With all the buzz flying around over the launch of the new iPhone 4, the All Blacks thought it was about time to get up to speed with technology. The following from the NZRU:

As more and more people in New Zealand and around the world turn to their mobile phones for news ‘on the go’ the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) announced today the launch of the official All Blacks application for iPhone and iPod Touch users.

The application is free to download from today and means users can get all the news from the All Blacks camp delivered straight to their pocket.

Application features include breaking news updated 24 hours a day, team line ups as soon as they are announced, current fixture lists and results, and comprehensive player profiles.

NZRU Commercial Manager, Paul Dalton said, by downloading the official All Blacks iPhone and iPod Touch application fans in New Zealand and around the world will have instant access to great content and information on their favourite team.

“We recognise that the All Blacks are a global brand, with fans in every continent. The team can only be in one place at a time but by taking advantage of the technology available through a global phenomenon like the iPhone, we are able to give fans the access that they might not otherwise have,” Mr Dalton said.

The NZRU teamed up with iPhone application specialists Paper Kite Ltd, to create the official All Blacks application.

Paper Kite director Nic Gibbens said it was a fantastic opportunity to work alongside the NZRU and use their combined knowledge to deliver the ultimate freedom for fans to access All Blacks news as and when they wanted it.

“The iPhone naturally lends itself to the task of bringing easily accessible All Blacks news and information to a worldwide audience 24 hours a day,” Mr Gibbens said.

The application has been released in time for the Steinlager Series kicking off in New Plymouth against Ireland this Saturday night but there are already plans to extend the content and make the application even more indispensible.

To download the official All Blacks application for iPhone and iPod Touch:

Simply go to iTunes. You can then either type in All Blacks into the search on the iTunes homepage or go straight to the App Store and find the application in the Sports section.

The Springboks held their first training session ahead of the France test, at a waterlogged UCT pitch on Tuesday, including a scrum session with legendary Springbok prop, Os du Randt, who has recently been appointed the Sringboks’ scrum coach.

Those of you who couldn’t be there shouldn’t miss out. Here are a few pics of how that unfolded: [Sport24]

Photo by Luke Walker / Gallo Images

The Springboks do some warm up drills

Photo by Luke Walker / Gallo Images

Dick Muir instructs the back line players to ignore what he did with the Lions

Photo by Luke Walker / Gallo Images

Great to see Jean and Jaque reunited. But where will PDV play them?

Photo by Luke Walker / Gallo Images

Will Morne handle the pressure?

Photo by Luke Walker / Gallo Images

Kirchner looking confused. Realistically third in line…

Photo by Luke Walker / Gallo Images

John Smit to make the shift? Worrying times at hooker with Chilliboy

PDV and his assistants have named their Springbok team to face France in a one of match at Newlands this Saturday, 12 June. A number if returning/first choice Springboks have been drafted into the squad after being rested this past weekend, when the Springboks beat Wales 34 – 31 at millenium Stadium, in Cardif

The team announcement sees the return of experienced Springboks: Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morné Steyn, Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger and Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Jean de Villiers, who missed the Welsh Test because of injury, has been included on the bench, alongside Flip van der Merwe, who will be making his Bok debut should he take to the field.

The inclusion of Flip van der Merwe is due reward for outstanding work during the 2010 Super 14 campaign, but again raises the issue of why Alistair Hargreaves was handed a test cap last week, and excluded this week? It just doesn’t add up.

Springboks vs France: Newlands, Cape Town, Saturday 12 June, 2010

Springbok teamsheet:

15 Zane Kirchner (5 caps)

14 Gio Aplon (1 cap)

13 Jaque Fourie (55 caps)

12 Wynand Olivier (27 caps)

11 Bryan Habana (57 caps)

10 Morné Steyn (12 caps)

9 Ricky Januarie (41 caps)

8 Pierre Spies (28 caps)

7 Francois Louw (1 cap)

6 Schalk Burger (55 caps)

5 Victor Matfield (93 caps)

4 Danie Rossouw (47 caps)

3 BJ Botha (20 caps)

2 John Smit (Capt)  (94 caps)

1 Gurthrö Steenkamp ( 22 caps )

Replacements:

16 Chiliboy Ralepelle (9 caps);  17 Jannie du Plessis (13 caps); 18 Flip van der Merwe (uncapped); 19 Dewald Potgieter (2 caps); 20 Ruan Pienaar (37 caps); 21 Juan de Jongh (1 cap); 22 Jean de Villiers (55 caps)

France teamsheet:

15 Clement Poitrenaud

14 Vincent Clerc

13 David Marty

12 Maxime Mermoz

11 Aurelien Rougerie

10 Francois Trinh-Duc

9 Morgan Parra

8 Julien Bonnaire

7 Wenceslas Lauret

6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain)

5 Romain Millo- Chluski

4 Lionel Nallet

3 Nicolas Mas

2 Dimitri Szarzewski

1 Thomas Domingo.

Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado; 17 Jean Baptiste Poux; 18 Julien Pierre; 19 Louis Picamoles; 20 Dimitri Yachvili; 21 David Skrela; 22 Marc Andreu; 23 Luc Ducalcon

The All Blacks may have had an additional week off before beginning their June internationals tests, but after a largely disappointing Super 14 campaign, and suffering quite a number of injury setbacks, they have been hard at training during their time off. This from the All Blacks camp:

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named their team to play Ireland in the first Steinlager Series Test at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, on Saturday 12 June, with three players to make their Test debuts and three other new All Blacks on the bench.

Reaping the rewards of an outstanding season

Starting XV:

1.            Ben Franks *

2.            Keven Mealamu (71)

3.            Owen Franks (9)

4.            Brad Thorn (37)

5.            Anthony Boric (13)

6.            Jerome Kaino (25)

7.            Richie McCaw captain (80)

8.            Kieran Read (16)

9.            Jimmy Cowan (33)

10.         Daniel Carter (66)

11.         Josevata Rokocoko (60)

12.         Benson Stanley *

13.         Conrad Smith (33)

14.         Cory Jane (12)

15.         Israel Dagg *

Reserves: 16. Aled de Malmanche (2); 17. Neemia Tialata (41); 18. Sam Whitelock *; 19. Victor Vito *; 20. Piri Weepu (35); 21. Aaron Cruden *; 22. Zac Guildford (2)

* Denotes new Test cap. Number of Test caps in brackets

26 year old Tasman loosehead prop, Ben Franks makes his Test debut alongside 22 year old brother, Owen in the front row, after getting his first start for the All Blacks against Munster in 2008. Hawke’s Bay fullback Israel Dagg, who turned 22 on Sunday, gets the ultimate birthday present, named at fullback (All Black number 1101), while 25 year old Auckland midfielder Benson Stanley (All Black number 1102) has been named at second five–eighth (#12).

The three new All Blacks on the reserves bench are 21 year old Manawatu first five-eighth, Aaron Cruden, his Hurricanes team–mate, 23 year old Wellington loose forward Victor Vito and 21 year old Canterbury lock Sam Whitelock.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said:  “It’s an exciting team that will play the Irish – we have picked experienced All Blacks together with those players who have been in form throughout the Rebel Sport Super 14 and deserve their opportunity at Test level.  They know the Irish will be a huge challenge but they are looking forward to it.”

Richie McCaw will again captain the All Blacks in his 81^st Test and will become the third equal most capped All Black alongside former All Blacks team-mate Justin Marshall and one Test behind current team-mate Mils Muliaina (82).

McCaw said the squad had gelled together well since coming together in Auckland last week and the players had also been buoyed by the support from Taranaki fans since arriving in New Plymouth on Sunday.

“It’s been awesome.  From the welcome at the airport through to the thousands of fans who turned up at Yarrow Stadium yesterday (for the All Blacks Open Day), the fans have been fantastic and we are looking forward to their vocal support this weekend.”

Ireland and the All Blacks have played 22 Tests since 1905, with 21 victories to the All Blacks and one match drawn, in 1973.  The All Blacks last played Ireland on the 2008 end of year tour beating them 22–3, with the last match played in New Zealand earlier that year in Wellington, with the All Blacks winning 21–11.

All Black Speed Testing:

Now I’m not sure how close the “Yo-Yo” test is to the “Bleep” test, as they can miss the cut twice before being out, but that seems pretty impressive by Conrad “snake” Smith! Well done, have a beer mate.

Booted out for a much needed break

The Following from Saru: The Springbok selectors have assembled a squad of 27 players for the one-off Test against France at the weekend.

The squad includes 17 players from the match 22 that did duty in the 34-31 victory over Wales in Cardiff last weekend. The excluded players are fullback Frans Steyn, wing Odwa Ndungane, centre Meyer Bosman, No 8 Joe van Niekerk and prop CJ van der Linde.

Butch James, who was withdrawn from the starting XV against Wales for contractual reasons, is retained in the squad as is overseas-based prop BJ Botha.

Nine players have been added to the group – Bakkies Botha, Wynand Olivier, Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Morné Steyn and Flip van der Merwe of the Vodacom Bulls, Schalk Burger and Bryan Habana of the Vodacom Stormers and Munster’s Jean de Villiers, who was originally selected for the Welsh Test but withdrew with an injured shoulder.

Bulls lock Van der Merwe is the only uncapped player in the squad.

The squad excludes scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, who is to have shoulder surgery on Tuesday.

“Fourie is very important to us but so is his welfare and the time is right for him to sort this injury out,” said coach Peter de Villiers. “We will miss him but it is important that he is available and fit at the world cup next year. We have adequate cover in the scrumhalf position too.”

On the opposition, de Villiers said: “France are the Six Nations champions and they beat us last year so this is a big match. We know they can be dangerous and this will be a tough, tough Test.”

The match 22 to face France at Newlands on Saturday will be named on Tuesday.

Springbok Squad: Bjorn Basson, BJ Botha, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Jannie du Plessis, Jaque Fourie, Gio Aplon, Bryan Habana, Alistair Hargreaves, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Ryan Kankowski, Zane Kirchner, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Dewald Potgieter, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (captain), Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Morné Steyn, Flip van der Merwe.

This past weekend saw the first June internationals of 2010 being played out. As usual, there were a number of great pics to choose from, but in the end i had to narrow it down. Just coming off an ankle injury myself, I went with this real of Adam Ashley Cooper en-route to an ankle injury… Ouch! [Zimbio]

Carnage, absolute carnage

In the words of Gordon Ramsay: Ankle injury, "Done"

A largely experimental Springbok team took on a strong Welsh outfit over the weekend, and came off with a narrow 34 – 31 win, in a bruising game, ten years after the Springboks one and only Welsh defeat.

The Boks were off to a slow start, against a clearly determined Welsh team, who were hungry for, what they thought, would be their best opportunity at a Springbok scalp.

The Welsh had a strong pack and fronted up to the Springboks, who had a tough time getting used to the exceedingly long pause at scrum time. But once they adapted to the referees calls, the Springboks put their scrum hassles aside, and showed the Welsh that they wouldn’t be brushed aside.

Wales started the game well, keeping the Springboks at bay for most of the opening exchanges, kicking a number of penalties, and scoring an intercept try through James Hook, after John Smit was caught in two minds, in mid-field, a place he should never have been in.

The Springboks rallied and came alive after that, realising that they had to start playing with the ball if they were to come off with the win, and avoid recording an embarrassing loss to Wales.

The game had some great contests from both teams. The overall defense was pretty good all round, but it was the Springboks who asked the most questions and came off with a win. Not the best win ever, but a win non the less.

My two cents worth:

• Pause: Pronunciation: \ˈpȯz\ Function: noun; Etymology: Middle English, from Latin pausa, from Greek pausis, from pauein to stop; Date: 15th century : a temporary stop. Somebody should send that to referee, Alan Lewis.
• I felt that it was one of the poorest refereeing displays I have ever seen. The Springbok coaching staff would not have been out of place rehashing the Stormers’ post match complaints from the week before.
• Tom Prydie’s try came from a clear forward pass, right in front of the assistant referee, who chose to ignore it, and advise that the try be awarded.
• When will PDv and his assistants learn that clearing the bench after 60 odd minutes is asking for trouble? Especially in a game with so many inexperienced players and hardly any experienced combinations.
• I am totally against the fact that Alistair Hargreaves took the field, and thus becomes a capped Springbok. There was absolutely no reason for that, and handing out Springbok caps so easily, cheapens it for every player who came before.
• Although Bjorn Basson did well when he took th field, it was also an unnecessary cap. Zane Kirchner is already capped, and could have come on. I’m not convinced that half a season of playing well in Super Rugby, in an underperforming side, warrants Springbok selection.
• That being said, a win is a win, and if we can pull that off with such inexperienced combinations, against such an experienced Welsh outfit, it bades well for Springbok depth.

Wales VS Springboks 2010 Highlights: [tonytai2017]

Scorecard:

South Africa: 34

• Tries: Ndungane, Potgieter, De Jongh
• Conversions: Pienaar 2
• Penalties: Pienaar 4, Steyn

For Wales: 31

• Tries: Hook, Prydie, AW Jones
• Conversions: S Jones 2
• Penalties: S Jones 3
• Drop goals: Hook 1

The following from Saru: The SA Under-20s kicked off their 2010 IRB Junior World Championship campaign to the perfect start following their 40-14 victory over Tonga at the Club Atletico Estudiantes in Parana.

The Baby Boks scored four tries and earned maximum points from their opening Pool C clash against the Pacific Islanders. Fullback Patrick Lambie, captain CJ Stander, centre Francois Venter and winger Sampie Mastriet were the try-scorers for the hosts. Lambie who converted all four tries also added three penalty kicks.

The Baby Boks conceded one try late in the second half when George Moala crashed over the try line to score Tonga’s only five-pointer in the match. Winger Micheal Toloke kicked three penalties. Read More >>

There may only be three international games being played, but it is sure to be an action packed weekend non the less. Wherever you are watching, I hope the weather is half decent, the braais (bbqs) are ready, and the fridges stocked…. Let’s take a look at the fixtures for 4  -5 June 2010.

Ireland XV VS Barbarians

04 June 2010 19h45 [GMT+1]

Ireland XV: 15 Robert Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Gavin Duffy, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O’Gara (captain), 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Chris Henry, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 John Muldoon, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Ed O’Donoghue, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Marcus Horan

Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Tom Court, 18 Mick O’Driscoll, 19 David Wallace, 20 Tomas O’Leary, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Paddy Wallace.

Barbarians: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Cedric Heymans, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Seru Rabini, 11 David Smith, 10 Brock James, 9 Pierre Mignoni, 8 Xavier Rush (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Malcolm O’Kelly, 4 Jerome Thion, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 David Barnes.

Replacements: 16 Benoit August, 17 Julian White, 18 Rodney So’oialo, 19 Martyn Williams, 20 Byron Kelleher, 21 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 22 Paul Sackey/Fabrice Estebanez.

• Date: Friday, 04 June 2010
• Venue: Thomond Park
• Kick-off: 19h45 [GMT+1]
• Referee: Romain Poite

Wallabies VS Fiji

05 June 2010 09h40 [GMT]

Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Huia Edmonds, 1 Ben Alexander.

Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Pekahou Cowan, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Drew Mitchell, 22 James O’Connor.

Fiji: 15 Dan Rawaqa, 14 Jim Nagusa, 13 Saula Radidi, 12 Rupeni Caucaunibuca, 11 Sireli Bobo, 10 Waisea Luveniyali, 9 Emosi Vucago, 8 Jone Qovu, 7 Jim Nakaidawa, 6 Anthony Wise, 5 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 4 Seko Kalou, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Talemaitoga Tuapati, 1 Campese Ma’afu.

Replacements: 16 Vili Veikoso, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Rupeni Nasiga, 19 Samu Bola, 20 Vitori Buatava, 21 Ropate Ratu, 22 Nemani Nadolo.

• Date: Saturday, 05 June 2010
• Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
• Kick-off: 19h40 (09h40 GMT)
• Expected weather: Cloudy. High of 15°C, low of 4°C
• Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
• Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
• TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Wales VS Springboks:

05 June 2010 15h30 [GMT+2]

Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 James Hook, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom Prydie, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Deiniol Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 John Yapp, 18 Alun Wyn Jones, 19 Rob McCusker, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Dan Biggar, 22 Andrew Bishop.

South Africa: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Odwa Ndungane, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 François Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 CJ van der Linde.

Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Meyer Bosman, 21 Zane Kirchner, 22 Bjorn Basson.

• Date: Saturday, 05 June 2010
• Kick-off: 14h30 (13h30 GMT; 15h30 SA time)
• Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
• Expected weather: Sunny intervals. High of 21°C, low of 11°C
• Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
• Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England), Robin Goodliffe (England)
• TMO: Jim Yuille (Scotland)

Chomping at the bit

Yesterday we featured the different possibilities for the final Springbok team to face Wales in a one-off test at Millenium Stadium this weekend. The main focus has been whether or not Springbok, Butch James would be allowed to play or not.

It’s been messy to say the least. James has been reported to be in and out (of the squad) more times than a Greenpoint whore. In the end, the bullshit hypocrisy seems to have won, and James has been replaced by Super 14 star, Juan de Jongh.

The following from the Springbok camp:

Uncapped Juan de Jongh has been named in the Springbok team to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, replacing Butch James who has been withdrawn because of contractual issues.

The 21-year-old was named in the No 12 jersey when Springbok coach Peter de Villiers confirmed the team at a press conference in Cardiff on Thursday.

“This is almost unbelievable, but it’s an exciting moment for me too,” said De Jongh.

“I feel for Butch, but I must now focus on what the team needs from me on Saturday. It’s good to be playing with experienced players like Ruan and Jaque and my experience playing with Jaque in Vodacom Super 14 will also be a great help.”

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he was disappointed at the late change but that it provided a great opportunity for the young centre to prove himself.

“This is a great opportunity for Juan, who has had a fantastic Vodacom Super 14 season. He is a talented player who has held his own in a very tough environment and I have faith in his abilities to make the step up.”

De Jongh is one of three uncapped players from the Vodacom Super 14 finalist Stormers in an otherwise experienced line-up. The other newcomers are wing Gio Aplon and flanker Francois Louw.

Victor Matfield replaces Andries Bekker in the one other change to the starting line-up named on May 22. Zane Kirchner comes on to the bench in place of De Jongh.

James was withdrawn as the Test falls outside the IRB’s designated June “Global Release” window – during which time clubs must release players to their national teams.

SARU hoped to secure the player’s release on Wednesday by virtue of clauses in his contract that allow player release for teams such as the British & Irish Lions and Barbarians. SARU hoped that as no player welfare issue was at stake, James could be similarly released. However Premier Rugby rules prevent the release of players to national unions, except for the final three Saturdays in June.

“SARU, Bath and Butch were all keen to see Butch play but the rule has been strictly enforced,” said Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union (SARU).

“What’s particularly frustrating is that Schalk Brits has just played 33 matches for Saracens and can be released to play for the Barbarians against Ireland this weekend, whereas Butch has played barely a dozen matches this season and he can’t play against Wales.”

Springboks vs Wales – Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday 5 June, 2010

15. Francois Steyn (Racing Metro) – 36 caps 14. Gio Aplon (Vodacom Stormers) – uncapped 13. Jaque Fourie (Vodacom Stormers) – 54 caps 12. Juan de Jongh (Vodacom Stormers) – uncapped 11. Odwa Ndungane (Sharks) – 6 caps 10. Ruan Pienaar (Sharks) – 36 caps 9. Ricky Januarie (Vodacom Stormers) – 40 caps 8. Joe van Niekerk (Toulon) – 51 caps 7. Dewald Potgieter (Vodacom Bulls) – 1 cap 6. Francois Louw (Vodacom Stormers) – uncapped 5. Victor Matfield (Vodacom Bulls) – 92 caps 4. Danie Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls) – 46 caps 3. BJ Botha (Ulster) – 19 caps 2. John Smit (Sharks, Capt) – 93 caps 1. CJ van der Linde (Leinster) – 58 caps

Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Bulls) – 8 caps 17. Jannie du Plessis (Sharks) – 12 caps 18. Alistair Hargreaves (Sharks) – uncapped 19. Ryan Kankowski (Sharks) – 11 caps 20. Meyer Bosman (Vodacom Cheetahs) – 3 caps 21. Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps 22. Bjorn Basson (Vodacom Cheetahs) – uncapped

• What do you think of all this?