Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 31st August 2007
Rugby’s show-piece kicks off in a week’s time and fans from all around the world are trying to decide who will be the first of the contenders to slip up. Unfortunately any upsets will not be happening in the first week.
Posted in All Blacks, Australia, England, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 25th August 2007
Air New Zealand Cup points took a back seat to the Ranfurly Shield as Waikato came to town to challenge Harbour for the Log o’ Wood. What was expected to be a close game turned into a cake walk as the challengers ran away with a 52-7 win.
Posted in Air New Zealand Cup, New Zealand, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 24th August 2007
The All Blacks played their last game before heading to France for the World Cup against an Auckland club invitational XV on Thursday. While other Cup bound teams are playing warm up test matches, New Zealand have the unique luxury of taking some time off.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 15th August 2007
After being brought in as a technical advisor to the Springboks, Eddies Jones has had his contract with South Africa extended to the end of the World Cup, but will this union of two former rivals bear fruit?
Posted in Australia, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 13th August 2007
As unfortunate as it may be, referees, touch judges and television match officials will play a huge role in who ends up lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 12th August 2007
In the final instalment of the Keys to Victory Hamish McBrearty takes a look at some of the tournament’s dark horses and how they could derail some of the more fancied team’s campaigns.
Posted in England, Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 12th August 2007
Scotland showed they could be on the improve with a new focus as they beat Ireland by 31-21 in Murrayfield in a pre World Cup friendly.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 10th August 2007
New Zealand is a nation which loves its sports, whenever the All Blacks or Black Caps are playing they are the talk of the nation. But where does this obsession come from, and is it healthy for the nation?
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, rugby | 1 Comment »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 9th August 2007
Today’s Keys to Victory takes a look at a team over looked by many commentators, Ireland. Most of the pre-World Cup talk has been about the All Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks and hosts France, but the Irish have an excellent team and a very real chance at claiming their first World Cup.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 9th August 2007
Today the Keys to Victory shifts focus from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere who have at least two teams capable of winning the Rugby World Cup. The first of those is the hosts France, who won this year’s Six Nations championship and could easily carry on their winning ways.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »