England hatch plan to develop local talent
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England have developed a plan to maintain the ongoing development of local players at the expense of imported talent in a sign that the English administration are gravely concerned about the influx of foreign players.
Southern hemisphere players have started flocking into the Guinness Premiership, French Top 14 and Magners League with the 2008-09 season set to be the biggest yet. English Rugby are concerned that the increase in players from overseas could send the local competition heading in the same direction as Premier League Football.
To combat this the English adminstration will provide 16 million pounds of rewards and incentives to teams that limit the influx of foriegn players. Rob Andrew, the director of elite rugby in England, who unveiled the scheme indicated that the current mix was about 65% English to 35% foreign and that for the good of English Rugby it should stay this way.
Starting in the 2009-10 season the RFU will offer 210,000 pounds to each club that throughout the year maintains an average of least 14 of their 22 man squad as English players. The incentive increases towards 300,000 pounds depending upon the level that clubs exceed the minimum requirements.
Rugby Tri-Nations Preview: South Africa vs Australia
The final match of the 2008 Rugby Tri-Nations for the South African’s will likely determine the future of a number of leading players and their coach Peter de Villiers. A loss could well see a dramatically different side rolled out for the European tour in November and perhaps a new coach.
South Africa who have won only one of their five encounters are looking down the barrel of a third loss in a row at home. This would be unheard of in South Africa and against a side like the Wallabies who won for the first time in South Africa since 2000 last weekend. Another loss would be disastrous for the Boks.
The Wallabies are coming off a high from the win against the Springboks in Durban. This week’s challenge is to win in at the highveld in Johannesburg at the Springboks stronghold, a venue they have not won at since 1963.
The task at hand is huge for the Wallabies but this side is different to the sides we have seen in recent times. Robbie Deans side has a belief we have not seen in the Wallabies since 2003. The Wallabies have a genuine belief in their ability and are demonstrating a strong desire to win and achieve.
The success they are achieving can be mostly attributed to Deans man-management but also his key selections which had introduced a level of enthusiam and raw talent into the side.
This week’s match in Johannesburg will be played at 1700 metres above sea level at a venue that the Boks have been virtually unbeatable. The ground formerly known as Ellis Park is one of the most hostile and in your face venues in the world. The poverty of the surrounding area has often been blamed for the Wallabies losing even before they get on the field. Tomorrow the Wallabies will try and prove history wrong.
The Boks have continued to play an expansive game but with minimal success. I don’t think de Villiers will change his tactics now. The Boks need to dominate the scrum early and Matfield needs to intimidate the in-experienced Wallabies locks for the Boks to stand a chance. Their is no doubt the Boks have the firepower but their belief in themselves in low.
In total contrast the Wallabies are playing with confidence and belief. Robbie Deans has the players believing in themselves and has given the the weapons and confidence to roll with the play. This has unleashed the Wallaby side’s strength and we have seen the belief grow in the squad. Timana Tahu will be most under pressure, in his first start he will need to deliver the goods in the hot seat that Berrick Barnes has dominated this year.
Phil Waugh gets his crack to show he more than match George Smith, his effort will be key to the Wallabies dominating the breakdown. If Waugh struggles to make an impact we will see Smith on the field pretty early to add firepower. A potential weakness is Polota-Nau at hooker, Moore has been the best hooker in the competition and Polota-Nau’s last major appearance was a debacle against the All Blacks where is radar was locking into Alaska not Eden Park. His performance will be the key to the Wallaby set play.
The Ruck and Maul Verdict: Wallabies by 8.
Confidence is a big thing in Rugby and the Wallabies are playing with belief and the Springboks seem to have some internal feuding between players and coach, this will likely derail any chance the Boks have of winning in Johannesburg.
Australia
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Brett Sheehan, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
South Africa
Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, Brian Mujati, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery.
Wallabies name team for historic clash
The Wallabies have made five changes to their winning side last week in a move to freshen up some key players before the All Blacks clash in two weeks and unleash some fresh and eager legs who are keen to impress.
Robbie Deans has brought back Adam Ashley-Cooper at fullback, replacing Drew Mitchell who was particularly strong last week. Ashley-Cooper has fully recovered from his broken hand and will be add the tough hard and straight running that has made him an automatic selection for the Wallabies.
In other changes to the side, Tatafu Polota-Nau replaces Stephen Moore at hooker, Hugh McMeniman comes in for the inured Dan Vickerman, Timana Tahu replaces the injured Berrick Barnes and Phil Waugh is unleashed while George Smith drops back to the bench.
The changes are expected to give the side a boost in the lead-up to a major clash that could make history as the side has not won for 45 years at the highveld.
The Wallabies side is;
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Brett Sheehan, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
De Villiers names his Springboks team
Peter de Villiers has stuck with the core of his squad that have been so unsuccessful in the 2008 Rugby Tri-Nations series. De Villiers opted to stick with his side who will have their final chance to make a lasting impression before the Springboks pack away the jumpers until the November European tour.
Two changes were made to the starting line-up with Odwa Ndungane replacing injured winger JP Pietersen, while Brian Mujati moves from the bench to start in place of suspended prop CJ van der Linde.
Several changes were made to the bench with Jannie du Plessis aded a a backup prop and lock Danie Rossouw returns after injury. Surprisingly the experienced Joe Van Niekerk could not even secure a spot on the bench which defies logic considering what he can and has offered the Boks over the years. In the only other change to the bench Ruan Pienaar replaces the concussed Francois Steyn.
The South African team is;
Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, Brian Mujati, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery.
Elsom cleared by judiciary
Rocky Elsom was cleared last night of his one match suspension after the original decision was overturned by the SANZAR judiciary.
The original decision seemed a bit harsh as Elsom was charged with pulling down Victor Matfield in the lineout. The addition of Elsom to the team is a major boost for the Wallabies who are aiming to break a 45 year record when they try to defeat the Springboks in Johannesburg.
Rugby World Cup 2011 Venues to be Announced
The New Zealand Rugby board will meet next Thursday and finalise the venues and the cities that have secured the hosting rights for the quarterfinals and third place match.
The venue of the final and semi-finals have been secured by Auckland to be held at the new upgraded Eden Park. The Eden Park upgrade will make it comfortably the biggest stadium for the World Cup and the only appropriate stadium that can accomodate a World cup semi-final or final crowd.
Auckand have also bid for the quarter finals and the third and fourth place final. Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington are well placed to pickup a few matches due to their relative sized stadiums and their strong Rugby origins.
Campo to present Wallaby jumpers
Wallaby great David Campese will present the jerseys before the match to the Wallabies before the key RUgby Tri-Nations clash in Johannesburg. This is a major peace offering from the Austraiian establishment who have kept Campese on the outer in recent years.
Campese seems to have been welcomed back into the fold in what is a major move forward between Campese and the establishment. Campese has often been critisied for his out-spoken comments but has often been correct in his assessment of the team and this has stung some people.
The move seems to be in good timing with David Campese to play a major role in the Australian Sevens 7 in the near future.
In other news for the South African vs Australia clash, both teams are yet to finalise their teams for the match. The Springboks will unveil their team on Friday while the Wallabies will announce their team after the outcome of the Elsom appeal.
We will update you with the team’s once announced.
IRB World Rugby Rankings
The IRB latest world ranking’s have been a major blow to the South African Springboks as they have dropped from No 1. at ths start of the year to No 3. behind the New Zealand All Blacks and Australian Wallabies.
South Africa have had a horror Rugby Tri-Nations series while Australia have improved dramatically after being fourth at the start of the Rugby Tri-Nations series.
The list of the top 10 are below;
New Zealand
Australia
South Africa
Argentina
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Italy
New Zealand vs Samoa - Samoa name squad
New Zealand play Samoa next Wednesday 3rd September in what will be a key match for the All Blacks before they take on the Wallabies in Brisbane on 13th September. The match will be played at New Plymouth and will be a big test for the Samoan team.
Samoa were only able to secure 3 of their regular players, the rest are contracted to the European clubs and were able to be released. With the match scheduled outside of the IRB sanctioned matches. the clubs have no obiligation to release their players. This has been a constant issue for teams like Pacific Island teams and they have suffered badly in the international arena as a result.
The match is likely to be a bloodbath as the Samoan team are mostly in-experienced and will be under extreme pressure against the All Blacks.
The squad for the team is;
Loleni Tafunai, Simon Lemalu, Heroshi Tea, Lafoga Aoelua, Roysiu Tolufale, Filipo Levi, Chad Slade, Maselino Paulino, Simaika Mikaele, Semo Sititi, Alafoti Faosiliva, George Stowers, Misioka Timoteo, Notise Tauafao, Junior Polu’uliuligaga, Uale Mai, Roger Warren, Jerry Meafou, Pale Toelupe, Romi Ropati, Gasolo Salima, Esera Lauina, Reupena Levasa, Alatasi Tupou.
French Top 14 Round One Wrap-up
The French Rugby Top 14 competition kicked off in France yesterday and several surprise results had the season off to an interesting start. The champions Toulouse were stunned in their loss to Montpellier 16-11 and Toulon the new boys to the competition came from behind in the second half by winning 22-16 against Clermont.
Montpellier who could be a surprise packet after their win against the highly fancied Toulouse side. Toulouse will be analysing this missed chances, particularly focusing on the vital 10 minutes that Byron Kelleher spent in the bin.
Toulon were dead and buried at half-time but managed to win 22-16 after trailing 13-0. Sonny Bill Williams got Toulon back into the clash right after half-time and Toulon were able to power away with a first up victory after being promoted to the French Top 14. In other match results Stade Francais had a convincing win under new coach Ewen McKenzie. Stade Francais top the ladder after Round 1.
Results
Perpignan 34 Brive 18
Castres 26 Bayonne 27
Dax 9 Stade Français 31
Montpellier 16 Toulouse 11
Montauban 37 Mont-de-Marsan 19
Biarritz 29 Bourgoin 22
Toulon 22 Clermont 16