Pure class

The following from the NZRU: Two experienced All Blacks together with three of the All Blacks’ tall timber and a rising international front rower have re–signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union through until the end of 2012, it was announced today.

Senior players, centre Conrad Smith and loose forward Jerome Kaino, together with locks Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock and prop Ben Franks, have extended their contracts with the NZRU, adding to a nucleus of experience for the national side for the next few years.

The six players join a group of other leading players who have signed through until 2012, including experienced All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock and halfback Jimmy Cowan, loose forwards Kieran Read and Victor Vito, and backs Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden.

Kaino said:  “I’m really enjoying my rugby at the moment here at home and I’ve still got a lot I want to achieve with Auckland, the Blues and, hopefully, the All Blacks.  I’ve also got a young family as well and I’m loving being at home.”

Smith said:  “New Zealand is home and I love playing rugby here.  I’m proud to play for Wellington, the Hurricanes and the All Blacks, and I’m looking forward to a few more years of professional rugby.”

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said he was “delighted” that the players had re–signed for several more years.

“We have now moved our focus beyond 2011 and the All Blacks and franchise coaches regard these players as very important members of their respective teams so it’s great that they have re–committed to New Zealand rugby,” he said.

“We feel that we have got a fantastic professional rugby environment in New Zealand and many of our players agree.  Having said that, we still work very hard to ensure that continues,” Tew added.

28–year–old Hurricanes and Wellington midfielder Conrad Smith, who plays his 39th Test on the weekend, has been one of the All Blacks most consistent players in recent years.  He made his Test debut in 2004 and has scored 16 tries, including two against Ireland in June this year.

27–year–old Blues and Auckland loose forward Jerome Kaino plays his 31st Test on Saturday after making his All Blacks debut in 2004 against the Barbarians and his Test debut two years later.  He has been a regular in the All Blacks since 2008 and has developed a devastating attacking and defensive game.

Blues and North Harbour lock Anthony Boric has played 15 Tests for the All Blacks, while his second row team mates Highlanders and Otago’s Tom Donnelly will play his tenth Test this weekend, with Canterbury and Crusaders 2010 All Blacks debutant Sam Whitelock on the bench.  Fellow 2010 Test All Black and Tasman and Crusaders prop Ben Franks, who is also on the bench this weekend, has played five Tests.

Cobus Wessels' call influenced the outcome. To an extent

The following from SANZAR: The International Rugby Board has confirmed a change to the Match Official panel for Saturday’s Tri-Nations match between New Zealand and Australia.

Cobus Wessels (South Africa) has been replaced by Keith Brown (New Zealand) as Assistant Referee for the top of the table clash in Christchurch.

Wessels, who will now perform the role of Television Match Official, has been stood down as Assistant Referee 2 following a routine review of match official performance in last weekend’s Tri-Nations match in Melbourne.

The appointment of a replacement Assistant Referee from the Host Union is owing to the logistical and preparation pressures of selecting a neutral official for Saturday’s match and will not be a precedent for future appointments.

The change has also been approved by SANZAR.

• That’s all very good and well, but it still begs the question of, if someone has been stood down due to performance, or lack thereof, then how can they still be allowed to take further part in the next test? What are you thoughts on this?

All Black Team to face Wallabies:  2nd Bledisloe Cup game 7th August 2010 – Christchurch

All Blacks: 15. Mils Muliaina (86), 14. Cory Jane (18), 13. Conrad Smith (38), 12. Ma’a Nonu (49), 11. Josevata Rokocoko (64), 10. Daniel Carter (72), 9. Piri Weepu (41), 8. Kieran Read (22), 7. Richie McCaw – captain (86), 6. Jerome Kaino (30), 5. Tom Donnelly (10), 4. Brad Thorn (43), 3. Owen Franks (15), 2. Keven Mealamu (77), 1. Tony Woodcock (66)

Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn (10), 17. Ben Franks (5), 18. Samuel Whitelock (6), 19. Victor Vito (3), 20. Alby Mathewson (uncapped), 21. Aaron Cruden (5), 22. Benson Stanley (3)

• Number of Test caps in brackets

Match Facts and Stats:

The line-up features just three changes from the team that beat Australia 49 – 28 in Melbourne on the weekend.  Piri Weepu is in the number nine jersey and uncapped halfback Alby Mathewson is on the bench, with Jimmy Cowan not considered for selection because of his rib injury, while midfielder Benson Stanley comes onto the bench in jersey 22.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu, who made his debut as a 21-year-old against England in 2003, reaches a special milestone this weekend, playing his 50th Test, while prop Tony Woodcock plays his 67th Test this weekend, becoming the sole most capped prop in All Blacks history.

Last weekend’s Test against Australia, meanwhile, saw first five-eighth Daniel Carter pass a number of significant points-scoring milestones: with 1094 points so far in his Test career, Carter is now the second highest points scorer in international Test history behind England’s Jonny Wilkinson (1178) and he has also scored 226 points against the Wallabies, the most by any international player against any international opponent in the history of the game.

“The win on the weekend in Melbourne was very pleasing and the exciting thing is that there is a real desire amongst the players to build on that performance,” All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said.  “It’s good to be back in Christchurch, there’s a real Test match buzz in the city, and the guys are really looking forward to playing in the re–built AMI Stadium,” he added.

That buzz saw several thousand fans turn out for an All Blacks Open Day at QE2 Park yesterday with more public events in the city throughout the week.  Meanwhile, tickets to the Bledisloe Cup – Investec Tri Nations Test on Saturday are selling fast.  Tickets are available from Ticket Direct (www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4 TICKET).

The All Blacks have played Australia in Christchurch 12 times since 1913, with eight wins to the All Blacks and four to Australia.  The last Bledisloe Cup Test in Christchurch was the 32–12 All Blacks win in 2006, which established a record 19 successive home Test wins for the All Blacks, with hooker Keven Mealamu starring with two tries.

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!