SPORT

So this weekend Durban will be resounding to cries of “Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie - Oy Oy Oy” and “Bokke, Bokke, Bokke….” as the final of the Tri-Nations arrives. Should be a cracking game as it’s a winner-takes-all scenario. There is an added note of rivalry as the Wallabies will be fielding Clyde Rathbone who last year has previously captained the South African under 21 team before switching allegiance this season to Australia. His arrival has prompted much frothing at the mouth in South Africa. Indeed to whip the already rabid crowd into more of a frenzy the South Africans have been running a series of ads showing Rathbone “being treated for facial wounds by our doctor, all that sort of
stuff” and generally getting mashed in various tackles. Eddie Jones, the Wallaby coach, came up with a nice riposte to that - ``The cheap and personal stuff doesn't surprise me. It will strengthen our resolve.'' – but the best is from Rathbone himself - ``It doesn't do much to change the view of a lot of foreigners about South Africans being narrow minded.” Miaow!!

All in all it should be a suitably bruising encounter with no holds barred, and more importantly no swimming pools, parallel bars, bows and arrows, guns, hurdles or any other evidence of the rubbish going on in Greece. It’ll just be two teams who don’t like each other, a ball, and a large piece of grass. The way sport should be.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL FOR THIS FINE WEEKEND

The last test is on at the Oval with England going for a record equaling seventh straight victory. Day 2 is nicely set up for later today with England at 313 for 5 (or 5 for 313 if you’re Australian) and Flintoff on 72 not out. If they can put up over 400 as a 1st innings target then they’ll be in a fine position to complete their victory with only the English weather likely to intervene.

AND THERE’S MORE….

Finally this weekend the waiting is over. After the basketball rugby of the Super 12, and the admittedly superb rugby of the Tri-Nations which winds up this weekend, the Zurich Premiership gets under way in England with the mighty Tigers taking on Sale on Sunday. Hopefully, with no World Cup this season and Johnson and Back both having retired from international rugby so not going to be involved in the Six Nations, there will be much less disruption to the team this year and they can build on the fine end of season form they showed earlier this year to challenge for honours again.

If anyone needs me I'll be on the sofa with the remote control in my hand and the laptop close by.

Ere we go, ere we go, ere we gooooo…..
Ere we go, ere we go, ere we gooooo….