Both Italy and Scotland will have a point to prove in this bronze final. The Scots have publicly stated that they were hard done by when they rightly received a game changing yellow card (on the back of the most cynical performance in recent rugby union history we might add) whilst Italy will be in disbelief …
Without doubt the biggest rugby union fixture of 2013 thus far. All others tests, tournaments and series to this point are likely to be completely outshone as the Wallabies take on the British and Irish Lions in a thrilling and bone-crunching affair in Brisbane on Saturday. Venu: Canberra Stadium, Canberra. Kick-off: Sat 22 June 20:00 (Local) …
With the series already wrapped up this 3rd and final test may prove to be the most difficult for the All Blacks mentally. The French conversely have everything to gain and nothing to lose however they will have to lift their last performance a few notches just to give the Kiwis a game. Venu: Yarrow …
Opinion will certainly be divided as to the success or failure of the Castle Lager incoming series and with discounted tickets for the finals that’s certainly a bad sign. Either way this double header comprising of a grand final and bronze final is certain to be the best rugby spectacle of all thus far and …
We’re all accustomed to the IRB world rankings where rankings points are carried over from one year to the next. This accepted ranking system does have two draw backs however. Firstly if a side is going through a brilliant patch of results, previous results dilute this thus indicating only a small increase in ranking, failing …
Here’s the likely match day 23 to take on the Lions in the first test at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane barring unexpected injuries in training before hand. Wallabies: 15. Berrick Barnes, 14. Israel Folau, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. James O’Connor, 9. Will Genia, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Michael Hooper, …
After a brilliant first test and a one sided affair in the second, hopefully this will get the excitement going for the 3rd and final test of their series where Les Bleus are likely to rally back against an “experimental” All Blacks side. Thanks to supatankfan for the use of this material.
We are firm believers that rugby world cups are not the beginning and end of international rugby. Yes that trophy is the highest accolade possible but what about the 50 or so tests in between each RWC tournament. Here’s our view on how top ranked sides will fare in the lead up to the next …
In the last round robin match of the Castle Lager incoming series we witnessed Scotland take on the Springboks as the second instalment of a much anticipated double header where Samoa and Italy got proceedings under way. We firmly believe and will not accept or even consider any other explanation on the matter, based …
In the second of the Mbombela double bill, the Springboks took on Scotland. A shocking display off refereeing prevented any stage of the match from being fairly contested. Venu: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Referee: Romain Poite – 1.5/10 (failed to stop cynical play from the Scots in holding back yellow cards which thus went on for the …
In a hot Mbomobela Stadium the Samoans took on the Italians in a must win situation for the Azzurri if they were to have any chance of making the final. A terrible performance from the Azzurri failing to convert several opportunities saw them put to the sword however. Venu: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) …
One of the gems of a super Saturday of rugby featured the All Blacks against Les Bleus. Their first test ended with a 10 point victory to the Kiwis. This second test was characterised by excellent defence, counter attacking and finishing from the hosts, shocking tactics (swinging wide instead of driving), finishing and line outs …
In a hard fought battle our minor fancy of Japan +11 (with an 11 point head start) came in… comfortably! Attempting to avoid a repeat of the first test which ran too close for the tourists’ liking the Welsh did not let up for the first 10 minutes of their encounter with the Japanese …
Ending of a weekend which boasts some grand international fixtures the Canadians host the touring Irish who recently beat the U.S.A by the finest of margins. Venu: BMO Field, Toronto. Kick-off: Sat 15 June 20:00 (Local) Sun 16 June Aus 10:00 (Syd) Sun 16 June NZ 12:00 (Auck). Sun 16 June RSA 02:00 Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales) Weather: Warm …
Having horribly under-estimated the English in their first test pressure is now on the Pumas to up the anti should they hope to take anything out of this series. Venu: Buenos Aires, Argentina. Kick-off: Sat 15 June 16:10 (Local) Sun 16 June Aus 05:10 (Syd) Sun 16 June NZ 07:10 (Auck). Sat 15 June RSA 21:10 …
In the second leg of the Castle lager incoming tour (not the best name from the global super-brand) a win would see Samoa into the final whilst victory for the Italians would put both sides on a win a piece where the finer details (points difference etc.) would then decide who has a shot at the trophy. …
Ticking all of the boxes in a 34 point victory over the Italians the Springboks will be confident that they can put a stumbling Scotland to the sword. Venu: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick-off: Sat 15 June 17:15 (Local) Sat 15 June Aus 01:15 (Syd) Sun 16 June NZ 03:15 (Auck). Referee: Romain Poite (France) Weather: Warm and partly cloudy. …
The first test was unexpectedly impressive billing for some world-class rugby as the All Blacks and Les Blues hit it out once again, this time at AMI Stadium. Venu: AMI Stadium, Christchurch. Kick-off: Sat 15 June 19:35 (Local) Sat 15 June Aus 17:35 (Syd) Sat 15 June RSA 09:35. Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Weather: Very cold and overcast with a small …
The foundation has been set for an ultra competitive second test as the first was decided by less than a score where Japan surrendered the lead after 55 minutes and failed to regain it. Venu: Tokyo, Japan. Kick-off: Sat 15 June 14:00 (Local) Sat 15 June Aus 13:00 (Syd) Sat 15 June NZ 15:00 (Auck) Sat 15 June …
Keeping tabs on all the international rugby action usually isn’t possible. For those of you that missed out or just would like a second take, here are some great highlights packages. Reds v Lions Suncorp friendly NSW/QLD country v Lions friendly All Blacks v France 1st test Springboks v Azzurri …
Have a browse over the Lions match day squads thus far to piece together what Warren Gatland is planning in the long term and to pick who’s likely to start against the Waratahs. V Barbarians 1 June 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Owen …
Giving the fans something to look forward to mid-week along with the NSW/QLD v Lions game the Blues host the French in a practise match in Auckland. Venu: North Harbour Stadium, Albany. Kick-off: Tues 10 June 19:05 (Local) Tues 10 June Aus 17:05 (Syd) Tues 10 June RSA 09:05. Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Weather: Cool and partly …
Game 4 of what has been a highly successful tour thus far! The Lions found the eye of the storm against an inspired Reds side on Saturday and were looking set to do real damage with their electric back-line before drizzle dampened the spectacle. For anyone that missed the match, please do yourselves a favour …
In a hard-fought battle between the Irish and the USA Eagles referee Francisco Pastrana yet again failed to efficiently take charge of proceedings. As things got under way it soon became clear that dominance of the break-down would be key to getting a positive result out of the fixture. Referee Pastrana faired very poorly …
Looking toward RWC 2015 a crucial two match series where Argentina “B”, resting players for the Rugby Championship, hosted England “B”, who had lost 10 players to the Lions’ tour with another 5 regular starters rested at home. We picked England to win and with a convincing performance they did, well. On a hard …
In the feature match of a much anticipated double bill the Springboks hosted the Azzurri in a sunny Durban. Other than the first 20 minutes of the second half, the Boks put in a sound performance winning comfortably in the end. Feeling the pressure Giovanbattista Venditti spilled the restart forward where Bjorn Basson gathered finding a …
For the first time in international rugby history back to back fixtures were hosted at the same venu, that being Growth Point Kings Park. Spoiling what could have been a brilliant rugby spectacle the Samoans and Scots allowed an error-riddled match to ensue which had more scrums, line outs and penalties than any fan in …
On the chopped up paddock of a pitch at Suncorp stadium the Reds got under way enterprisingly as they worked the ball out of their 22 with some great passing before a well executed grubber rolled into touch deep in the Lions’ half. Returning the clearance the Reds forwards hit the ball on an angle …
In an Eden Park with stands seemingly sheeted in black the much anticipated All Blacks v Les Bleus kicked off on a flood-lit terrific looking pitch. Intensity from the get go set the tone for the match as one off All Black runners found solid defence from the visitors before Kieran Read became isolated after …
Well well well! Didn’t Japan show up against this Welsh “B” side! In one line the Brave Blossoms dominated the first 55 minutes of play, there after the Welsh had a slight edge upping their performance. After an evenly contested first 5 minutes the hosts took the ascendency dominating the majority of the …
Welcoming Ireland to the United States for the first time since 2009 the Eagles will be keen to improve on their 17 point defeat on that tour. Venu: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston. Kick-off: Sat 8 June 19:30 (Local) Sun 9 June Aus 10:30 (Syd) Sun 9 June NZ 12:30 (Auck) Sun 9 June RSA 02:30. Referee: Francisco …
Getting a highly anticipated series under way Argentina host a young England side in Salta in their first of a two test series. Venu: Salta, Argentina. Kick-off: Sat 8 June 16:10 (Local) Sun 9 June Aus 05:10 (Syd) Sun 9 June NZ 07:10 (Auck). Sat 8 June RSA 21:10. Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) Weather: Warm and partly cloudy. …
In the opening match of the Castle Lager series Samoa and Scotland will hit it out in Durban before the Springboks take on the Azzurri later that day. Venu: Kings Park Stadium, Durban. Kick-off: Sat 8 June 17:00 (Local) Sun 9 June Aus 01:00 (Syd) Sun 9 June NZ 03:00 (Auck). Referee: John Lacey (Ireland) Weather: Warm/hot and …
Getting the June internationals under way Japan host Wales at a likely hot 2 pm kick-off time. Venu: Hanazono Stadium, Osaka. Kick-off: Sat 8 Jun 14:00 (Local) Sat 8 Jun Aus 15:00 (Syd) Sat 8 Jun NZ 17:00 (Auck) Sat 8 Jun RSA 07:00. Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) Weather: Hot and partly cloudy with a moderate breeze. …
Continuing their build up to the all important first test against Australia, the British and Irish Lions take on the Reds in Brisbane promising an entertaining contest after they criticised the Force for being too weak for their cause. Venu: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Kick-off: Sat 8 June 19:30 (Local) Sat 8 June NZ 21:30 (Auck) Sat …
Getting their highly anticipated 3 test series under way the All Blacks host Les Bleus at Eden Park in a repeat of the 2011 RWC final. Venu: Eden Park, Auckland. Kick-off: Sat 8 Jun 19:35 (Local) Sat 8 Jun Aus 17:35 (Syd) Sat 8 Jun RSA 09:35. Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) Weather: Cold and overcast with a slight chance …
Completing the Kings Park double-bill the Springboks will throw everything at the Azzurri aiming to consolidate their world ranking (86.94) which is currently only a whisker above the Wallabies (86.87) in 3rd place. Venu: Kings Park Stadium, Durban. Kick-off: Sat 8 June 19:00 (Local) Sun 9 June Aus 03:00 (Syd) Sun 9 June NZ 05:00 (Auck). …
The Western Force hosted the touring British and Irish Lions in a once in a life time opportunity to stake a claim toward being in the Wallaby outfit. Venu: Patersons Stadium, Perth. Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Weather: Partly cloudy and cool with a moderate breeze and a small possibility of light drizzle. -#- First 20 7.25/10: …
Coming off a bye the Force have nothing to lose but everything to gain as they take on the touring British and Irish Lions in a once in a life time opportunity to play against the best the British Isles has to offer. Venu: Patersons Stadium, Perth. Kick-off: Wed 5 Jun 18:00 (Local) Wed 5 Jun NZ 22:00 …
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5 key lessons for the Springboks
June 17, 2013
The Springboks’ near-miss against Scotland should be seen as a blessing in disguise as it serves as yet another reminder that South African rugby is not even close to getting everything right just yet. Some key points Springbok management should take out of the dreadful experience against the Scots: – Ensure your captain …
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