Rugby, as expected Bryce Lawrence makes a tool of himself, Blues and Crusaders progress, and baby Blacks make it four in a row

My hero (picture from http://bit.ly/jr4IuC )

Fridays match saw the Blues beat the ‘Tahs at Eden Park. Well, somebody saw the Blues beat the Tah’s, but it wasn’t me – no chance this match could have held on Saturday, early match and a late match? It wasn’t really a surprise as these matches normally go to the home team, and the ‘Tahs have an injury list as long as your team – and it’s not that hard to beat a team featuring an orange peeler, a security guard and a physio, is it? The Blues have been one of the form team of the tournament, and now face the tall order of the Reds in Brisbane.


I got up early on Saturday to watch the Sharks try to upset the odds and beat the Crusaders, not exactly at home, but in Nelson in New Zealand. Ringmaster for the occasion was Bryce Lawrence, who we’ll hear more about later. The Sharks had to travel 11000km to get there – can you see me building the excuses already – and it showed, with a lack of accuracy on their part. The ball might have well have been a bar of soap to them for all they could hang on to it. The Sharks played with unrivalled physicality, I’m sure the Crusaders won’t have been tackled backwards like that all season. But they were over eager, trying to throw that miracle pass instead of building patiently. The Crusaders defended well, waited for the opportunities and then took them with their usual ruthless efficiency. Sonny Bill Williams provided a cutting edge in midfield that the Sharks just didn’t possess, and had an excellent match all round, apart from his risible dive for a penalty. The Crusaders now travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers. With a proper home ground, they could easily have been in the top two instead of needing to qualify.

Now to Bryce Lawrence. Can I just say he didn’t affect the outcome of the match in the slightest. But what a puffed up little knob, issuing shrill orders in his nasal voice. Calling a penalty for ‘dangerous play’ before the scrum has even engaged? The Sharks have no idea how to play him either – the last thing you want to do is question him, as Johann Muller in a previous guise as Sharks captain discovered to his cost. It’s got to be all yes sir no sir three bags full with Mr Lawrence, and if I may sir, you’re looking very trim – have you been working out? He gets to ref the final as well, which I’m sure the Stormers will be delighted to hear should they make it that far.

Junior World Champs.

Ireland slipped to a disappointing defeat to Wales, but still made their best finish ever in the competition. What a smashing final though – both teams ran the ball at every opportunity, and you couldn’t put a knife between them in terms of performance. Both countries can look forward to bright future with this sort of quality coming through. Ransom, Ford and Wade were stand out England players for me, while at the end of the day, it was only really Anscombe’s (who will definitely regret that tache one day) kicking that set the teams apart.

New Zealand 33-22 England

5th Place Play-off: Fiji 17-104 South Africa

7th Place Play-off: Wales 38-24 Ireland

9th Place Play-off: Scotland 14-15 Argentina

11th Place Play-off: Tonga 22-34 Italy

3rd place play offs Australia 30 France 17

Super Rugby

Saturday , June 25

Crusaders 36 - 8 Sharks

Friday , June 24

Blues 26 - 13 Waratahs