IRB COACH of the year Declan Kidney may be the man holding his head aloft following an unbeaten Grand Slam year with Ireland, but New Zealand are still setting the standards on the international stage.
The All Blacks emerge the dominant force in world rugby once more, brushing aside the French at the Stade Vélodrome in Saturday’s 39-12 try-fest.
Stripped of their Tri-Nations title by World Champions South Africa this summer, the annual autumn assessment has concluded however that New Zealand are in better shape than some would’ve imagined.
Captain Crusader Richie McCaw was named player of the year despite Brian O’Driscoll being tipped for the award. The Irish talisman has led the green of the Irish and the blue of Leinster to the forefront of European rugby this year but McCaw is still considered the most influential rugby player on the planet.
Failing to impress at Twickenham but still able to find the resources to carve out a win, the All Blacks showed resilience as well as bluster in the antipodeans’ arsenal.
The game in Marseilles was proof McCaw’s men can still put on a show and with players such as Carl Hayman and Chris Jack set to return to the fray next season, New Zealand are well poised to steal the show again at their own dinner party in two years time.
New Zealand, hosting the 2011 world cup, have failed to emulate their tournament victory over France in '87. On present form, nevertheless, it seems the search for the holy grail of world rugby is back on track after the recent demolition of Les Bleus.
Zero tries in over six hours of rugby for an All Blacks opponent relays a lack of attacking prowess in the northern hemisphere.
England brought New Zealand down to their level at Twickenham with a boyish display, and a potent Welsh running game was eclipsed by the All Blacks with a counter-attack unstoppable on its day.
Ireland punted their way to a 15-10 victory over the Springboks – Leinster fly half Johnny Sexton with five penalty kicks to give the north something to shout about.
But, where the difference lies between the two hemispheres is in a ruthless clinical edge.
A change in laws at the breakdown favouring defending sides may be something the IRB will have to address, but if teams below the equator have adapted and are still producing tries, there must then be a board looking at the causes for our defensive and attacking frailties in the north.
Think of the many times we have heard Johnson and Gatland express their horror as their teams fail to execute whatever few chances come their way.
Ireland and Italy were the only sides to put tries past the big three in full internationals. Scottish and Irish wins over the Wallabies and the Boks, however, were all won with the boot.
Rob Andrew has said England have “progressed” over the past twelve months; a reflection based purely on score lines. But, you can debate this is not in place of a cold, reserved game plan. A lack of ambition has been introduced simply to make a painful reality that much more palatable.
More on breakdown dispute from Sky News: http://www.xfm.co.uk/uknews/sports/RFU-Rule-Change-Request-Denied
Monday 30 November 2009
Friday 6 November 2009
Tigers win Bokbuster
Welford Road - 06/11/09
Leicester Tigers 22, South Africa 17
WORLD Champions, Lions tamers, and Tri Nations winners of new, but South Africa were still overturned by a Tigers outfit missing their back row to international duty.
Admittedly under nourished themselves, the Springbok side did include the likes of Dannie Rossouw and Ruan Pienaar in their 22-17 loss against the England champions at Welford Road on Friday.
Pienaar broke the ice with a penalty early on and if Leicester weren’t already nervous at the prospect of facing the World Champs, a try soon after for the Springboks must’ve sent shivers down the Tigers’ defensive line.
Scott Hamilton will rue his poor judgement under a Pienaar high ball, South Africa then turned the rogue ball for Earl Rose to step up and deliver a sweet grubber kick through the Tiger home guard; Jongie Nokwe doing the honours over the whitewash 8 minutes in.
Leicester’s Ben Youngs then redeemed himself in front of goal after his poor opening effort, and as Leicester looked to gain territory with some good touch-finding from stand-in captain Aaron Mauger at ten, South Africa still never looked threatened.
They did lose their captain just before the quarter forcing a reshuffle in the front row, but expectations remained unchanged.
A break from Youngs was matched by the dancing counter of Rose after Tiger momentum was then stunted, but when Manu Tuilagi found himself in space on the left moments later, his step wide to draw the switch from winger Lucas Amorosino was readily received and jinked inside for a score under the posts from the scampering Argentine.
Youngs’ exuberance with the boot extended the Tigers lead on 32 minutes, and as the Leicester scrum began to rule over the number one side in the world, Youngs was handed the opportunity to topple another penalty from halfway.
Pienaar pulled three back just before the half but the Leicester scrum continued to dominate in the same vain following the break. Youngs finished his forwards effort with another strike, bisecting the posts to give the Tigers a healthy lead at 19-11 on 46 minutes.
A penalty to the corner from South Africa was nullified by the wily lineout jumping of Geoff Parling, but it was the forward effort in the loose that made most of the inroads for South Africa.
Sizable Ashley Johnson turned on the gas to make good ground from eight, although a Springbok pack – so strong on the floor the last time we saw them in the Lions Tour and Tri Nations competition – were drawn into a long kicking game as their hosts dominated at the breakdown.
George Chuter, relieved from international duty with England, was thrown in to conduct his side’s powerful scrum, and likewise Youngs kicked three more points.
A Pienaar show and go then moved Springboks closer to a much sought after try snuffed out by the impenetrable Welford Road outfit. Pienaar settled for three points after waters settled – sixteen minutes remained – eight points now the difference.
He then struck the uprights late on, then slotting the ball safely between them with a second attempt.
Leicester’s pack was then penalised for killing the play with seconds left. A try needed, Pienaar let rip for the corner; lineout was won and as the Spingboks inched their way closer to that objective, Leicester engulfed three more minutes of relentless pressure.
Patience fell, Johnson went wide failing to find his man, and Leicester relinquished the ball to their home stand faithful.
Leicester Tigers 22, South Africa 17
WORLD Champions, Lions tamers, and Tri Nations winners of new, but South Africa were still overturned by a Tigers outfit missing their back row to international duty.
Admittedly under nourished themselves, the Springbok side did include the likes of Dannie Rossouw and Ruan Pienaar in their 22-17 loss against the England champions at Welford Road on Friday.
Pienaar broke the ice with a penalty early on and if Leicester weren’t already nervous at the prospect of facing the World Champs, a try soon after for the Springboks must’ve sent shivers down the Tigers’ defensive line.
Scott Hamilton will rue his poor judgement under a Pienaar high ball, South Africa then turned the rogue ball for Earl Rose to step up and deliver a sweet grubber kick through the Tiger home guard; Jongie Nokwe doing the honours over the whitewash 8 minutes in.
Leicester’s Ben Youngs then redeemed himself in front of goal after his poor opening effort, and as Leicester looked to gain territory with some good touch-finding from stand-in captain Aaron Mauger at ten, South Africa still never looked threatened.
They did lose their captain just before the quarter forcing a reshuffle in the front row, but expectations remained unchanged.
A break from Youngs was matched by the dancing counter of Rose after Tiger momentum was then stunted, but when Manu Tuilagi found himself in space on the left moments later, his step wide to draw the switch from winger Lucas Amorosino was readily received and jinked inside for a score under the posts from the scampering Argentine.
Youngs’ exuberance with the boot extended the Tigers lead on 32 minutes, and as the Leicester scrum began to rule over the number one side in the world, Youngs was handed the opportunity to topple another penalty from halfway.
Pienaar pulled three back just before the half but the Leicester scrum continued to dominate in the same vain following the break. Youngs finished his forwards effort with another strike, bisecting the posts to give the Tigers a healthy lead at 19-11 on 46 minutes.
A penalty to the corner from South Africa was nullified by the wily lineout jumping of Geoff Parling, but it was the forward effort in the loose that made most of the inroads for South Africa.
Sizable Ashley Johnson turned on the gas to make good ground from eight, although a Springbok pack – so strong on the floor the last time we saw them in the Lions Tour and Tri Nations competition – were drawn into a long kicking game as their hosts dominated at the breakdown.
George Chuter, relieved from international duty with England, was thrown in to conduct his side’s powerful scrum, and likewise Youngs kicked three more points.
A Pienaar show and go then moved Springboks closer to a much sought after try snuffed out by the impenetrable Welford Road outfit. Pienaar settled for three points after waters settled – sixteen minutes remained – eight points now the difference.
He then struck the uprights late on, then slotting the ball safely between them with a second attempt.
Leicester’s pack was then penalised for killing the play with seconds left. A try needed, Pienaar let rip for the corner; lineout was won and as the Spingboks inched their way closer to that objective, Leicester engulfed three more minutes of relentless pressure.
Patience fell, Johnson went wide failing to find his man, and Leicester relinquished the ball to their home stand faithful.
Sunday 1 November 2009
Leeds back to basics for first win
Guinness Premiership
Adams Park 01/11/09
London Wasps 9, Leeds Carnegie 15
LEEDS Carnegie found their first win since their return to the Guinness Premiership Sunday as they produced a scrappy but fulfilling performance away to in form London Wasps.
Their last away win in the Premiership the Yorkshire men will remember was at The Rec back in November 2005. After a hard start for the new boys this season, Andy Key's pugilists took advantage on a wet day in which Wasps struggled to capitalise.
A Wasps side keeping numbers small at the breakdown in their Kingsholm killing-spree failed to acclimatise to a Leeds forward pack savvy to the opportunities presented to them on the floor. Poor set piece play and twelve turnovers conceded by Wasps at the half put Leeds 12-6 up in the first forty.
Leeds stamped their intentions with immediate effect as an early drive from their kickoff was turned into points. Leeds’ ten Ceiron Thomas split the posts from the awarded penalty to begin a half that saw him hit four three pointers.
Wasps’ lineout was broken on several occasions and, on its second, was won back but lost at the breakdown. A vulnerable defensive line looked set to be punished by Leeds if only the hands of Erik Lund were a little flatter off the ruck.
A Dave Walder penalty pulled his side back to level terms soon after on eighteen minutes. Leeds then recovered their three point advantage after quashing the opposing scrum only to lose it when penalised likewise at their put in.
Similar scenes again as Swanseaman Thomas turned two kicks in two into three in three, then to slot his forth after inside half Andy Gomarsall made territory with a dink over the top.
But where the World Cup winning scrum half is streetwise, Wasps’ Joe Simpson remains charismatic. A quick tap and go put Wasps in scoring contention only to be sterilised once again by a resolute Carnegie pack.
Into the second half, Adams Park thought David Lemi had pounced onto a first try although the ball never seemed to stick to the reaching hands of the Samoan speedster.
Wasps began to brave the conditions with the hand. Ball was narrowed right in attack with returning replacement Simon Shaw making the yards. Ball then spread wide but was floundered by the heads up defensive play of wing Richard Welding stepping up.
Time, now, for a Wasps’ rolling maul. Leeds were forced to give away the penalty after conceding twenty-yards to the Wasps’ surge, which Walder struck with similar venom.
Thomas’ fifth attempt did drift wide of the posts although the coming twenty-two drop out from Walder was brought back for the scrum after going dead 80 meters down field.
Space left, space right, Leeds chose the former route. Ball was played back inside and rewarded with another three points as play was illegally killed on Wasps' retreat.
Wasps welcomed Tom Varndell to the field in the final ten where problems were seemingly in the pack. A further lineout opportunity was lost as the ball swayed adrift; Wasps redeemed themselves at the scrum but handling errors in the midfield gave the opportunity for Leeds to counter.
Sackey and Lemi failed to keep the ball on their radars from the kick up field and were saved from embarrassment as Varndell returned to clear. Simpson broke the line once more from the scrum to present another platform for Wasps but the brimming build up was spilled over in midfield for Leeds to catch a breath.
The spectacular Leeds scrum began to wane under pressure, but pressure was duly neutralised at the hands of Ward with another poor lineout for the home side. Leeds held on for their first win of the season, a momentous 15-9 victory for the side at the Wasps nest – another first incidentally – in a less than inspiring display from Tom Hanks’ men.
Adams Park 01/11/09
London Wasps 9, Leeds Carnegie 15
LEEDS Carnegie found their first win since their return to the Guinness Premiership Sunday as they produced a scrappy but fulfilling performance away to in form London Wasps.
Their last away win in the Premiership the Yorkshire men will remember was at The Rec back in November 2005. After a hard start for the new boys this season, Andy Key's pugilists took advantage on a wet day in which Wasps struggled to capitalise.
A Wasps side keeping numbers small at the breakdown in their Kingsholm killing-spree failed to acclimatise to a Leeds forward pack savvy to the opportunities presented to them on the floor. Poor set piece play and twelve turnovers conceded by Wasps at the half put Leeds 12-6 up in the first forty.
Leeds stamped their intentions with immediate effect as an early drive from their kickoff was turned into points. Leeds’ ten Ceiron Thomas split the posts from the awarded penalty to begin a half that saw him hit four three pointers.
Wasps’ lineout was broken on several occasions and, on its second, was won back but lost at the breakdown. A vulnerable defensive line looked set to be punished by Leeds if only the hands of Erik Lund were a little flatter off the ruck.
A Dave Walder penalty pulled his side back to level terms soon after on eighteen minutes. Leeds then recovered their three point advantage after quashing the opposing scrum only to lose it when penalised likewise at their put in.
Similar scenes again as Swanseaman Thomas turned two kicks in two into three in three, then to slot his forth after inside half Andy Gomarsall made territory with a dink over the top.
But where the World Cup winning scrum half is streetwise, Wasps’ Joe Simpson remains charismatic. A quick tap and go put Wasps in scoring contention only to be sterilised once again by a resolute Carnegie pack.
Into the second half, Adams Park thought David Lemi had pounced onto a first try although the ball never seemed to stick to the reaching hands of the Samoan speedster.
Wasps began to brave the conditions with the hand. Ball was narrowed right in attack with returning replacement Simon Shaw making the yards. Ball then spread wide but was floundered by the heads up defensive play of wing Richard Welding stepping up.
Time, now, for a Wasps’ rolling maul. Leeds were forced to give away the penalty after conceding twenty-yards to the Wasps’ surge, which Walder struck with similar venom.
Thomas’ fifth attempt did drift wide of the posts although the coming twenty-two drop out from Walder was brought back for the scrum after going dead 80 meters down field.
Space left, space right, Leeds chose the former route. Ball was played back inside and rewarded with another three points as play was illegally killed on Wasps' retreat.
Wasps welcomed Tom Varndell to the field in the final ten where problems were seemingly in the pack. A further lineout opportunity was lost as the ball swayed adrift; Wasps redeemed themselves at the scrum but handling errors in the midfield gave the opportunity for Leeds to counter.
Sackey and Lemi failed to keep the ball on their radars from the kick up field and were saved from embarrassment as Varndell returned to clear. Simpson broke the line once more from the scrum to present another platform for Wasps but the brimming build up was spilled over in midfield for Leeds to catch a breath.
The spectacular Leeds scrum began to wane under pressure, but pressure was duly neutralised at the hands of Ward with another poor lineout for the home side. Leeds held on for their first win of the season, a momentous 15-9 victory for the side at the Wasps nest – another first incidentally – in a less than inspiring display from Tom Hanks’ men.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
