IRB World Rankings
Welcome back!
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.
Elsom to sign with Leinster?
Rumours are that Rocky Elsom is to sign with Leinster as early as the end of the week. This is another sign of the huge contracts on offer in Europe and also the challenges it brings for the Southern Hemisphere teams trying to hang on to their stars.
Talk still surrounds Daniel Carter and a possible move to Europe and several other major stars. Unfortunately this looks like a trend that will continue further as more major stars are lured away on big contracts.
English team to play All Blacks
The English team to play the New Zealand All Blacks has been announced. The team contains three debutants, Topsy Ojo, Danny Care and Australian born David Paice who will all make their international debuts.
The English side that will play in New Zealand is dramatically different to the side that played in the World Cup final in France. Only Andrew Sheridan remains from the starting line up in what is a clear sign of rebuilding by the coach Rob Andrew in anticipation of the 2011 World Cup.
The full English team is;
Mike Brown, Topsy Ojo, Mike Tindall, Olly Barkley, David Strettle, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Luke Narraway, Tom Rees, James Haskell, Steve Borthwick (capt), Tom Palmer, Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan. Res: David Paice, Tim Payne, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Danny Care, Jamie Noon, Mathew Tait.
New Zealand 21 - Ireland 11
New Zealand were too good tonight against Ireland in a game played in wet and windy conditions. New Zealand and Ireland were locked at 8-8 at half time but the All Blacks prevailed in the second half thanks to the boot of Dan Carter.
The All Blacks can consider themselves lucky to win by 10 after being locked at 11-11 with 20 minutes to play. The All Blacks scored two tries to one, but it was the break that Carter made that setup the key try in the second half to Nonu that clinched victory for the home side. Ireland can consider themselves a tad unlucky after Shane Horgan was called back when in the clear for a knock on when it looked as though the ball came off the boot.
Once again it was Dan Carter that proved the difference, not just with the boot but also his control of the game when it mattered. Ireland can be proud of their effort as the defence held up well and the lineout with the All Blacks was evenly balanced. Ireland will play the Wallabies next week and it will be interesting to see how the new look Wallabies perform against a resilient Ireland team.
New Zealand 21
Tries: Nonu, Sivivatu
Goals: Carter, 1 conversion, 3 penalties
Ireland 11
Tries: Wallace
Goals: O’Gara, 2 conversions
All Blacks vs Ireland - Preview
The first major test of the southern hemisphere international rugby season kicks off on Saturday the 7th June 2008. The New Zealand All Blacks take on the team from Ireland, both teams will aim to reverse the poor performances of their last test matches. New Zealand were bustled out of the World Cup by France in the quarter finals and Ireland came fourth in the Six Nations.
Both teams will be keen to deliver their best performance and we can expect a tough and combative match. Rain has been forecast for the game and with the All Blacks at home they will be hard to beat. I am tipping an All Black win by 13 points. With the wet weather the game will be determined by the winner at the breakdown, for Ireland the All Blacks have too many big gun players and Richie McCaw who’s workrate and consistency continues to amaze will lead the All Blacks strongly. I suspect Brian O’Driscoll will have to have a blinder for Ireland to be a chance and Ronan O’Gara will have to take every single chance he get’s at goal if Ireland are to seriously challenge for victory.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Rodney So’oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata. Res: Keven Mealamu, John Schwalger, Anthony Boric, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald, Adam Thomson
Ireland: Robert Kearney, Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Paddy Wallace, Tommy Bowe, Ronan O’Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jamie Heaslip, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, John Hayes, Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan. Res: Girvan Dempsey, Geordan Murphy, Peter Stringer, Shane Jennings, Mick O’Driscoll, Tony Buckley, Rory Best.
All Blacks Squad Announced
The All Blacks have announced their squad for the opening tests of the International Rugby season. Six new players have joined the squad as Graham Henry continues to rebuild his team after the recent exit of a number of major All Black stars.
The loss of Reuben Thorne, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Doug Howlett and the sudden exit of Jerry Collins from the international arena will be a challenge for Henry to manage. But the continual success and strong performance of the Kiwi sides in the Super 14 and particularly the success of the Crusaders in the recent Super 14 final over the NSW Waratahs show that while some stars exit the game New Zealand rugby has many more coming through the ranks.
The full squad is;
John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Dan Carter, Stephen Donald, Andy Ellis, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Richie McCaw, Leon MacDonald, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Greg Somerville, Rodney So’oialo, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Tuitavake, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.