Showing posts with label Peter De Villiers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter De Villiers. Show all posts
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Sunday, 21 August 2011
South Africa 18 - New Zealand 5. Tri Nations 2011
Tri Nations 2011
Port Elizabeth.
Reading Duncan Johnston's article in Stuff this morning, one might have been forgiven for thinking that the All Blacks had won today's match against a fired up Bok team. Johnston writes:
Wings Hosea Gear and Isaia Toeava were lively when they got a sniff, there was more to centre Kahui's game than just his powerful finish for the try and Sonny Bill Williams put in some big hits in defence.Colin Slade took a while to get into the game but grew in confidence though, but two missed goal kicks were disappointing when New Zealand were so desperate for points.Liam Messam and Adam Thomson had big defensive games and crucially looshead prop Tony Woodcock got through 70 minutes
I think on this article, Johnston, like a fair few representing the All Blacks on the field today, should be fired from his day job.
No self respecting NZ rugbyhead should be celebrating any All Blacks in a team that only managed to put five points on the scoreboard (never before in my lifetime!)
The blessing in disguise is hopefully we've been able to sort the wheat from the chaff in this incredibly frustrating and quite torturous match (particularly the second half, what a load of pants). Sure, NZ crossed the chalk which was more than an impassioned South Africa managed to do. But our execution was sloppy and so frustrating.
In my opinion there are several journeymen that should be ejected from the team now and a few that shouldn't have any more second chances.
I'm tired of Liam Messam. His posturing before the game but his complete lack of anything else during the game. Likewise Adam Thompson - I keep waiting for him to be as good as the hype that surrounds him. Jimmy Cowan had the speed of an old lady on a zimmer frame (as evidenced by the opening minute try that got away). Andy Ellis is no great shakes. Toeava made some breaks but he fluffs his lines constantly in the test arena and how many chances does he get? Ali Williams is not the player of old. John Afoa seems a nice guy, but we want more on the rugby field. And Sonny Bill Williams. Well, we all desperately want him to be the player we've heard he is, but where is he in these games? I haven't seen him yet and I think the clock is ticking.
Credit to South Africa and their committed defence. They were more passionate. But will their win have done them and their delusional coach many favours in the long run. I don't mean to be ungracious (but basically, I'm hurting and as this is a NZ blog, I shall have a wee moan). We had the possession, we had the territory. We got over the gain line. It was our execution that let us down poorly and Morne Steyn's boot. But our execution. Egad. So annoying. It was more than annoying. It was crap! Five points!?
One last thing. I can't put the boot into Colin Slade. I felt sorry for the guy. It would be awful if the whole country turned on him two weeks out, like they've done in the past with Stephen Donald. Truth was, Slade made lots of mistakes. I don't know why he continuously kicked the ball back to the Boks (and in our very own half too half the time!) But I want to give him another chance. After all. We don't have another back up this late in the game. He needs confidence. We need to start praying.
Ending on a positive. Israel Dagg. He made a few terrible errors, but he has to be in the RWC squad.
Five points!?!? Five points?
five points
Port Elizabeth.
Reading Duncan Johnston's article in Stuff this morning, one might have been forgiven for thinking that the All Blacks had won today's match against a fired up Bok team. Johnston writes:
Wings Hosea Gear and Isaia Toeava were lively when they got a sniff, there was more to centre Kahui's game than just his powerful finish for the try and Sonny Bill Williams put in some big hits in defence.Colin Slade took a while to get into the game but grew in confidence though, but two missed goal kicks were disappointing when New Zealand were so desperate for points.Liam Messam and Adam Thomson had big defensive games and crucially looshead prop Tony Woodcock got through 70 minutes
I think on this article, Johnston, like a fair few representing the All Blacks on the field today, should be fired from his day job.
No self respecting NZ rugbyhead should be celebrating any All Blacks in a team that only managed to put five points on the scoreboard (never before in my lifetime!)
The blessing in disguise is hopefully we've been able to sort the wheat from the chaff in this incredibly frustrating and quite torturous match (particularly the second half, what a load of pants). Sure, NZ crossed the chalk which was more than an impassioned South Africa managed to do. But our execution was sloppy and so frustrating.
In my opinion there are several journeymen that should be ejected from the team now and a few that shouldn't have any more second chances.
I'm tired of Liam Messam. His posturing before the game but his complete lack of anything else during the game. Likewise Adam Thompson - I keep waiting for him to be as good as the hype that surrounds him. Jimmy Cowan had the speed of an old lady on a zimmer frame (as evidenced by the opening minute try that got away). Andy Ellis is no great shakes. Toeava made some breaks but he fluffs his lines constantly in the test arena and how many chances does he get? Ali Williams is not the player of old. John Afoa seems a nice guy, but we want more on the rugby field. And Sonny Bill Williams. Well, we all desperately want him to be the player we've heard he is, but where is he in these games? I haven't seen him yet and I think the clock is ticking.
Credit to South Africa and their committed defence. They were more passionate. But will their win have done them and their delusional coach many favours in the long run. I don't mean to be ungracious (but basically, I'm hurting and as this is a NZ blog, I shall have a wee moan). We had the possession, we had the territory. We got over the gain line. It was our execution that let us down poorly and Morne Steyn's boot. But our execution. Egad. So annoying. It was more than annoying. It was crap! Five points!?
One last thing. I can't put the boot into Colin Slade. I felt sorry for the guy. It would be awful if the whole country turned on him two weeks out, like they've done in the past with Stephen Donald. Truth was, Slade made lots of mistakes. I don't know why he continuously kicked the ball back to the Boks (and in our very own half too half the time!) But I want to give him another chance. After all. We don't have another back up this late in the game. He needs confidence. We need to start praying.
Ending on a positive. Israel Dagg. He made a few terrible errors, but he has to be in the RWC squad.
Five points!?!? Five points?
five points
Saturday, 30 July 2011
All Blacks V South Africa B - Tri-nations 2011
New Zealand 40 - South Africa 7
Wellington
First thoughts
There's more to follow with Slugso's magical infography but I just wanted to jot down a few meanderings after watching this game in Lazio with a very over excited Italian commentary.
I felt for this Bok B team. They've been used by P-Divvy as sacrificial lambs and didn't their faces show it by the end of the game. They were really quite inept, and I can't understand how a team with such rugby mana could be so useless, particulary in their backline attack.
The All Blacks looked quite good by my standards although a quick trawl of the New Zealand papers and you'd think the world has fallen around us with such a mediocre performance.
Unlike the bah-hum-bug middle aged grumps that work for Fairfax however, I took heart from a lot of things. Dan Carter for example was back to his ghosting best although his kicks at goal left a lot to be desired. I can forgive him that though. He looked the Dan of old in the field of play and he's back to all time world rugby points scorer, overtaking a certain Mr Wilkinson, so I'm happy to cut him some slack (just this once mind ;-)
Our backs, particularly our wings and Conrad Smith looked fantastic. Cory Jane (why ever was he put into the reserves in the first place) was my man of the match. He steadied the ship and he surely deserves to be in the first team, as a wing or as fullback. Zac Guildford showed some nice speed and Conrad Smith did what he did best (excuse me while I pull out this cliche) and ran some good intelligent lines.
The forwards were their usual steady selves and it was good to see us back on top of the breakdown stats again. It was particularly heartening to see the Ali Williams of old take to the field and not come off through injury.
Overall this was a good performance, although admittedly, they were playing boys. I have a few gripes. I'm still not happy with Muliaina as first choice full back. Ditto our two half backs, but what can you do when there's no-one better on the sidelines. Number 9 is our absolute weak point in this team and has been for some time now.
Watch this space on ruggerblogger, there will be more to come in the next few days.
NEW ZEALAND 40 (Zac Guildford 2, Cory Jane 2, Wyatt Crockett, Colin Slade tries Daniel Carter 2 cons 2 pens) bt SOUTH AFRICA 7 (John Smit try Morne Steyn con) at Westpac Stadium. Referee: Alain Rolland
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Tournament Point
I’m jealous, Ferdy. Living in London, the All Blacks v Springbok games in SA each year were my favourite - kick-offs that matched British Summer Time perfectly. Yes ... watching a Test match, in daylight, at the pub. Old skool, all day, Test Match Fever!
So, we only need a point to take the Tournament? Done I reckon. Not saying we’ll thrash the Boks, but the eight changes P Divvy has brought in emphasise their loss of direction recently, and reflect a need to try something a little bit different. Only a little bit though, its all about execution for them this weekend ... time to step up for John Smit’s Century Test. And how good is that? 100 Tests for the Boks - outstanding.
After last weekend’s dismal efforts by my other teams (the Turbos and the Hammers, someone has to support these teams) I am keen for the All Blacks to produce an emphatic win on South African soil. I am looking forward to Cowan scrapping with that feisty nugget Francois Hougaard, and I bet our guys are relishing the chance to run at those little fellas at the back: Aplon and JP Pietersen. Plus, will Juan Smith adapt to these new rules at this pace?
Let’s hope the 90,000 spectators at Soccer City don’t spook our boys. Will Vuvuzelas be allowed?
And as for all this tripe about SA going it alone after 2015? What rubbish. Go on, I dare you SARU. You need us as much as we need you ... talk about throwing your toys. Cry babies.
So, we only need a point to take the Tournament? Done I reckon. Not saying we’ll thrash the Boks, but the eight changes P Divvy has brought in emphasise their loss of direction recently, and reflect a need to try something a little bit different. Only a little bit though, its all about execution for them this weekend ... time to step up for John Smit’s Century Test. And how good is that? 100 Tests for the Boks - outstanding.
After last weekend’s dismal efforts by my other teams (the Turbos and the Hammers, someone has to support these teams) I am keen for the All Blacks to produce an emphatic win on South African soil. I am looking forward to Cowan scrapping with that feisty nugget Francois Hougaard, and I bet our guys are relishing the chance to run at those little fellas at the back: Aplon and JP Pietersen. Plus, will Juan Smith adapt to these new rules at this pace?
Let’s hope the 90,000 spectators at Soccer City don’t spook our boys. Will Vuvuzelas be allowed?
And as for all this tripe about SA going it alone after 2015? What rubbish. Go on, I dare you SARU. You need us as much as we need you ... talk about throwing your toys. Cry babies.
Monday, 7 September 2009
Tri Nations 2009 - Still alive and kicking
It’s amazing how one game can change everything in world rugby. Less than a week ago and the Springboks were invincible world beaters that were so far ahead of the rest of the teams in the world, all we could do was stand back in awe and admiration. This week and the Wallabies with an injection of passion and desperation, blow that aura of invincibility to smithereens. How quickly the tables can turn with a fickle media and public.
Already the sniping at Springbok talisman John Smit has begun. (Maybe there is a point to this considering he was annihilated by a scrum that has up until very recently, been a world laughing stock). The murmur of usual clichés have started to gain in volume: ‘The boks are poor travellers, they don’t know what to do when someone applies pressure to them, they’ve got a stupid coach’ etc etc. It just goes to prove that any team, no matter how fearsome, is only as good as its last game.
Good news for the Tri Nations too. This means the last two games won’t be dead rubbers – although the All Blacks will have to play out of their skins and score four tries in each match to have any hope of retaining the trophy. Call me a pessimist but I can’t see how it will be possible with the current players in the All Blacks. Especially if Henry decides to continue tinkering with his backline and playing everyone out of position. Dan Carter is the world’s best number 10. Why would Henry play him at 12? And what impact can an out of form Mils Muliaina possibly make at centre? He has struggled in his own position, so what kind of cutting incisiveness will he make at centre? Not much I should imagine.
If Henry picks the slovenly Tialata who I see is back training with the squad, well then I’m going to trot off to the TAB and put some money on the South Africans myself. I thought the silver lining from the losses we have had this year would be that Henry would shave the players from the team who turn up but clearly look like they can’t be bothered. We need to get rid of the dead weight. Not keep on flogging a dead horse by playing inept players with no brains for the game or passion.
Already the sniping at Springbok talisman John Smit has begun. (Maybe there is a point to this considering he was annihilated by a scrum that has up until very recently, been a world laughing stock). The murmur of usual clichés have started to gain in volume: ‘The boks are poor travellers, they don’t know what to do when someone applies pressure to them, they’ve got a stupid coach’ etc etc. It just goes to prove that any team, no matter how fearsome, is only as good as its last game.
Good news for the Tri Nations too. This means the last two games won’t be dead rubbers – although the All Blacks will have to play out of their skins and score four tries in each match to have any hope of retaining the trophy. Call me a pessimist but I can’t see how it will be possible with the current players in the All Blacks. Especially if Henry decides to continue tinkering with his backline and playing everyone out of position. Dan Carter is the world’s best number 10. Why would Henry play him at 12? And what impact can an out of form Mils Muliaina possibly make at centre? He has struggled in his own position, so what kind of cutting incisiveness will he make at centre? Not much I should imagine.
If Henry picks the slovenly Tialata who I see is back training with the squad, well then I’m going to trot off to the TAB and put some money on the South Africans myself. I thought the silver lining from the losses we have had this year would be that Henry would shave the players from the team who turn up but clearly look like they can’t be bothered. We need to get rid of the dead weight. Not keep on flogging a dead horse by playing inept players with no brains for the game or passion.
Monday, 6 July 2009
British and Irish Lions get the consolation prize and win showing true passion
This was another week for the history books with the British and Irish Lions showing true class and grit to steamroll the Springbok second string side and leave Peter De Villiers with egg on his face. Lote Tuqiri is suspended permanently from the ARU and the All Blacks squad for the 2009 Tri Nations is announced with no new surprises. A wee footnote too about the whole sad Basteraud affair.
British and Irish Lions' 28-9 victory over South Africa
The British and Irish Lions came back from the disappointment of losing the 2009 series in South Africa by taking Peter De Villiers’ back-up team to task and completely annihilating them out wide and up front. The Baby Boks, controversially sporting white armbands to reflect their solidarity with Bakkes Botha after he copped his ban had no answer to a spurned Lions outfit with fire in their bellies. The northern hemisphere lads played with style and ended their seven game losing streak in what was in the end, a dramatic and hugely entertaining tour. As usual there was exciting play on the field matched by ineptitude and brain farts (Ronan O’Gara take a bow), the usual underhanded dirty play (Simon Shaw and Schalk Burger), bitching and moaning about the officials from members of the public and British media (the usual suspects, Stephen Jones, Robert Kitson etc etc) and yet more idiotic comments from the South African coach. Although South Africa look like the team to beat in the Tri Nations – can they really be considered such a potent force when they have a complete donkey at the helm? Interesting Lions comments here by Chris Hewett summing up the good and the bad of the tour.
Tuqiri gone
No, I won’t be sad that Lote Tuqiri has been banished from the Wallaby set-up. I just wish that those breakers of All Black supporters hearts - Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau would join him. But in all seriousness - the termination of Lote’s ARU contract is all very mysterious, especially with Dingo Deans wandering into the fray and adding his support to John O’Neill’s decision. Tuqiri has allegedly been involved now in one too many off the field mishaps where alcohol and no doubt pig headed aggression have been to the fore. A great rugby player to watch who could really cut a defensive line open with his running and skill, in form Tuqiri was always dangerous. So no, heading into the tri nations with our straggly lot of butter fingered bambini I’m not sad at all that he’s been dropped. Although rugby will definitely be the poorer now for his departure.
Graham Henry and his fan club
Another All Black squad announced for the Tri Nations and another chance for the talk back radio callers and message board bloggers to have a good moan about Ted. Griping about the All Black coach is becoming more of a national sport than the national sport. As usual, the knives are out for Henry because:
A/ He’s not a cantabrian
B/ He’s not dingo deans
C/ He’s not either of the above
D/ He picked Rokocoko and Toeava
E/ He didn’t pick Messam or Masanga
Firstly – although the media would say differently, polls suggest that Henry still has support of at least half the country. All the doubters that hassle Henry should take a good hard look at who else is in the wings if he goes? Colin Cooper, Ian Foster, Pat Lamb?! Yeah right. People think the player depth in this country is bad – I think the coaching stocks are more depleted yet. The day Colin Cooper becomes All Black coach is the day I give up on rugby completely.
So Henry’s selections. He’s made some that I kind of scratch my head at. I’m definitely with the punters who think he was mad to reselect Rokocoko and Toeava. Roks has looked sluggish for years now and as for Toeava – how many chances does he need before the selectors stop selecting him? The guy can play amazing rugby but when it comes to the crunch, his nerves fail him in the big ones. As one witty blogger posted: “Toeava can wear the jersey of anyone in the backline- whether he can actually play in any of these positions is highly questionable!” Meanwhile, Tialata who I think is the true Achilles heel of the forward pack sneaks through unnoticed. Why?
Good things about the selections? At least Lauaki didn’t another call up. Also, Messam doesn’t have it at the moment and they were right to let him go. Another time maybe for him.
The sorry saga of Basteareaud
Poor guy has been through the mill. I thought this Rosemary McLeod column was a good compassionate take on the follies of youth.
British and Irish Lions' 28-9 victory over South Africa
The British and Irish Lions came back from the disappointment of losing the 2009 series in South Africa by taking Peter De Villiers’ back-up team to task and completely annihilating them out wide and up front. The Baby Boks, controversially sporting white armbands to reflect their solidarity with Bakkes Botha after he copped his ban had no answer to a spurned Lions outfit with fire in their bellies. The northern hemisphere lads played with style and ended their seven game losing streak in what was in the end, a dramatic and hugely entertaining tour. As usual there was exciting play on the field matched by ineptitude and brain farts (Ronan O’Gara take a bow), the usual underhanded dirty play (Simon Shaw and Schalk Burger), bitching and moaning about the officials from members of the public and British media (the usual suspects, Stephen Jones, Robert Kitson etc etc) and yet more idiotic comments from the South African coach. Although South Africa look like the team to beat in the Tri Nations – can they really be considered such a potent force when they have a complete donkey at the helm? Interesting Lions comments here by Chris Hewett summing up the good and the bad of the tour.
Tuqiri gone
No, I won’t be sad that Lote Tuqiri has been banished from the Wallaby set-up. I just wish that those breakers of All Black supporters hearts - Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau would join him. But in all seriousness - the termination of Lote’s ARU contract is all very mysterious, especially with Dingo Deans wandering into the fray and adding his support to John O’Neill’s decision. Tuqiri has allegedly been involved now in one too many off the field mishaps where alcohol and no doubt pig headed aggression have been to the fore. A great rugby player to watch who could really cut a defensive line open with his running and skill, in form Tuqiri was always dangerous. So no, heading into the tri nations with our straggly lot of butter fingered bambini I’m not sad at all that he’s been dropped. Although rugby will definitely be the poorer now for his departure.
Graham Henry and his fan club
Another All Black squad announced for the Tri Nations and another chance for the talk back radio callers and message board bloggers to have a good moan about Ted. Griping about the All Black coach is becoming more of a national sport than the national sport. As usual, the knives are out for Henry because:
A/ He’s not a cantabrian
B/ He’s not dingo deans
C/ He’s not either of the above
D/ He picked Rokocoko and Toeava
E/ He didn’t pick Messam or Masanga
Firstly – although the media would say differently, polls suggest that Henry still has support of at least half the country. All the doubters that hassle Henry should take a good hard look at who else is in the wings if he goes? Colin Cooper, Ian Foster, Pat Lamb?! Yeah right. People think the player depth in this country is bad – I think the coaching stocks are more depleted yet. The day Colin Cooper becomes All Black coach is the day I give up on rugby completely.
So Henry’s selections. He’s made some that I kind of scratch my head at. I’m definitely with the punters who think he was mad to reselect Rokocoko and Toeava. Roks has looked sluggish for years now and as for Toeava – how many chances does he need before the selectors stop selecting him? The guy can play amazing rugby but when it comes to the crunch, his nerves fail him in the big ones. As one witty blogger posted: “Toeava can wear the jersey of anyone in the backline- whether he can actually play in any of these positions is highly questionable!” Meanwhile, Tialata who I think is the true Achilles heel of the forward pack sneaks through unnoticed. Why?
Good things about the selections? At least Lauaki didn’t another call up. Also, Messam doesn’t have it at the moment and they were right to let him go. Another time maybe for him.
The sorry saga of Basteareaud
Poor guy has been through the mill. I thought this Rosemary McLeod column was a good compassionate take on the follies of youth.
Monday, 29 June 2009
British and Irish Lions keep up their losing ways
Another eventful weekend of rugby saw the All Blacks winning a scratchy and frustrating match against Italy, South Africa taking the Lions series in Pretoria and more red faces in the French camp.
The Lions lose by two points in a thriller - and the moaning begins
After the melodramatic and unsuccessful 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand went pear shaped for the Lions, the high pitched squeals of Brian O’Driscoll, Clive Woodward and Alistair Campbell complaining as they actively launched a hate campaign on Tana Umanga could be heard throughout the world.
Unfortunately for Woodward and co, the moaning didn’t translate into points on the field in 2005 so it was a good idea when the Lions squad of 2009 decided to keep their complaining about the opposition behind closed dressing room doors for their tour of South Africa.
This all unravelled after the scintillating second test when several incidents off the ball saw a number of Lions players hospitalised (and lest we forget Schalk Burgers’ very obvious eye gouge in front of cameras, touch judges and other team members).
South Africa turned up to play dirty according to the spotless Lions who of course with players like Simon Shaw and O’Driscoll would never do anything collectively underhanded as a spear tackle or eye gouge. Yeah right.
So now that the Lions have lost, the dressing room door has been opened and the insults in the British media are out. While I agree that Schalk Burger should be punished for his offences (and since writing this, has been), the British and Irish media maybe need to take a look in their own back yard before they get all self righteous and start throwing stones.
It is bad when the game is played dirty, but it isn’t just the All Blacks and Springboks who are guilty of those offences. The British and Irish Lions lost and already the moaning has gone up a gear. It looks like sour grapes, as per usual. Haven’t they learnt anything?
All Blacks at new lows
It was a shambolic and frustrating display at Jade Stadium on Saturday night for the All Blacks’ test match against Italy. The Italians managed to restrict the All Blacks to the smallest ever margin and the celebrations were evident in the Azzuri coaching box after the game.
The problem for the All Blacks according to the media is all about the 9 / 10 axis. Personally I think there are a few more rotten apples in the barrel of the New Zealand backline. For a start, where is the attacking potency of yesteryear? It certainly wasn’t on display on Saturday. This is as much to do with Luke McAlister’s error ridden game as it is to do with a lack of intelligence and collective nous.
Poor Mils Muliaina - who was the best back by far on Saturday - cannot be the brains for a backline that had arrogance (yes, trying to run in your own 22 for the majority of the game because you think you’re going to score a 10 try haul against the Italians is arrogant) and stupidity (even when the 10 try haul didn’t look like it was going to happen, they didn’t know how to change their tactics. Duh – dumb).
Why did the backline stand so flat behind the first five eighth? Murray Mexted - love him or hate him - was right. The All Blacks had no go forward and never really looked like getting over the gain line. Instead the fancied themselves doing little flashy moves that came to nothing: running criss cross dummies and executing silly little hospital passes to each other. It was a depressing sight to watch.
Once an attacking team with flair and ingenuity, I fear to say they look more like an English backline now – running backwards and sideways, pointing and yelling idiotically, and no structure or skill. This is not looking good for the Tri nations at all.
The only upside (and I’m clutching at straws here) is that the South Africans under their foot in mouth prone coach Peter De Villiers may not be as strong as they could potentially be. After all, the Lions theoretically were never expected to beat the Boks. But the northern hemisphere side took them pretty close and often played the better rugby.
Also, the Wallabies only managed the one try against France in what was described a ‘turgid’ match on Saturday. Not exactly the roasting that everyone was expecting. Only time will tell I guess
Bastereaud
The New Zealand media is having a field day with plays on Bastereaud’s name and the sentence ‘lying bastard’. All very obvious and unsubtle. The unwitting centre it turns out didn’t get assaulted by any New Zealand thugs but into a scuffle back at his hotel room with his team mate.
Wellington mayor and property developer Kerry Prenderghastly waded into the drama demanding Bastereaud make an apology to the people of Wellington. How very typically parochial of us. I guess the police investigation costs should be covered by the French but it’s become a bit of a non story now and I do kind of feel for the ‘French Nonu’.
He is just a young guy who is (obviously) a bit stupid and panicked. Now his reputation has been tarnished with this story making rugby pages throughout the world. How embarrassing for him and his family. As Graham Henry said, he’s a young guy and all young guys do stupid things from time to time. Unfortunately for him, this one has made worldwide headlines.
The Lions lose by two points in a thriller - and the moaning begins
After the melodramatic and unsuccessful 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand went pear shaped for the Lions, the high pitched squeals of Brian O’Driscoll, Clive Woodward and Alistair Campbell complaining as they actively launched a hate campaign on Tana Umanga could be heard throughout the world.
Unfortunately for Woodward and co, the moaning didn’t translate into points on the field in 2005 so it was a good idea when the Lions squad of 2009 decided to keep their complaining about the opposition behind closed dressing room doors for their tour of South Africa.
This all unravelled after the scintillating second test when several incidents off the ball saw a number of Lions players hospitalised (and lest we forget Schalk Burgers’ very obvious eye gouge in front of cameras, touch judges and other team members).
South Africa turned up to play dirty according to the spotless Lions who of course with players like Simon Shaw and O’Driscoll would never do anything collectively underhanded as a spear tackle or eye gouge. Yeah right.
So now that the Lions have lost, the dressing room door has been opened and the insults in the British media are out. While I agree that Schalk Burger should be punished for his offences (and since writing this, has been), the British and Irish media maybe need to take a look in their own back yard before they get all self righteous and start throwing stones.
It is bad when the game is played dirty, but it isn’t just the All Blacks and Springboks who are guilty of those offences. The British and Irish Lions lost and already the moaning has gone up a gear. It looks like sour grapes, as per usual. Haven’t they learnt anything?
All Blacks at new lows
It was a shambolic and frustrating display at Jade Stadium on Saturday night for the All Blacks’ test match against Italy. The Italians managed to restrict the All Blacks to the smallest ever margin and the celebrations were evident in the Azzuri coaching box after the game.
The problem for the All Blacks according to the media is all about the 9 / 10 axis. Personally I think there are a few more rotten apples in the barrel of the New Zealand backline. For a start, where is the attacking potency of yesteryear? It certainly wasn’t on display on Saturday. This is as much to do with Luke McAlister’s error ridden game as it is to do with a lack of intelligence and collective nous.
Poor Mils Muliaina - who was the best back by far on Saturday - cannot be the brains for a backline that had arrogance (yes, trying to run in your own 22 for the majority of the game because you think you’re going to score a 10 try haul against the Italians is arrogant) and stupidity (even when the 10 try haul didn’t look like it was going to happen, they didn’t know how to change their tactics. Duh – dumb).
Why did the backline stand so flat behind the first five eighth? Murray Mexted - love him or hate him - was right. The All Blacks had no go forward and never really looked like getting over the gain line. Instead the fancied themselves doing little flashy moves that came to nothing: running criss cross dummies and executing silly little hospital passes to each other. It was a depressing sight to watch.
Once an attacking team with flair and ingenuity, I fear to say they look more like an English backline now – running backwards and sideways, pointing and yelling idiotically, and no structure or skill. This is not looking good for the Tri nations at all.
The only upside (and I’m clutching at straws here) is that the South Africans under their foot in mouth prone coach Peter De Villiers may not be as strong as they could potentially be. After all, the Lions theoretically were never expected to beat the Boks. But the northern hemisphere side took them pretty close and often played the better rugby.
Also, the Wallabies only managed the one try against France in what was described a ‘turgid’ match on Saturday. Not exactly the roasting that everyone was expecting. Only time will tell I guess
Bastereaud
The New Zealand media is having a field day with plays on Bastereaud’s name and the sentence ‘lying bastard’. All very obvious and unsubtle. The unwitting centre it turns out didn’t get assaulted by any New Zealand thugs but into a scuffle back at his hotel room with his team mate.
Wellington mayor and property developer Kerry Prenderghastly waded into the drama demanding Bastereaud make an apology to the people of Wellington. How very typically parochial of us. I guess the police investigation costs should be covered by the French but it’s become a bit of a non story now and I do kind of feel for the ‘French Nonu’.
He is just a young guy who is (obviously) a bit stupid and panicked. Now his reputation has been tarnished with this story making rugby pages throughout the world. How embarrassing for him and his family. As Graham Henry said, he’s a young guy and all young guys do stupid things from time to time. Unfortunately for him, this one has made worldwide headlines.
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