News from the world of Rugby
Andorra get it started
The qualification for the 2007 Rugby World Cup kicked off on Saturday in the European principality of Andorra, high in the Pyrenees. The European Round One match, between Andorra and Norway, culminated in a 76-3 win for the home side. It was refereed by the South African Andre Watson, who has officiated at two World Cup finals.
Just so that readers of Planet Rugby will know answers to potential quiz questions, the first try-scorer in the 2007 World Cup was Andorran hooker Josef Txelidtze (five minutes). Norway's only points were scored by full back Francis Hunt when he kicked a penalty.
The teams meet for the return match in Bergen on September 18th, the overall winner progressing to Europe Round Two A, where they will meet Croatia, Spain, Slovenia and Hungary.
Tasman Sea divide
There have been conflicting reports from either side of the Tasman Sea as to exactly who scuttled a plan for a third Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand in 2005.
The Sydney Morning Herald says the deal was sunk because the New Zealand board would not concede home advantage to the Australians. The New Zealand Dominion Post also says home-ground advantage was the breaking point but claims the final decision was made by the ARU. Both papers are owned by publishing giant Fairfax Limited.
What was agreed was that from 2006 there will be three tests between the two countries to decide the destination of the Bledisloe Cup.
Irish win some...
The start of the Zurich Premiership in England guaranteed a busy couple of days for Irish players. On Saturday, there were probably more Irish than any other single nationality playing at Twickenham where London Irish squeezed past Harlequins 18-12.
The winning side included Barry Everitt at outhalf - he kicked two penalties - Adrian Flavin (hooker), Bob Casey and Kieron Dawson while Harlequins' Irish contingent numbered Gavin Duffy (full back), Mel Deane (centre), Simon Keogh (left wing) and Andy Dunne (outhalf).
Dunne kicked a penalty before being replaced by Jeremy Staunton, making his competitive debut since joining from Munster. He contributed the remainder of his side's points with three penalties.
Elsewhere, Johnny O'Connor was back in competitive action for the first time since rupturing his achilles tendon but, in what proved a bad day for his side, Wasps went down somewhat surprisingly by 13-11 to Saracens.
Incidentally, former Ireland wing Darragh O'Mahony, who enjoyed such a fine career at Saracens, was released during the summer.
Geordan Murphy also suffered the disappointment of being on the losing side when Leicester succumbed 26-19 to Sale Sharks at Heywood Road.
Leinster front up
Several Leinster rugby players, including Reggie Corrigan, Victor Costello, Denis Hickie and Shane Byrne, were on hand to take part in a photo shoot for the Fr Peter McVerry Welcome Home Wexford cycle, which takes place on Saturday, September 18th. Welcome Home raises funds to assist Fr McVerry in his work with Dublin's young homeless.
"We at Leinster are delighted to support the Welcome Home project and the wonderful work that Fr Peter does throughout the capital to alleviate the plight of so many."
Welcome Home is a Dublin-based charity and can be contacted at www.welcomehome.ie or through Anne-Marie Kidney on (01) 2692041.
