The Rugby World Cup 2015 - The Kiwi Connection

On the opening day of the Rugby World Cup, Fiji play the hosts under the floodlights of Twickenham, England. The Pacific Islander's are the eternal underdogs, with their lack of numbers, structure and resources as a nation hindering their raw ability on the rugby pitch.

One thing they have in their favour is their global location to attract once aspiring All Black's to join the ranks of the Flying Fijians through family heritage.

World rugby in the professional era has pricked its ears up in awareness that New Zealand has  undoubtedly the most talented and naturally gifted pool of rugby union players on the planet. Every young lad wants to be an All Black and every young girl wants to marry an All Black. That's motivation in itself.

Realistically, very few make the step up to All Black level and the ones that just miss out still have the qualities to walk in to most international rugby teams in the world.

So here is my list of New Zealander's who have been selected by other nations, either on heritage or residency rules, to represent a different country at The World Cup.

Michael Leitch - Japan

Michael Leitch battling hard through contact

Born in New Zealand to Fijian parents, Michael Leitch moved to Japan as a 15 year old. He has represented Japan at age grade level all the way up to the full team, making his debut at the age of 20.

Leitch is a physically dominating, mobile player who is a ferocious ball carrying number 8 or flanker. His work at the breakdown and off-loading ability out of contact are particularly impressive, earning himself very high praise at the last world cup and being regarded as one of the best performing forwards from that tournament in 2011.

In the 2012/13 season, he broke his arm and upon recovering from this on his first game back breaking his leg. However, it looks like he has put his injuries behind him with a string of excellent performances for The Waikato Chiefs in New Zealand.

Expect to see Leitch as a talisman for a much improved Japan and potentially seeing an upset or two along the way.

John Hardie -Scotland

John Hardie tackling hard against Italy on his second appearance for Scotland

After a very strong 2014-15 season with the Highlanders, winning the Super Rugby Championship, Hardie was regarded as one of the most physical and defensively strong players in New Zealand. He led in tackle completion, runs made and pilfers from the loose forward position.

Many an eyebrow was raised on the other side of the world in Scotland when he was announced to have made the cut for the Scotland world cup squad. Players like; Johnny Beattie, Rob Harley, Blair Cowan (a fellow Kiwi) and John Barclay were excluded. However, New Zealander Vern Cotter knows the players at his disposal and that Hardie is currently better than the unfortunate home-grown players left out.

John Hardie has risked it all by leaving his Highlanders contract in New Zealand (he's currently an unattached player) to play for Scotland and live out a dream by playing in a world cup.

Tim Nanai-Williams - Samoa

Tim Nanai-Williams tries to escape and offload against the Ba Ba's for Somoa

Having recently signed a lucrative deal for the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, Nanai Williams had spent his whole rugby life playing in New Zealand. The brother of monstrous Ulster number 8 Nick Williams and cousin to All Black Sonny Bill Williams, top level ruby is in his genetic makeup.

A loophole in the IRB Sevens eligibility meant Nanai Williams could switch to represent Samoa even after playing for the New Zealand sevens at international level. Which meant theoretically he could play for the XV's of  Manu Samoa.

The ex-Waikato Chiefs winger/full back is small in stature but possesses the ability to side step his way out of a phone box. With the explosive acceleration and attacking skill-set to match, one-on-one line breaks and offloads out the back can be expected from this pocket dynamo.

Jared Payne - Ireland

Jared Payne trying to escape the presence of  England's George Ford for Ireland in the Six Nations

New Zealand U21 representative left Auckland for Ulster in 2011 and hasn't looked back. Qualifying for Ireland on residency rules after playing for three years for Ulster.

Comfortable at fullback or centre, Payne's versatility and running lines are what convinced Joe Schmidt to give him a call up. Helped by the eventual retirement of Brian O'Criscoll, the centre position looked fairly light for Ireland. So the emergence and consistency of Payne was a key factor in the nationality switch and a piece of the jigsaw seems to have been filled.

There is no doubting Jared Payne's all round solid game, however for him to be fully accepted as an Irish fans favourite a good world cup would definitely help his cause.

Telusa Veainu - Tonga

Tonga's Telusa Veainu looking for support after making a break

An age grade prodigious talent, Veainu scored a hat-trick in the final of the U20 World Cup in Argentina in 2010 for New Zealand. Big things were expected of him in the coming years, however he has never really hit the ground running at the step up to senior level.

Deciding to represent Tonga in 2015 through his parents, has been a fruitful and beneficial experience for everyone involved. Veainu playing outstandingly well for Tonga at The Pacific Nations Cup scoring 2 tries and running riot from open play.

There is no doubting his finishing and running rugby skills are amongst the best at this years world cup. So, this could be the moment for him to make that step up to top level rugby in front of a global audience.

Samuela Vunisa - Italy

Samuela Vunisa being held in a double tackle against South Africa for Italy

Growing up, there was no question that Samuela Vunisa ever dreamed about playing for the Azzurri. Born in Fiji and growing up in New Zealand his sights were set on becoming a first class rugby player for his homeland or the adopted one.

In 2011 Vunisa was loaned to Calvisano, Italy from Taranaki, New Zealand and after negotiations between clubs his contract was released he and signed permanently. His two year stint at Calvisano and then Zebre qualified him for representing Italy at international level, resulting in his career going from strength to strength. Hence why Saracens have snapped him up this season for 2015 .

Vunisa's versatility at 6,7 and 8 are huge bonuses for Italy, combined with a sturdy 19st, 6ft3 ball carrying frame, can only strengthen Italy's world class back-row.





As an attitude and way of life, two million blokes live in New Zealand with aspirations, or once aspirations to play for the All Blacks. Some are lucky enough to become very good professional rugby players, but very few manage to pull on the distinguishable black jersey.

All is not lost for the holy grail of playing international rugby. The Pacific islands and northern hemisphere countries are searching for exceptional talent to strengthen their cause.

There is life after The All Blacks after all.

1st Test Pre-Roar Australia v Lions

BOD breaking the line against Australia in 2001. Can he do it again?

Saturday is the first test between Australia and The British & Irish Lions. I'm going to go through the Lions selection for this match and see what is what.

2. Tom Youngs-England-Hooker

Youngs is picked at hooker. For his dynamism at the breakdown, solid lineout throwing and scrummaging. The former centre could really show the rugby world what he has in the locker

1. Alex Corbisiero-England-Prop

3.Adam Jones-Wales-Prop

Jones is one of the strongest tightheads around and his consistency and experience had almost guaranteed test selection before the initial squad selection was announced.

Corbisiero is starting because he is a beast in the scrum. Personally, I don't think he has earned his jersey but Gatland (the ex-front row) thinks the test match will be won or lost in the scrummaging.

4. Alun Wyn Jones-Wales-Second Row

5. Paul O'Connell-Ireland-Second Row

Mr Consistent in Wyn Jones and Mr Experience in O'Connell. The Welsh lock has been one of the most underrated players in British rugby for years. He does the basics exceptionally well and makes playing second row look easy. O'Connell is one of the unofficial captains in this squad. British & Irish Lions experience and a gladiatorial presence about him, the 2009 Lions captain is powerful and inspirational in equal measures.

6. Sam Warburton-Wales-Captain-Blindside Flanker

7. Tom Croft-England-Openside Flanker

Warburton is the series captain and a turnover specialist. I'm still not sure if he is the best current back row number six, however the management have faith in his leadership and ability to disrupt the Australian's quick ball. Tom Croft has performed well on tour and his elusive running and speed around the pitch are qualities essential to the Lions game plan.

8. Jamie Heaslip-Ireland-Number 8

Heaslip on his day is a word class line breaking off-loader. I have had doubts over his form after his recent injuries, however he has the footballing ability on the rugby field to prove me wrong and dominate with ball in hand.

9 .Mike Phillips-Wales-Scrum-Half

10. Jonathan Sexton-Ireland-Stand Off

The scrum half position is where I genuinely believe the first test will be won. Phillips is the physical 'extra forward' scrum half, while Will Genia for Australia is a lightening quick passer and a spectacular broken field runner. It will be fascinating to witness the contrasting number 9's performances.
Sexton starts at much debated fly-half. Stronger all round game compared to Farrell, with more experience and defensively more effective too. His distribution is key and BOD will be combining with Sexton vocally to get the forwards running lines and creating holes on Saturday,

12. Jonathan Davies-Wales-Inside Centre

13. Brian O'Driscoll-Ireland-Outside Centre

Davies has shown world rugby that he has a brilliant all-round game. He can kick, pass and tackle with the best of them. But where his ultimate strength lies is his support running and off-loading. Alongside O'Driscoll, Davies could be remembered as a Lions great. BOD may not have the same pace any more, however he still has world class vision and skill to change a game in a split second.

11. Alex Cuthbert-Wales-Wing

14. George North-Wales-Wing

15. Leigh Halfpenny-Wales-Fullback

The Welsh back three trio of Cuthbert, North and Halfpenny ran riot at this year's Six Nations and this combination is proven at test level. Cuthbert has had an excellent try scoring tour and deservedly starts the first test match. Giant George North has only just overcome fitness fears and if he plays to his potential he could cause serious damage to the Australian's defensive line. A physical beast. Last but not least is Leigh Halfpenny. His metronomic style goal kicking is one thing, but he possesses world class tackling technique and razor sharp covering from deep. He'll be a match winner for the Lions if the first match is scrappy with penalties a plenty.

The Bench Warmers

Dan Cole

Richard Hibbard

Ben Youngs

Geoff Parling

Mako Vunipola

Owen Farrell

Sean Maitland

There is a pretty obvious selection policy from the Lions management. Big, strong, physical players. Combined with experience and proven ability at the very highest level. Hence why players like Toby Faletau, Stuart Hogg, Justin Tipuric and Richie Gray didn't make the squad. It is no coincidence that these players were given the most game time prior to this first test to prove themselves of a starting place. A few players were sold out in the last match (Hogg being played at 10 against International test standard players). The team selected had neither the structure or leadership to handle the step up against the high flying Brumbies.

As a Scotsman, one player on the bench is disappointing. But the management have their favoured players and those who they have trained and working with before. Which is no coincidence that there are no Scottish coaches on tour. The mind boggles...

I think the score will be tight and there will be single figure points in the 1st test...

Australia 24-18 British & Irish Lions

The Wonder Years: 1996

There is nothing like re-living the glory years and a bit of sporting nostalgia. 96 was the year that I remember properly getting into sport and this is a tribute to some awesome moments.

There was a young black golfer who turned professional after dominating the amateur scene for three years. There had never been an athlete come in and shake up the the complexion of a sport quite like Tiger Woods. With a supreme all round game and monstrous driving off the tee, with the physical attributes and ice cold mentality to match, the golfing world was his for the taking.

This was his first PGA tour event and Tiger hits a hole in one. From this moment in 1996, Woods' career went from promising to stratospheric. 

Regardless of what has happened recently with his Lothario like lifestyle and change in coaches and form. Nobody can argue that Tiger Woods transformed the game and image of modern day golf. 

I mean, this is a historic point in time where fat Americans hadn't thought of shouting; ' It's in the hole!'  God, that's annoying...

Professional rugby union was a year old in 1996 and still coming to terms with how professional sportsmen dedicated themselves to training and physical preparation. Rugby league had been using superior and professional training methods for many years in comparison. If you are a fan of both codes and 7s and have half an hour to kill then you are in for a treat!

This is at the Middlesex 7s tournament. I stumbled across this video accidentally and when the Wigan Warriors lineup came on screen I had to watch both parts of the match.

Back then there was a snobbish attitude by union towards the skill level of  league players, but after this performance at Twickenham in 96, the doubters were proved so very wrong. Probably why Wigan were never invited back to play 7s again...

Seeing the calibre of attacking flair from the Wigan team was amazing to witness in the 7s format. Not surprising that most of those guys went on to represent their union countries at international level and even the British & Irish Lions.

The Scottish Premier League was won by Rangers and the Cup by Kilmarnock. Players like Paulo Di Canio, Brian Laudrup, Pierre Van Hooijdonk and Paul Gascoigne graced grounds up and down Scotland in the 90's. Those days seem to have disappeared sadly, but hopefully one day we can have that kind of quality back. Please come back.

Gazza  uniquely entertaining and provoking... 

 

Here we have Gascoigne at Euro 96 at Wembley, scoring that goal against Scotland. Magnificent skill and wonderful celebration of the 'dentist's chair' (Gazza pre-tournament was 'papped' lying in a reclining chair and booze being pored down his gullet).

Again, England lose to Germany on penalties with Gareth Southgate striking the definitive penalty with the assurance of a mouse. They think It's all over... It is.

Football is not coming home Gareth.

What better way to answer the critics and laugh off the abuse from the media...

Other English football news:

• An uncapped David Beckham scores from the half way line against Wimbledon
• Wenger takes over at Arsenal
• Middlesbrough lose in both the league cup and cup final. They are relegated after being deducted 3 points for cancelling a match earlier in the season. Turns out that deduction cost them their Premiership status. Bad times.

Staying with fusstball, Borussia Dortmund won the Champions League with a 3-1 win against a very strong Juventus side. Lars Ricken came on and with his first touch scored this goal:

Screamer. Plus a Scotsman played and won a major footballing trophy. Paul Lambert.

Gooooolazo

Every Sunday I visited the magnificent church of  Football Italia on Ch4. Fantastic format and a wonderfully insightful view of Serie A, when It was the best league with the best players around. Nothing can compare to James Richardson relaxing at a cafe in Rome analysing and translating the back of the Italian newspapers.

My favourite striker of all time still is George Weah. I wouldn't still have a replica Milan top with his name on the back from 1996 if he was average. Weah also scored this goal too.

You are tolerating Pie Sports News

So here you are... Attempting to read the first installment of Pie Sports News. Fairly average blog name, however It will have a no frills style and tasty helping of piping hot opinions. Hopefully I can stir up a debate in relation to the current sporting issues. There we have it.

"Let's be 'avin you! Come on!"

(Delia Smith CBE 28-2-05)

Play Sports? Got A Beard? You Are Great.

Everyone should appreciate a fine beard and if you don't, well I hate you. They can symbolise many things, like freedom or maturity but mainly just undoubted awesomeness.

Not strictly a sportsman. But a bearded Greek god-like athlete

Much deliberation has been had in creating a list of 6 such hairy heroes. The criteria is as follows:

Type of beard

Style

Coolness

Status of the sportsman

Manliness 

6. James Harden - Houston Rockets - USA - Basketball

James Harden owns the most bodacious beard in the NBA

Dream Team + Beard = Awesome

Anybody who shoots hoops of the calibre of James Harden and can pull off a slick beard should have a bronze statue of them erected. Harden's beard has a Facebook page and Twitter account and has inspired songs and t-shirts. Brilliant.

5. Josh Strauss - Glasgow Warriors - South Africa - Rugby

Great Scot! what a beard

Loves a beardy selfie

I particularly appreciate Josh Strauss's bushy beard. Physically imposing bosh machine and back row forward who puts his facial hair on the line every match.  I'm even more proud to be Scottish, with the knowledge that he plays his rugby in this very country. What a bloke.

4. Paul Breitner - West Germany - Bayern Munich - Real Madrid - Football

"No beard Keegan? Don't touch me..."

Not exactly a beard in this photo. But anyone that  looks
cool with a handlebar moustache, a perm and a yellow Jagermeister T-Shirt is beyond worthy for this short-list

Paul Breitner the marauding left back turned box-to-box midfielder had the 70's beard and perm combination down to an art. Pretty sexual for a man who was one of only four footballers ever to score in two different World Cup finals. Oh... the others were Vava, Zidane and Pele. Enough said.

3. Andrea Pirlo - Juventus - Italy - Football

The Architect

Italian Stallion

Andrea Pirlo was supposedly past it. Declined a new contract by Milan and released on a free. What better way to make a comeback than to grow a beautiful thick beard and pick up Serie A player of the season in the process with Juventus. L'architetto is a truly legendary deep lying playmaker that continues to dominate matches and beard competitions in equal measures.

2. Sebastian Chabal - Lyon - France - Rugby

A day in the life

Vogue

Sebastain Chabal is one of the bearded wonders of the modern facial hair world.  L'Homme Des Carvernes: 'The Caveman', is 6ft4 and almost 18st who's style of play can only be described as Neanderthal like. The contact area is his best friend and in his prime the most feared tackler and ball carrier in global rugby Chabalmania is a thing in France and with wild long flowing hair and a big bushy beard to match he is an icon of the professional game and a beard enthusiast's idol. Viva le barbe!

1. Socrates - 1954-2011 - Garforth Town - Brazil - Football

Dr Socrates- World Cup captain

Too cool to do his own stretches

Socrates who sadly past away in 2011, will be remembered for being one of the very best footballers of all time. He combined technique and grace as a midfield playmaker for Brazil at two World Cups. In my opinion qualified Doctor Socrates was the epitome of cool, having a striking beard and afro/perm look in the 70's and 80's is magnificent. Wearing a headband which read "people need justice",made political statements stylish. Described as a genius, intellectual or legend doesn't do this heavy drinking, heavy smoking, beardly God justice. Even his appearance for the last 12 minutes of a match for Garforth Town at the age of 50 transcended coolness.

All I can say is that this maverick of a man was a one off and brought joy to millions of beard enthusiasts and the other types of people around the world. He will be remembered as the great philosopher of football.

No Harry, not even a woollen beard can hide that melted fox face of yours. Go away

The British & Irish Lions are going to eat your Wallabies

On Tuesday past, the British and Irish Lions touring squad to Australia was announced at 11am. Thus sparking the inevitable hysteria of: who wasn't picked? 

Most of the immediate headlines were Jonny Wilkinson based, due to his failure to make the squad. However it should really have been about the achievement of  the youngest ever captain Sam Warburton or the 'wildcard' selection of Matt Stevens who was previously banned for recreational drugs (cocaine). After the coverage of the each player who made the 37, Wilkinson released a statement basically saying that due to Toulon commitments in their bid for a Heineken Cup and Top 14 double and his physical condition he may not be able to handle a hectic tour to Australia he opted out of selection. This could be the case, but In my opinion it was badly timed. Surely a clear statement before the Lions selection would have been more creditable and not a cover up that he was not going to be in the squad or guaranteed game time by Warren Gatland...

Anyway, I digress. As a proud Scotsman, the inclusion of only 3 players in Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors) and Richie Gray (Sale Sharks- just signed for Castres) was disappointing but not unexpected. On pure rugby ability alone, I don't think many can argue that the other possible Scotland Internationals should make the Lions squad on merit. That is just the sad realism of the matter. Regardless of the much Improved Six Nations Championship, Scotland are still seen as the weakest of the home nations. So the selection of 15 Welsh, 10 English, 9 Irish and 3 Scots is not the start of a bad joke but a fair distribution of players from the 6 Nations and recent International success for these countries.

The 3 Scotsmen picked have a genuine chance to become (World Class) big players off the back of this tour. Maitland's try scoring ability is exceptional and his proven Super 14/ Canterbury Crusaders strike rate and New Zealand pedigree is a huge positive for a wing slot in the 1st XV against the Aussies. Not to mention being picked previously by Gatland for Waikato. Richie Gray has struggled in recent months playing with a poor Sale Sharks team and having just recovered from a serious injury, however his form prior to this was exemplary for Glasgow Warriors and Scotland in the 2012 Six Nations. His lineout prowess and ball carrying skills in the contact area are very strong. But Gray is deceptively mobile and allusive at 6ft10 and 20st2lb, which adds to his chances of making the first test. Finally, Stuart Hogg is the shining light of Scottish rugby right now at the tender age of 20. A portfolio of scintillating individual tries has propelled the Hawk lad into the rugby world's spotlight. The rare natural talent of acceleration, pace and agility are enough for most rugby players to feel blessed by. However Hogg has a fantastic boot and the ability to find and create space coming from 15. He is my shout for the player that will put his hand up and create a legend for himself, purely because of his untapped versatility in the back line.

There is no doubt that Gatland, Howley, Jenkins, Farrel and Rowntree have picked the very best players available. A blend of previous Lions experience and new recruits will hopefully result in the most successful Lions tour of modern times. For Brian O'Driscall, Paul O'Connell, Gethin Jenkins and Mike Phillips this will be their last Lions tour and these four are all leaders, communicators and key cogs in the Lions machine. To match the Australians the British & Irish Lions will have to be physically competitive in all aspects of their game, especially in the forwards. The call up of Dan Lydiate from a recent injury is a gamble, but arguably has the possibly the most effective tackling in the Northern Hemisphere. His player of the tournament for the 2012 Six Nations was partly down to his ability to tackle and secure turnover ball in almost a single motion. Which against Australia is essential to provide the platform for North, Bowe, Maitland and Cuthbert to name just the wingers.

Here is my Lions XV that I would pick if the first test match was tomorrow:

 Australia are very strong in all departments especially in the form of Scott Higginbotham the rampaging skillful beast of a flanker/8 and Will Genia as the world's best scrum half and sniping linebreaker, also Digby Ioane the break-dancing wing, lethal in open play. Arguably the key man is Michael Hooper, the young pretender to the injured David Pocock. Hooper is in the frighteningly similar mold to the 'human bridge' turnover king Pocock and at the age of just 21 his potential is truly frightening.

Last but not least, there would have been numerous disappointed International players kicking TVs, throwing phones at the wall and uttering: "he's shite, I'm way better than him", when the 37 Lions were announced on Tuesday. But the inevitable injuries that players pick up at the end of a season mean for a lucky few they may get that phone call to come on tour. So here is my standby Lions XV for you to rate and tut at:

That's it ladies, the end of my first Lions post and hopefully it has been insightful and if not... Just get out.