THE SANZAR unions are struggling to agree on what laws this season's Tri Nations will be played under. Although officially there has been "no resolution" on the matter, it is known the unions of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand are in conflict over whether they should use the Super 14 experimental law variations, or those which the International Rugby Board will introduce in a global trial on August 1. Logically, with all three nations accustomed to the Super 14 ELVs, these should be used. But we hear one country is applying the brakes and won't support the other two. We wonder if this has something to do with All Blacks coach Graham Henry being scared of giving new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans any competitive advantage, especially with Deans, the outgoing Crusaders coach, so intimate with the Super 14 ELVs. All ARU boss John O'Neill would say on the issue yesterday was: "The ARU is committed to continuing to trialling the ELVs, and the IRB expressly gave the southern hemisphere permission to use the sanctions."
Fools and Englishmen
John O'Neill used a luncheon involving the leading CEOs of Australian sport at the Tattersalls Club yesterday to throw grenades at his northern hemisphere counterparts. O'Neill, recently returned from the IRB meeting in Dublin, remains unimpressed that so many in the north are against the ELVs. "The north mostly don't seem to think there is anything wrong with the game," O'Neill told the crowd. "They've just had a great Six Nations, full houses, their economy is strong, and Scotland beating England 15-9 - five penalty goals to three penalty goals - is a great game. We're not actually talking the same language. What the three SANZAR countries, fans, sponsors and broadcasters want is really nothing close to what the northern hemisphere like. They're living in a fool's paradise. Anyone who watched the last three games of the 2007 World Cup would know they were shocking games."
Deans inspires defection
While many New Zealanders are still angry that Graham Henry remains All Blacks coach despite their 2007 World Cup disaster, they are certainly providing Deans with a memorable farewell before he heads to Sydney after the Super 14. More than 500 people attended an event in his honour at the Hornby Working Men's Club in Christchurch on Wednesday night, and last night more than 1000 attended a dinner in which the mayor of Christchurch handed Deans the keys to the city. And we hear there are several hundred New Zealanders planning to travel to Australia this year to support to a Deans-led Wallabies outfit.
Aussies vanquish French
Australia has already had an international rugby success this year. The Australian Army men's team recently completed a triumphant three-week tour of Europe, culminating in a 21-18 win over a "powerful and ferocious French Army" team. The excitement continues next week when the Australian Inter-Services' men's and women's carnival is held in Canberra.
Lost in translation
Eastern Suburbs boasts their fair share of colourful characters, and they will be coming from all directions for a 1980s reunion at Woollahra Oval on July 5. This was a fascinating time, especially when the late Greg Smith took over as coach and an influx of Fijian players turned them into the competition entertainers. There were countless hilarious moments, such as when Fijian prop Jim Tomici tried to explain his bung knee to the boss. When Smith asked what was wrong, Tomici replied: "I had a bit of trouble with Bob Dwyer." Stunned, Smith asked what the Wallabies coach had done to him. Tomici looked confused, before replying: "No, no, not Bob Dwyer - barbed wire."
Rumours of the week:
- Who is the official known as the Lobster? It has something
to do with all the meat being in the tail. And another official at
the same joint is known as "Seldom Seen". He's always on a
junket.
- Another club season and the usual whisper that Eastwood and Gordon are about to merge is being whispered around Waratahland. A well-known official has been wandering the NSW Rugby Union corridors babbling about the new team being called "The Goodies".
- There are concerns at one Sydney club they may soon struggle to pay their coach.
- The number of Waratahs players and officials who will leave after the Super 14 season increases by the day. The latest count is seven - and that's just coaching and management staff. Doesn't say much about their belief in head office.
