Scrum of The Earth

Happy Birthday MJ

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:42:30 GMT

Michael Jackson: 'Donny, you're teeth are blinding me'

(Drumroll) Yes it's Friday, two days off - if you're lucky - and time to kick back, mock all the misinterpreted predictions of scorching weekend weather (as if you knew better) and open up a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. If you don't like white, then try green or gold with a little wager on South Africa getting their fragile bottoms served up on a plate by Australia. Otherwise you might want to check out for these… or not!

What might happen...

Prince Harry rethinks his admission about going to war after a couple of beers with the lads
UK head-teachers saying they deserve more cash despite being the best paid in the world
Football dominating 80% of the national newspapers sports column inches - not bitter... much!
Everyone rejoicing that there's only one more week of Big Brother 9 - Hurrah!
Australian rugby fans preparing their 'we're the best in the world' speeches

What won't happen...

Anyone saying a bad word about Barack Obama
Pieter de Villiers being caught on his own in a lap-dancing club at the bottom of the bottle
Michael Jackson celebrating his 50th birthday with a magician and a puppet show
Gordon Brown's new council housing plans greeted with applause in the House of Commons
‘Cheeta the Chimp’ commanding an audience with hundreds of book critics about his life as a Hollywood superstar.

Rob Wants Organic England

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:00:16 GMT

'It's alright - you'll still get your bonus'

Going organic might be ‘so last year’ in most folk’s cupboards, but English rugby’s storeroom has been bulging to the brim with a plentiful of out-of-date clutter since Sir Clive was last in charge of the pantry.

After his untimely little spat at the state of England’s veg-patch, Rob Andrew looks to be getting his house in order with the news that the Rugby Football Union will no longer bankroll the pension plans of overpaid mutants, but choosing instead to dig deeper into the colourful garden of academy talent on home soil.

England finished runners-up in the U20 Junior World Championships this year – their best ever finish – and it’s pleasing to hear that some of those who so triumphantly performed in front of the minorities might just be gracing an ITV 4 channel sometime soon.

As investments go, Andy Farrell, Henry Paul and Chev Walker to name but a few, have proved as successful as the Millennium Dome.

Jason Robinson apart, the fashion of bringing over these big stars with bigger biceps has undoubtedly stifled the growth for some of the brightest young pups in the Guinness Premiership.

Martin Johnson will have closely followed the expensive short-term policy erupt since his retirement after England's sole World Cup victory and it is no surprise that his vision for England doesn't involve funding those whose only stain on English rugby has been a sizeable expense receipt.

After all the nonsensical garbage Andrew spouted about Sir Clive earlier in the week - only 5 years too late - it's encouraging that our beloved governing body is working together.

Safeguarding the future of the national game by investing in youth and nurturing the next Cipriani's, Flood's and Haskell's of this world could even get Peter Jones interested.

SA v AUS: Round III

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:54:10 GMT

Timana Tahu: 'Wait until you see me naked'

Do you think Pieter de Villiers would swap places with Robbie Deans? Scratch that. He’d probably take Ant & Dec’s slot if it was available.

The Wallabies are aiming to do the unthinkable and win back t back Test matches in South Africa while the Boks are staring down the barrel of following England’s lead and making a right dogs dinner out of defending the realm.

Dingo Deans has already won the Mandela Trophy courtesy of two wins in Perth and Durban and now he even has the luxury of freshening things up for the crucial contest against South Africa in Johannesburg as the Wallabies aim to firmly grip one tight hand on the TriNations title.

Dual international Timana Tahu has been handed a first Wallabies start in Johannesburg, joining Adam Ashley-Cooper, Hugh McMeniman, Phil Waugh and Tatafu Polota-Nau in the 1st XV as Drew Mitchell, George Smith and Stephen Moore drop to the bench and Dan Vickerman,is crook.

De Villiers’ face already has about 150 holes dotted around the critics’ dartboards and will hope reinforcements, Odwa Ndungane and Brian Mujati, who return in place of the injured JP Pietersen and CJ Van der Linde respectively, can postpone the arrows until Novemeber at least.

Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai Mtawirara have been cleared to play but what must Joe Van Niekerk be thinking? How can the under-fire Pierre Spies and Danie Rossouw be more deserving? And who says favouritism exists in sport?

South Africa: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Andries Bekker, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Percy Montgomery.

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Timana Tahu,11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Sam Cordingley, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Hugh McMeniman, 4 James Horwill, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 George Smith, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Drew Mitchell.

Bok Return For White?

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:10:16 GMT

The players responded well to Jake's passionate approach...

So ScrumoftheEarth buddy, Jake White, has pinpointed his next rugby role - the Director of Rugby for South Africa - according to Afrikaaans journal, Die Burger.

Current Boks coach Pieter de Villiers is under fire after a morale-shattering Tri-Nations campaign and despite his position being safe courtesy of the dreaded vote of confidence, White desperately wants to help out.

Although SARU president Oregan Hoskins dismissed the existence of the role and clarified that no discussions with the former coach have taken place.

Read Jake White's Exclusive interview with ScrumoftheEarth here

Jake White Exclusive Part IV

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:05:48 GMT

Jake White: 'Do you use Clarins?'

I never allowed myself to be a puppet…

It’s probably why we were so successful. I had the job and I was always going to do it the way I wanted, because I realised you’re going to get fired anyway, too may coaches do what everyone else wants to do, then get fired, so if I was going to get fired at least I can go to bed knowing I cost myself my job.

My most pressured part...

2006, by a mile – for me the first part of Tri-Nations, when we were hammered 49-0, there was a lot of talk about me going to the UK as a rugby director. It created a lot of uncertainty for the players.

I knew if they were going to get rid of me, it wouldn’t be too close to the World Cup, so they were always going to make that decision at the beginning of the Tri-Nations.

Everything came at the same time - the hardest parts, around the hardest games, on the most difficult tours, and the most horrific injuries. Schalk [Burger] broke his neck, Bakkies [Botha] did is Achilles - it was the worst 3-4 month period of my life, I just had nowhere to turn, everything was just snowballing.

Fighting politics…

There’s simply nothing worse than for black players to be told he is going to play because of the colour of his skin. As white men we tend to forget that. They don’t realise what hurt you do to the young guy.

Imagine if Bryan Habana found out he was playing because he was a coloured guy. It would be a sin. Would he have played 20 years ago when we had apartheid? The answer is no. Now isn’t that sad if a guy like him would never have played rugby at international level because of apartheid.

Team spirit...

I’m very happy that every player involved felt that he deserved to be there - black white, 20 or 30 - I feel proud that in four years, no one came out and said I’m feeling like a spare part.

At the end of World Cup those players in the 30 were more overjoyed about winning the World Cup than the guys in the 22. That tells the story.

If they felt like they were hanging on, carrying the bags, do you think they would’ve behaved like they did when the final whistle went? I always say to the people when we pick the 22, the guy that must be the happiest must be the 23rd guy.

Jake White Exclusive Part III

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:36:34 GMT

He drank us under the table too...

Realising your dreams…

You’ve got to live your dream. I’ve been very lucky, I wrote an essay in my school exam - I think I failed - and I remember saying, I want to be Springbok player or coach. People laughed at me, I was 17, and in those days English-speaking non-Springboks were never going to coach South Africa.

You have to genuinely live and believe in what you want to do. Maybe I will become a Springbok doctor or a Springbok physiotherapist, but I wanted to be involved in rugby at Springbok level.

Rugby was good to me. In the pecking order, I was near to the top because of rugby union. I ate more than most kids sat at the table, at weekends I used to baby-sit my teachers kids, I could get ice cream out of the fridge because they’d gone to the movies. Those things drove me on because I realised how important rugby was as a young boy by making sure you got in the inside lane.

If I could’ve been involved in another sport…

I’d like to have been a top class golfer, playing at the Masters and the British Open. Playing at St. Andrews or Augusta would’ve been very special for me.

My hardest tenure…

Flying home from tour hurt me the most. I was embarrassed for the younger players on tour. I wasn’t proud of what message, or the situation it put Francois Steyn in. On his first tour, for the coach to go home - he has lived his whole life to be a Springbok and lived his whole life to be on tour - it’s a bit embarrassing.

I always preached about how special it was to be Springbok, to play in the colours, and to go on tour and then half way through I get called back home. I was embarrassed for everybody.

All the standards and things I thought were very important and non-negotiable were almost being contradicted by the fact that I was going back home.

To read the final part of Jake White's Exclusive click here

Jake White Exclusive Part II

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:17:04 GMT

Jake White: 'No i'm number one...'

My worst rugby nightmare…

That South Africa doesn’t stay a top playing rugby nation for rest of time. I would really like my grandkids and their grandkids to know that I was involved in Springbok rugby.

There’s nothing worse than being an old boy going back to school - I explained that to the players - and it’s no longer any good at rugby. It hurts. So my biggest fear for rugby is that South Africa falls by the wayside, and it doesn’t stay the way it is for the rest of time.

My biggest indulgence...

I like nice clothes

My best trait..

I’d like to believe that I can get on with anybody - it’s important to be appreciated and I’m very thankful for what I have and for the opportunity that has been given to me.

I continually tell myself how lucky I am to be where I am, and to do and achieve what I’ve done. It’s important to treat people with a bit of respect. You want mutual respect.

My pet hates...

I can get really irritated if i’m around people that are incompetent. I can’t take incompetence - for me it’s just not good enough.

I hate bullies, and I hate spoiled kids, they are two things I really can’t stand.

Rugby's so special...

People talk about the smell of winter green and the dubbin on the leather rugby balls. Those are the things you grow up with. Another thing is that special unique camaraderie you only get in rugby union.

You can go anywhere in the world and talk rugby. It doesn’t matter what country your in, you can have a debate with that guy, and be able to get on with that person.

It’s almost like a brotherhood. Rugby union is a brotherhood. Any guys involved at any level, be it a c-team at school or an international, there’s something about that person that’s unique.

To read part III click here

Jake White Exclusive

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:07:49 GMT

Jake White: 'I don't know how long park benches will seem fun'

What I still want to achieve...

I don’t have too many things I want to achieve in rugby union. I’ve been very fortunate on many occasions - winning the junior and senior World Cups, Tri-Nations, coach of the year twice, team of year twice and the world team of the year at the Lareaus Sports Awards - so from a rugby point of view, I’ve been really lucky, It’s been really kind to me.

I don’t really get up in the morning and get up in the morning and think ‘geez what else is there to do’ but saying that rugby is such a special thing and such a special game to be involved in.

I’m sure there’ll be something that’ll come up that’ll really entice me to get me back involved, but when the final whistle went in the World Cup final, I felt a sense of relief, as being in a cauldron every single Saturday takes its toll on you.

How I would like to be remembered...

The most important thing for me is to get remembered as a rugby man. Any guy involved in rugby knows what that means - to encompass everything - and when people say, ‘you remember Jake White’, I hope they say ‘that guy was a rugby man.’

My greatest achievement...

The best day of life was when I became the Springbok coach. For an English-speaking non-Springbok to become coach of the national team is a hell of an achievement. Guys like Ken McIntosh and Keith Christie weren’t Springboks, and it was almost a bit of a closed shop then, so winning the World Cup was a real highlight for me.

My idea of perfect rugby happiness...

A couch, remote control, and rugby on every single channel.

To read part two click here

Reality Rugby TV

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:48:42 GMT

Eddie Jones must read the Daily Telegraph...

Down at the Guinness Premiership launch at the oh so swanky Park Lane Hilton, most of the monotonous merry-go-round was about as entertaining as a rainy weekend in Margate, but praise the lord for Eddie Jones.

A positive spin on the Experimental Law Variations is as rare as an endorsement of Paris Hilton’s pop career - even Barrack Obama would struggle to turn the new laws into gold - and the latest scathing attack on the ELVs has hit harder and deeper than the Titanic plundered into the Atlantic.

Saracens boss, Jones, pointed rugby’s sinking ship to similar mire to cricket’s voyage into reality sports television.

Most of the Guinness Premiership bosses took a somewhat more Tony Blair approach to diplomacy, but Jones launched himself so far off the fence, humpty dumpty didn't fall as fast.

"The important thing is to improve rugby. To judge the ELVs you have to ask 'have they made the game better?"' Jones argued.

"Better does not necessarily mean more entertaining. If you want entertainment, you watch Twenty20 cricket. We don't want rugby to be Twenty20 cricket.

"That has to be the judgment line. These changes have been made with a view to entertainment, not to improving rugby.”

Why couldn’t he just say ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.’

Celtics Go Play-Off Crazy

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:16:31 GMT

Just another excuse to put on the Sunday best...

The Magners League will endure its last season of winner takes all rugby as the Celts prepare for the end of year play-offs scheduled for 2009/10.

Celtic Rugby is always striving to align itself with other professional rugby tournaments around the world," said Celtic Rugby director David Jordan.

"Consequently, this season will be the last that the Magners League is played in its present format.

"From 2009/10, we will be introducing an end-of-season play-off to determine the Magners League champions, with the top four teams qualifying for the knockout stage.

"A grand final will provide a great day out for fans and commercial partners alike."

Match Of The Day

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:55:49 GMT

Who'd rather see the Mrs fronting up?

There’s been Facebook groups, forum protests and widespread calls for the Guinness Premiership to come back to terrestrial television and guess what? Your prayers have been answered.

Premier Rugby, Guinness and ITV have joined forces to give the world’s top domestic league a regular hourly highlights spot on Sundays at 6:30pm.

Anchored by Irish nice guy Craig Doyle AKA ‘you may know me from such programmes as Tomorrow’s World, Diggit and Holiday,’ all 22 rounds will be covered with extended highlights of the semi-finals and final… All on ITV 4 - so get down to Lidl and buy your set top box.

Mortlock's Magic Moment

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:51:37 GMT

Stirling Mortlock: 'It's my time Ealsy...'

Only a short trip down memory lane, but what a ride. Seconds to go in Durban back in 2000, and the national lottery finger pointed its fateful finger onto Paul Honiss' cool head - "It's you."

Next minute, the whistle's blown and Australia have a penalty to win their first TriNations trophy. Step up Stirling Mortlock and the rest is history. Mortlock kicked 14 points in addition to Chris Latham's solitary try while Braam van Straaten must've been thinking 'Man of the Match, save Nick Mallett's bottom and free beer all night.' Not to be but definitely in our top two TriNations moments of all-time.

Elsewhere, in 1859, petroleum was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania (and the original well is still the only station... well maybe?). In 1910 the Yellow Cab is founded giving Hollywood directors even more of an excuse to waste a scene or two. And finally in 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastates much of the U.S Gulf Coast, killing more than 1,800 people and causing over $115 billion in damage.

And it's Suk San Wan Keut as they say in Thailand to Springbok bruiser CJ Van der Linde (28), Sale Shark Luke McAllister (25) French legend Serge Blanco (50) and Welsh scrummie Dwayne Peel (27).

Good Old Sonny

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:18:48 GMT

Sonny Bill Williams: 'Because i'm worth it...'

The Top 14 rocked into life with capacity crowds breaking into song and dance all over France and not a Serge Gainsborugh rendition in sight. One person who did recieve a note or two was Mr. Toulon going by the name of Sonny...

So the French beat us to the post just like they did with that Ceefax service..

Sure did, but at least a Brit came up with the internet...

It only seems like five minutes since Toulouse lifted the trophy...

I know - poor old journalists must be shattered and all Gauloise'd out.

So are Toulouse going to storm to the title...

Not if the opener's anything to go by. Montpellier stunned the champions with a sublime all-round performance epitomised by an athletic back-row effort from Messrs Picamoles, Ouedrago and Wasseman.

What about the other likely lads?

Stade Francais gave early evidence of their title ambitions as well as Dax's impending doom. It's going to be a long season, especially if they come up against more showings like Sergio Parisse's who bagged a brace of tries.

And Toulon? Is it just money for nothing?

The cheques won't be bouncing this week as Sonny Bill Williams proved he's just as worth it as Penelope Cruz with a debut try to spark a magnficent second-half comeback to see off Clermont Auvergne.

So who else starred?

The game of the opening night was in Castres where Bayonne continued their fine pre-season stuff with a shock one-point away victory. Individually, Valentin Courrent won the kicking duel with Benjamin Boyet as Biarritz beat the spirited Bourgoin boys. And Fijian flyer Vilimoni Delasau scored two of Montauban's four tries as they waltzed past Mont-de-Marsan while Perpignan warmed up for life with Dan Carter with a solid win over Brive.

Results

Biarritz 29-22 Bourgoin
Montauban 37-19 Mont-de-Marsan
Montpellier 16-11 Toulouse
Dax 9-31Stade Francais
Castres 26-27 Bayonne
Perpignan 34-18 Brive
Toulon 22-16 Clermont Auvergne

What A Mess!

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:20:27 GMT

Rob Andrew: 'Sir housewrecker more like'

The house that Rob's building was left in a mess when he took the keys as England's Elite Performance Director.

Rob Andrew has accused Clive Woodward and his coaching staff of leaving the England team in a right state after their World Cup 2003 win.

Andrew believes Woodward, who left his post at the RFU after overseeing the triumph in Australia, failed to insure the future of England's national side and subsequently should bare the brunt of the criticism for slow progress.

Speaking to the Daily Mail: "Without naming names, I do want to make the point that the 2003 World Cup coaching team effectively left no legacy to the English game."

"As a result, the elite end of the sport in this country was in a terrible state.

"I have no wish to personalise the issue. There was no structure, no real long-term planning, no development strategy.

"When the edifice fell over after the 2003 World Cup, there was nothing behind it."

Christmas Cracker

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:14:43 GMT

Harlequins can't wait to get back to Twickenham...

On the same day Rob Andrew took a pop at the state of the national game, only a stones-throw away from his office at HQ, across the A316, and Harlequins were providing fierce arguments against the motion.

Seemingly intent on becoming London's premier outfit (if geographically they are London's only side), Dean Richards' boys made a giant step to realising their goal by shifting their Christmas cracker against heavyweights Leicester Tigers to Twickenham on December 27.

Chief executive Mark Evans remembers days when club games attracted no more than 3,000, but the club's ambitions indicate how far the game has moved on since amateurism and days of loose fitting jerseys.

Quins chose against taking a lion’s share of the pot on offer for the Guinness Premiership's curtain raising London Double Header, and seem well placed to take a greater portion of the spoils in the capital, if the club's off-field aspirations continue to match the club’s mounting hopes on the pitch.

Coming To America.

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:27:23 GMT

Phil Waugh: 'Ey we can get even bigger with super size...'

New Zealand and Australia's Rugby Unions seem intent on clocking up the miles as the current TriNations top two aim to increase their marketability overseas.

Hong Kong will stage the first Bledisloe Cup fixture to be held overseas in 2008 and reports coming out of the southern hemisphere are suggesting that the land of the corn dog and baseball, the USA, is hoping to host the biggest annual rugby fixture on the antipodean calendar in Denver next year.

Just A Matter Of Time...

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:52:39 GMT

Big Brother treatment for Pieter de Villiers...

99% of South Africa would've been ready to give Pieter de Villiers his P45 following Saturday's humiliating defeat to Australia, but it appears SA Rugby has shot itself in the foot, with throwing the book at de Villiers simply not financially viable.

Four defeats in five games is hardly world champion form and disgruntled fans delivered a clear message of unrest during de Villiers' post-match television interview in Durban.

South Africa's first ever black coach earns a reported R1.4 million a year and although many are ready to push the panic button after a dismal TriNations, getting rid of him now could potentially cost up to R5 million given the performance-related clause doesn't come into effect until next year.

Anglo-Welsh Revamp

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:52:15 GMT

It all seems very complicated...

The WRU has confirmed it is in discussion with the RFU about proposals for new, Anglo-Welsh cup competitions including one which would feature Premiership clubs from Wales.

Talks have been taking place over several months to replace the EDF Energy Cup from the start of the 2009/2010 season with two new competitions.

The top tier cup would involve the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs, the four Welsh Regions and four clubs from a revamped second tier of English rugby.

The second cup would feature the remaining eight clubs from the English second tier and six teams from the Principality Premiership.

WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis plans to outline progress over talks so far with the Welsh Premier Division representatives in the coming weeks. He has also asked Cardiff Blues Chief Executive Bob Norster to join him for the next phase of discussion with the RFU over the main proposals.

Roger Lewis described ideas as exciting moves which would ensure top class Anglo-Welsh matches complement Magners League matches in seasons ahead. He said the discussions aimed at finalising cup competition details signify a strong desire to preserve the historically important anglo-Welsh rivalry.

He said, "I've been in discusssions with the RFU aimed at growing the game, not just at Regional level but at Premiership level too for a number of months.

"There are clear implications for the Premiership and I will be holding discussions with those clubs in a couple of of weeks' time.

"These proposals will create exciting competition which the game needs and will also bring additional money to replace the EDF Energy Cup. There is a shared desire among the RFU and WRU to preserve anglo-Welsh encounters to enhane existing competitions. But anglo-Welsh matches must complement Celtic rugby and we are also determined to develop the Magners League."

South Africa 15-27 Australia Highlights

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:37:20 GMT

Wait for the booooooooooossss...

Stirling Efforts All-Round

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:17:34 GMT

Benn Robinson: 'I don't like Beasts...'

South Africa 15 Try: A Jacobs (2) Con: P Montgomery Pen: B James
Australia 27 Try: B Robinson, S Mortlock, L Tuqiri Con: M Giteau (3) Pen: M Giteau (2)

It's over. Australia ended their eight-year travel bug in South Africa with a clinical performance led from the fore by inspirational skipper Stirling Mortlock.

Mortlock's sensational solo score put the gloss on a polished Wallaby display with bodies bruised, battered and bloodied as the final whistle signalled mixed emotions of both elation and relief.

James Horwill has been the find of the Robbie Deans era with the 23-year-old putting in another mature shift alongside elder statesman Dan Vickerman in the Australian second-row.

South Africa had their chances - they coughed up several in the opening exchanges - but their structure, especially at the breakdown was a shambles.

Australia's first two visits to the Springboks twenty-two yielded 10 points.

While the Boks pushed the panic button, Australia's pragmatism and patience enabled Deans' men to watch in amazement as the Boks butchered possession and territory all too often - and when they conserved the ball they racked up the points.

Someone must remind Pieter de Villiers, sport is about results. Many a coach has endeavoured to play the beautiful game, even more have spoken about it, but very few have achieved it as well as picking up the points.

South Africa's first black coach is adamant about changing the face of Springbok rugby, but only 10 months ago, with 90% of the same personnel, the passionate talented bunch lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy for the second time in the country's history.

It speaks volumes when stubborn South Africans claim moral victories, especially in Durban where they at least registered some points, but again the pretty didn't pack any punch with missed opportunities giving the Wallabies hope and time to build up ahead of steam.

Any positives or excuses for de Villiers were drowned out by a showering of boos that poured over his and Victor Matfield's post-match summary.

Matfield hit the nail on the head - "It's our jobs, it's our work, it's our passion, it's our lives" - but such dismal standards in any circle of employment surely illustrates the love for both the job and the boss is working overtime.

Skins 'Sports' Top

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:17:56 GMT

They say: Skins™ sport long sleeve top provides engineered gradient compression which improves circulation and muscle support to the chest, back and arms. These features are enhanced by muscle wrapping seams, which improve power and endurance.

The compression provided by wearing a Skins™ sport long sleeve top encourages a better posture which acts as a respiratory aid, helping you breathe into the upper chest cavity and effectively take larger breaths.

Skins™ tops also work well to relieve delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) when worn after exercise.

We say: Batman! Ever since adolescence, everyone’s always wanted to wear the suit and although it’s not the real thing, we’re sure it’s as close… fitting that is. These tops do actually work. For longer periods it’s plausible to exert increased power by driving your arms with more vigour without premature exhaustion. Not only that it does plenty for your ego and physique too. Plus! They come in custom-fit measures, so no one has to miss out.

Price: £59.99
Stockists: Skins Postcode Locator & good independent sports stores.
URL: www.skins.net.

Skins ‘Sport’ Tights

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:05:59 GMT

They say: Skins™ sport long tights are engineered gradient compression performance equipment which optimise the endurance and recovery of the muscles of the lower body. Benefits Skins™ sport long tights provide include; lower lactic acid production, improved circulation and greater oxygen availability in the hamstrings, quadriceps and calves. Skins™ sport long tights also promote muscle power and dramatically reduce muscle vibration, thus significantly reducing your fatigue and muscle soreness both during and after exercise.

We say: Technology continues to baffle us. If the iPhone wasn’t confusing enough, now there’s advanced clothing. Even after a run along the Brighton promenade (not as dangerous as you think) it was an astounding difference from the aches and pains of seven days previous. Lactic acid was so last year and the following day I even went an extra mile…

Price: £59.99
Stockists: Skins Postcode Locator & good independent sports stores.
URL: www.skins.net.

Skins Travel & Recovery

ScrumoftheEarth.com — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:46:16 GMT

They say: Skins™ travel & recovery are body-moulded compression tights, with built-in BioAcceleration Technology™. They provide engineered gradient compression for your lower body, maintaining healthy circulation and minimising swelling and dehydration – the primary cause of jetlag – during forced periods of inactivity.

Skins™ travel & recovery regulate your body temperature – they breathe, wick perspiration away from your skin and are sanitised. Pull Skins™ travel & recovery on under your clothing before you travel and leave them on until after you arrive at your destination. You’ll be surprised at just how much better you feel after your journey.

Skins™ travel & recovery are also great to wear throughout the day and to bed to assist recovery and reduce the symptoms of tired, aching legs.

We say: If they're good enough for Lote Tuqiri then we like them too. Unlike most compression garments, the pressure is applied to specific body parts as opposed to an overall sucking affect. Tried them out on the RyanAir flight to Tours Loire Valley from London Stanstead and my legs felt as fresh as ever. OK, so it might not be long-haul, but I certainly caught the eye of one rather nice looking Gendarme through passport check-in.

Price: £59.99
Stockists: Via the postcode locator and at good independent sports stores.
URL: www.skins.net.