Season Greetings

Merry Christmas (& Happy Birthday to my Mum!)

Happy Birthday Richie & Happy New Year 2009

To all the people reading :
thanx for your support!

Keep joining the Richie Girls Whanau
(even if you are a man!!!)

_________________

You know the blog you run is complete

when you google the person it's about and :

*your blog comes up first!!!

*the pics you find there are already on the blog!!!

RGs from everywhere on the globe,

you do a really great job

& I am very proud of you,

Queeny

Last request 2008

Your view on the 2008 season : http://richiemccaw-bis.blogspot.com/2008/12/your-view-on-2008-season.html

Your preview of the 2009 season : http://richiemccaw-bis.blogspot.com/2008/12/your-preview-on-2009-season.html

Other views can be added for those who want to participate but forgot to send it : check this article for details : http://richiemccaw-bis.blogspot.com/2008/11/we-have-often-asked-you-to-participate.html

All Blacks v. AC Milan

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=04_A_XZqkVE

The Mrs Santas are here for you

RN Special edition 2008 review (5 emails)

Inside Rugby (5 emails)

To get these, please sent us a mail
at maryandfss@hotmail.fr
Title RN-IR

And if you want just one (just RN or IR), please specify it

Thanks

**Note : here are the titles of the emails

Inside Rugby cover‏
Inside Rugby Best Super 12/14 players - 1‏
Inside Rugby Best Super 12/14 players - 3‏
Inside Rugby Best Super 12/14 players - 2‏
Super14 preview Inside Rugby - Crusaders‏

Inside Rugby Super 14 2009 preview‏
RN Special edition 2008 review - Players fo the year‏
RN Special edition 2008 review - Rookie of the year‏
Special edition 2008 review - Article‏
RN Special edition 2008 review Cover‏

When there is one missing, email us with the title.
Enjoy,
Santa Mary :)

Former All Black John Drake dies aged 49

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/john-drakes-dies-in-tauranga-2418438

Saturday December 13, 2008
Source: NZPA

Rugged All Blacks forward John Drake, a member of the New Zealand team that won the 1987 World Cup, died on Saturday in Mt Maunganui at the age of 49. A family friend at his residence confirmed Drake's death to reporters on Saturday night but declined to give any details or comment on a report that the former footballer turned television commentator had collapsed and died at the side of his swimming pool.

Drake, a tight-head prop represented New Zealand between 1985 and 1987 and played 12 matches including eight tests. He was a key member of the World Cup-winning squad, playing in five of the six matches.


Born on January 22, 1959, he was educated at Auckland Grammar School, but played his first club rugby in Dunedin and turned out for Otago Juniors. When he returned to Auckland, Drake played for the under-23 and B provincial teams before becoming a regular member of the senior side. He went to France where he played three seasons and it was during the third, 1985-86, that he was recalled to join the All Blacks touring Argentina.


Returning to Auckland in 1986, he regained his place in the Auckland team and was selected for the All Blacks' tour of France where he played at tighthead in both tests. He retired at the end of 1987 at the conclusion of the World Cup season. In recent years he was a highly respected television commentator and newspaper columnist.
He is survived by his wife Cathy and three daughters.

Who's who on the 2008 Power List

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4791933a6009.html

[Izzy wrote : Didn't want to bore you with the whole list, so have copied Richie's bit - he was in at number 26. This is a Christchurch/Canterbury list.]

RICHIE McCAW: Captain in name and in performance for both the Crusaders and All Blacks, McCaw has played a pivotal role in bringing Super 14 finals and titles to the city. Not many other people on the list could bring Christchurch to a standstill or have such an impact on the mood of its citizens and the local economy. Between leading his teams to a Super 14 trophy, Tri-Nations title, Bledisloe Cup and a Grand Slam, he fitted in winning the NPC with Canterbury. Why he wasn't world player of the year remains one of the big mysteries of 2008.

Barbarians v. Australia

2008 Last request

2008 Last request
one week left !!!!!!!!!!

Marathon man McCaw is a modern miracle

http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4787438a22363.html

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, RugbyHeaven

Tuesday, 09 December 2008

Lost in the rich praise that has deservedly been dished out to Richie McCaw recently has been his herculean feat of appearing in nine games of top-class rugby in seven and a half weeks.

The All Blacks skipper has been a talking point because he was inexplicably overlooked for the IRB's international player of the year and somehow missed out on winning the New Zealand player of the year title. Not that you'll hear a peep out of the great man himself - that's not his style.

McCaw has always been of those who let their actions speak louder than their words.
And there has been no shortage of action from him over the past couple of months. Ali Williams created something of a modern-day milestone by starting all 15 tests for the All Blacks this year.

That's a remarkable achievement. But it should be noted that Williams did get a decent break between the end of the Tri-Nations and the Hong Kong extravaganza against the Wallabies - seven long weeks in fact. During that time McCaw got on off the bench for Canterbury in their Air New Zealand Cup quarter-final and then played full matches in both the semifinal and the final, helping the red and blacks to the national title.

He then hopped on a plane to resume the leadership of the All Blacks for a physically draining itinerary. I asked McCaw early in the tour if it would be possible for him to play in all five tests on consecutive weekends. He drew a deep breath and said he felt it could be done. It would be tough but it could be done.

And, apart from sitting out the first half of the opening Grand Slam assignment against Scotland, McCaw did just that. He then topped it off by appearing for the British Barbarians against Australia, just four days after achieving that Grand Slam glory against England at Twickenham.
Nestled between those two matches was another important date in London as he became a central figure in the pool announcements for the 2011 World Cup to be staged in New Zealand.

McCaw carried that off with his usual aplomb although he couldn't quite taste victory with the Baabaas. But in a season where the All Blacks have sensibly returned to consistency with their selections and seen that reflected in their improved performances, McCaw has been something of a miracle man.

If he hadn't injured an ankle in the home series against England back in June, there's every chance he would have played in every test as well. Don't forget he's doing it in the most demanding position of all. The No 7 jersey carries many responsibilities, none more than ball security at the breakdowns and the collision areas.

Every step of the tour McCaw was recognised by his opponents as the most influential figure they were confronting and there was even the customary suggestion that he operated outside the boundaries of the law. It will be interesting to see what course the selectors chart with the All Blacks next year.

They have started to develop a bit more depth after the massive exodus that came at the end of 2008. There will be temptations to revert to some sort of rotation in key areas.

But don't expect McCaw to be handing over his jersey cheaply. He's just put in an iron-man performance over the last couple of months that proves sustained performance is possible.

McCaw backs Henry for cup

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4780199a10295.html

By JIM KAYES, The Dominion Post
Wednesday, 03 December 2008

Richie McCaw wants Graham Henry to coach the All Blacks at the 2011 World Cup and stick with the new practice of playing the top 15.

Henry and his two assistants, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, are off contract at the end of next year, but are expected to be offered an extension through to the World Cup.

McCaw, the All Blacks' skipper, hoped that would happen. "What they have done this year, under scrutiny, and to bounce back from the disappointments of last year just speaks volumes for them. They work outstandingly together so I can't see why they shouldn't stay on."
McCaw said the coaches had the players' support.

"There's a belief in what we're doing. It would be easy to believe we got it all wrong over one game last year, but we've done a lot of good things over the last four years.We had to make sure we kept those things. It would be easy to say we got it all wrong but we didn't."

Yet McCaw admitted some things had been "tweaked", including the scrapping of rotation in favour of the top 15 for the big tests. The change was, in a large part, forced on the coaches as about half of last year's World Cup squad shifted overseas after the tournament in France.

It left only a core of experienced players and they had largely kept to the same playing 22 in the four tough tests during the tour to Hong Kong, Ireland and Britain. It paid dividends as the All Blacks beat Australia at Hong Kong Stadium and defeated Ireland, Wales and England. The second stringers were rolled out against Scotland and got to play Munster in the midweek match.

McCaw defended the rotation policy as it was needed to build depth and experience, but he was also a fan of having a regular top side.

"There was a place for (rotation) because in 2004 we didn't have a lot of experience and depth. Now we've got six or seven guys who have played well over 50 tests and that's come from giving guys games through that time. But we haven't had as many experienced players this tour as we've had before so they've had to play more and that's been good."

Henry had doubted the players would survive playing in five consecutive tests and admitted after the 32-6 win against England last Sunday that he was surprised by how well they had coped. Winning the World Cup would be similar as the All Blacks are pooled with France and would need to win three big play-off tests to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.

McCaw, who played in all five tests on tour and started four of them, said juggling a player's workload was "a balancing act"

All Blacks' farm boy pick of the crop

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4785011a2201.html

By PHIL GIFFORD, Sunday Star Times

Sunday, 07 December 2008

One sunny June afternoon in 2001, Todd Blackadder, in his last year as a player for Canterbury, was talking about a 20-year-old flanker he'd just had a full training run with.

"This bloke can do everything. He's fast, strong, and technically he's amazing. I think he's going to be one of the great loose forwards."

Time would prove Blackadder's early impression of the player in question, Richie McCaw, was almost spookily accurate.
Awards are awards, but with all due respect to the player of the year titles for Shane Williams (world) and Andrew Hore (New Zealand), the dominant figure in world rugby in 2008 has been McCaw.

It's no surprise to those who know him that his reaction to the debacle of last year's world cup was not to sulk, or to leave New Zealand.
League coaching guru Wayne Bennett on Radio Sport last week said it was always his choice after a big reverse to "get better not bitter". So it's been with McCaw.

The most inspiring aspect of the All Blacks' revival this year has been the leadership of McCaw, who is currently running at a 90 percent winning rate in tests. He now not only puts subtle pressures on referees, but also has players in his own side on the verge of whiplash as they swivel to get orders from him when play breaks down.

He stays calm when the going gets niggly. You can go to the bank on the fact that McCaw's answer to dirt will be to aim for a bunch of tries, not a bunch of fives. How dominant has he been as a captain? When he missed three tests with injury in the middle of Tri Nations the All Blacks lost two of them.

He also plays a vital role as a highly acceptable face for All Blacks rugby. Sarcasm, often near the surface in the coaching staff, is not part of his persona.
You don't need to worry about public relations when McCaw is captain. There's no real divide between the man and the public image, so being decent and polite to people isn't something he needs to work on with a consultant.

Let's not get ridiculous about it. He doesn't leap tall buildings in a single bound (although he might manage it in two goes), and there are no reports that in his spare time he heals the sick and raises the dead. He doesn't live in a germ-free environment, and will enjoy a drink when the time is right. But it's illuminating that in talking to a number of people in provincial unions who have had dealings with him, not a single person has a bad word to say.

In an increasingly competitive battle for the hearts and minds of New Zealand sports fans, it's a stroke of rare good fortune for rugby that it has someone virtually the epitome of a good, keen man in charge.
The foundation, of course, is what McCaw does as a player.

I've been lucky enough to watch Waka Nathan, Graham Mourie, Michael Jones and Josh Kronfeld at the height of their powers. After Nathan I never dreamed I would see as good an openside flanker. Mourie's genius rested in almost preternatural anticipation and application, but he wasn't blessed with the physical strength and explosiveness of Nathan.

Then Michael Jones arrived. As strong in testing, All Black trainer Jim Blair would report, as a test prop, with the vertical leap of a test lock, almost as much speed as a test wing, and as skilled as a first five-eighths.

Kronfeld was a superb player, on the ground and running with the ball, but if only one player could wear the No 7 jersey in a game your child's lives depended on, only a toss of a coin could separate Jones and McCaw.

That's how good he is.

Quinn: Rugby awards perplexing

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1320238/2358771
Dec 5, 2008
By tvnz.co.nz's Keith Quinn

Look - it's still a free country, right? Which means everyone can still have their own opinions.
But sitting on my couch at home for the first time in five weeks and flicking through the TV channels, as blokes do, I paused at the Steinlager Rugby Awards Show live on Sky TV. Long enough for me to see the last couple of awards presented.

I always like to see who gets the Kelvin R Tremain Memorial Award for New Zealand Rugby's Player of the Year. That is our rugby's equivalent of the Oscars or the Emmy winner. The award is in memory of one of New Zealand rugby's all-time great players.

Kel 'Bunny' Tremain was a great guy; a friendly man off the field but a ruthlessly proud and determined All Black on it. In 1994 the New Zealand Rugby Union honoured his shock death as a 54-year-old by naming their prestige annual player award in his memory. So the judges have to get it right, you know?

Now let me ask you; in all our rugby in recent years - who has been the most talked about and most influential players of all from New Zealand? You could put up a sound argument for Daniel Carter I suppose. But this year I say that man has to have been Richie McCaw.
All over the world you hear, read and see people's reaction to those two far beyond any other players in the All Black team. Using the word carefully McCaw and Carter are the two 'great' players we have in New Zealand at the moment.

But did Richie McCaw win this season's Kel Tremain trophy? No, surprisingly, he did not. The All Black hooker Andrew Hore did. I cannot understand the judgement.

Richie McCaw is not above criticism. There are those (northern hemisphere media mostly) who think he plays too close to the letter of the law from his flank forward position. And there have been those who have said in the recent past (mostly me, a lonely figure) that Richie's captaincy lacked sufficient push and presence on the field. Especially at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

This year though the formerly timid captain McCaw has been replaced by a much more authoritative leader, one who is more visibly seen urging his teammates on and letting all referees know he is there right in their faces, making sure they make the 'correct' decisions.

As a player this year McCaw has maintained his very high work rate and standards. And perhaps gone even better than ever before. While there was time when there was a lot of excessive writing about his talents he is now widely admired by fans all around the world.

Let me remind you of McCaw's 2008 record. He led New Zealand to the Tri Nations win, held the Bledisloe Cup and the Hillary Shield high, plus sundry other sponsor's trophies for minor Test matches. Most significantly he recently led New Zealand to a Grand Slam of test wins in the UK. He played excellent rugby throughout. He dominates the breakdown area of the game which secures the possession to enable his teams to win.

When McCaw wasn't named as one of the International Rugby Board's trophy winners in Britain a couple of weeks back, his All Black coach Graham Henry leapt into criticism of the international decision-making system. Many Kiwis were baffled when Shane Williams, the Welsh winger won that major award.

Graham Henry's comments in defence of his All Black captain not winning then therefore looked like he disagreed with the Williams decision. The comments made world headlines.

Now I ask, will Mr Henry do the same of the selection system in New Zealand? Will he jump out of the cake and lambaste the choice of Andrew Hore as New Zealand's Player of the Year ahead of his skipper?

I doubt it. Hore is a front choice All Black too and besides, Mr Henry works for the Rugby Union you see. So I might be making a lone cry here. But someone has to wonder about this Tremain award decision.

I hope I am not coming down too hard on Andrew Hore. His form as All Black hooker in the games he played this year was admirable. He took over the number one spot from Keven Mealamu and until he was severely injured in the Test against Australia in Hong Kong he was going superbly. But to me it seems odd that he should win on the basis of a part-season contribution. After his injury was sustained he was a non-player for the rest of the season. Therefore he made no contribution in the climactic All Black event of the year, the Grand Slam tour.

For mine, (gee it's great to use that old Aussie expression of surety) McCaw's profile, position, form and improvement as captain far outreaches Hore's playing authority and significance to the All Blacks and the season.

[As a sidebar; Both Hore and McCaw played in the Super 14 competition this year. Hore played outstandingly for the Hurricanes but they were beaten by McCaw's Crusaders in the semi-finals. McCaw was then the captain of the winning Crusaders team in the grand final.]

I have had a look at the judging panel of four, and three of them are good mates. However, under the heading of 'it is still a free country' and we all have our own opinions, I beg to differ boys.
I can understand McCaw missing out winning on this award last year. He didn't deserve it then. But not this year. This year he was so much ahead of the field.

There endeth this rant.

Andrew Hore? How come the top gong didn't go to McCaw?

http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4784645a22459.html

By RICHARD KNOWLER, The Press

Saturday, 06 December 2008

Those readers who predicted Andrew Hore would be New Zealand rugby's player of the year can save themselves time by clicking to the next page and basking in the glory of the cleverness.

Well done to that lot; they produced a masterstroke in determining the All Blacks hooker would receive the Kelvin Tremain Memorial Player of the Year trophy. Little point reading on, they backed a winner. Some of us mere mortals, though, are still scratching our noodles over just how All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw was overlooked for the top gong.

When the New Zealand Rugby Union press release pinged off The Press' wires on Thursday evening, this reporter reacted as though someone had threaded a wire through his bread roll, plugged it into a power point and flicked a switch. The feedback was somewhat electric. There was an urge to spread this news to someone as quickly as possible and within seconds a colleague was informed.

His reaction to McCaw being overlooked was muted, the reply being that the openside flanker had already won the award before so why not have another name engraved on the trophy?
When another staffer bumbled his way into the sports department yesterday, he offered the same opinion: McCaw gets plenty of recognition, time to give someone else a go. Bejabbers!
Before injury ruled him out of the Grand Slam tour, Hore was a reliable performer this season, nudging out Keven Mealamu as the All Blacks' top hooker when Graham Henry shelved his rotation policy.

Alas, he is no McCaw.

Although the Hurricanes did not make the final - they were beaten by the Crusaders in the semi - Hore also did enough in the eyes of the judges to also be named as the Super 14 player of the year. He had a knack of scoring tries for the Hurricanes and throughout the year proved a powerful scrummager, accurate lineout thrower and carried the ball aggressively.
But it would not matter if Hore hailed from Otara or Otautau, this judgment would remain the same. That award should have gone to McCaw.

No player in New Zealand was under more scrutiny than the skipper this season after the All Blacks lost the World Cup quarter-final to France last year. His leadership was rightly questioned.

Flag the conspiracy theories about referee Wayne Barnes costing the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. If the All Blacks, and McCaw's captaincy, had been up to scratch they would have survived. But if McCaw felt burdened by letting down an expectant nation, it did not show in 2008.

He responded by leading the Crusaders to the Super 14 title, his form peaking in the final showdown against the Waratahs in Christchurch and continuing into the opening tests against Ireland and England before an ankle injury cut him down at AMI Stadium.

In his absence the All Blacks lost to the Springboks and Wallabies, but on his return he led them to a crushing win against the Aussies at Eden Park.

The hits just kept on coming: he was magical against the Boks in Cape Town and although largely nullified by the Wallabies forwards in Brisbane his leadership played a major role in the All Blacks retaining the Bledisloe Cup. Then came the win in Hong Kong, followed by the Grand Slam title.

So compelling was his form earlier this year that All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen labelled McCaw as the best No. 7 New Zealand has produced. It was a bold call.

Almost as bold as the one by the judges that declared Hore a better bet than McCaw as the nation's best player.

Injury-hit Wallabies beat Baabaas

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4782249a1823.html
By NICHOLAS RUSSELL, RugbyHeaven

Thursday, 04 December 2008

A standout performance by former All Blacks hardman Jerry Collins couldn't stop Robbie Deans' young Wallabies as they beat a formidable Barbarians side 18-11 at Wembley today. The Baabaas, with four of the last five winners of the IRB Player of the Year award, were always going to be a tough ask for a Wallabies outfit resting the likes of skipper Stirling Mortlock, first five-eighth Matt Giteau and lock Nathan Sharpe at the end of their long tour north.

However, Deans put faith in his rising stars - the likes of 20-year-old first five Quade Cooper, 18-year-old fullback James O'Connor and uncapped lock Peter Kimlin. They delivered a mix of powerful and committed defence and counter-attacking rugby to frustrate the Barbarians in what was a torrid match that saw the Wallabies suffer serious injuries to Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu.

Dunning was stretchered off in agony with a torn Achilles tendon and Kepu too grimaced in pain while being assisted from the field with his right arm cradled in his jersey after tearing a pectoral muscle. The four Kiwis in the starting XV invitational side had strong games, particularly Collins who was in the thick of the action throughout and scored a crucial try in the second half.

He has reportedly been struggling for his French club Toulon but showed his class as he ran and tackled himself to a standstill against a relentless Wallabies side looking to end their season in style. Richie McCaw, who surprisingly played the full 80 minutes, nearly got a try of his own at the start of the second half after getting on the end of a big attacking movement started by wings Bryan Habana and Joe Rokocoko.

Rico Gear had a tough time of it in midfield as the Wallabies defence rushed up, closing any gaps, and was subbed in the second half. Former All Black Chris Jack also made a welcome return to the field after a long injury layoff as a second-half substitute for the Baabaas.
The first try of the match came after 12 minutes when Wallabies wing Lote Tuqiri latched on to a well-weighted chip kick from Ryan Cross. O’Conner added the extras from out in front to give them an early lead.

They extended their lead in the 18th minute after hands in the ruck and O’Conner slotted the penalty from a handy position. A Collins infringement in the 22nd minute cost the Barbarians another three points when O’Conner stepped up again to make it 13-0.

Plenty of possession and some trademark hard running from the likes of Schalk Berger and Collins challenged the Wallabies defensive line but they held strong. Springboks first-five Francois Steyn seemed to go off-message a few times when he resorted to unsuccessful long-range drop goal attempts from halfway to get them on the board.

The Baabaas kept attacking in the first half but couldn’t find any space and after bashing away without reward for 34 minutes captain John Smit finally relented and let Percy Montgomery have a shot at goal after they had earlier passed up the opportunity.
The crowd didn’t like it but it put them on the board close to the end of the first half.
In the 37th minute the Barbarians were hot on attack and the Wallabies coughed up another penalty from a kickable position and Montgomery stepped up to make it 10-6.

The second half started with the superstars stretching their legs through a break down the right flank by Rokocoko and Habana. The movement nearly resulted in a McCaw try, but he was held up over the line. Down the other end Adam Ashley-Cooper came close to scoring eight minutes into the half after he scythed through the Barbarians defence but Fourie du Preez managed to keep him from grounding the ball.

Collins scored his try in the 61st minute after a poor clearance attempt by the Wallabies was gathered up. Welsh wing Shane Williams found some space down the left side and linked up infield with Collins who was unstoppable from a few metres out.

Montgomery missed the conversion to make it 11-13, setting up an exciting final quarter of the game. It took a brilliant counter-attacking try by Lachie Turner to seal the match for the Wallabies with three minutes remaining.

A stunning in-out run from Drew Mitchell put Turner clear on the outside to cap off a great night, marking 100 years since the Olympic rugby final won by Australia over Great Britain in London. The Wallabies were awarded gold medals to mark their achievement today.

New Zealand All Blacks Meet The AC Milan Team

Richie McCaw of the New Zealand All Blacks attends the New Zealand All Blacks Meets AC Milan media day held at the Milanello training facility on December 04, 2008 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images for adidas)

My opinion : the jersey with Stade Français two years ago is cuter :P but that's just MY opinion... Sacrée Française! The positive aspect of this special edition is that Black & Red are also the colours of Canterbury & the Crusaders :)

2008 Last request

2008 Last request

You have another 2 weeks to send us your thoughts about the now last season and upcoming season.

For further details, click on "last request" above which leads you to the 'Holiday blog'

Barbarians v Australia (pix)

The Barbarians squad pose for the camera following the 1908 - 2008 London Olympic Centenary match between The Barbarians and Australia at Wembley Stadium on December 3, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

That's weird to see them playing together after all the things that happened in the previous matches but I guess, that's the Rugby Spirit!

Note : when the French Barbarians play, they keep the socks from their club/province.

Barbarians 11-18 Australia

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7758526.stm

Barbarians (6) 11 Try: Collins Pens: Montgomery 2
Australia (13) 18Tries: Tuqiri, Turner Con: O'Connor Pen: O'Connor 2

Australia's superb defence was the springboard for a hard-fought win over a star-studded Barbarians side in the Olympic Centenary match at Wembley.
The Wallabies withstood strong early pressure for Ryan Cross to create a 12th-minute try for Lote Tuqiri.

Teenage debutant James O'Connor kicked available points but a mistake let Shane Williams set up Jerry Collins for a second-half Barbarians score.
But Australia sealed victory with a brilliant Lachie Turner try late on.
The result means Australia go home having won four of their six tour matches, beating Italy, England and France but losing to New Zealand and Wales.

The result means Australia go home having won four of their six tour matches, beating Italy, England and France but losing to New Zealand and Wales.
The match was organised as part of the British Olympic Association's celebrations of the centenary of the first Olympics in London, where the Games will return in four years' time.
Australia took the rugby union gold medal in 1908 with a 32-3 victory over Great Britain, represented by the English county of Cornwall.
In honour of that match, the Barbarians all wore yellow Cornwall socks as they departed from their usual tradition of players wearing their club socks.

In the ninth minute, Springbok wing Bryan Habana, one of seven members of South Africa's World Cup-winning side in the Barbarians' starting XV, broke clear and chipped ahead.
Illustrating Australia's alertness and strength in defence, his kick was fielded near Australia's line by Lote Tuqiri who, despite pressure from New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, grounded the ball for a five-metre scrum.
Minutes later Tuqiri, making his first start since knee surgery after this year's Tri-Nations, opened the scoring after wing Cross burst down the right touchline from deep in his own half and his clever cross-kick inside was gathered up by Tuqiri, who strolled in under the posts.

Well-organised Australia were relentless in their tackling of Barbarians
Australia's superb defence was the springboard for a hard-fought win over a star-studded Barbarians side in the Olympic Centenary match at Wembley.
The Wallabies withstood strong early pressure for Ryan Cross to create a 12th-minute try for Lote Tuqiri.
Teenage debutant James O'Connor kicked available points but a mistake let Shane Williams set up Jerry Collins for a second-half Barbarians score.
But Australia sealed victory with a brilliant Lachie Turner try late on.
The result means Australia go home having won four of their six tour matches, beating Italy, England and France but losing to New Zealand and Wales.
The match was organised as part of the British Olympic Association's celebrations of the centenary of the first Olympics in London, where the Games will return in four years' time.
Australia took the rugby union gold medal in 1908 with a 32-3 victory over Great Britain, represented by the English county of Cornwall.
In honour of that match, the Barbarians all wore yellow Cornwall socks as they departed from their usual tradition of players wearing their club socks.

In the ninth minute, Springbok wing Bryan Habana, one of seven members of South Africa's World Cup-winning side in the Barbarians' starting XV, broke clear and chipped ahead.
Illustrating Australia's alertness and strength in defence, his kick was fielded near Australia's line by Lote Tuqiri who, despite pressure from New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, grounded the ball for a five-metre scrum.

Minutes later Tuqiri, making his first start since knee surgery after this year's Tri-Nations, opened the scoring after wing Cross burst down the right touchline from deep in his own half and his clever cross-kick inside was gathered up by Tuqiri, who strolled in under the posts.
Full-back O'Connor added the conversion on what was his first start for the Wallabies and the 18-year-old soon stretched Australia's lead to 13-0 with a couple of penalties.

The Barbarians, with South Africa lock Bakkies Botha a powerful presence, did start to gain ground and were rewarded with two penalties from Percy Montgomery - the Springboks' record points scorer.
Habana and All Black wing Joe Rokocoko caught the Wallabies cold with a neat exchange of passes which took the Barbarians to within sight of the try-line, while Samoa prop Census Johnston and Botha both went close with referee Chris White calling on the video referee.
But, with the television pictures proving inconclusive, no try was awarded

On the hour, former Australia captain George Gregan came off the Baa-Baas' bench to face his compatriots and, soon after, Australia outside-half Quade Cooper's poor kick out of defence gave possession back to the Barbarians.
Francois Steyn, playing at outside-half, threw a long cut-out pass to Wales wing Williams, on as a half-time replacement for Montgomery, who sprinted clear down the touchline to take several Australians out of the game.
He then put a well-timed pass inside to All Black flanker Collins, who went over for the try, but Steyn missed the conversion and then pushed a penalty wide of the posts with eight minutes left.
Victory was sealed two minutes from time by replacement Turner's breakaway try after Steyn, who missed two goalkicks, was turned over.
Worryingly for Australia, props Matt Dunning, who exited on a stretcher, and Sekope Kepu both went off early in the second-half after the Barbarians demolished a Wallaby scrum.

Barbarians: Percy Montgomery (SA); Joe Rokocoko (NZ), Rico Gear (NZ), Jean de Villiers (SA), Bryan Habana (SA); Francois Steyn (SA), Fourie du Preez (SA); Richie McCaw (NZ), Schalk Burger (SA), Jerry Collins (NZ); Johann Muller (SA), Bakkies Botha (SA); Census Johnston (Sam), John Smit (SA, capt), Federico Pucciariello (Ita).
Replacements used: Rodney Blake (Aus), Shane Williams (Wal), Chris Jack (NZ), Nick Koster (SA) *Uncapped, Ollie Smith (Eng), Mark Regan (Eng), George Gregan (Aus).

Australia: James O'Connor; Lote Tuqiri, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Brett Sheehan; Richard Brown, George Smith (c), Dean Mumm; Hugh McMeniman, Mark Chisholm; Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu.
Replacements used: Ben Alexander, Adam Freier, David Pocock, Luke Burgess, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Peter Kimlin.

Att: 43,600
Ref: Chris White (RFU)

Barbarians v Australia (Wed)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7758526.stm

Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date: Wednesday, 3 December
Kick-off: 2000 GMT

Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger and Richie McCaw are among the leading lights in a star-studded Barbarians team to face Australia at Wembley on Wednesday.
The trio are joined by the likes of World Cup-winning captain John Smit, his Springboks team-mate Bakkies Botha and New Zealand winger Joe Rokocoko.
Teenage full-back James O'Connor and scrum-half Brett Sheehan start for a largely experimental Wallabies side.

Uncapped lock Peter Kimlin comes in and George Smith takes over as captain.
Smith will lead the team in place of Stirling Mortlock, who joined a heavy casualty list that includes Matt Giteau and Nathan Sharpe after Australia's 21-18 loss to Wales on Saturday. wales winger Shane Williams, the world player of the year who scored a try against Australia in the win last weekend, has been named on the replacements' bench for the Barbarians.

Former England stars Ollie Smith and Mark Regan are also on the bench. In addition to Habana, Burger, Smit and Botha, the strong Springbok presence sees scrum-half Fourie du Preez, centre Jean de Villiers, lock Johann Muller, full-back Percy Montgomery and fly-half Francois Steyn all starting the game. Jake White will coach the side, along with Eddie Jones, reuniting the coaching partnership that helped South Africa win the World Cup last year.

"This is one of the better Barbarians side there has been for a while and Eddie and I are really chuffed to get this group of players together," said White."It has been nice for me to be with the (players I coached at the World Cup) but it has also been nice to coach players like Richie McCaw and Joe Rokocoko. It is nice to see the players who usually smash into each other having an opportunity to play as a team and that is something unique in rugby. the important thing is that a number of these players haven't played for the Baa-Baas and I think it is wonderful they get the opportunity to play alongside such great players. A guy like Sean Fitzpatrick was a great captain of New Zealand but never got the chance to play for the Barbarians and I am sure he would have loved to play in a team like this."

Veteran Australia scrum-half George Gregan, Test rugby's most capped player, is on the bench alongside Western Province forward Nick Koster, who maintains the Barbarians tradition of picking an uncapped player.

The game is part of the British Olympic Association's centenary celebrations of the 1908 London Games. Australia won the rugby gold medal at those Games with a 32-3 victory over Great Britain, who were represented by Cornwall.
Wednesday's game will be the first rugby union match to be played at the rebuilt Wembley, and the first at the stadium since Wales' thrilling last-gasp 32-31 win over England in 1999.

Barbarians team: Percy Montgomery (SA); Joe Rokocoko (NZ), Rico Gear (NZ), Jean de Villiers (SA), Bryan Habana (SA); Francois Steyn (SA), Fourie du Preez (SA); Federico Pucciariello (Ita), John Smit (SA, capt), Census Johnson (Samoa), Bakkies Botha (SA), Johann Muller (SA), Jerry Collins (NZ), Richie McCaw (NZ), Schalk Burger (SA).
Replacements: Mark Regan (Eng), Rodney Blake (Aus), Chris Jack (NZ), Nick Koster (SA, uncapped), George Gregan (Aus), Ollie Smith (Eng), Shane Williams (Wal).

Australia team: James O'Connor; Lote Tuqiri, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Brett Sheehan; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Mark Chisholm, Hugh McMeniman, Dean Mumm, George Smith (capt), Richard Brown.
Replacements: Adam Freier, Ben Alexander, Peter Kimlin, David Pocock, Luke Burgess, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell.

2008 Last request

2008 Last request

just click on the title!

New Audio: All Blacks VS England

First Half: http://www.arcrugby.co.nz/audio/69_first.mp3
Second Half: http://www.arcrugby.co.nz/audio/69_second.mp3

All Blacks stars Dan Carter and Richie McCaw visit Pulborough Rugby club

http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/sport/All-Blacks-stars-Dan-Carter.4749368.jp

Published Date: 01 December 2008

TWO OF the biggest names in world rugby took time out of their tour to pop into Pulborough Rugby club last Wednesday (November 26).

All Blacks stars Richie McCaw and Dan Carter delighted a crowd of 200 youngsters and parents at the club just three days before both were instrumental in the 32-6 mauling of England at Twickenham.

Kiwi captain McCaw and fly-half Carter – regarded by many as the two most outstanding players currently playing the game - spoke to the juniors about their current tour and held a question and answer session before posing for photographs and signing rugby memorabilia.

Club president Jim North said: "It was a huge thrill for our young players to meet and listen to these two superstars of international rugby and we are immensely grateful to both of them for taking time out of a hectic tour schedule and to club member and local businessman Michael Watt for organising their visit to us."

The result against England on Saturday – in which Carter kicked five penalties and one conversion – gave a dominant New Zealand their third 'Grand Slam' having already beaten Scotland, Ireland and Wales in the tour.It also compounded England's miserable Autumn tour which saw them also lose heavily to Australia and South Africa.

All Blacks-France in same World Cup pool

The pools for the 2011 World Cup are:

Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga,

Americas 1, Asia 1

Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland,

Europe1, Playoff winner

Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy,

Europe 2, Americas 2

Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji,

Oceania 1, Africa 1

Following the RWC 2011 pool matches, the knockout rounds will follow the same structure as RWC 2003 and RWC 2007. The full structure is as follows:

Quarterfinal 1: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A
Quarterfinal 2: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D
Quarterfinal 3: Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B
Quarterfinal 4: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C

Semifinal 1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
Semifinal 2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4
Bronze Final: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4779326a1823.html

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in London, Fairfax Media

Tuesday, 02 December 2008

Light-hearted All Blacks tour moments

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4779018a1823.html

Fairfax Media
Tuesday, 02 December 2008

They came and conquered, and we got to watch. After almost six weeks on the road, Jim Kayes and Duncan Johnstone offer a few light hearted thoughts on the All Blacks' triumphant grand slam tour.

JIM KAYES

Best Forward: Richie McCaw. You have to love anyone who really upsets the Poms. McCaw is so good at the breakdown, secure on defence and okay with the ball. The best of a very good pack.
Best back: Mils Muliaina. Baby duty saw him miss the first two tests but he showed he is the best fullback in the game against Wales and England. So safe on defence and so lethal on attack.

Most improved: Ma'a Nonu. The big bloke has been a sensation. We know he's as tough to stop as a steam roller, but the step, the pass, the kick - who'd have thought!
Best ground: Croke Park. Perhaps it was the history that added to the atmosphere but there was some special about being at the Croker. As Graham Henry would say - Just marvellous.

Marvellous moment: The Munster haka - there was only four of them, but before a silent crowd that challenged the All Blacks in a wonderfully personal way. It was awesome.
Best performance: The seven minutes against England that saw Muliaina score twice as the All Blacks raced from 12-6 to 25-6. There's nothing quite like beating England at Twickenham.

Funniest moment: My daughter has a book called Giraffes Can't Dance. I always think of it when Ali Williams does his passionate, but hilarious, haka. Good stuff.
Best opposition: Wales by a long stretch. They are the only team in Britain and Ireland trying to play decent rugby. Perhaps it comes from having a Kiwi in charge.

Best quote: "If I wasn't playing for the All Blacks, if I was playing for Southland or maybe the Highlanders, maybe I'd have thrown a couple [of punches]. I'm pretty scared of the coaches they keep me in check." - Jimmy Cowan, after the England game.

I could do without: Any more haka stories. Please, pray to whatever god you believe in that the haka doesn't get to be bigger than the game.
Cringe Moment: The bloke from adidas who, during the announcement of their new deal with the NZRU, couldn't pronounce Rodney So'oialo's name, or even get close.


DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
Best forward: Hats off to Ali Williams, the only player to start all 15 tests this year, a remarkable effort for someone operating in the engine room. Larger than life off the field he's grown into a world class lock and been instrumental in the All Blacks fixing their Achilles Heel, the lineout.
Best back: Ma'a Nonu has repaid the selectors faith in him, coming from being a World Cup reject to single-handedly solving the problem No 12 position. He's no longer one-dimensional, adding distribution skills and, on this tour, rock solid defence while we even saw glimpses of a promising kicking game.

Most improved: Jerome Kaino's big hits were central to an incredible defensive record by the All Blacks on this trip. The Aucklander, so inconsistent in the past, has held off strong competition with irresistible form to make the No 6 jersey his own.
Favourite moment: Joe Rokocoko's match-winner try against Munster. On a night when passion filled the air this was the only way to stop the madness that was going on all around the ground. A draw might have been the fairest result but Smokin' Joe buried 30 years of All Blacks blushes with one piece of magic.

Best performance: The second half against Wales. Graham Henry labelled it the best half of rugby this year and he might well be right. Down 9-6 at the break, they completely dominated to score 23 unanswered points.
Marvellous moment: The haka stand-off against Wales. Ma'a Nonu mightn't have like it but sometimes a stare can say more than anything and the Welsh let the All Blacks and everyone watching know they weren't going to back down.

Best quote: This one comes second-hand but reliable sources suggest an experienced and always quick-with-a-quip All Black couldn't resist when he greeted the Queen: "We've met three times now. Is that a date?"
Best opposition: Who else but Munster. Two teams without their top test players made for an even match. Fired up by a Kiwi haka Munster lived up to their rich history and played out of their skins. Wayne Smith reckoned he struggled to remember more passion and commitment from an opposition team and that says something.

I could do without: Standing in the freezing London weather waiting for the Queen. Thank goodness I'm not on the royal beat. So scripted, so many rules and regulations, so much PR.

Cringe: The Hong Kong ground announcer trying to get his tongue around the All Blacks' Polynesian names. Some things are best left unsaid.

The Facts:

Played 6, Won 6
Scored 152 points, conceded 34.
Scored 16 tries, conceded three (Australia 2, Munster 1)
Kept Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England tryless.
Lost two hookers and a halfback.
Used three different captains, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo and Piri Weepu.
Watched by 359,654 spectators.

Season 2008 almost done, Season 2009 'en route' : Super 14's new jerseys

http://www.stuff.co.nz/videoplayer/136338a14835.html
The new Super 14 jerseys were launched in Auckland. RugbyHeaven went along to check them out.

i don't work for Adidas, i can say "I have seen better!"

dont forget : http://richiemccaw-bis.blogspot.com/2008/11/we-have-often-asked-you-to-participate.html

McCaw happy to face Cup nemesis early

http://www.stuff.co.nz/videoplayer/136313a14835.html

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw talks about the World Cup pool allocation, the prospect of facing France first-up in the tournament and the long road to 2011.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/videoplayer/136311a14835.html

Henry expects huge interest in ABs-France clash
All Blacks coach Graham Henry talks about the World Cup draw and the prospect of facing nemesis France in the opening match of the tournament.

for the first time in 3 world cups, argentina won't play the opening match... sad for the pumas... Will soon publish the draw, don't worry!