Tuesday 30 January 2007

England Team

Jonny Wilkinson at 10 !
Desperation or brave?? I keep moving between the two!
But I am always the optimist, and here's to hoping that he plays the whole game, kicks his goals and England walk off the pitch with a smile!
I am more excited about watching this game than I have been about an England game for a good few years. Will Jonny survive, will he cope,will Farrell cope with International Union? will be be able to provide the distribution that Ashton believes he can? Is Robinson fit? Does he still have an edge and the pace for International rugby? Can Balshaw deal with the high balls coming his way? Can Lund provide the link between backs and forwards. Can Ellis stay calm? Does Redbull do what it says on the can? Is Blair honest? So many questions, so little time!
And above all is Parks the bravest man ever to play for Scotland ??!!!

Wednesday 10 January 2007

Jonah vs Joe - The Great All Black

With the World Cup coming up we at RuckU are taking time to compare great players of past and present to try and determine the true legends of the game. Seeing as though the hot favourites to life the trophy this year are New Zealand, we are looking at two of their greatest wingers. Representing the modern game is Joe Rokocoko as we compare him the old powerhouse, Jonah Lomu. Enjoy our facts, figures and interesting info along with some clips of what these two men do and did best and let us know who you think deserves the title of the greatest All Black wing.


Joe Rokocoko Info


Josevata Taliga "Joe" Rokocoko, born 6 June 1983 in Nadi, Fiji, is a professional New Zealand rugby union player.
He migrated to New Zealand with his family at the age of 5, settling in South Auckland, and attending James Cook High School. He later won a scholarship to Saint Kentigern College, where he was a member of the 2001 National Secondary Schools team. After an outstanding career with New Zealand international sides at under-16, under-19, and under-21 level, he started playing Super 12 rugby for the Blues in 2003.
Rokocoko size (98kg and 1.89 m tall) and speed has resulted in comparisons to former All Blacks wing Jonah Lomu. He is a specialist left-winger but has occasionally played on the right wing for New Zealand to accommodate another left-wing specialist, Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Rokocoko made his first appearance for the All Blacks on 14 June 2003 against England. He has so far had a high strike rate for the All Blacks, scoring 25 tries in his first 20 tests, and breaking the All Blacks single-season record for test tries previously shared by Lomu and Christian Cullen—his 17 test tries scored in 2003 equals the world record held by Daisuke Ohata of Japan. The International Rugby Players' Association named him new player of the year in 2003.
On 19 June 2004, in the All Blacks' second 2004 test with England, Rokocoko shredded the England defence for three tries in a 36-12 All Blacks victory over the reigning Rugby World Cup champions.
Rokocoko made his NPC debut for Auckland in 2004. Rokocoko returned to the All Blacks line-up for the 2005 Tri Nations, punctuating his comeback with a two-try effort in the All Blacks' pivotal home fixture against South Africa. As of 2006 he has scored 31 tries in 34 test matches.
Rokocoko is a cousin of All Black team-mate Sitiveni Sivivatu,former Auckland Blues and All Black winger Joeli Vidiri and NPC, Super 12, and New Zealand sevens player Iliesa Tanivula.[2]
In November 2006, Rokocoko asked New Zealand rugby management to list his name on team releases as Josevata, his Christian birth name, as opposed to Joe.

Jonah Lomu Info

Jonah Tali Lomu (born May 12, 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has played 73 times (63 caps) as an All Black after debuting in 1994. Lomu was born in Auckland, New Zealand of Tongan descent. He grew up in South Auckland and attended Wesley College, Pukekohe. He is generally regarded as the first true global superstar of rugby union, and one of the sport's most intimidating players on the pitch, and has had a huge impact on the game.
Lomu burst onto the international rugby scene during the 1995 World Cup in South Africa. At one time Lomu was considered 'rugby union's biggest drawcard', swelling attendances at any match where he appeared. He has played for several provincial teams, in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) and Super Rugby competitions. These included the Auckland Blues, Waikato Chiefs, and later the Wellington Lions and Hurricanes. He is making a comeback after undergoing a kidney transplant in 2004. He has been married to Fiona Taylor since 2003.

Physical attributes

Lomu's physique was particularly suited for rugby as he is large, fast, and strong - qualities he augments with aggression, skill, and an intimidating presence on the field. At 1.96metres (6 foot 5 inches/195.58 centimetres), Lomu is as tall as most locks, and at 119 kilograms (19.5 stone/273 pounds) is as heavy as most prop forwards. Despite his size he was (the All Blacks heaviest ever back), when healthy, still able to run 100 metres (109.4 yards) in 10.8 seconds.
At school his sprint training included running around the field and pulling a lawn-roller with a rope tied around his waist. Lomu played rugby league until the age of fourteen. While at Wesley and being coached by Chris Grinter, Lomu became a mobile loose forward in the college's First XV. He was soon noticed by provincial rugby selectors, and joined the Counties Manukau NPC team side. Lomu was also selected for national age-grade sides, representing New Zealand under-17 in 1991-92 and New Zealand Secondary Schools in 1992-93.
And to sum it up, here a video comparing the two All Black greats: