Sunday, September 30, 2012

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 29 September

29.09.2012
South Africa 31, Australia 8 in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
New Zealand 54, Argentina 15 in La Plata (Rugby Championship)
Paraguay 29, Bermuda 14 in Asuncion (WCQ Americas Playoff)
Botswana v Swaziland in Manzini (Friendly) possibly on 6 October

Briefly
The complete performance by the All Blacks has come to pass Oh Lord! Not that I’m religious but certainly the game played by the All Blacks against Argentina was certainly one you’d expect to see in heaven. They were simply superb in every department. Hats off to Argentina. Against a ‘normal’ side they would have done better. They never gave up. The Pumas will be sharpening their claws ready for the battered Wallabies next weekend.

South Africa had a comfortable win against Australia. They played their best rugby of the season to date. The walking wounded Wallabies could make a test side of their own. The Aussie commentators listed 15 top players now out with injury. This included Ashley-Cooper who was concussed in today’s test.

Paraguay moved on in the Rugby World Cup qualifying process with a comfortable win over the visiting Bermudans. Paraguay now meets Brazil in Brazil at the end of October.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: New Zealand in Argentina

29.09.2012
New Zealand v Argentina in La Plata (Rugby Championship)

Venue: Estadio Único Ciudad de La Plata

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Preview
Argentina is winless in this Rugby Championship competition. That results has not been for want of trying. In fact they are well respected by the other three teams in this competition.

New Zealand will need to be at their best. Daniel Carter is back for New Zealand. His presence makes a big difference when he is on the field. I can’t see them losing but be sure Argentina will push them right to the end.

Argentina at home are more than a handful and you can expect a highly charged, passionate and emotional home crowd that will lift these Pumas.

It’ll be a cracker of a game.

Last Five Encounters
08.09.2012 New Zealand 21-5 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
09.10.2011 New Zealand 33-10 in Auckland (World Cup, Quarter-final)24.06.2006 New Zealand 24-19 in Buenos Aires
26.06.2004 New Zealand 41-7 in Hamilton
01.12.2001 New Zealand 24-20 in Buenos Aires

Argentina has Never defeated New Zealand. The closest they came was a 21-21 draw back in 1985 in Buenos Aires.

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 5
15.09.2012 v South Africa W 21-11 in Dunedin (Rugby Championship)08.09.2012 v Argentina W 21-5 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)
25.08.2012 v Australia W 22-0 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)18.08.2012 v Australia W 27-19 in Sydney (Bledisoe Cup; Rugby Champ.)23.06.2012 v Ireland W 60-0 in Hamilton

New Zealand has won it’s last 14 rugby test matches. The world record for test rugby is 18 held by Lithuania. Yes, Lithuania.

Wanna see? Lithuania’s test rugby record here at www.rugbyinternational.net

Argentina Last Five P 5, W 1, D1, L 3
15.09.2012 v Australia L 19-23 in Gold Coast (Rugby Championship)
08.09.2012 v New Zealand L 5-21 in Wellington (Rugby Championship)25.08.2012 v South Africa D 16-16 in Mendoza (Rugby Champ.)
18.08.2012 v South Africa L 6-27 in Capetown (Rugby Champ.)
23.06.2012 v France L 10-49 in Tucuman

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-New Zealand 1st, Argentina 5th

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 92.43, Argentina 79.34

Prediction: New Zealand by 8 points

TEAMS

13[1]

Argentina

15   Lucas González Amorosino  Montpellier, France
14   Gonzalo Camacho  Exeter Chiefs, England
13   Marcelo Bosch  Biarritz, France
12   Santiago Fernández  Montpellier, France
11   Horacio Agulla  Bath Rugby, England
10   Juan Martin Hernandez Racing Metro, France
9   Martin Landajo  Club Atletico San Isidro
8   Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Capt.) Toulon, France
7   Juan Manuel Leguizamon  Lyon OU, France
6   Julio Farías Cabello  Tucuman Rugby
5   Patricio Albacete  Toulouse, France
4   Manuel Carizza  Biarritz, France
3   Juan Figallo  Montpellier, France
2   Eusebio Guinazu  Biarritz, France
1   Rodrigo Roncero  Stade Français, France
       
16   Augustin Creevy  Montpellier, France
17   Marcos Ayerza  Leicester Tigers, England
18   Tomas Vallejos Cinalli Llanelly Scarlets, Wales
19   Thomas Leonardi  Los Pampas XV
20   Nicolás Vergallo  Stade Français, France
21   Martín Rodríguez Gurruchage  Stade Français, France
22   Juan José Imhoff  Racing Metro, France
       
    HEAD COACH: Santiago Phelan

8[1]

New Zealand

15   Israel Dagg  Hawkes Bay
14   Corey Jane Wellington
13   Conrad Smith  Wellington
12   Ma'a Nonu  Auckland
11   Julian Savea Wellington
10   Daniel Carter Canterbury
9   Aaron Smith  Manawatu
8   Kieran Read Canterbury
7   Richard McCaw (Capt.) Canterbury
6   Liam Messan Waikato
5   Samuel Whitelock  Canterbury
4   Luke Romano  Canterbury
3   Owen Franks  Canterbury
2   Andrew Hore  Taranaki
1   Tony Woodcock North Harbour
       
16   Kevin Mealamu  Auckland
17   Charles Faumuina  Auckland
18   Brodie Retallick  Bay of Plenty
19   Samuel Cane Bay of Plenty
20   Piri Weepu  Auckland
21   Aaron Cruden  Manawatu
22   Benjamin Smith Otago
       
    HEAD COACH: Steven Hansen

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TEST RUGBY: Boks v Wallabies

29.09.2012
Australia v South Africa in Pretoria (Rugby Championship, Mandela Cup)

Venue: Loftus Versfeld

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

Preview
This test match will be an interesting one. Both sides appear to be striving to play an open, expansive game with some interesting selections.

Australia has won the last five test matches against South Africa but will be up against History on Saturday. They have never won a test match in Pretoria.

Kurtley Beale comes into the pivot position for Australia. Beale has had confidence problems this season and has not been at his best. Although seen as a gamble from Robbie Deans it could well open up the game and create more opportunities for the Australian backline.

Australia has gone for a five-two forwards-back mix on the bench so will be expecting a rough time from the Springbox up front.

Springbox coach has been listening to critics and has dumped Mornie Steyn. This class player will be back but at present his game is not right. His replacement is young Johaan Goosen, a very exciting player. A concern is the injury to Frans Steyn. His replacement is one of two new caps in the side, Jaco Taute.

South Africa will be looking to dominate the Australians up front and create the platform for their backs to excel, something that has been lacking so far this season.

Last Five Encounters
08.09.2012 Australia 26-19 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
09.10.2011 Australia 11-9 in Wellington (World Cup, Quarter-final)
13.08.2011 Australia 14-9 in Durban (Mandela Cup; Tri Nations)
23.07.2011 Australia 39-20 in Sydney (Mandela Cup; Tri Nations)
04.09.2010 Australia 41-39 in Bloemfontein (Mandela Cup; Tri Nations)

South Africa Last Five P 5, W 1, D 2, L 2
15.09.2012 v New Zealand L 11-21 in Dunedin (Rugby Championship)08.09.2012 v Australia L 19-26 in Perth (Rugby Championship)
25.08.2012 v Argentina D 16-16 in Mendoza (Rugby Championship)
18.08.2012 v Argentina W 27-6 in Capetown (Rugby Championship)
23.06.2012 v England D 14-14 in Port Elizabeth

Australia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
15.09.2012 v Argentina W 23-19 in Gold Coast (Rugby Championship)08.09.2012 v South Africa W 26-19 in Perth (Mandela Cup, Rugby Ch.)
25.08.2012 v New Zealand L 0-22 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Ch.)
18.08.2012 v New Zealand L 19-27 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Ch.)23.06.2012 v Wales W 20-19 in Sydney

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Australia 3rd, South Africa 4th

IRB Ranking Points
Australia 86.62, South Africa 84.20

Prediction: South Africa by 7 points

TEAMS

34[1]

South Africa

15   Zane Kirchner  Blue Bulls
14   Bryan Habana  Western Province Stormers
13   Jaco Taute * Golden Lions
12   Jean de Villiers (capt.) Western Province Stormers
11   Francois Hougaard  Blue Bulls
10   Johaan Goosen  Free State Cheetahs
9   Ruan Pienaar  Ulster, Ireland
8   Duane Vermeulen  Western Province Stormers
7   Willem Alberts Natal Sharks
6   Francoise Louw  Bath, England
5   Andries Bekker Western Province Stormers
4   Eben Etzebeth  Western Province Stormers
3   Jannie du Plessis  Natal Sharks
2   Adriaan Strauss  Freee State Cheetahs
1   Tendai Mtawarira  Natal Sharks
       
16   Tiaan Liebenburg  Western Province Stormers
17   Patrick Cilliers  Golden Lions
18   Flip van der Merwe  Blue Bulls
19   Marcell Coetzee  Natal Sharks
20   Elton Jantjies * Golden Lions
21   Juan de Jong Western Province Stormers
22   Patrick Lambie  Natal Sharks
       
    HEAD COACH: Heyneke Meyer

* Test debut

7[1]

Australia

15   Berrick Barnes  NSW Waratahs
14   Dominic Shipperley  Queensland Reds
13   Adam Ashley-Cooper  NSW Waratahs
12   Patrick McCabe ACT Brumbies
11   Digby Ioane  Queensland Reds
10   Kurtley Beale  Queensland Reds
9   Nicholas Phipps  Melbourne Rebels
8   Radiki Samo  NSW Waratahs
7   Michael Hooper  ACT Brumbies
6   David Dennis  NSW Waratahs
5   Nathan Sharpe (Capt.) WA Western Force
4   Kane Douglas NSW Waratahs
3   Benjamin Alexander  ACT Brumbies
2   Tatafu Polota-Nau  NSW Waratahs
1   Ben Robinson  NSW Waratahs
       
16   Saia Fainga’a  Queensland Reds
17   James Slipper Queensland Reds
18   Robert Simmons Queensland Reds
19   Scott Higginbotham  Queensland Reds
20   Liam Gill  Queensland Reds
21   Brett Sheehan WA Western Force
22   Anthony Fainga'a  Queensland Reds
       
    HEAD COACH: Robbie Deans