2009 Rugby Tri-Nations Fixtures
Welcome back!
The 2009 Rugby Tri-Nations fixtures have been announced.
The tournament kicks off in Auckland when Australia take on New Zealand on 18th July. The New Zealand then travel to South Africa where they play the Boks two weeks in a row.
Australia then take on the Springboks in only one test in South Africa before playing three tests at home. The Tri-Nations end in September with New Zealand taking on the Springboks then the Wallabies.
The 2009 Rugby Tri-Nations schedule is;
July 18, 5.35pm New Zealand v Australia, Auckland
July 25, 11pm South Africa v New Zealand, Bloemfontein
Aug 1, 11pm South Africa v New Zealand, Durban
Aug 8, 11pm South Africa v Australia, Cape Town
Aug 22, 8.05pm Australia v New Zealand, Sydney
Aug 29, 8.05pm Australia v South Africa, Perth
Sept 5, 8.05pm Australia v South Africa, Brisbane
Sept 12, 5.35pm New Zealand v South Africa, Hamilton
Sept 19, 5.35pm New Zealand v Australia, Wellington
Note: All times are Australian Eastern Standard Time
Watch Live Rugby
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Live Text Rugby - Australia vs New Zealand
The Ruck and Maul is looking at covering the Rugby test between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane on saturday night at 8pm in the form of text updates every couple of minutes.
As it is not always possible to see the match around the world and most sites i have seen on the net seem to just give update the score without giving you any form of commentary then it is hard to judge how the game is going.
I am interested in you our readers and if this is something that you would be interested in. Email me at wes@theruckandmaul.com or add a comment to this post. If I get a few responses then I will provide Live Text Rugby in the form of updates on average every two minutes, it will look something similar to below;
10th Min - Wallabies attacking on All Blacks goal line, 3rd phase, defence line looks weak, Wallabies on a roll.
12th Min - Wallabies score in corner on 8th phase, GIteau try, Wallabies dominating breakdown.
13th Min - Giteau converts from sideline. All Blacks look exhausted.
If you like me covering the match like this then let me know and I will cover the match for those that can’t watch. If I don’t get responses it won’t happen so let me know.
ARU knock back selecting foreign based players
The Australian Rugby Union board today knocked back the selection of Australian foreign based players dashibg hopes of selecting players such as Rocky Elsom for the European tour.
With more Australian rugby stars travelling to Europe to ply their trade there was some hope of the loosening of the selection of Australian players based particularly in Europe. The decision is in keeping with the New Zealand All Blacks who have maintained a focus on selecting only New Zealand based players.
Depending on the likely exodus and player depth over the next few years these restrictions are likely to be loosened as we lead into the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
South Africa have this year selected some of their leading players from European teams such as Victor Matfield and John Smit. After a slow start for Matfield he quickly started delivering the goods.
Rugby Tri-Nations: Australia 27 South Africa 15
South Africa were booed off the field at ABSA Stadium as the 48,000 plus, mostly South African fans were left stunned by an inept performance which has cost them any chance of winning the Tri-Nations. In a match that never reached any great heights the Wallabies triumphed 27-15 to claim their first win in eight years.
The victory was sealed by a Stirling Mortlock try who has become the first Wallaby to win twice in South Africa after being the last member of the successful 2000 Wallaby touring party.
The Springboks had plenty of chances in the first half but failed to capitalise, George Smith was exceptional as always easily outplaying Schalk Burger. Smith pulled off several tremendous tackles and steals when the Wallabies were looking down the barrel, it was his determination that kept them in the game at times.
Thw Wallabies struck first through a Giteau penalty after 9 minutes, THe first try came to Benn Robinson who barged over for a try in the 28th minute after the Wallabies were able to sustain some pressure through continual phase play.
The Wallabies set piece was solid and out-pointed the Boks scrum at times and more than held their own in the line-out. It is hard to say this was through brilliant Wallaby play, it was more the inept Boks. It was hard to imagine that the majority of this Boks team were pivotal in gaining the Boks the 2007 Rugby World Cup such was their performance lacking in the Boks passion and determination so evident earlier in the Tri-Nations.
The Wallabies went to the break leading 10-0 but were lucky to have been able to keep the Boks out with several strong chances ruined by terrible ball control.
Both sides traded penalties early in the second half until the game suddenly sprung to live in the 50th minute when Drew Mitchell kicked ahead well in his own half to unleash Tuqiri who was indecisive in diving on the ball of kicking ahead just metres from the Boks line. The Springboks covered sensationally to spoil what could have been the match winning try.
This seemed to stir the Boks into action, down 13-3 they attacked and showed some venom that was missing. The crowd also came to live but the Wallabies soon silenced the crowd with a sensational looping pass by Giteau to Tuqiri on the Boks quarter who sprinted into a gaping whole to score out wide. The try was converted and the Wallabies led 20-3 with less than 20 minutes remaining.
The Boks struck back onlky minutes later after Mortlock kicked out on the full after the restart. The blunder allowed Adrian Jacobs in only his third test to score and give the Boks some hope. Ironically a mistake from Matfield on the restart enabled the match winning try to Mortlock who incisively cut through the Boks on an inside ball to score the winning try. The Wallabies had sealed the victory and the Boks were shattered.
A late try to Jacobs once again returned some respectability to the score but it was all too late. The Springboks were turned over 18 possessions were terrible, they lacked passion and drive and deserved to be booed off. One wonders how they can lift for next weeks game in Johannesburg at Coca-Cola Park, the old Ellis Park.
The win was not without incident for the Wallabies as Berrick Barnes (shoulder), Dan Vickerman (pectorial muscle/shoulder) and James Horwill (KO) were all taken from the field. The Wallabies will need to assess their health as it is likely one or two may be missing for next week.
The Wallabies will be happy with the win but were far from impressive. They will need to improve for next week and hope they can win with a bonus point to put the pressure on the All Blacks before their clash on 13 September.
Did you watch the game, what did you think?
New Zealand vs South Africa Video Highlights
The All Blacks are returning to New Zealand on a high after their emphatic 19-0 victory over the Springboks. South Africa had their chances, especially in the first half but failed to capitalise on at least three occasions that could have put a totally different spin on the game.
In the end the All Blacks wore down the Boks and ran away with it with a little help from the imploding Boks. Next week the Springboks take on the Wallabies on what will be the last chance for the Springboks to give themselves a mathematical chance of winning the Rugby Tri-Nations series.
Check out the video highlights from the game below from Fox Sports.
Rugby Tri-Nations: New Zealand 19 South Africa 0
The New Zealand All Blacks shocked the South African Springboks at Newlands with a 19-0 victory. In a tough match where the All Blacks scored three tries to nil to keep their hopes of a Tri-Nations victory alive the Boks will be licking their wounds comtemplating what might have been.
The All Blacks led from the 7th minute after a try to Conrad Smith after a loose ball was grabbed by McCaw and kicked ahead. Smith won the race of Butch James to score. The Springboks had a chance to strike back shortly after but a pass by Montgomery was ruled forward on what was a near certain scoring opportunity.
The Springboks had several other chances, one through JP Pietersen who was brought down on the line while the best chance came to Habana who after an evasive run appeared to score in the corner but replays showed Habana had put a foot into touch.
The half-time break arrived with the Springboks ruing their missed chances and losing 5-0.
The second half opened with more Springboks attack and two missed penalties to Montgomery. This was the beginning of the end for the Boks as all the pressure they sustained was unable to bring them any points and the All Blacks tightened the screws.
In the 55th minute John Afoa forced his way over the line for the All Blacks only to be denied after the video referee determined he was in touch. It did not take long until the All Blacks sealed victory through the deft skill of Dan Carter in the 66th minute who on the back of 12 phases stepped inside two players to lunge over the line to score beneath the posts.
The victory was sealed in the 74th minute with a terrible pass from de Villiers that led to an All Black intercept and try to Keven Mealamu. The All Blacks has sealed victory and the South African crowd were stunned. The South African’s will have to dig deep next week as the Tri-Nations are virtually gone from their grasp.
Springbok fans will be asking what happened to the side that won the World Cup only last year? Did you watch the game, share your thoughts in our comments section!
New Zealand 19
Tries: Conrad Smith, Daniel Carter, Keven Mealamu
Goals: Daniel Carter 2 conversions
South Africa 0
Rugby Tri-Nations Preview: South Africa vs New Zealand
The Rugby Tri-Nations clash between the South African’s and New Zealand will play a major part in deciding the outcome of the 2008 Tri-Nations series. A loss to New Zealand will count them out of the chance of winning the Tri-Nations while a win to South Africa will make it a two horse race with the Australian Wallabies.
The Springboks and All Blacks are under extreme pressure. The loser will come under extreme pressure. A loss for Henry will cost him his job, even a win against Australia in Brisbane on 13 September is unlikely to save him. New Zealand supporter’s are calling for his head and any think less than Tri-Nations success is a failure for a nation that considers Rugby to be the only sport in town.
For the Springboks the jury is still out on new coach Peter de Villiers, some would say what more can he do? Alot more some Springboks fans proclaim! PDV as he has become known has pulled off some selections decisions that have puzzled the fans, Francois Steyn is no longer an automatic selection and Ricky Januarie the star from the Dunedin victory has been replaced by Fourie du Preez.
Some have critisied the decision to select Fourie du Preez but I believe this is a masterstroke. His match last week against a poor Argentina was excellent and his crisp passing and skill in clearly superior to Januarie. Januarie has done nothing wrong but when you have a player like du Preez he must be considered an automatic selection.
PDV has also stated this year that he will pick specialists for position’s. This has been behind the decision of players like Steyn struggling to get first team selection. It is a hard call to relegate Steyn but he will be keen to again show his skill of the bench this week.
So where will this game be won and lost? The contest will be full of venom and we can expect the game to be played much like the two dynamic matches in New Zealand. The breakdown will be action packed, with the respective backrows going toe to toe. McCaw the All Black will need to be stopped for the Springboks to be a chance. Burger will pull out all his spoiling tactics and aggression to try and ruffle McCaw’s usual calm composure.
The selection of Montgomery at fullback for the Springboks was a puzzling heavily critisied and labelled a sentimental move. We will know tomorrow but I consider it a masterstroke. Montgomery who will join the 100 match club, only the ninth player and first South African will add composure and a booming kicking game to the Boks. Monty’s performance will likely decide the match, will he be at his best or meltdown, whichever Monty shows will determine the result.
The backlines are equally dynamic, the Boks have depth galore but the All Blacks have Carter. Dan Carter has been exceptional this year and totally destroyed the Wallabies at Eden Park. The Boks will need to close him down to be a chance. His partnership with Andrew Ellis will be important. Ellis played out of his skin against Australia and his incessant pestering of Luke Burgess and decisive kicking game took the pressure off Carter allowing him to shine brighter. The Wallabies were never able to close them down, mostly on the back of a dominant breakdown and set piece.
The Boks will need Victor Matfield and Andries Bekker to deliver at the set piece. Bekker replaces Bakkies Botha who has left a big hole for the Boks. Botha’s loss opens the door to the Bekker to prove he has what it takes for the Boks. Matfield was a slow starter to the Tri-Nations and has now warmed into top gear. He experienced some issues adjusting to the pace of the new ELVs are playing in France but it is hard to keep legends down and his place in Boks folklore is well secured. Matfield is the best lineout exponent in the world and will as usual dominate the lineout.
The Ruck and Maul Prediction: Springboks by 6.
I am expecting the home crowd to inspire the Boks to victory. The All Blacks with McCaw will be much stronger than the side that the Boks beat at Carisbrook but with Matfield and Burger in the Boks team I think they will have too much firepower.
I expect Dan Carter and Richie McCaw to play well but the Boks backrow will get the better of the All Blacks and the scrum will hold it’s own against the slightly superior All Blacks. The real Butch James and Percy Montgomery will deliver for the Boks and Peter de Villiers will be praised for his inspired decision of Fourie du Preez at half who will turn in a cracker of a performance.
South Africa
Percy Montgomery, JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Brian Mujati, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Enrico Januarie, Francois Steyn, Conrad Jantjes.
New Zealand
Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Ali Willliams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava.
Wallabies in Qantas flight mishap
The Australian Wallabies flew out of Australia today to Johannesburg ahead of their two week trip to South Africa to play two vital Tri-Nations Rugby matches that will likely decide the series.
The flight was not without dramas however as the Qantas flight was delayed by five hours after the scheduled flight had to be abandoned after passengers were reportedly offloaded from the plane due to technical issues.
The Boeing 737 flight continued the recent woes of Qantas which has been in the media for a range of technical issues in recent weeks. With Qantas major sponsors of the Qantas Wallabies it could not have come at a worse time for them.
After the five hour delay the flight from Sydney departed to South Africa on another plane. The Wallabies will be hoping this will be the only hitch experienced on their trip to South Africa.
Wallabies squad for South African tour
Robbie Deans announced his Wallaby squad for the tour of South Africa today and spring a major selection surprise by dropping Nathan Sharpe, 30, from the tour squad. The loss of Sharpe is a major blow to his career as he has clearly been overtaken by James Horwill in the pecking order.
James Horwill exhibits many of the same tendencies that has made Dan Vickerman one of the best locks in the game. Both have a tough and uncompromising style which has proved a hit with new coach Deans. Sharpe has been questioned over the years for inconsistent performances and lacking the killer punch, qualities Vickerman and Horwill can never be accused of when they play for the Wallabies.
In a loss for the Wallabies, young scrumhalf Burgess has been ruled out after sustaining a knee injury in training on Wednesday. Sam Cordingley is likely to named in Burgess’s place for the Wallabies. His experience could prove a bonus for the Wallabies when they take on the Springboks in Durban.
Wallabies stars Rocky Elsom and Adam Ashley-Cooper are expected to miss the first test in Durban, but are likely to return for the final match of the tour. James Horwill and Lote Tuqiri are also in some doubt but have over a week to prove their fitness for the must win clash.
The Wallabies team is;
Stirling Mortlock, Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Al Baxter, Richard Brown, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Matt Dunning, Rocky Elsom, Adam Freier, Matt Giteau, James Horwill, Peter Hynes, Hugh McMeniman, Drew Mitchell, Dean Mumm, Stephen Moore, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Brett Sheehan, George Smith, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Lachie Turner, Phil Waugh, Dan Vickerman.