HENRY'S THOUGHTS ON SAMOAN RUGBY

Graham Henry is definitely throwing caution to the wind in this article for RugbyHeaven but I like the way he thinks. We've all been saying it for decades now but NZRU or Australia will never budge on adding a Pacific Islander team to Super 14.

FOOTBALL RECRUITING

Some names to watch in the upcoming recruiting season:

Moses Alipate
Quarterback
Jefferson HS
Bloomington (MN)
Ht: 6-foot-5, Wt: 230 lbs
Verbal Committment: Minnesota
Received offers from: Colorado, Washington State

Taimi Tutogi
Fullback
Chula Vista HS
Chula Vista (CA)
Ht: 6-foot-1 (Event), Wt: 242 lbs
Verbal Committment: Arizona
Recruited by: Oregon, Washington, Fresno State, Hawaii, Arizona State, New Mexico

Lavasier Tuinei
Wide Receiver
Golden West CC, Hamilton HS (IN)
Huntington Beach (CA)
Ht: 6-foot-6, Wt: 195 lbs
Verbal Committment: Oregon
Recruited by: Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State.
Forty Time: 4.5 Secs

Billy Ray Stutzmann
Wide Receiver
St. Louis HS
Honolulu (HI)
Ht: 6-foot-1, Wt: 160 lbs
Verbal Committment: Hawaii
Forty: 4.5 secs, Vertical: 30 inches

Levine Toilolo
Tight end
Helix HS
San Diego (CA)
Ht: 6-foot-8, Wt: 239 lbs
Forty: 4.87 secs, Vertical: 27 inches
Verbal Committment: Stanford
Received Offers from: Florida, Vanderbilt

Xavier Su'a-Filo
Offensive tackle
Timpview HS
Provo (UT)
Ht: 6-foot-4 (Event), Wt: 285 lbs
Received Offers from: Auburn, BYU, Colorado, Connecticut, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, USC, Stanford, Utah


Tui Crichton
Offensive tackle
Timpview HS
Provo (UT)
Ht: 6-foot-4, Wt: 280 lbs
Verbal Committment: BYU
Received Offers from: Hawaii, Utah

Michael Philipp
Offensive guard
Arroyo Valley HS
San Bernardino (CA)
Ht: 6-foot-3, Wt: 320 lbs
Forty: 5.1 secs
Received Offers from: Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, Washington
Considered No. 1 at his position in the nation.

Fono Vakalahi
Offensive center
Bryan HS
Bryan (TX)
Ht: 6-foot-4, Wt: 317 lbs
Verbal Committment: BYU
Received Offers from: Baylor

James Aiono
Defensive End
Snow College, Murray HS
Epraim (UT)
Ht: 6-foot-3, Wt: 282 lbs
Verbal Committment: Utah
Recruited by Arizona State, BYU, Oregon State, Utah
In the top five across the nation at his position

Talia Crichton
Defensive End
Lakewood HS
Lakewood (CA)
Ht: 6-foot-4, Wt: 245 lbs
Verbal Committment: Washington
Received Offers from: Hawaii, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Utah

Hebron Fangupo
Defensive tackle
Mt. San Antonio C.C.
Walnut (CA)
Ht: 6-foot-2, Wt: 330 lbs
Forty: 4.91 secs, Bench reps: 31
Verbal Committment: USC
Received Offers from: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah

Latu Heimuli
Defensive tackle
Highland HS
Salt Lake City (UT)
Ht: 6-foot-3, Wt: 296 lbs
Received Offers from: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Florida, Nebraska, Oregon State, BYU, California, Arizona State, UCLA, Utah, Washington State
Uncommitted

Manti Te'o
Inside linebacker
Punahou HS
Honolulu (HI)
Ht: 6-foot-2, Wt: 225 lbs
Forty: 4.6 secs
Received Offers from: BYU, USC, Stanford, Notre Dame, UCLA, West Virginia, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, California, Colorado, Auburn, Baylor
Listed as the No. 1 recruit in the nation at his position

LT Filiaga
Inside linebacker
Bingham HS
South Jordan (UT)
Ht: 5-foot-11, Wt: 231 lbs
Forty: 4.6 secs, Bench max: 350 pounds, Vertical: 34 inches, Shuttle: 4.17 secs
Received Offers from: Arizona, BYU, Stanford, UNLV, Utah, Washington

Steven Fanua
Outside linebacker
Milpitas HS
Milipitas (CA)
Ht: 6-foot-1, Wt: 200 lbs
Verbal Committment: California
Received Offers from: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Boise State, Colorado, Fresno State, UNLV

Jamal Atofau
Safety
Bellevue HS
Bellevue (WA)
Ht: 5-foot-10, Wt: 175 lbs
Verbal Committment: Washington State
Received offers from: Arizona, Boise State, Oregon, Oregon State

SOFELE HEADED TO CAL

Cottonwood running back Isi Sofele who has been recruited by a number of top universities the past two years is headed to one of the best colleges (academically and athletically) in the west. It remains to be seen if Sofele will live up to his collegiate bill, following in the footsteps of another great Cottonwood Colt, Stanley Havili. Havili has been a great find for the USC Trojans.

If Sofele can post the same numbers he has for the Colts in his four year career and flaunt his athleticism, there is no question that he can put himself in the same class as former backs like Marshawn Lynch and J.J. Arrington.

For Sofele and anyone like him, its a no-brainer: You can become one of the great Cal backs if you can keep your grades on par with the Average Campus Joe and listen carefully to the guidance of Coach Tedford and his staff.

TANA - TOULON NO MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

By the sounds of things, Tana's storied arrival as the guy who would bring Toulon out of the rugby cellar in France is not going as planned. Even bringing in Tana's Wellington and All Black cohort Jerry Collins and sneaking in former league star Sonny Bill Williams has not brought respect for the team. What's next for Tana? Club President Mourad Boudjellal is forcing the issue by bringing in South Africa head coach Jake White to give Umaga a few pointers. Or will this just be a major distraction for a guy who has only had a year and a few months to work with a team that was horrible to begin with? Give the guy a break. Its his first coaching gig and you can't expect him to turn it around immediately, even with all the money you're throwing around!

MAORI REPLACED IN PNC

Do you agree with the NZRU's decision to replace the NZ Maori with the Junior All Blacks in the Pacific Nations Cup? Sure, the JAB's won the 2006 and 2007 tournaments but the Maori did their country proud this year, even with Australia A added this season. Or is that the real reason behind the NZRU's move?

According to the report published by Stuff.co.nz, NZRU believes that their JAB's would be a much better fit for the competition because it gives their younger, second tier team an opportunity to prepare for a 1st grade representative role. My guess is that they just can't stomach a possible hiding by the Aussies, hence the move to bring a more evenly matched team (or what they think is a much stronger side) to represent them in the PNC. Hey losers! The Maori did just fine without your so-called 'non-Maori' players. Besides, most of the JAB's have some claim to Maori lineage anyway. Or are you afraid you'll lose the services of another Chris-Jack-in-the-making? Oh and if that was the motivation behind your decision, it back-fired because Australia A is out again! Make up your minds!

TAVANA NAMED MVP

Samoan volleyball sensation Futi Tavana was named MVP of the BYU Pre-Season Tournament last weekend. The Cougars overwhelmed perrenial volleyball powerhouse UCI-Irvine in the final. The 6-8 freshman and Kauai High School alum was consistent throughout the tournament, coming up with key blocks and kills to lead his team into the finals.

Futi is the son of Dr. Gaugau and Palagi Tavana and was recruited to play basketball and volleyball but chose the latter to play for the Cougars.

KAUHA'AHA'A MOVES NORTH

Chad Kauha'aha'a will move from Weber State to USU as defensive line coach. Kauha'aha'a has been the defensive line coach at Weber State since 2005 when he left Baldwin High School in his native Hawaii to join his college football coach at Utah, Ron McBride.

Kahua'aha'a was added to new Utah State head coach Gary Anderson's staff today along with fellow Weber State coach Kevin Clune. Kauha'aha'a is the perfect fit for the struggling Aggies and I believe that he will bring passion to the rank and file in Logan. Kauha'aha'a brings added recruiting clout for the Aggies in Hawaii and in Polynesia communities where they once had a prominent foothold with island players before the outgoing administration took over.

PAC-10 FOOTBALL AWARDS ANNOUNCED

I can't recall a time in the history of the PAC-10 when so many Pacific Islanders have made huge contributions to their respective teams. The number of PI's on rosters around the west's biggest and most powerful conference is staggering and that number continues to rise as players like Willie Tuitama (right), Stanley Havili and Fili Moala make a significant impact on their respective teams.

The PAC-10 yesterday announced their All-Conference Teams and, no surprise, Rey Maualuga was voted the Defensive MVP and recipient of the Pat Tillman Award.

Tuitama (QB, Arizona), Fenuki Tupou (OL, USC) and Norris Malele (OL, California) were on the Offensive 2nd Team while defensive tackle Fili Moala (USC) joined teammate Maualuga on 1st Team Defense. This is Maualuga's third consecutive All-Conference 1st Team selection.

Defensive linemen Tyson Alualu (Cal) and Daniel Te'o-Nesheim (Washington) made the defensive 2nd Team and a bevy of Pacific Islanders made the Honorable Mention list including Lyle Moevao (QB, Oregon State) and Cal running back Will Taufo'ou.

AH-HOY PAC-10 ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

For the second year in a row, Kahuku alum Camilla Ah Hoy has earned All-Academic Team honors in the PAC-10. The 5-10, Junior from Laie is an Honorable Mention on the list and joins seven other members of the Oregon State volleyball squad on the list of honorees.

Ah Hoy was an All-State selection for the State of Hawaii and was named OIA Player of the Year her senior season.

VOTE FOR MAUALUGA

The Chuck Bednarik Award goes to the Defensive Player of the Year in college football. This year, USC senior linebacker Rey Maualuga is one of the three finalists, joining James Laurinitis of Ohio State and Penn State defensive end Aaron Maybin. All three players were chosen from a pool of 50 players chosen at the start of the season.

Maualuga was also a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, another defensive award, voted on by the Football Writers Association of America. Arizona's Rob Waldrop first one the award back in 1993. This year's recipient is defensive end Brian Orakpo of Texas.

Fans have a chance to influence the panel. Voting for the Bednarik Award closes on December 11th. If you would like to show your support for Rey, click here and cast your vote today! And we I won't be mad if you take a minute to vote for Utah kicker/punter Louie Sakoda either. Louie is a finalist for the Ray Guy (Punter) and the Lou Groza (Kicker) awards.

SITAKE NEW DC FOR UTES

Congratulations to Kalani Sitake on his promotion to Defensive Coordinator for the undefeated and Sugar Bowl bound Utah Utes. Sitake takes over the defensive reins from Gary Andersen who is moving up north to take over as head coach at Utah State.

Kalani has a great football mind but more than that, he's a players coach and a great individual off the field. I wish him well in his new position and more success to the Mountain West Conference powerhouse!

MANTI TE'O NAMED BUTKUS AWARD RECIPIENT

Punahou senior linebacker and highly coveted national recruit Manti Te'o was named the first ever high school recipient of the Dick Butkus Award on Friday, December 5th. The award was presented to Te'o by legendary linebacker for whom the award is named on the Punahou campus and is traditionally awarded to collegiate linebackers. The Butkus Foundation expanded the award to the high school level and it is an amazing accomplishment on Manti's growing list of accolades as he prepares to move up to the college ranks.

How good is this kid? Just this year alone, he's been named Interscholastic League of Honolulu Defensive Player of the Year, Gatorade Hawai'i Football Player of the Year, All-ILH first team defense selection, and All-State Defensive Player of the Year. And, he's being heavily recruited by nearly every big name university in the nation, but he's narrowed down his list of possible addresses to Brigham Young, Notre Dame, USC, UCLA and Stanford.

If that's still not enough, check this out.....Oh yeah, he's also a great student in the classroom, an Eagle Scout and volunteer's in his community.

DESERET NEWS ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TEAMS

Su'a-Filo named Desret News 4A Football MVP

(Inset: Timpview's Bronson Kaufusi tackles Isi Sofele of Cottonwood. Both made the 4A 1st Team. Deseret News)

Xavier Su'a-Filo has been at the top of the recruiting lists nationally for prep-recruits and in his final season as a Timpview T-Bird has shown that he deserves the hype. Its not often that a lineman is named an MVP but Su'a-Filo is well respected and very deserving of the honor.

The Deseret News released their Football All-Star teams and some of the names you'll see here have been making headlines all season. Bingham's Harvey Langi picked up where his brother Sam left off for the Miners last year, amassing 1,377 yards and 17 TD's for the season.

Tenney Palepoi (Skyline) L.T. Filiaga (Bingham) and A'i Ho-Ching (Alta) were key components for their respective teams on defense. And Josh Kealamakia missed just one PAT during the season for the 'new kid on the 5A block' Syracuse.

Seniors 'Isi Sofele (Cottonwood) and Adam Timo (Snow Canyon) were premier running backs for Class 4A and both made it on the 1st team this year. Wide Receiver Alo Moli (Cottonwood) was one of the best in the State this year. Offensive lineman Percy Taumoelau (Cottonwood) made it possible for Sofele to rush for 30 TD's.

Bronson Kaufusi (Timpview) is a mountain at 6-7, 240 but the kid is quick and even though he is only a Junior, he's showing the temperment and the experience of a veteran on the T-Birds' defensive line. He has the football pedigree and will be playing D-I ball in another year, just like his father and uncles did before him.

George Sevens Update

Surprising developments in the world of rugby today. Portugal and the USA have advanced to the quarter-finals of the South Africa (George) Sevens after some gutsy play from both sides. Portugal scored its first ever win against Samoa to lock their place in the cup rounds while South Africa narrowly escaped an upset by the USA. The two teams now join New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, England, South Africa and Argentina in the quarterfinals in South Africa, the second leg of the IRB Sevens Series.
(Inset: NZ's Julian Savea, Oriental Rongotai)

BASKETBALL NOTES

After a promising 2006-2007 and 2007-08 seasons in which the Toronto Raptors skated into the playoff's, their coach, Sam Mitchell was fired after a dismal 8-9 start to the new season. Mitchell at one point was coach of the year, but it appears his run of winning seasons came to an abrupt halt and Raptors management has seen enough.

His name is Blount for a reason. Former NBA and Cincinnati alum Corie Blount has been charged with felony drug possession. I guess Blount needed some help relaxing during his retirement.

Lorenzo Wade is back for the SDSU Aztecs after being suspended indefinitely from the team. Wade was placed on suspension in mid-October when he was charged with stealing a television from a woman's apartment. A TV? I'm not a thief, but wouldn't someone notice you walking out of someone's house with a TV? A George Foreman grill would have been less inconspicuous.

A bit of sad news to report: Former Wake Forest star and NBA retiree Rodney Rogers who spent time with the Nuggets, Clippers, Suns, Celtics, Nets and Sixers is paralyzed from the shoulders down following an ATV accident in Vance County, N.c. last week. Sad news for a guy who was always in the news for the right reasons. (Inset: Rodney Rogers / Courtesy Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)

FOOTBALL NOTES

The Jets' Shaun Ellis was arrested a week ago on possession, speeding and driving without insurance. According to Coach Eric Mangini, Ellis is taking it on the chin and has taken full responsibility for the incident. Not often you hear someone in professional sports taking full responsibility for their actions.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers is one of those guys with a Pacman Jones-like ability to stay in the news for his lawlessness. This time, Rogers is being held in the Oakland County jail for violating parole. Another megalomaniac testing the theory that the a little bit of cash-money on hand makes him above the law.

The NFL Players Union (gotta love unions) is seeking to block the suspensions of five players who used "dietary supplements" that contained a banned substance. So here's my question; if you're running like Forrest Gump every day of your life and jacking weights like Governor Ah-Nold, why do you need to be taking "dietary supplements"?

It's the third coming out of retirement party for Junior Seau (inset). The New England Patriots signed the 39-year-old after Adalius Thomas was placed on injured reserve this week. The Pats have already lost Pierre Woods and Eric Alexander. What was the record for being the oldest in the NFL again?

PAC-10 All-Academic Teams

Congratulations to USC's Christian Tupou for making the PAC-10's honorable mention All-Academic Team.

All-MWC Teams Announced

The Mountain West Conference today announced their All Conference football teams and (no surprise), Ray Feinga continued his string of successes with another conference accolade. It's Feinga's second straight year as a 1st Team selection and although offensive linemen are often the unsung heroes on football teams, Feinga always managed to standout amongst his peers.

I was surprised to find that Koa Misi was named as a 2nd Team selection considerig his dominance on the defensive line this year for the Utes. But Misi has another year to prove to NFL scouts and the nation that he is an oppressive force on defense.

The last name Asiata showed up on the all-conference lists but its not the Asiata you expected. Matt Asiata closed out the season with a great showing against BYU, but it was UNLV offensive lineman Johan Asiata that made the MWC honorable mention list, even on a team that performed way below expectations.

Athletes Living in Fear

This article written by ESPN's David Fleming may give some insight into the culture of fear that is being bred by those who are preying on professional athletes. It may also shed some light on why athletes are desperately looking for ways to protect themselves from criminals and the occasional stalker.

All-WAC Post-Season Awards

Running Back Vai Taua (Nevada) was a major part of the Wolfpack offense this season, earning him 1st Team accolades on the All-WAC post-season honors. Hawaii's Joh Estes (Offensive Line) also made the first team, while offensive Lineman Mike Iupati (Idaho) and Defensive Lineman David Veikune top the list of Polynesian players on the 2nd Team.

BIG-10 Post-Season Awards

You have to be an exceptional player to get noticed in the Big Ten conference where guys like Chris "Beanie" Wells (Ohio State), Brandon Myers (Iowa) and Daryll Clark (Penn State) dominate the headlines. But Illinois Tight End Michael Hoomanawanui managed to slip in under the radar, making the Honorable Mention list for the All-Big Ten Conference.

Hoomanawanui played in all 12 contests for the Illini this season, catching 25 passes for a total of 312 yards (12.5 avg) and two TD's. The Junior TE is a big target at 6-5, 274 and will be a critical part of Head Coach Ron Zook's offensive lineup next season.

All-ACC Football Teams

Congratulations to Mike Tauiliili of Duke. Tauiliili was named to the All-ACC Defensive 1st Team in the linebacking corps along with Aaron Curry (Wake Forest) and Mark Herzlich (Boston College).

A native of Houston, Texas, Tauiliili capped off a successful senior season with 140 tackles to lead the conference, four interceptions, caused three fumbles and recovered a fumble. He is the first Blue Devil linebacker to earn 1st Team All-ACC honors since John Zuanich did it back in 1994.

Congratulations Mike! Read a Senior profile on Mike from GoDuke.com here.

Maualuga Among Finalists for Nagurski Trophy

USC Senior linebacker and defensive machine Rey Maualuga has been named as a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy along with four others from around the nation. Check out the finalists here.

Congratulations to Rey on a very successful final season with the Trojans!

P-O-U-T Spells Trouble for Marbury

Yet another reason I don't enjoy professional sports:

Stephon Marbury is pouting. Carrying on like spoiled little child who can't get what he wants. Does anyone else who works a real job walk into work one morning and say, "Listen Boss, I'm not going to do any work around here until Bob starts putting paper in the copier after he's used up an entire ream printing pictures of his butt. And, I refuse to work in an environment where people don't care about burnt popcorn, tacky cubie decorations and office politics. Oh, and by the way, Julie in procurement won't go out on a date with me."

What it all boils down to is Marbury whom I thought was a stand up guy until this recent bawl-fest is refusing to play for miscellaneous reasons. Now the Knicks (after suspending him for refusing to play in a game a week ago) have now banished him from practices and from having any contact with the team whom Marbury says, "shot me in the back."

Hey Stephon, suck it up, lace up your Starbury's and get to work!

Is that a gun in your pants or are you just happy to see me?

This is hilarious! Another reason why athletes and guns (unless its a hunting rifle in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness) don't mix. Why? Why did Plaxico Burress think that a hand gun should be part of his ensemble? I guess plain 'ol bling isn't enough anymore. These guys are getting more and more ridiculous as time goes by.