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Cobus Wessels (South Africa) has been replaced by Keith Brown (New Zealand) as Assistant Referee for the top of the table clash in Christchurch.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

WP must be kicking themselves after losing yet another young star

The following from the Blue Bulls camp: Former Boland and Western Province age groups player, Hayden Groepes and returning Springbok hooker, Chiliboy Ralepelle, will earn first starts in this year’s Absa Currie Cup competition when the Vodacom Blue Bulls face the Leopards at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

Groepes, who joined the Blue Bulls on a short term contract earlier this year, will start on the left wing in place of John Mametsa, while Ralepelle will have a rare start, replacing Blue Bulls captain, Gary Botha, in the number two jersey.

Ralepelle played off the bench last week against the Lions and will relish the opportunity to stretch his legs.

Bees Roux, who started his provincial career at the Leopards, will also start for the first time in Currie Cup since moving from Griquas last year in place of Werner Kruger, while the return to fitness of Jaco Pretorius, will see the former Springbok midfielder start in his first game since the Vodacom Super 14 final in May, with Stephan Dippenaar moving down to the bench.

Derick Kuün will captain the side, who also have newcomers Frik Kirsten and Dustin Jinka on the bench.

Kirsten played in seven matches in 2009 before succumbing to a neck injury and has just returned to fitness, whilst Jinka also trekked north in recent times after picking up a contract at the Bulls.

Kruger, Botha and Mametsa drops out altogether.

“This was a good time for us to use our squad system and to give some of the regulars a rest. But for those one or two rested, this is the strongest squad I could pick. We are expecting a huge, physical battle from the Leopards and will have to be up for this game. The new guys in the team will make sure we front up as they can’t wait to have a run,” Ludeke said.

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 (c), 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Bees Roux, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Jaco Engels.

Replacements: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Frik Kirsten, 18. Mthunzi Mabeta, 19. CJ Stander, 20. Dustin Jinka, 21. Francois Brummer, 22. Stephan Dippenaar.

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.

Vodacom Free State Cheetahs VS The Sharks

Saturday, 31 July 2010

Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

Kick off: 15h00

Head to Head: Vodacom Free State Cheetahs v The Sharks (since 2005)

Vodacom Free State Cheetahs’ recent form at home:

• The hosts secured one home victory (33-26) against the GWK Griquas, but have also conceded one home defeat (25-11) against Vodacom Western Province in this season’s competition.

• The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs suffered two home defeats during last year’s competition against the GWK Griquas and The Sharks.

The Sharks’ recent form on the road:

• The Durban side conceded one away defeat (40-34) against the GWK Griquas in Week 1 of the 2010 Absa Currie Cup.

• The Sharks only suffered one defeat on the road during the 2009 Absa Currie Cup against Vodacom Western Province. They were also the only team to defeat the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld during last year’s competition.

Player/match stats:

• Vodacom Free State Cheetahs flyhalf Louis Strydom has played 102 Absa Currie Cup games and has scored 737 career points in the competition.

• The Sharks’ flanker Jacques Botes will play in his 99^th Absa Currie Cup on Saturday. He has scored 28 tries in his career in this competition.

• Springbok winger Jongi Nokwe has scored 20 Absa Currie Cup tries for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs.

• Utility back Patrick Lambie represented the SA Under-20s during this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.

• Vodacom Free State Cheetahs flanker Hendro Scholtz will earn his 90 Absa Currie Cup cap this weekend.

• The Sharks prop Beast Mtawarira has played in 22 Tests for the Springboks.

• Vodacom Free State Cheetahs captain Juan Smith and prop CJ van der Linde have both represented the Springboks in 62 Tests respectively.

• The Sharks flanker Keegan Daniel scored a hat-trick of tries during his side’s 27-17 victory over the Pumas in Week 3 of the 2010 Absa Currie cup.

• Sias Ebersohn who kicked the winning conversion during his side’s victory over the Vodacom Blue Bulls represented the SA Under-20s during the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan. He is also the twin brother of centre Robert Ebersohn.

• Robert Ebersohn captained the SA Under-20s during the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan.

• Vodacom Free State Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen played for the SA Schools in 2007 and competed for the SA Under-20s in 2009.

• Sharks lock Alistair Hargreaves made his international Test debut for the Springboks earlier this year.

• SARRA referee Mark Lawrence will handle this game between the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs and The Sharks.

Match Officials:
Referee: Mark Lawrence (SARRA)
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse (Blue Bulls), F Yamile (EP)
TMO: JC Fortuin (WP)

Read More >>

No. 1 baby...

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers met senior members of the South African Rugby Union in Cape Town on Friday, at the request of the chairman of the SARU technical committee, Mr James Stoffberg.

The meeting was designed to assist leadership in understanding where they could assist the Springbok coach and management in achieving improved results on the home leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations campaign. The meeting also discussed forward planning for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

“We had a very productive meeting and there are areas where Peter will present us with his plans for the future and we will offer our support in realising them,” said Mr Stoffberg, who is also vice president of the Union.

“He has our full support and we are confident that we can quickly be put back on track.”

The meeting was also attended by SARU president Mr Oregan Hoskins, Mr Mark Alexander (deputy president), SARU CEO Johan Prinsloo and Andy Marinos, manager of national teams.

A formal performance review of the Springbok coach will take place at a later date.

While the rest of the Wallaby players were celebrating their 30-13 victory over a lackluster Springbok outfit in Brisbane on Saturday, Aussie lock Nathan Sharpe was being rushed to a local dentist in order to have his knocked out recovered tooth reinserted.

Toothless Wallaby Nathan Sharpe

The Aussie forward was lucky enough to recover the booted tooth after Suncorp Stadium ground staff combed the field shortly after the final whistle in search of the missing ivory.  Nathan’s pearly white was knocked out while chasing down Springbok pace man Jacque Fourie, whose stray boot caught the Aussie’s jaw knocking the tooth out.

All was fine after the incident and The Force player continued to play the rest of the match, toothless of coarse.

Robbie Dean’s will be thinking twice now before rallying his team to get their teeth stuck in.

The Springboks were once again comprehensively outplayed during their third 2010 Tri Nations encounter, against the Wallabies, in Brisbane over the weekend.

It seems there have been some reports flying around that their is a huge rift behind the scenes of Springbok rugby. Saru have come out with the following statements, following reports of this rift:

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) today moved to dispel rumours of a rift in the Springbok Team Management, that has been reported on in various publications over the last two days.

Andy Marinos, SARU’s National Teams Manager who accompanied the Springboks on the away leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations, said on Monday any such rumours are unfound and unwarranted.

“I’ve been with the Springboks for almost three weeks now and can categorically state there is no rift in the Management Team,” said Marinos. 

“In my various discussions with Bok coach Peter de Villiers, his assistant coaches Dick Muir and Gary Gold, as well as senior team members John Smit and Victor Matfield, it’s never once come up that there are problems in the camp.

“For three weeks in a row we have not played well and made it harder for ourselves by playing with only 14 players on the field at crucial time during the games, away from home.”

Apart from 11 Springbok players that have been released for Absa Currie Cup duty, the rest of the Vodacom Tri-Nations squad have been given time off and will reconvene next month for the three home Tests – against the All Blacks in Soweto (21 August) and against the Wallabies in Pretoria (28 August 2010) and Bloemfontein (4 September 2010).

The players that have been released to their provinces are:

Blue Bulls:

• Dewald Potgieter
• Chiliboy Ralepelle
• Flip van der Merwe
• Francois Hougaard

Sharks:

•  Ruan Pienaar
• Beast Mtawarira
• Ryan Kankowski

Western Province:

•  Gio Aplon
• Juan de Jongh
• Francois Louw

Free State Cheetahs:

• CJ van der Linde

They can release denial statements until they are blue in the face, but it’s clear as daylight that something is seriously wrong with the state of the national setup at the moment. What’s your take on the matter?

Vodacom Blue Bulls VS Vodacom Free State Cheetahs

Saturday 24 July 2010

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick off: 17h05

Head to Head: Vodacom Blue Bulls v Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (since 2005)

Vodacom Blue Bulls’ recent form at home:

• The defending champions have lost only two Absa Currie Cup games in the last two seasons at Loftus Versfeld.
• The Vodacom Blue Bulls suffered a 29-23 defeat to The Sharks in Pretoria last year and conceded a 30-27 home defeat to the Lions in 2008.

Vodacom Free State Cheetahs’ recent form on the road:

• The visitors won four games on the road during last year’s Absa Currie Cup, including their semi-final win over The Sharks in Durban.
• The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs have defeated the Vodacom Blue Bulls on two occasions at Loftus Versfeld.

Player/match:

• The Vodacom Free State Cheetahs flyhalf Louis Strydom has scored 722 points in his 101 Absa Currie Cup games to date.
• Winger Jongi Nokwe has added five tries in four Tests for the Springboks.
• John Mametsa has played 132 games for the Vodacom Blue Bulls since 2002 and has scored 41 Absa Currie Cup tries in his career for the team from Loftus Versfeld. He added 14 tries for the Vodacom Blue Bulls during the 2007 season.
• Juan Smith (flank) has represented the Boks in 62 Test matches in his rugby career.
• 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.
• Skipper Badenhorst has played in 103 Absa Currie Cup games – for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, The Sharks, Valke and the Pumas.
• Vodacom Blue Bulls utility back Jaco van der Westhuizen has played in 32 Tests for the Springboks.

Match Officials:

• Referee: Pro Legoete (SARRA)
• Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman (WP), Christi du Preez (EP)
• TMO: Shaun Veldsman (Boland)

Read More >>

24 July 2010 20h00 [GMT +10]

Suncorp Stadium – Brisbane

Wallaby team: 15. Adam Ashley Cooper, 14. James O’Connor, 13. Rob Horne, 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Quade Cooper, 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 Fainga, 1. Benn Robinson

Reserves: 16. Stephen Moore, 17. James Slipper, 18. Rob Simmons, 19. Matt Hodgson, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Berrick Barnes, 22. Kurtley Beale

Springbok team: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Ryan Kankowski, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. BJ Botha, 2. John Smit (capt), 1. Gurthro Steenkamp

Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Dewald Potgieter, 20. Francois Hougaard, 21. Butch James, 22. Juan de Jongh

• Date: Saturday 24 July 2010
• Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
• Kick-off: 20h00 [GMT +10] [12h00 SA time]
• Referee: George Clancy (Ireland). In place for the injury sidelined Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
• Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
• TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Now have a beer…

Zane “Sideshow Bob” Kirchner just isn’t the answer at #15! Frans Steyn is sorely missed at the moment. Any fullback that does this in defence, simply isn’t good enough to wear the Green and Gold jumper:

Zane Kirchner – No Frans Steyn! [Blogspotrugby]