The Wallabies fought hard to earn a good win against a slightly tired looking Boks side. After two tough games in New Zealand, the Boks travelled to Perth to face a youthful Australia side.
The men in gold matched the Boks up front and George Smith and Rocky Elsom were doing a good job in the back row. I was impressed with the defensive work rate of Burger. Surely he has to be the best defensive back-rower in World rugby. A class act and a big loss when he went off in the second half.
The first try of the game came from excellent set play from the Wallabies. Loti Tuqiri rounding off the move on the wing.
South Africa huffed and puffed but failed to create any try scoring chances. Australia were excellent in defence and early in the second half Sterling Mortlock crossed over to extend their lead.
There was great cameo late on from replacement Boks prop Tendai Mtawarira, AKA 'The Beast'. What a cool nickname.
Berwick Barnes added a drop goal in the last 10 minutes to seal the win.
Final score: 16 - 9
My man of the match: Wyclef Palu. Gave the Wallabies go forward ball all game.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Friday, 18 July 2008
New Zealand v South Africa. 12 July 2008
The Boks bounced back to claim a thrilling win in the last 5 minutes. It was a close fought encountered play at the highest level. In this form both of these teams would have blown away any other team in the world.
Things started well for the All Blacks. They picked up where they left off last week and seemed to be in control. The turning point of the match came when Ali Williams, the New Zealand went off the field with an injury. This was crucial, as Brad Thorn was serving a ban from last weeks game. It left New Zealand with two rookie locks (2 caps between) against the Boks Matfield and Botha (over 100 caps). South Africa soon started to dominate the tight phases and their forwards were giving the All Blacks a hard time. It was only thanks to the brilliance of Carter and his fellow backs that the game was so tight.
Going into the last ten minutes either side could have won. Carter produced a drop-kick that looked to have won it for his side. Then the moment of the match, the Boks scrum-half Ricky Januarie burst through from the base of a ruck, started off on a searing run and chiiped over the last line of defence, and gathered to score for a great solo try. Steyn kicked the conversion and South Africa won. Test Match rugby at its Best. Final Score: New Zealand 28-30 South Africa
My Man of the Match: Ricky Januarie
Things started well for the All Blacks. They picked up where they left off last week and seemed to be in control. The turning point of the match came when Ali Williams, the New Zealand went off the field with an injury. This was crucial, as Brad Thorn was serving a ban from last weeks game. It left New Zealand with two rookie locks (2 caps between) against the Boks Matfield and Botha (over 100 caps). South Africa soon started to dominate the tight phases and their forwards were giving the All Blacks a hard time. It was only thanks to the brilliance of Carter and his fellow backs that the game was so tight.
Going into the last ten minutes either side could have won. Carter produced a drop-kick that looked to have won it for his side. Then the moment of the match, the Boks scrum-half Ricky Januarie burst through from the base of a ruck, started off on a searing run and chiiped over the last line of defence, and gathered to score for a great solo try. Steyn kicked the conversion and South Africa won. Test Match rugby at its Best. Final Score: New Zealand 28-30 South Africa
My Man of the Match: Ricky Januarie
Saturday, 5 July 2008
New Zealand v South Africa. 5th July 2008
Tri-Nations 1st match. Live on Sky Sports 8.30am
I crawled out of bed to watch an eagerly anitcipated clash. Could the current World Champions win in New Zealand for the first time in 10 years?
The All Blacks hit the game running and dominated the first twenty minutes. On a wet night Carter controlled things as usual. The Boks found some form eventually and the ball found it's way out to Habana who sprinted in for a try on the wide-out. 9-8 to the Blacks at half time.
After the break the All Blacks found a new gear. Carter was forcing the Boks back with some searing kicks. Constant pressure in the Springbok 22 resulted in a try for number 8 Jerome Kaino. His first International try. I was pleased for him. He's been a favourite player of mine since I first saw him in 2005 on the Lions Tour. Hopefully he'll get a good run in the team. He was unlucky ten minutes later not to score a second try. He ran onto a Carter kick and touched down over the line. A ridiculous decision by the linesman adjudged Kaino to be offside from the kick.
The Boks failed to score in the second half and New Zealand ran out worthy winners. Final score 19-8. This was all without the supreme talents of Riche McCaw who was sidelined with injury. Rodney So'oialo did a solid job as his stand-in at 7 and captain.
My man-of-the-match: Dan Carter
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Jerome Kaino - Greatness awaits? http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A37353846
I crawled out of bed to watch an eagerly anitcipated clash. Could the current World Champions win in New Zealand for the first time in 10 years?
The All Blacks hit the game running and dominated the first twenty minutes. On a wet night Carter controlled things as usual. The Boks found some form eventually and the ball found it's way out to Habana who sprinted in for a try on the wide-out. 9-8 to the Blacks at half time.
After the break the All Blacks found a new gear. Carter was forcing the Boks back with some searing kicks. Constant pressure in the Springbok 22 resulted in a try for number 8 Jerome Kaino. His first International try. I was pleased for him. He's been a favourite player of mine since I first saw him in 2005 on the Lions Tour. Hopefully he'll get a good run in the team. He was unlucky ten minutes later not to score a second try. He ran onto a Carter kick and touched down over the line. A ridiculous decision by the linesman adjudged Kaino to be offside from the kick.
The Boks failed to score in the second half and New Zealand ran out worthy winners. Final score 19-8. This was all without the supreme talents of Riche McCaw who was sidelined with injury. Rodney So'oialo did a solid job as his stand-in at 7 and captain.
My man-of-the-match: Dan Carter
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Jerome Kaino - Greatness awaits? http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A37353846
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Thoughts before the Ireland v Wales 6 Nations match
Can Wales win the Grand Slam?
This question was asked on Lycos IQ on 28.02.08.
My reply:
Yes then can. They are the only team this year that can still win the Grand Slam. Whether they achieve this is less certain.
Firstly they miss go to Croke Park in Dublin to play a resurgent Ireland team. Their last game against Scotland was impressive although Scotland have been very disapointing this year. Wales have a poor recent history in Dublin although this is the first game away from the home of Irish rugby Lansdown Road. Pundits point towards the Irish prop John Hayes as being the weak link. If Wales can keep him busy and disrupt his scrum and line-out work they will go a long way to winning the battle up front.
The prospect of the Irish backs against the in-form back division of Wales is mouth watering. The key man for Ireland in the backs is Ronan O'Gara. If he plays well Ireland play well. Expect Martin Williams and Gavin Henson to run into him all day.
Wales have had two comfortable home wins against Scotland and Italy. The real test is for them to take their home confidence to Dublin and perform the same. I'm expecting a very close game. The deciding factor may turn out to be the weather. If its raining I expect O'Gara to run the show and close the game down with the Irish pack keeping it tight. There is no better fly-half in the World than Ronan at playing in wet weather.
If Wales can come away from Ireland with a Win, and the Triple Crown, then the momentum should hopefully see them beat France. Though the trouble with our French cousins is that they always have the potential to produce incredible rugby. Just think back to the World Cup when they beat the All Blacks.
Even if they win the Grand Slam it doesn't necessarily mean a return to long-term Glory. The Grand Slam of 2005 was followed by 2 very lean years. We shall have to wait and see how Gatland develops Wales over the next few years. The next World Cup must be Wales aim. Picking up some more Grand Slams and Championships on the way would be very nice though.
---
http://iq.lycos.co.uk/qa/show/60722/Can+Wales+win+the+Grand+Slam%3F/?#a187929
This question was asked on Lycos IQ on 28.02.08.
My reply:
Yes then can. They are the only team this year that can still win the Grand Slam. Whether they achieve this is less certain.
Firstly they miss go to Croke Park in Dublin to play a resurgent Ireland team. Their last game against Scotland was impressive although Scotland have been very disapointing this year. Wales have a poor recent history in Dublin although this is the first game away from the home of Irish rugby Lansdown Road. Pundits point towards the Irish prop John Hayes as being the weak link. If Wales can keep him busy and disrupt his scrum and line-out work they will go a long way to winning the battle up front.
The prospect of the Irish backs against the in-form back division of Wales is mouth watering. The key man for Ireland in the backs is Ronan O'Gara. If he plays well Ireland play well. Expect Martin Williams and Gavin Henson to run into him all day.
Wales have had two comfortable home wins against Scotland and Italy. The real test is for them to take their home confidence to Dublin and perform the same. I'm expecting a very close game. The deciding factor may turn out to be the weather. If its raining I expect O'Gara to run the show and close the game down with the Irish pack keeping it tight. There is no better fly-half in the World than Ronan at playing in wet weather.
If Wales can come away from Ireland with a Win, and the Triple Crown, then the momentum should hopefully see them beat France. Though the trouble with our French cousins is that they always have the potential to produce incredible rugby. Just think back to the World Cup when they beat the All Blacks.
Even if they win the Grand Slam it doesn't necessarily mean a return to long-term Glory. The Grand Slam of 2005 was followed by 2 very lean years. We shall have to wait and see how Gatland develops Wales over the next few years. The next World Cup must be Wales aim. Picking up some more Grand Slams and Championships on the way would be very nice though.
---
http://iq.lycos.co.uk/qa/show/60722/Can+Wales+win+the+Grand+Slam%3F/?#a187929
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