Right, well I'm back from my two week holiday and since this is the NASCAR section I won't bother going over the races from Martinsville, Atlanta and Texas in great detail as that would have already been done so let's have a look at the other stuff I post; V8's, Rugby and Marcos Ambrose.

Not that it feels like I'm home. We're supposed to be coming into Summer...which doesn't explain the fact that we're barely getting into double digits temperature-wise (deg C). Not going to get into Al Gore's territory but I thought the term 'global' meant that, not just some places scattered around the world.

Moving on; V8 Supercars first. Well, they've had two rounds since Bathurst and the Championship looks like it's Garth Tander's to lose. He had a great weekend on the Gold Coast and coupled with Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup's misfortune at Bahrain (yes, the V8's don't just race in Aussie and NZ) he leads the standings...despite his overenthusiastic teammate tapping him during one race (come on Rick, you did it to Craig last year but this is your teammate. Everyone knows rule number one is don't hit team cars, sheesh *rolls eyes*).

To Rugby then...both codes I guess. South Africa snuck by England to win their second William Webb Ellis trophy beating them 15 points to 6. No tries scored (take that all those people who reckon the only way to win is via an expansive game) but it was a gripping match to watch as both teams had monster forward packs and every yard was hard fought. On the League front, New Zealand look rubbish...a far cry from two years ago when they beat both Australia and Great Britain. First the Aussies thumped them by 50 odd points, then GB have beaten them the last two weekends. The new coach has come under fire and this week's game could be vital as to whether or not he stays on for the World Cup next year.

Well, it's been a rollercoaster few weeks for my man, Marcos. A few poor finishes had seen him drop to 10th (I think) in the Busch standings until the Memphis race...which I missed as I was at my friend's house. Anyway, to take pole position on his 'worst' type of track (he prefers the inters, not the short tracks) was one thing, but to storm through the field (different pit strategy) to take fourth was another. Reminds me of last year when I also missed his best races (Kentucky and Kansas)...I should get paid by Wood Brothers to take more holidays since he does this whenever I do.

Marcos shows off his first pole in his Busch Series career.

I shall update both the qualifying and race championships over the weekend...not looking forward to that since I've missed a few weeks but hey, if I don't no one else will since I'm the one with the spreadsheet *laugh*

Oh and if you're wondering why there appears to be two posts about this from me...blame technology. I had written this one then clicked post. That brought up the wonderful 'whoops' page so it didn't get posted. I then wrote a summary one as I couldn't be bothered rewriting this and find that it suddenly gets done too...go figure. Suffice to say, no point with the summary one after that so I deleted it.

Coming hot on the heels of slshusker's post about game 1, the other semi between South Africa and Argentina is done and we now know who will be playing for the Cup next weekend.

Now, being at work today (20 hours ahead of West Coast time and all) I wasn't able to watch the game between those two but I did catch the England/France one. The commentators I had to endure were worse than the ones they use in NASCAR right now, something I didn't think was possible but they managed it, as hearing Grant Fox (former NZ flyhalf) and company bleat on about how dull the game was and how that NZ would have provided much more entertainment was a real letdown (they're still bitter that France won last week...I say get over it already, sheesh *rolls eyes*).

In the end, I muted the TV and watched the game in silence and must say it was a cracker. Both teams gave it their all and in the end, the difference was the bounce of the rugby ball as England poached the only try of the game inside 5 minutes when the ball sat up and the French flyer couldn't do anything but watch as the ball sat up and a white and red blur leapt above him to plant the pill across the line.

So England became the first team through (14-9) and will play for their second straight WC win...something that has not been done in any RWC before. Their opponents will be South Africa who, after their provincial performances in the Super 14 earlier this year were one of the hot picks to win this thing.

Not much to go on from the game so I'll just make it up...

Argentina put up an amazing run this tournament, beating France in the opening game to set up a legitimate tilt at the title but, at the end, it was the flair from South Africa that won through (37-13 by full-time). Both teams belted each other with thier monster forward pack but the Springboks had more firepower out wide and utilised that advantage to set up a classic North v South final.

Who will win? South Africa will be favourites after winning the group game...but this is the big one.

One thing's for sure; regardless of who wins, both teams have done their countries proud.

No, not the former Beatles member but the person on this site who comments on my Rugby posts.

Here's a joke for you actually; what's the difference between Australia, New Zealand and a teabag? A teabag stays in the cup longer.

As people will know...if you read my profile thing...I am an Australian (and quite proud of it) who lives in New Zealand. However, I do not share a common Aussie (and New Zealand...will get to that in a moment) trait of arrogance. The Australian cricket team is regarded as the best in the world since they've won the last three One Day International World Cups and sit on top of the test nations standings.

After the 2005 Ashes series in England, which I regard as the greatest series I've ever seen, a lot of Australians were angry at the way our team played...not really sure why since England stuck it to us and it was just what the test version needed to get some interest back in it. So as you can see, I guess I am not your typical Australian...heck I don't even have the 'traditional' accent (I detest it by the way. It's horrible to listen to. Give me Irish or Canadian anyday)...since I don't mind seeing our teams coming home with their tails tucked between their legs and I can admit and say the very simple phrase of "we got outplayed by a better team."

To New Zealand then where, for a country of only four million people, they have an extreme case of arrogance when it comes to Rugby Union. Now I don't care what any other Kiwis say, but the way many react when the All Blacks (or 'Oblix' as Will calls them) lose is atrocious; it's always the ref's fault, or the linesman, or the coach...it's never the fact that the other team played better.

Now we come to the point of this post; the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals.

The William Webb Ellis trophy will be given out on October 21 in Paris.

Australia played England yesterday morning (my time) while New Zealand battled France a few hours later. Going into both games I was nervous for Australia as the Poms have a handy forward pack while we didn't, and with a fit Jonny Wilkinson I felt that the English were a good chance of beating us...and that happened. 12-10 was the final score in a bruising affair, and while the Aussie press back home will probably rip them to shreds, it doesn't matter to me since that's the nature of a knockout competition; don't play well and you go home.

So congratulations to England, and to RINGO, for pulling out a blinder (as opposed to the South Africa game a couple weeks ago) and repeating the result of the 2003 Cup final.

New Zealand were expected to beat France...in fact, some media people here were boasting about how they'd win by as much as 50 points. Perhaps with good reason as the last few times both teams have played, the All Blacks have won handsomely...but this was the crunch game, this was the one that they had to win.

Yet they didn't.

As a result, the word 'chokers' will be associated with the New Zealand Rugby Union...for another four years at least anyway.

France tackled their hearts out all game (ending up with having to do an extra 100+ tackles than NZ) and scored two tries on the scrap of ball they had (NZ dominated with something like 72% possession and territory). The All Blacks tend to peak between World Cups...and they did again. By being knocked out in the quarterfinals yesterday, they achieved their worst World Cup showing...how the mighty have fallen.

So, another congratulations to the French for showing the world that the All Blacks aren't the invincible team many thought before this tournament started.

Yes the referee missed a couple of calls and the French were lucky not to be penalised for offside, but you won't find me blaming anyone. The French outplayed New Zealand and showed more desire to win; end of story.

Don't get me wrong, I'm disappointed that both 'my' teams are out but hey, the sun still rose this morning (I think anyway, it's overcast today) and we have the semi-finals next weekend before the final on October 21. South Africa will now be favourites I suppose but, as yesterday proved, that title means nothing...it all depends on how you play on that given day.

C'est la vie.

All right so we've got the tedious part of the tournament over and get into the good stuff. We had a few upsets during the course of the last thee weeks; Tonga beating Samoa, Fiji beating Wales, and, though it wasn't really a huge upset, Argentina beating France in the very first game.

We also had some great performances from the 'minnows'; the USA, Canada, Japan and Georgia can all hold their heads up really high after showing some promise in their games.

But we also had some absolute shockers; England getting whipped by South Africa, Australia leading Canada by just 3 points to nil after around 25 minutes are the ones that immediately spring to mind...though the form of the Northern Hemisphere powerhouses have not been as flash as many people thought, me included, whch has been quite surprising.

However, that is all behind us and we move into the sudden death part of the competition. The matchups will see Argentina against Scotland, Australia up against England in a rematch of the 2003 final, New Zealand playing France (in Cardiff...strange I know but that's what it says) and South Africa play Fiji.

On paper, the best matches appears to be Australia v England and New Zealand v France...but as I said, the NH teams haven't been playing that great so you'd expect both the Aussies and Kiwis to go through.

But things aren't as easy as that. Australia have lost their flyhalf, Stephen Larkham, to yet another injury and will be relying on a rookie, Berrick Barnes, to steer them around. As good as Barnes may one day be, up against Johnny Wilkinson, he's not in the same class. I expect Australia to win, but it will be a lot tougher than some reckon.

Same with NZ and France. France were in the 'group of death' (with Ireland and Argentina) so they've had tough matches under their belt going into this...something New Zealand have not. The Kiwis have stuck with their rotation policy which leaves me asking if their 'first 15' combinations will be up to scratch. Certainly they have the better lineup, but there's a few players under scrutiny (including Dan Carter who didn't play their final match against Romania due to a calf injury) and others that don't have much game time in them this year. France are unpredictable at the best of times and one must wonder if playing away from home will be an advantage for them as the last few times they've played NZ in France they've been thumped. Still, NZ should win this...might be scary for a while though.

Argentina verses Scotland...not really expected to be a contest and Argentina should easily go through to the semis. Scotland played well to beat Italy, but that was their final, as against the Pumas, they'll get knocked out.

South Africa and Fiji...not who we were expecting to have playing. Well, SA were expected, but not Fiji. However, they've played might well to get here but I can't see them troubling the Springboks next weekend.

Ok, so if my predictions are right, we'll be having all Southern hemisphere semi-finals as South Africa face off against Argentina while we'll be treated to a final Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand...and I reckon both those games can go either way.

I'll post again next week once the final four teams have been decided.

Well here we are, just about three weeks out from the start of sixth Rugby World Cup. Expectations are high that the home team will win the thing, but that has only happened twice; 1987 (New Zealand) and 1995 (South Africa) so France will have to pull out something special...perhaps even more so depending on who they play and if they get there.

Let's have a look at the favourites going into the Cup and nut out some predictions.

Argentina - yes, I actually think they'll be a strong contender...if they can get through the group stage (they're with France and Ireland so one will miss out). I must say I don't know a heck of a lot about them, but I've heard that their flyhalf is very good and they beat Ireland (in Argentina) a month or so ago so they are in pretty decent form. Argentina generally have a good forward pack so they could be a great dark horse this time.

Australia - the only country to have won the RWC more than once, the Wallabies head into this one under a bit of a cloud. Their backline is very solid with Latham, Mortlock and Larkham spearheading the attack while the old stager, Gregan (and others), will want to bow out on a high note and they will have gained a fair bit of confidence after beating New Zealand in Melbourne...even though they did lose the return match in Wellington a few weeks later. However, the forward pack is still a big problem at scrum-time.

England - it's been a rather big fall from grace for the defending champs...but there are signs they are coming right in time (a strong showing in the six nations this year). The key will be the forwards and Wilkinson. If Jonny is fit and the forward pack can provide him enough time to get the ball onto his trusty left boot, I seriously think England could pull another Cup off...but if the forwards can't set up that platform (or if Jonny isn't playing well), they won't stand a chance in the latter stages of the tournament.

France - remember the Football WC in 1998? Yeah, that was held in France so I expect the hosts to be very strong. They played a couple warmup games against New Zealand (in NZ) and, for a third-string team (they didn't send their best team over...club matches were still being played), they didn't disgrace themselves and showed that you could actually break through the NZ defence. Now, with their top team back, I think most people have automatically put them into the semis...but they still have to get past both Argentina and Ireland in the group stage.

Ireland - a favourite of many people simply because of the funky Irish accent, but this time they go in as a favourite in their own right. Strong performances in the six nations over the last few years have put them on the radar as a real threat to take home the Cup. However, the players and fans alike will be waiting with baited breath for the news on Brian O'Driscoll and whether his jaw is broken or not after last weeks game. If he's out, I think Ireland can kiss their chances goodbye.

New Zealand - well, where do I start? They go into every match as favourites and more often than not come home with the result. But when WC time rolls around, the wheels tend to come off. The way the All Blacks have been playing the last three years have them as the clear favourite...but that was before 2007. Their form against the weakened French and the plucky Canadians was rusty, and it didn't get a whole lot better against South Africa and Australia in the Tri-nations either. A big question mark hangs over the midfield since the departure of Umaga and a lot of the players have had little game time this season so they are rather underdone. No one doubts the team has the talent...but so do Brazil in football and they don't always win the big games either.

South Africa - after the Super 14 was done and dusted, the Springboks were on top of their game. They monopolised the final (having two teams contest it) and all was well...until the squad for the Tri-nations got named. An extra player was called into the squad because the board felt that the selectors got it wrong by not picking this guy. Further grumbles have seen the coach be on the verge of being given the boot but, of course, to do so this close to the Cup would be stupid so they'll stick with him. I get the feeling that even if South Africa win it, the coach won't be there when the next season kicks off.

Wales - won the six nations a couple years ago...and that was about it really. When New Zealand toured at the end of 2005, many people talked up how the Welsh game would possibly be their biggest challenge. That wasn't the case as the All Blacks turned out a second-string team and still thumped them...but if you play with fire, you'll get burned eventually and Wales nearly pulled off a huge upset last WC by running England mighty close. I'd bracket them the same as Argentina; a good outside bet.

So there we go, the winner will come from one of those eight teams. My heart says Australia, my head says New Zealand...so go put your money on a France/South Africa final.

Rico Gear...a name that many on this site will be scratching their heads over since he doesn't play sports over there. To those who do know who he is, forgive me as I take the time to give a little background information on him.

Rico Gear is a Rugby Union player who plays the game in New Zealand. He is 29 years old so he has another 5 years or so in the sport before he would seriously consider retirement. He's played 17 matches for the All Blacks and was considered by many to be the best winger in the world a couple years ago.

At that stage Rico was playing for Canterbury in the Super 12 having switched from Auckland as he wasn't getting much game time. To do this without creating controversy, he first had to transfer provinces (which Rico duly did by leaving North Harbour for Nelson Bay a couple years ago). Since that time, the provincial competition expanded and Nelson Bay merged with another team and became Tasman.

As an All Black, he doesn't tend to get much game time with his province since he's generally on international duty. In fact, in the last two years Rico has only played six games for Nelson Bay/Tasman. However, his form has dipped a bit and he missed out on selection for the New Zealand World Cup squad which was announced a couple weeks ago...but even allowing for the slight drop off in performance, many thought that choice was rather harsh.

Rico's contract with New Zealand Rugby runs out after the World Cup this year and he has decided to pack up his family and head to Europe (about 20 000 miles away) to play for the Worcester Warriors on a three-year deal.

Now you're probably sitting there going "yeah, so?"

Here's the thing. Rico has kicked up a fuss about having to play for Tasman this year in the provincial championship, so much so that the club has just let him go and play for Canterbury instead as Tasman don't want someone who doesn't want to play for them in their team. He has said that it was too hard on his personal life to travel to and from Nelson to see his family.

Ok, I can respect that.

But it's less than a two hour flight between Nelson and Christchurch...and you only play three games a year for Tasman...and you're making a far bigger move by going overseas in a few months anyway...you're a hypocrite, Rico.

More than that, you have lost my respect and from what I've heard on the radio today, a heck of a lot of other fans' respect too. People have come out and said they hope you never play for the All Blacks again and that they're very glad you're leaving in a few months.

The sadist in me is hoping he plays for Canterbury in the game against Tasman...and he better wear earplugs and protective equipment because it ain't going to be pretty.

Rico Gear, you get my vote for #### of the year.

A break from my usual NASCAR posts for this is sporting story truly worth mentioning.

Last night in Hamilton, New Zealand, the Canadians took on the All Blacks in front of a sellout crowd in what is akin to a little league team playing the Yankees; a whitewash (or "blackwash" since the All Blacks wear, well, all black).

This is a sport where there is only a handful of top teams while the rest get whipped whenever they play the 'big boys' due to Union being only semi-professional in some countries (Canada) and fully-professional in others (New Zealand). Graham Henry, the All Black coach, has come under fire over the last year for deciding to pull 22 players (a full team, including those on the reserve bench) for eight weeks of the Super 14.

The Super 14 is a competition played with 14 teams from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia; three powerhouses in world Rugby. It is all but one step below International level so the standard of play is high as is the skill level. To cut 22 guys from the NZ teams was a bold move and it hurt the Super 14 as the usual high standard of play was missing from the whole tournament...lest us forget about the crowd numbers being down since the best players weren't playing.

When these guys did come back, they were horribly out of form and some of the clubs decided they couldn't afford to have them in the team since they were fighting for playoff spots...so the guys who needed game time weren't getting any; a catch 22 situation in World Cup year.

So leading into the first All Black test a few weeks ago against a depleted French team, we had the situation where some guys were only playing their very first match of the year. A rusty performance was expected and that was exactly what we got...it took a good hour for the AB's to pull away and nearly everyone around where I live where cheering for France (we like to support the underdogs, even if it's at our expense sometimes). The next game was a little bit better, but the team were still woeful in getting their combinations together.

On to last night's match...and boy were we in for a surprise. The All Blacks appeared to be very much "up" for this match if their pre-game Haka was anything to go by (you could almost see the fire in the eyes of Byron Kelleher) and they set about dominating possession and territory for the entire match.

All Black scrumhalf, Byron Kelleher (front left), laying down the challenge in the Haka

Sounds all rather impressive doesn't it?

Thank heavens the Canadians forgot to read the script as they played their hearts out and were tackling like men possessed. The defence on their goal line was outstanding and it was only due to the team being semi-professional that the scoreline didn't do justice to the match.

However, the most incredible story was that moment in the first half; the All Blacks were on full attack, 20 yards away from the Canadian goal line when their flyhalf, Dan Carter, saw an opportunity out wide. Canadian fullback, Mike Pyke, rushed up, desperate to stop the play before it could reach its conclusion and intercepted the pass. He then outpaced the Kiwi speedster, Sitiveni Sivivatu, over the next 80 yards to dot down at the other end and send everyone in the bar where I was watching the game totally wild. James Pritchard kicked the conversion and the score was just 12-10 in favour of the All Blacks.

Canadian fullback, Mike Pyke, busts through the defence

Alas, it was short-lived as the fast pace of the game took its toll and in the second half the Kiwis ran away to win by 64 points to 13.

But those first, magical, 40 minutes will forever live in the minds of all those watching who love nothing more than seeing little brother beat up on big brother.

So have a SoBe (or a Molson) on me boys...you truly deserve it after that stirling effort.

Now I’m sure many of you have heard of the 'Commentator’s Curse' before, but do we have as much power as the guys (and girls) in the booth?

I reckon I do and let me explain why; The Melbourne Cup (Australia’s biggest horse race that happens on the second Tuesday of November every year).

My record of picking the winner since 1988 stands at 2 wins from 19 attempts…that’s rather pitiful and the sole reason why I haven’t slapped $5 on the race since 2002. On the plus side, I am due this year since my wins came in 1993 and 2000…a seven year itch by the looks of it.

Pocono; Denny Hamlin won, no, dominated that track in season 2006, scoring the pole and win in both starts there. Now I saved up a ‘Denny’ in my foxsports fantasy picks just for last week (and also picked him in Williamwilman’s trifecta)…and what happened? Bloody rain! I tell you I was looking real good over the first 50 odd laps before it all went pair shaped as Steve Letarte used up his ‘phone a friend’ and snatched it from under my nose.

"Lock in 'C' thanks; rain after the #99 pits and the #11 is behind us!"

What about season 2006? My favourite driver is Kasey Kahne who was pretty much untouchable about a third of the way through the year. I had decided to take a 6 week holiday around this time last year which allowed me to go to the race at Sonoma...from that point on, Kasey's season plummeted downhill at a great rate of knots and only a win and a third in the last few races managed to get him into the Chase. Sorry Kasey, I accept full responsibility for ruining your chances of the title.

How about some more "fan" proof? Take my fellow racing nut, photogr; he’s picked Jimmie Johnson in the last two races of Will's trifecta and has managed to completely destroy Jimmie’s momentum after a blown tyre and a crash…we shall see if Jeff Gordan suffers the same fate this weekend.

Now I’ll admit, sometimes you manage to hit on the perfect combination…I went with Sam Hornish to win last week in the IRL race and he did, while photogr cancelled out Jimmie’s performance  by going with the rookie sensation, Lewis Hamilton, who collected his maiden win in the Canadian GP. But that doesn't make for good reading so I'm not going down that road.

I shall now indulge everyone on the two best cases I’ve heard of the dreaded Curse, one by commentators and the other by a fan. One occurred just under a month ago in a Rugby League game played in Brisbane, Australia. One player managed to charge down a kick, pick up the ball, put a little kick over the top of the defence, re-gather and dive across the line right as the halftime siren went off.

What’s so bad about that you might think? Quite rightly too since it was a spectacular piece of skill to watch.

Well, midway through the second half, after receiving the praise from all the commentators, he threw a desperate pass to a teammate on his own goal line which was intercepted by an opposing player who scored the easiest points he’ll ever get in his career.

The other time happened nearly four years ago in the Rugby Union World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and Australia. I was watching it with my coworkers down at the bar and a guy shouted out "why doesn't he throw the ball out wide to the fast guys?!"

Thankfully, the NZ player was listening and did just that moments later...only for the pass to be picked off and an Aussie player raced 80 odd yards to touch down at the other end.

Now all the talk about people who will never support Dale Jr since he’s gone to Hendrick Motorsports has me thinking…that could very well be exactly what Jr needs since there are more of us fans than there are commentators.

If I was a betting man, I’d be heading down to the local TAB and putting a fiver on him to win his first title in 2008…but considering my record, I think I’ll keep my money through fear of jinxing the poor bloke.

"This win's for my Dad...and Tez who decided not to bet on me, thanks man!"