Planet Rugby

Today's other stories in brief

A Hill 16 too far for John

After initially displaying an impressive grasp of the significance of Croke Park opening its gates to rugby union, BBC rugby anchorman John Inverdale spoiled it all by referring to the "mainland" in his broadcast from the Dublin colony last Saturday. Then his Daily Telegraph column suggested he may have merely skimmed his CliffsNotes on Irish history.

The article tried to explain why it makes perfect sense for Croke Park to become the permanent home of Irish rugby - without a consideration for the GAA fixture list.

"It's going to have roughly the same capacity of 50,000 and if/when Irish rugby internationals return to their traditional home and leave the 83,000-capacity Croke Park behind, it may be a bit like going to the local corner shop rather than Asda," wrote Inverdale before really losing the run of himself.

"Those of you who were lucky enough to get a ticket for the game on Saturday will almost certainly have gone through parts of Dublin you hadn't seen before, and which you were probably shocked by. There are some estates which architecturally wouldn't be out of place in Bucharest, and some streets of deprivation that are a throwback to a time long before the Celtic Tiger revolution made the Irish economy the envy of most countries in Europe.

"Gang warfare is rife in the city and, by common consent, the health service is a shambles. Which means you could argue there are better things to be spending €400 million on than a new, and some would say unnecessary, football and rugby stadium."

Inverdale also missed the significance of Hill 16.

"The next stage for Croke Park is to replace the terracing on Hill 16 (but not change the name) and then, in keeping with a country accelerating through the premier league of Europe, it would have arguably one of the finest grounds on the continent.

"The corner has been well and truly turned in Ireland. As Saturday night hazily became Sunday morning, and the talk became increasingly more honest (and inevitably less coherent), it was hard to find anyone who didn't think it would be something of a come-down to return in future to a much smaller venue for such a big occasion. So do they have to?"

That's the thing, John: everyone woke up on Monday morning. Back to reality. Inverdale duly received a hammering on the Telegraph message boards.

It's not over till it's over

We didn't believe the endgame drama from the Blackrock v Kilkenny schools cup match last week would ever be topped. That was until we tuned into the Sharks v Crusaders Super 14 match in Durban on Saturday.

The Crusaders have been severely handicapped by the extended All Black pre-season, in order to peak for the World Cup, having to forage on without the likes of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Aaron Mauger and Chris Jack.

Still, the Crusaders have produced a Carter clone in Stephen Brett, who produced another man-of-the-match performance that included the full array of kicking contributions - drop goal, three penalties and two conversions - to leave his team leading 26-20 entering injury time.

The Sharks were awarded a penalty in their own 22. Captain AJ Venter asked was their time to kick for touch. "Times up," responded the referee.

Deon Carstens lost the ball forward and that seemed to be that, but in true Super 14 tradition the Crusaders attempted to deny the Sharks a bonus point by putting the ball through hands as they eyed the Sharks' tryline - only for Caleb Ralph to be turned over near the touchline.

The Sharks went through the phases with Venter eventually storming out of the 22 and passing to replacement Adrian Jacobs, who suddenly found himself with just fullback Scott Hamilton to beat. Odwa Ndungane appeared on his shoulder. Jacobs set him free.

The TMO, Shaun Veldsman, confirmed Ndungane - who had earlier fumbled the ball over the try line - had avoided the corner flag despite the despairing attentions of Hamilton. 26-25 and a touchline conversion to follow.

With Percy Montgomery off injured, responsibility for the kick fell to the 22-year-old scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, "whose father Gysie toured New Zealand with the Springboks in 1984," said the commentator as he addressed the ball . . .

"There'll be bums on seats for the rest of the season," continued the commentator as the crowd applauded the Sharks' lap of honour after the 27-26 victory.

Pumas put down a marker

Argentina scored three tries in the opening 25 minutes to set the platform for a 28-14 victory over the French Barbarians on Saturday.

The Barbarians, fielding 12 fringe players from France's Six Nations squad, were caught off guard in the fifth minute when Argentine scrumhalf Agustin Pichot took a quick penalty to dive over.

Flanker Martin Durand, who plays in France for Montpellier, added two more, while Juan Hernandez's kicking extended Argentina's lead to 25-0.

The Barbarians got on the scoreboard shortly before the interval with flanker Elvis Vermeulen reducing the deficit after being pushed over by the pack.

A Thomas Lievremont try on the hour gave the hosts some hope but outhalf Hernandez put the result beyond doubt four minutes later with a drop goal.

France and Argentina are, of course, part of Ireland's group in the World Cup later this year. And this game was a reminder - as if we needed it - of just how good the Pumas can be and what a threat to Irish ambitions they pose.

Today's the day

The Leinster Schools' Senior Cup semi-final between Clongowes Wood College and Terenure College was postponed yesterday because of waterlogging of the Donnybrook pitch. The game has been rescheduled for this afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

St Michael's College and Kilkenny College meet tomorrow, also at Donnybrook, in the other semi-final.