The latest industrial action within South Africa has robbed the residents of Soweto from experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a Springbok coaching clinic in their own area. The following from SARU:
The Springbok squad has been left disappointed by the cancellation of a coaching clinic planned for Soweto on Thursday afternoon.
Industrial action in the country over the past two days has made it impossible for the clinic, scheduled to take place at Soweto Rugby Club, to go ahead.
“The players were looking forward to hosting the clinic but circumstances beyond our control have forced its cancellation,” said coach Peter de Villiers.
“The guys are truly disappointed but also understand the reasons for the cancellation. They are also appreciative of the efforts of the Soweto Rugby Club which could do little to prevent the cancellation of the clinic,” de Villiers said.
The following from SARU: Next year’s Springbok Test against New Zealand will be held in Port Elizabeth, following a decision of the Executive Council of the South African Rugby Union.
The decision was taken as part of SARU’s commitment to bring top-flight rugby to the region. The award is conditional on agreement that all three unions in the Southern Kings region (Eastern Province, Border and South Western Districts) should benefit from the award and on agreement on an appropriate Test match hosting model.
It means Vodacom Tri-Nations rugby will be played in the Eastern Cape region for the first time, while it would be the first visit of the All Blacks to the region for 41 years (since 1970).
“There is a hunger in the region for top flight rugby,” said Mr Oregan Hoskins, the president of SARU. “Port Elizabeth now has a top flight venue in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and SARU has a long-standing commitment to assist in bringing top flight-rugby back to the region. This is a tangible proof of our commitment.”
The 2011 Vodacom Tri-Nations Test against Australia was allocated to the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union, subject to discussions with the union.
The meeting also appointed East London businessman Monde Tabata to the Executive Council, joining Mike Stofile as the second independent member and filling a vacancy that had been open since the elections in March.
Other decisions taken by the council were:
The Exco will call for tenders from all 14 provincial unions to host the South African leg of the IRB World Sevens Series, according to the IRB’s criteria for host venues.
Applications will be sought for the position of SA Under-20 coach and assistant coaches to cover the 2011, 2012 and 2013 IRB Junior World Championship competitions.
The CEOs of all 14 unions are to be called to a meeting for their inputs on: Vodacom Super Rugby franchise fees and the division of unions within franchises; the Test match hosting model.
The competitions committee was instructed to formulate a proposal to assist the Southern Kings in their preparations for potential Vodacom Super Rugby inclusion in 2013.
Approval was granted for an international sevens tournament, under the auspices of the Leopards Rugby Union, to be held in Rustenburg from September 24 to 26, 2010.
Zane Kirchner is back at the Blue Bulls and will start his first Absa Currie Cup match of the season, when the defending champions take on Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.
Kirchner has been released by the Springboks to play in the country’s premier provincial competition on the weekend and will replace Jaco van der Westhuyzen in one of seven chances from the side that defeated the Leopards last weekend.
Regular captain, Gary Botha, is back at the helm after the rake was rested last weekend and replaces Chiliboy Ralepelle, who is on Springbok duty, as is Flip van der Merwe, who will be replaced by Wilhelm Steenkamp at lock.
Stalwart John Mametsa also reclaims his left wing berth at the expense of Hayden Groepes.
Dean Greyling, who recovered from a neck strain, is back at loose head in place of Jaco Engels, while Werner Kruger, who was also rested against the Leopards, replaces Bees Roux.
Van der Westhuyzen, Engels and Roux have all been included on the bench in a decision by coach Frans Ludeke to go with a bench of five forwards and two backs. Groepes, Stephan Dippenaar and Francois Brummer drop out of the match 22 altogether, with Brummer getting a rare start in the u.21 side.
“This is the best team for us for this game,” Ludeke said. “We expect the forward battle to be a fierce one, especially amongst the tight five. We therefore opted to pick two front rows in an effort to stay with the pace with fresh legs.”
Botha was confident that the changes will not impact on their momentum.
“We have a successful squad system going for a long time now, so it is no problem for any player coming back to slot in. It showed at practice already.”
The Vodacom Blue Bulls team to play Western Province at Newlands:
Starting XV: Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Jaco Pretorius, Stefan Watermeyer, John Mametsa, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Ruan Snyman, Gerrit-Jan van Velze, Dewald Potgieter, Derick Kuün, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Juandré Kruger, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha (c), Dean Greyling.
Replacements: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Mthunzi Mabeta, CJ Stander, Dustin Jinka, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jaco Engels.
I have been quite outspoken in the past regarding the shortcomings of the IRB/SANZAR bias shown when it comes to post match citings. There has been a huge gap in the transparency and fairness of this process for some time now, but it has been marked down as more Safa whinging.
Well, last week we “whinging Safa’s” were somewhat vindicated when our good mates at Green and Gold Rugby (The Aussie rugby blog) posted a very interesting review of the All Blacks’ illegal techniques at the breakdown, and how they managed to get away with said techniques.
The video basically went viral within hours, and suddenly there was more to the alleged bias than just “Safa whinging”. It seemed as if the clear gap was becoming increasingly noticeable, and surely would result in some kind of stricter control to rectify these shortcomings.
Enter 2010 Bledisloe II, in Christchurch, where Tony Woodcock maliciously charged into Wallaby hooker, Saia Fianga, in an action that could very well have caused permanent injury to the young Wallaby. Surely with the standard set so far in this year’s competition, Woodcock would be handed his marching orders, and a subsequent ban would ensue.
This was, however, not the outcome. Woodcock was penalised, and that my friends, was the end of it, further highlighting the clear fact that the All Blacks are receiving preferential treatment in regards with what they can and can’t do in the field of play.
I have put together this clip, making a comparison between this weekend’s incident and a similar incident during the 2009 B&I Lions tour to South Africa, in which Bakkies Botha was cited and received a 2 week ban.
I understand that many of you might not like the example I have used, as it is from last season, and Bakkies Botha is a serial offender, it is however just an example to put things into context, take it as that, and you decide which is worse:
*Note: I have left the original sound in so you can hear the commentators’ reactions
Woodcock VS Fianga compared to Botha VS Jones [BlogSpotRugby]
Are the All Blacks receiving preferential treatment? When will this bullshit end? It’s killing the beautiful game!
The Citing Commissioner must have been pissed! Try a Castle Lite mate!
The Vodacom Blue Bulls secured their third victory of the 2010 competition after they defeated a spirited Platinum Leopards outfit 43-38 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.
Eleven (11) tries were scored this game. The defending champions ran in six five-pointers while their opponents added five.
Talented Vodacom Blue Bulls winger Gerhard van den Heever added a brace while flankers Dewald Potgieter and Derick Kuün; scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and centre Stefan Watermeyer were the other players to score tries for the hosts.
Vodacom Blue Bulls flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter kicked five conversions and one penalty.
Platinum Leopards’ Michael Bondesio, who claimed the Absa Man of the Match award at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria for his solid performance at scrumhalf, scored a brace while Walter Venter, Ligtoring Landman and Dumisani Matyeshana added the other tries for the visitors.
Niell Jacobs (4) and Clayton Durand added the conversions for the Platinum Leopards. Jacobs also kicked one penalty.
The victory for the Vodacom Blue Bulls ensured that they ended week five of the 2010 Absa Currie Cup in third position on the log with 16 points. They are however still seven points behind the log-leading Vodacom WP.
2010 Currie Cup – Round 5: Blue Bulls 43 VS 38 Platinum Leopards [WRNRugbynews]
Scorecard:
Vodacom Blue Bulls
Tries: Gerhard van den Heever (2), Dewald Potgieter, Derick Kuün, Francois Hougaard, Stefan Watermeyer
Conversions: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (5)
Penalty: Potgieter
Platinum Leopards
Tries: Michael Bondesio (2), Walter Venter, Ligtoring Landman, Dumisani Matyeshana
Conversions: Niell Jacobs (4), Clayton Durand (1)
Penalty: Jacobs
GWK Griquas 3 VS 50 Vodacom Western Province
Vodacom Western Province continued their impressive undefeated run in the 2010 Absa Currie Cup and condemned the GWK Griquas to their first home loss of the season following their comprehensive 50-3 win in Kimberley on Saturday.
The Cape side outplayed their opponents in the second half at GWK Park and bagged maximum points from this game after scoring six tries in this fixture. All six five-pointers were scored in the final 40 minutes of the match.
Centre Juan de Jongh who claimed the Absa Man of the Match award in Kimberley for his outstanding performance in this fixture, flanker Pieter Louw, fullback Conrad Jantjies, winger Gio Aplon and reserve flyhalf Lionel Cronje and substitute hooker Deon Fourie were the try scorers for the visitors.
Vodacom Western Province flyhalf, Willem de Waal, who earned his 100th Absa Currie Cup cap at GWK Park, added 18 points with the boot by kicking four penalties and three conversions. Cronje converted his own try.
GWK Griquas’ only points were added thanks to one penalty kick by captain and flyhalf Naas Olivier. The hosts, who conceded their first home defeat of the season after securing victories over the Xerox Lions (26-20) and The Sharks (40-34), ended the weekend in fourth place on the log with 15 points while WP are still in pole position on 23.
2010 Currie Cup – Round 5: Griquas 3 vs 50 Western Province [WRNRugbynews]
Scorecard:
GWK Griquas:
Penalty: Naas Olivier
Vodacom Western Province:
Tries: Juan de Jongh, Pieter Louw, Conrad Jantjies, Gio Aplon, Lionel Cronje, Deon Fourie
Penalties: Willem de Waal (4)
Conversions: De Waal (3), Cronje.
Pumas 30 VS 45 Free State Cheetahs
The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs ran in six tries as they defeated the Barloworld Toyota Pumas 45-30 in Witbank on Saturday.
Flanker Hendro Scholtz scored two tries while centres Robert Ebersohn and Meyer Bosman; winger Jongi Nokwe and fullback Hennie Daniller added the other five-pointers for the Bloemfontein side.
Vodacom Free State Cheetahs flyhalf Louis Strydom kicked one penalty and four conversions while utility back Sias Ebersohn added two conversions.
The Barloworld Toyota Pumas managed to score three tries which were added by Shaun Venter, Jacques Coetzee and Ashwin Scott.
Ricardo Coy kicked three penalties and a conversion while former Boland Cavaliers pivot Elgar Watts converted two tries scored by the Pumas.
The victory for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs ensured that they ended week five in fifth position on the Absa Currie Cup log with 14 points. The Pumas are in seventh place with five points.
Highlights to follow when available.
Scorecard:
Barloworld Toyota Pumas:
Tries: Shaun Venter, Jacques Coetzee, Ashwin Scott
The Sharks secured their fourth win of the competition following their 48-19 victory over the Xerox Lions on Saturday.
Flanker Jacques Botes celebrated his 100th Absa Currie Cup appearance in fine style as the Durban side achieved maxim points from this game after scoring five tries.
Patrick Lambie who claimed the Absa Currie Cup Player of the Month award for July kick-started his career at flyhalf for The Sharks by scoring 28 points. The SA Under-20 fullback added a try and kicked five penalties and four conversions.
The Sharks winger Lwazi Mvovo continued his impressive form in this season’s competition by scoring two five-pointers while hooker Craig Burden and Botes also added their names to the try-scoring sheet for the hosts.
While Lambie starred for The Sharks, his SA U20 teammate Elton Jantjies also excelled at pivot for the Xerox Lions. The Johannesburg flyhalf scored 14 points by kicking four penalties and a conversion. Winger Deon van Rensburg scored the Xerox Lions’ only try of the match.
Highlights to follow when available.
Scorecard:
The Sharks:
Tries: Lwazi Mvovo (2), Patrick Lambie, Jacques Botes, Craig Burden
The final squad of 24 for the three home Tests will be confirmed on Friday 13 August and will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday 15 August. The match 22 for the Test against the All Blacks at Soccer City will be announced on Tuesday 17 August.
The group includes the bulk of the squad that did duty during the away leg of the competition, with only Andries Bekker and Ruan Pienaar unavailable due to injury.
Three players have been recalled: Cheetahs flank Juan Smith and Sharks wing JP Pietersen, who have made a successful return from injury, and Racing Metro fullback Frans Steyn who last played against Wales in June. Steyn was, however, injured in a pre-season game on Friday and will undergo a scan in Paris on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury.
Two more players who are returning from injury: Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis and Vodacom Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brussöw – have been invited to join the group.
Centre Jaque Fourie is serving a suspension and cannot be considered for selection for the Johannesburg Test on 21 August.
The Boks will face Australia in subsequent Tests in Pretoria (28 August 2010) and Bloemfontein (4 September 2010).
The following from SANZAR: A claim of alleged misconduct against Springbok Coach Peter de Villiers has been dismissed by SANZAR Judicial Officer Jannie Lubbe SC.
The misconduct charge related to comments made by the Springbok Coach on Australia’s Fox Sports ‘Rugby Club’ programme on 21 July 2010.
Mr Lubbe heard the case on Friday 6 August 2010 and after considering the evidence decided that, on balance of probability, Mr de Villiers had not breached the SANZAR code of conduct.
Mr Lubbe stated that during his interview with Fox Sports, Mr De Villiers never mentioned or referred to referees or match fixing.
As the judicial process has concluded, SANZAR will not be making any further comment on the issue.
Head to Head: Vodacom Blue Bulls v Platinum Leopards (since 2005)
P: 4 W: 4 L: 0 PF: 235 PA: 69
02/09/2005
Blue Bulls 69
Leopards 24
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
07/10/2005
Blue Bulls 61
Leopards 10
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Phokeng
21/08/2009
Blue Bulls 44
Leopards 11
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
09/10/2009
Blue Bulls 61
Leopards 24
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Phokeng
Vodacom Blue Bulls’ recent form at home:
The defending champions have lost only three Absa Currie Cup games in the last two seasons at Loftus Versfeld.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls suffered a 25-23 defeat to the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs in week three, conceded a 29-23 loss to The Sharks in Pretoria last year and also conceded a 30-27 home defeat to the Lions in 2008.
Platinum Leopards’ recent form on the road:
The Platinum Leopards lost all seven of their Absa Currie Cup Premier Division matches during last year’s competition.
The visitors are yet to record a victory at home or on the road in this season’s competition.
Player/match stats:
John Mametsa has played 134 games for the Vodacom Blue Bulls since 2002 and has scored 41 Absa Currie Cup tries in his career for the Loftus Versfeld side. He added 14 tries for the Vodacom Blue Bulls during the 2007 season.
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.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls flanker Dewald Potgieter who captained the SA Schools in 2005 has six Test caps for the Springboks.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls hooker Bandise Maku made his Test debut for the Springboks against Italy earlier this year. He was also a member of the Emerging Springboks side in 2009.
Vodacom Blue Bulls loose forward CJ Stander captained the SA U20s during this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina and was a member of the Baby Boks’ squad of 2009 in Japan. He also captained the SA Schools team in 2008.
Vodacom Blue Bulls reserve flyhalf Francois Brummer and winger Gerhard van den Heever both competed at the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan for the SA Under-20s.
The Platinum Leopards’ Philip Lemmer achieved his SA Colours in amateur wrestling.
Teamsheets:
Blue Bulls: 15 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Hayden Groepes, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Derick Kuün (captain), 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Bees Roux, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Jaco Engels.
All Blacks: 15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Josevata Rokocok0, 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
Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Samuel Whitelock, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Alby Mathewson, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Benson Stanley
Wallabies: 15. Kurtley Beale, 14. James O’Connor, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Anthony Faingaa, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Matt Giteau, 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 Faingaa, 1. Benn Robinson
Reserves: 16. Stephen Moore, 17. James Slipper, 18. Rob Simmons, 19. Matt Hodgson, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Berrick Barnes, 22. Cameron Shepherd
Date: Saturday 7 August 2010
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19h35 [GMT +12]
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (SA), Keith Brown (NZ)
TMO: Cobus Wessels (SA)
Match facts and stats:
All Blacks:
Three changes have been made 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.
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, 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 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
Wallabies:
Australia won on its maiden appearance at the then Lancaster Park in 1913, inflicting a 16-5 defeat on New Zealand in what was the first ever Test match at the venue.
Saturday night represents the 16th game between the two teams in Christchurch, with New Zealand having won nine times, while Australia has claimed six wins, most recently 27-23, 12 years ago.
Australia’s 27-23 win over New Zealand in 1998 is the last instance of the All Blacks being beaten in a Christchurch Test. New Zealand has won 10 straight in the city since that match, with Australia twice falling during the unbeaten run.
Australia won five of the first six trans-Tasman Tests played in Christchurch (in 1913, 1921, 1928, 1952 and 1958), but has prevailed just once in the time since.
Current Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was the coaching coordinator of the All Blacks when New Zealand beat Australia 12-6 at Christchurch in 2002.
Saturday night will see Nathan Sharpe play his 85th Test match, setting a new record for the most games by an Australian second-rower, edging ahead of the 84 games as a lock played by ex-skipper John Eales.
This is the 162nd match of a trans-Tasman rivalry between teams representing Australia and New Zealand that dates back to 1903 when New Zealand won the inaugural meeting 22-3 in Sydney. These figures include 39 matches played between 1920 and 1928 when NSW represented Australia in matches that were granted official Test status by the Australian Rugby Union.
Of the 161 games played between the two nations, New Zealand has won 111 and Australia 45, with five draws – the most recent of which occurred 20 years ago, 19-19 at Brisbane in 1988.
The Bledisloe Cup was donated by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, for competition between the two countries in 1931.
Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1934, beating New Zealand 25-11 in Sydney.
The last example of an Australian win on New Zealand soil was in 2001, when the Wallabies scored 23-15 in Dunedin. The All Blacks have won the 10 games that have been played between the two teams in New Zealand since that match.
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.
The latest industrial action within South Africa has robbed the residents of Soweto from experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a Springbok coaching clinic in their own area. The following from SARU:
