Paki's Corner

SPRINGBOKS vs FRANCE!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Adi Jacobs gets a call-up in place of Munster's Jean de Villiers.

Jaque Fourie will have to lead a changed backline against the French.

South Africa will start off their overseas tour with a classic Test match against France this Friday, November 13th, at Stade Toulouse.

The English press is having a field day following the South African Dirt Trackers loss to Leicester a week ago. This side is traditionally an experimental team made up with some absolute bolters, and some previously capped Springboks.

Coach Peter de Villiers will feature four changes in his line-up this weekend with legends Jean de Villiers and Frans Steyn playing professional rugby in Europe, and hence not considered for selection. Pierre Spies is out injured and I'm not sure where Juan Smith is.

The Springboks to face France are:

Springboks: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Adi Jacobs, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Andries Bekker, 20 Danie Rossouw, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Wynand Olivier.

Date: Friday, November 13
Venue: Stade Toulouse
Kick-off: 20.45 (19.45 GMT; 21.45 SA time)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), James Jones (Wales)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

SOUTH AFRICA 17 LEICESTER 22!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:33:00 +0000

The Leicester commentators went mental after the match thinking they had won the 2011 Rugby World Cup! Wake up. And they said Leicester were missing 6 England internationals. But what they didn't mention was that South Africa were missing 15!

Thanks to RugbyDump.com for the footage yet again.

NEW ZEALAND 19 WALES 12!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:02:00 +0000

Thanks again for RugbyDump for scalping us the footage!

RUGBY WEDDING CRASHERS!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:02:00 +0000

[L to R] Western Province lock Anton Van Zyl, SA 7s captain Kevin Foote and Chicago Lions haymaker M.C Laubscher were caught on camera at Conrad Burke's wedding this past weekend! The event was apparently "a humdinger" at the Mulderbosch estate with Worms, Pinchy and Froggie getting stuck in. These three legends in question all attended Stellenbosch University before opening their 3rd beer...

USA EAGLES, ROME & UCT: JJ GAGIANO!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:33:00 +0000

Bodo Sieber, of the official UCT rugby website, tracked down two times Varsity Cup skipper JJ Gagiano to talk rugby in Rome, America and, of course, the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International. (for the UCT RFC website)

Gagiano has been on the move since the end of the 2009 Varsity Cup, where he again led his side to a home semifinal finish.

Since then, Gagiano has been playing international rugby for the USA Eagles, some WP Super League rugby for UCT, training with the Western Province Currie Cup team and, lately, enjoying a trial period with top Italian club, Roman Praetorians.

BS: Welcome back JJ, how was Rome?

JJ Gagiano (JJ): "Thanks Door, Rome is awesome... it's a fantastic place steeped in history and the lifestyle is amazing!"

BS: What's the rugby like in the Super 10? How would the likes of Hammies, Maties or UCT fare in that league?

JJ: "I think the tops sides in the (WP) Super League would compete for the majority of the games, but then the teams in Italy would take it away in the end. There is quite a big gap between the top three/four teams in Italy and the rest, so it would also depend on the opposition. It would be very similar to how Varsity did against Saracens in that friendly at the Green Mile earlier this year."

BS: Did you play in those European Challenge Cup games against Bayonne and Wasps? What was that like?

JJ: "I was very lucky to play and start in both games, it was an awesome experience, playing against internationals such as Ross Filipo, Joe Worsley and Paul Sackey - it's great to test yourself against the best and see where you stand. They were both, as you would expect, very good sides, with immense pace, power and skill throughout."

BS: What has the biggest game been for you, personally, in 2009?

JJ: "Representing your country is always an honour, and the Varsity Cup is an amazing competition with an awesome vibe and crowd. Italy was a great overall experience - from a rugby-playing point of view and the lifestyle. I'm not trying to dodge the answer, but it's very hard to pinpoint one specific game."

BS: What's next on your schedule? Your agent tells us the US Eagles need you again...

JJ: "I'm off to the USA for two (more) World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay - home and away, which I am looking forward to. Hopefully I can be part of the team that qualifies and then represents America in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand - that would be an incredible opportunity."

BS: Will you miss any Varsity Cup action in 2010?

JJ: "(Laughs) No, don't worry, I won't be missing any game time, but I will be missing a few training sessions initially. [Coach John Dobson] Dobbo has given me December off, so I am looking forward to having a good rest and an awesome Varsity Cup campaign next year."

BS: Thanks for your time JJ - great to have you back in town!

JJ: "Thank you Door, it's good to be back and can't wait to be out on the Green Mile again next year!"

IRB 7s: LAS VEGAS WARMING UP!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:10:00 +0000

Check out the latest 2010 USA Sevens Las Vegas advertising clip!

THE ULTIMATE PARTY TRICK!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Found this little ripper on 2Oceansvibe!

AUSTRALIA 18 ENGLAND 9!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:04:00 +0000

England saw Australia get their grand slam quest off to a winning start, with a 18-9 win by the Wallabies at Twickenham on Saturday. The Aussies outscored the English by two tries to none.

While the home team relied almost solely on the genius of Jonny Wilkinson, the Wallabies overcame a slow start to dominate the second half.

VARSITY CUP: TESTS MORE NEW LAWS!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:59:00 +0000

The FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International will once again lend itself to experimentation with the 2010 tournament set to feature eight players on the bench in a bid to combat uncontested scrums.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) in August sanctioned a new law which will allow teams to name 23 players in a match-day squad at domestic level only.

Only seven replacements, however, may still be used.

An eight-man bench means that all matchday squads in the 2010 Varsity Cup will now have a minimum of two props and a specialist hooker on the bench - and thereby new, enlarged 23-man playing groups - as part of an experiment in conjunction with SA Rugby.
André Watson, South African Rugby's manager of referees, told varsitycup.co.za: "This ruling still needs to be ratified, officially, at a meeting on Monday, but hopefully we will get the green light for eight-man benches in the 2010 Varsity Cup.
"Not having uncontested scrums will only benefit the game of rugby union and we're thankful that the Varsity Cup have allowed us the possibility of experimenting with this concept."

The Varsity Cup is no stranger to testing new concepts under Watson's - and SA Rugby's - watchful eye.
The 2008 tournament saw the introduction of white cards - a ruling which allowed the captains to question one of the referee's on-field decisions in the final, via a time-out - and it allowed Watson and co. to see if that concept had any future in the game.
"The Varsity Cup is a great competition in so many ways," added Watson, "they're always open for suggestions and it's a great level of competition to test new concepts (like this).
"The best thing about an eight-man bench is that it basically rules out uncontested scrums, while - at the same time - it doesn't limit the coaches' options when it comes to the rest of his replacements."

The 2010 Varsity Cup tournament kicks-off on February 1.

- SOURCE: RUGBY365

TOP 14: BEST TRIES ROUND 10!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:01:00 +0000

RUGBYZONE: BRUSSOW vs BURGER?

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:04:00 +0000

Heinrich Brussow - the Corner Player of the Year - versus the Incredible Hulk Schalk Burger. Read the latest RugbyZone article here. Have your say ladies and gentlemen... Did Peter de Villiers get it right?

IRB 7s: SHORE HOST MEXICO IN STYLE!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0000

Peter Sio coasts to another try.

Ata Malifa sneaks through the Mexican border.

Read the full match report on UR7s.com featuring the Mexico vs Belmont Shore 7s clash! Click here!

SPRINGBOK DIRT TRACKERS vs LEICESTER TIGERS!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:46:00 +0000

USA captain Todd Selleck shares a laugh with Springbok Dirt Tracker Earl Rose. The opening tour match for the Springboks should be a tight one, with Rose providing some nervous moments...

Leicester Tigers have a juggling act to perform as they go into Friday night's match against the Springboks at Welford Road. Their players will be involved in three matches in three days.
On Friday night some Leicester players play against the Springbok touring team - South Africa minus all its top players. On Saturday five Leicester players play against Australia at Twickenham. On Sunday some Leicester players play against Leeds Carnegie at Headingley in the LV Cup. In addition there are injuries.

The five playing for England are all in the starting team - Dan Hipkiss, Louis Deacon, Tom Croft, Lewis Moody and Jordan Crane.
It could have been billed as England's Premiership Champions against the World Champions but, given the nature of the two teams, that would have been an unwarranted leap of credibility.
It's a great weekend for the club, perhaps a greedy one. There is nothing they can do about the five playing for England, but they may well have many doubling up on Sunday, especially the 10 first-choice players in the side - Scott Hamilton, Johne Murphy, Lucas Amorosino, Aaron Mauger, who is unusually playing at flyhalf, Ben Kay, Martín Castrogiovanni, Mefin Davies and Marcos Ayerza and hooker George Chuter.

That is a good number of first-choice players in a great club. Seven of them have 317 Test caps among them - Mauger, Kay, Castrogiovanni, Davies, Ayerza, Lote Tuqiri and Chuter. The 22 Springboks who face the Tigers have a total of 174 caps amongst them. The most capped player is Danie Rossouw with 42 caps and many of them will have been from the bench.
The Tigers have their share of young inexperienced players, including 20-year-old scrumhalf Nick Youngs who is thought to have a great future whether as a scrumhalf or as a flyhalf. Bench player Dan Hemingway is also 20 and promising young prop Dan Cole 22.
On the flank there is Ben Pienaar, a recognisably South African name. He was indeed born in South Africa but came to England with his parents when he was young.

So there is lots of experience plus some inexperience against some experience plus lots of inexperience. The Wallabies' second string had little trouble in rattling up a big score against Gloucester but then the West Country side are suffering troubled times. The Tigers are suffering no such problems. The people are not walking out of Welford road. It could just be a great encounter.
If the front rows are to have a say in the outcome of the game, the Tigers seem to have the greater strength and experience. Chiliboy Ralepelle has hardly played this year and Gürthro Steenkamp is just not a scrummager. If the loose forwards are to speak loudest, then the young, uncapped Springbok trio may surprise with their speed, strength and skill.
Both sides are in good playing condition - the Tigers in mid-season, the Springboks just at the end of their season.

Players to watch: Wily Aaron Mauger is always worth watching, such a clever player even if he is out of position, but then Ruan Pienaar plays in so many positions he seems out of position wherever he plays but he too is a player of skill and greater speed. Johne Murphy (Tigers) is a most promising, committed young player. The other wing, Argentinian Lucas Amorosino, scored a spectacular try last weekend and could be a star in the making. For the Springboks the centre pair, young Juan de Jongh and more experienced Wynand Olivier, have the speed and skill to provide excitement. Most of South Africa will keep an eye on Earl Rose at fullback, mystified as many are at his selection. There will also be interest in Chiliboy Ralepelle's captaincy. At school, Pretoria Boys High, he was highly rated as a player and a leader, following in the footsteps of John Smit at the school. Ralepelle has captained the Springboks once before - and that in Leicester in 2006 when the Springboks played a pick-up side called a World XV and beat them 32-7 at Walkers Stadium.

There are no previous results. This is a new encounter though in the past Springbok touring teams would play against Midland Counties, The Springboks won in Leicester in 1906 and 1912 but lost there 30-21 in 1931. The Springboks won 3-0 in 1951 and the teams drew 3-3 at Welford Road in 1960.

Leicester Tigers: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Lucas Amorosino, 13 Andy Forsyth, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Aaron Mauger (captain), 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Brett Deacon, 7 Ben Pienaar, 6 Geoff Parling, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Calum Green, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Tom Armes, 19 Dan Hemingway, 20 James Grindal, 21 Greig Tonks, 22 Lote Tuqiri.

South Africa: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Davon Raubenheimer, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Gürthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 François Hougaard, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

Date: Friday, November 6
Venue: Welford Road, Leicester
Kick-off: 19.45 (19.45 GMT, 21.45 SA time)
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Assistant referees: Roy Maybank, Robin Goodliffe
TMO: Andrew Turner, Graeme Hughes

SOURCE: RUGBY365

HIGHLIGHTS: AUSTRALIA 35 GLOUCESTER 5!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:06:00 +0000

Special thanks to the legends at RugbyDump!

IRB 7s: SEVENS CHANGES SCORING SYSTEM!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:01:00 +0000

The IRB has announced changes to the system governing the number of points available to teams at each leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.

The number of Series points on offer at the seven 16-team events (Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Australia, England, Scotland) has been raised to offer a better balance in relation to the one 24-team tournament in Hong Kong.

The Cup winners at the 16-team season-opener in Dubai, for example, will now take 24 points towards their Series tally, as opposed to 20, while the Hong Kong Cup winners will still earn 30 points.

The points available to teams in Hong Kong have, however, also been recalcuated to better reward teams outside the Cup competition.

From the 2009/10 season, the second-tier Plate will offer the losers of the Cup quarter finals the chance to earn 16 points towards their World Series tally, rather than a maximum of eight in the past.

To bring consistency across the Series, the Hong Kong tournament will now also feature a Shield Competition in addition to the Bowl, Plate and Cup. This will provide another three games to Hong Kong's exciting finals day schedule.

Old scoring/New scoring:

16-team:

Cup Winner - 16/20

Cup runner-up - 12/16

Cup semi-final - 12/16

Plate Winner - 8/12

Plate runner-up - 6/8

Plate semi-final - 4/6

Bowl winner - 2/4

24-team:

Cup Winner - 30/30

Cup runner-up - 24/25

Cup semi-final - 18/20

Cup quarter-final - 0/8

Plate Winner - 4/16

Plate runner-up - 3/10

Plate semi-final - 2/8

Bowl winner - 1/5

SOURCE: IRB7s.com

BE WARNED: THE SPRINGBOKS ARE HERE!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:10:00 +0000

USA RUGBY: SANTA MONICA DROP BOMB!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:01:00 +0000

The Santa Monica Dolphins Rugby Club (SMRC) has decided to decline participation in the United States Rugby Super League (RSL) for the upcoming 2010 season.

In the wake of Belmont Shore’s decision to drop out of the RSL and league management’s subsequent decision to neither invite a replacement team nor adjust the league schedule, SMRC arrived at this most difficult of resolutions.

“While we absolutely recognize the superior level of competition that exists within the Super League, a team like ours needs to look at the comparative rate of return on our investments,” Team General Manager Dominic Riebli says.

“Put simply, Belmont’s exit made the RSL competition weaker while simultaneously making the Southern California Division 1 competition stronger.

“Given our limited financial resources, a growing youth program, and an influx of new or inexperienced players that require development, the membership decided that we need to consolidate our resources and focus on building and promoting a stronger all-around Club, not just a strong RSL team.

“We are grateful to the Super League for allowing us to participate in the elite domestic competition and have set the goal for re-entry in the near future.”

SOURCE: RUGBYMAG.COM

NEW ZEALAND vs WALES!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:01:00 +0000

Wing Zac Guildford will make his Test debut for New Zealand against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. It is another emotional chapter in the life of a young player whose father died earlier this year while watching him play age-group rugby for his country.
The inclusion of the 20-year-old Guildford, in place of the suspended Sitiveni Sivivatu, is one of two changes to the backline that beat Australia 32-19 in Tokyo last Saturday. The pack shows four changes.

Sivivatu has been ruled out of the Wales match after receiving a one-week ban for a dangerous tackle against Australia. This opened the door for Guildford, who was a late addition to the All Blacks replacement bench in Tokyo.

"I'm still in a bit of shock," Guilford told a media gathering.
"I'm so happy I can't really describe it. I can't find a word, I'm just really excited about the game," Guildford said.
The star of the New Zealand Under-20 side forced his way into the squad with a 13-try haul for Hawke's Bay in the Air NZ Cup and had continued to impress since joining the All Blacks squad.
Selection capped a remarkable year for the Masterton-born wing whose father Rob died aged 44 in the stands during the Under-20 tournament in Tokyo in June.

The other change to the All Black backline sees Brendon Leonard making his third Test start of the year at scrumhalf, replacing Jimmy Cowan, who moves to the bench.
Apart from Guildford, fellow newcomer Ben Smith is also on the bench and could also make his debut.
Dan Carter has been named at flyhalf, after recovering from his calf strain, with Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith teaming up again in the midfield, Cory Jane on the right wing and Mils Muliaina at fullback.

In the forwards, Wyatt Crockett will make his second Test start, in for suspended openside prop Tony Woodcock, alongside hooker Andrew Hore and tighthead prop Neemia Tialata.
Lock Jason Eaton, who has come off the bench four times this year, gets his first Test start in 2009 alongside Brad Thorn, while Tom Donnelly moves to the bench.
Jerome Kaino is at blindside flank, with Adam Thomson on the bench and Kieran Read has been named at No.8, replacing Rodney So'oialo.
Corey Flynn is reserve hooker, with Owen Franks reserve prop, while Stephen Donald is also on the bench, with Ben Smith.

The All Blacks will again be captained by Richie McCaw, in his 77th Test and 41st as captain.
"We are expecting another major challenge against the Welsh this weekend," All Black coach Graham Henry said.
"They are a very strong side, with a lot of experienced players so we will have to be at the top of the game."
Regarding the selection for the Wales Test, Henry said players would be getting the chance to prove themselves.
"We have said that the aims of the tour, while obviously to win, are to play rugby we are proud of and for players to push for future selection for the All Blacks and they are getting the opportunity this Saturday and beyond."

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Ben Smith.

Wales: 15 James Hook, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Andy Powell, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Paul James, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Dafydd Jones, 20 Martin Roberts, 21 Jonathan Davies, 21 Tom James

Date: Saturday, November 7
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT, 06.30 NZ Time - Sunday, November 8)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Stuart Terheege (England)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

SOURCE: RUGBY365.com

NESE MALIFA BURRIED ALIVE!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0000

USA 15s and 7s flyhalf Nese Malifa has spent the last few weeks training in Boulder Colorado recovering from an operation. Malifa has been under the careful supervision of USA Rugby's strength and conditioning coach Dave Williams. However as the supposedly Sneaky Malifa was leaving the Impact Sports Performance Center he was attacked by several girls... The result was captured for the Corner. A M A Z I N G.

AUSTRALIA 36 GLOUCESTER 5!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:38:00 +0000

Quade Cooper scored 16 points, including a classic try, to spark Australia to an impressive 36-5 win over English Premiership club Gloucester at the Kingsholm Ground on Tuesday.
The five-tries-one win was the ideal tonic for a Wallaby team still reeling from their seventh straight loss to New Zealand - as they head towards the opening match of an attempted Grand Slam, when they meet England at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Cherry and Whites kept the Wallaby second stringers at bay for more than 60 minutes, but in the final quarter the floodgates opened as the tourists scored three tries in a 15-minute spell to race clear. First-half tries by centres Ryan Cross and Tyrone Smith sent the Wallabies on their way, before a late double by wing Drew Mitchell's and a Cooper solo score finished Gloucester off.

Cooper booted four conversions and kicked an early penalty, but locals will feel that Gloucester deserved more for their endeavour than fullback Freddie Burns' lone try. Gloucester, who fielded several fringe players and only a handful of internationals, displayed character and commitment by the bucket-load.

Also very few of the Australian starting line-up are expected to feature in the Wallaby team that will face England on Saturday. Yet, Australia, making their first visit to Gloucester since they beat the South West outfit 28 years ago, fielded a team containing nine internationals, but only one survivor - Cross - from last Saturday's defeat against New Zealand in Tokyo.

Gloucester though, greeted them with a shadow side, parading just four players that started the Premiership clash against Sale Sharks four days ago.

The Aussies opened the scoring with a third-minute Cooper penalty. The first try followed 11 minutes later. A 50-metre break from Tatafu Polota-Nau saw the Wallabies get a penalty two metres out from Gloucester's line. Cooper put a well-timed cross-kick in, with Ryan Cross collecting to score in the corner. Cooper converted - 10-0.
The Cherry and Whites then not only held the Aussies out, but they actually scored the next try. All Black Carlos Spencer put a trademark cross-field kick in, Gloucester wing Charlie Sharples took the kick and passed to fullback Freddie Burns. who scored in the corner! Spencer missed with conversion attempt - 5-10.

The second Wallaby try was brilliant in its simplicity. From a scrum 30 metres out from Gloucester line, Ryan Cross made a break and offloaded to Tyrone Smith, who scored. Quade Cooper converted to make it 17-5, which was also the half-time score.
The third try came from a quick line-out throw from Pek Cowan to Luke Burgess, who launched a blistering attack from his own 22, before offloading to Dave Dennis, who ran 50 metres, did an in-and-out and passed to Drew Mitchell who scored. Cooper added the conversion for a 24-5 lead after 65 minutes.
Mitchell scored his second try - following a long pass from Cooper to Ryan Cross, who offloaded to Kurtley Beale, who then drew the defence and passed to Mitchell. Cooper landed his fourth conversion to make it 31-5. Two minutes from time Man of the Match Cooper fielded a Gloucester clearing kick on their 40-metre line. He had players in support, but did a classic jink through the middle of the defence to score untouched. He failed with the conversion, but the Wallabies had wrapped up a comfortable win - 36-5.

The scorers:
For Gloucester:
Try: Burns

For Australia:
Tries: Cross, Smith, Mitchell 2, Cooper
Cons: Cooper 4
Pen: Cooper

Gloucester Rugby: 15 Freddie Burns, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Dan Williams, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Jake Boer (captain), 5 Adam Eustace, 4 Will James, 3 Pierre Capdevielle, 2 Darren Dawiduik, 1 Paul Doran-Jones.
Replacements: 16 Ben Phillips, 17 Rupert Harden, 18 Dave Attwood, 19 Apo Satala, 20 Jordi Pasqualin, 21 Jonny May, 22 James Simpson-Daniel.

Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Dean Mumm (captain), 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Pek Cowan, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Wycliff Palu, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 James O'Connor.

BRUSSOW BACK IN SPRINGBOK SIDE!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:30:00 +0000

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers - set to take a beating for leaving out IRB Player of the Year Heinrich Brüssow - made a quick phone call after Pierre Spies was ruled out of the upcoming European tour with a finger injury.

"Voetsek this is good news" - said Heinrich's mother.

The mid-week Springbok team that face Leicester is now:

South Africa - revised: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

CURRIE CUP RELEGATION: PUMAS 40 BOLAND 3!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:28:00 +0000

CURRIE CUP RELEGATION: EAGLES 18 LEOPARDS 17!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:25:00 +0000

SPRINGBOK PLAYER 23!

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:16:00 +0000

HENRICH BRUSSOW DROPPED FROM SPRINGBOKS?

noreply@blogger.com (Pakis Corner) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:15:00 +0000

Heinrich Brüssow, one of the all-conquering Springbok team's star performers against the B&I Lions and ion the Tri-Nations, appears to have been dropped to the dirt-trackers for South Africa's year-end tour.
Brüssow has been named in the Bok starting XV to face Leicester in the opening tour match at Welford Road on Friday - a team that includes five uncapped players and nine players who were involved in the team's victorious Tri-Nations campaign.

As reported by rugby365 at the weekend, the team to face the Tigers will be captained by hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, who last captained a Springbok team against a World XV, also in Leicester, in 2006.
However, the decision to name Brüssow on the flank in the starting XV means that he will not feature in the starting XV in the first Test of the tour, against France eight days later.
De Villiers is keeping the starting XV behind in South Africa, to prepare for the game in Toulouse on Friday, November 13, with the midweek 22 flying out to England on Tuesday.

It is worth noting that Sharks loose forward Ryan Kankowski's name is missing frrmhe matchday 22 for the Leicester encounter, which means he is staying behind to prepare with the starting XV for the French Test. That will give the Boks a loose forward combination of Kankowski, Schalk Burger and Pierre Spies.

The Dirt Trackers will see loose forwards Dewald Potgieter and Ashley Johnson, scrumhalf Heini Adams, centre Juan de Jongh and fullback Earl Rose all make their debuts for the Springboks.
Other newcomers to the squad – for the Leicester trip - that are set to make their Bok debuts are hooker Bandise Maku, lock Alistair Hargreaves, flank Davon Raubenheimer, scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and fullback Riaan Viljoen.

The squad of 22 includes 12 players with Test experience who between them have earned 186 caps. Those who were part of the Tri-Nations squad are front row forward Gurthrö Steenkamp, captain Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, locks Danie Rossouw and Andries Bekker, flank Brüssow, flyhalf Ruan Pienaar, centre Wynand Olivier and wing Odwa Ndungane.

The match marks a return for wing Jongi Nokwe, who last played in the third Test against the British & Irish Lions in July, as well as for centre Meyer Bosman and prop Heinke van der Merwe, who last represented the Springboks in 2006 and 2007 respectively and have been included on the bench.
There are a total of 10 uncapped players in the match 22, six of whom have previously played for the Emerging Springboks – Potgieter, Adams, Rose, Maku and Raubenheimer, who faced the British & Irish Lions in 2009, and Johnson, at the IRB Nations Cup in 2008
Centre De Jongh has played for the Springbok Sevens team, whilst Hargreaves and Hougaard have represented South Africa at Under-19 and Under-21 levels.

"Our focus is fully on the Leicester match, because it is important that we get the tour off to a good start," said Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
"It is also important that we strive to give all of the newcomers game time in the opener. It is also great to have a host of players in the 22 that have played at Test level and can use their experience to assist the newcomers to settle quickly.
"Leicester will be tough opponents. They have been consistently good for the past few seasons and are one of the top club teams in the Northern Hemisphere," De Villiers said.

Leicester Tigers are the defending Premiership champions, having beaten London Irish in the 2008/09 final in May this year. They are currently lying fourth in the 2009/10 standings after seven matches.

South Africa: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (captain), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen.

SOURCE: RUGBY365.com