Melbourne Rebels
Rebels are Now a Force to be Reckoned With
Interesting game plan the Melbourne Rebels are employing at the moment. Let your opponents in for a few tries plus the odd goal kick and lull them into a false sense of security. Then, unexpectedly and against the run of play, fight back. Brilliant tactics, Moriarty – it’s a winner! I tell...
Roscoe Tims April 3, 2011
Super Rugby
Force v. Stormers: Outclassed and Sent Packing
Stormers 51 Western Force 16 It was like the Siege of Mafeking all over again, except this time it was the Boer who were the defenders. Notwithstanding James O’Connor’s brilliant individual try in the 24th minute (earning a VC and Bar), every time the Western Front attacked the Stormers’ red zone they were repulsed...
Roscoe Tims March 28, 2011
Rugby
Force v. Stormers: Another Brick in the Wall
The Force have the best forward pack in the Australian Conference. There, I said it! It’s definitely the form forward unit going around: hard-arsed and effective. However, they’ll be earning their money this Saturday when they take on the Stormers in Cape Town. The other boys in blue are the only unbeaten...
Roscoe Tims March 24, 2011
Roscoe Tims March 20, 2011
Roscoe Tims March 17, 2011
Rugby
Force v. Blues: Kissing Your Sister is Never Pleasant
Western Force 22 Auckland Blues 22 The Force did everything but win this encounter at nib Stadium last night, even throwing the kitchen sink at the Blues. But it was not to be, as Auckland fought back from a 12–22 deficit at the business end of the match, scoring a converted try...
Roscoe Tims March 13, 2011
Rugby
Force v. Blues: Wham Bam Thank You Sam
The Force will miss Bam Pocock on Saturday, especially with the style of game their opponents play. The Blues are a very dangerous attacking unit and can score tries from anywhere. That’s evidenced by their five-try bonus-point win last weekend against the Lions — a feat achieved with only 38 per cent...
Roscoe Tims March 10, 2011
Roscoe Tims March 6, 2011
Rugby
Preview: Sharks Circle Force Five
This is going to be one lekker stoush in Perthfontein. The media have been focussing on the JO’C v Lambie match-up as you’d expect but that’s just superficial. Sure, both these guys were Man of The Match and pointscoring machines in their most recent games and there’ll be interest in how Rabbit...
Roscoe Tims March 4, 2011
ACT Brumbies
No Country for Old Men
Most Super Rugby teams have one. In the case of the Melbourne Rebels well, they’ve got heaps. Yeah, it’s the veteran class. We’re talking middle age here like 33+. Tana Umaga is the oldest stager in Super Rugby at 37. Crikey, how does his body cope? But this is not that unusual...
Roscoe Tims February 28, 2011
Queensland Reds
Is a Reds win a For(c)egone conclusion?
Updated – Force team named: I wonder what would happen if the Force wins at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday? It would certainly throw a cat amongst the aficionados, wouldn’t it? Send a few footy tipping competitions awry. I’m not necessarily of the view that they’ll win but you’d be foolish to think...
Roscoe Tims February 17, 2011
Roscoe Tims February 8, 2011
Queensland Reds
Part 2: ‘Red Light Indicates Doors are Secured’
The onus of expectation will be on the Reds in coming weeks as their opponents strategise on how they’re to be overcome. Those expectations have soared for the punters in BrisVegas and the QRU are looking at their biggest crowd in years. Crikey, even I’ve coughed up for season tickets this year! How...
Roscoe Tims January 31, 2011
Northern Provincial Rugby
Season Preview (Part 1): Red’s Dead Redemption
Old soldiers never die, they simply fade away. Is it the same for rugby teams? In early 2004, the Queensland Reds started to fade away badly in the Super 12 competition and although they didn’t completely expire, suffered the tortures of the damned. The statistics speak for themselves: 2004 10th (Super 12),...
Roscoe Tims January 29, 2011
Rugby
Season Preview: Force take the Kiwi route
Oh what a difference a year makes? This time last year we were musing about the arrival of some new blood in Perth to bolster a middling team looking to take that next step up. The ‘Little General’ André Pretorius had replaced Gits and despite an injury-prone history was considered the sort...
Roscoe Tims January 21, 2011
Roscoe Tims January 16, 2011
Roscoe Tims January 9, 2011
ACT Brumbies
The Prop Guy: Our B-Team
Oh no, you’re not starting off the friggin’ New Year with another scrummaging blurb are you? Why don’t you just move on? Accept that we didn’t quite make the grade in 2010 in that department and look forward to some potential improvements. Wouldn’t you rather be writing about Jennifer Hawkins, the North...
Roscoe Tims January 4, 2011
Melbourne Rebels
Hup, two, three, four hundred $thousand GI Blues
The case AGAINST Greg Inglis coming over to rugby? That’s easy, and I can prosecute it in just one word: ‘mungo’. Enough? Convinced? Guilty as charged your worship in the court of public opinion, or was that the Sunshine Magistrate’s Court? Here we friggin’ go again. Izzy Mark II? Despite it being Christmas I’m not feeling...
Roscoe Tims December 23, 2010
All Blacks
Wallabies: off-loading or oft spinning?
Quade Cooper made a comment this week about the Wallabies ability to be patient, which led to the wins against Italy and France on the recent Spring Tour. He said that the Wallabies learned some lessons against the Azzurri: “Like holding on to passes rather than going for the extra offload. We...
Roscoe Tims December 19, 2010
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