" But you had it."1912
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Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
S. Africa 55 - Italy 11
Pierre Spies of South Africa on the charge during the International Friendly match between South Africa and Italy at Buffalo City Stadium on June 26, 2010 in East London, South Africa(June 25, 2010 - Photo by Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
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South Africa stamp their authority
Leading only 27-6 at the break - almost identical to last week - the Boks kept up the momentum in the second half, racking up three more second-half tries as they proved simply too powerful for their guests in East London.
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Australia 22 - Ireland 15
Rocky Elsom of the Wallabies takes on the defence during the Lansdowne Cup Test Match between the Australian Wallabies and Ireland at Suncorp Stadium on June 26, 2010 in Brisbane, Australia.(June 25, 2010 -All Photos by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Wallabies return to winning ways
Australia bounced back from their defeat at the hands of England with a hard-fought 22-15 victory over Ireland in their clash at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
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Tomas O'Leary of the Irish passes the ball**
Ireland running on empty
Opportunity knocked for a host of individuals and collectively as the Wallabies were there for the taking in Bribane today, but an under-strength Ireland, drained at the end of their marathon 44-week season, couldn’t take their chances despite huge positive intent.
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Jonathan Sexton of Ireland is tackled by Matt Giteau**
Wallabies hold out Ireland in a mistake-riddled Test match in Brisbane
Australia wriggled home 22-15 with an unconvincing victory at Suncorp Stadium, failing to solve their inconsistency issues and goalkicking problems.
Despite being hit hard by injuries, which have claimed eight of their first-choice players, flanker Elsom wasn't satisfied with the two-try shutout in their last Test before taking on the might of New Zealand and South Africa.
Despite being hit hard by injuries, which have claimed eight of their first-choice players, flanker Elsom wasn't satisfied with the two-try shutout in their last Test before taking on the might of New Zealand and South Africa.
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New Zealand 29 - Wales 10
Piri Weepu of the New Zealand All Blacks runs around Rob McCusker of Wales (L) during the test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales at Waikato Stadium on June 26, 2010 in Hamilton, New Zealand.(June 25, 2010 -All Photos by Ross Land/Getty Images AsiaPac) **
New Zealand take tight Welsh Test
New Zealand wrapped up their two-Test series against Wales with a tight 29-10 victory in Hamilton on Saturday.
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Bradley Davies of Wales fends off Keven Mealamu of New Zealand**
Welsh fail to spoil All Black partyIt was a bit like watching a mandarin being opened with a hammer - each blow split the skin more, the damage increasingly obvious and the outcome inevitable.
Wales had only half the spirit of last week and even less ambition. They knew the win was beyond them; their only goal was to keep the score respectable.
Wales had only half the spirit of last week and even less ambition. They knew the win was beyond them; their only goal was to keep the score respectable.
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Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock of New Zealand**
We still need a world-class scrumLast night's test match was what I would call consolidation and we now move into the business end of the season.
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Jimmy Cowan of the All Blacks is tackled by Jamie Roberts of Wales**
Henry's pair of headaches
New Zealand coach Graham Henry is fretting over both selection and scrum issues ahead of the announcement of his Tri-Nations squad on Sunday.
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Friday, June 25, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
S. Africa 29 - Italy 13
Butch James of South Africa tackles Paul Derbyshire of Italy during the International test match between South Africa and Italy at the Puma Stadium on June 19, 2010 in Witbank, South Africa(June 18, 2010 - Photo by Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)
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Springboks stutter to victory
The score might suggest a lopsided encounter, but the action on the field was far more evenly balanced.
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next test:
S. Africa v Italy
June 26 2010
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England 21 - Australia 20
Ben Daley of the Wallabies makes a line break during the Cook Cup Test Match between the Australian Wallabies and England at ANZ Stadium on June 19, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.(June 18, 2010 - All Photos by Mark Nolan/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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England's young guns stun Wallabies
A resurgent England have upset the Qantas Wallabies 21-20 in Saturday's second Cook Cup Test at ANZ Stadium.
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Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Wallabies is tackled**
The Wallabies have received a wake-up call just a month out from the Tri Nations
The 2003 World Cup-winning hero Jonny Wilkinson returned to the scene of his greatest moment to score the winning penalty goal as England secured just their third win over the Wallabies in Australia.http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27292984-5016959,00.html
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Ben Daley of the Wallabies breaks through the England defence**
Wallabies lose as Giteau shanks goals
MATT Giteau helped England re-kindle their love affair with Sydney last night after missing a late penalty goal from straight in front that saw the Red Rose score another nail-biting win over the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium.
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After scoring all of Australia's 20 points, it was a pair of missed goals by a tired Giteau in the 68th and 70th minutes that allowed England to break Aussie hearts yet again at Homebush.
After scoring all of Australia's 20 points, it was a pair of missed goals by a tired Giteau in the 68th and 70th minutes that allowed England to break Aussie hearts yet again at Homebush.
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Chris Ashton of England makes a break to score the second try during the Cook Cup Test**
England earned their first significant victory of Martin Johnson's managerial tenure as they edged a pulsating second Test in Sydney to level the series 1-1.
The visitors led 15-13 at half-time after first Test tries for scrum-half Ben Youngs and wing Chris Ashton.
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England break Aussie duck Down Under
It only took seven years, but England finally got the better of the Wallabies on Australian soil thanks to a thrilling 21-20 victory in Sydney on Saturday.
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next test:
Australia v Ireland
June 26 2010
Brisbane
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Saturday, June 19, 2010
New Zealand 42 - Wales 9
Piri Weepu of the All Blacks leads the haka before the First Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales at Carisbrook on June 19, 2010 in Dunedin, New Zealand.(June 18, 2010 -all photos by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Moments before kickoff, the All Blacks launched into the intimidating Kapa o Pango Haka to mark the final Test at Carisbrook
A brilliant individual display from first five-eighths Dan Carter led the All Blacks to entertaining 42-9 thrashing of Wales to farewell Carisbrook in style on Saturday.
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New Zealand farewell the House of Pain in style
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Benson Stanley of the All Blacks fends off Adam Jones of Wales**
All Blacks: Mantra may be true at last
Deep into the professional age and the All Blacks have a squad that has rekindled memories of the amateur days where real people made it all the way.
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New Zealand in the past has made the mistake of worshipping the false idol of rugby talent as if it alone was all that was needed to succeed. Better people making better All Blacks might yet prove to be valid.
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks is tackled by Jonathan Davies of Wales**Warren Gatland says his team must learn to play high-intensity rugby for 80 minutes if they are to compete with the likes of New Zealand.The tourists slumped to a 42-9 loss in Dunedin after a good opening 40 minutes had seen them trail just 15-9 at half-time.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6214340,00.html
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Bradley Davies of Wales is wrapped up by the All Black defence**
Wales mauled by rampant All Blacks
New Zealand gave Carisbrook a rioutous send-off by smashing Wales 42-9 thanks to a devastating second-half blitz.
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Jimmy Cowan of the All Blacks makes a break**Clinical All Blacks dispense with Wales
Better finishing proved the difference between New Zealand and Wales as the All Blacks won 42-9 at Dunedin
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All Blacks: Second wind blows the dragons away
Like some well-planned time bomb, the All Blacks flicked a switch after 40 minutes last night and exploded in deadly fashion. Wales were obliterated in the end, unable to live with the pace, intensity and skill of the All Blacks.
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(L-R) Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu and Owen Franks scrum against Wales**
All Blacks hope Wales want to scrum
With the powerhouse Franks brothers at either side, the All Blacks will be confident of securing some dominance against Wales as they try to set the platform for an entertaining, fitting farewell to Carisbrook.
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks breaks the Welsh defence
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McCaw sets new leadership standards
Richie McCaw equalled Sean Fitzpatrick's record as the most successful All Blacks captain when he led his side to a 42-9 win over Wales in Dunedin on Saturday.
The All Blacks have now won 39 of the 45 games played under McCaw's leadership and with no sign of retirement he is in line to overtake Fitzpatrick who won 39 of 51 Tests as skipper before his playing career ended in 1997.
The All Blacks have now won 39 of the 45 games played under McCaw's leadership and with no sign of retirement he is in line to overtake Fitzpatrick who won 39 of 51 Tests as skipper before his playing career ended in 1997.
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next test:
New Zealand v Wales
June 26 2010
Hamilton
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
England v Australia test 2
**Giteau expects more from England backs
Matt Giteau says the Qantas Wallabies backline took a massive step forward in Perth, but expects the big England backs to give them a sterner test on Saturday night.
Australia's blossoming backline created three tries in the 27-17 first Test win last Saturday, while the tourists were restricted to two penalty tries from Australian scrum infringements.
Australia's blossoming backline created three tries in the 27-17 first Test win last Saturday, while the tourists were restricted to two penalty tries from Australian scrum infringements.
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**England manager Martin Johnson has admitted that his team 's playing "catch-up" to the Southern Hemisphere giants, but added that they have to close that gap very quickly.
Having played to a 28-all drawn with the Aussie BaaBaas in Perth last week and then came unstuck (a 17-27 defeat) against the Wallabies at the weekend, Johnson admitted the Southern Hemisphere game is "a step up" even from the Six Nations.
http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/story_14610223001.php
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Having played to a 28-all drawn with the Aussie BaaBaas in Perth last week and then came unstuck (a 17-27 defeat) against the Wallabies at the weekend, Johnson admitted the Southern Hemisphere game is "a step up" even from the Six Nations.
http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/story_14610223001.php
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Preview: All Blacks V Wales, 1st test
**Wales will attempt to break New Zealand coach Graham Henry’s incredible record of having only lost twice to Northern opposition since 2004. Only France has beaten them (twice) in that time for a ledger that reads All Blacks 39 – Northern Hemisphere/France 2.
The Red Dragons will also try to record their first win on New Zealand soil, attempting to record what would be only the All Blacks third loss on home soil since Henry has held the reigns, and only their 38th overall.
http://www.allblacks.com/fanstory/13312/Preview-All-Blacks-V-Wales-1st-test
http://www.allblacks.com/fanstory/13312/Preview-All-Blacks-V-Wales-1st-test
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All Blacks head coach Graham Henry believes Wales will be a tougher Test than Ireland proved to be last weekend.
Wales arrive in New Zealand on the back of a promising display against the Springboks earlier this month and Henry is aware that his side will need to be wary of a potential upset.
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Saturday, June 12, 2010
South Africa 42 - France 17
Springbok centre Jaque Fourie in action during the International match between South Africa and France at Newlands Stadium on June 12, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. **
Boks power past the French
The Springboks had only managed two wins and a draw in their last nine encounters with the French, but the result was never in doubt this time out after the world champs outscored their visitors five tries to two.
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Springbok centre Wynand Olivier in action.**
South Africa once again showed their championship qualities with an emphatic 42-17 win over France in their one-off Test at Newlands on Saturday.
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next test:
South Africa vs Italy
South Africa vs Italy
June 19
Puma Stadium
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Scotland 24 - Argentina 16
Dan Parks lines up another penalty**
Fly-half Dan Parks kicked all of Scotland's points, including two drop-goals, in a hard-fought 24-16 win over Argentina in Tucuman on Saturday.
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Dan Parks scored all of Scotland's points as they beat Argentina for the third time in the history of capped Test matches between the teams at a ground on which their opponents had never lost a game.
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New Zealand 66 - Ireland 28
Richie McCaw of the All Blacks fends off the Irish defence.**
ABs hammer ill-disciplined Irish
New Zealand got their 2010 international season off to a good start by smashing a mistake-ridden and ill-disciplined Irish side in New Plymouth on Saturday - but they were never really tested properly.
New Zealand got their 2010 international season off to a good start by smashing a mistake-ridden and ill-disciplined Irish side in New Plymouth on Saturday - but they were never really tested properly.
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The Kiwis, who blooded six new players on the night, ran out 66-28 winners in a nine tries to four rout.
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Jimmy Cowan of the All Blacks powers towards the line .**A red card to Jamie Heaslip and a yellow to Ronan O'Gara were the key factors in Ireland's 66-28 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday.
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Jamie Heaslip (R) of Ireland puts a knee to the head of an All Black player resulting in a red card.**
New Zealand 66 Ireland 28
If the Irish No 8 isn't feeling like a prize goose this morning, he should be. His red card after 15 minutes turned not much of a contest into a non-contest.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10651553
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Carter surpasses greats
While he knew he was six points short of passing 1000 points in Test rugby he wasn't aware he had gained third place on the all-time points list, nor that he had become the most successful converter of tries to have played the game. His first conversion of the night took him to 170 conversions, easing him past Andrew Mehrtens, who he also supplanted last year as New Zealand's leading points scorer.
http://www.allblacks.com/news/13280/Carter-surpasses-greats
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next test:
New Zealand v Wales
June 19
Dunedin
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Ireland v NZ Maoris
June 18
http://www.irishrugby.ie/
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Australia 27 - England 17
David Pocock the Australian Wallabies attempts to evade a tackle by Toby Flood (L) and Steve Thompson of England during the Cook Cup Test match between the Australian Wallabies and England at Subiaco Oval on June 12, 2010 in Perth, Australia.**
Backline brilliance dazzles pedestrian English team
MURDERED up front, but magic out wide.
The brilliance of the Wallabies backs helped Australia get out of jail last night with a 10-point win after their rookie front row was destroyed by England at Subiaco Oval.
The brilliance of the Wallabies backs helped Australia get out of jail last night with a 10-point win after their rookie front row was destroyed by England at Subiaco Oval.
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Steve Thompson of England is tackled during the Cook Cup Test match.**
Johnson fuming after defeat
Martin Johnson admitted to giving his England players a furious dressing-down after their 27-17 defeat by Australia in Perth.
http://www.planetrugby.co.za/story/0,25883,3556_6202955,00.html
http://www.planetrugby.co.za/story/0,25883,3556_6202955,00.html
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Nigel Owens the referee keeps a close watch on the packs after the Australian Wallabies collapse the scrum during the Cook Cup Test match between the Australian Wallabies and England. **
Wallabies defeat England 27-17 despite being destroyed at set piece
Australia's scrummaging deficiencies were exposed as the Wallabies conceded two penalty tries, but still they survived for a tense 27-17 Cook Cup victory at Subiaco Oval.
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next test:
next test:
Australia v England
June 19
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
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Thursday, June 10, 2010
Preview: New Zealand v Ireland
**In amongst all the hullaballoo surrounding the France-SA and Australia-England clashes, Ireland have slipped almost unnoticed into New Zealand.
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It's a green New Zealand side up against an Ireland team in green and dripping with experience from every pore in all facet except one critical one: the new rules.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6200626,00.html
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It's a green New Zealand side up against an Ireland team in green and dripping with experience from every pore in all facet except one critical one: the new rules.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6200626,00.html
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