Haka, Gotta Start With The Haka

Familiar Sight – Muliaina Leaping For Another All-Blacks Try

Mils Muiaina was awesome against South Africa and scored New Zealand’s second try against Australia, giving them a lead they never let go of en route to their 49-28 win.

Can’t Be Stopped

Richie McCaw of the All-Blacks putting them 20-11 ahead of Australia, as Wallabie Dean Mumm fails to stop him.

Close Your Eyes, Wish For The Best

Tom Donnelly and Nathan Sharpe colliding jumping in a lineout.

Not This Time

Richie McCaw brought down hard by an Aussie player.

Arms Taste Good

Richie McCaw and the All-Blacks stopping Australia’s Will Genia while McCaw gets a taste of some tatooed friendly arm.

Nose Breaker

All-Black’s Josevata Rokocoko isn’t stopped by two Wallabies and gives David Pocock quite a nose job.

Bruised and Beaten

Rocky Elsom, bleeding and defeated, after the All Blacks ran all over the Aussies in Melbourne.

And to All, a Good Night

Mils Muliaina rapping it up after the 49-28 win. Muliaina scored two tries.

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For our previous WAGS installments, go here.

Kim Kardashian

Dating Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin. Pretty famous by herself, for doing… I dunno… Reality TV and a sex tape. How did she become famous?!

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Adriana Lima

The most beautiful woman in this world? The women I secretly want to marry (good thing my gf never reads this site) is with Marko Jaric, for %&*% Sake!

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Alex Curran, Alex Gerrard, Whichever you prefer

Uber-Wag? Naaah… Just a sort of model, columnist, and mostly Steven Gerrard’s wife.

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Nereida Gallardo

This Spanish bombshell had a short something with Cristiano Ronaldo two years back, until the scumbag dumped her. From this pic, can’t really tell why.

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Brooklyn Decker

Andy Roddick’s wife, and all in all a great gal to smile at you from the front page of a magazine.

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Carly Zucker

Model, Reality star, Joe Cole’s wife. I’m not sure if Liverpool can offer beaches like this, though.

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Sylvie Van Der Vaart

The Queen of Queens, and also Rafael Van Der Vaart’s wife. Hail Sylvie.

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Moran Atias

She used to date financially troubled (now) Romanian international Adrian Mutu, but is pretty much well known these days for her amazing body and her work on Crash and doing tons of presenting and modeling in Italy.

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Yesica Toscanini

Super hot SI model and Juan Roman Riquelme’s wife (he left his former wife for her).

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Sergio Ramos – The 24 year old World Champions right back arrived at Madrid in the summer of 2005 for 27 million Euro, the only Spanish player purchased by Florentino Perez during his first stint at the club. From a shaky centre back Ramos had developed into one of the best full backs in the world, playing 211 times in all competitions for Real.

Mahamadou Diarra – The Malian defensive midfielder arrived at Real after winning four titles with Lyon in France back in 2006 for 26 million Euro, being a center piece in Real’s midfield during their two titles in 2007-2008 but hasn’t been playing much the last couple of seasons due to injuries and losing his place with the first team.

Pepe – The Portuguese international was born in Brazil and began his soccer youth career at Corinthians, but arrived in Spain from Porto, purchased for 30 million Euro in the summer of 2007. When healthy and not suspended, Pepe is one of the tougher defenders you can find. His temper and wild tackling style does get the best of him at times.

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Fernando Gago – Came as a huge promise from Boca Juniors for 20 million Euro at the age of 20 in 2006, but after winning a place in the first team during Schuster’s first season in 2007-2008, has slowly regressed in stature and ability, becoming a backup for Xabi Alonso and Lass.

Marcelo Vieira – Simply Marcelo, the Brazilian left something (they thought he was a left back to start with, but Marcelo has nothing to do with defending) arrived at Real from Fluminense for 6.5 million Euro during the 2007 winter transfer window and has become a permanent fixture with the first team in the last two seasons, although his form is incredibly erratic, even within the match itself.

Jerzy Dudek – The 2005 Liverpool Champions League Final hero arrived at Madrid for free, but hasn’t been doing much, playing only one league game in three season he has been with Real.

Royson Drenthe – Not one of the most popular players in Madrid, like Marcelo, Drenthe is something of a left winger although he never seems to be looking quite in place whenever he’s playing. Drenthe arrived for 13 million Euro from Feyenoord in 2007 but hasn’t scored a league goal for the club since his first season in 2007-2008, when he scored two league goals in 18 matches.

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Gonzalo Higuain – Another 13 million Euro signing, this time from River Plate. Higuain has been a phenomenal scorer the last couple of years, but the club has failed to win a league title or gain Champions League redemption since he has become a starter for the team, blamed many times for not showing up in big games.

Ezquiel Garay – Another Argentinian, purchased from Santander back in 2008 for 10 million Euro but played his first season for the club in 2009-2010, playing 20 matches and scoring one goal.

Rafael van der Vaart – The man with the most beautiful wife in the world will begin his third season with the club in 2010-2011 after arriving from Hamburg for 13 million Euro. Despite not being part of Pellegrini’s early plans last year, found himself starting quite often, especially after Kaka’s woes and injuries, scoring six goals in 26 matches.

Alvaro Arbeloa – Grew up in the clubs’ youth ranks and returned last year after playing for Deportivo and Liverpool, coming for a fee of 4.5 million Euro. Arbeloa, like his entire career, was a consistent starter or sub for Real playing on both flanks of the defense, and scored a now famous goal to win the Madrid derby against Atletico in Real’s 3-2 win.

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Kaka – Another player who will start his second season with the club although there are still rumors of a switch in the air, with Kaka’s disappointing first season and World Cup in the background. Kaka arrived from AC Milan for 65 million Euro, scoring 8 goals and adding six assists for the club in 22 matches (only) due to injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo – The most expensive soccer player in history arrived from Manchester United for 94 million Euro and scored 26 goals in 29 matches for Real in the La Liga. It wasn’t enough for a title.

Lassana Diarra – Lass was just above average while playing in the Premiership, but after arriving at Madrid for 20 million Euro in the winter of 2009 he has become and evolved into one of the better defensive midfielders in Spain, although it is evident he still isn’t Makelele, the last time Real had a real world class stopper in the middle.

Karim Benzema – So far, Benzema is one of the least successful Galacticos 2.0 project, arriving for 35 million Euro and scoring only 8 goals in 27 matches for the club in his first year, a season which cost him his place with the French national team as of now.

Raul Albiol – The quiet central defender arrived from Valencia for 15 million Euro and was a regular feature for Real, aided by Pepe’s injury, playing 33 league matches.

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Xabi Alonso – The Basque play maker had a very good World Cup and also had a good season for Real in 2009-2010 after arriving from Liverpool for 30 million Euro, although it is evident he needs a better and tougher partner than Lass to topple Barcelona and dominate in the Champions League.

Esteban Granero – Spent two years with Getafe before returning to Real last summer for 4 million Euro, starting mostly on the bench, managing 3 goals and 5 assists for the club in 31 matches.

Sergio Canales – The first of the four new arrivals at the club in the summer of 2010, Canales is a 19 year old attacking midfielder who had a very good season for Santander last year, scoring six goals, and has been fantastic for the Spain youth teams in the last three years, winning the UEFA U-17 title in 2008.

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Angel di Maria – The Argentinian left winger didn’t have a very successful World Cup but was brilliant for Benfica in their title winning 2009-2010 campaign. He arrived at Madrid for 25 million Euro.

Pedro Leon – The 23 year old Spaniard had two very productive seasons with Valladolid and Getafe the last two years and arrived after a transfer fee of 10 million Euro was payed to their Madrid neighbours.

Sami Khedira – The 23 year old German of Tunisian roots (Tunisian dad) was brilliant for Germany in the 2010 World Cup and very impressive for Stuttgart during the last three seasons, earning him a 15 million Euro transfer fee.

Total Cost – 481.5 million Euro, 54.5 million this summer so far

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Who would have believed it? Raul Gonzalez, Real Madrid’s all time leading goal scorer with 324 goals in all competitions, who has been with the club since 1994 and has six La Liga titles and three Champions League titles with the Blancos, is going to play for Schalke 04 of the Bundesliga next season. For those of you who still think this is a hoax or just delusion derived from the summer heat – Here’s no.7 presented at Schalke.

This one comes from Australia – Gold Coast, Queensland

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This is Mick Fanning, a two time ASP World Champions (2007, 2009)

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Kelly Slater – 9 Time World Champion, feeling pretty relaxed with the current situation

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This one if F’ing Huge – Part I

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Huge Wave Part II – The Cowaramup bombra – Gracetown, Western Australia

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This is Andy Irons, three time World Champions, doing his thing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

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And this is some Brazilian Dude who seems to be enjoying spending some time away from his long board

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Don’t Think We Forgot About the Ladies – Stephanie Gilmore, Australia, 3 Time World Champion

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And here is the all-time best, Layne Beachley, 7 time World Champion, Doing her thing in Tahiti

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No Surfer, Just Waves

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1904 – Andy McCombie – Another Scottish player, McCombie left Sunderland to bitter rivals Newcastle United for 700 pounds, 70,000 pounds today or just under 110,000 dollars. He won the league titles with both clubs and remained with the Newcastle coaching staff after retiring.

1905 – Alf Common – The first Englishman to be known as the worlds most expensive soccer player, becoming the first player to be worth a transfer fee of 1000 pounds – just under 100,000 today, about 150,000 dollars. Common also made a north-eastern move, leaving Sunderland for Middlesbrough, only six months after arriving at Sunderland from Sheffield United. Unlike McCombie, Common never won a league title.

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1922 – Syd Puddefoot – Another Englishman who also played cricket for Essex. The England international forward made a move to Scotland from West Ham for 5000 pounds, 218,000 pounds today, 340,000 dollars.

1922 – Warney Cresswell – A season later, and South Shield born full back moved from South Shields to Sunderland for 500 pounds more than Puddefoot’s fee. He played there for five years before moving to Everton, winning two league titles there alongside legendary Dixie Dean.

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1928 – David Jack  - Another England legend, Jack was the first player to ever score at Wembley during the 1923 FA Cup Final while playing for Bolton. He left Bolton to Arsenal for a fee of 10,000 pounds – 540,000 pounds today, or just over 840,000 dollars. Jack scored 124 times for Arsenal and was the first player to win an FA Cup with two different clubs.

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1932 – Bernabe Ferreyra – The first non-Brit to be the world’s most expensive player, the Argentinian forward was probably the first real superstar of Argentinian soccer. Ferreyra moved from Tigre to River Plate for 23,000 pounds – 1.2 million today, 1.8 million dollars. At River, Ferreyra scored 187 goals in 185 matches, one of only three players in the Professional era to average more than a goal a game.

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1952 – Hasse Jeppson – Hasse Goldenfoot broke 20 years of Ferreyra’s reign at the top of the transfer charts, moving from Atalanta to Napoli for 52,000 pounds, which was actually less calculating inflation than Ferreyra’s transfer – 1.15 million pounds, just under 1.8 million dollars. The transfer fee earned him the nickname – “The Bank of Naples”. Jeppson also played with the Swedish national team in the 1950 World Cup, scoring two goals.

1954 – Juan Alberto Schiaffino – The Uruguay striker won the World Cup in 1950, scoring in the final match against Brazil. After starring at club level for Penarol, Schiaffino made the switch to Italy and AC Milan, leaving for 72,000 pounds – 1.5 million pounds today/2.3 million dollars. Schiaffino won three league titles with Milan and even played four matches for the Italian national team.

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1957 – Omar Sivori – The Maradona of the 60’s gained his fame during his eight years playing for Italian giants Juventus, teaming up with John Charles and Giampiero Boniperti. Sivori arrived at Juve from River Plate for 93,000 pounds – 1.7 million today/2.6 million dollars. Sivori scored 134 goals for Juventus, winning three league titles and the European Footballer of the year award in 1961.

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1961 – Luis Suarez Miramontes – One of Spain’s all time greats, Miramontes played for both Barcelona and Inter during his career, later managing Inter Milan on numerous occasions and also the Spanish national team. Miramontes became the most expensive player in the world when he transferred from Barcelona to Inter for 152,000 pounds – 2.5 million today/3.9 million dollars. With Inter he won three league titles and two European Cups during the Grande Inter period. He also won the European Championship with Spain in 1964 and the European Footballer of the year in 1960.

1963 – Angelo Sormani – A Brazilian/Italian striker who broke the record after moving from Mantova to Roma for 250,000 pounds – Just under 4 million pounds/6.17 million dollars today.

1967 – Harald Nielsen – Known as the “Gold-Harald”, the Danish striker broke the record in 1967, after successful seasons with Bolonga, winning Italy’s top scorer twice, when he was sold to Inter for 300,000 pounds – 4.4 million pounds/6.86 million dollars today. He never really succeeded with Inter.

1968 – Pietro Anastasi – Staying in Italy, Anastasi broke the record when Juventus bought him from Varese for 500,000 pounds – 6.46 million pounds/10.1 million dollars today. Anastasi’s greatest moment came in the 1968 European Championship Final, scoring a goal for Italy in their win over Yugoslavia.

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1973 – Johan Cruyff – Probably the greatest player ever to miss out on winning the World Cup, Cruyff broke the record in 1973 after moving from Ajax to Barcelona for 920,000 pounds – 8.2 million pounds/12.8 million dollars today. A legend with both clubs and in the Netherlands, Cruyff was probably and still is the best example of the thinking soccer player. He won three European footballer of the year awards and three European Cups with Ajax. He won one league title with Barcelona as a player (1974) and four as their manager. His biggest achievement was the 1992 European Cup.

1975 – Giuseppe Savoldi – Savoldi was mostly known for his time with Bologna, where he was one of Italy’s top strikers. He broker the transfer fee record after Napoli purchased him for 1.2 million pounds – 7.3 million pounds/11.4 million dollars.

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1976 – Paolo Rossi – Italy’s 1982 World Cup hero was purchased by Vicenza for 1.75 million pounds after being co-owned by Juventus and Vicenza. The deal is worth today 9.3 million pounds/14.5 million dollars. Rossi was suspended from the sport for two years after a betting scandal which according to some sources was made up but still forced Rossi away from the sport. Still, Rossi came back in 1982 to win the World Cup with Italy and win titles with Juventus.

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1982 – Diego Maradona – The recently fired legend broke his own transfer record in 1984 – the only player to appear on this list twice. First, it was his transfer from Argentina to Barcelona in 1982 for 3 million pounds – 7.7 million pounds/12 million dollars today. His didn’t have the best of times at Barca, injured or arguing with the club’s president most of the time,as the brawl with Bilbao players his most memorable moment. Two years later Maradona was purchased by Napoli for 5 million pounds – 11.6 million pounds/18.1 million dollars. Along with devouring the world’s supply of cocaine, Maradona peaked at Napoli, leading the club to two Serie A titles and the 1989 UEFA Cup, and that small matter of leading Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup.

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1987 – Ruud Gullit – After starring for PSV and Feyenoord, Gullit joined Van Basten and later joined by Rijkaard to form the famous Dutch trio that dominated Italy & Europe with AC Milan and the Netherlands. Gullit was purchased for 6 million pounds – 12.1 million pounds/18.9 million dollars today. With Milan Gullit won three Serie A titles and two back to back European Cups, the last team to win the title consecutively. He also captained the Netherlands to their only international title in 1988, scoring the first goal in their 2-0 win over the USSR, claiming the 1988 Euro.

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1990 – Roberto Baggio – In a transfer that pains any Fiorentina fan to this day, Roberto Baggio switched the Violet Firenze club colors for Juventus’ zebra camiseta. Baggio’s transfer fee was 8 million pounds, 13.1 million/20.4 million dollars today. He won only one league title with Juventus during a season he spent mostly injured, but was considered the best player in the world at the time, winning the FIFA World Player of the year in 1993.

1992 – Three Players – All involving Italian clubs – First it was French striker Jean-Pierre Papin, leaving Marseille after six incredible seasons with the club (134 league goals) for 10 million pounds – 14.8 million/23.1 million dollars today. Papin had a decent first season with AC Milan but injuries and age quickly pushed him out of the club a year later. Next that summer was Gianluca Vialli – After eight successful seasons with Sampdoria, including the 1991 league title and the 1990 Cup Winners’ Cup, Vialli left to Juventus for 12 million pounds – 17.8/27.8 million dollars today. After a rough first two seasons at Turin, Vialli blossomed in 1994-1995, helping the club win its first league title since 1986 and a year later its second Champions League. The Final record breaker that summer and one of the biggest flops ever was Gianluigi Lentini – The Torino winger who was bought by AC Milan for 13 million pounds – 19.3 million/30 million dollars in today’s money. Lentini is still playing at amateur level today.

1996 – Alan Shearer – A year after leading Blackburn to a historic Premiership title, Alan Shearer chose Newcastle (his hometown) over Manchester United, leaving for 15 million pounds – 20 million/31.2 million dollars today. Shearer could never get Newcastle that league title, but did score 148 goals in 10 seasons with the club until retiring in 2006.

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1997 – Ronaldo – Ronaldo had an amazing 1996-1997 season with Barcelona, establishing himself in about a year from a promising striker to the world’s best player, but wanted out for more money. He left to Italy, signing with Inter – a 19.5 million pound fee, 25.3 million/39.5 million dollars today. Ronaldo had a fantastic first season, but injuries ruined the rest of his Italian stay, until the 2002 World Cup which saw him make a Phoenix like resurrection, winning the title with Brazil.

1998 – Denilson – One of the bigger flops of all time, Denilson was purchased by Real Betis from Sao Paulo for 21.5 million pounds – 27.3 million/42.6 million dollars today. Denilson dazzled with tricks and his dribbling skills, but never helped Betis establish itself as a top club in Spain.

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1999 – Christian Vieri – Vieri scored 122 goals for Inter during his six seasons with the club, but never helped the nerazzurri win a league title. He came from Lazio for 32 million pounds – 39.8 million/62 million dollars today. Vieri also scored 23 goals in 49 caps for the Italian national team. Inter was the only club he stayed with for over a season. He retired in 2009.

2000 – Two Players – First it was Hernan Crespo, who left Parma for Lazio. The transfer fee was 35.5 million pounds – 43.6 today, 68 million dollars. Crespo played only two seasons at the Rome based club, scoring 48 goals, before joining Inter Milan. Luis Figo was next, making the unthinkable Barca-Real switch, beginning the first Galacticos era at Madrid. He joined for 37 million pounds – 45.4 million/70.8 million dollars today. Figo helped Real win two league titles and one Champions League (2002), winning the FIFA World Player of the year in 2001.

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2001- Zinedine Zidane – I was born in 1982, so I never really got to see Maradona play during his prime. For me, along with the Brazilian Ronaldo (with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo needing a World Cup win to join them), Zidane is the greatest player I have ever seen. A year after Figo arrived, Zidane’s arrival, backed by his World Cup and Euro triumphs with France, really made Real a super-team, at least on paper. He arrived for 46 million pounds – 55.3 today, about 86 million dollars. Zidane won one league title and one Champions League with Real Madrid and retired after the 2006 World Cup and his famous headbutting of Marco Materazzi in the final.

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2009 – Kaka – The beginning of the “Galacticos 2.0″ Project was signing Kaka, who arrived after six very impressive seasons at AC Milan, helping the club to one Serie A title and one Champions League trophy. He was signed for 56 million pounds, about 87 million dollars. So far, his time with Real hasn’t been exactly on par with expectations. He had a pretty disappointing World Cup as well. I just can’t see him succeed on a side with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka needs to be the main man. Speaking of Cristiano Ronaldo, he joined the new Galacticos project soon enough for a fee of 80 million pounds – 124 million dollars. Ronaldo, besides a few injuries and suspensions had another fantastic season individually – scoring 33 goals in 35 matches in all competitions. Still, Real failed to win the league and in Europe.

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English Premier League

Bloomfield Road, Blackpool – 17,625

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For the first time since 1971, Blackpool F.C. will be playing at the top level of English soccer and for the first time will be part of the English Premiership. Bloomfield Road was opened in 1899 under the name Gamble’s Field, named for a farmer that owned the land previously. Blackpool began playing there in the 1900-1901 season, yet to bring a league title to the grounds.

German Bundesliga

Stadion am Bruchweg, Mainz – 20,300

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The Bundesliga owns the highest attendance numbers in Europe’s soccer leagues, but there are a few blips in the crowd juggernaut. FSV Mainz, beginning their second season in Germany’s top flight since their 2008-2009 promotion, will leave the stadium sometime in 2011, when the new Coface arena, with a capacity of 33,500, will be completed.

Spanish La Liga

Coliseum Alfonso Perez, Getafe – 17,700

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Part of the La Liga in the last six seasons, Getafe had a brilliant 2009-2010, finishing sixth, their best ever finish in the La Liga. Their stadium is named Alfonso Perez, known usually as Alfonso. He never played for Getafe, but he is pretty much the most famous person to come out of the city. There have been plans to upgrade and expand the stadium’s capacity, but the inability to fill the ground with fans when it’s not Real or Barcelona playing have put the plans on hold.

Italian Serie A

Stadio Angelo Massimino, Catania – 23,420

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The Sicily based Catania have been playing in Serie A (since returning in 2006) for four straight seasons, finishing 13th in 2009-2010. The stadium was known as Stadio Cibali but was renamed after Catania’s chairman for 27 years died in 1996. There are plans of moving to a new stadium, Stadio Dei Palici, which hasn’t been built yet.

French Ligue 1

Parc des Sports, Avignon – 7,194

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Amazingly small, the Parc des Sports is the home of AC Arles-Avignon and really barely looks like a top clubs training ground, not to mention a top flight home stadium. There have been talks about expanding or building a new stadium, as the clubs speedy promotion (four promotions in the last five seasons) has put the club with inadequate facilities for a Ligue 1 club.

Rookie Year, 2003-2004

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In most NBA drafts, we know who’s going to get picked first. The rare occasions are when we know that number one pick is going to be really great, not just an All-Star, but a Superstar. We knew Blake Griffin and John Wall will go no.1, but it’s not very clear how good can they be. With Shaq, Duncan and LeBron, it was clear they were destined to be hall of famers.

On October 29, 2003, two months before his 19th birthday, LeBron James played his first NBA game, scoring 25 points in 42 minutes as the Cavs lost to the Sacramento Kings. LeBron immediately became the Cavs’ best player, averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists in nearly 40 minutes a night. He was only the third rookie in history to average a 20-5-5 during his rookie season, and became the youngest player ever to score 40 points in a game (March 27, 2004). Eventually James won the NBA Rookie of the year, the first Cavalier to receive the award, as Cleveland improved from a 17-65 record to a 35-47, missing the playoffs.

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In the summer of 2004 James competed with the U.S. Olympic basketball team in Athens, part of the only USA team with NBA players that missed out on Olympic gold. James was limited to 14 minutes a game, averaging 5.8 points, as the US got Bronze.

Second Year, 2004-2005

A huge improvement in his game didn’t help the Cavs make the playoffs, finishing 42-40, but everyone knew how good he was. James’ averages – 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game  while playing 42.4 minutes a night, more than anyone in the league. He became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple double, just three weeks after his 20th birthday. He made his first All-Star game and made his first All-NBA team, getting selected to the second team.

Third Season, 2005-2006 – First Playoffs

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Finally, playoffs for LeBron. James finished second in the MVP voting behind Steve Nash, leading the Cavs to a 50-32 season and their first post season appearance since 1998. James won the All-Star game MVP, the youngest player in history to win the award. In late March-early April James scored more than 35 points in nine consecutive games, joining Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as the only players to accumulate a streak like that since 1970. He also had his first 50+ games, scoring 52 against the Bucks and 51 against the Jazz.

His playoff debut? Triple double, as the Cavs beat the Wizards, with Cleveland eventually winning the series 4-2 with James averaging 35.7 points during the series. Next up? The Detroit Pistons. It took Detroit seven games to dispose of James and the Cavs, with LeBron averaging 30.8 points and 8.1 rebounds during the series.

Season Four, 2006-2007 – NBA Finals

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James led the Cavs to another 50 win season and became only the second player in NBA history (along Oscar Robertson) to average 27-6-6 in three consecutive seasons, finishing the regular season averaging 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6 assists per game. In the playoffs the Cavs swept the Wizards in a heated series, with James averaging 27.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists. The Cavs beat Jason Kidd and the Nets 4-2 in the Eastern Semi Final, averaging 25 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.6 assists, leading the Cavs to their first conference finals since 1992, in the Price-Nance-Daugherty era.

The Pistons took Games 1 and 2, but LeBron led the Cavs to four straight victories over Detroit, with an historic game 5 performance – he scored 48 points, scoring 29 of Cleveland’s last 30 points and their last 25 in the 109-107 double overtime win.

The Spurs, with the Duncan-Parker-Ginobili triangle at its best, were too much for LeBron and the Cavs, sweeping the NBA Finals, winning their fourth NBA title in 8 years.

Season 5, 2007-2008 – Celtics in the Way

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Individually, LeBron had his best season till then, leading the league in scoring with 30 points per game, winning his second All-Star game MVP, becoming the youngest player in NBA history and ninth fastest to reach 10,000 points, becoming the Cavs’ all-time leading scorer and twice recording back to back triple double games. Team-wise, the Cavs finished 45-37, leading to another first round meeting with the Wizards. LeBron was roughed up again, and again the Cavs won, 4-2. Cleveland met with the Boston Celtics next, and took the eventual NBA champions to seven games, despite LeBron playing horribly in the first four games, including an ugly 2-18 night in game 1, scoring only 12 points.

Game 7 went down in NBA history books thanks to the duel between James and Paul Pierce. James scored 45, Pierce scored 41. The Celtics went on to win 97-92.

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That summer James was part of the “Redeem-Team”, winning Gold in Beijing, with James averaging 14 points per game during the tournament.

Sixth Season, 2008-2009, MVP & Disappointment

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Many believed he deserved that award a year earlier, but James won his first MVP for the 2008-2009 season, which ended in painful disappointment. He led the Cavs in five statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks), averaging 27.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks, making his first NBA All-Defensive team. Cleveland finished 66-16, a franchise record and a league best, including going 39-2 at home during the regular season. The team seemed ready, James seemed ready, to go all the way. The first two playoff rounds went by like a breeze, sweeping the Pistons and the Hawks with ease. Then came Orlando, and Cleveland had no answer to Orlando’s strength and dominance in the paint, aka Dwight Howard. Orlando won 4-2, later losing in the Finals to the Lakers. After the game six loss, James walked off the court without shaking hands with Orlando playersearning him a huge amount of criticism from the press.

Seventh Season, 2009-2010 – Second MVP, Again Stopped by Celtics

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As usual, James was amazing during the regular season, leading Cleveland, again, to a league best 61-21 record. He became the youngest to reach 15,000 points and the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1962 to have a 40 points, 15 assists, 13 rebound game (he scored 43 in the loss to the Nuggets on February 18) and won his second consecutive MVP award. With Shaq, Jamison and Mo Williams, the Cavs looked favorites to go all the way this time. Again, it was the Celtics in the conference semi finals who took care of LeBron’s title hopes. James had an especially awful game 5, his last home game with the Cavs, scoring only 15 points as the Celtics destroyed the Cavs 120-88. James left the Q-Arena to boos and many empty seats. I guess it’s fitting to end his seven year chapter in Ohio like that, with his decision to join the Miami Heat a couple of months later, almost physically crushing Cleveland fans’ hopes of winning a title in the near future.

Checking For Oil? Australia’s Quade Cooper tackling Morne Steyn, a Tackle he was later punished for

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An Arm and a Leg – Springbok Jannie Du Plessis is able to offload the ball while being chased down by Australia’s Will Genia

It was mostly like this – Australia dominated the Exhausted South Africans in Brisbane, again.

Can he Fly? No, it’s just Will Genia making it 28-13

It was mostly like this II – John Smit stopped, hard, by Benn Robinson

They DO feel pain – Even Australia had their painful moments, this one brought to you by Rob Horne

If you can’t beat them, Choke them – Rob Horne taken down by two Springboks

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Ronaldo, born Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima in Rio de Janeiro on September 22, 1976, played from age 14-16 for Sao Cristovao’s youth team, a very unremarkable club except for the fact they don’t have an away kit – just one all-white outfit. There’s a FIFA, CBF and FFERJ rule that forces any club that faces Sao Cristovao to change their outfit if necessary. They are the only club in the world permitted of using only one outfit.

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Ronaldo began his pro career with Cruzeiro from Belo Horizonte in 1993. He played only one season with the club, scoring 12 goals in 14 matches, helping the side win its first Brazilian Cup. Piet de Visser, a famous Dutch scout, discovered the talent and PSV purchased him for six million dollars. Ronaldo was part of the 1994 World Cup winning Brazil squad, but didn’t participate in any matches.

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He began his European career while still 17. He never won the league title with PSV during his two season in Eindohven, but finished as Eredivise’s top scorer in 1994-1995 with 30 league goals in 33 matches. His second season was disrupted by a long injury, as Ronaldo played only 13 matches for the club, managing 12 goals.

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By 1996 Ronaldo was considered one of the best young talents in the game, and before his 20th birthday joined Barcelona, managed by Bobby Robson, for a fee of 20 million dollars. Ronaldo scored 54 goals in 57 matches for PSV in all competitions.

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Ronaldo was a sensation at Barcelona. He didn’t win the league title, but he amazed Spanish fans and the world with his amazing goals and dribbles, quickly establishing himself as arguably the best player in the world before the age of 21. He scored 34 league goals, winning the La Liga top scorers award and 47 goals in all competitions, helping Barcelona to win the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey) and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He also won the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996, the youngest player to win the award. .  Contract negotiations failed with the club, and Ronaldo left to Inter Milan and the Serie A, than the best and toughest league in the world.

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Ronaldo’s first season at Inter was almost perfect, with Juventus winning the league title while Inter finished second. Ronaldo scored 25 league goals and 34 in all competitions, helping Inter to the 1998 UEFA Cup trophy. Ronaldo also won his second consecutive FIFA World Player of the year.

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That summer Ronaldo led Brazil to the World Cup Finals in France, making the finals after Ronaldo scored four goals along the way. The night before the final Ronald had a convulsive fit, but was still in the lineup for the match, some say due to his own request, while reports of Nike officials pressuring the Brazilian team to place the World’s best player in the biggest match. Ronaldo was terrible, stopped by Barthez each and every time, France went on to win 3-0.

Ronaldo’s career took a dive after that final. Ronaldo’s second season with Inter was less succesful, suffering from injuries, scoring 14 league goals in 19 matches.

On November 1999 things got worst, when Ronaldo ruptured a tendon in his knee. He missed about six months of soccer, and in the match he made his comeback he injured his knee again, causing him to miss the entire 2000-2001 season and more injuries kept him away from the pitch for most of 2001-2002.

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Still, Ronaldo was healthy in time for the 2002 World Cup, scoring eight goals, including two in the Final against Germany, leading Brazil to its fifth World Cup trophy, re-claiming his place among soccer’s elite and legends, once again showing how good he can be without the woes of his injuries.

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Backed by a fantastic World Cup, Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid for 39 million Euros. Despite only winning one league title and no Champions League trophy with the club, Ronaldo’s first three seasons at Madrid were phenomenal, scoring 68 league goals, winning the 2003-2004 La Liga top scorer award. In 2005-2006 Ronaldo was injured again and the next season fell out of favor with new manager Fabio Capello due to his injury tendency and weight issues. Ronaldo was a minor part in Real’s 2006-2007 championship, scoring only one league goal in seven matches before being shipped off to AC Milan on January 2007.

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In the summer of 2006 Ronaldo made history, becoming the top scorer in World Cup history after scoring three goals for Brazil in their disappointing campaign, ending in the quarter finals with a 1-0 loss to France. Still, Ronaldo managed a goal in the win over Ghana, reaching 15, four years later still the all-time best, despite Klose’s efforts.\

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Ronaldo’s first six months with AC Milan were pretty impressive, scoring seven goals in 14 matches. However, the 2007-2008 season was very disappointing, as injuries got the best of him again, managing only two goals in six league matches.

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Battling with his injuries and weight problems, it seemed Ronaldo’s chapter in the world of soccer was over. Ronaldo trained with Brazilian club Flamengo (from Rio, his city of birth), but shocked Brazil by deciding to sign with Corinthians instead. Ronaldo had a fantastic 2009 with the Sao Paulo club, scoring 23 goals in 38 matches, winning the Paulista and the Copa do Brazil.

All in all, Ronaldo has scored 415 goals in 606 matches for club and country.