| |
| The Aussies beat the Boks to Keep Tri-Nations Alive |
 |
6th Sep 2009 at 17.00 |
Sunday 6th September 2009
I doubt anyone expected the Wallabies would beat the Springboks by 21 points to 6 in their rugby test match last night, I know I certainly didn’t but there you have it the series is alive and well; or at least not terminally ill!
There will no doubt be plenty said in the news and on talk back radio shows with opinions across the board depending on what side of the fence you’re on but I say rugby’s the winner at the end of the day when the unexpected surfaces and the Gods smile on the underdogs as they did at Suncorp Stadium last evening.
The Springboks had the measure of both the Wallabies and the All Blacks in their recent matches on their own home turf and it was evident at the Perth Test only a week ago that they had brought their good form and determination with them as they trounced the Australians on their home soil. From discussions with friends and acquaintances I had leading up the Brisbane Test last night the consensus was South Africa would do a clean sweep of Australia and in all probability continue the roll against the All Blacks in Hamilton next Saturday night to claim the trophy unbeaten in the 2009 Tri Nations series. Well, that theory’s now shot to pieces!
The Boks have the upper hand; they can beat the All Blacks and the title’s theirs. They can even lose against the All Blacks but pick up a bonus point and still claim the victory. However, their loss to Australia last night changes the game completely; a chink in their armor has now been exposed ready to be exploited by fierce All Black opponents hungry to go for the jugular and rip the prize right out from under their noses.
The Hamilton Test will be a match of the intensity of a Rugby World Cup cauldron. The world will be watching what could possibly be forerunner to the 2011 Rugby World Cup final. One things for sure, mental toughness will be the order of the night and it will be interesting to observe which team will have the wherewithal to do the business and claim the result their fans are looking for.
John Porteous
© kingslandrugbyclub.co.nz
|
| McAlister, Smith injured in NZ win |
|
23rd Aug 2009 at 17.08 |
23/08/2009 06:17:32 AM
The All Blacks' 19-18 Test win over the Wallabies at ANZ Stadium has come at a cost, with midfielders Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith potentially ruled out for the rest of the Tri-Nations.
Coach Graham Henry confirmed McAlister suffered a fractured cheekbone and Smith a torn hamstring during the victory that sealed the Bledisloe Cup for another year and kept the All Blacks' Tri-Nations hopes alive.
"The two centres are not too good and I think Conrad will take some time," Henry said.
"I haven't talked to the doctor about recovery time yet. There's a few casualties in there."
Henry said it was likely McAlister would miss the rest of the Tri-Nations, with Tests against South Africa in Hamilton on September 12 and the Wallabies in Wellington on September 19 to follow.
McAlister was dazed and bloodied by an early head clash with Wallaby Luke Burgess, then suffered the fracture with another head clash with Peter Hynes in the 50th minute.
Henry praised the fortitude of his players after five-eighth Dan Carter kicked the match-winning penalty with 90 seconds remaining before holding off a determined late charge by the hosts.
"I'm just very proud of the character shown by the players," he said.
"The win's the result of a lot of mental toughness. We didn't really get the roll of the dice and we kept on coming back and fronting up."
Australian coach Robbie Deans said young fullback James O'Connor was getting x-rays on a possible lower leg fracture as the side prepare to travel to Perth to face the Springboks next Saturday.
Brought to you by AAP© 2009 AAP |
| 15 July 12009: All Blacks opt for Donald |
|
15th Jul 2009 at 09.18 |
| http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/2594878/All-Blacks-opt-for-Donald |
| RWC 2011 Match Schedule Announcement |
|
8th Jul 2009 at 21.39 |
| http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/destinationnewzealand/news/newsid=2030192.html#replay+rwc+2011+match+schedule+announcement |
|
|
|
