MIKESTOPFORTH

It’s a gloomy Monday following the loss of the Springboks to the Wobblies in their 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. As is typical of Springbok ‘fans’, abuse is being hurled at the coach, senior players and of course the ref as we attempt to assuage our grief. I won’t speak much about the game. We [...]

Now before you get suspicious, I’m not going to agree with Tank Lanning’s Sports24 column about our win over the All Blacks in Carisbrook this last weekend because his name is Tank (albeit that is a compelling enough reason on it’s own) – I’m agreeing because he is 100% right. You may be wondering why [...]

I have a confession to make – I clicked on a banner ad on Facebook.  The ad asked whether I was a cricket or rugby expert (aren’t all fans experts??) and encouraged me to share my thoughts and opinions on a new global open source sports network called the Bleacher Report…

I’m a sports lover. I’m absolutely obsessed with cricket and rugby and seldom miss international fixtures, while trying to catch as many provincial matches as possible. When there’s no cricket or rugby to watch I’ll happily waste time taking in whatever is on the telly with the exception of horse racing or showjumping, both of which give me the heebies. Can’t tell you why, they just do.

I watch club and international football selectively but because our national team leaves a little to be desired in terms of recent form and I don’t associate directly with any one Premiership or European club side, it’s not a life or death past time. Besides soccer irritates me, more and more every time I watch it. Especially when I compare the game of rugby and rugby players to their soccer counterparts. Here are seven reasons (seven points for a converted try) why rugby kicks soccer’s ass any day: