http://www.stuff.co.nz/lightbox/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3107159/?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=560&width=640
Watch the scoring action from the All Blacks' win over France at Stade Velodrome in Marseille
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Monday, November 30, 2009
All Blacks prove test rugby can be beautiful
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3110553/All-Blacks-prove-test-rugby-can-be-beautiful
By MARC HINTON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
30/11/2009
Test rugby has the smile back on its face, and it has the All Blacks to thank for that.
As Graham Henry's New Zealand side ran in five tries to finally unleash its attacking arsenal at the Stade Velodrome yesterday, the stunning 39-12 victory over France not only rounded off the autumn test programme in style, but made an emphatic statement about the quality of the fare being served up in the international arena.
Yes, the laws of the game may be deeply flawed, and the match officials given way too much leeway to stamp their mark on proceedings. And, yes, it's deeply ironic that northern hemisphere unions now appear to be backtracking on the much-maligned ELVs, many of which they gave short shift to without even bothering to trial them.
But the All Blacks showed yesterday, with a little help from the French, that if your intent is positive, your skills are at the sharp end of the spectrum and the opposition plays ball, then test rugby can still be a beautiful thing to watch.
The All Blacks were at times poetry in motion as they mercilessly punished les Bleus for their failings. At a juncture when the test game has come under the microscope for its one dimensional and - frankly - boring style, and pundits in this part of the world have been wringing their hands in angst over the diminishing entertainment value, this was just what the doctor ordered.
It's too early to tell whether it's an elixir, or just a temporary tonic, but there was a hefty element of the altruistic about an All Black performance that put the ultimate exclamation point on their season. They finished with six straight test victories, another unbeaten run through the north and their tryline intact for the second straight sweep through Europe.
The All Blacks touched perfection as their forwards laid on a splendid platform up front -- once their scrum steadied from an early French onslaught -- owned the breakdown with the world's best player Richie McCaw in imperious form, and finally unleashed the backline's full fury. Some of their handling was simply sublime.
By the end even the passionate French had been won over, the capacity crowd at the Stade Velodrome rising as one to applaud the white-shirted All Blacks as they trudged off the field. Was it possible rugby was an even bigger winner than les Blacks?
When even a born optimist like Graham Henry admits "there's been some pretty boring stuff over the last year", you know the game has an issue. "It was just good to see two teams wanting to play some attacking rugby," noted the All Blacks coach in a fairly unsubtle dig at what many of his side's opponents brought to the table in 2009.
"I think everyone needed that performance," added standout All Black wing Cory Jane who scored a fine individual try in the second half. "The rugby was pretty flat all year, with not many tries. Everyone loves to see tries, and I guess it was getting pretty boring and everyone was commenting on it.
"To go out there and put in that kind of display, hopefully that's put the spirits up in the rugby world."
Fullback Mils Muliaina, who with his 82nd test cap passed Justin Marshall as second on the all-time appearance list, reckoned it was a sort of rugby perfect storm.
"Everything was just perfect -- the weather, the field, the occasion and leaving the changing-room you just knew something was going to happen tonight. You could see it on the boys' faces.
"We pride ourselves as New Zealanders in ensuring the rugby is healthy, and there had been a little negativity about the whole thing. Hopefully we erased that for the year."
Added the maestro Dan Carter, whose vivacious touches in the pivot contributed mightily to the spectacle: "There's been a lot of tough rugby this year, some reasonably low scores and not many tries, and we've been part of that. As a player it's very satisfying to back yourself that you can play that style of rugby, and for it to come off, we're very pleased.
"It just shows it's possible to go out and score tries which we've been trying to do for a while now."
Ironically the French may have contributed to the comprehensive nature of the defeat by buying into the open style. It is probably not the best way to play the All Blacks. But maybe this was one of those times when there was a greater cause to consider.
The All Blacks' testing tour:
Played 5, won 5, scored 129 points, conceded 55; 10 tries scored; 1 conceded
Best performance: Marseille, by a country mile. The best came last as the balls stuck, the holes were hit and the opposition played their part with some pretty positive intent. A treat to watch.
Best player: Richie McCaw. Nonpareil. Dan Carter may be the most stylish player on the planet, but the All Black No 7 is the most valuable. Never lowered his standards from go to whoa. A living legend.
Biggest improver: Kieran Read. If there was doubt before this trip, there can be none now. Rodney So'oialo's time is over and this skilful Cantab has assumed the No 8 mantle. Seems to be growing with every test and a fine complement to McCaw.
Best stat: Nil. As in tries conceded, for a second straight four-test swing through the north. It may have taken till the very end for the attack to be unshackled, but these guys defended as though their lives depended on it the whole trip. Gutsy.
Best young prospect: Cory Jane. Never has a bad game, has a great attitude and always gets the best out of whatever situation he finds himself in. A modern day Jeff Wilson.
Braveheart: Big Brad Thorn. Before Italy had played every minute of every test. Worn out by tour's end, but kept going till he was finally subbed late against France. There's talk he may retire. Let's hope not.
Best try: No contest. Mils Muliaina's against France. Started from deep. Great hands, vision and pace put Sitiveni Sivivatu away on the left and his inpass found the fullback for the perfect finish. Exhilarating.
Coachwatch: A triumph on several fronts. The job reshuffle worked a treat. The forwards thrived under Henry's old-school approach, Hansen found his calling with the backs and the professor kept the defensive standards sky high. Maybe now they can relax and enjoy themselves a bit more.
By MARC HINTON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
30/11/2009
Test rugby has the smile back on its face, and it has the All Blacks to thank for that.
As Graham Henry's New Zealand side ran in five tries to finally unleash its attacking arsenal at the Stade Velodrome yesterday, the stunning 39-12 victory over France not only rounded off the autumn test programme in style, but made an emphatic statement about the quality of the fare being served up in the international arena.
Yes, the laws of the game may be deeply flawed, and the match officials given way too much leeway to stamp their mark on proceedings. And, yes, it's deeply ironic that northern hemisphere unions now appear to be backtracking on the much-maligned ELVs, many of which they gave short shift to without even bothering to trial them.
But the All Blacks showed yesterday, with a little help from the French, that if your intent is positive, your skills are at the sharp end of the spectrum and the opposition plays ball, then test rugby can still be a beautiful thing to watch.
The All Blacks were at times poetry in motion as they mercilessly punished les Bleus for their failings. At a juncture when the test game has come under the microscope for its one dimensional and - frankly - boring style, and pundits in this part of the world have been wringing their hands in angst over the diminishing entertainment value, this was just what the doctor ordered.
It's too early to tell whether it's an elixir, or just a temporary tonic, but there was a hefty element of the altruistic about an All Black performance that put the ultimate exclamation point on their season. They finished with six straight test victories, another unbeaten run through the north and their tryline intact for the second straight sweep through Europe.
The All Blacks touched perfection as their forwards laid on a splendid platform up front -- once their scrum steadied from an early French onslaught -- owned the breakdown with the world's best player Richie McCaw in imperious form, and finally unleashed the backline's full fury. Some of their handling was simply sublime.
By the end even the passionate French had been won over, the capacity crowd at the Stade Velodrome rising as one to applaud the white-shirted All Blacks as they trudged off the field. Was it possible rugby was an even bigger winner than les Blacks?
When even a born optimist like Graham Henry admits "there's been some pretty boring stuff over the last year", you know the game has an issue. "It was just good to see two teams wanting to play some attacking rugby," noted the All Blacks coach in a fairly unsubtle dig at what many of his side's opponents brought to the table in 2009.
"I think everyone needed that performance," added standout All Black wing Cory Jane who scored a fine individual try in the second half. "The rugby was pretty flat all year, with not many tries. Everyone loves to see tries, and I guess it was getting pretty boring and everyone was commenting on it.
"To go out there and put in that kind of display, hopefully that's put the spirits up in the rugby world."
Fullback Mils Muliaina, who with his 82nd test cap passed Justin Marshall as second on the all-time appearance list, reckoned it was a sort of rugby perfect storm.
"Everything was just perfect -- the weather, the field, the occasion and leaving the changing-room you just knew something was going to happen tonight. You could see it on the boys' faces.
"We pride ourselves as New Zealanders in ensuring the rugby is healthy, and there had been a little negativity about the whole thing. Hopefully we erased that for the year."
Added the maestro Dan Carter, whose vivacious touches in the pivot contributed mightily to the spectacle: "There's been a lot of tough rugby this year, some reasonably low scores and not many tries, and we've been part of that. As a player it's very satisfying to back yourself that you can play that style of rugby, and for it to come off, we're very pleased.
"It just shows it's possible to go out and score tries which we've been trying to do for a while now."
Ironically the French may have contributed to the comprehensive nature of the defeat by buying into the open style. It is probably not the best way to play the All Blacks. But maybe this was one of those times when there was a greater cause to consider.
The All Blacks' testing tour:
Played 5, won 5, scored 129 points, conceded 55; 10 tries scored; 1 conceded
Best performance: Marseille, by a country mile. The best came last as the balls stuck, the holes were hit and the opposition played their part with some pretty positive intent. A treat to watch.
Best player: Richie McCaw. Nonpareil. Dan Carter may be the most stylish player on the planet, but the All Black No 7 is the most valuable. Never lowered his standards from go to whoa. A living legend.
Biggest improver: Kieran Read. If there was doubt before this trip, there can be none now. Rodney So'oialo's time is over and this skilful Cantab has assumed the No 8 mantle. Seems to be growing with every test and a fine complement to McCaw.
Best stat: Nil. As in tries conceded, for a second straight four-test swing through the north. It may have taken till the very end for the attack to be unshackled, but these guys defended as though their lives depended on it the whole trip. Gutsy.
Best young prospect: Cory Jane. Never has a bad game, has a great attitude and always gets the best out of whatever situation he finds himself in. A modern day Jeff Wilson.
Braveheart: Big Brad Thorn. Before Italy had played every minute of every test. Worn out by tour's end, but kept going till he was finally subbed late against France. There's talk he may retire. Let's hope not.
Best try: No contest. Mils Muliaina's against France. Started from deep. Great hands, vision and pace put Sitiveni Sivivatu away on the left and his inpass found the fullback for the perfect finish. Exhilarating.
Coachwatch: A triumph on several fronts. The job reshuffle worked a treat. The forwards thrived under Henry's old-school approach, Hansen found his calling with the backs and the professor kept the defensive standards sky high. Maybe now they can relax and enjoy themselves a bit more.
Francelet the All Blacks have their way
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opinion/3109080/France-let-All-Blacks-have-their-way
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
30/11/2009
OPINION: As magnificent as the Marseille test was, don't go expecting internationals like this every weekend - the pragmatists simply won't allow it.
While we celebrate the superb rugby the All Blacks played it should be remembered they were helped by the positive approach of France.
For the first time this season they found a side that was willing to run the ball back at them more often than it was kicked their way.
With the All Blacks forwards in such commanding form at the breakdowns that was commendable but suicidal from the French.
It's what the Springboks never tried to do. It's why the Springboks record against New Zealand is 3-0 this year.
What should be remembered is that under these rules it takes two to tango. The All Blacks have never wavered from their belief that rugby should be a running game. They have still tried to go down that avenue while everyone around them has taken to kicking the ball. The All Blacks have used a more measured approach with their boots, hopeful that when the moments were right, ball-in-hand rugby could still win.
The French, renowned for their flair, entered the spirit of the occasion and as a consequence the field opened up.
Rather than having a defensive line coming at them under a high ball, the All Blacks found the French coming at them in an attacking formation.
The New Zealanders, as they have throughout this tour, tackled like demons and fed off their ability to snaffle turnovers.
They then got into position to strike through good ball from their set pieces and even got the counter-attack try they were longing for in places like Bloemfontein and Durban.
Here was a test where just about everything clicked for the All Blacks. Those mid-season handling blues against the Springboks were a distant memory as passes stuck, some made from seemingly impossible positions.
But that's the difference. The French aren't the Springboks. They don't have the ability to play the relentless defence of the Boks nor do they have the desire to play the methodical but worryingly effective game of the South Africans.
And now that is the game that the All Blacks will have to try to break down.
Was what we witnessed at Marseille the new dawn rugby so dearly needs or a false dawn against a month of forgettable internationals up north on the back of a turgid season down south?
Sadly I would suggest the latter, purely because when the stakes get higher and higher heading towards the next World Cup, most teams won't revert from a win-at-all costs approach.
While the Springboks will be disappointed with the end to their year they will also be content that they did the business when it mattered most - in a wonderful series with the British & Irish Lions and in almost completely dominating the Tri-Nations.
Has their kick and chase game been overtaken on the back of one scintillating display from the All Blacks? Not likely.
The Boks will continue to play to their strengths and most teams will probably follow them because it's the easier option.
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
30/11/2009
OPINION: As magnificent as the Marseille test was, don't go expecting internationals like this every weekend - the pragmatists simply won't allow it.
While we celebrate the superb rugby the All Blacks played it should be remembered they were helped by the positive approach of France.
For the first time this season they found a side that was willing to run the ball back at them more often than it was kicked their way.
With the All Blacks forwards in such commanding form at the breakdowns that was commendable but suicidal from the French.
It's what the Springboks never tried to do. It's why the Springboks record against New Zealand is 3-0 this year.
What should be remembered is that under these rules it takes two to tango. The All Blacks have never wavered from their belief that rugby should be a running game. They have still tried to go down that avenue while everyone around them has taken to kicking the ball. The All Blacks have used a more measured approach with their boots, hopeful that when the moments were right, ball-in-hand rugby could still win.
The French, renowned for their flair, entered the spirit of the occasion and as a consequence the field opened up.
Rather than having a defensive line coming at them under a high ball, the All Blacks found the French coming at them in an attacking formation.
The New Zealanders, as they have throughout this tour, tackled like demons and fed off their ability to snaffle turnovers.
They then got into position to strike through good ball from their set pieces and even got the counter-attack try they were longing for in places like Bloemfontein and Durban.
Here was a test where just about everything clicked for the All Blacks. Those mid-season handling blues against the Springboks were a distant memory as passes stuck, some made from seemingly impossible positions.
But that's the difference. The French aren't the Springboks. They don't have the ability to play the relentless defence of the Boks nor do they have the desire to play the methodical but worryingly effective game of the South Africans.
And now that is the game that the All Blacks will have to try to break down.
Was what we witnessed at Marseille the new dawn rugby so dearly needs or a false dawn against a month of forgettable internationals up north on the back of a turgid season down south?
Sadly I would suggest the latter, purely because when the stakes get higher and higher heading towards the next World Cup, most teams won't revert from a win-at-all costs approach.
While the Springboks will be disappointed with the end to their year they will also be content that they did the business when it mattered most - in a wonderful series with the British & Irish Lions and in almost completely dominating the Tri-Nations.
Has their kick and chase game been overtaken on the back of one scintillating display from the All Blacks? Not likely.
The Boks will continue to play to their strengths and most teams will probably follow them because it's the easier option.
Richie McCaw 'humbled' by best player award
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3107227/Richie-McCaw-humbled-by-best-player-award
By MARC HINTON in Marseille - Rugbyheaven
29/11/2009
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said he was "humbled" to be named the best rugby player on the planet for the second time in his career.
The 28-year-old New Zealand openside picked up the IRB's prestigious Player of the Year award straight after leading his side to a comprehensive 39-12 victory over France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille today.
He joined Ireland's Declan Kidney (coach of the year) and the Springboks (team of the year) in picking up the three major senior awards announced by the IRB on the final weekend of the official autumn season in the north.
McCaw also won the player of the year gong in 2006 and is now the first player ever to have picked it up a second time.
The prize was just reward for another fabulous year by the incomparable flanker who earned his 80th test cap against the French and marked the occasion with a highly influential display that later had the French flummoxed over why they'd been so outplayed at the breakdown.
But McCaw – one of the game's most respected figures and a genuinely decent bloke – took his latest accolade in the same sort of stride he's taken most of the plaudits through his remarkable career.
"It's a huge honour," he said. "If you think about all the great players around the world, to be singled out is pretty humbling.
"In a team sport it's hard to pick one guy out. You can't pick up awards like that if you haven't got a team that's pretty special. We've had a challenging year but everyone in the latter half of the year has stood up. I'm just proud to be a part of that.
"You've got to always remember that it's your mates alongside who probably deserve some credit as well. It's a pretty proud thing that I'll look back on having achieved. It's pretty cool."
Graham Henry called it a "special achievement" and said McCaw had been "outstanding" as he was just one of many All Blacks to lift their game to a high level in a defining test against the French.
McCaw's long-time team-mate Mils Muliaina said the latest accolade for a player fast approaching folklore status in New Zealand rugby was thoroughly deserved.
"There's no doubting how good a player Richie is," said Muliaina who is two ahead of his skipper in their tight race to become the most capped All Black of all time. "He's world-class, and it's probably between him and Dan for the best in the world. It's great for them to recognise Richie in that stature. The guys are just delighted because he's a great leader and a great rugby player."
One who was also set to be shouting a few for his mates in Marseille as a pretty important achievement is celebrated in time-honoured fashion.
"I hope so," said Muliaina. "His pockets are pretty deep so we'll see what happens."
Muliaina confirmed he would be keeping his historic white jersey – the first time the All Blacks have played in that in a test against France.
"I didn't want to give that away," he said. "Just with it being white and the milestone achievement tonight, it's going to be a pretty special one. It'll go up somewhere in the house if my wife will let me hang it up.
"It felt a bit different but any jersey with the All Blacks on it is special."
Meanwhile Muliaina revealed that All Black legend Jonah Lomu, now plying his trade with the Marseille-Vitrolles club, had played a key role in rousing him to put in one of his highest quality test performances.
"We had the big man come in on Thursday. That was awesome to see a guy like that talk to us about where he's at," said Muliaina. "We were really inspired about all the things he said.
"He spoke a lot about still wanting to be in the black jersey, and that his dream is still to be in the black jersey. Certainly for an older guy like me, that just inspires you to want to play your best.
"He lost that through sickness. You just never know what's around the corner, and that in itself is inspiring."
Whatever it was, it worked for the All Blacks. They were both inspired and inspiring as they finally unleashed the full package – another cast-iron defensive display allied with a quality attacking one. Jonah would have been proud.
By MARC HINTON in Marseille - Rugbyheaven
29/11/2009
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said he was "humbled" to be named the best rugby player on the planet for the second time in his career.
The 28-year-old New Zealand openside picked up the IRB's prestigious Player of the Year award straight after leading his side to a comprehensive 39-12 victory over France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille today.
He joined Ireland's Declan Kidney (coach of the year) and the Springboks (team of the year) in picking up the three major senior awards announced by the IRB on the final weekend of the official autumn season in the north.
McCaw also won the player of the year gong in 2006 and is now the first player ever to have picked it up a second time.
The prize was just reward for another fabulous year by the incomparable flanker who earned his 80th test cap against the French and marked the occasion with a highly influential display that later had the French flummoxed over why they'd been so outplayed at the breakdown.
But McCaw – one of the game's most respected figures and a genuinely decent bloke – took his latest accolade in the same sort of stride he's taken most of the plaudits through his remarkable career.
"It's a huge honour," he said. "If you think about all the great players around the world, to be singled out is pretty humbling.
"In a team sport it's hard to pick one guy out. You can't pick up awards like that if you haven't got a team that's pretty special. We've had a challenging year but everyone in the latter half of the year has stood up. I'm just proud to be a part of that.
"You've got to always remember that it's your mates alongside who probably deserve some credit as well. It's a pretty proud thing that I'll look back on having achieved. It's pretty cool."
Graham Henry called it a "special achievement" and said McCaw had been "outstanding" as he was just one of many All Blacks to lift their game to a high level in a defining test against the French.
McCaw's long-time team-mate Mils Muliaina said the latest accolade for a player fast approaching folklore status in New Zealand rugby was thoroughly deserved.
"There's no doubting how good a player Richie is," said Muliaina who is two ahead of his skipper in their tight race to become the most capped All Black of all time. "He's world-class, and it's probably between him and Dan for the best in the world. It's great for them to recognise Richie in that stature. The guys are just delighted because he's a great leader and a great rugby player."
One who was also set to be shouting a few for his mates in Marseille as a pretty important achievement is celebrated in time-honoured fashion.
"I hope so," said Muliaina. "His pockets are pretty deep so we'll see what happens."
Muliaina confirmed he would be keeping his historic white jersey – the first time the All Blacks have played in that in a test against France.
"I didn't want to give that away," he said. "Just with it being white and the milestone achievement tonight, it's going to be a pretty special one. It'll go up somewhere in the house if my wife will let me hang it up.
"It felt a bit different but any jersey with the All Blacks on it is special."
Meanwhile Muliaina revealed that All Black legend Jonah Lomu, now plying his trade with the Marseille-Vitrolles club, had played a key role in rousing him to put in one of his highest quality test performances.
"We had the big man come in on Thursday. That was awesome to see a guy like that talk to us about where he's at," said Muliaina. "We were really inspired about all the things he said.
"He spoke a lot about still wanting to be in the black jersey, and that his dream is still to be in the black jersey. Certainly for an older guy like me, that just inspires you to want to play your best.
"He lost that through sickness. You just never know what's around the corner, and that in itself is inspiring."
Whatever it was, it worked for the All Blacks. They were both inspired and inspiring as they finally unleashed the full package – another cast-iron defensive display allied with a quality attacking one. Jonah would have been proud.
McCaw wins IRB Player of the Year
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_5729947,00.html
29th November 2009
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw described himself as "extremely proud" after being named the International Rugby Board player of the year for 2009.
It is the second time the openside flanker has received the accolade following his success in 2006.
"It is a huge honour. I am extremely proud. I am just happy to be part of a team doing well," the 28-year-old said following New Zealand's 39-12 win against France in Marseille.
"I am happy to do my bit, but it is a great honour. I've said it before, you can't do it without a bunch of mates. It has been a trying year at times, but it is great to be part of a winning team."
All Blacks Head Coach Graham Henry was quick to offer his congratulations to his skipper.
"On behalf of the All Blacks players and management, we congratulate Richie on receiving this award.
"He is the leader of our team, shows a huge amount of character and commitment both on and off the field and is truly deserving of this honour."
McCaw fought off stiff competition from Ireland's Jamie Heaslip and Brian O'Driscoll, South Africa's Fourie du Preez and Frans Steyn, Australia's Matt Giteau and England's Tom Croft.
29th November 2009
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw described himself as "extremely proud" after being named the International Rugby Board player of the year for 2009.
It is the second time the openside flanker has received the accolade following his success in 2006.
"It is a huge honour. I am extremely proud. I am just happy to be part of a team doing well," the 28-year-old said following New Zealand's 39-12 win against France in Marseille.
"I am happy to do my bit, but it is a great honour. I've said it before, you can't do it without a bunch of mates. It has been a trying year at times, but it is great to be part of a winning team."
All Blacks Head Coach Graham Henry was quick to offer his congratulations to his skipper.
"On behalf of the All Blacks players and management, we congratulate Richie on receiving this award.
"He is the leader of our team, shows a huge amount of character and commitment both on and off the field and is truly deserving of this honour."
McCaw fought off stiff competition from Ireland's Jamie Heaslip and Brian O'Driscoll, South Africa's Fourie du Preez and Frans Steyn, Australia's Matt Giteau and England's Tom Croft.
McCaw notes laws back-track
http://allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsarticle=11749
Sportal.co.nz - (28/11/2009)
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has noted with interest the emerging attitudes in England, especially, that critics may have been too hasty in their criticism of the ELVs.
As the game has been hamstrung and turned into a kicking dominated contest, with confusion still reigning at the breakdown, the chairman of the Rugby Football Union, Martyn Thomas has asked the International Rugby Board to look at the tackled ball laws to simplify the breakdown and to help promote attacking rugby.
When the experiments were turned into full law only 10 were adopted, and missing was the sanctions choice which punished offences with a free-kick and not a penalty.
And the only full penalty infringements at the tackle area were: foul play, offside play and not entering through the notional gate.
Rugby.com reported McCaw's response to the England stance in Marseille as:
"They figured it out, huh?
"The fact they're saying that now, at least they're acknowledging that but I think we're locked in for the next couple of years, but I guess over the next two years some thought has to be put into what's going to help.
"The free-kick kept the game flowing and infringements didn't actually stop the game as it does now with penalties.
"Teams defend and there's still going to be a contest at the breakdown. I think teams are pretty good at that now. There's always going to be a fight."
McCaw acknowledged that the one-off nature of Tests in the Northern Hemisphere autumn meant there was less chance of flowing rugby because teams tended to be more conservative.
Sportal.co.nz - (28/11/2009)
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has noted with interest the emerging attitudes in England, especially, that critics may have been too hasty in their criticism of the ELVs.
As the game has been hamstrung and turned into a kicking dominated contest, with confusion still reigning at the breakdown, the chairman of the Rugby Football Union, Martyn Thomas has asked the International Rugby Board to look at the tackled ball laws to simplify the breakdown and to help promote attacking rugby.
When the experiments were turned into full law only 10 were adopted, and missing was the sanctions choice which punished offences with a free-kick and not a penalty.
And the only full penalty infringements at the tackle area were: foul play, offside play and not entering through the notional gate.
Rugby.com reported McCaw's response to the England stance in Marseille as:
"They figured it out, huh?
"The fact they're saying that now, at least they're acknowledging that but I think we're locked in for the next couple of years, but I guess over the next two years some thought has to be put into what's going to help.
"The free-kick kept the game flowing and infringements didn't actually stop the game as it does now with penalties.
"Teams defend and there's still going to be a contest at the breakdown. I think teams are pretty good at that now. There's always going to be a fight."
McCaw acknowledged that the one-off nature of Tests in the Northern Hemisphere autumn meant there was less chance of flowing rugby because teams tended to be more conservative.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
France vs. New Zealand, Marseille
New Zealand :
Muliaina ; Jane, Smith, Nonu, Sivivatu ; Carter (o), Cowan (m) ; Kaino, Read, McCaw (cap) ; Donnelly, Thorn ; Tialata, Hore, WoodcockReserve : Flynn, Franks, Boric, Latimer, Ellis, Donald, McAlister
France :
15 Traille - 14 Médard, 13 Marty, 12 Jauzion, 11 Clerc - 10 Trinh Duc, 9 Dupuy - 7 Ouedraogo, 8 Bonnaire, 6 Dusautoir (cap.) - 5 Millo-Chlusky, 4 Nallet - 3 Marconnet, 2 Servat, 1 Barcella.
Reserve : 16 Szarzewski, 17 Mas, 18 Chabal, 19 Puricelli, 20 Parra, 21 David, 22 Heymans. 23e : Domingo.
Reserve : 16 Szarzewski, 17 Mas, 18 Chabal, 19 Puricelli, 20 Parra, 21 David, 22 Heymans. 23e : Domingo.
Richie McCaw ready for physicality with French
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3100417/Richie-McCaw-ready-to-get-physical-with-the-French
By MARC HINTON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
26/11/2009
Richie McCaw has taken such a battering this year that you almost feel sorry for the All Blacks captain heading into a test this Saturday night that has the potential to be as brutal as anything we've seen in 2009.
Maybe even more so. The French have that fire in their eyes. That hunger in their bellies. That belief in their heart. They sense another All Black scalp could be there for the taking. And they’re on their favourite ground, too.
And guess who's going to be right in the firing line at Stade Velodrome from kickoff (8.45am Sunday, NZ time)? Old Captain Fantastic, of course. He knows no other way.
But before you go getting the hanky out and get all teary-eyed over the plight of the awesome Cantab, who will win his 80th test cap this weekend, he reminds you that he's no choir boy himself. That in this business you live by the motto: hit hard, or be hit hard.
"Everyone realises this is a big test," says McCaw. "What happened this year in June puts a bit of an edge to it, and I guess going into the summer break you want to finish off well.
"Last week was pretty physical as well and I think the guys realise that it could even be a step up from that. The fellas who played in June certainly found it physical. But we're pretty used to that this year. Test matches these days are all pretty brutal, and this will be another one."
McCaw is asked the best way to combat that. His answer reveals there is only one way.
"You've got to give it straight back," he says. "You’ve got to meet them with the same sort of physicality… then you've got to play some rugby as well. If you can get on top in that area, and play, you can put them under pressure. It takes away the edge that they have if you do that."
Simple then.
But how on earth is McCaw going to manage his part? The leading role.
He looks ready for a holiday. A long one that doesn’t involve tightly coiled, heavily muscled, manically-minded rugby forwards launching themselves at him with lethal intent.
The All Blacks skipper has had a long, hard season, and he has taken a battering. It’s the price you pay these days for being the best openside flanker in the business.
He looks almost worn out. Almost. He says he, and all his team-mates, know that summer is just around the corner. But they’ve still got to take that curve in the road.
"Everyone’s aware of the challenge. And it’s not as if we’re going home Sunday. We’ve got another week, so it might be that week that’s the hard one. I think the guys all realise it’s a big match and we’re excited about playing it."
The key, says McCaw, will be winning the battle of the gain-line.
"If you do that it makes it a lot easier and harder for the other team to get physical. That was the big area they got on top of us in Dunedin."
But remember this: McCaw wasn’t there in Dunedin. He will be this weekend and for that fact alone the French are going to have a harder time knocking the stuffing out of All Blacks like they did back in June.
For the record McCaw is happy to cover Nos 6 and 8 this week, with the All Blacks electing to have specialist openside Tanerau Latimer on the bench.
But, no, he's not eyeing a permanent move to the back of the scrum any time soon.
"In situations like this I’m quite happy to cover there, and it’s another string to the bow to be able to do that. It gives the selectors an opportunity to use different people.
"But it probably means I’m doing something wrong if someone else has got my spot at 7. I always play my best if I’m playing at 7."
And right now there's no one that quite plays No 7 like that man McCaw. Tired or fresh. Jaded or revived. He knows that all goes out the window on Saturday night when it becomes, once more, survival of the fittest.
"We’ve got some sore bodies, and that's why we needed to make sure we recovered well. But from here on we realise we’re in for a big test match, and it’s one everyone is looking forward to."
By MARC HINTON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
26/11/2009
Richie McCaw has taken such a battering this year that you almost feel sorry for the All Blacks captain heading into a test this Saturday night that has the potential to be as brutal as anything we've seen in 2009.
Maybe even more so. The French have that fire in their eyes. That hunger in their bellies. That belief in their heart. They sense another All Black scalp could be there for the taking. And they’re on their favourite ground, too.
And guess who's going to be right in the firing line at Stade Velodrome from kickoff (8.45am Sunday, NZ time)? Old Captain Fantastic, of course. He knows no other way.
But before you go getting the hanky out and get all teary-eyed over the plight of the awesome Cantab, who will win his 80th test cap this weekend, he reminds you that he's no choir boy himself. That in this business you live by the motto: hit hard, or be hit hard.
"Everyone realises this is a big test," says McCaw. "What happened this year in June puts a bit of an edge to it, and I guess going into the summer break you want to finish off well.
"Last week was pretty physical as well and I think the guys realise that it could even be a step up from that. The fellas who played in June certainly found it physical. But we're pretty used to that this year. Test matches these days are all pretty brutal, and this will be another one."
McCaw is asked the best way to combat that. His answer reveals there is only one way.
"You've got to give it straight back," he says. "You’ve got to meet them with the same sort of physicality… then you've got to play some rugby as well. If you can get on top in that area, and play, you can put them under pressure. It takes away the edge that they have if you do that."
Simple then.
But how on earth is McCaw going to manage his part? The leading role.
He looks ready for a holiday. A long one that doesn’t involve tightly coiled, heavily muscled, manically-minded rugby forwards launching themselves at him with lethal intent.
The All Blacks skipper has had a long, hard season, and he has taken a battering. It’s the price you pay these days for being the best openside flanker in the business.
He looks almost worn out. Almost. He says he, and all his team-mates, know that summer is just around the corner. But they’ve still got to take that curve in the road.
"Everyone’s aware of the challenge. And it’s not as if we’re going home Sunday. We’ve got another week, so it might be that week that’s the hard one. I think the guys all realise it’s a big match and we’re excited about playing it."
The key, says McCaw, will be winning the battle of the gain-line.
"If you do that it makes it a lot easier and harder for the other team to get physical. That was the big area they got on top of us in Dunedin."
But remember this: McCaw wasn’t there in Dunedin. He will be this weekend and for that fact alone the French are going to have a harder time knocking the stuffing out of All Blacks like they did back in June.
For the record McCaw is happy to cover Nos 6 and 8 this week, with the All Blacks electing to have specialist openside Tanerau Latimer on the bench.
But, no, he's not eyeing a permanent move to the back of the scrum any time soon.
"In situations like this I’m quite happy to cover there, and it’s another string to the bow to be able to do that. It gives the selectors an opportunity to use different people.
"But it probably means I’m doing something wrong if someone else has got my spot at 7. I always play my best if I’m playing at 7."
And right now there's no one that quite plays No 7 like that man McCaw. Tired or fresh. Jaded or revived. He knows that all goes out the window on Saturday night when it becomes, once more, survival of the fittest.
"We’ve got some sore bodies, and that's why we needed to make sure we recovered well. But from here on we realise we’re in for a big test match, and it’s one everyone is looking forward to."
Doubts over whether ABs have enough in reserve
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3101506/Doubts-over-whether-ABs-have-enough-in-reserve
By TOBY ROBSON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
27/11/2009
Call it keeping fresh, call it rotation, call it what you like – the All Blacks have taken a calculated risk in selecting an unorthodox reserves bench to play France.
On this tour Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald and Tanerau Latimer each have just one test, against Italy, in the bank as they head into the biggest match of the year.
In the cases of McAlister and Donald, they do not, as reserves, provide adequate cover for the outside backs.
Second-five Ma'a Nonu will cover the wing in a throwback to Hurricanes seasons of the past.
The plan may prove a masterstroke.
Donald is proven as an impact man late in tests, and his desperate chase was the key play in the win over Australia in Sydney earlier this year.
McAlister is also capable of changing a game with his skill and power. Neither will let their team down.
However, there is a case for more orthodox selections and many will argue that wing Zac Guildford, who is in a rich vein of form, may have made more sense as a reserve.
Attack coach Steve Hansen was relaxed about the mix, but one wonders how the test might pan out if Nonu is forced to the flanks early on.
Nonu last appeared on the wing for the All Blacks against England as a replacement for Sitiveni Sivivatu in June 2007.
Latimer's reappearance ahead of Adam Thomson as a specialist openside to Richie McCaw is another interesting call.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry's argument for Latimer is sound.
"Every time he's played for the All Blacks, he's played very well. He had an outstanding game against Italy and it's a pat on the back for what he's done, quite frankly," he said.
"Richie has the ability to play eight, or six and Tanerau didn't play last week and we are trying to keep it as fresh as possible."
But again, there is a risk that if Latimer is suddenly thrust into the No7 role with only the Italian test behind him, he may struggle to get up to speed.
Interestingly, McCaw was touted by Henry as a legitimate test option at No8.
The skipper is not enamoured by the idea, understandably protective of his spot at openside, but it is a switch that has a great deal of appeal.
He spent a few minutes there against Wales and if there is an injury early against France, he may spend more in Marseille.
By TOBY ROBSON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
27/11/2009
Call it keeping fresh, call it rotation, call it what you like – the All Blacks have taken a calculated risk in selecting an unorthodox reserves bench to play France.
On this tour Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald and Tanerau Latimer each have just one test, against Italy, in the bank as they head into the biggest match of the year.
In the cases of McAlister and Donald, they do not, as reserves, provide adequate cover for the outside backs.
Second-five Ma'a Nonu will cover the wing in a throwback to Hurricanes seasons of the past.
The plan may prove a masterstroke.
Donald is proven as an impact man late in tests, and his desperate chase was the key play in the win over Australia in Sydney earlier this year.
McAlister is also capable of changing a game with his skill and power. Neither will let their team down.
However, there is a case for more orthodox selections and many will argue that wing Zac Guildford, who is in a rich vein of form, may have made more sense as a reserve.
Attack coach Steve Hansen was relaxed about the mix, but one wonders how the test might pan out if Nonu is forced to the flanks early on.
Nonu last appeared on the wing for the All Blacks against England as a replacement for Sitiveni Sivivatu in June 2007.
Latimer's reappearance ahead of Adam Thomson as a specialist openside to Richie McCaw is another interesting call.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry's argument for Latimer is sound.
"Every time he's played for the All Blacks, he's played very well. He had an outstanding game against Italy and it's a pat on the back for what he's done, quite frankly," he said.
"Richie has the ability to play eight, or six and Tanerau didn't play last week and we are trying to keep it as fresh as possible."
But again, there is a risk that if Latimer is suddenly thrust into the No7 role with only the Italian test behind him, he may struggle to get up to speed.
Interestingly, McCaw was touted by Henry as a legitimate test option at No8.
The skipper is not enamoured by the idea, understandably protective of his spot at openside, but it is a switch that has a great deal of appeal.
He spent a few minutes there against Wales and if there is an injury early against France, he may spend more in Marseille.
All Blacks force to go white*
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3101324/All-Blacks-forced-to-go-white
By MARK GEENTY - NZPA
26/11/2009
Will it be all white on the night, or will the cunning French give the All Blacks some real rugby blues?
The tourists will wear white jerseys for a rare occasion in an offshore test on Sunday (NZT), due to the International Rugby Board's (IRB) edict that the away team change their strip if there is deemed to be a clash.
With France having darkened their blue jerseys in recent years, the All Blacks were obliged to switch to white, their new alternative strip revealed earlier this year.
But word reached the tourists in Marseille this week that France's jersey for this test was not as dark as that worn in that fateful 2007 World Cup quarterfinal, when the All Blacks faded to grey.
If they had indeed quietly switched back to a lighter shade, closer to the traditional French strip, then why the need to wear white?
It had All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith checking whether they could potentially return to black, but baggage man Errol Collins, who outfits the squad, said the white match jerseys had already been received and there was no going back.
Had France already scored some vital pre-test psychological points?
Coach Graham Henry was not about to stir on the subject today, saying a potential jersey hoo-ha had not bothered him unduly.
"The All Blacks obviously like to play in black, they would prefer to play in black. They are playing in white, and they accept that and get on with it," he said.
Team sponsor adidas unveiled the team's new black and white jerseys earlier this year.
The grey jersey, which the All Blacks wore in the World Cup quarterfinal after losing a coin toss, had apparently proved difficult to sell and white was seen as a better commercial option.
As New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said recently: "The silver one suffered from the game it was worn in. It has been retired. We have traditionally worn white and it is appropriate for us to wear it."
By MARK GEENTY - NZPA
26/11/2009
Will it be all white on the night, or will the cunning French give the All Blacks some real rugby blues?
The tourists will wear white jerseys for a rare occasion in an offshore test on Sunday (NZT), due to the International Rugby Board's (IRB) edict that the away team change their strip if there is deemed to be a clash.
With France having darkened their blue jerseys in recent years, the All Blacks were obliged to switch to white, their new alternative strip revealed earlier this year.
But word reached the tourists in Marseille this week that France's jersey for this test was not as dark as that worn in that fateful 2007 World Cup quarterfinal, when the All Blacks faded to grey.
If they had indeed quietly switched back to a lighter shade, closer to the traditional French strip, then why the need to wear white?
It had All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith checking whether they could potentially return to black, but baggage man Errol Collins, who outfits the squad, said the white match jerseys had already been received and there was no going back.
Had France already scored some vital pre-test psychological points?
Coach Graham Henry was not about to stir on the subject today, saying a potential jersey hoo-ha had not bothered him unduly.
"The All Blacks obviously like to play in black, they would prefer to play in black. They are playing in white, and they accept that and get on with it," he said.
Team sponsor adidas unveiled the team's new black and white jerseys earlier this year.
The grey jersey, which the All Blacks wore in the World Cup quarterfinal after losing a coin toss, had apparently proved difficult to sell and white was seen as a better commercial option.
As New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said recently: "The silver one suffered from the game it was worn in. It has been retired. We have traditionally worn white and it is appropriate for us to wear it."
*see the good thing : the All Whites won last week, it can be a sign... or not!
Emotion the key as All Blacks approach the final obstacle
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3101507/Emotion-the-key-as-All-Blacks-approach-the-final-obstacle
By TOBY ROBSON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
27/11/2009
High emotion is starting to seep into the buildup to Sunday's test between the All Blacks and France.
How it is managed will go a long way to deciding the result.
It is not deliberate, but the mood of what is shaping as an epic match has taken on a palpable feel three days out from the clash.
The theme this week has been on freshening up, ironing out the bumps and resting the weary legs four weeks into the tour.
Yesterday, a group of players escaped to Avignon to do some sightseeing, others went shopping, or moped about the hotel.
But by day's end there were subtle, but tell-tale signs that the switch is about to be flicked.
Brows furrowed, eyes narrowed. Mannerisms became agitated.
The challenge for All Blacks coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith is to get their timing right.
Earlier in the season the side found it was too pumped early in the week and hit the down slope on match day.
The pedal was eased off at the back end of the Tri-Nations and it seems to have worked.
This week's not so easy. The players arrived weary from three weeks' travel and a physical battle with England.
Bodies are sore. Minds are wandering to family and friends back home. It is for most the home stretch. But just as the senses are lagging, the All Blacks must lift a gear for one last mighty effort.
It is a balancing act. Push too hard and the legs will be gone with 20 minutes of the test season to go. Don't push hard enough and the French will blast you off the park with their passion before halftime.
"There's no silver bullet for this situation," Henry said. "You play five tests in five weeks and travel around the world in doing it and back and forth to the UK it's a major and the boys are feeling the effects of that right now."
But Henry also knows it won't wash with the New Zealand public.
"If we don't win we've had an average year. If we do win it's been OK. OK is better than average," he deadpanned.
The old master is under no illusions how important this match is and yesterday he may have given a glimpse into his pre-test speech.
"To go through Europe and have that test record unbeaten would be a marvellous achievement," he said noting that South Africa and Australia have failed to match the All Blacks' record in the north for several years.
"We are proud of what we've done on this tour," Henry continued. "The whole side would like to hang in and do the business and add some icing this week.
"Maybe that won't happen, but I'm proud of what the guys are trying to achieve, their togetherness, their tenacity and their determination to play well for the All Blacks and their legacy."
It was emotive stuff, perhaps a dress rehearsal of sorts.
The message is clear. The All Blacks have their backs to the wall.
They are tired, sore and homesick and in hostile territory. Now they must stand as one and fulfil the legacy of the jersey on their backs.
Two years ago the All Blacks bowed out of the Rugby World Cup, to France.
One of the astounding comments after that tournament was that the coaches did not push the emotional button before that match. Henry is too smart to make the same mistake twice. His decision this time around is not if, but when he decides to tug on his players' heartstrings.
By TOBY ROBSON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
27/11/2009
High emotion is starting to seep into the buildup to Sunday's test between the All Blacks and France.
How it is managed will go a long way to deciding the result.
It is not deliberate, but the mood of what is shaping as an epic match has taken on a palpable feel three days out from the clash.
The theme this week has been on freshening up, ironing out the bumps and resting the weary legs four weeks into the tour.
Yesterday, a group of players escaped to Avignon to do some sightseeing, others went shopping, or moped about the hotel.
But by day's end there were subtle, but tell-tale signs that the switch is about to be flicked.
Brows furrowed, eyes narrowed. Mannerisms became agitated.
The challenge for All Blacks coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith is to get their timing right.
Earlier in the season the side found it was too pumped early in the week and hit the down slope on match day.
The pedal was eased off at the back end of the Tri-Nations and it seems to have worked.
This week's not so easy. The players arrived weary from three weeks' travel and a physical battle with England.
Bodies are sore. Minds are wandering to family and friends back home. It is for most the home stretch. But just as the senses are lagging, the All Blacks must lift a gear for one last mighty effort.
It is a balancing act. Push too hard and the legs will be gone with 20 minutes of the test season to go. Don't push hard enough and the French will blast you off the park with their passion before halftime.
"There's no silver bullet for this situation," Henry said. "You play five tests in five weeks and travel around the world in doing it and back and forth to the UK it's a major and the boys are feeling the effects of that right now."
But Henry also knows it won't wash with the New Zealand public.
"If we don't win we've had an average year. If we do win it's been OK. OK is better than average," he deadpanned.
The old master is under no illusions how important this match is and yesterday he may have given a glimpse into his pre-test speech.
"To go through Europe and have that test record unbeaten would be a marvellous achievement," he said noting that South Africa and Australia have failed to match the All Blacks' record in the north for several years.
"We are proud of what we've done on this tour," Henry continued. "The whole side would like to hang in and do the business and add some icing this week.
"Maybe that won't happen, but I'm proud of what the guys are trying to achieve, their togetherness, their tenacity and their determination to play well for the All Blacks and their legacy."
It was emotive stuff, perhaps a dress rehearsal of sorts.
The message is clear. The All Blacks have their backs to the wall.
They are tired, sore and homesick and in hostile territory. Now they must stand as one and fulfil the legacy of the jersey on their backs.
Two years ago the All Blacks bowed out of the Rugby World Cup, to France.
One of the astounding comments after that tournament was that the coaches did not push the emotional button before that match. Henry is too smart to make the same mistake twice. His decision this time around is not if, but when he decides to tug on his players' heartstrings.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
All Blacks beat England in dour test
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3085576/All-Blacks-beat-England-in-dour-test
By MARC HINTON in London - Stuff.co.nz
22/11/2009
The All Blacks rumble on and poor old England stumble on, though at least Martin Johnson's men were able to make a lot more of a game of it at Twickenham today than their critics were predicting.
In the end the All Blacks, still playing as though they've left their handbrake on, were comfortable 19-6 winners as they kept alive a couple of remarkable records in these autumn internationals.
They still haven't lost in one of these November test matches since Graham Henry took charge in 2004, and they kept their line intact for another international in a run which stretches back to 2006. Defensively, these All Blacks are right on top of their game.
The same can't quite be said of the black attack, which once again managed just one try in 80 minutes of rugby, and despite a succession of promising raids, the final pass or the key break just couldn't be made. Once again you were left with a suspicion that despite their success, these New Zealanders still have a long way to go on the improvement chart.
Still, this is test rugby. And as the All Blacks told us in the buildup, it's about winning first and foremost. By doing so with a degree of comfort today the New Zealanders not only retained the Hillary Shield but left English rugby with another week of naval-gazing.
You suspect it won't be as bad, or as mad, as it was post last week's 16-9 win over Argentina, for the English contributed plenty to a pretty competitive test match. But they really were a distant second in this contest and their limitations on attack were once again severely exposed.
Apart from one break from a messy scrum in the second half by Tom Croft, the English never really looked like scoring.
Still, at least they weren't booed by their own fans this week. And that might be the only consolation Johnson and his men take from a match that was mostly about respect for them, rather than any real chance of winning.
On a milestone occasion, with Mils Muliaina becoming the second most capped All Black of all time and Dan Carter passing Andrew Mehrtens as the greatest points-scorer in All Black history, the New Zealanders had it all to play for.
Muliaina responded with a splendid match too, with the fullback joining his skipper Richie McCaw as the outstanding figure on the park. The All Black No 15 was a constant attacking threat, and looked back to his best. Zac Guildford also had another promising test over on the right wing, where he very much won his individual battle with Ugo Monye.
Up front the All Black scrum had a wobble or two, the lineout functioned smoothly again and Kieran Red weighed in with another strong test at No 8.
Still, if you had read the British press in the buildup to this fourth test of the All Blacks' tour, the New Zealanders had only to arrive at Twickenham to maintain their perfect record on this trip.
The English, their critics reckoned, were so out of sorts, bereft of either the nous or the skills to break down the All Blacks, that it was thought it wouldn't be so much a game as a shame.
A week earlier the English had been booed off Twickenham at halftime by their own fans when the scores were locked at 9-9 against Argentina, but seven days later they got a much more wholesome reception as they jogged off locked at 6-6 and very much in this encounter with an All Blacks side still searching for its attacking A game.
England lost Joe Worsley in just the third minute with an ankle injury, but the early disruption didn't appear to affect Johnson's men to any great degree as they managed to stifle the All Blacks attacking game through the opening quarter.
After Carter missed a handy early penalty attempt – the Kiwi sharpshooter had a pretty average first half with the boot by his high standards – Jonny Wilkinson made no mistake with his opening penalty a little after a quarter of an hour of action.
And that's how the scoring played out for the half. Carter drew the All Blacks level, Wilkinson nudged England back in front again and Carter evened the ledger again, though he also missed a pretty kickable effort late in the half that should have given his team a halftime lead.
The All Blacks looked far the more likely on attack throughout the opening half, but found the final pass or the final tackle behind them as they failed to cash in on a half-dozen or so useful forays. Muliana went the closest when he was just bundled into touch by Monye's cover tackle midway through the spell.
The English were forced to make nearly twice as many tackles in the half, but to their credit they nailed all the ones that counted as they went into the sheds knowing they were very much in this game.
And so it continued in the second spell. The All Blacks constantly threatening, the English disrupting, clinging on. Something had to give.The decisive score of the second half came, inevitably, to the All Blacks shortly after the quarter-hour mark when, finally, the finishing touches were applied.
The forwards had rumbled it up beautifully, going three, four phases and when ball went left Sitiveni Sivivatu popped a great pass between two defenders, McCaw played hot potato and halfback Jimmy Cowan was over. Carter's sideline conversion, following his early penalty, put the New Zealanders out to 16-6.
There was time for Carter to add one more penalty on a mixed afternoon for the superboot, and for that cast-iron All Black defence to repel one or two more raids from the home side.
And that was that. The All Blacks continue to cut, if not a swathe, certainly a pretty comfortable path through the north once again. France now awaits, and what shapes as a true battle of the hemispheres. It will not be this comfortable in Marseille.
England 6 (Jonny Wilkinson 2 pens), New Zealand 19 (Jimmy Cowan try; Dan Carter 4 pens, con). Ht: 6-6.
By MARC HINTON in London - Stuff.co.nz
22/11/2009
The All Blacks rumble on and poor old England stumble on, though at least Martin Johnson's men were able to make a lot more of a game of it at Twickenham today than their critics were predicting.
In the end the All Blacks, still playing as though they've left their handbrake on, were comfortable 19-6 winners as they kept alive a couple of remarkable records in these autumn internationals.
They still haven't lost in one of these November test matches since Graham Henry took charge in 2004, and they kept their line intact for another international in a run which stretches back to 2006. Defensively, these All Blacks are right on top of their game.
The same can't quite be said of the black attack, which once again managed just one try in 80 minutes of rugby, and despite a succession of promising raids, the final pass or the key break just couldn't be made. Once again you were left with a suspicion that despite their success, these New Zealanders still have a long way to go on the improvement chart.
Still, this is test rugby. And as the All Blacks told us in the buildup, it's about winning first and foremost. By doing so with a degree of comfort today the New Zealanders not only retained the Hillary Shield but left English rugby with another week of naval-gazing.
You suspect it won't be as bad, or as mad, as it was post last week's 16-9 win over Argentina, for the English contributed plenty to a pretty competitive test match. But they really were a distant second in this contest and their limitations on attack were once again severely exposed.
Apart from one break from a messy scrum in the second half by Tom Croft, the English never really looked like scoring.
Still, at least they weren't booed by their own fans this week. And that might be the only consolation Johnson and his men take from a match that was mostly about respect for them, rather than any real chance of winning.
On a milestone occasion, with Mils Muliaina becoming the second most capped All Black of all time and Dan Carter passing Andrew Mehrtens as the greatest points-scorer in All Black history, the New Zealanders had it all to play for.
Muliaina responded with a splendid match too, with the fullback joining his skipper Richie McCaw as the outstanding figure on the park. The All Black No 15 was a constant attacking threat, and looked back to his best. Zac Guildford also had another promising test over on the right wing, where he very much won his individual battle with Ugo Monye.
Up front the All Black scrum had a wobble or two, the lineout functioned smoothly again and Kieran Red weighed in with another strong test at No 8.
Still, if you had read the British press in the buildup to this fourth test of the All Blacks' tour, the New Zealanders had only to arrive at Twickenham to maintain their perfect record on this trip.
The English, their critics reckoned, were so out of sorts, bereft of either the nous or the skills to break down the All Blacks, that it was thought it wouldn't be so much a game as a shame.
A week earlier the English had been booed off Twickenham at halftime by their own fans when the scores were locked at 9-9 against Argentina, but seven days later they got a much more wholesome reception as they jogged off locked at 6-6 and very much in this encounter with an All Blacks side still searching for its attacking A game.
England lost Joe Worsley in just the third minute with an ankle injury, but the early disruption didn't appear to affect Johnson's men to any great degree as they managed to stifle the All Blacks attacking game through the opening quarter.
After Carter missed a handy early penalty attempt – the Kiwi sharpshooter had a pretty average first half with the boot by his high standards – Jonny Wilkinson made no mistake with his opening penalty a little after a quarter of an hour of action.
And that's how the scoring played out for the half. Carter drew the All Blacks level, Wilkinson nudged England back in front again and Carter evened the ledger again, though he also missed a pretty kickable effort late in the half that should have given his team a halftime lead.
The All Blacks looked far the more likely on attack throughout the opening half, but found the final pass or the final tackle behind them as they failed to cash in on a half-dozen or so useful forays. Muliana went the closest when he was just bundled into touch by Monye's cover tackle midway through the spell.
The English were forced to make nearly twice as many tackles in the half, but to their credit they nailed all the ones that counted as they went into the sheds knowing they were very much in this game.
And so it continued in the second spell. The All Blacks constantly threatening, the English disrupting, clinging on. Something had to give.The decisive score of the second half came, inevitably, to the All Blacks shortly after the quarter-hour mark when, finally, the finishing touches were applied.
The forwards had rumbled it up beautifully, going three, four phases and when ball went left Sitiveni Sivivatu popped a great pass between two defenders, McCaw played hot potato and halfback Jimmy Cowan was over. Carter's sideline conversion, following his early penalty, put the New Zealanders out to 16-6.
There was time for Carter to add one more penalty on a mixed afternoon for the superboot, and for that cast-iron All Black defence to repel one or two more raids from the home side.
And that was that. The All Blacks continue to cut, if not a swathe, certainly a pretty comfortable path through the north once again. France now awaits, and what shapes as a true battle of the hemispheres. It will not be this comfortable in Marseille.
England 6 (Jonny Wilkinson 2 pens), New Zealand 19 (Jimmy Cowan try; Dan Carter 4 pens, con). Ht: 6-6.
McCaw to skip three Super14 matches
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/3084288/McCaw-to-skip-three-Super-14-matches
By RICHARD KNOWLER - The Press
21/11/2009
Richie McCaw will sit out the first three rounds of the Crusaders' 2010 campaign as part of a deal brokered with the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Although the prospect of their side being without the captain and openside flanker will dismay Crusaders fans – and the franchise's marketing team – the good news is that the All Blacks skipper has declined to activate the "sabbatical" clause in his NZRU contract, meaning he will not take up a deal similar to the one that resulted in Dan Carter being unavailable for this season's Super 14 because he was playing for French club Perpignan.
Despite the All Blacks coaches stating the reconditioning programme that resulted in the five New Zealand franchises being forced to rest their most prominent internationals in 2007 will not return, several All Blacks have contracts that allow them to skip the opening rounds of next year's Super 14.
McCaw will be absent from the first match against the Highlanders at AMI Stadium on February 13, followed by the encounters against the Queensland Reds (Brisbane) and Sharks (Christchurch). He returns for the fourth-round fixture against the Blues in Christchurch on March 6.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder took a positive view to having his captain sidelined and noted the team was forced to play for almost half of this season without him because of injury. A knee problem ruled him out of five matches and two separate concussions also forced him to skip matches.
"The positive in all this is that he is not choosing to take a sabbatical and it is good he can take a breather. He wants to play and has not exercised the clause in his contract," Blackadder said. "He's been bashed up a bit this year and it's really about keeping him fresh."
A similar deal has been cut with fullback Mils Muliaina, who will be put on ice for the Chiefs' opening three matches. Lock Ali Williams was also expected to skip some of the Blues' matches but the Achilles tendon injury that ruined his international season means that plan has been scratched.
Blackadder will have no shortage of cover for McCaw, with All Black George Whitelock and Jonathan Poff both specialist opensiders and Kieran Read also capable in the No7 role.
McCaw, who is 29 on New Year's Eve and is contracted to the NZRU until the 2011 World Cup, has not only been hampered by injury in the Super 14; he also missed the three domestic tests against France and Italy because of the knee injury he suffered in the Super 14 semifinal against the Bulls in Pretoria.
"The good thing about this is that he will get a really good break; it gives him an extra three to four weeks to freshen up," Blackadder said.
Although some All Blacks will join the Crusaders in pre-season training on January 7, McCaw is unlikely to be sighted so early.
The remaining All Blacks on the northern hemisphere tour will miss the opening pre-season match against the Reds in Brisbane on January 29 because their contracts state they cannot play until after February 1.
They will be available for the other fixture against the Blues in Motueka on February 4.
By RICHARD KNOWLER - The Press
21/11/2009
Richie McCaw will sit out the first three rounds of the Crusaders' 2010 campaign as part of a deal brokered with the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Although the prospect of their side being without the captain and openside flanker will dismay Crusaders fans – and the franchise's marketing team – the good news is that the All Blacks skipper has declined to activate the "sabbatical" clause in his NZRU contract, meaning he will not take up a deal similar to the one that resulted in Dan Carter being unavailable for this season's Super 14 because he was playing for French club Perpignan.
Despite the All Blacks coaches stating the reconditioning programme that resulted in the five New Zealand franchises being forced to rest their most prominent internationals in 2007 will not return, several All Blacks have contracts that allow them to skip the opening rounds of next year's Super 14.
McCaw will be absent from the first match against the Highlanders at AMI Stadium on February 13, followed by the encounters against the Queensland Reds (Brisbane) and Sharks (Christchurch). He returns for the fourth-round fixture against the Blues in Christchurch on March 6.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder took a positive view to having his captain sidelined and noted the team was forced to play for almost half of this season without him because of injury. A knee problem ruled him out of five matches and two separate concussions also forced him to skip matches.
"The positive in all this is that he is not choosing to take a sabbatical and it is good he can take a breather. He wants to play and has not exercised the clause in his contract," Blackadder said. "He's been bashed up a bit this year and it's really about keeping him fresh."
A similar deal has been cut with fullback Mils Muliaina, who will be put on ice for the Chiefs' opening three matches. Lock Ali Williams was also expected to skip some of the Blues' matches but the Achilles tendon injury that ruined his international season means that plan has been scratched.
Blackadder will have no shortage of cover for McCaw, with All Black George Whitelock and Jonathan Poff both specialist opensiders and Kieran Read also capable in the No7 role.
McCaw, who is 29 on New Year's Eve and is contracted to the NZRU until the 2011 World Cup, has not only been hampered by injury in the Super 14; he also missed the three domestic tests against France and Italy because of the knee injury he suffered in the Super 14 semifinal against the Bulls in Pretoria.
"The good thing about this is that he will get a really good break; it gives him an extra three to four weeks to freshen up," Blackadder said.
Although some All Blacks will join the Crusaders in pre-season training on January 7, McCaw is unlikely to be sighted so early.
The remaining All Blacks on the northern hemisphere tour will miss the opening pre-season match against the Reds in Brisbane on January 29 because their contracts state they cannot play until after February 1.
They will be available for the other fixture against the Blues in Motueka on February 4.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Teams for this weekend
All Blacks name team to face England
http://www.allblacks.com/news/11667/All-Blacks-name-team-to-face-England
allblacks.com - (19/11/2009)
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have today named the team to play England at Twickenham on Sunday morning (NZT).
1. Tony Woodcock (59 Tests) 2. Andrew Hore (45) 3. Owen Franks (7) 4. Brad Thorn (35) 5. Tom Donnelly (4) 6. Adam Thomson (14) 7. Richie McCaw (78, captain) 8. Kieran Read (14)
9. Jimmy Cowan (31) 10. Dan Carter (64)
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu (41) 12. Ma’a Nonu (44) 13. Conrad Smith (31) 14. Zac Guildford (1) 15. Mils Muliaina (80)
Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn (6) / Aled de Malmanche (2)17. John Afoa (22)18. Anthony Boric (11)19. Jerome Kaino (23)
20. Andy Ellis (12)21. Stephen Donald (28)22. Tamati Ellison (1)
2009 All Blacks debutant, tighthead prop Owen Franks, gets his eighth start of the year alongside experienced hooker Andrew Hore and openside prop Tony Woodcock, who will be playing his 60th Test.
Another 2009 All Blacks debutant, lock Tom Donnelly, has been named alongside Brad Thorn in the second row, while Kieran Read and Adam Thomson both get their 15th Test starts, picked at number eight and blindside flanker respectively, alongside captain Richie McCaw, who will be playing in his 79th Test and 42nd as captain.
The key feature in the backline is the selection on the right wing of 20-year-old Zac Guildford, who made his Test debut against Wales two weeks ago.
Regular starter Sitiveni Sivivatu is on the left wing and Mils Muliaina at fullback. Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu are in the midfield; Dan Carter is at first five-eighth and Jimmy Cowan at halfback.
Several players also mark milestones this weekend: Muliaina played his 80th Test coming off the bench in last week’s Test against Italy, and with his 81st Test (and ninth against England) this weekend will become the second most capped All Black of all time alongside former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall (1995 – 2005).
Meanwhile Carter will play his 65th Test and Nonu his 45th.On the bench, Corey Flynn, who is suffering a hamstring strain has been bracketed with Aled de Malmanche, who flew in from holiday this morning to join the All Blacks squad as cover, with John Afoa the reserve prop.
Anthony Boric and Jerome Kaino cover the rest of the forwards, while the back reserves are Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald and Tamati Ellison, who made his Test debut last week against Italy.All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said:
“It doesn’t get much bigger than England at Twickenham. It will be another fantastic challenge for the All Blacks. We are focussed on preparing well this week and looking forward to playing a determined England side.”
The All Blacks have played England 32 times since 1905 with 25 wins to New Zealand, six to England and one draw.
The last Test against England was at Twickenham on last year’s Grand Slam-winning tour, which the All Blacks won 32 -6.
Meanwhile, Carter and England’s Jonny Wilkinson, hold the all-time ‘points in a match’ records against the respective countries: Carter scored 26 points in the 41-20 win in 2006 and Wilkinson scored 21 points in England’s 31-28 win in 2002.
Carter also holds the All Blacks record for points scored against England, with 137 points scored in his seven Tests so far against the Northern Hemisphere rival.
The All Blacks will also be defending the Hillary Shield, the rugby trophy honouring the late Sir Edmund Hillary, which was first contested in last year’s Test.
The Hillary Shield honours Sir Edmund’s lifetime of achievements as a mountaineer, adventurer, humanitarian, and as Knight of the Garter. A legendary figure in New Zealand, Sir Edmund was also widely respected in the UK and around the world as the climber who, with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, made the first successful ascent of Mt Everest in 1953 as part of a British climbing expedition.
http://www.allblacks.com/news/11666/England-name-starting-team-for-All-Blacks
England team:
15 Mark Cueto, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Ayoola Erinle, 11 Ugo Monye,
10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Paul Hodgson,
8 James Haskell, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Steve Borthwick (captain), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tim Payne
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 David Wilson, 18 Louis Deacon, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Danny Care,
21 Shane Geraghty, 22 Mathew Tait
http://www.allblacks.com/news/11667/All-Blacks-name-team-to-face-England
allblacks.com - (19/11/2009)
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have today named the team to play England at Twickenham on Sunday morning (NZT).
1. Tony Woodcock (59 Tests) 2. Andrew Hore (45) 3. Owen Franks (7) 4. Brad Thorn (35) 5. Tom Donnelly (4) 6. Adam Thomson (14) 7. Richie McCaw (78, captain) 8. Kieran Read (14)
9. Jimmy Cowan (31) 10. Dan Carter (64)
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu (41) 12. Ma’a Nonu (44) 13. Conrad Smith (31) 14. Zac Guildford (1) 15. Mils Muliaina (80)
Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn (6) / Aled de Malmanche (2)17. John Afoa (22)18. Anthony Boric (11)19. Jerome Kaino (23)
20. Andy Ellis (12)21. Stephen Donald (28)22. Tamati Ellison (1)
2009 All Blacks debutant, tighthead prop Owen Franks, gets his eighth start of the year alongside experienced hooker Andrew Hore and openside prop Tony Woodcock, who will be playing his 60th Test.
Another 2009 All Blacks debutant, lock Tom Donnelly, has been named alongside Brad Thorn in the second row, while Kieran Read and Adam Thomson both get their 15th Test starts, picked at number eight and blindside flanker respectively, alongside captain Richie McCaw, who will be playing in his 79th Test and 42nd as captain.
The key feature in the backline is the selection on the right wing of 20-year-old Zac Guildford, who made his Test debut against Wales two weeks ago.
Regular starter Sitiveni Sivivatu is on the left wing and Mils Muliaina at fullback. Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu are in the midfield; Dan Carter is at first five-eighth and Jimmy Cowan at halfback.
Several players also mark milestones this weekend: Muliaina played his 80th Test coming off the bench in last week’s Test against Italy, and with his 81st Test (and ninth against England) this weekend will become the second most capped All Black of all time alongside former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall (1995 – 2005).
Meanwhile Carter will play his 65th Test and Nonu his 45th.On the bench, Corey Flynn, who is suffering a hamstring strain has been bracketed with Aled de Malmanche, who flew in from holiday this morning to join the All Blacks squad as cover, with John Afoa the reserve prop.
Anthony Boric and Jerome Kaino cover the rest of the forwards, while the back reserves are Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald and Tamati Ellison, who made his Test debut last week against Italy.All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said:
“It doesn’t get much bigger than England at Twickenham. It will be another fantastic challenge for the All Blacks. We are focussed on preparing well this week and looking forward to playing a determined England side.”
The All Blacks have played England 32 times since 1905 with 25 wins to New Zealand, six to England and one draw.
The last Test against England was at Twickenham on last year’s Grand Slam-winning tour, which the All Blacks won 32 -6.
Meanwhile, Carter and England’s Jonny Wilkinson, hold the all-time ‘points in a match’ records against the respective countries: Carter scored 26 points in the 41-20 win in 2006 and Wilkinson scored 21 points in England’s 31-28 win in 2002.
Carter also holds the All Blacks record for points scored against England, with 137 points scored in his seven Tests so far against the Northern Hemisphere rival.
The All Blacks will also be defending the Hillary Shield, the rugby trophy honouring the late Sir Edmund Hillary, which was first contested in last year’s Test.
The Hillary Shield honours Sir Edmund’s lifetime of achievements as a mountaineer, adventurer, humanitarian, and as Knight of the Garter. A legendary figure in New Zealand, Sir Edmund was also widely respected in the UK and around the world as the climber who, with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, made the first successful ascent of Mt Everest in 1953 as part of a British climbing expedition.
http://www.allblacks.com/news/11666/England-name-starting-team-for-All-Blacks
England team:
15 Mark Cueto, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Ayoola Erinle, 11 Ugo Monye,
10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Paul Hodgson,
8 James Haskell, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Steve Borthwick (captain), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tim Payne
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 David Wilson, 18 Louis Deacon, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Danny Care,
21 Shane Geraghty, 22 Mathew Tait
Date: Saturday, 21 November
Time: 14.30 (14.30 GMT)
Venue: Twickenham
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Richie McCaw nominated for IRB Player of the Year
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=11649
James Mortimer - (17/11/2009)
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been selected alongside six other nominees for the International Rugby Board's 2009 Player of the Year. A win for the Canterbury flanker would see him become the first player to receive the honour twice.
There are seven nominees from five countries for the award, in what is the closest vote for the title of best player in rugby union for the year.
Along with McCaw, Ireland’s Grand Slam winning Captain Brian O’Driscoll, Irish number eight Jamie Heaslip, Wallabies first five Matt Giteau, Tom Croft of England, and two Springboks, in Francois Steyn and Fourie Du Preez have been selected.IRB Chairman Bernard Lapassat explained what is rugby union’s highest single honour for an individual.
"The IRB Player of the Year award is the ultimate accolade for a player and takes into account performances in all internationals played during the year, including the RBS 6 Nations, British & Irish Lions Test series, Tri Nations and the June and November Tests,” he said."The list of past winners includes the iconic names of the decade - Jonny Wilkinson, Schalk Burger, Richie McCaw, Fabien Galthié, Dan Carter, Bryan Habana and Keith Wood, they have all been worthy recipients of the award.”
"Richie McCaw could become the first player to receive the accolade twice."
The nominees were selected by an independent panel of judges, all former internationals with over 500 test caps experience.
Former All Black captain Tana Umaga was joined by Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales.
They watched over 60 hours of footage from 46 matches, awarding merit points to three players they thought stood out in each match.
"Now that the shortlist has been selected, the panel will reconvene at the completion of the November Tests when the IRB Player of the Year will be selected. The announcement will be made at the conclusion of the final weekend of matches," added Lapasset.
The award is the sixth of 13 awards given by the IRB, in association with sponsor Emirates.
In May, England captain Ollie Phillips was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, while New Zealand captain Aaron Cruden was named IRB Junior Player of the Year in June.
Australia's Debby Hodgkinson was named IRB Women's Personality of the Year in August and L'Aquila Rugby Club received the Spirit of Rugby Award in September.
Recently, Francis Palmade received the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service.
This year has seen a new format, with winners named throughout the year. The Player, Coach and Team of the year will be named later this month.
James Mortimer - (17/11/2009)
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been selected alongside six other nominees for the International Rugby Board's 2009 Player of the Year. A win for the Canterbury flanker would see him become the first player to receive the honour twice.
There are seven nominees from five countries for the award, in what is the closest vote for the title of best player in rugby union for the year.
Along with McCaw, Ireland’s Grand Slam winning Captain Brian O’Driscoll, Irish number eight Jamie Heaslip, Wallabies first five Matt Giteau, Tom Croft of England, and two Springboks, in Francois Steyn and Fourie Du Preez have been selected.IRB Chairman Bernard Lapassat explained what is rugby union’s highest single honour for an individual.
"The IRB Player of the Year award is the ultimate accolade for a player and takes into account performances in all internationals played during the year, including the RBS 6 Nations, British & Irish Lions Test series, Tri Nations and the June and November Tests,” he said."The list of past winners includes the iconic names of the decade - Jonny Wilkinson, Schalk Burger, Richie McCaw, Fabien Galthié, Dan Carter, Bryan Habana and Keith Wood, they have all been worthy recipients of the award.”
"Richie McCaw could become the first player to receive the accolade twice."
The nominees were selected by an independent panel of judges, all former internationals with over 500 test caps experience.
Former All Black captain Tana Umaga was joined by Will Greenwood, Gavin Hastings, Raphaël Ibanez, Francois Pienaar, Agustin Pichot, Scott Quinnell, Paul Wallace and convenor John Eales.
They watched over 60 hours of footage from 46 matches, awarding merit points to three players they thought stood out in each match.
"Now that the shortlist has been selected, the panel will reconvene at the completion of the November Tests when the IRB Player of the Year will be selected. The announcement will be made at the conclusion of the final weekend of matches," added Lapasset.
The award is the sixth of 13 awards given by the IRB, in association with sponsor Emirates.
In May, England captain Ollie Phillips was named IRB Sevens Player of the Year, while New Zealand captain Aaron Cruden was named IRB Junior Player of the Year in June.
Australia's Debby Hodgkinson was named IRB Women's Personality of the Year in August and L'Aquila Rugby Club received the Spirit of Rugby Award in September.
Recently, Francis Palmade received the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service.
This year has seen a new format, with winners named throughout the year. The Player, Coach and Team of the year will be named later this month.
Previous Player of the Year Winners:
2001 - Keith Wood (Ireland)
2002 - Fabien Galthié (France)
2003 - Jonny Wilkinson (England)
2004 - Schalk Burger (South Africa)
2005 - Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2006 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2007 - Bryan Habana (South Africa)
2008 - Shane Williams (Wales)
Thanx to Maddie for the link.
Best of luck to our favorite captain!!!
Best of luck to our favorite captain!!!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
All Blacks win scrappy victory over Italy
http://www.3news.co.nz/3Sport/Story/tabid/415/articleID/129660/cat/844/Default.aspx
Sun, 15 Nov 2009 4:49p.m.
By Jeff McTainsh
The All Blacks have struggled past Italy, 20-6 in Milan.
It was a flat, and at times stumbling, performance from the side, as the Italians put New Zealand under huge pressure up front.
Eighty thousand were in full voice for the Italian anthem but remained silent for the haka.
The crowd found their voice again when ex-Australian league player Craig Dower put three points on the board for Italy. Luke Macalister quickly replied, putting the All Blacks out to a six-three lead.
But it was hard going for the All Blacks against the rock-like Italian pack.New Zealand rarely got inside Italy’s 22, but when they did it paid off...once.
Italy dominated territory and possession, but couldn't score a try as the All Blacks went to the break up 14-3.
Shortly after half time, Gonzalo Garcia was sin binned for a dangerous tackle on Liam Messam.
But with a man down, the Azzuri somehow grew in confidence, as their solid scrum almost produced a try. Running rugby wasn't on the menu at San Siro, as Gower and Macalister traded two further penalties. The All Blacks were lucky not to concede a penalty try in the final minutes after Namia Tialata was shown a yellow card for infringing.
Aussie referee Stuart Dickinson's rulings baffling both teams as the scrum were reset over and over again.
The All Blacks walking away from the mess with a scrappy 20 - 6 win.
England is next up on the All Black’s agenda, the Brits narrowly getting past Argentina in their match.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/3Sport/tabid/317/articleID/129660/cat/70/Default.aspx
Sun, 15 Nov 2009 4:49p.m.
By Jeff McTainsh
The All Blacks have struggled past Italy, 20-6 in Milan.
It was a flat, and at times stumbling, performance from the side, as the Italians put New Zealand under huge pressure up front.
Eighty thousand were in full voice for the Italian anthem but remained silent for the haka.
The crowd found their voice again when ex-Australian league player Craig Dower put three points on the board for Italy. Luke Macalister quickly replied, putting the All Blacks out to a six-three lead.
But it was hard going for the All Blacks against the rock-like Italian pack.New Zealand rarely got inside Italy’s 22, but when they did it paid off...once.
Italy dominated territory and possession, but couldn't score a try as the All Blacks went to the break up 14-3.
Shortly after half time, Gonzalo Garcia was sin binned for a dangerous tackle on Liam Messam.
But with a man down, the Azzuri somehow grew in confidence, as their solid scrum almost produced a try. Running rugby wasn't on the menu at San Siro, as Gower and Macalister traded two further penalties. The All Blacks were lucky not to concede a penalty try in the final minutes after Namia Tialata was shown a yellow card for infringing.
Aussie referee Stuart Dickinson's rulings baffling both teams as the scrum were reset over and over again.
The All Blacks walking away from the mess with a scrappy 20 - 6 win.
England is next up on the All Black’s agenda, the Brits narrowly getting past Argentina in their match.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/3Sport/tabid/317/articleID/129660/cat/70/Default.aspx
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Raw All Blacks squad to face Italian passion
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3056617/Raw-All-Blacks-squad-to-face-Italian-passion
By MARC HINTON in Milan - Stuff.co.nz
12/11/2009
Remember Munster was the catchcry as the All Blacks coaches today confirmed their largely second-string lineup to take on Italy at one of the world's greatest football stadiums this weekend.
There are 12 changes, one positional switch, three test debuts and a heap of points to prove in a side that looks as raw as it does exciting, and may have its challenges in front of 80,000-odd screaming Italians on Saturday (early Sunday, NZ time).
It's a long road from Thomond Park to the San Siro, but it's one the All Blacks feel they've travelled from last November to this.
The coaches see a lot of parallels between this test against the Azzurri and last year's midweek fixture against the magnificent Munster men in Limerick. And with those come a distinct warning, considering the difficulties the New Zealanders had en route to their skin-of-the-teeth 18-16 victory
"It's going to be hugely passionate, a massive crowd," said assistant coach Wayne Smith who spent four years playing and coaching in Italy. "It's hard to explain that to the boys till you get out in the middle. But we've got to make sure it just doesn't happen all of a sudden. I think last year against Munster we got caught in the headlights a wee bit, and we can't afford for that to happen this year."
Given that these All Blacks will have wing Ben Smith, centre Tamati Ellison and first five Mike Delany all making their test debuts, that five others have logged fewer than 10 caps and that players like Anthony Boric, Liam Messam, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn and Luke McAlister are all coming back to this level with plenty to prove, the anxieties will surely be through the roof.
"I think everybody has got a point to prove every time they play in the black jersey," said coach Graham Henry. "Liam will be very keen to make a point. He's a player of immense ability and plays exceptionally well the level below. He'll want to prove to the selectors he can play equally as well at test match level.
"Luke hasn't really found his feet since coming back from Europe, but I think he'll show on this tour that he'll get back to his best. It's important for both those people, but it's important for a lot people on Saturday."
Henry, too, felt the Munster experience would count as a salutary lesson for what can confront a "midweek" type lineup such as that being sent out this weekend.
"We thought we had them ready to play Munster last year... Once they get out there it's all on and they've never experienced that sort of intensity in rugby before. Some of them may experience that again on Saturday.
"There's no substitute for that experience - they've got to go through it to understand it."
There are four survivors from that madly passionate day in Limerick last November in the starting XV for this weekend - Cory Jane (back at fullback), Jason Eaton, Messam, and Flynn - and perhaps forewarned is forearmed as to what lies ahead at the San Siro.
Smith is expecting an atmosphere of similar intensity to that served up at the Millennium Stadium last weekend.
"That defines character, doesn't it? Can you stand up and perform under those pressures - that's what makes an All Black. We'll find out a bit about some young men, no doubt, on Saturday."
The biggest selection call, all things considered, probably came at first five where Bay of Plenty's Mike Delany got the nod over Chiefs team-mate Stephen Donald in a reversal of their Super 14 roles.
"We know what Steve can do, we've seen him in big test matches," said Henry. "We don't know what Mike can do at this level."
Henry made it clear that as the middle of the five tests on this tour, this was very much a midweek type fixture. It's the chance to see the squad members outside the regular starters and one that had been strongly signposted since the group got together.
Prop Tony Woodcock wasn't considered because of a back niggle, Jane gets his shot at fullback a week later than intended (after Sitiveni Sivivatu's suspension threw a spanner in the works of the original plan) and Luke McAlister will be the initial goalkicker.And the haka. With three contenders to lead it - Messam, Ellison and Tanerau Latimer are all chomping at the bit - that was still being decided.
NEW ZEALAND: Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mike Delany, Andy Ellis; Rodney So'oialo (capt), Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly, Neemia Tialata, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Richie McCaw, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina.
By MARC HINTON in Milan - Stuff.co.nz
12/11/2009
Remember Munster was the catchcry as the All Blacks coaches today confirmed their largely second-string lineup to take on Italy at one of the world's greatest football stadiums this weekend.
There are 12 changes, one positional switch, three test debuts and a heap of points to prove in a side that looks as raw as it does exciting, and may have its challenges in front of 80,000-odd screaming Italians on Saturday (early Sunday, NZ time).
It's a long road from Thomond Park to the San Siro, but it's one the All Blacks feel they've travelled from last November to this.
The coaches see a lot of parallels between this test against the Azzurri and last year's midweek fixture against the magnificent Munster men in Limerick. And with those come a distinct warning, considering the difficulties the New Zealanders had en route to their skin-of-the-teeth 18-16 victory
"It's going to be hugely passionate, a massive crowd," said assistant coach Wayne Smith who spent four years playing and coaching in Italy. "It's hard to explain that to the boys till you get out in the middle. But we've got to make sure it just doesn't happen all of a sudden. I think last year against Munster we got caught in the headlights a wee bit, and we can't afford for that to happen this year."
Given that these All Blacks will have wing Ben Smith, centre Tamati Ellison and first five Mike Delany all making their test debuts, that five others have logged fewer than 10 caps and that players like Anthony Boric, Liam Messam, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn and Luke McAlister are all coming back to this level with plenty to prove, the anxieties will surely be through the roof.
"I think everybody has got a point to prove every time they play in the black jersey," said coach Graham Henry. "Liam will be very keen to make a point. He's a player of immense ability and plays exceptionally well the level below. He'll want to prove to the selectors he can play equally as well at test match level.
"Luke hasn't really found his feet since coming back from Europe, but I think he'll show on this tour that he'll get back to his best. It's important for both those people, but it's important for a lot people on Saturday."
Henry, too, felt the Munster experience would count as a salutary lesson for what can confront a "midweek" type lineup such as that being sent out this weekend.
"We thought we had them ready to play Munster last year... Once they get out there it's all on and they've never experienced that sort of intensity in rugby before. Some of them may experience that again on Saturday.
"There's no substitute for that experience - they've got to go through it to understand it."
There are four survivors from that madly passionate day in Limerick last November in the starting XV for this weekend - Cory Jane (back at fullback), Jason Eaton, Messam, and Flynn - and perhaps forewarned is forearmed as to what lies ahead at the San Siro.
Smith is expecting an atmosphere of similar intensity to that served up at the Millennium Stadium last weekend.
"That defines character, doesn't it? Can you stand up and perform under those pressures - that's what makes an All Black. We'll find out a bit about some young men, no doubt, on Saturday."
The biggest selection call, all things considered, probably came at first five where Bay of Plenty's Mike Delany got the nod over Chiefs team-mate Stephen Donald in a reversal of their Super 14 roles.
"We know what Steve can do, we've seen him in big test matches," said Henry. "We don't know what Mike can do at this level."
Henry made it clear that as the middle of the five tests on this tour, this was very much a midweek type fixture. It's the chance to see the squad members outside the regular starters and one that had been strongly signposted since the group got together.
Prop Tony Woodcock wasn't considered because of a back niggle, Jane gets his shot at fullback a week later than intended (after Sitiveni Sivivatu's suspension threw a spanner in the works of the original plan) and Luke McAlister will be the initial goalkicker.And the haka. With three contenders to lead it - Messam, Ellison and Tanerau Latimer are all chomping at the bit - that was still being decided.
NEW ZEALAND: Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mike Delany, Andy Ellis; Rodney So'oialo (capt), Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly, Neemia Tialata, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.
Reserves: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Richie McCaw, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina.
Italy name team for All Blacks clash
http://www.allblacks.com/news/11620/Italy-name-team-for-All-Blacks-clash
James Mortimer - allblacks.com - (13/11/2009)
Italy have unveiled their side for their blockbuster clash with the All Blacks at San Siro in Milan, where over 80,000 Azzuri supporters will be baying for one of rugby’s great upsets.
Italian Head Coach Nick Mallet has made just two changes to his side that lost to the All Blacks 27-6 in Christchurch (their last test match).
Forwards Martin Castrogiovanni and Carlo Antonio del Fava return to the side. Del Fava replaces injured Marco Bortolami in the locks while experienced prop Castrogiovanni – who was instrumental in the Tigers win over the Springboks - takes over from Ignacio Rouyet, who drops down to the bench. Tito Tebaldi will win his third cap, partnering with former Australian league international and former Penrith Panther Craig Gower.
"It's a fantastic occasion, it's good for rugby itself," fly-half Gower said."Everyone knows exactly what they are doing and we've just got to put it into place," the former NRL Premiership winning player said."I'm learning the rugby stuff, the conversation is not so great."
Custodian Luke McLean, another Australian in the team was excited about playing in Milan’s cavernous stadium.
"The stadium is really amazing. But every time I have been to see Inter Milan there, three times they've lost. So I bring bad luck to them," he smiled.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played 10, Italy 0, New Zealand 10
Last match: 27th June 2009, New Zealand 27 – 6 Italy @ Christchurch
Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Ignacio Rouyet, 18 Antonio Pavanello, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Simon Picone, 21 Kristopher Burton, 22 Alberto Sgarbi
James Mortimer - allblacks.com - (13/11/2009)
Italy have unveiled their side for their blockbuster clash with the All Blacks at San Siro in Milan, where over 80,000 Azzuri supporters will be baying for one of rugby’s great upsets.
Italian Head Coach Nick Mallet has made just two changes to his side that lost to the All Blacks 27-6 in Christchurch (their last test match).
Forwards Martin Castrogiovanni and Carlo Antonio del Fava return to the side. Del Fava replaces injured Marco Bortolami in the locks while experienced prop Castrogiovanni – who was instrumental in the Tigers win over the Springboks - takes over from Ignacio Rouyet, who drops down to the bench. Tito Tebaldi will win his third cap, partnering with former Australian league international and former Penrith Panther Craig Gower.
"It's a fantastic occasion, it's good for rugby itself," fly-half Gower said."Everyone knows exactly what they are doing and we've just got to put it into place," the former NRL Premiership winning player said."I'm learning the rugby stuff, the conversation is not so great."
Custodian Luke McLean, another Australian in the team was excited about playing in Milan’s cavernous stadium.
"The stadium is really amazing. But every time I have been to see Inter Milan there, three times they've lost. So I bring bad luck to them," he smiled.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played 10, Italy 0, New Zealand 10
Last match: 27th June 2009, New Zealand 27 – 6 Italy @ Christchurch
Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Ignacio Rouyet, 18 Antonio Pavanello, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Simon Picone, 21 Kristopher Burton, 22 Alberto Sgarbi
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Bledisloe test in Tokyo - Captain's Run
Hi everyone,
Once again apologies about the ongoing issues we have with the c/box, hopefully it will be back soon! In the meantime, enjoy these photos taken at the captain's run in Tokyo.
Once again apologies about the ongoing issues we have with the c/box, hopefully it will be back soon! In the meantime, enjoy these photos taken at the captain's run in Tokyo.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
All Blacks pressure won't ease in Milan
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3041943/All-Blacks-pressure-won-t-ease-in-Milan
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
08/11/2009
There will be plenty of changes to the All Blacks for the test against Italy next weekend at a full San Siro but the pressure valve won't be released by the coaches.
The theme for this tour is very much about putting the onus on the players to prove their worth, and assistant coach Steve Hansen says that won't change for the Azzurri.
"I don't think playing Italy at home is an easy test," said Hansen. "It's never been easy in the Six Nations going to Italy and it won't be easy going to Milan with 80,000 people. That atmosphere in itself will create pressure on people.
"What we want to see is how they cope with those pressures. Italy will play a game based around kicking and putting us under pressure through rushing defence.
"We'll see how people cope with those pressures. The good players handle it."
Hansen wouldn't confirm that the likes of Liam Messam, Andy Ellis, Mike Delany, Owen Franks and Luke McAlister would all start against Italy.
"It's possible those guys will get an opportunity," he said. "We want to give everybody an opportunity to play a game without making too many changes.
"We'll see what happens [against Wales] but there will be some changes for Italy."
Hansen said that after the sides' last match-up, where the All Blacks struggled to a 27-6 win in Christchurch in June, "we're looking forward to having a second chance against them".
"They were very good at the basics," added Hansen.
A full San Siro might inspire Italy to further heroics.
"It will be a huge occasion and great atmosphere... Who copes with those pressures best will come out on top."
But Hansen feels the All Blacks are a much better side now than in June. "A lot of those young guys who had their first run that night are feeling more comfortable now.
"And we've got some senior guys back as well."
The sellout crowd for Saturday's match should give Italian rugby a huge fillip. Not since boxer Duilio Loi fought Puerto Rico's Carlos Ortiz for the super-lightweight world title in 1960 have so many people packed out San Siro for anything other than football.
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
08/11/2009
There will be plenty of changes to the All Blacks for the test against Italy next weekend at a full San Siro but the pressure valve won't be released by the coaches.
The theme for this tour is very much about putting the onus on the players to prove their worth, and assistant coach Steve Hansen says that won't change for the Azzurri.
"I don't think playing Italy at home is an easy test," said Hansen. "It's never been easy in the Six Nations going to Italy and it won't be easy going to Milan with 80,000 people. That atmosphere in itself will create pressure on people.
"What we want to see is how they cope with those pressures. Italy will play a game based around kicking and putting us under pressure through rushing defence.
"We'll see how people cope with those pressures. The good players handle it."
Hansen wouldn't confirm that the likes of Liam Messam, Andy Ellis, Mike Delany, Owen Franks and Luke McAlister would all start against Italy.
"It's possible those guys will get an opportunity," he said. "We want to give everybody an opportunity to play a game without making too many changes.
"We'll see what happens [against Wales] but there will be some changes for Italy."
Hansen said that after the sides' last match-up, where the All Blacks struggled to a 27-6 win in Christchurch in June, "we're looking forward to having a second chance against them".
"They were very good at the basics," added Hansen.
A full San Siro might inspire Italy to further heroics.
"It will be a huge occasion and great atmosphere... Who copes with those pressures best will come out on top."
But Hansen feels the All Blacks are a much better side now than in June. "A lot of those young guys who had their first run that night are feeling more comfortable now.
"And we've got some senior guys back as well."
The sellout crowd for Saturday's match should give Italian rugby a huge fillip. Not since boxer Duilio Loi fought Puerto Rico's Carlos Ortiz for the super-lightweight world title in 1960 have so many people packed out San Siro for anything other than football.
All Blacks don't impress British scribes
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3043062/All-Blacks-don-t-impress-British-scribes
NZPA 08/11/2009
The All Blacks failed to impress British rugby writers, who identified Dan Carter and Welsh bumbling as the difference between the sides when New Zealand won 19-12 at Millennium Stadium.
In the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Steve James felt the tourists hardly set the world on fire.
"The sadness for Wales will be that this was only a workmanlike performance from the All Blacks. They were stunningly unspectacular, if that makes sense. They just did enough," James wrote.
"Dan Carter kicked his goals and out of hand expertly and Richie McCaw and co dominated the breakdown sufficiently, but for too much of the match Wales were disappointingly hesitant and subdued."
Former international Eddie Butler, in The Guardian, hailed Carter's contribution as the difference, despite his much-discussed head-high tackle on Martin Roberts late in the match which saw him booed from the field by a capacity crowd.
"(Carter) certainly showed no sign of the calf injury that had persuaded some in Wales that he would not be fit to play. He played sublimely, but it was perhaps a new experience for him to be jeered. The rest of the day was the same old story."
In the Sunday Times, Mark Palmer wrote Wales' inability to finish, rather than the All Blacks' excellence, was the key factor.
"The wait goes on, and so does the hurt, the angst and the frustration. Still Wales must delay the anointment of the next Ken Jones, still they look for the man who will end this horribly enduring torment.
"This was far from the most convincing of New Zealand's 21 straight victories in the fixture, a run that spans some 56 years, but for Wales it will be all the more hard to take because of that very fact."
NZPA 08/11/2009
The All Blacks failed to impress British rugby writers, who identified Dan Carter and Welsh bumbling as the difference between the sides when New Zealand won 19-12 at Millennium Stadium.
In the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Steve James felt the tourists hardly set the world on fire.
"The sadness for Wales will be that this was only a workmanlike performance from the All Blacks. They were stunningly unspectacular, if that makes sense. They just did enough," James wrote.
"Dan Carter kicked his goals and out of hand expertly and Richie McCaw and co dominated the breakdown sufficiently, but for too much of the match Wales were disappointingly hesitant and subdued."
Former international Eddie Butler, in The Guardian, hailed Carter's contribution as the difference, despite his much-discussed head-high tackle on Martin Roberts late in the match which saw him booed from the field by a capacity crowd.
"(Carter) certainly showed no sign of the calf injury that had persuaded some in Wales that he would not be fit to play. He played sublimely, but it was perhaps a new experience for him to be jeered. The rest of the day was the same old story."
In the Sunday Times, Mark Palmer wrote Wales' inability to finish, rather than the All Blacks' excellence, was the key factor.
"The wait goes on, and so does the hurt, the angst and the frustration. Still Wales must delay the anointment of the next Ken Jones, still they look for the man who will end this horribly enduring torment.
"This was far from the most convincing of New Zealand's 21 straight victories in the fixture, a run that spans some 56 years, but for Wales it will be all the more hard to take because of that very fact."
Wales claim refs intimidated by All Blacks
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3042560/Wales-claim-refs-intimidated-by-All-Blacks
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
08/11/2009
Gutted Wales coaches have launched a scathing attack on South African referee Craig Joubert after today's 12-19 defeat, with Warren Gatland going as far as to suggest whistle-blowers are intimidated by the All Blacks.
New Zealander Gatland had mellowed his attitude a little by the time he arrived at the official post-match press conference but he told television interviewers after a pulsating test at the Millennium Stadium that he believed referees did not want to make big calls which could see the All Blacks upset.
Gatland was commenting about a 71st-minute incident where Dan Carter appeared to take replacement Welsh halfback Martin Roberts around the head with a swinging arm, after wing Shane Williams had sparked a break inside the All Blacks' 22.
The high shot went unpunished and the All Blacks were able to keep the Welsh out when a score would have got them within striking distance.
Both Gatland and assistant Shaun Edwards believe that decision cost the Welsh their chance at a famous upset which would have ended a 56-year drought against the All Blacks.
"It was a head-high tackle wasn't it," said Gatland at the press conference. "A guy makes a break inside the 22 and you feel like if that was at the other end it's three points and a yellow card.
"The officials missed it - so we were pretty disappointed about that..."
Asked if he was saying the All Blacks were refereed differently than their opponents, Gatland replied: "Ah, no."
Was he sure?
"Definitely not. No," he replied. Though his earlier comments and the way he delivered his denials made it clear there was some discontent over the matter.
Later All Blacks coach Graham Henry leapt to the defence of his player when told of the Welsh coaches' assertions that Carter should have been binned.
"I think that's a bit of a stretch," said Henry.
"I just saw it at the moment, I didn't look at the replay at all. It seemed to me he hit him around the chest and slid up, and the other guy ducked under. But who knows? Till you look at those things over several views you can't make a decision."
Henry was more direct when asked about Gatland's call that referees were too scared to make big calls against the All Blacks.
"It's complete rubbish. I think that's a huge stretch. I don't even think Warren would believe that," said the All Blacks coach.
Told Gatland did say it, Henry replied: "Yeah, but he's said a lot of things this week."
Gatland felt that non-decision, coupled with an earlier "harsh" call when flanker Martyn Williams was penalised for a deliberate knock-down, had cost his team its shot at the upset.
"It was a couple of moments... it means if we'd not given up those three points, got the high tackle on Roberts and were able to take three points from that, then the penalty in the last few minutes ends up being a shot at goal."
Edwards, who sat stern-faced throughout the press conference, weighed in on the matter when asked if the Welsh still had a psychological barrier to overcome against the All Blacks.
"I think we should have been playing against 14 players for the last 10 minutes - it's got nothing to do with psychology.
"All I know is I've seen players sinbinned for that and we should have been playing against 14 players in the last 10 minutes."
Gatland agreed: "It's a head-high tackle and a swinging arm. It should have been three points and a yellow card."
The Welsh weren't the only ones grizzling about decisions either. The All Blacks felt that they should have got at least one of the three calls that went to the TMO - all of which were turned down as they attacked the Welsh line with a fury in the third quarter.
"I thought we could have won by more, to be frank," said Henry. "I just wondered about the TMO. I thought Conrad Smith scored which would have given us a wee bit of a gap at that stage..."
Asked if he was disappointed that his side got no return from a heavy phase of pressure on the Welsh line, Henry said: "You've got to be. There was a lot of pressure. We had three tries the TMO looked at and I thought one was pretty obvious. That was a wee bit disappointing."
Skipper Richie McCaw felt if Smith's "try" had been awarded, which could have taken the All Blacks out to 23-6, the test might have run a different course.
"It would have been nice to have scored then. It would have given us some breathing space and they would have had to chance their arm a bit more.
"But we didn't get the try we were after and it kept them in the game"
It was not known immediately after the game whether Carter would be cited, but there was a chance he could join Tony Woodcock and Sitiveni Sivivatu in sitting out time on this tour.
In many ways it was fitting at the end of a week when there had been some fairly heated comments flying back and forth between the rival camps, that the match itself left both sides still at odds.
Let's just say they agree to disagree. Given they will meet three more times over the next 12 months, it's fair to say the old rivalry has plenty of heat back in it now.
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
08/11/2009
Gutted Wales coaches have launched a scathing attack on South African referee Craig Joubert after today's 12-19 defeat, with Warren Gatland going as far as to suggest whistle-blowers are intimidated by the All Blacks.
New Zealander Gatland had mellowed his attitude a little by the time he arrived at the official post-match press conference but he told television interviewers after a pulsating test at the Millennium Stadium that he believed referees did not want to make big calls which could see the All Blacks upset.
Gatland was commenting about a 71st-minute incident where Dan Carter appeared to take replacement Welsh halfback Martin Roberts around the head with a swinging arm, after wing Shane Williams had sparked a break inside the All Blacks' 22.
The high shot went unpunished and the All Blacks were able to keep the Welsh out when a score would have got them within striking distance.
Both Gatland and assistant Shaun Edwards believe that decision cost the Welsh their chance at a famous upset which would have ended a 56-year drought against the All Blacks.
"It was a head-high tackle wasn't it," said Gatland at the press conference. "A guy makes a break inside the 22 and you feel like if that was at the other end it's three points and a yellow card.
"The officials missed it - so we were pretty disappointed about that..."
Asked if he was saying the All Blacks were refereed differently than their opponents, Gatland replied: "Ah, no."
Was he sure?
"Definitely not. No," he replied. Though his earlier comments and the way he delivered his denials made it clear there was some discontent over the matter.
Later All Blacks coach Graham Henry leapt to the defence of his player when told of the Welsh coaches' assertions that Carter should have been binned.
"I think that's a bit of a stretch," said Henry.
"I just saw it at the moment, I didn't look at the replay at all. It seemed to me he hit him around the chest and slid up, and the other guy ducked under. But who knows? Till you look at those things over several views you can't make a decision."
Henry was more direct when asked about Gatland's call that referees were too scared to make big calls against the All Blacks.
"It's complete rubbish. I think that's a huge stretch. I don't even think Warren would believe that," said the All Blacks coach.
Told Gatland did say it, Henry replied: "Yeah, but he's said a lot of things this week."
Gatland felt that non-decision, coupled with an earlier "harsh" call when flanker Martyn Williams was penalised for a deliberate knock-down, had cost his team its shot at the upset.
"It was a couple of moments... it means if we'd not given up those three points, got the high tackle on Roberts and were able to take three points from that, then the penalty in the last few minutes ends up being a shot at goal."
Edwards, who sat stern-faced throughout the press conference, weighed in on the matter when asked if the Welsh still had a psychological barrier to overcome against the All Blacks.
"I think we should have been playing against 14 players for the last 10 minutes - it's got nothing to do with psychology.
"All I know is I've seen players sinbinned for that and we should have been playing against 14 players in the last 10 minutes."
Gatland agreed: "It's a head-high tackle and a swinging arm. It should have been three points and a yellow card."
The Welsh weren't the only ones grizzling about decisions either. The All Blacks felt that they should have got at least one of the three calls that went to the TMO - all of which were turned down as they attacked the Welsh line with a fury in the third quarter.
"I thought we could have won by more, to be frank," said Henry. "I just wondered about the TMO. I thought Conrad Smith scored which would have given us a wee bit of a gap at that stage..."
Asked if he was disappointed that his side got no return from a heavy phase of pressure on the Welsh line, Henry said: "You've got to be. There was a lot of pressure. We had three tries the TMO looked at and I thought one was pretty obvious. That was a wee bit disappointing."
Skipper Richie McCaw felt if Smith's "try" had been awarded, which could have taken the All Blacks out to 23-6, the test might have run a different course.
"It would have been nice to have scored then. It would have given us some breathing space and they would have had to chance their arm a bit more.
"But we didn't get the try we were after and it kept them in the game"
It was not known immediately after the game whether Carter would be cited, but there was a chance he could join Tony Woodcock and Sitiveni Sivivatu in sitting out time on this tour.
In many ways it was fitting at the end of a week when there had been some fairly heated comments flying back and forth between the rival camps, that the match itself left both sides still at odds.
Let's just say they agree to disagree. Given they will meet three more times over the next 12 months, it's fair to say the old rivalry has plenty of heat back in it now.
All Blacks beat Wales
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/3042338/All-Blacks-beat-Wales
Red Dragons give it their best shot
By MARC HINTON in Cardiff - Stuff.co.nz
08/11/2009
Drama. Passion. Intensity. And a hell of a finish. This was one test match that lived up to its billing as the All Blacks had to dig deep to continue their stranglehold over Wales at the Millennium Stadium today.
Warren Gatland's Wales couldn't quite manage the upset their coach had suggested was on the cards this week, but they gave it one heck of a try, taking the All Blacks to the brink as they held on for a 19-12 victory that preserves their 56-year, 21-test winning streak against this proud rugby nation.
But you have to say if the Welsh keep turning up with this sort of attitude and aptitude, surely their day will come sooner rather than later.
And this time they even hung in the contest in the second half as the All Blacks, playing much to the script of last year's similarly stirring encounter, took their game up a gear after halftime to wrest control of a contest that had looked to be slipping from their grasp.
In fact, with the match winding down into its final minutes, the Welsh had looked as though they might have snatched a dramatic draw, when big lock Alun-Wyn Jones snaffled a Jimmy Cowan pass and dashed off 60 metres upfield in a run that nearly lifted the roof off this magnificent packed stadium.
He was eventually hauled in by Zac Guildford, who had a fine test debut, and the All Blacks were able to scramble back on defence and avert the crisis.
Still, they spent the last couple of minutes in batten-down-the-hatches mode as the Welsh camped in their red zone. Alas there was to be no late try to snatch, if not a famous victory, a probably meritorious draw.
The All Blacks hung on and banked the win to keep their seven year unbeaten run in these autumn internationals intact, but boy did they know they had been in a test match by the final whistle.
Big Brad Thorn, that ageless wonder, had a magnificent match for the All Blacks as he once again turned back the clock, and behind him the black pack took their game to the level they needed to in the second spell. Hooker Andrew Hore also toiled mightily.
Conrad Smith and Guildford were probably the pick of the backs, though Mils Muliaina had one of his better matches of the year at the back. Still, it was to Wales' immense credit that they kept the New Zealanders to just the single try as they attacked them with a venom in the second half.
Three times the New Zealanders looked to have crossed the line in the second spell, and three times the TMO ruled that desperate Welsh defence had denied them. It was magnificent stuff.
Wales gave it their best shot, all right, and in the end were worthy of their coach's brave words in the buildup. This is some team Gatland is building, and the canny Kiwi is right to talk them up.
And Graham Henry's All Blacks will also take some satisfaction in this rollercoaster year of theirs that they stared adversity in the face, and didn't blink.
It was a case of déjà-vu as another furious first-half effort from the Welsh had them well in this contest after 40 minutes, with the scores locked at 6-6 (two penalties apiece) and Gatland's men having very much the better of the opening skirmishes.
Of course a year ago the Welsh had led the All Blacks 9-6 at halftime at this very stadium, only to be outscored 23-0 over the second stanza. Would history repeat for a side desperate to end 56 years of test match agony at the hands of the New Zealanders?
You had to say by the break, the Welsh had set themselves up perfectly. They had managed to lure the All Blacks into a one-dimensional contest of kick-and-chase football that saw the New Zealanders unable to establish any continuity of possession.
With the home team, buoyed by the capacity crowd of 74,330 in full voice as per usual, clearly winning the possession battle - if not the breakdown one - it became a case of the All Blacks hanging in rather than dictating anything.
Instead it was the Welsh who looked the more likely with ball in hand and the All Blacks who were called on to make some big tackles against some promising attacking forays. To their credit, New Zealand's defence was as secure as it was severe, a succession of Welsh sorties halted in their tracks in furious fashion.
After Carter had edged the All Blacks in front with an early second-half penalty, hooker Hore drove across for the key try just past the quarter-hour mark.
It was classic Hore. The All Blacks had attacked the left flank and Thorn and Guildford had found some space, with Hore picking up off the deck and bulldozing over. Carter's conversion took the All Blacks out to 16-6, and it was then that they threatened to blow the game open.
But the Welsh held on. Somehow. Carter extended the lead to 13, then Stephen Jones slotted a couple of three-pointers himself to get his side back within striking distance.
That they couldn't quite get there should not detract from a fabulous Welsh effort. The coach can be proud of his men.
New Zealand 19 (Andrew Hore try; Dan Carter 4 pen, con)
Wales 12 (Stephen Jones 4 pen).
Red Dragons give it their best shot
By MARC HINTON in Cardiff - Stuff.co.nz
08/11/2009
Drama. Passion. Intensity. And a hell of a finish. This was one test match that lived up to its billing as the All Blacks had to dig deep to continue their stranglehold over Wales at the Millennium Stadium today.
Warren Gatland's Wales couldn't quite manage the upset their coach had suggested was on the cards this week, but they gave it one heck of a try, taking the All Blacks to the brink as they held on for a 19-12 victory that preserves their 56-year, 21-test winning streak against this proud rugby nation.
But you have to say if the Welsh keep turning up with this sort of attitude and aptitude, surely their day will come sooner rather than later.
And this time they even hung in the contest in the second half as the All Blacks, playing much to the script of last year's similarly stirring encounter, took their game up a gear after halftime to wrest control of a contest that had looked to be slipping from their grasp.
In fact, with the match winding down into its final minutes, the Welsh had looked as though they might have snatched a dramatic draw, when big lock Alun-Wyn Jones snaffled a Jimmy Cowan pass and dashed off 60 metres upfield in a run that nearly lifted the roof off this magnificent packed stadium.
He was eventually hauled in by Zac Guildford, who had a fine test debut, and the All Blacks were able to scramble back on defence and avert the crisis.
Still, they spent the last couple of minutes in batten-down-the-hatches mode as the Welsh camped in their red zone. Alas there was to be no late try to snatch, if not a famous victory, a probably meritorious draw.
The All Blacks hung on and banked the win to keep their seven year unbeaten run in these autumn internationals intact, but boy did they know they had been in a test match by the final whistle.
Big Brad Thorn, that ageless wonder, had a magnificent match for the All Blacks as he once again turned back the clock, and behind him the black pack took their game to the level they needed to in the second spell. Hooker Andrew Hore also toiled mightily.
Conrad Smith and Guildford were probably the pick of the backs, though Mils Muliaina had one of his better matches of the year at the back. Still, it was to Wales' immense credit that they kept the New Zealanders to just the single try as they attacked them with a venom in the second half.
Three times the New Zealanders looked to have crossed the line in the second spell, and three times the TMO ruled that desperate Welsh defence had denied them. It was magnificent stuff.
Wales gave it their best shot, all right, and in the end were worthy of their coach's brave words in the buildup. This is some team Gatland is building, and the canny Kiwi is right to talk them up.
And Graham Henry's All Blacks will also take some satisfaction in this rollercoaster year of theirs that they stared adversity in the face, and didn't blink.
It was a case of déjà-vu as another furious first-half effort from the Welsh had them well in this contest after 40 minutes, with the scores locked at 6-6 (two penalties apiece) and Gatland's men having very much the better of the opening skirmishes.
Of course a year ago the Welsh had led the All Blacks 9-6 at halftime at this very stadium, only to be outscored 23-0 over the second stanza. Would history repeat for a side desperate to end 56 years of test match agony at the hands of the New Zealanders?
You had to say by the break, the Welsh had set themselves up perfectly. They had managed to lure the All Blacks into a one-dimensional contest of kick-and-chase football that saw the New Zealanders unable to establish any continuity of possession.
With the home team, buoyed by the capacity crowd of 74,330 in full voice as per usual, clearly winning the possession battle - if not the breakdown one - it became a case of the All Blacks hanging in rather than dictating anything.
Instead it was the Welsh who looked the more likely with ball in hand and the All Blacks who were called on to make some big tackles against some promising attacking forays. To their credit, New Zealand's defence was as secure as it was severe, a succession of Welsh sorties halted in their tracks in furious fashion.
After Carter had edged the All Blacks in front with an early second-half penalty, hooker Hore drove across for the key try just past the quarter-hour mark.
It was classic Hore. The All Blacks had attacked the left flank and Thorn and Guildford had found some space, with Hore picking up off the deck and bulldozing over. Carter's conversion took the All Blacks out to 16-6, and it was then that they threatened to blow the game open.
But the Welsh held on. Somehow. Carter extended the lead to 13, then Stephen Jones slotted a couple of three-pointers himself to get his side back within striking distance.
That they couldn't quite get there should not detract from a fabulous Welsh effort. The coach can be proud of his men.
New Zealand 19 (Andrew Hore try; Dan Carter 4 pen, con)
Wales 12 (Stephen Jones 4 pen).
Halftime: 6-6.
Preview: Wales V All Blacks
http://www.allblacks.com/fanstory/11541/Preview-Wales-V-All-Blacks
James Mortimer - allblacks.com (06/11/2009)
If one was to only judge the two sides from the talk coming from the respective camps, one would think that it was Wales who were sitting on what is a 20 match winning streak.
It has been endless, with Coach Warren Gatland, right down to the young Cardiff winger Leigh Halfpenny, all claiming that the All Blacks aura has gone. Not only that, but Wales had moved on and are stronger, while New Zealand is there for the taking.
The All Blacks, as has become their modus operandi, have said nothing of note, and will do their talking on the field. It is sometimes almost eerie how they arrive in a country and never give the opposition anything to be motivated by, except the chance to post what in Wales’ case has now become a very rare thing indeed.
But of course it wasn’t always like this.
In 1905 the All Black Originals toured Europe and North America and won 34 from 35 matches. They would lose only once, to Wales at Cardiff Arms Park 3-0.
While New Zealand would win 19-0 in Swansea in 1925, Wales would win 13-12 in 1924, and again in 1953 by 13-8. As the All Blacks were building their legacy, the Red Dragons would be most bemused by the “alleged” reputation of New Zealand. Wales had played them four times and only lost once. It is doubtful that any side in history would have said this, but in the first half of the 20th century the Welsh would probably think that playing the All Blacks wasn’t really that hard at all.
In 1963 the All Blacks would arrive at Cardiff Arms Park and beat the Welsh 6-0. From here they would embark on one of the great winning streaks between major test nations. From 1969 to 1979 one of the supreme teams in rugby history would don Welsh colours, winning eight Six Nations titles. But in this time even the wizards of Wales would lose to New Zealand, with the nadir coming with a 23-3 loss to the All Blacks in 1980.From 1987 to the present day, the two teams would clash another 13 times. Seven of those matches would be 30 point plus defeats, and nine times the All Blacks would breach 40 points.With this history in mind, a win for Wales at Millennium Stadium this weekend would be akin to winning a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Their verbal assault on the All Blacks is nothing new. All levels of taunts have been tried against New Zealand in the past, from not calling them “All Blacks” to coaches stating “remember, they are not gods in black jerseys, they are just men.”
The small problem for Wales is that they have done this before.
Last year they reminded the All Blacks of their last visit to Millennium Stadium (the 2007 World Cup loss to France) and stood wonderfully eyeballing New Zealand after the haka. Yet despite matching their great antagonists for a half, they wilted in the second.The best news for Wales now is that they have had the Springboks reveal a blueprint for beating the All Blacks. It is simple, uncompromising and (if you believe some media) boring. New Zealand doesn’t like to be taken out of their comfort zone, which South Africa did via physical pressure and a pinpoint kicking game.
The other positive news for the Red Dragons is that the All Blacks in their current vintage are not a strong starting side. If Wales can dominate and lay a match winning platform early, they can then try to then implement the plan as described above.
But then there is the bad news. Wales are not naturally a pragmatic side, and even if they alter their style, do not have the full arsenal of tools to cause the All Blacks problems. The All Blacks and Welsh both like to promote the game, and will likely play openly. However, man for man New Zealand is better at doing this.
Furthermore, as the Wallabies have discovered, the All Blacks finish their matches with such a full sail they are almost impossible to overcome. Even the mighty Springboks came close to being overrun in Hamilton. But Wales is on the up, and has a point to prove.
They have been usurped by Ireland on the European stage, but still provided as many Lions as any other nation and have a wonderful coaching team. They are serious about being a top nation, as evidenced by their new centre of excellence in the Vale of Glamorgan.
A win here against the All Blacks will spark a chain of events that could lead to Six Nations and even 2011 success. Even a loss, as demoralising as it will be, will not be the end of the world. Wales clash with the All Blacks twice in New Zealand next year. So at the very worst a loss on the weekend should harden them to try and achieve one of only two things they have never achieved.One is beat the All Blacks on home soil.
The other is winning a World Cup.For the All Blacks, they are not only seeking a win, but Henry has implied that this tour is doubling as a selection process. This is a canny statement, and will ensure that his players play at their best to ensure they remain in the national framework.While Wales cannot match the likes of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, there are possible weak links in this All Black team to capitalise on.
Unfortunately for Wales, they have some of their own. And worse, even their tried and true, such as Stephen Jones and Martyn Williams, have gone MIA against the All Blacks before.As has become a catchcry for the Red Dragons, much will depend on whether or not they can stand up and fight.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Ben Smith.
Wales: 15 James Hook, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Paul James, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Dafydd Jones, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Jonathan Davies, 21 Tom James
Date: Saturday, November 7
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT, 06.30 NZ Time - Sunday, November 8)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
James Mortimer - allblacks.com (06/11/2009)
If one was to only judge the two sides from the talk coming from the respective camps, one would think that it was Wales who were sitting on what is a 20 match winning streak.
It has been endless, with Coach Warren Gatland, right down to the young Cardiff winger Leigh Halfpenny, all claiming that the All Blacks aura has gone. Not only that, but Wales had moved on and are stronger, while New Zealand is there for the taking.
The All Blacks, as has become their modus operandi, have said nothing of note, and will do their talking on the field. It is sometimes almost eerie how they arrive in a country and never give the opposition anything to be motivated by, except the chance to post what in Wales’ case has now become a very rare thing indeed.
But of course it wasn’t always like this.
In 1905 the All Black Originals toured Europe and North America and won 34 from 35 matches. They would lose only once, to Wales at Cardiff Arms Park 3-0.
While New Zealand would win 19-0 in Swansea in 1925, Wales would win 13-12 in 1924, and again in 1953 by 13-8. As the All Blacks were building their legacy, the Red Dragons would be most bemused by the “alleged” reputation of New Zealand. Wales had played them four times and only lost once. It is doubtful that any side in history would have said this, but in the first half of the 20th century the Welsh would probably think that playing the All Blacks wasn’t really that hard at all.
In 1963 the All Blacks would arrive at Cardiff Arms Park and beat the Welsh 6-0. From here they would embark on one of the great winning streaks between major test nations. From 1969 to 1979 one of the supreme teams in rugby history would don Welsh colours, winning eight Six Nations titles. But in this time even the wizards of Wales would lose to New Zealand, with the nadir coming with a 23-3 loss to the All Blacks in 1980.From 1987 to the present day, the two teams would clash another 13 times. Seven of those matches would be 30 point plus defeats, and nine times the All Blacks would breach 40 points.With this history in mind, a win for Wales at Millennium Stadium this weekend would be akin to winning a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Their verbal assault on the All Blacks is nothing new. All levels of taunts have been tried against New Zealand in the past, from not calling them “All Blacks” to coaches stating “remember, they are not gods in black jerseys, they are just men.”
The small problem for Wales is that they have done this before.
Last year they reminded the All Blacks of their last visit to Millennium Stadium (the 2007 World Cup loss to France) and stood wonderfully eyeballing New Zealand after the haka. Yet despite matching their great antagonists for a half, they wilted in the second.The best news for Wales now is that they have had the Springboks reveal a blueprint for beating the All Blacks. It is simple, uncompromising and (if you believe some media) boring. New Zealand doesn’t like to be taken out of their comfort zone, which South Africa did via physical pressure and a pinpoint kicking game.
The other positive news for the Red Dragons is that the All Blacks in their current vintage are not a strong starting side. If Wales can dominate and lay a match winning platform early, they can then try to then implement the plan as described above.
But then there is the bad news. Wales are not naturally a pragmatic side, and even if they alter their style, do not have the full arsenal of tools to cause the All Blacks problems. The All Blacks and Welsh both like to promote the game, and will likely play openly. However, man for man New Zealand is better at doing this.
Furthermore, as the Wallabies have discovered, the All Blacks finish their matches with such a full sail they are almost impossible to overcome. Even the mighty Springboks came close to being overrun in Hamilton. But Wales is on the up, and has a point to prove.
They have been usurped by Ireland on the European stage, but still provided as many Lions as any other nation and have a wonderful coaching team. They are serious about being a top nation, as evidenced by their new centre of excellence in the Vale of Glamorgan.
A win here against the All Blacks will spark a chain of events that could lead to Six Nations and even 2011 success. Even a loss, as demoralising as it will be, will not be the end of the world. Wales clash with the All Blacks twice in New Zealand next year. So at the very worst a loss on the weekend should harden them to try and achieve one of only two things they have never achieved.One is beat the All Blacks on home soil.
The other is winning a World Cup.For the All Blacks, they are not only seeking a win, but Henry has implied that this tour is doubling as a selection process. This is a canny statement, and will ensure that his players play at their best to ensure they remain in the national framework.While Wales cannot match the likes of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, there are possible weak links in this All Black team to capitalise on.
Unfortunately for Wales, they have some of their own. And worse, even their tried and true, such as Stephen Jones and Martyn Williams, have gone MIA against the All Blacks before.As has become a catchcry for the Red Dragons, much will depend on whether or not they can stand up and fight.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Ben Smith.
Wales: 15 James Hook, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Paul James, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Dafydd Jones, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Jonathan Davies, 21 Tom James
Date: Saturday, November 7
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT, 06.30 NZ Time - Sunday, November 8)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Chatterbox issue
Armand, FSS and I are so sorry for all the troubles we've recently had with the chatter-box!!!
We are trying to fix the problem ASAP!!!!
If anyone knows any site that provide chatterboxes which don't fail after 3 weeks online, please feel free to help us!!!!
We are trying to fix the problem ASAP!!!!
If anyone knows any site that provide chatterboxes which don't fail after 3 weeks online, please feel free to help us!!!!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Richie McCaw unfazed by Welsh chatter
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3035461/Richie-McCaw-unfazed-by-chatter-from-Welsh-camp
By MARC HINTON in Cardiff - Stuff.co.nz
05/11/2009
Richie McCaw's been around too long to draw any dramatic conclusions from the chat coming out of the Welsh rugby camp this week.
The All Blacks skipper knows full well that it's the walk, not the talk, that matters early Sunday (NZ time) when Wales once again look for that all-elusive victory over New Zealand.
That's why McCaw has been all but oblivious to talk from the Welsh that the All Blacks might be vulnerable this year; and that a first win over the New Zealanders since 1953 could be just around the corner.
"To be honest I don't read too much into it at all," said McCaw who will play his 77th test, and 41st as captain, this weekend. "The guys who were here last year realise it was a tough test match - probably the toughest on the tour. And we realise it's going to be the same on Saturday.
"What you've said before means absolutely nothing once you get on the field. We've just got to make sure we go through our preparation the best we can to front on Saturday."
Besides, McCaw has heard it all before.
"Every year it seems to be something round the traps... we don't get too carried away with it."
But McCaw acknowledged that the confidence that seems to be emanating from the Welsh makes them a dangerous opponent.
"There's no doubt about that. What they believe or what they don't, we just know from the experience of last year they've got good players. That's what I base it on.
"We realise we're in for a tough match. If anything it might add a bit of spice for some of us... you hear the odd thing... but we'd be idiots if we thought it was going to be easy.
"They came out [last year] with a lot of passion and hoed into things, and I can't see that being too different."
McCaw has also been given a side to lead by his coaches containing six changes (two forced, four by choice), and it remains to be seen whether that's a tactical mistake or not.
But the skip has no problems with some tweaking on the personnel front.
"The guys who are going to get their chance are excited about it. You look at a guy like Zac Guildford and he certainly deserves a go, no doubt about that. And a guy like Jason Eaton has shown he's got ability, he's just got to make sure he puts it out on the field. He's probably in the best shape I've seen him for a while so let's hope he takes that chance."
McCaw is also relaxed about the prospects of influential playmaker Dan Carter making the start line.
"From what I hear hopefully he'll be OK. But you can't worry about it -- if you lose one guy and think it's doom and gloom, that's not a very good way to operate.
"If he's not [all right] we've just got to get on with it. I presume Stephen Donald would then play, and he's played a few tests this year."
McCaw, meanwhile, said he was looking forward to the test for quite personal reasons.
"It's one of my favourite, if not my favourite, stadiums. I really enjoy playing there. The atmosphere is pretty awesome, and unfortunately you get a better atmosphere when the score's close. So it's nice to quieten things down."
By MARC HINTON in Cardiff - Stuff.co.nz
05/11/2009
Richie McCaw's been around too long to draw any dramatic conclusions from the chat coming out of the Welsh rugby camp this week.
The All Blacks skipper knows full well that it's the walk, not the talk, that matters early Sunday (NZ time) when Wales once again look for that all-elusive victory over New Zealand.
That's why McCaw has been all but oblivious to talk from the Welsh that the All Blacks might be vulnerable this year; and that a first win over the New Zealanders since 1953 could be just around the corner.
"To be honest I don't read too much into it at all," said McCaw who will play his 77th test, and 41st as captain, this weekend. "The guys who were here last year realise it was a tough test match - probably the toughest on the tour. And we realise it's going to be the same on Saturday.
"What you've said before means absolutely nothing once you get on the field. We've just got to make sure we go through our preparation the best we can to front on Saturday."
Besides, McCaw has heard it all before.
"Every year it seems to be something round the traps... we don't get too carried away with it."
But McCaw acknowledged that the confidence that seems to be emanating from the Welsh makes them a dangerous opponent.
"There's no doubt about that. What they believe or what they don't, we just know from the experience of last year they've got good players. That's what I base it on.
"We realise we're in for a tough match. If anything it might add a bit of spice for some of us... you hear the odd thing... but we'd be idiots if we thought it was going to be easy.
"They came out [last year] with a lot of passion and hoed into things, and I can't see that being too different."
McCaw has also been given a side to lead by his coaches containing six changes (two forced, four by choice), and it remains to be seen whether that's a tactical mistake or not.
But the skip has no problems with some tweaking on the personnel front.
"The guys who are going to get their chance are excited about it. You look at a guy like Zac Guildford and he certainly deserves a go, no doubt about that. And a guy like Jason Eaton has shown he's got ability, he's just got to make sure he puts it out on the field. He's probably in the best shape I've seen him for a while so let's hope he takes that chance."
McCaw is also relaxed about the prospects of influential playmaker Dan Carter making the start line.
"From what I hear hopefully he'll be OK. But you can't worry about it -- if you lose one guy and think it's doom and gloom, that's not a very good way to operate.
"If he's not [all right] we've just got to get on with it. I presume Stephen Donald would then play, and he's played a few tests this year."
McCaw, meanwhile, said he was looking forward to the test for quite personal reasons.
"It's one of my favourite, if not my favourite, stadiums. I really enjoy playing there. The atmosphere is pretty awesome, and unfortunately you get a better atmosphere when the score's close. So it's nice to quieten things down."
Sunday, November 01, 2009
McCaw delights in Blediscoe passion
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/3019436/McCaw-delights-in-Bledisloe-passion
By MARC HINTON in Tokyo - Stuff.co.nz
01/11/2009
It got one of the biggest cheers of the night, and All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw reckoned a bit of Bledisloe bash didn't go amiss in last night's historic match at the famous old Olympic stadium.
McCaw, after a clash his team won 32-19 to complete the season sweep of the Wallabies, said he hoped the Japanese people who turned out in their numbers got what they were after in an at-times heated fixture that finished with a decent old dust-up.
"There was a bit of desperation out there, and I guess the Wallabies were feeling it," remarked McCaw after a game that featured as much niggle as any of the Bledisloes this year."We didn't want to concede points, so there was a bit of passion, a bit of rough and tumble at the end and I think that shows what it means to both teams.
"We didn't want to let an easy try in at the end, and there was a lot of character shown, a lot of big hits went in at times when we were defending our line. That's a real indication of what it means to play in the black jersey."
Unlike his old Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, McCaw felt the Japanese contingent in the crowd would have got pretty good value out of a high-intensity context.
"I thought to have a full stadium was great, the atmosphere was good, the field was in perfect condition, there was a lot of black jerseys in the crowd and we had a lot of support.
"I thought the game was played in pretty good spirit and it was a pretty positive style of rugby. It showed the Japanese people who came along what a test match between the All Blacks and Wallabies was about."
McCaw admitted having come out on the right side of the ledger helped, but he thought the first ever Bledisloe played in Tokyo had been a winner.
He also finally admitted the significance of a seventh straight defeat of the Wallabies, even if the All Blacks had been running a mile from that very point all week.
"Obviously it's quite significant," said McCaw. "This part of the year feels totally different to what we've just been through [in the Tri-Nations], and in terms of looking at how many in a row it's probably not something we focused on a whole lot.
"But I guess looking back now having beaten Australia four out of four in one season is something quite significant, something to be proud of."
For all that, McCaw felt there was still plenty to work on as his team looks back on a performance it knows was not up to the level of what was produced in Wellington to close out the Tri-Nations.
"I think we'd like to start a bit better," he said. "We had a Wallaby team who came out pretty fired up. We'll expect that with teams we play now but rather than sit back and absorb it, we need to make sure we have that edge.
"Having that game under the belt will help that. A few of us played in the Air NZ Cup but the intensity is a long way off test match level. So we'll be better for having that run.
"We perhaps didn't have enough field position in the first half. We had a couple of opportunities, and in one I spilt the ball when we probably would have had five points, so little things like that if we can iron those out we will put teams under pressure."
By MARC HINTON in Tokyo - Stuff.co.nz
01/11/2009
It got one of the biggest cheers of the night, and All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw reckoned a bit of Bledisloe bash didn't go amiss in last night's historic match at the famous old Olympic stadium.
McCaw, after a clash his team won 32-19 to complete the season sweep of the Wallabies, said he hoped the Japanese people who turned out in their numbers got what they were after in an at-times heated fixture that finished with a decent old dust-up.
"There was a bit of desperation out there, and I guess the Wallabies were feeling it," remarked McCaw after a game that featured as much niggle as any of the Bledisloes this year."We didn't want to concede points, so there was a bit of passion, a bit of rough and tumble at the end and I think that shows what it means to both teams.
"We didn't want to let an easy try in at the end, and there was a lot of character shown, a lot of big hits went in at times when we were defending our line. That's a real indication of what it means to play in the black jersey."
Unlike his old Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, McCaw felt the Japanese contingent in the crowd would have got pretty good value out of a high-intensity context.
"I thought to have a full stadium was great, the atmosphere was good, the field was in perfect condition, there was a lot of black jerseys in the crowd and we had a lot of support.
"I thought the game was played in pretty good spirit and it was a pretty positive style of rugby. It showed the Japanese people who came along what a test match between the All Blacks and Wallabies was about."
McCaw admitted having come out on the right side of the ledger helped, but he thought the first ever Bledisloe played in Tokyo had been a winner.
He also finally admitted the significance of a seventh straight defeat of the Wallabies, even if the All Blacks had been running a mile from that very point all week.
"Obviously it's quite significant," said McCaw. "This part of the year feels totally different to what we've just been through [in the Tri-Nations], and in terms of looking at how many in a row it's probably not something we focused on a whole lot.
"But I guess looking back now having beaten Australia four out of four in one season is something quite significant, something to be proud of."
For all that, McCaw felt there was still plenty to work on as his team looks back on a performance it knows was not up to the level of what was produced in Wellington to close out the Tri-Nations.
"I think we'd like to start a bit better," he said. "We had a Wallaby team who came out pretty fired up. We'll expect that with teams we play now but rather than sit back and absorb it, we need to make sure we have that edge.
"Having that game under the belt will help that. A few of us played in the Air NZ Cup but the intensity is a long way off test match level. So we'll be better for having that run.
"We perhaps didn't have enough field position in the first half. We had a couple of opportunities, and in one I spilt the ball when we probably would have had five points, so little things like that if we can iron those out we will put teams under pressure."
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