New Zealand 19 - South Africa 0

It is all too often that on a Sunday morning New Zealand's papers are full with the doom and gloom of another sporting weekend gone wrong.

Well, I'm thankful to say that today is not such a day. New Zealand celebrated its best day in Olympic history with the Evers-Swindell twins and Valerie Vili taking gold in rowing and shot put. There was a also smattering of bronzes and a silver to throw in the bag too. Not bad for a nation of four million and not much money to bring to the world's largest stage.

Further south in Cape Town, probably only the most ardent rugby fans were turning in to watch the All Blacks play the Springboks in the face of such glamourous olympic competition. But if you were watching, and you were a New Zealander, then you wouldn't have been disappointed.

South Africa came out jittery and their poor decision making and general lack of excution stayed with them for the entire game. In contrast, New Zealand came out fired and with the same aura of desperate hunger they had brought to the table against the Wallabies two weeks ago.

In the end, it was the breakdown and fantastic, brutal and committed defence that really won it for New Zealand. Because Daniel Carter's kicking wasn't going to. The swirling Newlands winds put paid to that. His place kicking however was great and that combined with quick delivery from Cowan and then Weepu let the All Blacks play in the South African half for large amounts of the game. frustrating the living bejesus out of the world cup holders.

There is too much to write for a match analysis so better to go to a trusty expert like Matt at Green and Gold or Toby Robson (who's he?!) at stuff.

For a completely biased representation of events from proclaimed 'Allblackisogynist' then look no further than the grand master of sour grapes Stephen Jones. The All Blacks won on Springbok soil and kept the South AFricans scoreless. I'm not sure what more they have to do to get a 'full credit'.

But then again, Stephen Jones really is just a jealous twat so it makes a great read to see him so huffy.

Final word: Wayne Barnes came to the rescue of the All Blacks on more than one occasion during this game. Maybe it's time to forgive and move on. But hopefully the irony wasn't lost on him that the team he had in some small way helped to elminate from the 2007 World Cup had just left the World Champions humbled in their own fortress.


Stephen Jones has a green-eyed rant

Matt at Green & Gold
Toby at Stuff

All Blacks V Springboks and Wayne Barnes

Another Saturday in August and another test match - this time the All Blacks take on the Springboks in Cape Town for yet another 'to the wire' and 'mouthwatering' (both quotes our very own Muzza Mexted) test match.

Already the mud has been slung with De Villiers getting his two p in about the All Black lineout. Last week it was the scrum, this week the lineout. What next Pete? Daniel Carter's undergarments?

Meanwhile, the All Blacks may have a greater nemesis to contend with P C Barnes back on the beat. After the calamities of 'that' world cup quarterfinal in Cardiff, you've got to respect the man's courage. Mind you, I notice old Paddy O'Brien didn't send him to touch judge on NZ terra firma. Maybe they're all not so gung-ho after all.

Whatever way, old Ted doesn't seem too concerned about Wayne Barnes' presence on the pitch Saturday night- or at least, he isn't letting on to the media if he is.

Wayne Barnes is Back...


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Robbie Deans Who?

So, the All Blacks anhiliate Stirling Mortlock's Wallabies - by thirty points. Heh, heh.

As a New Zealand rugby fan, this match was satisfying for a number of reasons:

1. Sione Lauaki wasn't selected. Thank god. And his exclusion was all the better for the team - read, we won by thirty points. Oh, and we halved our handling errors. Big surprise. Huge.

2. Andrew Ellis wasn't on the field and it showed (delivery by Cowan to Carter was quicker, cleaner and crisper that it had been in weeks).

3. Sivivatu played decently. He wasn't a star, but at least he didn't cough up the ball as much as ususal. His defence however was still highly suspect and I'm still not a fan.

4. For once in a blue moon, the All Blacks produced a contestable lineout - the Wallabies really didn't know what had struck them. Full credit to Ali Williams and Brad 'I'm a meathead' Thorne BTW.

5. Tony Woodcock.

6. We played in the Australian half as opposed to brainlessly trying to bat down Stirling and his compatriots in our own 22.

7. The return of Richie put paid to any Australian delusions that they were the world supremos at the breakdown. (However, we may need to have a backup plan for next time Richie is concussed).

8. Did I mention Tony Woodcock?

9. South African referees are the best rugby referees in the world.

10. Robbie Who?