Sanjay's Rugby World

Once again Kings Park proved to be an unhappy ground for the Boks as they succumbed to the All Blacks 26-21.

The Boks started off strongly, taking the game to the All Blacks and doiminating the forward exchanges. For the first 20 minutes we dominated territory and posession, but like the previous week all we had to show for it were a couple of penalties as we struggled to cross the try line. The All Blacks slowly started to work their way back into the match and had Daniel Carter been more accurate with his goal kicking we could have been trailing. It took a try from a lineout drive late in the first half for the Boks to regain the lead.
After some strong pressure and a resulting try at the beggining of the second half, the Boks started gifting ball to the Kiwis which resulted in easy yards as tackles started to fall. In the end pressure and missed tackles told as the All Blacks scored 2 late tries.

The difference between the reserve benches was painfully evident as Mealamu, McAlister, MacDonald and co made a massive difference for the AB’s whilst the loss of James and Skinstad was huge as Steyn and Wannenburg were awful, putting the Boks under extreme pressure with handling mistakes and a yellow card.

For the Boks, they showed once again their pack can dominate the All Blacks. However we must play to our strengths and kick the ball out. At Kings Park we simply never played to our strength in that department. The worries must be the ease at which the All Blacks cross the gain line and the lack of penetration and creativity in our back line. Just a month or 2 ago we were superb in the super 14, but these same players are looking very ordinary under Jake White. I suspect somehow that the conservatism of White is the major factor. After the World Cup this year, this needs to be addressed if we want to truly dominate world rugby.

South Africa 21: Tries by Schalk Burger and Butch James. Percy Montgomery kicked a conversion and two penalties and Ruan Pienaar a penalty.
New Zealand 26: Tries by Richie McCaw and Joe Rokocoko. Dan Carter kicked three penalties and two conversions and Aaron Mauger a dropped goal

The Springboks started off the tri-nations with a tight win under pressure at Newlands. whilst they won’t be happy with the scoreboard, the signs are there that they are right on track.
The All Blacks also won’t be entirely happy with their large win, but move onto Durban next week in what should be another titanic battle with the Boks.
The emerging Springboks showed the large amount of talent and depth currently in South Africa by beating Argentina A 24-10, whilst the Junior All Blacks smashed Australia A 50-0 in Dunedin.

Carter dominant as All Blacks beat Canada

Daniel Carter became only the 2nd All Black flyhalf to score a hat-trick as the All Blacks struggled to overcome a tenacious Canadian side. Whilst the Canadians were only trying to keep the score down, their defence held strong for large parts of the game and put the pressure on the All Blacks who simply couldn’t find their rhythm. Whilst a few changes will be made heading into next weeks game in Durban, they showed they may not be as dominant as the last 2 seasons.

New Zealand 64: Tries: Daniel Carter 3, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Luke McAlister, John Schwalger, Andrew Hore, Chris Masoe, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear Conversions; Carter 7
Canada 13: Mike Pyke try; James Pritchard conversion, 2 penalties

Wonder Boy Steyn sticks it to Aussies

South Africa will be happy with the result and large parts of the game, but the failure to put the Wobblies away gives us much to work on. The Boks dominated from the start but simply could not convert territory and posession into points. It showed we are on the right track and can dominate the set pieces, but we need to do more to get over the advantage line and put the opposition onto the back foot. The Wobblies defence was committed and strong to their credit but they were aided by a ref who protected them at scrum time, and allowed them to get away with murder in the rucks and mauls. They continually came in from the side and slowed South African ball, and were only warned at the end of the match. Meanwhile Spies was warned early on and given a yellow card for having the ball thrown into whilst retreating. What a bullshit decision that was. But the composure of the Boks came through and they were deserved winners. The confidence to keep going for the tries as penalties were won towards the end of the game must be commended. The concern will be the injuries to Captain Smit, Steenkamp and Juan Smith. Over the next week the Boks need to work on playing the ball closer to the ruck and using the forwards to get over the advantage line to give the backs a bit more room to work from.

South Africa 22: Try by Jaque Fourie. Percy Montgomery kicked three penalties and a conversion and Francois Steyn two dropped goals.
Australia 19: Try by Matt Giteau. Stirling Mortlock kicked four penalties and a conversion.

The final weekend before the start of the tri-nations showed that all 3 teams are building momentum in what should be a closely contested series. Argentina also continued on their winning ways too.
However the biggest concern for South Africa’s 2007 campaign is the off the field shenanigans once again. Whenever our rugby starts doing well, we inevitably try to derail ourselves through our administrators. The latest news is that 2008 may see the biggest upheaval in SA rugby with a new coach and captain in Pieter De Villiers and Luke Watson in an attempt to Africanise the team, with 10 players of black/colour in the starting lineup. While this is to be commened it is not the right way to go about it. First we need to start at vodacom cup, then currie cup then super 14 level. The fact a handful of blacks/coloured played at super 14 level is the problem, not the boks. De Villiers doesnt have the coaching experience and Watson has not proven his capabilities yet. If White wins the world cup, I think the wisest move will be to retain him, not remove him.

All Blacks inflict record defeat on frogs

The All Blacks scored the most test points ever against the French in a test match winning by the biggest margin ever too. A 9 try to 1 rout is not great for world rugby, but the French will be more competitive come world cup time. Of concern to the All Blacks will be the injuries to their locks Williams and Robinson. Their depth will be severly tested in this department

New Zealand 61: Tries: Joe Rokocoko 2, Anton Oliver, Byron Kelleher, Leon MacDonald, Isaia Toeava, Jerry Collins, Keven Mealamu, Nick Evans; Conversions: Luke McAlister 5; Penalties: McAlister 2.
France 10: Try: Julien Laharrague; Conversion: Benjamin Boyet; Penalty: Boyet

Australia gain confidence ahead of ti-nations

Australia scored their biggest victory in 11 months in beating fiji 49-0 in perth. Their backline looked more fluent and Tuquiri made his return felt with a brace of tries. The Wobblies should have a potent backline come world cup tuime, but their biggest question mark is still their pack.

Australia 49: Tries: Lote Tuqiri 2, Scott Staniforth 2, Julian Huxley, Stephen Larkham, Sam Norton-Knight, Adam Ashley Cooper; Conversions: Huxley 3; Penalty: Huxley.
Fiji 0:

Argentina dispose of Italy

The Argentinians are building their depth as key players were absent in their 24-6 victory over Italy. Argentina lack the finishing ability out wide but showed they are genuine quarter final contenders with a strong pack capable of challenging the best sides.

Second string Boks lack ruthlessness

Although the Springboks cruised to a 35-8 win against a gallant Samoan side at Ellis Park, there was disappointment that few of the second string side stuck their hand up for a place in the starting lineup for the tri-nations. While the coach will be happy that many of his side had a good hit out and key players were able to get some game time, we all expected more of the rest of the squad. Most of the guys played well, but handling was poor, and set piece structure and dominance was lacking. There still remains plenty for the Boks to work on over the next 3 months. Samoa on the other hand will be pleased and can go to the World cup happy they are better placed than 4 years ago, but unfortunately still lack the ability to make the quarter finals

South Africa 35: Tries by John Smit, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Pedrie Wannenburg and Percy Montgomery. Derick Hougaard kicked a conversion and two penalties and Montgomery a conversion.
Samoa 8: Try by Anitelela Tuilaga. Gavin Williams kicked a penalty.

This weekend saw 4 southern hemisphere teams comfortably beat the northern hemisphere opponents.
Whilst most of the northern teams have come down here with depleted teams, they will certainly suffer psychologically come world cup time. The other worrying aspect for them must be the lack of points, and especially tries being scored.

All Blacks suffer 2 key injuries in beating France

The All Blacks started off super saturday by beating a negative french team 42-11 at Eden Park. The All Blacks looked quite rusty, and by their own standards their ball handling was sloppy, but they looked dangerous with ball in hand and made easy metres going forward each time they attacked. While they will get better, the injuries to Carter and McCaw could worrry them.

New Zealand42: Tries: Aaron Mauger 2, Sitiveni Sivivatu 2, Rodney So’oialo; Conversions: Nick Evans 2, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter; Penalties: Carter, Weepu, Evans.
France11: Try: Jean-Francois Coux; Penalties: Benjamin Boyet

Wobblies produce better second half to overcome Wales

The Wobblies then played Wales at Suncorp stadium. The introduction of Grogan at halftime provided the impetus to get the back 3 into the game more and score some tries. Their set pieces still look shaky and one really has to question whether Connelly has a plan of the team he wants at the world cup, or whether he is still experimenting. They should stuggle come tri-nations time.

Wobblies 31: Tries: Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Julian Huxley. Conversions: Stirling Mortlock 2. Penalties: Mortlock 3.
Wales 0:

Argentina finish off Ireland

Argentina completed a 2-0 series victory over Ireland, winning the second test 16-0. Ireland were sloppy all over the park, and the Argentinian defence held firm to provide a morale boosting victory ahead of the world cup.

Argentina 16: Manuel Contepomi try; Federico Todeschini, 3 penalties, conversion,
Ireland 0:

Springboks gain pscyological edge for world cup

A packed out Loftus was the scene for the second test between South Africa and England. The English started of well with a flat in your face defence that put the Springboks on the back foot. Whilst the English didnt really look like scoring tries, a steady stream of penalties and an intercept try scored whilst Habana was off the field for a dubious yellow card, saw them go into the break with a 2 point lead. But the Boks came out after the break and played with a deeper attacking alignment and got go forward ball, which produced 6 great second half tries. The raw pace and power of Spies and Habana making the difference. The wory for the Boks will again be the set pieces, with CJ Van Der Linde proving he is better as an impact player as his tight phases work is not up to scratch and Wynand Olivier proving he is not classy enough for test level. Skinstad had a late introduction but his sublime touches proved to White he has to get more game time. But we know they will improve in the set pieces so they still look to be in a great position and the ability to score 6 second half tries quite easily was encouraging. The Boks will go into their world cup game against England with alot more confidence than they did 4 years ago.

South Africa 55: Tries by Ricky Januarie, Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha, Pierre Spies, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Habana, Spies. Percy Montgomery 5 conversions and 1penalty; Butch James 1 conversion.
England 22: Try by Dan Scarborough. Jonny Wilkinson 1 conversion and 5 penalties