Seven newcomers named in Wallabies squad
Seven uncapped players – including three Commonwealth Games sevens silver medallists – have been named in the 36-man Wallabies spring tour squad.
Skipper and back-rower Pat McCutcheon, halfback Nick Phipps and winger/fullback Luke Morahan were all named in the touring party today, along with Test winger Lachie Turner, who was also part of the Delhi squad.
The other uncapped players are 34-year-old Queensland lock Van Humphries, Reds winger Rod Davies, their state teammate, back-rower Scott Higginbotham, and Brumbies back Pat McCabe.
Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm has been rewarded for his swift recovery from a knee injury with selection.
The Commonwealth Games players are scheduled to return to Australia on Saturday morning on a specially chartered flight.
Phipps, who has yet to play Super rugby, is the first player affiliated to new franchise Melbourne to earn Wallabies selection.
Davies has earned selection despite being sidelined for much of the second half of the year with a torn hamstring.
The squad is: Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Mark Chisholm, Quade Cooper, Rod Davies, Ben Daley, Huia Edmonds, Rocky Elsom (capt), Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Peter Hynes, Van Humphries, Salesi Ma’afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Pat McCutcheon, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore, Luke Morahan, Dean Mumm, James O’Connor, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Lachie Turner.
The Wallabies open their five-Test tour with a Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks in Hong Kong on October 30 before heading to Europe.
Bledisloe Cup | Bledisloe Cup Rivals Promise SAR Thriller
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The fourth Bledisloe Cup Test between New Zealand and Australia will go ahead at Hong Kong Stadium on October 30 despite sluggish ticket sales with only 14,000 tickets sold so far.”Both the New Zealand and Australian rugby unions are fully supportive of the Hong Kong fixture and are committed to bringing one of world rugby’s legendary matches back to Asia,” said New Zealand Rugby Union chief Steve Tew.Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill promised an edge-of-the-seat thriller.AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSEADVERTISEMENT
Bledisloe Cup | Hong Kong Bledisloe Test On
The fourth Bledisloe Cup rugby Test in Hong Kong will go ahead at the end of next month.
The three unions involved, the NZRU, the ARU and the HKRU, have confirmed the All Blacks and Wallabies will clash at Hong Kong Stadium on October 30th, after the fixture had been in doubt following low ticket pre-sales.
The New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew says the game’s already broken even following ticket sales topping 14,000 this week and one of their main concerns was for a number of genuine fans who had already bought tickets and booked flights to Hong Kong.
Tew admits that if the All Blacks had been the challengers for rather than holders of the Bledisloe Cup, which was retained with the win over the Wallabies in Christchurch early last month, the union would have had its doubts over holding a fourth game.
There’ll be no Asian Test next year with the World Cup and Tew says it’s too soon to say if there will be extra Bledisloe Tests in the future, but the NZRU has expressed its concern over the congested Test calendar and it appears unlikely.
Bledisloe Cup | Earthquake And Honour To Put Life Back Into Bledisloe Dead Rubber
Rupert Guinness asks All Black Ma’a Nonu what makes Bledisloe Cup Test matches so special.
Ma’a Nonu sits, hands clasped and eyes fixed, mentally constructing his answer.
Players speak of the step up from Super 14 to Test rugby – but this is another level. The All Blacks may have wrapped up both the Tri Nations and Bledisloe cups for another year during a 15-game winning streak but Nonu is adamant his side’s motivation remains undiminished.
”It’s on top of the food chain,” the All Blacks inside-centre says. ”It is the best level you can get to. All this talk about the game being a dead rubber … it’s not. It’s Australia against the All Blacks.”
Here are some factors Nonu agreed will influence tonight’s match:
Playing at Homebush Bay
The All Blacks boast nine successive wins over Australia but they have not forgotten last year’s clash at ANZ Stadium, where they fought back from 12-3 down at half-time to win 19-18. Little wonder All Blacks lock Brad Thorn cherishes every Wallabies Test at ANZ Stadium. ”I know the Bledisloe has been won. But it’s a game I look forward to on the calendar,” Thorn says. ”If you look at the games that are played there, they are contested right to the end.”
The Christchurch earthquake
An extra motivating factor for the All Blacks tonight will be their desire to restore cheer among New Zealanders affected by the Christchurch earthquake. With eight players and several coaches and management staff having experienced last Saturday’s disaster first-hand, the All Blacks’ sense of playing for their fellow Kiwis has never been stronger.
All week, the New Zealanders have spoken emotionally about the quake and its impact on their lives and those of so many back home – and on each occasion placing their concern for the plight of people back home above concern for their own situation. As All Blacks coach Graham Henry, whose 94-year-old mother lives in Christchurch, said: ”It’s been a horrendous experience, an eerie situation. A lot of people, and a lot of people from Canterbury are in this rugby team. We are always playing for those people, but there is probably extra significance this weekend.”
Cruden v Cooper
With Dan Carter sidelined, Aaron Cruden finally gets his chance to start a Test in the No.10 jersey, adding to his 55 minutes of Test experience from the bench in five matches.
Cruden is a novice when compared with Wallabies No.10 Quade Cooper. But Cooper is no better placed in terms of experience against the opposition – he has never played against the All Blacks in his 17 Test matches.
While Cruden is small at 82 kilograms, he is not shy in defence – although he does lack impact – or with ball in hand. And as Nonu joked this week: ”It’s always the little guys that are confident.”
That Cruden beat testicular cancer in 2008 to lead New Zealand in last year’s Junior World Cup and was voted IRB junior player of the year shows he has ability to match his courage.
The Hurricanes connection
Cruden’s familiarity as part of a virtual Hurricanes back line with Piri Weepu at No.9, Nonu at No.12, Conrad Smith at No.13 and Cory Jane at No.14 should help him feel at home.
The Wallabies and Reds halves – Will Genia and Cooper – may recall their round-13, Super 14 clash against a ‘Canes back line at Wellington when Weepu and Cruden were paired. Leading 21-8 after 30 minutes, the Reds conceded 30 unanswered points to lose 44-21. Sound familiar?
The battle for selection
Cruden’s promotion to No.10 is one of five changes to the team that beat the Springboks 29-22 in Soweto three weeks ago. Since then, the All Blacks have recovered. The four other changes to their side are uncapped Colin Slade (for Cruden’s bench slot), Israel Dagg (for Joe Rokocoko), Piri Weepu (for Jimmy Cowan), Owen Franks (for his brother Ben) and Victor Vito, who has earned the blindside breakaway slot over Jerome Kaino.
Bledisloe Cup | Bledisloe Match Going Ahead In Hong Kong
Hong Kong – The fourth Bledisloe Cup Test between New Zealand and Australia will go ahead in Hong Kong next month despite sluggish ticket sales, both teams said on Wednesday.
The confirmation came after suggestions that the match could be moved to London’s Twickenham stadium, with only 14,000 tickets sold so far.
“Both the New Zealand and Australian rugby unions are fully supportive of the Hong Kong fixture and are committed to bringing one of world rugby’s legendary matches back to Asia,” said New Zealand Rugby Union chief Steve Tew.
“The upcoming end of year tour is vital for both teams going into 2011 and I know the All Blacks will be looking to put in a strong performance to kick off their tour on the back of a successful Tri Nations campaign.” Continues Below ↓
After New Zealand’s last-gasp 23-22 victory last week in Sydney, both teams have everything to play for as they finalise their preparations for tours of the northern hemisphere.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill promised an edge-of-the-seat thriller at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium on October 30.
“The quality of rugby in this year’s Bledisloe Cup series has been outstanding,” he said.
“These are the best two teams in world rugby and the one point separating them in Sydney last Saturday night underlines the closeness of the contest.
“There is also no doubt that the game, as it is currently being played in the southern hemisphere, is as exciting as it has been at any other time in memory.
“We’re confident the match in Hong Kong will be another entertainment package no sporting fan would want to miss.”
The Wallabies and the All Blacks have played each other in Hong Kong and Tokyo over the last two years to generate income and try to develop rugby in Asia.
Earlier this month, O’Neill said that Hong Kong would mark the last time the two teams played four Bledisloe Cup Tests in the one year and that they were not looking to take any future Tests offshore.
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union’s Trevor Gregory encouraged people to snap up tickets.
“With the world’s two top-ranked teams set to contest the latest match in their century-old rivalry, the Bledisloe Cup in Hong Kong promises to be another historic moment in Hong Kong rugby,” he said. – Sapa-AFP
Bledisloe Cup | Rugby-Kahui Surgery Rules Him Out Of NZ Season-ending Tour
WELLINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) – Richard Kahui will miss theAll Blacks’ season-ending northern hemisphere tour after a scanrevealed he would need surgery on his right shoulder, the teamsaid on Thursday.
The 25-year-old centre suffered a small fracture in hisshoulder socket in the All Blacks’ opening Tri-Nations testagainst South Africa in July and re-injured it when playing forprovincial side Waikato earlier this month.
He had had an arthroscopy in Auckland on Wednesday whichhad confirmed surgery would be required to repair a torn tendonand minor cartilage damage, All Blacks team doctor Deb Robinsonsaid in a statement.
He would not be expected to be fit until next year’s Superrugby season, she added.
The All Blacks will play Australia in Hong Kong on Oct. 30in their final Bledisloe Cup match before heading to Europe forNovember tests against England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. (Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Bledisloe Cup | SAR Blediscoe Cup Test A Go Despite Poor Ticket Sales
The confirmation came after suggestions that the match could be moved to London’s Twickenham stadium, with only 14,000 tickets Sold so far.
“Both the New Zealand and Australian rugby unions are fully supportive of the Hong Kong fixture and are committed to bringing one of world rugby’s legendary matches back to Asia,” said New Zealand Rugby Union chief Steve Tew.
“The upcoming end of year tour is vital for both teams going into 2011 and I know the All Blacks will be looking to put in a strong performance to kick off their tour on the back of a successful Tri Nations campaign.”
After New Zealand’s last-gasp 23-22 victory last week in Sydney, both teams have everything to play for as they finalize their preparations for tours of the northern hemisphere.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill promised an edge-of-the-seat thriller at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium on October 30.
“The quality of rugby in this year’s Bledisloe Cup series has been outstanding,” he said.
“These are the best two teams in world rugby and the one point separating them in Sydney last Saturday night underlines the closeness of the contest.
“There is also no doubt that the game, as it is currently being played in the southern hemisphere, is as exciting as it has been at any other time in memory.
“We’re confident the match in Hong Kong will be another entertainment package no sporting fan would want to miss.”
The Wallabies and the All Blacks have played each other in Hong Kong and Tokyo over the last two years to generate income and try to develop rugby in Asia.
Earlier this month, O’Neill said that Hong Kong would mark the last time the two teams played four Bledisloe Cup Tests in the one year and that they were not looking to take any future Tests offshore.
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union’s Trevor Gregory encouraged people to snap up tickets.
“With the world’s two top-ranked teams set to contest the latest match in their century-old rivalry, the Bledisloe Cup in Hong Kong promises to be another historic moment in Hong Kong rugby,” he said.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Bledisloe Cup | Hong Kong Bledisloe Rugby Test Confirmed Despite Poor Sales
(AFP)-8 hours ago
HONG KONG
Bledisloe Cup | Rugby: Resolute All Blacks’ Characters Lauded By Henry
Graham Henry articulated the defining quality of the All Blacks’ record-breaking Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations rugby campaign in one word: Character.
“Character, character, character” the head coach chimed in the afterglow of New Zealand’s 23-22 comeback victory over the Wallabies at Sydney last night.
And Henry need not have deviated from the alphabet to expand on the reasons behind the All Blacks record-setting 10th consecutive success at rival Robbie Deans’ expense.
The words composure, cunning and captain were as fitting and, for starters, clumsy — in recognition of the All Blacks’ sloppy opening 50 minutes against an opponent still on a high from their heroics at altitude in South Africa last weekend.
It required a clinical comeback in the final quarter to overhaul a 13-point deficit with converted tries to Richie McCaw and Kieran Read completing a recovery reminiscent of their last-ditch win against the Springboks in Soweto three weeks ago.
The ability to prevail in tight contests – once the speciality of a John Eales-led Wallabies side – has been a hallmark of an All Blacks side on a 15-match winning streak.
Naturally McCaw was an inspirational figure in his record 52nd Test in charge.
A bold decision to reject a guaranteed three points in favour of an attacking scrum in the 67th minute was vindicated when McCaw took a pass from Read to cross and signal the momentum shift.
The Wallabies claimed he had detached from the set piece early, it was a borderline call and allowed McCaw to hurt his former coach Robbie Deans yet again – at Hong Kong in 2008 his match winner via a missed forward pass secured a 19-14 triumph.
Appropriately Read then produced the killer blow, barging over by the posts as the Wallabies defence finally fractured.
McCaw’s 89th cap, the Test which enabled him to eclipse the captaincy record of Sean Fitzpatrick, also saw the 29-year-old pull clear of Zinzan Brooke as the most prolific All Black forward in Test history with his 19th try.
Those accolades meant little to McCaw. It was the execution of his side’s unbeaten six-match Tri-Nations campaign – yet another landmark – that left a lasting impression on the skipper.
“I think a little bit of it is habit, but that habit just doesn’t happen,” he said after the All Blacks finished the southern hemisphere competition with a record haul of 184 points and 22 tries.
“We’ve got a bunch of senior guys that have played a lot of Tests, been through a lot of experiences, good and bad,” McCaw said.
“You think back to last year there were a few that were pretty tough,” he said of the loss to France in Dunedin and three defeats to South Africa.
“Sometimes that’s where you’re biggest learnings are. I know the senior players group learned a hell of a lot from that, things we didn’t do so well so when you in situations like that out there, the key is to be composed and keep believing in what you’re doing.
“(Saturday night) was a great example of that and three weeks ago in Soweto was as well …. When it came down to having to get things right the guys you expect to do that were the one’s putting their hands up. That’s what I see as pleasing.”
Henry, meanwhile, was in awe of his players resolve.
“The self belief has been incredible, the last two test matches we were up against it and guys still thought they could win rather than being overawed by the situation and the scoreboard,” he said.
“There’s a real positive mental attitude — those qualities have been really strong and they’ve developed this year.
So for Henry, surely there is reason for optimism less than 12 months out from that elusive World Cup?
“Yes, but you’re going to finish up second at some stage,” he warned.
It is delaying the inevitable that continues to drive Henry, his assistant coaches and the team.
“It’s going to happen one day isn’t it?” he said of the Wallabies ending their losing streak.
“A couple of years time would be fine.”
Bledisloe Cup | Rugby: Resolute All Blacks’ Characters Lauded By Henry
Graham Henry articulated the defining quality of the All Blacks’ record-breaking Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations rugby campaign in one word: Character.
“Character, character, character” the head coach chimed in the afterglow of New Zealand’s 23-22 comeback victory over the Wallabies at Sydney last night.
And Henry need not have deviated from the alphabet to expand on the reasons behind the All Blacks record-setting 10th consecutive success at rival Robbie Deans’ expense.
The words composure, cunning and captain were as fitting and, for starters, clumsy — in recognition of the All Blacks’ sloppy opening 50 minutes against an opponent still on a high from their heroics at altitude in South Africa last weekend.
It required a clinical comeback in the final quarter to overhaul a 13-point deficit with converted tries to Richie McCaw and Kieran Read completing a recovery reminiscent of their last-ditch win against the Springboks in Soweto three weeks ago.
The ability to prevail in tight contests – once the speciality of a John Eales-led Wallabies side – has been a hallmark of an All Blacks side on a 15-match winning streak.
Naturally McCaw was an inspirational figure in his record 52nd Test in charge.
A bold decision to reject a guaranteed three points in favour of an attacking scrum in the 67th minute was vindicated when McCaw took a pass from Read to cross and signal the momentum shift.
The Wallabies claimed he had detached from the set piece early, it was a borderline call and allowed McCaw to hurt his former coach Robbie Deans yet again – at Hong Kong in 2008 his match winner via a missed forward pass secured a 19-14 triumph.
Appropriately Read then produced the killer blow, barging over by the posts as the Wallabies defence finally fractured.
McCaw’s 89th cap, the Test which enabled him to eclipse the captaincy record of Sean Fitzpatrick, also saw the 29-year-old pull clear of Zinzan Brooke as the most prolific All Black forward in Test history with his 19th try.
Those accolades meant little to McCaw. It was the execution of his side’s unbeaten six-match Tri-Nations campaign – yet another landmark – that left a lasting impression on the skipper.
“I think a little bit of it is habit, but that habit just doesn’t happen,” he said after the All Blacks finished the southern hemisphere competition with a record haul of 184 points and 22 tries.
“We’ve got a bunch of senior guys that have played a lot of Tests, been through a lot of experiences, good and bad,” McCaw said.
“You think back to last year there were a few that were pretty tough,” he said of the loss to France in Dunedin and three defeats to South Africa.
“Sometimes that’s where you’re biggest learnings are. I know the senior players group learned a hell of a lot from that, things we didn’t do so well so when you in situations like that out there, the key is to be composed and keep believing in what you’re doing.
“(Saturday night) was a great example of that and three weeks ago in Soweto was as well …. When it came down to having to get things right the guys you expect to do that were the one’s putting their hands up. That’s what I see as pleasing.”
Henry, meanwhile, was in awe of his players resolve.
“The self belief has been incredible, the last two test matches we were up against it and guys still thought they could win rather than being overawed by the situation and the scoreboard,” he said.
“There’s a real positive mental attitude — those qualities have been really strong and they’ve developed this year.
So for Henry, surely there is reason for optimism less than 12 months out from that elusive World Cup?
“Yes, but you’re going to finish up second at some stage,” he warned.
It is delaying the inevitable that continues to drive Henry, his assistant coaches and the team.
“It’s going to happen one day isn’t it?” he said of the Wallabies ending their losing streak.
“A couple of years time would be fine.”
Bledisloe Cup | Rugby: Resolute All Blacks’ Characters Lauded By Henry
Graham Henry articulated the defining quality of the All Blacks’ record-breaking Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations rugby campaign in one word: Character.
“Character, character, character” the head coach chimed in the afterglow of New Zealand’s 23-22 comeback victory over the Wallabies at Sydney last night.
And Henry need not have deviated from the alphabet to expand on the reasons behind the All Blacks record-setting 10th consecutive success at rival Robbie Deans’ expense.
The words composure, cunning and captain were as fitting and, for starters, clumsy — in recognition of the All Blacks’ sloppy opening 50 minutes against an opponent still on a high from their heroics at altitude in South Africa last weekend.
It required a clinical comeback in the final quarter to overhaul a 13-point deficit with converted tries to Richie McCaw and Kieran Read completing a recovery reminiscent of their last-ditch win against the Springboks in Soweto three weeks ago.
The ability to prevail in tight contests – once the speciality of a John Eales-led Wallabies side – has been a hallmark of an All Blacks side on a 15-match winning streak.
Naturally McCaw was an inspirational figure in his record 52nd Test in charge.
A bold decision to reject a guaranteed three points in favour of an attacking scrum in the 67th minute was vindicated when McCaw took a pass from Read to cross and signal the momentum shift.
The Wallabies claimed he had detached from the set piece early, it was a borderline call and allowed McCaw to hurt his former coach Robbie Deans yet again – at Hong Kong in 2008 his match winner via a missed forward pass secured a 19-14 triumph.
Appropriately Read then produced the killer blow, barging over by the posts as the Wallabies defence finally fractured.
McCaw’s 89th cap, the Test which enabled him to eclipse the captaincy record of Sean Fitzpatrick, also saw the 29-year-old pull clear of Zinzan Brooke as the most prolific All Black forward in Test history with his 19th try.
Those accolades meant little to McCaw. It was the execution of his side’s unbeaten six-match Tri-Nations campaign – yet another landmark – that left a lasting impression on the skipper.
“I think a little bit of it is habit, but that habit just doesn’t happen,” he said after the All Blacks finished the southern hemisphere competition with a record haul of 184 points and 22 tries.
“We’ve got a bunch of senior guys that have played a lot of Tests, been through a lot of experiences, good and bad,” McCaw said.
“You think back to last year there were a few that were pretty tough,” he said of the loss to France in Dunedin and three defeats to South Africa.
“Sometimes that’s where you’re biggest learnings are. I know the senior players group learned a hell of a lot from that, things we didn’t do so well so when you in situations like that out there, the key is to be composed and keep believing in what you’re doing.
“(Saturday night) was a great example of that and three weeks ago in Soweto was as well …. When it came down to having to get things right the guys you expect to do that were the one’s putting their hands up. That’s what I see as pleasing.”
Henry, meanwhile, was in awe of his players resolve.
“The self belief has been incredible, the last two test matches we were up against it and guys still thought they could win rather than being overawed by the situation and the scoreboard,” he said.
“There’s a real positive mental attitude — those qualities have been really strong and they’ve developed this year.
So for Henry, surely there is reason for optimism less than 12 months out from that elusive World Cup?
“Yes, but you’re going to finish up second at some stage,” he warned.
It is delaying the inevitable that continues to drive Henry, his assistant coaches and the team.
“It’s going to happen one day isn’t it?” he said of the Wallabies ending their losing streak.
“A couple of years time would be fine.”
Bledisloe Cup | Rugby: Resolute All Blacks’ Characters Lauded By Henry
Graham Henry articulated the defining quality of the All Blacks’ record-breaking Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations rugby campaign in one word: Character.
“Character, character, character” the head coach chimed in the afterglow of New Zealand’s 23-22 comeback victory over the Wallabies at Sydney last night.
And Henry need not have deviated from the alphabet to expand on the reasons behind the All Blacks record-setting 10th consecutive success at rival Robbie Deans’ expense.
The words composure, cunning and captain were as fitting and, for starters, clumsy — in recognition of the All Blacks’ sloppy opening 50 minutes against an opponent still on a high from their heroics at altitude in South Africa last weekend.
It required a clinical comeback in the final quarter to overhaul a 13-point deficit with converted tries to Richie McCaw and Kieran Read completing a recovery reminiscent of their last-ditch win against the Springboks in Soweto three weeks ago.
The ability to prevail in tight contests – once the speciality of a John Eales-led Wallabies side – has been a hallmark of an All Blacks side on a 15-match winning streak.
Naturally McCaw was an inspirational figure in his record 52nd Test in charge.
A bold decision to reject a guaranteed three points in favour of an attacking scrum in the 67th minute was vindicated when McCaw took a pass from Read to cross and signal the momentum shift.
The Wallabies claimed he had detached from the set piece early, it was a borderline call and allowed McCaw to hurt his former coach Robbie Deans yet again – at Hong Kong in 2008 his match winner via a missed forward pass secured a 19-14 triumph.
Appropriately Read then produced the killer blow, barging over by the posts as the Wallabies defence finally fractured.
McCaw’s 89th cap, the Test which enabled him to eclipse the captaincy record of Sean Fitzpatrick, also saw the 29-year-old pull clear of Zinzan Brooke as the most prolific All Black forward in Test history with his 19th try.
Those accolades meant little to McCaw. It was the execution of his side’s unbeaten six-match Tri-Nations campaign – yet another landmark – that left a lasting impression on the skipper.
“I think a little bit of it is habit, but that habit just doesn’t happen,” he said after the All Blacks finished the southern hemisphere competition with a record haul of 184 points and 22 tries.
“We’ve got a bunch of senior guys that have played a lot of Tests, been through a lot of experiences, good and bad,” McCaw said.
“You think back to last year there were a few that were pretty tough,” he said of the loss to France in Dunedin and three defeats to South Africa.
“Sometimes that’s where you’re biggest learnings are. I know the senior players group learned a hell of a lot from that, things we didn’t do so well so when you in situations like that out there, the key is to be composed and keep believing in what you’re doing.
“(Saturday night) was a great example of that and three weeks ago in Soweto was as well …. When it came down to having to get things right the guys you expect to do that were the one’s putting their hands up. That’s what I see as pleasing.”
Henry, meanwhile, was in awe of his players resolve.
“The self belief has been incredible, the last two test matches we were up against it and guys still thought they could win rather than being overawed by the situation and the scoreboard,” he said.
“There’s a real positive mental attitude — those qualities have been really strong and they’ve developed this year.
So for Henry, surely there is reason for optimism less than 12 months out from that elusive World Cup?
“Yes, but you’re going to finish up second at some stage,” he warned.
It is delaying the inevitable that continues to drive Henry, his assistant coaches and the team.
“It’s going to happen one day isn’t it?” he said of the Wallabies ending their losing streak.
“A couple of years time would be fine.”
Bledisloe Cup | Rolling Out Rugby’s Red Carpet
Ten in a row. OK, that’ll be it ladies and gentlemen, there’s not much more to see here. Get ready to move along please. Thanks for coming.
Time to bring this nonsense to a conclusion.
Yes, yes, I know there’s a Bledisloe Cup game to be played in Hong Kong on October 30, but let’s face it, at this stage, the prospect of seeing the Wallabies risk losing their 11th in succession to the All Blacks is about as appealing as watching Pakistan play cricket.
So I say, let’s wrap it up. Uncover the podium, get Bert Newton out here, let’s do the awards ceremony and get the hell on our way.
First, the big picture. (Note to self: commence power-point presentation. And smile, dammit).
Despite the annoying success of the New Zealanders and the Australians’ horrible habit of marching off a cliff like lemmings in the second half of games, it’s been a positive international and provincial season in the southern hemisphere.
Wonderful player depth in South Africa, peak performance from an exceptional Kiwi squad; the unearthing of a few young Australian gems, and most importantly the game is getting its groove on again. (NTS: Wait for applause to die down).
On early evidence, the clubs in domestic competitions in the north are yet to fully embrace the attacking creed thankfully impaled on the game by the All Blacks, Wallabies and Queensland this season, but the power of the message from the south is irresistible and the clearer heads in Britain, Ireland and France will react soon with the World Cup less than a year away.
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa head north in November, giving them a chance to spread the new gospel but as importantly, the opportunity to cement combinations and confirm the right players, coaches and support staff are in place in the run down to the World Cup (Good luck with that Springboks).
But while we have a pause in proceedings ” and without completely ignoring our northern friends and the Poms — let’s reflect on some of the positives and standouts so far this season from an Australian perspective.
The envelopes please! Thank you, Ms Rice and may I say you look fetching despite the duct tape over your mouth and around your twit-ter fingers?
Let’s start with the big one: The Gold Bogus: Australia’s player of the year regardless of criminal charges, crap quotes, dismal haircuts and pitiful defence — and there’s certainly a few contenders this year, Bert.
But there can only be one winner: The Gold Bogus trophy and the award of a lucrative rugby league contract plus his very own, never pre-owned laptop, goes to future Parramatta Eel, Quade Cooper.
Well done Quade. Thanks Stephanie, you can let him go now. Thanks … um … Stephanie.
Moving right along. Before we celebrate other achievements by the players, let’s recognise the expertise of our coaches and have a cruel laugh at Peter de Villiers. (NTS: Wait for guffaws to die down).
The coach of the year wins a season’s supply of emergency medical attention, a copy of the Afrikaans best-seller, English As A Language Second, membership of Chris Pash’s clich of the week club and an invitation to a weekend workshop based on the book: How to Say a Whole Lot of Nothing by Julia Gillard (as told to Tony Abbott).
Right, the envelope please. Thank you, Thierry. Oh, there’s a note here. Apparently this was a two horse race and the judges — the French World Cup soccer team ” had great trouble separating them.
Graham Henry was right there at the end, but the judges wisely decided he was just too much a New Zealander. So the gong goes to Ewen McKenzie, the Queensland coach whose decision to cover his eyes when Cooper had the ball transformed the Reds from perennial losers to, well, not so much.
OK, back to the player awards: The Australian Tight Forward of the Year.
This award has a long history of being passed in because of the lack of worthy contenders so organisers this year opted to combine it with the Australian Forward of the Year gong, won annually for decades by George Smith until his recent international retirement.
Anyway, this is one to cherish even though there’s no actual prizes, as it’s for forwards whose rich reward is the opportunity to play on the same paddock as those flashy backs.
Yes, and there’s no doubt about the winner ” veteran second rower Nathan Sharpe by a mile despite David Pocock’s tremendous form and the fact that Sharpe plays for the disturbingly unattractive Western Force club, which reminds me: on behalf of the team’s supporters thanks for the memory Mitch (there’s one from 2008, I think) and good luck in Jo’Burg buddy. Much more like home in Hamilton than stinky old sun-drenched Perth, I’d imagine.
OK, they’re dimming the lights ” ha, it’s like Canberra on a Saturday night ” the producers are urging me to get a wriggle on so here goes.
Here’s a couple of gooduns: The Australian Back of the Year who isn’t Quade Cooper goes to Will Genia while for the 25th year straight the most votes for the Player Most Missed by the Wallabies goes to Mark Ella who has kindly agreed to share it with James Horwill, Wycliff Palu and Digby Ioane. Limp up to the stage gentlemen and relish the applause.
Game of the Year ” Australia against South Africa in Pretoria with an honourable mention to the Crusaders and the Bulls for their week 13 Super battle.
Team of the Year: looks bloody obvious on paper but when everything is consider this is a tough one. In the end, using my executive powers and fueled by latent malice towards Kiwis, I decided on a draw between the all conquering All Blacks and the Two Blues of Parramatta in Sydney, after-all it’s not clear whether it’s more difficult to turn up and win every match or to lose every match and keep turning up.
One or two more before we turn over the floor to tonight’s comedic entertainment — the guy who sang the South African national anthem prior to the test in France last year.
Here’s a new one: the Building Understanding Between the Sexes award goes to Wallaroo Nicole Beck for her awesome cover tackle in the women’s world cup semi against England.
Hey, and just to prove we’re not totally Australian-centric, congratulations to Sunny Boy Will … what? Oh, I mean Sonny Bill Williams for taking the glory for coming up with the most ingenious method in recovering from injury ” that’s right, hitting the ski slopes.
The much vaunted “Cheater” trophy has gone to Richie McCaw ever since he was in the under fives, but we have new surprise joint-winners this year ” Harlequins winger Tom Williams and club doctor Wendy Chapman for the bloodgate scandal.
Sensational dishonesty from all parties as the Doc deliberately cut the player’s lip at his request to cover up a plan to fake an injury. Just despicable.
Anyhoo, a couple of quick predictions before we head to the pool. Melbourne will win the Super 15 and rugby will displace Australian rules as Victoria’s premier sport next year. OK, just kidding. But I have a good feeling about Adelaide.
Also, the All Blacks won’t choke at the World Cup next year. They will however be flogged by vastly superior sides, peaking at just the right time.
See you in Honkers.
Bledisloe Cup | Rugby: Resolute All Blacks’ Characters Lauded By Henry
Graham Henry articulated the defining quality of the All Blacks’ record-breaking Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations rugby campaign in one word: Character.
“Character, character, character” the head coach chimed in the afterglow of New Zealand’s 23-22 comeback victory over the Wallabies at Sydney last night.
And Henry need not have deviated from the alphabet to expand on the reasons behind the All Blacks record-setting 10th consecutive success at rival Robbie Deans’ expense.
The words composure, cunning and captain were as fitting and, for starters, clumsy — in recognition of the All Blacks’ sloppy opening 50 minutes against an opponent still on a high from their heroics at altitude in South Africa last weekend.
It required a clinical comeback in the final quarter to overhaul a 13-point deficit with converted tries to Richie McCaw and Kieran Read completing a recovery reminiscent of their last-ditch win against the Springboks in Soweto three weeks ago.
The ability to prevail in tight contests – once the speciality of a John Eales-led Wallabies side – has been a hallmark of an All Blacks side on a 15-match winning streak.
Naturally McCaw was an inspirational figure in his record 52nd Test in charge.
A bold decision to reject a guaranteed three points in favour of an attacking scrum in the 67th minute was vindicated when McCaw took a pass from Read to cross and signal the momentum shift.
The Wallabies claimed he had detached from the set piece early, it was a borderline call and allowed McCaw to hurt his former coach Robbie Deans yet again – at Hong Kong in 2008 his match winner via a missed forward pass secured a 19-14 triumph.
Appropriately Read then produced the killer blow, barging over by the posts as the Wallabies defence finally fractured.
McCaw’s 89th cap, the Test which enabled him to eclipse the captaincy record of Sean Fitzpatrick, also saw the 29-year-old pull clear of Zinzan Brooke as the most prolific All Black forward in Test history with his 19th try.
Those accolades meant little to McCaw. It was the execution of his side’s unbeaten six-match Tri-Nations campaign – yet another landmark – that left a lasting impression on the skipper.
“I think a little bit of it is habit, but that habit just doesn’t happen,” he said after the All Blacks finished the southern hemisphere competition with a record haul of 184 points and 22 tries.
“We’ve got a bunch of senior guys that have played a lot of Tests, been through a lot of experiences, good and bad,” McCaw said.
“You think back to last year there were a few that were pretty tough,” he said of the loss to France in Dunedin and three defeats to South Africa.
“Sometimes that’s where you’re biggest learnings are. I know the senior players group learned a hell of a lot from that, things we didn’t do so well so when you in situations like that out there, the key is to be composed and keep believing in what you’re doing.
“(Saturday night) was a great example of that and three weeks ago in Soweto was as well …. When it came down to having to get things right the guys you expect to do that were the one’s putting their hands up. That’s what I see as pleasing.”
Henry, meanwhile, was in awe of his players resolve.
“The self belief has been incredible, the last two test matches we were up against it and guys still thought they could win rather than being overawed by the situation and the scoreboard,” he said.
“There’s a real positive mental attitude — those qualities have been really strong and they’ve developed this year.
So for Henry, surely there is reason for optimism less than 12 months out from that elusive World Cup?
“Yes, but you’re going to finish up second at some stage,” he warned.
It is delaying the inevitable that continues to drive Henry, his assistant coaches and the team.
“It’s going to happen one day isn’t it?” he said of the Wallabies ending their losing streak.
“A couple of years time would be fine.”
Bledisloe Cup | Rolling Out Rugby’s Red Carpet
Ten in a row. OK, that’ll be it ladies and gentlemen, there’s not much more to see here. Get ready to move along please. Thanks for coming.
Time to bring this nonsense to a conclusion.
Yes, yes, I know there’s a Bledisloe Cup game to be played in Hong Kong on October 30, but let’s face it, at this stage, the prospect of seeing the Wallabies risk losing their 11th in succession to the All Blacks is about as appealing as watching Pakistan play cricket.
So I say, let’s wrap it up. Uncover the podium, get Bert Newton out here, let’s do the awards ceremony and get the hell on our way.
First, the big picture. (Note to self: commence power-point presentation. And smile, dammit).
Despite the annoying success of the New Zealanders and the Australians’ horrible habit of marching off a cliff like lemmings in the second half of games, it’s been a positive international and provincial season in the southern hemisphere.
Wonderful player depth in South Africa, peak performance from an exceptional Kiwi squad; the unearthing of a few young Australian gems, and most importantly the game is getting its groove on again. (NTS: Wait for applause to die down).
On early evidence, the clubs in domestic competitions in the north are yet to fully embrace the attacking creed thankfully impaled on the game by the All Blacks, Wallabies and Queensland this season, but the power of the message from the south is irresistible and the clearer heads in Britain, Ireland and France will react soon with the World Cup less than a year away.
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa head north in November, giving them a chance to spread the new gospel but as importantly, the opportunity to cement combinations and confirm the right players, coaches and support staff are in place in the run down to the World Cup (Good luck with that Springboks).
But while we have a pause in proceedings ” and without completely ignoring our northern friends and the Poms — let’s reflect on some of the positives and standouts so far this season from an Australian perspective.
The envelopes please! Thank you, Ms Rice and may I say you look fetching despite the duct tape over your mouth and around your twit-ter fingers?
Let’s start with the big one: The Gold Bogus: Australia’s player of the year regardless of criminal charges, crap quotes, dismal haircuts and pitiful defence — and there’s certainly a few contenders this year, Bert.
But there can only be one winner: The Gold Bogus trophy and the award of a lucrative rugby league contract plus his very own, never pre-owned laptop, goes to future Parramatta Eel, Quade Cooper.
Well done Quade. Thanks Stephanie, you can let him go now. Thanks … um … Stephanie.
Moving right along. Before we celebrate other achievements by the players, let’s recognise the expertise of our coaches and have a cruel laugh at Peter de Villiers. (NTS: Wait for guffaws to die down).
The coach of the year wins a season’s supply of emergency medical attention, a copy of the Afrikaans best-seller, English As A Language Second, membership of Chris Pash’s clich of the week club and an invitation to a weekend workshop based on the book: How to Say a Whole Lot of Nothing by Julia Gillard (as told to Tony Abbott).
Right, the envelope please. Thank you, Thierry. Oh, there’s a note here. Apparently this was a two horse race and the judges — the French World Cup soccer team ” had great trouble separating them.
Graham Henry was right there at the end, but the judges wisely decided he was just too much a New Zealander. So the gong goes to Ewen McKenzie, the Queensland coach whose decision to cover his eyes when Cooper had the ball transformed the Reds from perennial losers to, well, not so much.
OK, back to the player awards: The Australian Tight Forward of the Year.
This award has a long history of being passed in because of the lack of worthy contenders so organisers this year opted to combine it with the Australian Forward of the Year gong, won annually for decades by George Smith until his recent international retirement.
Anyway, this is one to cherish even though there’s no actual prizes, as it’s for forwards whose rich reward is the opportunity to play on the same paddock as those flashy backs.
Yes, and there’s no doubt about the winner ” veteran second rower Nathan Sharpe by a mile despite David Pocock’s tremendous form and the fact that Sharpe plays for the disturbingly unattractive Western Force club, which reminds me: on behalf of the team’s supporters thanks for the memory Mitch (there’s one from 2008, I think) and good luck in Jo’Burg buddy. Much more like home in Hamilton than stinky old sun-drenched Perth, I’d imagine.
OK, they’re dimming the lights ” ha, it’s like Canberra on a Saturday night ” the producers are urging me to get a wriggle on so here goes.
Here’s a couple of gooduns: The Australian Back of the Year who isn’t Quade Cooper goes to Will Genia while for the 25th year straight the most votes for the Player Most Missed by the Wallabies goes to Mark Ella who has kindly agreed to share it with James Horwill, Wycliff Palu and Digby Ioane. Limp up to the stage gentlemen and relish the applause.
Game of the Year ” Australia against South Africa in Pretoria with an honourable mention to the Crusaders and the Bulls for their week 13 Super battle.
Team of the Year: looks bloody obvious on paper but when everything is consider this is a tough one. In the end, using my executive powers and fueled by latent malice towards Kiwis, I decided on a draw between the all conquering All Blacks and the Two Blues of Parramatta in Sydney, after-all it’s not clear whether it’s more difficult to turn up and win every match or to lose every match and keep turning up.
One or two more before we turn over the floor to tonight’s comedic entertainment — the guy who sang the South African national anthem prior to the test in France last year.
Here’s a new one: the Building Understanding Between the Sexes award goes to Wallaroo Nicole Beck for her awesome cover tackle in the women’s world cup semi against England.
Hey, and just to prove we’re not totally Australian-centric, congratulations to Sunny Boy Will … what? Oh, I mean Sonny Bill Williams for taking the glory for coming up with the most ingenious method in recovering from injury ” that’s right, hitting the ski slopes.
The much vaunted “Cheater” trophy has gone to Richie McCaw ever since he was in the under fives, but we have new surprise joint-winners this year ” Harlequins winger Tom Williams and club doctor Wendy Chapman for the bloodgate scandal.
Sensational dishonesty from all parties as the Doc deliberately cut the player’s lip at his request to cover up a plan to fake an injury. Just despicable.
Anyhoo, a couple of quick predictions before we head to the pool. Melbourne will win the Super 15 and rugby will displace Australian rules as Victoria’s premier sport next year. OK, just kidding. But I have a good feeling about Adelaide.
Also, the All Blacks won’t choke at the World Cup next year. They will however be flogged by vastly superior sides, peaking at just the right time.
See you in Honkers.
Bledisloe Cup | Rugby: Resolute All Blacks’ Characters Lauded By Henry
Graham Henry articulated the defining quality of the All Blacks’ record-breaking Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations rugby campaign in one word: Character.
“Character, character, character” the head coach chimed in the afterglow of New Zealand’s 23-22 comeback victory over the Wallabies at Sydney last night.
And Henry need not have deviated from the alphabet to expand on the reasons behind the All Blacks record-setting 10th consecutive success at rival Robbie Deans’ expense.
The words composure, cunning and captain were as fitting and, for starters, clumsy — in recognition of the All Blacks’ sloppy opening 50 minutes against an opponent still on a high from their heroics at altitude in South Africa last weekend.
It required a clinical comeback in the final quarter to overhaul a 13-point deficit with converted tries to Richie McCaw and Kieran Read completing a recovery reminiscent of their last-ditch win against the Springboks in Soweto three weeks ago.
The ability to prevail in tight contests – once the speciality of a John Eales-led Wallabies side – has been a hallmark of an All Blacks side on a 15-match winning streak.
Naturally McCaw was an inspirational figure in his record 52nd Test in charge.
A bold decision to reject a guaranteed three points in favour of an attacking scrum in the 67th minute was vindicated when McCaw took a pass from Read to cross and signal the momentum shift.
The Wallabies claimed he had detached from the set piece early, it was a borderline call and allowed McCaw to hurt his former coach Robbie Deans yet again – at Hong Kong in 2008 his match winner via a missed forward pass secured a 19-14 triumph.
Appropriately Read then produced the killer blow, barging over by the posts as the Wallabies defence finally fractured.
McCaw’s 89th cap, the Test which enabled him to eclipse the captaincy record of Sean Fitzpatrick, also saw the 29-year-old pull clear of Zinzan Brooke as the most prolific All Black forward in Test history with his 19th try.
Those accolades meant little to McCaw. It was the execution of his side’s unbeaten six-match Tri-Nations campaign – yet another landmark – that left a lasting impression on the skipper.
“I think a little bit of it is habit, but that habit just doesn’t happen,” he said after the All Blacks finished the southern hemisphere competition with a record haul of 184 points and 22 tries.
“We’ve got a bunch of senior guys that have played a lot of Tests, been through a lot of experiences, good and bad,” McCaw said.
“You think back to last year there were a few that were pretty tough,” he said of the loss to France in Dunedin and three defeats to South Africa.
“Sometimes that’s where you’re biggest learnings are. I know the senior players group learned a hell of a lot from that, things we didn’t do so well so when you in situations like that out there, the key is to be composed and keep believing in what you’re doing.
“(Saturday night) was a great example of that and three weeks ago in Soweto was as well …. When it came down to having to get things right the guys you expect to do that were the one’s putting their hands up. That’s what I see as pleasing.”
Henry, meanwhile, was in awe of his players resolve.
“The self belief has been incredible, the last two test matches we were up against it and guys still thought they could win rather than being overawed by the situation and the scoreboard,” he said.
“There’s a real positive mental attitude — those qualities have been really strong and they’ve developed this year.
So for Henry, surely there is reason for optimism less than 12 months out from that elusive World Cup?
“Yes, but you’re going to finish up second at some stage,” he warned.
It is delaying the inevitable that continues to drive Henry, his assistant coaches and the team.
“It’s going to happen one day isn’t it?” he said of the Wallabies ending their losing streak.
“A couple of years time would be fine.”
