"A lot of the stuff that came from Warren Gatland's side this week, you wouldn't see an Irish coach doing that, or an Irish person doing that. We were very honest in everything we did and that's a big part of our trait, a big part of Munster and a big part of Ireland as well"
- Irish skipper Paul O'Connell gets his own back in the most satisfying way possible for Welsh coach Warren Gatland's jibing during the count-down to last Saturday's epic Six Nations decider between Ireland and Wales
The Cup is Coming Home – and this time it’s staying!
Welcome to The Cup is Coming Home.com – a website for fans by fans - and one all about the great journey towards the next Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Here we present an alternative look at the world of international rugby in the countdown to 2011.
We’re unashamed lovers of the beautiful game played the beautiful way. While we’re just a tad biased – Dan Carter is, after all, the ultimate Boy Wonder and Richie McCaw in our opinion should be designated as a protected species – we’ll also champion those of all nationalities who play in a brave and beautiful way. Shane Williams, Matt Giteau, Danny Cipriani, Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell, Juan Martin Hernandez, Vincent Clerc, Victor Matfield, even (yes) George Smith and Schalk Burger - heroes all. And let's add the whole, mighty Munster squad to that list.
Now it’s real – The Cup truly is coming home
13 venues, each representing a very different element of New Zealand, will host matches during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. With the daw and venues announced, it’s game on. The Cup is Coming Home and – in our first prediction of the outcome – it looks like it just might be staying...
Claycourt rugby comes to Croke Park as Ireland and England indulge in boring baseline dual
The commentators called all those up-and-unders that marred yesterday’s rugby international between Ireland and England at Croke Park ‘low-risk rugby’. But The Cup is Coming Home argues that the risks were actually very high indeed.
Cool Hand Luke is Coming Home
A hot Hurricanes star or a very cool hand Luke? That’s the high-quality dilemma that will soon face All Blacks coach Graham Henry as Luke McAlister returns home after his rugby-playing sojourn with Sale in the UK.
Munster article draws Irish admiration - and Kildare contempt
The Cup is Coming Home’s article on the Munster-All Blacks match at Thomond Park last November has generated a phenomenal reaction in Ireland. Almost all of it was favourable. But an anonymous commentator from the Kildare Nationalist instead reached for the sick bucket...
No defence for Ellis; no place in rugby for spear tackles – and no time like the present for New Zealand to say sorry to Brian O'Driscoll
"Harry is a competitive guy and we did not think it was malicious in any way. It's something that happened." Leicester Tigers' defence of the spear tackle on Perpignan's All Blacks stand-off half Dan Carter is as risible as the silence emanating from the New Zealand rugby authorities when Lions skipper Brian O'Driscoll was maimed back in 2005. There is simply no place - and thereby no excuses for - spear tackles in rugby, we believe.
Let’s salute Henry and the great Kiwi talent factory
They lost, they came again, they conquered. Could any other rugby nation have achieved what the All Blacks did in 2008 after the events of that sombre night in Cardiff on 6 October 2007 and the subsequent exodus of players to the northern hemisphere? The Cup is Coming Home says it's time to salute the great New Zealand talent factory and to pay homage to Graham Henry and his coaching team.
All Blacks Grand Slam team sign jersey to aid Stuart Mangan appeal
It’s certain to be a highly valuable item of rugby memorabilia – and it’s going to a tremendous cause. The Cup is Coming Home is delighted to reveal that the triumphant All Blacks Grand Slam squad of 2008 all signed a team jumper to help raise funds for the Stuart Mangan appeal. Stuart, a promising young club player, was paralysed from the neck down by a rugby injury in a match in London on 5 April 2008.
Munster the ultimate victors after epic sporting showdown
The BBC said Joe Rokocoko’s late, late try “spared the All Blacks’ blushes” against Munster last night. Sorry, no it didn’t. There would have been no blushes in defeat because there would have been no embarrassment in losing to the inspired, electrified, relentless, passionate and ultimately magnificent team of Munster men on this unforgettable autumn night at the legendary Thomond Park.
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Serious stuff
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Calling your support for Stuart Mangan, a brave son of Ireland
The Cup is Coming Home is pleased to champion an onging appeal to support a young Irishman, Stuart Mangan, who was paralysed from the neck down by a rugby injury on 5 April this year. Read on for full detaills. -
Calling for rugby writing fans. All nationalities wanted
The Cup is Coming Home is looking to recruit budding writers from around the rugby playing world. We don't care about sex (which shows just how sad we are), age, experience or nationality - what we're looking for is even more talent than a Graham Henry backline. The money's rubbish but what a chance to present an alternative 'fans'-eye' view of the beautiful game.
Not so serious stuff
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The Pope must Die – Wales victory casts pale over pontiff
The odds of Pope Benedict XVI dying before year-end have shot up following Wales’s defeat of England in a hard-fought Six Nations contest in Cardiff. A new study shows that Welsh Grand Slams eerily coincide with the death of a pope, or two. Vatican and rugby authorities are currently pontificating over the repercussions of continued Welsh success in this year's Championship.
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Richie McCaw placed on New Zealand endangered species list
Richie McCaw, the world’s greatest rugby player, has been placed on the official endangered species list of his native New Zealand. Read on for full details of how the Department of Conservation plans to ensure the much-loved McCaw will continue to gain the same protection as other vulnerable species such as the Hochstetter's frog and the Shortjawed kokopu. -
Kiwi woman at heart of English rugby scandal talks; ‘My night of shame’
In a major world exclusive, The Cup is Coming Home has gained an exclusive interview with the young woman at the centre of June’s sex scandal involving English players on the tour of New Zealand. Breaking her silence for the first time, the young female spoke of her “night of shame” and complained that the “wool had been pulled over my eyes”. Read. -
Referee Wayne Barnes lands lead role in ‘Mr Magoo the musical’!
Controversial English rugby referee Wayne Barnes is the shock choice for the lead role in the multi-million dollar production ‘Mr Magoo – the musical’, which is due to debut on Broadway and London’s West End next year, The Cup is Coming Home can reveal.
