Sunday, August 29, 2010

TRI NATIONS TEST RUGBY

28.08.2010
South Africa 44, Australia 31 in Pretoria (Tri Nations; Mandela Cup)

Briefly
South Africa maintained its undefeated record against Australia in Pretoria with this convincing win. Victor Matfield celebrated his 100th test match with a win. Australia and South Africa meet again next week in Bloemfontein. Both sides are battling to avoid the competition wooden spoon. New Zealand has already won the Trophy.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

TRI NATIONS RUGBY: The Rubber is Dead

28.08.2010
Australia v South Africa in Pretoria (Tri Nations, Mandela Cup)

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Preview
The Tri Nations competition has already been decided with New Zealand's last weekend against South Africa in Johannesburg. What a shame we now have, with perhaps the exception of the Bledisloe Cup match, three more tests without a real purpose.

Read little into the last encounter between these teams. South Africa were a dispirited side in Brisbane, having lost two games in New Zealand and with it little hope of retaining the Trophy. In front of a patriotic Pretorian crowd, who will be jumping out of their skins to support local hero Victor Matfield playing his 100th test, the South Africans will already be five points ahead at the kick off. At this altitude strange things can happen to the ball. That is why Francois Steyn is back in the side after time in France. Is he up to this intensity of international rugby? We'll see.

Australia is a team still developing. There forward pack is a worry. There are a number of new faces in this team as Robbie Deans keeps an eye on the future as well as on the present balance sheet. The sheet doesn't look so balanced. For how long will fans be patient whilst the work in progress continues?

Both teams look even certainly as far as the questions and the doubts are concerned. Neither wants last place in the Tri Nations. Perhaps there is something to play for in Pretoria after all.

John Smit Victor Matfield traing blue

Centurions both-soon. Smit and Matfield together in training. Image thanks to www.planetrugby.com

Last Five Encounters
24.07.2010 Australia 30-13 in Brisbane (Tri Nations, Mandela Cup)
05.09.2009 Australia 21-6 in Brisbane (Tri Nations, Mandela Cup)
29.08.2009 South Africa 32-25 in Perth (Tri Nations, Mandela Cup)
08.08.2009 South Africa 29-17 in Capetown (Tri Nations, Mandela Cup)
30.08.2008 South Africa 53-8 in Johannesburg (Tri Nations, Mandela Cup)

Last Five in Pretoria
30.07.2005 South Africa 22-16 (Tri Nations)
23.08.1997 South Africa 61-22 (Tri Nations)
13.07.1963 South Africa 14-3
Amazingly, only three test matches played in Pretoria between these two teams. Most significant was Australia's disastrous match there in 1997 when the Springbox tore them apart.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Australia 2nd, South Africa 3rd
IRB Rankings-South Africa 2nd (86.15), Australia 3rd (85.11

Prediction: Very close. A smidgen to the hosts. South Africa by one point.

Teams

34[1]

South Africa
15 Francois Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Janie du Plessis, 2 John Smit, 1 Gurtho Steenkamp.
Replacements
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Butch James, 22 Juan de Jongh.
Head Coach: Piter de Villiers

7[1]

Australia
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matthew Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, Capt. 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Faainga, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements
16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Ben McCalman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Anthony Faainga.
Head Coach: Robbie Deans

Sunday, August 22, 2010

TEST RUGBY: New Zealand Take The Tri Nations

21.08.2010
New Zealand 29, South Africa 21 in Johanesburg (Tri Nations)

Briefly
New Zealand secured the Tri Nations Trophy for 2010 with this win in front of 94,000 in the stadium in Soweto made famous by the soccer world cup. The All Blacks scored three tries to one but had to score two in the last three minutes to win the game. Dan Carter had an off-day with the boot.

South Africa came into this game determined to erase the poor form of their tests in 2010 to date. They played with an intensity that knocked the All Blacks off their game, especially in the first half. But it couldn't last. The New Zealanders had the territorial advantage for much of the second half but the usually reliable Carter could not convert South African mistakes into points. Finally, it was two tries scored in the last three minutes, to captain McCaw and Dagg, that sealed the game and the Trophy.

For South African captain John Smit his 100th test match was a disappointment not only for the loss. He did not have a good game himself.

South Africa now face Australia twice at home and then New Zealand plays Australia in Sydney for what is now a dead rubber.

Friday, August 20, 2010

RUGBY TEST MATCH: Tri Nations Again

21.07.2010
New Zealand v South Africa in Johannesburg (Tri Nations)

Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto


The stadium will host its first ever rugby test on Saturday. Image thanks to wikipedia

The Stadium is famous as the venue of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Preview
South Africa will celebrate their captain's 100th test match when John Smit runs out onto the local soccer-er-rugby stadium in Soweto. He will become the second South African, behind Percy Montgomery, who achieved his milestone in 2008.


John Smit holding the Webb Ellis Trophy in 2007. Image thanks to www.rugbyrugby.com

What can South Africa do to prevent the All Blacks continuing their winning streak? There will probably not be a great deal between these two sides. The team that makes less mistakes, that controls the ball in the air and is first to break downs will win the game.

New Zealand's captain will achieve a record of his own. On Saturday Richie McCaw will equal the record, 51 tests, played by a New Zealander as captain of their country in test matches. He will stand side-by-side with the great Sean Fitzpatrick.

New Zealand only needs a bonus point from this match to sew up the Tri Nations trophy. South Africa has made a number of changes to the side after a lethargic and disappointing tour of Australia and New Zealand in July.

It's difficult to see New Zealand losing at the moment although expect a huge effort from the South Africans with pride and a special occasion for their captain to play for.

Last Five Encounters
17.07.2010 New Zealand 31-17 in Wellington (Tri Nations)
10.07.2010 New Zealand 32-12 in Auckland (Tri Nations)
12.09.2009 South Africa 32-29 in Hamilton (Tri Nations)
01.08.2009 South Africa 31-19 in Durban (Tri Nations)
25.07.2009 South Africa 28-19 in Bloemfontein (Tri Nations)

Last Five in Johannesburg
14.08.2004 South Africa 40-26 (Tri Nations)
19.08.2000 South Africa 46-40 (Tri Nations)
19.07.1997 New Zealand 35-32 (Tri Nations)
31.08.1996 South Africa 32-22
24.06.1995 South Africa 15-12 (World Cup, Final)

Johannesburg has not been a happy hunting ground for New Zealand over the last fifteen years. The Kiwis have won only one game in that time. Who can forget the dramatic win by South Africa in the 1995 Rugby World Cup? New Zealand has only won 3 times in a total of 17 tests played in Johannesburg between these two famous rugby nations since 1928. That is a proud record South Africa will want to maintain. There is the small factor that the test will not be played in the heart of South African rugby, Ellis Park. What effect will that have? Well the FNB Stadium holds 90,000 and I'm assuming 99% will be hooting (perhaps blowing) their support for the Springbox.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: New Zealand 1st, South Africa 3rd
IRB Rankings: New Zealand 1st (93.68), South Africa 2nd (86.76)

Prediction: New Zealand by 8

Teams

34[1]
South Africa
15 Gio Aplon, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit,Capt. 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Francois Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Butch James, 22 Wynand Olivier.
Head Coach: Pieter de Villiers

8[1]

New Zealand
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Josevata Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 James Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, Capt 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Thomas Donnelly, 4 Bradley Thorn, 3 Benjamin Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements
16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.
Head Coach: Graham Henry

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY: New Zealand on Top

07.08.2010
New Zealand 20, Australia 10 in Christchurch (Bledisloe Cup; Tri Nations)

Saturday, August 7, 2010

TEST RUGBY: Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup No.2

07.08.2010
Australia v New Zealand in Christchurch (Tri Nations; Bledisloe Cup)

Venue: AMI Stadium

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Preview
What can Australia do to improve their performance against New Zealand? Can New Zealand maintain their good form and take both trophies?

New Zealand needs to win by 7 points and score 4 tries in the process to take the Tri Nations Trophy, despite it only being halfway through the tournament. Such has been New Zealand's dominance. The talk this week has been about New Zealand peaking too soon again before a World Cup tournament. At the moment they appear unstoppable.

Australia's coach Robbie Dean has talked to the media this week about this Australian team and its future. I can't see Australia being able to overcome the Kiwis."Regardless of the outcome at the weekend, there's no doubt that this time will serve this group well. I can tell you that in 14 months, they'll be there (peaking)." What does he mean? Has he written his Australian side off for this match? Some of his selections might point that way. He is blooding a few players for their first starting lineup place.

Australia made mistakes aplenty but last weekend actually outscored the All Blacks whilst down to fourteen men. Did the All Blacks relax and just absorb the pressure only to hit out late in the second half to blow out the score? I think the Aussies will be better disciplined this week and will surely make less mistakes. I can't see the Kiwis losing but the score will be a lot closer

Last Five Encounters
31.07.2010 New Zealand 49-28 in Melbourne (Bledisloe Cup; Tri Nations)
31.10.2009 New Zealand 32-19 in Tokyo (Bledisloe Cup)
19.09.2009 New Zealand 33-6 in Wellington (Bledisloe Cup; Tri Nations)
22.08.2009 New Zealand 19-18 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Tri Nations)
18.08.2009 New Zealand 22-16 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup; Tri Nations

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd
IRB Rankings-New Zealand 1st (93.68), Australia 3d (86.06)
Oceania Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd

Prediction: New Zealand by 10 points

Teams

8[1]

New Zealand
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Joseph Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, Capt.
6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Thomas Donnelly, 4 Bradley Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements
16 Corey Flynn, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Albert Mathewson, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Benson Stanley
Head Coach: Graham Henry

7[1]

Australia
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matthew Giteau, 9 William Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, (capt). 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements
16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Robert Simmons, 19 Matthew Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Cameron Shepherd.
Head Coach: Robbie Deans

Sunday, August 1, 2010

TRI NATIONS RUGBY: New Zealand Look the Goods

31.07.2010
New Zealand 49, Australia 28 in Melbourne (Tri Nations; Bledisloe Cup)

Briefly
New Zealand extended the number of wins in a row against Australia in a breath-taking display of rugby. Both sides contributed to this amazing match.

Firstly New Zealand. What a display! From fullback to prop everybody had a grand game. Well lead by Richie McCraw, they were simply too slick, too smart and scored too many points for Australia to ever look like they were going to get close. It was an excellent display of running rugby, power rugby and the sort of rugby sadly missing from many test matches of late.

Then Australia. They played their best rugby once reduced to fourteen men after Drew Mitchell received his second yellow card. Without looking like they were going to get close to the ABs they played, in this spell, with great spirit, determination and, once a few of the bench players arrived, with some skill. But it wasn't enough to crack the All Blacks who absorbed the pressure, held up a couple of tries, and ended the game with a couple of grand tries.

Is it too soon to be talking about World Champions? On this display the New Zealander's would be at the moment.