Saturday June 07, 2008 04:12 AM

You can find my GPS rugby 2008 preview here:  I heard a couple of rumours during the week about GPS schools stuff,  you can check them out here and Super 14 round 2 previews here.

As usual folks,  submit your stories and pics to this email address,  good to have some AIC stuff,  I also note lots of NSW readers,  so if people want to write stuff from those competitions,  in fact any states,  countries,  planets or solar systems,  we will sure have a look at it and put it up if it is printable and in the right 15manrugby tones.

Saturday 07/06/2008,  A little rain here at about 1am,  so don't know what the sky holds until the sun arises.  Forget rugby for a moment,  oil markets are the exciting place again.  After a week of falls,  two nights of the biggest rises ever,  set to keep the bowser pain coming.

Forgot to transfer yesterday's little rant,  so it just say here all day.

Friday 06/06/08:  There has been alot said about this next song,  no sorry that's the start of a U2 song,  I should have typed in,  there has been a lot said about Downlands rugby in 2008,  so I thought I would weigh into the debate.  Been thinking about doing it for a while,  and no doubt my thoughts will upset a few,  but I think the story is a positive one,  my spin on it here:

Thursday 05/06/2008.  I have forgotten to mention that the good folks from TSS will also be joining us in Toowoomba this particular coming weekend.  Gee I hope we leave them with some lasting memories of just how the weather can and should be up here for rugby,  rain,  high,  gusty winds,  maybe a little sleet.  If I were praying and asking though,  no fog,  or not much,  I want to actually be able to see some rugby.  Seriously though,  where the job will be in trouble,  is referees,  not sure where we will find the numbers of refs to cover that many games,  and a bucket load of of my old favourites will probably get to air their limited knowledge of where they see the game being at,  confusing spectators,  which is OK,  but confusing kids playing the game,  which is not.  At least I will get a laugh out of it.  I think Brisbane supplies the First XV refs,  that is one thing,  but alot of other kids will have to play with some rubbish refereeing on Saturday!  Yep,  I hear the calls,  that if I know so much about it,  perhaps I should be doing it. You might be right,  I don't know!

Oh,  I have no idea why some links and picture thumbnails are not working,  guess I must have inadvertently done something that is affecting something else.  I have had a little look,  but it is something to be put up with for the moment.

Tuesday 03/06/2008.  It's been a long time,  due to the high quality of the coaches that read this,  I am not game to air my limited knowledge,  but here goes anyway!  A little rant here.

Tuesday 03/06/2008,  Not too many surprises in Robbie Deans first Wallaby squad.  I thought personally,  aside from Alexander,  that Cordingley was a big surprise,  given he is off overseas to play.  I guess we need to remember that Michael Foley as forwards coach has done quite a bit of work with the Brumbies,  and therefore Alexander.  I am speculating that that is where the selection has emanated from.

I thought I was going to die wondering this week,  finally though something through from the IGS vs TGS game,  I have just put that up here,  but even more importantly,  something through from the AIC competition,  and I have put that here,   with pictures too.

This week,  Saturday 07/06/2008,  the first of the heavyweights make their way up the hill,  State High hit town to play TGS,  so that away game will be an indicator as to just how the big guns are travelling.  Most Brisbane schools don't like the travel,  especially if we get a really nice cold,  rainy,  sleety,  windy Toowoomba day.  Time will tell,  sure looking forward to this game.

Monday 02/06/2008: Pretty quiet on the GPS front to date for the weekend,  or schoolboy rugby,  doesn't have to be GPS.  Only have the one report in,  on a couple of TSS games.  You can find that here:  I note this morning that the Darling Downs Schools side (open) went down in the semi final to the Gold Coast on Saturday,  and that they (Gold Coast) went on to beat Met East in the final.  Both those sides were beaten by the Downs side last year in inspirational performances,  Downs on their way to a win in 2007.  Downs got two up in the Combined Schools side,  journeyman and workhorse Craig McVeigh,  and man on a mission,  NTS member,  Michael Bermingham.  After last year,  one has to wonder how right those selections are.  Strangely enough,  yesterday I went and watched a game of under 18 rugby league,  in which Kerrod Selmes played for Valleys.  In 2007,  he could have been considered the most unfortunate of rugby players,  probably in most opinions should have been away with the Queensland schools side after being without doubt the best halfback at these championships,  couldn't even make CSS 1 or CSS 2.  Blind Freddy could have seen he was playing in the same class as eventual Aussie Schools halfbacks,  Hamlin and Swanepoel.  Well he has returned to league now,  in fact I counted 8 or 9 Valleys kids that have played 1st XV rugby at Downlands,  some still at school there,  and a couple more from my perspective that I would have always enjoyed having involved,  Marty Freyling for one,  and from Newtown,  Mark "Soxy" Gordon,  this boy can play some.  Selmes again was very dominant yesterday in this match up,  outstanding in what he did,  and as tough as teak at 18 years of age.

Pretty quiet Saturday here,  saw some local footy,  ran into some local legends.  Naturally I watched the Super 14 final.

Fulltime BSHS 41 to 19 over Churchie,  IGS got the money over TGS by 17 to 3,  TSS 41 df GT 22,  just waiting on the BBC vs BBC result now and hopefully a few reports,  maybe a photo or two.

Couple of round 4 halftime scores,  TSS leading GT 17 to 8,  IGS leading TGS 7 to 3.  More as it comes to hand!

Saturday 31/05/2008.  Earlier in the year I said.....:   Had to make an alteration or two already here.

The open schoolboys championships are on at the moment,  Thursday 29/05/2008 to Sunday 01/06/08,  at what has turned out to be windy,  wet Northgate,  the playing fields of Brisbane Grammar.  I haven't got to a game,  but see the Downs boys,  defending champions,  are still in the hunt with three wins and a loss,  and are running second in their pool.  People tell me that Sunny Coast looks the goods,  well they did yesterday in any case.  Darling Downs play the South Coast today,  Saturday 31/05/2008 at 12:20 for a shot at the final.  If anyone has any match reports,  or photos,  please feel free to email them to this address:  Same link/address for any of today's school's games,  club games,  whatever comes along.

Friday 30/05/2008.  Super 14 final tomorrow afternoon,  and it promises to be a cracker.  The squeezing game of the Crusaders based around possession,  lots of it,  and field position,  vs the Waratahs defence,  at times quite savage.  The Waratahs are also playing some nice tough football,  Palu and Elsom bashing all things in their way,  and I like that.  The scrum is going OK,  and the NSW backline may just have an edge over the Crusaders if they can get some good go forward ball.  I tend to agree with Tuqiri,  that the entire NSW side and some reserves could/should make the Wallaby squad.  I'm not too keen on a few that Chris Latham has named in his guess at it this morning in the Courier Mail.  We all need to remember that this Wallaby squad will have a Robbie Deans "flavour"  to it,  meaning for one,  highly skilled (if we have enough of them) ball carriers/players from 1 to 8,  dual playmaking roles at 10 and 12,  maybe a third at 15,  which brings Norton-Knight right into the picture.  It will be interesting for sure.

Rob Horne,  our next million dollar footballer?  Let's hope we can keep him,  1. in the code, and 2.  in the country.

SUNDAY 25/05/2008,  a little something on TGS vs BBC.  The full rundown on the weekend's GPS games now available,  well as much as I have from around the traps anyway.  The same link back there earlier in this biut will get you there,  and then jsut follow your way through the maze and see if you can get out!

Saturday 24/05/2008,  I thought a stunning night of Super 14 rugby,  stunning,  two sides,  in the Crusaders and my new best friends the Waratahs,  choking their opposition totally to death,  the Crusaders with possession and field position,  the Waratahs with brutal defence.  Last year I had little time for Wycliff Palu,  and Rocky Elsom,  thought their work rates were off the pace.  2008 however has seen my re assessment of that,  Palu being the Super 14's best number 8,  and both of them just playing tough rugby.  The Waratah's forward pack would not look out of place in Wallaby colours,  with maybe Sharpe,  Smith and Chisholm getting a look in.  And Robbie Horne,  how good is he.  Certainly got the right amount of Red Cordial before this clash.  I wish I had asked him when I ran into him in Perth,  how far the step up has been from School footy to Super 14,  but didn't,  asked him alot of other really stupid questions.  I am sure he will be a part of the Wallaby squad of 2008.

Saturday 24/05/2008,  Nudgee get the gong by 18 to 16, with Churchie hitting the post with a potential match winning penalty after the hooter. TSS 39 over BGS 13,  and a verynasty comment about the ref!  BBC got TGS by 39 to 34,  BBC lead 14 to 3 at one stage,  TGS by 22 to 14 at half time.  State High Got up over Downlands by 58 to 5,  and missed alot of kicks. GT 15 drew with IGS 15.  There will be more to follow,  for sure,  but there is some Super 14 on.  Few pics of the day also to go up!.

Saturday 24/05/2008.  How well has Ewen McKenzie handled himself through this entire coaching debacle?  Professionally,  quietly and with alot of dignity,  and got his side to number 2 on the ladder.  Now I have to wonder,  if the powers that be told him his job was on the line if he DIDN'T make the semi finals,  and given that he has delivered not only semi finals but a coffer filling home semi final,  does Ewen have a legal industrial relations type case against his employer,  the NSWRU.  I am certainly not an advocate of topping up the remuneration of barristers and QC's,  but  Ewen seems to have been very unfairly dealt with,  on top of the situation being unprofessional,  unethical,  immoral.  Interesting thought.  And there is a great interview on Rugby Heaven this morning, with Ewen and his wife,  maybe it was up yesterday,  I don't know.

Friday 23/05/2008,  Super Rugby enters the semi final stage,  one in New Zealand and one here in Aus.  Ah if one could only afford the petrol one might go to Sydney for a look.  Not really,  I only jest.  I'm going to tip the Hurricanes,  Crusaders have been a little flat,  they may snap out of it and prove me wrong,  but I just have one of those feelings.  My new best friends the Waratahs,  should account for the Sharks (I hope)  in NSW.

In schoolboy footy this weekend,  the entertainment match up looks like IGS vs almost giant killers,  giant frighteners let's call them,  Gregory Terrace.  TGS should make it 2 in a row under super coach Bromley against BBC here in Toowoomba,  and it has been cold in the moorings and afternoons too.  Churchie vs Nudgee could be interesting,  especially given reports that Nudgee have been slow starters (first half).  Someone may be able to take advantage of that one day.  It seems though you will need a big lead,  as they also look to be brutally strong on the back end of games.  Again,  the reality is I might stay home this weekend again,  so will be looking for emailed match reports,  and photos too if you have them,  please feel free to submit them to this address here.

I was conversing with a guy the other day,  via email,  who liked my piece on "natural born players" as he put it,  I hoped it was more about core skills.  But anyway,  he was talking about a few things,  one of them being once you get tot he front row,  you never go back.  He is probably right,  although I do remember about 1.5 million years ago getting pulled out of hooker for a game at flyhalf because the coach liked my ball skills.  I begged to get back into the front row,  only went to fly as we were very short,  but there is an uncanny disrespect for backs from forwards,  much more urgency to hurt them,  especially if you put a 10 on their backs.  Amongst the 16 guys on the field in the forwards,  there is always that mutual type respect,  bit like lions circling a bit of territory,  but backs have no respect at all.  Anyway,  this guy's lad started life as a 10,  and has grown into a 115 kilogram prop,  and I am thinking that 1) I know where he got his ball skills from and 2) He probably isn't going back to the backs anytime soon,  at least until Golden Oldies set in at age 35,  then he just may!

Thursday 22/05/2008.  Again the oil market is the place to be.  I heard State of Origin was played last night,  I heard a NSW punter put $700 grand on Qld to win,  and if they did he would have collected 1.2 million,  how to turn alot of money into zero.  Didn't watch the game,  never do, (and it's not because I don't like the code,  I watch plenty of league,  just not this one.)  Origin after Wally Lewis has never been the same,  all about the media.  On top of that it is in the middle of the night in the middle of the week,  stupid time to play a football match.

No more exciting place to be than the oil markets at the moment,  not sure how people sleep with the level of excitement on overseas markets.  Plenty of bowser pain on the way,  after no rises last week and increased costs absorbed.  Watch them rip up today and tomorrow though,  maybe 20 cents.

WE took a loungeroom straw poll on Saturday night,  amongst the three of us,  and decided the following should be implemented:  When giving a card,  the referee should put his hands behind his back,  red card in one,  and yellow card in the other,   and ask the player or his captain to choose a hand.  This could be expanded to some type of wheel situation,  perhaps a member of the crowd spinning the wheel,  and that most annoying ground announcer (he has to be annoying when I can hear him through my TV) getting involved as well.  Ridiculous?  No more ridiculous than some of the tackles being penalized currently by referees that are trying to turn a contact sport into something that only resembles a contact sport.

Tuesday 20/05/2008. While NSW defended very well,  and it took ex NSW player,  Morgan "The Bus"  (I'd like that name to catch on) Turiniu to break that defensive structure,  we all forgot to have a snipe at referee Matt Goddard.  I thought he had a shocker,  I thought he had a shocker two years ago,  and every time I see him with a whistle,  I expect a below par game to eventuate,  which as a spectacle this one was.  I gotta go back to my old mate Matt Ryan's assessment of what rugby should be,  30 man battle royale,  no referee,  no touch judge,  no cameras,  last man standing wins.  For the first game under these experimental law variations,  Matt Ryan would captain one side,  and to lead the rival lunatics we would call back Sam Scott-Young.  For those of you too young to remember,  that is Sam Scott Young the player,  not Scott Young the referee.  Sam Scott Young,  the lunatic that he was,  actually gave Hika Reid,  All Black hooker the gentlest of head butts during the haka in Sydney in about 1993,  and spent the rest of the game being bashed remorselessly.  From memory Sam does not remember the game,  received multitudes of stitches in his head and inside his mouth,  and was basically bashed senseless,  but give up,  Sam Scott Young,  never.  And he hated Blue jerseys.  Apparently used to foam and froth at the mouth while ripping doors off hinges in dressing sheds before playing the Waratahs.  Some of his own team mates frightened of Sam as much as the opposition.  Gee,  started out bagging a ref,  and finished up with Sam Scott Young,  what a journalistic divergence!!

Well, the bit everyone waits for,  and some comprehensive reports here,  and a link to some others on a new site.  You can access them via here:  Thanks very much to all the correspondents so far this weekend.  It's been great.  An extra snippet on last week's BSHS vs NC clash via email on Friday,  you can find here.

Qld's super 14 has ended for another year,  NSW defence just too good.  Quade Cooper just didn't have the game he needed to tonight.  However,  while I am not a fan,  Morgan "the Bus" Turinui has sure showed us he can play over the last few weeks.  Tipping,  well pretty ordinary there this week,  who would have ever tipped the Crusaders to lose!.

In scores to hand,  TGS 17 df ACGS 9,  BSHS 37 df BGS 3 in an uninspiring match,  NC 22 df GT 16,  after GT lead at half time,  TSS over BBC,  as the caller put it,  "by about 50" ,  score obviously to be confirmed.  That score has been confirmed at 56 to 3.   Not much to write now,  getting ready for a couple of Super 14 games,  didn't go anywhere this week,  so no photos,  no stories,  only what is supplied by you,  rugby watchers of the world.  Please feel free to email a photo if you have it.

Hopefully some good games to round out the Super 14 this week,  there certainly looks like there could be.  The first one could be a cracker,  Hurricanes vs Blues,  I think the Canes,  then the Brumbies,  Crusaders,  Stormers,  Bulls and Sharks.  AS much as I may have maligned the Reds earlier in the season,  and as much as my new best friends are the Waratahs,  I would have to take myself out the back and slash up if I tipped a NSW to beat a Qld team in Qld.  Sorry guys,  you are a good bunch of blokes,  not real happy about Tuqiri's comments,  in the old days Tony Shaw and a few good old boys would have ensured you paid for those comments with a little gratuitous violence,  but I' firmly in the Reds corner tomorrow night.  Had a couple of offers of tickets to go to the match,  but home is the best place for this one.  Good luck to the guys,  I sure hope you first of all play very well,  but also send the guys that are leaving out with a memorable game.  2008 has seen the Reds rise a little bit out of the ashes,  still up to their chests in the stuff,  but signs are not too bad.

In GPS rugby this weekend,  the traditional match up of the two St Josephs Colleges in Qld,  Nudgee and Gregory Terrace,  probably headlines the weekend,  but I think from a a spectacle point of view,  Churchie and TGS may just be the match of the round to watch.  In other games Southport again play on the Gold Coast and are up against BBC,  BGS host State High over there at Northgate.  Ipswich have the bye and I understand Downlands are playing The Armidale School at home here in Toowoomba on Sunday.  Against my better judgement,  here is an email address you can all write your match reports to.  Click here for contact.

We would have to say the Reds are back.  Defeated they may have been,  but the glory in last night's defeat was huge.  They battled on and did everything in their power to hold that post,  Berrick Barnes and James Horwill have surely played themselves into Wallaby jerseys.  David Croft can also take a bow.  A battered scrum,  no possession and no field position,  and they still lead the table topping Crusaders at half time,  and even when,  as they do,  the Crusaders set the blow torch to Super Nova in that last 20 minutes,  and the Reds were down to 13 men,  they were still prepared to die for the cause.  Now there is some heart,  some character to build on.  Last year they would have lost that game by 60,  this year they went close to winning,  next year they will win similar games.  Captaincy has been great for James Horwill,  it has brought control and discipline to his game,  almost giving away zero penalties now,  and the rest of his game has matured.  Awesome stuff guys,  now let's bash up my new best friends the Waratahs!  And I saw a little emotion in some last night,  guys it is really good that the loss meant something,  really good and exceptionally positive.

State High go close to the upset of the year,  leading 12 to 3 at half time and losing at the end by 15 to 12.  I wasn't there, but got the score through a while back.  I am sure there will be more to follow.  I hear the NC vs BSHS game was a very physical battle.  Other results,  Churchie,   44  to nil over Downlands,  and as yet unconfirmed,  TSS 23 over TGS 3,  but as I say,  unconfirmed.  A little more on it that I just made up here:  And a few more additions to the GPS weekend

Friday 09/05/2008.  Couple of corrections of correspondents mistakes here,  I put them up once and then managed to erase them,  so back up again now.

Friday 09/05/2008:  Tips for Super 14,  Hurricanes,  Bulls,  Blues,  Crusaders,  Sharks,  Chiefs,  Waratahs.  Busy weekend ahead,  not too much time for rugby unfortunately,  but c'est la vie!  I do look forward to the GPS round one results flowing through,  and will put them up as soon as I have them to hand,  well I will put up the AIC ones too if someone sends them to me.

Wednesday 07/05/2008,  an important day,  tonight marks the last episode of "Underbelly", something that has followed the true stuff in Melbourne remarkably closely.  We have also another record for oil prices in New York,  but we had that yesterday and will have it again tomorrow,  it looks to be onwards and upwards for the foreseeable future.

Personally,  I just threw together a piece on the Paul Morgan Cup,  played between BSHS and Nudgee College, you can find that here,  and you can find last year's report and pictures here.  Of course the match was won last year by Nudgee,  21 to 5.

The Darling Downs Under 13 to Under 16 sides participated in an annual trial match yesterday,  Monday 05/05/2008 against the Sunshine Coast,  who this year made the journey to Gold Park.  I didn't keep any scores,  but all sides will be better for the hitout,  and all sides looked pretty competitive.  It was a true trial match with sides running on and off and guys changing positions,  so results not necessarily the key factor in matches like this.  These teams compete in the Queensland Junior Rugby Union championships in the June School holidays,  and again this year I think they are at Nudgee College.

Saturday 03/05/2008,  4:15pm.  Just home from watching TGS vs IGS,  IGS will be disappointed with 36 to 17 after leading 29 to nil at half time,  they should have put 70 on them.  Word through from Fursden Road,  State High smashing BBC by 51 to nil,  and only getting three kicks.  17 to nil scoreline at half time.   Nudgee 26 defeated Churchie 8 in their trial,  I think up at Nudgee. Can add GT 48 df BGS 7.  Wow this season looks like it will be bigger than Ben Hur,  several results and reports here.

Friday 02/05/2008.  Tough week of Super 14 tipping.  The weekend kicks off today with the Crusaders taking on the Sharks.  A tough one that could go either way,  I'll tip the Crusaders by a whisker,  the end of a pretty rough road trip for the Sharks,  but won't be surprised if the Sharks get up.  A couple of hours later at Suncorp,  I'm going to be outrageous and tip the Reds.  Anything could happen,  and maybe I want the Reds to win more than them actually being able to,  but the Blues have not exactly been displaying stellar form of late either.  The Force and the Chiefs,  these Chiefs have become irresistible to watch,  scintillating,  will go with them over the Force.  I note  James O'Connor is starting at 12.  I got a phone call last Sunday and the caller said "want a real scoop,  James O'Connor will start next week,  but you can't write it".  Anyway,  good luck tot he kid,  hope he goes OK.  Chiefs (woops,  that would actually be the Cheetahs,  3am a tough time to be 100% accurate) to get the Highlanders in Africa,  rounding out a big Friday night of rugby on the box.  Hurricanes vs Lions could be another close affair,  I'll tip the Hurricanes,  the Waratahs should roll over the Bulls and the Stormers should get the Brumbies over there in Africa.

Thursday 01/05/2008: It must be rugby season,  the coaching stuff is flowing in via the email,  not sure why people ask me these things,  I've already stated a couple of sections down that I have decided I know nothing about the game,  but I will answer,  or try to,  some of them anyway over the next few days.

GPS season kick off is not too far away,  AIC even closer getting under way this weekend.  Of course the first round of GPS sees Nudgee go up against BSHS in the Paul Morgan Cup,  up at Nudgee this year,  BBC take on Gregory Terrace at BBC,  BGS are at home to IGS and TSS play TGS on the coast.  Downlands play Churchie at Suncorp,  that will be a great experience indeed for the boys involved.  As you know,  I am loathe to supply tips,  and won't do so,  but the match of round one looks to be BSHS vs NC,  a couple of good sides,  but Paul Morgan was also a very important member of the Brisbane/Qld business community,  played a bit of footy for Toowoomba in the Bulimba cup,  founded or helped found the Broncos,  was a cracking athlete,  Paul himself attended BSHS,  his son attended Nudgee and played in their last premiership winning side,  also I note played a bit of league in the Qld cup.  So a bit of history involved there,  and it should be a pretty entertaining afternoon of footy,  whatever happens and whoever wins.

In round one of AIC rugby,  I am told that Ashgrove take on St Laurences.  Punters tell me this should be a pretty good game of footy,  I know it looks like there are a heap of QRU staffers heading out there for a look,  I could almost be tempted myself!

Took a look at the Darling Downs Schoolboy (open) trials yesterday,  Tuesday 29/04/2008,  usual trial match sort of action.  There was a bit of flair shown by some,  but trial matches are difficult things in a one off type of situation.  A side was selected and will go on to contest the open schoolboys (Downs currently hold the title) at the BGS playing fields at Northgate,  at the end of May and early June.  The Under 15's were taking place across town at TGS,  their tournament is at Noosa in August.

I took some calls from a few folks yesterday critical of coaching philosophies and techniques.  It was interesting in the fact that I was confused,  and now feel I really should watch the game for entertainment only.  I always thought rugby was a pretty simple game,  about a number of decisions,  and what to do based on the outcome of those decisions.  After discussions yesterday with a few disgruntled people,  I realize I know nothing at all about the game,  and it is something,  based on those discussions that is completely foreign to me.

Someone said to me yesterday when we were discussing the Reds, "they have seen the corner,  they just have to get to it to be able to turn it."  Personally not so sure,  I see a fight and determination in these guys that wasn't there last year.  We will see how the next three very tough weeks pan out for them.

Finally made a Schoolboy footy match yesterday,  Saturday 26.04.08,  headed up to Downlands to watch the BSHS vs Downlands trial match,  a full school trial.  My views on it here,  and some photos here.

Friday 25/04/2008,  and I better throw my tips up for the week.  The last three weeks have gone to hell on the tipping front,  especially last week with all the outsiders seemingly getting up.  The Crusaders and the Blues this afternoon could be the first upset of Round 11,  but I will stick with the Crusaders,  but the Blues really need to win to get a promising season start back on the rails.  I think the Brumbies will get the Lions later tonight in Canberra,  I will tip the Chiefs over the Reds,  but while being a very good side  the Chiefs have been hot and cold in season 2008,  and the Reds building some consistency and grit into their play.    I am going to stick with the Waratahs over the Sharks,  again the Waratahs have been building slowly,  as much as I am not a Tuqiri fan,  his last two weeks have been exceptional,  and Kurtley Beale is starting to look comfortable for longer periods in the playmaker role.  Rob Horne has been sensational at 13,  and at 18 is a must keep for the code.  He most certainly has the ability to be a Wallaby in season 2008,  much like a couple of other young guys in 1989 did at about the same age,  18.  Those guys of course Darling Downs products,  Tim Horan and Jason Little.  To round out the week,  I will go with the Hurricanes over the Cheetahs,  and the Stormers,  who are finishing very strongly to give the Highlanders a bit of a touch up.

Interesting on this Anzac day,  a very important day in our history,  I brought up in my house the thought of selecting an Anzac side,  ie out of the Aussie and New Zealand sides in the Super 14.  Mine went like this: 1.  Woodcock,  2.  Mealamu,  3.  Tialata,  4.  Sharpe,  5.  Vickerman,  6.  Collins,  7.  McCaw,  8.  Palu,  9.  Leonard,  10.  Carter,  11.  Rokocoko,  12.  Giteau,  13.   Laulala,  14.  Sivivatu,  15.  Evans.

Number two son here went with Vickerman and Ali Williams in the locking position,  George Smith at 6,  So'oailo at 8,  Tuitivaki at 11 and Latham at 15 in differences to my choices.  Number one son dismissed the idea as petty and didn't participate.

Friday 25/08/2008,  on the schoolboy front this weekend,  we see State High having a rumble against Downlands,  and TSS having played Barker during the week,  I thought they played them a week or so ago as well,  must be a home and away trial thing.  I understand that they played quite well,  and my pundit/correspondent has lifted his expectation for a bottom half of the table finish for TSS to a challenging the top half of the table.  TSS also play Churchie this weekend,  not sure where,  but given that I have written that I am 100% sure that I will be filled in sometime very soon.

Saturday 19/04/08.  Reds had a pretty fair win last night,  have a bit of a look at that here.  A snippet or two on the upcoming GPS year here.  There was a mistake in this little it of info,  and it was pointed out to me a dozen times,  Terrace actually beat Churchie in their trial match last Saturday.

I think Nudgee play Marist Ashgrove tomorrow,  Sunday,  in a trial,  and Churchie are playing Terrace today,  Saturday at Churchie.  However the most interesting match of the day sees two former Brothers players and maybe coaches,  Todd Dammers,  and Zane Hilton,  now coaching Colts and Premier Grade at Uni,  head into what is now very enemy territory at Crosby Road.  Would be worth going and having a look at,  with a couple of Shaw boys (sons of legendary Brothers,  Qld and Wallaby hardman Tony) playing for Brothers,  one of them himself pretty tough I believe,  doesn't mind a bit of aggro.

If the Brothers crowd want to throw eggs at Hilton and Dammers,  just please be sure to purchase Sunny Queen eggs for the job!

Friday 18/04/2008.  Back a week from sunny Perth,  and thought it time to write something.  My hasn't there been some stuff going on.  Personally I was like a kid in a candy shop,  when the Waratahs turned up for three days at the Burswood at the end of my time over there.  Not only were they at the hotel,  it was me and the Waratahs pretty much on the 5th floor.  Super 14 latest here.

There are a few GPS rumblings out there,  but from what I have seen and heard,  Nudgee will do this undefeated in 2008.  Hard to see anyone coming near them,  but time will tell.  Unfortunately work committments look like tying up my weekends through to about July,  so unless something changes,  I won't see too much schoolboy,  or any footy over May and June,  that's life I am afraid,  watching rugby doesn't pay the bills and keep me in the extravagant lifestyle to which I have become accustomed,  so don't look too hard for "that guy from 15man rugby,  he probably won't be there in 2008!

Thursday 03/04/2008.  OK got to put a fortnight's tips up,  away for 10 days and not taking any gear.  Some toughies in this round,  I'll go with the Lions to keep the Highlanders winless,  Brumbies over the Chiefs and the Force over the Bulls,  something tells me that NSW might get over the Blues, but I can't tip those guys so Auckland there,  and the Reds I think will get a win.  I think the Hurricanes might sneak home against a jet lagged Sharks.  The following week,  the Sharks over the Highlanders,  Crusaders over the Lions naturally,  Force to get NSW,  the Blues,  the Stormers and the Highlanders.

I'm hearing of a few GPS schools playing the odd trial game.  A couple of Canadian sides got smoked by Nudgee and Churchie,  Churchie got TGS in what I hear was a scrappy one,  TSS has had a couple of big wins,  and Nudgee beat up a far north coast side.  State High had a match there somewhere and I hear it was pretty scrappy too.  Trial games,  you gotta have some,  but don't be phased folks,  they are meant to be messy.

Enjoy the next 10 days,  I know I will be!

Sunday 30/03/2008:  A very quick look at Super 14 round 7 here.

Tuesday 25/03/2008,  and a Round 6 Super 14 wrap up here.  I get the feeling from what I have been told and remembered,  that Nudgee play a trial this week,  and I know Churchie played one last week,  again from memory both against a Canadian side.  It will be interesting to hear the reports on the Churchie game.

Friday,  21/03/2008: Easter here already,  year,  another one of them disappearing quickly from us.  a quick look at Super 14 round 6 here:

Sunday 16/03/2008.  Well we are waking up in Qld pinching ourselves,  but it is true,  the Reds did win,  a bit of a Super 14 wrap up here.

Thursday 13/03/2008,  thought I better throw up my round 5 opinions,  I know some of you out there sweat on my radical views each week.  You can find them this week at this link.  Congratulations to Matty To'omua on his elevation into the Brumbies 22 for this week against the Hurricanes,  he is along way from Schoolboy footy now,  but I'm sure he will handle it just fine.  Well it's been a rough week,  someone told me today (Thursday) that tomorrow is Thursday.  If I wake up and it is Thursday again,  I swear I will have to slash up,  looking forward to this week coming to a close.

Monday 10/03/2008.  Super 14 round 4,  gave us the worst and best of rugby,  unfortunately the Reds were part of the worst,  some of my thoughts on it here:  I don't think I will be able to tip the Reds again this season,  it wasn't too flash.

Thursday 06/03/2008,  Stormers over the Reds,  Waratahs to do the Brumbies,  Hurricanes over the Highlanders,  Chiefs should get the Cheetahs,  Bulls should get the Lions,  Crusaders over the Force but I see Richie McCaw is injured,  might close the gap a little,  and the Blues to go 3 from 3 over the sharks in Durban.  Not much time this week.  Have a good one and enjoy your rugby!

Tuesday 04/03/2008,  and some incorrectness in what I wrote about Willie T the other day,  so will take that piece down and leave it at that.  Been a quiet day on the rugby front,  looking forward to seeing the casualty list from the bloodletting at Ballymore!

Monday 03/03/2008,  and 15manrugby on the ball as always has read the press of the day and sniffs a bit of a bloodbath at the Reds selection table,  and as usual has an opinion,  and selects an alternate backline here.

Sunday 02/03/08,  and as we enter Autumn,  the Super 14 is starting to become a bit boring in most cases,  with plenty of sides vying for the bottom of the table.  You can read my washup on Round 3 here.  I am yet to even watch all the games,  so may add to it.

Saturday 01/03/2008,  Friday night club rugby was interesting last night,  and some comparisons were drawn to league programmes,  I give myself and my counterpart a massive rap here,  probably important that you all get yourself a coffee and read this,  I was taken to task last night over Broncos programme vs College programme,  and we are doing just fine.  I expect some heat over this piece,  but what the hell,  I am pretty pumped up at the moment,  few things starting to come together.

I heard during the week that NSW Waratahs Assistant Coach Todd Louden has been casting his eye over the old 15manrugby.  I am 100% sure he won't get anything out of it,  a laugh or two maybe.  Never sure how these gurus find places like this in cyber land.  In any case we hope he comes back occasionally.

I see in the press yesterday Willie Tupou mentioned in the same paragraph as Israel Folau,  I have something Willie Tupou in the pipeline,  so look out for it soon.

I note in this morning's press (27/02/2008) that ex BSHS boy William Tupou,  and another that rugby should have kept,  will front up in first grade for the Broncos in their final trial this weekend.  Word around the traps at the time was that everyone thought he would return,   one day,  but maybe his elevation so early will quell those desires within him,  if in fact they exist.  I heard during last week that the Broncos are very excited about the development to date of Willie Tupou.

Monday 25/02/2008 and the big rumour for the weekend is that gun ex rugby forward Tim Hannant may return to rugby in 2008 here on the Downs.  That will give some folks a bit of a shake in the representative rugby world.

I go out to have a look at Friday night footy up here on the Downs,  and I'm in strife with referees,  standing on my own,  minding my own business and I'm still in strife with them,  we sure have had an ongoing relationship over the years,  read my latest stoush here:  I haven't watched any games yet,  but I note Qld went down,  and McMeniman may be out for a long time,  they can't afford that,  he is the starch of the pack in the limited time he spends on the field,  and also note the Force got up narrowly.  I'm two from two in a good tipping start to the weekend.  A little on the games of the Super 14 in week 2 to date here,  will update as we go.

Saturday 16/02/08,  5:00 am:  Well three Super Rugby fixtures out of the road already,  and I am only two from three,  with the Reds getting up at Ballymore.   My Super 14 thoughts to date and ongoing here.  Haven't seen that match yet,  I headed out in some magnificent Toowoomba mist/fog/mizzle to watch the first night of the Friday night preseason club competition,  with plenty of talent and Rugby College kids on display.  Just as a refresher though,  the first guy I run into is ex Goondiwindi loosehead and rugby stalwart,  Michael Dillon,  who immediately says to me,  "I owe you a bashing" in Mike's jovial but you are never sure if he means it fashion.  Anyway,  Mike brought a side in from Goondi to play a game of footy,  massive effort,  2 and a half hours on the road on a Friday afternoon and two and half lonely hours home (at least).  Do go here to refresh why Mike thinks he owes me a bashing,  he did go on to say that I never let lies get in the way of a good story,  I prefer to think of it as a growing legend.  Catch Friday night Round one here:

Friday 15/02/08,  3:00 pm: Super 14 is only hours away from kickoff and let's hope my feelings are wrong,  and the Aussie sides come out and prove me wrong,  it could and may happen.  That will be a good thing.  GPS rugby too is not far off,  and I will throw a page up of what my tipsters are saying,  but certainly some fine looking rugby players pretty much across the board in 2008 at the GPS outfits.  There are alot of people saying Nudgee by a country mile,  but I think it may be closer than that,  Ipswich will be knocking on the door,  as will BBC in 2008 with virtually their whole backline under 16 in 2007,  Churchie under Tommy Barker will be well prepared as always.  It will be interesting to see how TSS step up post Matt Taylor,  a very good young coach moving up to academy ranks.  And of course my old favourties,  State High,  while the coaching staff are playing down their 2008 chances,  these guys will be in the mix too,  some excellent footballers there,  in David Feao,  Little Paul and Joel Faulkner who will be a handful for anyone,  probably at 13.  Should be a good competition,  I'll expand later in the weekend.

Plenty of people in contact and telling me that I have not done anything for a while,  well almost a month actually.  Been pretty busy,  putting together almost round the clock days,    coupled with a broken elbow,  leave little time for aimless pursuits like writing a website.  Add to that a feeling of absolute flatness about rugby and the rugby system,  and you get what you have been getting, 100% of nothing.  Well,  I'm back,  but with a definite tone change,  now will be saying what I feel,  and handing it out when and where it is due.

Well guys,   Super 14 is almost with us,  and as my time in rugby draws to a close,  I can now really write what I think,  not having to hide behind a degree of "nice" to try and please everybody.  After all the very worst that can happen is that some top level operative from the QRU or ARU will tell me I can't coach any more,  nothing fearful in that,  so let the poison tongue roll.  So having said the above,  I see little joy for Aussie sides in the first round of Super 14,  Timana Tahu being the shining light.  Maybe someone will take notice when Todd Louden stands up and says basic skills are lacking in Aussie rugby,  been saying it myself for many years now,  but hell what would I know!  Maybe now it is too late people,  maybe it just is.  Have a look at my preview of Super 14 here.  You probably won't like it,  and those that agree with me won't admit it,  but guess what,  I don't care,  we are going for the throat in 2008.

Remember all you budding and over enthusiastic and over the top intense coaches,  and I have been saying this for years too,  true skill is honed on the playing field, where you should be fearing for your life,  and your life depends on you learning and developing very quickly. I have seen plenty of kids shine nicely in the rarified training zones where there is little chance of any physical damage being done,  but wilt a bit when there is a chance of being hit by someone they don't know.  Fearing for your life is a great feeling by the way,  that rush of adrenalin and awareness,  keep remembering that failure is not an option and you might just make it.  Oh and 9 games of footy a year will only just wet your appetites,  try and play at least 30,  9 games will not make you the man or the footballer.

If you want to coach at any level in this country, be sure and head overseas.  The three top men in Aussie rugby have done no coaching of any note in this country.  Think about that people,  think about how that reflects on the pathway here in this very sheltered game,  that there is neither the level of competition,  or the level of coaching development,  to bring our best and brightest through.  Again tragic.  Plenty of good coaches being developed in rugby league though,  and I don't have to go to Brisbane to find them.

Must be almost a month since I typed up any rubbish,  so thought I better throw something together,  as so many of you check in each day.  Go here to find a collection of my latest musings.

The first trial is over,  and Qld again on the wrong end of the scoreline,  but whether that worries coaches or not I don't know.  Most eyes,  even those of Queenslanders would have been on Timana Tahu,  and from media accounts he went OK for his first hit out in the code.  From an Australian perspective,  it will be different to have a 13 that can catch and pass,  rather than just run over people.

I think Aussie rugby is in for a tough year.  We really are lacking a quality 10,  and while there is plenty of talk about Cooper and Beale,  both of them for mine are 15's as the levels are stepped up,  I would even be looking at Cooper as a 13,  given his increase in bulk,  and he is another with great passing skills.  There is a vast difference I am afraid in the 10's that are sought and produced at schools levels,  and the requirements of a 10 at Super 14 and international level,  with a current exception.  My way of thinking currently has Berrick Barnes as the number one 10 in the country,  but I don't think it will be long before we are looking to Matt To'omua as the next generation of 10's that can step up and run a game from that first receiver position.

A comment or two via the phone and email during the day,  one in particular caught my eye,  I put it at the bottom of the O'Leary story,  right here.  I will certainly keep this tough guy thing going,  it will be a good theme for 2008.  Plenty of stories out there about guys like Dave Carter,  Petero Civonaceva's old man and just how brutal and tough he was playing for Redcliffe a generation ago,  and many others,  Stan Pilecki,  Tony Shaw (one of my personal favourites),  Sean Fitzpatrick,  this guy was a special,  mentally just huge,  like Steve Waugh,  winning wasn't enough,  it was about complete domination of opposite number,  elements,  opposition,  hostile crowds,  winning was just a by product of total and complete control of a situation.

A couple of other things that came to light today that require a thorough 15man examination,  one of them being this Under 20 competition.  Now I know the under 20 concept has been around for a moment,  but the under 20 competition, combined with the schoolboys concept at Under 18,  and bear in mind that this is controlled by the Schools association,  and you have to be at school to play,  and you have to be a school teacher to coach,  and this cuts out anyone that is Under 18 and not at school,  or not a school teacher, will effectively say to kids,  go and play league,  we have nothing for you,  another big winner of a move for rugby.  Not sure that the decision making boffins really have a grasp on the dynamics of the world.  Have Under 20 for sure,  but open up the Under 18's and take it away from it's currently dominated school situation, more than dominated,  owned!

Here is a little continuation of my tough guy outlook,  using as an example,  the Darling Downs' own version of tough,  Michael O'Leary.  Have a look at it,  seems you all just lap up everything I write,  as poor as it is at times,  and has been lately.

Attended Reds training on Thursday 10/01/2008,  over there at Ballymore.  Now I better watch what I say or I won't be allowed back to training runs again,  so no controversy,  but some pennies dropped at this training session,  and the session highlighted just how important Chris Latham is to rugby in this state and country.  There should have been more done to keep him,  and while most of you will probably already be aware of it,  here are my reasons why:

I meant to mention in my book review,  on Andrew Johns' book "The Two of Me" about one of the strange characters he outlined in one of the chapters.  The guy was Adam McDougall,  and he was allegedly before his time in his diet and training regime.  One of the bizarre things he used to do was suck egg white out of a bladder all day and all night,  and used to drink down alot of eggs worth of egg whites every day.  One can only hope that he was sucking down Sunny Queen Egg whites.  As good as Sunny Queen Eggs are,  I just couldn't suck down a couple of dozen raw,  chilled egg whites every day,  but if I could,  I would only choose Sunny Queen!

Saturday 05/01/2008,  2008 is underway,  just back from a week of rain and wind on the Gold Coast.  Even with rampant fuel prices,  food prices and runaway interest rates,  I have never seen such a full coastal strip,  I would love to know what the hourly "money drop" would have been,  and,  as the mafia Dons say,  to be commanding a.... percentage.

I wrote a couple of things  while I was away,  just have to transfer them off the laptop,  will get around to that later.  Also have started organizing all the stuff behind this page into an archive file so we can start 2008 with some sort of ease of navigability if there is such a word.

The Under 20 rubgy league competition looks set to smoke Under 19/Under 20 rugby,  no doubt as with most things rugby league it will be well organized.

Here is the very first of my 2008 offerings,  a book review.  I was going to rush out and buy "The Two of Me",  but decided it might turn up at Christmas,  and it did,  twice.  Have a look at my book review here.  Also a very brief look at 2007