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	<title>RuggaWorld &#187; Expert Opinion</title>
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		<title>Grow up Stormers supporters!</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/02/02/grow-up-stormers-supporters/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/02/02/grow-up-stormers-supporters/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:01:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heyneke Meyer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[JJ Harmse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stormers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=30634</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I just could not let this pearl of a column from JJ Harmse pass by&#8230; Sport24- JJ Harmse South African rugby fans, especially those who support the one team from the big five that have not won any big trophies in the last decade, will have to grow up very fast. It was clear from comments made by those fans on blogs and forums like this (complimented by their local scribes down behind the wine curtain), after the welcome appointment of Heyneke Meyer as Springbok coach, that the style of play and not the result is still more important to them. Grow up people. Professional sport is about one thing and one thing only &#8211; winning! In tournament golf, you can hit the most spectacular drives and chip shots, but if they don’t add up after two rounds, you don’t play on the weekend. In professional sport it is the result that matters most. Which is why, in rugby, Meyer was such a popular choice to replace Peter de Villiers. The new Bok chief learned something very important in his early years as a professional coach. It is not how you play that matters, it is the result that will [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/02/02/grow-up-stormers-supporters/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Meyer se Bokke, sal eg Suid-Afrikaanse Bokke wees</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/29/meyer-se-bokke-is-eg-suid-afrikaanse-bokke/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/29/meyer-se-bokke-is-eg-suid-afrikaanse-bokke/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:58:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Personalities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Springboks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heyneke Meyer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Springbok Coach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Springbokke]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=30558</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nuwe Springbok afrigter, Heyneke Meyer, gesels met Hanlie Retief van Rapport oor sy drome, planne en hoe hy al van skooldae af geweet het hy sal eendag die Springbokke afrig. Hanlie Retief, Rapport Soos die Bulls se blouforiese wendrie in daardie laaste knersoomblikke van 2007 se Super-14-eindstryd, presies só het dit vir Heyneke Meyer gevoel toe hy eergister sy kontrak as Bok-afrigter teken. Net voor hy wou moed opgee, toe gebéúr dit. Net voor die eindfluitjie daai dag op Loftus, toe’t sy manne kringetjie gemaak: Victor, Jaco, Bryan, almal, hand op die hart. En toe gaan máák hulle ’n drie vir hul coach. Suid-Afrika, hand op die hart, het nou uiteindelik vir Heyneke Meyer as Bok-afrigter. Twee kanse vir dié top-pos is al by hom verby. In 2004 was hy voorloper op die kortlys. Maar toe onttrek hy om sy werk by die Bulle klaar te maak (“jy drop nie jou manne halfpad nie”). In 2007 was sy hand so te sê op die kontrak, toe knikker politiek hom disnis uit die wedloop. Drie keer word toe skeepsreg. “Ek is maar net ’n gewone seun van die platteland wat in rugby beland het oor ek so liéf is vir die [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/29/meyer-se-bokke-is-eg-suid-afrikaanse-bokke/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>13</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>&#8220;Keep Divvy&#8221; &#8211; Naas</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/17/keep-divvy-naas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/17/keep-divvy-naas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:56:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Springboks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Naas Botha]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peter de Villiers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=30330</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Springbok rugby legend Naas Botha on Monday said he saw no reason why current coach Peter de Villiers could not remain part of the Bok set up. EWN News &#8211; Rafiq Wagiet The announcement of Springbok coach will be made at the end of January, with de Villiers as one of the known candidates. Botha said, “I would keep Peter [de Villiers] as part of the team because he must have learnt quite a number of things in the four years that he’s been there. You can’t just discard all that experience.&#8221; He said the next coach must learn from the mistakes of the past. “I think we’ve made mistakes. Nick [Mallett] made a mistake when he fired Gary Teichmann before the world cup. When you select a Springbok side, do yourself a favour, pick the guys who are in form and that’s the end of it.”]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/17/keep-divvy-naas/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>43</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>&#8216;Schalk must skipper Boks&#8217; &#8211; Smit</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/10/schalk-must-skipper-boks-smit/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/10/schalk-must-skipper-boks-smit/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:19:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Springboks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Smit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Schalk Burger]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=30246</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The leader of the Stormers, Schalk Burger, is the right man to take over the captaincy of the Springboks. Sport24 This was John Smit’s message at the official opening of the Saracens Field of Dreams in Kayamandi on Monday when asked who was best suited to succeed him in the role. “I have been involved in talks about my successor since 2008,” Smit said. “There might be a young player who performs well and is awarded the captaincy, but my money is on Schalk. “He has the most experience and is the one who commands the most respect among the Boks,” he said. “It will be the smoothest transition.” “He is a hard worker, tough as nails and he understands people.” Smit added the appointment of the new captain will also depend on the new Springbok coach. “It depends on the sort of leader he wants,” Smit said. “He may want to do something different with the Boks.” Smit, however, declined to comment about the appointment of the new Springbok coach. “I’m sure the decision has been made already,” he said. “The South African Rugby Union (SARU) were smart in not making the announcement yet as they have been criticised [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>17</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>World Club Champs in 2015?</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/09/world-club-champs-in-2015/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/09/world-club-champs-in-2015/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:51:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Other Tournaments]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Other Unions / Teams]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bulls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crusaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leincester]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby World Club Championship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saracens]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=30209</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A world club championship is on the cards after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Premiership chief executive Mark McCafferty has claimed. Rob Wildman &#8211; DailymailUK But the plan, which would match the best of Europe against the top teams from the southern hemisphere, faces a number of hurdles. McCafferty explained: ‘It won’t happen before the World Cup but it might happen after 2015. It is a matter of the stars coming into alignment to make something possible. ‘The national championship is something to treasure and Europe is very successful. Ideally, we would like to bolt on top of that an international club event, something that answers the question, “Who is top dog?” Globetrotting: McCafferty thinks the Premiership champions could be playing in a world club championship in five years ‘Is it the Crusaders? Is it the Bulls? Is it Toulouse, Leinster or Saracens? That would be such a compelling event that sooner or later it will have to happen. ‘Season structure is the biggest issue. We have had plenty of indications from our partners and from a TV point of view it would work]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2012/01/09/world-club-champs-in-2015/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lions hit back at bankruptcy allegations</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/12/08/lions-hit-back-at-bankruptcy-allegations/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/12/08/lions-hit-back-at-bankruptcy-allegations/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:49:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Front Row Grunt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lions Rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tank Lanning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=29686</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Golden Lions Rugby union on Thursday hit back at rumours on social media and websites that they are bankrupt. Yesterday sports journalist, Tank Lanning, wrote on his blog, The Front Row Grunt that he received a message from an anonymous source who stated that the Golden Lions Rugby Union is bankrupt and can only afford to pay their players until the end of December. In a strongly worded statement published on wetalkrugby.com the Golden Lions denied these rumours as malicious and even threatened legal action against the source of these rumours. The initial rumours, circulated via an individual’s blog website stated that the information was received from a “reliable source”, but would not name the source. The Golden Lions Rugby Union would like to reiterate the comments that “they are malicious rumours” made on Twitter in response to numerous queries from supporters. ”Statements such as those made by this individual are incredibly damaging as they create an unnecessary sense of unease and panic amongst those within the Union structures. We will not tolerate this and are seeking legal advice”, President of the GLRU Mr. Kevin de Klerk said. Further statements in this individual’s blog stated ‘given that the Lions have been [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/12/08/lions-hit-back-at-bankruptcy-allegations/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Rugby break-away on the cards?</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/14/rugby-break-away-on-the-cards/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/14/rugby-break-away-on-the-cards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:54:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Club Rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heineken Cup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Other Unions / Teams]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SANZAR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Super Rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Union]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Union Breakaway League]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=29410</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[According to news reports from the United Kingdom, a &#8216;violent breakaway&#8217; from current rugby controlling bodies to form a new global league may not be too far off. Guardian UK &#8211; Robert Kitson Secret plans to transform European domestic rugby union are being considered by French and English sides keen to put the professional club game on a firmer financial footing. One leading official from aPremiership club is warning of a possible &#8220;violent breakaway&#8221; by wealthier European clubs, with teams in South Africa understood to be monitoring the situation. With a new Heineken Cup season kicking off this weekend, the Guardian can reveal that separate proposals are on the table to create a world club championship, bringing together the best eight non-international sides from both hemispheres. The champions of the Aviva Premiership, RaboPro12 and French Top 14 leagues, plus the Heineken Cup winners, would be invited to play the table-topping sides in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, plus the Super 15 champions. Money, as usual, is at the heart of the matter. The Heineken Cup is run by European Rugby Cup Ltd which acts on behalf of the unions involved. Tournament turnover has doubled in five years to just over [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/14/rugby-break-away-on-the-cards/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>18</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>SA Rugby must look North</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/11/29374/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/11/29374/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:18:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heineken Cup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Super Rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Edward Griffiths]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SA Rugby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saracens]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=29374</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Saracens boss Edward Griffiths says the South African Rugby Union (SARU) should consider playing its international rugby in the Northern Hemisphere in future. Sport24 Griffiths spoke to Die Burger newspaper at Thursday&#8217;s announcement that Saracens will play French club Biarritz in a Heineken Cup match at the Cape Town Stadium on 14 January next year. &#8220;This match paves the way for a relationship between South African rugby and the Heineken Cup. &#8220;The Heineken Cup has the potential to become the strongest provincial competition in the world. &#8220;It will be interesting to see if certain Suuth African players, provinces, coaches and even fans feel it could provide more commercial opportunities and also that the travel burden of south to north will be easier than west to east.&#8221; The rugby schedule will be even more cramped next season. The Super Rugby competition will only end in early August &#8211; with a breather for Test matches in June &#8211; and there&#8217;s also the extended Rugby Championship series (extension of the Tri-Nations with Argentina included) which starts in August. Only time will tell whether player burnout due to too much rugby, and especially the long travel distances to Australasia, become too much to bear [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/11/29374/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>25</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Rugby has turned into &#8216;war of muscles&#8217;</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/10/rugby-has-turned-into-war-of-muscles/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/10/rugby-has-turned-into-war-of-muscles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:49:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hugo Porta]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=29360</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Rugby is in danger of muscling out the flair and skills that have made it such a great game, according to Argentina&#8217;s leading points scorer and former captain Hugo Porta. Sport24 &#8220;I think those that forget the past don&#8217;t have a future,&#8221; the 60-year-old said next to a boxing ring at a charity event in a dilapidated former school in south London. &#8220;We can&#8217;t stop the evolution of the game, but we should at least try to preserve the essence of rugby. &#8220;Nowadays it&#8217;s a war of muscles. What is this?,&#8221; he said ruefully, an imaginary ball tucked under his arm as he imitated the barging tactics of the modern game. &#8220;I saw more blood and injured players during the World Cup than ever before.&#8221; New Zealand won the seventh edition of rugby&#8217;s biggest tournament last month, defeating France 8-7 in a dramatic and tense final to clinch the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time. Porta played only in the inaugural World Cup in 1987 and was at his peak during a very different era for the game. He led his nation to a famous victory over Australia in 1979 and a 21-21 draw against New Zealand in 1985 [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/11/10/rugby-has-turned-into-war-of-muscles/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Rugby vs. NFL</title>
		<link>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/10/27/rugby-vs-nfl/</link>
		<comments>http://www.ruggaworld.com/2011/10/27/rugby-vs-nfl/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:32:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Morné</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Expert Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Union Fans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Football]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rugby Union]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ruggaworld.com/?p=29206</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I came across the really interesting piece written by an author who obviously follows NFL first and got introduced to rugby union second. Nationalfootballpost.com &#8211; Jack Bechta While living in southern California I have followed rugby pretty closely and have befriended many current and former players. I have grown to respect everything that it stands for, let alone I just love the majestic brutality of the sport. As it stands rugby is not just a sport but also the world’s greatest fraternity where the team concept reigns supreme over any individual’s personal agenda. The heart and soul of rugby is playing for your brothers. The antics of Ocho and TO would never stand a chance, as there is no tolerance for individualism. What the NFL can learn from Rugby An intimate atmosphere: While I was in London this past week for the Bears vs Bucs game, I attended an English Premiership League match featuring the Saracens and the Exeter Chiefs. The Saracens, one of England’s legendary clubs founded in 1876, whipped up on the Chiefs 43 to 20. Sitting with the Saracens fans was like sitting with the family of the players. There is a unique dedication, intimacy and loyalty [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>23</slash:comments>
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