I wrote a piece after the 2010 match and started by stating that between the referee, Habana and the box kicks we nearly lost the match. I also said that the score line was flattering to the Welsh. After watching the game again I’ll stick with those sentiments. Not that Wales were bad, they actually played some good footy in that match but the South African players made it easy for them. The Springboks lacked concentration and were without a doubt tired after a long S14 a tough tri-nations and an extremely physical encounter the previous weekend in wet in cold conditions against Ireland.
[youtube]3d0Sf8dYu1s[/youtube]
England (3) 13 / Argentina (6) 9 (Final Score)
England did battle with Argentina in Dunedin at 10:30 SA Time (20:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Argentina made England sweat and work very hard for their win.
The worst aspect of this match was poor goal kicking by both sides.
France 47 / Japan 21 (Final Score)
France and Japan did battle in Auckland at 08:00 SA Time (18:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Job done for France but not until after Japan gave them a good run for their money and a massive scare in the second half.
Fiji (32) 49 / Namibia (15) 25 (Final Score)
Fiji and Namibia did battle at Rotorua at 05:30 SA Time (15:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Highlight of this match must be the 4 tries by Fijian winger Vereniki Goneva. Fiji was far more accurate in finishing their moves and kicks. It was a entertaining game with some sublime handling from Fiji.
Scotland (18) 34 / Romania (11) 24 (Final Score)
Scotland and Romania did battle in Invercargill on 10 September 2011 at 03:00 SA Time (13:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Romania gave Scotland a massive scare, with the scores in favour of Romania by 3 points, with 6 minutes to go. Scotland suddenly woke up and scored 2 quick tries via Simon Danielli.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry gave his team a bare pass mark after they battled their way to beating Tonga 41-10 in the Rugby World Cup opener.
The Crusaders will play Super 15 rugby matches next season in their hometown of Christchurch but not at their regular home ground.
Lions (20) 41 / Griquas (6) 25 (Final Score)
The MTN Lions hosted GWK Griquas at Coca-Cola Park, Joannesburg at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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A Game of two contrasting halves!
The MTN Lions absolutely dominated the first half yet the determined Griquas were determined not to give up and dominated the second half.
The Lions bag a full 5 Log Points and the Griquas get nothing.
The Springboks have named the most experienced team in South African history for the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup against Wales in Wellington on Sunday.
All Blacks (29) 41 / Tonga (3) 10 (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks hosted Tonga in the opener of Rugby World Cup 2011 at Eden Park, Auckland at 10:30 SA Time (20:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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The game can be summed up as Moments of brilliance by the All Blacks in the 1st half and dogged forwards attack by Tonga in the 2nd half.
It is mission accomplished for the New Zealand All Blacks, 5 Log Points in the bag.
At first glance this pool looks to be cut and dried, but when one looks deeper into each squad and the potential clashes, it soon becomes apparent that this group has the potential to throw up some HUGE upsets.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls coach, Pine Pienaar, made two positional changes to his starting back-line as he looks to revive the side’s Currie Cup campaign.
Allister Coetzee, head coach of DHL WP, today named his team to take on the Leopards at DHL Newlands on Saturday 10 September at 16h00.
Rugby World Cup finally kicks off on 9 September 2011, but we also must not forget about the Currie Cup, now in it’s mid stages.
Here’s the lineup of Rugby on TV in SA for Friday 9 September 2011.
The Blue Bulls travel to Bloemfontein where they have to tough task of trying to get their Currie Cup campaign back on track against the resurgent Free State Cheetahs.
The Blue Bulls linger in sixth position on the Currie Cup Premier Division log and will have to get back on the winning track if they are not going to miss out on the play-offs for the first time in 10 years. Continue reading
Bakkies Botha
Reports are surfacing across the internet that Springbok lock Bakkies Botha’s Achilles tendon injury is worse than expected and may be ruled out of Rugby World Cup.
Herewith the teams to play in Pool B’s opening round.
Three of the five teams in this pool are good enough to make it through to the quarter finals. England should make it leaving Scotland and Argentina to fight for the second place in this group.
Backline a real eyebrow-raiser
The All Blacks have sprung several major selection surprises for Friday night’s Rugby World Cup opener against Tonga in Auckland, with test regulars Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu missing from the 22.
The Cheetahs have made two changes to their team, one in the backline and one in the forward pack, for their Currie Cup clash with the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
James Kamana returns to big time rugby after breaking his leg during the Super Rugby season, against GWK Griquas on Friday night. Kamana will start off the bench. Other changes see Joshua Strauss, Doppies La Grange and Derick Minnie return to the starting line up after injury enforced lay offs. Continue reading
Wales flyhalf Stephen Jones remains in doubt for his team’s opening Rugby World Cup match against South Africa because of a calf injury.
The All Blacks have jettisoned their controversial player rotation policy and say they will stick with the hardcore of their first XV through the World Cup starting on Friday.
France have named Toulouse hooker William Servat in their starting Rugby World Cup line up against Japan in North Harbour even though he has not played since June the 4th.
Argentina coach Santiago Phelan has made just one change to his Rugby World Cup starting lineup which lost 28.13 to Wales for their match against England.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has retained the starting team that secured the Tri-Nations title two weeks ago and named James O’Connor on the bench.
Springboks
Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield are injured ahead of Sunday’s opening game against Wales.
Lewis Moody
England Captain Lewis Moody will miss his team’s Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina on Saturday as he has not recovered from a knee injury.
Shaun Edwards, Wales defence coach
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards has welcomed the IRB’s move to be more stringent with policing of the breakdown and offside during the World Cup.
Ireland
Ireland’s Rugby World Cup squad have been given a boost as Cian Healy and Gordon D’Arcy joined up with the rest of the squad in Queenstown New Zealand after a delayed departure.
The number
5 – Days left until the first match of RWC 2011, and countries who have reached the quarter-finals of every World Cup:
Australia, England, France, New Zealand and Scotland.
He said it
“There was almost a few broken bones and a few bodies knocked out of the World Cup. I wasn’t great to be honest, I was just trying to knock people off the road.”
– Ireland wing Tommy Bowe gives coach Declan Kidney – not to mention the physios – a few grey hairs when he and his teammates tackled the Skyline Luge through the trees of Queenstown.
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers promised to “try to behave” and live up to the honour bestowed on him after being declared an honorary Maori when the team received their official welcome to Wellington on Monday.
RWC 2011 Judicial Process Background Information
The on-field disciplinary process for Rugby World Cup 2011 deals with Illegal and/or Foul Play and Misconduct. It reflects the citing, hearing and sanctioning process which applies across international Rugby as set out in IRB Regulation 17, but under expedited timeframes for the seven week tournament. Rugby World Cup 2011 will benefit from the most experienced Citing Commissioners and Judicial Officers selected on merit from the elite international Game to act in such roles at the Tournament.
The appointment of Citing Commissioners, Judicial Officers and Appeal Committees during the Tournament is based upon neutrality considerations.
Bokke!
It is often said that combinations are key to winning rugby. Now this article is mostly about statistics, so if you are not a statistic minded person it would most likely bore you to death, I did however find some telling stats looking at which combinations seemed to have worked for the Springboks.
It is Sunday 4 September 2011… the time is now nearly 18:15 SA Time. The next live RUGBY we’ll see in South Africa will be from New Zealand, at the Rugby World Cup.
It is 5 nights, or sleeps as we were told as todlers, till the World Cup!
Can you wait… I can’t!