Well, it's Rugby World Cup year (if you didn't know already!) and once again I am feeling a bit worried about the lead up test to the Tri Nations against Fiji.
The only thing I am worried about is the possibility of injury to our top players. Fiji will have nothing to lose when it meets the All Blacks. They will come out firing, especially due to the fact that the NZ Government will not allow any Fiji players into the country who are some how linked to the Fiji millitary coup.
Let's hope we get through this game unscathed.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Junior All Blacks win World Champs
The New Zealand under-20 rugby team withstood a stirring challenge from an enterprising England to land their fourth successive junior world championship title with a 33-22 victory in the final in Padova, Italy this morning (NZT).
It took a try to fullback Beauden Barrett six minutes from time to secure the win for the Baby Blacks who were pushed hard by an England side willing to spread the ball and determined to end their unbeaten run in the competition's four-year history.
But Barrett's try and two others to winger Charles Piutau and prop Ben Tameifuna and 18 points from the boot of first five-eighths Gareth Anscombe were enough to earn them the title.
Both sides scored three tries each, but the unerring boot of man of the match Anscombe, who was successful with all seven shots at goal, proved the difference.
England started the better of the two sides, pinning the defending champions deep in their own territory for the opening quarter and were ahead after electric winger Christian Wade avoided halfback TJ Perenara to cross for the opening try in the seventh minute.
It was a struggle for New Zealand to make any headway as England first five-eighths George Ford, at 18 the youngest player at the tournament, kept driving the ball in behind them, using the breeze at their backs to good effect.
But when New Zealand did break out they looked threatening and winger Mitchell Scott was denied a try in the corner before Anscombe got them on the board via a penalty midway through the half.
A break down the sideline from hooker Cody Taylor was finished off by winger Piutau to give the Baby Blacks before Anscombe and Ford traded penalties.
Hawke's Bay prop Tameifuna was driven over by teammates a minute before the break to give New Zealand a 20-10 lead at the interval.
Another Anscombe penalty extended their advantage after the resumption before prop Henry Thomas rumbled down the touchline to score in the corner to give England hope.
Perenara pulled off a try-saving tackle to slip his arms under the flanker Matt Kvesic as he stretched out for the line and then a strong New Zealand drive eased the pressure from the resulting scrum.
Wade's second try after a kick and chase narrowed the gap to a point, and, with England's set-piece dominating, New Zealand's hold on the trophy looked shaky at best.
But another Anscombe penalty extended the lead to four points before Barrett kicked through a pass from Piutau to finally end England's hopes and Anscombe, fittingly, added the conversion.
Coach Mark Anscombe acknowledged his team had beaten a "very good England team" were superior in many areas of the game.
"We showed a lot of will power and heart to keep them out."
- NZPA
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Better players than Donald - Henry
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has all but ended Chiefs first five-eighth Stephen Donald's hopes of playing at the Rugby World Cup.
The All Black selectors today have given a glimpse of their preferences for this year by naming a group of players for the first of two training camps ahead of the Tri-Nations.
Twenty-five players have been named for a two-day camp in Wellington next week.
Donald, who has played 22 tests for the All Blacks, isn't among the players in the list which includes fellow no.10s Colin Slade and Aaron Cruden.
Henry told media today that he broke the news to Donald yesterday and said form was a factor.
"Difficult obviously because he's been a very positive member of that group for some time. He's a great guy to have in the team. Hugely well organised at training. We just think there are other people playing better right now.
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"Unless we have injuries he's unlikely to be involved."
Those named are from Super 15 teams who did not qualify for the finals playoffs, meaning Crusaders and Blues personnel are missing.
Other former All Blacks who are not in the squad are Highlanders prop Jamie Mackintosh and Chiefs trio Tanerau Latimer, Mike Delany and Lelia Masaga.
Mackintosh played one test for the All Blacks on the 2008 Grand Slam tour. Delany has also played one test, against Italy in 2009, while Latimer made five test appearances in 2009.
Masaga played his one test against Italy in 2009.
The second camp is to be held in Wellington on July 5-6.
The first All Blacks squad for the season are to be named on July 10.
Henry said the camps gave the selectors the chance to assess where candidates were at following their respective teams' participation in the Super 15.
"... these players are in contention for selection so we were keen to monitor their progress as well as further develop their skills," he said.
New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Tietjens, who recently led his side to their ninth world series title, is to conduct a training run on the second day of next week's camp.
Injured trio Israel Dagg, Tony Woodcock and Isaia Toeava have been named to attend that camp, with Henry explaining that gave All Blacks medical staff the chance to assess those with injuries.
The players invited to the first camp next week are as follows:
Chiefs: Ben Afeaki, Hikawera Elliot, Richard Kahui, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Hurricanes: Aaron Cruden, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito and Piri Weepu.
Highlanders: Jimmy Cowan, Tom Donnelly, Jarrad Hoeata, Colin Slade, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson.
Injured players: Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Tony Woodcock.
- NZPA/HERALD ONLINE
Australian hurdle for Under-20s
New Zealand's hopes of defending their IRB Junior World Championship title in Treviso depend on getting past last year's finalists Australia in the semi-final on Wednesday.
Having cruised through their three preliminary matches by beating Italy 64-7, Wales 92-0 and Argentina 48-15, the New Zealanders, known as the Baby Blacks, face an Australian side who beat Tonga 54-7, Fiji 50-25 and who lost to France 25-31. France and England will meet in the other semi-final.
New Zealand coach Mark Anscombe said he has been working hard to keep his side's feet on the ground.
"We know it's going to be a tough game and we have to play well if we are going to get the right result," he said.
The side had the weight of public pressure on it as a result of previous side's being unbeaten but Anscombe was insistent the side had to make their own statement and not live off the reputation of earlier sides.
"The challenge in New Zealand is having had three teams win it, no-one wants to be in the team that doesn't win it, so they are quite a competitive group.
"There is a lot of talent as we know but that isn't always enough and it is about the right attitude, preparation and looking after yourself and getting up for the game," he said.
Australia would be motivated to put last year's loss behind there and with six or seven players in their side from that final, compared to two from New Zealand, there was plenty of motivation to do well.
"I think both teams have different strengths and weaknesses so last year's result means nothing," he said.
First five-eighths Gareth Anscombe said: "They [Australia] might be hungry for revenge, but we are hungry too. It is never an easy challenge against them, but this is a semi-final and there is no second chance so we are hoping we can make the final."
Australian captain Colby Faingaa played in last year's final and has not forgotten the loss.
"They are the best side at this level and have demonstrated it. It is going to be a hard game, but if you want to be the best in the world you have to play the best and over the last four years at Under-20 level that has been them," he said.
"If we want to call ourselves the best then we have to beat them."
Australia would be looking to make a better start than in their last game, against France, when they poured on early points.
"We have worked hard on trying to start a lot better and against New Zealand everyone knows what kind of game and style they play and we are focused on how we are going to play," he said.
"New Zealand play a lot like [France do]. They like to run the ball and both like to try and get that little off-load through a hole and just chase people through. The game they play is quite similar.
"That is ideally the game that we want to play. We are going to try and play free for as long as possible, that is how the game will unfold and New Zealand will come out with the same mentality and it should be a good battle," he said.
Sivivatu gets injury boost
Chiefs winger Sitiveni Sivivatu's hopes of making the All Blacks' rugby World Cup squad have received a boost after tests showed his shoulder injury is not as bad as first feared.
The 43-test All Black partially dislocated his left shoulder in the Chiefs' 19-11 defeat by the Reds in Hamilton on Saturday night, but an assessment by Chiefs medical staff yesterday allayed fears it was a season-ending injury.
"It is not as bad as we first thought. He subluxed his left shoulder on Saturday night so it was not fully dislocated.
"He has full range of movement and good strength in the affected shoulder and he is going to see an orthopaedic surgeon because it is the shoulder that was operated on last year. He's very unlikely to be out for any more than a couple of weeks," said Chiefs physiotherapist Paul Cameron.
- NZPA
The 43-test All Black partially dislocated his left shoulder in the Chiefs' 19-11 defeat by the Reds in Hamilton on Saturday night, but an assessment by Chiefs medical staff yesterday allayed fears it was a season-ending injury.
"It is not as bad as we first thought. He subluxed his left shoulder on Saturday night so it was not fully dislocated.
"He has full range of movement and good strength in the affected shoulder and he is going to see an orthopaedic surgeon because it is the shoulder that was operated on last year. He's very unlikely to be out for any more than a couple of weeks," said Chiefs physiotherapist Paul Cameron.
- NZPA
Kids fear ABs will choke in final
Thousands of New Zealand children believe the All Blacks will make the Rugby World Cup final - but more than half expect them to blow it once again when they get there.
An online educational survey, CensusAtSchool, predicted the All Blacks will be waiting yet another four years to get their hands on what has been their most elusive prize.
Eighty-three per cent of the young respondents expected the All Blacks to make the final on October 23, but only 41 per cent thought they would win it.
This is in contrast to their parents, who are optimistic the All Blacks will secure the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1987.
World Cup - the percentages
**83pc think the All Blacks will make the RWC final
**41pc think the All Blacks will win
**35pc think South Africa will play the All Blacks in the final
A Herald/DigiPoll survey in January found that 70 per cent of adults thought the All Blacks would triumph.
A UMR poll in April found even more confidence, with 77 per cent of adults sure of a NZ victory.
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CensusAtSchool co-director Rachel Cunliffe, a University of Auckland-trained statistician, said the children's results were "a bit of a surprise".
"We had expected that as children and young people are often such ardent rugby fans, they would be talking the All Blacks right up."
Ms Cunliffe said the students' verdict was also remarkably consistent across geographical areas, age and sex.
Of the 83 per cent who thought the All Blacks would make the final, 35 per cent picked South Africa to be their opponents, ahead of the 30 per cent who chose Australia.
Of those predicting an All Black win in the final, 25 per cent picked a margin of fewer than five points.
Former All Black great Stu Wilson said the results were a surprise and also a bit disappointing.
"I saw over 100 kids of all ages running around in the mud on the North Shore on Saturday night and if you asked any one of them who will win the World Cup they would all say the All Blacks - that's a rugby environment," said Wilson.
"It's still in our DNA. I don't care what the league and netball or cricket people say, rugby is still our our number one sport ... It [the survey] surprises me and disappoints me, to be completely honest."
Wilson said the All Blacks had dominated the world rankings for the past decade, something the children surveyed might have missed.
"If their memory goes that far back and it reflects on their decision about whether the All Blacks can win or not, that's sad - they don't understand the world rankings and how good we are."
Veteran rugby commentator Keith Quinn said the results were intriguing and showed children's awareness of NZ's rugby history and the tag the All Blacks had possibly earned as chokers.
"They know their subject obviously and are aware that winning the Rugby World Cup is not ever a foregone conclusion," he said.
"I feel that the adult populace of New Zealand back in 1987 believed that the win over France in the first RWC was just affirmation of what we had felt for decades about how great New Zealand rugby consistently was ... and that we would go on to probably win it every four years."
Quinn thought South Africa should be favoured if they reach the final.
"The World Cup final has always been a grim, tough game, won by serious 'let's not lose' rugby," he said.
"South Africa with its big pack and tactically aware halfback and first-five are best at that sort of game, with excellent goalkicking and dropkicking experts too. They have won their only two finals by not scoring a try."
"Maybe the kids know that too?"
The survey ran in schools from Kaitaia to Invercargill in May and June and involved 24,000 students aged 8 to 17.
Source: NZ Herald
An online educational survey, CensusAtSchool, predicted the All Blacks will be waiting yet another four years to get their hands on what has been their most elusive prize.
Eighty-three per cent of the young respondents expected the All Blacks to make the final on October 23, but only 41 per cent thought they would win it.
This is in contrast to their parents, who are optimistic the All Blacks will secure the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1987.
World Cup - the percentages
**83pc think the All Blacks will make the RWC final
**41pc think the All Blacks will win
**35pc think South Africa will play the All Blacks in the final
A Herald/DigiPoll survey in January found that 70 per cent of adults thought the All Blacks would triumph.
A UMR poll in April found even more confidence, with 77 per cent of adults sure of a NZ victory.
Article continues below
CensusAtSchool co-director Rachel Cunliffe, a University of Auckland-trained statistician, said the children's results were "a bit of a surprise".
"We had expected that as children and young people are often such ardent rugby fans, they would be talking the All Blacks right up."
Ms Cunliffe said the students' verdict was also remarkably consistent across geographical areas, age and sex.
Of the 83 per cent who thought the All Blacks would make the final, 35 per cent picked South Africa to be their opponents, ahead of the 30 per cent who chose Australia.
Of those predicting an All Black win in the final, 25 per cent picked a margin of fewer than five points.
Former All Black great Stu Wilson said the results were a surprise and also a bit disappointing.
"I saw over 100 kids of all ages running around in the mud on the North Shore on Saturday night and if you asked any one of them who will win the World Cup they would all say the All Blacks - that's a rugby environment," said Wilson.
"It's still in our DNA. I don't care what the league and netball or cricket people say, rugby is still our our number one sport ... It [the survey] surprises me and disappoints me, to be completely honest."
Wilson said the All Blacks had dominated the world rankings for the past decade, something the children surveyed might have missed.
"If their memory goes that far back and it reflects on their decision about whether the All Blacks can win or not, that's sad - they don't understand the world rankings and how good we are."
Veteran rugby commentator Keith Quinn said the results were intriguing and showed children's awareness of NZ's rugby history and the tag the All Blacks had possibly earned as chokers.
"They know their subject obviously and are aware that winning the Rugby World Cup is not ever a foregone conclusion," he said.
"I feel that the adult populace of New Zealand back in 1987 believed that the win over France in the first RWC was just affirmation of what we had felt for decades about how great New Zealand rugby consistently was ... and that we would go on to probably win it every four years."
Quinn thought South Africa should be favoured if they reach the final.
"The World Cup final has always been a grim, tough game, won by serious 'let's not lose' rugby," he said.
"South Africa with its big pack and tactically aware halfback and first-five are best at that sort of game, with excellent goalkicking and dropkicking experts too. They have won their only two finals by not scoring a try."
"Maybe the kids know that too?"
The survey ran in schools from Kaitaia to Invercargill in May and June and involved 24,000 students aged 8 to 17.
Source: NZ Herald
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Henry unveils some World Cup plans
Graham Henry has revealed some of his strategy for winning the Rugby World Cup.
Henry says the All Blacks will spend more time looking back at the history of the World Cup, something they didn't do in 2007.
He says they need to improve 15 per cent on where they were at last year.
Henry says there will be no wholesale resting during the Tri-Nations, but the back-ups to Dan Carter and Richie McCaw will be given opportunities to start.
He says players like McCaw, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava, Israel Dagg, Daniel Braid and Tony Woodcock will have to play some ITM Cup.
- NEWSTALK ZB
Henry says the All Blacks will spend more time looking back at the history of the World Cup, something they didn't do in 2007.
He says they need to improve 15 per cent on where they were at last year.
Henry says there will be no wholesale resting during the Tri-Nations, but the back-ups to Dan Carter and Richie McCaw will be given opportunities to start.
He says players like McCaw, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava, Israel Dagg, Daniel Braid and Tony Woodcock will have to play some ITM Cup.
- NEWSTALK ZB
New Zealand Under 20 team to play Wales
New Zealand Under 20 Coach Mark Anscombe has named his team to play their second pool match of the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship against Wales early tomorrow (NZT) morning.
Anscombe has made several changes to his starting line-up, to share the workload over New Zealand’s pool matches. New Zealand won their opening match against hosts Italy 64-7. The team named to play Wales is:
1 Solomona Sakalia Wellington
2 Codie Taylor Canterbury
3 Ben Tameifuna Hawke’s Bay
4 Steven Luatua Auckland
5 Brodie Retallick Hawke’s Bay
6 Brad Shields Wellington
7 Sam Cane Bay of Plenty
8 Luke Whitelock, captain Canterbury
9 TJ Perenara Wellington
10 Gareth Anscombe Auckland
11 Charles Piutau Auckland
12 Lima Sopoaga Wellington
13 Rhys Llewellyn Canterbury
14 Waisake Naholo Taranaki
15 Beauden Barrett Taranaki
Reserves
16 Sefo Setefano Waikato
17 Michael Kainga Wellington
18 Dominic Bird Canterbury
19 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis Taranaki
20 Brad Weber Otago
21 Francis Saili Auckland
22 Glen Robertson Waikato
Anscombe said: “We are mindful that Wales are a very formidable side with strike power in the backs and a physical forward pack. Our boys have bounced back well from the Italy game and the team is looking forward to this week’s match.”
New Zealand is seeking its fourth IRB Junior World Championship title.
New Zealand’s three pool matches are as follows:
Date Fixture Venue Local time NZ Time
10 June NZ 64 v Italy 7 Treviso 8.10pm 6.10am
14 June v Wales Rovigo 6.10pm 4.10am
18 June v Argentina Padova 6.10pm 4.10am
The semifinals will be played on 22 June at Padova, and the Final will be played on 26 June, at Padova.
New Zealand’s pool matches, the semifinals and Final will be broadcast live on SKY Sport’s Rugby Channel.
Anscombe has made several changes to his starting line-up, to share the workload over New Zealand’s pool matches. New Zealand won their opening match against hosts Italy 64-7. The team named to play Wales is:
1 Solomona Sakalia Wellington
2 Codie Taylor Canterbury
3 Ben Tameifuna Hawke’s Bay
4 Steven Luatua Auckland
5 Brodie Retallick Hawke’s Bay
6 Brad Shields Wellington
7 Sam Cane Bay of Plenty
8 Luke Whitelock, captain Canterbury
9 TJ Perenara Wellington
10 Gareth Anscombe Auckland
11 Charles Piutau Auckland
12 Lima Sopoaga Wellington
13 Rhys Llewellyn Canterbury
14 Waisake Naholo Taranaki
15 Beauden Barrett Taranaki
Reserves
16 Sefo Setefano Waikato
17 Michael Kainga Wellington
18 Dominic Bird Canterbury
19 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis Taranaki
20 Brad Weber Otago
21 Francis Saili Auckland
22 Glen Robertson Waikato
Anscombe said: “We are mindful that Wales are a very formidable side with strike power in the backs and a physical forward pack. Our boys have bounced back well from the Italy game and the team is looking forward to this week’s match.”
New Zealand is seeking its fourth IRB Junior World Championship title.
New Zealand’s three pool matches are as follows:
Date Fixture Venue Local time NZ Time
10 June NZ 64 v Italy 7 Treviso 8.10pm 6.10am
14 June v Wales Rovigo 6.10pm 4.10am
18 June v Argentina Padova 6.10pm 4.10am
The semifinals will be played on 22 June at Padova, and the Final will be played on 26 June, at Padova.
New Zealand’s pool matches, the semifinals and Final will be broadcast live on SKY Sport’s Rugby Channel.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Muliaina signs with Japanese club
Veteran All Black Mils Muliaina has signed with a Japanese club, leaving New Zealand at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old and 94-test All Black has signed a two-year contract with NTT Docomo from next year.
"I consider myself to have been incredibly lucky with my career in New Zealand. Rugby has offered me so many wonderful opportunities and experiences that will stay with me forever. It's hard to single any one moment out but obviously winning Commonwealth Gold and the opportunity to captain my country were things I thought were only dreams when I was growing up," Muliaina said.
"But, once this season is over it will be time for something different. Japan itself offers a completely different culture and way of life that my entire family is looking forward to experiencing."
Muliaina made his provincial debut for Auckland in 1999, his Super 15 debut for the Blues in 2001 and his All Blacks debut against England in 2003 and has been the first-choice fullback since.
In 2004 he was the only player selected for every test and captained the All Blacks in three Tests in 2009.
He jointly holds the All Blacks test record of 94 with Richie McCaw and has scored 32 tries for 160 points, putting him eighth on the Test try-scoring list and 14th on the all-time Test points-scoring list.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry has known Muliaina since he moved from Southland to Auckland as a schoolboy.
"Mils goes to Japan next year with the best wishes of everyone involved in the All Blacks. He is a special All Black; along with Richie McCaw our most capped Test player; an outstanding footballer who is the best in the world in his position," Henry said.
"Mils is a natural leader, he has tremendous respect of his peers and has helped considerably in the development of younger players. He has been a key member of the leadership group and has also captained the team when Richie has been injured. We will get the chance to thanks Mils personally for his contribution and commitment to the All Blacks later this year but for now, we congratulate him and wife Hayley on the next exciting adventure."
Muliaina played 49 games for the Blues before transferring to Waikato and the Chiefs in 2006 and played his 100th Super Rugby and 50th Chiefs match last month.
Muliaina also played for the New Zealand Sevens team from 1999 to 2002, winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal at the 2002 Manchester Games.
- HERALD ONLINE
The 30-year-old and 94-test All Black has signed a two-year contract with NTT Docomo from next year.
"I consider myself to have been incredibly lucky with my career in New Zealand. Rugby has offered me so many wonderful opportunities and experiences that will stay with me forever. It's hard to single any one moment out but obviously winning Commonwealth Gold and the opportunity to captain my country were things I thought were only dreams when I was growing up," Muliaina said.
"But, once this season is over it will be time for something different. Japan itself offers a completely different culture and way of life that my entire family is looking forward to experiencing."
Muliaina made his provincial debut for Auckland in 1999, his Super 15 debut for the Blues in 2001 and his All Blacks debut against England in 2003 and has been the first-choice fullback since.
In 2004 he was the only player selected for every test and captained the All Blacks in three Tests in 2009.
He jointly holds the All Blacks test record of 94 with Richie McCaw and has scored 32 tries for 160 points, putting him eighth on the Test try-scoring list and 14th on the all-time Test points-scoring list.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry has known Muliaina since he moved from Southland to Auckland as a schoolboy.
"Mils goes to Japan next year with the best wishes of everyone involved in the All Blacks. He is a special All Black; along with Richie McCaw our most capped Test player; an outstanding footballer who is the best in the world in his position," Henry said.
"Mils is a natural leader, he has tremendous respect of his peers and has helped considerably in the development of younger players. He has been a key member of the leadership group and has also captained the team when Richie has been injured. We will get the chance to thanks Mils personally for his contribution and commitment to the All Blacks later this year but for now, we congratulate him and wife Hayley on the next exciting adventure."
Muliaina played 49 games for the Blues before transferring to Waikato and the Chiefs in 2006 and played his 100th Super Rugby and 50th Chiefs match last month.
Muliaina also played for the New Zealand Sevens team from 1999 to 2002, winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal at the 2002 Manchester Games.
- HERALD ONLINE
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