So much rugby, so little time

SO MUCH RUGBY SO LITTLE TIME
FRIDAY, 30 JULY 2010

BY SCOTTY STEVENSON

GOOD lord there are not enough hours in the weekend.

Round one of the 2010 ITM Cup has launched and already we’re digesting the first upset of the year after watching Northland put on a Taniwha tackle-a-thon in Taranaki. Make it stop already! There is only so much good news your correspondent can handle in any given 48 hour period and right now my cup is overflowing with effervescent emotion.

Critics of our great provincial competition are too numerable to mention, but on evidence of the opening match at Yarrow, I would suggest those who stand accused of denigrating our revered rugby soul would crumble under cross-examination. One word: Ranger. Another: Freak.

This was just the sort of opener the ITM Cup required: the have nots pitching up to the have gots and throwing themselves into it like Chris Carter and controversy. If anyone needed a reminder, we’re not in pre-season now, Dorothy.

Tonight, a grudge match to salivate over: Canterbury, the poster children for life in flat cities and structured, winning rugby take on Peter Russell’s squawkers. Canterbury has not won its opening game for two seasons, and the Pies will be looking to make that three tonight. They are desperate for revenge, as anyone who was at McLean Park for last year’s round 12 clash (or at AMI for the last two semi-finals) will attest to. Colin Slade at first five – that’s worth the ticket price alone. And don’t worry, the man who goes by his initials alone will be on the field soon enough.

Speaking of grudges, it is impossible not to be the slightest bit giddy at the prospect of watching Chiefs partners Waikato and Bay of Plenty smash each other to pieces this weekend, and the battle of the bridge on Sunday afternoon is an equally enticing proposition. Say what you like about the advent of franchise rugby, but it has added a peppery zing and a spicier zap to what were already well established border disputes.

Add to that Manawatu and Southland, Wellington and Tasman, and Counties-Manukau and Otago and you have a weekend sent from above by a benevolent deity. Just make sure you clear your diary and employ a gardener for those odious tasks that would otherwise keep you from the telly or the ground.

Back to tonight: The Friday Night Football team will be with you from 6.30pm as we count down to what many believe is the match of the round, so make sure you join us for the full hour. There may not be enough hours in the weekend, but this is one you certainly don’t want to miss.

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COLLEGE RUGBY
The boys are back . On Saturday the 1st XVs from Hamilton Boys High School and Tauranga Boys High School do battle in what promises to be an epic clash. Gear up for the new term of 1st XV action now! You can catch all the action, the pre-match hakas, the previews, the interviews, the game highlights and the big hits from all the games only at skysport.co.nz.
Read more »

RUCKWITS
The ITM Cup is underway and the boys tell you who they're picking. It's not pretty but it's all action as the Ruckwits scrap, gouge, stomp, smack and sledge each other. It's a no holds barred take on all that's happening in rugby. Catch all the fun, the debate, the drama and the gossip on Ruckwits only at skysport.co.nz!
Watch the video »

THE ALL BLACKS
Bring on the Wallabies. The cocky Ockers are under pressure. Their coach is feeling the strain and so are the players. The dominant All Blacks should smack these pretenders. Check out the highlights from previous tests (Wallaby fans turn away because it hasn't been good viewing for you) on our video page, and we've also got an archive of all the games from the last few seasons. Just go to skysport.co.nz, and enjoy!
Watch the video »

SKY SPORT COLUMNISTS
For the best rugby opinion, analysis and humour, read what SKY's sporting experts have to say.
Read more»

"@QuadeCooper so if @kurtley_beale was one of the stepsister who out of you and @Rabbit832 was Cinderella haha?"
@Allie8dav Thu Jul 29 2010 at 12:39am

"are you dreaming?? I'm cinderella!! Lol?"
@kurtley_beale (Kurtley Beale, Wallabies) Thu Jul 29 2010 at 12:50am

These Aussie princesses can be so sensitive the night before a match.

Here's what we'll be watching:

Friday:
6.30pm: LIVE - FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL - LIVE from AMI Stadium in Christchurch the team look at the big games coming up. (SKY Sport 1)
7.30pm: LIVE - ITM Cup - Canterbury v Hawkes Bay (SKY Sport 1 and Rugby Channel)

Saturday:
2pm: LIVE - College Rugby - Hamilton BHS v Tauranga BHS (Rugby Channel)
4.25pm: LIVE - ITM Cup - Counties-Manukau v Otago; Bayer Growers Stadium, Pukekohe (SKY Sport 1 and Rugby Channel)
6.30pm: LIVE - ITM Cup - Waikato v Bay of Plenty. Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (SKY Sport 1 and Rugby Channel)
9pm: LIVE - International Rugby - Bledisloe Cup - All Blacks v Australia, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne (SKY Sport 1 and Rugby Channel)


Sunday:
2.30pm: LIVE - ITM Cup - North Harbour v Auckland, North Harbour Stadium, Albany (SKY Sport 1 and Rugby Channel)
4.30pm: LIVE - ITM Cup - Wellington v Tasman, Westpac Stadium, Wellington (SKY Sport 1 and Rugby Channel)

The Rugby Channel programme listing and times»