I’m still livid about the fact that Jean de Villiers copped a two week ban for his dangerous tackle on Rene Ranger, yet Ranger was not even cited for his dangerous tackle on Zane Kirchner. This isn’t the first time that the Springboks have been on the losing side of the SANZAR Judiciary Process. Take a look here, here, here (and the list goes on), to see SANZAR’s previous FAIL-ings.

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]

There were a number of great action pics from round 2 of the 2010 Tri Nations series, but I went with this one, highlighting the great aerial battle between the outside backs: [Zimbio]

For those of you who haven’t heard the latest bullshit, one sided decision by the SANZAR judiciary committee, South African centre come wing, Jean de Villiers has been suspended for two weeks after being cited for a dangerous tackle during the 2010 Tri Nations Test match, All Blacks VS South Africa at Westpac Stadium, in Wellington over the weekend.

De Villiers had been cited for an alleged lifting, tip tackle on All Blacks winger Rene Ranger in the 27^th minute of the match, which the All Blacks won 31 – 17.

He appeared before SANZAR Judicial Officer Dennis Wheelahan QC in Wellington today, who found de Villiers guilty of a breach of rugby law 10.4 (j).

Mr Wheelahan considered submissions from de Villiers, his representatives and video evidence.

Mr Wheelahan said that an important mitigating factor in de Villiers’ favour, was his exemplary disciplinary record, which consisted of one yellow card for persistent infringing during a career spanning nearly 10 years and 60 Tests.  He also took into account the player’s admission of a dangerous tackle.

De Villiers was suspended for two weeks up to and including 1 August 2010.  He will be ineligible for selection for South Africa’s Tri Nations Test match against Australia, in Brisbane, next Saturday 24 July 2010.

Jean de Villeirs alleged spear tackle on Rene Ranger [dumpedbyRD]:

• I would like to emphasize that All Black wing, Rene Ranger was not even cited for his clear infringement of the same “dangerous tackle” law for his no arms, head high, shoulder charge on Springbok fullback, Zane Kirchner. Another purely one sided showing by the SANZAR judicial committee. Something that the implementation of an independent citing commissioner was meant to eradicate? Judicial Officer, Dennis Wheelahan QC, FAIL!

Maybe he was pissed. Stick with lite beer mate!

Today, we look at a video clip from 3News in New Zealand, as they build up to tomorrow’s test, All Blacks VS Springboks, game 2. The clip features a chat with All Black debutant, Rene Ranger, who’s looking a tad nervous, but wants to remember to have fun along the way.

Our good mate, Bob Skinstad, has a chat about the build up to the test and focuses on a few key elements, going into tomorrow’s test. Just wait for the 3min43 mark. Classic stuff from Bob, just as you thought we wasn’t going to mention it…

All Blacks vs Springboks Tri Nations 2010 Game 2 [tonytai2017]

Classic, everytime!

I surprised myself with last weekend’s Currie Cup predictions, finishing well, and sitting pretty at #12 in my SuperBru pool. Sadly, I didn’t do as well with the Tri Nations selections.

Here are my selections for Round 2 of the 2010 season. Let me know what you think?

• Have I got the right calls, or will I be relegated to 1st division?

All Blacks VS Springboks

17 July 2010 19h35 [GMT +10]

Westpac Stadium [The Cake Tin] – Wellington

New Zealand: 15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Rene Ranger, 10. Daniel Carter, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (capt), 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Tom Donnelly, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Sam Whitelock, 19. Liam Messam, 20. Jimmy Cowan, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Israel Dagg.

Springboks: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Jean de Villiers, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Wynand Oliver, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Ricky Januarie, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. John Smit (capt), 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. BJ Botha, 18. Andries Bekker, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Ruan Pienaar, 21. Butch James, 22. Gio Aplon.

• Danie Rossouw will have to pass a fitness test later today. Should he not be fit to play the test, Andries Bekker will in all likelihood move to the 2nd row, with Flip van der Merwe coming onto the bench.

• Date: Saturday 17 July 2010
• Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
• Kick-off: 19h35 [GMT +10] [09h35 SA time] for the dummies out there
• Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland) 
• Assistant referees: Alan Lewis (Ireland), Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
• TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Two words: Kak Funny!

The blokes from the Rugby channel have speculated as to the probable All Black team for this weekend’s match-up against the Springboks in round 2 of the 2010 Tri Nations.

The official team announcement is only due to be released on Thursday 15 July 2010. [tonytai2017]

• Do you think they’ve got it right? Who do you think will run out come Saturday?

No longer the centre of attention...?

It seems as if the Springbok coaching staff have learnt nothing from this previous weekend’s encounter against the All Blacks, and have announced their squad for the next match-up, with minimal changes, and persisting with playing Jean De Villiers, an out and out #12, on the wing.

In a complete reversal of last week’s events, it is the All Blacks who have now been forced to delay the naming of their squad.

The following from SARU: The Springboks have made three changes to their match 22 for the second Vodacom Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

There are two enforced changes to the starting XV with lock Danie Rossouw promoted from the bench to replace the suspended Bakkies Botha and prop CJ van der Linde replacing injured tighthead Jannie du Plessis.

Botha was suspended for nine weeks after being found guilty of foul play in the first Test whilst du Plessis suffered a calf strain in Auckland and has been ruled out.

Rossouw will be making his 50^th Test appearance at the Westpac Stadium.

The third change is on the bench where loose forward Ryan Kankowski fills the place vacated by Rossouw.

Van der Linde and Kankowski return after being in the match 22 in the first Test against Italy in Witbank on 19 June.

The Boks lost the first Test against the All Blacks 12-32 at Eden Park.

Asked if he had been tempted to make more changes after the defeat, coach Peter de Villiers said: “No. We trust the abilities of our players and we know what they are capable of when they are on song. They let themselves down last week and the All Blacks were very good in Auckland.

“I am sure we will be much better on Saturday and show that we are able to stand up from the loss. You don’t become a bad team overnight,” he said.

Captain John Smit said that he was confident the Springboks could bounce back at the weekend.

“We have to return to basics and make sure we play to our strengths. We have a great team ethic and our discipline was good when you consider the amount of penalties we gave away compared to the percentage of ball we had,” Smit said.

Springbok team to face All Blacks: Wellington – 17 July 2010

Springboks: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Jean de Villiers, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Wynand Oliver, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Ricky Januarie, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. John Smit (capt), 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. BJ Botha, 18. Andries Bekker, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Ruan Pienaar, 21. Butch James, 22. Gio Aplon.

• What do you think of this squad? Should Jean be playing wing? Let us know your thoughts.

Please don't let that be my last game....

Game 1 of the 2010 Tri Nations Series got underway on the weekend, with what looked as if it was set to be a strong start from the Springboks, who charged down an early clearance kick by the All Black #9, Jimmy Cowan.

Just moments later though, things fell apart, when Springbok lock, Bakkies Botha, still angry at the fact that Cowan had held him back after the charge down, had an absolute brain explosion, and headbutted Cowan after the tackle.

The incident was missed by the referee, as well as his assistants, but the cameras caught Bakkies red handed, and the screens around the stadium showed it over and over again.

Later, the citing commissioner handed out a, deserved, 9 week ban to the Springbok lock, who will not be allowed to play any rugby until September.

Botha was, just minutes later, without warning, in what can only be described as the referee trying to make up for missing the headbutt, yellow carded for slowing down the All Black ball, 5m out from his own line

From that moment on, it seemed as if the Springboks were at 6’s and 7’s, confused, and somewhat afraid to get stuck in.
The All Blacks dominated every facet of the match. cutting the Springbok inside centre (#12) channel a number of times, where, as predicted, Wynand Olivier struggled to defend.

In fact, the All Blacks dominated the Springboks in every facet of play, except for the high amount of unforced errors by the All Blacks, which they will surely correct by the next match up.

Most shocking of all, the amount of missed tackles by the Springboks, 30 missed out of 128 made, giving the Springboks are dismal 23.5% miss rate.

The Highlights will tell the rest of the tale.

My two cents worth:

• Although Bakkies Botha was an idiot, and deserves the consequent ban, for him to have been yellow carded, after the fact, for a first infringement, was utter bullshit. That is not how refereeing works. It undermines the whole point of having a referee on the field. The All Blacks were guilty of the exact same infringement, minutes later, yet only received a penalty. If not consistency then what do we have?
• The Springboks were dismal. Hopefully they will regroup and realise that nothing is relative until tested in the Tri Nations, the true yard stick.
• Dick Muir needs to be fired with immediate effect. He proved in the Super 14, with the Lions, that he can’t coach if his life depended on it. The Springbok backline were almost non existent on the night, making it seem as if the All Blacks had 3 extra players on the outside.
• Which brings me to this point: Jean De Villiers may not be playing well, but you can’t judge his game from the wing. He is a #12 through and through. He is not a wing, he is not as quick as an international wing, nor does he turn like a wing should. He is a centre, a quality one, play him at #12, and then make a judgement.
• Which sort of brings me to this point: Jean De Villiers has been a defensive general for the Springboks in the past. Although Jaque Fourie has been superb in Super 14, one cannot have your defense organised from as far out as #13 in international rugby, and Wynand Olivier clearly can’t hack it in that role.
• The Springbok loose trio, and their forwards in general, were dominated by the All blacks on the day. I don’t however think it’s time to ring any alarm bells. This should pick up by the next outing.
• The All Blacks, although good on the day, should not read too much into this game. They were made to look much better by a, bad on the day, Springbok outfit.
• The Springbok coaching staff need to get their heads out of their asses, fast. Especially regarding the substitutions. What a joke. Enough is enough now!
• When a player who fulfills the role of the enforcer/fetcher etc. is yellow carded, they should be replaced directly thereafter, as they cannot further fulfill their role in that game, for fear of a subsequent red card. Simple really!

All Blacks VS Springboks 2010 Tri Nations: Game 1 – 10 July 2010 [WRNRugbyNews]

Substitutions:

All Blacks:

• 54:24 Min (Cowan off, Weepuon)
• 58:27 Min (Rokocoko off, Kahui on)
• 63:52 Min (O.Franks off, B.Franks on)
• 71:58 Min (Donnelly off, Whitelock on)
• 71:58 Min (Kaino off, Messam on)
• 78:35 Min (Mealamu off, Flynn on)

Springboks:

• 51:38 Min (Bakkies Botha off, Bekker on)
• 51:38 Min (Louw off, Rossouw on)
• 58:27 Min (du Plessis off, BJ Botha on)
• 70:18 Min (Steyn off, James on)
• 71:58 Min (Olivier off, Aplon on)
• 71:58 Min (Smit off, Ralepelle on)
• 78:35 Min (Januarie off, Pienaar on)

Scorecard:

All Blacks:

• Tries: Smith (19th min), Nonu (35th min), Read (57th min), Woodcock (80th min)
• Conversions: 3/4 (75%) Carter (3)
• Penalties: Carter (2)

Springboks:

• Penalties: Steyn (4)