PLANET RUGBY:ALL OF the Irish-based South African players made it on to the pitch on Saturday. Ulster's BJ Botha started the game in the front row, while Leinster prop CJ Van der Linde came off the bench into the game. Munster's new signing, Jean de Villiers, who believed that his international career was over having left South Africa to play his club rugby, came on to face some of his team mates in the last quarter.
At one point in the match South Africa had more Ulster players on their side than Ireland did after Stephen Ferris and Paddy Wallace both departed as injury casualties.
Drico doing his bit for Gillette
THANK GOD for small mercies. After the Thierry Henry hand ball which put Ireland out of next summer’s World Cup and the interesting details emerging about Tiger Woods and his private life, the Gillette company should be thankful they still have the likes of Roger Federer and Brian O’Driscoll on their books.
The unbeaten Irish captain does his bit for the shaving giant while Henry, Woods and Federer are all part of the most naff ad on telly.
One to watch in the mascot
JAMES LOWRY, who was the mascot at Croke Park on Saturday, would not have been as overwhelmed by the occasion as some of the youngsters who run out with the Irish team. The 12-year-old’s uncles Sean, Brendan and Michael have All Ireland winner’s medals with Offaly. All of the brothers were on the famous team that prevented Kerry winning five in a row in the 1980s. James’ cousin, Shane, also won the Irish Open this year before turning professional. Maybe we should keep an eye on this young man.
THE IRELANDsenior team's year was not just the best for Brian O'Driscoll and the boys. The Ireland 'A' team also rode out the year unbeaten. They defeated Scotland in the RDS during the Six Nations Championship and then won all three matches on the way to claiming the Churchill Cup. Friday night's defeat of the Argentinean Jaguars in Tallaght topped off what was a great year all round for the two Irish sides.
Brumbies return on cards for Harrison
THE 34-TIMES capped Wallaby and former Ulster secondrow, Justin Harrison, aka “The Plank” has reportedly agreed terms with former employers the Brumbies for next season’s Super 14. The controversial player is currently serving an eight-month suspension after admitting to taking recreational drugs while at Guinness Premiership club Bath.
Harrison made his Brumbies debut back in 1997 and will train with the Canberra side from today, with his availability set to begin from January. But the 2004 champions are expecting to find themselves in conflict with the Australian Rugby Union, who may not want to have a player with such a record signed as a local player.
Tough talk
QUOTE OF the weekend comes from John Robbie, the former Ireland, Lions and Springbok player. Now in South Africa and a well-known rugby commentator and radio celebrity, Robbie predicts a tough time for the ‘Boks when they return to South Africa this week.
“To be in a winning ‘Bok team is to experience unadulterated worship, to be a loser is to be a pariah,” said Robbie. Just as well a few of them are not returning home then.
Schmidt in talks to succeed Cheika
LEINSTER SOURCES have confirmed that they are close to sealing a deal with Joe Schmidt, currently assistant coach to Vern Cotter at Clermont Auvergne, to succeed Michael Cheika at the end of this season, writes Gerry Thornley.
The 44-year-old New Zealander, who was previously assistant coach at the Auckland Blues, has emerged as the favourite to become Leinster’s next coach.
In a recent interview with this newspaper, Isa Nacewa said of Schmidt: “He is the Mr Rugby in my mind. He taught me most of the stuff that I know about a backline in the three years I was with him at the Blues.
“He had a young mind into the game, and he really knows the game of rugby – the reasons why you do moves.”
NAMIBIA BEATTunisia 22-10 in a tense and physical match in Windhoek on Saturday to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand and join world champions South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Samoa in Pool D. The victory gives Namibia a 40-23 aggregate victory after they won the first leg in Tunis 18-13 a fortnight ago, the first time the away side had won an encounter between the two African rivals.
