I read this article earlier today on another Rugby website. We haven’t had a similar article yet unless I missed it. Read the awards and comment below if you differ from their views.
New Zealand claimed yet another Tri-Nations title – ending unbeaten in the 2010 tournament. But who were the real Tri-Nations winners? Rugby365.com, have picked those proper winners – some serious… others not…
Player of the Tournament:
A few contenders here… but, realistically, there could only be one winner in this category – take a bow Richie McCaw for another outstanding Tri-Nations campaign. Defence, turnovers galore, ball-carrying, leadership… what have we left out? Well, there were a few crucial tries, too.
Forward of the Tournament:
All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read just shades Springbok prop Gurthrö Steenkamp here… and, of course, David Pocock had his moments. Both Read and Steenkamp were the most consistent forwards throughout, however; giving their teams crucial go-forward and contributing around the park. However, we believe Read – in a winning effort – did enough to scoop this gong.
Back of the Tournament:
Mils Muliaina began the 2010 Tri-Nations under intense pressure from Israel Dagg. He ended the tournament confirming his reputation as the world’s best attacking fullback with the tries to prove it.
Newcomer of the Tournament:
Kiwi fullback Israel Dagg scored two big tries – both against the Springboks – from the bench and showed neat touches whenever he got a chance. New Wallabies No.8 Ben McCalman had plenty to say before his run-on debut against the Boks, but showed his quality against the All Blacks this past weekend. Our choice here, however, is Springbok scrumhalf François Hougaard – he was brilliant in SA’s three home Tests and brought a new dimension to the listless Men in Green & Gold. He just edges out teammate Juan de Jongh who also showed plenty of promise.
Team MVPs:
For New Zealand –
Brad Thorn. The Kiwi pack is not the same without the Crusaders hardman.
For Australia –
Rocky Elsom. Watching the Aussie captain speak after Saturday’s finale was heart-breaking. He gives his all, for eighty-plus minutes.
For South Africa –
Juan Smith. The difference his return made to the Bok side was absolutely massive. The most underrated player in South Africa.
Match of the Tournament:
On the whole, we were treated to some pretty good contests in the 2010 Tri-Nations. There was New Zealand’s demolition of Australia in Melbourne and the excitement – and history-making – in Soweto. There was drama in Pretoria and Sydney… but you could not really match Bloemfontein – SA v Australia, 39-41 – when it came to overall drama.
Try of the Tournament:
Mils Muliaina’s long-range effort in Wellington was not half bad and neither was Muliaina’s first try in Melbourne from Cory Jane’s kick ahead – a kick he had no right to make. Dagg’s try in Soweto was crucial, although not particularly pretty, and Drew Mitchell – his red card aside – scored some well-taken tries. What about Jaque Fourie’s try in Bloemfontein just before half-time? Lock Victor Matfield with the pick-‘n-go, followed by his chip over the top, regather and then off-loading to Fourie. Not bad, ‘eh?! Yes, not bad at all – and it’s our choice for Try of the Tournament.
Moment of the Tournament:
Israel Dagg’s late try in Soweto, after Ma’a Nonu – with one boot – broke the tackle of a heart-broken John Smit. It was meant to be Smit’s day – on his 100th Test appearance – yet it ended up being New Zealand’s day… and their tournament.
Our ‘other’ Tri-Nations gongs:
Get out of jail free card Award:
To the All Blacks – two come-from-behind wins, in Soweto and Sydney. Hopefully they haven’t used up all their luck ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup. (Don’t worry, we weren’t about to mention Richie McCaw’s breakdown habits here!)
Using your head Award:
No, we’re not talking about Kurtley Beale’s ‘falcon’ in Bloemfontein – but, rather, about Bakkies Botha’s crazy head butt in Auckland. Yes, we know he used his head – but, come on, did he really?!
The BMT Award:
You cannot look past Beale’s long-range penalty kick in the ‘Battle of Bloem’.
If they’re too old, why’s he not too old Award:
Everyone in South Africa seems intent on having ‘old farts’ John Smit (32 years old) and Victor Matfield (33 years old) dropped from the Springbok line-up. Why does nobody complain about the real old man in the tournament – New Zealand’s Brad Thorn who is 35 years old? Hmmm… it’s amazing what a winning team can do for your age!
The super-sub Award:
Two appearances as a replacement and two quick, game-clinching tries – ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce the most prolific replacements in the Tri-Nations, New Zealand’s Israel Dagg.
The foot in mouth Award:
Who else but Bok coach P Divvy? When he opens his mouth, it’s simply to change feet.
The own-goal Award:
This goes to Bryan Habana in Pretoria – SA v Aus – when he basically conceded two tries on his own; that dropped ball from the re-start when O’Connor scored and trying to run the ball out of his 22 in the lead-up to Mumm’s score.
The IPL 20/20 Award (for insane starts to a rugby match):
Aus v NZ in Melbourne and SA v Aus in Bloemfontein – tries galore and points to (erm) boot; those starts made us tired just watching!
Third time lucky Award:
To Victor Matfield for becoming the first Springbok to win his 100th Test. Percy and Smittie had their 100-Test celebrations ruined by the All Blacks… but Big Vic put one over the Wallabies in Pretoria. (Tip: When you’re playing your 100th Test – make sure it’s NOT against the Kiwis!)
Welcome to the ‘family’ Award:
We caught a glimpse of Soweto in all its glory in the 2010 Super 14 Final between the Bulls and the Stormers. However, the Test between the Boks and the All Blacks in Soweto – at FNB Soccer City – took it a step further. (Question: Did anyone miss the vuvuzelas the second time around?)
Have to agree with the Blue eyed boy award, I just wonder when is his halo going to fall off.
One award you missed though. Offside player of the tournament goed to Franks. He made offside a new skill at the breakdowns this year
We must give one to Morne Steyn.
How many successive successful goal-kicks has Morné Steyn made this season, and is it a record? André, South Africa
Since missing the conversion of Francois Louw’s try in the first-half of the South Africa v Italy Test at Witbank on June 19, 2010, the Springbok fly-half has made 38 consecutive successful goal kicks spanning eight Tests. He remains “not out” so there is every chance that he will extend the run during the autumn internationals in Britain and Ireland.
Although success rates of goal-kickers weren’t logged until the late 1980s, it seems highly likely that Steyn is sitting on a world record. The previous best was Chris Paterson’s run of 36 successive successful goal kicks for Scotland. His run ended against Argentina in Rosario on June 7, 2008, when he missed a penalty attempt shortly before half-time.
yeah, that is some achievement.
have to agree with the “blue-eyed boy” award..
it certainly reeks of sour grapes…
which team conceded the most penalties in the Tri-nations? all with neutral refs?
I propose another award..
the “justice 4 conspiracy” award…
and the unanimous winner is Paddy Obrien, theres no way the AB players on the field could win 6 straight games with neutral referees
eish…
@ nga puhi:
You have to concede my man, richie was very lucky never to recieve a yellow card during this tournament.
Also you must be careful to use “conspiracy” PDV reads these threads and you might just get him going again, and then SARU will have to get rid of him and provide us with a better head coach. you don’t really want us to have a better coach, do you.
So mum is the word.
nga puhi wrote:
I agree our fans in South Africa do take it too far but Richie gets away with murder and whether we would admit it or not we would kill to have him wearing a Bok jersey, if he did what he does with a Bok jersey he would be considered to be a national hero.
@ Winston:
Of course, he is a brilliant player, who knows how to read referees and rides his luck.
That is what a lot of players do, they are just not as astute in reading the referee, or altrnatively not as lucky. I personally think it is a bit of both.
@ biltongbek:
Agreed, do what you must to win, if you bend the rules then so be it, in 20 years time only the result counts, not how it was done. He is a legend of the game and should be acknowledged as such.
@ Winston:
Yep, the problem with a lot of our players is that when they go into a ruck it looks like an ostrich looking for a hole. In this manner it is no wonder they don’t hear or see the referee and how he interpretsd the game.
Richie McCaw = Heinrich Brussouw…same sinner different perspectives maybe?
@ The Saint:
For once I agree with you!!
@ Winston
I can never understand why people do NOT agree with me… 🙂
@ The Saint:
From what I understand is that when Pluto inversesitself in the eclipse with Jupiter and the Moons of Saturn goes past the sun, one person will be right and the other 6 billion will be wrong.
The reverse is then true when all these planets go back into position you are wrong and the other 6 billion is right.
The anomoly unfortunately only occurs once every 10 000 years, so you just had your moment.
@ biltongbek:
I just “borrowed” … ok, blatantly plagiarised this explanation & tried it on someone but he wont have a bar of it … 😯 how come ?
biltongbek wrote:
LOL!!!!!!!!
14@ Rugby_Princess:
Well you and I are the lucky ones, we understand the complexity of astro physics, astrology and talking nonsense, perhaps the guy you sent it to, are just not that bright (or may lack a sense of humour). It happens you know, sometimes i just feel so alone, glad I found someone who understands these issues.
@ biltongbek:
Well, I am not one to point fingers but you shoudl knwot that the guy I sent it to was a Saffa 😉
You cannot feel truly alone until you are I the midst of a crowd of 150+k Chinese who refuse to accept the concept of queueing or being given direction such as “get the &^%# out of my way !” I swear that somedays I feel I am just an AK47 short of solving this problem … 😀
Oi vey … check that spelling ! I need to lay off the cold medicine 😯
GBS – there is a project for you – get a spell check on here ! 😀
Ashley … An Inspirational story specially for you :
Recently I was asked to play in a golf tournament. At first I said, ‘Naaahhh!’ Then they said to me ‘Come on, it’s for handicapped and blind Kids.’ Then I thought … ‘Hang on a cotton picking minute – I could win this!’
19 + 17@ Rugby_Princess:
Just shows you, all countries have those individuals robbing some village out there of an idiot. I can just imagine you, your AK47 and your gold clubs………………..yeah you will most likely win.
But only because everyone else ran away.
@ biltongbek:
Let me give you another idea of the “WTF were you thinking ?” k*k that just seems to go on & on & on here … 11:25pm on Saturday night & my upstairs neighbour’s contractor decides to start drilling holes in a cement wall in the Master Bedroom. Said contractor managed to look surprised &, frankly, not a little bit affronted at having a short, rabid blonde in her PJs pounding on his door telling him where to stick his drill until morning.
Some days it is oOHh sSOo obvious that commonsense is a COMPLETE misnomer because it is all too often not common at all ! 😡
@ Rugby_Princess:
I like to call it awareness.
You are stoppoing at a red robot, your sole purpose for being on this planet for that moment is to conitnue to breath in order to stay awake, sothat when the robot tunrs green you can go.
Lo and behold, you decide to take a pwer nap, WTF.
Now the car behind you can’t go, becuase you went absent for 30 seconds.
@ biltongbek:
& why are you power napping while driving ? Is this not dangerous ?
@ Rugby_Princess:
not me blondie (that should be your nickname) ( or blondie in pj’s)
The idiot in front of me!
@ biltongbek:
Oohhh … got it now 😀 Although … If you are napping then waking up suddenyl & swearing at the driver in front of you it does sound suspiciously like Tourettes Syndrome 😆
@ Rugby_Princess:
Flucket, @sshole, D@mmit……………………………..no it doesn’t, just a very angry boertjie!
@ biltongbek:
See ? Classic Tourettes ! 😆
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