freedom cup

**

 Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks in action during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

All Blacks matched Boks physicality, used quick game to win

Blood was spilled, an all-in brawl erupted and both teams had players sent from the field yet New Zealand's 29-15 Rugby Championship victory over traditional rivals South Africa was based around a simple principle.

Yahoo Rugby News:

**

 Kieran Read (L) and Sam Whitelock (R) of the All Blacks tackle Duane Vermeulen of South Africa during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Injury ends Carter's Rugby Championship

 Dan Carter of the All Blacks is injured during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Dan Carter's Rugby Championship is over, his shoulder joint injury ruling him out for six weeks which means his next All Blacks test is likely to come against France in Paris in November.

That will be the 31-year-old's 98th test, the big 100 milestone likely to happen against Ireland in Dublin on the end of year tour if the veteran first-five's body survives the French test and the one a week later against England at Twickenham.

Carter tweeted today of his injury which occurred in the first half of the All Blacks' 29-15 victory over South Africa at Eden Park when he was tackled heavily by Bismarck du Plessis, for which the hooker was sinbinned: "Nothing wrong with the tackle. Fell awkwardly and popped my AC joint.'' 

NZ Herald News

**

 Sam Cane of New Zealand in action during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

ALL BLACKS SURVIVE SPRINGBOKS ONSLAUGHT TO WIN THE BATTLE OF THE BEST

SANZAR news service

This was an epic of the highest quality, where the visitors were able to inflict heavy casualties on the All Blacks, but while they may have lost some collision based battles, they definitely won the war despite the early jitters caused by the impact of the Springboks tackles.

The two sides looked to get into their rhythms early, and the tone was set with the South Africans employing a rush defence to try and unsettle the All Blacks, while Kieran Read and his troops not only looked to play their own style, but were very enthusiastic about taking the Springboks on – literally head on.

Sam Cane, the victim of a heavy knock, always seemed to have blood flowing due to the aggression between the two mighty rivals, and while the All Blacks were eventually forced to empty their bench, as well as finish the contest with only 13 men, they often came out on top in the specific areas of the rugby field.

While it would be hard to remember the last time an All Blacks team was so physically assaulted, they relied on their systems to allow them to overcome a South African team that wasn’t able to duplicate the magic out wide that allowed them to defeat the Wallabies, even if their pack matched the efforts seen at Suncorp Stadium.

 Jean de Villiers of South Africa charges over Julian Savea and Conrad Smith of New Zealand during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

The win for the current title holders set a new tournament record with the All Blacks winning nine straight matches in The Rugby Championship / Tri Nations, while it was the 383rd Test win for New Zealand, establishing a new record as the most successful rugby nation in Test history.

SANZAR News Service:

**

 Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks runs in to score a try during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 Ben Smith of New Zealand fends against Morne Steyn of South Africa during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

next test:

28 Sep 

S.A v Aus

Arg v NZ

*

Duane Vermeulen of South Africa tackles Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at Eden Park on September 14, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(September 13, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

		Pl	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/-	Pts
1	New Zealand	4	4	0	0	131	73	58	18
2	South Africa	4	3	0	1	148	71	77	14
3	Australia	4	1	0	3	71	125	-54	4
4	Argentina	4	0	0	4	56	137	-81	2

mid-week news

Australia drop captain Genia

Back-rower Ben Mowen will become Australia's 80th Test captain in Saturday's Test against Argentina in Perth after Will Genia was dropped from the starting XV.

Mowen takes over the captaincy less than three months after debuting against the British and Irish Lions in June and in just his seventh Test for the Wallabies.

Mowen's ascendency comes earlier than expected with James Horwill currently sidelined through injury and Brumbies team-mate Nic White winning his first run-on Test cap at scrum-half in place of Genia.

Ben Mowen of the Wallabies takes a lineout ball during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

**

Read the whole report here: Planet Rugby

*

Messam returns to All Blacks to face physical Springboks

Rugged blindside flanker Liam Messam has returned to the New Zealand side following a hamstring strain as the All Blacks expect a tough encounter at the breakdown against South Africa in their Rugby Championship clash in Auckland on Saturday.

Liam Messam of the All Blacks is tackled by Jannie du Plessis during the Rugby Championship match between South Africa Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks at FNB Stadium on October 6, 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(October 5, 2012 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

*

Messam was a late withdrawal from the All Blacks side to face Australia in the opening contest of the tournament last month, allowing promising loose forward Steven Luatua to make his first start in a test match.

Luatua's impressive performances in the All Blacks' three victories so far in this year's southern hemisphere championship put extreme pressure on Messam to regain his starting role when he recovered from the injury.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, however, said the 29-year-old Messam's experience and physicality had swung selection in his favour to help combat a massive Springboks loose forward trio of Duane Vermuelen, Willem Alberts and Francois Louw.

Read the whole thing here: Yahoo Rugby

**

Waikato Stadium - Hamilton

*

**

 Dan Carter of the All Blacks in action during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

New Zealand made it three wins from three in the Rugby Championship with a 28-13 success over Argentina at a wet Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

*

It was a nervy start from both sides but the early signs were good for Argentina, particularly at scrum time as they won themselves a penalty.

And their opening would get even better on six minutes when New Zealand's debut centre, Francis Saili, spilled a ball on his 22 that allowed Argentina to shift the attack left with quick hands to where Juan Manuel Leguizamon was waiting. Nicolas Sanchez's conversion made it 0-7.

*

 Horacio Agulla of Argentina is tackled by Jeremy Thrush and Sam Cane of New Zealand during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 Aaron Smith of New Zealand makes a run during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Dan Carter would respond from the kicking tee five minutes later following a line-out offence, moving through the 1,400 point mark in international rugby. Despite returning number ten Carter missing his second and third attempt at goal from distance, New Zealand were now in the ascendency in a wet Hamilton.

And boy did they turn the screw. Two tries from Aaron Smith whilst Argentina's Eusebio Guinazu was in the bin for an offside offence propelled New Zealand to a 15-7 lead. His first score was all down to Kieran Read's brilliance, the number eight sending out a nigh on impossible offload close to the left touchline that allowed Smith to dive over five metres out.

*

 Juan Manuel Leguizamon of Argentina on his way to score a try during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 Julian Savea of the All Blacks in action during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

The scrum would again play a major part in proceedings after the interval as first Carter and then Sanchez sent over three points to make it 18-13 on 52 minutes. The Pumas though suffered a blow early in the half as Gonzalo Camacho went off with a dislocated shoulder.

New Zealand meanwhile were beginning to make pre-planned changes as Andrew Hore and Dan Carter were replaced before the hour mark, the latter's last act seeing him send over two points after Julian Savea had scored an opportunistic score. It again came from Read as this time his charge down of scrum-half Martin Landajo's attempted box kick led to the ball being moved left across the backline. It was now 25-13 as the All Blacks pounced.

*

 Ben Smith of the All Blacks in action during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 Dan Carter of the All Blacks in action during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

But on 60 minutes came the moment New Zealand did not want to see as captain McCaw would hobble off with a knee injury, just one week before facing South Africa. Cane emerged with Read taking over the captaincy but all the fresh legs fragmented the game somewhat as there would be no score until five minutes before the end, Beauden Barrett knocking over three. In truth, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe's pull back on Saili's shirt warranted a card.

Had the Pumas been reduced to fourteen men then maybe the All Blacks would have had a sniff of claiming the try bonus point. As it was, they must be satisfied with a third straight win as preparations begin ahead of Auckland and that massive clash with South Africa.

Man of the match: Outstanding from Kieran Read. His offload for Aaron Smith's first try was worth the entrance money alone while he played a key role in Julian Savea's fine score.

Read the whole thing here: Planet Rugby

****

 Francis Saili of the All Blacks in action during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 Kieran Read of the All Blacks offloads in the tackle of Juan Manual Leguizamon of Argentina during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Rugby - All Blacks extend run with Argentina win

Kieran Read delivered an inspirational performance to break Argentina's spirit as New Zealand claimed a 28-13 victory in their Rugby Championship tussle in Hamilton.

Twice, at vital stages of the game, Read demonstrated his handling skill, vision and patience in creating two tries, making light of difficult conditions caused by drizzle throughout the game.

The first, when the All Blacks were 7-3 down, saw him slip a sweet pass behind a defender to put scrum-half Aaron Smith in at the corner for a try.

Then, 13 minutes into the second half when the Pumas had crept back to 18-13 down, he charged down an attempted clearing kick, gathered the ball and took flight for the goal-line.

He was dragged down short but the ball was spun superbly across the All Blacks backline and left wing Julian Savea crossed for the perfect try.

*

 Francis Saili of the All Blacks is tackled by Horacio Agulla of Argentina during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 Dan Carter of the All Blacks looks on during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

But if Read warranted exceptional praise, hard-tackling Richie McCaw and hard-running blindside flanker Steven Luatua, whose rapid rise continued, were not far behind. However, McCaw suffered a severe-looking injury in the 59th minute and limped off.

The demands of the game summoned the All Blacks loose men to produce a doughty response in reply to the efforts of their hard-bitten opposites.

Argentina captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe gave a demonstration of why he is such an inspirational leader to his side, chasing forever in the loose and hitting the clean-out areas hard. However, he was lucky to stay on the field after a jersey pull on Francis Saili with six minutes of the game left.

Number eight Juan Manuel Leguizamon was a tough customer off the back of an often outstanding Pumas scrum, and he was superb in support to score the opening try in the sixth minute.

Read the whole thing here: Match Report-Yahoo Rugby

****

 Sam Whitelock of the All Blacks blocks Martin Landajo of Argentina during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Sandra Mu/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Juan Manuel Leguizamon of Argentina dives to score the opening try during the Rugby Championship between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

**

next test:

Sep 14

Nz v SA

Eden Park

Auckland - NZL

**

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

		Pl	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/-	Pts
1	South Africa	3	3	0	0	133	42	91	14
2	New Zealand	3	3	0	0	102	58	44	13
3	Argentina	3	0	0	3	43	123	-80	1
4	Australia	3	0	0	3	57	112	-55	0

****

Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate / Game 1

*

Jean de Villiers of the Springboks is tackled by Ben Mowen of the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 South Africa claimed their first ever win at Suncorp Stadium - and their first in Brisbane for 42 years - by beating Australia 38-12 in their Rugby Championship clash on Saturday.

The results means the Springboks will head to New Zealand next week at the top of the standings, one point above the All Blacks by virtue of a four-try bonus point.

**

Jean de Villers of the Springboks scores a try during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Michael Hooper of the Wallabies tackles Bryan Habana of the Springboks during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

 Off the platform of a dominant scrum, South Africa led from start to finish, outscoring their hosts four tries to none.

The Boks were 16-6 ahead at half-time, and Australia were still in touch until the hour mark, but a disastrous last quarter for Ewen McKenzie's men saw the Boks race clear and leave the Wallabies without a single Rugby Championship point after three games under their new coach.

Israel Folau of the Wallabies is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Zane Kirchner of the Springboks is picked up in the tackle by Israel Folau of the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Man of the match: A pat on the back for the entire Springbok pack, who outmuscled their opposition as required by the Heyneke Meyer blueprint for victory. Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw were excellent once again but Bismarck du Plessis was our pick on his return to the starting XV, standing out with his sheer strength and impact at the breakdown.

Moment of the match: The Wallabies were very much still in the game until the Jean de Villiers try took the wind out of their sails.

Match Report Here: Planet Rugby

****

Duane Vermeulen of the Springboks is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

James Slipper of the Wallabies is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Boks close gap on All Blacks

There may be no positional changes in the latest Rankings, but South Africa have closed the gap on the All Blacks at the top after beating Australia.

South Africa's first win in Brisbane for more than 40 years has seen them cut New Zealand's cushion from 4.35 rating points to 2.7 ahead of the meeting between the two sides at Eden Park.

*

A third successive defeat in the competition means Australia have seen their advantage over fifth-ranked France reduced to just over two rating points and leaves the Wallabies in danger of slipping another place to equal their lowest position since the rankings were introduced.

IRB World Rankings

1(1) New Zealand 91.64

2(2) South Africa 88.94

3(3) England 85.76

4(4) Australia 83.67

5(5) France 81.59

Read the whole thing here: Planet Rugby

****

Duane Vermeulen of the Springboks is tackled byScott Fardy of the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Ben Mowen of the Wallabies and Flip van der Merwe of the Springboks compete at the lineout during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Wallabies is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia.

(September 6, 2013 - Source: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images AsiaPac)

*

next test:

Sep 14

NZ v SA

Eden Park

Auckland - NZL

****