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Slightly nervous is how I would describe myself as I make my first post on a South African website. Not as nervous as when I used to be there, mind, but that’s not hard.

I hope that over the coming months, if I last that long, it will become fairly obvious that I am not too serious about many things, least of all myself.

I watched the match against the Welsh on Saturday, and I’ve got to say it was a great win for the Boks. Where the hell was everyone, though? I always thought you guys liked rugby? And how much more fun can there be than stuffing the Taffs, apart obviously from stuffing the English? (But that applies everywhere!)

It was always interesting playing in South Africa at altitude. We had enough trouble at sea level, but heading up into the veld was a little different! Firstly, the welcome was none too friendly. You have to speak far slower to everyone, and it’s hard to tell them apart. So, we used to struggle a little.

People keep asking me about the World Cup final in Paris — was it or was it not a try? My honest opinion is that it should have been given. And before you all start screaming, I also think that it would have made no difference whatsoever to the result. The best team won. I got the feeling that you never got out of second gear, but if you had needed to, you had a few more to go through. Matfield was outstanding, as was your defence, and we never had control of the game, so congratulations to you for your second victory at the World Cup.

The best moment of the final was at the medal ceremony when Jonny Wilkinson completely blanked Gordon Brown! I wish I could get some video coverage of that. What the hell was the man doing there anyway? Never seen him at a rugby game before or since. He’s Scottish, and he turns up to the World Cup final! Do me a favour and stay away!

So enough waffling, I just wanted to flag up on the site and let you know that I shall try to annoy/amuse you over the coming months. If any of you want to give me some abuse in the meantime, get on to www.rucku.com and let fly!

Let’s see what happens this weekend. I think you’ll win, but maybe not quite as comfortably as last time.




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16 Responses to “My first post!”

Welcome aboard young Carling!

WillC runs a great site with more and more South Africans starting to join.

We’re all there and it’s easy to join.

(Report abuse)

Michael Trapido on June 10th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Great to hear from you Will. I think your PM was getting confused with the original Gordon Brown who could play rugby and on the matter of Scotland they too can also play - do you remember 1990 grand Slam, I was fortunate to be in in that squad and hear Flower of Scotland being sung for the first time officially at Murrayfield

(Report abuse)

John Allan on June 10th, 2008 at 5:08 pm

Welcome Will! I, for one, am looking forward to some objective reporting on the performance of the Boks and their new coach/es. Please keep it honest, don’t pander to the galleries and ignore the myopic morons that post barely intelligible comments. All the best, mate!

(Report abuse)

Nonky on June 10th, 2008 at 5:32 pm

[…] Will Carling has joined us Sports Leader

(Report abuse)


Welcome, William. Your banter with Zinnie and Ieuan was fantastic, your humour will always be welcome here, but perhaps not in Bloemfontein. ;)

I’d also appreciate some real expert comments. Sensible opinion on the ELV’s would be a nice change, and do you think the Springbok style is evolving to something more attacking and expansive. I think we saw the first green shoots of that on Saturday. Nothing more.

(Report abuse)

Slider on June 10th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

Baby steps Carling,baby steps my son…

(Report abuse)

Siphiwo Qangani with kangaroos on June 10th, 2008 at 6:37 pm

Actually Jonny blanked Thabo Mbeki, if you recall - which makes it a lot more intriguing

(Report abuse)

svs on June 11th, 2008 at 2:18 am

Wow, Will Carling of all people (with a reply by John Allan - I almost feel prt of an old-bboy’s club, despite “Draw-back” being my best position). Is someone talking to Sean Fitzpatrick’s agent? (How’s the Woody Allen deal coming along?)

Welcome to the liar of “the enemy”, Will, great to have you on board, be prepared to get chewed a new asshole whenever Engler-lund play the Boks, and even when we don’t. We somehow honour our rivals by insulting them.

*Cheers* Have a beer on me!

(Report abuse)

Gerry on June 11th, 2008 at 9:22 am

Ja, it was Mbeki lol! I pissed myself.

(Report abuse)

klempie on June 11th, 2008 at 10:06 am

As Jonah Lomu is no longer around your visit
should be safe.

(Report abuse)

Cool Down on June 11th, 2008 at 10:45 am

Looking forward to the ‘outside expert’ view on our game. A few comments, stadium not full because it is being upgraded for Football World Cup 2010 and, perhaps more importantly, this was neither our World Cup winning squad or the Welsh 6 Nations squad taking to the field. Also the pall of ‘the qouta’ cast doubts over some selections. As to politicians at big games, they are best left out of the limelight. Mbeki was snubbed by quite a few players (deliberately?). I think Jonny was just cut up about losing and wanted to get to the dressing room ASAP (a la John Terry recently). If a half-decent side turns up on Saturday we will be tested. As a game the first test was neither a spectacle or an occassion. Let’s hear your views on the north south divide and the massive difference in level. Personally I think most Super 14 teams could hammer any of the 6 Nations teams and humiliate the club sides.(New or Old rules applied).

(Report abuse)

Tim on June 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am

Will, welcome to South Africa.

I thought that the replay function on TV should have made it to England by now. Well, you can come over to my house, and I will pause the replay of the try to you at the exact moment when the foot goes out and the ball is still in mid air. If that does not convince you, well, then no reasonable argument will, Will.

Looking forward to your next post.

(Report abuse)

Andy on June 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Have you seen the prices for tickets to the games? They’re prohibitively expensive. For a family of 4 to watch the rugby at the stadium costs at least R1000 and that’s not even including the drinks and the obligatory wors roll! The prices for this weekend’s game range between R250 and R350 depending on where you sit. I’d rather watch the game at home. It won’t cost me anything, I have the best seat in the house (a very comfy couch), there are no drunk, beer-smelling people elbowing me in the face every time a try is scored, I have unlimited drinks and food options and I can pause the game if I need to run to the little girls room.

Anyway, welcome to the site :)

(Report abuse)

Bryn on June 11th, 2008 at 1:31 pm

A big welcome, and this was good to read too :)

As was ‘In search of Will Carling’ of course LOL

(Report abuse)

Lesley on June 11th, 2008 at 1:58 pm

Guys when I invited WillC onto our site I was nervous of your response. May I just say how wonderful it is to see all the encouraging comments.

And of course it wasn’t a try….

(Report abuse)

Michael Trapido on June 11th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

Well done to you Mr. Trapido and welcome Will.

(Report abuse)

Wessel van Rensburg on June 11th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

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Over-rated, over-weight ex captain of England who now spends all his time with a whole host of other ex-players on www.rucku.com
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