Portugal pulled off three stunning victories against Kenya, Samoa and Wales on day one of the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens to reach the Cup quarter finals alongside the USA.
The IRB reports that the Americans lost to hosts South Africa early on but won a fine victory against Australia and then overpowered Georgia to book their place in the last eight along with the top seeds.
Cup quarter final line-up
New Zealand v USA
Portugal v Argentina
Fiji v Samoa
South Africa v England
Pool A: NZ beat England to top group
Tim Mikkelson scored a brace of tries as New Zealand avenged their defeat at the hands of England last weekend in Dubai to beat the English 19-7 and top Pool A in George.
England and New Zealand had both enjoyed winning starts against France and Tunisia.
England were far too strong for the Tunisians, Mickey Young scoring a hat trick in their 42-7 win, and then starring as they overpowered France 21-7, while Tomasi Cama also scored three for New Zealand in their 40-5 victory over France and then inspired the kiwis to an impressive display against the Africans, 18-year-old Julian Savea also catching the eye in a 36-0 win.
Pool B: USA join Boks in Cup quarters
South Africa, bidding to win their first title on home soil, delighted the partisan crowd at the Outeniqua Park stadium with three opening victories on day one.
The Boks kicked off their campaign with a 24-0 win against Al Carvelli’s well-drilled USA side, Robert Ebersohn and Renfred Dazel on song and scoring tries and then Ebersohn scored a first half hat trick to set them on their way to a 31-5 win against Georgia before they rounded off their day with a hard-fought win against Australia.
The Australians beat the Georgians in the pool’s other opening clash, and then contested one of the games of the day in their second fixture against the USA. Having impressed against the Boks, captain Chris Wyles was again a key figure as the Americans built a 21-7 half time lead, but two tries by Luke Morahan and one for Richard Kingi brought Michael O’Connor’s side storming back into a 26-21 lead with two minutes remaining.
Kevin Swiryn’s try on full time brought the scores level at 26-26 before Nese Malifa’s nerveless conversion from wide out on the right won the game for USA, 28-26.
The USA then confirmed their place in the last eight with a fine victory over Georgia, captain Chris Wyles leading the way with a hat trick.
Pool C: Fiji top group
Fiji beat Argentina 26-7 to top pool C thanks to tries by Seremaia Burotu (2) and Iferi Lavo, while the Pumas also proceed to the Cup quarters after earlier victories against Scotland and Zimbabwe.
Captain Emosi Vucago sparkled for Waisale Serevi’s Fijians, while Santiago Gomez Cora touched down for his 201st career try in Argentina’s 26-12 win against the competitive Zimbabweans.
Pool D: Portugal top group for first time
Portugal beat Series regulars Kenya, Samoa and Wales to top their pool for the first time and reach only their second ever Cup quarter final.
The Kenyans started well in the pool’s opening match but Portugal hit back to lead 14-12 and then held on with some typically rugged defence. Better was to come, however, and in their second match against Samoa they fought back after Mikaele Pesamino’s two opening scores to touch down three times through Pedro Leal, Diogo Mateus and his twin David for a 19-12 lead. The Samoans crossed with the last play of the match but Uale Mai just missed with the crucial conversion from out on the touchline.
It was Portugal’s first ever victory over the Samoans and they carried their fine form into their last match of the day, in which they came back from behind to beat Wales 19-17.
Tweet
Today’s schedule. Times are SA.
M25 10:31 France – Georgia GEO 1/4 final Bowl
M26 10:53 Kenya – Scotland GEO 1/4 final Bowl
M27 11:15 Zimbabwe – Wales GEO 1/4 final Bowl
M28 11:37 Australia – Tunisia GEO 1/4 final Bowl
—————————-
M29 11:59 New Zealand – USA GEO 1/4 final Cup
M30 12:21 Portugal – Argentina GEO 1/4 final Cup
M31 12:43 Fiji – Samoa GEO 1/4 final Cup
M32 13:05 South Africa – England GEO 1/4 final Cup
—————————-
M33 13:49 Loser M25 – Loser M26 GEO SF Shield
M34 14:11 Loser M27 – Loser M28 GEO SF Shield
—————————-
M35 14:33 Winner M25 – Winner M26 GEO SF Bowl
M36 14:55 Winner M27 – Winner M28 GEO SF Bowl
—————————-
M37 15:32 Loser M29 – Loser M30 GEO SF Plate
M38 15:54 Loser M31 – Loser M32 GEO SF Plate
—————————-
M39 16:16 Winner M29 – Winner M30 GEO SF Cup
M40 16:38 Winner M31 – Winner M32 GEO SF Cup
—————————-
M41 17:15 Winner M33 – Winner M34 GEO Final Shield
M42 17:40 Winner M35 – Winner M36 GEO Final Bowl
M43 18:05 Winner M37 – Winner M38 GEO Final Plate
M44 18:30 Winner M39 – Winner M40 GEO Final Cup
All tickets for George sold out
December 05 2008 at 06:28PM
George – The popularity of Sevens in South Africa, as elsewhere in the world, has grown to the extent that all tickets at George have been sold out for the second day of the IRB sevens World Series tournament on Saturday.
George, where the capacity has been increased to accommodate more fans after a near-sellout last year, has become such a popular venue that organisers have requested that spectators do not go to the trouble of coming to the field on Saturday as no tickets will be available, according to Rayaan Adriaanse of SA Rugby.
“We don’t want people to make the unnecessary trip in the hope that tickets will be available,” he explained. Sapa
mornings
Sponsors must be stoked that it’s a sell-out. I remember going to the Durban leg a few years ago and there couldn’t have been more than 5000 people at a 50 000 stadium.
The Aussies’ loss to USA must have been worth the price of admission alone 😛
@PJLD (Comment 3) :
Mooooooooooooooooooooornin
@Baldrick (Comment 4) :
I have seen the odd comment asking for it to be moved up country.
How stupid!!!!!
George seems a great atmosphere and is a sell out.
I agree KSA, it seems to have found a home and no reason fixing what ain’t broke. I think SA’s victory last week in Dubai probably helped matters because it’s easier supporting a winning team.
I was thrilled to see some of the minnows like Portugal and USA coming through. The Crowd loves an underdog.
i just found whiskey in my car!nice!i came home with more money than when i left.and im not hungover. i need more nights like these.
@Baldrick (Comment 7) :
Correct on both counts.
That SA win has certainly helped the numbers.
I am a keen supporter of the USA team. Call me easily swayed. 😉 I like the Jersey so I support the team. 😉
@PJLD (Comment 8) :
😆 😆
Sheez can I borrow YOUR gaurdian angel for a bit?
Goodmorning
Isma-eel Dollie’s apperently negotiating with the Brumbies to play for them in next years Supper 14…. 😐
@Charlie (Comment 11) : he is there on trials.ksa i got some spiced gold too
I am going to miss the Morning and Midday session 👿
First game I will see will be the Cup Semi’s 😡
@PJLD (Comment 12) :
You angel rocks. 😎
@Charlie (Comment 11) :
I am afraid I don’t hold much hope of success for him.
@PJLD (Comment 12) :
@Charlie (Comment 11) :
Why is there only gossip on the issue BTW and no news articles on it anywhere?
france v georgia
26-14 France
last minute ….
looks like that was the final score – sorry kids needed attention and I missed the end 😳
Kenya v Scotland up next …
scotland score in the first minute….
conversion missed
5-0 Scotland
I knew my Bokkie would come through with scores for me. 😉
kenya score and take the lead
7-5 Kenya
scotland down with a neck injury — player leaving the field on a cart (didn’t see who it was but commentator seems to think it may be the end of his career 🙄 😳 )
2 minutes left of the first half ….
scotland back in the lead…
7-12 Scotland
less than a minute to go first half
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 22) :
Bladen been drinking that early already. 🙁
Kenya 19 – 15 Scotland
Full Time
That means the 1st Bowl Semi will be Kenya – France with Scotland and Georgia playing in the Shield Semi
sorry had lunch to prepare …
zim v wales on now
5-0 Zim
3 mins 1st half to go
wales score …and take the lead
5-7 Wales
and again ….
conversion missed
5-12 Wales
less than a minubte first half
zim score as the half time hooter goes, missed conversion so
WALES lead by 2 points …
HALF TIME
12-10 Wales
wales score…
10-26 Wales
3 mins 30secs second half
zim scores…
FULL TIME SCORE :
24-26 Wales
up next…. aus v tunisia
first score Australia…
7-0 Aus
4 minutes to go
and another one …
14-0 Aus
3 minutes to go 1st half
what time we playing?
@PJLD (Comment 36) :
13:05
Australia 21 – 7 Tunisia
Zimbabwe 24 – 26 Wales
So the second Bowl Semi is Aus v Wales and the 2nd Shield Semi is Zim v Tunisia.
nothing inspiring about either.
thanking you
NZ v USA about to start.
GO USA!!!!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 38) : just under 2 mins to go and tunisia have recovered well
28-21 Aus
@KSA Shark © (Comment 40) : about to start yeah right, aus tunisia not done yet, woah there boy hehehe
ok jinxed them obviously, no taking it now tunisia sorry, no more time
FINAL score :
33-21 Aus
NOW up next NZ v USA hehehe
boys on the field ….
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 42) :
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 43) :
STRANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😯
IRB website has the result at 21-7 to Aus. 👿
I thought they were ahead of schedule. 🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 46) :
Now they are back on track.
HALF TIME
19-7 NZ
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 48) : 😕 👿
second half starts and NZ scores …
26-7 NZ
4 mins 30secs left
@KSA Shark © (Comment 49) : whats the face for, i haven’t been on the field scoring 😳 😆
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 51) : 😆
not at YOU, at the score.
oops missed the final score – kids again 😳
NZ won though 👿
portugal v argentina about to start
argentina first on the board ….
7-0 Arg
6 minutes to go, first half
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 53) :
Ouch.
New Zealand 36 – 7 USA
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 55) :
Should be a bit of oneway traffic this.
2nd half
7-21 Arg
yellow card argentina & portugal
5 minutes to go
3 minutes to go
7-28 Arg
FINAL SCORE
19-28 Argentina
Fiji v Samoa getting ready to start
Now with any luck, Samoa will beat Fiji. 🙄
HALF TIME
7-5 Fiji
fiji scores again
14-5 Fiji
but more importantly those goodlooking boks have started a warm-up jog along the side of the field
and again…
19-5 Fiji
sorry hunny, luck just not seem to be on your side today 😕
3 mins to go
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 65) :
hey!!!!! What’s with the “good looking” bit????? 😛
samoa score
19-12 Fiji
2 mins to go
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 66) :
As long as it swings my way with this next game. 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 67) : you’ve seen them too, fact is fact babe, sorry
@KSA Shark © (Comment 69) : what with those good looking boys 😆 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 67) : ooh heh eh!
samoa could still do this, on the 22 and a minute to go….. C’mon Samoa ❗
lets go bokke lets go!
dying seconds, fiji get a yellow for a dangerous tackle (i presume)
FINAL SCORE
19-12 Fiji
C’mon SAMOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ONLY for this game though 😆
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 76) :
Damn!!!!!!!!
ok and now lets kick some english ass boys
@KSA Shark © (Comment 78) : ref certainly looked like he was on samoa’s side hehehe was a good game
and we sccooooooorrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeee !!!!!!!!
ebersohn scores his 5th try
conversion is missed
5-0 SA
5 minutes 1st half
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 82) :
of the match? 🙄 😆
&*&(*&^&^%&^% lost signal 😡 😡 😡
@KSA Shark © (Comment 84) : 👿 maybe it’ll be the first of 5 hehehehe
and we score aaaaaggggggggggggaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiin
benjamin dots it down
and the conversion ….. is great
12-0 SA 😎
2 minutes to go 1st half
Go Boks
SA penalised for a dangerous tackle
@robdylan (Comment 89) :
No I’m not really upset with her. 🙂
30 seconds to go, we’re not looking too bad even playing one man down (snyman sent off for that dangerous tackle)
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 90) :
Ag the POMS are just soft man, The Ref shouldn’t need to protect them.
HALF TIME
12-0 SA
woohoo
@KSA Shark © (Comment 91) : huh ?????
@KSA Shark © (Comment 91) : crunchie 🙂
ole
and we’re back ….
@robdylan (Comment 96) :
Hey if Luke can’t say Dutchman, then you can’t call me a crunchie. 🙄
snyman back on
benjamin fumbles the ball and england break through to score a try 👿
did that just happen?
thankfully misses the conversion 😀
12-5 SA
5 minutes to go
damu going off for blood
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 101) :
No worrie we gotta let them score one try so they can still likes to wants to play with us for the rest of the year.
stick scores our 3rd try against england … woooohooooo
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 104) :
damn who?
conversion missed 🙁
17-5 SA
2 minutes to go
@KSA Shark © (Comment 107) : you’re a real clown today aren’t you 😆 😆
tv ref being consulted on a possible england try JUST before the deadball line
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 109) : 😳 😛
they get it 👿
17-12 SA
FINAL SCORE
😎 
👿
17-12 SA
😳 wrong face on the end there 😆
Go Boks! 😀
Bokke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So The Semi-Finals are
SA v Fiji
NZ v Argentina
That Bokke v NZ Final will be worth watching.
sheesh 4 players on our team UNDER 80kgs 😯
interview with Paul Treu at the moment
he is really proud of the boys, you can hear it in his voice 😎
Okay there is a break now and then the Semi-Finals start.
M33 13:49 Georgia – Scotland SF Shield
M34 14:11 Zimbabwe – Tunisia SF Shield
======================
M35 14:33 France – Kenya SF Bowl
M36 14:55 Wales – Australia SF Bowl
======================
M37 15:32 USA – Portugal SF Plate
M38 15:54 Samoa – England SF Plate
======================
M39 16:16 New Zealand – Argentina SF Cup
M40 16:38 Fiji – South Africa SF Cup
Go Bokke!
That Benjamin fumble was comedic in its ineptitude.
@Big Fish (Comment 119) :
As a LIONS supporter…NO Benjamin fumble is in anyway comedic…
His fumbles cost us a few games this season that we should have won (Sharks game catch and fall in the dieing minutes/Brumbies about 5 fumbles of which two were just run’ins/etc)….an it is not as if we won soooo many games that you would not even have noticed it!??!
Portugal 12 – 0 USA
Half time
😯 😯
Portugal 24 – 7 USA
Full Time
Samoa 14 – 10 England
Half time
Wow – great match-winning try by Turner! 😯
Two 2nd half tries by Matt Turner, the second and awesome kick and chase by him, wins it for England
Samoa 19 – 20 England
Full Time
@Big Fish (Comment 124) :
I thought his chip would be to short and he would either kick it over the in goal on the second kick OR he would get caught trying to pick it up.
Not a bad way to win a game, I’ll tell you that.
Still don’t think he is the bees knees though. 😉
Arg are certainly not pushovers.
TRY!!!!!!!!!!
Arg 5 – 0 NZ
@Big Fish (Comment 127) :
Yeah, i would need a lot more than 6minutes of good play to convince me he is great.
Half Time
NZ 14 – 5 Arg
Full Time
NZ 26 – 5 Arg.
Going to be an awesome final 😉
Beer Garden is empty and the Stands are Full as the Boks get ready to take on Fiji.
Yellow against Fiji as they nail Stick at a penalty.
Boks spread it wide and benjamin scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stick slots it from the touchline!!!!!!!!!
Boks 7 – 0 Fiji
4:30 left
Mbiyozo TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He carried two Fijians over the line with him.
Stick slots it
Boks 14 – 0 Fiji
Fiji back to 7men now
Stick chips but it’s to far.
Benjamin TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How stupid from Fiji to CHIP it out of in-goal. SA just gathered and scored.
Stick slots it from the touchline AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boks 21 – 0 Fiji
Half Time.
Fiji Knock it on over the tryline. TWICE.
Boks 21 – 0 Fiji
1min left
Fiji eventually get over.
Boks 21 – 7 Fiji
10sec left
Full Time
Boks 21 – 7 Fiji
First Final coming up in 10min
17:15 Scotland – Zimbabwe Final Shield
=========================
17:40 France – Australia Final Bowl
=========================
18:05 Portugal – England Final Plate
=========================
18:30 New Zealand – South Africa Final Cup
fukkit that was tense
@PJLD (Comment 144) :
Tense but comfortable 😎
true
Shield Final
Zimbabwe 14 – 0 Scotland
Half time
Gerald Sibanda from Zim just runs around ANYBODY in front of him. 😯 😯
Shield Final Winners Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe 26 – 0 Scotland
Yeah baby!
Stade Francais playing in their new jersey today. Put up a moerse pre-match show.
@McLovin (Comment 151) :
That’d be good to see.
@McLovin (Comment 151) :
I never realised the back of the jersey was plain blue.
Gimme a sec and i will show you the Arabian version of that jersey. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 152) : They sure now how to put on a show. Dancing girls from Moulin Rouge, jousting on horse back, reenactment of the killing of Joan of Arc, even burning witches at the stake apparently. 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 153) :
http://picasaweb.google.com/Andre.Bosch2007/Dubai7s20089#5274782949513740898
Can’t post it here you need to see it quite big to see the camels
holy moly
@McLovin (Comment 154) : 😯 😯 😯 😯
Where are they Playing? Arc de Triomf? 😳 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 152) :
it’s on Supersport 7 over here. 😎
promised the girls this would be the last time they have to watch Rugby this year. 😛 😥
@KSA Shark © (Comment 155) : Can’t decide which is better.
@McLovin (Comment 159) :
personally I’d prefer the Arabian Potbellies’ one. It’d fit me better.
Half Time and the Aussies are down. And you can see why at the team talk. Coach talks and he get’s spoken back to. 🙄
Fra 14 – 5 Aus
Great chip on the angle from france for one of the players to score
For some reason I have no sound on SS7. 👿
Bowl Final Winners France
France 21 – 12 Australia
Plate final
Eng v Portugal
Go Portugal!!!!!!!!! (They have never beaten the poms)
Is this on tv in the uk?
@robdylan (Comment 166) :
if you are asking me you are asking the wrong person. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 166) :
Here you go.
http://myp2p.eu/competition.php?competitionid=&part=sports&discipline=other
@KSA Shark © (Comment 168) :
you got 10min to get sorted 🙂
Plate Final Winners England
England 24 – 7 Portugal
@robdylan (Comment 166) : Nope. Not live anyway. Have to wait till Monday.
This is it.
Go Bokke!!!!!!!!!!!!
@McLovin (Comment 171) :
I’ll give it my best shot.
NZ and SA have played each other 31 times and NZ have won 25 times.
SA have never won back to back tournament titles.
SA have never won the Cup in george.
Times need to change.
Go Bokke
10min each way in the Final.
Maul becomes unplayable.
NZ scrum in our half
DJ Forbes try!!
converted
7 – 0 NZ
SA seem to be playing a lot more ruck and recycle orientated game suddenly.
WHY????
Sticks chips and the bounce beats him to touch.
LO on NZ line
NZ run it out before clearing with the boot.
Dazel put it out on the full outside his 22.
I agree with Garth Wright as he comments that we should have run the ball and not kicked it out of our 22.
Aplon breaks the Line and feeds Dazel who has to run like HELL to score in the corner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Conversion missed
7 – 5 NZ
50sec left
Half time
New Zealand 7 – 5 Boks
@KSA Shark © (Comment 173) : Thanks. Just checked out that link you posted. 😎
SA kick it out with a PK and the ref blows for half time.
Garth Wright: By law they should have the line out. 😯
Has he been dipping into Bladen’s kit bag? 👿
@KSA Shark © (Comment 155) : Thanks KSA…couldn’t find it on telly here in UK..so now watching on P2P!
@McLovin (Comment 186) :
cool
Forbes stopped 5m out 😳
SA scrum
Boks clear from the scrum.
LO on our 22
Delport on for Dazel
Ruck unplayable
SA scrum going forward. NZ Don’t like being rucked off the ball.
Bok LO on NZ 10m after Forbes played Mbyozo late.
Boks win it and chip.
Force ABs to dot it down
scrum 5 SA on attack put in
Come on Boks!
SA plaing 15 style on the NZ line
win the ruck and get another scrum
Ebersohn goes high off the foot and Aplon knocks it in goal.
NZ Scrum 5m out.
Tighthead and Stick SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
Stick does the usual
NZ 7 – 12 Boks
1:30 left to play
Stick chips and collects.
recycle and Ebersohn Drop Goal.
Flags stay down
22 drop out NZ
SA knock
34sec left
Go stokololo!
NZ win the scrum and do a Wynand olivier.
SA put in at the LO
SA Win the LO and maul.
put it in touch
WOOHOO!!!!!!
My heart! 😀 😀 😀 😀
Cup Final Winners SPRINGBOKS
Springboks 12 – 7 New Zealand
Go go go
I wasn’t going to drink tonight…… 😉
Where is PJLD? Now THAT was TENSE. 😛
@McLovin (Comment 207) :
neither was I, but seeing as I don’t smoke, I am going to HAVE to have a stiff one.
2 in a row. This SA Sevens side is great!! Thrilling side!!
stiff one? hiehiehie. juvenile I know… but couldn’t let it go.
First Ever George Win for the Springboks
First ever back to back tournament win for the Springboks
@McLovin (Comment 211) :
Well if truth be told THAT thought did cross my mind. 😆
@Villie (Comment 210) :
Yeah mate 100% correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mzwandile being interviewed.
It means a lot to us, when we come here we always lose. 😆
Not today mate. 😎
What’s the trophy? That painting?
Top try scorer of the tournament.
3 way Tie
Young – England
Morahan – Aus
Comacho – Arg (sp?)
Wooohooo!
Go Blitz-Bokke!!!
Great coaching by Treu – I also like how he realised when Dazel and Snyman were fading under the pressure and was decisive in introducing the magic in Aplon and Delport (who both sparkled).
Treu could go far with decision-making like that.
@McLovin (Comment 216) :
yeah each trophy winner got a similar one. 3D art work.
Robert Ebersohn awarded man of the tournament
Stade haven’t lost a heineken cup pool match in 28 starts. About to lose one today.
@Big Fish (Comment 218) :
I was worried about the Delport for Dazel sub,thinking it was a BIG mistake.
But then that is why I am not the Bok 7s coach. 😛
@McLovin (Comment 221) :
that’s what happens when you have a jersey everyone wants to Puke on 😆
Well done manne!im so freakin stoked!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 219) : Do you get 3d glasses with it?
@McLovin (Comment 225) :
😆 😆
part of the frame already. 😉
Yeah!!! Woohoo!
And now for some whisky & Leicester v Perpignan. 😎
Philip Burger wearing what seems to be something between track suit bottoms and tights under his shorts. 🙄
@McLovin (Comment 229) :
Well I suppose ONCE a ….. always a ….. 😉
@McLovin (Comment 229) :
Have just seen him. What a pilluck? Didn’t anyone tell him that the tights are supposed to be UNDER the socks. 🙄
Dan Carter in the stands. Making his debut for Perpignan next week.
Okay bed time for me as Flood scores.
poor Hougaardt must be happy to play for leicester, gets a year off and get’s paid for it.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 231) : It’s not like it’s that cold. He is from the Free State after all.
Stade were robbed. Did I mention I went to school with Brian Liebenberg?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 233) : Sweet dreams.
@McLovin (Comment 232) :
because he had adidas commitments this week. They must be paying a FAIR bit. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 235) :
Did I tell you I once saw Madiba on TV. 😉
@McLovin (Comment 229) : Hey! I wear those when I run
@robdylan (Comment 235) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 238) : I sat within spitting distance of Os at Twickenham a few weeks ago. 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 239) :
Ignore the rest of MY comments then. 😳 If you wear rugby socks underneath, that is. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 238) : Name dropper 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 239) : But would you wear them during a rugby match?
hey I know that voice?
Nigel owens is reffing. read a rather moving piece about his autobiography this morning.
(Not sure who wrote it though 😛 )
@McLovin (Comment 240) :
BASTARD!!!!!!!!! I must have seen you on TV then, he was on TV quite often during that match, grinning from ear to ear.
How far can you spit?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 241) : Na. Wear short socks
Gay ref: Rugby has accepted me
RugbyHeaven | Saturday, 06 December 2008
Openly gay test referee Nigel Owen wonders if his sexuality would have been as accepted by the soccer community as it has been by the rugby fold.
The Welsh test referee has just released an autobiography called Half Time where he details the turmoil of admitting his sexuality while being in a high profile role in international sport.
“You do get the odd few who shout the odd things from the crowd – but most of that is still in good banter,” he said.
“I have been lucky. Everybody from supporters to players to coaches to administrators have all been very supportive.
“There are obviously people who may feel uncomfortable with it but they are very few and far between and you’ve got to respect the way they think about people as well.”
He admits he was surprised how the rugby world did react.
“I think it shows that, especially in Wales, how close a community rugby is. This is not against football (soccer) in any way because I like watching football.
“But I think when you think of spectators in football – if I was a football referee it would be more difficult to go and referee in football matches than it is in rugby matches.”
Owens told the BBC that he “took some convincing” to write the book in which he says how being gay drove him to take an overdose and if a police helicopter had not found him he would have died.
“I was a person that I did not want to be – that’s what got me down. I wanted a normal way of life, to get married and have children and stuff like that.
“Looking back now I could have [told parents and friends] – when I did they were all great about it – but it was in an era when it was a difficult thing to be.
“It got me down so much that I just could not cope anymore. I thought there was only one way out of this and that’s foolishly what I tried to do.
“I got up early in the morning – left the house – left a note for my parents – and I walked and walked for ages. I landed up trying to take an overdose.”
His parents found the note and the police were alerted.
“I was airlifted to hospital, spent four or five days there, and then coming out I was embarrassed about what I had done and ashamed.
“When I saw my parents crying from what I had done it made me so ashamed to put them through that. When you are in that frame of mind there is nothing you can do – I think the only way out of it is to tell people, talk to people and friends and family can help you out of it.
“I think it was a turning point – it made me realise it’s time you grew up, accepted who you were and got on with your life and make the most of it.”
It still took him several more years to tell his parents and friends.
“Actually saying those three little words “I am gay” was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do.
“I would rather referee in front of a passionate 80,000 crowd and give a last minute penalty than do that again. I told my mum – we both shed a tear but nothing changed.”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 245) : Not far enough. Not that I would ever spit on Os. I don’t think there was a close up shot of me. I tried to find myself a few times. But no luck. 👿
@McLovin (Comment 243) : Na. They’d get destroyed
@McLovin (Comment 248) :
Now if you HAD spit on him you woulda been on TV. 😛 😛 😛 😛 😛
Is liefling injured?
@McLovin (Comment 248) :
Kette tells me I was on TV during the Dubai 7s. Apparently I was behind the Samoan Captain when he was being interviewed after the Plate final, while I was looking after another player.
@robdylan (Comment 251) :
If Huimwee is considered an injury. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 250) : Maybe next time. 😉 He seems like a very nice chap. Must have posed for a million photos after the match with everybody that was sitting around him.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 252) : looking after? Sounds dodge.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 253) : What that it are means?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 252) : Only time I’ve ever been on tv was at wimbledon. Too bad I don’t have it on tape.
@robdylan (Comment 255) :
Homesick. 🙂
@McLovin (Comment 256) :
I have been three times that I know of.
Dubai 7s Semi final England v SA as touch judge. (Poms won) Was also the first time I heard a whole stadium sing Swing low. I had goosebumps the size of golfballs.
This year and last year’s 7s in passing while “looking after” people.
Don’t have ANY of them on tape 🙁
@McLovin (Comment 256) :
I have OTHER stuff on tape but this is a family site. 😳 🙄 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 259) :
On THAT note………… Good night guys.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 259) : 🙄 😀
@KSA Shark © (Comment 260) : Good night. Again. 😛
Leicester Bulls lead 20-13 or something at half time.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 258) : Oh, looking after means making sure they don’t wee
@KSA Shark © (Comment 247) :
Nigel Owens isn’t the only gay ref in the village…
A particular favourite of the Sharks’ is also, but semi-closeted.
@Le Req (Comment 265) : Spicey! 🙂
As well as a certain forward for Bath, who sometimes grows a ‘tasche to resemble the cowboy from the Village People.
@Le Req (Comment 268) : you know too much 🙂
Hehe, imformed by a loyal Wasps supporter (go figure) who is a mate – oops, I mean platonic friend – of Wayne Barnes, haha.
GO BATH! Just cannot get excited about any Scottish club team.
PS: that forward is out with a “foot injury”
Is this not the first time ever that we won two tournaments in a season???
@Le Req (Comment 265) :
The only other I know about who is out of the closet in all but name is Lyndon Bray.
Who are you refering to?
Not Bryce Lawrence surely? He has just been awarded NZ referee of the year and his daddy is IRB 7s referee’s manager. 🙄 But he ain’t gay IMO.
@Hmmm (Comment 272) :
Yip you are actually 100% correct.
SA’s previous IRB tournament wins.
We MAY have won two in the 2003/4 season but it is unclear from the IRB records.
2001/2 Brisbane (?)
2002/3 Brisbane (??)
2003/4 Singapore and Dubai (???)
2004/5 London (Twickenham) 😎
2005/6 Paris
2006/7 Dubai
2007/8 Adelaide
2008/9 Dubai and George
(?) The 2001/2 result is in question as The IRB Summary says SA won in Wellington, yet the points table shows they won in Brisbane.
(??) Also in question as the IRB Summary says SA won in Cardiff yet the points table shows a Brisbane win again
(???) The early IRB archives are a minefield of errors it seems. “South Africa winning the tournaments in Dubai and Singapore” Yet the table only shows the Singapore win.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BLACKSHARK
@Charlie (Comment 276) : yes! And happy birthday to you for yesterday as well 🙂