my RWC 2003 site - www.world-cup-rugby-2003.com you may recall that I thought Julian Huxley should have been in the Wallaby side. Boy that kid can kick! And - accurately! The Reds had a lot of hope pinned on the young flyhalf Huxley's shoulders for their Super 12 performance this year. Unfortunately it seems it is not to be Huxley's season- again.... *sigh*

Other rugby news is that John O'Neill who resigned as CEO or the ARU is apparently going to be taking over the reigns of Soccer Australia. Lord knows the soccer crew here in Australia have had some serious issues over the last few years - all I can say is the Best of British luck to you John! Meanwhile, the ARU hasn't appointed anyone as yet to replace O'Neill.

On Saturday, NZ beat Fiji (33-15) to take out the Sevens tournament in Wellington. To get to the final the Fijians beat England (don't you just love the sound of that phrase?) 15-10 in extra time, while the Kiwis beat South Africa 26-5.

Clive Woodward has been at it again. Last week his latest offering of wisdom to the world press was that England would have beaten Australia in the RWC 2003 even without Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson. yeah right!! hahahahahahahaha!!! I feel that his comments are more to do with the fact that the 6 nations is about to start and Johnson has retired and Wilkinson is out injured with a shoulder injury and will miss the tournament. Anyway - we'll see how England goes on June 12 when they come over here to play the Wallabies <-- can't wait for that!!

Okies - that's it for now. Cheers!