The Perth coaching appointment saga continues... I'm not sure if it's what you could actually call a saga but it's starting to resemble a soap opera that's for sure. The latest round of Chinese whispers has produced a story that Justin Harrison has been, and I quote, "acting as a 'double agent' for the new Perth Super 14 team".

Apparently Harrison had coffee with Rod Kafer in Sydney when Kafer returned from coaching Saracens. The pair used to share digs in Canberra so they caught up.. as you do!

The story reported in The Daily Telegraph and appearing over on Foxsports says that Harrison had been accused of sounding out players in an effort to boost Kafer's chances of being appointed coach.

Harrison is reportedly not worrying about the claims. I hope he's had a good chuckle :) I had one!!

Maybe I could start some wild rumours right here and see where they end up? Nah.. there seems to be plenty of people with more imagination than I could ever muster.

Later! (I'm off to watch the second half of the Aus/NZ cricket one dayer on the tube)

Good morning!

You have to read this story over in the Australian about the Reds - it's a classic! Sad for a Reds supporter to read, but the writer certainly gives a witty account of the Reds post Crusaders trial woes. Apparently Latham, Flatley, and Valentine's injuries aren't too serious after all, however, Tim Atkinson could be out for six weeks due to the dislocated shoulder injury he copped during the game.

Meanwhile the selection of Perth's Super 14 coach continues to be rated as newsworthy. The latest goss is that John Mitchell is apparently being undermined by certain people within the NZRFU, John Muggleton, the Wallabies defensive coach, is out of the running, and I'm sure there's more but quick frankly I'm quite bored with the whole thing. You can read all about it here.

Kind of a dearth of rugby games to watch on the telly this weekend - might get some sleep for a change :) Local rugby club training starts today though! Better get myself into rugby coach mode...

The Reds got hammered - and I mean HAMMERED- (48-19) by the Crusaders in their last trial game. Three tries from the Christchurch crew within the first 20 minutes gave them a healthy lead that they were never to lose.

Injuries to Chris Latham (sprained ankle) and Josh Valentine (ribs) mean that they could both be out for the Reds first round game against the Hurricanes. But the injury woes for the Reds didn't end there. Mitchell and Kefu both suffered a bit of concussion, Huxley suffered from severe cramps, and Atkinson sustained a shoulder injury. Sheesh!

No doubt the Crusaders will feel somewhat avenged after their loss to the Waratahs in their trial game. Hopefully the Reds can regroup and learn from the game.

I'm just ferreting in the tipping competition pages... so if you head in there and weird things seem to be happening on the screen, don't fret. It's just me mucking around with stuff..

Brisbane-ites and Reds supporters should head to Ballymore tonight for the final Reds Super 12 trial game against the Crusaders. Kick off time is 7.30pm

The Canterbury Crusaders team has 14 All Blacks in it - yikes! Though, that's nothing out of the ordinary for them.

The Reds have a strong team as well though. Here it is as listed on the QRU website.

1. Nick Stiles (vice-captain)
2. Stephen Moore
3. Anthony Mathison
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Hugh McMeniman
6. Daniel Heenan
7. David Croft
8. John Roe
9. Josh Valentine
10. Julian Huxley
11. Ben Tune
12 .Elton Flatley (captain)
13. Junior Pelesasa
14. Wendell Sailor
15. Chris Latham

Replacements:
16.Sean Hardman; 17.Tom McVerry; 18.Luke Doherty; 19. Steve Kefu; 20.Tim Atkinson; 21.Drew Mitchell; 22.Peter Hynes; 23.Pete Niumata; 24.Greg Holmes; 25.Brock James

Should be a cracker of a game! Big thumbs up too the QRU who are admitting two kids free for every paying adult. Nice one guys!!

I'm outta here! Go Reds!!

Alriiight! Optusnet have got their act together for their 2005 footy tipping competition. If I wasn't such a cruddy tipster I'd be tempted to rejoin optusnet JUST so I could have a shot at the fab prizes. Go sign up if you're an Australian, you have nothing to lose - except your dignity :)

Don't forget to signup as well for the Yahoo sports footy tips comp - they have mega prizes! May as well have a go, you can sign up here. (Don't try and use your yahoo login details for it, doesn't work. You have to register specifically for the tipping comp).

I have NO idea what tipping comps are open for our South African friends.. if anyone has a heads up for me please feel free to drop me an email and I'll add the link in here.

Jeepers.. the 'current' world champs have lost 8 of their past 11 matches! Bet that hurts :)

Wowee! What a thriller the England/France game was!

After a pretty poor first half, the Frenchmen made a big comeback in the second half - though the poms didn't play all that well either in the second half... but the upshot was that France finally took the lead off the English and won the game by a point 18-17!

The French were pinged piles of times for hands in the ruck, and had England potted over a few more penalty goal attempts, or even the field goal whack in the dying moments then the scoreline would have indeed told a different story.

That was one exciting game! I'd better get some beauty sleep though - lord knows I need it :)

*Yawn* Those of you who also stayed up half the night here in the Southern Hemisphere to watch the rugby are probably also feeling a bit weary today no doubt?

The Wales v Italy game was first up and it held no big surprises with Wales thumping their opposition 38-8 running in 6 tries to 1.

The Scots, so good last week, were outplayed by Ireland at Murrayfield 40-13. The irish were formidable, though I got a bit tired of the commentators carrying on and on .. and on. Brian O'Driscoll wasn't playing - we know, and yes Denis Hickie played very well - we agree.

I'm looking forward to the England France game tonight - well tomorrow morning... you know what I mean.

Cheers :)