Toulouse triumph over Clermont
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Toulouse triumphed over Clermont 26-20 in the French Rugby Championship final on the weekend. The victory was the seventeenth time Toulouse have won the championship and will go part way towards erasing the disappoint of their recent Heineken Cup Final loss.
Planet Rugby have an excellent article going into great detail on the match, click here to read the match report.
Pacific Nations Cup Round 4
Round 4 of the Pacific Nations Cup took place on the weekend with only two teams remaining unbeaten after the weekend the Australia A side and the New Zealand Maori’s.
Australia A triumphed easily over the Fijian side 50-13 in Brisbane. Australia had too much experience and firepower for the Fijians. Samoa were too good for Tonga winning 20-15 and the New Zealand Maori blasted Japan off the park 65-22. The Cup will be decided with the blockbuster match between Australia A and New Zealand Maori on the 6th July in Sydney.
Wallabies 34 France 13
The Australian Wallabies can consider themselves lucky despite the impressive scoreline. Those Wallaby supporters can take heart from a patch of 20 minutes at the start of the second half where everything clicked but the first half and last twenty minutes possessed little that would encourage any Wallaby supporter they are a chance of winning the Tri-Nations.
The match started promisingly with an early Wallabies penalty. The score was soon level as silly infringements and disorganised play from both teams continued to let both teams down on attack. It was not a happy night for the French as every moment they looked promising they were stifled by tremendous Wallaby defence, this was a hallmark of their win. It took till nearly half time till the first try was scored to Matt Giteau when he got on the outside of the defence and rounded a diving Sebastien Chabal to score. The Wallabies converted and took the lead 10-3. France had one last chance before half-time and seemingly blew it again with misguided play only for Cameron Shepherd to kick it out and it was half -time, but a failed kick for touch allowed the French to get back in position only for a penalty to be awarded in front of the posts. The Wallabies went into the break 10-6.
The second half started sensationally for the Wallabies as the urgency missing from the first half seemed to be overflowing in the early stages of the break. Nathan Sharpe was jolly on the spot for a good try only minutes after the break, this was soon followed up to a fine effort that led to Rocky Elsom diving over. The score had blown out and the game was complete when some French counter-attack broke down with a poor inside pass that was intercepted by Stirling Mortlock to sprint 35 metres to score under the posts. A late try to Alexis Palisson gave some minor respectability to the score after a fine try from one of the French’s best on the night. After a strong run close to the line, Mortlock looked to have wrapped Palission up close to the line in a ball and all tackle only for Palisson to flip an arm around the corner to ground the ball. This was the highlight of the night for the team from France and perhaps the only time really looked dangerous.
The Wallabies will be happy with the win but calling it a pass is a big call. The side delivered for 20 minutes and apart from their robust defence it was a limp performance. Robbie Deans can be pleased with the dominance at the breakdown and also considerably pleased with the scrum particularly late in the match when Ben Alexander came on to the field but the lack of finishing and combinations will be something he will be keen to see improved before next week’s game against France in Brisbane.
The best players for the Wallabies were again Berrick Barnes who looked good throughout, often overshadowing Matt Giteau. The forward pack all held up well and Phil Waugh’s aggresion in the second half was part of the improved performance. Both Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu are in doubt for the next game in Brisbane with a knee and shoulder injury respectively.
Australia 34
Tries: Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom, Stirling Mortlock
Goals: Matt Giteau 4 conversions, 2 penalties
France 13
Tries: Alexis Palisson
Goals: Francois Trinh-Duc conversion, Dimitri Yachvili 2 penalties)
Italy 13 Argentina 12
Italy triumphed 13-12 over Argentina in what was a costly night for Argentina. Not only did they lose a game they were expected to win but they lost star Juan Martin Hernandez after 20 minutes with a wrist injury.
Argentina led 12-3 at the break after taking a 6-0 lead early through 2 penalties to Hernandez. The game was uninspriring and was marred by referee Matt Goddard blowing 30 penalties to reduce the match to a bore fest. Italy came back strongly in the first half to bring the score back to 12-6. Argentina could have extended their lead but failed with two penalty attempts, those misses were to prove costly when Italy scored a last gasp try to replacement Leonardo Ghiraldini. It was then up to Marcato to convert fir victory and he held his nerve to provide Italy with an inspirational win against the Pumas in Argentina.
Italy 13
Tries: Leonardo Ghiraldini
Goals: Andrea Marcato 2 penalties, 1 conversion
Argentina 12
Goals: Juan Martin Hernandez 2 penalties, Marcelo Bosch 2 penalties
Carter joins Perpignan
Dan Carter, the star All Black has signed with Perpignan. In what is a bit of a surprise Perpignan have come out with his signature against both Toulon and Toulouse who were more fancied. Carter only signed on a six month contract and will take his place at the end of the All Blacks European tour in November. It is expected Dan Carter will be back for in June 2009 just in time to re-cement his position for the All Blacks ahead of the 2009 Tri-Nations series.
What perhaps played a part in his decision was the qualification of Perpignan for the European Rugby championship next season. This could be a one off opportunity for Dan Carter to cap of what has been a stellar career to date and help him satisfy some of the remaining desires he has in the game. No doubt the top of that list will be All Blacks success in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Wallabies vs France Preview
The Australian Wallabies will be keen to improve on their recent performance against Ireland with a dominant performance in the first of two international matches against France.
The French have sent out what has been called a second string side but those that know French Rugby their is no such thing as a second string side from France. Sebastien Chabal will line up for France in what is a mostly unknown team that has come to Australia. Marc Lievermont has been unable to select a number of major stars who have been playing for the top four teams in the French rugby championship. Regardless of not having the major stars France have some dynamic players who possess genuine skill and speed but have not had the chance to make their presence felt on a regular basis at international level.
The Wallabies have been deep in training for the last two weeks working on some combinations and improving of core skills. Luke Burgess will be better for the run against Ireland and with some additional tuition from Robbie Deans in the kick department he will further stake his claims for a long term position at No. 9. The forward will need to stay on their game this week against France, late in the game fatigue was evident as Burgess was exposed at the breakdown with half the forward pack going missing. The Australian backline will be eager for a run and can be expected to deliver more on the promise shown against Ireland. The direct running was a marked improvement on the direction of attack under Connelly.
The ruck and maul will be at the game in Sydney and will provide an update on the match on Sunday. We tip the Wallabies to come out on top by 9 in what should be an open and entertaining game.
Australian Wallabies
Cameron Shepherd, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Adam Freier, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper.
France
Pepito Elhorga, Alexis Palissson, Francois Trinh-Duc, Damien Traille, Benjamin Thiery, Benjamin Boyet, Dimitri Yachvili, Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy, Lionel Nallet, Sebastien Chabal, Benoit Lecouls, Sebastien Bruno, Lionel Faure.
Reserves: Benjamin Kayser, Renaud Boyoud, David Couzinet, Matthieu Lievremont, Sebastien Tillous-Bordes, Thubault Lacroix, David Janin.
Argentina vs Italy Preview
Argentina and Italy will be primed for a big one off test at the Estadio Olimpico in Argentina. Italian coach Nick Mallett has recalled three stars from Stade Francois who were unavailable due to team commitments last weekend. Star Sergio Parisse will return and captain the side that lost to South Africa 26-0 in a brave performance last week. He is joined by teammates Mirco and Mauro Bergamasco who will give the Italian side more experience and impact. Luke McLean has retained his spot after a strong performance against the Springboks.
Argentina have also been strengthened by the addition of their stars from Stade Francois and Biarritz who both lost their semi final matches last weekend. Argentina have dropped a number of players from their shock loss to Scotland 26-14 at home. Gonzalo Tiesi, captain Felipe Contempomi, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Santiago Gonzales Bonorino, Marcos Ayerza and Federico Serra have all been dropped from the side that lost 26-14 to Scotland last week
Argentina should be too strong in front of their home crowd and with a number of stars back they should have to much firepower. Argentina by 12.
Argentina
Horacio Agulla, Miguel Avramovic, Lucas Borges, Marcelo Bosch, Alejandro Tomas Campos, Manuel Carizza, Martin Durant, Pablo Gambarini, Alvaro Galindo, Juan Francisco Gomez, Juan Martin Hernandez, Alfredo Lalanne, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pedro Ledesma, Esteban Lozada, Federico Aramburu, Rodrigo Roncero, James Stuart, Bernardo Stortoni, Hernan Senillosa, Alvaro Tejeda, Nicolas Vergallo.
Italy
Andrea Marcato, Kaine Robertson, Mirco Bergamasco, Gonzalo Garcia, Matteo Pratichetti, Luke McLean, Simon Picone, Sergio Parisse, Mauro Bergamasco, Josh Sole, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Santiago Dellape, Carlos Nieto, Fabio Ongaro, Ignacio Rouyet.
Reserves: Leonardo Ghiraldini, Alex Moreno, Tommaso Reato, Alessandro Zanni, Pablo Canavosio, Enrico Patrizio, Riccardo Pavan/Jaco Erasmus.
Elsom to be released after Tri-Nations
Rocky Elsom the Wallabies flanker will be released by the ARU after the Tri-Nations series to play for Leinster on a three month contract under compassionate grounds.
Elsom, 25, has had a stellar last two years for the Waratahs and the Wallabies, consistently being one of the teams best performers. Elsom has departed under compassionate grounds, the exact nature of his departure has not been disclosed for privacy reasons. The concern by the ARU was that if they did not release him then he may have been lost from the Australian Rugby for good. It is hoped Elsom will be back for the 2009 international rugby season.
While this is a loss for Australian Rugby is could also be a positive as it will unearth some additional stars who have been coming through the ranks during 2008.
Greg Somerville signs with Gloucester
Greg Somerville, 30, the most capped All Black prop has signed a two and a half year deal with Gloucester. Somerville will join Gloucester after December and will be a major addition to the squad. Gloucester have been a strong side in the English premiership in recent years and Somerville will join a team that is at the top end of the premiership.
Somerville who can play on either side of the scrum as loosehead or tighthead prop has represented the All Blacks a record 59 times and will be a massive loss for the All Blacks.
Ben Alexander replaces Matt Dunning
Ben Alexander, 23, has replaced an injured Matt Dunning who has been forced to withdraw after succumbing to a cork injury. Al Baxter will replace Matt Dunning in the starting team as Alexander takes his place on the bench. Alexander was called into the side after starting in the Australia A win last week against Tonga.
Ben Alexander has had a meteoric rise this year after impressing Robbie Deans and Wallaby selectors in his brief appearances for the ACT Brumbies. Alexander impressed off the bench with his scrummaging and workrate on the field and distinguished himself enough in his limited time to get the nod for Wallaby selection.
We here at the ruck and maul think Ben Alexander is the future of Australian Rugby and his workrate around the field and scrummaging will only improve and he can look forward to a very long and successful international career ahead of him.