Ireland’s Neil Best gone for 18 weeks
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Neil Best the Irish flanker and Northampton player has been outed for 18 weeks after being suspended for an eye gouging act in the Guinness Premiership.
Best will not be available until 28 January and will miss all of the Irish tests coming up in November. It will also significantly affect his chances of being a mainstay of the Irish team for the Six Nations as well.
Best was charged for making contact with the eye of Wasps forward James Haskell. The penalty is one of the strongest in recent times and is a major blow to his team and also Ireland.
IRB World Rankings
South Africa have reclaimed the second spot on the IRB World Rankings after their win over Australia 53-8 in Johannesburg. Australia can reclaim second spot with a win against New Zealand in Brisbane.
No other changes occured in the Top 10 due to a lack of international rugby matches.
The list of the top 10 are below;
New Zealand
Australia
South Africa
Argentina
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Italy
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
Brian O’Driscoll captaincy in doubt
Brian O’Driscoll may be looking at losing his captaincy of the Irish according to new coach Declan Kidney who is considering a change at the top.
O’Driscoll is who replaced Irish Rugby legend Keith Wood in early 2004 has been well below his best in recent times. O’Driscoll had no impact at the poor showing of the Irish at the Rugby World Cup in France and continued to look well below his best in tests in June against New Zealand and Australia.
It could be blessing in disguise for Brian O’Driscoll to be rested as it may relieve the pressure that has been building up on him off the back of the poor recent performances of the Irish.
O’Driscoll has long been regarded one of the best centres in the world but has long been marked out of games and his individual performances have been nullifed against the best opposition. This has also contributed to the recent poor performance of the Irish.
We are likely to know the outcome closer to the tests in November when the southern hemisphere teams underake their tour to Europe. Likely candidates are Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara should O’Driscoll be replaced by new coach Declan Kidney. My money would be on Paul O’Connell who has proven to possess limitless skills, determination and has the leadership gene.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 16 June 2008.
The only movement within the top 10 from last week is Scotland moving up one place after their surprise victory against Argentina and Fiji dropping back one spot as a result of the Scottish win. Among other major top 20 nations Samoa has moved from 13th to 12th spot and Japan from 16th to 15th after recent performances in the Pacific Nations Cup.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Fiji
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
Australia 18 Ireland 12
The Australian Wallabies will be happy to have scored a win tonight after Ireland were clearly the better team but the defensive effort of the Wallabies saved the day. George Smith was everywhere and pilfered some key balls at the breakdown and made some key tackles, Berrick Barnes also had a strong game and was seen all over the park. Ireland will consider themselves unlucky not to win having plenty of chances and ample possession but it was the key final pass and some scrambling defence by the Wallabies that saved them the game. Never was this effort more obvious than the final minutes of the game when the Irish had nearly 20 phases and the Wallabies held on through some fantastic scrambling defence.
Ireland started strongly dominating early possession and using the full width of the field as they played with nothing to lose. The Irish attack pushed the Wallabies hard early on but were unable to score the first points that went to Australia after some expansive play where they finally scored a try to Berrick Barnes after a strong run from Lote Tuqiri. The try was setup by quick ball from Luke Burgess at the ruck and excellent support play.
Ireland did not take long to strike back with a pushover try to Denis Leamy after a strong lineout win metres from the Wallabies try line. The try was converted and Irish led 7-5. The Wallabies soon took the lead once again with good support play and a great pass from Giteau to Horwill who scored next to the posts. The try was successfully converted and the Wallabies, led 12-7. This was extended when Giteau kicked a penalty goal leading up to half time. The Wallabies led 15-7 at the break.
The second half started strongly for the Wallabies with a penalty to Giteau after 4 minutes of second half. The pressure soon turned on the Wallabies when Ireland had again the run of the play. Ireland will rue two chances on the 52nd and 55th minutes when a forward pass was pushed by Ireland with an open line ahead and an intercepted cross field kick by O’Driscoll on the half way line was somehow saved by Cameron Shephard after another botched pass from O’Driscoll. Shephard was trapped his tryline with no support and two Irish players but somehow the Wallabies came to cleanup and a certain try was left begging despite questionable efforts by Shephard to release the ball. The referee called in the Wallabies favour and awarded a scrum to the Irish as opposed to a penalty try which Ireland perhaps deserved. The scrum was defused by the Wallabies and once again they got off the hook.
Ireland were not to be denied and scored a sensational try that stretched 80 metres in the 63rd minute. A fantastic pass from O’Gara unleashed Tommy Bowe down the sideline in a 40 metre run and a fantastic final pass with cover coming across from Tuqiri to O’Driscoll for a sensational try. The conversion was missed but the Irish team visably lifted and with only 15 minuutes left in their season they went all out for victory. The aggression of the Irish at the breakdown lifted and the Wallaby forwards appeared to go missing late in the game at the breakdown which allowed the Irish to pin Burgess at key times causing vital turnovers. The Wallabies made some key late substitutions with the addition of Phil Waugh and Dean Mumm who both were involved in some key defence in the final minutes.
The Wallabies were successful in the end but it was not the convincing win many thought they were capable of and in the end it was the Irish who were the better team but they could not pull a victory out of the bag. It is obvious that the Wallabies will need more time under Robbie Deans before a noticeable difference will be seen.
Wallabies 18
Tries: Berrick Barnes, James Horwill
Goals: Matt Giteau 1 conversion, 2 penalties
Ireland 12
Tries: Denis Leamy, Brian O’Driscoll
Goals: Ronan O’Gara 1 conversion
Australia vs Ireland Preview
Australia vs Ireland is shaping as a mouth watering match for Wallabies fans who are hoping to see the start of a new era under Robbie Deans. The former Crusaders coach was the most successful in Super 14 history and John O’Neill the Australian supremo will be hoping to that his masterstroke of luring Robbie Deans to the Wallabies will start producing results immediate results against Ireland on Saturday night.
Ireland will be no easy beats and anyone expecting Australia to win comfortably may be wishful thinking. Ireland possess a battle hardened team that have been solid in recent times and will acquit themselves well around the paddock. With their rising star Robert Kearney showing impressive form and Brian O’Driscoll still one of the best outside centres in the world they possess genuine attacking flair in the backs. They also possess the crafty halfback Stringer and O’Gara who will use all their experience to try and get the upper hand against debutant Burgess and new No. 10 Giteau.
While Ireland were well beaten in the scrum contest by the All Blacks last week they are crafty around the ground and will not stop trying. Paul O’Connell who is their general in the forwards and around the ground will need to take alot of the pressure and Ireland’s performance will hinge largely on his shoulders. Ireland who will still be annoyed at some key errors last week will feel they had their chances to beat the All Blacks but did not take their chances. They will try and dominate at the breakdown with aggressive play and work on the debutants looking to take advantage of any errors the Wallabies produce.
The Wallaby side is blessed with attacking flair across the park. The backline is one of the best in the world rugby and any side with Giteau, Mortlock, Tuqiri who be thanking their lucky stars. The Wallabies are also blessed with great emerging talent with Berrick Barnes having a sensational World Cup campaign and Cameron Shephard, Peter Hynes and Luke Burgess all keen to take their chances. The Wallabies who have been working on the fundamentals and core skill building with Robbie Deans will look to utilise an attacking style of play and aim to use the width of the field in much the same way the Crusaders have done.
The forwards will need to be on song and the battle of the breakdown will loom large in the key to the Wallabies winning. George Smith will be keen to maintain his advantage over Waugh breathing down his neck and he is rarely outside the Wallabies best in each test. Smith’s craft and flair at the breakdown will give the Wallabies a key advantage. Elsom has had a sensational year and just keeps getting better, it would be a shame if he is lost to the Australian game, even if only temporary on a European sabbatical. The Australian front row will need to be on their game and Dunning, Moore and Robinson will to need to be on their game but with the Irish scrum experiencing problems against the All Blacks last week then a win in the scrum will not be a definitive sign the Wallaby scrum has improved. Horwill and Sharpe will form a solid lineout combination and Horwill’s aggression is something the Australian game can dearly benefit from this season.
I am tipping the Wallabies by 8 in what should be an entertaining and expansive game. The Wallabies will get the upper hand through the breakdown and forwards and this will open the door to their backline to show what they have to offer. The biggest concern would if they take the foot of the break cause Ireland will strike back given any lapse.
Wallabies
Cameron Shepherd, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (capt), 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.
Ireland
Robert Kearney, Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Paddy Wallace, Tommy Bowe, Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, John Hayes, Rory Best, Marcus Horan.
Reserves: Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Geordan Murphy, Girvan Dempsey.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 9 June 2008.
The Top 10 are pretty much as expected and will depending on results in the current rugby season show some movements. South Africa are still ranked No. 1 after winning the 2007 World Cup. New Zealand are ranked No. 2 and will be keen to win the Tri-Nations to return to the No. 1 spot they have held for many years but failed to deliver at World Cup level. Argentina have pipped Australia for the third spot after a sensational World Cup campaign that surprised the rugby world. Australia will also been keen for a strong Tri-Nations to move back up the world rankings.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Fiji
Scotland
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
Ireland Team Announced
The Ireland team to play the Wallabies in Melbourne on Saturday in Melbourne was announced today. Two changes were made to the Irish side that played the New Zealand All Blacks last week with the inclusion of veteran halfback Peter Stringer and hooker Rory Best.
The selection of Stringer is the starting side is good news for the veteran who has been consistently one of the best halfbacks in the game over his long career. Stringer’s combination with O’Gara will give Ireland a stable combination in the backline which could provide an advantage over their inexperienced rivals Burgess and Giteau.
The Ireland squad is:
Robert Kearney, Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll, Paddy Wallace, Tommy Bowe, Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, John Hayes, Rory Best, Marcus Horan.
Reserves: Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, Mick O’Driscoll, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Geordan Murphy, Girvan Dempsey.
All Blacks team to play England
The New Zealand All Blacks have named a star studded team for their match against England this weekend. Graham Henry announced that he is fielding the best side he has available to him at the moment. One change from the previous test to Ireland was made due to the medial ligament injury to John Afoa, Greg Somerville comes into the side at tighthead prop.
The full All Black team is;
Mil Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, captain, Rodney So’oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorne, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Schwalger, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.