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IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
Rugby Union
- Thread starter Tigerclan
- Start date
Well, it turns out the Tahs didn't get their man.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15485643-23217,00.html (Anasta sticks to league)
Braith Anasta has apparently decided to stay with rugby league. It is a pity because now we have a hole in the mid-field that we have to fill but at least it will give a grass roots youngster the chance to take the next step and play Super 12.
I just hope that Big Dell makes a simular decision and stays with Queensland, because frankly NSW really doesn't need him taking up room in the back three. The ones we have are doing just fine, making the final and all!!!
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15486231-23217,00.html (Salior loss will devastate Latham)
In other rugby news, Chris Latham is the "surprise" (read - absolute dead set shocking and disgraceful) winner of the Australian Super 12 Player of the Series award. I just don't understand how he could have won it. Don't get me wrong he is a fabulous player but he was definately not the best Australian player in the 2005 Super 12 competition.
Maybe they should have had a closer look at the Waratahs, since they made the finals after all, or even the Brumbies who finished higher than QLD. I was thinking maybe Phil Waugh, Peter Hewett, Dan Vickerman, Morgan Turinui or Lote Tuqiri even George Smith or Scott Fava. But no Latham, and there is absolutely no logical reason for that decision.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15480401-23217,00.html (Stunned Latham rated best)
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15478263-23217,00.html (NSW stars overlooked)
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15485643-23217,00.html (Anasta sticks to league)
Braith Anasta has apparently decided to stay with rugby league. It is a pity because now we have a hole in the mid-field that we have to fill but at least it will give a grass roots youngster the chance to take the next step and play Super 12.
I just hope that Big Dell makes a simular decision and stays with Queensland, because frankly NSW really doesn't need him taking up room in the back three. The ones we have are doing just fine, making the final and all!!!
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15486231-23217,00.html (Salior loss will devastate Latham)
In other rugby news, Chris Latham is the "surprise" (read - absolute dead set shocking and disgraceful) winner of the Australian Super 12 Player of the Series award. I just don't understand how he could have won it. Don't get me wrong he is a fabulous player but he was definately not the best Australian player in the 2005 Super 12 competition.
Maybe they should have had a closer look at the Waratahs, since they made the finals after all, or even the Brumbies who finished higher than QLD. I was thinking maybe Phil Waugh, Peter Hewett, Dan Vickerman, Morgan Turinui or Lote Tuqiri even George Smith or Scott Fava. But no Latham, and there is absolutely no logical reason for that decision.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15480401-23217,00.html (Stunned Latham rated best)
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15478263-23217,00.html (NSW stars overlooked)
Well TC, lets see, the Wallaby training squad was announced on Tuesday for the first Test of the season, here is the timetable for the Internationals, Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup etc:-
11-06-2005 3:00pm Qantas Wallabies v Samoa Telstra Stadium, Sydney
25-06-2005 3:00pm Qantas Wallabies v Italy Telstra Dome, Melbourne
02-07-2005 8:00pm Qantas Wallabies v France Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
09-07-2005 8:00pm Qantas Wallabies v Springboks Telstra Stadium, Sydney (going to this!!!)
23-07-2005 Springboks v Qantas Wallabies Ellis Park Doornfontein, Johannesburg
30-07-2005 Springboks v Qantas Wallabies Securicor Loftus, Pretoria
13-08-2005 8:00pm Qantas Wallabies v All Blacks Telstra Stadium, Sydney (going to this as well!!!)
20-08-2005 6:00pm Qantas Wallabies v Springboks Subiaco Oval, Perth
03-09-2005 All Blacks v Qantas Wallabies Eden Park, Auckland
http://www.rugby.com.au/tournaments/bundaberg_rum_rugby_series/bundaberg_rum_series_calendar,1292.html
The other interesting test matches being played this year will be between the New Zealand All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions. And for the first time in my life I will be pulling on the black and cheering for the Kiwis, due to my intense and fairly common dislike of (Sir) Clive Woodward, the coach of the Lions, but that aside, they should be outstanding rugby matches. Here are the dates and times:-
25th Jun 05, All Blacks v Lions, Christchurch, 7:10 pm
02nd Jul 05, All Blacks v Lions, Wellington, 7:10 pm
09th Jul 05, All Blacks v Lions, Auckland, 7:10 pm
http://www.allblacks.com/fixtures/
Hopefully it will be a great and of course, successful test season for the Wallabies ;D !!!
11-06-2005 3:00pm Qantas Wallabies v Samoa Telstra Stadium, Sydney
25-06-2005 3:00pm Qantas Wallabies v Italy Telstra Dome, Melbourne
02-07-2005 8:00pm Qantas Wallabies v France Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
09-07-2005 8:00pm Qantas Wallabies v Springboks Telstra Stadium, Sydney (going to this!!!)
23-07-2005 Springboks v Qantas Wallabies Ellis Park Doornfontein, Johannesburg
30-07-2005 Springboks v Qantas Wallabies Securicor Loftus, Pretoria
13-08-2005 8:00pm Qantas Wallabies v All Blacks Telstra Stadium, Sydney (going to this as well!!!)
20-08-2005 6:00pm Qantas Wallabies v Springboks Subiaco Oval, Perth
03-09-2005 All Blacks v Qantas Wallabies Eden Park, Auckland
http://www.rugby.com.au/tournaments/bundaberg_rum_rugby_series/bundaberg_rum_series_calendar,1292.html
The other interesting test matches being played this year will be between the New Zealand All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions. And for the first time in my life I will be pulling on the black and cheering for the Kiwis, due to my intense and fairly common dislike of (Sir) Clive Woodward, the coach of the Lions, but that aside, they should be outstanding rugby matches. Here are the dates and times:-
25th Jun 05, All Blacks v Lions, Christchurch, 7:10 pm
02nd Jul 05, All Blacks v Lions, Wellington, 7:10 pm
09th Jul 05, All Blacks v Lions, Auckland, 7:10 pm
http://www.allblacks.com/fixtures/
Hopefully it will be a great and of course, successful test season for the Wallabies ;D !!!
Sorry to be a knowall but I did warn you all ages ago bout the Crusaders,and im not a supporter,i go for the blues.They are like Brisbane at their best a few years back,just know how to win the big ones.
The upcoming Lions games should be the highlight of the year,for me anyway,im starting to find the tri-nations a bit monotonous,the Lions series gives some variety.The ABs are talking about perhaps resting key players during the tri-nations,to keep players fresh for their grand slam tour ,which says they regard the tri-nations as less importaint that the Lions and the NH tour at the end of the year.
Im expecting the ABs to put everything into winning the series against the Lions and win a close one ,but to perhaps be a bit flat during the tri-nations,talk of resting key players will not help,the boks will be hard to beat,ignore their S12 record,they will put together a very good ,physical foward pack like last year that will be hard to overcome.
The upcoming Lions games should be the highlight of the year,for me anyway,im starting to find the tri-nations a bit monotonous,the Lions series gives some variety.The ABs are talking about perhaps resting key players during the tri-nations,to keep players fresh for their grand slam tour ,which says they regard the tri-nations as less importaint that the Lions and the NH tour at the end of the year.
Im expecting the ABs to put everything into winning the series against the Lions and win a close one ,but to perhaps be a bit flat during the tri-nations,talk of resting key players will not help,the boks will be hard to beat,ignore their S12 record,they will put together a very good ,physical foward pack like last year that will be hard to overcome.
I am actually really looking forward to the Lions v All Blacks series. I remember when the Lions came out here in '01 (I can't believe it was that long ago!!) and it was one of the absolute best series' of rugby I have ever seen. The Wallabies came from one nill down to win the series in Sydney. It was just one of those matches (and series) that I will always remember.
Having said that, I think the All Blacks will win and probably reasonably comfortably. I think that in some of the important on-field match ups that the Kiwis have an advantage eg Richie McCaw is probably the best open side in the world, Chris Jack, definately one of the best second rowers, Joe Rokocoko is lightening on the wing (if he gets selected, he wasn't for their match against Fiji this Friday) and Daniel Carter is, in my opinion the best five-eighth in world rugby. I think that Carter is better at the moment than Johnny Wilkinson, which will be a huge advantage for the Blacks.
But it should be very tough and hard fought, especially in the forwards, which are predominately English and which carried them to World Cup victory 18 months ago. I hope that things improve (just a little) for the Lions though, before the first test in Christchurch in a couple of weeks, as they have already lost Laurence Dellaglio for the tour with an ankle dislocation (v Bay of Plenty last weekend)
As I have said, and I am just like you TC, for the first time in my life I will be pulling on the black and cheering for the Kiwis, due to my intense and fairly common dislike of (Sir) Clive Woodward (arrogant s.o.b.). I am not sure if there is a more loathed sports person (rugby person, anyway) south of the equator and he will always galvanize support for his opposition where ever he goes.
Plus you always want your neighbours to do well against evil foes from the north
;D !!!
Having said that, I think the All Blacks will win and probably reasonably comfortably. I think that in some of the important on-field match ups that the Kiwis have an advantage eg Richie McCaw is probably the best open side in the world, Chris Jack, definately one of the best second rowers, Joe Rokocoko is lightening on the wing (if he gets selected, he wasn't for their match against Fiji this Friday) and Daniel Carter is, in my opinion the best five-eighth in world rugby. I think that Carter is better at the moment than Johnny Wilkinson, which will be a huge advantage for the Blacks.
But it should be very tough and hard fought, especially in the forwards, which are predominately English and which carried them to World Cup victory 18 months ago. I hope that things improve (just a little) for the Lions though, before the first test in Christchurch in a couple of weeks, as they have already lost Laurence Dellaglio for the tour with an ankle dislocation (v Bay of Plenty last weekend)
As I have said, and I am just like you TC, for the first time in my life I will be pulling on the black and cheering for the Kiwis, due to my intense and fairly common dislike of (Sir) Clive Woodward (arrogant s.o.b.). I am not sure if there is a more loathed sports person (rugby person, anyway) south of the equator and he will always galvanize support for his opposition where ever he goes.
Plus you always want your neighbours to do well against evil foes from the north
;D !!!Wallaby team to play Samoa on Saturday afternoon:-
Backs: (15)Chris Latham, (14)Wendell Sailor, (13)Stirling Mortlock, (12)Morgan Turinui, (11)Clyde Rathbone, (10)Matt Giteau,
(9)Chris Whitaker.
Forwards: (8)David Lyons, (7)George Smith, (6)Rocky Elsom, (5)Nathan Sharpe (c), (4)Mark Chisholm, (3)Matt Dunning,
(2)Jeremy Paul, (1)Bill Young.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Nic Henderson, Hugh McMeniman, John Roe, Matt Henjak, Stephen Larkham, Mat Rogers.
23rd man: Scott Fava.
The Wallabies are also dealing with a massive injury list which has nearly half the regular side out for at least the next couple of weeks, players injured including Phil Waugh, Steven Hoiles, George Gregan, Elton Flatley, Mark Gerrard, Al Baxter, Dan Vickerman, Justin Harrison, and Drew Mitchell, while Lote Tuquri has been suspended for two weeks for charging in the Super 12 final.
Backs: (15)Chris Latham, (14)Wendell Sailor, (13)Stirling Mortlock, (12)Morgan Turinui, (11)Clyde Rathbone, (10)Matt Giteau,
(9)Chris Whitaker.
Forwards: (8)David Lyons, (7)George Smith, (6)Rocky Elsom, (5)Nathan Sharpe (c), (4)Mark Chisholm, (3)Matt Dunning,
(2)Jeremy Paul, (1)Bill Young.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Nic Henderson, Hugh McMeniman, John Roe, Matt Henjak, Stephen Larkham, Mat Rogers.
23rd man: Scott Fava.
The Wallabies are also dealing with a massive injury list which has nearly half the regular side out for at least the next couple of weeks, players injured including Phil Waugh, Steven Hoiles, George Gregan, Elton Flatley, Mark Gerrard, Al Baxter, Dan Vickerman, Justin Harrison, and Drew Mitchell, while Lote Tuquri has been suspended for two weeks for charging in the Super 12 final.
I think that is a little flattering for a NZ cricket score ;D !!!
Anyway the Wallabies had a good win, defeating Samoa 74 - 7,
Great result here with the NZ Maori defeating the B & I Lions 19 - 13,
This after the massive All Black victory over Fiji 91 - 0, yesturday,
And the Springboks are currently leading Uruguay (55mins) 75 - 3
Its always good to see the southern hemisphere countries (Uruguay aside) having it so easy in the opening of the international season. And to have the Lions beaten is never a bad thing as far as I'm concerned!!!
;D !!!Anyway the Wallabies had a good win, defeating Samoa 74 - 7,
Great result here with the NZ Maori defeating the B & I Lions 19 - 13,
This after the massive All Black victory over Fiji 91 - 0, yesturday,
And the Springboks are currently leading Uruguay (55mins) 75 - 3
Its always good to see the southern hemisphere countries (Uruguay aside) having it so easy in the opening of the international season. And to have the Lions beaten is never a bad thing as far as I'm concerned!!!
