Official Rugby Thread

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Worst winger I've seen in a long time took the field for Thames Valley against King Country on Saturday. More knock ons than the other 30-odd guys that took the field added together.

 

[Jarquis]

YouTube - The Most Dramatic Drop Goal Ever?

Wow

 

[ripper868]

Mooney sacked as Reds coach - Super 14 - Fox Sports

Won't be surprised if he ends up with a gig in melbourne for the new super 15 team.

Mooney going now means none of the 2009 coaching staff are around for the 2010 season.

 

[Somerset]

Well, South Africa all but secured the Tri Nations after that first half, they might play predictable and somewhat dull rugby at times but to lead by ten points at halftime against New Zealand in New Zealand should be acknowledged. Not sure how we're going to get close to scoring four tries in one half if we can barely spend any time in the South African 22, particularly with the All Black line out performing so poorly.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Not watching the game, but don't think 4 tries was ever going to be the main ambition for NZ. Win first and then see what happens after that. In a way this is refreshing for the ABs; you blokes usually peak somewhere between WCs, hopefully (well, for you) you'll be at your best in 2011 this time. Got blokes like Jack & Hayman to beef up your tight five due to return too.

Less good news for 2011 is that it's going to be a financial white elephant. From The Guardian.

Scary figures being bandied about: budgeting for a £12.6m loss & tickets for the final going at £337!! That'd be considered a tad OTT up here even.

 

[Somerset]

Entertaining second half but ultimately too little, too late for the All Blacks. In the end a really good game. Deserved win for South Africa, again they've proven their allround strength and tenacity to win away from home, which statistics have shown they've been poor at in the Tri Nations. The All Black decision not to kick a penalty on the South African 22m line right out in front with about 20 to go in hindsight was crucial, and I'm sure the crossfield kick which Carter used to brilliant effect in the final five minutes will be used more in future a bit earlier in matches.

 

[Somerset]

Not watching the game, but don't think 4 tries was ever going to be the main ambition for NZ. Win first and then see what happens after that. In a way this is refreshing for the ABs; you blokes usually peak somewhere between WCs, hopefully (well, for you) you'll be at your best in 2011 this time. Got blokes like Jack & Hayman to beef up your tight five due to return too.

Less good news for 2011 is that it's going to be a financial white elephant. From The Guardian.

Scary figures being bandied about: budgeting for a £12.6m loss & tickets for the final going at £337!! That'd be considered a tad OTT up here even.

Fair point regarding the attitude of scoring tries, though they executed a couple of good tries in the second spell, with Toeava making a sensational break to set up Sivivatu, and Carter setting up McCaw. As for the return of the UK-based New Zealanders - McAlister was supposedly a tremendous asset to have back and hes so far proven to be well off the pace of international rugby, so whether the likes of Jack and Hayman would play to the same standards as 2007 and prior will remain to be seen.

 

[James]

Great second half by the All BLacks, but can we please pick a hooker who can throw the ball in, and some locks who can catch! That's the end of Donald's career too I would imagine.

Was impressed by Corey Jane too, could put some pressure on for the Aussie game next weekend.

Credit to South Africa though, boy are they a quality side or what. Amazing team 1 through 15.

 

[Somerset]

Great second half by the All BLacks, but can we please pick a hooker who can throw the ball in, and some locks who can catch! That's the end of Donald's career too I would imagine.

Was impressed by Corey Jane too, could put some pressure on for the Aussie game next weekend.

Credit to South Africa though, boy are they a quality side or what. Amazing team 1 through 15.

Problem is a lack of options to Andrew Hore - Mealamu's injured but was never the most accurate lineout thrower, while de Malmanche doesn't fill me with a huge amount of confidence. Whether Hika Elliot, Corey Flynn or a bolter like Tom McCartney will be included for the end of year tour as the third choice hooker will be interesting but for now I'm not sure that theres too many better alternatives.

Agreed with Jane's impact, and same with Toeava. I know Toeava's been terribly hyped up in the past and has somewhat failed to delivery in the past but his ability to break the opposition defence and set up players has always impressed me and I hope he gets more opportunities.

Fully agree regarding Donald, and the fact that Carter had to cover de Villiers and Fourie for defensive set plays shows neither his defence nor attack is up to test standard.

 

[James]

Problem is a lack of options to Andrew Hore - Mealamu's injured but was never the most accurate lineout thrower, while de Malmanche doesn't fill me with a huge amount of confidence. Whether Hika Elliot, Corey Flynn or a bolter like Tom McCartney will be included for the end of year tour as the third choice hooker will be interesting but for now I'm not sure that theres too many better alternatives.

Oh right, unfortnately there's no coverage of the Air NZ Cup here in Aussie so I've lost all ability to keep tabs on it here in Sydney. That's really scary that we have virtually no other options at hooker.

Agreed with Jane's impact, and same with Toeava. I know Toeava's been terribly hyped up in the past and has somewhat failed to delivery in the past but his ability to break the opposition defence and set up players has always impressed me and I hope he gets more opportunities.

Definately, was clearly an improvement in the backline moves when they were both on the field. Don't see what we've got to loose in giving them both a shot against Australia next weekend.

Anyone knocking on the midfield door from domestic level?

Fully agree regarding Donald, and the fact that Carter had to cover de Villiers and Fourie for defensive set plays shows neither his defence nor attack is up to test standard.

Seemed as though they were trying to hide Donald in defence whenever South Africa had a set play. Reminds me of the Warriors with Stacey Jones.

 

[Somerset]

Oh right, unfortnately there's no coverage of the Air NZ Cup here in Aussie so I've lost all ability to keep tabs on it here in Sydney. That's really scary that we have virtually no other options at hooker.

Definately, was clearly an improvement in the backline moves when they were both on the field. Don't see what we've got to loose in giving them both a shot against Australia next weekend.

Anyone knocking on the midfield door from domestic level?

Seemed as though they were trying to hide Donald in defence whenever South Africa had a set play. Reminds me of the Warriors with Stacey Jones.

We do have other options at hooker, with the likes of Elliot and Flynn (and I am talking rugby, not cricket) for instance, just I don't really rate them above Hore or Mealamu TBH. Also keep in mind when Andrew Hore played for Taranaki the week before last, with Jason Eaton and Craig Clarke as jumpers, the lineout worked well - so perhaps not all the blame should rest with the hooker.

Hosea Gear and Colin Slade are in the wider training squad but obviously neither are real midfield options. I'd like to see Robbie Fruean given a chance on the end of year tour, as hes been a star in the midfield for Wellington this year, and Benson Stanley and Tim Bateman have also impressed. Though Toeava's deserving of an opportunity IMO, if not at fullback, then at centre.

 

[Smudge]

Less good news for 2011 is that it's going to be a financial white elephant. From The Guardian.

Scary figures being bandied about: budgeting for a £12.6m loss & tickets for the final going at £337!! That'd be considered a tad OTT up here even.

Pfft, more bull**** scaremongering from the British press. God, they're dire. Fact is, the event is underwritten by the government, who are going to take in millions in goods and services tax from the tourists anyway, so the only organisation taking a hit is the NZRU, who have a decent amount of reserves to cover their shares.


Donald needs to never pull on a black jersey again, Nonu needs velcro on his hands, and Hansen needs to go - and be replaced by someone who can create a decent lineout. Hore can go too, cheers.

 

[TT Boy]

Nice sends off from European bound Frans Steyn and Jean de Villiers. de Villiers signing off with a typical intercept try but Steyn nailing three 50+ yard was freakish. Everyone knows he can do it but to nail three in a row was unbelievable.

Helluva comeback from the All Blacks though and nice skills from the captain for the try. Jane and Toeava really made a big impact. Big fan of Nonu but four handling errors isn't acceptable at this level whilst Joe Rokocoko has to be on borrowed time, too much of a liability in defence and no longer the try scoring machine he was. Really like Aled de Malmanche and after that performance from Hore, I can't envisage Aled's throwing to be that bad.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Pfft, more bull**** scaremongering from the British press. God, they're dire. Fact is, the event is underwritten by the government, who are going to take in millions in goods and services tax from the tourists anyway, so the only organisation taking a hit is the NZRU, who have a decent amount of reserves to cover their shares.

Guardian's one of the more reputable British papers, it must be said. Quick Google shows same sort of figure (NZ$30m) being mentioned in the NZ Herald too.

 

[Smudge]

I never said the figure was wrong.

 

[ripper868]

Yes Please!

Monday, 14 September 2009
SANZAR Media Release
SANZAR invites Argentina to join the Tri Nations from 2012

SANZAR has extended a conditional invitation to Argentina to join the Tri Nations from 2012 to create a new “Four Nations” Championship.

Andy Marinos, Acting Managing Director of SA Rugby and CEO of SANZAR said: “To have the Pumas, third at Rugby World Cup 2007 and currently ranked sixth in the world, join with the three top ranked international teams in world rugby will be exciting for fans, players, sponsors and broadcasters across our four countries and beyond. They play a different style to the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies and their inclusion will see the Tri Nations evolve to be a truly Southern Hemisphere Championship.”

SANZAR stressed that conditions are attached to the invitation for the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) to join the Four Nations in 2012. They are focused around:

- Argentina securing the participation of their best players to play in the Four Nations. To assist with this the National Unions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are very keen to actively work with Argentina to place their best players across Super Rugby teams in the three countries;

- SANZAR and Argentina confirming the financial model that will apply;

“In addition, SANZAR is in the process of renegotiating its broadcasting contracts and, whilst we have kept our broadcasters fully informed about the discussions with Argentina, we now need to confirm their view on the plan to include Argentina from 2012,” said Mr Marinos.

“With the significant progress the UAR has made in transforming rugby in Argentina and making the case to SANZAR for it to be included in the Tri Nations, we are confident that SANZAR, the UAR and the IRB can work together to confirm the Pumas participation from 2012.”

The President of the UAR, Mr Porfirio Carreras, said: “This is a momentous time for rugby in Argentina and I would like to thank my board and everyone who supported us to reach this point. We are very much looking forward to working with our partners in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to secure our place in the best competition in world rugby in 2012.”

The format for the new Four Nations will see the four teams playing on a home and away basis meaning six matches per team and a total of 12 matches overall. The Four Nations will be played from mid-August (following the end of the new Super Rugby competition) for an eight or nine week period through until early to mid-October. In a Rugby World Cup year an abbreviated format will be played through July and August.

Agustin Pichot – the captain of the Pumas team at Rugby World Cup 2007 and now a member of the UAR High Performance Board and a member of Four Nations project team – said: “I can't express the joy of myself and the team that has been working on this project to get to this point. We are delighted to have the chance to become a great rugby nation and to play in top-level international rugby and we are committed to working with SANZAR to meet the conditions

”This exciting development will be vital to grow the game in Argentina. This is historic and everyone in Argentina should be proud.”

Mr Marinos said SANZAR looked forward to confirming the Pumas’ place alongside the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies in a new Four Nations. He said SANZAR would be meeting representatives of the UAR and the IRB to work towards confirming this.

Issued by SANZAR

 

[BoyBrumby]

Excellent and long-overdue news. That Los Pumas have been as competitive as they have without an annual top-level test comp is little short of miraculous and a testament to the Top 14 in France where a lot of them play their club rugby.

Few details to be sorted (that most of the best Argentine players ply their trade in the NH so will be in their close-season not the least), but good news for world union.

 

[James]

So the axe has fallen....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10597499

Great to see Corey Jane is likely to start.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Fair point regarding the attitude of scoring tries, though they executed a couple of good tries in the second spell, with Toeava making a sensational break to set up Sivivatu, and Carter setting up McCaw. As for the return of the UK-based New Zealanders - McAlister was supposedly a tremendous asset to have back and hes so far proven to be well off the pace of international rugby, so whether the likes of Jack and Hayman would play to the same standards as 2007 and prior will remain to be seen.

True enough, but I've personally never been convinced by McAlister's game-management. Talented boy, extravagently so, but not convinced his decision making is much cop. It was his refusal to take the drop goal when it was on against France in the 2007 quarter when Carter was off, until things were desperate and time was running out, that arguably cost you the test. Reckon a more prosaic player like Wilkinson or Mehrtens would've come away with the points when on.

Also think Hayman & Jack, as tight five players, are more likely to be bankers.

No guarantees tho, obv.

 

[Somerset]

So the axe has fallen....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10597499

Great to see Corey Jane is likely to start.

Seven changes in all. Still a few surprises with Tom Donnelly named to start at lock ahead of Ross and Eaton and the continued retention of Hore and Rokocoko. At least those who impressed from the bench in Hamilton receive a start.

Funnily enough no Al Baxter in the 22 for Australia in a similar line-up to that which beat South Africa the weekend before last.