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Permalink Reply by Ox™ on March 9, 2010 at 10:03am

Pumas to join Tri-Nations in 2012

09th March 2010

Planet Rugby

Agreement: IRB to fund Pumas entry into Tri-Nations

An agreement in principle has been reached for Argentina to join Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations by 2012.

The Pumas, who finished third in the 2007 World Cup, are to receive funding from the International Rugby Board (IRB) to ease their introduction into the tournament, with IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset saying they will provide a one-off financial contribution of around US $2 million.

"It is done," Lapasset told www.thesportbriefing.com at the Global Sports Forum in Barcelona.

"The principle is to support the cost of the introduction of Argentina into the Tri-Nations.

"It will be a one-off payment of around US $2 million. The principle is agreed, and we just need the IRB Council to confirm at the next meeting (scheduled for May 12).

"It will be done so Argentina can enter in 2012.

"We have an agreement with South Africa, New Zealand and Australia for the financial programme that is now in place, and the three existing nations are supportive."

Argentina's third-place finish in France three years ago highlighted their need for regular matches against top-quality opposition, although barriers to their entry into the Tri-Nations have not strictly been financial.

Aside from being geographically stranded on the global rugby map, the fact that most of Argentina's best players are based in Europe has also counted against bringing them into the fold.

However, in September 2009, SANZAR, the board representing the national rugby unions of the existing Tri-Nations teams, tabled a conditional invitation to Argentina to join the competition.

"The challenge now is to organise the travel arrangements between the countries," added Lapasset, who sits on the IRB Council.

"However, it is fantastic (that Argentina will join the Tri Nations).

"It started with the World Cup in 2007 and we realised the importance of creating a symbol in South America.

"It will help to build professionalism within Argentinian rugby."

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Permalink Reply by Ox™ on March 9, 2010 at 10:17am

Warm-up games for Nadroga

Fiji Times

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

NADROGA is geared up for its warm-up match against Lautoka before taking on Naitasiri in the opening Digicel Cup competition on March 27.

Team official Esala Nauga said the squad had been in preparation for the warm-up game before taking on the Highlanders.

"At the moment we are training in preparation for our warm-up game against Lautoka," he said.

Lautoka rugby Union president Mosese Naivalu said the sugar city squad was focused for the match against Nadroga this Saturday.

"This will be a good strength-gauging match," he said.

The Lautoka team was selected soon after the final franchise match in which Steelers won over the undefeated Crushers.

"After this game against Nadroga, we'll be facing Nadi in our next warm-up match."

He said the side will meet Nadi in the under 20, development team and the senior team.

"Last year, we met Navosa while Nadi met Nadroga," he added.

He indicated that it'll be a stepping stone in organising a Western Rally.

"But it'll depend on the Fiji Rugby Union competition time table.

"We're looking for a break to slot in the rally."

The teams are preparing for the Digicel cup competition with Naitasiri facing Nadroga while Lautoka will meet Rewa and Nadi takes on Tailevu in the first round games.

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Permalink Reply by ksDear on March 11, 2010 at 4:01pm

Update on the IRB 7s series by Perct Kean/IRB.com: Friday, March 12, 2010 Update: 12:36PM
New Zealand will be determined to bounce back following their disappointment in Wellington and Las Vegas, while Fiji, Samoa and England are all in very good form at the moment.

ALL core teams have stepped up their preparations ahead of the Adelaide 7s in Australia on March 19, 20 and 21 followed the week after by the popular Hong Kong tournament on March 26, 27, and 28 at the Government Stadium.

Australia will renew its staunch Rugby rivalry with England after the two sides were drawn in the same pool for the Adelaide International Sevens, the fifth event in the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.

The tournament will be staged at the historic Adelaide Oval.

As well as fourth-ranked England in Pool D, the Wallabies will take on regional qualifiers Niue and the USA, who won the Bowl at their home event in Las Vegas.

World Series leaders New Zealand head Pool A in Adelaide and face Argentina, Scotland and Tonga.

USA Sevens winners Samoa top Pool B and face defending Adelaide champions South Africa as well as Japan and France.

Fiji top Pool C and again face Waisale Serevi and his Papua New Guinea side, as well as Wales and the sixth-ranked Kenyans, who could be boosted as many as 5,000 travelling supporters in Australia.

KENYA TO GO ONE BETTER
KENYA coach Benjamin Ayimba has named a strong and experienced squad of 13 players for the two upcoming legs of the IRB Sevens World Series, in Adelaide and Hong Kong on 19-21 and 26-28 March.

Last year in Adelaide the Kenyans beat African rivals South Africa by one point in their pool and then went on to reach their first ever IRB Sevens Cup final, also against South Africa.

In the first ever all-African IRB Sevens Cup Final the Springbok Seven rose to the challenge to win their second Adelaide title, but the Kenyans left the Adelaide Oval with huge credit.

Ayimba's assembled squad will again be led by inspirational captain Humphrey Kayange, and is the second most experienced side on the World Series at present, Dennis Mahanji the only debutant.

The Kenyans currently lie sixth in the World Series standings, having reached the last eight at all of the tournaments played to date in Dubai, George, Wellington and Las Vegas, and two Cup semi finals in Wellington and Vegas.

At the recent USA Sevens the team enjoyed the largest expat fan base, 1,800 Kenyans having made the trip to the Sam Boyd Stadium, and again in Adelaide the team is set to enjoy massive support with over 3,000 Kenyans reportedly making the trip.

BOKS SUFFER BLOW WITH STICK
SPRINGBOK Sevens coach Paul Treu has suffered a major blow on the eve of his side's departure for Adelaide with the news that captain Mzwandile Stick will miss the tournament.

Stick was due to captain the Boks at the next two IRB Sevens World Series legs, in Adelaide on 19-21 March and Hong Kong on 26-28 March, but sustained a knee ligament injury on Wednesday in Stellenbosch.

The injury means the experienced Stick will be sidelined for two to four weeks and Treu has called up JW Jonker, one of the young contracted players, to replace him.

Kyle Brown will lead the team for the first time in the absence of Stick.

"It's a major blow for the team," said a disappointed Treu. "I was looking to someone like Stick and also the other senior players to guide the newcomers like Sampie Mastriet and Chris Dry, who are 19 and 21-years old respectively.

"Stick is an important decision maker in the team and his leadership qualities will be missed," explained Treu.

Treu had already made two changes to his team for the Adelaide title defence, Sampie Mastriet of the Vodacom Blue Bulls and Chris Dry of the Vodacom Western Province side drafted into his squad in the place of veteran Marius Schoeman and rookie Phillip van der Walt.

The reigning World Series champions won the Plate Final at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas on their last outing and will be hoping that an improved performance can inspire better results for the remainder of the season.

Currently they lie in seventh place after losing three times to Fiji in successive Cup quarter finals.

The Springbok Sevens have won the last two tournaments in Adelaide, however, and Treu will be hoping for another good showing from his young team.

"The surface in Adelaide suits our style of play and we have done very well there the past three seasons," Treu added.

"However, it will not be easy going because

New Zealand will be determined to bounce back following their disappointment in Wellington and Las Vegas, while Fiji, Samoa and England are all in very good form at the moment."

http://www.fijitimes.com.fj/story.aspx?id=142020

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Permalink Reply by yabakivitu on March 11, 2010 at 4:50pm

vinaka Dear na vakasavui tukutuku

ALL DA BEST TO OUR TOA NI VALA

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Permalink Reply by Motoka. on March 11, 2010 at 5:08pm

Hey Tanivula............if you're looking for someone who can ''topspeed and brake at the same time!'' then give me a call!

I'm available till after Kong Kong!

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Permalink Reply by Kasanita Kamakorewa Lindell on March 11, 2010 at 5:16pm

uuu..kainoqu Motoka - "Top speed and brake at the same time" aka 'grinding halt'! lol.....

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Permalink Reply by aLiAs on March 11, 2010 at 6:48pm

uooo qai speed ni gear #9 ....rerefaki...........lol

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Permalink Reply by Ox™ on March 11, 2010 at 11:43pm

Crusaders flex their muscles

12th March 2010

Planet Rugby

Muscular: Dan Carter puts a stop to Brendon Leonard's ambitions

The Crusaders gave their strongest performance yet this Super 14 with a convincing 23-16 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.

A powerful first half laid the platform for the victory, including a brace of tries for called-up reserve scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i and five goals from the boot of Dan Carter.

The Chiefs played their usual expansive game but came off second best far too often in the loose skirmishes, not helped by the early loss of Liam Messam to injury.

One breathless period around the half-hour mark made a significant difference and showed just how the Chiefs can thrill but can also be their own worst enemy. The teams had traded counter-attacks but Carter had booted the ball into the Chiefs' 22. Mils Muliaina tried once more to spark something, but left Lelia Masaga isolated as the rest of the team laboured to get in support through a haze of lactic acid.

The Crusaders' chasers turned the ball over, Fotuali'i sniped blind - something he did all night to great effect - and combined with Ryan Crotty through the ragged defence before racing home for his second try of the evening and leaving the Chiefs 20-9 to the bad.

From then on, the visitors dug in and won the wrestling bouts, further evidence that brilliant though this Chiefs team can be they could well yet come up short because of an inability to grind out the wins they can't run in. The same failing was on show last week against the Reds and their future opponents will surely now be taking note.

On the other hand, this was clear evidence that the Crusaders are champion material this year. Having gone 6-0 down before they had even had a spell of meaningful possession, they kept their heads and fought their way back in.

Carter got himself an early penalty and then Fotuali'i scored his first, leaving the Chiefs not a second to regroup after a George Whitelock break before sniping over the line. Carter converted to make it 10-6.

The two fly-halves swapped further penalties before Fotuali'i scampered in for that game-turning try, but the Chiefs responded almost immediately, Donals finally finding a chink of light in the Crusaders' fringe defence to set Richard Kahui away.

Carter's third penalty made it 23-16 at the break, but while the teams cooled off in the dressing rooms, the heavens opened.

It changed the complexion of the game. With the field heavier and the ball harder to move, the forwards came into the game and it tightened up considerably. Any threat the Chiefs posed was bogged down, while the visitors' pack was able to make continuous yardage.

It nearly yielded a try for Corey Flynn after a series of rucks near the Chiefs' line, but that was as close as we came to a try in the second half. Carter extended the lead to ten with a penalty, Donald kept the Chiefs in touch with a monster kick from near half-way. The game ebbed and flowed but the Crusaders were well in control by the end.

Man of the match: He was called up as an injury replacement, but the performance of Kahn Fotuali'i at scrum-half will surely have Todd Blackadder wondering if Andy Ellis will automatically slot back into the A team when he's healthy again.

The scorers:

For the Chiefs:
Try: Kahui
Con: Donald
Pens: Donald 3

For the Crusaders:
Tries: Fotuali'i 2
Cons: Carter 2
Pens: Carter 3

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Romana Graham, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Dwayne Sweeney.

Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (c), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.

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Permalink Reply by Ox™ on March 11, 2010 at 11:46pm

Preview: Scotland v England

12th March 2010

Friends turned foes: Andy Robinson knows the inner workings of England better than most

The daggers are well and truly out for Martin Johnson as England face a perilous trip North for the latest edition of the Calcutta Cup.

Take a moment, if you will, and pretend that you've spent the last two years on some remote island, completely isolated from rugby news. Upon your return, you ask a couple of questions about England's performances.

- How did England do in the Six Nations last year?

The reply: They finished second. They lost on the road to the defending champions and then were edged by the eventual Grand Slams winners by a single point at Croke Park. They also hammered France.

- Hmmm, not too bad it seems, if you consider they had a new coach. How about this year?

The reply: Wins against Wales and Italy but a loss to the defending champs thanks to a brilliant try in the last minute.

- Hmmm. So they could still win the competition? Doesn't sound too bad.

When I click my fingers you can wake up.

Click.

Now pick up any English newspaper and have a read. Doesn't sound too good now, does it? Welcome to England rugby.

They're boring. Unimaginative. They kick too much. They don't attack the gain line. Wilko's too slow. Wilko's too old. Johnno's out of his depth...just about every criticism imaginable has been leveled at the England camp over the past year. But is the situation as bad as my colleagues in the press make it out to be?

The answer is yes and no. (Yes, it is quite comfortable on this fence). I won't pretend that the team in white have been exciting, but have they every been?

As long as the results have been there, no one has complained about the style in which they were achieved. The results really haven't been that bad, and if it Tommy Bowe had made his run at Twickers half a second later, we'd all be singing the praises of England's revival.

'But they even struggled against Italy,' I hear the nay-sayers cry. Would that be the Italy side that beat Scotland two weeks ago, drilled Samoa and gave the All Blacks a real run for their money? A bit of perspective please.

OK. I'll stop now. You're right, England are boring and their record at Murrayfield - where they've lost on there last two visits - should have fans of the red rose worried.

Time for some more of that perspective stuff. Scotland haven't won anything this year, but they can definitely beat England on Saturday. Andy Robinson's team really should have finished off Wales and were unlucky to be denied a try by mere inches - twice - in Rome.

The hosts' back three has been in barnstorming form and Dan Parks' boot has been right on the money. The tartan set piece is very solid and Robinson can be expected to provide a his team with route map to find the cracks in each of the English players' game.

Edinburgh and Glasgow's form in the Magners League suggests winning is a not foreign concept North of Hadrian's Wall. If Scotland can reproduce for 80 minutes the kind of performance they put on for 60 minutes in Cardiff, Chris Cusiter's troops have every reason to believe they can send England back home to think again.

The key to the result, however, probably lies with visitors.

If England finally click and back themselves to have a go, the way they did in the first ten minutes against Ireland, they should have too much for the home side.

Players to watch:

For Scotland: The Scotland back row have been the highlight of their campaign so far. Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay and Kelly Brown have formed a great balance of strength, speed and physicality. Their English counterparts are not living up to expectations, and Lewis Moody has paid the price as a result. Scotland's hopes will rely heavily on the three "Bs" winning the battle in the tight-loose.

For England: This time last year, Delon Armitage could do no wrong. The full-back's coming of age in the 2009 Six Nations was a revelation, but after a long injury lay-off, he has been unable to rediscover last year's form and is now under huge pressure to retain his place. With Ben Foden breathing down his neck, Armitage has admitted he knows he must come up with a big performance or face the axe. Scotland will know his confidence is down and will look to put him under pressure. Expect the bombs to rain down...

Head-to-head: Recalled for the first time since November 2008, Nick De Luca has a tough task on his hands in midfield. The Edinburgh centre has never started a Test alongside Graeme Morrison and Test against England is hardly the place to try find your feet. The England duo of Mathew Tait and Riki Flutey hasn't had much time to gel either, but one feels of the two combinations they have greater potential to come up with something special - assuming they are provided with decent attacking ball.

Previous results:

2009: England won 26-12 at Twickenham
2008: Scotland won 15-9 at Murrayfield
2007: England won 42-20 atTwickenham
2006: Scotland won 18-12 at Murrayfield
2005: England won 43-22 at Twickenham
2004: England won 35-13 at Murrayfield
2003: England won 40-9 at Twickenham
2002: England won 29-3 at Murrayfield
2001: England won 43-3 at Twickenham
2000: Scotland won 19-13 at Murrayfield

Prediction: It'll be close. In the last five meetings between these sides, the home team has been victorious. It's tough to argue against history, but we've got a sneaky feeling England will come good. England by a whisker.

The teams:

Scotland: 15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Max Evans, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Chris Cusiter (c), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Al Kellock, 4 Jim Hamilton, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Geoff Cross, 18 Nathan Hines, 19 Alan MacDonald, 20 Rory Lawson, 21 Phil Godman, 22 Simon Danielli.

England: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Joe Worsley, 6 James Haskell, 5 Steve Borthwick, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 David Wilson, 18 Courtney Lawes, 19 Lewis Moody, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Ben Foden.

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Permalink Reply by Ox™ on March 12, 2010 at 8:51am

S14 Preview: Round Five, Part Two

12th March 2010

Planet Rugby

Getting desperate: The Sharks


The Cheetahs and Blues have a bye this weekend, while the Bulls and Western Force are back in action as we enter Round Five of the Super 14.

The Sharks were unlucky not to pick up their first win of the season in Sydney, but get another crack at ending their drought against the Brumbies on Saturday. The Sharks haven't won in Canberra since 1998, but they'll take some confidence out of the fact that they beat the Brumbies very easily in Durban last year.

Elsewhere, the Highlanders face the most complete side in the tournament at a ground where the Bulls haven't lost in thirteen matches, and do so without three key players (Jimmy Cowan, Michael Hobbs and Adam Thomson).

You can't underestimate the Hurricanes, but the Stormers will fancy their chances at Newlands - where they are two from three this season - in what has been billed as the match to watch on Super Saturday.

Finally, an all-Australian derby ends off Round Five's proceedings when the Western Force visit the Reds in Brisbane.

Brumbies v Sharks

The Sharks are still in search of that elusive first win in the 2010 Super 14 and will be hoping to upset the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.

The South Africans have lost eight of their past nine Super Rugby matches, including four on the trot this season, and have won just two matches since beating the Brumbies 35-14 in Durban last year.

Where to then for the Sharks? Denied by a cruel refereeing decision last weekend against the Waratahs, John Smit's men simply have to start taking their chances and stop yellow card infringements that are driving their coach John Plumtree to desperation.

Three tries in four matches and only 65 points for - with only the Western Force (56) and Highlanders (63) having scored less - tell a story that must be as chilling for Springbok coach Peter de Villiers who has a nucleus of his Test side involved with the Sharks.

Two yellow cards in two outings by former England fly-half Andy Goode, poor handling and odd decision-making is the main reason for them struggling. All in all, this does not tell the tale of a happy side.

Add to that the fact that the Durban franchise has won only one of their last eight matches against the Brumbies in Canberra, and their challenge this weekend is clear.

But Brumbies coach Andy Friend said the tourists' recent record did not lessen their threat.

"When you haven't had a win, you're fighting for everything you can to make sure you get one," he said.

"Watching them last week you could see a lot of passion in the way they were playing, there was a lot of ambition and desire in the way they were playing, and intent.

"And we're expecting them to definitely have that against us."

But while boasting a quality backline, with the likes of Wallabies Matt Giteau, Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper, the Brumbies have also failed to fire on all cylinders so far this year.

They are yet to record a four-try bonus point, or any bonus points for that matter.

The Brumbies looked good at times in the wet against the Lions last week, but they failed to score a fourth try to pick up a bonus point despite having plenty of opportunities.

Prediction: The Sharks must be getting close to breaking their drought this year, but we can't see them snapping their losing streak in the Australian capital. Brumbies to win by three points or less.

The teams:

Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Maafu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.

Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Waylon Murray.

Date: Saturday, March 13
Venue: Canberra Stadium
Kick-off: 19:40 (08:40 GMT)
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Paul Marks (Australia), Simon Moore (Australia)
Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Bulls v Highlanders

The Bulls' weekend off in Round Four will stand them in good stead against the Highlanders at Loftus Versveld on Saturday, where the defending champs are set to continue their unbeaten run.

They've now won thirteen straight in Pretoria, while the New Zealanders are coming off a 33-0 hiding by the Stormers in Cape Town and they've lost their captain Jimmy Cowan to injury.

The Bulls scored three consecutive fifties - including last year's final against the Chiefs - followed by 48 points against the Waratahs, and another could be on their way for this team without any obvious weaknesses.

The hosts have the best forward pack in the tournament, and they have speed to burn out wide. In the line-outs the Highlanders will probably be worse off than last weekend in Cape Town, and the Bulls scrum is going from strength to strength.

The Highlanders have only victory from four outings this year, and they haven't won in Pretoria since 2002. They did, however, beat the Bulls in New Zealand last year, and they did draw in South Africa in 2004.

Still, even though the Kiwis can be competitive on their good days, it's hard to see them matching a rampant Bulls team in front of a big crowd at Loftus Versfeld.

Prediction: The question isn't what team will win, but by how much. The Bulls by... 20 points.

The teams:

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Derick Kuün, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Deon Stegmann, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Mat Berquist, 9 Sean Romans, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Tim Boys, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 James Paterson.

Date: Saturday, March 13
Kick-off: 17:05 (15:05 GMT)
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Pro Legoete (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

Stormers v Hurricanes

The Stormers face a daunting task against the Hurricanes at Newlands on Saturday, despite the New Zealand outfit going down 28-12 to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last weekend.

The men from the Cape proved yet again that they are genuine contenders this year with a huge win over the Highlanders. If they can win on the road, they will be hard to beat at the business end of the tournament.

The visitors from Wellington were all set to take the lead on the Super 14 table, but ill-discipline - including two yellow cards - cost them dearly as the Cheetahs slotted eight kicks from eight, including a conversion. The Stormers can do the same with Joe Pietersen and Peter Grant who are up there with the best kickers in the game.

The Hurricanes did well to disrupt the Free State scrum at times, and will exploit the fact that the Stormers scrum from time to time looked vulnerable on the loosehead side.

The Hurricanes will certainly also be better in the line-outs where the poor Highlanders side conceded six of their own throws which contributed greatly in their 33-0 thrashing at Newlands last weekend.

With last week producing their only try bonus point from four outings, the Stormers must start increasing their try tally to get on the same keel as their defence, which has been outstanding.

In their four matches, the Stormers have conceded only 38 points - 46 less than the second-best Crusaders - and two tries.

There was a greater preparedness to take the ball wide, and that should be repeated with the better distribution skills if not always best options, from scrum-half Dewaldt Duvenage.

And while the midfield clash of players like Ma'a Nonu and Jaque Fourie will be wonderful to watch, the line breaks will probably be few and far between. The Stormers can, however, prepare themselves for the little stab-kicks the 'Canes will use to break their defence.

Two good packs, two good sets of loose forwards, and two classy backlines could make this the spectacle of the weekend. In a nutshell, this will be a cracker!

Prediction: The Stormers are at home, where they are two from three this season, and they're coming off a very good win over the Highlanders. Stormers to win by five points.

The teams:

Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Sireli Naqelevuki, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Lionel Cronjé, 22 Gio Aplon.

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 Jacob Ellison.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 John Schwalger, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Karl Lowe, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Alapati Leiua.

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Permalink Reply by Ox™ on March 12, 2010 at 8:56am

Preview: Ireland v Wales

12th March 2010

Planet Rugby

Among the dreary grind that has all too often passed for this year's Six Nations there's been some real high points: most of them tinged with red.

Wales have been this year's great entertainers, running in tries for fun in second halves of matches while graciously allowing opposing teams a good hard 40 minutes of attacking practice for first halves.

It doesn't please everyone: the Welshman in our office has aged a good decade during this campaign, Warren Gatland has apparently taken on the demeanour of a 'menopausal warthog' (more on that in a minute) and those who really care about the Welsh displays - such as the principality's populace - are all a little crestfallen by the careless way the Welsh have been going about their business of late.

But the rest of the watching rugby world are enjoying themselves enormously at Wales' expense in a tournament which still stirs the blood in the anticipation, yet is still failing to warm the cockles of the heart in the delivery.

There's plenty to anticipate about this weekend's match-up between Wales and Ireland in Dublin. For two teams who provided so many of last June's united and fun-spirited B&I Lions touring party, this match has tended to boil up some pretty weighty pre-match banter. This year is no different.

The sporting headline in the Western Mail on Thursday proclaimed: 'Our Warren called a menopausal warthog', in reference to a column in the Irish Independent which did indeed endow Warren Gatland with that epithet, as well as saying that the Irish preferred the company of the English to the 'self-absorbed' Welsh. If nothing else, that alone ought to be all the motivation the Welsh need.

Gatland himself is, apparently, 'to diplomacy what Smith and Wesson is to peace.' Very diplomatically put.

The column also went on to slight Shaun Edwards, the Cardiff crowd... pretty much everything hailing from across the Irish Sea but west of Offa's Dyke. Had Tom Jones sung at the pre-match last year, you can bet there'd be a joke about last year's Irish victory in Cardiff not being unusual or something.

On the subject of ast year, if you remember, it was Gatland's turn for the unprovoked banter. He called the Irish 'easy to dislike', later trying to explain that this was a well-intended compliment and that if all the hacks were going to misconstrue his words so he would follow Declan Kidney's method of 'spouting cliches and nothings.'

On the Lions tour that subject was raised, and he said that he merely didn't want to be a boring coach but that he might have to be. In response to this week's column, he uttered the following: "...we should permit this matter to rest and treat this article with the disdain in which it is offered.

"I genuinely urge true Welsh and Irish rugby fans not to let anything written in the original article to affect the respect and friendship they share for each other.

"It does not deserve to have any impact on what will be a great weekend for supporters from two great rugby nations."

Boring? Possibly. But it does bring us back to the rugby, where Wales appear to play in a manner consistently opposite to Gatland's PR techniques. In the year Gatland does indeed come forth and respond to a particularly juicy anti-Welsh article with no little 'cliche and nothing', the Welsh team is responding to blows of adversity with breathtaking periods of rugby, scintillating tries and long periods of domination. If only they could do it first...

Ireland's Tommy Bowe said in the wake of the win over England that he felt Ireland had their mojo back. Perhaps the writer who called the Welsh 'delusional' should have a look within the Irish camp.

Ireland do not have their mojo back. They were under the cosh for long periods against England and won by being extraordinarily resolute in defence against a physical but limited attack and taking their chances. When pitched against more sophisicated opposition in France a fortnight earlier, Ireland were blown away.

The fact still remains that good as Ireland are, they have a weakness in the scrum and a lack of dynamism up front which lets any team matching them for strength gain the upper hand.

Fortunately for Ireland, Wales do not have that strength, especially not now with so many frontline forwards out. However spirited the Welsh will fight, the Irish have too much firepower. Lest the Welsh should use the first forty minutes of the match to... well, whatever it is they have been doing this year, they may discover just how heavy that firepower can be.

Ones to watch:

For Ireland: Brian O'Driscoll wins his hundredth cap for his country, saying he feels invigorated by last year's Grand Slam. He looks it too - even in this apparent week of mudslinging between the two teams, old 'menopausal warthog' himself found the time to pay a glowing tribute. There's so much about O'Driscoll's play to watch and admire, so sit back and enjoy.

For Wales: Lee Byrne has had a distinctly ordinary season, missing kicks to touch in the corner, spilling high balls and even displaying an inability to count during the Ospreys' Heineken Cup match with Leicester. But he's still one of the best in the business when he turns it on. Woe betide Jonathan Sexton if he messes around with his kicks.

Head to head: The front row is where Ireland's weakness lies. Sometimes anyway. If Wales are awake, they should try and exploit this early.

Recent results:

2000: Wales won 23-19 at Lansdowne Road

2001: Ireland won 36-6 at Millennium Stadium

2002: Ireland won 54-10 at Lansdowne Road

2003: Ireland won 25-24 at Millennium Stadium

2003: Ireland won 35-12 at Lansdowne Road

2004: Ireland won 36-15 at Lansdowne Road

2005: Wales won 32-20 at Millennium Stadium

2006: Ireland won 31-5 at Lansdowne Road

2007: Ireland won 19-9 at Millennium Stadium

2008: Wales won 16-12 at Croke Park

2009: Ireland won 17-15 at Millennium Stadium

Prediction: It's difficult to see Wales possessing the mean streak needed to bully Ireland out of the game. Ireland by eight.

The teams:

Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (c), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace , 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Leo Cullen, 19 Shane Jennings, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Robert Kearney.

Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 James Hook, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Martyn Williams (c), 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Sam Warburton, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Tom Shanklin

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Permalink Reply by Ox™ on March 12, 2010 at 9:04am

Lions shown no mercy in Sydney

12th March 2010

Planet Rugby

Mitchell: The first of many tries

The Waratahs answered their critics with a brilliant display of running rugby, scoring eleven tries past the toothless Lions to record a comprehensive 73-12 Super 14 win in Sydney on Friday.

Wing Drew Mitchell set the Sydney Football Stadium alight by crossing the whitewash four times - a Waratahs' record - while Lachie Turner and Josh Holmes bagged a brace each to post their third win of the season.

The Waratahs, so often criticised for their conservative playing style had a four-try bonus point before half-time, leading 33-5 at the break, and the romp continued in the second half with the hosts running out big winners.

It was the first time the Waratahs had scored eleven tries in one Super Rugby match as they condemned the Lions to their fifth straight defeat in the tournament. Centre Berrick Barnes converted nine of the Waratahs tries while wing Tonderai Chavhanga and prop JC Janse van Rensburg scored the Lions five-pointers.

The Lions conceded 72 points against the Chiefs in Round Two of the Super 14 and this result makes them the first team to break the 200-point mark of points scored against them for an average of 45.6 points conceded per match.

The visitors have successfully brought other teams - such as the Brumbies - down to their level, but the Waratahs kept their structure and were buoyed by the Lions' mistakes as they looked to counter-attack time after time from deep.

Barnes, opting against three-pointers, also drove the Lions back with some lengthy touch-finders that would more often than not be rewarded with another try to the home side.

Mitchell got the ball rolling with the game's opening try following a quick-tap penalty in the sixth minute, before gifting Chavhanga a five-pointer after he failed to ground a kick in his in-goal area.

The Waratahs responded immediately with lock Dean Mumm intercepting a chip kick from Lions pivot Carlos Spencer and running almost 40 metres for his team's second try.

Mumm, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and prop Benn Robinson all featured in the build-up to the third try scored by centre Tom Carter who was denied only a few minutes earlier.

The try-scoring bonus point was chalked up on the half hour mark when wing Turner crossed following a break by number eight Wycliff Palu and a kick from fly-half Daniel Halangahu.

Mitchell, who beat three defenders in another sensational run, added the fifth try following a line-out from a penalty kick into touch by Barnes. The Lions were intent on running, but clearly lacked confidence, as Spencer and Earl Rose hacked away possession aimlessly.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Palu opening proceedings after he took a cross-field kick from Barnes on the bounce. Mitchell scored the next two five-pointers - one from a 60-metre run - before replacement prop JP Janse van Rensburg crossed for the Lions.

The hosts piled on three tries in the last ten minutes, two to replacement scrum-half Holmes and one to Turner to end off a fine day at the office.

Man of the match: The Waratahs' rampage was set up by strong forward work by skipper Phil Waugh, making a record 119th appearance, and fellow flanker Dave Dennis along with locks Dean Mumm and Kane Douglas. Barnes played his best match yet in the blue jersey, but it was Drew Mitchell that terrorised the Lions all night by frequently slicing through their defence and also pulled off some strong tackles. Oh, did we mention he scored four tries?

The scorers:

For Waratahs:
Tries: Mitchell 4, Mumm, Turner 2 , Palu, Carter, Holmes 2
Cons: Barnes 9

The Lions:
Tries: Chavhanga, Janse van Rensburg
Cons: Rose

Waratahs: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess; 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Ben Mowen, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Kurtley Beale, 22 Rob Horne.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Walter Venter, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Wigan Pekeur.

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