All Blacks v Springboks in Durbs: the teams

Jul 30

Posted by Lance Free
15 Comments

Nigel: 'But Owen, I'm the only gay in the village'

Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s get ready to RRRUUUMMMBBBLLLE.

This is a 10 round heavyweight contest featuring, in the black corner and weighing in with serious intent, former World No 1 and World Cup Chokers Champions, the All Blacks. In the green corner, with the weight of a rainbow nation on it’s shoulders, the current World No 1 and reigning Champion of the World, the Springboks.

And it is a heavyweight contest between the two top-rated teams in the world. This match could determine the Tri-Nations outcome. A win away by any team is such a valuable commodity in this competition it is the determinant (to a lesser extent bonus points). Not that too many people are predicting an All Black win on Saturday. Read more »

Jul 30

The QRU Barnes fall out begins

Posted by Noddy
4 Comments

The QRU have just released the following statement regarding CEO, Ken Freer’s, resignation:

Media Release – Statement from QRU CEO Ken Freer

The chief executive of Queensland Rugby Ken Freer today announced that he had tendered his resignation to the QRU Board.

Mr Freer said his resignation would take effect on 31 October, 2009 and that he had agreed with the Board that he would continue after that on a consultancy basis if required until a replacement was found, to ensure a smooth transition.

Jul 30

3Ns Fantasy & Tipping Update – Week 2

Posted by Newb
1 Comment

the golden boy

Small news compared to the migration of Mr. Barnes, but here’s an update for the G&GR fantasy and tipping leagues

The boys from South Africa took the match this week as well as the fantasy accolades. Heinrich Brussow and Juan Smith were top scorers this week totaling 23 points. A bunch of Boks followed them going down the list before any All Blacks popped in at 16 points for the week. Fantasy team ‘The Cheezels’ is so far running away with it for the G&GR league title.

The glitch in the tipping league has been fixed, so all the scores are accurate. A small group is holding on to the top spot, but it’s still anyone’s for the taking.

Remember to update your squads for this weekend’s games.

Jul 29

Barnes says Tah Tah to the Reds

Posted by Noddy
36 Comments

It has all but been confirmed. Queensland Red and Wallaby inside back, Berrick Barnes will join the NSW Waratahs in2010.

Reports today are indicating that Barnes has informed the QRU of his decision and his formal signing with the NSWRU is imminent.

This is a dire day for Queensland Rugby. My feelings for them have already been captured in a previous posting, but this development can only hasten the demise of the Reds and/or the QRU.

How could he go? Is there a current Reds player (if we take the liberty to include Berrick for the sake of the argument) that is more Queensland than Berrick? Is there a current Reds player who has been more verbal in the need for change at Qld rugby? Is there a Red that put his body on the line more often for his team than Berrick? My answer is no.

But how could he not move? The QRU as an organisation have been in a spiral downwards since professionalism hit way back in 1995. The spiral seems now to be in free fall. The question is, and seems to be asked every year, when exactly is rock bottom? Surely we are close? Or will it be when Digby announces his departure? Or when Sean Hardman opts against running around again?

Jul 28

2009 G&GR Wallaby Player of the Year: v All Blacks

Posted by Noddy

New Zealand 22 (Richie McCaw try; Stephen Donald conv, 5 pg)
defeated Australia 16 (Berrick Barnes try; Matt Giteau conv, 3 pg)

In his 100th test for the Wallabies George Smith was unable to see his team over the line for victory, but he scored some consolation in being named Wallaby Player of the Match by the knowledgeable Green & Gold Rugby community.

According to the site, www.rugbystats.com.au Smith had the second highest tackle count for the game, and was busy in attack as well. His off loading was a feature and his work in the lineout a bonus. Better yet – no kicks!

After each game the members of our forum cast their 3-2-1 votes to contribute to the prestigious Green and Gold Rugby Wallaby of the Year. Scores are collated and at the end of the year, we will reveal our Green and Gold Rugby Wallaby of the Year.

And here’s our highlights of George Smith in this game

Jul 26

All Blacks succumb to Springbok pressure

Posted by Lance Free
20 Comments

'Ag Richie man, I'm going to snot klap you'

South Africa 28 – All Blacks 19

Under Pressure was the David Bowie song in the 80’s and that’s what this game was all about, Springbok pressure. The first 50 minutes were dominated by the Bokke as they squeezed the life out of the All Blacks and led 17-3 early into the 2nd half.

Similar to the Eden Park test where they peaked in the 2nd half, the All Blacks fought back gamely and came to within striking distance until a 76th minute try by Jacque Fourie terminated their effort. The advantage for the Wallabies with this result was sans bonus point for both teams.

Jul 24

Video: George Smith the Centurion

Posted by Gagger
1 Comment

Here’s some footage from the best 7 ever to grace the game in his 100th test.

For balance I also put in a few of the mistakes in the second half, which not surprisingly were in sync with the rest of the team’s performance.

Jul 24

Springboks v All Blacks in Bloem: the teams

Posted by Lance Free
6 Comments

Who's Kevin Skinner?

This game is the first in a heavyweight encounter between South Africa and New Zealand in Bloemfontein. For the All Blacks to retain their Tri-Nations title a win here would be a huge step in the right direction.

In addition to being a Tri-Nations match, this game will determine who tops the IRB rankings. South Africa are coming into the match after a series win against the British & Irish Lions. The Lions provided very stern opposition against the Bokke and should have them firing. The All Blacks win last weekend against the Wallabies was scratchy and they’ll be looking for an improved performance. Read more »

Jul 24

3Ns Fantasy & Tipping Update – Week 1

Posted by Newb

"aaarrggh, me balls!!"

Here’s the wrap up for the first week of the Tri-Nations contest in the G&GR Fantasy and Tipping Leagues.

Members of the All Blacks managed to top score in fantasy rugby, as well as on the pitch. Pirate Captain McCaw led the way with 30 points, while Donald Duck came second with 26 for the match. They were followed by a host of other AB’s.

Giteau led the way for the Wallabies with 17 fantasy points. Goal kickers and try scorers do the most damage afterall, so if you had any or all of them in your squad you’re probably looking pretty handy.

Here is the top 10 after week 1:

Jul 23

Wallabies vs All Blacks 1st Test player ratings

Posted by Juan Cote
23 Comments

1. Benn Robinson 7 – One of the few forwards who were able to match it with the All Blacks, he was outstanding in defence and held his side of the scrum up well.

2. Stephen Moore 8 – Further enhanced his reputation with another solid all round game in trying conditions. Accurate line-out throwing mixed with good, hard direct running and some deft passing.

3. Le Fuse 4 - Joubert’s bunny…..say no more. Read more »

Jul 22

Yes, I’m turning Japanese

Posted by Lance Free
20 Comments

危ない事は怪我のうち

The recent signing by Hugh McMeniman to the Japanese rugby club Kubota Spears, the defection of league pinup boy Craig Wing to Mark Gerrard’s 2nd Division club NTT Communications, and the possible switch to union in Japan of ‘Special K’ creates a growing interest in what’s happening over there.

The Japanese have a professional Super 14 style competition called Top League. This was set up in 2003 by the JRFU with 12 teams but was later expanded to 14 in 2006. It’s designed to grow rugby union in Japan and to allow the national team, the Cherry Blossoms, to become more competitive. Read more »

Jul 21

Australian Schoolboys: a new generation

Posted by Lance Free
24 Comments

It’s going to be a big year for the Australian Rugby Union Schoolboys team. There are inbound tours from Tonga and New Zealand Schoolboys, and an end of year tour to Ireland and the UK. These are stars of the future who’ll become well known to you in years to come.

How do I know that? Lets just randomly look at any Australian Schoolboys team from the past, 2000 as an example. Mark Gerrard, Jone Tawaki, Ben Hand, Will Caldwell, Luke Doherty, Lachlan MacKay, and that’s just the back row in the photo. Cooper Cronk, James Hilgendorf, Lei Tomiki, Peter Hynes, Josh Valentine, Morgan Turinui and the list goes on. Read more »

Jul 21

Video spotlight: Joubert at Eden Park

Posted by Gagger
65 Comments

There’s been more than enough talk about it, so I’ve thrown a few video clips together (and had a bit of fun with the soundtrack….)

They roughly fall in two sections:

a) Joubert’s absolute fucking cluelessness at scrum time, Read more »

Jul 20

Springbok 3N squad: the usual suspects

Posted by Lance Free
9 Comments

'Victor, an eye for an eye'

The Springbok selectors recently named a 23 man squad for the opening Tri-Nation’s match to be played against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein this Saturday. As expected, they’ve gone with the core of the side that defeated the British & Irish Lions in the first two tests of the recent series. Read more »

Jul 19

Video & review: Bloodied, but bowed?

Posted by Gagger
44 Comments

It’s taken 24 hours, a bucket of booze, and a re-watch of yesterday’s test match to get me far enough past the disappointment to write this post.

The reason why the disappointment was not just a sting, but rather a deep, jagged stabbing somewhere between the heart and the spinal chord, was that it felt like we’ve been here before; the Wallabies showing great promise, but ultimately not having the mental edge to take the game. And so it’s easy to think that nothing’s changed – Deans is a pretender and we’re going nowhere fast.

But that would be wrong.

We lost at Eden Park by just two penalty goals. A mixture of our own and referee Joubert’s brainfarts, relieved pressure that should have converted into at least a 15-20 point swing in the scoreline. The All Blacks made only one meaningful attack with ball in hand, and it resulted in their one try. The Wallabies had at least five, and for the vast majority of the game found space out wide. Read more »

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