Samoa triumph over Tonga...

Woohoo the Rugby League World Cup this week has a great beginning, unlike New Zealand being hammered by Australia last week. Never mind, here comes Samoa:

"SYDNEY - Samoa took a big step toward the rugby league World Cup semi-finals with a dogged 20-12 win over arch rival Tonga in their island derby at Penrith last night. Samoa will clinch their pool if they beat Ireland in the last pool match at Parramatta next Wednesday.

Tonight's clash featured plenty of rugged defence and jarring hits, plus occasional high tackle. And when it was over, hundreds of excited Samoa fans charged onto the pitch to celebrate." [+]

Meet the Super 14 2009 backs...

Yes I know, I'm missing Ben Smith from Otago, but for the life of me I couldn't find an image of him.

Super 14 2009 - Here are the squads...

The Chiefs and Highlanders have been the big draft/transfer market movers, the Blues have steadfastly stuck to their (pop)guns and the Crusaders and Hurricanes have unveiled what appear to be New Zealand's outstanding squads based strongly on their successful provincial heavyweights. [+]

Cool, some interesting selections:

* Indicates player named in Rebel Sport Super 14 squad for the first time. (D) Indicates draft player.

Blues: Tony Woodcock (North Harbour) , John Afoa (Auckland), Charlie Faumuina (Auckland)*, Tevita Mailau (Auckland)* , Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Tom McCartney (Auckland), Ali Williams (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Jay Williams (Auckland)*, Kurtis Haiu (Auckland), Justin Collins (Northland), Josh Blackie (Auckland), Onosai Auva’a (Auckland), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Chris Lowery (Auckland)*, Taniela Moa (Auckland), Chris Smylie (North Harbour), Tasesa Lavea (Auckland), Jimmy Gopperth (North Harbour), Michael Hobbs (Wellington) (D)*, Benson Stanley (Auckland), Jamie Helleur (Auckland), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour), Rene Ranger (Northland)*, Paul Williams (Auckland), Isaia Toeava (Auckland).

Chiefs: Arizona Taumalolo (Waikato)*, Ben May (Waikato), James McGougan (Bay of Plenty)*, Joe Savage (Bay of Plenty)*,Hika Elliot (Hawke’s Bay) (D), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Kevin O’Neill (Waikato),Toby Lynn (Waikato), Craig Clarke (Taranaki) (D), Mark Burman (Waikato)*, Liam Messam (Waikato), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Serge Lilo (Wellington) (D)*, Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Colin Bourke (Bay of Plenty), Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Toby Morland (D) (Otago), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Michael Delany (Bay of Plenty), Callum Bruce (Waikato), Jackson Willison (Waikato)*, Richard Kahui (Waikato), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Lelia Masaga (Counties Manukau), Sosene Anesi (Waikato), James Wilson (Southland) (D), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato).

Hurricanes: John Schwalger (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Jacob Ellison (Wellington), Tim Fairbrother (Wellington), Andrew Hore (Taranaki) , Dane Coles (Wellington)*, Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Bryn Evans (Hawke’s Bay), Api Naikatini (Wellington)*, Faifili Levave (Wellington), Scott Waldrom (Taranaki), Karl Lowe (Hawke’s Bay)*, Victor Vito (Wellington)*, Rodney So’oialo (Wellington), Josh Bradnock (Manawatu)*, Alby Mathewson (Wellington), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Willie Ripia (Taranaki), Dan Kirkpatrick (Wellington)*, Ma’a Nonu (Wellington), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Jason Kawau (Southland) (D), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), David Smith (Wellington), Zac Guildford (Hawke’s Bay), Cory Jane (Wellington).

Crusaders: Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Tasman), Owen Franks (Canterbury)*, Bronson Murray (Canterbury), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Jason Macdonald (Otago) (D), Brad Thorn (Tasman), Ross Filipo (Canterbury), Isaac Ross (Canterbury), Michael Paterson (Canterbury), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), George Whitelock (Canterbury), Thomas Waldrom (Canterbury), Nasi Manu (Canterbury), Jonathan Poff (Tasman), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Kahn Fotuali’I (Tasman), Colin Slade (Canterbury)*, Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Tim Bateman (Canterbury), Ryan Crotty (Canterbury)*, Casey Laulala (Canterbury), Adam Whitelock (Canterbury)*, Kade Poki (Tasman), Sean Maitland (Canterbury), Jared Payne (Canterbury)*, Leon Macdonald (Canterbury).

Highlanders: Jamie Mackintosh (Southland), Clint Newland (Otago), Chris King (Southland), Anthony Perenise (Wellington) (D)*, David Hall (Southland), Jason Rutledge (Southland), Hayden Triggs (Otago), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Josh Bekhuis (Southland)*, Ross Kennedy (Otago), Adam Thomson (Otago), Tim Boys (Southland), Alando Soakai (Otago), Stephen Setephano (Otago), George Naoupu (Hawke’s Bay) (D)*, Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Sean Romans (Otago) *, Daniel Bowden (Otago), Matt Berquist (Hawke’s Bay) (D), Jason Shoemark (Hawke’s Bay) (D), Jayden Hayward (Otago)*, Johnny Leota (Otago), Kendrick Lynn (Southland)*, Brett Mather (Otago), Lucky Mulipola (Otago), Fetu’u Vainikolo (Otago), Ben Smith (Otago)*, Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay) (D)*.

The number of players from each province is as follows: Auckland (19), Bay of Plenty (5), Canterbury (22), Counties Manukau (1), Hawke’s Bay (8), Manawatu (1), North Harbour (6), Northland (2), Otago (17), Southland (10), Taranaki (5), Tasman (5), Waikato (17) and Wellington (22).

Burj Al Arab...seriously.

I've always wanted to stay in this hotel, considered the best hotel in the world, a self-proclaimed 7 star beast of a hotel! But seriously, at a minimum $1000 per night and a maximum of $28,000, I had better start saving. This 650 million dollar hotel is a dream:

"Designed to resemble a billowing sail, the hotel soars to a height of 321 metres, dominating the Dubai coastline. At night, it offers an unforgettable sight, surrounded by choreographed colour sculptures of water and fire. This all-suite hotel reflects the finest that the world has to offer.

With your chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers who provide around-the-clock attention, you can be assured of a highly personalised service throughout your stay." [+]

Also make sure to check out the Wikipedia entry here...

Bledisloe Cup...Hong Kong...historic test

HONG KONG - Hosea Gear's startling domestic rugby season has been rewarded with a test debut while Stephen Donald starts his first international at pivot when the All Blacks play Australia in their historic Bledisloe Cup test here on Saturday.

Gear, who scored a record 14 tries for runners-up Wellington in the Air NZ Cup, features in a backline with significant alterations from the starting 15 that defended the Cup and Tri-Nations titles in Brisbane on September 13. Read more...

And here we have the team that will play the Aussies on Saturday:

15 Mils Muliaina 14 Hosea Gear 13 Conrad Smith 12 Dan Carter 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu 10 Stephen Donald 09 Jimmy Cowan 08 Rodney So'oialo 07 Richie McCaw (captain) 06 Jerome Kaino 05 Ali Williams 04 Brad Thorn 03 Neemia Tialata 02 Andrew Hore 01 Tony Woodcock

Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu 17 Greg Somerville 18 Anthony Boric 19 Adam Thompson 20 Piri Weepu 21 Ma'a Nonu 22 Isaia Toeava.

U17 Women's World Cup...first blood

Son of a monkeys butt, the Young Ferns played their first game last night against Canada and well.... $%(#*@!*

A battling effort from New Zealand in Auckland tonight couldn't stave off defeat as Canada claimed first blood in the inaugural under-17 women's soccer World Cup.

The Young Football Ferns dominated the second half, but it was Canada who won 1-0 through winger Rachel Lamarre's 53rd minute goal... [+]

...soccer World Cup...Under-17 Women's that is...

Here is something you probably won't hear much about, let alone see on tv I'm guessing:

"It is the world's most popular sport, and in New Zealand 30,000 women play it. Tonight, 11 of the best will take to the field, kicking off soccer's first Under-17 Women's World Cup.

Teams from world soccer heavyweights Germany, Brazil and England, as well as the much-fancied United States side, are in the 16-team tournament. In tonight's opening game, the Young Ferns take on Canada." [+]



Above is New Zealand's youngest player, Katie Bowen, at 14 years seven months.

"A quick look at the 336 players in the Under-17 Women's World Cup which kicks off at North Harbour Stadium tonight backs Fifa's strong belief that soccer is the game for all ages.

Of the players from the 16 nations who will run out for matches at this inaugural tournament, more than half (186) were born in 1991. Only players born on or after January 1, 1991, are eligible.

The surprise is that the four oldest players - Jessica Rollings (New Zealand), Noelia Cuevas (Paraguay), Carine (Brazil) and Anne Thirup Rudmose (Denmark) - were all born on January 3, 1991.

The youngest player at the tournament is Ghana's Ellen Coleman (12 years 11 months) who was born on December 11, 1995. She will be eligible to play at this level again in 2010 and 2012." [+]

Nazis plot to kill Obama!!

Wow, amazing, what is wrong with people these days, can't we just all get along? Seriously though, these two neo-Nazi skinheads who plotted to:

"...assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and shoot or decapitate 102 black people in a murder spree in the state of Tennessee.

In court records unsealed this morning (NZ time), federal agents said they disrupted plans to rob a gun store and target a predominantly African-American high school by two neo-Nazi skinheads. Agents said the skinheads did not identify the school by name.

The bust was a joint operation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Secret Service and the Sheriff of Crockett County.

Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the Nashville field office for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the two men planned to shoot 88 black people and decapitate another 14. The numbers 88 and 14 are symbolic in the white supremacist community.

The men also sought to go on a national killing spree, with Obama as their final target, Cavanaugh told The Associated Press." [+]

Did they really think they would have gotten away with it? Well maybe a few killings, but I think it would have been highly unlikely to kill that many people on a shooting spree, not to mention decapitating 14!! Let alone trying to kill Obama, no way, I doubt they would get that close and be free willy with their weapons before being taken out by Kevin Costner, or Clint Eastwood....

...murder

When your wife ignores your infant child, pushes her aside, tells her to leave her alone, then yells, then the child cries, what is a man to do but kill his wife? Heh heh, Ryan Bennett is just hilarious at parodies...

Step one you say you’ve had enough of her
You know its time that your wife bit the dust,
For too long now she’s nagged at you,
You now know what you’ve got to do,
Some sort of massacre at night,
Her legs fly left her head goes right,
Putting it off would be a shame,
Now you have to decide who to blame.
Explode her with a bomb, and shoot her dead. Read more...

Rugby League woes...

France has begun their World Cup campaign in fine fashion, with a solid 36-18 win over Scotland in their opening match of the World Cup today. [+]

A huge task faces the Kiwis to wrench the rugby league World Cup from Australian hands after the Kangaroos scored a dominant 30-6 victory in their tournament opener last night. [+]

Wow, blatant, I didn't think NZ would do that badly. Back to the drawing board guys, and come up with some new tactics, chin up, come back later on and hit the Kangaroos where it hurts.

How to kill your wife...

Lol, I was sent this hilarious discussion, about how to kill your wife:

Lets say a nursing student, for the sake of the illustration we'll call him “Mike” decided he wanted to kill his wife. Now said wife, oh, let's call her “Terri” had been dieting recently, but was still well within normal weight for her height. “Mike” wanted to do her in, in a way that could be dismissed as “natural causes”. As a nursing student/nurse, he'd have access to the knowledge, equipment and medicine to do so, but what would look natural? Read more here...

Here is another hilarious article:

Not to provide a how-to guide for researching the right way to kill your wife or anything, or rather, a how-not-to, but this guy's just made a whole bunch of mistakes. Mistake # 1: Being openly Pagan in a small southern town. Mistake #2: Googling all the information about how to kill your wife on your own computers. Mistake #3: Not clearing out your cache. Mistake #4: Defending yourself in court. Read more here...

Even more knee slappring reading:

Now how many of you out there have never thought of killing your wife? I will confess at the cost of my social-life that the idea has more than once gate crashed my thoughts like an obnoxious stag, entering a party without a date. My matrimonial problems began in America; there weren’t any serious problems, only small ones like cleaning dishes, helping do the laundry etc, which thanks to the volubility of my wife, ‘Wiji’ (‘my wife’ sounds too much like property) ballooned up to be larger than life issues. It’s not that I didn’t help Wiji in household chores; it’s just that each time I did the laundry or washed the dishes, it never met the high standard of chore-core that was set forth by Wiji. Read more here...

Need more hilarity?

There are so many reasons to kill your wife, a wife, any wife. I knew this even before I got married. So I am not going to debate that with you after five years of marriage.

If I want, I can call you stupid – stupid for ignoring that warning written on gwomgworo, 911 lorry, plying Onitsha-Nsukka road that says, "Fear Women." You did not fear women. You stubbornly went ahead and got married. I wanted to say, "Ntoo," but I didn’t because what I intend to say here is serious, and I do not want to lose you.

So let’s jump to the reasons why you may need to kill your wife. Read more here...

Seven new faces for the All Blacks...

"New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named seven new players in his 35-man squad for the autumn tour to Hong Kong and Europe.

Props Ben Franks and Jamie Mackintosh, loose forwards Scott Waldrom, Kieran Read and Liam Messam and backs Hosea Gear and Cory Jane are all in line to make their All Blacks debuts on a tour that begins with a Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Hong Kong.

Matches with Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England follow on successive weekends, plus a midweek game against Munster.

Lock Jason Eaton has forced his way back into the squad after last playing for the All Blacks in November 2006, while Joe Rokocoko has overcome wrist and hamstring injuries to make his return. There were also recalls for lock Ross Filipo and hooker Corey Flynn.

Those unlucky to miss out from the wider training squad were Tanerau Latimer, Sione Lauaki and Rudi Wulf, while Leon MacDonald (concussion) and Brendon Leonard (knee) were not considered because of injury." [+] Scrum [+] NZH [+] ABS



Here above we have the seven new caps for the end of year tour. And below the full squad listing:

Auckland: John Afoa, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Isaia Toeava, Josevata Rokocoko

Canterbury: Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Richie McCaw (C), Kieran Read

North Harbour: Anthony Boric, Anthony Tuitavake, Tony Woodcock

Otago: Adam Thomson

Southland: Jimmy Cowan, Jamie Mackintosh

Taranaki: Jason Eaton, Andrew Hore, Scott Waldrom

Tasman: Ben Franks, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams

Waikato: Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui, Liam Messam, Malili Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu

Wellington: Ross Filipo, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Neemia Tialata, Piri Weepu

Rugby League World Cup 2008

Yes, that is correct, it is upon us at last, and one match has already been and gone. The opening match between England and Papua New Guinea resulted with the Kumuls being defeated 33-22. PNG were courageous but were unable to keep up the intensity in the second half after leading at halftime. PNG take on NZ next Saturday and I'm sorry but they will be trounced by NZ, no matter how courageous. But I always like to see the underdog do well.

Anyway, great, New Zealand's first game is against deadly Australia on Sunday, October 26th, at 7:55pm, and it will be a great match to guage how well NZ has prepared and if they are poised to take the cup.

Check out more info on the Kiwis World Cup squad here



New Zealand Squad: Adam Blair, Nathan Cayless, Greg Eastwood, David Fa'alogo, Nathan Fien, Dene Halatau, Lance Hohaia, Krisnan Inu, David Kidwell, Thomas Leuluai, Issac Luke, Simon Mannering, Sika Manu, Benji Marshall, Steve Matai, Jason Nightingale, Sam Perrett, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Setaimata Sa, Jeremy Smith, Iosia Soliola, Evarn Tuimavave, Manu Vatuvei

Son-of-a monkey balls !!

"Wellington collapsed at the last hurdle yet again, succumbing 6-7 to rugby's ruthless assassins Canterbury in the Air NZ Cup final here tonight." [+]

For fucks sake, damn their eyes, how dare they beat Wellington, aaaaargggghhhhh. Never mind, great work Canterbury, excellent defence, and poor Wellington, work on that ball handling. Never mind, thanks for an entertaining season, thanks for the great games, and looking forward to next years Super 14 and ANZC.

Meanwhile, Manchester United couldn't secure victory at Everton, damnit. Darren Fletcher opened for the Red Devils, and they should have been a couple more goals ahead, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. And in the second half, that damn Fellaini equalizes for Everton, earning each a point in the end... [+]

Wellington vs Canterbury ANZC Final 2008

Here we go, the final is upon us this Saturday in NZ at the Westpac Stadium, better known as the Cake Tin, in Wellington, at 7:35pm. Personally I am praying for a Lions win, since they have not had the trophy since 2000. If Canterbury are to win, then it's all because of Richie McCaw, but Wellingtons loose forward triple power should hopefully subdue him, and let the backs loose on Canterbury. Hosea Gear to save the day!

The Wellington team to play Canterbury:

15 Cory Jane 14 Ma'a Nonu 13 Conrad Smith 12 Tamati Ellison 11 Hosea Gear 10 Piri Weepu (c) 09 Alby Mathewson 08 Rodney So'oialo 07 Serge Lilo 06 Chris Masoe 05 Jeremy Thrush 04 Ross Filipo 03 John Schwalger 02 Dane Coles 01 Neemia Tialata

Reserves: 16 Ged Robinson 17 Jacob Ellison 18 Tim Fairbrother 19 Thomas Waldrom 20 Api Naikatini 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick 22 Tane Tu'ipulotu

The Canterbury team to play Wellington:

15 Scott Hamilton 14 Paul Williams 13 Casey Laulala 12 Tim Bateman 11 Sean Maitland 10 Colin Slade 09 Tyson Keats 08 Kieran Read (c) 07 Richie McCaw 06 Hayden Hopgood 05 Isaac Ross 04 Michael Paterson 03 Greg Somerville 02 Corey Flynn 01 Wyatt Crockett

Reserves: 16 Steve Fualau 17 Owen Franks 18 Nasi Manu 19 George Whitelock 20 Steve Alfeld 21 Hamish Gard 22 Adam Whitelock

UPDATE: Andy Ellis has been declared unfit for the final so Tyson Keats will take the halback role. [+]

DJ Shatterstar... Siva Siva

Thanks to DJSALIVE for posting the Siva Siva series of albums over at his blog. Volume 12 has been released and here for your enjoyment are the links to all 12 issues.

Siva Siva Volume 01

Siva Siva Volume 02

Siva Siva Volume 03

Siva Siva Volume 04

Siva Siva Volume 05

Siva Siva Volume 06

Siva Siva Volume 07

Siva Siva Volume 08

Siva Siva Volume 09

Siva Siva Volume 10

Siva Siva Volume 11

Siva Siva Volume 12

Lylah - THE shop in South Brisbane!

Address: Shop 8a/ 170 Little Stanley St, South Bank

Here it is folks, the grand opening has already been and gone, but if you're going to Australia, and will be in Queensland, heading to Brisbane, I suggest you visit this shop. This clothing store has the coolest and the latest clothing labels, all hosted by the best store owners the world could ask for, Vivian and Rhann Westbrook.

Their grand opening showcased several of their labels with the models walking down the custom-made Lylah catwalk, as well as performances from Scribe and Ladi 6 from New Zealand. BAD ASS!! Check out DJ Sir-Vere's blog for more images of the night, apparently he was there, along with Blaze, man I wish I was there, but my uso had a good time!



A view of the street from Google maps. Lovely area!



Ladi 6, Rhann Westbrook, Neville Findlay (from Zambesi), and Scribe



Vivian Westbrook on the far right, with the architect and regional manager, the two ladies on the left.

Manchester United break into top 4

Wayne Rooney continued his scoring spree to inspire Manchester United to a clinical 4-0 victory over West Brom.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov also found the net during a devastating 15-minute period for the Barclays Premier League champions, with Nani completing the scoring in the last minute.

But it was a struggle until man-of-the-match Rooney broke the Baggies' resistance by scoring in his fifth successive game, a run that has yielded six goals for club and country and has now moved United into the top four... [+]

SSS gallery 04

SSS gallery 03