Mike points out the following act of infamy:

...it is with great regret and a heavy heart that I announce the dark decision that has cast a terrible shadow over the 2003 World Cup of Rugby. In what can only be considered as a crime against rugby -- nay, a crime against humanity -- nay nay, a crime against life itself -- World Cup organizers have banned the bagpipes from Scotland's games!!

Scottish rugby fans are up in arms after learning that they will not be allowed to pipe their team on to the pitch for the Rugby World Cup match against the United States in Brisbane tonight.

The Courier-Mail reported that World Cup organisers had ruled that the din would give the Scots an unfair advantage in a game they are already hot favourites to win.

Boo hoo! I'd love to hear who was behind this decision. It's not like the pipes are even playing during the game -- they were to be played before the game! God, you might as well ban the Haka!

Nonplussed, the local Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band has decided to set up base camp outside Lang Park two hours before the evening kick-off and let rip.

Band member Joe McGhee said the skirl of the pipes would not necessarily have given the Scots a psychological advantage.

"The bagpipes is not really an offensive weapon ... It depends who's playing it," he explained.

This is almost too much to bear. Before last week's game against Japan, Scotland fans were barred from wearing the sgian dhu ceremonial dagger. What did they think the fans were gonna do, stab someone with ... oh yeah.

The Haka indeed. New Zealand players in all sports are able to use a Moari dance for a pre-match taunt of the opposition anytime they want - it is great to see, respectful of that country's tradition and sets the stage...exactly like the bagpipes!!! Big boos to rugby.