A RWC time out via a few braai side crackers courtesy of the troops at Brand inc, who sent out the following release on behalf of SARU of all people … Proving that they can perhaps laugh at themselves …
- In 1989, a rugby union match between Whitby and Corby in the UK was abandoned because the Corby players were too drunk to continue. The referee called a halt seven minutes into the second half with Corby already losing 80-0.
- With both teams lined up ready for kick-off, a Welsh rugby match was abandoned in 1966 when it was realised that nobody had brought a ball.
- French rugby player Jean-Pierre Sault broke his ankle before the 1969 international with Scotland in Paris. About to run on to the pitch, he tripped on the steps leading out of the dressing-room.
- A decade later, French rugby player Gaston Vareilles missed his international debut against Scotland in 1910 because of a sandwich. When the team train stopped at Lyon, Vareilles nipped to the buffet. But the queue was so long that by the time he returned to the platform, the train was disappearing into the distance. He was never picked for his country again.
- Rugby was so popular in South Africa that in 1902 there was a temporary ceasefire in the Boer War so that a rugby game could be played between British and Boer forces.
And because these are courtesy of SARU, and also to support our Absa Currie Cup lads …. Stand the chance of winning R100,000 by uploading a video filmed at a Currie Cup game, or R20,000 for best photo taken at a game. Go to www.absacurriecup.co.za for more details.
Below my predictions for the rest of the week:
Thursday:
Russia v USA: USA by 9
Friday:
New Zealand v Japan: New Zealand by 42
And lastly, an e-mail funny doing the rounds …
Cheers
Tank
