Two quite contrasting acts put the exclamation points on Kieran Read's 50th test and underlined why the next 50 are as inevitable as night following day, or the hard-nosed Cantab putting team goals before individual glory. Read, in just his second home test as skipper of this new generation All Blacks, was, as the French... Continue Reading →
In Richie McCaw’s sabbatical we trust
OPINION: Rugby can be relied on for throwing up innocuous sounding terms which soon take on a controversial bent. A couple of years ago you couldn't get through an interview with a union chief executive without at least one "going forward". There was Graham Henry's infamous "rotation" policy ahead of the 2007 World Cup, and... Continue Reading →
Richie McCaw 6 month holiday empowers him to appreciate the job of being All Blacks captain.
Richie McCaw expects his six-month holiday will empower him to once again appreciate the job of being All Blacks captain. McCaw, who yesterday confirmed he will play his first match of 2013 for his Christchurch club in "three or four weeks", said the New Zealand Rugby Union's decision to grant a sabbatical gave him a... Continue Reading →
Out with the old in with the new at The Sharks
THE Kings is dead, long live the King, they say when one man’s departure can’t be too heavily lamented because there has to be celebration for the ascendancy of the new ruler, but in terms of the Sharks’ coaching job, that is bull dust. With respect to Brendan Venter, who I have nothing against and... Continue Reading →
Siya Kolisi to start on bench for Bok team to face Scotland in Nelspruit
The Springbok team to face Scotland in Nelspruit on Saturday shows five changes, three of them on the bench, from the match-23 which beat Italy in the opening round of the Castle Lager Incoming Series last weekend. The two new players in the starting line-up are scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, who comes in for the injured... Continue Reading →
The Qantas Wallabies squad for the DHL Australia 2013 Lions tour is:
The Qantas Wallabies squad for the DHL Australia 2013 Lions tour is: Player Position State Age Appearances Ben Alexander Prop Brumbies 28 48 Adam Ashley-Cooper Fullback-Wing-Midfield NSW Waratahs 29 77 Berrick Barnes Flyhalf/Inside Centre/Fullback NSW Waratahs 27 50 Kurtley Beale Fullback/Flyhalf Melbourne Rebels 24 36 Nick Cummins Wing Western Force 25 6 Dave Dennis Loose... Continue Reading →
The first test of the season was not a classic for the All Blacks
Any illusions about the legitimacy of France's challenge or the gap left by the All Blacks most senior players ended at Eden Park. The first test of the season was not a classic, but it was a classic contest as France tore into a series that is now poised for a cracking rematch in Christchurch.... Continue Reading →
The last time Italy played a Test match in Durban they lost 101-0
The last time Italy played a Test match in Durban they lost 101-0 on a day when Stefan Terblanche scored five tries on the wing, and indeed the average result in the 10 matches to date between the countries has been 55-13 to the Boks, but anybody who is expecting Italy to roll over at... Continue Reading →
Dan Carter out for the first two tests of the French series
As the All Blacks coach delivered the news that Dan Carter was out for the first two tests of the French series, Steve Hansen did his best to look solemn and disappointed. But the reality is the Carter's enforced absence fits perfectly with his plan for this three-test series which starts on Saturday night at... Continue Reading →
Heyneke Meyer as Springbok coach in 2013
It is five years since Heyneke Meyer applied for the job of Springbok coach and, despite coming top of the class when the candidates sat examinations for the position, he lost out to Peter de Villiers, who sources that cannot be quoted say was towards the bottom of the rankings. De Villiers got the job... Continue Reading →
5 uncapped players in Springboks’ match-day 23
Five uncapped players, two of them in the starting line-up, have been selected in the Springbok team to face Italy in the opening round of the Castle Lager Incoming Series at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban on Saturday afternoon. Willie le Roux (fullback) and Jano Vermaak (scrumhalf) will earn their Springbok debuts in the starting... Continue Reading →
pic of the 4 captains of the teams competing in the Castle Lager Incoming Series
The four captains of the teams competing in the Castle Lager Incoming Series gathered at Growthpoint Kings Park on Tuesday South Africa, Scotland, Italy and Samoa will contest the tournament on a log basis over the coming three Saturdays in Durban, Nelspruit and in the finals at Lotus Versfeld. The captains are (from left to... Continue Reading →
Aaron Cruden to replace Dan Carter for 1st test against French ?
There's a reason the All Blacks are not sweating bullets over the likelihood of Dan Carter missing Saturday's test season opener against the French. His name is Aaron Cruden. The 24-year-old Chiefs first five-eighth is all but a certainty to start in the No 10 jersey on Saturday night at Eden Park, with a no-risk... Continue Reading →
Crusaders snared a vital 23-22 win over the Waratahs in Christchurch
He may have a test to play next week but Dan Carter should be nursing a well-earned hangover this morning. The ice-cool Carter kicked a 50m penalty in the 73rd minute as the Crusaders snared a vital 23-22 win over the Waratahs in Christchurch tonight. The home side had to rely on Tahs goal kicker... Continue Reading →
3 changes to Crusaders team to play the Waratahs named
Crusaders team to play the Waratahs named The Crusaders take on the Waratahs from New South Wales this Friday 31 May at AMI Stadium (Addington). Kick-off is at 7.35pm local time Head Coach Todd Blackadder has announced the team to play the New South Wales visitors making three changes to the starting fifteen who played... Continue Reading →
The DHL Stormers team to take on the Kings on Sat at Newlands
The DHL Stormers team to take on the Kings is as follows: 15. Joe Pietersen 14. Gio Aplon 13. Jean de Villiers (captain) 12. Damian de Allende 11. Bryan Habana 10. Elton Jantjies 9. Louis Schreuder 8. Nizaam Carr 7. Deon Fourie 6. Siya Kolisi 5. De Kock Steenkamp 4. Eben Etzebeth 3. Brok Harris... Continue Reading →
Crusaders team to play the Chiefs named
The Crusaders head to Waikato Stadium this weekend to face the Super Rugby title holders, the Chiefs. Head Coach Todd Blackadder has announced the team to play the Chiefs with five changes to the team that bet the Blues in Christchurch last weekend. Hooker Codie Taylor makes the starting fifteen with Corey Flynn out with... Continue Reading →
The DHL Stormers team to take on the Reds is as follows
The DHL Stormers team to take on the Reds is as follows: 15. Joe Pietersen 14. Gio Aplon 13. Jean de Villiers (captain) 12. Damian de Allende 11. Bryan Habana 10. Elton Jantjies 9. Louis Schreuder 8. Nizaam Carr 7. Don Armand 6. Siya Kolisi 5. Eben Etzebeth 4. Gerbrandt Grobler* 3. Brok Harris 2.... Continue Reading →
The DHL Stormers team to take on the Waratahs is as follows
The DHL Stormers team to take on the Waratahs is as follows: 15. Joe Pietersen 14. Gio Aplon 13. Juan de Jongh 12. Jean de Villiers (captain) 11. Bryan Habana 10. Gary van Aswegen 9. Dewaldt Duvenage 8. Duane Vermeulen (vice-captain) 7. Rynhardt Elstadt 6. Siya Kolisi 5. Andries Bekker 4. Eben Etzebeth 3. Frans... Continue Reading →
DHL Stormers tour update – 06/05/13
The DHL Stormers had an intense day of analysis on Monday and will return to training on Tuesday ahead of their Super Rugby encounter against the high-flying Waratahs. The Stormers are in Sydney at present - having traveled from New Zealand at the weekend - and they had a good series of meetings at their... Continue Reading →
