French announce team for Wallabies
Welcome back!
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 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.
Toulon sign Jerry Collins
In another coup for the French side Toulon they have signed Jerry Collins the ex All Black who shocked New Zealand recently with his announcement he will not longer make himself available to play internationals for New Zealand.
Jerry Collin, 27, will join Toulon on a three year contract and will play and be coached by his former All Black captain Tana Umaga. Toulon have spent up big in recent times securing the key signings of Tana Umaga and George Gregan last year and other major All Blacks Andrew Mehrtens and Anton Oliver. Jerry Collins will be the sixth All Black at Toulon and with rumours of Daniel Carter considering an offer as well it could be the second home of the All Blacks.
Toulon have sepnt big and it has been successful with them being promoted from the second division to the first. All the major signings will give them a good start come the commencement of the 2008-09 season. Jerry Collins in expected to join Toulon in July.
South Africa Team Announced
South Africa have announced their team to take on Italy in the one off test on Saturday. Coach Peter De Villiers has made six changes to the side that beat Wales last week to clinch the series 2-0. Three changes have been made to both the forwards and backs with the international against Italy proving to be a good chance to test some different combinations in the lead in the to the Tri Nations series.
The change of most interest if Francois Steyn who comes into the fly half position to replace the rested Butch James. Steyn had a strong year for the Sharks and is a potential future Springbok captain and can play virtually all positions in the backline. The opportunity to guide is his around the paddock is one he will be keen to take with both hands to add another string to his utility value on the field. Besides Steyn’s on field play he is also capable of kicking goals from over 50 metres out and popping field goals from the same distance out, his value to the Springboks is immeasurable.
In the forwards, Ryan Kankowski comes into the side replacing Peter Spies, CJ Van Der Linde replaces Bakkies Botha at tighthead prop and Bismarck du Plessis takes the place of John Smit who has returned to France to represent his club team.
The South African team is;
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 Mtawaria.
Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Joe Van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Peter Grant, Ruan Pienaar.
Italy Team Announced for Springboks Test
Italy have announced their team for the one off match against South Africa. The Italian side is also undergoing a new phase after the World Cup and will be led by their hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini.
The Italian side will be hoping for a good team effort against a side that beat the Six Nations champions Wales 2-0 in their most recent international series.
The full team is;
Andrea Marcato, Kaine Robertson, Andrea Masi, Gonzalo Garcia, Matteo Pratichetti, Luke McLean, Simon Picone, Josh Sole, Robert Barbieri, Alessandro Zanni; Carlo del Fava, Santiago Dellap, Carlos Nieto, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Michele Rizzo.
Reserves: Fabio Ongaro, Ignacio Rouyet, Jaco Erasmus, Tommaso Reato, Pablo Canavosio, Enrico Patrizio, Riccardo Pavan.