Naked Rugby
Rugby Lions 18 Leicester Lions 3

RUGBY LIONS replaced the previous week's flair with the passion and determination to overcome their only local league opponents this season in a hard-fought battle.

"We showed we wanted to win more than they did, which can be the crucial difference in local derbies which are great levellers," said coach Mark Ellis.

"We defended very well again, especially our scramble defence when Leicester crossed their gain line.

"Some of our creative play was up to the standard of a week earlier, but we didn't sustain it as well this time.

"This was a great test of character and showed we are mentally stronger than when we were last in Three North two years ago, when we might have crumbled and lost."

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Bulls call on their Boks

Blue Bulls coach Pote Human wasted no time in naming four of his five returning Tri-Nations Springboks in the starting XV to face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

But there is no place in the match-day 22 for hooker Chilliboy Ralepelle.

Ralepelle, the South African U21 captain, who made his senior Springbok debut in a five-minute cameo against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld just over a fortnight ago, will make his return to domestic rugby for the Bulls' U21 team against their Sharks counterparts in the curtain raiser in Durban.

Playing junior rugby just a week after warming the Springbok bench seems a huge letdown, but the Bulls coach has a sound reason for not using the youngster this week.

"He has played virtually no rugby since the U21 Final in France in June," Human said.

Rokocoko/Sivivatu to Feature Prominently for ABs

The man leading the charge to bring the Rugby World Cup back to New Zealand after a lapse of 20 years will rely heavily on Fijians, Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu, to create havoc in France next year. Speaking exclusively to Village Sports, All Blacks Coach, Graham Henry said his plans are all set and Rokocoko and Sivivatu are key players in his team who will be part of a special conditioning program next year. Although there have been some minor hiccups, Henry is confident that the two have great potential. Audio Comment Henry who is currently holidaying in Fiji said it has been a great season for the All Blacks, especially with just over a year remaining for the World Cup. Audio Comment History was created earlier this month when two Fijians, Rokocoko and Sivivatu, featured in the starting All Blacks lineup against South Africa.

Cartwright plays down concerns over Rogers' age

Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright says he is not concerned about incoming Wallaby Mat Rogers' age after the dual international confirmed yesterday he would join the club after the 2007 World Cup.

Rogers will be 32 when he switches back to rugby league in 2008 to play for the Titans, who launch their first season in the NRL next year.

Cartwright said despite his age, Rogers had not played much football in recent years due to injury, and would be an asset well into his 30s.

"With the rugby they only play their 13 games a year," he said.

"I think when you look at age you look at the wear and tear on the body and he has not played a lot of games over the last four or five years.

"He's an athlete, he's a gifted athlete.

NZ ponders new stadium for 2011

New Zealand is considering building a new stadium in Auckland to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.

The final is currently scheduled to be held at Eden Park, which will be redeveloped into a 60,000 seat venue.

But the New Zealand government is now looking at building a new multi-purpose stadium near the city's harbour.

"It is important that the opportunity to capture the benefits of what could be a multi-purpose facility is not lost," said minister Trevor Mallard.

He added: "The government wants an assurance that there is no alternative better option to the Eden Park proposal, given the considerable size of the potential investment required."

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) officials said they were in favour of redeveloping Eden Park but supported the government's decision to look at every option.

BBC unveils new spicy dance line-up

Baby Spice Emma Bunton, ex-Bad Girls star Claire King and EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton have signed up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, it was announced.

Former Manchester United goalie Peter Schmeichel, comedian Jimmy Tarbuck and TV presenter Carol Smillie are also taking part.

Lytton, 17, who plays gangster's daughter Ruby Allen in the Walford-based soap, is the youngest contestant and will partner Italian ballroom dancer Vincent Simone.

King, who found fame as superbitch Kim Tate in Emmerdale, will team up with Love Island ladies' man Brendan Cole.

The other female celebrities are singer Mica Paris, comedy actress Jan Ravens and Casualty's Georgina Bouzova.

Joining Schmeichel and Tarbuck in the male line-up are former England rugby player Matt Dawson, newsreader Nicholas Owen, cricketer Mark Ramprakash, actor Ray Fearon (hunky mechanic Nathan in Coronation Street) and Radio 1's DJ Spoony.