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1961
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Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
South Africa 44 - Australia 31
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Will Genia of the Wallabies is tackled by Juan Smith (L) and Pierre Spies during the 2010 Tri-Nations match between the South African Springboks and the Australian Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on August 28, 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa.
(August 27, 2010 -All Photos by David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Springboks win Loftus epic
South Africa salvaged some pride in Pretoria thanks to a thrilling 44-31 Tri-Nations win over Australia, a Test that will go down as one of the classics.
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Nine scintillating tries were scored at Loftus Versfeld in a fast and furious encounter - five of them coming from the Springboks - but the one that counted the most belonged to JP Pietersen who sealed the deal in the last minute of play.
The result brought South Africa's four-game losing streak to an end in emphatic fashion, and moves the Springboks one point above the Wallabies on the tournament standings.
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South Africa were 14-0 behind after five minutes and trailed 28-24 at the break, but came back well in the second half. However, as memorable as the breathless battle was, the defensive performances from both sides was one of the most inept in Tri-Nations history.
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Man of the match: South Africa largely have scrum-half Francois Hougaard to thank for the win. He set up three of the Boks' five tries and made a try-saving - even match-saving - tackle when the home side were on the rack in the last quarter.
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Schalk Burger of South Africa is tackled by David Pocock
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Match Report - Qantas Wallabies vs Springboks in Pretoria
Story by: ARU
This weekend it was the Qantas Wallabies turn to experience last minute heartbreak as the Springboks broke their 2010 Bundaberg Red Tri-Nations duck with a come from behind 44-31 victory.
It could have been so different for the Wallabies who led 14-0 after just five minutes and 28-14, including a bonus point for four tries, after 26 minutes. They led 28-24 at half time.
But some crucial mistakes from the Wallabies in the second half, where they failed to convert numerous try scoring opportunities (and were outscored 20-3) and some desperate defence from the Springboks, who were playing for home town hero lock Victor Matfield in his 100th Test, saw the home team just squeak home.
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Nathan Sharpe of the Wallabies charges upfield
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Wallabies miss great chance
South Africa have celebrated Victor Matfield's 100th Test match with a 44-31 come-from-behind victory over the Wallabies in a bizarre Investec Tri Nations encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning (AEST).
It was a classic case of what might have been for the Wallabies, who failed to capitalise on a dream start after scoring two converted tries in the opening seven minutes.
The visitors scored four-tries-to-three in a frenetic first half to take a 28-24 lead into the break.
But despite a multitude of opportunities, Robbie Deans' men failed to find the goalline in the second 40 while the Springboks crossed twice through Frans Steyn (49th minute) and JP Pietersen (79th) to end their four-match losing streak.
The victory means the Springboks can still reclaim the Mandela Cup with a win in Bloemfontein next weekend, while the Wallabies, who receive two bonus points for their efforts, are still searching for their first win at altitude since 1963.
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Benn Robinson of the Wallabies is tackled by Victor Matfield
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next test:
South Africa vs Australia
Sept 4
Bloemfontein
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Sunday, August 22, 2010
10-test countdown
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All Blacks start ten test countdown to World Cup
by James Mortimer - (22/08/2010)
A Grand Slam attempt and a shortened Investec 2011 Tri Nations are all that remain as the All Blacks begin what is effectively a 10-test countdown to their first World Cup match against Tonga.
That game, the opening encounter of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, played on September 9, will see the All Blacks - as it stands - likely begin the tournament as warm favourites.
Preparations will now switch to the secondary area of development for the team, now that the on-going primary goal of the team has been achieved.
Unbeaten in 2010, with the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup secure, Richie McCaw and his men, currently on a 14 test winning streak, are setting all the neccessary platforms in place for next year; irrespective of talk of early peaking and the like.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has nominated two key aspects that are all important to the team, with winning and producing results the key focus for him and the side.
The 29-22 win was Henry's 73rd test win since assuming command of the All Blacks, to keep his winning percentage impressively high at 85.9 percent.
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The All Blacks will play England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales to attempt the Slam, while they will play the Wallabies in Hong Kong in what could be the last "neutral" Bledisloe with the calendar filling up with an extended Super rugby tournament and Tri Nations in the coming years.
While no doubt the first goal will be to achieve test wins and perhaps for just the fourth time in history record a touring sweep of the Home Nations, Henry said that there will be room for development on the All Blacks end of year tour.
"We'll take 30 players on the end-of-year tour and we want to make sure they get an opportunity to develop on that tour, so they need to play and we've got five test matches.
"After that we've got a truncated Tri Nations where we play home and away against Australia and South Africa, then two weeks later we're into the world cup."
"The Tri Nations next year will be about building the team and trying to get better with each game you play, so that you reach the world cup in good shape. That's what I think will be the major focus of the Tri Nations next year."
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Saturday, August 21, 2010
New Zealand 29 - S.Africa 22
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Freedom Cup
Dan Carter of the All Blacks races past John Smit (L) and Pierre Spies during the 2010 Tri-Nations match between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks at the FNB Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(August 20, 2010 -All Photos by David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Late show seals title for All Blacks
Two tries in the final three minutes saw New Zealand secure the 2010 Tri-Nations title in dramatic fashion with a 29-22 win in Johannesburg.
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Man of the match: Many of the forwards put their hand up for this accolade but it has to go to a player on the losing side. Schalk Burger was immense in the tackle and combined well with Juan Smith and Pierre Spies at times. Hats off also to Richie McCaw and Ma'a Nonu.
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22-17 up going in the game's dying embers, the Springboks had the wind knocked out of them when their visitors came good thanks to scores from captain Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg.
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks moves away from Schalk Burger
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ABs win last-minute thriller
Two tries in the final two minutes saw the All Blacks capture their 10th Tri Nations title with a thrilling 29-22 win over South Africa in Soweto this morning.
All Blacks substitute Israel Dagg crossed the line in the 80th minute to give New Zealand a famous win, after a Richie McCaw try tied the match up only a minute earlier.
South Africa were denied the chance to celebrate John Smit's 100th test in style by handing the All Blacks their first loss of the season in front of 94,000 fans at FNB Stadium after leading for most of the match.
To make matters worse the Springboks hooker missed a vital tackle in the final play that saw Ma'a Nonu break up the middle of the field from New Zealand's own half and gift Dagg with the match winning runaway try.
The All Blacks' 14th straight win looked unlikely after Dan Carter missed a penalty from a handy position while trailing 22-17 with eight minutes remaining but McCaw tied the match up a few minutes later with a controversial try.
The All Blacks skipper dived into the right hand corner with three Springboks attempting to push him into touch and it looked like they succeeded when referee Nigel Owens referred to the television match official.
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South Africa led the match 16-14 at halftime despite New Zealand dominating possession for much of the first half.
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Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks moves past Schalk Burger
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Late tries give All Blacks dramatic Test
It was a case of All Blacks stamina carrying the day after a final quarter of attack after attack. It was a nervous time and both first five-eighths, Dan Carter for New Zealand and Morne Steyn for South Africa, were guilty of making uncharacteristic mistakes, Carter dropping a catch and Steyn kicking too long.
But, ultimately, it was the All Blacks' desire to keep moving the ball that wore the outstanding South African defence down. They made several key breaks that went close to producing tries before finally getting the formula right.
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The Springboks were better served by Juan Smith in the loose, the first time he has played for them this year. He made the breakdown more competitive and that allowed No.8 Pierre Spies more influence than in the two earlier Tests while Schalk Burger was more prominent in the loose as well. Fullback Gio Aplon was a constant menace while new halfback Hougaard was an efficient servant who kept the pressure on.
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Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks
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Henry: They don't get any bigger
The New Zealand performance against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday will live long in the memory, according to Graham Henry.
Late tries from captain Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg saw the All Blacks turn a five-point deficit with two minutes to play into a 29-22 victory at the 90,000 seater FNB Stadium to clinch a tenth Tri-Nations crown.
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"They don't get any bigger than that - a huge Test match, played in front of that crowd in that stadium," said Henry after the historic encounter at the venue more famously known as Soccer City, where the football World Cup final was played.
"I'm sure it will be pretty significant for the people who were there today.
"I just felt so proud of what they've achieved. The character, backed by their guts and togetherness was superb.
"So I think it was a very special win by the All Blacks today, an outstanding result and something we will never forget as far as we're concerned."
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Brad Thorn of the All Blacks wins the lineout ball
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next test:
South Africa vs Australia
28 August
Pretoria
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Saturday, August 14, 2010
a score to be settled
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1956
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Momentum vital as All Blacks hit the road
James Mortimer
It has been a wonderful start to the season for the All Blacks, winning seven from seven and putting themselves in an almost unassailable position to win their tenth Investec Tri Nations crown.
Most boxes have been ticked and there would be little substance to an argument against the fact that Richie McCaw and his men are back on top of the world.
They have not lost on New Zealand soil since losing 32-29 to the Springboks, and surely one of the key objectives was to keep their enviable home record (183 wins from 226 tests – 81%) intact a year out from hosting the World Cup.
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Seven tests on the road, one in South Africa, one in Sydney, one in Asia, and then a Grand Slam tour that will be challenging as the home nations would dearly love to take an All Blacks scalp to build their own momentum coming into 2011.
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NZ will play strongest team in Soweto
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has said he will resist the temptation to experiment with his squad until after their trip to South Africa.
The All Blacks have all but regained the Tri-Nations crown following four crushing wins over the world's second and third-best sides.
And, with just a single point needed from their clash against the Springboks in Johannesburg next Saturday, the urge to blood new players in preparation for next year's World Cup is strong.
But Henry said that the selection panel are still haunted by last year's thumping losses to eventual Tri-Nations champions South Africa.
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New Zealand have notched up thirteen successive victories with their current battle-hardened lineup.
And last week's 20-10 Bledisloe Cup victory over Australia in Christchurch saw the All Blacks equal their record nine-game winning streak against the Wallabies.
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The All Blacks face South Africa at Soweto's National Stadium on August 21.
And Henry expects the Springboks to be a completely different side on home soil to the one that sank to three straight defeats during their Australia and New Zealand tour.
The New Zealand coach believes that opposite number Peter de Villiers will go back to basics after the intense criticism his Springbok side has drawn back home over the last two weeks.
"They will be extremely physical, they will try and bully us and I think they will revert to what has been successful for them in the past," he said.
"They will play a big field position game, they will put a lot of pressure on us with their kicks to try and get into position where they can kick goals and drive lineouts in the 22.
"This game is what the All Blacks need now. Once this test is over and depending on the result, we may have more freedom for some of the guys who need to play international rugby."
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Cowan cleared to tour
New Zealand scrum-half Jimmy Cowan passed a fitness test on Thursday and is now free to tour South Africa.
Cowan had been suffering from a rib cartilage injury suffered against Australia in Melbourne a fortnight ago, with Piri Weepu taking his place and excelling in his absence.
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Sunday, August 8, 2010
New Zealand 20 - Australia 10
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Bledisloe Cup
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Henry delights in Bledisloe Cup triumph
All Blacks coach Graham Henry heaped praise on his side's defensive qualities following their 20-10 victory over the Wallabies that ensured they retained the Bledisloe Cup.
It was somehow appropriate that their latest Tri-Nations victory - that leaves them just one point from reclaiming the southern hemisphere crown - called on All Blacks' grit and tenacity, the hallmarks of a rugby Test from yesteryear. The Bledisloe Cup-lifting effort came less than a week after the death of double All Black Eric Tindill - one of the New Zealand's greatest sports figures, for whom the New Zealand players donned black armbands.
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"Last night was just a battle for 80 minutes and the best defensive side probably won the game," Henry said. "Our defence, structurally, was superb I thought. We probably didn't hit as hard in the tackles or win the contests as much as we have but the structure didn't give them opportunity and that was hugely pleasing."
Prompting an even bigger smile was a seventh successive defence of the Bledisloe Cup, the second longest run behind the 11 New Zealand defences from 1951-78. The All Blacks are also a bonus point away from securing a 10th Tri-Nations crown but the coaches and players were in synch over what piece of silverware means most.
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Henry suspected the defensive workload -- his team made 110 out of 115 tackles while Australia completed 75 out of 87 -- left their legs too weary to attack in the merciless manner that has marked this year's campaign. That's why a week off before travelling to Johannesburg to face South Africa on August 21 will be of priceless value.
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The All Blacks can stretch their winning hex over Australia to 10 Tests with victory in Sydney next month. That would surpass their previous record of nine, which began in 1936, the year Tindill played his sole rugby test.
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A general view of AMI Stadium during the 2010 Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at AMI Stadium on August 7, 2010 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
(August 6, 2010 -All Photos by Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)
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Bledisloe staying in All Blacks country
New Zealand beat an improved Australia outfit 20-10 in Christchurch on Saturday to retain the Bledisloe Cup, but will have to wait a little longer to win back their Tri-Nations crown.
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All Blacks beat Australia to dominate TriNations
The All Blacks remained unbeaten in the TriNations with a 20-10 victory over the Wallabies in Christchurch on Saturday even though the Wallabies dominated possession.
The All Blacks are now in a commanding position in the TriNations and are overwhelming favourites to take the title from the Springboks.
The All Blacks have now won thirteen matches in row and are in an excellent position to break the world record of 17 wins held by Lithuania, the All Blacks and the Springboks.
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The All Blacks could have almost certainly wrapped up the TriNations with a bonus point victory but the Wallabies managed to contain them and only allowed them to score two tries.
Mathematically the All Blacks can still be overtaken but both teams would need to prevent the All Blacks from securing a bonus point.
The Springboks cannot win the title but Australia can draw level to 19 points but they would need some massive wins as they would need to make up for New Zealand's points differential over them of 79 points.
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Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks fends off David Pocock of the Wallabies
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Great defence takes the day yet again
By Sean Fitzpatrick
Well, there's an answer to all those people who keep carping on about the All Blacks peaking too soon.
World Cups of recent times have been won, as we know, by teams with the best defence. Well, what did we see in the second half of last weekend's test match and last night? We saw the best defence.
It was much more of a test match and the Australians came back harder at the All Blacks - as they knew they would. The key point is that they had prepared for that.
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To me there's no doubt about it - we are seeing an All Black team where the players are stepping up but the coaches are stepping up too. You have to take your hat off to Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith. They are changing the way this team play every week.
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At one stage, the tackle count was 118-65 by the All Blacks, a huge effort.
Whoever is conditioning them is doing a great job and the defensive patterns were fantastic. The All Blacks were better at the breakdowns and had many more people there or with more purpose - whereas, for the Wallabies, David Pocock was a bit of a Lone Ranger and they didn't take their chances.
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Anthony Faingaa of the Wallabies is tackled by Ma'a Nonu and Richie McCaw of the All Blacks
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Mark Ella: Wallabies unable to crack the black wall
In many ways Saturday's Bledisloe Cup went according to plan with a much better performance from the Wallabies in Christchurch and a result that went the All Blacks' way.
The Wallabies were gallant in defeat but, no matter how much pride they recovered after a lacklustre performance in Melbourne one week ago, the fact is they continue to come second to an All Black side that refuses to give them an inch.
The Wallabies had the greater run of play for much of the game, dominating possession, making the New Zealanders defend for much of the match but, as usual, the All Blacks were up to the task.
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Kieran Read of the All Blacks breaks away
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Matt Giteau's Wallabies spot under scrutiny after Bledisloe Cup loss
By Darren Walton
Matt Giteau's starting position with the Wallabies is in question as Robbie Deans toys with the idea of deploying an all-Queensland Reds midfield trio against South Africa.
Giteau, a backline mainstay since 2004, won the John Eales Medal last year before being one of Australia's outstanding performers on the grand slam tour of the British Isles.
But a victim of his own versatility and class, the Brumbies fly-half has again come under fire during Australia's up-and-down start to the 2010 Test season, in which they have already surrendered the Bledisloe Cup.
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And with first-choice five-eighth Quade Cooper returning from suspension and Anthony Faingaa emerging as a viable inside-centre option, Deans admits Giteau is no longer deemed an automatic starter for the Wallabies.
"Clearly we've got choice now, which is great and the group understands that now,'' Deans said on Sunday.
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next test:
South Africa vs New Zealand
August 22
Johannesburg National Stadium
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Friday, August 6, 2010
Bledisloe Cup-Christchurch
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All Blacks: All signs point to victory
By Wynne Gray
If the All Blacks are climbing the rungs of greatness, they must show a ruthless touch again tonight against the Wallabies.
They need to exhibit that killer instinct which separates the good from the best, they need to squeeze any hope and optimism from their transtasman rivals.
That done they can enjoy retention of the Bledisloe Cup and regaining the Tri-Nations trophy with two tests to run.
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So New Zealand's rugby audience will judge whether the All Blacks can find the switch again, whether they have distanced themselves from the Wallabies and whether they are grasping that vital killer instinct.
They are experienced; they are blending some of the younger talent into the senior seams, and they are just 12 tests shy of the next World Cup campaign.
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Keven Mealamu, with his snappy bursts, Owen Franks and Brad Thorn, with their power, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read, with their athletic busts - these men have to lay the foundation for an All Black success.
The All Blacks believe they are mastering their strategies, they are confident in their ability and tonight, 38,000 spectators will turn up to watch if reality matches belief.
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Editorial: A better way to punish foul play on rugby field
The All Blacks are on fire and from the New Zealand viewpoint, test match rugby is as sexy as it has been in living memory. Some of that is down to a conspiracy by referees to eliminate illegal play. Their hardline attitude in the Tri-Nations competition so far has allowed an enterprising team to seize chances at pace and dazzle the crowds.
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At the same time, though, their hard line is threatening to undermine this test renaissance by over-zealously removing players from the field for non-violent indiscretions.
The referees are damned if they do and damned if they don't. To insist on a free-flowing, high-pace game the whistleblowers must insist on penalising professional fouls.
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But penalising is the operative word. Not banishing to the sinbin for 10 minutes or out for the rest of a game. Since when did throwing a ball away or pushing someone to avoid a collision really amount to an offence warranting anything other than a penalty to the other side?
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The humble straight-arm penalty, with the option of marching the offending team 10m up the field to improve the other side's chance of scoring three points, is rugby's best disciplinary option.
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