South Africa is mourning the loss of Bulls' centre Ettienne Botha who died after his car crashed and rolled on the highway outside Pretoria early Wednesday morning. Just 26 years old :( One of the Bulls' superstars Botha was the 2004 Currie Cup Player of the Year, and the Bulls Player of the Year last year. Condolences to all.

The Queensland Reds have signed Brumbies back Henari Veratau for their 2006 Super 14 campaign.

Along with a promising young back, the Reds have also appointed their backs coach for next season - Damon Emtage. Emtage has been the head coach at Sunnybank in Brisbane for the last three years. Under him, Sunnybank have done very well! Speaking of Sunnybank, I'm hoping that they go down big time to the Gold Coast Breakers tomorrow at Albert Park when they compete for the minor premiership. No offence Sunnybank, but you know... I will of course be barracking loudly for the local lads from the sideline tomorrow :) That is, of course on the proviso that I have any energy left after barracking for Surfers seniors to win the minor premiership game/s in the Gold Coast District comp :)) It's all good!

Have a good one!

For FUCK'S SAKE.... if there is ANY kiwi that I DON'T know who's living on the Gold Coast and hasn't done it YET - txt or email me within the next 24 hours or forever hold your ... peace/piece(?) I DO wish someone would teach that mob how to win gracefully, lord knows they have losing disgracefully down pat... heh :)

I think I should concentrate on the positives from last night's test...


which is.....

2007 is only <2 years away :) but.. wait.. the Kiwis won the first world cup.. back in 1987.. are they planning a twenty year anniversary? Bring it on..........................................

:))

I said the Kiwis by 9 points - I was just one short of the mark with the All Blacks getting up 34-24 over the Wallabies last night in Auckland. Mind you, nine of those points the All Blacks scored were gifted by Mat Dunning through 3 penalties. Argh!

The All Blacks came out fighting and were up 20-0 after the first quarter in a dominant display. Eddie Jones must have stuck it to the boys at half time though, and the Wallabies came out and bunged on 19 points to narrow the lead to just one point. Then Mat Dunning came on and gave away three penalties in relatively quick succession which were promptly converted into points. Doh! Still, Dunning can't shoulder the blame for the loss - it wasn't until the second half that the Australian forwards seemed to remember, as a group, what the term 'clean out' entails!

The highlight of the game was seeing Lloyd Johansson come on and score a try within minutes of making his test debut. Congratz! Johansson was brought on after Clyde Rathbone got smashed in a tackle. It looked painful!

Mat Rogers had a good game at Flyhalf, he sure has some heart. Lote had a great second half at centre, but for the Wallabies it wasn't to be - too many handling errors coughed up the ball. The Australian line out was abysmal, and the scrummaging left a lot to be desired. Still, it could have been a lot worse.

The win gives the Kiwis both the Bledisloe and the Tri Nations Cup for 2005. While South Africa's win/lose record for the series was the same as the Enzeders, the Kiwis take the cup on bonus points. That's probably a fitting result.

The fall out of Australia's 5th successive loss will no doubt continue.....

Later!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there :)