Springboks Tri-Nations Squad
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The South African Springboks have announced their team for the away leg of the Tri-Nations Rugby series against New Zealand and Australia.
The only major addition to the squad from the recent home tests against Wales and Italy was JP Pietersen who took no part in the tests. JP Pietersen who had a strong 2007 underperformed for the Sharks in 2008 and has struggled with match fitness this year. The break will have done him good and South Africa will hope to see him return to the form he displayed in 2007.
John Smit will again Captain the Springboks with his commitment in the French Rugby Championship drawing to a close with his role for Clermont in the final this weekend. Bismarck du Plessis who has filled in the hooker role in recent weeks has been a star performer for the Springboks and is likely to receive more game time in the Tri-Nations series. Two ommisions of note were BJ Botha and Danie Rossouw who were part of the Rugby World Cup winning squad. Both were omitted from the travelling party and will have a hard fight ahead of them to reclaim spots for the home leg of the Tri-Nations.
The South African team for the away leg of the Tri-Nations series is;
Backline: Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Adrian Jacobs, Enrico Januarie, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn.
Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, John Smit, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk, Luke Watson.
Wallabies squad unchanged for France
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has stuck by his team for the first test against the French on Saturday. Robbie Deans has named an unchanged team in what is a change of practice over recent years. Not once in the reign of John Connelly as coach were the Wallabies team unchanged from one international to another. Coach Deans did impress upon his players the importance of taking your place for granted and that each player should play each international like it was their last. This attitude would generate greater competition for spots and keep everyone on guard that any drop in form will see them dumped for another player who is performing.
The Wallabies will play a French side that is dramatically different to the team they fielded in the World Cup final but while it is a youthful squad it is arguably just as good and in some opinions the youthfulness of the side and enthusiam matched with the speed and ability of the team could be arguably better than the top rated French side they could field if they had the players from the top four teams.
The Wallabies team is;
Cameron Shepherd, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper.
French announce team for Wallabies
The French team coach Marc Lievremont has named his team to take on the Wallabies in Sydney this Saturday with only Damien Traille surviving from the starting team in the World Cup semi-final defeat to England.
France will line up an in-experienced team by international standards but a team full of flair and promise and will be by no means easy beats for the Wallabies. The French rugby team is passionate and will play with the usual flair and look to impress upon their new coach, Marc Lievremont, their credentials for a place when the main stars return after the end of the French rugby championship. With no players available from the top four teams due to the final stages of the rugby season in France it has given France a big task ahead to achieve victory. This is one challenge all the players and coach will be keen to take and will not die trying to beat the Wallabies at running rugby.
In what is an excellent addition to the team for bring the fans in the gates is Sebastien Chabal, also known as the Caveman or Seabass. Chabal developed a cult following during the Rugby World Cup and was the face of the French rugby campaign that took them to the semi-finals. Chabal will be keen to impress after being left out of the Six Nations team under Lievremont and will receive huge crowd support. Despite the relative inexperience of Les Bleus they only have two international debutants Alexis Palissson and Benoit Lecouls on Saturday. The French are not to be underestimated and I am sure Robbie Deans will ensure the Wallabies prepare as best as possible.
The French side to take on the Wallabies in Sydney is;
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.
Pacific Nations Cup Round 3
The third round of the Pacific Nations Cup was played on the weekend with Australia A smashing Tonga 90-7. Fiji defeating Japan 24-12 in Tokyo and the New Zealand Maori’s trimphing 17-6 over Samoa.
Australia A were dynamic with Stephen Hoiles scoring 4 and Drew Mitchell 3 tries respectively in a 14 try effort by the team against a lacklustre Tongan side. All eyes were on Timana Tahu who delivered a solid performance at inside centre to push his claims for a spot on the Wallabies bench. Fiji came from behind to beat Japan 24-12 in Tokyo. Fiji were down 9-3 at half time but dug deep to score three converted tries in the second half to beat a tenacious Japan. In the other encounter the New Zealand Maori’s ground out a hard fought win 17-6 over a spirited Samoan team.
Australia A and New Zealand Maori’s are the only undefeated team while Fiji with two and Japan with one win represent the other teams who have registered victory.
McCaw sidelined
Richie McCaw the All Blacks captain and one of the finest No. 7’s in the game is likely to be sidelined for at least 6 weeks after being injured in the first half of the All Blacks win against England yesterday. McCaw was diagnosed today as having a high ankle ligament strain and is likely to miss as many as four matches in the Tri-Nations series.
The loss of McCaw is a big loss for the All Blacks as he is the only specialist openside flanker in the squad and his fearless leadership is at the heart and soul of the New Zealand team.
We wish Richie well in getting back on the track.
South Africa 26 Italy 0
South Africa were dominant in a 26-0 win against Italy at home but will be still looking for more improvement leading into the Tri-Nations series. The South African’s dominated around the ground, in the scrum, lineout and breakdown but a spirited effort from the Italians ensured a respectable scoreline. Heavy rainfall fell throughout the match yet the Springboks continued to play an attacking and open game looking to exploit every possible opportunity.
South Africa were on the scoreboard after 6 minutes with a fantastic try to Steyn after Habana broke open the Italian defence from his own quarter before Steyn kicked behind the defence line on his own half and chased to recover the ball and score a fantastic try. Bismarck du Plessis was next to score after after a solid lineout win to Victor Matfield and a dominant rolling maul allowed du Plessis to dive over for a try.
It was 14-0 at halftime and South Africa came out firing after the break with another lineout win to Matfield and on the back of another rolling maul Bismarck du Plessis was able to score his second try. The South Africans continued to dominate and it was the giant prop Beast Mtawarira who scored in the 55th minute after a series of precision passes and great runs from the Springboks. The score looked likely to blow out from here but it was the end of the scoring. The South African’s had their chances but were unable to capitalise in the final stages.
South Africa will be pleased with their performance but will be hitting the training paddock before their first Tri Nations international in two weeks. Nick Mallett can be proud of his Italian side who gave it their all and were far from humbled despite the loss. The young Italian side will be better for the run and can look forward to further improvements under the South African coach Mallett.
South Africa 26
Tries: Francois Steyn, Bismarck du Plessis (2), Beast Mtawarira
Goals: Francois Steyn 3 conversions
Italy 0
New Zealand 44 England 12
The All Blacks smashed the English off the park 44-12 but will be counting the cost of the win with both Ali Williams and captain Richie McCaw coming off in the first half with injuries that may put in doubt their availability for the upcoming Tri-Nations.
The All Blacks begun well with a Dan Carter penalty after 2 minutes. It did not take long for the All Blacks to hit the peddle with two tries, Richard Kahui was first to score off a Dan Carter run and then Carter himself grabbed a try. It was 20-0 within 30 minutes and the game was virtually gone for England. The score remained the same till half time but could have been much closer had England taken their chances with two missed opportunities. Varndell was forced into touch and Tait dropped the ball cold with the line open.
England had the first chance after the break but a costly missed penalty by Barkley soon gave way to a penalty to Carter at the other end. With New Zealand leading 23-0 fought back with an opportunistic try to Danny Care. The All Blacks did not lose the momentum for long with Nonu and Lauaki scoring tries to extend the lead and permanently snuff out any hope England had of a fightback. England did not give up and Varndall scored a try, the All Blacks still lead 37-12 until a late try to Cowan after the siren sealed the win.
The English cause was hardly helped with the sin binning of Mike Tindall in the second half and in many ways they were their own worst enemy. The English have a considerable amount of work to do to get back to any great heights in international rugby but it’s hard to deny they have a solid track history in the last two big tournaments, the Rugby World Cup. New Zealand were impressive but will be concerned about the seriousness of injuries to their captain McCaw and Ali Williams, both players were taken to the hospital for x-rays.
The Ruck and Maul will update all the Kiwi fans on their status once we hear more information.
New Zealand 44
Tries: Richard Kahui, Daniel Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan
Goals: Daniel Carter 4 conversions, 3 penalties and Stephen Donald conversion
England 12
Tries: Danny Care, Tom Varndell
Goals: Ollie Barkley conversion
New Zealand vs England Preview
New Zealand will line up against a revamped English side tomorrow in Auckland in what should be an entertaining match. England will be desperate to show no weakness against the All Blacks and need to impress early in the contest to stand any chance of winning.
England made six changes, five of which were in the backline as coach Rob Andrew looks for answers following the lame performance from his backline last week in the 37-20 loss. The English forward pack who were touched up last week will be up against it again this week, especially without their star Andy Sheridan. I expect we will see a tough and combative match once again and the English backrow who were a shinning light in last week’s performance will do their level best at the breakdown to keep the English in the match.
New Zealand on the other hand have made several changes but not through form but more a rotational basis. The All Blacks were solid last week without being outstanding and will be looking for improvements around the field. The focus this week will be on ensuring a better lineout after the New Zealand team were ineffectual last week. The New Zealand team have far too much firepower and experience for the English to beat them at home. Nonu who delivered one of his best performances for the All Blacks last week can be expected to shine again as he is laying claim to one of the best players in the game. Carter has been in red hot form this year and if given any space will capitalise.
New Zealand by 12 in what will be a tougher and more spirited effort from England than last week. The teams are;
New Zealand
Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata.
Reserves: Kevin Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina.
England
Mathew Tait, Topsy Ojo, Mike Tindall, Jamie Noon, Tom Varndell, Toby Flood, Danny Care, Luke Narraway, Tom Rees, James Haskell, Steve Borthwick, Tom Palmer, Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Tim Payne.
Reserves: David Paice, Jason Hobson, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Pete Richards, Olly Barkley, David Strettle.
South Africa vs Italy Preview
Upset of the week Italy 31 South Africa 10, not likely you say and I would agree. Italy will be up against it this week and the nightmares of the Rugby World Cup 2007 are likely to come to the fore against South Africa. South Africa have far to much firepower for Italy to to be able to hold out against let alone be able to compete in the breakdown or scrum let alone the scoring on the field.
Italy have also been affected by having several key players still playing in the French rugby championship but South Africa are not unaffected either. Where South Africa have depth Italy have little and new Italian coach Nick Mallett will be hoping for a miracle tomorrow in South Africa.
South Africa by 55. The teams are;
South Africa
Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Francois Steyn, Ricky Januarie, Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith, Luke Watson, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Peter Grant, Ruan Pienaar.
Italy
Andrea Marcato, Kaine Robertson, Andrea Masi, Gonzalo Garcia, Matteo Pratichetti, Luke McLean, Simon Picone, Josh Sole, Robert Barbieri, Alessandro Zanni, Carlo del Fava, Santiago Dellape, Carlos Nieto, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Michele Rizzo. Reserves: Fabio Ongaro, Ignacio Rouyet, Jaco Erasmus, Tommaso Reato, Pablo Canavosio, Enrico Patrizio, Riccardo Pavan.
Stade Francais sign McKenzie
Ewen McKenzie has signed to coach Stade Francais on a 3 year contract. McKenzie, who was dumped by the NSW Waratahs after a poor start to the season will be keen to advance his chances with the French side in a hope of being a future Wallabies coach.
McKenzie who was a member of the 1991 World Cup winning Wallabies side was told his contract would not be extended at after the 2008 Super 14 after the NSW Waratahs started poorly. The Waratahs went on to make the final of the Super 14 only to lose to the Canterbury Crusaders 20-12.