Extremes really drive us to repetition don't they? I cannot count on my limbs and digits alone how many conversations I've had to day that featured temperature as a primary discussion point. When we had that crazy week of snow, i remember everyone talking about it. Its all very British. What i like about Britain is (if you ignore the history) its neutrality. The weather is staggeringly similar from day to day and politically our differences are minor. Its just not a country if extremes, so when something does happen everyone is half excitement, half annoyance. The heat bothers us, but moaning about is fun.

I mentioned recently about the second test match between the Lions and South Africa. During the game Schaulk Burger eye gouged Luke Fitzgerald. There was no doubt about it, it was in front of the touch judge and sky TV filmed it live. Burger was lucky to get away with a yellow card. Matter should have been left there. Instead the South African Coach had this to say,



now here's the incident



screw you peter, there is no sport in the world that can justify that sort of thing. Its tantamount to kicking him in the privates.

My dad talked to some of his friend in SA about this and apparently most of them don't see a problem with it as rugby players in SA are taught to beat up teams not out play them. For some time now SA NZ and Australia have had the upper hand against the six nations teams because of there intensity and physicality at the breakdown. Fair play on that, you give a guy a couple bruises he's back next game. You sprain a mans ankle hes out for a couple weeks tops. You break a mans arm, that a bit worse but if its unavoidable then there's not much you can do. If you deliberate try to gouge a players eyes who could be blinded as a result and never play again. If Peter De Villiars can't see a difference between that and just being stronger than the opposition. Its not as if South Africa even need to play dirty, they've got some fucking quality players out there. Pierre Spies could run through brick walls for Christ sake.

And to top it off the South African press are now saying there's only been attention on this because the lions lost the series and our press is trying to divert the issue. There is some truth to that, but it doesn't excuse burger and it doesn't hide the fact that were it not for a few mistakes the Lions could be 2-0 up instead of the other way around.