Chris Jack scores within a minute on Western Province debut

All Black lock Chris Jack scored a debut try for Western Province in the Currie Cup after no less than 22 seconds as his new team beat the Shark 29-15 at Newlands on Saturday.

Jack joined Western Province following two years with Saracens in England, bringing a wealth of experience to the Cape Town based side with his 67 test caps for New Zealand, as well as nine years with the Crusaders.

His considerable bulk will also go a long way towards beefing up the traditionally weak Province forward pack, and he will partner former Lions lock Anton Van Zyl.

"For us as coaches he's been brilliant," said WP assistant coach Robbie Fleck.

"The way Chris has settled in to the side after three days of training has been phenomenal, he's been the ultimate professional."

"When I first met him he was as quiet as a churchmouse," admitted Fleck.

"But when we got him on the training paddock there was this transformation to this guy that was talking and communicating, and everything that came out of his mouth made perfect sense, and everyone understood straight away why he's the player that he is.

"He's a man of few words, but a man of action."

He was all action shortly after kickoff as he got himself in the game instantly, charging down a Rory Kockott attempted clearance kick before gathering and diving over in the corner unchallenged.

Not a brilliant try by any means, but a great start to his Currie Cup and Western Province career, which we think New Zealand and Saracens fans might appreciate seeing. We'll keep tabs on his progress throughout the season.


Time: 0:46

    

Midweek Madness - The Brussow Bounce

We've come across a pretty ridiculous, but fairly entertaining video for you today from the third test of the epic Lions vs Springboks series that concluded in Johannesburg on the weekend.

Young Heinrich Brussow was a thorn in the Lions side since their meeting with the Cheetahs, a match in which he single handedly got the home side back in the match by dominating at the breakdown.

His rise to the top has been rapid, and with injury and disciplinary problems from Schalk Burger, the youngster from Bloemfontein has take his opportunity with open arms and now looks set to be in the Springbok fold for many years to come.

As a genuine fetcher, Brussow, one of the smaller forwards in world rugby, realises that his game is pushed to the limit of the law.

"It's a fine line a fetcher has to walk - you have to be bold but you have to be careful, especially with three points against you a possibility if you transgress. You walk a tightrope.

"Slowing ball down is one of the keys to success in Test rugby because it gives your defensive line more time to get organised.

"At the same time, if I can turn over their ball, we have a superb backline that is very dangerous on the counter-attack. So if I give the guys an opportunity on both counts I will have done my job."

Funnily enough it was the Lions' Welsh fetcher supreme Martyn Williams who was slowing down the ball in the third test, as he got it lodged between his legs, preventing the Boks from taking a quick tap.

Brussow got frustrated, then literally manhandled Williams as he tried to shake the ball loose as if he were dusting off an old rug. The comical incident led to this crazy video, and a move we've named the Brussow Bounce. Don't try this at home.

Discussion Point: It seems that these days players get away with a helluva lot by preventing a side from taking a quick tap when a penalty or free kick is awarded. Should referees be stricter in governing this offence, or is it just part of the game?


Time: 01:33

    

The School of Hard Knocks - The Final

The much anticipated final of the School of Hard Knocks is finally here. Will Greenwood and Scott Quinnell have sculpted a group of troubled youths into a hardened rugby team over a period of a few weeks, and their final challenge is upon them.

It’s been quite a ride for the boys, who joined the programme from different backgrounds, all of which were troubled or mislead, and none of which had any previous involvement with rugby.

They’ve had their ups and downs, but they’ve made it to the final hurdle as a changed group of boys as they set out to play against an experienced and well organised team that pushes them to their limits.

Along the journey they’ve not only learnt about rugby, but about themselves as individuals and see that all things are possible through hard work and determination.

They’ve taken a hold of their lives now and look set to be stronger, better, and more focussed than ever as they’ve found a sense of self-worth and togetherness that many of us would have experienced through this great sport.

Everything they’ve learned has come down to this one final test, as they run out together to have the time of their lives and see if they can put everything they’ve learnt into practice in this, the final episode of The School of Hard Knocks 2009.

The final episode is 43 minutes long, so they're split into 5 different parts. It's well worth the watch, so enjoy. Apologies for the audio sync error on the first part. The rest are fine.

    

British & Irish Lions tour - Scrum Safari 3

The 2009 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa will forever be remembered as one of the toughest in the history of the sport. On the field, bruising encounters and tense finishes were the order of the day.

Off the field, plenty of hard work is put in to get to that starting Test side, but there's still time to relax and unwind, which is just as important on a tension filled tour such as this.

On this edition of the BBC's Scrum Safari, we catch up with the Lions players after the second Test of the series, as they attempt to wind down and take their mind off the disappointments of a gruelling tour.

The Lions went on a safari and get quizzed about the Big Five, a question to which most of them fail. We also get a behind the scenes peak at what's on the menu for the players, and then we see the guys back in Johannesburg, heading to the movies for the night.

It's then back to the ever loyal fans, who throughout the tour have been fantastic with their support for their side. Telly Tubbies, Cheerleaders, and Lions, we've seen it all on this tour. Enjoy.

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British & Irish Lions fans on tour - Scrum Safari

Time: 05:26

    

Simon Shaw gets a two week suspension following the third Test

British & Irish Lions lock Simon Shaw has been suspended for two weeks following the third and final Test against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Shaw, who’s had a fantastic tour at the age of 35, clumbsily fell with his knees into the back on Springbok scrumhalf Fourie Du Preez.

Assistant Referee Vinny Munroe recommended a yellow card to Ref Stuart Dickinson. Shaw spent ten minutes on the sideline.

The England second rower appeared before judicial officer Alan Hudson at a hearing on Sunday and was found guilty of dangerous play. Incidentally, Hudson is the same official who was involved in both the Schalk Burger, and Bakkies Botha suspensions.

With the Lions tour over and the domestic season not due to start until August, Shaw’s ban will commence on 9 August and finish on 22 August.

While many will feel that a yellow card was sufficient punishment, Shaw’s dangerous knee into the back caused pain and discomfort to Du Preez, who stayed on but struggled, and was later replaced by Ruan Pienaar.

The precedent seems to have been set, as judiciary officers appear to now be taking the outcome of misdemeanours into account.

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Simon Shaw red carded for knee in back in 2004

Time: 01:28

    

British & Irish Lions beat the Boks in Johannesburg

The British & Irish Lions have ended their 2009 tour of South Africa on a high after convincingly beating the Springboks 28-9 at Ellis Park in the third and final Test.

While the Springboks celebrated winning the series with their dramatic win at Loftus Versfeld last weekend, they treated the third Test as an opportunity to try out different combinations ahead of the Tri Nations. Ten changes were made, and it showed.

The Lions on the other hand made seven changes, many of which were forced by injury. It didn't affect them though as they came out firing with high intensity levels that the Boks struggled to compete with.

Shane Williams broke his drought as he scored two tries that both came from brilliant individual touches, from Jamie Heaslip and Riki Flutey respectively. Ugo Monye scored the Lions third try with an intercept as the Boks went searching for points.

"It's a satisfaction but a secondary satisfaction because we came here to win the series. It will be my last Lions involvement. I'd like to thank the players, they've been outstanding to a man," said Lions coach Ian McGeechan.

Springbok captain John Smit said: "We had a wonderful series but would have loved to complete a whitewash so we're disappointed. We just were not in the right frame of mind. The Lions wanted a victory and they succeeded."

"But if you had to said to me the series would have been 2-1 beforehand, I would have taken it. The Lions series was always going to be our priority this year and it’s been an amazing experience. To win a series, for me, is right up there with the World Cup."

White Armbands

The Springboks took to the field with white armbands that had the word 'Justice' on them as a protest over the two week suspension of Bakkies Botha for a charge into a ruck last weekend.

Piet Heymans, chief executive of the South African Players' Association, explained.

"The Springbok players all feel for Bakkies as he will miss this memorable final test against the British and Irish Lions," Heymans wrote on the SARPA website.

"Over an extended period of time numerous other players have charged into rucks without binding but were either not penalized at all or received only a penalty. Bakkies hit a ruck just before this one in question in a similar style and was not penalized. Coaches are coaching players to hit rucks in this manner and therefore this is a major cause of apprehension."

Lions forwards coach Warren Gatland agreed. “We thought it was a tough decision, we had no issue with Bakkies. He has a history in the past of not using his arms, but on this occasion there was no problem.”


Time: 09:57

    

The British & Irish Lions

On Saturday we witnessed one of the greatest games ever to be played in Lions rugby history. It was an epic Test match that had drama from start to finish. The series is decided as a contest, but the British & Irish Lions live on, and still have plenty to prove as they must live up to those who fought before them.

We were hoping to post this brilliant video when the series was nicely poised at 1-1, adding to the excitement and build up towards the deciding Test at Ellis Park.

Instead, we're going to see if the Lions can redeem themselves by coming back and proving that they're worthy of wearing the famous red jerseys, and can indeed beat the World Champions in their own backyard.

The concept of the British & Irish Lions is steeped in history and tradition as legends of the game have represented four nations to join as one, and take on the the best from the south, every four years.

The task itself is of epic proportions, but to be chosen as a Lion remains the ultimate honour for any player from England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

This awesome video gives you a great feel for what the Lions is all about as we relive some of the greatest moments from past tours, as well as hear words from legends who've proudly been associated with the Lions.

In terms of a tour result, going down 2-1 certainly looks better than 3-0. Will the Lions be able to pick themselves up for this dead rubber on Saturday, gaining further respect and admiration by doing so? There's a few new faces on both sides, all of which have plenty to prove. We should be in for another classic encounter.


Time: 06:06

Springbok team:
Zane Kirchner, Odwa Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Jongi Nokwe, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, John Smit, Chilliboy Ralepelle, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, Deon Carstens, Steven Sykes, Pierre Spies, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn

British & Irish Lions team:
Rob Kearney, Ugo Monye, Tommy Bowe, Riki Flutey, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips, Jamie Heaslip, Martyn Williams, Joe Worsley, Paul O'Connell, Simon Shaw, Phil Vickery, Matthew Rees, Andrew Sheridan
Replacements: Ross Ford, John Hayes, Alun Wyn Jones, David Wallace, Tom Croft, Harry Ellis, James Hook

    

Plays of the Month for June 2009

The month of June was jam-packed with international rugby action as Test matches took centre stage across the globe, with all the major sides either starting, or finishing their rugby seasons.

For the rugby fans, it's been a treat with big games every weekend and plenty to talk about. The good, the bad, the the fugly.

The British & Irish Lions tour has commanded most of the attention, as the Springboks managed to take the series 2-0. Unfortunately the series so far has been marred by some below par refereeing, and a few below the belt incidents. One match left though. Could go either way.

The All Blacks had a case of the blues as the French arrived in New Zealand with cock in hand, surprising them in the first Test. The AB's came back nicely though, to square the series 1-1. They went on to beat Italy, but are looking a little concerned ahead of the Tri Nations.

The Wallabies blew away a star studded Barbarians side in Sydney, then brushed aside the Italians who had an Aussie or two of their own. The French lacked gas in the tank when they travelled to Ausland, but had one of their better tours in recent times. The Wallaby backline are looking like they could be a potent force this season.

All in all it's been really entertaining, but has made it difficult to predict how the upcoming Tri Nations is going to pan out. One thing is for sure though, the month of June won't be forgotten any time soon. Let's hope July provides as much fun and enjoyment for us all.


Time: 04:28
Credit: The Rugby Club

    

Top players reflect on their greatest achievements

We’ve got an insightful clip for you today that features some of the top players and coaches in the game discussing their greatest achievements in rugby, and in life.

For the majority of players, winning a major tournament would be the ultimate in satisfaction and happiness. It’s the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, time, and effort to get there.

But despite the professional era which at times sees players being treated like robots by the media and fans, they’re human after all. These guys have goals and ambitions off the pitch that many of us can also relate to.

For some their greatest achievements revolve around loved ones, national selection, or even just a special time in their life.

The players featured are from all different walks of life, who have made it to the top and achieved greatness on the field, and personal happiness off it.

We hear from Brian O’Driscoll, John Smit, Will Greenwood, Shane Williams, Justin Marshall, Keith Wood, and Mils Muliana to name a few.


Time: 02:48
Credit: IRB's Total Rugby

    

New Zealand u20's beat England u20's to win the Junior World Championship

Last weekend the New Zealand Under-20 side set the standard in junior rugby as they put on a highly impressive display against a strong England side at the Junior World Championship in Tokyo. New Zealand won the Final 44-28.

As always, the pool of talent in New Zealand runs deep as these youngsters showed that despite the senior All Blacks not having the most enjoyable time at the moment, the near future looks promising.

Scoring seven quality tries, the Baby Blacks secured the trophy with Junior World Player of the Year Aaron Cruden playing a part in most of them. Super 14 players such as Zac Guildford and Winston Stanley also contributed with quality play.

Leading 25-14 at halftime, the game was finely balanced with the well groomed and determined England side possibly having a chance of getting back into it.

Three minutes into the second half the Kiwi side scored again, which basically put the game beyond England, despite scoring a consolation try.

Some of these tries scored by the juniors are phenomenal. The support play, fifteen man rugby, and pure class shown at such a young age are something to behold.

Congrats to both sides who performed really well throughout the tournament, entertaining the enthusiastic Japanese crowds and no doubt contributing towards the continued growth of the game in that region.


Time: 05:43