New Zealand vs England Preview
Welcome back!
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.
Match Fitness key for 2008 Wallabies
Robbie Deans has continued on his policy of releasing players to play in club rugby to maintain match fitness and also to help build the local club competitions. This is something the Wallabies have not done in recent years as they have preferred to remain bunkered down in Coffs Harbour in between internationals.
Phil Waugh, Ryan Cross, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Dean Mumm will all take their places in the local Sydney competition, the Shute Shield. Sam Cordingley will take his place for Brothers in the Queensland Rugby competition.
The Australia A team to play Tonga this weekend has also been named. The side has included a number of players who are part of the 30 man Wallaby squad. The full Australia A side is;
Lachlan Turner, Matt Carraro, Morgan Turinui, Timana Tahu, Digby Ioane, Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan, Stephen Hoiles, Richard Brown, Hugh McMeniman, Peter Kimlin, Mark Chisholm, Sekope Kepu, Sean Hardman, Ben Alexander. Reserves: John Ulugia, Guy Shepherdson, Al Campbell, Julian Salvi, Patrick Phibbs, Daniel Halangahu, Drew Mitchell.
Experimental Law Variations (ELVs)
With the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) due to be implemented to Rugby on 1st August for a 12 month trial, we at The Ruck and Maul thought it would be good to give you a brief update of those changes.
The 2008 Super 14 was played under the new ELVs and this resulted in a faster game with less full arm penalties and the sides who were able to adapt to the increase in speed and alteration to the rules dominated. The Canterbury Crusaders from New Zealand were the best at adapting and the mobile forwards they possessed and the dominance and aggression at the maul was a key aspect in them winning the competition.
The IRB are officially implementing the rules on 1 August, this will bring all nations into line and will change the face of the game we know now. Players will need to be fitter and more mobile but still maintain the same skill level they possess. Under the ELVs there is less room to hide on the field as the game is faster and more dynamic.
The Southern Hemisphere nations of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia will have an early advantage having experienced this since the last World Cup but the Tri-Nations is the first major test series that will be played under the new ELVs.
The IRB have produced an excellent guide to the Experimental Law Variations, click here to read the guide.
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.
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.