THE CORNER HITS AUSTIN'S SXSW FESTIVAL!

The Johnny Cash Blackout Sunday VIP party

Pakis Corner getting exposure on the latest media tools!

The SXSW festival is Austin is ramping up to be another classic in 2010 as millions stream into the city! The Corner attended several functions last night - keeping an eye on the latest during the technology conference. Also checkout TheFoodieGirls.com for more updates as Murray and the band explore the world of food...

SUPER 14 2010: WEEK 5 HIGHLIGHTS PART 1!

THE FOODIE GIRLS: CHEZ ZEE PARTNERSHIP!

The world famous Foodie Girls - as seen on News 8 TV - have partnered with a local Austin favourite - Chez Zee Cafe. The massive South by South West (SXSW) festival in Austin Texas is set to bring in more than 100,000 people this week, with the Foodie Girls reporting LIVE from their home base at Chez Zee.

Get out of the downtown mayhem and visit the girls at Chez Zee. You know you want to! Click here to see what the Foodie Girls are up to.

THE GREAT GATSBY DESTROYS HOUSE PARTY!

The great man the Great Gatsby poses for a family photo before the sun set.

Not only was the Great Gatsby spotted last night at a house party in London - but the Corner received several phone calls from neighbours in the aftermath. One such phone call went like this "Is this 911? I would like to report an emergency!"

Meanwhile back at the house party this electronic mail was deliver to early today: "One word - CARNAGE... We have been cleaning tomato and onion off our ceiling and walls all morning!!! Apparently the Great Gatsby started it??" - resident Melissa Stanford

IRB 7s: USA NAME TEAM FOR ADELAIDE & HONG KONG!

San Diego, Calif. – Following its week-long assembly at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, U.S. Men’s Coach Al Caravelli has selected the team to represent the United States at the next two IRB Sevens World Series events in Adelaide, Australia and Hong Kong.

Caravelli brought in 19 players initially and after a week of training and fitness testing, has selected the U.S. Team that will travel to Australia tomorrow.

“I’m extremely pleased that we have nine of the players who were in Las Vegas on this tour, and that Mark Bokhoven joins the squad back from injury,” Caravelli said. “That gives us 10 players who have played in the series thus far this season. That is huge for us. That experience is invaluable and doesn’t come our way too often.”

In the last two series stops, the U.S. side secured the Shield in Wellington and the Bowl in Las Vegas, and are definitely looking to improve on those results for the next two tournaments.

“The preparation has been outstanding this week in all aspects of the game. The players are chomping at the bit to play England next Friday night,” Caravelli added.

New to the team will be Tommy Saunders, who proved to be the fittest player at camp.

“We have never had a football player without rugby experience crush the beep test the way he did,” Caravelli said. “He is still learning the game, but he makes up for his lack of experience with his athleticism.”

The other new player to the squad is Zach Pangelinan, who played in four IRB Sevens tournaments last season, but until now had yet to make this season’s tour squad. Caravelli credits his versatility as a playmaker and solid defender in the midfield for his selection.

“He has also come back with renewed energy and seriousness. You can tell he has matured and that he wants to represent the USA more than ever,” Caravelli added.

“I am thrilled with the level of focus every athlete brought to every field training, weight room and video sessions,” he finished. “They were switched on 100 percent every aspect of the way. It was a pleasure to see their professional attitude and how each of them continued to push each other. This has to be our best camp in those regards. The players really took to heart the phrase of ‘raising the bar!’ They did it everyday and continue to really push each other to higher levels.”

Departing tomorrow, the U.S. Men’s Team will train in Adelaide for just two days prior to the IRB Sevens World Series in Australia, with scrimmages against South Africa and France scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Following the Australia event, the team will travel to Hong Kong for the sixth stop on the IRB Sevens series.

The U.S. Men’s Sevens Team will be led once again by captain Kevin Swiryn and vice captain Matt Hawkins.

USA Sevens Team

Barnard, Marco (Kutztown University)

Bokhoven, Mark (Denver Barbarians)

Edwards, Nick (NYAC)

Emerick, Paul (Parma)

Hawkins, Matt (Belmont Shore) Vice Captain

Malifa, Valenese (Belmont Shore)

Pangelinan, Zach (OMBAC)

Peters, Leonard (Gentlemen of Aspen)

Saunders, Tommy (KC Blues)

Suniula, Shalom (Pearl City)

Swiryn, Kevin (Old Puget Sound Beach) Captain

Test, Zach (Loughborough)

Staff

Caravelli, Al Head Coach

Durfee, AJ Doctor

Fautley, Drew Video Coach / Manager

Hayashida, Maury Physio

Williams, David Strength & Skills Coach

IRB 7s: BEST 10 TRIES THIS SEASON!

SUPER 14 2010: WEEK 5!

It's week five already in this year's exciting Super 14 competition. With the first two matches already played - we won't give the scores away.

Week Five
12 March	Chiefs v Crusaders	19.35	06.35	Hamilton	-
12 March	Waratahs v Lions	19.40	08.40	Sydney	-
13 March	Brumbies v Sharks	19.40	08.40	Canberra	-
13 March	Bulls v Highlanders	17.05	15.05	Pretoria	-
13 March	Stormers v Hurricanes	19.10	17.10	Cape Town	-
14 March	Reds v Western Force	16.30	06.30	Brisbane	-
Byes - Cheetahs, Blues

UR7s: LOOKING BACK AT VEGAS!

This week's latest article for UR7s.com takes a look back at the very successful and entertaining Las Vegas IRB Sevens tournament! Click here to read more about the Corner World Tour's coat hanger of a weekend. Thanks to 'Keep the Change Productions'.

COMBAT BOK: RASSIE ERASMUS HIT!

USA ATLANTIS 7s TOUR CUBA!

By Josh Campbell

Rugby was the passport for a group of Americans visiting a country full of mystery and intrigue this February. The setting was the first IRB (International Rugby Board) sanctioned sevens rugby tournament held in the capitol of Castro’s Cuba — picturesque Havana.

The team, Atlantis, was a US selection side made up of 14 Americans (10 players, two coaches, one manager and one athletic trainer) and one Canadian (player brought for possible diplomatic relation skills). The tournament, held on Feb 27 and 28 and set-up by Canadian rugby philanthropist Karl Fix, featured some of North and South American rugby’s finest.

Opening ceremonies kicked off in fine fashion with 12 teams representing seven countries flying their flags under the shadows of Eduardo Saborit Stadium, a pre-revolution dog track turned sports arena (it seems people weren’t the only species freed after the revolution — dogs can be seen throughout Havana, enjoying their reproductive freedoms). Atlantis, led by longtime US national sevens men’s and women’s rugby coach Emil Signes*, played three games on the first day of the tournament posting three shut-out wins versus two Cuban national development teams and the Mexican National team. Former US National Sevens player Marcus Respes and powerful young Texan thoroughbred Kelly Kolberg led the scoring. Other teams that looked strong on that day were the first Cuban national team and Canadian contingent Dog River Howlers. It was imminent that Atlantis would scrum against both of these teams the next day.

On Sunday Atlantis kicked off to the Venezuelan team. The Venezuelans pressed early and were encroaching the try line when Kolberg tattooed the ball carrier and won the ball, leading to an Atlantis try and eventual win. The next game saw Atlantis take on the Cuban national team backed by the bells, horns and whistles of their fervent fans. In what can only be described as near flawless game, Atlantis blanked a very impressive Cuban side 15-nil. Later on the Cuban team, only in its infancy, beat an IRB caliber Mexican team for third place, proving they are ready to compete on the international rugby stage with less than 10 years experience.

This placed Atlantis in the final against the Dog River Howlers of Canada. It turned out to be a dog’s day as the Howlers won 35-5, Respes scoring Atlantis’ lonely try. (It was later noted that Feb 28 was a full moon giving an unfair advantage to the Howler team.) As with all battles in rugby, the Cuba tournament ended in clubhouse fashion where teams traded songs, beers and jerseys. Atlantis players quickly gravitated to many of the Cuban players they had befriended that week (Atlantis players showed up three days previous to the tournament seizing opportunities to train and build relationships with the Cubans). Smiles, hugs and gifts revealed how much the two sides had overcome national biases and developed strong bonds.

“I have been all around the world playing rugby and this has been my best experience yet,” said Kolberg, sitting beside his new rugby chum Pablo from Guatanemo province. “These people have changed my view on Cubans.” Atlantis’ trip to Cuba proved to be another testimony to the power of sport to reach across cultural lines. Well done men!

*Emil Signes pioneered the first international rugby tournament in Cuba 10 years earlier when he took a US team to play against some Cuban development teams. For Signes, the son of a Cuban mother, seeing the improvement of Cuban rugby and visiting family members were definite highlights of the trip. The members of Atlantis team wish to thank head coach Signes, assistant coach Chris Ryan, manager Dave McPhail and athletic trainer Sara Sall for their support throughout the trip. The team would also like to thank team captain John Babb for his leadership and acknowledge player Thaddeus Hill, former US Sevens player who was on his 12th Atlantis tour.

USA Team Atlantis –
Josh Campbell. Age 30. 6’1, 210. Born Innisfall, AB, Canada. Regina Rogues. Uganda: national team trial match.
Al Christian. Age 31. 5’6, 178. Born Dallas, TX. At Large. Texas and West Select. Represented Atlantis 7 times.
Matt Hayes. Age 23. 6’1, 205. Born Tomball, TX, USA. Houston Athletic Rugby Club. Texas Select. Represented Atlantis twice.
Thaddeus Hill. Age 42. 5’8, 160. Born Fort Worth, TX, USA. Fort Worth Rugby Club. Texas and West Select, USA Sevens. Represented Atlantis 12 times.
Kelly Kolberg. Age 24. 5’10, 210. Born Dallas, TX, USA. Dallas Rugby Club. West Select, USA Under 19.
Ryan Johnson. Age 28. 5’11, 175. Born Pocahontas, IA., USA. Wilmington Rugby Club. Mid-Atlantic Select.
Rick Medina. Age 40. 5’9, 170 Born El Paso, TX, USA. Austin Rugby Club, Texas and West Select, Team America (US Over 35), Spain. Represented Atlantis twice.
Danny Nacalaban. Age 26. 5’5, 175. Born Brooklyn, NY, USA. The Woodlands Rugby Club. Texas Select.
Aron Pillard. Age 27. 5’10,185. Born Woodstock, VA, USA. Wilmington Rugby Club. Mid-Atlantic Select.
Marcus Respes. Age 31. 6’2 225. Born Bristol, PA. Media Rugby Club. East Penn and Mid-Atlantic Select, USA Sevens.
Kendrick Scott. Age 20. 6’4, 200. Born Dallas, TX. Kansas City Blues Rugby Club. West Collegiate All Stars.

TOURNAMENT POOLS
----------------------------
Pool A
1. Mexican National Team
2. Atlantis RFC (USA)
3. Venezuela Barbarians RFC
4. Cuban Developmental National Team

Pool B
1. Venezuelan National Team
2. Dog River Howlers RFC (Canada)
3. Alumni RFC (Lima, Peru)
4. Argentinean Medical Students

Pool C
1. Cuban National Team
2. Venezuelan National Developmental Team
3. International Students in Cuba
4. Venezuela Classics RFC

IRB 7s: ADELAIDE SEVENS 2009 RECAP!

UCT RUGBY LETS TIGER LOOSE IN STREETS!

Ikey Tigers @ Tiger Tiger - it was inevitable!

Be there in Blue and White - wear your Intervarsity / Varsity Cup battle gear and only pay R10. This money will go straight back to the club and its players!

The team, the Tiger and a thousand friends will be there for a HUGE night in blue and white.

Don't miss it!

Thursday 11th March - kick off 21.30
Ikey Tigers @ Tiger Tiger - official Blue and White party

The University of Cape Town (UCT) official rugby mascot - the Ikey Tiger - pictured here charming the ladies on campus, has been on fire this year! Ikey Tiger has been voted most eligible bachelor of 2010 and has caused chaos where ever he goes. More photos to follow soon.

2010 TRY OF THE YEAR!

What a brilliant finish from the Springboks in this cliff hanger of a series against the British and Irish Lions. Jaque Fourie you little beautiiiiiiii.

Thanks to RugbyDump.Com for the footage.

VARSITY CUP: MATIES HOLD OFF UCT IN THRILLER!

USA Eagle JJ Gagiano had a storming match.

FNB Maties held off a second-half UCT onslaught to earn a 23-17 victory in front of a jam-packed Danie Craven Stadium on a sweltering Monday Night in Stellenbosch.

It was a breathtaking match; one which showcased the best that the FNB Varsity Cup, has to offer and one which certainly lived up to its billing as the premier fixture in student rugby in South Africa - it was also a match that saw the visiting Ikeys outscore Maties by three tries to two.
UCT produced some thrilling moments in a game that could have gone either way, but in the end it was a clinical Maties team that capitalised on a some crucial Ikeys errors to hang on and maintain their unbeaten record in this year's tournament.
The opening quarter was as you would expect in a derby battle between the tournament's top two sides. The players, clearly buoyed by the tremendous atmosphere at a near capacity Danie Craven Stadium, flew into rucks with ferocity, and defensive markers were laid down early as the respective attacks tested each other in the early going.
Maties though, kicked with more distance and purpose than their UCT counterparts and much of the first twenty minutes play took place in UCT's half.

Maties fullback Adnaan Oesman found some space on the left hand touchline, and found scrumhalf Johan Herbst on his inside. A great cover tackle by Ikeys No.14 Pete Haw snuffed out the possibility of a try, but UCT defenders went offside in their scramble to get back and flyhalf André Kemp had an opportunity to open the scoring for the home side. He duly obliged and it was 3-0 to Maties after 11 minutes.
Another straightforward penalty by the blonde-haired No.10 made the score 6-0, before a 20th min breakaway try by lock Andrew Prior gave the home side a 13-0 at the quarter mark.

UCT had been trying their best to create something with ball in hand, but were met by an almighty Maties defensive line. The visitors struggled to make any ground and were getting knocked back in the tackle by the well-structured and often vicious gang tackling by the Maties men. Flyhalf Matt Rosslee telegraphed an inside pass, and big Stellenbosch No. 4 Andrew Prior intercepted on the halfway line. Showing incredible speed for a man his size, Prior streaked away to score the first try of the game and send the maroon masses into delirium.

It was clear that UCT coach John Dobson had identified No.13 and beyond as the area which his side could hold the edge over their more fancied opponents, and they looked to attack out wide, with outside centre Marcel Brache – one of the finds of this year's Varsity Cup – the man who looked most likely to break the sturdy Maties defensive line.
Even after going down 13-0 after Prior's try, UCT stuck to their adventurous tactics, and it finally paid dividends in the 34th minute with a try to dangerous No.11 Marcello Sampson.
It may have been Sampson who finished off the move, but it was that man Brache who inspired the score - with his easy, gliding style of running once again asking questions of the otherwise staunch Maties defence.
He broke down the right, and quick recycled ball moved down the line via some slick handling by Rosslee, fullback Therlow Pietersen and flank Sam Peter - who put Sampson away to score in the corner. That score got UCT back in the game – both psychologically and on the scoreboard (13-5), but a blatant hand at the bottom of a ruck by the otherwise brilliant JJ Gagiano allowed Maties to extend their lead and make it 16-5 at the break. The nine-point deficit could have been smaller had the usually reliable Rosslee been more accurate off the tee.

The second half started in Maties' favour after another intercept, this time by centre Charl Weideman. A superman-style cover tackle by Brache stopped the No.12 from scoring, but the ball found its way to new Maties right wing Wilhelm Loock, who dived over on the right-hand touchline. A superb touchline conversion by Kemp made it 23-5 to the home side and seemingly out of sight of the Ikeys. While that may have spelt the end of the road for any other team in the Varsity Cup, it only served to inspire this dogged UCT outfit. The men from Cape Town struck back immediately with a try of their own, this time by replacement back Mark Esterhuizen, who finished strongly after some well worked phase play by the Ikeys.

That score turned the visitors from a side who thought that they may have a chance at winning into a side that believed they could, and man for man, the Ikeys started to take on their opponents. Pacey right wing Pete Haw did so and won, breaking a tackle and putting Pietersen over to make it 23-17 and ensure a breathless final quarter.
Although no points were scored in the final twenty minutes, it was the most exciting period of the match, with UCT in particular producing some spectacular moments with ball in hand. Waves and waves of attack from the men in blue and white were repelled by the Maties, and in the end UCT could just not find the telling pass to break the stubborn resistance of the double defending champions. The final whistle blew to raptures form the 18,000 strong crowd, but UCT can be proud of their part in a game that will go down as one of the most exciting in the tournament's history.

It would certainly not be a surprise to see this fixture repeated when final time rolls around at the end of the month, and if this game is anything to go by, we may be in for a treat.

The FNB Maties team: 15 Adnaan Oesman, 14 Wilhelm Loock, 13 Danie Poolman, 12 Charl Weideman, 11 Tythan Adams, 10 André Kemp, 9 Johan Herbst, 8 Tertius Daniller, 7 Jonathan Adendorf, 6 Josh Strauss, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Andrew Prior, 3 Lourens Adriaanse (captain), 2 Matthew Dobson, 1 Mike De Neuilly-Rice. Replacements: 16 Andrew Crausaz, 17 Johan Roets, 18 Marinus Pretorius, 19 Cameron Peverett, 20 Johan Laker, 21 Hayden Groepes, 22 Jonathan Francke, 23 Buhle Mxunuywa. Head coach: Chean Roux

The FNB UCT team: 15 Therlow Pietersen, 14 Pete Haw, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Sean van Tonder, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Matt Rosslee, 9 Stu Commins (captain), 8 JJ Gagiano (vice-captain), 7 Mike Morris, 6 Sam Peter, 5 Donovan Armand, 4 Mike Ledwidge, 3 Grant Kemp, 2 Dayne Jans, 1 Ash Wells. Replacements: 16 Mark Goosen, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Levi Odendaal, 19 Greg Mallett, 20 JP Robert, 21 Douglas Mallett, 22 Mark Esterhuizen, 23 Wesley Chetty. Head coach: John Dobson

Source: UCTRFC.co.za

TODD CLEVER TO SIGN FOR AUSTRALIA!

(The Corner will have an update from Todd Selleck himself later this week)

TODD Clever, the first American to play in the Super 14 competition, has expressed interest in playing in Australia.
Clever, who is the captain of the US national team, is in his second season with the Johannesburg-based Lions and has captured attention with his trademark long hair and dynamic athleticism.

With Australia's four Super rugby teams allowed to recruit two foreigners -- and Super 15 expansion club Melbourne Rebels permitted to sign 10 imports for 2011 -- the US looms as pool of talent as yet untapped here.
There is no professional rugby in the US so international players such as Clever have to travel overseas to make a living from playing the game.
"I think Australia is a great country," Clever said. "Weather-wise, people-wise and especially the rugby. I definitely would show some interest."

A 193cm backrower, Clever grew up in San Jose, California, and took up rugby as a 14-year-old in high school.

"I just followed my brother Chris's footsteps," Clever said. "He played rugby and (American) football and I played soccer. I picked up rugby after I saw him travelling and going on tours and stuff like that.
"I wanted a piece of that action. We played USA under-19s together. Some of my best memories are playing with my brother on the USA under-19 team.
"In 2000 we actually toured Australia. We stayed at the AIS and played nine games from St Josephs all the way to Penrith."

Clever played rugby at the University of Nevada and was a three-time All-American.
While there he made his international debut against Argentina in 2003 at the age of 20.
After graduating from college Clever moved to New Zealand and played for North Harbour in the national provincial championship for two years.
Clever played for the US in the 2007 World Cup in France and then decided to pursue a career as a professional rugby player.

"After the World Cup I played a bit in California, but I wanted to play fulltime rugby," Clever said.
"I put myself on the market basically. It looked like I was going to go to England or France and then I got a call from the Lions. Four days later I signed and I was on a plane to South Africa.
"I'm enjoying it. There are changes in management from last year to this year. We are playing a running style of rugby. That suits me. I enjoy running with the ball and playing open rugby."

While Clever is travelling the world, he is hoping to see the game develop in his homeland. It should receive a boost following the admission of rugby sevens to the Olympics because it will increase funding, especially at the college level.
"Rugby has already made huge leaps and bounds in the states," Clever said. "Once it got introduced (to the Olympics) it was on the front page of every newspaper. Everybody was asking what's rugby sevens? What's rugby 15s?
"USA rugby has a big challenge to spread the knowledge of the game to everybody in America."

One way for rugby to grow in the US would be for an American team to play in an expanded Super 18 series.
"We'd love the opportunity to have a team based in the States," Clever said. "It would be tough on the travel and everything. I grew up watching Tri-Nations and Super 12s. That was the only rugby I got.
"It's popular and people know this tournament. That's one of the reasons I wanted to play Super rugby. I dropped making the pound and euro to make the (South African) rand because I always had a goal to play Super rugby.
"Having my opportunity with the Lions is a dream come true."

Source: The Australian.com