World Cup Countdown

POWERFUL PRESENCE:IF Eddie O'Sullivan ever manages to tempt the many collegiate American football rejects over to rugby then the US Eagles could become a genuine force in world rugby. They would certainly tear up the Sevens circuits.

With that in mind, O’Sullivan cannot have been too pleased to see powerhouse winger Thretton Palamo trying out for the University of Utah football team, as a running back, this Spring.

O’Sullivan recently named the 22-year-old in his 50-man preliminary panel for the RWC.

His father, Arona Palamo, played centre and outhalf for Samoa from 1979 to 1982 before moving to San Francisco. Palamo played American football in High School before switching to rugby at 16.

He represented Samoa at under-19 before becoming the youngest ever World Cup player, at 19 years and eight days, in the US Eagles’ 64-15 defeat to the Springboks in 2007, a game memorable for Biarritz winger Takudwa Ngwenya burning outside Bryan Habana for an amazing try.

Wing is certainly not a problem for O’Sullivan as Christchurch-born James Paterson, another to play some High School ball as a running back in Colorado, just completed his first Super 15 campaign with the Highlanders.

Paterson’s mother Deanna is a US citizen.

Tweet deck: Ferris treadmill

NO DAY OFF FOR FERRIS: “Up at j town this morning for The start of another week on the treadmill. Meeting the Ireland boys at the next camp when I’m 100% fit.” – Stephen Ferris on June 27th confident of returning to full training by July 14th.

Super weekend in store: Semis take centre stage

THE Six Nations players have been on ice for over a month now, even longer if you are Scottish, while the Tri Nations men have just come through their most gruelling Super rugby campaign ever.

It is worth noting that several marquee name players, like Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom, All Black captain Richie McCaw and Springbok flankers Heinrich Brussow and Juan Smith, have been hors-de-combat for most of the season.

The semi-finals take place this weekend as Quade Cooper’s dancing Queensland Reds host the Auckland Blues while the Canterbury Crusaders, with McCaw poised to return alongside Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams, tasked with overcoming Schalk Burger’s mighty Stormers in Cape Town.

For those without Sky Sports, superxv.com provides post-game highlights.

Stadium Focus

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

(Taranaki province on New Zealand’s north island)

Capacity:26,000

IRELAND’S first match of the World Cup takes place here, against the US Eagles, with the unfortunate timing of it being the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

The place already holds bad vibes due to Jamie Heaslip’s red card last summer, after just 15 minutes, for an over aggressive approach to Richie McCaw’s antics, while Ronan O’Gara spent 10 minutes in the cooler before half-time.

It ended in a nine tries to four, 66-28 defeat.

Nor is the place shaping up to be much of RWC venue either as ticket sales are not going well for this or the two other fixtures (USA v Russia on September 15th and Wales v Namibia on September 26th).

The locals don’t appear too interested, it seems, as New Plymouth District Council Rugby World Cup manager Jenny Mills confirmed, “It is not something we didn’t want to do – but the need to drum up local support has developed.

“The biggest hint we are getting is that the majority of sales are to overseas visitors or people from outside the region. The local market hasn’t hit yet.”

RWC organisers hope to sell 85 per cent of their 1.6 million tickets but the problem in New Zealand is people don’t attend games in poor weather. Only 16,000 showed up at Eden Park – the final venue with a 60,000 capacity – for Friday’s Super XV play off between the Auckland Blues’, and their host of All Blacks, victory over the NSW Waratahs.

Loud and not so clear: Welsh late night troubles continue

WE cannot help seeing a pattern from the actions of those involved with Welsh rugby. The first inkling of a problem came last year when Andy Powell was arrested for driving drunk down the M4 motorway in a golf buggy. Last month he was released by Wasps, by mutual consent, of course, following a pub brawl with QPR fans.

In April, Gavin Henson fell foul of his Toulon team-mates after just two appearances, following some choice comments on a night out.

During the Six Nations, assistant coach Shaun Edwards and conditioning coach Fergal Connolly came to blows, supposedly over the choice of post-match songs.

Then there is Mike Phillips’ recent arrest following a row with bouncers outside McDonalds in Cardiff city at 3am.

The WRU imposed an “indefinite ban” on June 17th, which was lifted 10 days later with some contrite sound bytes released by the scrumhalf. “As a player I’m really passionate and never back down,” said Phillips. “I know I can’t allow that part of my character to come to the surface off the rugby pitch. I have realised I have an issue with the way in which I deal with, and have dealt with, the pressures of my current environment and have sought, and will continue to seek, help and advice in relation to that issue.”

The real gem of a comment though came from WRU chief executive, Roger Lewis: “It was very important for us to make it absolutely clear that Welsh rugby will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour.”

A 10-day suspension, when no rugby was played, certainly sends out an abundantly clear message.