Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks is tackled by Andy Powell of Wales during the Test match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at Millennium Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Cardiff, Wales. (November 26, 2010 - Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe) **
Grand Slam thank you ma'am
By Gregor Paul
This was proper test football and the All Blacks had to work much harder than the score might suggest. There were periods where they were loose, unable to get their hands on the ball and scrambling to stop the Welsh. There were other periods where the All Blacks were magnificent - so accurate, so clinical, so fast that Wales didn't know what had hit them. That was the difference really - the All Blacks made everything pay - they converted their opportunities. And how they needed to.
Tony Woodcock of the All Blacks charges through during the Test match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks at Aviva Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland. (November 19, 2010 - Photos by Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe) ** All Blacks see off spirited Irish New Zealand remained on course to complete the Grand Slam after completing a 38-18 victory over Ireland at Aviva Stadium.
The All Blacks were on the attack from the outset, collecting the kick-off and racing down to the Irish 22 with backs and forwards combining with great ease and effect. Many in Aviva Stadium must have thought they were in for a similar fate suffered by those at Murrayfield last week, but the Irish refused to be completely brushed aside.
* Man of the match: Dan Carter marshalled his troops brilliantly and was particularly prominent in the first-half. The fly-half was as reliable as ever with the boot, missing just one kick, his final strike of the game, which sees him move to within two points of Jonny Wilkinson at the top of the world's points-scoring charts.
Ben Alexander of the Wallabies is tackled by Sergio Parisse during the Test match between Italy and the Australian Wallabies at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 20, 2010 in Florence, Italy. (November 19, 2010 - Photos by David Rogers/Getty Images Europe) ** Australia fail to impress in Florence Australia claimed their second win on their November tour with a 32-14 win over an ill-disciplined Italian outfit. In a match that lacked any really quality, it was the boot of Berrick Barnes that ensured that Robbie Deans' men picked up the second scalp on their end-of-year tour. However, it was far from a performance that will quell the growing discontent amongst the Australian press and public. * Man of the match: The Italians certainly played with great courage and for all the interest surrounding his debut, Edoardo Gori enjoyed a productive start. But it was the boot of Berrick Barnes that was the difference between the two teams. http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_6516978,00.html ***
Graeme Morrison of Scotland is tackled by Willem Alberts of the South Africa during the international match between South Africa and Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(November 19, 2010 - Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Europe)
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Scots shatter Boks' Grand Slam
South Africa's quest for a Grand Slam is over after Scotland defeated the world champions 21-17 on Saturday.
It was an amazing turnaround for the hosts who were thumped by New Zealand a week ago, but - against all odds - bounced back superbly to record a memorable victory and restore some pride.
The same couldn't be said of South Africa though, who would have targeted this encounter as the easiest of the four 'Home Nations'. However, Scotland proved that no Test match is easy as the woeful Boks found out... the hard way.
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Scotland were without a win over South Africa since the 2002 Murrayfield meeting, but eight years on Parks demonstrated his unerring accuracy, kicking six penalties and a drop goal to punish the Springboks' indiscipline.
It was Scotland's fourth win in five Tests and just a second victory over South Africa in 13 post-Apartheid meetings.
Chris Ashton of England scores a try during the Investec international test match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 13, 2010 in London, England. (November 12, 2010 - Photos by Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe)
** England dominate the Wallabies England finally put in the performance Martin Johnson had been longing for on Saturday with a ruthless 35-18 win against Australia at Twickenham.
It was an 80-minute effort that saw Lewis Moody lift the Cook Cup and the champagne sprayed. The victory - inspired by two tries from wing Chris Ashton and 25 points via the assured boot of Toby Flood - has also sent out a warning shot to rivals ahead of next year's World Cup. Moody had come out of the dressing rooms in a manner that summed up his 'Mad Dog' nickname - smiling yet scowling in a fired up fashion. And it seemed that the captain's late pep talk before kick-off rubbed off on his team-mates, who took the fight to the Wallabies in the early stages.
England unsurprisingly had set about looking to take the heart out of their opponents, attacking Australia down the middle of the field through Courtney Lawes and Nick Easter. However, the visitors weathered the early storm and were in fact the first to have an opportunity for posts. Wing James O'Connor missed from the touchline though in what was a bad day from the tee in which he was unsuccessful with his first three. The hosts soon capitalised in what quickly became the enterprising brand that Martin Johnson has been desperate for for some time now. England were running the ball from all areas, had options and were backing themselves to claim successive wins against Oz
Man-of-the-match: A tough call between Ben Youngs and Chris Ashton. The former was so often the catalyst for England while Toby Flood and Courtney Lawes also put in good shifts, but Ashton's two tries see him take this one. * Moment-of-the-match: It has to be Chris Ashton's memorable try that left Wallaby winger Drew Mitchell tasting dirt. One of the great tries to ever be scored at Twickenham and it left Australia having it all to do. http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_6503769,00.html
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Nick Easter of England is tackled by Benn Robinson and Stephen Moore ** next test: Nov 20 England v Samoa London * Italy v Australia Florence ***
Alun Wyn Jones of Wales is tackled by Morne Steyn of South Africa during the international match between Wales and South Africa at Millennium Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Cardiff, Wales. (November 12, 2010 - Photos by Warren Little/Getty Images Europe)
** Boks hold on for victory Defence was the order of the day in the last five minutes at the Millenium Stadium as South Africa held on to beat Wales 29-25 on Saturday. Needing a try to snatch victory, Wales laid siege to the South African line in the closing stages, going through some 15 phases of possession in injury-time, but some superb defence kept them at bay as the Springboks made it two wins from two games on European soil.
As hard as they tried, Wales were left to rue yet another defeat at the hands of their southern hemisphere visitors who at one stage looked dead and buried before staging a spirited fightback.
Up 17-3 in the first half, the Welsh looked a sure bet at ending their eleven-match losing drought over Tri-Nations opposition. But the boot of Morne Steyn (19 points) coupled with tries to debutant Willem Alberts and captain Victor Matfield in the second half, set up a thrilling finish that ultimately ended in heart-break for Wales * Man of the match: The 18-year-old giant Wales wing George North, who has already been dubbed the Welsh Jonah Lomu, matched his billing with a barnstorming display. http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_6503770,00.html ***
Wales fly half Stephen Jones is tackled by Ruan Pienaar
** next test: Nov 20 Scotland v S. Africa Murrayfield. * Nov 27 Wales v N.Zealand Cardiff ***
Bjorn Basson of South Africa is tackled by Andy Powell of Wales as Bismarck Du Plessis of South Africa tackles Mike Phillips of Wales
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Sonny Bill Williams of the New Zealand All Blacks offloads the ball during the Test match between New Zealand and Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Edinburgh, Scotland
(November 12, 2010 - Photos by Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)**
Easy does it for All Blacks
New Zealand ran in seven tries past Scotland to beat their hosts 49-3 in a completely one-sided game at Murrayfield on Saturday.
It was a demoralising defeat for the Scots, who could only look on helplessly as the All Blacks condemned their hosts to a record home defeat.
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The match was over as a contest as early as the 17th minute following four early tries to New Zealand who took control from kick-off and never looked back
If anything, New Zealand's dominance of territory and possession increased in the second half and they added three further tries - through Muliaina, Conrad Smith and Andy Ellis - to cap a dazzling display.
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Man of the match: Hard one after such an accomplished team effort. But it was the distribution of rugby league convert Sonny Bill Williams in midfield that particularly caught the eye. Williams, who made his Test debut in the 15-man code in last weekend's win over England at Twickenham, consistently opened holes in Scotland's defence with the timing and vision of his offloads.
Max Evans of Scotland is tackled by Sonny Williams of the New Zealand
** All Blacks ease to victory
An All Black machine that had spluttered through the first two games of this tour, clicked into gear this morning, leaving the Scots screaming for air and still awaiting their first win over New Zealand.
While still a long way short of an 80-minute performance, four tries in the opening half hour, all cleverly constructed, put the game out of reach.
Hosea Gear scored first after the sort of Sonny Bill Williams bust and offload that is fast becoming a trademark.
The ease with which Williams breaks the advantage line at first phase and the difficulty defences have preventing him get the ball away suggests that 12 is a more natural home for him.
He's far from the finished product at this level - when he gets the ball deeper behind the advantage line he looks as if he is thinking too much about what he's supposed to be doing - but the tries he set up to Gear and Muliaina in the second, with a reverse flick pass, point to him being a blue-chip asset ahead of the World Cup.
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This was rugby played at pace and with the sort of precision that had been missing in Hong Kong and London. Scotland, who have impressed recently with their willingness to move the ball and play with width, needed desperately to crunch the game down to its core and for a while they were successful.
Robert Kearney of Ireland is unable to stop Juan Smith of South Africa diving over the line for the first try during the Guinness Series 2010 match between Ireland and South Africa at Aviva Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland.
(November 5, 2010 - Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
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Springboks rumble to victory in Dublin South Africa survived a late comeback from Ireland to record their first victory on Irish soil in ten years, winning 23-21 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
There have been a few comments regarding 'traditional' Test match rugby of late and the purists wouldn't have been disappointed in Dublin.
A late conversion from Ronan O'Gara bounced off an upright to deny Ireland a draw that had seemed unlikely only a few minutes earlier after South Africa had controlled the game from the outset.
In soaking wet conditions, the set piece was always going to be primordial and the Springboks' dominance in both the scrums and line-outs laid the platform for victory.
With a few familiar faces missing from the Bok back-line, the visitors probably welcomed the rain as it allowed their experienced pack to rule the roost.
The hosts weren't doing themselves any favours though - crooked throw-ins, early engagements and fumbled passes became all too frequent under the pressure from the tourists.
Man of the match: Hats off the South African pack. Victor Matfield was supreme in the line-outs, but we'll go for Juan Smith - not just for his try, but for carrying the ball like a gladiator and tackling like a machine.
It wasn't anything to shout home about, but Australia got the job done at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff after beating Wales 25-16 on Saturday.
The Wallabies were a far cry from the team that humbled the mighty All Blacks a week ago, but made the most of their opportunities to record back-to-back wins on the road.
Australia outscored their hosts three tries to one - David Pocock, Kurtley Beale and Ben Alexander all touching down for the Wallabies who produced some dazzling running rugby at times in Cardiff.
However, their scrummaging left plenty to be desired as they were repeatedly overpowered and outmanoeuvred by the Welsh pack.
Wales, though, could not turn that forward dominance into points and had just a converted Richie Rees try and three Stephen Jones penlaties to show for their efforts as Australia ran out worthy winners.
Man of the match: Without a doubt, Kurtley Beale who was the inspiration behind Australia's win.
Stephen Jones of Wales is tackled by the Wallabies defence during the Test match between Wales and the Australian Wallabies at Millennium Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Cardiff, Wales.
(November 5, 2010 - Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe)
Shontayne Hape of England is tackled by Isaia Toeava of New Zealand and is prevented from scoring a try during the Investec Challenge match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on November 6, 2010 in London, England.
(November 5, 2010 - Photos by Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)
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All Blacks quell England's fire
New Zealand had their composure rattled as England moved the ball and while they opted for a running game the All Blacks were able to retain the Hillary Shield with a 26-16 win at Twickenham.
It was an open encounter which saw the All Blacks under rare pressure this season. Constant infringing at the breakdown resulted in flanker Jerome Kaino being sin-binned with nine minutes left.
England mounted assault after assault at the line but the defence held. The closest England got was when Kiwi-born second five-eighths Shontayne Hape dived at the corner only to lose the ball as he was tackled by replacement wing Isaia Toeava who produced a 'George Gregan' moment as the knock-on was ruled.
Samuel Whitelock of New Zealand wins lineout ball under pressure from Tom Palmer of England
** All Blacks back on horse at Twickers
It really was a game of two halves in London, the visitors enjoying a great deal of ball in the first 40 before England upped their game in the second.
But tries from Hosea Gear and Kieran Read along with Dan Carter's sixteen points saw them edge their hosts, who will be encouraged by their effort.
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Man of the match: Call him old fashioned or one dimensional, but Nick Easter put in the hard graft for England and just beats Dan Carter to the gong.
