Nick Evans - The Quick Fire Round

In Part II of our interview with Nick Evans, we see how the Quins man fares under 'intense' pressure, as we put him through his paces in our Dumptackle Rugby Blog .....

QUICK FIRE ROUND.

Read on to find out Nick's earliest rugby memory, childhood hero, desert island discs and much more.

Nick also reveals all the inside knowledge on his team mates at Quins, including who's the Stoop's 'Einstein', who's the laziest trainer and which music lover in the team may have a secret crush on Justin Bieber*.

(*May contain lie)

Opinion: Australia's Robbie Deans Conundrum

Robbie Deans, the Wallabies' rugby union coach, has been receiving a fair bit of cop over the last few weeks with regard to Australia's poor performances against the All Blacks in the opening two rounds of this year's Rugby Championship.

A lacklustre effort in Sydney followed by an emphatic nilling at Eden Park (for the first time in 50 years), locked the Bledisloe Cup in the NZRU trophy cabinet for yet another year on Saturday (and what's more, the Bledisloe is sitting next to the glistening William Webb Ellis Cup too).

That's been a bit of a bitter pill to swallow for some Wallabies supporters and the knives have been coming out as fans and past players a-like look to deflect their woes.

'Dingo Deans' - the foreigner in the ranks is the one to blame for many. Is the criticism warranted though?

Team of the Rugby Championship - Week Two

 The dust has barely settled following the exploits of Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the second round of 2012's inaugural Rugby Championship, but it's time to reveal who made Dumptackle Rugby Blog's team of round two.

As one might suspect there is a heavy All Black influence, after their nilling of Australia at Eden Park secured New Zealand the Bledisloe Cup for yet another year. A number of Pumas also impressed though, after securing a stirring draw in Mendoza against the Springboks. Read on to see who caught our eye in particular and why!


 Team of Round Two:


1.Roncero, 2.Guinazu, 3.Franks, 4.Albacete, 5.Timani, 6.Messam/Cabello, 7.Lobbe, 8.Reid, 9.Smith, 10.Carter, 12.Fernandez, 13.Williams, 11.Camacho, 14.Jane, 15.Dagg

Nick Evans Exclusive Interview - Aviva Premiership Preview

A couple of weeks ago, Dumptackle Rugby Blog had the pleasure of interviewing Nick Evans; star of Harlequin's victorious 2012 Aviva Premiership winning campaign and winner of it's prestigious 'Player's Player of the Year' award.

We chatted about everything from pre-season preparations to his history with Aussie Rules as a youngster and how at times, he had felt like 'God's hacky-sac' during the last Rugby World Cup in his native New Zealand.

I must say that Nick came across as a thoroughly down to earth guy and it was refreshing to be met by a professional sportsman with such a positive attitude, given the harsh criticism that many suffer in the media. That's the end of the love in though...make your own judgment by reading the interview in full below!

Definitive Guide to 2012/13 Aviva Premiership Signings

While some Englishmen have joyfully basked in the warm after-glow of the 2012 Olympics this summer, others have been counting down the days until that oval ball shaped game that we love... returns.

The wait is almost over though, with the Aviva Premiership commencing in 10 days time, as Harlequins begin their defence of the title against London Wasps (part of a glorious double header at Twickenham).

It's fair to say that a lot has changed since those hazy days in late May though, when Quins victory over Leicester allowed new English golden boy, Chris Robshaw, the opportunity to get his mitts on the Cup. Since then, every team has been busy in the transfer market in an effort to bridge the gap.

So, to help you understand your Vereniki Gonevas from your Watisoni Votus, Dumptackle Rugby Blog presents the definitive INS and OUTS for every team in the Aviva Premiership, courtesy of rugby-transfers.

Opinion: SARU decision to axe Lions for the Southern Kings in 2013 Super 15 is a complete shambles

The South African Rugby Union's decision (announced last Thursday) to relegate the Johannesburg based Lions from next year's Super Rugby competition, and promote a new franchise, the Southern Kings, in their place (for one guaranteed year only) has been regarded by most onlookers as a bit of a shambles.

Whatever your thoughts on the political motivations behind the move, which are admittedly complex (when set against a backdrop of a nation still recovering from the social lopsidedness of past Apartheid), the lack of co-operation in arriving at the decision will leave neither camp content. Both in fact have already publicly voiced their disgruntlement since.

For around 7 years, this saga has plodded on with the impending possibility that a new Eastern Cape based side could be added to the South African conference. The idea being, that the new team would be able to boost 'transformation' - ie. develop a high number of black players in a sport which is still dominated by the white population at the top level in South Africa.

Ultimately though, their entry into the competition has come at the painful expense of another franchise; the Lions.