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The Hurricanes -
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Mils to Toulon?
Could it be that the Chiefs custodian Mils Muliaina will follow in the glorious footsteps of Sonny Bill Boxer to the French Riviera?
He is reported to be on the shopping list of Toulon rugby club boss and comic book tycoon Mourad Boudjellal.
The 28-year-old could be looking at a multi-season deal worth
$900,000 a year. A nice little retirement fund there for Mils
but surely World Cup redemption is still burning -stay
tuned.
The Bunny who lit up Easter?
Eden Park faithful get a raw deal when it comes to mascots. Obscure is taken to new levels when Blue Beard and his Pirate entourage circle the hallowed turf in a routine that is no doubt inspired from Somalia.
So thank Friday Goodness that a cheeky little Easter Bunny, with more ties to Auckland than Blue Beard could ever possess, graced Eden Park last Friday - lets call it Steve Devine Intervention.
Whats up with Timana Tahu?
Reports have emerged from Sydney this week that Timana Tahu is disillusioned with union and the Tahs and is seeking a return to the NRL.
He may have denied these reports, but really, who could blame him?
Although he gains a consolation start at centre this weekend
against the Force - in place of the injured Rob Horne - the former
Kangaroo has been warming the bench for much of the season.
When the Tahs were in Auckland recently their media manager Brett
Moore revealed that they saw Tahu as more of an impact player that
could capitalise on a tiring defence.
But the fact of the matter is that the Sydneysiders can't buy a try at the moment and to have one of your best attacking weapons on the bench defies belief.
Is it time for conferences?
Despite South African resistance, the Super 15 will
ideally go ahead with three conferences: One in South Africa,
another in Australia and of course one in New Zealand.
The conference system is a winner. Not only would it produce local derbies that have slighter more appeal - than say the Blues vs. the Lions - but would also go some way towards easing ridiculous travel demands.
Case in point: The Hurricanes played a match against the Sharks
in Durban on a Sunday and then had to back-up against the Force on
Friday on the other side of the Indian Ocean.
The rather large matter of 7, 882kms of travel was compounded by
having just one training session in Perth.
They at least managed to escape with a win, spare a thought for the
poor Stormers who travelled from Cape Town to Christchurch to
Sydney to Canberra and then back to Wellington - absurd!
Force for the top-four?
After Cory Jane stuck a dagger in the Forces fading season the
Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper was clearly still feeling the
ill-effects of an almost ten hour flight through the doldrums when
he predicted that the 10th place Force would snatch a semi-final
berth.
While its not yet impossible for the Mitchs' men to break their
playoff virginity the Force, sitting currently on 18 points, would
need to win all their remaining five games starting with the
Waratahs on Saturday.
Battle of the fluff?
While on their four week sojourn to Africa and WA the Hurricanes put their shavers away, well sort of anyway. Moustaches, goatees and beards were all grown in the name of camaraderie and of course to see who could grow the best bit of fluff.
A reliable source from Capital ways tells me that there was no outright winner but that try scoring hero, Cory Jane, anointed one Jason Eaton for the most creative effort.
The burly lock was on lightning in Perth with his slick zigzagged sideburns that connected to his mo. Perfect Symmetry!
MVP round nine?
Finally we know what the Blues are missing. No its not a half-decent first-five eight after all; it is in fact a rangy openside flanker by the name of Josh Blackie that proves the perfect foil for continuity.
The former Highlander had a blockbusting match against the Lions and if he can repeat it against his old comrades on Friday night he could become the back-up for one Mr McCaw.
Match of the round?
Its got to be at Eden Park on Friday night.
The Highlanders expect to dominate at set-piece time and the Blues
will be intent on out flanking them with their pace.
Whatever the style a win is crucial for both sides - the loser can
pretty much kiss goodbye their season.
The Sharks slide?
The lowly Cheetahs produced the upset of the season by
smashing the top-of-the-table Sharks on Sunday.
The Sharks two defeats this season have come against the two
bottom teams and before you starting screaming conspiracy - it just
goes to show that there are no walkovers in this competition and
even a team as talented as the Sharks must turn up to every game
fully switched on.
At least this result will assure the high-flying Chiefs approach
Bloemfontein this Sunday with little complacency.
What are your burning questions? Feel free to comment below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentsamuelleague said on 2009-05-15 @ 15:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im a fan of Waikato Smash ya'll, and the auckland burn in hell. Have nice rings to them, All that matters is the Chiefs are going to win the comp unless the bulls finish first then we'll get 2nd
samuelleague said on 2009-05-15 @ 15:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
Im a fan of Waikato Smash ya'll, and the auckland burn in hell. Have nice rings to them, All that matters is the Chiefs are going to win the comp unless the bulls finish first then we'll get 2nd
Bullethole said on 2009-05-15 @ 14:40 NZDT: Report abusive post
The Waikato Burn
Bullethole said on 2009-05-15 @ 14:39 NZDT: Report abusive post
I've always been of the opinion that the Force should recognise Perth's rich maritime history by renaming themselves the Western Australian Anchors, or WAAnchors for short.
Zaz01 said on 2009-05-15 @ 12:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Canterbury All We've Got Is Rugbys or Waikato Wish We Were Aucklanders