The Waratahs (NSW) coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged starting side for Saturday's Super Rugby final against the Crusaders (Saders) at the ANZ Stadium. Yes the Olympic Stadium you read that correctly.  The hosts have last defeated the New Zealand outfit in 2004, that equates to losing their past 11 encounters. NSW led in last years encounter 22-10 in Christchurch only to lose by one point thanks to a certain Daniel Carter's boot. But they will not be phased, they are at "home"(in Australia) where they have not lost this season. Rightfully this seasons table toppers and after last weeks kicking performance there may still be a few kinks in the All Black pivots goal kicking armour.   The fact that the top two teams on the overall log reach the final is a regular occurrence in SupeRugby but the top two teams playing each other for the first time is somewhat mind-boggling for me. Just testament to this format of the SupeRugby season. It does bring an ex

Eighteen-year old Gardens Commercial High School scholar Ziyaad Eksteen signed his first professional contract with Ajax Cape Town this week. Known to me as ‘Ziggy’ has been at Ajax since before his teens and I remember fondly him telling me earlier this year (2014), when other PSL clubs came knocking : "Sir it's my dream to play in the Ajax first team" and look at him now. The well travelled Cape Town youngster has seen the world with his impressive performances in the Ajax youth programmed tours in all age groups throughout the years. Just a couple of years ago we spoke about him playing at the same tournament as a certain Adnan Januzaj in the Aegon Future Cup. Ziyaad might be a rough diamond but his midfield talents speak for himself, just last season he was in the Ajax Vodacom League squad and his rise up the Ajax ranks shows that youth is not just the future but the way to go if your club is looking to build a winning culture. It would seem Ajax Cape Town's &

“Look, what I can tell you is that the Sharks will be up against a complete team, a team that plays complete rugby and doesn’t have many weaknesses,” said Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph at his post match press conference after losing to the Sharks. When this encounter was confirmed one had to think back to 17th May in this very stadium. Crusaders faced a 14 man Sharks team for 63 minutes and 13 during the second half only to lose 30-25. Not the rugby you associate with the 7 times champions, I sat there and just couldn't believe it. Granted they had a few notable omissions but they are expected to put up a better fight, with the squad they have at their disposal. Captain Richie McCaw is expected to start and replace Jordan Taufua as it has been reported he trained on Monday. The Crusaders won't want a repeat of that night. They will be hoping to go on to their first Super Rugby final since 2011 (the year they were "homeless" due to earthquakes and travel

By the Manchester Evening News and pictures By JCBA (Various sources) On taking the United  job...... ‎ First of all, I want to thank Sir Bobby Charlton because it's a great honour to come into this stadium and be guided by Sir Bobby Charlton.My first steps...okay, my first ones were with Bayern and Barcelona, but as a coach of United these were my first steps and I was very proud to do that with Sir Bobby Charlton. I have the age to have seen him playing so I know what he means for Manchester United and English football. It was a great honour to do that with him. ‎ ‎ On what he hopes to achieve at Old Trafford...... ‎ I will do my utmost best. That's what I can give. I cannot give predictions because you never know. It's the biggest club of the world. Within two days, I know already how important Manchester United is but also how important the sponsors are. I have to work, I have to prepare a team, I have to adapt to this big club. It shall not be easy but I will d