This is your 36-days-to-go Rugby World Cup warning

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With less than 37 days to go before the Rugby World Cup 2007 kicks off (France v Argentina at 7am, Sat 8th September*) I thought I'd give full and frank warning that this is the start of the lead up with impending re-badging/branding and total mono-subject-ising of this blog

This blog will probably sloooowly become filled with my expert, unbiased and totally correct views on the teams, the venue, the competition, the refs, the results, the cheating and the eventual winners which no-one can be in doubt will be the New Zealand Rugby Union 1st X V... The All Blacks (and we even know when we'll be defending it)

I have already added (in stealth mode) my very own 'RWC2007 widget' to the right of the postings (if you're reading this in a news/RSS reader then you've gotta check it out by visiting the site). This will open up, like a soft English backrow, closer to the date but don't hesitate to plow on through in the style of your favourite Welsh halfback.

The widget will show pool standings, latest results and next game times together with links to the finest of rugby commentaries and the official team/competition pages. I'll try and hook in feeds as well but you might have to subscribe to them yourself.

Aaaaaaaand, if I can work out how in the next few days or so I'll show you how you can include the widget onto your blog/site - free, gratis and no cost.

And that's it for now. Don't say you weren't warned!
* All times will be in NZ time using the TV3 schedule


Oh! And for those that are truly of the same blood as I, here's the two World Cup Squads that you care about, Wales and New Zealand.

Welsh squad - finalised 14th August
Whilst the team to play the 'friendly' (Yeah! Right!) against England this weekend was announced a day or so ago (and thus looks like the basis of the squad) the biggest news last night was that Gavin Henson won't be in the squad due to injury - Henson stunned by Welsh World Cup squad exclusion
  • L Byrne - Ospreys
  • A Brew - Ospreys
  • T Shanklin - Cardiff Blues
  • G Thomas - Cardiff Blues (captain)
  • D James - Llanelli Scarlets
  • C Sweeney - Newport Gwent Dragons
  • G Cooper - Gloucester
  • I Thomas - Llanelli Scarlets
  • H Bennett - Ospreys
  • C Horsman - Worcester
  • W James - Gloucester
  • R Sidoli - Cardiff Blues
  • A W Jones - Ospreys
  • C Charvis - Newport Gwent Dragons
  • M Owen - Newport Gwent Dragons
Replacements:
  • G Jenkins - Cardiff Blues
  • R Thomas - Newport Gwent Dragons
  • T R Thomas - Newport Gwent Dragons
  • A Popham - Llanelli Scarlets
  • M Phillips - Ospreys
  • J Hook - Ospreys
  • T James - Cardiff Blues

New Zealand squad
There was a slight in take of breath when Piri Weepu missed out but I wasn't one of those that surprised - if he stays with Rugby Union he could go on to be a great player and play a part in the 2011 cup defence.
I suspect the place left open will go to prop Greg Somerville if he does better at keeping injury away
  • Dan Carter - Canterbury
  • Jerry Collins - Wellington
  • Andrew Ellis - Canterbury
  • Nick Evans - Otago
  • Carl Hayman - Otago
  • Andrew Hore - Taranaki
  • Doug Howlett - Auckland
  • Chris Jack - Tasman
  • Byron Kelleher - Waikato
  • Sione Lauaki - Waikato
  • Brendon Leonard - Waikato
  • Luke McAlister - North Harbour
  • Richie McCaw - Canterbury (Captain)
  • Leon MacDonald - Canterbury
  • Chris Masoe - Wellington
  • Aaron Mauger - Canterbury
  • Keven Mealamu - Auckland
  • Malili Muliaina - Waikato
  • Anton Oliver - Otago
  • Keith Robinson - Waikato
  • Josevata Rokocoko - Auckland
  • Sitiveni Sivivatu - Waikato
  • Conrad Smith - Wellington
  • Rodney So’oialo - Wellington
  • Reuben Thorne - Canterbury
  • Neemia Tialata - Wellington
  • Isaia Toeava - Auckland
  • Ali Williams - Auckland
  • Tony Woodcock - North Harbour
The selectors will name one additional player before August 14.

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