Sunday, November 29, 2009

New Zealand in Europe 2009


Richie McCaw named IRB player of the year for 2009
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New Zealand captain Richie McCaw won the International Rugby Board player of the year award for 2009 and in doing so became the first player to win the award twice.
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Rampant All Blacks cement No.1 status
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It may not have been a vintage year for New Zealand but they will finish it where they began - as the world's best side.
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"Ball's out!"

1962
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Saturday, November 28, 2009

Ireland edge Boks in Croke Park epic

Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland is tackled by Zane Kirchner of South Africa during the Guinness Series 2009 match between Ireland and South Africa at Croke Park on November 28, 2009 in Dublin, Ireland.
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Donncha O?Callaghan of Ireland jumps with Andries Bekker of South Africa in the lineout during the Guinness Series 2009 match between Ireland and South Africa at Croke Park on November 28, 2009 in Dublin, Ireland.
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Ireland scored their third successive win over South Africa in Dublin, when they beat the Springboks 15-10 at Croke Park on Saturday - in another epic battle between the two countries.
http://rugbyrugby.com/news/story_281109194835.php

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Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland ended their year on a suitably high note with a 15-10 victory over world champions S.Africa.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26415955-23217,00.html
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All Blacks cruise past France

Mils Muliaina of New Zealand powers his way through the France defence during the France v New Zealand International match at the Stade Velodrome on November 28, 2009 in Marseille, France.
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New Zealand will finish 2009 as the world's number-one ranked team thanks to an impressive 39-12 win over France at the Stade VĂ©lodrome in Marseille on Saturday.
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New Zealand continued their unbeaten tour of the northern hemisphere with a comprehensive 39-12 win over France thanks to their commitment to a running style of rugby.
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next test:
N.Zealand v Barbarians
Dec 5
Twickenham
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Australia 33 - Wales 12

Stephen Moore of Australia charges through the Welsh defence during the Invesco Perpetual Series match between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Cardiff, Wales.
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Four-try Australia dominate Wales
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The Wallabies finished their Spring Tour, and 2009, on a winning note, and silenced some critics, with a convincing 33-12 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
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International Football Caps


Sunday, November 22, 2009

Ireland too strong for Fiji

Ireland's Shane Heaslip earns some hard yards.
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Ireland eased their way past Fiji 41-6 at the Royal Dublin Showground on Saturday, running in five tries with Jonathan Sexton converting all of them in what was a sublime kicking display from the Irish debutant.
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next test:
Ireland v S.Africa
Nov 28
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France demolish Samoa

Francois Trinh-Duc (r) of France scores a try as Mahonri Schwalger (c) and David Lemi (l) of Samoa close in during the France v Samoa International match at the Stade de France on November 21, 2009 in Paris, France.
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France ran seven tries past Samoa on Saturday as they cruised to an impressive 43-5 victory at the Stade de France.
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next test:
France v N.Zealand
Samoa v Italy
Nov 28
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Wales 33 - Argentina 16

Stephen Jones of Wales is tackled during the international Rugby Union Match between Wales and Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on November 21, 2009 in Cardiff, Wales.
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Two tries from Shane Williams, including one magnificent solo effort, helped Wales to a healthy-looking 33-16 win over Argentina in Cardiff on Saturday.
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next test:
Wales v Australia
Argentina v Scotland
Nov 28
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S.Africa 32 - Italy 10

Simone Favaro and Tito Tebaldi of Italy tackle Adrian Jacobs of South Africa during the International match between Italy and South Africa at the Stadio Friuli on November 21, 2009 in Udine, Italy.
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South Africa finally got their end-of-year tour off the mark as they stuttered along to a 32-10 win over a determined Italy outfit at the Stadio Friuli in Udine on Saturday.
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next test:
Ireland v S.Africa
Italy v Samoa
Nov 28
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Scotland shock the Wallabies

Ryan Cross of Australia on the attack during the Bank Of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests match between Scotland and Australia at Murrayfield on November 21, 2009 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
** Mark Chisholm of Australia drives forward.
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Scotland caused a major upset at Murrayfield on Saturday as - after some late drama - they won a largely dour encounter 9-8 against Australia.
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next test:
Wales v Australia
Scotland v Argentina
Nov 28
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All Blacks conquer Twickenham

Andrew Hore of New Zealand is closed down by David Wilson of England during the Investec Challenge Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham on November 21, 2009 in London, England.
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Ayoola Erinle of England is wrapped up by Ma'a Nonu (R) of New Zealand.
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Mils Muliaina of New Zealand rips through the England defence.
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New Zealand added to their unbeaten tour trail by snatching a 19-6 victory over a spirited England on Saturday.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_5709883,00.html
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next test:
France v New Zealand
Marseille Nov 28
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

England 16 - Argentina 9

James Haskell of England rides a challenge from Martin Rodriguez of Argentina during the Investec Challenge match between England and Argentina at Twickenham on November 14, 2009 in London, England.
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Santiago Fernandez of Argentina attempts a drop goal charged by Tom Croft and Lewis Moody of England.
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England limp past the Pumas
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_5694622,00.html
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next test:
Nov 21
England vs New Zealand
Wales vs Argentina
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Scotland 23 - Fiji 10

Johnnie Beattie of Scotland breaks through as Josh Matavesi and Gabby Lovobaluu of Fiji tackle him during the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests at Murrayfield Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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Scotland ease past Fiji
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Next test:
Nov 21
Scotland vs Australia
Ireland vs Fiji
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New Zealand 20 - Italy 6

Luke McAllister of New Zealand is tackled by Alessandro Zanni of Italy during the international rugby match between Italy and New Zealand at the San Siro Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Milan, Italy.
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All Blacks survive at San Siro
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Next test:
Nov 21
England vs New Zealand
Italy vs South Africa
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a 20-20 draw in Dublin

David Wallace of Ireland is tackled by Matt Giteau (L) and George Smith during the rugby union international match between Ireland and Australia at Croke Park on November 15, 2009 in Dublin, Ireland.
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Mark Chisholm of Australia catches the ball.
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Ireland and Wallabies battle to a draw
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Next test:
Nov 21
Scotland vs Australia
Ireland vs Fiji
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Friday, November 13, 2009

Ferocious French stop Boks

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France lived up to their reputation as the giant-killers of world rugby with a deserved 20-13 win over South Africa in Toulouse on Friday.
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next test:
nov 21
Italy v S.Africa
France v Samoa
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