LAS VEGAS 7s: RAINMAN UP FOR 24 HOURS!

BOB SKINSTAD - EPISODE 5!

Bobby Skinstad - kind of stealing the Corner's interviewing ideas - brings us another RugbyZone Skinny. This time with internal referee Craig Joubert. Skinstad is using the same flip video camera man Bongo Malherbe used on the Corner Poison tour to Rome last month. What a magic piece of machinery.

THE CORNER vs DAVID CAMPESE!

The latest Pakis Corner sports blog is here - click on RugbyZone - to see what the Corner has to say this time, brought to you by a bag of rubbish. Also cast some positive comments on RugbyZone if you like, in the continued War of Words against David Campese!!!

USA READY FOR CANADIAN REMATCH!

(L to R) Roland 'I'm a massive Teef' Suniula, Chris 'Gumi Bears' Wyles and Shawn 'I wonder what time dinner is' Pittman.

Shawn 'Seth Rogen' Pittman hugs a frantic fan.

The USA Eagles produced a remarkable 12-6 win on July 4th over Canada to celebrate a 1-0 lead in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers! The North American rivals will meet again this weekend - this time in Canada - a land rumoured to have people not just bricks. It should be another very physical outing, as the USA looks to set a marker in the 15 man game.

The USA side is:

1.   Mate Moekiola (Park City Haggis)

2.   Chris Biller (California)

3.   Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)

4.   John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)

5.   Hayden Smith (Saracens FC)

6.   Louis Stanifill (New York Athletic Club)

7.   Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) ©

8.   Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)

9.   Tim Usasz (Nottngham RFC) 

10.  Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)

11.  Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach)

12.  Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)

13.  Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma)

14.  Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic)

15.  Chris Wyles (Saracens FC)

CURRIE CUP: STARTS THIS WEEKEND!

There is no rest for the fan these days as we move straight into the South African domestic competition - called the Currie Cup - a spicy mix of local rugby at its best. The opening few weeks will not feature any current Springboks who will be getting ready for the Tri Nations campaign, but will join the tail end of the competition.

Friday July 10:

Boland vs Leopards

Cheetahs vs Griquas

Saturday July 11:

Bulls vs Lions

WP vs Sharks

"WERE WE SPEEDING OFFICER?"

What a classic youtube moment thanks to the Knoxville Rugby Club! This is the famous 2004 Street Skiing Finals as filmed by the Knoxville Police Department... Priceless.

USA TRYTIME MY FRIENDS!

"The ‘TRY' team passionately debated the biggest disadvantage rugby in America faces and ultimately, we concluded it was the myth perpetuated by the US media that Americans aren't interested in the game. The truth, as we know, is those exposed to rugby become passionate fans and followers of rugby. Therefore, we have decided a show of numbers is needed to demonstrate the level of support the game actually enjoys.

We have set a goal to reach one million hits on our new YouTube trailer for ‘Try' to help show rugby has a viable and enthusiastic fan base here in the U.S. We sent out just a few emails and the response has been nothing short of amazing. We have longed believed that grass roots rugby community here have been looking for ways to show they are out there. We hope that you will join us to show that America loves rugby. We know that we can't reach the million without your support (especially Pakis Corner), so if you could give us any assistance to promote the link we would appreciate it. Here it is."

BREAKING NEWS: OZ IS SINGLE!

He is back.

"Cock Tail anyone?"

"Only a face a mother can love" some people have said. In fact one young lady of the night(some call Dana, others call 'Teagbag') said she would "rather cut my arm in half". But these are just rumours - the real story is that FaceBook has reveal led as of yesterday that Chris 'Oz' Osentowski is Single. You better believe it my friends, the USA Eagle 15s prop sensation, is currently out on the prowl. We live in dangerous times - first North Korea and now the Russian Osentowski...

You have been warned America.

2009/2010 IRB 7s WORLD SERIES DATES!

The dates for the most successful rugby series is here - LIVE on the Corner!

Dubai, UAE - 4-5 December 2009

George, South Africa - 11-12 December 2009

Wellington, New Zealand - 4-6 February 2010

USA 7s, USA - 13-14 February 2010

Adelaide, Australia - 20-21 March 2010

Hong Kong - 26, 27, 28 March 2010

London, England - 22-23 May 2010

Edinburgh, Scotland - 29-30 May 2010

CAPE FEAR 7s: VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS!

Some more great exposure for rugby in the United States was found this weekend highlighting the annual Cape Fear 7s tournament in North Carolina. Click on the two links below for some of the action - especially the second one which features Garry 'wheels' Sullivan's golden try!

Cape Fear 7s Day 1

Cape Fear 7s Day 2

LIFE STORM CAPE FEAR 7s!

Garry Sullivan - not scared of a haircut - sings his favorite Backstreet Boy hit as he scores the winner during Cape Fear!

Article posted by the Corner on UR7s.com!

Life University continued their rugby success on the weekend with a thrilling try in extra time to win the famous Cape Fear Sevens tournament in North Carolina!

It has been an action packed year for Life – who entered the USA Super League competition in 15s earlier this season – and had a storming run just losing out in the finals. They have built a strong base of players, and are one of the few American universities now offering sports scholarships for rugby. 

The Cape Fear 7s tournament attracted many of the top teams from the United States, and included a powerful British Army side (called the Marshwood Dolphins). But it wasn’t to be for the touring British Army as Old Blue produced a sensational 19-14 win over them in the quarterfinals. In the other quarterfinal results Life beat an inexperienced OMBAC side 29-12; NOVA poured on the points against the young Rugby Academy of America (from Florida) 46-0; and the Kenyan Exiles just defeated New Orleans 17-10 to go through.

The semi finals were closely contested with the crowds enjoying a fine display of 7s as Life held on to beat Old Blue 31-17 and NOVA took out the Kenyan Exiles 19-7. The final was all action – with $2000 prize money on the line – and the full time score tied at 12-12. But it took a thrilling finish from Life’s Captain Garry Sullivan to win it, with a superb try, sealing the trophy 17-12!

Life University – now coached by former USA 7s player Tui Osborne – fielded the following squad on the weekend:

Garry Sullivan (Captain); 2. Nathan Rogers; 3. Mark Aylor; 4. Seth Kolka; 5. Brendon Thomson; 6. Luke Waikamakama; 7. Clint Whitler; 8. Kevin Ndongi; 9. Brian Page; 10. Joe Breuer; 11. Colton Cariaga; 12. Tony Brooks.

Life University and NOVA will now join Belmont Shore and OMBAC at next year’s IRB San Diego 7s tournament for the final of the USA Sevens Championship Cup Series. The remaining tournaments, each worth $2,000 prize money, are: The Denver Sevens (July 11th); Kansas City Blues Sevens (July 24-25th) and the New York Sevens (November 28th).

BELMONT SHORE TIGERS MVP!

Jason Townes produced a Man-of-the-Match performance for Belmont Shore two weekend's ago in San Diego as he scored one of the longest range tries of the decade. Townes (in his twenties) impressed the locals with his moves on the dance floor, and by the looks of it, stole at least one heart...

You Little Beautiiiiiiii.

SPRINGBOKS 9 LIONS 28!

The British & Irish Lions can be proud of their performance in the 3rd and final Test in South Africa as they beat the Springboks 28-9 in another physical match. Several changes on both teams - in fact 10 by the home side - meant the standard of the match wasn't the same as the first two humdingers. Either way - the Springboks take the famous Lions Series 2-1! Sensational.

LAS VEGAS 7s: HANDS OFF LADIES!

'The Rainman' is making a massive name for himself on the Corner - probably without his knowledge - and is turning into a household name. A marvellous effort from the man whose mother would not all him to play rugby. So when she passed away, he strapped on his boots at the tender age of 60 years old, and has been carving it up ever since! The Corner salutes you 'Rainman'!

And yes ladies, this man is taken, or 'attached' as he prefers to call it...

USA vs CANADA: LIVE ON ESPN!

Todd Selleck - getting his moustache comb from winger Z Ngwenya - is poised for a storming game as Captain. Selleck told the Corner last night "Keep the change - it's going to be a hay maker out there tomorrow..." 

It is a HUGE day in North America this Saturday July 4th as the USA take on Canada in a 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup Qualifier! Not since the war has tensions been this high, especially against the old rivals from the North. The USA is fielding no less than 7 IRB 7s players in their lineup - 5 in the backline. The team looks very solid - as does the bench - and fans will be very happy to hear the match will be in HD and LIVE on ESPN at 4pm (EST)!!

Team USA

1. Mate Moeakiola (Park City Haggis)

2. Chris Biller (California)

3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)

4. John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)

5. Hayden Smith (Saracens)

6. Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)

7. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) Captain

8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)

9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC) 

10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)

11. Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach)

12. Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)

13. Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma)

14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic)

15. Chris Wyles (Saracens)

Replacements

16. Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club)

17. Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie RFC)

18. Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen)

19. J.J. Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town) 

20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)

21. Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)

22. Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)

LAS VEGAS 7s: RAINMAN DO IT YOURSELF!

Yet another barn stormer from 'the Rainman'! He may be 63 years old - but still as sharp as a tennis ball...

THE WAR IS NOT OVER!

Basically the thing. The Corner was at a networking event for work - when someone asked "Do you like going for a bike ride?" (answer: sometimes) and then "do you drink beer?" (answer: you had me at hello)... 

Mr & Mrs Staniiii joined the sensations that make up the famous Wednesday Urban Assault Ride (WAR) in Austin Texas recently - for what just happened to be their 1 Year Anniversary of riding and drinking every 2nd week of the year. Priceless. Great fitness for 7s - well kind of - not.

What legends - click here for the WAR website!

HAPPY JULY 4TH AMERICA!

Happy birthday America you sleek racing snake! Think it's your 233rd one already. Enjoy it buggers, be safe, and hopefully there will be fireworks of another kind during the final Lions test match! GET out the road.

SPRINGBOKS vs LIONS: 3RD TEST!

The Springboks have 10 changes in their line-up with the British & Irish Lions making 8. This should silence the annoying Barmy Army and one-eyed supporter from the United Kingdom. Lions captain Brian O'driscoll returns home with a bar of soap in his mouth and yet another injury to his ego. The Corner has no time for whining in the press, just play the game my friend.

With several stars missing from both teams this will be a great opportunity for some new faces to get a run in what could be another historic match for the Springboks if they can go 3-0 in the Series. It would be nice for the Lions to win this one, so they don't go home with just an empty wallet.

Corner prediction: Springboks by 7 points in another physical game.

South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Johann Muller, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Deon Carstens, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Pierre Spies, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Francois Steyn.

British & Irish Lions: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Ugo Monye, 13 Tommy Bowe, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Andrew Sheridan. Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 John Hayes, 18 Alun-Wyn Jones, 19 David Wallace, 20 Tom Croft, 21 Harry Ellis, 22 James Hook

Date: Saturday, July 4

Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)

Expected weather: Sunny, but nippy. Virtually no chance of rain. High 14°C, low 2°C

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Assistant referees: Christophe Berdos (France), Vinny Munro (New Zealand) 

TMO: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

BEST 7s TRY EVER!

BGE scoring the try that legends are made of - at least in fat boys 7s. This is the best try ever scored at Knoxville Rugby Club's Santa Claus 7s Tournament. Special thanks to Knoxville Rugby Club!