Rugby World Cup 2007

[Donnyboy]

Will White show his RWC hand?

April 30 2007

Springbok coach Jake White and his fellow selectors, convener Peter Jooste and Ian McIntosh, will give the first hints of what they are planning for the World Cup in France when they name their first training squad of the year later this week.

The national brainstrust will sit down to finalise a squad of 40-odd players on Wednesday, but the squad won't be released till the weekend - possibly after the final round of Super 14 league fixtures.

However, the training squad could be the first real indication of what direction the selectors will take this year - stick to the tried and trusted, or introduce some fresh blood for the mid-year internationals.

The Boks will play their first Test of the year when they take on a VERY depleted England side in Bloemfontein on May 26 - less than four weeks from now.

This is followed by a second encounter with the English fourth-stringers (they will miss 45 first choice players) and a game against Samoa, before the Tri-Nations gets underway with a match against Australia at Newlands on June 16.

After the Tri-Nations they will have a "warm-up match" against Scotland in Edinburgh on August 25.

In all the Boks will have played eight internationals - the encounters with England don't really deserve Test status but will get it anyway - by the time their World Cup campaign gets underway against Samoa in Paris on September 9.

It means a lot can change, including the Bok squad, between now and the global showpiece.

But White's first group of selected players will remain a point of heated debate - both surrounding those who made the squad and those who didn't.

As usual don't expect White to deviate too much from the core group he has used for the past three years.

Yes, the Bok coach has produced some bolters - and he is likely to again have the odd surprise selection - but generally expect him to stick with the same 30-man group of players that have become his trademark.

You can start with the squad that undertook the year-end tour last November and the few additions that joined them for the final match against the World XV.

Then you add the list of senior players that were rested from the four-match trip and maybe leave room for a handful of surprises and you have your squad of 40-plus.

Remember, it will be a "training squad", which gives the Bok coach license to include players that have dropped out of Super 14 reckoning and can't make their franchises' squads anymore - the likes of Lawrence Sephaka and Solly Tyibilika.

He can call them up under the guise of needing to do "fitness tests" and thus keep them in his World Cup loop to ensure he keeps the political dogs at bay.

The only real question is which non-Boks will make the training squad? Who will be the bolters this time?

Will the Sharks' Odwa Ndungane finally get the recognition he deserves and join twin brother Akona in the Bok training squad?

Will Cheetahs strongman Jannie du Plessis and his brother Bismark share in each other's joy at the training camp?

Other players who will be hoping to hear their names read out this week include Lions prop Heinke van der Merwe, Sharks centres Waylon Murray and Brad Barritt, Sharks number eight Ryan Kankowski and Sharks flank Jacques Botes.

You can pick your squad from the following list and you won't be too far off: Johan Ackermann, Eddie Andrews, Brad Barritt, De Wet Barry, Andries Bekker, Meyer Bosman, Bakkies Botha, Jacques Botes, BJ Botha, Gary Botha, Gerrie Britz, Schalk Burger, Deon Carstens, Bolla Conradie, Jacques Cronjé, Jean de Villiers, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Fourie du Preez, Os du Randt, Kabamba Floors, Bevin Fortuin, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Enrico Januarie, Wayne Julies, Ryan Kankowski, Hilton Lobberts, Victor Matfield, Percy Montgomery, Johann Muller, Waylon Murray, Akona Ndungane, Odwa Ndungane, Jonghikaya Nokwe, Wynand Olivier, Breyton Paulse, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Andre Pretorius, Jaco Pretorius, Danie Rossouw, Brent Russell, Lawrence Sephaka, Ross Skeate, John Smit, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Francois Steyn, Solly Tyibilika, Albert van den Berg, CJ van der Linde, Heinke van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Pedrie Wannenburg, Ashwin Willemse.

The squad does not include injured hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle and Stormers captain Luke Watson (the latter will never get a call-up while White is coach).

Yes, this squad indeed includes more than 50 names.

Now drop about 10 names from this squad and see how close you can get to the official squad named at the weekend.

By Jan de Koning

[Donnyboy]

our next world cup

we will not be denied this time

[Donnyboy]

Kiwi exodus gathers momentum

April 29 2007

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) may have a post-World Cup player crisis on its hands if the current player exodus to the Northern Hemisphere continues to gather momentum.

Reports from New Zealand suggest that more than half-a-dozen of the country's World Cup players are set to chase Pounds and euro after the global showpiece in France in September and October.

According to Yahoo!Xtra alarm bells will soon start ringing at the NZRU if is confirmed, as their sources suggest, that backline star Sitiveni Sivivatu will also move to Agen in France.

Losing a 27-year-old world-class tighthead prop, such as Carl Hayman, is one thing, but coughing up a 25-year-old winger who's arguably the finest finisher in the game should be considered another altogether.

Sivivatu is apparently regarded as a "long-term" investment for the NZRU.

However, according to the website, Sivivatu has already agreed to the deal to join his Chiefs teammate Byron Kelleher at the Agen club in France.

The report states that Sivivatu has already committed to make the move and if that is the case then New Zealand rugby assuredly does have a crisis on its hands.

Already confirmed to be leaving New Zealand after the World Cup are Hayman (to Newcastle), Kelleher (Agen), Chris Jack (Saracens), Aaron Mauger (Leicester), Anton Oliver (to France, possibly Toulon) and Sam Tuitupou (Worcester).

Added to that a number of leading players from the next level down, such as Otago's Josh Blackie, Taranaki's Paul Tito and Canterbury's Johnny Leo'o are also on the move.

But it's the departure of the top-end internationals that must be causing the greatest concern, and it appears that the money on offer is enticing them at increasingly early stages of their test careers.

If Sivivatu's move to Agen is a done deal, as sources indicate it is, the loss of the brilliant winger would be a major blow to New Zealand rugby who face a major cleanout after the World Cup.

Star Blues second-five Luke McAlister is apparently considering offers from top clubs, including it's said Leicester, but it would be a major surprise if the NZRU allowed this key inside back to escape given his likely importance to the next four-year international cycle.

McAlister's retention is seen as a key test case for the NZRU who must at some stage protect its playing assets.

Moves are also afoot to secure the immediate future of the game's two global superstars Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

It's no coincidence that McAlister's absence from the Blues has coincided with their dramatic drop in form, and with Mauger and Tuitupou both departing, there is a major lack of international-quality talent in the inside centre position.

But Sivivatu will not be the only top All Black to join the others in the move north, the according to the website.

Rico Gear has all but confirmed he's set to take up an offer (possibly with Sale who are looking for a replacement for Jason Robinson) and sources say Blues lock Ali Williams has been shopped around as a star signing, with some reports already indicating he could also land in France.

Other fringe players such as Greg Rawlinson, Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Cowan and Clarke Dermody are all said to be poised to join the Anglo-French exodus, with still more in the sights of the cashed up French and English clubs.

[Donnyboy]

NZ rugby will survive player exodus

Stuff.co.nz | Friday, 27 April 2007

By LINDSAY KNIGHT

The impressive win of the New Zealand under 19 team in the world youth rugby tournament's final against South Africa could not have come at a more appropriate time with many sections of the media presently obsessed with an exodus of top players to Europe.

From some of the Sunday papers and talkback radio you would get the impression that all was gloom and doom in New Zealand rugby and that we will all have to get used to the All Blacks becoming a second tier international force.

But as the Kieran Crowley's under 19s showed yet again there is a new crop of players coming on every year and someone who was a complete unknown will suddenly emerge in the next season or two as a superstar.

It is a pattern which has been going on for many years. The form centre of the Super 14 this season has been the Blues' Isaia Toeava. Yet 18 months ago no one had heard of him and his selection for the 2005 All Blacks' end of year tour took everyone by surprise.

Just because a great player either retires or goes overseas doesn't necessarily mean we all have to go into despair. In the early 90s some thought Grant Fox would be irreplaceable in the All Blacks.

His absence was certainly felt for a season or two, but then along came Andrew Mehrtens, who was one of the key players at the 1995 World Cup and as a first five eighths better even than Fox.

And in recent times no sooner had Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer moved on to boost their retirement funds in Britain when Daniel Carter, clearly the best No 10 New Zealand has seen, emerged.

It was the same with Michael Jones, acclaimed by many as our best ever loose forward. But when his value as an openside flanker was waning he was succeeded by Josh Kronfeld and now we are blessed with Richie McCaw, who is Jones' equal at least.

Concerns are valid over some of the present players who have been lured overseas. Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Luke McAlister and Aaron Mauger are in their prime and it would have been better if they had delayed their moves until their early 30s like Byron Kelleher. By that time they will be close to being has-beens and by then could be holding out someone equally as good and possibly even better.

There is reason, too, to worry about the ongoing battle between the European national unions and their greedy, self interested clubs. That obviously, in everyone's interests, needs to be resolved quickly.

But rugby in general, and New Zealand in particular, have faced many crises in the past and so far have survived them all. There was the World Rugby Corporation threat when rugby went professional in 1995. Before that there was shamateurism, professional breakaway threats in 1977 and 1983, the bitter South Africa apartheid issue, the 1981 Springboks' tour, the Cavaliers rebel tour of 1986 and constant raids by rugby league.

Indeed, the only decades when New Zealand rugby was free from league predators were the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Think of the many 1905 All Blacks who went to league, Charlie Seeling, Duncan McGregor and George Smith, icons from the 1920s and 30s like George Nepia, Bert Cooke and Mike Gilbert, Peter Henderson and Tom Lynch from the early 50s and onto the 1990s and John Gallagher, Matthew Ridge, Frano Botica and Craig Innes.

What is happening now is no more or no less than that and deserves to be kept in perspective.

It is hard to have total confidence in the New Zealand union. After all, its preoccupation with the All Blacks, and devaluing of everything else in the New Zealand game, even the Super 14, has contributed to the present problem.

But it would be disturbing should any media hysteria panic the NZRU into relaxing its present stipulation forbidding All Blacks being chosen from overseas. That must be maintained without compromise, even if it means coping without a player of Hayman's quality

And when players opt to go overseas the NZRU should point out quite clearly that they, no matter who they are, have forfeited their places in the All Black queue. They cannot be so arrogant to expect that they can go overseas, return after a couple of years and automatically resume their All Black positions. They will have to earn their right to be re-selected.

Bearing in the mind the short shelf life of most players, they should also appreciate the risks they are taking for it is plain that in the slower paced rugby of the Northern Hemisphere players may have become richer but not necessarily better.

[Donnyboy]

Hated 22 missing ABs? Wait till you see what's next

Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 22 April 2007

PHIL GIFFORD

A few years ago a radio station manager lamented to me the lack of performance from a $600,000-a-year signing he'd made.

"We gave the guy the farm, but he hasn't performed," was the phrase that sticks in the memory.

In the case of All Black prop Carl Hayman it appears that the New Zealand Rugby Union literally offered him a farm, or the finance to buy one, but it wasn't enough to keep him here.

Won over by a contract worth as much as $1.9m, he'll be propping the Newcastle front row straight after this year's world cup.

Yesterday, Chris Jack announced he was leaving for the Saracens club in London. By the end of the year, Aaron Mauger, Byron Kelleher, Anton Oliver (probably) and Luke McAlister (possibly) will be gone, too.

Have we reached the end of the world for New Zealand rugby as we know it? Not yet, but I believe you can see the end from here.

The death knell for keeping our best players was sounded in 1995, at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, when it was announced by a triumphant Louis Luyt that rugby was going professional.

From that day, the time had to come when New Zealand rugby would suffer the same system that operates in Brazilian soccer, where not one of the players in their international team plays for a club in Brazil.

With the looming exodus after the world cup, look out for more calls to allow overseas-based players to be selected for the All Blacks.

When it's heeded, and one day it will be, the drop in appeal of the Super 14 this year, with the loss of 22 All Blacks, will be like a gentle breeze to a tornado.

The prospect of an All Blacks jersey, despite brave attempts to add good coaching and facilities to the list, is the only real incentive for players to stay here. Take that incentive away by picking expatriates for the All Blacks, and the local game is likely to be reduced to squads of teenagers building up their CVs for overseas clubs.

What's more, the jersey's power is getting weaker by the year. Why? Because, as with all things, the more you have, the less precious it becomes.

The great Brian Lochore took eight years to play 24 tests in the 1960s and '70s. Richie McCaw clocked up that many in the last three years. Hayman has played more tests than Wilson Whineray, Jack more tests than Colin Meads, and Ali Williams almost twice as many tests as Buck Shelford.

When you've played enough tests to last a lifetime, and been to a world cup, and the boys' own dreams you started the game with have been realised, then guaranteed cash overseas becomes much more seductive.

Note the word guaranteed. Clubs in Europe and Japan pay even if a player loses form, or is injured. That's not the case with New Zealand contracts.

The first instinct is to blame the NZRU for the exodus: decades of the union being not only arrogant but inefficient make that conclusion almost mandatory.

Having only once been involved in negotiations between a player and the NZRU, in the days when David Rutherford was the CEO, I was shocked at the sloppiness of the attitude in Wellington. The player left the country.

But even if the mind-set at headquarters is infinitely better now, how do the NZRU fight a cash war when they ran at a loss last year?

To be blunt, when the NZRU compete with overseas clubs, the union's meagre coffers mean they're bringing a knife to a gun fight.

At the heart of it is the fact that we have the talent but, because of our small population, we don't have the cash.

It'd be wrong to condemn in any way the players who choose to take the money.

A boy, they say, does what he wants to do. A man does what he has to do. So if the choice is between more years with your mates in the All Blacks, or a better future for your family overseas, the moral issues must be clear to anyone not frozen in an adolescent state.

Enjoy the home-based rugby competitions now. In another decade seeing our All Blacks out of a black jersey may involve a flight to Japan or Europe.

[Donnyboy]

Henry not likely to pick on Super form

The Press | Thursday, 26 April 2007

THE BALD FACTS - By TONY SMITH

All Blacks coach Graham Henry should take a leaf from the book of a former Australian schoolboys halfback in firming up his selection for the World Cup.

The Australian rugby league selectors were pilloried before the Anzac test for omitting in- form NRL players from the Kangaroos and sticking with under-achieving Brisbane Broncos.

Most of the Australian line- up for last Friday's test against the Kiwis were backing up from the golden-point win in last November's Tri-Nations final.

The Kangaroos brains trust, led by coach Ricky Stuart (the ex-union No. 9 turned Canberra Raiders great), simply ignored the NRL form-book and plumped for players who'd proved themselves in the test arena.

Sticky Stuart was told he needed his head read for picking Karmichael Hunt over North Queensland fullback Matt Bowen. Hunt went on to have his best game in an Australian jersey as the Kangaroos crushed the Kiwis, 30-6.

Stuart – the architect of the selection policy – said it was "very, very hard to get an Australian jumper, and if you perform for Australia, it's important it gets recognised". Not everyone could make the jump from NRL to State of Origin football and then onto the test stage, he said.

The one Bronco whose Australian place was never in question, captain Darren Lockyer, agreed.

"Those guys have been picked on what they've done in a jersey before. I think that's how it should always be. If you pick blokes who are playing well for their clubs every time you're going to get a different outcome," Lockyer said.

Expect Graham Henry to take a similar stance with the All Blacks. Armchair fans are championing the cause of in-form Super 14 players. But the only blokes with better than a bolter's show are people Henry has had in the All Blacks frame before – like Aucklanders Troy Flavell, Doug Howlett and Isaia Toeava and born-again Crusaders' No. 8 Mose Tuiali'i.

The old adage "you're only as good as your last game" still applies. But the last game Henry and his selection panel will be pondering won't be a Super 14 fixture. It'll be the All Blacks' end-of-season tour of Europe where they crushed England, France and Wales.

And so it should be. This Super 14 is one of the weakest in years. It's not necessarily a gauge of a players' readiness to vault the yawning chasm to international football.

That is, of course, partly Henry's "fault" – by withdrawing 22 World Cup prospects from the first seven rounds.

Henry has been mumbling all the predictable platitudes about the "door not being closed" while at the same time fumbling with the latch. Unless there's been a diminution of a player's physical powers – and none of the 2006 All Blacks seem to be struggling in that regard – Henry is entitled to go with the players he knows and trusts, on and off the field.

What should Henry use as a selection gauge – the Blues v the Lions in 2007, or the All Blacks v France at Lyon?

Henry will also want to be sure that the players he takes are good tourists. The All Blacks will spend two months in camp, so compatibility and high boredom thresholds are essential.

The selectors will seek players with proven character – hence their understandable allegiance to players who've served them faithfully for the last three years.

That may be unfortunate for any aggrieved aspirants who do possess the requisite mettle – Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn chief among them.

He was unlucky not to make the last European tour and has been in better nick than Anton Oliver and Andrew Hore.

Flynn may have Hore in his sights, but Keven Mealamu is the best hooker in the world, and Oliver's scrummaging grunt will be needed if the All Blacks strike South Africa in a crucial play-offs game.

The time for Henry to "experiment" is this year's Tri- Nations. It would allow him to see if Toeava has matured enough to supplant Conrad Smith at centre or if Tuiali'i's defence is of top test standard. He could also give Flavell another crack and see if the Blues skipper can still cut the mustard at test level or whether he's a penalty-prone, yellow- card risk.

[Old Croc]

Nice to see a bloke who's passionate about his sport Donnyboy.

Perhaps a bit closer to the September kickoff a few more might start posting here.

As Australia seems to be off the pace these days, I don't really care who wins as long as it's not the Poms again!

I get really tired of the Pommy boasts about their sporting prowess, where they say:

"we're the best in the world at darts, snooker and we hold the World Cup in rugby."

[Donnyboy]

thanks Old Croc

personally cant wait till sept, but next best thing is reading up on the teams and the form of the top tier teams and posting them here.

Im going to try to keep the topic going thru to the RWC if I can. Hopefully, a few more rugby fans can join me soon.

I dont think the Poms have a show this time around, which means they can only crow about their darts and snooker

personally i think this year will be between South Africa and NZ with Aussie/France with a sniff

[steveromagnino]

Engrish have nil chance this time around; last time as a 'perfect storm' of great players which they no longer have.

Look at the Lions tour or 6 nations for proof.

NOT happy about the Super 14 final though; the Boks look like they have found some nice defensive skills; can they translate that to a national level?? Worried....

As for poaching players, look at the America's cup, the greatest stage for yachting. Top 5 teams are the 4 challengers plus Alinghi the defender.

Other than Luna Rossa, all the remaining 4 teams including the Yanks are mostly Kiwis. If i recall correctly almost all the masts and lots of other parts are all NZ technology. NZ would never have lost the cup to Alinghi if Alinghi hadn't poached most of successful NZ team using a massive financial incentive (Coutts, Butterworth, Evans, etc).

Welcome to professional sport; where Europe, Japan, USA get to watch sporting events live featuring the best foreign players :-)

[Donnyboy]

Selection row overshadows South Africa's party

CAPE TOWN - A row over selection for the national training squad has overshadowed what should be South Africa rugby's biggest week of celebration since the Springboks won the World Cup on home soil in 1995.

Two South African sides -- Durban's Sharks and the Bulls from Pretoria -- contest the first all-South African Super 14 final on Sunday (NZT) before a 54,000-strong sellout crowd in Durban.

But the final has barely merited a mention since a media frenzy erupted after South African Rugby Union (Saru) president Regan Hoskins announced a 46-man training squad shortly after the semifinals.

Without the knowledge of Springboks coach Jake White, Hoskins included 23-year-old Stormers openside flank Luke Watson -- the son of anti-apartheid hero Dan 'Cheeky' Watson, who turned his back on white rugby to play in the black townships at the height of isolation.

White and his fellow selectors had refused to pick Watson, with the coach maintaining over the years that the 1.86m player was too small and that there were better players such as 2004 International Rugby Board player-of-the-year Schalk Burger.

"We think that the player Luke Watson is good enough to be in the training squad," Hoskins told a Johannesburg radio station.

"We believe that the coach and the two national selectors are wrong. We believe that it's time that the player was given an opportunity to be in the training squad."

Watson's play and his father's struggle credentials have made him a political cause celebre.

Parliament's watchdog sports committee accused rugby in February of deliberately excluding Watson on political grounds.

Ebrahim Rasool, the African National Congress (ANC) premier of the Western Cape provincial government -- in whose region Watson plays rugby -- weighed in when he told the Cape Argus newspaper that the player's family background meant he should be treated as a disadvantaged player.

"Jake White shouldn't be looking at Watson as a white player," he said.

"If there are white flanks of equal ability then Luke should get the nod because of his family's history."

White has been silent on the issue. He did not attend a press conference in Bloemfontein today as the Springbok squad -- minus 28 players from the Bulls and Sharks -- assembled to begin preparations for the two-test series against England which begins on May 26.

- REUTERS

[Donnyboy]

Engrish have nil chance this time around; last time as a 'perfect storm' of great players which they no longer have.

Look at the Lions tour or 6 nations for proof.

NOT happy about the Super 14 final though; the Boks look like they have found some nice defensive skills; can they translate that to a national level?? Worried....

As for poaching players, look at the America's cup, the greatest stage for yachting. Top 5 teams are the 4 challengers plus Alinghi the defender.

Other than Luna Rossa, all the remaining 4 teams including the Yanks are mostly Kiwis. If i recall correctly almost all the masts and lots of other parts are all NZ technology. NZ would never have lost the cup to Alinghi if Alinghi hadn't poached most of successful NZ team using a massive financial incentive (Coutts, Butterworth, Evans, etc).

Welcome to professional sport; where Europe, Japan, USA get to watch sporting events live featuring the best foreign players :-)

top super 14 teams doesnt always equate to a top national team but it does help with selection options. Test level rugby is another level altogether, so it will be interesting to see what the Boks come up with. I get the feeling Henry and Co have a master plan to combat the defensive patterns of the Boks.

Re Americas Cup-as I recall, we (NZ), had a dog of a boat, where the wakes created were coming on-board the Black boat. The NZ crew on one of the races were frantically trying to bail water out during the race! They had to install cheap plastic sides so the wake would not flow in.Another occassion we had mast failure, that and a lack of direction in the team led to the loss of the A.C. to Alinghi.

[Doza]

My 2 cents:

South Africa - could be a real force. They have great forwards. They may just self implode as usual thbough with selection / racial / admin issues.

But I think they are brainless to ommit Luke Watson and reckon he is pretty ###### handy and gets around the park like nothing else.

Player Exodus - you cant blame experienced players like Haymen, Gear, Williams and co for heading OS for some bucks after giving years to the All Blacks and S14. It is disappointing when guys like McAlsitair want to go before really cementing themselves as a true ALL Black. You would think that would be their #1 aim. Same with Aussie players but haven't really seen it yet.

I think the AB's will always have a ready pool of talent but there is definately a player drain coming for Australia and I welcome the move to include foreign players in S14 next year. We are definately battling and the best junior rugby players coming up are all rugby league players. League develops young talent well (somehow) in Aus and has a steady stream of stars comig thorugh every year but union struggles (of late) to do that.

Cannot wait for Tri-Nations and WC!!!

[Donnyboy]

All Blacks already given chokers tag

Tuesday May 22, 2007

The All Blacks may as well get used to it - the World Cup chokers label is already being fixed around their necks by the British rugby press.

In a seemingly unprompted column for the Daily Telegraph newspaper, respected writer Mick Cleary has theorised that the World Cup in France is far from a one-horse race.

In the article headlined "Where the All Blacks will go wrong", Cleary acknowledged the All Blacks' outstanding record over the past two years, having won 19 of their past 20 tests. Every other major contender has been "smashed" at some point since the 2003 tournament, he noted.

But Cleary honed in on New Zealand's poor return from previous World Cups as reason for other nations to have heart.

"Is the 2007 Rugby World Cup a foregone conclusion? Do New Zealand only have to turn up to win it? I'm delighted to report that the answer on both counts is 'no'," he wrote.

"They have the best-balanced, most experienced coaching team in the competition ... they're also brimful of individual talent.

"Form, coaches, players - ######. Where's the fault line? In their heads, that's where. The All Blacks want to win this Rugby World Cup too much."

In a theme likely to be repeated by other commentators in the leadup to the tournament, Cleary asks whether the New Zealand players will be able to handle the pressure of the big occasion.

The All Blacks have fallen short since the 1987 inaugural event - "a shabby return" in Cleary's eyes - and the weight of expectation will become unbearable on the players entrusted with ending a 20-year drought.

"Every team wants to win, of course. New Zealand have to win. That's the difference," he wrote. "The tension gets to them. "So, pick a side from these three - South Africa, Australia or France.

"Perhaps even Ireland as outsiders.

"Or, let's put it another way, could New Zealand somehow lose the World Cup? You see, once you phrase it in those terms, anything really is possible."

- NZPA

[Donnyboy]

Yates replaces Wood

Saturday, 26 May

Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 1400 BST

Live on BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Sport website

England prop Nick Wood joins wing David Strettle in missing the first Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Gloucester's Wood, who was to make his England debut in Bloemfontein, tore a chest muscle in training and will be replaced by Saracens' Kevin Yates.

Strettle, 23, makes way for Iain Balshaw because of a stomach virus that may also rule out centre Andy Farrell and scrum-half Peter Richards.

Saracens' Dan Scarbrough and Bath prop Matt Stevens have joined the squad.

Wing Scarbrough has flown in from England Saxons duty, while South African-born Stevens flew by private jet from Cape Town to provide front-row cover and both were immediately named on the bench for Saturday.

Wood is expected to play no further part in the two-Test tour and is likely to be joined by Strettle, who was hospitalised with the airborne virus on Wednesday.

"I feel sorry for Nick because he has a really good Premiership season and has fully deserved an opportunity to play," England coach Brian Ashton told BBC Radio Five Live.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson was also laid up for 24 hours with the virus but is set to start in Bloemfontein.

And Ashton is keeping his fingers crossed that the virus does not affect anymore of his players ahead of the match.

"We are still waiting until Saturday morning because this thing can seem to hit any player at random overnight," he added. "So hopefully we will wake up tomorrow morning with a clean bill of health.

"The virus seems to vary in its intensity. Some players have been sick, some players have just had stomach cramps. Some have recovered within 24 hours but others have taken a couple of days and they are still not feeling much better."

The 34-year-old Yates won his last cap against Argentina in 1997 and he breaks John Bentley's England record of nine years and 44 days for the longest wait between caps.

"I never gave up hope," said Yates, whose England career was curtailed when he received a six-month ban for biting the ear of London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn during a domestic cup game in 1998.

Fenn required 25 stitches but Yates has always maintained his innocence.

England doctor Simon Kemp said Strettle had been hospitalised because "his vomiting continued through [Wednesday] and he could not take fluids by mouth".

Strettle, who is reported to have made good progress since being admitted for rehydration and monitoring, has won three caps since breaking into the England side in the 2007 Six Nations.

Ashton said: "I obviously feel for David as it is his first tour, but Iain is an experienced player and will do a good job for us."

The 27-year-old Balshaw, who was a late call-up to the squad, has won 29 caps since making his debut in 2000.

The injuries and illness are just the latest blow for Ashton, who is already set to field a very under-strength team against the Springboks with about 30 first-choice players missing.

The struggling world champions have not won away from Twickenham for 15 months, while South Africa will go into the match in Bloemfontein on a high after two of their teams fought out the Super 14 final on Saturday.

BBC Sport

[Donnyboy]

South Africa v England (Sat)

Saturday, 26 May

Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 1400 BST

Live on BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Sport website

England's next step on the road towards their World Cup defence begins with the first of two Tests against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The visitors are without about 30 senior players because of club duties and injury, while further injuries and illness have hit the squad on tour.

Springboks coach Jake White has picked a strong squad, with 16 players from the all-South African Super 14 final.

"It's going to be a massive challenge," said England captain Jason Robinson.

"South Africa are a very physical team, and they've got some good speed out wide. They've also got strength in depth, but we're going to have to meet them head on in every area."

In the build-up to the match, Ashton's under-strength squad has been hit by injury to prop Nick Wood, who will be replaced by Kevin Yates, and a stomach virus which has ruled out wing David Strettle.

The 23-year-old was hospitalised and will be replaced by Gloucester's Iain Balshaw, while the centre Andy Farrell and scrum-half Peter Richards are also in doubt because of the virus.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson was also forced to miss training but should be fit to start.

Despite all the setbacks, Ashton says the players are keeping positive and have been rallied by Robinson.

"Jason spoke very passionately to the team at the end of training on Thursday," said Ashton. "I am very certain that the players who go out there with their backs to the wall will front up.

"Coming to Bloemfontein certainly focuses the mind. This is where it is at now. Once you get to the Test match venue the hairs on the back of the neck start to rise, which is good.

"It is an amazing challenge but as Jason said to the players, we did not come out here to sit in a comfort zone, if that is what they want to do they are on the wrong trip."

South Africa are missing several key men through injury, such as Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie and Os du Randt, but the Bok side is still vastly experienced and its players are in form after the Northern Bulls and the Coastal Sharks clashed in the recent final of the Super 14.

Balshaw's inclusion boosts England's total number of caps won by players in the starting team to 199, but the Springboks' total is more than double that at 418.

England will be relying heavily on Robinson, veteran hooker Mark Regan, 35, and Wilkinson, who scored all his team's points in the victory in Bloemfontein seven years ago.

Robinson, though, says his team should not expect Wilkinson to carry the team.

"One man doesn't make a rugby side. We all have to stand up and put in a team effort," said the England captain.

England last visited South Africa in 2000 when they won the second Test 27-22 to square the series.

Since then England have had the upper hand, winning six of the last seven meetings, all on English or foreign soil.

But the struggling world champions have not won away from Twickenham for 15 months and the Springboks broke England's hold when they levelled the two-Test series with a 25-14 win at Twickenham last November.

The second Test takes place in Pretoria on 2 June before the two sides meet in the crucial Pool A clash in the Rugby World Cup on 14 September in Paris.

South Africa: P Montgomery (Sharks); A Willemse (Lions), W Olivier (Bulls), J de Villiers (Stormers), B Habana (Bulls); B James (Sharks), R Januarie (Lions); D Carstens (Sharks), J Smit (Sharks, capt), B J Botha (Sharks), B Botha (Bulls), V Matfield (Bulls), S Burger (Stormers), J Smith (Cheetahs), D Rossouw (Bulls).

Replacements: G Steenkamp (Bulls), G Botha (Bulls), C J van der Linde (Cheetahs), J Muller (Sharks), P Spies (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks).

England: M Brown (Harlequins); I Balshaw (Gloucester), M Tait (Newcastle), A Farrell (Saracens), J Robinson (Sale Sharks, capt); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), P Richards (Gloucester); K Yates (Saracens), M Regan (Bristol), S Turner (Sale Sharks), D Schofield (Sale Sharks), A Brown (Gloucester), C Jones (Sale Sharks), A Hazell (Gloucester), N Easter (Harlequins).

Replacements: M Cairns (Saracens), D Crompton (Bristol), R Winters (Bristol), P Sanderson (Worcester), A Gomarsall (Harlequins), T Flood (Newcastle), M Stevens (Bath), D Scarbrough (Saracens).

Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand).

[Donnyboy]

Australia v Wales (Sat)

Date: Saturday, 26 May

Kick-off: 1100 BST

Venue: Telstra Stadium, Sydney

Listen: Live on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru & online

Coverage details

Gareth Thomas, who will win a Wales record 93rd cap, leads the tourists in Saturday's first Test against Australia at the Telstra Stadium, Sydney.

Colin Charvis returns to the back row, while James Hook partners new Ospreys colleague Mike Phillips at half-back.

Stephen Larkham's injury sees Australia make a late change at fly-half, with Sam Norton-Knight making his debut.

Full-back Julian Huxley also makes his Test bow while Matt Giteau is at scrum-half, George Gregan on the bench.

Waratahs back-row Phil Waugh captains the Wallabies after Gregan's demotion.

Wales have won just once on Australian soil during a century of rugby between the two nations, back in 1969 when Brian Price led the Dragons to a 19-16 victory in Sydney.

The Wallabies lead the series with 14 wins to Wales' nine, with one draw.

To celebrate the centenary of Test rugby between the two countries a new James Bevan Trophy has been produced as a prize for the winners.

But the two Tests - the sides meet again at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on 2 June - are all about preparing for the World Cup.

Wales and Australia will clash in the group stages of the tournament in Cardiff on 15 September.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins said: "We have a clear understanding of what we want to do on this tour.

"It is an opportunity for a lot of experienced players to make a performance statement and hopefully, individually, enhance their opportunity for selection in August for the World Cup."

The Australian media, in particular, has been critical of the under-strength squad that Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has taken down under.

But despite 20 senior players either injured or left behind to rest, the Wales XV boasts more caps than their hosts' starting line-up - edging the Wallabies by 456 to 427.

Australia coach John Connolly has taken the opportunity to experiment ahead of September's World Cup.

The front row has been an Achilles heal for the men in green and gold since the last World Cup, but Connolly is confident that some strength in depth is developing.

"At the start of last year we looked at the forwards and thought 'we've got a problem'," Connolly said.

"Now we've got two guys in every position. All the guys who may well go to this World Cup will probably go to the next World Cup as well, so we're building up a fair bit of talent there."

In the backs Huxley, a goal-kicking 27-year-old from the Brumbies, gets his chance at 15 due to an injury to Chris Latham.

But Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Dunning win recalls to the starting XV after two-year absences.

Al Baxter was initially selected but then ruled out with bronchitis, his place at prop going to Guy Shepherdson.

Wales also had a late withdrawal in the front row, Blues hooker Gareth Williams being ruled out of the tour with a torn calf muscle.

That sees Scarlets number two Matthew Rees start in Sydney, with Richard Hibbard on the bench.

His Ospreys colleague Gavin Henson is also included among the replacements despite the utility back not having played competitive rugby since January because of a groin injury.

Wing Aled Brew (ligament) was not considered but is expected to be fit for the second Test in Brisbane next Saturday.

Charvis plays his first match under Jenkins, the 84-cap flanker having not figured for his country since the 2006 Six Nations.

The Dragon starts at blind-side, making up a back-row alongside number eight Jon Thomas and Gavin Thomas.

Australia: Julian Huxley (ACT); Mark Gerrard (ACT), Stirling Mortlock (ACT), Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT), Drew Mitchell (WF); Sam Norton-Knight (NSW), Matt Giteau (WF); Matt Dunning (NSW), Stephen Moore (QLD), Guy Shepherdson (ACT), Nathan Sharpe (WF), Mark Chisholm (ACT), Rocky Elsom (NSW), Phil Waugh (NSW, capt), Wycliff Palu (NSW).

Replacements: Adam Freier (NSW), Benn Robinson (NSW), Dan Vickerman (NSW), Stephen Hoiles (ACT), George Smith (ACT), George Gregan (ACT), Scott Staniforth (WF).

Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Gareth Thomas (Blues, capt), Jamie Robinson (Blues), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Chris Czekaj (Blues); James Hook (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Ospreys); Iestyn Thomas (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys), Robert Sidoli (Blues), Colin Charvis (Dragons), Gavin Thomas (Scarlets), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys).

Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ceri Jones (Harlequins), Michael Owen (Dragons), Scott Morgan (Blues), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Gavin Henson (Ospreys).

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA).

[Donnyboy]

Argentina v Ireland (Sat)

Saturday, 26 May

Centenario Stadium, Santa Fe

Kick-off: 2010 BST

Fringe players in both the Argentina and Ireland squad have the chance to press claims for World Cup places when the sides meet in Santa Fe on Saturday.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan gives a debut to former Great Britain rugby league star Brian Carney in the first game of the two-match Test series.

Captain Simon Best is among seven Ulster players in the Ireland line-up.

Felipe Contepomi captains Argentina while Saracens wing Tomas de Vedia will make his Pumas debut.

Glasgow's Francisco Leonelli and Leeds lock Pablo Bouza, both back in the team after a long absence, are among the other British-based players in the Argentina line-up.

Coach Marcelo Loffreda is without his regular skipper Agustin Pichot, who has club commitments with Stade Francais.

Munster winger Carney is the only new cap in the Ireland starting line-up.

With Carney on the right wing, Tommy Bowe is on the left with Andrew Trimble in midfield and Isaac Boss and Paddy Wallace at half-back.

Neil Best and Bryan Young are in the pack while Stephen Ferris on the bench.

The two countries clash again in Buenos Aires next weekend and the two Tests may offer a few pointers for their World Cup clash in the autumn.

"Although this series will have no meaning looking ahead to the World Cup, the reality is that it's part of the preparation. If I was French I'd send someone to watch the series," Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said.

"The atmosphere created in Argentina is very tough. It's a hard place to play, where you are under a lot of pressure."

Argentine wing Francisco Leonelli is expecting a tough afternoon despite Ireland's understrength selection.

"They have a good, stong team that tries to play an expansive game with backs that can cause a lot of damage," said Leonelli.

"The incentive is always to play for Argentina. If we have our minds more on the World Cup than this match...we're sure to make mistakes."

Argentina: B Stortoni; T de Vedia, M Avramovic, H Senillosa, F Leonelli; F Contepomi (capt), N Vergallo, JM Leguizamon, J Fernandez Lobbe, M Durand, E Lozada, P Bouza, S Gonzalez Bonorino, A Vernet Basualdo, M Ayerza.

Replacements: M Cortese, P Cardinali, J Stuart, G Fessia, L Lopez Fleming, J Fernandez Miranda, H Agulla.

Ireland: G Duffy; B Carney, A Trimble, K Lewis, T Bowe; P Wallace, I Boss; B Young, J Flannery, S Best (capt), T Hogan, M O'Kelly, N Best, K Gleeson, J Heaslip.

Replacements: B Jackman, T Buckley, M O'Driscoll, S Ferris, T O'Leary, G Murphy, B Murphy.

[Donnyboy]

Larkham out, game on for new boys

Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent

Saturday, May 26, 2007

The cotton-wool treatment of Wallabies five-eighth Stephen Larkham has begun. With their focus firmly on this year's World Cup, the selectors yesterday withdrew Larkham from tonight's first Test against Wales at Telstra Stadium and showed they would not risk their No.1 playmaker if he was not 100 per cent fit for any of the lead-up internationals.

Larkham, who has a right hamstring tendon strain, admitted yesterday that he would have played if it were a series-defining Test. The selectors' caution has prompted the elevation of Waratahs No.10 Sam Norton-Knight, who will join fullback Julian Huxley as a Test debutant.

"It's early in the season, so there's no point taking any risks," Larkham said. "If it was a grand final I probably would have gone out and played, but there's just no need to take that sort of risk at this stage."

On Thursday, Wallabies coach John Connolly explained to the Herald that the selectors had to carefully choose the matches in which Larkham, who turns 33 next month, played because "he is definitely the key to it all".

Connolly said there was no point in over-playing Larkham, especially since he usually excelled after he had been rested. He added that selectors wanted to protect him as often as possible to ensure they got the best from Larkham in his farewell season with the Wallabies.

He will also be omitted from the teams to play Wales in Brisbane next Saturday, and Fiji in Perth on June 9. Larkham is not scheduled to return to the Wallabies line-up until the Tri Nations opener against South Africa in Cape Town on June 16.

In Larkham's absence, Wales now loom as a threat, despite leaving 18 frontline players at home. Without Larkham, the Wallabies back line looks somewhat flimsy, relying on three players who lack experience on the international stage - Norton-Knight, inside-centre Adam Ashley-Cooper and Huxley. Between them, they have played only two minutes of Test rugby.

For their part, Wales have been stung by the endless criticism directed at them during their short stay in Australia and are bound to seek revenge on the field.

It will all revolve around how the Australian newcomers negotiate the glare of the big moment. Usually Australian players on their Test debut handle the moment well, but only with the assistance of the experienced players around them.

However, this is not the most experienced line-up. Matt Giteau is playing at halfback - not his usual position - and winger Drew Mitchell is trying to re-establish himself at international level. The only attacking player with major experience is outside-centre Stirling Mortlock.

The selectors must now be wondering whether their decision to rest winger Lote Tuqiri to apparently teach him how to run was such an inspired move. It could easily backfire, because if Australia lose tonight, their already teetering spectator support would slump even further.

Mortlock will need to use his experience and leadership skills to guide the young pups, who could easily be distracted. While Huxley had several excellent performances for the Brumbies late in the Super 14, earlier in the year he was guilty of overplaying his hand.

Norton-Knight also suffered from brain-snaps during the season, prompting an incensed Tuqiri to give him a shove in the back that any AFL player would have been proud of. At least in Norton-Knight's favour is the fact that he is now playing in a position he likes. It was at five-eighth, during the second half of the Super 14 season, that he regained his form and composure.

The loss of Larkham has suddenly given this Test a much-needed edge. Even though the international has failed to gain the attention of the sporting mainstream, there will still be a considerable level of tension.

Wales are unimpressed that they have been described as third-rate and Australia want to show they are no longer second-rate. All the Sydney rugby public want is a first-rate Test match for a change.

[Donnyboy]

England face monstrous task

Saturday, May 26, 2007

An experienced, star-studded South Africa are hot favourites to kick off their international season here on Saturday with a victory against a depleted England in the first of two Tests.

South Africa coach Jake White has selected no fewer than 16 players who were in action for either the Sharks or the victorious Bulls in the Super 14 final in Durban last weekend in his 22-man squad.

England have left up to 30 of their first-choice players at home, and in recent days have also had to battle a bout of stomach flu.

Star five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson and inside-centre Andy Farrell couldn't train on Wednesday, while rookie winger David Strettle was withdrawn from the side on Thursday because of the virus.

While Wilkinson and Farrell are expected to be fit to play on Saturday, Strettle's place has been taken by Iain Balshaw.

It is far from ideal preparation for England's first Test on South African soil since 2000.

South Africa have all the momentum. Although England have enjoyed dominance over the Springboks in the past seven years, with all their matches taking place on either English of foreign soil, the Springboks got the better of the defending world champions in their most recent match, at Twickenham in November last year. And not only are White's men virtually at full strength for the Test but most of them are brimming with confidence after the all-South Africa Super 14 final.

England captain Jason Robinson admitted that his side faced a monumental task to defeat the Springboks. "The reality is we are the underdogs going into this game," he said. "It's going to be a massive challenge for us but there's a lot of enthusiasm in the side.

"South Africa are a very physical team, and they've got some good speed out wide. They've also got strength in depth but we're going to have to meet them head-on in every area."

Balshaw's inclusion on the wing boosts the total international caps of the England starting team to 199, compared to the Springboks' 418.

White has opted for an all-Sharks front row and an all-Bulls second row. He has also chosen a full front row on the bench - an indication the Boks want to hurt the visitors up front.

Injured prop Gurthro Steenkamp, breakaway Schalk Burger and wing Ashwin Willemse have all been recalled after proving their fitness.

"We all know what Ashwin's capable of and I need to give him game time," explained White, who also selected the hulking Danie Rossouw at No.8.

"Danie was one of the star players at eighth man in November and I'd like to see how he goes with Schalk Burger and [blindside breakaway] Juan Smith," White said.

South Africa are missing several key men - such as halfback Fourie du Preez, utility back Jaque Fourie and prop Os du Randt - through injury.

England will rely heavily on Robinson, veteran hooker Mark Regan and Wilkinson, who scored all his team's points the last time he visited Bloemfontein.

The match will be broadcast on Fox Sport 2 from 10.50pm tonight Sydney time.

SOUTH AFRICA: P Montgomery; A Willemse, W Olivier, J de Villiers, B Habana; B James, R Januarie; D Rossouw, J Smith, S Burger; V Matfield, B Botha; BJ Botha, J Smit ©, D Carstens. Res: G Steenkamp, G Botha, CJ van der Linde, J Muller, P Spies, R Pienaar, F Steyn

ENGLAND: M Brown; I Balshaw, M Tait, A Farrell, J Robinson ©; J Wilkinson, P Richards; N Easter, A Hazell, C Jones, A Brown, D Schofield, S Turner, M Regan, N Wood. Res: M Cairns, D Crompton, R Winters, P Sanderson, A Gomarsall, T Flood

Referee: Steve Walsh (NZL)

AFP

[Donnyboy]

Rugby: Springboks hand England a record thrashing

BLOEMFONTEIN - Wing Bryan Habana scored two tries and fullback Percy Montgomery kicked 23 points as South Africa inflicted a record 58-10 defeat on England in the first test this morning (NZT).

England, missing most of their first-choice players and further weakened by a virus sweeping through the squad, trailed 30-3 at halftime and, although they put up some resistance in the first 30 minutes of the second half, they still slumped to their heaviest defeat at the hands of the Springboks.

Montgomery succeeded with all 10 of his kicks at goal -- seven conversions and three penalties -- while wing Ashwin Willemse, flank Schalk Burger, both on their returns to international action after lengthy injury absences, centre Jean de Villiers, replacement wing Francois Steyn and replacement prop CJ van der Linde also scored tries.

The victory surpassed their 35-9 Johannesburg success in 1984 and 44-21 1999 World Cup quarter-final victory as the biggest margin and highest score against England.

- REUTERS

[Donnyboy]

Rugby: Late heartbreak for Wales in Sydney

Australia 29 Wales 23

There was plenty of drama, barely any spectacle and so nearly one massive upset in Sydney last night. The Welsh, against all the odds, against every prediction, were leading by a point after the hooter had gone.

But tragedy of all tragedies, Stephen Hoiles scored in injury time to get Australia out of jail and claim a victory they barely deserved.

Still, the fact this was supposedly a Welsh C team makes it legitimate - Australia are as bad as their Super 14 form hinted.

That's right, the Wallabies were rubbish. For the first half hour, they were really rubbish.

Stand-in first five-eighths Sam Norton-Knight was so bad that surely coach John Connolly was having a laugh - taking pre-World Cup mind games to extremes.

The unfortunate Norton-Knight fired his first pass pretty much into the face of Stirling Mortlock, the Welsh pounced on the loose ball and eventually captain Gareth Thomas forced the ball down.

For his second trick, Norton-Knight threw another pass off his left hand under no pressure that went three yards forward.

This from a backline that not so long ago played the most fluid, intricate football, thanks to the individual skill levels and ability to execute under pressure.

Julian Huxley wasn't in any danger of preserving the legacy of those who had gone before and seemed to reckon Norton-Knight was on to something, judging by the way he came into the line after 17 minutes and promptly threw the ball straight to Jamie Robinson.

A Jamie Hook penalty a few minutes later put the Welsh 17-0 up and it was obvious the men in red were bristling at having been written off all week as nothing more than the dregs from a very long Northern Hemisphere season.

The labelling of this team as Wales C always seemed a little harsh, as there was a smattering of quality in all the right places.

Hook is well respected in Wales and did plenty last night to prove why. He took the ball nicely into the traffic, tackled bravely and read the space well. His halfback partner Mike Phillips is a strong-running No 9 and his constant probing kept the Welsh moving forward with the pack reasonably adept at getting in behind and keeping things going.

Certainly the Welsh were more creative, more dynamic and far better organised than Australia. The only flaw in the Welsh plan was that they couldn't gain enough possession.

Australia, on the other hand, were tactically bereft. They played with no real idea of what level they wanted to play the game.

At times they tried to offload into contact but struggled with the execution and then they toyed with using runners one out just to bash endlessly up the guts.

When the ball did go wide, the backs persevered with the high-risk policy of flinging flat, wide passes. Not a bad tactic but it needs some of the runners to hit the ball at a different angle or to inject some pace.

It was all flat, flat, flat and no one in the All Black management team will be watching the video this morning with any sense of dread.

The only bright spot for the Wallabies was Matt Giteau, whose electric running from the base tormented the Welsh. He's a supremely talented player and if there were a few smarter men outside him running better angles and looking to come short off his shoulder, Australia would have been deadly in those usually tight areas around the breakdown.

It was a Giteau snipe after 55 minutes that took him over and then a Mortlock penalty a couple of minutes later signalled the change in momentum.

That score put the Wallabies 22-20 ahead and, with the Welsh tiring from their defensive efforts in the first half, there was no sense the visitors were going to find a way to hang on.

They dug in gallantly and they had to because, by the final quarter, the Wallabies had eradicated some of the basic errors and had brought George Gregan off the bench and pushed Giteau into midfield.

The more they dug in, the more they realised they were still a chance and more than that when Hook dropped a well struck goal with just five minutes remaining.

It looked enough until Hoiles broke their hearts but the Wallabies don't have much to celebrate.

There wasn't really enough time to determine whether the introduction of Gregan gave Australia more balance and threat. But given what little threat was being posed under the original lineup, it's a safe enough bet to say Connolly will have to give much thought to starting Gregan at halfback this week and keeping Giteau in his more natural home in the midfield.

Australia 29 (W. Palu, N. Sharpe, M. Giteau, S. Hoiles tries; S. Mortlock 3 cons, 1 pen) Wales 23 (G. Thomas, J. Robinson tries; J. Hook 2 cons, 2 pens, DG) HT Wales 17-12.

[Donnyboy]

Rugby: Last-gasp drop goal hands Argentina victory

11:30AM Sunday May 27, 2007

Argentina 22 Ireland 20

BUENOS AIRES - Leinster first five-eighths Felipe Contepomi converted a drop goal in the final minute to give Argentina a 22-20 victory over Ireland in the first test today.

Contepomi notched up 17 points, including four penalties and a conversion, as Argentina came from behind to lead for the first time with their try by centre Hernan Senillosa six minutes from time.

Ireland raced into a 10-6 first-half lead with an early try on his debut by league convert Brian Carney converted by Paddy Wallace and snatched the lead back from the Pumas four minutes from the end with Gavan Duffy's penalty.

In between, Ireland had a penalty try converted by Wallace to go 17-9 ahead before the Argentines fought back to go 1-0 up in the two-test series.

The second match is in Buenos Aires next Saturday.

- REUTERS

[Donnyboy]

All Blacks name strong side for French test

2:05PM Tuesday May 29, 2007

The All Blacks have named a team close to full strength for Saturday's first rugby test against France at Eden Park in Auckland.

Injuries have ruled out five players from the team who will play New Zealand's first test of 2007 -- fullback Mils Muliaina, centre Conrad Smith and halfback Byron Kelleher (all hamstring), flanker Jerry Collins (heel) and hooker Anton Oliver (foot).

Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams and Ma'a Nonu have been named in the side despite being under an injury cloud. Toeava will start at centre and Williams at lock while Nonu has claimed a spot on the bench.

Henry said the side named was a strong one and reflected how quickly he wants his players up to speed.

"We have set high standards for ourselves in the Iveco Series Tests against France," said Henry.

"We'd like to find the good form we had in November as quickly as possible and then build on it. So, for us, there's a lot at stake."

Loose forward Chris Masoe has been choosen to play his sixth test at No. 8, a move Henry said was about building his experience at test level.

ALL BLACKS

Backs

Leon MacDonald, Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu.

Forwards

Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw (captain), Reuben Thorne, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Troy Flavell, Rodney So'oialo, Brendon Leonard, Nick Evans, Ma'a Nonu

- NZ HERALD STAFF, NZPA

[Donnyboy]

Untried French awaiting huge challenge

There were Gallic shrugs all round at Auckland airport arrivals today as a few French ex-pats struggled to identify their national rugby team, while the coach admitted it was a tour he could have done without.

The 26-man French squad sleep walked into the venue of the first of two tests with the All Blacks, barely registering with a nonplussed band of supporters.

Their greeting party could hardly be blamed for having difficulty in putting names to the 14 new faces as one of the most inexperienced touring parties in French rugby history arrived.

It was an assignment coach Bernard Laporte confirmed his union would have preferred to skip.

The Federation Francais de Rugby (FFR) attempted to pay its New Zealand counterparts compensation in lieu of a two-test series diluted by the absence of the vast majority of Laporte's likely World Cup squad.

French club rugby currently takes precedence, with the semifinals of the Top 14 being contested this weekend -- a fixture clash which has denied Laporte the services of the cream of his crop.

Instead a quartet of experienced veterans -- one who hasn't played a test since 2003 and another who has just retired from club rugby -- have been tasked with guiding a cast of promising unknowns.

To make matters worse for Laporte, he was able to finalise his squad only on Sunday, hours before the team departed so they will only have three days to prepare.

Laporte, who watched his top team lose by a combined 70-14 in two home tests against the All Blacks last November, shrugged when asked if this was his most daunting coaching assignment.

"We did not want to come, but we must come," he said, suggesting the fruits of the tour may be apparent when New Zealand host the World Cup in 2011.

"We have a lot of new players, for us it will be interesting for the next World Cup."

Loose forwards Damien Chouly and Fulgence Ouedraogo plus centre Arnaud Mignardi are members of the reigning under-21 world champions though the likes of Olivier Magne and Sebastien Chabal are expected to contest the breakdown at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Laporte is also able to call on current captain and hooker Raphael Ibanez, fresh from a Heineken Cup victory with Wasps, and former Blues prop Christian Califano.

Ibanez, Magne and Califano boast 245 caps between them while in the backs utility Thomas Castignede, who announced his retirement after completing his final season with Saracens, hopes to add to his 52, followed by a Cup swansong on home turf in October.

Laporte said the door was not closed on a couple of veterans although he conceded "95 per cent" of his Cup squad were back home.Ibanez, who led France to the Six Nations crown, admitted his 89th test loomed as one of the toughest of his illustrious career.

"It's going to be complicated to gel together with such a new group of players," he said.

"Arriving (Tuesday) and playing Saturday night is a big challenge for us but hopefully with a few training sessions we should be OK."

France start their belated training regime tomorrow.

- NZPA

looks like its going to be a huge scoreline to the ABs

[Neeranam]

Is there anywhere I can see the full schedule for the matches?

[Doza]

If you are in Thailand and you want to know what the viewing schedule is, you can download the programme from Wall St Bar's website: http://www.wallstreet33.com/livecoverage.pdf.

If you know what they are showing live, you know you can catch the same at the Office, Tenderloins, DownUnder, Soi 8 Pub and others that have SuperSport from SA.

Let's get this back to being a discussion thread - not a news clippings thread. I can read the news anywhere, I come here to read what individuals think and to discuss rugb stuff.

[Donnyboy]

If you are in Thailand and you want to know what the viewing schedule is, you can download the programme from Wall St Bar's website: http://www.wallstreet33.com/livecoverage.pdf.

If you know what they are showing live, you know you can catch the same at the Office, Tenderloins, DownUnder, Soi 8 Pub and others that have SuperSport from SA.

Let's get this back to being a discussion thread - not a news clippings thread. I can read the news anywhere, I come here to read what individuals think and to discuss rugb stuff.

Fair enough Doza, I just wanted to keep this thread "alive" and on the first page as many Rugby threads drop by the wayside, then another pops up so better to keep the one going instead of 2 or 3.

Sounds like Wall st Bar has got their Sports Viewing sorted out, Im in Chiang Mai and I dont think any up here are that organised. Maybe Im wrong.

perhaps the odd news clipping might be ok?

[papilein]

If you are in Thailand and you want to know what the viewing schedule is, you can download the programme from Wall St Bar's website: http://www.wallstreet33.com/livecoverage.pdf.

If you know what they are showing live, you know you can catch the same at the Office, Tenderloins, DownUnder, Soi 8 Pub and others that have SuperSport from SA.

Doza - I am used to go to wall street for rugby matches - what of the other supersport equipped places you mention is a regular sports pub without ladies ? I need a place where to go with my wife and boy - in addition to the too noisy the londoner -... thanks for suggesting

[Doza]

Tenderloins is opposite Wall St and is a very nice bar/restaurant. No girls, good food and service and children friendly. They do a great BBQ buffet on Sundays for 400B all you can eat.

The DownUnder is just as good. Nice pub food, good owners, heaps of monitors and no working chicks, in soi 23.

Soi 8 also has no birds, and a nice enough pub as well, although bit more of a boozer than the others.

Forget about the Office.

The odd news clipping is fine Donny! In Chiang Mai you should see the guys at the UN Irish bar. Lots of Saffas and Zimbos drink there and live in Chiang Mai (including a certain current Springbok's uncle). They love their rugby and I'm sure they have got SS sorted out.

[Donnyboy]

Tenderloins is opposite Wall St and is a very nice bar/restaurant. No girls, good food and service and children friendly. They do a great BBQ buffet on Sundays for 400B all you can eat.

The DownUnder is just as good. Nice pub food, good owners, heaps of monitors and no working chicks, in soi 23.

Soi 8 also has no birds, and a nice enough pub as well, although bit more of a boozer than the others.

Forget about the Office.

The odd news clipping is fine Donny! In Chiang Mai you should see the guys at the UN Irish bar. Lots of Saffas and Zimbos drink there and live in Chiang Mai (including a certain current Springbok's uncle). They love their rugby and I'm sure they have got SS sorted out.

Have found a pub showing all the rugby and Americas Cup in Chiang Mai- Tuskers. Good bloke running as well, even thou hes a pom.

Lovely Garden area and serves good food- has 100 baht buffets on Fridays from 7pm

Edited June 3, 2007 by Donnyboy