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Rugby Union
- Thread starter Tigerclan
- Start date
Fantastic win by the All Blacks tonight over a much improved Lions outfit.
But they still got their butts kicked 48 - 18, with Dan Carter providing a personal highlights package and an amazing 33 points, proving once and for all that he is by far the best five-eighth in international rugby today (and at only 23 years old, he is going to be annoying us for many years to come
!!!)
A good start to the Lions with a try in the opening minute (poor All Black defence) was quickly overhauled and the Kiwis were simply outstanding in all facets of the game even with a few injuries to key players such as Aaron Mauger (sore knee) and Carter, who left before the end of the game leaving only 14 on the field for New Zealand.
To their credit the Lions were a much improved side and actually managed to win their own line out ball, which rarely happened last week, their scrum out-weighed the All Black scrum by a massive 30kgs and were more intimidating because of it, but no-one could stop either Richie McCaw, who was brilliant as per usual and Carter, who scored two tries and helped score the other three.
But overall the match was a fantastic spectacle, it was intense and tough with neither side taking a backward step. Some of the tackling looked like they were going through a brick wall, the defence of both sides, particularly the All Blacks was awsome.
It was definately one of the best , if not the best rugby union match I have seen in a very long time.
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=2222
But they still got their butts kicked 48 - 18, with Dan Carter providing a personal highlights package and an amazing 33 points, proving once and for all that he is by far the best five-eighth in international rugby today (and at only 23 years old, he is going to be annoying us for many years to come
!!!)A good start to the Lions with a try in the opening minute (poor All Black defence) was quickly overhauled and the Kiwis were simply outstanding in all facets of the game even with a few injuries to key players such as Aaron Mauger (sore knee) and Carter, who left before the end of the game leaving only 14 on the field for New Zealand.
To their credit the Lions were a much improved side and actually managed to win their own line out ball, which rarely happened last week, their scrum out-weighed the All Black scrum by a massive 30kgs and were more intimidating because of it, but no-one could stop either Richie McCaw, who was brilliant as per usual and Carter, who scored two tries and helped score the other three.
But overall the match was a fantastic spectacle, it was intense and tough with neither side taking a backward step. Some of the tackling looked like they were going through a brick wall, the defence of both sides, particularly the All Blacks was awsome.
It was definately one of the best , if not the best rugby union match I have seen in a very long time.
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=2222
I wonder how many Southampton fans want Sir Clive Woodward in charge now?
Maybe he'll get his knighthood retracted like former Queensland Police Commissioner Terry Lewis. I mean, official corruption and engineering sporting humiliation are equally heinous crimes, aren't they? ;D
Maybe he'll get his knighthood retracted like former Queensland Police Commissioner Terry Lewis. I mean, official corruption and engineering sporting humiliation are equally heinous crimes, aren't they? ;D
The Wallabies on the other hand, looked like they were playing ping pong in comparison (not that there should be one) to the AB v Lions game. There were way too many missed tackles and bombed opportunities.
While there were some classy moments, if baffeled me how the French were able to keep the ball in hand for such long periods of time, without being touched let alone tackled, by just hurling the ball around willy nilly. Something both sides did a lot of.
For the Wallabies to improve they need to be a bit more acountable in their defence, even when not on the last line, but even then it was pretty ordinary. A couple of French tries came from gaping holes in the Wallaby line up.
The intercept try should never have been scored as you could have sent a telegraph to Chris Latham to tell him not to throw the ball as there was a French winger lurking out there ready to pounce, which he did.
Even the attack, while it did score five tries, which is impressive, looked a little lost at times, which is something that we will have to get control of, when it comes to the tri-nations other wise we will be mauled (which could happen anyway, given the form being demonstrated across the ditch).
Sailor seems to have a fear of scoring, he almost bombed his try from one metre out; Giteau started well but was rarely sighted in the second half and he really needs to practise his kicking (2 from 8 ), which will be a problem when coming up against a dead-eye *smile* like Carter; Latham is ordinary under pressure and while a great try scorer, he needs to make better decisions eg throwing the intercept pass tonight; and Turinui should be in the run-on side.
The French were good considering they are the traveling side, having come across from South Africa, where they lost last week and should be commended for never letting the Wallabies relax or take complete control of the match. They are a very unpredicatable team and a frustrating side to play.
Despite all of this the Wallaby performance was probably not up to scratch IMO, but they did what they had to do to get the job done. It is just that the job is going to get a hell of a lot harder in the coming weeks (Springboks next week) and they will need to be much sharper than they were tonight.
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/qantas_wallabies_hold_off_feisty_french,29887.html/section/21893
While there were some classy moments, if baffeled me how the French were able to keep the ball in hand for such long periods of time, without being touched let alone tackled, by just hurling the ball around willy nilly. Something both sides did a lot of.
For the Wallabies to improve they need to be a bit more acountable in their defence, even when not on the last line, but even then it was pretty ordinary. A couple of French tries came from gaping holes in the Wallaby line up.
The intercept try should never have been scored as you could have sent a telegraph to Chris Latham to tell him not to throw the ball as there was a French winger lurking out there ready to pounce, which he did.
Even the attack, while it did score five tries, which is impressive, looked a little lost at times, which is something that we will have to get control of, when it comes to the tri-nations other wise we will be mauled (which could happen anyway, given the form being demonstrated across the ditch).
Sailor seems to have a fear of scoring, he almost bombed his try from one metre out; Giteau started well but was rarely sighted in the second half and he really needs to practise his kicking (2 from 8 ), which will be a problem when coming up against a dead-eye *smile* like Carter; Latham is ordinary under pressure and while a great try scorer, he needs to make better decisions eg throwing the intercept pass tonight; and Turinui should be in the run-on side.
The French were good considering they are the traveling side, having come across from South Africa, where they lost last week and should be commended for never letting the Wallabies relax or take complete control of the match. They are a very unpredicatable team and a frustrating side to play.
Despite all of this the Wallaby performance was probably not up to scratch IMO, but they did what they had to do to get the job done. It is just that the job is going to get a hell of a lot harder in the coming weeks (Springboks next week) and they will need to be much sharper than they were tonight.
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/qantas_wallabies_hold_off_feisty_french,29887.html/section/21893
Ready said:
I still can't believe that he was knighted in the first place Ready, it just goes to show how few and far between English sporting victories are and how they can over-react to winning something ;D !!!
I think that this series as at the very least put into question how good a coach he really is......be very wary Southampton!!!
And how good his players were TWO YEARS AGO. I think Mike Atherton's quote was that time doesn't creep up behind you, it just turns up and swamps you.
I think they've been saying for a hundred years that games are won in the forwards. Although it sounds as though if Richie McCaw is in the opposition forward pack you're pretty much stuffed.
Apparently there is now a rift in the Lions squad with Gavin Hensen threatening to walk out on the tour.
I don't think that, if true, it is a real shock that this would be the case. There seem to be many problems plaguing this tour, not in the least the two massive losses, and this is just another in a long line of apparent team disharmony.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15808473-23217,00.html (Woodward denies team rift)
And All Blacks Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger will both miss the third and final test against the Lions next weekend due to injuries they sustained in the thrashing on Saturday night. Carter hurt his shoulder in the last couple of minutes of what can only be described as a masterful match, and Mauger pulled a hammy in the first half.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15808147-23217,00.html (Carter, Mauger to miss third Test)
I don't think that, if true, it is a real shock that this would be the case. There seem to be many problems plaguing this tour, not in the least the two massive losses, and this is just another in a long line of apparent team disharmony.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15808473-23217,00.html (Woodward denies team rift)
And All Blacks Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger will both miss the third and final test against the Lions next weekend due to injuries they sustained in the thrashing on Saturday night. Carter hurt his shoulder in the last couple of minutes of what can only be described as a masterful match, and Mauger pulled a hammy in the first half.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15808147-23217,00.html (Carter, Mauger to miss third Test)
Third test team for the All Blacks:-
Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So’oialo, Byron Kelleher, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tana Umaga (Captain), Conrad Smith, Rico Gear, Mils Muliaina.
Reserves: Derren Witcombe, Campbell Johnstone, James Ryan, Sione Lauaki, Justin Marshall, Luke McAlister, Doug Howlett
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=2253
Nick Evans has also been brought in because of an injury to Dan Carters' first-five replacement Leon McDonald. This is the third first-five injury in the past week with both Carter and Aaron Mauger outed in the match last week.
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=2259
Johnny Wilkinson and Gavin Henson have been ruled out because of injury for the Lions sqad, which meant that there will be a delay in the naming of the BIL side for this weeks test match.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15844120-23217,00.html (Wilko out for third Test)
Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So’oialo, Byron Kelleher, Leon MacDonald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Tana Umaga (Captain), Conrad Smith, Rico Gear, Mils Muliaina.
Reserves: Derren Witcombe, Campbell Johnstone, James Ryan, Sione Lauaki, Justin Marshall, Luke McAlister, Doug Howlett
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=2253
Nick Evans has also been brought in because of an injury to Dan Carters' first-five replacement Leon McDonald. This is the third first-five injury in the past week with both Carter and Aaron Mauger outed in the match last week.
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=2259
Johnny Wilkinson and Gavin Henson have been ruled out because of injury for the Lions sqad, which meant that there will be a delay in the naming of the BIL side for this weeks test match.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15844120-23217,00.html (Wilko out for third Test)
Australian Wallaby sqad to play the Springboks on saturday night:-
TEST MATCH: AUSTRALIA v SOUTH AFRICA
Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate
Venue: Telstra Stadium, Sydney Date: Saturday 9 July Kick Off: 8.00pm
Referee: Kelvin Deaker
AUSTRALIAN Team for Wallaby Test No. 443
Bill Young, Jeremy Paul, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Nathan Sharpe(vc), Rocky Elsom, George Smith, David Lyons, George Gregan(c)
Stephen Larkham(vc), Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Morgan Turinui, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers,
Reserves:- Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, John Roe, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker, Mark Gerrard, Drew Mitchell
23rd Man: Scott Fava
Coach: Eddie Jones
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/turinui_and_rogers_to_start_against_south_africa,30035.html/section/21893
TEST MATCH: AUSTRALIA v SOUTH AFRICA
Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate
Venue: Telstra Stadium, Sydney Date: Saturday 9 July Kick Off: 8.00pm
Referee: Kelvin Deaker
AUSTRALIAN Team for Wallaby Test No. 443
Bill Young, Jeremy Paul, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Nathan Sharpe(vc), Rocky Elsom, George Smith, David Lyons, George Gregan(c)
Stephen Larkham(vc), Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Morgan Turinui, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers,
Reserves:- Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, John Roe, Phil Waugh, Chris Whitaker, Mark Gerrard, Drew Mitchell
23rd Man: Scott Fava
Coach: Eddie Jones
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/turinui_and_rogers_to_start_against_south_africa,30035.html/section/21893
Boks have played two tests against France TC, for a win and draw. So they have been going OK but nothing to spectacular!!!
They have been getting very lippy in the press about the Wallabies though, saying that our scrum are a pack of cheats, that Larkham is weak under pressure and that Bill Young was not be good enough to prop in a South African club side.
Eddie Jones called Jake White "sideshow Bob"!!!
Its all fun and games up here at the moment, I gotta say ;D !!!
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15853990-23217,00.html (Rift over little White lies)
They have been getting very lippy in the press about the Wallabies though, saying that our scrum are a pack of cheats, that Larkham is weak under pressure and that Bill Young was not be good enough to prop in a South African club side.
Eddie Jones called Jake White "sideshow Bob"!!!
Its all fun and games up here at the moment, I gotta say
;D !!!http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15853990-23217,00.html (Rift over little White lies)
Test v France last week great to watch,though it resembled touch footy at times.
SA will be much more physical,with a monster pack of forwards (35-40kg > Wallabies),good lineout + underrated backs.Aust will need to respect possession more than last week.
Throw the All Blacks & this year's tri-nations tourney looks a promoter's dream.
SA will be much more physical,with a monster pack of forwards (35-40kg > Wallabies),good lineout + underrated backs.Aust will need to respect possession more than last week.
Throw the All Blacks & this year's tri-nations tourney looks a promoter's dream.
I must say I didn't really enjoy the match against France because it was like touch footy, there was simply no "oomph" to it and the Wallabies are really going to have to be hell of a lot tougher, stronger and harder, and as you said they must definately "respect possession" a lot more to match the Boks on Saturday.
You are right MJ, the Wallaby pack will give the Springbok pack about 35kgs which is huge, but hopefully with good scrummaging we can at least match up in that department. They have great backs, but I actually believe (most of) ours are superior.
On form though the All Blacks are still the team to beat in the Tri-Nations, and I have my Bledisloe Cup tickets and am really looking forward to seeing how we go against the team I believe is the absolute best in international rugby right now.
You are right MJ, the Wallaby pack will give the Springbok pack about 35kgs which is huge, but hopefully with good scrummaging we can at least match up in that department. They have great backs, but I actually believe (most of) ours are superior.
On form though the All Blacks are still the team to beat in the Tri-Nations, and I have my Bledisloe Cup tickets and am really looking forward to seeing how we go against the team I believe is the absolute best in international rugby right now.
So the Lions get stuffed again. They lost 0-3 and the All Blacks run up a record series cumulative score.
Sir Clive says in the post game interview that it's been a successful tour, that he wasn't outcoached and that he wont accept that the All Blacks are just superior players.
Can someone please explain? I'm struggling with this one...
Sir Clive says in the post game interview that it's been a successful tour, that he wasn't outcoached and that he wont accept that the All Blacks are just superior players.
Can someone please explain? I'm struggling with this one...
