Good bye, McLinden

Brisbane Reds are a Super 14 franchise full of talent; Ioane, Cooper, MacMeniman, McLinden, Barnes, Horwill...

It is beyond my understanding how they have systematically been at the bottom of the table and the worst-performing of the aussie franchises. I always said and I'll say it again: I like the Reds.

But it is awful news that Mark McLinden has announced his retirement. He's a great player, very experienced, and the Reds are surely going to miss him, especially since this has been only year two after Chris Latham left to England.

Sad news for the Reds and sad news for Australia.

The fact that he's quitted due to health issues makes it sadder. I remember Julian Huxley who's also got to quit.

Best of lucks for Mark in the future.

Online Score: Hurricanes vs Reds

23 - 18 (full time)

0-3: Clinton Schifcofske (penalty goal)
0-8: Van Humphries (try)
0-10: Clinton Schifcofske (conversion)
5-10: Tane Tu'ipulotu (try)
7-10: Jimmy Gopperth (conversion)
7-13: Clinton Schifcofske (penalty goal)
10-13: Jimmy Gopperth (penalty goal)
15 - 13 Ma'a Nonu (try)
17 - 13 Jimmy Gopperth (conversion)
20 - 13 Jimmy Gopperth (penalty goal)
23 - 18 Jimmy Gopperth (penalty goal)
23 - 18 John Roe (try)

After a sluggish start, the Hurricanes went on to defeat the Reds by a close margin.

Australia 1 - New Zealand 1

The Crusaders won earlier today their Super 14 match against the Brumbies. But so have the Reds against the Highlanders.

Thus, the score is even: 1 game all.

Unlike the previous one held in Christchurch, the game at Brisbane has not lacked emotion. In a huge second time, the Highlanders who were trailing 12-3 at first half came close to it as they got within a penalty goal range 19 - 16 with six minutes remaining. The final score was 22 - 16.

Bad news for the Highlanders who have shown big spirit but have only managed to get a single point. I wish this spirit will lead them next week in Canberra.

Three, two, one ... Go!!

So, less than 7 hours and we're on it.

Today's matches will see the Crusaders at Christchurch against the Brumbies. I expect a clear win for the Crusaders, with Dan Carter on command. It could be of interest how the brand-new midfield performs but I don't really expect much of a Brumbies side that could perfectly be regretting Fisher's words more than anything.

The other game of the day will feature the Reds and the Highlanders. On my mind there's the Highlanders performance of last weekend, when the Otago franchise beat the Blues in a superb second time.

Shall we have a clear opinion on the ELV's after this first round?