Toothless Wallaby Nathan Sharpe

The Aussie forward was lucky enough to recover the booted tooth after Suncorp Stadium ground staff combed the field shortly after the final whistle in search of the missing ivory.  Nathan’s pearly white was knocked out while chasing down Springbok pace man Jacque Fourie, whose stray boot caught the Aussie’s jaw knocking the tooth out.

All was fine after the incident and The Force player continued to play the rest of the match, toothless of coarse.

Robbie Dean’s will be thinking twice now before rallying his team to get their teeth stuck in.

It seems there have been some reports flying around that their is a huge rift behind the scenes of Springbok rugby. Saru have come out with the following statements, following reports of this rift:

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) today moved to dispel rumours of a rift in the Springbok Team Management, that has been reported on in various publications over the last two days.

Andy Marinos, SARU’s National Teams Manager who accompanied the Springboks on the away leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations, said on Monday any such rumours are unfound and unwarranted.

“I’ve been with the Springboks for almost three weeks now and can categorically state there is no rift in the Management Team,” said Marinos. 

“In my various discussions with Bok coach Peter de Villiers, his assistant coaches Dick Muir and Gary Gold, as well as senior team members John Smit and Victor Matfield, it’s never once come up that there are problems in the camp.

“For three weeks in a row we have not played well and made it harder for ourselves by playing with only 14 players on the field at crucial time during the games, away from home.”

Apart from 11 Springbok players that have been released for Absa Currie Cup duty, the rest of the Vodacom Tri-Nations squad have been given time off and will reconvene next month for the three home Tests – against the All Blacks in Soweto (21 August) and against the Wallabies in Pretoria (28 August 2010) and Bloemfontein (4 September 2010).

The players that have been released to their provinces are:

Blue Bulls:

• Dewald Potgieter
• Chiliboy Ralepelle
• Flip van der Merwe
• Francois Hougaard

Sharks:

•  Ruan Pienaar
• Beast Mtawarira
• Ryan Kankowski

Western Province:

•  Gio Aplon
• Juan de Jongh
• Francois Louw

Free State Cheetahs:

• CJ van der Linde

They can release denial statements until they are blue in the face, but it’s clear as daylight that something is seriously wrong with the state of the national setup at the moment. What’s your take on the matter?

Saturday 24 July 2010

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick off: 17h05

Head to Head: Vodacom Blue Bulls v Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (since 2005)

Vodacom Blue Bulls’ recent form at home:

• The defending champions have lost only two Absa Currie Cup games in the last two seasons at Loftus Versfeld.
• The Vodacom Blue Bulls suffered a 29-23 defeat to The Sharks in Pretoria last year and conceded a 30-27 home defeat to the Lions in 2008.

Vodacom Free State Cheetahs’ recent form on the road:

• The visitors won four games on the road during last year’s Absa Currie Cup, including their semi-final win over The Sharks in Durban.
• The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs have defeated the Vodacom Blue Bulls on two occasions at Loftus Versfeld.

Player/match:

• The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs flyhalf Louis Strydom has scored 722 points in his 101 Absa Currie Cup games to date.
• Winger Jongi Nokwe has added five tries in four Tests for the Springboks.
• John Mametsa has played 132 games for the Vodacom Blue Bulls since 2002 and has scored 41 Absa Currie Cup tries in his career for the team from Loftus Versfeld. He added 14 tries for the Vodacom Blue Bulls during the 2007 season.
• Juan Smith (flank) has represented the Boks in 62 Test matches in his rugby career.
• Gerrit-Jan van Velze captained the successful Vodacom Blue Bulls side who claimed the 2010 Vodacom Cup. He also previously captained the SA Under-20s in 2008.
• Skipper Badenhorst has played in 103 Absa Currie Cup games – for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, The Sharks, Valke and the Pumas.
• Vodacom Blue Bulls utility back Jaco van der Westhuizen has played in 32 Tests for the Springboks.

Match Officials:

• Referee: Pro Legoete (SARRA)
• Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman (WP), Christi du Preez (EP)
• TMO: Shaun Veldsman (Boland)

GWK Griquas VS Xerox Lions

Saturday, 24 July 2010

GWK Park, Kimberley

Kick off: 15h00

Head to Head: GWK Griquas v Xerox Lions (since 2005)

GWK Griquas recent form at home:

• The hosts, who defeated The Sharks in Week 1, had a mixed season in terms of results in Kimberley during last year’s Absa Currie Cup. They recorded four wins and three defeats at GWK Park including victories over semi-finalists Vodacom Western Province and finalists Vodacom Free State Cheetahs.
• The GWK Griquas however suffered home defeats against the Xerox Lions and the Vodacom Blue Bulls last year.

Xerox Lions recent form on the road:

• The Xerox Lions, who suffered a 32-0 defeat to Vodacom Western Province at Newlands last weekend, achieved two away wins against the Platinum Leopards and the Boland Kavaliers in the 2009 Absa Currie Cup.
• The visitors defeated the GWK Griquas, Vodacom Blue Bulls, Valke and Platinum Leopards in the 2008 competition.

Player/match:

• The GWK Griquas flyhalf Naas Olivier has scored 567 points in his Absa Currie Cup career.
• SA Under-20 centre Jaco Taute and flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who represented the Baby Boks at this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina, were involved in the Xerox Lions’ defeat against Vodacom Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.
• GWK Griquas flanker Gerhard Human is the son of former Eastern Province and Free State player, and former Blue Bulls coach Pote Human.
• The GWK Griquas lock Hendrik Roodt and No 8 Leon Karemaker have both represented the SA Schools in 2005 and 2003 respectively.

Match Officials:

• Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (SARRA)
• Assistant referees: Jason Jaftha (SARRA), Stefan Breytenbach (Pumas)
• TMO:JC Fortuin (WP)

Platinum Leopards VS Vodacom Western Province

Friday, 23 July 2010

Profert Olën Park, Potchefstroom

Kick off: 19h00

Head to Head: Platinum Leopards v Vodacom Western Province (since 2005)

Platinum Leopards’ recent form at home:

• The hosts, who conceded a home defeat at the hands of the Xerox Lions in Week 1, recorded only one home victory during last year’s Absa Currie Cup – against the Boland Kavaliers. They defeated the SWD Eagles during the promotion/relegation games.

Vodacom Western Province’s recent form on the road:

• The Cape side defeated the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs in Week 1 of the 2010 Absa Currie Cup. They also achieved three away victories against the Boland Kavaliers, Platinum Leopards and The Sharks in last year’s Absa Currie Cup.
• In 2008, Vodacom Western Province recorded two wins on the road against the Boland Kavaliers and the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs.

Player/match stats:

• The Platinum Leopards have never defeated Vodacom Western Province since their introduction into the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division.
• Vodacom Western Province lock Anton van Zyl played in his 50^th Absa Currie Cup match last Saturday against the Xerox Lions. He previously represented the Xerox Lions in 33 games and achieved his 17^th cap for the Cape side against his former side.
• Vodacom Western Province flyhalf Willem de Waal has scored 1250 points in his Absa Currie Cup career.
• WP and SA Sevens star Fabian Juries has already scored 50 tries in the competition. (Mighty Elephants 39, Free State 7, Griffons 4).
• Former SA Under-20 flanker Rynardt Elstadt and flyhalf Lionel Cronje both made their debuts for Vodacom Western Province against the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein during Week 1 of the competition.
• The Platinum Leopards’ Cecil Dumond is the brother of The Sharks flyhalf Monty Dumond.

Match Officials:

• Referee: Sandile Mayende (SARRA)
• Assistant referees: Francois Veldsman (Boland), Philip Bosch (EP)
• TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (Free State)

The Sharks VS Pumas

Friday, 23 July 2010

The Absa Stadium Durban

Kick off: 19h00

Head to Head: The Sharks v Pumas (since 2005)

The Sharks’ recent form at home:

• The hosts who defeated the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Durban last Saturday, have conceded only two home defeats during the last two seasons in the Absa Currie Cup.
• Both defeats occurred last season, against Vodacom Western Province and the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (semi-final).

Pumas’ recent form on the road:

• The Pumas conceded their first away defeat to the Vodacom Blue Bulls in Week 1, but won all five Absa Currie Cup First Division away games, including the promotion/relegation game against the Boland Kavaliers to qualify for the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division.
• In 2008, the Witbank side conceded three away defeats against the Platinum Leopards, SWD Eagles and the Border Bulldogs.

Player/match stats:

• The Sharks captain Stefan Terblanche will play in his 100^th Absa Currie Cup game on Friday. He also played in 37 Tests for the Springboks.
• Utility back Patrick Lambie represented the SA Under-20s during this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.
• The Sharks’ flanker Jacques Botes will play in his 98^th Absa Currie Cup game on Saturday. He has scored 33 tries in his career in this competition.
• Pumas winger Allistair Kettledas scored 18 tries in 2009 Absa Currie Cup First Division, just one short of Colin Lloyd’s record of 19 in 2006.
• The Pumas’ Shaun Venter represented the Springbok Sevens during the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.
• Pumas flyhalf Ricardo Croy is the son of former Western Province League scrumhalf Richard Croy.
• Pumas’ Hannes Franklin and Jacques Coetzee represented the Auto & General Lions during the 2010 Vodacom Super 14.

Match Officials:

• Referee: Jonathan Kaplan(SARRA)
• Assistant referees: Tiaan Jonker (Lions), Reuben Rossouw (KZN)
• TMO: n/a

Absa Currie Cup Premier Division log:

24 July 2010 20h00 [GMT +10]

Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane

Wallaby team: 15. Adam Ashley Cooper, 14. James O’Connor, 13. Rob Horne, 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Richard Brown, 7. David Pocock, 6. Rocky Elsom (capt), 5. Nathan Sharpe, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Salesi Ma’afu, 2. Saia Fainga, 1. Benn Robinson

Reserves: 16. Stephen Moore, 17. James Slipper, 18. Rob Simmons, 19. Matt Hodgson, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Berrick Barnes, 22. Kurtley Beale

Springbok team: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Ryan Kankowski, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. BJ Botha, 2. John Smit (capt), 1. Gurthro Steenkamp

Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Dewald Potgieter, 20. Francois Hougaard, 21. Butch James, 22. Juan de Jongh

• Date: Saturday 24 July 2010
• Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
• Kick-off: 20h00 [GMT +10] [12h00 SA time]
• Referee: George Clancy (Ireland). In place for the injury sidelined Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
• Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
• TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Now have a beer…

Zane Kirchner – No Frans Steyn! [Blogspotrugby]

Springbok Test Factfile

Australia VS South Africa

Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane: 24 July 2010

• This will be the sixth test match between Australia and South Africa at this venue. Australia won all five previous encounters with scores 32-20 (1997), 32-6 (1999), 29-9 (2003), 49-0 (2006) and 21-6 (2009).
• Eighteen tries were scored by them and they conceded only three tries – all of them in the test match in 1997. In the last four tests South Africa could not cross Australia’s try line.
• The losing margin of 49 in 2006 is the biggest losing margin against Australia in 68 tests and it is also South Africa’s second biggest losing margin against any team.
• During last year’s Vodacom Tri-Nations tournament the Springboks lost their only test of the tournament at this venue. South Africa’s only win at this venue was during the 2003 RWC when they triumphed 60-10 against Samoa.
• South Africa’s Vodacom Tri-Nations record against Australia is: Played 31; Won 16; Lost 14; Drawn 1. Tries scored 60 and tries conceded 67.

Springboks: 15. Zane Kirchner (9 caps), 14. Gio Aplon (6 caps) 13. Jaque Fourie (59 caps), 12. Wynand Olivier (31 caps), 11. Bryan Habana (62 caps), 10. Morné Steyn (17 caps), 9. Ruan Pienaar (42 caps), 8. Pierre Spies (33 caps), 7. Ryan Kankowski (14 caps), 6. Schalk Burger (59 caps), 5. Victor Matfield (97 caps), 4. Danie Rossouw (50 caps), 3. BJ Botha (24 caps), 2. John Smit – capt (98 caps), 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp (27 caps)

Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (14 caps), 17. CJ van der Linde (61 caps), 18. Flip van der Merwe (2 caps), 19. Dewald Potgieter (5 caps) 20. Francois Hougaard (1 cap), 21. Butch James (38 caps) 22. Juan de Jongh (4 caps)

Milestones and Record Watch

• Victor Matfield will play his 20th test against Australia thereby equalling Percy Montgomery’s record of most capped Springbok against Australia.
• This test will also be Matfield’s 39^th Vodacom Tri-Nations test, the third most capped player in the tournament with Stephen Larkham. George Gregan (48) and George Smith (41) being the top two players.
• Bryan Habana needs one try to become South Africa’s most prolific try scorer in tests. Bryan currently shares the record with Joost van der Westhuizen on 38 test tries. Bryan will equal Breyton Paulse’s record of most capped Springbok wing in this test.
• Morné Steyn is one of only eight players who scored more than 100 career points in the Vodacom Tri-Nations (114 in 8 appearances). Dan Carter tops the list with 383 points in 27 appearances. Morné needs one drop goal to equal André Pretorius’ tournament record of four career drop goals.
• Should CJ van der Linde score a try, he will equal the Springbok record for most tries in tests as a prop. The current record is jointly held by Chris Koch and Os du Randt with five career tries.
• Should John Smit score a try, he will equal the Springbok record for most tries in tests as a hooker. The current record is jointly held by James Dalton and Bismarck du Plessis with five career tries. John will be playing in his 25^th Vodacom Tri-Nations test as captain, the most capped captain in the tournament.
• Should Pierre Spies score a try, he will become the sole Springbok record holder for most tries in tests as an eighthman. The current record of six career tries is jointly held by Gary Teichmann, Joe van Niekerk, Bob Skinstad and Spies.
• The career record of tries scored in the Vodacom Tri-Nations is 16 by Christian Cullen. The most career tries by a Springbok are seven scored by Breyton Paulse, Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana.

Other notable record holders are:

• Jaque Fourie: Most tries in tests as a centre – 24; also most capped Springbok centre – 48; only player in world rugby to have scored a try against every nation he has faced.
• Butch James: Most capped Springbok flyhalf – 34.
• John Smit: Most capped Springbok hooker – 83, most capped Springbok forward – 98; and most capped Springbok captain – 72 which is also a World record.
• Victor Matfield: Most capped Springbok lock – 97.
• Schalk Burger: Most tries in tests as a flank – 11, also most capped Springbok flank – 58.

Cheers to those records!

A welcome return to the fold

Vodacom Free State Cheetahs 33 VS 26 GWK Griquas

Vodacom Free State Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen scored a hat trick of tries as the hosts secured their first home victory in the 2010 Absa Currie Cup Premier Division on Friday night following their 33-26 win over the GWK Griquas at Vodacom Park.

The hosts scored five tries while their opponents from Kimberley, who defeated The Sharks at GWK Park last Saturday, managed to cross the try line on two occasions.

The GWK Griquas though managed to secure a bonus for losing within seven points when flyhalf Naas Olivier kicked a penalty in the final act of the game played in Bloemfontein.

Former Springbok Sevens star Robert Ebersohn and Springbok winger Jongi Nokwe were the other players to score tries for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs. Flyhalf Louis Strydom added the other points by kicking four conversions.

Springbok winger Bjorn Basson and scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius were the try-scorers for the GWK Griquas. Olivier converted both tries and kicked two penalties before his final three-pointer of the game which saw the visitors gain a valuable bonus point. Fullback Riaan Viljoen also added one penalty.

2010 Absa Currie Cup – Round 2: Cheetahs 33 VS 26 Griquas [WRNRugbynews]

Scorecard:

Cheetahs:

• Tries: R Ebersohn, Oosthuizen 3, Nokwe
• Conversions: Strydom 4

Griquas:

• Tries: Basson, Pretorius
• Conversions: Olivier 2
• Penalties: Olivier 3, Viljoen

Vodacom Western Province 32 – 0 Xerox Lions

In Cape Town, Vodacom Western Province kept the Xerox Lions scoreless during their 32-0 victory over their Johannesburg opponents at Newlands on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts dominated this game in almost every facet of play and had the game virtually wrapped up at half time after they managed to boast a 19-0 lead at the break.

WP flyhalf Willem de Waal racked up 17 points with the boot after kicking five penalties and also converted one of his side’s three tries which was scored by flanker Pieter Louw. Fullback Conrad Jantjes and reserve flanker Pieter Myburgh added the hosts’ other tries in this match.

The Xerox Lions though denied the Cape side a valuable bonus for scoring four tries thanks to their tigerish defence at crucial periods in the match when WP launched attacking plays.

2010 Absa Currie Cup – Round 2: Western Province 32 VS 0 Lions [WRNRugbynews]

Scorecard:

Western Province:

• Tries: Louw, Jantjes, Myburgh
• Conversions: De Waal
• Penalties: De Waal 5

Lions: 0

Pumas 37 VS 32 Platinum Leopards

Former Boland Kavaliers flyhalf Elgar Watts, now with the Pumas, ran in a hat trick of tries as his side edged the Platinum Leopards 37-32 in Witbank on Saturday afternoon.

The newly promoted side to the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division achieved their first five-point result of the competition after they ran in five tries against their opponents.

While Watts starred by scoring three five-pointers, he also kicked three conversions and two penalties to end the game with a personal points haul of 27. The Pumas winger duo of Shaun Venter and Allistair Kettledas were the other try scorers for the hosts.

The Platinum Leopards though managed to achieve two log points from this fixture – one for scoring five tries and the other point – for losing within seven points of the Pumas.

Winger Deon Scholtz scored a brace of tries while fellow winger Dumisani Matyeshana, scrumhalf Michael Bondesio and centre Jovan Bowles added the other five-pointers for the visitors. Flyhalf Clayton Durand kicked two conversions and one penalty.

Scorecard:

Pumas:

• Tries: Watts 3, Alistair Kettledas 2
• Conversions: Watts 3
• Penalties: Watts 2

Leopards:

• Tries: Deon Schultz 2, Dumisani Matyeshana, Michael Bondes
• Conversions: Clayton du Rand 2
• Penalties: Clayton du Rand 3

Sharks 34 VS 28 Vodacom Blue Bulls

The Vodacom Blue Bulls conceded their first defeat in the 2010 edition of the Absa Currie Cup on Saturday evening following their 34-28 loss to The Sharks in Durban.

The hosts fully deserved the result which also them achieve maximum points from this fixture for scoring five tries. The defending champions though managed to snatch a log point for losing the game within seven points of The Sharks.

Man of the match Lwazi Mvovo and flanker Keegan Daniel both added two tries each while hooker Craig Burden scored the Durban side’s fifth try. Patrick Lambie converted three tries.

Lambie, who represented the SA Under-20s at fullback during last month’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina, and playing at centre for his provincial team, also added one penalty.

The Vodacom Blue Bulls who were missing several of their international stars who are currently doing duty for the Springboks in the 2010 Vodacom Tri-Nations, managed to break The Sharks defensive systems on a few occasions and were rewarded for their efforts with three five-pointers.

No 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, prop Dean Greyling and former Baby Boks winger Gerhard van den Heever added their names to the try-scoring sheet for the defending champions. Jacques-Louis Potgieter kicked two conversions and three penalties.

2010 Absa Currie Cup – Round 2: Sharks 34 VS 28 Blue Bulls [WRNRugbynews]

Scorecard:

Sharks:

• Tries: Burden, Daniel 2,  Mvovo 2
• Conversions: Lambie 3
• Penalties: Lambie

Blue Bulls:

• Tries: Greyling, Van Velze, Van den Heever
• Conversions: Potgieter 2
• Penalties: Potgieter 3

I put together this clip, from a few I borrowed from our mates over at RugbyDump, so we can see the comparison between the two. A dangerous tackle is a dangerous tackles, and the laws are quite clear about it, yet somehow, it seems they only apply to the Springboks, as the All Blacks and Wallabies, time and time again, get off scott free.

Have a look at the clip, and you decide why one was worth a two week ban, and the other wasn’t even cited?

Jean De Villiers VS Rene Ranger – dangerous tackles comparison [Blogspotrugby]

Could be used as extra front row cover

It seems the Springbok coaching staff have finally learnt something, following two successive losses to the All Blacks in New Zealand. They have made 9 changes to the team to face the Wallabies, with overweight Springbok #9, Ricky Januarie at the forefront of those changes.

The following from SARU: The Springbok match 22 to face Australia in a Vodacom Tri-Nations Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday shows nine changes to the one that went down 17-31 against New Zealand in Wellington last week.

There are four changes in the run-on XV and a further five on the reserves bench.

Amongst the backs, Gio Aplon, who was on the bench in Wellington, starts in place of the suspended Jean de Villiers on the right wing and Ruan Pienaar is promoted to the starting line-up in place of Ricky Januarie at scrumhalf.

Up front, BJ Botha starts ahead of CJ van der Linde at tighthead prop, whilst Ryan Kankowski is preferred to Francois Louw at flank.

Van der Linde, who was cleared to play on Tuesday morning after receiving a knock to the shoulder last week, moves to the bench. Further changes here include lock Flip van der Merwe in place of the injured Andries Bekker, Dewald Potgieter as cover for loose forward, Francois Hougaard in place of Pienaar and Juan de Jongh replacing the promoted Aplon.

Januarie and Louw fall out of the match 22.

Speaking at a Press Conference on Tuesday, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he had based the selection on the expected match conditions at Suncorp Stadium.

“Statistics show that Suncorp has the fastest playing surface in the Vodacom Super 14 and we have to be prepared for a faster game,” he said.

We have two tough games behind us, but if we stick to our structures and use our opportunities I believe this team is capable of getting a result.”

De Villiers added he expected a physical onslaught from the Wallabies at the weekend.

Springbok team to face Wallabies: Brisbane – 24 July 2010:

Springboks: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Wynand Oliver, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Ryan Kankowski, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. BJ Botha, 2. John Smit (capt), 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Dewald Potgieter, 20. Francois Hougaard, 21. Butch James, 22. Juan de Jongh

Rugby players - not gods...

The Springboks, although better than last week, were, once again, outplayed by the All Blacks.

The All Blacks offered more on attack, and their defence was better than their South African counter-parts, who at times slipped the simplest of tackles, allowing the All Blacks to cross the advantage line almost at will.

That being said, sadly, match referee, Alain Rolland played a large role in the outcome of the game.

In the most one sided refereeing display I have ever seen, he allowed the All Blacks to play offsides at every breakdown, often letting them get away with clearing rucks from the side, or blatantly going to ground, sealing off the ball.

What was allowed for the All Blacks, was not however, allowed for the Springboks, creating a great lack of consistency, which in the end, overshadowed the actual rugby being played.

Rolland further displayed the pattern of referees being intimidated by All Black captain, Richie McCaw, treating him with an “untouchable” status when after warning the skipper twice for infringing in the red zone, claiming that another infringement would cost him 10 minutes, he then gave McCaw another “official” warning, and allowed him to remain on the park.

Oh, and the All Blacks won the match 31 – 17. See, it isn’t much fun when the bullshit overpowers the actual rugby…

My two cents worth:

• Dick Muir still needs to be fired. He offers absolutely nothing to the coaching staff.
• This idiotic mentality of playing Jean De Villiers on the wing, allowing the All Blacks to stroll through the midfield channel, and keeping one of the most exciting players in the game, on the bench, just doesn’t make sense. Jean is a #12, and a bloody good, tried and tested one at that. The partnership between him and Jaque Fourie is the most experienced midfield combination in Springbok history. Why destroy that?
• Referees need to realise that Richie McCaw is not some kind of rugby god! The same laws NEED TO apply across the board, or face destroying the game and isolating the fans.
• The time of South African rugby personalities to stand by and remain PC has come to an end. When our, usually unbiased, commentators start laughing at the referees baffling decisions, it’s clearly a sign that something is wrong.
• I’ve been saying it for months now, referees need to be held accountable for their performances, and if need be, be stood down.
• Being stood down does not mean that you should be an assistant referee in the next game. It means you have zero involvement until you’ve sorted your shit out.
• The Spingbok defence is dismal at the moment. The Stormers had the best defence in the 2010 Super 14, why not call for some help?
• Ricky Januarie is just no longer up to this standard. His service is slow, and he is overweight. Simple!
• Zane Kirchner is still not the answer at #15. Anyone who can miss a tackle as simple as he did, to allow Israel Dagg through for the try, is not fit to wear the #15 jumper. PDV needs to grow up and give the jersey back to Frans Steyn.
• Pierre Spies needs to look into his defence!
• Wynand Olivier just doesn’t deliver in the green and gold.
• Mils Muliaina is in superb form, reminding us why he is the best.
• Are the All Blacks peeking too early again?

All Blacks VS Springboks 2010 Tri Nations: Game 2 – 17 July 2010 [WRNRugbyNews]

Scorecard:

All Blacks:

• Tries: Ma’a Nonu 7m, Mils Muliaina 12m, Rene Ranger 46m, Israel Dagg 65m
• Conversions: 1/4 (25%) Daniel Carter 1/4 (25%)
• Penalties: 3/5 (60%) Piri Weepu 1/1 (100%), Daniel Carter 2/4 (50%)

Springboks:

• Tries: Danie Rossouw 36m, Schalk Burger 75m
• Conversions: 2/2 (100%) Morne Steyn 2/2 (100%)
• Penalties: 1/1 (100%) Morne Steyn 1/1 (100%)