Bleacher Report - Articles by James Mortimer

England Rugby – 2009 End of Year Review

James Mortimer — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:45:43 -0500

Martin Johnson and his men are having all manner of inquisitions delivered against them. Unfortunately for England, lack of victories is giving their critics endless ammunition, as is the manner of their technique.

Rob Andrew has come out and stated there has been some improvement with England’s performances. On the surface of it, this is true.

The margins of defeat were narrower than they were in 2008, and while some would argue the quality of the opposition may have been stellar, it wasn’t as if it was a first-choice England test XV.

Or was it?

(We will explore that a bit later.)

The initial reaction is that if improvement has been made, then where are the wins, or at least, why hasn’t it been evident in the performances on the park? Early rejoinder from the “passionate” England public is that it is not so much about progress at this stage.

It is more about admitting that everything is not well.

Johnson, the former 2003 World Cup winning captain, has also come out and stated that the backroom team within the England camp are safe.

In essence, this has become the “party line” of the England management camp. Much of the same was said last year. They insist that the performance curve is on the up, and that the implementation and development of the long-term plan is on track.

Perhaps, but if it is about meeting the Key Performance Indicators on the Strategic plan (implemented in September) then the Rugby Football Union has a hell of a lot of work to do.

It states that Johnson and England should be aiming to win at least four of the next eight Six Nations titles, two of them by Grand Slam, as well as achieving a two-from-three success ratio against the Tri Nations teams.

If there is a long-term plan, should not sights be set with more realism?

The above achievement wish list is something that the RFU should have set the day after Martin Johnson hoisted up the William Webb Ellis trophy. But unfortunately for England, that lack of foresight is very much indicative of their sporting approach.

The same ugly picture corresponded with the England cricket team, who were on top of the world after a stunning Ashes victory in 2005.

Amidst the celebrations, there was precious little focus on reviewing how they upset possibly the strongest test cricketing team the world had ever seen.

But when they were thumped 5-0 in Australia and had a poor World Cup, English cricket then commissioned the Schofield report.

Analysing the problems when it all goes to s*** is a pretty good thing, but an even better tactic would be working out why it is all going so well, and trying to maintain the progress.

This is probably the biggest issue for England rugby and for their supporters.

It has gone very well, and only just recently.

England six years ago were the dominant rugby power on the planet. The most incriminating aspect of it all is the fact that the RFU, the players and the overall set up had worked out how to climb up to and remain on the summit.

But since then little maintenance has been performed.

The so called “work in progress” has been in place for years now.

England, the fourth nation to win a World Cup, were the dominant team in world rugby in a glorious three-year period between 2001 and 2003 where they played 37 games for 34 wins (91.9 percent), an age that included four Wallaby scalps, three Springbok wins, and two All Black victories.

In the five years since then, England has lost 38 matches in 68 games.

So is there really any real progress?

Much of the ire directed towards England is because of the manner they have performed on the field.

When Johnson first took charge, there was the false dawn of a strong win over the Pacific Islanders, before crashing to three consecutive defeats to the Tri Nations powers.

They were not “die fighting” losses, but rather ill-disciplined affairs in which England were their own worst enemy.

This trend continued in the Six Nations early, when against Ireland at Croke Park, the sending off of Danny Care saw England awarded their 10th yellow card in four matches.

This world record run saw quite possibly the ugliest hybrid of a rugby team one could bear to see.

England was developing into a damage controlling spoiling machine, who would often try anything just to keep the opposition away from their try line via a panicky kicking game.

It was a shame, because this hid the fact that they were competitive in stages against Wales (the reigning champions) and came close to beating Ireland (the champions-elect).

Against France, a marvellous transformation occurred, and England played probably their best game of rugby in years, smashing France 34-10 before comfortably accounting for Scotland to atone for their embarrassing 15-9 loss at Murrayfield in 2008.

They finished the Six Nations as (yellow cards and penalties notwithstanding) the most impressive team statistically in the championship. The most tries, the best attack and the strongest defence.

Again, the expectation was set, and has crashed down amidst a poor autumn international series.

But despite the spectre of injuries, England still was able to field competitive teams throughout the win against Argentina and the losses to Australia and New Zealand.

It is evident when viewing three different starting line ups (last matches of 2008 and this year’s autumn internationals and the second to last game in the 2009 Six Nations), that England still had many front line troops available.

Against New Zealand – Lost 6-19

England: Cueto, Banahan, Hipkiss, Erinle, Monye, Wilkinson, Hodgson, Payne, Hartley, Bell, Shaw, Borthwick, Worsley, Moody, Haskell. Replacements: Tait, Geraghty, Care, Thompson, Wilson, Deacon, Croft

Against France – Won 34-10

England: Armitage, Cueto, Tindall, Flutey, Monye, Flood, Ellis, Sheridan, Mears, Vickery, Borthwick, Shaw, Croft, Worsley, Easter. Replacements: Tait, Goode, Care, White, Hartley, Haskell, Kennedy

Against New Zealand – Lost 6-32

England: Armitage; Sackey, Noon, Flutey, Monye; Flood, Care; Payne, Mears, Vickery, Borthwick, Kennedy, Haskell, Lipman, Easter. Replacements: Hipkiss, Cipriani, Ellis, Hartley, Stevens, Rees, Croft

But in viewing these sides, it is clear where England has missed players of note. And in this we see the root of many of their recent issues.

There were no grizzled front rowers, no men to not only buttress the set piece, but to add co-ordinated power to the England rucks.

Most of the play on the deck has been either negative or without the real intention to do what a winning team tries to do in contact, either recycle the ball quickly or disrupt the opposition...without getting penalised!

There was also lack of balance in the loose forwards. England’s big problem is that more often than not of late, their pack operated as a group of individuals, and not as a roving unit. As it has been in other positions, lack of specialist operators in the back row hurt.

As exceptional as Lewis Moody was in recent tests, his herculean efforts ironically showed England’s lack of “togetherness” at the ruck, as the Leicester flanker was trying to make up for the lack of work by the forwards as a cluster.

There have also been no real thinkers or authority in the backline. Jonny Wilkinson is an outstanding player, but men around him were not offering the support, so the Toulon playmaker clearly felt he had to overplay his hand.

Wilkinson has always been a talent, but one cannot forget that when he ruled the rugby world, he did so behind a brilliant forward pack, and had an influential and powerful midfield outside of him.

Lack of players such as Riki Flutey, or a genuine No. 12 who can take pressure off his stand off and make tactical decisions, are severely hurting England.

This shows their missing je ne sais quoi , that team cohesion and a reliance that all the players emblazoned in white will do the job.

While the win ledger and trophy cabinet is still empty, there are some positives. England showed against the All Blacks (while some might argue they were poor, it was still a talent-laden New Zealand side) that they can compete, and can front up to a class opponent.

But just fronting up does not guarantee success; it is consistency and the ability to perform facets of the game more efficiently, at whatever cost. This was the England of merely six years ago: dedicated, precise and cold, an unyielding rugby goliath that would not be stopped by any team.

Johnson led those men, but whether or not he can teach a new generation and mould them of his own image, is the real challenge for England now.

Or perhaps the challenge is simply admitting that all is not well, and learning from the problems before moving forward.

O'Brien, Dickenson-gate Brings Rugby's Governance into Question

James Mortimer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:01:46 -0500

In the Roman Empire, the evolution of laws from the early 12 tables through to the Corpus Juris Civilis (the grandfather of basic civil law), was often undertaken for the benefit of abridging them. They followed the principle that “the more laws there are, the harder it is to govern.”

This applies to Rugby Union more than any other sporting code.

For mine, it is one of the reasons why I love our great game more than any other. Rugby is wonderful to watch for the contest, the complexity, and the different aspects of the game.

Far be it for me to criticise Association football (or soccer), but I have never quite grasped the context of the statement, “the beautiful game,” when its simplicity can make it numbingly s—l—o—w.

This is also the case when I watch Rugby League, the closest cousin of our game. When I see their players tackled, I always shake my head as I watch the tacklers move away and see no physical contest for the ball.

But the inherent intricacy of our game can lead to complications.

After all, one man is governing the match, with two “assistants.”

But we need to take how rugby is officiated with a grain of salt at times. Without being too philosophical to say that to err is human, even with a deep understanding of the multitude of laws, it is impossible to always get it right.

In some cases, the controlling of an area is impossible. When recently reviewing the laws of the game myself, I was again surprised (despite knowing all too well), how many times the rules state the necessity of staying on your feet. Especially at the ruck.

You will never watch a game of rugby where players do not lose their feet in the tackle or ruck area. In many respects, falling deliberately over the tackled player acts as a shield for opposing scavengers, and there is no more effective way of retaining possession.

Which leads us to our next point—paramount above all others—if you can get away with it, you do it to give the team every advantage possible.

However, there are other aspects where at times the referee needs to give a certain degree of carte blanche to teams, especially if:

a) It is not directly influencing play and

b) If one team is being dominant regardless

Of course, we are talking about the recently vexed issue of scrums.

Often (in reference to points a & b), the ball will travel through to the back of the scrum, and the feeding team will prepare to play it out. The official will then blow the whistle because of illegality, even though it is not going to alter the nominal outcome.

Equally, when a stronger scrum is dominating, penalties are blown, where clearly the front row under pressure will do anything to stop the pressure.

Front row forwards are such because of certain skills, not because of their pretty faces and well-documented abilities as stage actors.

Too often are props and hookers completely confused with rulings, despite the fact that these specialist athletes spend days practicing their craft.

In this, the IRB needs to be decisive or, more importantly, transparent with the greatest asset any sport has:

The fans.

When the ELV’s were implemented, there was never a crystal-clear indication as to their purpose.

Worse, they were released with two different sets of principles (the hybrid and global trials), but never truly addressed the key issues of the game.

Even if laws or rules are not to be amended, at the very least consistency needs to be applied. Even better, a uniform acceptance of certain policies and the faith that the man with the whistle will do the best job humanly possible.

Public executions, such as the one that was seen with Dickenson, are wrong.

Equally, policymakers should realistically never come to the defence of a specific party, in this case, the All Blacks. Whether or not New Zealand had a case against the Italian scrum isn’t the point, an overseeing body should remain neutral, at least publically.

But more importantly, if the two points above are said, then as it is with the referees and laws, you need to stand by what is said, not publically retract a delivered edict.

I am an unabashed fan and supporter of the game, but some within the rugby fraternity are growing disillusioned. What's worse, new fans (so necessary to growth) are quickly turning away, confused and unsure of what is happening during a match.

In business, a blemished product is revised, assessed, and most importantly, customer feedback is taken aboard to ensure eventual satisfaction.

Let us hope that rugby can take a page from this well used truism.

Deans and Wallabies Must Ignore Media Scorn

James Mortimer — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:57:05 -0500

If we were to believe some quarters, Australian rugby is perched on a ledge, staring into an abyss. In fact, the denizens of such an unholy place have been hovering around Australian rugby for some time now, and again are now penning its demise.

Who are these wretched beasts, the individuals who cannot stand by the Wallabies “through thick or thin, through the good times and the bad time?”

They are local media.

Surely the Australian press has now overtaken the English as the most vicious rugby scribes to compose their tomes regarding their Wallabies.

Just weeks ago, moments after Australia put away arguably an England third XV, the same inconsistent commentators were murmuring that a Grand Slam was achievable.

The lack of perspective is surprising, considering that Australian rugby is in a rebuilding phase that could be classed as the most nascent of all of the test nations. While Robbie Deans may have been at the helm for nearly two years, many are taking for granted the fact that the turnover of players still continues.

Could any side lose Stirling Mortlock and not suffer? While David Pocock may have overtaken George Smith in the pecking order, it is still a change in a crucial position that has been consistent for a century of test matches.

The youngest side in test rugby is still coming to grips with the mentality required to compete, and above all win, international matches.

In this, one wonders if Deans has in fact made the correct decision in his recycling of players. The first name that comes to mind is Phil Waugh. Whether or not these players still have the quality, or are fitting to Dean’s vision, is almost a moot point.

Clearly the young and undeveloped Wallabies need some experience on the park.

But Deans is also struggling to implement not only a specific strategy with his team, but is still clearly coming to terms with the fact that, when compared with other tier-one nations, Australia probably has the least efficient rugby nursery in the sport's world.

The former Canterbury mentor does not have a Christ’s College, Ellesmere College, or Christchurch Boys High that churns out rugby players who quickly adapted to first class football for the Crusaders.

It would be easy to say that the game at grassroots level is suffering due to the lack of success at the highest level, but it is more of a case of the Wallabies suffering due to the overall lack of development in the schools and local parks.

Australian football, rugby league and cricket scouts rove these sporting kindergartens constantly. Can Wallaby or Super 14 talent teams make the same claim?

But despite all of this, the word "perspective" must again come to mind. As must the feelings of expectation.

The Wallabies have been in a state of flux for so long now that one must ask if the potential, or opportunity, to actually consistently compete on the world stage exists in the long term.

Yes, Australia has won two World Cups, but since 2000 (which even allows for the last 13 matches under Rod McQueen) Australia has won just 73 of its matches—less than 60 percent. Twenty-one of these wins were against teams ranked outside the top seven or eight in the world.

Almost mockingly, seven of those victories were against Scotland.

Is it too harsh to heap too much belief on a team that has to compete with the two strongest rugby superpowers in history—the All Blacks and Springboks—every year? Or is it with great irony that this could be the reason why the Wallabies should be expected to perform?

It is a core psychological aspect of life that we often focus on the bad times, especially when the good equals the bad. Fourteen wins from 27 games under Deans gives credence to this notion.

Australia has still inflicted one of the five heaviest defeats ever on the All Blacks in this time, beaten France four games straight, and beaten the reigning world champions three times. They also, only two matches ago, almost downed the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam champions.

Holding probably one of the strongest Irish teams ever to a draw is yet another notable achievement.

But is this enough to offset a current seven match losing streak against New Zealand, their biggest ever test defeat (to South Africa in Johannesburg), and now a loss to Scotland?

For all the criticism directed towards the Wallabies, they did everything in Murrayfield except win and score points, and came up against the best Scottish performance in years. A belligerent, sheer bloody-minded Scotland team that former Captain David Sole said summed up everything the Thistles are about.

Australia is living in a world in which other nations are far stronger than it in the rugby pecking order.

At this time, Australia needs support and some patience, before the weight of expectation and criticism unhinges any positives there are to be taken.

The Fine Art of a Rugby Number 12

James Mortimer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:38:32 -0500

We know the position by many guises. Most commonly referred to as an inside centre, kiwis denote the position as a second five eighth. In Italy the role can be wonderfully referred to as a “Primo e Centro.” Either way, it is one of the pivotal stations on a rugby field.

This is becoming even more apparent in this year’s Autumn Internationals.

Over the professional era, the purpose of the number 12 has varied according to how each nation wishes to play its game.

There are two very basic ideologies that the second receiver in the back line can fulfil.

First is of a supporting playmaker. In New Zealand, this is why the position is known as a second five eighth, operating under the principle the both the number 10 and number 12 are dual first receivers that can operate either side of a scrum or ruck.

Often this style of player will also be a capable tactical kicker.

The second is of a power style player. A true inside centre who plays his role very much like a traditional centre, often straightening the attack on offense, or acting as the most powerful blockade off the fringes. That is, someone who can tackle a forward coming off the ruck as proficiently as tackling or stopping a backline play.

There is then the third option, someone who is a heady blend of the two above qualities. Great number 12's that spring to mind are Ireland’s Mike Gibson and Australia’s Tim Horan—players that are often the beacon for a team in attack or defence.

Tana Umaga is a classic example for New Zealand. In many respects the former All Black captain pioneered the role in aspects of game changing defence, and his ability to act as a roving loose forward.

Teams in the Northern Hemisphere are not producing as many quality number 12’s as they would like. Or more importantly, they are not using them effectively or in a manner which complements the entire team’s game.

Jamie Roberts has the potential to be a brilliant midfielder, but Wales and the Cardiff Blues centre are struggling to define his role.

Wales are not the Lions, and one wonders whether Roberts has adjusted to not having the combined forces of the home unions giving him go forward ball, and not having the calm advice of a certain 100 test cap North Dubliner whispering off his shoulder.

Against Australia and Samoa, Wales and Roberts did create opportunities, but were not clinical enough to finish them off. One cannot be too critical, as there is no Mike Phillips to create uncertainty in the fringe defence of opposition teams, nor a Lee Byrne scything into the defensive line.

But Roberts at test level, a player used at 12, 13, 14, and 15 in the backline, still has to learn to use his strong defence and powerful running to create. Certainly being partnered with Tom Shanklin hasn’t helped. Wales appear to have a mini identity crisis with their midfield. Gavin Henson isn’t there anymore and one feels that perhaps a Dan Biggar or James Hook could be better suited to 12, with Roberts feeding off created space.

England are missing this without Riki Flutey, who suddenly appears be the spark that the English backline requires.

Ireland do not need to rely so much on this, as they have the magical Brian O’Driscoll. There is far less expectation on the Paddy Wallaces or Gordon D’Arcys with quite possibly the most ingenious outside centre ever to play the game placed outside them.

In the South, the rise of Ma’a Nonu has seen the All Blacks able to rate their first choice midfield as one of the best in the world. However, the dreadlocked centres role is a lot easier with Daniel Carter inside of him.

But it is his combination with Conrad Smith, a complimentary but more diverse player than Nonu that sees the All Black backline perform more efficiently.

While the Wallabies may not exactly be clones of the Crusaders, Robbie Deans has certainly pushed the principles of a “second five eighth” onto the Australian set up.

Berrick Barnes has emerged to be the anchor, in which the Wallaby backline operates around and Quade Cooper may be more flamboyant than and not as structured as the injured Australian centre, but essentially their roles are the same.

The Wallabies' play flows more efficiently with their 10 and 12 interchanging.

Most test nations have depth in their three quarter line or backup halves, but when a team loses its presence at number 12, it inevitably suffers. South Africa has looked less potent without the assuredness of Jean De Villiers in their backline.

Many feel that with a world class test fly half a team cannot dominate, or build towards winning a World Cup.

But as recent matches have shown, lack of creativity and nous at 12, can unhinge even the best side.

England Needs Simon Shaw and a Fall Back To Old Era

James Mortimer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:22:40 -0500

When looking at Shawsy’s rugby resume, it makes perfect sense to have the London Wasp and Lions lock recalled straight into the English team to face the All Blacks at Twickenham.

The big man has done it all. Playing for Wasps for well over a decade, he was won Heineken Cups, Premierships, Powergen, and Tetley Bitter Cups. He has worn the colours of a British and Irish Lion, and has an MBE for his role with England’s 2003 World Cup winning team (although he was not officially part of the 30 man squad).

He has even kicked a first class drop goal.

If you were to look closer, you could be deceived when you read that the man was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, until you see the second row forward in the flesh.

He is arguably one of the biggest men ever to have graced a rugby field. Standing comfortably over two metres tall, and close to 20 stone (over 120 kg) it was almost ironic to hear him lead the voices saying that rugby players have become too much like gym monkeys.

Few could hope—even with genetics, supplements, and years of heavy training—to even begin to come close to the presence that the “gentle giant” exudes.

But he is far from tender on the rugby field, and being cut from the same cloth that Martin Johnson is made from, could be part of the missing link that England requires.

Until their horror injury toll subsides, England will not be able to fulfil the attacking promise they showed during this year’s Six Nations. Two of their key backline generals, Riki Flutey and Delon Armitage, were the spark plugs for their offensive engine.

For all of Jonny Wilkinson’s gifts, he is not a true running field marshal, especially without elegant midfield support.

Which Northampton Saints back Shane Geraghty is failing to provide.

But irrespective of having a casualty ward numbering close to 30, England needs to forget about reinventing the wheel and look at what they can achieve with their current personal.

When thinking about it, it is surprising that we have not really seen this from Johnson’s men. A fall back to the glory days when they weren’t fancy, played one of the most basic game plans, but was uncompromising in an almost terrifying manner.

It was no coincidence that when Peter Jackson made his Lord of the Rings trilogy, his first casting call went to the old England forward pack to play the part of rampaging Orcs.

From a combination perspective, the best unit that England can field is in the back row.

James Haskell, Lewis Moody, and Tom Croft could probably be the first choice English loose forward trio even if they had every single player in the country fit and playing. If Simon Shaw was playing alongside Steve Borthwick, it would give England five men in the forward pack that could win a large portion of the game.

For all of Borthwick’s critics as a captain, if he was partnered with a fellow grizzled lead from the front second rower like Shaw, one feels that he could truly shine.

Most telling for England, if one looks at their numbers relating to forward performance, they could, and should, be troubling any team in world rugby.

Against the Wallabies they dominated the rucks, losing only two of their own, and forcing Australia to concede nearly 10. England had 15 line outs, and lost only one.

In the match against Argentina, they also ruled the battle of the ruck (although many of their turnovers in this area were from mistakes), lost only one of their own throws and scrums, and caused the Argentinean set pieces a little bother.

England’s most glaring weakness at this time is failure to work as a unit, but the pieces are slowly falling into place.

Case in point Haskell, who normally plays flanker for Stade Francais, and is often guilty of playing as a one man act. But working alongside Moody, there were promising signs that this England pack could work as a solitary armoured division.

And with Shaw leading the vanguard, England could truly trump their critics, and at the very least give the All Blacks a fright.

For all of New Zealand’s talents, they are not particularly fond of tight arm wrestles, and realistically this is the only way the home team could gain parity with what is an improving and will likely be a full strength All Black team.

But the question is do England realise this?

Rugby: All Blacks Look to Extend Welsh Misery

James Mortimer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:51:23 -0500

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 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, Nov. 7
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT, 06.30 NZ Time - Sunday, Nov. 8)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Rugby: England to Try to Withstand History-Seeking Wallabies

James Mortimer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:44:01 -0500

Martin Johnson’s wounded side waits for what is allegedly a Wallabies team in crisis. But England could truly cause problems if their patched-up misfits derail Australia’s Grand Slam quest before it begins.

While injuries are part and parcel of a rugby team, the casualty ward for England would probably be close to some sort of record. When the Elite Player squad and England Saxon groups were created, they were formed to give Johnson two deep and legitimate pools of talent to work with.

He is now essentially missing a full, 32-man squad.

There are scatterings of talent in his chosen 22-man group to face the Wallabies. There are three World Cup winners in the team, and none will be more important than the world record points scorer, Jonny Wilkinson.

But while he has been invigorated and in form with his new side, Toulon, he will control one of the less experienced backlines England has ever fielded.

In the pack, there is some talent with a solid back row and Steve Thompson making a remarkable return to test rugby. However, one feels that the forwards, if not the entire team, has a soft underbelly.

England, still in a genesis period after the absolute heaven-based highs of 2003, need to start making discernable progress. While Johnson has in theory a free license to lose due to his absentees, the World Cup-winning captain is not one for excuses.

And for him, the only real progress in winning.

The Wallabies, in theory, arrive with no form to speak of, losing six of their last seven matches. Robbie Deans, who was hailed as the tonic that Australian rugby needed, has been the proverbial pebble in a river so far.

All the important numbers in Australian rugby are down, with less and less people caring about a team that has in its pomp won two World Cups. However, the country has a crowded and aggressive sporting market, one that often forgets to put things into simple perspective.

The Wallabies are the only team except the British and Irish Lions to have defeated the Springboks this year. And of their six losses, they have all come at the hands of the two best rugby teams in the world (according to the IRB rankings, at least!).

They have had a shakeup, with Rocky Elsom the new captain and more and more new faces permeating the squad. Clearly, Deans feels he still has plenty of time on his hands to develop.

There has been progress, with the Wallabies' scrum looking as strong as it has ever been.

But there has also been marked regress.

Their lineout, once the finest aerial technicians in the world, struggles abominably at times.

The sparkling Australian backline attack that dazzled their opponents at the turn of the century has lost its thrust.

Even the vaunted Wallabies' golden wall that was unmatched with its hybrid system of league and union defense is too often caught completely off guard.

But as they have shown against the blue chip opponents of both the Springboks and All Blacks, they can compete. And if recent history and southern dominance repeats itself, the troubles Australia had with their Tri Nations opponents could turn to a field of dreams against the home nations.

Much depends on how England comes out in this match.

Of late, England has been lost in northern rugby dominance based conversations to their Celtic neighbors, both of whom have won Six Nations Grand Slams of late. Even the French have had their triumph this year, notching a rare win in New Zealand.

But there is something to like about England, and notwithstanding injuries, the beast that Johnson is nurturing could well be a fearsome challenge to the 2011 World Cup.

They did come second in this year’s Six Nations, with the best attack and best defense of any team. Even when against Ireland, the darlings of the north, England only lost by one point at Croke Park. Many Irish players remarked that they had never felt as physically smashed after that battle.

Johnson is still searching for his medium (as does every coach). But the expected power and pragmatism from their pack, coupled with a hither unseen grace that their backline showed earlier this year, could see England again mount the global stage.

But even with best intentions, their first match in months and an undermanned team will see them struggle against Australia.

Australia are a side not only desperate for a win, but pained to right what many believe has been a bad year for Wallabies and their rugby landscape. A Grand Slam will all but wipe away their sins, but if they cannot beat this crippled England, they will not conquer Ireland or Wales.

Still, it is a strong looking Wallabies team, battle hardened by matches against their Tri Nations foes, and even more toughened by being sick of sitting in losing changing rooms.

Deans has made arguably his most radical coaching move and will play a midfield of Digby Ioane and Quade Cooper. This combination has the potential to be glorious.

But while the Wallabies appear far beyond England on paper, the challenge will be whether Australia can overcome their recent pain and stare down the gesturing of potential history.

Either way, one feels that a classic match beckons.

England

15 Ugo Monye, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Shane Geraghty, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Danny Care, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Louis Deacon, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 David Wilson, 2 Steve Thompson, 1 Tim Payne.

Replacements

16 Dylan Hartley , 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Courtney Lawes, 19 James Haskell, 20 Paul Hodgson, 21 Andy Goode, 22 Ayoola Erinle.

Australia

15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Quade Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 David Pocock, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 James O'Connor.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 7.

Venue: Twickenham, London.

Time: 14.30 (14.30 GMT).

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand).

Can Australia Really Win a Grand Slam?

James Mortimer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:16:43 -0500

That was the year that many believed was the genesis for the Wallabies elevation to legitimate world powers, when a marvellous Australian team under Coach Alan Jones arrived at Twickenham on Nov. 3, 1984, and would go on to record a famous Grand Slam.

The tour, which was 25 years ago, was the seventh Grand Slam attempt by an Australian side.

This tour will be the 24^th such tour by any Tri Nations power and at its conclusion will see the Wallabies join the All Blacks and Springboks as having undertaken eight such visits.

In 1927-'28, the team would tour as New South Wales, with Queensland Rugby Union effectively a non-entity at the time (the QRU was disbanded in 1919 and reformed in 1928). Despite beating Ireland 5-3 in the first game—the first ever test match between the sides—and Wales, 18-8, they would lose narrowly to Scotland, 8-10, and England, 18-11.

In 1986, the ARU would declare the matches as full internationals.

That New South Wales team would contain legends such as Alex Ross, Johnnie Wallace, and Cyril Towers, and be captained by Tom Lawton, the latter of whom would captain Australia to their first series whitewash of the All Blacks in 1929.

In 1947-'48, the Wallabies would embark on a mammoth 41-match tour, captained by Bill Mclean, a former Australian commando. Australia would beat Scotland, 16-7, and Ireland, 16-3, in their first two tests, but would be shut down in a dour match by Wales, 0-6.

They would beat England, 11-0, and finish their account against the home nation test sides with the notable record of not having their try line breached.

The 1957-'58 tour represented a nadir in Australian rugby, with the side travelling to Britain, Ireland, France, and Canada. Of the 41 matches played, the Wallabies would win only 22 and would lose all five tests on the tour.

England, the 1957 Five Nations champions, would celebrate the Australian victory as their first win over a Southern test power since the end of the second World War.

Nearly 10 years later, Ken Catchpole would take an impressive Wallabies team on tour. The 1966-'67 itineraries would see the Australians play 36 matches. Despite beating Wales, 14-11, to kick off their test matches, they would lose to Scotland and Ireland to deny them another opportunity at the home nation’s sweep.

However, they would beat England, 23-11, the heaviest defeat to the English in over a decade, where Catchpole’s performance was proclaimed by many to be arguably the greatest routine by a No. 9.

In 1975-'76, the Wallabies would head north buoyed after earlier beating the English, 2-0, on home soil. Despite this, they would again fail on their Grand Slam quest, losing their first three matches badly.

The 10-3 loss to Scotland, 28-3 thumping by Wales, and 23-6 reversal by England would be the heaviest succession of losses suffered by an Australian team.

In 1981-'82, a young Australian team would tour, containing then unknown players by the names of Simon Poidevin, Andrew Slack, and two brothers with the surname Ella.

It was not successful in terms of results, with the Wallabies only winning the first test and losing the following three. However, in all their matches, Australia would score more tries than their opponents, but would suffer from the boots of the two fullbacks—Scotsman Andy Irvine and Welshman Gwyn Evans.

Sir Nicholas Shehadie (tour manager) and Bob Templeton’s (coach) side would also start the tour terribly, winning only one of the first four tour games, with a Midland Division and Bridgend both recording upset wins.

In 1984, the Wallabies would assemble, but expectation was not as high as their eventual reputations would prove to be.

This was based on a less than impressive build up.

In 1982, Scotland would draw a two-match series in Australia, winning the first test in Brisbane, 12-7. The Wallabies would lose the Bledisloe Cup that same year, 1-2.

In 1983, Argentina would draw a two-match series in Australia, and again the Wallabies would fall to the All Blacks, losing 18-8 in Sydney. In that year’s end of year tour, they would lose a two-match series against France, 1-0.

This is the comforting aspect for the 2009 hybrid of the Wallabies, who like the famous team 25 years before them, have had a less than impressive build into their historic eighth Grand Slam attempt.

While the 1984 Grand Slam team would lose four tour matches—to Cardiff, Llanelli, Ulster, and South of Scotland, they would whitewash the home union teams.

A 19-3 win against England in the first test (the biggest Australian win on English soil), a 16-9 win against Ireland, and then two excellent wins—a 28-9 shutout of Wales and a 37-12 smashing of Scotland—secured their piece of history.

This is the advantage for the Wallabies less than two years out from the World Cup.

For all of the faults many believe Australian rugby has, a Grand Slam will come close to erasing the apparent recession in the Wallaby team and underline the progress that Coach Robbie Deans and company would have us believe has been made.

The Wallabies of 1984 didn’t have a perfect record leading in, but the annals of history have put them on a pedestal due to their landmark achievement. They would also progress from their success, winning the Bledisloe, 2-1, on New Zealand soil in 1986, and laying the foundations for the future with a solid 1987 World Cup.

Can the 2009 Wallabies do the same?

Can France Finally Achieve Their Potential?

James Mortimer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:09:31 -0500

Of all the European sides, perhaps with the exception of reigning Six Nations champions Ireland, Les Bleus have the most reason to be confident coming into their autumn internationals but will need to make a statement coming into a crucial build up to a World Cup tilt.

France is the best team not to have won a World Championship, especially considering that they have won six Six Nations titles in the last 13 years, four of them Grand Slams. Add to this their actual World Cup record of two runners up positions, one third place and two fourth places, and really the FFR should be targeting a serious challenge to the Springboks title in two years time.

But more importantly, they have conquered the biggest road test that any nation must overcome in order to give a barometer of their 2011 potential.

Beat the All Blacks in New Zealand, which, outside of winning a World Cup, is the most difficult achievement statistically in world rugby.

While it was in theory a drawn series, and the All Blacks were not at full strength, the win (only New Zealand’s sixth loss since 2000 at home) was their most comprehensive loss since the Springboks defeated the All Blacks 13-3 in 1998. A game where there was no early New Zealand dominance, and no characteristic All Black fight back.

However, somewhat paradoxically, it was a match that raised even more questions of what Marc Lievremont is trying to achieve with his Tri colours.

While it was the best win in his two year, 18-match reign, it was the third time that the French had dramatically altered their approach on the field.

A key complaint during the era of Bernard Laporte was that he gradually shifted focus away from the traditional French flair that was a hallmark of their great sides. While the former Stade Francais coach had a great record, notching 62 wins and four Six Nations titles, some felt that the pragmatism that was evident in the team inhibited what could have been even greater success.

Some felt that with the players that Les Bleus had/have, that their success should have been greater. France was a notoriously bad traveller under Laporte, winning only two from 15 in Southern Hemisphere tours, and—the stunning upset of the All Blacks in 2007 aside—they never fulfilled their potential at World Cup tournaments.

But while Lievremont was quoted to want to shift away from the conservative approach of his predecessor, France have never consistently been able to play with the same Gallic brilliance that has been a hallmark of the greatest Les Bleus sides.

Lievremont is an unashamed admirer of this running and attacking style.

More often than not though, the blend of tactics has been deficient. Either they have shown far too much yearning to throw the ball around, or played it so tight and one dimensional that the desired offensive game has never eventuated.

While this could be the case, it could also be the fact that France is currently coping with the dual rise of Ireland and Wales as rugby powers.

For years, the only consistent challenger to French domination in the north were the English, but as France is confronted by the surge of the Celtic sides, worse for Lievremont, he still has not guided his side to a win against their old foes across the channel.

For many French, their ultimate barometer of success is beating the English.

But as seen against the All Blacks in New Zealand, the French showed how successful they can be when they keep their game simple. They have, under both Laporte and Lievremont, had very capable forward units.

Without overusing the time honoured maxim that a game “must be won up front,” perhaps the key to French glory could be the focus on their forwards laying the brutal platform shown in New Zealand, and then letting their exquisite back division surgical incise only when required, and not continuously.

While Lievremont is searching for the heady amalgamation of the two styles, much will depend on his selection policies.

France’s Senegal born coach has earned a reputation for modifying his squad, but in his most recent selection, has largely stayed loyal to the players that performed adequately for him during this year’s Six Nations.

He has not lost his penchant for calling up young talent, with three debutants named in his squad in forward’s Antoine Burban and Alexandre Lapandry and back Benjamin Fall.

Burban has been in solid form for Stade Francais, and the 106kg runner also has the ability to play in the backline. Lapandry is based with Clermont and a product of the French rugby system, while Fall has been leading the Top 14 try scorer’s table for much of 2009.

The squad also features recalls for former test captain Lionel Nallet, No. 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, scrumhalf Morgan Parra and centre David Marty. All four are outstanding players and on paper this is Lievremont’s strongest ever squad.

Still, looking throughout the team there is one glaring problem.

A brilliant collection of forwards, with experienced front rowers, great athletes in the second row, and as good a collection of loose forwards any nation could wish to have. In the backs, they have good players at the base, a verifiable squadron of dreadnought class midfielders, and some of the most dangerous three quarters in world rugby.

But aside from the recalled Frederic Michalak, no overwhelming contender for No. 10.

Much of France’s potency and flair in the past has come from having a magician and creator in the playmaking position; and the one consistent in the last decade has been the absence of a consistently selected and dominant first five.

Lievremont has the players, and if he can settle on their strategy, they will make an impression moving forward. But much will rest on the shoulders of the ostentatious Toulouse and former Sharks playmaker, and he or another number ten must hold the key to finally unlocking the French flair.

Marc Lievremont’s record as French coach

Played 18, Won 9, Lost 9

Results in Six Nations

2009, 3rd (WON Sco, Ire, Ita LOST Eng, Wal)

2008, 3rd (WON Sco, Wal, Ita LOST Ire, Eng)

Last match: 27th June 2009, Australia 22 – 6 France @ Sydney

France squad for autumn internationals

Forwards: Fabien Barcella (Biarritz), Thomas Domingo (Clermont), Sylvain Marconnet (Stade Francais), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Luc Ducalcon (Castres), William Servat (Toulouse), Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Francais), Sebastien Chabal (Racing-Metro), Romain Millo-Chlusky (Toulouse), Lionel Nallet (Racing-Metro), Pascal Pape (Stade Francais), Antoine Burban (Stade Francais), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse).

Backs: Julien Dupuy (Stade Francais), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), David Marty (Perpignan), Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse), Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan), Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Cedric Heymans (Toulouse), Vincent Clerc (Toulouse), Benjamin Fall (Bayonne), Yann David (Toulouse), Frederic Michalak (Toulouse), Damien Traille (Biarritz).

Last French test XV (V Australia)

France: Traille; Medard, Fritz, Mermoz, Heymans; Beauxis, Yachvili; Barcella, Szarzewski, Marconnet, Pape, Millo-Chluski, Dusautoir, Ouedraogo, Puricelli. Replacements: Arias, Guirado, Mas, Martin, Dupuy, Chouly, Clerc.

Rugby Players to Watch in the End of Year Tours

James Mortimer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:59:42 -0500

There are always key players, whether it is a World Cup, Tri Nations, Six Nations, or End of Year campaign.

We take a look at some men who will look to make their presence known on the world stage, further cement reputations, or attempt to come back to the heights they have risen to before.

Jonny Wilkinson, England/Toulon

The England kingpin has been given a new lease of life at Toulon, with the adoration all beginning when over 5,000 locals came to watch the Top 14 side's first training run, most of whom were there to see the a man who is one of the greatest No. 10s the game has ever seen.

While it was sad to see the World Cup winner wane from 2004, suffering a litany of injuries, the world record holder for test points has been his old self playing for Mourad Boudjellal’s French side, and his call up to England’s squad is the first time since the 2008 Six Nations he has been required.

Some still grimace with his physical commitment to the game, especially on defence, but with a crippled England lurching into Twickenham, he will likely be Martin Johnson’s saviour in the coming weeks.

Digby Ioane, Australia/Queensland

The Wellington-born Ioane attended St. Joseph’s College in Brisbane, where after playing in the school's first XV and local side Sunnybank, went on to move through the Australian rugby system, playing for the school boys, Under 19’s, and Under 21’s teams.

While he was called into the Wallabies at the end of 2005, and played with the Western Force for two years following that, it was this year that he truly made his mark playing in his second year for the Queensland Reds.

Despite missing games through injury, Ioane finished the Super 14 season in the top three for line breaks, running metres and broken tackles.

His matches this tour will be his first since the Super 14 ended, but he is a genuine X-factor player that the Wallabies desperately need.

With none of the Australian three quarters—bar perhaps young James O’Connor earlier—making a mark in a average test season, Ioane’s scintillating and aggressive runs could be the tonic the Wallabies need.

Dan Carter, New Zealand/Canterbury

Cometh the man, cometh the hour! Carter is now back to full fitness, having recovered from his Perpignan-inflicted injury, and has made an instant impact to both Canterbury and the All Blacks in his brief time back.

In the next two years, the All Black standoff has the ability and opportunity to cement himself as being one of the most utmost players of all time, a judgment path that will end in late 2011, where it is quite simple—he must guide New Zealand to World Cup success to be feted as such.

Considered by many critics as the best all-round pivot the game has seen, it will be crucial for Carter to control the All Blacks game, especially with strike players, but few organisers outside of him. A sweep of the North in the coming weeks will have New Zealand in good stead for the crucial upcoming years.

Jamie Roberts, Wales/Cardiff Blues

With other Welsh backline linchpins unavailable, namely Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips, a huge test awaits the 22-year-old centre, who will be the man in which the Red Dragons need to place so much expectation on, considering that he is likely to have an aging backline around him.

While he rose to prominence with an outstanding series for the Lions in South Africa, another test for the Cardiff Blues back (who has played test rugby at wing and fullback) will be adjusting to life without Brian.

With O’Driscoll, he formed one of the most potent midfields ever seen in the North, and without the Irish magician on his shoulder, his responsibilities will increase dramatically.

With Wales and Roberts coming up against the likes of Ma’a Nonu, Berrick Barnes, a likely punishing Samoan centre due, and having Puma forwards running through the midfield, we shall see if the 2009 Lions-player-of-the-series has what it takes to be one of Wales’ great players.

Frederic Michalak, France/Toulouse

The flamboyant playmaker has been called back into the French squad after playing his last test against Italy. Michalak made his debut for Les Bleus way back in 2001, and he has had varying levels of popularity, if not on the rugby field, then off it being regarded as a poster boy for various niches.

He has made his impact, starring in Toulouse’s French championship in 2001, their Heineken Cup wins, as well as France’s Six Nations triumphs in 2004 and 2006.

He also finished the 2003 World Cup only 12 points behind Wilkinson as leading points scorer, and made the key break which led to a French try and their defeat of the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup.

After playing for the Natal Sharks, and since re-joining Toulouse, his selection came with this comment from Marc Lievremont: “we are still waiting for him to confirm his potential even though he has 50 caps for France.”

With Les Bleus first choice No. 10, Lionel Beauxis, injured, Michalak has his chance to cement his place with tests against South Africa, Samoa and New Zealand.

Johnathan Sexton, Ireland/Leinster

With no disrespect to one of the stalwarts of the Irish team, many believe that Ronan O’Gara will not be part of the 2011 tilt at the World Cup (he will be 34).

And with Irish rugby probably in the best shape in has ever been, much depends on the Six Nations champions having a playmaker who can guide their team and that will be around for a long time.

Enter the young Leinster playmaker.

Sexton is being recognised as the heir apparent to O’Gara, and there represents no greater opportunity to fast-track his development than putting him up against the Springboks and Wallabies in coming weeks.

While the 92-test capped O’Gara has been all but untouchable as the starting 10, and as a tactical kicker, Sexton has improved his kicking from hand and been in strong form for the Heineken Cup champions.

However, Sexton is an attacking back with good defence, and this extra dimension could be the final equation that allows the Emerald Isle to remain at rugby’s summit.

Morne Steyn, South Africa/Blue Bulls

Steyn’s dramatic impact on the global scene this year has seen him net a Super 14 trophy, a Tri Nations crown and a Currie Cup, and it is fair to say that he had a huge part to play in the success of all these achievements.

His achievements have been more prominent for the fact that the Springboks haven’t had a first five take complete ownership of the position over the years, and that his core weapon (his kicking boot) is suited to the style that the South Africans are playing in 2009.

This end of year tour, with France, Italy and Ireland on the agenda, will be an interesting test for the No. 10, with Steyn coming up against three very different styles to what he faced in the Tri Nations and Currie Cup.

Is he a flash in the pan, or beginning to be the first man to challenge Naas Botha as the greatest boot ever for the Springboks?

All Blacks vs Wallabies: Bledisloe in Tokyo Preview

James Mortimer — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:14:56 -0400

For the second consecutive year, the fabled clash comes to Asia and, as it was last year, the Wallabies arrive under pressure. Although the All Blacks have not had a vintage season, well, if you are only as good as your last game...

In 2008, the All Blacks in the corresponding fixture in Hong Kong were coming off a ninth Tri Nations title, and would go on to record a Grand Slam in what was an outstanding riposte to the horrors of the previous year’s World Cup.

While this year has seen them record one of their less impressive ledgers, having their colours lowered twice at home and losing three straight to South Africa, they have maintained their vice grip over the Wallabies.

In their last match, which New Zealand won, 33-6, the expected game from the All Blacks eventuated for the first time in nine matches in 2009.

Brilliant defence, outstanding play in the ruck, and a patient all-around game came largely thanks to the restoration of players that were missing in the early stages of their season, namely the All Blacks' twin deities, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

While there is a mixed feeling around New Zealand with their team, the grim satisfaction that both the All Black camp and the general public took from their last performance indicated that after a mediocre campaign, things may well be on the up.

An impressive Air New Zealand Cup has helped, buttressed with the addition of All Blacks to their provinces.

Certainly, as they head to Europe, where they have lost just once in 17 matches under Graham Henry, the hope is that this All Black team has gone through the necessary pain to be able to evolve in time for the critical 2011 home World Cup attack.

However, any feelings of “we’re moving forward” or “things are on the up” and all related clichés of improvement sound very hollow coming from the Wallabies at the moment.

Off the field, it has been close to a disaster, with the game lurching from one problem to another with the Tuqiri-gate scandal, the infighting in Melbourne with the Super 15 franchise, and rumours that senior Wallabies such as Matt Giteau and George Smith are unhappy.

Beyond this, though, all sporting codes can ultimately rely on some form of rude health if their flagship product is generating the goods.

It isn’t complicated. The goods are wins.

After looking like the most beautiful green and gold machine during the home test series against the Barbarians, Italy and France, the wheels have fallen off the Wallaby structure in a big way.

A deserved wooden spoon in the Tri Nations and five losses had only one positive to tick off, and that was a 21-6 win over the Springboks in Brisbane.

But when thinking of a good team or a potential champion team, the things that spring to mind are consistency, the ability to back it up, and building on the previous platforms.

So based on what happened in the destruction in Wellington, could we in fact be witnessing a poor Australian team?

Typically, the Wallabies like to use the All Blacks as the ultimate measuring stick, having played them more than any other side. While New Zealand haven’t been great themselves, the Australians seemed to do them a huge favour at Westpac trust and play them into imposing form.

Sitting on a six-match losing streak against the All Blacks, the Wallabies need to man up fast.

With close to 10 ruck turnovers per game this year against New Zealand and barely two-thirds of the rucks that the All Blacks control (in Wellington it was 110 to 50), it all starts and finishes in the all-important tackle contest.

While other areas of the All Blacks' game may have stuttered, their defence is statistically the best in the world, and this, combined with dominance over the Wallabies at the ruck, is all but guaranteeing the men in black Australian scalps.

The Wallabies' team, with the exception of the last-minute loss of Berrick Barnes, looks good on paper, especially with the twin Queensland wing combination of the outstanding Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes.

If the powerful back row of Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, and new captain Rocky Elsom can fire, then the Australians are at the very least a 50/50 chance. Much depends on the entire pack’s willingness to get down and dirty with the All Blacks, rather than standing out in the backline.

Here, the All Blacks can be challenged, but their historical strength lies in their forwards operating as a cohesive unit as they did in Wellington. While some may label the returning Rodney So’oialo as a potential weak link, the simple truth is that the Wellington No. 8 will play this game as if his life depended on it.

In the backs, for all of the Australians' class, New Zealand has a more potent and more experienced backline.

Matt Giteau, despite being the John Eales medallist for best Australian player, isn’t in the class of Dan Carter, and with the Wallabies now having a makeshift midfield, the Wellington combination of Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu should be too strong.

Finally, the mental baggage will probably be too much.

Not only do the Wallabies sit on a terrible overall record (winning 39 of 135) and a shocking recent run against Graham Henry (winning three of 16), but one suspects that for all Dean’s qualities, perhaps a former All Black isn’t the best man to try to help Australia overcome what has become a very black piece of mental baggage.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 31

Venue: National Stadium, Tokyo

Kickoff: 17.35 local (08.35 GMT, 21:35 NZT)

Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Craig Joubert, Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan), TMO: Akihisa Aso (Japan)

New Zealand

15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Tamati Ellison.

Australia—Revised

15 James O'Connor, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson. Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 George Smith, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Drew Mitchell, 22 TBC.

Blue Bulls-Cheetahs: Could Free State Win Another?

James Mortimer — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:02:26 -0400

120 years of competition, 69 seasons, the history of the Currie Cup speaks for itself.

On Saturday night, the 70th final that bestows South African domestic rugby supremacy will be played out between one of the great dynasties in the Blue Bulls, and the modern-day upstarts, the Cheetahs.

Note: Western Province won the first recognised title in 1883, but most acknowledge that the competition proper commenced in 1889. Finals were played from 1939.

To call the Free State based team nouveau riche may be a bit harsh, but their four Currie Cup crowns pale into significance when compared to the 22 that Northern Transvaal/the Blue Bulls have won, and the 32 titles (including 23 of the first 26 Cups) that Western Province have been victorious in.

The Cheetahs are looking at becoming the third great side of the history books, with the Bloemfontein team looking at establishing their own modern-day Currie Cup Empire.

Of recent times, the Cheetahs have been arguably the best team in South African domestic rugby, winning three of the last five titles. This year sees them in their fifth final in six years.

The Cheetahs reached their first final in 1973, before winning it in their third decider in 1976. Despite reaching another six finals since their debut Cup, they would wait until 2005 before winning their second, but would then win three straight (only the third side after WP and the Blue Bulls to do so).

The Blue Bulls though are well versed and already can claim to be a ruling party of the Currie Cup history books, with this being their seventh final in eight years.

While they may have less overall titles than Province, they have won 20 finals, eight more than the team they beat in the semi final, with 16 finals being played at the grand fortress of Loftus Versfeld.

There are more Springboks on the Bulls than any other side, and their influence on the team is immense. In the 10th round of the Currie Cup, they were fifth in the competition and on a three-match losing streak.

Since their shock troops have returned, they have not lost a game, and in the five matches played (including the semi final win) they have scored 245 points.

The Cheetahs were all but finished after a month of competition, sitting on four losses. But they won eight of their next 10 to pip the Griquas into fourth spot. With the best offense in the competition and a tournament leading 61 tries, they then upstaged the Sharks in Durban.

Some, including Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie, believe that it is because they became more rounded as the competition drew on.

"The first few games we just didn't get the balance right between attack and kicking,” Fourie said.

"The big difference for me between how we played in the last 10 games and the first four of the season was that we managed to find that balance - knowing when to attack and when to kick, when to be more conservative and when to take risks."

But it is also the Cheetahs' character that has impressed, not only from coming back from a 0-4 win loss start to their season, but also dealing with injuries.

Not only was Springbok stalwart and Captain Juan Smith was ruled out for the season, but many of his replacements suffered injuries throughout, including Meyer Bosman, Hendro Scholtz and Adriaan Scholtz, before Nico Breedt was named fifth captain of the team.

But whether this character can stand up to the sheer class evident in the Blue Bulls is another question.

Their key weapon also appears to be their ability to adjust. Against Western Province, their lauded scrum and world class lineout stuttered, but their outside backs rose to take control.

Fourie Du Preez may not have been as effective with a pack that was on the back foot, but the holy trinity of Du Preez, Morne Steyn and Wynand Olivier settled the ship.

The backline of the Bulls is the one area the Cheetahs will be wary of, because Free State has the ability to match the hosts in the lineout, dominate the scrum with a marvellous front row, and rule the loose via the brilliance of Heinrich Brussow.

Brussow’s combination with Frans Viljoen and Ashley Johnson will likely have the edge on the Bulls despite the presence of five Springbok forwards in the likely Bull’s match day 22 - which will give the Cheetah’s less decorated back division more possession and opportunity.

Equally, the Bulls pack will be wary that they delivered a performance against Western Province below their lofty standards, and they could come out like men possessed this week.

So finally, the defining factor may be the boot of Steyn.

Like legendary Northern Transvaal Losskakel Naas Botha, Steyn could by himself determine the result, but the Cheetahs will be wary about either conceding kickable penalties or getting in a territorial dual with arguably world rugby’s most educated boot.

Either way a classic spectacle waits.

Kiwis and Kangaroos Play Arguably The League Game Of The Century

James Mortimer — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:01 -0400

New Zealand ups the ante and France nearly shocked.

Building on the momentum from an excellent Rugby League World Cup, the results in the first round of the Four Nations showed that test matches are anything but a one horse race.

Heading into the tournament, many believed that it was just a simple case of the Kangaroos turning up to win the title, looking to restore the balance of world league power by proving that the New Zealand 2008 World Cup win was just a fluke.

While Australia named three debutants in their first team of the Four Nations, and only eight survivors from their shock 20-34 loss to New Zealand, it was still a typically powerful side, littered with more match winners and game breakers than any other nation could hope to muster.

Most of their players would occupy a current World XIII, and after beating New Zealand 38-10 in the May Anzac test match to avenge their World Cup loss, they were almost un-backable favourites

New Zealand on the other hand were suffering numerous injuries, and were rank outsiders for the championship, with some in the English press predicting that they could struggle to make the final.

Some of the kiwi players were asked about their chances arriving in England, and their reactions were almost ominous, bristling with so many assuming not only that they would not be competitive, but that their World Cup win was a once in a lifetime sporting upset.

After eighty minutes were completed at the Twickenham stoop, many believed that New Zealand were in fact unlucky not to come away with the win.

Kangaroo’s captain Darren Lockyer and premiership winning captain Cameron Smith would later remark that they were indeed fortunate to come out of the clash with a draw.

New Zealand played to their strengths, bringing trademark physicality to the match and looking to overpower the Australians. This has often been the precursor to their clashes, but more often than not, the kiwis never quite bring the game to match their talk.

This time, they did and more.

But most importantly their defence, while physically imposing, was accurate and co-ordinated.

For all of the glamour and execution of the Australian’s vaunted backline attack, the reality is that few offenses can engineer their way past a committed and hungry defensive wall.

But in saying this, the kangaroos by and large kept playing to their patterns and for long periods dominated possession and territory due to their world class control and poise. Even despite the hammering that they received via the power game of New Zealand, they still were able to counter most of what the kiwis threw at them.

Two very different teams, in what was one of the greatest rugby league clashes in modern history.

Cut and thrust, from the kiwis opening mistake from the kick receive, through to their 14 point burst in the second half, to the Australians last minute try, it had everything that would have those still optimistic that league can be a legitimate global sport grinning from ear to ear (even if the global sport only has a handful of competitors).

It was a match that would have had England and France wide eyed in shock, although both sides may have been smiling to see their opposition teams smash each other up.

But on the form of the opening round, it will take a huge upset for either of the European hosts to stop either the World Champions or the number one ranked team in the world.

The opening clash between them looked to provide a surprise of its own, after the French came back from England’s opening try to lead 12-4 at halftime.

Les Chanteclairs were playing an up tempo and wide based game that England initially struggled with, before they came back and scored five second half tries to run out comfortable winners.

England coach Tony Smith and his side were dealt a timely reality check by the fifth ranked French (Fiji is ranked fourth in the world). England now knows that a victory over either New Zealand or Australia guarantees them a place in the final.

Coming into this tournament England had a point to prove, especially on their turf, and after watching the two current world leaders shake the foundations in their opening clash, it will not be any easier to foot it with either team.

England has already stated they intend to take a leaf out of New Zealand’s book and rattle the Australians, but it is likely the kangaroos will be far more prepared after being so thoroughly tested by the World Champions.

As for New Zealand, they will look to maintain the intensity against France.

Often international rugby league tournaments can be lost by the teams that do not have the luxury of tough matches, but by evidence of the opening round, it could be the team that emerges unscathed that hoists the trophy at Elland Road on the 14^th November.

Rugby: Scotland and Robinson Try to Establish Themselves on World Stage

James Mortimer — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:36:57 -0400

For the Scottish rugby team and their loyal supporters, it has been a difficult decade with little success.

They won the last-ever Five Nations in 1999, but since then it has been a hard road, which has seen Frank Hadden step away from his post to be replaced by Andy Robinson.

Worse for Scottish fans, when it seems they are about to turn the corner, the regression sets in again. All of the Six Nations teams, with the exception of Scotland (and Italy), have had a fair share of success this millennium.

Scotland’s reading since then is a bit ugly, winning only 37 matches since 2000, and in the Six Nations, they have won only 14.

This is only eight more than Italy, who played their first international 80 years ago, while Scotland played in the very first test match 138 years ago.

The highlights have been minimal.

They defeated England 15-9 in 2008, but this was their only Six Nations win that year. They were impressive in a 31-21 World Cup warm-up win against Ireland in 2007, and also defeated Wales 21-9 in that year’s Six Nations, but again, that was their only win last year in the tournament.

2006 was probably their best year of late, with wins over England (18-12) and France (20-16).

Andy Robinson has been brought in to try to stop the rot, and the former Bath stalwart (as player and coach) and England and Edinburgh coach already has the spotlight on him.

But having signed a three-year contract, he will be given some time by the SRU and boss Gordon McKie.

While some are quick to point out that Robinson hardly set the world on fire as England coach, he does have a solid list of achievements.

Robbo did guide Bath to a Heineken Cup in his first year in charge of the club, and was Clive Woodward’s assistant during England’s 2003 World Cup win.

But it was probably his exploits as Edinburgh coach that sealed the deal with the Scottish rugby chiefs, taking the Gunners to third- and second-place finishes in the Magner’s League in the last two years.

It will be this surge in form from the two Scottish clubs that Robinson will look to utilise, with both Edinburgh and Glasgow having sound seasons, both winning four from six in the Magner’s League and being the two best attacking teams—in terms of points scored—in the competition.

While some may argue that Scotland is at a disadvantage in not having the number of Magner’s teams as Ireland or Wales or having the glut of professional teams that England has, Scotland still has a thriving club network.

Robinson already is under some criticism for naming his squad so far out from Scotland’s first test against Fiji, with many believing that telling players their places are all but guaranteed is a bad thing.

Still, this is in keeping with Robinson’s oft-repeated mantra, "form may be temporary, but class is permanent."

The core of his first Scotland squad is 10 Edinburgh players with three uncapped men within the squad.

The trio, loose forwards Alan Macdonald, Richie Vernon, and centre Alex Grove, were all part of the IRB Nations Cup-winning Scotland A team that Robinson took to Romania.

Clearly, Robinson has been forming his plans for some time and is not afraid to heap pressure on any player, least of all the 24-year-old Macdonald, who Robinson has compared with England legend Richard Hill.

While some expected Robinson to clear out the Scotland camp, the only major casualty was Dan Parks.

Some believe this is a mistake, with Edinburgh’s Phil Godman the only recognised first five in the squad.

While the lack of options at No. 10 led many to believe that Parks would be an automatic inclusion, Robinson’s statement that he was pleased with his progress, but still had aspects of his game to work on could either be coaching genius or madness.

The same goes for the omission of Edinburgh flanker Ally Hogg, who was one of Robinson's key men in the success he had with the regional team. The No. 8 has been far from his best in recent weeks, and in his exclusion we see another telling piece of man management.

Robinson is effectively saying this: I may know your capabilities and rate you and trust you, but I expect you to be in form if you are to be honoured with test selection.

It is clear the coach requires mental toughness, something seen to be lacking by Scottish players in recent times. Much of this can be garnered by the performances of Edinburgh and Glasgow recently.

They can dazzle in the Magner’s League, but on the grander stage of the Heineken Cup, they can be overawed by the occasion.

While Scotland may still not possess the raw talent or their fellow home nations, they are capable of posting the results. With three nations that are ranked higher in the world rankings coming to Murrayfield, the challenge is for the side to break their recent mediocrity.

Scotland Squad

Backs

Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Ben Cairns (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick de Luca (Edinburgh), Thom Evans (Glasgow), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester), Rory Lamont (Toulon), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais), Nikki Walker (Ospreys).

Forwards

John Barclay (Glasgow), Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow), Kelly Brown (Glasgow), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Dougie Hall (Glasgow), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Scott MacLeod (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Richie Vernon (Glasgow), Jason White (Clermont Auvergne).

Robinson's Record as England Coach

Played 22, won nine, lost 13.

Home winning percentage: 53.3 percent.

Scotland's Record Since 2000

Played 101, won 37, lost 63, drew one.

Home winning percentage: 47.2 percent.

Scotland’s Upcoming Matches

Sat, 14 Nov. 2009: Scotland v. Fiji @ Murrayfield

Sat, 21 Nov. 2009: Scotland v. Australia @ Murrayfield

Sat, 28 Nov. 2009: Scotland v. Argentina @ Murrayfield

Sun, 07 Feb. 2010: Scotland v. France @ Murrayfield

Sat, 13 Feb. 2010: Wales v. Scotland @ Millennium Stadium

Sat, 27 Feb. 2010: Italy v. Scotland @ Stadio Flaminio

Sat, 13 Mar. 2010: Scotland v. England @ Murrayfield

Sat, 20 Mar. 2010: Ireland v. Scotland @ Croke Park

Sun, 25 Sep. 2011: Pool B: Argentina v. Scotland @ Jade Stadium

Sat, 01 Oct. 2011: Pool B: England v. Scotland @ Eden Park

Scotland’s last test: XV (v. England)

Scotland

Paterson; Danielli, M Evans, Morrison, T Evans; Godman, Blair; Dickinson, Ford, Murray, White, Hamilton, Strokosch, Gray, Taylor, Taylor.

Replacements

Low, De Luca, Cusiter, Southwell, Hall, Hines, Brown

Wales Look To Make Impact on Autumn Internationals

James Mortimer — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:27:33 -0400

The Red Dragons face a period of reckoning, where they will look to re-assert themselves on the world stage after falling behind to their European rivals. Despite this, they still have the quality to mount challenges in the coming weeks and the incoming 2010 Six Nations.

At initial glances, the reading doesn’t really flatter Warren Gatland and his men.

They sit eighth on the IRB world rankings, just ahead of Fiji and Scotland. They came third in this year’s Six Nations tournament, and their usual poetic attacking game failed to eventuate, scoring just eight tries in five matches—fourth overall and half as many as England managed to register.

But beneath this, there is enough to show that Wales is hardly on a downward curve.

The 2005 and 2008 Grand Slamming Six Nations champions boast arguably the most depth of any European nation, although this will be tested in the coming month due to injuries. Fifteen Welsh players wore the coveted red of the British and Irish Lions, and at full strength they can field one of the most impressive XV’s in world rugby.

However, this is the immediate problem for Wales and Gatland.

While he has named a strong squad, he is without three key Lions—Adam Jones, Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips—as well as Ian Evans, John Yapp and Joe Bearman.

Jones, Byrne and Phillips are at their best World XV class players, so the immediate challenge is to fill their slots.

All of the talk regarding Deacon Manu being made available hasn’t come to fruition, but while the absence of Jones is a blow, the recovery of Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams in the forwards softens the impact.

Phillips absence will be covered by the test recall of Dwayne Peel. The Sale based scrumhalf did not feature in Wales’ Six Nation’s campaign this year, but will not be released for arguably the Red Dragons most important match against the All Blacks.

The game falls outside of the IRB’s designated test window and Premier Rugby Limited has no official “deal” with Welsh rugby. PRL secured a big dollar deal with the English Rugby Football Union regarding player release, with Guinness clubs receiving 50,000 pounds per year per player called up by Martin Johnson.

With Wales themselves just finalising such a deal of its own with the Welsh regions, it is very unlikely they will start cutting deals with other national competitions.

This of course again raises the Pandora’s Box of top players plying their trade within their own countries regions/clubs/provinces to be guaranteed national selection. Something that Warren Gatland is a staunch advocate of.

But moving forwards, much depends on whether or not Gatland and the Welsh coaching staff make adjustments to the Red Dragons for what is now effectively the two-year countdown to the Rugby World Cup.

As the British and Irish Lions tour showed, Wales is in possession of a talented group of players, with some individuals, such as Jamie Roberts, showing the natural class that often determines whether a team is good or great.

Wales in the recent years has suffered in key areas, namely the breakdown, and its first opponents in New Zealand will brutally expose them if their efficiency is not enhanced in the loose.

One of world rugby’s classic coaching quandaries in the modern game, has been the breakdown or more pointedly, the purposeful stacking of forwards in the backline to enable go forward ball. Wales have been found guilty here due to their desire to attack, but as many passionate Welshmen have said, fixed tactical planning could actual be Wales’ weakness.

Much of Wales early success came from the heady blend of Gatland’s attacking style and the amalgamation with the art of Welsh running rugby, although in recent times the Red Dragons have been criticised with being almost too programmed, and too predictable.

This inability to adjust to ensuing pressure if this structure has been challenged has led to Wales being matched by its opponents in recent times.

Rob Howley, one of Gatland’s key men, has echoed these sentiments, believing that not only had opposition teams worked Wales out, but had deliberately tried to shut them down.

Ironically, Wales is probably the most similar in their style to their upcoming opponents New Zealand, who also prefer to play positive attacking rugby, but can suffer when teams (as South Africa did this year) deliberately impose a pressure game to take them out of their comfort zone.

As it was shown in the Lions tour, a high-octane and/or structured attacking game can work as long as it is done with precision and with a strong focus on the collisions and the breakdown.

Wales will encounter a full variety of opponents in the coming weeks, from the All Blacks, to the hard hitting Samoans, to the forward orientated Pumas, to the Wallabies who could be playing Wales to secure a Grand Slam (or pride!).

We shall eagerly await their potential evolution.

Wales squad

Paul James, Duncan Jones, Craig Mitchell, Huw Bennett, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas Ryan Jones (captain), Dan Biggar, James Hook, Shane Williams (all Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams, Gareth Cooper, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Tom James, Leigh Halfpenny (all Blues), Matthew Rees, Dafydd Jones, Martin Roberts, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Mark Jones (all Scarlets), Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate (both Dragons), Dwayne Peel (Sale)

Wales record under Warren Gatland

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 - Wales v England, 26-19 @ Twickenham, London

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 - Wales v Scotland, 30-15 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 - Wales v Italy, 47-8 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 - Wales v Ireland, 16-12 @ Croke Park, Dublin

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 - Wales v France, 29-12 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 - Wales v South Africa, 17-43 @ Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 - Wales v South Africa, 21-37 @ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 - Wales v South Africa, 15-20 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 - Wales v Canada, 34-13 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 - Wales v New Zealand, 9-29 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 - Wales v Australia, 21-18 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 - Wales v Scotland, 26-13 @ Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 - Wales v England, 23-15 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 - Wales v France, 16-21 @ Stade de France, Paris

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 - Wales v Italy, 20-15 @ Stadio Flaminio, Rome

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 - Wales v Ireland, 15-17 @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Sat, 30 May 2009 - Wales v Canada, 32-23 @ York Stadium, Toronto

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 - Wales v United States, 48-15 @ Bridgeview, Illinois

Wales’ upcoming matches

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 - Wales v New Zealand @ Millennium Stadium

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 - Wales v Samoa @ Millennium Stadium

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 - Wales v Argentina @ Millennium Stadium

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 - Wales v Australia @ Millennium Stadium

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 - England v Wales @ Twickenham

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 - Wales v Scotland @ Millennium Stadium

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 - Wales v France @ Millennium Stadium

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 - Ireland v Wales @ Croke Park

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 - Wales v Italy @ Millennium Stadium

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 - New Zealand v Wales @ Carisbrook

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 - New Zealand v Wales @ Waikato Stadium

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 - Pool D - South Africa v Wales @ Westpac Trust

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 - Pool D - Wales v Fiji @ Rugby Park

Wales last test XV (V United States – without Lions representatives)

Wales: Evans, M. Jones, Davies, Bishop, T. James, Robinson, Peel, Yapp, Williams, D. Jones, D. Jones, Gough, D. Jones, Sowden-Taylor, R. Jones. Replacements: Hibbard, Mitchell, Charteris, Warburton, Cooper, Biggar, Spratt.

Wales last full strength XV (V Ireland)

Wales: Byrne, M Jones, Shanklin, Henson, S Williams, S Jones, Phillips, Jenkins, Rees, A. Jones, Gough, A Jones, D Jones, M Williams, R Jones (capt). Replacements: Roberts, Bennett, Charteris, Yapp, J Thomas, Fury, Hook.

Argentina Rugby: 2009 Northern Tour and URBA Finals

James Mortimer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:12:10 -0400

The Pumas have named their first squad in preparation for their Northern tour, while the omitted players from the squad—from the Buenos Aires championship—prepare to play the finals of what is considered by many as Argentina’s premier domestic tournament.

There are other tiers “above” the Buenos Aires championship, which itself is known by many as the Torneo de la URBA , and sometimes referred to as the URBA Top 14 (Unión de Rugby de Buenos Aires —or the Buenos Aires Rugby Union).

The Campeonato Argentino is held annually and represents the 24 unions of Argentina (not the 24 provinces, of which the country is divided into) of which are either multiple rugby provinces or only part of one. There are two divisions, the Zona Campeonato (which has the eight best unions) and the 16-team Zona Ascenso.

To put Buenos Aires union’s strength into perspective, they have won the Campeonato at least 50 percent of the time since it began, including a remarkable unbeaten run from 1966 to 1984.

There is also the Nacional de Clubes that involves 16 clubs (from within the above mentioned unions or provinces), divided into four zones.

But the Buenos Aires Championship is one of the jewels of the crown within Argentinean rugby, often with its players providing the core of the national team.

And why wouldn’t it?

The Buenos Aires team has already secured its place in South American rugby lore, with a glorious run in the '90s when they beat the Springboks, the Welsh, as well as England and France more than once.

A crucial time in Argentinean rugby approaches, with the potential for the isolated power of world rugby to enter the Tri Nations, meaning that they will finally play regular rugby.

To put it into perspective, since the 2007 World Cup, the Pumas have played nine matches. In the same time period, the All Blacks have played 24, the Wallabies 23, and the Springboks 22.

The current SANZAR powers play more matches than any other test team in the world, roughly two to four matches more than the Six Nations teams per year.

The convoluted calendar has become a product of the modern rugby year, with games between high profile teams considered by some as the ultimate crowd pullers and moneymakers.

Still, with the test season maxed out for the tier-one teams, it almost makes it more of a pretence that the Argentineans haven’t been included in a true global competition outside of the World Cup.

While their destination, time zones, and lack of a genuine blue chip provincial championship (in the eyes of the old world of rugby, despite the competitions listed above) may have hurt in the past, the proof is in the test results ledger. The fast tracking of the most powerful team in the Americas will not only benefit Argentina, but will eventually reap dividends to sleeping giants such as teams like the United States, Canada, and Uruguay.

The just named squad of 24, provided by the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR), will train at Meudon from Oct. 25-27 under coach Santiago Phelan and his support team that includes former Stade Francais coach Fabien Galthie.

It will be a challenging tour for the South Americans, playing Wales, England, and Scotland in consecutive weeks. The latter two home nation's teams will be in the same pool as the Pumas in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The squad includes arguably the country's best player, Felipe Contepomi, who has recovered from his knee injury suffered when playing for Leinster (he now is based with Toulon).

Argentina’s other marquee playmaker, Juan Martin Hernandez, is not in the squad, and is still based with the Natal Sharks, but expected to be part of the final touring team.

Also missing from the training squad are center Gonzalo Tiesi of Harlequins, prop Marcos Ayerza of Leicester Tigers, and London Irish scrumhalf Alfredo Lalanne. However, all three will likely feature in the three matches at one stage, as it falls in the IRB test window and represents a period of international release.

As for the Buenos Aires championship, the semifinals will take place this weekend with Hindu, CASI, Alumni, and La Plata all making it to the final four.

Hindu, the reigning champions and winners of the last three championships, are favorites, having finished top of the placement (as it is referred to in the competition).

CASI, the third place team in the regular season, has won 33 championships—more than any other side. The famous club, which is more than 100 years old and was the original side in which famous Argentinean scrum half Agustín Pichot represented, will look to break Hindu’s recent hold on the championship. CASI last won the title in 2005.

Semifinals

URBA TOP 14

CASI vs. Alumni (Friday, 23 Oct 21:30)

Hindú vs. La Plata (Saturday, 24 Oct 19:30)

Intermediate

SIC vs. Newman

Hindú vs. CASI

Early Intermediate

Hindú vs. Alumni

SIC vs. Newman

First Training Squad:

Forwards: Rodrigo Roncero, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Martin Scelzo, Pablo Henn, Mario Ledesma, Alberto Vernet Basualdo, Alvaro Tejeda, Esteban Lozada, Patricio Albacete, Manuel Carizza, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Alejandro Abadie, Alejandro Campos, Tomas Leonardi

Backs: Nicolas Vergallo, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Felipe Contepomi (captain), Ignacio Mieres, Matias Viazzo, Federico Martin Aramburu, Horacio Agulla, Lucas Borges, Marcelo Bosch, Martin Rodriguez.

Argentina’s Upcoming Matches

Sat, 14 Nov 2009—England vs. Argentina @ Twickenham

Sat, 21 Nov 2009—Wales vs. Argentina @ Millennium Stadium

Sat, 28 Nov 2009—Scotland vs. Argentina @ Murrayfield

2011 World Cup, Pool B

Sat, 10 Sep 2011—Argentina vs. England @ Jade Stadium

Sun, 25 Sep 2011—Argentina vs. Scotland @ Jade Stadium

All Blacks Adjust Accordingly for Northern Expedition

James Mortimer — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:33:11 -0400

With the 33-man All Blacks’ Northern Tour squad named, we can see some adjustment from a challenging season so far, while Coach Graham Henry has implemented some ploys and innuendo to keep both his team and their rivals on edge.

We are, after all, talking about one of the most experienced headmasters in the game, and while his modus operandi may not get him onside with all and sundry, there is no doubting that the squad named, the statements said, and the coaching modifications are signs that the hallmarks of the current management team are alive and well.

They love to surprise, and they rarely (if ever) don’t attempt to mix it up.

There also seems to be some delicate if not too subtle remarks that serve both as a motivation and a mental prodder for their players, a group of men that is the current mould of the ethos of All Black rugby, which beyond all things, is determined to be a winning culture.

The clearest example of this was Henry’s remarks that Zac Guildford reminds him of a young John Kirwin. The 63 test, Auckland-based winger, who made his debut in 1984 against France aged 19, is regarded as one of the great New Zealand three quarters.

While it is a comparison that could bring some pressure, clearly the potential in the Hawke’s Bay wing is evident, and with only Sitiveni Sivivatu stamping his class on the flanks, clearly the All Blacks are desperate to have their back three—long a traditional strength of their game—settled and world class.

Guildford has been selecting largely for leading the Air New Zealand Cup try scoring, and in this, the selectors have to be applauded for another movement forward.

The selections of new caps Guildford, Mike Delany, Ben Smith, and Tamati Ellison may be a bit left field, but they are rewarded for strong form throughout the domestic championship.

The ANZC/NPC have long been the breeding grounds in which much of New Zealand’s rugby strength has been moulded, and selecting players from there is a strong signal from Henry. It shows that if you put your hand up, you will be rewarded.

While the four may not even feature heavily in the upcoming matches, they will be immersed in a test preparation-styled environment, and that is worth its weight in gold.

It is in their selection, though, that shows the All Blacks forced necessity to adjust.

Rugby Union evolves on the field arguably more than any other game in the world, and this year has seen test rugby change courtesy of the South Africans. Kicking has become integral, and New Zealand was found wanting in the countering of what was a sublimely-executed South African kicking game.

In this, the dropping of Joe Rokocoko and Hosea Gear shows the change of thinking from the All Blacks. Both are outstanding runners and try breakers, and while it may be an insult to call them both one-dimensional, the new players are all well-touted, multi-faceted backs.

Aside from a less than perfect lineout, this was the glaring aspect where the All Blacks were found wanting, and it seems they are prepared to shift with what is in vogue.

The coaching changes also show that the holy trinity is prepared to step out of its comfort zones. Henry, formerly defence coach (the All Blacks tackle percentage is currently the best in the world), will now stride into the coalface and take responsibility for the forwards from Steve Hansen.

Wayne Smith will drop his backs portfolio and take Henry’s defence duties, while Hansen will take attack duties.

This will see delicate shifts in the All Blacks' approach, as each man imparts his own influence to his new group. But there have also been indications that this change will double with a re-focus to empower the players. Henry himself said that he will use the knowledge of the forwards to help him with his new role.

And here, with the retained veterans, we see the most important part of the tour.

Henry announced that this will serve as a selection tour of sorts.

There are 15 players selected with 20 tests or more and seven with more than 40. There are also key players injured, not selected, or coming back into the fold. Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Isaac Ross, Piri Weepu, Richard Kahui, and Joe Rokocoko will look to make statements of intent in the next six months.

Henry will look for all of these senior players to step up in the coming weeks, and in the Super 14 next year. But while it appears the depth is returning to the New Zealand game, the make and break of it all are the final results.

Because 12 months from now, with 2011 imminent, there will be no time for second guessing.

2009 Rugby League Four Nations Preview

James Mortimer — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:25:35 -0400

In what is now the secondary competition to the Rugby League World Cup internationally, we see four teams of mixed strength arrive in Europe to contest the crown that anoints current world supremacy.

New Zealand will play in its first major tournament wearing the illustrious crown of World Champions. After their remarkable 34-20 win over Australia in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, this Four Nations will be the time for the Kiwis to prove that they were more than a one trick pony.

So far, this has proven to be the case, with the much-hyped rematch in this year’s ANZAC test between the two sides resulting in a 38-10 slaughter at the hands of the retribution-seeking Kangaroos.

With a young squad and missing many key players, New Zealand will compete against England and France, but as alway,s will be on the back foot against the No. 1 ranked side in the world and deserved tournament favourites, Australia.

The Kangaroos march on Europe with their typical star-studded roster and a healthy spread of stars centred around six of the Premiership-winning, Melbourne Storm-winning side.

Since losing the World Cup, there is no doubt that the Australians have targeted this tournament as a statement maker.

The 14-point loss to New Zealand wasn’t so much an upset as a great tear in the fabric of the rugby league cosmos.

It broke the Kangaroos' 33-year hold on the trophy, having won six consecutive events.

It was only the fourth time that a team other than Australia had won the competition, their first World Cup match loss since 1995, and the first time since 1972 they had lost a final.

It was also Australia’s first loss overall since losing to Great Britain in 2006 and their first loss to New Zealand in three years.

Ordinarily, the word "revenge" isn’t uttered, but there is no doubt that Australia wishes to remind New Zealand and the world of the balance of the power.

Still, while many believe that it will be an Australia-New Zealand final, Kangaroos' team manager has warned that despite such a talented squad and their favouritism, the World Champions are still to be respected.

Especially considering New Zealand are better performers in major tournaments than one off tests, with the team not only winning the World Cup, but smashing Australia 24-0 in the 2005 Tri Nations tournament.

Allen believes that Australia might have suffered from poor build-ups, beating Fiji 52-0 in the World Cup semi-final and thumping France 44-12 before their 2005 final match with the kiwis.

New Zealand had tough matches against England and Great Britain before encountering Australia.

England, the third-ranked team in the world, will be keen to make a point now that they will remain their own entity rather than being a British hybrid in the guise of “Great Britain.”

While they had an average World Cup in 2008, losing 52-4 to Australia and losing twice to New Zealand by at least 10 points, they will enter this tournament on some element of form, having beaten France in Paris 66-12 earlier this year and Wales 48-12 a few days ago in Bridgend.

They will look to make a statement, in accordance with how powerful they are in the Super League. Realistically, the competition is not far off the quality of the NRL, and while typically not as fast-paced as the Australian league games, it certainly is a lot more uncompromising.

Certainly, when looking at the World Club Challenge between the Super League Champions and the NRL Premiers with the SL clubs leading the ledger 11-6, there is enough quality for the English to stand up and deliver.

While their players are spread out—current champions Leeds and runners-up St. Helens and Warrington provide 13 of their squad—and with all of their games at home, they should target the final if they want to show they can mix it with the Australians and New Zealanders.

France, the fifth-ranked nation in the world (Fiji is fourth), is a bit of an unknown quantity.

While the country has a rich tradition in league, they are far from the famous sides of the 1950s—who regularly beat Australia and New Zealand—and of the late '70s, where in 1978 France famously defeated the Kangaroos back to back.

They draw the bulk of their players from the Catalans Dragons, who finished eighth in this year’s Super League with 13 wins and 14 losses.

While it is unfair to suggest they are just making up the numbers, they will need to draw on their famous home support when playing the Southern twin powers in Toulouse and Paris.

For the sake of the tournament and the depth of world rugby league, let us cheer Les Chanteclairs and hope for a wonderful Four Nations.

2009 Rugby League Four Nations Fixtures

Round One

23 October: England V France @ Doncaster, England
24 October: New Zealand V Australia @ London, England

Round Two

31 October: England V Australia @ Wigan, England
31 October: France V New Zealand @ Toulouse, France

Round Three

7 November: England V New Zealand @ Huddersfield, England
7 November: France V Australia @ Paris, France

Final

14 November @ Elland Road, Leeds, England

Four Nations Squads

Australia

Coach: Tim Sheens (Wests Tigers).

Brisbane Broncos: Darren Lockyer (c), Justin Hodges, and Sam Thaiday.
Canberra Raiders: David Shillington.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Ben Hannant and Josh Morris.
Cronulla Sharks: Paul Gallen.
Manly Sea Eagles: Anthony Watmough.
Melbourne Storm: Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, and Brett White.
Newcastle Knights: Kurt Gidley.
North Queensland Cowboys: Johnathan Thurston.
Parramatta Eels: Jarryd Hayne and Nathan Hindmarsh.
Penrith Panthers: Petero Civoniceva, Michael Jennings, Luke Lewis, and Trent Waterhouse
St. George Illawarra Dragons: Brett Morris (replacement for Israel Folau).
Wests Tigers: Robbie Farah.

New Zealand

Coach: Stephen Kearney (Melbourne Storm).

Canberra Raiders: Bronson Harrison.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Greg Eastwood and Bryson Goodwin.
Manly Sea Eagles: Kieran Foran, Steve Matai, and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Melbourne Storm: Adam Blair and Jeff Lima.
Newcastle Knights: Junior Sau.
New Zealand Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Kevin Locke, and Ben Matulino.
Parramatta Eels: Krisnan Inu and Fuifui Moimoi.
Penrith Panthers: Frank Pritchard.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Issac Luke.
St. George Illawarra Dragons: Nathan Fien and Jason Nightingale.
Sydney Roosters: Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett, and Iosia Soliola.
Wests Tigers: Benji Marshall (c).
Wigan Warriors: Thomas Leuluai.

England

Coach Tony Smith (Warrington Wolves).

Bradford Bulls: Sam Burgess and Paul Sykes.
Castleford Tigers: Michael Shenton.
Huddersfield Giants: Eorl Crabtree and Scott Moore.
Hull KR: Shaun Briscoe and Peter Fox.
Leeds Rhinos: Jamie Peacock (c), Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield, and Lee Smith.
Salford Reds: Richard Myler.
St Helens RLFC: Kyle Eastmond, James Graham, James Roby, and Jon Wilkin.
Warrington Wolves: Chris Bridge, Garreth Carvell, Adrian Morley, and Ben Westwood.
Wests Tigers: Gareth Ellis.
Wigan Warriors: Sean O'Loughlin and Sam Tomkins.

France

Coach: Bobbie Goulding.

AS Carcassonne: Romain Gagliazzo, Christophe Moly, and Teddy Saddaoui.
Catalans Dragons: Olivier Elima (c), Jean-Philippe Baile, Thomas Bosc, Remi Casty, Vincent Duport, Jamal Fakir, David Ferriol, Cyril Gossard, Gregory Mounis, Dimitri Pelo, Sebastien Raguin, Cyril Stacul, Julien Touxagas, and Clint Greenshields.
Lezignan Sangliers: Jared Taylor and James Wynne.
Toulouse Olympique: Eric Anselme, Mathieu Griffi, Sylvain Houles, Sebastien Planas, and Constant Villegas.

Henry's Selection Decisions Crucial for All Blacks

James Mortimer — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:18:20 -0400

By the end of this weekend, Henry and the national selectors will name a 33 man squad for a difficult end of year tour, where the genesis for the All Blacks most crucial next two years begins.

The Wallabies, Wales, Italy, England, France and the Barbarians wait in a challenging tour which will put the final emphasis on what has been – in terms of results – the worst year in Henry’s reign.

While few would be patting the former Auckland coach on the back for making true on his ominous prediction this year that the All Blacks would lose “more than a couple of games” this year, at least the pressure has no doubt led to the brains trust rethinking some tactics in the war room.

And what a hive of activity it will be, as the All Blacks begin a countdown to the most important campaign they have ever faced, a World Cup assault in their own backyard, with the pressure of not having won for 24 years bearing down on the team like never before.

So the selection for this tour becomes critical, and it remains to see whether or not it will see a repeat of Henry’s cut throat moves in 2004 – incidentally the second worst year of Henry’s reign – which saw the careers of numerous high profile All Blacks, including Andrew Mehrtons and Carlos Spencer, ended as new blood was introduced.

Coincidentally, there are now members of that new blood from five years ago whose places may be under scrutiny.

Rodney So’oialo, the backbone of Henry’s and forward coach Steve Hanson’s pack for so many years, has played a bit part this year, seemingly usurped by Kieran Read. Joe Rokocoko, who received more lifelines that other illustrious All Blacks before him had ever had, is under pressure from not only young wingers already capped, but by a new generation led by Hawke’s Bay prodigy Zac Guildford.

Here is the immense challenge in Henry’s upcoming pronouncement.

The core of his side are still in their late twenties, and most of them are now hardened veterans, amongst the most experienced international players that have ever worn the black of New Zealand.

Two of them, are all but indispensable to the All Blacks, in Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. However, their magnificence is a problem in itself, with the apparent daylight between them and their understudies a weakness in the national set up.

Donald still has his critics as the official backup first five, and there are no deputies to McCaw, with Scott Waldrom and Tanerau Latimer filling the roles as well as Adam Thomson.

But there are bolters there, thanks to the prodigious breeding ground in New Zealand. Manawatu’s Aaron Cruden could be a shock call up to begin his international education at number ten, while there are tough open sides such as George Whitelock and Karl Lowe having strong seasons.

The latter terrorised McCaw’s Canterbury pack in the opening match of the 12^th round of the ANZC.

However there are a host of men, including Mils Muliaina, Rokocoko, Neemia Tialata and Jerome Kaino who have been far from their best this year. Added to this the returning test players such as Luke McAlister and (in 2010) Chris Jack, the All Blacks need to decide how many of their long serving players will remain.

This will probably be the key element of the 2009 end of year tour. While Henry has shown ruthlessness in past coaching roles, most of these All Blacks were instrumental in New Zealand’s golden reign in 2005 and 2006, when New Zealand were almost unbeatable.

How much faith does Henry place in the old adage, form is temporary, class is permanent? Will this tour be the last chance for established players to secure a 2011 berth?

As for the second tier, this year’s injuries and mixed results have seen the need for fast tracking player’s development, and for this there may be precious few debutant's going to Europe.

Cory Jane, Kieran Read and Adam Thomson have continued their development, and new faces Owen Franks and Isaac Ross have shown they have the mettle to endure on the test stage.

While there may be some bolters from the Air New Zealand Cup, Henry has long favoured the Super 14 as a more fertile breeding ground, and notwithstanding injuries - which did hamstring the All Blacks in their early campaign – they do have enough quality and depth to not call up any left field selections....yet.

Much will rest on their packed Northern calendar. Henry knows all too well the expectations on himself and the most analysed team in world rugby. Even a solitary loss in the North could have the tour labelled a failure, and for that, every test now must serve as a 2011 selection trial.

For as the Air New Zealand Cup has indeed shown, there is plenty of outstanding talent putting their hand up week after week.

Wallabies Face Battle of Attrition in Northern Tour

James Mortimer — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:14:10 -0400

If it wasn’t enough that an Australian team with a modest recent record is heading to Europe to try and achieve just their second Grand Slam, they will confronted with their most dangerous foe and an arduous travel schedule to kick off proceedings.

With such a landmark occasion in Europe ahead, marking the 25th anniversary of the famous 1984 team that recorded Australia’s first home nations touring whitewash, a triumph would all but erase what has been a horror year for the Wallabies.

However, few betting men would bank on Australia beating Ireland, Wales, England, and Scotland based on current Wallabies form and home ground advantage for the host nations.

An unbeaten run in their home tests and a surprise victory over the Springboks in Brisbane didn’t erase a poor Super 14, a wooden spoon Tri Nations, numerous off field incidents including the Lote Tuqiri affair and the rumours of infighting between the Victorian Super 15 factions—and of course another lost Bledisloe and a 0-3 record against the All Blacks.

New Zealand has now held the famous cup since 2003, and the ledger between the two sides in the last seven years is horribly one sided from an Australian perspective reading at 15 losses and just four wins.

To break this six match losing streak, one feels that it is not so much a case of doing the job as much as just being mentally prepared. The Wallabies have shown that they can compete at the highest level, but when it comes to the All Blacks, it is almost as if they regard the men in black as their modern hoodoo.

They must overcome this bogey team in Black.

The Bledisloe has become arguably the strongest barometer of Australian (and for that fact New Zealand) rugby, and a 2009 with a 4-0 series score line to the All Blacks is a statistic and a piece of mental baggage that the Wallabies do not need.

But after kicking off their Northern tour with so much expectation in what will be a carnival like atmosphere in Tokyo, it will be followed by a second match just four days later.

With a clash with Gloucester on Nov. 3rd, numerous Wallabies will be backing up in what is the better part of a 15-16 hour road trip from Japan to South West England.

As Australia is taking 35 players, it is likely that there will in effect be two starting XV’s in coach Robbie Deans mind, and at least seven of the players involved with the All Black clash in Japan will then be backing up against cherry and whites.

While it will be a midweek clash, and no doubt will see Deans employ more of his second selections, it will be a difficult encounter, with the English club side playing a different style that normally encountered by the Australians.

''It's not like the old midweek fixtures, when you were just playing the club side, Gloucester,'' Deans said.

''Now they are an international side; so they will be formidable opponents. It will be a good, torrid workout, because those blokes don't get the chance to play against international sides that often. It will be a real education for them.''

In this though, Deans does have time on his side, and will be hoping his slight overhaul of the Wallabies team will have the desired effect.

Rocky Elsom is the new captain, with Berrick Barnes his deputy, and while it remains to be seen whether or not these changes will give the Wallabies the boost they need, there is further positive news on the troops front.

Displaced captain Stirling Mortlock is almost back to full fitness and the Wallabies missed his physical presence in the Tri Nations. Furthermore, Digby Ioane, possibly Australia’s best player through the 2009 Super 14, will form a compelling case for selection in the three quarter line.

Here, Deans must find the balance for the future.

The Wallabies have already unearthed their next tier of players, and the former Crusaders boss has spent the last 18 months blooding in more caps than any other international coach.

The trick is with the veterans.

Will the old guard of the Wallabies, such as the Mortlocks and the most capped active player George Smith remain on the front, or will the “warhorses” as such come from the middle ranks, such as the Barnes, Elsoms, or even players like James Horwill.

This is where Australia has either the edge or is behind their test foes.

Other leading nations like South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand have an established tier of experience and a new generation of rugby talent. In the next couple of years, those sides will form their decisions on how dominant either blend shall be.

Deans and the Wallabies may have already made this decision, and the short term pain Australian fans are now witnessing may come with long term gain.

Rugby: Preview of England's Test Season

James Mortimer — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:47:27 -0400

We take a detailed look at England's upcoming challenges in their soon to begin Test season.

Just less than a month from a ball being kicked in anger, and the Red Rose of England’s test season is off to a bad start as four of their more influential players will likely play no part in their upcoming Autumn Internationals.

Wasp’s duo, Tom Rees and Danny Cipriani, will play no part in 2009’s end of year test matches, and the flanker will be a loss, with early indications that he may miss the 2010 Six Nations as well.

Cipriani, woefully inconsistent with form and on the outer with Johnson, may not be such a loss to England’s hopes, but was a potential option for a left field call up considering other backline absentees.

Either way, “Celebrani” desperately needs games at Wasps to fulfill his earlier touted, but little seen of late potential.

The malingerers in question are fullback and London Irish star Delon Armitage, who has gone the same way as centre and Brive’s glamour signing Riki Flutey (both picking up shoulder injuries prior to the Wasp’s pairs concerns) with both players in serious doubt for at least the next three months.

These two back’s losses are even more of a blow for England, and to say the deficit of such key pillars would be annoying the powers in the halls of the RFU is a massive understatement.

Flutey and Armitage have been two of the mainstays in which England has built what some would cautiously label a quiet revival under boss Martin Johnson, with the duo both making their England debuts against the Pacific Islands last November.

Armitage, rated by some as the best catching fullback in Europe, played in every match since.

To say that Flutey (the former Wairarapa-born New Zealand Under-19, which won the World Cup in 1999, and Hurricanes player) has reinvented himself in the North would be a great understatement.

After signing with London Irish, he moved to Wasps, where he was named the PRA Player of the year. He was then donning England colours, where his form in this year’s Six Nations earned him a Lions call up.

He became the first player in history to play for and against the famous touring side.

They are valuable players, but are they irreplaceable?

Well, considering some basic facts from the Six Nations, in the short term they may well be.

England, runners up in the 2009 tournament, scored 16 tries; double their tally from the previous year.

They were, in terms of total points, the best attacking and the best defensive side in the competition. Of their tries, Flutey (who was equal top try scorer with a certain Brian O’Driscoll) scored four, and Armitage three.

The trick here is that Johnson knows how to mould men into his own image, and craft a potent forward (white orcs on steroids, anyone?) operation, but irrespective of the men assisting him, he requires natural talent for England to be able to attack.

While there were some painful inconsistencies in Red Rose’s execution in recent matches, their potency was so much more promising with the creative genius of men like Flutey and Armitage.

There are some options covering fullback, with Olly Morgan and Ugo Monye being strong ones, while Mathew Tait and Mark Cueto have first-class experience at the back of the three-quarter line.

Flutey, however, is the only specialist number 12 in the squad, and Leicester Tigers Toby Flood, in theory the second playmaker of the elite player squad, is out with a long-term Achilles problem.

The replacement is difficult considering the fact so much of England’s attacking and marshaling is built around the former Wasps midfielder.

Mike Tindall could be called, but there are more attractive and long-term options sitting in the England Saxons squad. Brad Barritt of Saracens, Northampton’s Shane Geraghty and Jordan Turner-Hall of Harlequins are all alternatives.

While Barritt is a South African import, he is part of the revival of the famous club, and has a robust game that England typically desires in their midfield.

Johnson was clearly not happy with the news regarding all of his injuries, offering a strictly worded “get well” message via the media.

His usual heavy brow seemed all encompassing as clearly the man in charge was not happy that arguably his two best attacking players and arguably his most flamboyant loose forward will be out.

Rees' absence is not a killer blow, for while the Wasps back rower is probably the best on the ball operator England has, they do have plenty of options in the back row.

James Haskell, Tom Croft, Michael Lipman and a recovering Lewis Moody are all viable test options for England.

However as always, it will be an arduous test for England when the leaves of their flora turn the most wonderful shades of yellow and red throughout the arboretums in the country.

The Wallabies will arrive at Twickenham, followed by the Pumas, and then the All Blacks.

With the Australians on a rare Grand Slam quest, the New Zealanders no doubt in a menacing mood considering their poor (by their standards) Tri Nations, and Argentina wanting to show the form to cement their entry into the Tri/Four Nations, Johnson would clearly love and needs to have all of his hands on deck.

While one feels that his ultimate judgment will come in New Zealand at the 2011 World Cup (not only for Johnson, but for all test coaches), the honeymoon is all but over for the 2003 World Cup winning captain.

While he might have some grace yet (if for anything because few people would criticise him to his face) he needs England to announce themselves sooner rather than later.

Not only the incoming Southern teams does Johnson need concern himself with, but two very strong Irish and Welsh sides, as well as the spectre that Les Bleus may indeed be turning the corner under Marc Lievremont, will present challenges for England next year.

Johnson will name the official replacements for the England squad on Oct. 25. By then, the Guinness Premiership will have played its sixth round, and the Elite group will go into camp.

The abrasiveness that Johnson wants has begun, with members of Ireland remarking after their test at Croke Park this year that they had never felt so “beat up” as they did after their one-point victory over England.

But to prevent a false dawn, at the minimum the Twickenham turf must yield at least one Tri Nations scalp in the coming months.

England under Martin Johnson

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 - England v Pacific Islanders 39-13 @ Twickenham
Sat, 15 Nov 2008 - England v Australia 14-28 @ Twickenham
Sat, 22 Nov 2008 - England v South Africa 6-42 @ Twickenham
Sat, 29 Nov 2008 - England v New Zealand 6-32 @ Twickenham
Sat, 07 Feb 2009 - England v Italy 36-11 @ Twickenham
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 - England v Wales 15-23 @ Millennium Stadium
Sat, 28 Feb 2009 - England v Ireland 13-14 @ Croke Park
Sun, 15 Mar 2009 - England v France 34-10 @ Twickenham
Sat, 21 Mar 2009 - England v Scotland 26-12 @ Twickenham
Sat, 06 Jun 2009 - England v Argentina 37-15 @ Old Trafford
Sat, 13 Jun 2009 - England v Argentina 22-24 @ Salta

England’s upcoming test matches

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 - England v Australia @ Twickenham
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 36, England 14, Australia 21, Drawn 1
LAST MATCH: England 14 – 28 Australia @ Twickenham

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 - England v Argentina @ Twickenham
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14, England 9, Argentina 4, Drawn 1
LAST MATCH: England 22 – 24 Argentina @ Salta

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 - England v New Zealand @ Twickenham
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 32, New Zealand 25, England 6, Drawn 1
LAST MATCH: England 6 – 32 @ Twickenham

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 - England v Wales @ Twickenham
Sun, 14 Feb 2010 - Italy v England @ Stadio Flaminio
Sat, 27 Feb 2010 - England v Ireland @ Twickenham
Sat, 13 Mar 2010 - Scotland v England @ Murrayfield
Sat, 20 Mar 2010 - France v England @ Stade de France

England Elite player squad

FORWARDS

Steffon Armitage, London Irish
Steve Borthwick, Saracens
George Chuter, Leicester Tigers
Jordan Crane, Leicester Tigers
Tom Croft, Leicester Tigers
Louis Deacon, Leicester Tigers
Nick Easter, Harlequins
Dylan Hartley, Northampton Saints
Ben Kay, Leicester Tigers
Lee Mears, Bath Rugby
Tim Payne, London Wasps
Tom Rees, London Wasps
Simon Shaw, London Wasps
Andrew Sheridan, Sale Sharks
Phil Vickery, London Wasps
Julian White, Leicester Tigers
David Wilson, Bath Rugby
Joe Worsley, London Wasps

BACKS

Delon Armitage, London Irish
Matt Banahan, Bath Rugby
Danny Care, Harlequins
Mark Cueto, Sale Sharks
Harry Ellis, Leicester Tigers
Toby Flood, Leicester Tigers
Riki Flutey, CA Brive
Dan Hipkiss, Leicester Tigers
Paul Hodgson, London Irish
Ugo Monye, Harlequins
Olly Morgan, Gloucester Rugby
Mathew Tait, Sale Sharks
Mike Tindall, Gloucester Rugby
Jonny Wilkinson, Toulon

Last England Test XV (V Argentina)
D Armitage, Cueto, Hipkiss, May, Banahan, Goode, Care, Payne, Hartley, White, Borthwick, Deacon, Robshaw, S Armitage, Easter.

Last full strength England Test XV (V Scotland) (before Lions commitments)
Armitage; Cueto, Tindall, Flutey, Monye; Flood, Ellis; Sheridan, Mears, Vickery, Borthwick, Shaw, Croft, Worsley, Easter.

Wallabies Poaching From League Double Edged Sword

James Mortimer — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:01:14 -0400

The Australian rugby landscape is in need of an injection, with the game needing the type of front page media attention that brings fans to the games and youth joining the age-grade sides.

The Wallabies are also missing the two abundant qualities that make up a team able to stand up and dominate the world stage. One cannot be brought, but the other can.

One is a healthy spread of veteran players. Men who will not back down and will inspire and lead, when the chips are either up or down. Illustrations of this are best seen in the last two sides to hold aloft the ultimate symbol of world supremacy, the 2003 England team, and the 2007 South African team.

Martin Johnson’s England was a team of veterans with experience littered throughout the side. John Smit’s Springboks were of similar ilk. Much of the reason for South Africa’s built momentum since defeating England in Paris has come from these battle-scarred warhorses remaining within the national setup.

For Australia, a team that is building and beset with youth, there are too few examples of such men.

The other qualities are X factor players.

Such a quality is more often than not indicative of two special talents, either the ability to change a game with a single play, or the ability to command media or even tabloid attention which by and large benefits the game.

In 2001 and 2002 the ARU launched a three prong attack on one of their great sporting rivals, the NRL—the league competition in Australia—and poached three of their biggest stars, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Matt Rogers.

At the time, the Wallabies were within arguably their greatest era of dominance. Two time World Cup winners, Tri Nation’s champions, Lions victors and Bledisloe Cup holders. It was a team blessed with experience and X factor players. But while their superstar qualities were evident on the park, they were not so much off the park.

Along with captain John Eales, one of the great statesmen of the modern game, the Wallabies were the initial breed of Australia’s high paid players, realistically the last great code to go professional in the country.

These men were all consummate gentlemen, the George Gregans, Tim Horans, Daniel Herberts and the Matthew Burkes. Men who may have captured the attention of the sporting press, but were sufficiently clean cut to keep the image of rugby squeaky clean.

This was ultimately governed by Rod McQueen, the Wallabies coach who ran the national team with the heady precision of military general and high level corporate genius.

And while the game was in solid health, it did not thrive with the media attention that other codes such as league may have attracted. While no sporting administrator wants negative news from their players garnering attention—there can sometimes be no denying that all press is good press.

One assumes that this was one of many reasons why the holy trinity were brought across from league. Not only were the Wallabies buttressing themselves with marquee attacking weapons (at a time when Australian rugby was already sturdy) but giving the game of rugby in Australia high level media exposure.

And it certainly did this.

While Sailor, Rogers and Tuqiri were not bad boys by any stretch of the imagination, they attracted widespread attention, if not for off-field focus, for the curiosity that was piqued from having three Australian league and State of Origin representatives cutting their teeth in another code.

Sailor would make the first official transition, announcing his move on February 7^th, 2001. He would go on to represent the Wallabies 37 times. He would make the transition to codes less easily than Roger or Tuqiri, but would be the most flamboyant of the three.

A man made for the spotlight, as many would describe big Dell.

Rogers would follow suit in 2002, debuting with Sailor in the same match against France becoming the 41^st and 42^nd dual code internationals. Rogers would earn 40 caps for his country in union.

Tuqiri would debut against Ireland in 2003, and many would believe that the big Fijian would have the best transition of the three. He would earn 67 test caps, and as we all know too well, his departure was the most recent of the three.

Lote Daulako’s exodus may have been the biggest wound of all too Australian rugby. Not only did they lose a veteran and an X factor player, but they lost a magnet that not only captured the imaginations of the media, but of the youth that every sport needs for participation and the future health of the code.

And now the Wallabies—not through directly related consequences—are in a spot of trouble.

Australian rugby certainly doesn’t need any more negative press, with the countries Super 14 performances, the Wallabies Tri Nations wooden spoon, a saga with their Super 15 bid, and of course the “Tuqiri” gate scandal creating a mixed view of the game with their local fans and media.

The game needs a large scale event. Not just a media extravaganza, but also the required X factor that their team is missing.

No disrespect to any current Wallabies, but none appears to have the je ne sais quoi that is enabling them to capture attention and consistently compete with the powers of the game.

The league world has such individuals, and maybe such an acquisition is required yet again.

Melbourne Storm-Parramatta Eels: 2009 NRL Grand Final Preview

James Mortimer — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:58:04 -0400

The Storm, in reaching their fourth straight fourth final, may be looking for redemption, while the late charging Eels are looking to recording their first premiership in 23 years.

Melbourne will look to cement their claim as one of the great Australian rugby league sides of all time, attempting to win their second premiership in four consecutive attempts.

They may also be thinking of some form of emancipation after being thumped 0-40 by Manly in last year’s championship decider. The Storm have slipped somewhat under the radar this season, not winning the minor premiership (the J.J. Giltinana Shield) for the first time in four years and missing eight players from the Grand Final last year.

But in many respects, this makes the 1999 and 2007 premiers far more dangerous.

Parramatta’s season has the makings of a fairy tale. Midway through the season, Parramatta were sitting third-last and were offering $151 odds to win the premiership.

A remarkable late season stampede, largely due to Dally M winner Jarryd Hayne and Daniel Mortimer, has seen them make history as the first eighth-placed finals qualifier to make the Grand Final.

For faithful Eels supporters, this year will be the chance to right what have been rollercoaster rides for them this millennium. \

The team that was all but untouchable in the early 80s (four NSWRL titles in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1986) has reached no less than nine finals series since the NRL was implemented in 1998, but have not tasted success on the highest stage.

In what Melbourne fans will hope is a good omen, the last two times the Eels have made the finals (2006 and 2007), they were eliminated by the Storm.

But with Hayne, the current darling of the NRL (who makes 170 metres a match—second in the NRL), and people talking up the Eels' magical attack—one that offloads a remarkable 17.5 times a game, far and away the most in the competition—the Parramatta faithful have right to believe in a fabulous end to 2009.

Their success has prompted the Storm to move away from the Parramatta Crown Plaza hotel to Homebush Bay, where they have spent their last three build-ups to the Grand Final. But even the Storm’s superior experience in season deciders may be overrated.

We cannot forget Eels coach Daniel Anderson, who has a record as impressive as his Storm opposite, Craig Bellamy.

Lest we forget, Anderson took the NZ Warriors to the Grand Final in only his second year. He also took England’s St. Helens to three consecutive Challenge Cup triumphs (2006-2008) and three Super League Grand Finals in the same years, winning the title in 2006.

While many of his Eels may be Grand Final virgins, the 2002 Dally M Coach of the year is not.

Anderson’s team is red hot, having changed its season around with wins against the table topping Storm and Bulldogs to start a seven-match winning streak that earned them a finals berth.

En route to the Grand Final, they have beaten the three best teams of the year, beating minor premiers St. George, 25-12, destroying third-placed qualifiers, the Gold Coast, 27-2, and downing second-placed Canterbury, 22-12, in front of a record 74,549 fans.

On this, what hope does Melbourne have to stop the freight train that is the blue and gold express?

The well-oiled machine that is the Storm is appreciating this build up to the last match of the NRL season, with the glare away from the form team of the last four years for all the right reasons.

Last year, the Storm was in crisis going into the last Sunday of the season.

Coach Bellamy had launched an extraordinary attack on the judiciary and captain Cameron Smith had been suspended. Key forward Ryan Hoffman had been injured and Manly—all but as good a team as Melbourne in 2007 and 2008—were irrepressible in their quest to win their seventh premiership.

This year, Smith has remarked that the build up to the Grand Final has been the best he has experienced, largely due to the fact that there hasn’t been so much focus on winning the minor premiership.

As the Australian test captain remarked, there was almost an unhealthy obsession to peak for the minor premiership and then hold out for the finals.

While the Storm lost nine matches this season (compared with seven in 2008, three in 2007, and four in 2006) and were beaten in five of eight matches from Round 16, they have been in even hotter form than their opponents of late.

In Round 25, the beat the Roosters, 38-4, and in Round 26 downed the Warriors, 30-0. In the first week of the finals, the knocked out reigning premiers Manly, 40-12, and then smashed Brisbane (who contained eight former or current test players), 40-10.

As for their squad, while Hayne remains all the rage, the Storm's key weapons in Smith, Greg Inglis, and Billy Slater have been by and large forgotten men.

This will be an outstanding match, but while the Eels have won their last two matches against the Storm, one feels that their more rounded game and superior experience might just be too much for the Eels to etch 2009 into their annals of history.

Europe Prepares To Repel Tri Nation's Invaders

James Mortimer — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:39:09 -0400

As the European domestic competitions continue to build, the focus is slowly switching to what is essentially the beginning of the northern hemisphere test season. For many coaches, this will constitute the genesis of their 2011 World Cup preparations.

The upcoming autumn internationals take on another dimension considering the state of the southern nations approaching. The All Blacks and Springboks will remain match fit, with their test players filtering back into their respective domestic competitions.

The Wallabies will have only one game to prepare for their Grand Slam against New Zealand in Tokyo.

The Springboks will approach the north as the best team in world, holder of every major trophy available to them, two IRB ranking points clear of the second-placed team, the All Blacks, and a massive six points clear of the third-placed Wallabies.

However, while their position on the summit of world rugby cannot be denied, one feels that the South Africans' tour to Europe may be a slight Pandora’s Box.

Their dominance displayed over the Wallabies and, in particular, the All Blacks—who they defeated 3-0—may not be so easy in the north. The British and Irish Lions looked far more formidable against the Springboks than their Tri Nations opponents did, and they will face the Six Nations champion’s Ireland, who provided a significant number to the touring Lions side.

The Irish have won their last two matches against the Springboks, who haven’t won in Dublin since 2000.

They also play France and Italy, both of whom play a largely non-frills, pragmatic style. While the Azzuri may not necessarily win, Les Bleus, buoyed by their success against the All Blacks, will feel that they may catch the Springboks on the hop in their fortress of Stade de France.

The Tri Colours at home are sitting on a three-match winning streak against South Africa, who has not won on French soil since 1997.

Finally, the South Africans have the worst recent record against the northern hemisphere away from home of all the major Southern powers. Since 2000, they have won 11 and lost 11.

If there are any lingering doubts over the legitimacy of South Africa’s claim to being the leading power in world rugby—which there should not be—then the end of year tour will be the litmus test for a Springbok side that will likely be missing Jean De Villiers (Munster), Frans Steyn (Racing Metro), and Juan Smith (injured).

The All Blacks, in theory, will be eyed off by their opponents, departing for their tour with an average (by their standards) five from nine test record this year.

Still, while there is feeling that this is not an all-powerful New Zealand team, it would be foolish to assume they are in decline.

If anything, their form and patterns this year could suggest that they have emerged from a readjustment period and could, as they did in 2004, be preparing for evolutionary change (2004 saw the All Blacks implement a flat attack strategy, which stuttered during that year’s Tri Nations, but reaped significant rewards in their end of year tour).

Their final Tri Nations match, a thumping 33-6 win over Australia, remains the biggest test victory by any SANZAR power this year, but surely if any team in Europe wishes to arrest an appalling recent record against the All Blacks, now would be the time.

Their first clash, a glamour showpiece against a fine Wales team, will see the Red Dragons try to break what is now a 56-year winning drought against a side whose potential scalp is the biggest that a Welsh player could hope to take.

They will then play Italy in Milan before travelling to Twickenham to give Martin Johnson’s men an acid test. The last time England beat New Zealand was in 2002 in London and the following year in Wellington, but this was when the red rose was at the peak of their powers.

The All Blacks sit on a seven-match winning streak against England with a lopsided 249-92 total score line from those matches. If England records just one victory during these internationals, a win against New Zealand would see many believing the side is on the right track.

The match in France promises to be a classic, with the All Blacks hungry for revenge after Les Bleus defeated them in Carisbrook this year. The last time New Zealand came to Marseille in 2000, though, they walked away 33-42 losers.

Still, under Henry—a certain match in Cardiff aside—the All Blacks have won three straight in France, including the 45-6 slaughter in Paris in 2004 and the massacre in Lyon, 47-3, in 2006.

As for the Wallabies, they will attempt to record their second ever Grand Slam.

Wooden spoon winners in the Tri Nations, they head north with woeful form, and in theory (according to their ruthless media), in complete crisis.

Still, it is a young and building team, and away from the harsh glare of national expectation as well as not having to play their two deadliest foes, they will no doubt be sharper knowing history could await.

The biggest question is whether the Wallabies, with a 13-11 record in autumn internationals since 2000, can win away from home. This modern day Achilles' heel must be overcome.

But in 70 matches away against the home nations in their history, they have won 36 (lost 32, drawn two). But while they remain third in the world rankings, realistically only Scotland could be considered anything close to a guaranteed win.

Either way, we shall know a lot more about the current world order come the beginning of December.

Southern Kings Lodge Their Super 15 Bid

James Mortimer — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:35:59 -0400

When SANZAR announced that the new team to enter Super rugby would be based in Australia, within the same countries “new conference” it was naturally assumed that the new side would obviously be an Australian team.

A long and detailed process has ensued.

Two audacious bids from New Zealand have since not been approved by the NZRU. While the two submissions (Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay) came from the Hurricanes catchment area—a collection of provinces containing a huge amount of depth that in theory could support a new franchise—it was unlikely that the status quo would be changed with the model within New Zealand rugby working efficiently as is.

In Australia, it has not been so simple.

Bids from the Sunshine coast, Central coast and Western Sydney have since not been approved by the ARU. The latter’s non approval of the Expression of Interest was met with some raised eyebrows around the country, with many believing that this area of New South Wales had the depth and support to sustain a team.

The three bids then were approved to Victoria, but the waters have been distinctly muddied by the contrasting nature and relationship of the three bids. Officially, the VRU, the VicSuper15 consortium and a third bid from the Belgravia group came in.

In theory, one represented the official rugby union of the state, another represented a breakaway group with numerous key members’ former members of the VRU, while another was a dark horse, but was said to have represented a more pure business model.

Rumours and hearsay has since plagued this bid, with allegations that the VRU has been passed over, rumours that financial backers from all groups have walked away, and a general state of confusion over the actual position of the bid itself.

It now appears that the ARU itself will control the bid.

A statement released read "The ARU will now construct and may have to fund an ownership model for the new entity and the structure will be separate from the VRU to enable it to focus on its core responsibilities of managing and growing Community Rugby."

So could this in theory give the South Africans a slight advantage, with their Expression of Interest based around the Southern Kings?

SARU have from day one taken firm control of the bidding process and it appears that this in itself could be a significant advantage in their application.

Of course, the concept of a sixth team is not foreign to the South African landscape, with the now defunct Southern Spears saga dominant on the minds of many locals. In premise, this team should already be operating.

When the Super 12 expanded to the Super 14, and South Africa gained a fifth team, the concept of a promotion and relegation system was to be introduced.

This system on the surface made perfect sense, as the current five South African Super rugby franchises do not spread their catchment to all 14 of the country’s domestic unions.

However, controversy, legal proceedings, changing of the guard with the SARU presidency, as well as alleged issues of non competitiveness (the three unions that the Spears would have drawn on were not premier division Currie Cup teams) conspired against the “sixth team.”

The Spears, as a rugby entity, now no longer exist.

In some respects, the Kings are re-born body of the doomed Spears franchise.

So in this, there will many very determined people to make sure that rugby in the South Eastern Cape of South Africa is represented at the highest level.

And perhaps SARU themselves will want to rectify what some people believe are the wrongs of the past in relation to the sad demise of the Spears team.

South Africa has submitted their official bid to SANZAR, with the 60 page bid and EOI document forming a compelling case for inclusion into the expanded 2011 Super 15 tournament. With a decision to be made on the team due on October 21, the realities are that it may go beyond a simple SANZAR vote. If a consensus cannot be reached the matter will likely proceed to arbitration.

But Andy Marinos is confident for the Kings inclusion.

"The Bid document makes a very exciting and compelling case for the Southern Kings' inclusion," said the acting managing director of SA Rugby.

"SA Rugby has taken the lead in the organisation and preparation of the Bid Document with input from all stakeholders in the three provinces and, all together, it makes for an outstanding case. We have put together a strong and sustainable business plan based on realistic sponsorship and attendance projections."

"In addition, the Kings' Bid is not a case of having to reinvent the wheel - they can be operational very quickly: the Kings have a ready audience; they have a fantastic stadium; there is a rich heritage of rugby in all communities and a significant number of schools that continue to produce outstanding young players,” Marinos stated.

While Melbourne holds the advantage of being situated within the Australian conference, and being an international class sporting city, beyond this, the actual details of the “Victorian team” are still vague.

In this, the Kings represent an undeniable dark horse to the bidding process.

"Key personnel with Super Rugby experience in Alan Solomons (director of rugby) and Stefan Pretorius (managing director) are ready to fill the main leadership roles and they have already identified players with top-level experience who are willing to sign in due course."

Solomons coached the Kings in their inaugural match against the British & Irish Lions, losing with a respectable 20-8 scoreline.

"We have already identified the coaching team and have taken soundings with Super Rugby quality players both here and overseas and are convinced we can put together a very competitive squad."

"The assumption has been made that that the 15th team has to be based in Australia because it will feature in the log of the Australian Conference, but that is far from the case," said Marinos.

"SANZAR has to make a decision that makes rugby sense and business sense and the Southern Kings fills both criteria. Even the claims that it makes logistical sense to be based in Australia do not stack up to close examination - the Kings would have only one more match overseas than does a South African franchise at the moment."

While there are fears, as there was with the Spears, that the Kings would not be competitive, Marinos strongly disagreed.

"There are 74 South Africans playing in the French Top 14 and English Premiership compared to 20 Australians and plenty more where they came from looking for the opportunity of top flight rugby," said Marinos.

"The Kings pulled together a very competitive team to take on the British & Irish Lions in June and only Derick Kuün could be counted as a current Super 14 player - it shows the depth that we can tap in to.”

"The Kings are a franchise waiting to burst to life."

Dan Carter and Richie McCaw Must Be Expendable

James Mortimer — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:39:41 -0400

The two celebrated Canterbury stars are essential foundations to the All Black team, but it is now a proven fact that without them, New Zealand is a far different proposition.

It is a situation that is an anomalous cocktail for the All Blacks to have.

On one hand, there is no team in world rugby that has two such single influential players. While the world’s current leading team, the Springboks, has a host of almost indispensable players, there are no two men that the fortunes of the side appear to hinge on.

As it was seen in Wellington against an admittedly mediocre Australian side, when McCaw and Carter are on song, the All Blacks are close to unbeatable. Between the two men, New Zealand has won close to 90 percent of their matches when they are on the field.

And throughout modern history, it is difficult to recall an example of where two men wield such dramatic influence on their side’s fortunes.

Take the 2007 World Cup winning and current Springbok team. There was/is no one forward that was/is far and beyond their most valuable, and no one back.

It was the same with England in 2003 and the Wallabies in 1999, for while players such as John Eales and Martin Johnson were immense in their team’s fortunes, one would suspect that they would hardly be spectacularly inferior without them.

But when the Canterbury players are not within the team, there is a fragile underbelly to the All Blacks, despite boasting some exceptional players.

While in the past this has not been such an issue, now it appears not so much a talent issue as much as what the All Blacks commonly term a mana aspect. The Je ne sais pas quality that they bring to the team, that lifts the men around them.

Some years back, there were legitimate backups, such as former Highlanders/Blues stalwart and current Harlequins first five Nick Evans, who was close to a par with Dan Carter in pure playing ability—with Evans probably having a slightly better boot, but not the running ability of the Canterbury pivot.

For McCaw, there was the former Chiefs scavenger Marty Holah, and former Blues and Reds open side Daniel Braid. While they may not have been quite of the equal of a man that is considered in many circles to be the greatest exponent of open side play the game has ever seen, they were acceptable reserves.

But these two men, so crucial to the All Blacks success, raise questions within the New Zealand game regarding the issue of redundancy.

The best application of this term is in regard to the United States Navy missile submarines (called boomers). The official recognition of redundancy is that if one boomer goes missing or is taken out, then another takes its place seamlessly, without affecting the military power of the U.S.

The military power, so to speak, of the All Blacks is reduced without the twin axis of McCaw and Carter.

And for all of the achievements that could be hailed under the reign of Graham Henry and his lieutenants Steve Hanson and Wayne Smith (and there are many, unbeaten in Bledisloe Cups, four Tri Nations titles, a Lions scalp, a Grand Slam and 60-12 win loss record) the glaring blemish in what is quite possibly the holy trinity of rugby coaches is that they have struggled to groom secondary players to their Canterbury pillars.

It appears that they are so first-class, that the fortunes of the national team decline without them.

This needs to be addressed. There may not be the depth at seven and 10 that will soon be apparent in some positions (for example, there are potentially six test level locks in the wings), but there is quality.

For McCaw (considering open side specialists) Scott Waldrom continues his return from injury, and Tanerau Latimer is an option. But they must be given time, if not test starts—while McCaw is benched—then at least 20-minute playing cameos.

Equally, they must persist with a pure number seven. Experimentation with moving around the back row hasn’t really worked, and the All Black style of play depends on a thoroughbred ball scavenger.

At first five, Donald remains second choice despite some national concerns. Has his form been sub-par, or is he suffering with comparisons to the Carter, at his pomp the best all round number ten in the world.

There are also options underneath, with young pivots like Stephen Brett, Colin Slade, Aaron Curden or even Lachie Munro. To throw a spanner in the works are players such as Luke McAlister, or even a returning Evans.

McCaw (28, 76 tests, 80 test points) and Carter (27, 63 tests, 930 test points) are the platforms in which the All Blacks rely on so heavily, but without employing some form of redundancy, their potential unavailability could hurt New Zealand in the future and in 2011.

Managing the All Blacks' Embarrassment of Riches

James Mortimer — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:30:41 -0400

As the countdown begins to 2011, how will Graham Henry manage the startling return to form from key players, the performance of the new blood, the declining status of veterans and stalwarts, and the possible return of some big names?

In the early period of his reign, Henry developed unparalleled player depth within the All Black framework, working to develop “two world class players for every position.”

This was essentially achieved, but at the 2007 World Cup, this depth led to what appeared to be uncertainty with what was the All Blacks’ best team. In the five matches played at that year’s World Cup, every position except two featured at least three different players.

This paid homage to the cliché that you only need 15 (or 22) world class players to win a championship—not 30 or 40!

At the end of 2007, New Zealand rugby suffered what we could call “the great exodus.” No less than eight front-line All Blacks would leave local shores immediately after the World Cup, and this would be followed by a host of test players, fringe players and other long serving domestic talent in the following months.

2008 was a surprising landmark year of success for the All Blacks, winning the Bledisloe, Tri Nations, a Grand Slam and finishing with a 13-2 win loss record.

This was achieved with Graham Henry all but forced to wield out a consistent test XV, relying on essentially a cocooned squad of 20 men. There would be less than half of the changes seen to a starting side—match to match—in this year than seen in each of the four years previous.

It showed a stark pattern from leading global test teams.

This year, South Africa has ruled, and has done so with a largely unchanged side.

Quality replacements and depth help, but nothing can quite equal having a team build consistent combinations and build experience as a winning unit.

Therein lies what could again be a problem for All Black rugby in the coming years.

Many of New Zealand’s key players have been affected by injury this year. The two dynamos of the All Black operation, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, have both come back from injury this season.

It appears that their form is reaching peak levels again, with both players putting in respective master classes against the Wallabies in Wellington.

Their individual management is crucial to the New Zealand game. With them on the field the All Blacks chances of winning are greatly amplified, but their replacements need to be groomed.

Here lies the greatest quandary for Henry.

He knows he needs to tinker and develop his squad for what will be quite possibly the most important year in All Black history, preparing to win a World Cup on home soil. But he knows that the heavy burden of success, the expectation of a win, all but demands that he field his strongest side at all times.

While one, especially within All Black circles, may term the 2009 test year a failure so far—based on their 0-3 ledger to South Africa and loss of the Tri Nations title—the emergence of new talent gives the year a strong pass mark when it comes to player development.

Tanerau Latimer, George Whitelock, Owen Franks, Isaac Ross, Tom Donnelly have all received their first test caps this year. Furthermore, Kieran Read, Adam Thomson and Cory Jane have all continued to make progress from their international debuts in 2008.

Decisions need to be made as to the level of their roles in the coming years.

By the same token, some incumbent’s futures will need to be decided. Rodney So’oialo is foremost among them, a loyal servant of New Zealand rugby. While it appears it days as a test starter may be numbered, surely the experience of such a man will be invaluable on the bench.

There is also the lightly used recent All Blacks, such as Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf, Hika Elliot and Ben Franks. Do these players, viable talents, have roles to play?

Furthermore, there are the dark horses, such as Liam Messam, Sione Lauaki, Leila Masaga, and Jamie Mackintosh. These former All Blacks are potentially world class on their day, but have had flaws pointed out by the coaching ranks.

Let us also not forget the All Blacks still sidelined or returning from injury.

The list is impressive, with Ali Williams, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Piri Weepu, Anthony Boric, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Luke McAlister, Keven Mealamu and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

And, of course, the proverbial spanners in the works, with Chris Jack back in New Zealand rugby next year, and rumours from Newcastle that Carl Hayman may be seeking a return to the framework in the next 12-18 months.

While it thinned after 2007, it appears the All Blacks are on the cusp of having a titanic selection pool once again. The management of this glutton of playing resources could be the difference to whether or not the All Blacks break their World Cup drought.

All Blacks playing pool

(Represented their country in last two years and/or may be in 2011 frame)

Prop: Tony Woodcock, Carl Haymen, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Neemia Tialata, John Afoa

Hooker: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot

Lock: Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Bryn Evans, Jason Eaton, Tom Donnelly

Flanker: Richie McCaw, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Scott Waldrom, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, George Whitelock

Number eight: Kieran Read, Rodney So’oialo, Sione Lauaki

Scrum half: Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Brendan Leonard, Andy Ellis, Alby Mathewson

First Five: Dan Carter, Stephen Donald, Nick Evans, Colin Slade, Stephen Brett

Second Five: Ma’a Nonu, Luke McAlister

Centre: Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Isaia Toeava

Wing: Joe Rokocoko, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf, Leila Masaga

Fullback: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Colin Slade

All Black Fundamentals Exist, Just Need Polishing

James Mortimer — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:02:39 -0400

There is no way in glossing up the ignominious fact that this New Zealand team is potentially one loss away from recording one of the worst test years on record. But numbers beneath the final score lines paint a picture that could be on the verge of becoming a masterpiece.

It is an interesting realm that the 2009 All Blacks team find themselves in.

We won’t buck the dominant trend seen throughout the media and offer initial pessimistic views of this New Zealand team.

Probably the hardest aspect in their test losses this year is that they have been their own worst enemies. As Steve Hansen said recently, it is more of a “skills thing.”

While injuries to key players haven’t helped, there are still some very good players in this All Blacks team. But many of these stars have failed to fire so far in 2009.

Hopefully, the adage will bear true that class is permanent and form is temporary.

While the lineout has become a glaring chink in their black armour, it has been the “Je ne sais quoi” characteristic of the All Blacks that has seen them sink to four test losses this year.

Spilled passes, knocked balls, and aberrant decision making has let them down at key moments in test matches this year. In fact, when looking at those three mentioned factors, they are probably the key area’s which have been all but absent from the Springboks game this year, who have been responsible for all but one of New Zealand’s losses.

And here, we must be realistic when looking at the All Blacks current situation.

This is probably the best Springbok team of all time, filled with once in a generation players. From 1 to 15, at least half of the South African team would dominate a current World XV. And whether it be by fitness, conditioning or just luck, they have suffered no major injury concerns, to allow their best team to be on the park for the majority of 2009.

Joined by a Wallaby team that appears to be tweaking themselves for a tilt at future prominence, we must again remember that the Tri Nations is match for match the most difficult championship in the world.

To avoid a cliché and a huge pretext, the All Blacks for so long—outside of the 2007 World Cup—the best team in the world, surely were eventually going to experience their own slump, for when you are at the top, there is only one way to go.

And that downward slump has hurt, with this year on the verge of equalling if not surpassing the horror runs of 1949 and 1998, widely acknowledged as the worst ever years for All Blacks rugby.

But closer inspection of what the All Blacks have achieved against the other two teams in the top three of the world can bear some optimistic outlooks.

Their lineout is no doubt an issue, and it all begins with the throw. When looking at the current pecking order of New Zealand hookers, Andrew Hore, Aled de Malmanche, and the injured Keven Mealamu, there is a consistent theme.

They are all brilliant in the loose, excellent with ball in hand and outstanding scrummagers, but lacking in confidence and assuredness with their throw.

So at least the problem is obvious and therefore fixable? Equally, this year could be an ugly aberration, with both Ali Williams and Chris Jack likely back in national colours next season.

But it is in three key areas that define typical All Black play that gives the most excitement.

First, in the rucks.

In every Tri Nations match the All Blacks have won more rucks than their opponents, lost the fewest, and turned over the most. They are winning the contest of the ball, arguably the most important fundamental in the game.

In Hamilton, the numbers are astounding. Seventy-five rucks to 31 and nine Ruck turnovers to five, this shows New Zealand is laying down an essential platform.

Secondly in attack.

With the exception of the first test at Eden Park against the Wallabies, the All Blacks have executed double the line breaks, broke more tackles/beat more defenders and thrown more offloads than any team.

Again, in Hamilton, these numbers were fantastic. Five line breaks to three, and 22 broken tackles/beaten defenders to South Africa’s two, and 15 offloads to South Africa’s two.

Finally in defence.

With the exception of the Eden Park test, the All Black tackle percentage has been better than any team. In the second and third tests against the Springboks, New Zealand missed only five tackles in two matches. South Africa missed 30 in both those tests.

Ironically, these statistics could make it even more disheartening to be an All Black supporter, as it does actually prove that they have done enough throughout this Tri Nations to win more than they have lost.

It also shows that they are missing the execution and patience required to make the above numbers into potentially match winning ones. Again, two key facets that have been abundant with South Africa.

Still, while the heartbreak may not be over, surely (hopefully!) the blueprint for a very good All Blacks team is being laid for the future.

All Blacks: Is the Number 12 the New Unlucky 13?

James Mortimer — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:58:16 -0400

In the modern era, some believe that centre has been a problem position for New Zealand. But with the All Blacks' style of play shifting, it seems that second five eighth may be their new quandary.

When referring to New Zealand’s worst defeats, most reflections inevitably drift toward World Cups. To say that these losses were merely chokes is unfair to the performances of their opponents, with the French (twice) and Wallaby triumphs of the last three editions being arguably the greatest performances of those respective rugby nations.

If one tried to isolate a single factor that led to those dark moments in All Black history, the one common denominator was at centre, where in 1999 (Christian Cullen), 2003 (Leon Macdonald), and 2007 (Mils Muliaina)—all converted midfielders and specialist fullbacks—highlighted a limitation in the All Blacks' arsenal.

For a long period, a certain Jonathan Falefasa (Tana) Umaga was the rock on which the All Blacks built their midfield, but when he left international rugby, no less than six players filled the berth as they struggled to find a long-term replacement.

Injuries aside, this position appears to have been fixed with two excellent outside centres in Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui. The Wellington and Hurricanes centre was probably the one All Black who returned from their 0-2 South African safari with his reputation enhanced.

It seems now that the vexed number may have moved down by one.

In 2008, Ma’a Nonu took a considerable step up in class to fill a deep void left by the departure of the two test incumbent second five eighths, Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister.

It signaled a shift away from the All Black back playing maxim, with Nonu a running midfielder, not in the mould of the traditional second five that had dominated the Graham Henry era.

To say that the dreadlocked centre filled the role with aplomb is an understatement, with New Zealand winning 13 of 15 test matches last year. With just one dominant playmaker, the All Blacks by and large still played attacking, but abnormally pragmatic rugby by their standards.

Many say this was due to the unsuccessful approach of the all out offensive style leading into Cardiff in 2007.

This year, it appears that the New Zealand framework has attempted a shift away from this, reverting to (or attempting to) a freewheeling strategy. In this, it may be creating an uncertainty that is affecting the All Blacks' play.

Injuries to the above mentioned centres, as well as to Luke McAlister, have not helped.

But with a running attack so dependent on the ball players at the 10, 12, and 13 axis, it seems that the All Black back play has been somewhat stifled, even looking to imitate the Wallabies to some degree, as seen in their most recent match.

Much of Australia’s attacking success comes from the twin playing bloc of Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes, working in a mould seen prevalently at Canterbury and Crusader’s level under Robbie Deans.

While some have criticised Giteau’s selection at No. 10, in general play, both the Canberra-raised rugby product and Barnes switch first receiver—and first defender—more often than not, which essentially renders any argument regarding them being in the wrong position moot.

This was something I noted at Brisbane recently and was confirmed by long serving Wallabies media wizard Anthony “AJ” George.

The All Blacks attempted this gambit with Dan Carter and Stephen Donald.

But it wasn’t executed with nearly as much crispness and in hindsight, shouldn’t have been tried at all. It isn’t to say that Donald wouldn’t have been a success at No. 12 had he actually been positioned there in open play.

In the first half, Donald played first receiver far more than Carter.

And whether it was by plan or by the decision of the Waikato pivot himself, more often than not, he took the ball into contact, effectively rendering the ball-playing ability of a strong All Blacks backline redundant.

As it was in Hong Kong last year (Donald played 10 then, Carter played 12), and as it was in Hamilton, the All Blacks looked far more assured with Nonu at second five, who is, for all intents and purposes, the incumbent, having played 21 of the New Zealand’s last 23 tests there.

As in 2004, it appears that the All Blacks' new 2009 attacking game is based loosely on a flat line attack.

But with so much depending on the ability of the 10 and 12 based players to take the ball to the line, the experiments at second five eighth are one of the key reasons for the All Blacks' sub standard performances this year.

Springboks Tri Nations Review

James Mortimer — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 09:52:48 -0400

A menacing shadow has cast itself over the world of rugby, with the Springboks unchallenged as the premier test rugby nation on the planet, although the greatest test may come from within.

Surely now there will remain few if any detractors of a team that couldn’t earn any more trophies or champion designations, unless Europe admits them to the Six Nations early next year.

Their style is a winning one, pragmatic, almost one dimensional. As they showed in Perth, they can mix it up and run attacking lines as proficiently as any team in world rugby, but while they reverted back to type against the All Blacks in Hamilton, it showed why this is an excellent Springbok team.

They did what they needed to do to win.

And they responded to any vagary of weakness that was suggested. Their scrum, under much pressure against the Wallabies, stepped up against a good All Black front row and eradicated any weakness that could have been capitalised on.

While they have earned their position at the top of the global rugby mountain, now comes the hard part. The world has noted their power and precision, and they will become a marked team.

While it will be a year before either the All Blacks or Wallabies can entertain any thoughts of revenge, doubtless to say South Africa will not find the 2010 Tri Nations as amicable as it was this year.

They will not begin their title defence with a home stretch. The Wallabies, as they showed in Brisbane, are a fast convalescing team with so many foundations being laid, with talent that Robbie Deans has painstakingly introduced over the last year.

And South Africa will not likely come up against an All Black team that is so accommodating in the future, so willing to commit what some may view as rugby suicide with their substandard execution.

In this though, when looking at the contrasting styles, New Zealand with their fast up tempo desire and the Springboks with their cold and focused approach—it is almost as if the South African game plan was tailor made to beat the All Blacks.

But what a reign it has been for Peter De Villiers and his band of now very merry men.

Granted, the first black South African coach inherited a World Cup winning team, filled with some of the best players who would stride into a global XV.

This current path began with two back to back losses, losing to the Wallabies for the first time since the turn of the century, and then being blanked by the All Blacks in Newlands—this would consign them to a third placed finish in last year’s Tri Nations.

However, they would inflict the Wallabies heaviest test defeat ever in Johannesburg, before going and winning all their autumn internationals, against Wales, Scotland and England.

They would then avenge their 1997 Lions defeat with a cracking 2-1 victory over Ian McGeechan’s excellent touring side, before wrapping up the Tri Nations with a 5-1 record.

The positives are numerous for a team that also shows scope for improvement.

Their lineout is superb, across the board, and quite possibly the greatest lineout the world has ever seen. Clearly their jumpers, with Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, are without peer, but are backed up by a tall back row. Juan Smith is 1.96m, Schalk Burger 1.93m and Pierre Spies 1.94m.

But most of all they have strong pods and a sniper accurate hooker in Bismarck Du Plessis. South Africa finished the Tri Nations winning 62 of 68 throws, better than 90 percent. Even more frightening were their steals, taking 28 of 75 opposition jumps for 37 percent.

In both categories, over 20 percent better than their opponents.

Equally their kicking, with Morne Steyn arguably the best kicking No. 10 in the world (one suspects Dan Carter would be his equal, but it’s not in the All Blacks game plan).

Fourie Du Preez is not only the best kicking number nine, but is also comfortably the best scrumhalf in the world. If votes were cast tomorrow, one suspects he would scoop the IRB’s best player award.

It also helps when you have a howitzer like Frans Steyn. Sixty meters kicks at sea level—enough said.

There are also other realms where they are strong.

In the all important tackle area, they are typically powerful, and having a new genuine moulded fetcher like Heinrich Brussow adds so much to their potency. Although in Hamilton it was probably the first time this year they and the Free State flanker looked beaten on a point’s decision at the tackle.

Equally, while not appearing to be a fundamental area of their game plan, their back division is class. Bryan Habana, while in theory reduced to a kick chaser, looks in prime form, especially in defence.

And while their centre combination of Jean De Villiers and Jaque Fourie is blue-chip, it is here where we look at their potential weaknesses in the future.

Both De Villiers and Frans Steyn head off shore, and while fullback may not be a problem, one suspects there may be a glaring hole in the Springbok midfield in coming tests.

As both the Wallabies (sans Berrick Barnes) and the All Blacks (with their midfield tinkering) showed, the No. 12 position is a crucial one. While Wynand Olivier could be the goods, we shall only see with his forced introduction.

Their scrum may need attention, despite the admirable way it was shored up against New Zealand, and no doubt the Italian, French and Irish packs would have noticed a potential flaw in the Panzar like armour of the South African pack.

Equally, while Steyn and Brussow add so much, showing that the South African development system is clearly working, will their superstar laden team still be intact in the coming years?

As the All Blacks have shown this year, class is not in particularly permanent, with players who were the best in the world in 2008 looking uncomfortably mortal in this Tri Nations edition.

Finally, at some point the Springboks will need to develop genuine killer instinct, seen in Johannesburg and London last year. These South Africans have not put their foot on the throats of prone Lions, All Black or Wallaby teams, and worse still, have allowed them to get back up.

This could be South Africa’s bane against higher quality opposition.

Which brings us to the most important facet of South Africa, the coach himself, the eccentric but clearly brilliant Peter De Villiers.

Much has been revealed of the man of late, said by his employers at SARU to be the best test coach they have had to date. While this may be debatable, there is no doubting a record that is fast becoming formidable.

It is said, skills as a coach aside, that he is an excellent people manager, encouraging senior players to engage in forums as to how the team should be run.

And clearly, the side is being well coached.

The All Blacks fumbled balls and apparent knocks in Hamilton were not merely chance. Closer inspection reveals that the South African tacklers were focusing their hit points on the New Zealand player’s arms.

These things do not occur by chance.

As long as the political flaws in the South African rugby system do not taint what has become a truly fearsome beast. Asad Bhorat, secretary of TARC was particularly scathing in his assessment of De Villiers of late, and one does hope for the sake of the success of the team, that quota’s do not upset what has become a beautiful winning culture.