Wallabies vs All Blacks second Tri-Nations test preview

Jul 31

Posted by Gagger
19 Comments

Here it is – a speed preview.

I reckon Australia can do it. The laws of averages and stats say that’s foolish, but fµck it.

I can’t remember the last time the Aussie team had so much confidence and so much going for it. Yep, it’s early days and this is a big ask, but I reckon its more than possible, although maybe not quite probable.

Whereas last week I went in thinking the ABs couldn’t stuff up again, this week I’m wondering how they can improve. Sure, McCheat is back , but with both Smith and Waugh on the park – pfft.

The 9-10-12 channel showed last week they can hack it defensively and there was no scrum disintegration. We outdid them at the breakdown, and I’m not sure they’ll take that back. Carter had a belter, but I can’t actually see him playing much better this week. The ABs are dicking around with selections.

If we can secure and hold on to more pill, who knows what could happen? I note on the BBC that the weather forecast is sh1t however – not what we’re looking for.

If Gits kicks everything that comes his way, by 3 points to us.

Thoughts?

Jul 29

Good to see the Bros rattled

Posted by Gagger
7 Comments

Doh!

by Sportsfreak (a.k.a ‘Leg Break’ on this esteemed organ)

2 fringe test match players looking to cement a starting spot are arrested for Alcohol related incidents on a weekend between important test matches.

All Blacks sides are named with numerous players bracketed due to injury.

An All Black lock has a haircut that looks like a finalist entry at a Vidal Sasson hairdressing convention.

We substitute an openside flyer with a 125kg behemoth with 30 minutes to go in a tight test match.

Players are smiling when they walk off the field following a test match loss.

The injured skipper is spotted in the grandstand of a test match texting and chatting with his celebrity girlfriend when he should have been running messages/water bottles to the players or in the changing shed encouraging his team mates.

A 3 man All Black coaching ‘team’ are completely out-thought tactically by one bloke.

The team has a full-time kicking coach yet only 2/3 guys in the entire team can kick ?

Our best player (by a mile) owns a chain of men’s fashion stores.

You’ve never heard of a potential All Black (Hikiwera Elliot, Taniella Moa anyone) ?

A player isn’t considered for selection in a vital Bledisloe Cup game because he is ‘battered and bruised’ what is he – a piece of fish ?

Guys purposefully stand in the rear of the haka because they don’t know how to do it properly (that’s the real reason Kapa O Pango hasnt been brought out this year).

We have to fake players bleeding to stay in a game – they should be bleeding before they come off in the first place.

Jul 28

How the worm has turned

Posted by Gagger
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For the past few weeks the level of whining coming out of Australia’s Rugby League “nerve-centre”, the NRL, has been steadily ratcheting up. Over the weekend the angle was that Sonny Boy Williams (a jumped up Kiwi mungo) had dared to be so disloyal as to walk out on his “contract” with his NRL club.

The NRL CEO and chief whiny biartch David Gallop (pictured just about to get a full whinge on) actually said:

“Sonny Bill Williams made this decision to walk off without notice. … It goes way beyond contracts and money, what we’re talking about here is someone walking out on their teammates mid-season.

“It flies in the face of everything that kids are taught about team sport and that’s the most disappointing aspect of it.

“We’ll be calling on the IRB to step in and get involved, this can’t be good for either of the codes. Contractual stability is important to both and if they don’t get involved then they’re condoning a form of international piracy.”

Yeah, you call on them David, but I think you’ve more chance on getting a response from the Navy over the piracy claim then getting the IRB to wipe the tears of laughter from their eyes and take you seriously.

If the guy’s walked out of a contract then sue him (that’s what contracts are for), but I suspect the beer rings from the schooner glasses are still visible on this contract when it was scribbled over a leagues club bar.

So like a whining kid whose parent isn’t listening, Gallop enrolled a few of the thousands of mungo hacks and changed tack, ratcheting up the “I’m doing this for all of us, because League really cares” angle. Here’s some fine logic from the Telegraph:

The All Blacks’ problem is identical to the NRL.

Every player that leaves weakens the competition slightly. Rugby’s problem is that the All Blacks are the greatest brand in the game. Wherever they play the crowds are bigger, the merchandise sells better, the TV ratings higher.

But consider the future, when the greatest brand is weakened because all the stars are playing French club rugby, and no longer wearing black. The long-term effect is that rugby weakens.

Their interest is solely the sleeves-up competition of France’s Top 14, the rest is just details. Once the French clubs are finished raiding New Zealand, and picking the eyes out of the NRL, the next frontier will be the Wallabies

I am literally still smiling as I read that. Someone with money who doesn’t give a shit about our game poaching our best players? How will we survive? The short term memory of the worlds biggest hypocrites is as breathtaking as the Wallaby performance last Saturday.

David, let me spell it out for you.

Australian rugby has lived with exactly this dastardly poaching for 40 years or more. From you, League.

Sure losing a few players to Europe for a season or two isn’t ideal. But while League will probably lose these players forever (unless they can’t cut it), the players will still be playing Union. And unlike League, Union is a truly international sport. So even if these guys go to Europe for a year or two, they can still come back and play some international footy that the world and the players give two shits about.

For these reasons the hard currency and opportunities are flowing into Union, whereas the same little Aussie dollar pie that League’s been carving up for decades remains stagnant at best (as proven by your wage caps and reliance on pokies). If the ARU was having trouble writing a cheque fat enough to lure the big League names across, then no more. It’s now got a french signature on it.

So when John O’Neil, king of rat-cunning, said earlier this year that there was probably only room for one rugby code, he wasn’t talking about a friendly little merger. He was painting the picture that League is the long-term professional rugby dodo. As the French, Japanese or whoever else has the cash picks the talent out of League and puts it into Union, League will continue to wither into the gawky retarded cousin of the one true game they play in heaven.

Amen

Jul 28

Teams for 2nd Bledisloe Test in Auckland

Posted by Gagger
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Both the Wallaby and All Black squads have been announced for the next Tri-Nations at Eden Park. For the Wallabies their captain and kiwi destroyer Mortlock is back. Cross drops to the bench and Tahu gets across the ditch as the 23rd man (I guess this gives an idea on Aussie Robbie’s rating of the ex-Mungo).

The only other change from Sydney is Phil Waugh in for the injured Rocky Elsom. I reckon Waugh would be the best 6 Australia had ever seen if he was a foot and a half taller, and it’ll be interesting to see how having two fetchers on the ground works with the ELVs and the one-trick pony Kiwis relying on McCaw back from injury. Rocky took a bit of ball at 2 in the line-out, so we’ll see how that goes, being the biggest reason why Waugh and Smith don’t play together regularly.

For the AB’s it’s all a bit messy. For example christ knows which of their half-backs will play, or whether they’ll just randomly cycle them on and off the field. The only certain things being that McCaw’s back, along with McDonald for Tuitivake (did he touch the ball on Sat?) and Lauaki’s no-where to be found on the bench or anywhere near the All Black squad until he dies.

Wallabies
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (c), Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Hugh McMeniman, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
All Blacks
Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan/Piri Weepu/Andrew Ellis, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Hore/Mealumu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson/Daniel Braid, Cowan/Weepu/Ellis, Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui.

Jul 27

Wallabies vs All Blacks first TriNations test player ratings

Posted by Gagger
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With so many great performances across the park for Australia, this was a tough one. The 6-7-8 and 9-10-12 combos fought evenly for honours in which group swayed the game the most, but what a dilemma to have eh?

15 Adam Ashley-Cooper From nervy and out of place last week, to star 15 in the making. What a turn-around. His pinpoint high balls had the kiwis on the rack and his never say die tackling was gutsy. Most impressive though is the acceleration and swerve he can inject in open play. Very Latham-esque 8

14 Peter Hynes - Another good game, came looking for work off his wing to pick up the toed through try from Tuqiri 6

13 Ryan Cross, Might not have the same power to take defenders with him like Mortlock does, but has more outside gas which he showed once or twice. Also has the knack of scoring tries, which is a good knack to have 6

12 Berrick Barnes, considering his size, the most devastating tackler in the Wallabies. He cut Nonu in half more than once and turned up with try-savers when needed. Kicking was a little predictable in the first half, but deadly in the second. 8

11 Lote Tuqiri, this guy is sh1tting gold bars this year. Intimately involved in 3 of the 4 Wallaby tries and put the first big hit on Muliaina to set the tone for the match. He’s easily two yards quicker than last year. However, did come in on his man too early a couple of times. 8

10 Matt Giteau, all doubts as to whether this guy is an international 10 were put to bed on Saturday. 5/5 place kicks, a drop goal off his wrong foot, a golden pill to Cross and sledgehammer tackles. I still don’t know how he made some of those 50m touch finders. Missing one or two big tackles a game (Carter & Sivivatu) but still gets G&GRs Man of the Match. 9

9 Luke Burgess, Almost flawless passing this week with the same speed of delivery that made Cowan and Ellis look like club pro’s, (whichever time of the match it was they decided to come on or off). Took high balls and is covering the hole behind the ruck like a sledgehammer. Nailed Nonu, Thorne and Lauaki to name a few. 8

8 Wycliff Palu, what a time to step up to the plate. Finally showed us in a crunch match what he’d been doing all year for NSW. Bulldozed through their gain line in the toughest of situations, most notably setting up Horwills try. Also loving the solid link with Burgess of the base 8

7 George Smith, the guy’s a legend. Dominated the break down on Saturday just as he did the week before. I think they took the AB 7 Braid off just because the guy had been made to look too silly by Smith. Was too good for the ref Joubert to keep up with and was the only Wallaby who seemed to be able to tackle Sivivatu, notably around the bootlaces. 9

6 Rocky Elsom, yet another stellar performance, and this week with a buggered foot. How many 6’s could have played 60 minutes and still be able to slice open the AB defensive line from a standing start and then do an in and out on Muliaina to score untouched? Did miss Sivivatu a few times (who didn’t though). Will be hard to replace next week 8

5 Nathan Sharpe, Nothing spectacular from Sharpe, but showed fantastic ball security when carrying in the heaviest of traffic 6

4 James Horwill, another guy with the happy knack of finding the try-line, is that 4 tries this international season? Showing great rugby nouse (cunning) as well, this week with the call “I’ve got Rocky!” as he stood in the AB defensive line and pointed at Elsom who scooted past for a try. Interestingly stayed on the pitch when Sharpe went off for Vickerman 7

3 Al Baxter, It’s taken him a record number of caps for an Aussie prop, but I’m happy to say he had a great match. Scrum pretty much worked, he did a power of work in defence and is probably the best counter-rucker in the team 7 (yes, I meant seven points)

2 Stephen Moore, Throwing combinations still working well, which is probably what’s keeping Polota-Nau on the bench, so far. 5

1 Benn Robinson, Looks like he’s been playing internationals for years. 6

Replacements:
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Daniel Vickerman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Timana Tahu, 22 Drew Mitchell.
Only Waugh and TPN made much of an impact. Waugh immediately with a turnover and his usual torpedo tackles. Yet to see what Tim Tam and Mitchell have to bring

19 – Sione Lauaki, A master-stroke by Ming the Merciless! 10

Rating system:
10 – A legendary performance to go down in the history books
9 – Man of the match worthy performance
8 – Outstanding
7 – Good game, great in parts
6 – Solid performance
5 – Average – ho hum
4 – Below par
3 – Had a bad game
2 – Tell your story walking pal
1 – A complete joke

Jul 26

Wallabies vs All Blacks first TriNations test video highlights

Posted by Gagger
7 Comments

Here are some good length highlights of yesterday’s magnificent match between Australia and New Zealand at the ANZ stadium in Sydney – thanks to Rugbydump, although apologies for the usual idiotic commentary from the NZ commentators.

A few thoughts:

The more I watch this game the more I realise how important Burgess was to it. In the first try check out his flat delivery that bypasses 3 defenders. If he’d looped it into the bread basket it wouldn’t have worked. Fantastic catch and give by Gits as well
Fantastic acceleration from AAC to break the line and kick to start set Hynes try in motion. LT is also showing more pace than I can remember. Good support loop by Cross to make it happen. As mentioned last week, this is an addition to the Wallabies play since AntipoDeans rocked up
You won’t hear it on this commentary, but for Rocky’s try Horwill was standing in the AB defensive line shouting “I’ve got Rocky!” and pointing at him. A classic. What about Rocky’s in and out on Muliaina to score?
The pick and drive for the last try was first class. Take a bow Cliffy Palu and Big Jim Williams. A great tactic to shut out the game.

Jul 26

Wallabies vs All Blacks first Tri-Nations test review

Posted by Gagger
9 Comments

I’ve watched this game twice now, and I’m still having troubles finding the words to describe it, or rather Australia’s role in the match. Because for this Bledisloe, there was only one word: breathtaking.

In some ways it’s difficult to pinpoint any single player, as all the Wallabies had a hand in this win. It’s also hard to pinpoint a part of the game that won this test as Australia fought this battle on so many fronts. But here it goes.

It’s tempting to start with the attacking play (4 tries against the ABs will do that) but instead I want to start with the kicking game we seem to have picked up from no-where. All of a sudden our next great 15, AAC, is dropping bombs 30cm outside the 22 with a line of 10 men in front of him and Berrick Buns lacing daggers behind their backline. Since when did we know how to do that? It absolutely fµcked them, and despite the amount of ball we didn’t have in the first half, this together with my next point had New Zealand as quivering wrecks.

The breakdown. First, what we’ve always done well: George Smith. If you’re new to the blog you won’t realise that contrary to mis-placed public and kiwi opinion, I know for a fact that George Smith is the best 7 that the world has ever seen and he showed it again today. On a good day McCaw can match him on the deck and in defence, but not with ball in hand. Smith killed them today, just at the right times.

But it’s the counter rucking – as if that’s a new idea – which has crept into the Wallaby play as a welcome addition. In short, whenever the Wallabies were in two minds today, they knew they could hoof it down-field with a laser guided bomb and pick up a turnover from there. Nice.

And this was with the usual fantastic scrambling D. The thing that amazed me today with the D was the 9-10-12 channel. Nonu didn’t know what do next after finding himself smashed by any one of the Australian halves. It was beautiful to watch, although not unexpected. The only NZ team with more than one game plan now has its coach leading the wallabies.

And I don’t want to forget the piggies. Scrum just about held it own, the line-out dominated as expected, but most importantly the forwards made both the hard tackles and the hard yards.

Utlimately, this is what impressed me the most – the Wallabies ability to change tactics and gear when reuired. The last time I saw that was in a S14 final just a few months ago……

For those of us stuck up on the Mud Isle, we had the treat today of Justin ‘Plank’ Harrison in the studio with Sean ‘Lazy Runner’ Fitzpatrick. This was ace because Harrison has actually played professional rugby this century and even knows the players, unlike Fitzy. Apart from just making so much more sense (and give SF some sh1t like no-one else ever does) The Plank said this (approximately):

The ABs always have the better athletes, but we can always play smarter. And when we do, we win

How right he got it today.

So my problem is – how do I rate the individual performances in a game like this?

Jul 26

Wallabies vs All Blacks first TriNations test score

Posted by Gagger
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Wallabies 34 – All Blacks 19

YOU FCKING BEAUTY!!

I’m too stoked to write a proper review right now, but what an amazing game and fantastic performance by the Wallabies. I’m struggling to think of a player who didn’t have a hand in this victory.

For the first time that I can remember we actually had a kicking game to complement the razor sharp attacking and it completely destroyed the rudderless ABs. Unreal.

The scorers:

For Australia:
Tries: Cross, Hynes, Elsom, Horwill
Cons: Giteau 4
Pen: Giteau
Drop: Giteau

For New Zealand:
Tries: Muliaina, Hore, Ellis
Cons: Carter 2

Yellow card(s): Thorn (New Zealand) – high tackle, 5.

The teams:

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith (c), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Daniel Vickerman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Timana Tahu, 22 Drew Mitchell.

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Rodney So’oialo (c), 5 Ali Willliams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Conrad Smith.

Referee: Craig Joubert
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence, James Bolabiu
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman
Assessor: Steve Hilditch

Jul 25

Wallabies prepare for Bledisloe clash in Sydney

Posted by Gagger
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Exclusively for Green and Gold Rugby by James Heffield, Betfair sponsored rugby bet journalist.

Australia will have to bring its A-game tomorrow night if it hopes to halt its five year Bledisloe Cup drought in Sydney.

The All Blacks may have been severely depleted by offshore defections and the loss of inspirational skipper Richie McCaw, but no team out of the shaky isles can be taken for granted.

In fact, when wounded they can be more dangerous. The All Blacks haven’t lost consecutive tests for four years and will be doubly determined to win the Bledisloe opener. Their Tri-Nation’s campaign took a denting with a loss to the Springboks in Dunedin a fortnight ago and they desperately need to post some points. A loss to the Wallabies would mean they needed to win at least two of the remaining three Bledisloe Cup tests to reclaim the trophy.

McCaw’s brief flirtation with fitness was quickly quashed early in the week and will not disrupt their focus one bit. Victory is essential and it will be their most experienced heads that will be called upon.

Wallabies’ pivot Matt Giteau may be on the rapid rise but Dan Carter is still peerless as far as international first fives go and shutting him down must be Australia’s number one plan.

That could be made easier by the lack of form shown by All Blacks halfback Andy Ellis, who was lucky to retain his place ahead of livewire Southlander Jimmy Cowan.

Australia must target the base of the ruck. Richard Kahui’s call up at centre would have been met with glee by Australian fans if Stirling Mortlock had been fit but his tussle with Ryan Cross will instead be a battle of two rookies, and hard to pick.

In the lineouts the return of Dan Vickerman is crucial as the Wallabies try to unsettle Ali Williams and Brad Thorn.

Across the rest of the park it should be evenly contested with the Wallabies possibly having the edge in the loose forwards but not in the tight. The Wallabies have improved in leaps and bounds in the scrummage area but realistically this is where they will battle.

Whenever a big performance is needed in the front row, the All Blacks have delivered and Saturday night should be no exception.

Forget the Deans v Henry clash – actions on the park speak louder than words in the dressing shed. Robbie Dean’s may be a fantastic coach but he can’t run out with his charges on Saturday night and kick the goals, win lineouts off the opposition’s throw and win the race to the loose ball. That is up to the men in green and gold..

Jul 23

Wallabes vs All Blacks first TriNations test Preview

Posted by Gagger
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I haven’t got much time this morning, so here are the main factors as I see them for the first Australia vs New Zealand Trinations and Bledisloe Cup test this Saturday in Sydney.

The ABs are missing McCaw, their No1 cheat and only semblance of a leader (he isn’t much chop at that usually). You can see how desperate they were to get him back with the mlarky this week
We’re missing our captain and AB backline nemesis, the Evil Wizard Mortlock
We managed to beat them last year at home with much less depth, antiquated coaching and them having all their Eurocrats in the side
They will be mad as a cut snake about losing at home a couple of weeks ago to the Jaapies. Who can imagine an ABs side losing 2 in a row?
If anyone knows how to beat this bunch (a.k.a Dan Carters support team) surely it’s Aussie Robbie
Dan Carter kicks goals in his sleep. Dumb penalties from Sharpe and Palu will cost us loads
Apparently all of New Zealand (Bondi) is now rooting for Dingo Deans’ Wallabies. ANZ will be rocking for the Green and Gold
It’s not in the Antipodeans script to lose this game, and the magic would well and truly disappear if we got a hiding
Our scum didn’t disappear up its own ring-piece last week, but does that mean anything?

So balancing all that up, I reckon it’s gonna be tight as a gnat’s chuff, but the Wallabies are gonna do it, just.

Thoughts?

Jul 22

Wallabies team for first Trinations test against All Blacks

Posted by Gagger
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The cheap shot from that cµnt Bakkies Botha on stirling Mortlock (how did this not get cited?) means Australia goes into the first Bledisloe test against New Zealand in Sydney without their captain and AB’s bogeyman. Ryan Cross has been impressive all year, but there’s a good reason why the Kiwis call the aussie captain ‘the Evil Wizard Mortlock’.

This has left a spot on the bench which the ex-mungo and Australia-A poster boy Timtam Tahu has filled. There’ll be a lot of eyes on him should he take the field. Despite shaky performances last week, Ashley-Cooper and Luke Burgess keep their run on positions.

Having played a couple of club games, Dan Vickerman is back on the 22, although as reserve. George Smith takes the captaincy.

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies)
14. Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds)
13. Ryan Cross (Western Force)
12. Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
11. Lote Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs)
10. Matt Giteau (Western Force)
9. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
7. George Smith (ACT Brumbies, captain)
6. Rocky Elsom (NSW Waratahs)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
3. Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds)
1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)

Run on reserves:

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs)
18. Daniel Vickerman (NSW Waratahs)
19. Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs)
20. Sam Cordingley (Queensland Reds)
21. Timana Tahu (NSW Waratahs)
22. Drew Mitchell (Western Force)

Jul 21

Super 14 Finals Expand

Posted by Gagger
2 Comments

by Moses

SANZAR are set to approve a Top 6 playoff for the Super 14 Series from next year.

Personally I think this is fantastic news, and while the structure has yet to be announced, it’s likely that a rest week will reward the first and second placed teams, while affording a shot at glory to the 5th and 6th placed teams.

Looking at this years table and you see that while the Hurricanes finished 4th on 41 points, the Stormers missed out also with 41 points on their For/Against margin. The Blues in 6th place on 40 points were 6 points clear of the pack led by the Chiefs on 34.

2007 and it’s the same story – places 2 to 6 have just 2 competition points between them, then it’s a further 8 points to 7th.

2006, yep you guessed it, a three way tie for 4th position ; the Bulls made it based on +65 point For/Against over the Sharks who had +64. In 2006 7th was only 2 points adrift before the mid-table divide to 8th.

Prior to that it was the Super 12, so less games played by all, and a final 4 was appropriate. Historically looking at the impact this would have had since the 2006, it’s hard to argue against.

How will the finals work?

I’m completely pulling it out of my arse, but it could work like this

Final’s Week 1
QF1: 3 v 6 at 3’s home
QF2: 4 v 5 at 4’s home
1 and 2 rest

Final’s Week 2
SF1: 2 v winner of QF1 at 2’s home
SF2: 1 v winner of QF2 at 1’s home

Final’s Week 3
GF: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 at home of the highest finished team still in it

Jul 20

Wallabies vs Springboks: Tri-Nations first test player ratings

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Here are my ratings for the Australia vs South Africa first test. See if it tallies with how you saw it. Scoring system at bottom.

15 Adam Ashley-Cooper I feel sorry for the guy being shoved into this position, but crucial tri-nations games aren’t the place to learn 4

14 Peter Hynes - Backs himself and doesn’t slow into tackles. Great cover tackle and then counter ruck late in the game. 6

13 Stirling Mortlock (c), Trademark bulldoze took the game from the Saffas until Botha’s cheap shot 6

12 Berrick Barnes, Liking the look of this guy more and more. Adds so many options, also rock solid in defense. 7

11 Lote Tuqiri, Whatever Lote has done this year to effect this change in attitude and performance, I’m loving it. Masterful under high balls, try scoring and assisting, pick and drives, tackle busting, vital hit on DeVilliers at the death, he did it all last night. A contender for MoM 8

10 Matt Giteau, whether it was the service from Burgess, the pressure from the jaapies or his own performance, it didn’t quite gel for him on Saturday. Also still doing a lot of lateral movement and trying to tackle with his head (the Spies miss) 5

9 Luke Burgess, criticism of his passing has been exaggerated in my opinion. For example, twice Moore came into the line to then leave the ball. Burgess also buys so much time with his service, it’s almost a price worth paying. Also tried a few things that didn’t come off this time, but will in the future 4

8 Wycliff Palu, on second view Cliffy made a hell of a lot of hard yards while protecting the ball at the back. 6

7 George Smith, back to near his best, he shattered the Springbok’s momentum time and again with turnovers, while pulling off bootlace tackles left, right and centre. His turnovers had the biggest single impact on the whole match. G&GRs man of the match. 8

6 Rocky Elsom, how the hell he managed to have the game he did with what looked like a buggered knee is beyond me. Fought like a giant at every breakdown and for every yard he carried. 8

5 Nathan Sharpe, carried solidly and was all over Matfield (largely illegally) at every line-out as well as smashing him off the kick off. Did cost the Wallabies 6 of SA’s 9 points though. 6

4 James Horwill, you would have thought this guy had been playing international rugby for years. Was everywhere throughout the game and looked like the senior partner to Sharpe. 7

3 Al Baxter, a solid scrum, even some penalties against them. I’m happy. 6

2 Stephen Moore, straight throwing – including the monster that started off Tuqiri’s try – and lots of carries. Got a little in the way a few times though, and got skinned by The Beast. 6

1 Benn Robinson, More than solid scrum, some good carries and even a turnover or two. 7

Replacements:
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, didn’t see enough to comment
17 Matt Dunning, not on for long, a couple of good pick and gos
18 Hugh McMeniman, brought some energy when he came on
19 Phil Waugh, only on for 3 minutes and he stole a turnover
20 Sam Cordingley, pass was no better than Burgess’ usual delivery
21 Ryan Cross, didn’t detract when he came on but not as sparkling as he debut 6
22 Drew Mitchell. didn’t see enough to comment (did he get on?)

Jul 20

Wallabies vs Springboks: Tri-Nations first test video highlights

Posted by Gagger

The more I watch it, the more I see some great attacking performances from Australia. While the defence was softer than usual, line wasn’t crossed by South Africa this time out.
Great length of highlights from Rugbydump.

Jul 19

Wallabies vs Springboks: Tri-Nations first test score & review

Posted by Gagger
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Australia 16 – South Africa 9

I’m tempted to say for the review, read the preview. The core of this story was as predicted – a tough battle that was just one too far for the Springboks. But it was detail around margins that was most interesting from a Wallaby perspective.

In such an evenly matched and hard fought game, it was the small things that made big differences. Twice the Springboks got within touching distance of the line – through Britz and Habana – to be taken down with inches to spare and requiring the TMO. In the 25th minute Horwill – playing like the senior lock, not the rookie – got a hand to a ball that was on its way to a certain try. Both Wallaby tries were in the corner, and both required the TMO (for this ref anyway).

The biggest small difference though, came at the breakdown. Here the Wallaby forwards excelled at contesting on their feet, Horwill, Elsom, Robinson, Waugh and Sharpe all earning free kicks. But it was perhaps the worlds best ever fetcher, George Smith, who almost single handedly smashed the South Africans momentum in the first half. I counted at least 4 steals, all at crucial times in that first 40.

Having 3 enormous ball running back-rowers like the Jaapies do gives you plenty of go forward, but not enough presence on the ground. Someone please tell me Pocock couldn’t be poached by them.

Once again the Wallaby scrum has started well. You’d have to say that Robinson had Van der Linder’s number and it was such a change to see the scrum solid on our own ball. Australia also had parity with the much vaunted Saffa line-out, even without the code-breaking Vickerman.

There was a lot of focus on the rookie combination of Burgess, Giteau and Barnes before this game, and rightly so. Considering the Boks are probably the best in the business at applying pressure through these channels, it got through OK. Despite Greg Martin zeroing in on Burgess’ pass, if the odd mis-fire is what you pay for the quickest delivery in the game, I’d gladly pay it. A good way of not getting caught at the back of the ruck is to get rid of the ball first, and today it neutralised the Boks physicality in this part of the game.

Yet again Barnes was impressive, and the logic of him at 12 was obvious in Perth, with Giteau not having his best game. If this combination can keep improving as it has so far for another year or two, the multitude of options it will give the team is mind boggling. Today, even under pressure, this combo always had options, more than their opposite numbers.

One facet of general play that has also drastically developed for the Wallabies under Aussie Robbie, is the support of the ball carrier. Not just on the front foot, but also when back-peddling. This happened more than you’d have liked today, but each time there were men circling back to relieve pressure. This style of play requires a level of fitness though that the Wallabies just don’t have right now. It will need to lift.

Whilst I’m bored sh1tless with the phrase “work in progess”, that is definitely what this team currently is. While this work got us through today, there’ll definitely need to be a lot more of that p-word, especially at the business end of this tournament.

The scorers:

For Australia:
Tries: Tuqiri, Mortlock
Pen: Giteau
Drop: Barnes

For South Africa:
Pens: Steyn 2, James

The teams:

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Hugh McMeniman, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Drew Mitchell.

South Africa: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Francois Steyn, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Enrico Januarie, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Andries Bekker, 20 Ryan Kankowski, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Peter Grant.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand), Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Television match official: Garrat Newman (New Zealand)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (New Zealand)

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