tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-219828752024-03-13T21:35:20.199+10:00Super 14Super Rugby is the subject of this blog. This blog contains comment and links to articles of interest from the Super 14, Tri-Nations, and other International Rugby Union Test Matches involving the major southern hemisphere rugby union nations - New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Pre-game commentary, post match analysis, both from mainstream media and contributors to this blog, will be featured including comment on the state of our game. Enjoy.Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-20593477527905122842008-08-28T21:38:00.002+10:002008-08-28T21:42:22.740+10:00How about the Tri-Nations tournament this year? Is it not the best in...well almost forever. If not the best, the certainly the closest. A hotly fougth contest that will come down to the wire between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Brisbane on 13 September. It is going to be fantastic. All those Wallabies fans out there will be watching to see if their team can pull off a two win tour of the Republic - an historic event to be sure. The suspension of Elsom will have riled many, and may yet be overturned. However, it is sure to have caused disruption in the preparation for this weekend's mighty clash against a Bok side that will be more desperate than the South Africans have been in generations to come away with a win...but if they weren't desperate before now, what does it take with this team? Being held to nil for the first time on home soil by a mediocre All Blacks performance should have given them cause to rally, but it didn't and they were well beaten by Aussie. The only question is, do they have anything left in them to pull out this weekend? Time will tell...Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-64605701039500964182008-01-05T10:06:00.000+10:002008-01-05T10:15:32.680+10:00Hey Fellow Super 14 Fanatics, the 2008 season is not far off, and is starting to make the sports news coverage. As is typically the case, there is a paucity of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-season information about the teams, changes that have been made, and even coverage of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-season games that give a poor indication of the form we can expect from teams during the coming season!<br /><br />There is a significant level of interest in this season's competition however, due in part to the departure of Robbie Deans for the fair shores of the Lucky Country at the end of this seasons Super 14 to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">coach</span> the Wallabies. One last swan song at the helm of the Crusaders awaits <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NZ's</span> most unlucky coach in recent memory. Who'd have thought that the All Blacks would retain a losing coach after the worst World Cup performance ever? The question that remains to be answered, and only time will tell, is whether or not the decision shows some maturity on the behalf of NZ Rugby, or if it is self interest at the highest levels of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">NZRFU</span>? As for Aussie, they fared no better and fell to an England team that played it tight and hard. South Africa, champions and deservedly so for no other reason than they played to their strengths, did not falter, and followed a game plan. A well deserved win for the Southern Hemisphere, but hopefully the South has been disabused of the arrogance that continually leads to supposed 'upset' victories when the teams actually play a full strength norther hemisphere side.<br /><br />In any event, this blog is back underway. Posts are likely to be weekly until competition time when they will revert to daily or every two days during the season. Also I have found several newish sites that may be of interest to readers that feature some of the action from rugby around the world. I'll be adding those links in the near future. I'll also set up a poll where readers can choose the team they think will take out the competition this season. If you ask me, the Crusaders will win, but hey, let's see if some of those Blues fans come back to this site again! Keep those comments coming.Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-67048981600525152372007-04-06T21:37:00.000+10:002007-04-06T21:45:56.609+10:00<span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">Blues Continue Winning Streak</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Blues game tonight was a hard fought contest and the Cheetahs certainly turned up to play at Eden Park tonight. There were some huge hits, and some of the Blues looked a bit worse for wear by the end of the game, this torrid encounter coming hard on the heels of a very physical clash with the Chiefs last week. Daniel Braid in particular needed some running repairs to his rearranged face. There will be some stitches required there methinks.<br /><br />However, the Blues will be pleased to have won the game 26-8. Of concern for the Blues will be the way that their forward pack was unable to combat the lineout drive of the tourists, and was unable to get any momentum of their own against a pack that included a few heavy weights. Nucifora will no doubt be working on that during the coming week in preparation for the game against the Sharks next week who will definitely exploit this weakness with their considerable forward pack of test veterans.<br /><br />On the postive side the Blues backline really fired and delivered a length of the field try that will certainly make the highlight reels for this season. It was chamagne rugby, superbly opportunism and some great skills to make a wonderful try that no team in the competition would have been able to defend against. Fantastic stuff for you Blues fans out there, this team is a virtual certainty for the top 4 if they can win any of their remaining four games. About time this team turned around.<br /><br />Smoking Joe made a return to the field after sustaining an injury following the controversial reconditioning program that the All Blacks have been on fro the first half of the season. He looked short of a game, but to be fair the game had lost a lot of structure by the time he took the field and nothing could really be said about his game at this stage. Hopefully he will be back to his very best. It is all onwards and upwards for the Blues who face the Sharks at Albany and then must be due for their tour of Australia and the Republic. What a way to finish!<br /></span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-70084522500652543542007-03-15T20:57:00.000+10:002007-03-15T21:04:50.648+10:00Break Over<br /><br />Hi all, sorry for the infrequent postings of late, aside from being depressed about my complete inability to correctly tip any of the games this year (yes, my girlfriend is beating me again this year) I have also been moving and having to wait while interent is set up at my new place and so on.<br /><br />The good news is that I have foxtel and am loving it. Watching all the games live is the best thing ever, and having such a massive screen to watch them on fantastic. I am well set up and watched 6 hours of rugby straight last weekend, and felt fortunate to have recorded it all so I could watch it all again after the live stuff stopped. Technology is a wonderful thing...<br /><br />This weekend should be a more settled round I feel. The Chiefs are an enigma. Most punters have tipped them this weekend at home, however they will be a difficult team all season this year. The Tahs may be due for a win, but here in Sydney it is all doom and gloom as the punters write off not only the Tahs, but also any chance the Wallabies may have to securing the World Cup later on this year.<br /><br />The Blues have been going well, however they only lead the table because they have played one extra game over the sharks. Both these teams should win this week to add to their impressive starts to the season. Mark my words, the Africans will be back come world cup time and the impressive display the sharks put on last week against young pretenders (or old hands looking at the front row at least) the Cheetahs. That was a strong performance by the African tight five that rolled out for the Sharks.<br /><br />Before I go I must make mention of the strong performance put in by Doug Howlett last week who copped a low blow from the opposing fullback in the game against the Lions, and that was followed up by what could have been an attempted head butt from the same player, and then a punch from the African half back. Normally wingers will throw the handbags, and then that's it. However Douggie went hard and knocked the stuffing out of the opposing fullback with some very strong and superbly timed tackles that really left him rattled. Great to see some hard play coming back into the game. All we need now are for some of the bigger men to start doing it and we'll have some games on our hands!<br /><br />Good luck to you all for this round.Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-15907366668909454472007-02-18T08:59:00.000+10:002007-02-18T09:26:38.760+10:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Upsets Continue in Round Three</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stormers Get First Win Against Lowly Chiefs</span><br /><br />The Stormers handed the Chiefs their third loss from as many games, defeating one of the most dissapointing franchises from New Zealand this season 21-16 at Newland Stadium early saturday morning Australian time. I'm hoping that this is the last time this season that there wont be a game on to watch on Friday evening, nice organisational skills SANZAR. Get your act together. Aside from that, not much to say about this game except that the Stormers and the Chiefs are now tied at the bottom of the table on 5 points. It will be a long season for fans of either side from here on in.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Western Force Surprise Hometown Faithful</span><br /><br />The Bulls surrendered their growing legend of toughness at home to newcomers, the Western Force this weekend, going down 30-27 in what was one of the more thrilling games this weekend. Cameron Shepperd was to the fore in his sides win against the predictions of most punters, and certainly the bookies. He scored 2 tries and kicked 6 goals for a massive point scoring haul to take his side home. Always nice to see a fat man score a try, and in this case we saw prop Gareth Hardy score the winning try for his side - especially sweet. The Force seem as if they may be...well a force to be reckoned with this season.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hurricanes Pip The Blues</span><br /><br />In Wellington the Canes managed to make Tana Umagas 300th first class game a fond memory for him downing the Blues by one point 23-22 in a see sawing match that the Blues will be kicking themselves for losing. They ought to have taken this match, but failed to show the necessary discipline and toughness in adverse circumstances and this cost them the game. Having won by one point the previous week, there is a certain sense of poetic justice about this result, incuding the fact that the Blues will at least walk away with a bonus point, and possibly can get into a good frame of mind to take on the resurgent Reds at home this coming weekend.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ausse Derby Falls Flat</span><br /><br />The much hyped Reds Brumbies match failed to deliver any attractive rugby as a hard fought, and very lucky 6-3 victory was attained by the Brumbies over a poorly judged match. Eddie Jones has been described as being OUTRAGED over the referee's calls during the game, especially those against the dominant scrum...I'd have to agree with him. There are too many backs outthere refereeing scrums about which they clearly know nothing and it is ruining the one aspect of the game that still sets Union apart from the other codes. The scrum is key, and we want to see a decent competition up front and well matched sides use their beef. This was a scrappy and intense game, but again this is one that wont make the highlights dvd for this season. Unfortunately Jones' contribution to free speech in Australia is likely to land him in hot water and incur a fine. This only adds to the Reds predicament after centre Johanssen was cited for a high tackle.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CheeTAHS To Good For Woeful WarraTAHS</span><br /><br />The battle of the Tahs has been fought this year, and the Aussie side have slumped to their second loss for the season, the homeside Cheetahs continuing on their impressive run since entering Super 14 last season. They won in Kimberley 30-26 over a Warratahs side that included the underperforming multimillion million dollar man Lote Tuqiri who was shown a thing or two about commitment and performance by the rising star Kurtley Beale who scored brilliant solo try in his first Super 14 start. We will be seeing much more of Beale, and may even see more of him come world cup time...The Warratahs will look forward to the bye and to having some home games in the coming weeks after this tour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crusaders lose to Lions</span><br /><br />The biggest upset of the round must be the Crusaders loss to the woeful Lions in the republic in a poor game that was decided 9-3 in faovur of the home side. This was a tryless encounter, as the Crusaders continue to feel the effects of the loss of their All Blacks for the first half of this season. On the road in the republic this side have been knocked over in other boilovers, but this was a particularly poor game by their standards and it can be put down to the second string side having to play in World Cup year. Not much to take out of this one except the fact that the Crusaders may not be worthy of backing this season, and of course they do get a bonus point in this one which may help at the end of the season.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sharks Beat Highlanders</span><br /><br />This was probably the easiest to predict of all games this round. The Sharks did manage to play to the script and took out the game thanks to Montgomerey who scored all 23 of the Sharks points against the 16 mustered by the Highlanders. This kept the Sharks unbeaten record intact and provided good competition points for this side who are now at the top of the table, 3 points clear of the Force, Blues, Cheetahs, Brumbies and Hurricanes all tied for second place on 9 points.<br /><br />And that is it for round 3. Plenty of tight games, but only a couple produced any actual excitement. Bring on Round 4 (the first of the rounds with byes for some of the sides).Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-38757679088458753302007-02-10T18:26:00.000+10:002007-02-10T15:39:00.569+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Crusaders Back to Their Winning Ways</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">The Crusaders returned to form tonight in front of the hometown faithful, triumphing over the Reds by 33-22. The Crusaders snagged a bonus point which may serve them well in the weeks to come. One always had the impression that the Crusaders were unlucky against the Blues, having had the game presented to them on a platter by an at times wayward Blues gameplan that has become a hallmark of that team in recent years...However, this victory may see a return to winning form for the Crusaders, and certainly this team will count these 5 competition points without their All Blacks as especially sweet.<br /><br />The Reds did push hard, but few would have backed them to take out the Crusaders at home. It was close until near the end, with the Crusaders holding only a two point margin with little time to go. A final try added the difference and pushed out the victory to a more respectable margin than it might otherwise have been. More importantly the Reds have been denied a bonus point in the course of this loss, losing by more than 7 and failing to score 4 tries. Schifkofske kept them in the game with his boot, however kicking is not normally enough to beat the Crusaders at home....<br /><br />Let the games go on!<br /></span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-20327564534715880472007-02-10T15:21:00.000+10:002007-02-04T09:20:55.993+10:00<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Round Two Surprises</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Hurricanes Back on Track by Beating Wayward Chiefs</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the first game of the round the Chiefs seem to be back to their most woeful worst. They bumbled at least 3 first half tries and handed a barely deserved victory 32-39 to the Hurricanes, who also looked unimpressive. In the words of the straight shooting Umaga, they were very lucky to win. Tito, former winner of the ugliest man in Super 12, snatched victory for the canes in the dying stages of the match leaving the Chiefs 0 from 2 at home...not a good start to the season and it seems the cellar dweller ways of the Chiefs may have returned. It could be a long season for them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Force Notch up First Win Against Stormers</span><br /><br />The much favourited Stormers failed to get any traction in this game, even with the aid of their formerly great number 7 Schalk Burger. They were pitiful in this game, and they will fail to attract much of a home crowd if they keep playing like this. They too appear to be destined to dwell in the lower stages of the competition. The Force on the other hand did manage to get a good win under their belts after the disappointing display against the Highlanders at home last week. 22-3 was the margin and very few would have picked that the Force would blos the Stormers off their own ground.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Warratahs Outclassed by Sharks</span><br /><br />Despite a wealth of possession the Warraths confirmed for all to see why they have never managed to take out the title. Missed tackles, bumbled passes, and an inability to win a game that was there for the taking, this loss 22-9 will be considered a warning sign by the fans of this side. Class players simply failed to live up to their reputation and the home side ground out a win predicted by the bookies, but in the press the Tahs were considered a good bet. Not so it would seem. Poor penalty kicking did not see the Tahs put pressure on the home side, missing four of seven shots at goal. The Sharks on the other hand managed to get their kicks at goal and grind out a win in a scrappy affair from which no plays are likely to make the highlights reel from this season.<br /><br />Plenty of good games to come this round, the main event being the Crusaders against the Reds from Christchurch. Also, the Blues shape up against the Brumbies and with Stirling Mortlock out for the game, the Blues may be feeling that things are starting to go their way. Traditionally they haven't done well against this side, especially in Canberra, and this could be a cracking game. Enjoy, and check back here for more of the results.<br /></span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-28691098985223125892007-02-04T08:49:00.000+10:002007-02-04T09:20:56.444+10:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">End of Round One Round Up</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Brumbies Burst Chief's Bubble</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Brumbies have destroyed the air of confidence that had surrounded the Chief's build up this season by beating the Chiefs in front of their home crowd at Hamiton 15-21. The Chiefs did outscore the Brumbies 3 tries to 2, but discipline hurt the team and Huxley made sure that they paid for it on the scoreboard by making his shots at goal count and taking the game away. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Wallaby Mark Gerard limped from the field in the second half, and this sight would be causing a few concerns for Knuckles as injury further depeletes the ranks of an unimpressive Wallabies side. However, the World Cup is a long way off and so far there is no suggestion that the injury to Gerard is unlikely to heal as the season goes on.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Stirling Mortlock again had another cracker of a game, he is easily Australia's most potent attacking weapon on the paddock, and while he is in the Wallabies, that team always has a fighting chance. He showed his class with the opening try, and by half time the Brumbies had the buffer they needed to ride out the game. A well deserved win away from home, and the Brumbies will be feeling a lot more confident about their home game next week against a scratchy Blues side that failed to impress against the Crusaders.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Reds Destroy Hopes of Hurricanes</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Last night the Reds destroyed any feeling of confidence that there may have been among any Hurricanes supporters. The Reds turned on an impressive display to down the 'canes in Brisbane 25-16. It was a sound display by one of the underperforming teams in the Super 14. Clearly Eddie Jones has made a significant impact on this side, and the nay sayers about his credentials will have to eat their words in Queensland. A win to kick off the season is just what they needed and their confidence will have shot up no end.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Reds were particularly impressive up front, the pack picking and running all over the Hurricanes who suffered several key injuries in the loss that will hurt them for the rest of the season. In particular the canes lost two props, one for the season, and this lead to uncontested scrums - a devastating sign this early on in the season. This will further dent the ability of an understrength pack to combat the opposition. Wellington would do well to try and find some replacement props out there in the world or their season is pretty much over.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">League recruits Berrick Barnes and Schifcofske acquitted themselves well in the first official turnout in regular season. This Reds outfit is stronger than in recent years, and they will need to be. Next week they are off to Christchurch to face the Crusaders at home, never an easy task. In addition, the Crusaders will be livid that they let the mediocre Blues win the opening game when it was there to be taken by them. Watch out for the backlash next week, but the class of the Reds may see them through still. Should be a good game.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Sharks Have Beef for Breakfast</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Natal Sharks took out the Blue Bulls this morning 17-3 at home. The bulls are a team that seem to stutter on the road, even within the Republic. Two tries to winger J P Pietersen got the homeside across the finish line. He scored one try in each half and these proved the difference between the two sides. Montogomerey also contributed by converting the tries to take the Sharks outside of the 7 pioint margin to deny the Bulls a bonus point from the encounter. No surprises in this game, an easy result to pick, and the bookies got this one right.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Cheetahs Weather the Storm, and Come Out on Top</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Relatively new franchise, the Cheetahs continued on their winning way from last season against the Storm at home, 27-9. This was a great result for the team, many having picked the Stormers to start with a win in round one. However, the Cheetahs have learned from last year, and are playing well at the start of the competition, clearly appreciating how important it is to win the home games. Ahead only 5-0 at half time, the home side had been applying pressure to the Stormers all of the first half, and were denied tries several times by the TMO. Eventually the side cracked and the Cheetahs were able to score from all the pressure they had been putting on with Strauss exploiting a huge overlap to run in a good try right on half time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Stormers then took the lead with two penalty kicks being successfully landed by Naas Olivier. Ariel ping pong began and the Cheetahs retook the lead with two successful penalties to Bosman to take the lead again. 11-6. The Stormers narrowed the gap with a penalty kick of their own, 11-9. However, the Cheetahs took out the winning lead by a great try to springbok prop C J van der Linde to take the score to 16-9. The Cheetahs added two more penalty goals, and sealed the win with a good try to Kabamba Floors in the last moments of the game. A well deserved win.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Of note, Schalk Burger made his comeback in the Super 14 proper since his devastating neck injury last year. The Africans will be glad that he is back, he makes a huge difference to the forward pack, and their competitiveness at the break down. However, his yellow card for a late and dangerous tackle (most out of character) was deserved and he spent 10 minutes in the firts half cooling his jets. He'll want to work on that area of the game.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">So, that's round one done and dusted. All I can say is that I am so glad that Rugby is back, and Super Rugby is proving to be quite interesting this year without the key All Black players being available for the New Zealand franchises. This is proving to be making a difference to the New Zealand sides, and it will be whomever can overcome this problem the best that will still be in it at the end of the season. The teams playing the New Zealand franchises early on will be thankful for the opportunity to rack up some early points.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-76214651734324468002007-02-04T08:47:00.000+10:002007-02-04T08:48:50.056+10:00<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Round One 1/2 Way Stage Round Up</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And we are off. Round one kicked off last night, and I was able to enjoy watching the game live on tv, although I had no commentary for the match, I enjoyed it immensely. This was mostly because I have been missing rugby, the off season is too long for fans, and not long enough for players! Maybe we just need a few more decent siozed competitions that can kick off at different times. In any event all of the specualtion and preseason hype is over, and the game have begun.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Blues Over Crusaders</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Blues took out their first at home game of the season in a scrappy display that wont give their fans that much confidence for the rest of the season. Of particular concern was the Blues scrum that was shunted off the ball several times by a no name pack of Crusader young pretenders. The game was won by Auckland out in the backs, and the 9 point gap ought to have been much greater. The final score was </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">34-25</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, however the Blues failed to snag a bonus point, the difference between the two sides being the kicking game of the Blues and their ability to slot the penalties. Perhaps crucially the Blues denied the Crusaders a bonus point that may be important in the latter stages of the season. Not much to take out of this game except that the Blues have a long way to go with an average forward pack. Troy Flavell also was sin binned in the final ten minutes for stomping, something that wont assist his journey back to the black jersey...shame really, apart from that he had a very strong game.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Force Fails in Firey Heat against Highlanders</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In spite of making several expensive purchases over the off season, the Western Force failed to win at home against an understrength Highlanders side. The bookies got this one wrong, however it was very close, the Highlanders getting home by one point, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">8-7</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. The Highlanders are without All Blacks Oliver and Hayman, were also without playmaker Nick Evans who has another injury...this seems to be something that is dogging his otherwise promising career. The underdogs ground out the win, and points from road trips must be cherished. Well done Highlanders, and the Force can at least take some heart from the bonus point they picked up, and the narrow margin of their defeat. Plenty of time yet for them to improve.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Waratahs Tame the Lions</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The South African team known formerly as the Cats, may have changed their name to the Lions but are still failing to deliver the goods on field. Last night they went down to the Waratahs 25-16 at home in the republic. Lote Tuqiri was beaten for pace by a young winger to make a game of it in the second half, however the Tahs got home 3 tries to 1. No bonus point here for either side, and with the New Zealand franchises understrength for the first 7 rounds every point will count this year, more than others. Discipline cost the African side, a stupid spear tackle on Tuqiri resulted in a sin binning for centre Fourie and the Tahs took out the game during the 10 minute moment of numreical supremacy. The Tahs are looking to make the finals for the third straight year this season...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">So, that's the round up so far. More rugby to come this weekend yet, thankfully. Somehow I feel compelled to break with tradition for this blog and remark upon the upset victory at Sydeny Cricket Ground last night where England finally managed to knock off the Australian cricket side after 9 straight losses to that side. A remarkable win, and this makes the next two games extremely important, with the likely outcome being New Zealand and England playing for the final berth in the showdown series with the home side. Good stuff, but not rugby so I wont go on about it any longer! Check back soon for more results as they come in. </span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-49757036500763813712007-01-28T09:26:00.000+10:002007-01-28T09:52:33.670+10:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">More Pre-Season Results</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Reads Down Highlanders by 2 points, 17-15</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On the Gold Coast the Highlanders suffered a defeat at the hands of the lowly Reds. The game was settled two tries a-piece, the difference being a penalty slotted by Clinton Schifkofske to get his side across the line. This will be a much needed shot in the arm for the Reds, maybe this year under Jones they will be able to fire and get some traction in the competition for the first time? I doubt it, however it would be good to see one of the traditionally strong Australian Rugby Union sides exert some influence in the game again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Hurricanes and Brumbies all tied up, 28-28</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile in Canberra the Brumbies and the canes thrashed out 80 minutes of football only to be all tied up at the end of it. Each side crossed the line four times, an effort that the attacking coaches will be pleased with. Obviously there is some work for each team to do on defence. Too late now, it is kick off next week and one week cannot be the basis for turning everything around. Note that the Hurricanes were missing a lot of forwards that are part of the All Black RWC 2007 training squad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Chiefs down the Blues, 24-21</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In another shock for Blues fans, a fair chunk of the readership of this blog, they were downed by the traditionally lowly Chiefs (again, note that the Chiefs have now beaten the Blues 3 seasons in a row, although this pre-season clash does not really count, although it wont bode well for the rest of the season either) in Rotorua. The Chiefs scored the match winning try in the dying stages of injury time to take the game. This is shaping up to be a great contest during the regular season. Troy Flavell's return to the All Blacks for RWC 2006 will not be assisted by a mediocre performance by this franchise again this year.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">Tahs beat the Crusaders, 17-12</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Tahs continued on their winning way, beating an understrength Crusaders side at Aussie Stadium. Being understrength is no excuse for the the Crusaders, the Warratahs were without sever key players. New boy Kurtley Beale gave away one try, but redeemed himself by setting up the final try to win the game for the Tahs. A strong showing from the young man already tipped to be a surprise inclusion in the Aussie RWC 2007 side. Of concern for the Crusaders was the 12-0 lead that they surrendered in losing the match. Normally stout defence is a hallmark of this side, and perhaps this year there might actually be a good game between the Crusaders and the Blues at Eden Park to kick off season 2007.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">Force Thrash Samoa, 59-10</span><br /><br />The Western Force continue to live up to the praise offered them by Robbie Deans. He said they could win the Super 14, and this thrashing of a not inconsiderable international side could be showing that he wasn't too far off with that praise. They seem to have coped well in the pre-season and it will be interesting to see how they go in their first real hit out of the season.<br /><br /><br />So, not long to go until kick off now. Check in to see how things are going via this blog, and remember that you can always leave comments about how you reckon your team will fare. Hopefully you have all taken a little time to join up with various tipping competition, be interesting to see how many of you really know your rugby!Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-65825521217400685572007-01-24T21:09:00.000+10:002007-01-24T21:19:19.050+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">And I Thought The All Blacks Were Being Rested...</span></span><br /><br /><br />The Warratahs have anounced that Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom will be rested for Thursday night's pre-season hit out agains the Crusaders in Sydney. It has been reported that the two Wallabies have been sidelined as part of a restricted training agreement with the Australian Coach, knuckles. Well, so much for New Zealand arrogance and devaluing the Super 14 competition...it looks like everyone is doing it. Some are just a little more cunning than the NZRFU (not a difficult task to be sure) and don't come out and anounce what they are doing.<br /><br />Elsewhere, and contributing to the above debate, 3 All Blacks will be on display as the Hurricanes take on the Brumbies in Canberra. Conrad Smith, Tialata and Nonu will all be playing in the last hit out of the pre-season warm up games..so much for resting the entire squad. The Brumbies are fielding a few of their Wallabies to take on the Canes and it should be a good warm up game for the season. <br /><br />In a move that will bring smiles to the faces of the ladies who like Super 14, Paul Tito is rumoured to be heading off shore for the remainder of his career. It si rumoured the big orange roughy will be heading to Wales where he will fit right in. He has had a great career, and has contributed much to New Zealand rugby, and Maori rugby in particular. All joking aside, good luck to the big man.<br /><br />So, all in all the last of the pre-season games will provide us with something to begin to gague the season on. They are traditionally very poor indicators of a team's real standing. It will be all on in a couple of weeks, and hopefully you all have had a few good couple of days warming up with the jibes, insults, and rivalry that this game can bring out in the best of us. I can't wait for kick off, the first game between the Blues and the Crusaders should be a cracker sans All Blacks as it is...the Blues might just have a chance!Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-5725293430145224102007-01-23T18:55:00.000+10:002007-01-23T19:06:59.838+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">A Few Changes for the Blog</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I had some feedback from you all in the last couple of days and as you can see I have taken it on board and made a few changes to the blog. First up, there were some comments about the template that I was using, and suggestions that it wasn't that easy to read, so I changed that this evening. I hope that you all find this one a bit easier on the eye. It is a new year and everything, so why not ring in some changes I say. Thanks to all of you that took the time to give me the constructive criticism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition, some of you had trouble locating the link to Virtual Super 14 mentioned in the last post I put on the blog. It should now be clearly visible over on the right hand side of this screen in the links list. However, if you still can't locate the link, simply </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://telecomvirtualrugby.co.nz/default.aspx">click here.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">With any luck the changes to the blog will make finding the links a bit easier, and you will see that I have reduced some of the clutter on the blog. This should make things a bit easier for reading as well. Now, remember you can leave comments about the rugby too, so don't hesitate!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Not long until kick off now, and I will be increasing the posts as the season gets closer. Check back for more rugby updates soon!</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-712917817760999992007-01-22T18:12:00.000+10:002007-01-22T19:01:29.354+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Virtual Super 14 Is Back</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes folks, that great game for those fans of Rugby in the Southern Hemisphere the virtual competition based in New Zealand is now operating and you can join by clicking the link over to your right in the links column.<br /><br />This is a great game, it keeps the interest level up and it also lets you track your performance week in and week out against your mates, and all of the other so called rugby experts in New Zealand for sure, and you can even find a lot of people overseas prefer to use this format for their virtual rugby experience.<br /><br />Well worth it, and you can even come back to this blog and brag about how great your picks were for a given weekend! Enjoy.<br /></span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-90266825079933230582007-01-20T13:56:00.000+10:002007-01-20T14:24:54.770+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Chiefs Down Canes In Pre Season Clash</span></span><br /><br />In their pre-season Super 14 match this week, the Hurricanes were defeated 17-33 by the Chiefs who have signalled that they may be looking to better the mid table form that they were able to produce last season. Neither side will be particularly impressed by the game, or read much into it. They both failed to get out of first gear on attack, in spite of the Chiefs knocking up 30 points, and the real difference between the two sides was the verocity of the Chiefs defence. The coach will be pleased with that effort, and the Canes will be happy that the new front row have stood up to the opening salvos of the season. Each side was clearly trying combinations, new tactics, and using the games well as testing options before putting together the final tactics for their first game of the season. Good stuff, not long to go now!<br /><br />Robbie Deans has also dished out some praise for the new Western Force franchise, predicting that they could win the competition in this their second year. This praise came after the Crusaders came home late in the game to seal a win, 28-12 against the Force in Perth. By all reports Rugby League convert Ryan Cross went well in his first game in the new code, and even managed to score a well worked try changing the angle off a ball from Pelesasa. Keep your eyes on this guy, Rugby League converts seem to be the players that are keeping the code going in Australia. <br /><br />The Crusaders were of course without 6 of their All Black players who are being rested in anticipation of the World Cup tournament later this year. The Force were also without captain Nathan Sharpe and Giteau, who are also being rested. Funny how there hasn't been any comment about that devaluing the competition, although it could be argured that they are only being rested for the pre-season. A lot of good that did for Latham. In any event, while the Force will go better in their second year, thanks in no small way to some great player acquisitions in the off season, it would be a brave person to suggest that they will win the competition. However, it is early days yet.<br /><br />Elsewhere there is still much comment about the Wallaby pack. In essence, everyone recognises that at present they are very much below par. Michael Foley the assistant coach, has been talking about the heads of the forwards, and getting them into a place where they want to improve. Well, I would have thought that a backwards tour of the playing fields of Europe ought to have galvanised the tight five to assure a better performance in the coming games. However, has time run out? It would be a big ask to expect an improvement before RWC 2007...but they've improved before and are always a tough to beat side in World Cup games. Don't worry Wallabies fans, your team will be there come the finals.<br /><br />David Nucifora's Blues triumphed over the Reds 38-9 in their pre-season clash at Whangarei in Northland, New Zealand. His team performed well, especially in the second half having on lead 10-6 at half time. He will be pleased by this win, however Reds coach Jones read nothing into his sides loss. Correctly he noted that at this point in the season you don't have to be ready to win a Super 14 game, and his team wasn't. But it isn't that far away and they will have to be ready to win, and win as many games as they can, down their starting fullback. The Reds have been inconsistant since the Super 14 started, their only consistant feature having been disappointing their fans by failing to deliver each season. Maybe Jones can turn things around.<br /><br />Well folks, not long to go now. Kick off in just a few weeks time, and I can't wait. All of you that are looking to go the World Cup games later this year - I envy you! It will be a great tournament, and I would go if I could, but live on tv will have to do. Stay tuned for more coverage of the Super 14. Bring it on!Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-72133583241223547792007-01-15T17:44:00.000+10:002007-01-15T17:53:04.132+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">It's All On!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, it is all on in Aussie Rugby Union at the moment. The current and former coaches of the Wallabies are at each other's throats over the injury sustained by Chris Latham in training for the Queensland Reds. It is alleged that he was meant to be part of a non-contact trainign squad of Wallabies earmarked for the next World Cup when he injured his knee to the extent that he is said to have undergone a knee reconstruction last weekend.<br /><br />In my opinion this isn't that big of a loss. He plays well, but he is a player that runs hot and cold. Probably the worst damage his injury will cause is further disharmony among the Wallabies World Cup Squad already reeling from a woeful Northern Hemisphere end of year tour, revelations that Lote Tuqiri wasn't fit enough to train with the squad and was sent packing, and the further talk of defection to the NRL which Lote tells everyone is his first and only love. Not the best preparation.<br /><br />Across the ditch all has gone silent. Aside from the occaisional quip at the arrogance of New Zealand devaluing the Super 14 by withholding players, there isn't much news at all. With any luck this means that the All Blacks are getting through getting the job done - at least this is what every New Zealand fan will be hoping right now. The lads will be into their training phase now and the New Zealand public will be expecting them to be bigger, stronger, and faster half way through the Super 14. It remains to be seen if this will be delivered or not - there are a lot of sceptics out there who suggest that the All Blacks have peaked already and we will once again be seeing them fall at the last hurdle. This view is most commonly heard in New Zealand - outside of that green everyone else is supremely confident that the All Blacks will triumph...<br /><br />I myself am looking forward to kick off at the beginning of February. While I did have rugby fatigue at the end of last season, right now I can't wait for it to come back. I love it, and thank goodness there isn't long to go now. Bring it on!</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1168141364510132192007-01-07T13:24:00.000+10:002007-01-07T13:42:44.536+10:00<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">2007 Calendar</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Hi all, I'm back from a brief, but good, holiday in the land where Rugby rates as the number one sport for the country by a long shot. It was good to be back, and I noticed that there were several massive advertisements in Auckland that were already counting down the days, hours, mintues, and even seconds to the Rugby World Cup. Definitely New Zealand is full of Rugby mad people that think of nothing else, or so it would seem.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">While I New Zealand I thought that I would gague the confidence of the nation after the northern hemisphere rout the national team had delivered last year, hard on the heels of the successful Tri-Nations campaign. I conducted a highly dubious and unscientific question and answer poll of taxi drivers, publicans, people on the street, all of whom were self prclaimed experts on the game.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It is fair to say that even for New Zealand, these wary souls did not display any form of confidence at all, and to suggest that the New Zealand fan is arrogant is a long way from the mark. Ask anyone, and the kiwis will be the first to say that they have seen this before from their national team, and they fell at the last hurdle. When asked to name where the danger lies, most will point to South Africa, France, and Australia in that order. There is no over confidence among the public, and they are all hoping this keeps the team down to earth, and aware of the fact that there are many sides out there with the class and skills to best them on the day of the quarter, semi, and final!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Before I close this post which really serves as notice to all the fans out there that I am back in business, I must give you all this link put together by our friends at Rugby Heaven. While not in the league of some of the more attractive looking calendars I have seen for the coming year, this certainly has most of the stuff that you would want to know on it. </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/calendar/">Click here</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> to see the calendar. See you all again soon.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1167077288089452042006-12-26T05:56:00.000+10:002006-12-26T06:08:08.106+10:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Reflections</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Don't worry readers, I wont be joining everyone else in writing a 2006 retrospective about the season just past. I think that there is more to be gained by looking forward at this point. Super 14 without the All Blacks, is about to start in a couple of months, for an extended season, bought forward due to the impending world cup tournament. I can't wait, I think it will be a very interesting competition this year, with loads of new talent on display, especially from the New Zealand sides.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This year, an understrength Crusaders side could struggle in the early rounds with none of their All Blacks available. Again I say that this is a good thing, and should even out the competition. It may be that by halfway their future has been decided, but if there is one thing that this franchise has shown, it is that they are competitive, even when they do not get the first choice for the players on the market. I mean look what they managed to do with the offcuts from the Blues!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Australia will continue to struggle, although they should be able to make some gains early on against the understrength sides if they can rise to the occaision. The biggest concern that Aussie has is not the Super 14, but preparing for the World Cup. In essence, they must hope that an entirely new front row emerges during the competition this season, or that they players they have persisted with come to form. Otherwise, they can kiss a fair chunk of their world cup campagin goodbye. They will always be a tough competitor at the cup, but it would be a real coup if they feature after the quarter finals.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Africa is a basket case. They have some great players, world beaters in some positions, but are lacking a certain sense of style when it comes to the Super 14. They again should be able to start the competition on very competitive terms and do well in the opening stanza. The second half may become tougher, however the away teams that are on tour in the first half of the competition and get some wins against understrength New Zealand sides could be there at the end this time. Hopefully they will take their opportunity and put a few points in the bank early on. It could make for an exciting finish, and the first African win in Super 14.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I do want to mention France. While they were humiliated in the first test against New Zealand, they did come back in the second. I think that come world cup time they will be strong contenders, they will push the New Zealand side, and anyone else, much more than they have shown so far. The All Blacks are capable of being beaten, we have seen this so many times in years gone by. One tour does not repair all of the problems that the team was having. The lineout could still turn ugly at a moments notice. The backline can be placed under pressure, and the concern with all props is that one season they are world beaters, the next just custard. It is a dangerous time for the All blacks when confidence is running high, and they will need to exercise caution, and keep their training up and minds focussed on the prize.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1166265493777569602006-12-16T20:07:00.000+10:002006-12-16T20:38:15.370+10:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Phil Waugh to Captain 2007 Warratahs Super 14 Side</span></span><br /><br />The tahs today anounced that their captain for 2007 will be the redoubtable Phil Waugh playing at number 7. Apparently he is the recipient of a 'lucrative' contract that will see him remain in Australian Rugby through 2009. Not a bad days work for Phil and his manager, both of whom will no doubt laughing all the way to the bank with some decent up front money from the ARU now that they are free of having to pay the exorbitant price they forked out to Matt Rogers.<br /><br />Waugh is talking down speculation that he may also be in pole position to captain the Wallabies at the world cup. Waugh pointed to at least two people that would be in front of him on the grid, Gregan the incumbent, and of course Mortlock who stood in for Gregan for a fair chunk of the most recent tour was also mentioned by Waugh. He has his feet on the ground, he is one of the better players in Australia, but how on earth he keeps getting past George Smith in terms of selection, I have no idea.<br /><br />With Matt Rogers release from the shackles of riding the rimu for the Wallabies, questions are now being asked about what to do with the midfield...especially in so far as it concerns Giteau. With Rogers out of the picture, there are concerns about depth heading into the World Cup...good luck knuckles, you are going to need it mate. No one is doing you any favours.<br /><br />Nor is John O'Neill, former rugby maestro, now critic of the game. Make no mistake, I take no issue with what he said, he is spot on in his assessment of Rugby in Australia. He says right now it is ranking fourth in the list of domestic football codes in Australia. He rightly says that number one spot is held by the AFL. They are the NFL of Australia and clearly come first consistently in terms of domestic popularity. Rugby League is next. The NRL is alive and well, consistently exciting week in and week out for the enitre competition. Soccer ranks next, basking in the afterglow of the socceroos success at the World Cup. Rugby ranks a distant 4th, and the Wallabies appear to be in for some tough times ahead, a bare trophy cabinet and some rebuilding to be done. The adversity might be just what they need to do well in 2007...<br /><br />Once again the Christmas period means a paucity of rugby coverage in New Zealand. It all goes quiet now, right up until the kick off of super 14. There is almost an enforced radio silence over the build up, so it is difficult to get information about what the teams are doing and what is going. Fear not, the super sleuth is on the case and I will report whatever I find out in the mean time.Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1166170450284676392006-12-15T18:01:00.000+10:002006-12-15T18:14:10.513+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Rogers Released, Tuqiri Targetted by Queensland</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's official, the long awaited, but never in doubt, anouncement came today that Matt Rogers will be release to play for the Gold Coast Titans in next year's National Rugby Leage competition. Citing personal reasons for the move, Rogers appears to be glad that all the fuss is over, and now he can simply get on with training back in his old game, with a new team. Goodbye and good luck Matt, no doubt we will be hearing more of you in the future, but not in the green and gold Wallaby jersey ever again. It is doubtful that Rogers would secure a place in the victorious Kangaroos national rugby league side, but you can't rule things like that out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Today's main story was broken by Channel 9 news tonight, reporting that the Queensland Reds are having a crack at securing the services of Lote Tuqiri next season. If he heads back across the border he will of course be playing under his old Wallaby coach Eddie Jones of course. Apparently there is talk of Tuqiri being offered $1 million Austrailian dollars per season to remain in Rugby Union. That is some serious money, even by world standards and they seem to think that he is worth it. I tend to think that he may have been worth it, but I no longer think that he cuts the same dash that he used to, now he seems to easily tipped over into agressive unthinking play that earns him stints in the sin bin, and being told off by the Prime Minsiter of New Zealand (although I doubt that troubled him much - especially not when he gets paid a whole lot more than she does!).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Wallaibes have anounced their training squad for the World Cup and there are a few players that have missed out. Among them is the luckless Scott Fava who tries hard, gets knocked into the middle of next year during the 7s tournament in Wellington last year, but continues to fail to crack it at the international level. Back to Perth and John Mitchell for you mate. Also missing out (of note) are Gene Fairbanks, Tai McIssac and Al Baxter. Knuckles was keen to point out that this is only a provisional squad, and that every player in Super 14 is in the frame. Knuckles, knuckles, knuckles...that is good talk my man, but if you can't name your squad for the World Cup now with any degree of certainty, I see troulbe coming down the line mate. Surely to goodness a little certainty wouldn't go astray right now. Sure, you might have to make one or two changes due to injury, but that should be about it. Watch out Wallabies fans, tough times are ahead...but there is one thing we know about Aussie sides, they always rally for the World Cup and put their best in everytime. This year will be no different, but you'd be a brave person to suggest they will win it.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1165719546383089212006-12-10T12:09:00.000+10:002006-12-10T12:59:06.573+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Back to Super 14</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Hi All, I thought that it was about time this blog got back to the basics, yep time to return to the Super 14 and next year's competition. The controversey over the resting of the All Blacks for next year's World Cup competition has pretty much blown over and seems to be settling down as everyone gets used to the idea. News Limited is of course still a bit put out, the usual broadsides are coming from Australia, but the NZRFU seems to have stuck to its guns and the rested players will sit out half of the season.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This poses some interesting questions, this resting and training tactic that has been so publicly anounced. The All Blacks performed well in the end of year tour, I mean it couldn't really have gone better. The players looked like they were in peak condition anyway, and yet we are being lead to believe that they are about to go on a training program that will improve their perfromance substantially. The likes of Collins, Hayman and McCaw performing at their peak - what more are they going to be able to do - better, faster, stronger? Sounds like they will be as good as Lee Majors!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I can recall, in the not too distant past, it was being suggested that some players were getting overly bulky from their training. Cashmore was the first player I had heard that description being used for, and it was mainly in relation to his condition in the early years of Super 12. It was said by the then All Black coach, John Hart, that Cashmore was too bulky and had lost some of his pace and agility. Doubtless the All Blacks will be aware of thise, but tinkering with top level performing players can have a downside and New Zealand supporters must hope that this has been taken into account, and the grand experiment being undertaken will work. So far the coaching staff, and the management of the team have done a great job, there is no reason to suppose that this is going to stop. The All Blacks must win the next world cup to end a 20 year losing streak, made all the worse by the fact that at various times the prize ought to have been taken.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">So, New Zealand will be left with understrength fanchises during the first half of Super 14. The question then becomes, how will those teams fare against the Australian and South African sides. Traditionally New Zealand sides have outperformed these sides anyway, and it is comments like this that are labelled arrogant by Australia and South Africa. However, based on past history, the New Zealand franchises have performed well. I think that the Super 14 without the All Blacks will be an interesting spectacle, and I think that crowd sizes wont suffer too much. There will still be plenty of talent on show, and perhaps there will be more of a even playing field with the additional African and Aussie sides in the comp this year. Remains to be seen what John Mitchell will do with the Force and in particular the 'new' wallaby half back.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Interesting times ahead, check back soon for more updates.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1165481623805294272006-12-07T18:40:00.000+10:002006-12-07T18:53:43.830+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? If I Go There Will Be Trouble, If Stay There Will be Double.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This must be what Matt Rogers is singing to himself at the moment as his career takes centre stage in the media this week with Eddie Jones declaring that Rogers has played his last game of Rugby Union. I hope, both for the sake of the game and for the sake of Rogers, that he has played his last game of Union, and that common sense prevails and he is released to go and play for the Titans NRL side next season.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't think that any precedent needs to be set by this, except for the precedent that players that aren't performing and whose heart is not in the game, wont be kept in it out of spite or some misguided sense that contracts must be honoured at all costs. Having Rogers in any union side now is likely to do nothing more than adversely affect the team. The Warratahs of course will have to ascertain if Rogers is going to assist their Super 14 campaign in 2007 with an attitude that clearly says he wants to leave the game.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Also, I've said this before and I'll say it again, Aussie rugby union has to stop poaching players from the NRL by opening up the chequebook for the latest flash in the pan player from that code. They are leaving themselves open for this kind of thing to happen when the player no longer wants to play the game. Look at what else has come out this week, Schifcofske and Ryan Cross are both reportedly in the frame for the Wallabies world cup bid in 2007. How does that happen? They've only had one game and a couple of training runs! Seems to me it easier to get into the Wallabies playing in the NRL than it is playing in Super 14!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Seriously, the Aussie Union must take a long hard look at player development. What sort of message does this send to players - no surprises that there are players heading for the fertile rugby playing grounds of New Zealand, in particular the domestic national cup competition. New Zealand rugby will be all the richer for the injection of players from these fair shores.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A high profile player switch of course has ramifications for the game, but how many fans do you think have been turned on to the Wallabies by the likes of Sailor, Tuqiri and Rogers? Make no mistake, these guys are not heartland rugby players in Australia, nor do they appeal to the rugby watching crowd. This is a key period for rugby in Australia and some good decision must be made to preserve the state of the game this close to RWC 2007.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1164924275458761522006-12-01T07:40:00.000+10:002006-12-01T08:04:35.596+10:00<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Speculation on Future of Rogers and Tuqiri</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Former NRL stars, and significant converts from Rugby League to Rugby Union, Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri, have reportedly been considering their futures in Super Rugby for some time. Both apparently disilliusioned with Rugby Union and are wishing to return to the game that was reportedly their first love. Undoubtedly the recent tour of the northern hemishpere, albeit a tour without any negatives according to the coach, will not have assisted in igniting their passions for playing in a Wallabies team that underperformed. At least on the expectations of fans in Australia.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Rogers in particular was scathing in press conferences when he returned from the tour to Australia recently. He criticised the lack of playing time that the new look backline, featuring his good self at first five eighth, got on tour and basically insisted that the combination needed more game time before it could be labelled a failed experiment. Unfortunately for Rogers, while he may be right on that point, this far out from Rugby World Cup 2007 is a bit too late to begin experimenting with a backline combination. This should have been done ages ago, and perhaps under Eddie Jones it would have. In the final analysis however, with a back player in that position of the calibre of Larkham, Robers has little chance of converting anyone to his point of view.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If this is the case then perhaps releasing Rogers prior to the World Cup would be a good move. It has been reported that there are rumours Rogers has been offered a contract to play with the Gold Coast Titans (whom he is joining in 2008 anyway) in 2007 and may be seeking a release from the Australian Rugby Union and The Warratahs (his Super 14 team) to enable him to make the change a season earlier. Everyone knows the damage that a player can do to a professional team when their heart is not in playing, and given the fact that Rogers has struggled to make the starting side the Wallabies might not end up missing him that much. Not enough to warrant the risk that he could cause further issues for the team now that he is leaving after the RWC in 2007 anyway.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuqiri is in a different position. He is in the starting side, whether he plays at centre or on the wing. Although from time to time he makes comments denigrating the game and the value that he places on it, most of these are rightly interpreted as claims being made to ensure that the bids made to secure him in either code are aimed at increasing his salary. After RWC 2007 Rugby Union is ulikely to have any further use for him, particularly if the RWC competition is given it rightful place amongst management as the most important goal for the Wallabies and the Australian Rugby Union. Lote, great players though he may be, will not be the best winger the Wallabies can field in 2011, or if he is the state of the game will be in complete disarray. Far better to bring in new players and get them ready for 2011 with plenty of time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuqiri will be a key player in RWC 2007 for the Wallabies. His spear tackle on McCaw was one of the key moments in a tight struggle in Auckland during this year's Tri-Nations series. He took it to the opposition, regardless of the fact that it was illegal and made an impression. This is the stuff that the Wallabies need, as indeed does any team that wishes to best this All Blacks side. Tuqiri is a key player in terms of the physicality that the Wallabies want to take onto the field.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This sort of player loyalty speculation doesn't do the game of Rugby Union, or the Wallabies team, much good. At least as far as the game is concerned in Australia. In terms of mounting a challenge to RWC 2007 news of player dissatisfaction will be greeted by other national sides with a degree of cautiously optimistic joy. Anything to weaken the Wallabies is a good thing in terms of the challenges being made by other sides. Doubtless reports of shifting loyalties will spike some action from management, and direct contact with the players to sort out what is happening and their level of commitment next year. Rogers will probably feature more in this area than Tuqiri. Both, of course, will have to take pay cuts to switch from Union back to the NRL. These are interesting times for the Australian Rugby Union, perhaps they will consider building their own game more to develop talent among Rugby Union players, rather than plundering the resources of the NRL with massive monetary offers to attempt to buy loyalty to the game from players who don't consider it their first love.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1164759174266172692006-11-29T10:04:00.000+10:002006-11-29T10:12:54.516+10:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>All Blacks Yet to Peak</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So says Reuben Thorne, a man who should know better than most what it feels like to be in a team that fails to grip the final prize. If indeed this is correct, it is a good sign for New Zealand supporters who will know all to well the downside of a confident New Zealand side ahead of a RWC tournament. All too often expectations among the public in New Zealand have been cruelly dashed at quarter, semi, and final time. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">If indeed the feeling in the camp is that there is room to improve, then the favourite tag and all of the pitfalls that tag has had for the All Blacks in the past will be able to be managed by what seems to be an impressive management team for the All Blacks. The conditioning period will be an interesting time for the 22 named players that will sit out the first half of the Super 14 competition next year to assist in their preparation for the RWC tournament in 2007. Jerry Collins has reportedly suggested that even he is looking forward to some time off, and undoubtedly McCaw, Carter, and Hayman are also looking forward to some down time to allow the body to heal, and to get some serious training in after that to perform at what New Zealand fans will hope is their best yet. Good luck.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Australian coach knuckles Connolly has stunned the media by suggesting, well stating actually, that there were no negatives to be taken from this tour. Former Wallabies have suggested that this position is untenable, and clearly it is. Tinkering with the backline by introducing Matt Rogers at first five ahead of Larkham and trying it out for two test matches, where it failed, and then for the player to arrive back in the country criticising the lack of match time the combination was tried for is laughable. This is a problem, but as was said in the previous post, make no mistake, the Wallabies will be tough at RWC 2007 - they always are and they know how to lift for the big games. The All Blacks will be wary of this team if and when they play them during that tournament.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Check back soon for more on the tour and the elements of the team that are still to be worked on, and the areas where improvements were made. Next post in a couple of days.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1164597241902142532006-11-27T12:42:00.000+10:002006-11-28T11:54:50.906+10:00<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Welsh Match Answers Questions</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The All Blacks downed Wales by 45-10 in a good old fashioned hiding at millenium stadium. A few questions were answered by this victory, first and foremost it has been settled that the All Blacks are no more cheats than anyone else in world rugby. Two players were yellow carded and, according to the Welsh commentators that we were privileged to enjoy on the Foxtel feed in Aussie, the All Blacks were lucky that the entire team were not sent from the field. They did have to concede that the calls against McCaw in particular to get away from the ball faster were harsh, however moments earlier they had themselves been bleating away about how he was lying all over the ball and cheating. In fact what was obvious from this game is that the All Blacks are miles ahead of a welsh side that lived up to the label of the village idiots of world rugby. Only one penalty try had to be awarded during the game (not against the ABs) and it wasn't an All Black that punched the opposition skipper in the face nearly sparking an all in melee.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">In addition, the Welsh were only able to score a try once, and that was while the captain was off the field. Having struck back, they quickly conceded a converted try to undo all of their hard work.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">If the commentating that I heard is what passes for analysis of rugby in that part of the world then they have a massive uphill battle ahead of them to get to grips with where they are falling behind, and what to do about it. Constantly I was forced to listen to two whinging welshmen, one of whom was convinced that the All Blacks were continually screwing the scrum, and then taking it down because "no scrum can twist like that without it being purposely done by the opposing team pulling back on one side of the scrum". Well, if that is what they think was wrong with their scrum during that game, then they wont improve any time soon. The fact is that they were being torn apart time and time again by a better scrummaging unit, and probably resorted to screwing the scrum themselves to try and get a penalty. Full marks for trying to do something about getting the squeeze put on, but like everything else they tried that day, it didn't work. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">What is most interesting about all of this though, is that it just doesn't matter. 45-10 was the final score and Wales were comprehensively out gunned all over the park. Their much vaunted back line failed to fire, and all that the forwards could do in the end was resort to cheap shot pucnhes on McCaw, and pulling Luke McAlister's hair near the end of the match. When you're behind by 40 points that is about all you can do really and it sums up just how average this Welsh side is, and how full of hot air the northern hemisphere media has been about this Welsh side.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Wales also failed as hosts. The field was simply shocking, an embarrasment to the game. There were patches of grass, the rest was uneven mud. The state of millenium stadium is a searing indictment on human civilisation between the years 1000 to 2000. It was shocking, imagine expecting international teams to play on fields that would compare unfavourably with most school fields in the rest of the world? </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Also, the Welsh did not allow the haka to be performed in the place that it has for the last 100 years. Full marks to the All Blacks for refusing to give in to this sort of bullying. It is a tradition, like it or not, and failing to respect the tradition is an insult to the touring side. If the Welsh are going to play games, they can't cry foul when the All Blacks wont buy into it. The crowd did not deserve to see the haka even though the chanting from the crowd of "haka, haka, haka..." indicated that most people at the game wanted to see it. Whatever happened to teams being judged by their hospitality? The Aussies played silly mind games in Brisbane against the All Blacks this year and it back fired, now the Welsh have felt it too. This tour is over, the All Blacks won well in every game, and the World Cup is now their focus. These petty things might warrant further consideration in the Northern Hemisphere but the AB's will be turning to the World Cup and winning that. Good for them.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Elsewhere the Wallabies managed to turn around a poor start against a fired up, but ultimately aimless, Scottish side. 44-15 was the final score, and it was an accurate reflection of the way the two teams played. Scotland had a lot of passion, but that was about it. It was good for 10-15 minutes, but they simply were outclassed by a Wallabies side that turned up to play this time. Putting players back into their preferred position really worked wonders in the back line and that was the difference between the two sides. The scrums were a bit better, and the tight five will get better with more game time. Come the world cup they will be as tough to beat as ever.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The rest of the games don't really rate a mention. England were beaten by a Springbok side that kicked a better game than England did. White will be pleased to head back with a victory under his belt and this may just save his bacon. The meeting will go a bit better for him, however the decision may have already been made about his future prospects. Good luck Jake.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21982875.post-1164321558475980892006-11-24T07:58:00.000+10:002006-11-24T08:39:18.603+10:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Horses for Courses Selection Policy has More Depth</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Apparently more than just the opposing team come into the calculations Graham Henry makes in selecting his team based on the horses for courses selection policy he has followed on this northern hemisphere tour. Henry has been up front is suggesting that he selects players on the basis of who will be playing against them, their own skill level vs the skills of the opposition player, and how they will go fronting up to the opposing player if selected. Now it also seems that the weather and the field also come into the equation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Henry has suggested that the selection of Smith is not just about the skills that Smith has at centre, and how he shapes up against Welsh Captain Stephen Jones in that position, but has more to do with the expected wet weather at millenium stadium at the weekend. The player seems to relish wet conditions as they require a higher skill level from him, and doubtless he gets plenty of practise playing in atrocious conditions in his native Wellington. Nothing Wales could offer would be worse than the horizontal rain Wellington is famous for.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This sort of vision in selection is exactly what the All Blacks need heading into the World Cup. Doubtless if the campaign is unsuccessful the selection policy will be branded fool hardy, overly technical, and of course arrogant. However, if successful this kind of forward thinking selection policy taking into account as many factors as possible will become the standard across the game. This is a risk, this is an experiment, but so far the faith the fans have placed in Henry and his changes to the traditional All Blacks selection policies has been rewarded. It will be interesting to see how things go at the weekend, and on into next season.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Wales continue to talk themselves up for this weekend. Accrding to the talk, they will play an expansive and open game, their creativity in attack will try the All Black line, however there aren't many punters that would be backing them to win as much as they seem to be backing themselves. The selection of New Zealand born Sonny Parker at number 12 casts doubt on this as he is less of an attacking player than the brilliant but flaky Gavin Henson, and has more robust defence than Henson has shown at times. Be that as it may, if you are going to take on the All Blacks it has to start up front and the battle will be won in the forwards as usual. The backs getting good clean ball going forward will be crucial to the success of each back line against the other. Also, with the Welsh calling their lineouts in Welsh, it will be difficult for the All Blacks to figure out lineout calls. It should be a great clash this weekend.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Elsewhere Springbok coach Jake White has been 'invited' home after the second game against England this weekend and before the next game on tour against a world 15. This cannot be a good sign for White who was under pressure during the Tri-Nations and managed to squeak through with a win over the All Blacks and the Wallabies at the end of the series. He is fronting the president's council, and the discussion will focus on a vote of no confidence in him as coach by the Blue Bulls last week. Good luck Jake, your boys had better win this weekend or you will be outski.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Wallabies take on a confident Scottish side looking for their first win over the Wallabies in 15 encoutners. Something tells me that the haggis brigade will be lucky to get away with a win, even with the Wallabies in such a state of disarray. The players that have been selected will want to press home their claims to positions the encumbents are clearly regarding as their own, no matter what they do. Knuckles would do well to bench some of the stars to get the hunger back to take the field, and win. This team is on a downward spiral and reports of conflict between coaching staff and captain (for this tour) do not paint a good picture 10 months out from the world cup. Knuckles may well be looking forward to the return of Gregan who will not be sorry that he sat out this disaster of a tour.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've noticed that a lot of people are looking for the draw for the 2007 Super 14 season. Please click here to be taken to the draw for next season, and note that kick off is one week early this year to account for the RWC tournament. </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.waratahs.com.au/DrawsandCompetitions/Super14/Draw.aspx">Click here</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> for the draw. In addition, there will be a permanent link to this page on the left hand side of this blog so that you can come back and check it out whenever you want. Note that the relegation position of one team in South Africa has yet to be resolved in relation to this draw being posted.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Bring it on - this weekend is another cracker for international rugby! Final game of the tour for the ABs, and the end of most of the touring sides quality games. This site will focus on preseason news for super 14 and ongoing world rugby issues after the end of the tours. Enjoy and check back often.</span>Frontmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440946796342568905noreply@blogger.com0