Boks stars to play for Barbarians
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Jake White the former Springboks World Cup winning coach of 2007, will unveil a Springbok heavy line-up. According to reports from South Africa a number of major Springboks have accepted an offer to play for the Barbarians.
Some of the players who have already accepted an offer are Percy Montgomery, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez, Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha and John Smit. From other nations Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins and Joe Rokocoko have been confirmed from New Zealand.
The Barbarians will play at the new look Wembley Stadium on 3 December against the Wallabies.
McCaw to play for Barbarians
Richie McCaw will play for an internationally star studded Barbarians side to take on Australia on 3 December at Wembley. The match will be the first rugby clash at the new Wembley Stadium.
McCaw will partner with former South African World Cup winning coach Jake White as they take on Australia in the final match of the Spring tour for the Wallabies.
The Barbarain’s last encounter was a 22-5 victory at Twickenham over South Africa in December 2007.
Rugby Poll: Best Openside Flanker
The Ruck and Maul’s new Rugby Poll is on the best openside flanker in world rugby. Every year the question is posted, who is the best openside flanker?
More often than not it has been Richie McCaw in recent years but Australian’s George Smith and Phil Waugh have shown they are more than capable of going toe to toe with the All Black captain.
Let’s not forget Schalk Burger from the Springboks, Burger has been sensational since he came onto the scene and is as tough as nails which is a key attrbute of a world class openside flanker.
Even Lewis Moody has delivered at the highest stage for the English team and earnt the tag Mad Dog Moody in the process. So who is the best openside flanker in world rugby?
Vote in The Ruck and Maul Poll and share your thoughts in our comments section. Do you have a favourite openside flanker not on the poll, share what makes them the best in the world at their craft.
Rugby Tri-Nations: New Zealand 39 defeat Wallabies 10
The New Zealand All Blacks haved produced a strong performance to wipe the Wallabies off the park at Eden Park in Auckland. The result continues the 22 year losing record at Eden Park and extends their losing streak overseas in the Tri-Nations to 15 games.
The All Blacks turned in a dynamic performance to dominate at the breakdown and showed the passion and commitment that has become a trademark of the All Blacks. This was the All Blacks of old playing for each other and for New Zealand. With pride on the line and the reputation of the team the All Blacks delivered their finest performance since the World Cup to smash the Wallabies.
In the space of seven days the Wallabies seemed to play like New Zealand last week, they were outnumbered at the breakdown and made poor options. Often the Wallabies would kick the ball away when they had the ball in a position where they could generate some pressure.
The All Blacks were a total constrast as they kicked from their own quarter instead of running last week. McCaw made an instant difference and his leadership lifted the whole team as did the massive home support at Eden Park. Dan Carter once again was sensational, he was at his best with kicking and organised the play brilliantly. Constantly Carter kicked long and it was his decisive play that dictated the game.
Both sides exchanged penalties early on with Giteau giving the lead to the Wallabies in the 4th minute. Carter soon struck back and then in the 14th minute the All Blacks took the lead through a Carter penalty, 6-3. The game came to life in the 20th minute after a Wallaby lineout throw failed to go 5 metres, the ensuing scrum lead to a Woodcock try after some strong All Black phase play. It was only minutes later Woodcock scored again off the back of a lineout and a fantastic kick from Cowan to push the Wallabies deap back into their own territory.
The Wallabies looked in deep trouble down 18-3 when a brilliant rehearsed move with a brilliant series of passes from Giteau, Barnes and finally Mortlock to a dashing Ashley-Cooper gave the Wallabies a great try from the back of the scrum, the conversion made it 18-10. The Wallabies were back in the game but gave away a penally just before the break when the All Blacks were almost over the line. Carter converted for a 21-10 lead at halftime.
The game was soon out of the grasp of the Wallabies after Nonu scored a try in the 44th minute. The All Blacks resumed the second half much like the first half and the try virtually sealed the Wallabies feat. The conversion of the Nonu try gave the All Blacks a 28-10 lead. Two more penalties to Carter further extended the lead until a run away try in the 82nd minute to Nonu after the Wallaby attacking ball was turned over and an 80 metre run provided the All Blacks with a controversial try in the corner. Nonu was tackled by Tuqiri right on the line and appeared to lose control of the ball over the line but the video referee awarded the try. Carter failed to convert and the final score of 39-10 humiliated the Wallabies.
The win will ensure that Graham Henry is given a lifeline for the time being and the Wallabies will have to look deep to recover before the South African tour in the coming weeks. Carter was brilliant and a clear man of the match, Nonu, Kaino, So’liolo, McCaw, Woodcock, WIlliams and Thorn were all sensational. It was harder find strong performers for the Wallabies as the All Blacks never let them into the game, Smith was again a standout but other strong performances were few and far between. Giteau had a night to forget and was clearly over-rawed by the occasion and Burgess was also rattled, without a clear platform the Wallabies were never in the match.
The next Tri-Nations Rugby match will be between South Africa and New Zealand on 16th August.
New Zealand 39
Tries: Tony Woodcock 2 tries, Ma Nonu 2 tries try
Goals: Carter 5 penalties, 2 conversions
Australia 10
Tries: Adam Ashley-Cooper try
Goals: Matt Giteau conversion, penalty
Share your thoughts on what you thought of the game tonight in our comments section, who did you think was the star of the game?
McCaw to lead All Blacks at Eden Park
Richie McCaw has returned to the All Blacks team to lead them into a must win Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies at Eden Park in Auckland. The reputation of the All Blacks and the coaching career of Graham Henry all depend on a make or break victory. A loss will certainly cost Henry his job and force New Zealand Rugby into total damage control.
To make matters worse the All Blacks have a number of players under injury clouds with Piri Weepu put on standby as the third choice halfback behind Ellis and Cowan. Andrew Hore and Keven Mealumu have both been named at hooker as an injury cloud still hangs over Hore with a bruised hip.
The All Blacks have made some positional changes and adjusts to the lineup with Leon McDonald replacing Mils Muliaina at fullback as he moves to the wing to replace Tuitavake. Richard Kahui returns to the bench with Conrad Smith taking his place at outside centre.
The New Zealand squad is;
Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan/Piri Weepu/Andrew Ellis, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Andrew Hore/Keven Mealumu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson/Daniel Braid, Jimmy Cowan/Piri Weepu/Andrew Ellis, Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui.
Richie McCaw ruled out
Richie McCaw has been ruled out by the NZ All Blacks after failing to recover from the ankle injury sustained against the English in June. The loss of McCaw is a body blow to the All Blacks who are primed for a make or break performance against the Wallabies. A loss could spell the end of the All Blacks coach Graham Henry is has mounting pressure from the New Zealand public who are keen to see him sacked following his failure at the World Cup.
NZ All Blacks name McCaw for Wallabies
The New Zealand All Blacks have named their squad to take on the Wallabies on Saturday in Sydney in the first Bledisloe Cup match of 2008.
In what was a major decision by Henry and the selectors they have announced Richie McCaw in the squad. McCaw was not expected to be back in action until mid August after sustaining an ankle injury against the English side in June. Australian coach Robbie Deans only last week commented that McCaw is a quick healer and he was not surprised if McCaw made a surprise return for the Wallabies clash well it looks like he was correct. McCaw has to complete a fitness test but is a likely starter. Daniel Braid will replace McCaw should he be ruled out.
The backline offered the only other major change with Conrad Smith benched at outside centre for emerging talent Richard Kahui taking his place. Kahui has impressed in his earlier opportunities and will be taking on Stirling Mortlock’s replacement which could be Adam Ashley Cooper in a move from the fullback position.
The All Blacks team is;
Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Rodney So’oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Conrad Smith.
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.
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.
All Blacks Team Announcement for English Test
Graham Henry has made two selection changes and several positional changes from the side that easily defeated England 37-20 last week. Richard Kahui and Rudi Wulf will make their debuts against England in Saturday, replacing Conrad Smith and Anthony Tuitavake respectively.
Leon McDonald replaced Mils Muliaina at fullback, Muliaina drops back to the bench which Sitiveni Sivivatu has swapped from the left to right wing. Adam Thompson has also been moved into the blindside flanker role allowing Rodney So’oialo to drop back to his favoured No. 8 role.
The All Blacks will be keen to cement a clear 2-0 victory over the English side in what have developed into quite heated build up to the second test on Saturday with a strong war of words between the two coaches with England putting pressure on the tactics of Richie McCaw at the breakdown during the first test victory to the All Blacks.
The New Zealand All Blacks team is;
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.