We will resort to cheating to win this week.
That’s the message from Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, who is becoming increasingly frustrated at Northern Hemisphere referees’ interpretations.
“We've played now six [tests this year] and in six games we've had six different types of plays on the ground. We've got the same skills as last year when we won the Tri Nations. We're used to playing with the new interpretations in the Super 14 and now in the six games we've played the law was a bit different on the ground,” said a frustrated de Villiers following the Boks’ 31-17 loss to the All Blacks in Wellington last Saturday.
“I don't like to prepare guys to cheat and it seems to me that's the only way going forward if you want to be on top of those kind of things.”
He felt the Springboks were “being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea” in terms of the inconsistency around how the breakdown is being controlled and signalled his team may have to resort to underhanded tactics to get an edge.
“Maybe we have to become more street smart for this week and see what the referee's going to offer and play from there.”
De Villiers has also slammed the appointment of George Clancy for this Saturday’s test against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Clancy will be third whistleblower from the Emerald Isle to officiate the Boks in as many weeks.

GOLDEN OLDIES HEADING TO JAPAN

The world’s biggest rugby festival is coming to Japan.
More than 3000 rugby fans from 15 countries are expected to converge on Fukuoka for the Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival next year.
Event organisers said it was fitting to take the event to the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time in its 35-year history given they will host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

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AUSSIES PICK ‘SEXUAL PREDATOR’

A player who admitted grooming young girls for sex has been included in the Australian squad for the Women’s World Cup in England.
Tricia Brown had her teaching registration suspended until 2014 after admitting she courted two year 12 students into lesbian relationships while employed as a physical education teacher in Brisbane. She took at least one of her underage students to gay nightclubs using fake ID and gave gifts and fluffy toys.
In their report, the Queensland College of Teachers labelled the 31-year-old a “predator towards young girls”.
Brown, who has been banded by the Queensland Rugby Union from coaching or being involved in any capacity with players under the age of 18, said she regretted her actions and wished to concentrate on her future, but has not ruled out a return to the teaching profession when her ban lapses.
The Wallaroos will play matches against the Black Ferns, Wales and South Africa when the women’s showpiece event kicks off on August 20.

FREIER: END IS NIGH FOR WALLABIES

“Armageddon is coming to Australian rugby.”
That’s the opinion of former Wallaby hooker Adam Freier, who believes Robbie Deans’ men are set for a string of crushing defeats in this year’s Tri Nations.
Freier told BigPond Sports Weekend he felt Australia was likely to finish at the foot of the ladder behind the All Blacks and South Africa.
“The All Blacks are the best side in the world, the Springboks are second and there is daylight to the rest of the world. The Wallabies are in big trouble,” said the 25-test veteran.
“The All Blacks have got the whole world covered at the moment [and] are at a stage where they can probably dominate world rugby for the next four years.”
Despite the Boks coming off two big defeats to the Men in Black, Freier said they were a team that develops well leading into a World Cup and were still “red hot favourites” for this Saturday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium.
“Last year it was a massive upset when the Wallabies beat the Springboks but it’s a different tale this year. The Wallabies have got a very young side, a very inexperienced side and as I said, I’m more than a little bit concerned for them.”

DESPERATE BOKS MAKE CHANGES

The under-pressure Springboks have wielded the axe.
Having come off two crushing defeats to the All Blacks, coach Peter De Villiers has made a staggering nine changes ahead of his side’s Tri Nations clash against the Wallabies in Brisbane this Saturday.
Four of the changes are to the run-on side, while the other five are on the bench.

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FA’ASAVALU CROSSES CODES – AGAIN

Great Britain rugby league and former Manu Samoa international Maurie Fa'asavalu has returned to the 15-man game.
The 30-year-old will turn out for Harlequins this season after seven years plying his trade with St Helens in the Super League.
“A player of Maurie's talent and ability will be a great asset to Quins,” said the club’s Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea.
“I have no doubt that he will be able to make an immediate impact on returning to union. He will bring experience and a new dimension to our options and is exactly the type of person we want at this club.”
Fa’asavalu drew the attention of league scouts while playing in the loose forwards for Samoa at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia and was quickly signed up by Saints that same year, going onto score 39 tries in 163 games for the club.
Converting to prop, he qualified for Great Britain on residency grounds and was also capped by England.
Fa’asavalu, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, will link up with the Quins in October.
He is one of three new signings, with the London-based club also securing the services of Ireland Under 20 halfback David Moore from Leinster and Newcastle lock Peter Browne for the 2010/11 season.

ROMANIA AND URUGUAY SET FOR RWC PLAYOFF

There are two teams left, but only one spot available.
That’s the situation facing Romania and Uruguay, who will battle it out for the final place at next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Romania, who have been a permanent fixture at rugby’s showpiece event since 1987, steamrolled Tunisia 56-13 in Buzau to keep their dreams of a seventh consecutive World Cup appearance alive, while Uruguay defeated Kazakhstan 44-7 in Montevideo to remain on course for its first appearance since 2003 at the biggest rugby show on earth.
They will play a two-leg playoff final in November, where the winner on aggregate will join Pool B alongside England, Scotland, Argentina and Georgia.

LARKHAM TO RETURN TO BRUMBIES

Stephen Larkham will return to the Brumbies – but not as a player.
Instead the former Wallaby first five, who has spent the past three years earning a crust with Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams, will join the Canberra-based franchise as an attack coach for the next two seasons.
“Steve’s credentials as a player are second to none and he is renowned as being one of the playing masterminds of the modern game,” said Brumbies head coach Andy Friend.

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