Chris Rattue: Forget rulebook and remember Franks

How does Sharks coach Ricky Stuart keep his job? Photo / Dean Purcell

Here are ten observations from the weekend's sport.

1. Carl Hayman observation one: If the big tighthead has turned down a New Zealand Rugby Union contract for life in France, just pick him come World Cup time anyway.

Even the NZRU doesn't regard its rulebook as sacrosanct - it backtracked on the overseas coaching dictate and introduced sabbaticals for teachers' pets.

2. Carl Hayman observation two: If the All Blacks play dumb and don't pick Hayman, all is not lost. Owen Franks should be a world-class tighthead by the World Cup. Franks is a terrific scrummager and tackles hard, although his brother Ben is an even better offensive defender.

On the downside, how come the Blues scrum - with an All Black front row - was dealt to by the Brumbies on Friday?

3. If Warrior Manu Vatuvei carries on the way he has started this season, the city has a superstar wing to celebrate in the traditions of powerhouse rugby greats Bryan Williams, Inga Tuigamala, John Kirwan, Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Jonah Lomu.

Vatuvei smashed up the Sharks and is the man to reignite the Warriors. The Warriors will be lifted by beating Cronulla, although a home victory over the Sharks is mandatory for self-respecting NRL sides.

4. How does Sharks coach Ricky Stuart keep his job? Twelve losses in a row - Stuart must hold sway in his club's boardroom.

5. I'm all for Martin Crowe helping the Black Caps' batsmen but his sharp analysis and authority are desperately needed back in the commentary box.

Listening to Craig McMillan state the fairly obvious for hours is almost as distressing as watching our batsmen falling over. Ian Smith and Simon Doull - both fine commentators - also shine more when Crowe is there.

Our able Aussie commentary guests are a touch soppy - oh for a grumpy Michael Holding or an incisive Nasser Hussain as the Black Caps crash again.

While on the commentary subject, who else feels New Zealand's over-familiar Super 14 rugby calls have become excessively gushy in places.

Is Sky deliberately dumbing down commentaries or are these unhappy coincidences?

6. Rene Ranger was sensational against the Brumbies. The Blues centre is busting defenders like no one else, and all things being equal must be in the All Black frame.

He is a rare rugby breed - a maverick who can get the turnstiles clicking.

7. Be very afraid, Rugby World Cup thrill seekers. The Hurricanes-Bulls match carried a dire warning for the world tournament.

A potentially thrilling finish was scuppered by the Bulls, who spent the last three or four minutes chucking the ball one off the ruck to a conveyor belt of hulks who promptly fell over in mock rugby.

This sort of shutdown operation is where rugby falls over. To think that people actually admire these tactics.

So much for the new era of attacking rugby.

8. The Black Caps are lucky they are not playing a really good Australian team.

9. Carl Hayman observation number three: Is this really a nation where four million people live and breathe rugby, as the union likes to claim?

10. Kiwi/Souths prop Roy Asotasi is right to question the refereeing after 21 penalties in his side's match against the Gold Coast. This is not a good trend for viewer-friendly rugby league.

Weekend winner:

Michael Clarke - newly single without Bingle, he outscored the Black Caps single-handedly.

What to watch:

Transtasman rugby clashes in Canberra and Sydney. Ditto for netball, with the Magic playing the Vixens in Melbourne tonight.