JayStarr says...

@ APV1: Haha ha! Good one.

@ Stellenbosched: Now now... Maybe it's just for the fright they might get when they see their opponents...

Posted 01:26 15th June 2012

APV1 says...

@ JayStarr - as is well known, I'm a Bath fan. yet usually I have a shower in the morning...

Posted 09:54 14th June 2012

JayStarr says...

@ kybone: lol! I know - after I wrote that I thought, "hang on..."

I suppose something like "Wasps" is a pretty safe one - nobody really knows whether you have them or not. :P

Posted 02:29 14th June 2012

kybone says...

JayStarr - How many times have you been to Leicester and seen a Tiger?

Posted 17:44 13th June 2012

powerplay says...

Wow how corrupt is that system?? Old boys networks or what?? Good onya Boyle, you seem like someone with a conscience!

Posted 07:26 13th June 2012

JayStarr says...

I've been to Italy four times, travelled from Sorento to Milan, Venice, lake Como, Genoa and everything in between... I've seen thousands of cathedrals, paintings, sculptures, vineyards, beaches, geraniums, ice creams, yachts, tourists, pastas, chiantis and pigeons... but never have I seen a ZEBRA.

WTF!?

In other news: Argentina is amazing. I have always been a huge fan... If you've ever seen them play at a World Cup (well, maybe not the last one), how can you not absolutely love them? Just look at what they've achieved with just about zero resources and a plethora of amateur players - THIRD at the 2007 World Cup!! And now their u20's are wrecking havoc here in Cape Town - whipping France, Australia and anything else in their way... Can you imagine, with this potential, what this country can achieve if they finally get the resources and opportunities the "big boys" have?

In my opnion Argentina is like a combination between the Springboks and All Blacks - they have the dominant scrum and physicality the Springboks are traditionally famous for, but then also have an attacking style of play and flair with ball in hand that means they can score from anywhere on the field...

I firmly believe that their inclusion to this year's inaugural Rugby Championship is not so much the charitable event the tri-nations probably see it as, but more a case of unleashing a monster. I am convinced that Argentina, on a level playing field, with similar resources and depth as the "big boys", can become the most feared team in the world. Future World Cup winners even.

Can't wait for that first, historic game at Newlands!

Posted 02:40 13th June 2012

leinster_goy says...

@curates_egg

"GUBU"...isn't that a gaybar on capel street?

just to back up what cayzam is saying - i look at that zebre logo and i can't see "italy". because the stripes are presented horizontally, it looks like iran, or bulgaria

and the choice of name is just catastrophic. i can see the inevitable headlines: "leinster/ulster stroll over zebre crossing", or the odd time - "connacht knocked over at zebre crossing", etc, etc

Posted 20:19 12th June 2012

APV1 says...

What's interesting is the dulled appetities for slating the Unions. Am I the only one who now shakes my head in absolute dismay, anytime there's an article about the IRB or a Union? I suspect not.

I'm not a big fan of Boujellal, but his sentiments could be echoed across the world, when it comes to the leadership of the various Unions:

"The modern era is overwhelming for them. They have to understand the need for change."

And the farce surrounding London Welsh, particulalry when compared to Saracens, is just rediculous. I have no issues if Sarries want to go "on tour" for their home games, although I think it's a little peculiar. But Welsh should come up and Newcastle down.

Posted 12:22 12th June 2012

curlymac says...

I can see Argentina beating all the other teams within a few years as long as they are able to use their top players. They have almost beaten the all blacks at home and regularly beat France.

Posted 10:57 12th June 2012

curates_egg says...

As regards the Italian teams and financial constraints, the financial problems at Aironi were not the fault of the Viadana club or living beyond their means. They were twofold: (a) their sponsor Banca Montepaschi failed to deliver promised sponsorship funding (b) the two Parma clubs that formed part of the Aironi franchise never delivered their share of the funding.

If the FIR is willing to bankroll this new Parma side, well that is its choice. It is a real slap in the face though - not only to Viadana (which invested a considerable amount in the Aironi team and redeveloped its stadium, and was let down by the Parma section of the franchise) but also to other clubs with real fan bases in northern Italy.

As posted elsewhere: Parma has no rugby supporting base; the team finished second from bottom in the Italian Eccelenza this year; it will have to redevelop its stadium to meet Pro12 standards.

The logical (and cheaper) thing for the FIR to do would have been to back Aironi in Viadana (which has a good fan base and a regulation stadium, and was starting to put in some consistently good performances), and help it overcome the financial problems that were not of its making. Failing that, it could have moved the franchise to a rugby heartland (with a fan base) or Rome (as the capital and with economies of scale). The selection of Parma - the hometown of the FIR president - is just GUBU.

All rugby fans want (or should want) the professional game to properly take off in Italy, so lets hope the blazers haven't set its development back with this political decision.

Posted 10:03 12th June 2012