HSBC Sevens World Series
It is the most experienced Springbok team ever that will try and win a Test here for the first time since 1998 on Saturday. The starting team has 700 Tests behind them.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Monday criticised the role of television producers in the citing and subsequent suspension of Bakkies Botha.
Here’s the dreaded video material:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-DQ29ycLkU[/youtube]
The first part of this article deals with the All Blacks joy and satisfaction. The second part asks the question did we really take this serious.
So, this is what the best part of a year seething, brooding and plotting can do. Inspire the All Blacks to a performance that lights a fuse under not just their Tri-Nations, but World Cup ambitions.
South Africa’s momentum must be stopped at Eden Park tonight. If it is not, then the Springboks’ confidence will swell to frightening proportions in the months to come.
By TOBY ROBSON in Auckland – The Dominion Post
The All Blacks have had nearly a year to stew on the discontent of their personal Springbok hell of 2009.
LEST WE FORGET: All Blacks Dan Carter (left) and Mils Muliaina reflect on a loss to South Africa in Hamilton in 2009.
We shall see tomorrow night whether they’ve put that time to good use.
Injury-troubled forwards Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw have been passed fit to play for the Springboks in the Tri-Nations rugby opener against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.
The Springboks face a tough task in Auckland this coming weekend, but the truth of the matter is that the biggest enemy they face is themselves.
Reading on some web sites and in the press, there seems to be some confusion regarding the possible move of the Test on 21 August 2010 between the Springboks and All Blacks, from Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park) to the National Stadium (Soccer City).
Some pundits believe the move is a forced move under presssure from SARU, forcing the GLRU (Gauteng Lions Rugby Union) to move the game in an attempt to recover the outstanding British and Irish Lions debt owing by the GLRU to SARU, some believe it is a new and exciting initiative by the GLRU to revive rugby in their region and a possible pre-curser to moving the home base of the GLRU permanently to the National Stadium.
Whatever the case, here is an insight from someone high up in the Club Scene in the GLRU structures.
This Tri-Nations will see one of its closest finishes where amazingly, all three teams will be looking to get something different out of the game as we start looking to the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Continue reading
Graham Henry loved the analogy. That the All Blacks are no longer the hunted but the hunter. That rugby’s international landscape has changed. The Springboks roll into Auckland today as the beast with the target on its back.
ONE of the many hallmarks of Richie McCaw’s All Blacks captaincy has been an aversion to saying anything even mildly contentious.
Yesterday, McCaw the diplomat, holding fort at Camp All Black, stayed to script. He gave the Springboks, who arrive in Auckland tonight, not the smallest crumb to feed off, with one tiny but significant exception.
A big fat Springbok-sized reality check is coming for the All Blacks in just over a week’s time – and the challenge for Graham Henry’s men is to be a lot more ready for it than they were last year.
From the article – Swaggering Springboks up All Blacks’ ante
By MARC HINTON – Stuff
As we prepare for yet another punishing Tri-Nations series, there are a couple of added pressures on the Springboks this year.
A JJ Harmse article from News24
It seems the the Bookies, around the world have made the Springboks slight favourites to win the Tri-Nations over the All Blacks and the Wallabies trailing way behind in the backgroud.