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October 30 Archives

LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS... (posted 30th October 2003)
In Wollongong last night the Canadians beat Tonga 24-7 in a hard game that saw the Canadian Captain Al Charron knocked unconscious. It was ill discipline that eventually lost the game for the Tongans, although they were undoubtedly tired going into the match. More game info here.

Tonight it's Tasmania's turn to join in the RWC party fun when Namibia take on Romania in Launceston. The people of Tassie are getting into the spirit - way to go! Rugby fans born on an even numbered day are barracking for Namibia, and those born on odd numbered days will be going for Romania! Simple yet effective huh! It should be a good game as the teams are fairly evenly matched skill level wise, and both will be wanting a win so that they don't end up with the wooden spoon for Pool A.

Eddie Jones has named the Wallaby team for this Saturday's big game against Ireland. Yes well I'm not happy..again... you'd think Jones would put Chris Latham in the team just to shut me up wouldn't you? But nooooooo, Latham's not there - even after scoring five tries last weekend. Stirling Mortlock has been left out as well - yes he scored as well last weekend :) note- okay, most of them scored last weekend :), and Lote Tuqiri will have to play off the bench. Matty Rogers is in - he did have a blistering game last weekend, and Matthew Burke is back in as number 13....WHY? I guess I'll have to accept that Eddie Jones thinks Burke is the best for the job - doesn't mean I have to like it though ;)

What else is happening? Well Argentina is in some strife. Two of their most experienced props - Roberto Grau and Mauricio Reggiardo have been banned for a total of 16 weeks for illegal use of their hands in the game against Ireland last Sunday. Grau was found guilty of deliberately raking his hand over Keith Wood's face, while Reggiardo was suspended for the use of his hands on the face of Reggie Corrigan. That's a bit of a blow to Argentina I'm sure!

The 16th man England bungle continues. England have been given two misconduct charges, and their trainer Dave Reddin will be the one to answer the charges which will be heard by Brian McLaughlin of Ireland. Guess we'll have to wait and see - I doubt that anything much is going to happen - still would like to see England stripped of the points for the game and have them awarded to Samoa :)

The All Bads are fielding a powerhouse team for their game against Wales in Sydney this weekend. Yikes! Look out Wales! Aaron Mauger is to play now that he's over injury problems, and Rokocoko, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Keven Mealamu and Dave Hewett will also be on the paddock for the ABs. Daniel Carter's been put on the bench - maybe they could loan him to us? while Leon MacDonald continues to keep Umaga's spot warm for him while he recovers from that cruciate knee injury.

Happy Birthday today to Emiliano Caffera from Uruguay, Tonga's Nisifolo Naufahu, and Ireland's Anthony Foley!



Cheers!