It is often said that rugby is a thugs game played by gentlemen and football a gentlemen’s game played by thugs. And yet over the years it has oft been the footballers who have had the most scandalous of stories sprayed across the red tops. But oh how the mighty have fallen. Almost five years since winning the Rugby World Cup, and with four members of their squad being investigated for an alleged sexual assault on tour, the England team has reached a new low.
In New Zealand, a country where the rugby stars are followed and reported on as if they were Premiership footballers, a group of English players have landed themselves rightly in the mire. The line between professional rugby players and professional footballers could officially be muddied.
With their team not playing to anywhere near their potential, their new management not yet in place (I don’t pity Martin Johnson), this ship is truly rudderless. Clive Woodward ran a tight ship, but equally his players were given much responsibility and they reciprocated with respect for the manager, fellow players and most importantly the team. The shenanigans in New Zealand would not have happened under Woodward.
When Brian Ashton was not replaced following last year’s World Cup, it caused a number of difficulties for the team. Many of the senior players distancing themselves from the manager in the aftermath and it did not allow the team the opportunity to turn a new leaf. So the team made it through the Six Nations without any real conviction, despite finishing second.
The RFU have a lot to answer for. They hummed and hawed about Ashton’s position rather than simply ending his contract after the World Cup and starting anew. And so Director of Rugby, Rob Andrew, took charge of the tour to New Zealand.
For the players, the tour (as it was for all the home nations, probably two games too many at the end of a very long season) was probably not seen as a chance to impress the new management, but more a means to and end – finishing the season.
The team failed to impress during either test against the All Blacks but without proper leadership off the pitch, and not enough leaders on it (not like 2003), what more was to be expected. And so after the first test, instead of relaxing a few of the players decided to blow off a bit of steam, naively unaware of the hype that would surround their midnight escapades.
Johnson now has a job on his hands to re-build the team, re-build the public’s confidence in the team and re-build respect for his team in the international rugby arena.
The former England captain must now hope for two things. Firstly, that this is as low as they can go. And secondly, there are more gentlemen than thugs in the squad.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Another week bites the dust...
Having spent last weekend away on a stag holiday, the thoughts of resuming training last week were tough to say the least. But persevere I did.
The most vital element of the training that I have found to stand to me is that through repetition of each of the disciplines, I am gaining in confidence as well as fitness in all three.
Swimming is still my weakest discipline, but a lesson on Thursday has helped to provide better guidance in technique and the required confidence to take on the 750 metre swim in less than seven weeks time.
The course for the triathlon is thankfully reasonably flat (especially the swim!) so the additional hill-work during both cycle and running training should hopefully help on the day.
Last week I reached full race distance on all three and while I felt fine after each training session, they did take their toll. Today is the first day that I have been fatigued and will have to fight myself to go swimming training this evening. There is the additional onus on me to go as the swim session I am attending is run by the swim coach who provided me with the lesson last week. But this can only be a good thing. Honing my stroke (if I move it from awful to bad, I’ll be happy) is key to my jumping into Grand Canal dock with any confidence.
My fitness levels have definitely improved, but a lot more work is still required. The training discipline is key, I just hope I don’t have to come down on myself too hard!
The most vital element of the training that I have found to stand to me is that through repetition of each of the disciplines, I am gaining in confidence as well as fitness in all three.
Swimming is still my weakest discipline, but a lesson on Thursday has helped to provide better guidance in technique and the required confidence to take on the 750 metre swim in less than seven weeks time.
The course for the triathlon is thankfully reasonably flat (especially the swim!) so the additional hill-work during both cycle and running training should hopefully help on the day.
Last week I reached full race distance on all three and while I felt fine after each training session, they did take their toll. Today is the first day that I have been fatigued and will have to fight myself to go swimming training this evening. There is the additional onus on me to go as the swim session I am attending is run by the swim coach who provided me with the lesson last week. But this can only be a good thing. Honing my stroke (if I move it from awful to bad, I’ll be happy) is key to my jumping into Grand Canal dock with any confidence.
My fitness levels have definitely improved, but a lot more work is still required. The training discipline is key, I just hope I don’t have to come down on myself too hard!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
US team to benefit from Tiger injury
So Tiger Woods’ knee and leg injuries have ruled him out of the rest of this year’s season and he will now miss the last two Majors of the season, the British Open and the USPGA Championship. He will also miss this year’s Ryder Cup.
A number of questions have to be asked. Firstly, why was Woods’ so determined to return to play the US Open if he was aware that his knee had not heeled as quickly as he had hoped and that he had a double stress fracture of his tibia? The gruelling five rounds it took to beat off the challenge of Rocco Mediate may well have done untold damage and the ACL operation he now has to undergo will take a long time to recover from.
Clearly the World number one had targeted the US Open for his return to full play and he did not want to let that deadline slip by, regardless of medical advice. But his actions and subsequent injuries, while not detrimental to his career, appear to have been short-sighted.
Woods’ identified the US Open as another Major he could add to the collection in his unrelenting pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ Major record. Having already won at Torrey Pines before (six times in nine outings), he may well have viewed it as an easier course to win on than possibly the British Open at Royal Birkdale or the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills.
The second question, which may well be quite easy to answer, is how must Tiger view the Ryder Cup and how will the American team play without him? This biennial event has never been something that Woods’ has on his list of achievements. He only wants to beat Nicklaus’ record. Majors are the only currency the World number one deals in.
Indeed, while this may appear to be a blow to the American team’s chances, it may also allow the team to travel to Valhalla more unified. The debate so often surrounds who will partner may be Woods. And yet, regardless his partner, he has simply not had the same influence in individual matches, let alone the overall Ryder Cup, he has simply not starred in any one of the five Ryder Cup’s he has played in to date. While sponsors and organisers will bemoan his absence, there may well be a return to the ethos of the competition as a whole – that it’s a team competition.
So with the pressure off the players, and with as determined a captain as Paul Azinger leading the team, the players may actually play as a team. With Tiger in the team, this is something that appears to have been lacking in recent years.
Don’t shout it too loudly, but without Woods in the team, the Americans have a better chance than ever to beat Europe at Valhalla this September. And not a moment too soon!
A number of questions have to be asked. Firstly, why was Woods’ so determined to return to play the US Open if he was aware that his knee had not heeled as quickly as he had hoped and that he had a double stress fracture of his tibia? The gruelling five rounds it took to beat off the challenge of Rocco Mediate may well have done untold damage and the ACL operation he now has to undergo will take a long time to recover from.
Clearly the World number one had targeted the US Open for his return to full play and he did not want to let that deadline slip by, regardless of medical advice. But his actions and subsequent injuries, while not detrimental to his career, appear to have been short-sighted.
Woods’ identified the US Open as another Major he could add to the collection in his unrelenting pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ Major record. Having already won at Torrey Pines before (six times in nine outings), he may well have viewed it as an easier course to win on than possibly the British Open at Royal Birkdale or the USPGA Championship at Oakland Hills.
The second question, which may well be quite easy to answer, is how must Tiger view the Ryder Cup and how will the American team play without him? This biennial event has never been something that Woods’ has on his list of achievements. He only wants to beat Nicklaus’ record. Majors are the only currency the World number one deals in.
Indeed, while this may appear to be a blow to the American team’s chances, it may also allow the team to travel to Valhalla more unified. The debate so often surrounds who will partner may be Woods. And yet, regardless his partner, he has simply not had the same influence in individual matches, let alone the overall Ryder Cup, he has simply not starred in any one of the five Ryder Cup’s he has played in to date. While sponsors and organisers will bemoan his absence, there may well be a return to the ethos of the competition as a whole – that it’s a team competition.
So with the pressure off the players, and with as determined a captain as Paul Azinger leading the team, the players may actually play as a team. With Tiger in the team, this is something that appears to have been lacking in recent years.
Don’t shout it too loudly, but without Woods in the team, the Americans have a better chance than ever to beat Europe at Valhalla this September. And not a moment too soon!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Flat out for 2009
When the idea of Rally Ireland was first thought up, there were many nay-sayers who didn’t think it could be done. They didn’t like the route. They didn’t like the Service Park location. They just didn’t like the idea of it. Full stop.
And yet with the help of people from all corners of the island, and even further afield, Rally Ireland, led by Tom Walsh, Ronan Morgan and Sean O’Connor, was ranked the second best rally in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2007. Only Rally Finland was better. And they have only been running their event for 60 years.
Rally Ireland’s success did not happen by chance. Everyone knew that if the event was to be retained in the WRC, one of the best shows in the Championship had to be put in place.
And what a show – Rally Ireland was the most watched round of the WRC last year with more than 62.8 million people tuning in to watch. That the rally was held in one of the most picturesque areas of the island (ignoring all the rain!), only added to the TV spectacle.
Starting at the Super Special in Stormont and finishing at Mullaghmore, Sligo provided a backdrop so different to the usual WRC events that it made everyone in the WRC sit up and take stock of what Rally Ireland has brought to the Championship.
And it was for that very reason that Rally Ireland was awarded the honour of kicking off the 2009 Championship replacing Monte-Carlo. They now know that a world-class event can be staged on these shores.
That world-class event is down to the hard work and dedication put into Rally Ireland 2007 by more than 2850 marshals and volunteers who gave up their time to work on the event.
But it’s not just the scale of the numbers of marshals required that is amazing. Rally Ireland 2007 used more than 82 kilometres (yes, kilometres) of rope, 15,000 posts, 3,000 metres of motorway mesh, 2,600 metal barriers (excluding Stormont, Mullaghmore and Service Park) and 1,150 rolls of tape.
Deep breath.
2,000 arrows, 1000 garbage bags, 470, whistles, 300 fire extinguishers, 250 flash lights, 200 portable toilets, 100 bales for chicanes. And all before food or accommodation for the event are even taken into consideration. The sheer scale of the event cannot be underestimated. And it is all being done again for next January.
There is only one aim for Rally Ireland 2009. To be the best rally in the world.
And just as the idea of Rally Ireland was first raised, there will again be nay-sayers dismissing the chances that this objective can be achieved.
Having already proven them wrong once, there is no reason why the organisers will not be able to prove them wrong again next January.
And yet with the help of people from all corners of the island, and even further afield, Rally Ireland, led by Tom Walsh, Ronan Morgan and Sean O’Connor, was ranked the second best rally in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2007. Only Rally Finland was better. And they have only been running their event for 60 years.
Rally Ireland’s success did not happen by chance. Everyone knew that if the event was to be retained in the WRC, one of the best shows in the Championship had to be put in place.
And what a show – Rally Ireland was the most watched round of the WRC last year with more than 62.8 million people tuning in to watch. That the rally was held in one of the most picturesque areas of the island (ignoring all the rain!), only added to the TV spectacle.
Starting at the Super Special in Stormont and finishing at Mullaghmore, Sligo provided a backdrop so different to the usual WRC events that it made everyone in the WRC sit up and take stock of what Rally Ireland has brought to the Championship.
And it was for that very reason that Rally Ireland was awarded the honour of kicking off the 2009 Championship replacing Monte-Carlo. They now know that a world-class event can be staged on these shores.
That world-class event is down to the hard work and dedication put into Rally Ireland 2007 by more than 2850 marshals and volunteers who gave up their time to work on the event.
But it’s not just the scale of the numbers of marshals required that is amazing. Rally Ireland 2007 used more than 82 kilometres (yes, kilometres) of rope, 15,000 posts, 3,000 metres of motorway mesh, 2,600 metal barriers (excluding Stormont, Mullaghmore and Service Park) and 1,150 rolls of tape.
Deep breath.
2,000 arrows, 1000 garbage bags, 470, whistles, 300 fire extinguishers, 250 flash lights, 200 portable toilets, 100 bales for chicanes. And all before food or accommodation for the event are even taken into consideration. The sheer scale of the event cannot be underestimated. And it is all being done again for next January.
There is only one aim for Rally Ireland 2009. To be the best rally in the world.
And just as the idea of Rally Ireland was first raised, there will again be nay-sayers dismissing the chances that this objective can be achieved.
Having already proven them wrong once, there is no reason why the organisers will not be able to prove them wrong again next January.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Woods a cut above the rest
Tiger Woods goes into a play-off with compatriot Rocco Mediate for the US Open title later today, seeking his 14th Major victory of his career. But it was nearly a case of what could have been for Rocco Mediate.
Woods had the second worst score in the Top 10 (2 over, along with Camilo Villegas and Lee Westwood). Only Geoff Ogilvy finished worse off, one shot further back.
Woods, who has never lost a major title when leading going into the fourth round, clearly struggled with his left knee throughout Saturday and Sunday. The physios will have been busy overnight to ensure the World No.1 is in tip-top shape for another cut at the testing Torrey Pines course. But that final 12 foot putt will be the only shot broadcast to tell the story of the final round. Never bet against Tiger when it comes to the crunch.
And yet even with Woods visibly handicapped by his knee injury he managed to out-last any of his nearest ‘rivals’. Ogilvy was the only other Top 10 World-ranked player to finish in Top 10.
It seems that the World No.1 will need to be further handicapped in order for the rest of the world’s top golfers to lose their inferiority complex and try competing against Woods.
While Woods has not won every major going, it is symptomatic of the other ‘Top’ golfers that only Phil Mickelson, Vijah Singh and Retief Goosen have increased their Majors tally above one in recent years. Singh (3rd) and Goosen (2nd) last managed that as long ago as 2004 and have not been able to add any more since. While South African Ernie Els has not added to his Major tally of three since 2002.
So Mediate now has an opportunity to break the record that last-round lead record Woods has maintained throughout his career. And no better time to do so either. A fifth day will test all the mental and physical resolve of the World No.1. But one-on-one it is hard to see past Woods. Even with only one and a half functioning legs!
Woods had the second worst score in the Top 10 (2 over, along with Camilo Villegas and Lee Westwood). Only Geoff Ogilvy finished worse off, one shot further back.
Woods, who has never lost a major title when leading going into the fourth round, clearly struggled with his left knee throughout Saturday and Sunday. The physios will have been busy overnight to ensure the World No.1 is in tip-top shape for another cut at the testing Torrey Pines course. But that final 12 foot putt will be the only shot broadcast to tell the story of the final round. Never bet against Tiger when it comes to the crunch.
And yet even with Woods visibly handicapped by his knee injury he managed to out-last any of his nearest ‘rivals’. Ogilvy was the only other Top 10 World-ranked player to finish in Top 10.
It seems that the World No.1 will need to be further handicapped in order for the rest of the world’s top golfers to lose their inferiority complex and try competing against Woods.
While Woods has not won every major going, it is symptomatic of the other ‘Top’ golfers that only Phil Mickelson, Vijah Singh and Retief Goosen have increased their Majors tally above one in recent years. Singh (3rd) and Goosen (2nd) last managed that as long ago as 2004 and have not been able to add any more since. While South African Ernie Els has not added to his Major tally of three since 2002.
So Mediate now has an opportunity to break the record that last-round lead record Woods has maintained throughout his career. And no better time to do so either. A fifth day will test all the mental and physical resolve of the World No.1. But one-on-one it is hard to see past Woods. Even with only one and a half functioning legs!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
10 down. Only 52 days to go!
As is my wont, I have thrown myself, two feet first, into the triathlon training, and I have not wilted just yet.
Actually starting training did not put the fear of God into me, more the amount of training. Six days a week is a serious commitment. And while it would not be remiss to describe my level of fitness as below average, with ten sessions completed, my body has not totally rejected the work it has been put through. Indeed after only a week and a half’s training I have already noticed a change in my level of fitness. And before you ask, it’s moving in the right direction!
Each as an individual discipline is not that challenging, but as a triumvirate of one event; now that presents a real test. The swim is the one that is causing me the more trepidation. While I can swim, I was never the one to simply crunch out the laps in a pool. The triathlon isn’t in a pool. So that lifeguard need not be too far away, just in case!
I am moving steadily towards the actual race distance of each, but as stated above, as I started from a rather low level of fitness, the push to get there is going to be steady rather than bring on the quickest ever triathlete burnout known to man.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Triathlon. The Final Frontier!
As someone who has long read and written about sport, the activity on my part has been lacking for the last number of years.
Injury (I can hear the violins now. Louder please!) ended my rugby career. A couple of trips since, up the Alps and the Pyrenees, further proved that I am indeed very unfit. But such was the drinking it was hard to completely identify how unfit I truly was.
The golf clubs were annually dusted down in April/May, and yet for all the talk, the links would only be threatened enough to gobble up the usual half-a-dozen golf balls per round. That ultimate aim of finishing with the same ball as was used on the first tee remains illusive.
The tag rugby caught on for a couple of seasons. Boy did my physio not like that. Thinking I was 22 again did the hamstrings no good whatsoever. Brian O’Driscoll’s place on the Irish team is safe! But again it was so sporadic that it could not quite be called regular exercise!
And so the occasional runs and swims ensued. Again, sporadically. Talk of the triathlon began to be whispered. And the whispers continued. And continued. But this week (after three years of whispers) I finally took the plunge.
I now have eight weeks to get this body into some sort of order. Ensure I can run without cramping. Swim without the lifeguards being called. And learn to cycle like Lance Armstrong.
The transformation from tomb to temple will test this body no end. It could well be a long eight weeks.
Injury (I can hear the violins now. Louder please!) ended my rugby career. A couple of trips since, up the Alps and the Pyrenees, further proved that I am indeed very unfit. But such was the drinking it was hard to completely identify how unfit I truly was.
The golf clubs were annually dusted down in April/May, and yet for all the talk, the links would only be threatened enough to gobble up the usual half-a-dozen golf balls per round. That ultimate aim of finishing with the same ball as was used on the first tee remains illusive.
The tag rugby caught on for a couple of seasons. Boy did my physio not like that. Thinking I was 22 again did the hamstrings no good whatsoever. Brian O’Driscoll’s place on the Irish team is safe! But again it was so sporadic that it could not quite be called regular exercise!
And so the occasional runs and swims ensued. Again, sporadically. Talk of the triathlon began to be whispered. And the whispers continued. And continued. But this week (after three years of whispers) I finally took the plunge.
I now have eight weeks to get this body into some sort of order. Ensure I can run without cramping. Swim without the lifeguards being called. And learn to cycle like Lance Armstrong.
The transformation from tomb to temple will test this body no end. It could well be a long eight weeks.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Is Ronaldo getting too big for his own boots?
The world of football is waiting with bated breath for Cristiano Ronaldo’s announcement in the next 48 hours about his future. At least that is what he would like us to think. But frankly, this Man United fan has already switched off.
The Portuguese international deserves the awards and plaudits he has been receiving in the last number of months. His contribution to United this year was instrumental on their way to regaining the Premiership. As well as his goals, his contribution around the pitch was second to none.
But any comparisons with any of the greats of the game are wide of the mark. Ronaldo has consistently shown that if he is not involved in a game he will quietly disappear into the background, almost in a huff, and hope that things will start going his way. He stops tracking back and instead makes ridiculous gestures to officials, team-mates, the crowd. To anyone but himself. He is the last one at fault.
His skill cannot be doubted and he has come a long way since a young naïve 17 year old first played in the Premiership with his never-ending step-overs. He can genuinely beat players with both skill and speed. But he has yet displayed the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck and turn it around for his team. Yes he has scored timely goals and put in timely crosses to colleagues but his general awareness and selfishness leaves a lot to be desired.
Ronaldo does not yet have the mental ability to call himself one of the best players in the world. Just take the last two games in the Champions League. Two penalties. One skied over the bar. One saved. Could you have seen Gary Lineker or Alan Shearer, let alone any of the world’s greats make such mistakes.
But such is his own sense of elevated self-importance, he has to be the centre of attention. When Edwin Van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to win the Champion’s League for United, all of his team-mates charged to celebrate with him. Ronaldo charged with them. Then he checked. He realised he would not be the centre of attention among the melee of players. So instead he stops and throws himself to the floor and ‘cries’. Cue every camera in the ground to zoom in on Ronaldo prostrate on the pitch. Once again centre of attention.
Ever since, those cameras have been on him and the microphones have followed his every word. But the young Portuguese winger is playing a dangerous game. Portraying yourself as bigger than a club like Manchester United is walking a very tight rope. And Sir Alex Ferguson is holding the other end of that rope.
Ferguson has long held the belief that no one player is bigger than the club. As far as the Scot is concerned, he is the club. And if there is any attempt by a player to take on that club, a watery grave awaits. He need only ask Jaap Stam, David Beckham or even Roy Keane.
The sooner Ronaldo makes his ‘announcement’ the better. Then he can shut his mouth and get back to what he is best at – playing football. That is where he can gain most respect because at the moment he certainly isn’t playing the media well.
The Portuguese international deserves the awards and plaudits he has been receiving in the last number of months. His contribution to United this year was instrumental on their way to regaining the Premiership. As well as his goals, his contribution around the pitch was second to none.
But any comparisons with any of the greats of the game are wide of the mark. Ronaldo has consistently shown that if he is not involved in a game he will quietly disappear into the background, almost in a huff, and hope that things will start going his way. He stops tracking back and instead makes ridiculous gestures to officials, team-mates, the crowd. To anyone but himself. He is the last one at fault.
His skill cannot be doubted and he has come a long way since a young naïve 17 year old first played in the Premiership with his never-ending step-overs. He can genuinely beat players with both skill and speed. But he has yet displayed the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck and turn it around for his team. Yes he has scored timely goals and put in timely crosses to colleagues but his general awareness and selfishness leaves a lot to be desired.
Ronaldo does not yet have the mental ability to call himself one of the best players in the world. Just take the last two games in the Champions League. Two penalties. One skied over the bar. One saved. Could you have seen Gary Lineker or Alan Shearer, let alone any of the world’s greats make such mistakes.
But such is his own sense of elevated self-importance, he has to be the centre of attention. When Edwin Van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to win the Champion’s League for United, all of his team-mates charged to celebrate with him. Ronaldo charged with them. Then he checked. He realised he would not be the centre of attention among the melee of players. So instead he stops and throws himself to the floor and ‘cries’. Cue every camera in the ground to zoom in on Ronaldo prostrate on the pitch. Once again centre of attention.
Ever since, those cameras have been on him and the microphones have followed his every word. But the young Portuguese winger is playing a dangerous game. Portraying yourself as bigger than a club like Manchester United is walking a very tight rope. And Sir Alex Ferguson is holding the other end of that rope.
Ferguson has long held the belief that no one player is bigger than the club. As far as the Scot is concerned, he is the club. And if there is any attempt by a player to take on that club, a watery grave awaits. He need only ask Jaap Stam, David Beckham or even Roy Keane.
The sooner Ronaldo makes his ‘announcement’ the better. Then he can shut his mouth and get back to what he is best at – playing football. That is where he can gain most respect because at the moment he certainly isn’t playing the media well.
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