RUGBY'S BACK ON THE MENU

I'm looking forward to the 7th of September... because on that day, rugby is back on the menu on the Sports Channel. The Rugby World Cup 2007 is back after four long years. The Rugby World Cup is not as illustrious as its footballing counterpart but certainly not less exciting. In fact, I personally feel that the game is more passionate and a lot purer in spirit... no conflict of nations versus clubs, no overpriced stars throwing hissy fits and definitely much lesser drama.

Just pure adrenalin and spirit.

I have always liked rugby. You have a great sense of power when you run with the ball in hand to the try zone (goal) while dragging some poor kid who is hanging on to your thigh, desperately trying to bring you down. Being hammered down and getting the wind knocked out of you by someone who is an equivalent of a rampaging rhino... not as fun.

But I truly fell in love with the game when I first saw Jonah Lomu from the New Zealand's All Blacks team score an impossible try... flicking huge men to the side and blasting through walls of pure muscle as he makes his powerful run and score that try. That man is indomitable. That man... is legend.

It's a pity that Jonah Lomu's career ended prematurely due to his health. But there is a new legion of All Blacks warriors (my favourites to win, as always). I will be looking closely at the performance of Joe Rokocoko, the bright young star who illuminated the last rugby world cup and brought back the spark Jonah had. Let's just hope the All Blacks don't choke (like they normally do during big games such as the World Cup), embody the indomitable strength and spirit of Jonah Lomu and lift the World Cup this year.

Joe Rokocoko. Can you smell what the Rokocoko is cooking...

(the dude even looks like The Rock too. Weird coincidence?)