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Rugby - Sports Odyssey

Springboks flex their muscles against Argentina

August 10th 2008 00:39
No contest - the Springboks were too strong for The Pumas


Argentina has failed to resist the might of South Africa, going down by a staggering 63-9 scoreline in a one off test at Ellis Park.

The Pumas were playing their first match after being on vacation and the Springboks, in the midst of Tri-nations competition, were too strong in Johannesburg.


Argentina, who came third in last years Rugby World Cup, started the better of the two sides with a 9-0 scoreline in their favour.

But the locals and reigning world champions took advantage of the physically worn out Pumas pack, registering nine tries for a 54 point thrashing.

The Test match was played as part of the festivities for South African icon Nelson Mandela, who is celebrating his 90th birthday.

The Pumas started well with captain Felipe Contepomi scoring three penalties to cast Argentina to an unlikely 9-0 lead.

Like their opening game against France in last years World Cup, The Pumas were very solid in defence early on, forcing dropped ball which nearly led to a try for Juan Fernández Lobbe.

That was as close as Argentina would get. The Springboks eventually garnered their structure in defence and attack and from then on, were never headed.

As The Pumas tired, South Africa took full advantage at home with Jean de Villiers scoring the first try for the home side.

In another lethal blow for Argentina, Nokwe showed no mercy to a tiring Pumas defence as he barged his way over to send the Springbok with a 14-9 advantage heading into the break.


With key men Agustin Pichot, Juan Martin Hernandez, and Sebastian Longo missing from Argentina's line-up, South Africa run riot in the second half, posting seven tries to nil with Butch James the architect for the Springboks.

It was already known that Argentina faced a tough ask against the Springboks.

South Africa is in the middle of Tri-nations competition while The Pumas were not match-hardened for the clash.

The Argentine players offered no excuses prior to the encounter. It was clear though The Pumas faced a difficult task in downing the world champions at Ellis Park.

For the first thirty minutes of the match. Argentina cast a massive smokescreen of doubt for their opponents and fans.

But in normal conditions, history once again repeated itself and Argentina remains winless against one of the giants of world Rugby.
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Power failure for the Wallabies

August 3rd 2008 00:36
Mils Muliaina was full of running for the dominant All Blacks


As the lights went down at Eden Park, the Wallabies were left in the dark.

They found themselves in a jungle full of All Black activity not even Robbie Deans himself could rule.

For all the knowledge in Deans' head, there was nothing he, or his Wallabies could do to stop the beating heart that was New Zealand.

Although the Australians started well through a Matt Giteau penalty goal, the Kiwis were eager to rule their rivals early on.

The return of All Black Richie McCaw left much of the Kiwi faithful feeling both stronger and confident about the match ahead.

While many thought McCaw's return would make a difference, all Wallaby eyes were wide open in shock at the magnitude of his performance.

Judging by yesterday's result, McCaw's soul was on fire.

He was desperate to burn all hope of the Wallabies regaining the Bledisloe Cup after six years of trying.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry must now feel some relief after his troops bought new life into a tri-nations campaign heading south faster than expected.

While Australian minds will wonder after their 29 point loss, everything went into place for New Zealand.

Fly-half Daniel Carter was composed once again. His ability to notch something out of nothing is a testament to the aura of invulnerability the All Blacks have possessed for years now.

After their best performance of the year to date, New Zealand can finally feel the gears of performance falling into place.

Giant Kiwi Centre Ma'a Nonu was full of running, hitting more holes through the Wallabies defence than Tiger Woods himself.

Ali Williams also ripped in well. His work in disrupting the Wallabies line-out was gold class.

In the end, the All Blacks dominated in every aspect of yesterday's game.

It is now possible for Graham Henry to observe a mirror and spot the twinkle in his eye that has been shaded by below par losses against both Australia and South Africa.

His side played with an enthusiasm and toughness not apparent in last week's loss to the Wallabies.

New Zealand know full well their capabilities on a footy pitch.

In horrible conditions, they are the only side in world Rugby capable of dancing around their opposition.

No doubt the All Blacks seem to be have regained the beat, and now look in check to hold on to both the Tri-nations and Bledisloe crown.

As for the Wallabies, the burden of having an empty silverware cabinet for the past six years still hangs around their necks.

Add to that 15 straight losses on foreign shores and you can see there are still problems that need to be addressed.

Whether Robbie Deans has enough magic to swing the music Australia's favour remains to be seen.

If anything is certain, the Wallabies are still a work in progress.

The All Blacks though, remain the principal ruler of southern hemisphere Rugby.
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Wallabies jumping with skill and flair

July 26th 2008 23:43
The Wallabies look to be enjoying their Rugby under Deans


The way the Wallabies have grown up since last year is tremendous.

Against the All Blacks (themselves coming off a shocking World Cup), Australia showed up with an enthusiasm worthy of being world champions.

The pressure on the shoulders of new coach Robbie Deans was enormous prior to the encounter against his native New Zealand.

After strolling through his first couple of test matches, Deans could now hold the keys to snaring both the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-nations trophy from the very nation that dismissed his claim to coach the Kiwis in favour of Graham Henry.

At present, Deans has rolled down the first boulder. A boulder that will no doubt begin an avalanche of success for the Wallabies.

Deans was quick to get rid of the old style of rugby that has plagued Australia’s game for a fair while. It was a style that cost them dearly last year against England in the quarter finals of the World Cup.

Fast forward nine months and the Wallabies are rolling forward, cocking up every bit of skill and determination that comes with being under the influence of Robbie Deans.

His appointment has yielded massive dividends for Australian rugby. Yesterday’s performance against the All Blacks was a move in the right direction for a Wallabies side beginning to flex the skills that made them such a successful side four or so years ago.

All 22 Wallabies that took the field last night did Deans and Australia proud. They were soldiers faced with the task of stopping the juggernaut that is New Zealand rugby and they did it with flair and guts.

As for the All Blacks, Graham Henry could not afford a loss after being in the midst of so much pressure from fans and critics back home.

He simply needed his side to win. End of story.

Although the performance of fly half Dan Carter was composed, the rest of the side played with murder, and the order of the match turned to Australia’s favour.

While Henry’s time at the helm looks forlorn, Deans’ body temperature is warming up by the second.

Getting dizzy like a man not sober, Deans’ international career as a coach could not have started more profoundly.

He was the mastermind in guiding the Wallabies to their best test performance in over two years. He is the man responsible for organising the closure in Australia’s defence which, at long last, looked structured in the face of adversity.

Twenty seconds into last nights encounter, those who watched knew they were in for a treat.

The Wallabies dominated at the break down and Matt Giteau was keen to expose the new era of attacking football developed under Deans.

Inside ten minutes and Australia notch up their first try. League convert Ryan Cross scores with his first touch of a football in a Bledisloe showdown.

From then on, the All Blacks awoke from their slumber and ran. Dan Carter, at times, scattered all defence before him to keep New Zealand close.

The ignorance of wealth in New Zealand rugby rears it head as Mils Muliaina runs down the sideline and chips over the top to eventually score a brilliant individual try.

Crazy play but captivating to watch nonetheless.

Despite the contest being only twenty minutes old, both the All Blacks and Wallabies were locked on and eager to spread the ball when given space and time.

The spirit of Australia though, rained supreme as George Smith made life impossible for New Zealand at the break down.

After what appeared a very confident Wallabies attitude at the start of the second half, the All Blacks respond with a piece of Carter magic to eventually see the All Blacks back in the lead.

Henry could now breath easier, Deans less than so.

But capital punishment was to reign on Henry’s parade as Australia regained the lead, courtesy of Rocky Elsom. A thriller of a showdown was becoming evident.

Rather than let the thrill quiver his troops, Deans wanted more action and allowed Timana Tahu to run out onto the hollowed turf of ANZ stadium and become apart of a history making victory.

No doubt Deans has became the serial assassin the All Blacks have been craving for some time. Only thing is they let him go, unable to pull a trigger on a man who led New Zealand rugby to its worst ever performance in a world cup last year.

In this world of serious business, the Wallabies have been left with the deal that could see them regain the Bledisloe after six years in the wilderness.

On the other side of the Tasman, Graham Henry will be the focal point of discrimination in a nation not too keen with his presence.












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Legend Lomu feels like a Puma

June 22nd 2008 00:55
Jonah Lomu is an inspiration to all that play Rugby, let alone Argentina


Legendary ex All Blacks winger Jonah Lomu was present in Argentina, hosting a coaching clinic for kids along with Puma internationals Felipi Contepomi and Juan Fernandez Lobbe


[ Click here to read more ]
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