Tag: Rugby

Ahead of the 2018 Rugby Championship, we preview the teams looking to get their hands on the coveted silverware. Last up, it is New Zealand.

The All Blacks will be determined to continue where they left off in their 3-0 series victory of France in June when they resume hostilities against their traditional Southern Hemisphere adversaries.

Like most tournaments which they participate in, the Rugby Championship has been dominated by the All Blacks, who have won the tournament on five out of six occasions since its inception in 2012.

That statistic and the Crusaders’ recent success in Super Rugby means the world champions will, once again, start this year’s Rugby Championship as overwhelming favourites.

Last year: The men in black had a tough act to follow in 2017 as they finished the 2016 Rugby Championship by winning all six of their matches with bonus points.

Although the All Blacks celebrated another tournament win courtesy of victories in all their matches, they did not reach the same heights as that 2016 campaign as they failed to pick up bonus points in hard-fought triumphs over Australia and South Africa in Dunedin and Cape Town respectively.

New Zealand made a bright start to the competition by claiming a 54-34 triumph over the Wallabies in Sydney but were made to sweat in that return fixture on home soil before a late Beauden Barrett try secured them a 35-29 win.

They then beat Argentina 39-22 in New Plymouth before delivering a superb all-round performance in a convincing 57-0 victory over the Springboks in Albany in Round Four.

Their impressive form continued in their next match, in which they claimed a 36-10 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires, and they finished off their campaign with that narrow 25-24 triumph against South Africa at Newlands.

This year: The All Blacks will be determined to hit the ground running in their opening fixture and a dominant performance in that Bledisloe Cup Test with the Wallabies could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

After an unconvincing win over France, in the second Test of their three-Test series whitewash in June, head coach Steve Hansen handed debuts to Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell and Jackson Hemopo and they all repaid their coach’s faith with impressive performances off the bench in a 49-14 win over les Bleus in third Test in Dunedin.

Hansen will surely start with his tried and trusted combinations during the early rounds but, if the All Blacks manage to dominate this year’s tournament again, the latter stages of the competition could see the aforementioned quartet and other Test rookies like Karl Tu’inukuafe, who made his debut in the first Test against France in Auckland, making their run-on debuts for the men in black.

Ones to watch: Although he played his part in helping the Crusaders win the Super Rugby tournament again, veteran number eight Kieran Read will be keen to make an impact at Test level as he spent most of the season on the sidelines due to a spinal injury.

New Zealand’s first-choice captain only joined the Crusaders’ successful campaign during the latter stages of Super Rugby and he will be determined to play a more prominent role in the All Blacks’ defence of their Rugby Championship title.

Another senior player of whom much is expected is fly-half Beauden Barrett, whose superb playmaking skills should unleash the world champions’ brilliance on attack.

Prediction: This should be another year where the All Blacks will prove too strong for their opponents, although they can expect tougher challenges from South Africa and Australia. First.

Fixtures:

Saturday, 18 August: vs Australia (away)
Saturday, 25 August: vs Australia (home)
Saturday, 8 September: vs Argentina (home)
Saturday, 15 September: vs South Africa (home)
Saturday, 29 September: vs Argentina (away)
Saturday, 6 October: vs South Africa (away)

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Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed that Eben Etzebeth is set to start in Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Durban.

Erasmus confirmed the news on Monday, where the team gathered in the build-up to the weekend’s clash. Etzebeth has not played any rugby in 2018, with his last appearance coming against Wales back in December 2017.

“Yes, Eben is available and we will be looking at starting him instead of playing him from the bench,” Erasmus said.

“We got the clearance from the specialist so he is ready to go. He is fit and strong and has been functional for a while, and he has been with us at Stellenbosch for a few weeks where he has been training full-on.”

Erasmus added that he will have to manage the game time of several players, especially those who have played a lot of Super Rugby this year.

“Players such as Elton Jantjies, Franco Mostert and RG Snyman have seen a lot of action and clocked a lot of playing time, so we will have to be sensible in how we manage them, especially at the beginning of the campaign,” he said.

“It can mean that perhaps they would not be in the selection mix for this weekend. We are playing Argentina twice in two weeks, travelling over there next week, so we will have to factor all of those things when we look at the first two matches.”

Erasmus cautioned that Argentina will be a tough nut to crack over the next two weeks.

He added: “They have a new coach in Mario Ledesma, who will energise the team and if you look at how well the Jaguares performed this year – they were unbeaten on tour through Australasia and beat all of the South African teams – then there is no doubt that we are in for two very tough, competitive Pumas matches.”

The Springbok team to face Argentina will be named on Thursday afternoon.

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Ahead of the 2018 Rugby Championship, we preview the teams looking to get their hands on the coveted silverware. Next up, it is Australia.

Australian rugby is in a much better place just 12 months on as the Wallabies gear up for another Rugby Championship. Last season, the national side entered the competition with their Super Rugby sides having failed to win a single game against New Zealand opposition while there was the ongoing saga over which franchise should be axed.

A year on, the Wallabies are safe in the knowledge that they have broken a Bledisloe drought that had previously spanned back to 2015 – with that 23-18 victory at a rain-drenched Suncorp Stadium in October. Furthermore, their Super Rugby sides are in a far better state, while the Waratahs trio of Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley are in fine form, having gone to a Super Rugby semi-final with the Waratahs.

Last year: The Wallabies headed in to the tournament low on confidence on the back of a 24-19 defeat to Scotland in Sydney and with the Super Rugby franchises having endured their worst season in history. But with their backs to the wall, Michael Cheika’s men managed to produce some quality rugby.

However, it did not look to be the case when they started with a 54-34 drubbing at the hands of the All Blacks, which severely exposed their defensive lines. Cheika’s men rallied back in round two and were unlucky to lose to the same opposition 35-29 as Beauden Barrett’s last-gasp try snatched victory out of their hands.

What followed was a 23-23 draw with the Springboks in Perth before they finally claimed their first win of the tournament with a 45-20 win over Argentina a week later at the same venue. Remarkably, they played out to a second successive draw against the Springboks; a 27-27 stalemate this time in Bloemfontein.

A 37-20 victory over Los Pumas in Mendoza in their last fixture would ensure the Wallabies finished in second place behind the All Blacks on the overall standings.

This year: As mentioned, Australian rugby is in a much better place 12 months on after a difficult 2017. The Wallabies will be relieved to have the burden of the six-game losing streak against the All Blacks off their back. That 23-18 victory in the third Bledisloe of last year following the Rugby Championship will give them real belief going into the 2018 tournament.

However, they are facing something of a midfield crisis, with both Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi ruled out of the tournament with long-term injuries. Reece Hodge and Curtis Rona now appear to be in a two-horse race for the number 13 jersey, with the former seemingly leading the way in that duel, having started there in Friday’s Bledisloe Cup trial. Hodge has proven himself to be the epitome of versatility and offers a long-range option with the boot; crucial for those tight Test matches.

Despite the uncertainty at outside centre, the backline is in a better shape than it has been in a long time, mainly thanks to the Waratahs contingent. Kurtley Beale is back with a bang which has in turn freed up Bernard Foley, who is playing with his old swagger again. Then there is the threat of Israel Folau, who scored 14 tries in Super Rugby this season.

Meanwhile, the forward pack is ever-improving. The return of David Pocock was crucial in the games against Ireland in June as, although they lost 2-1, he was a constant threat at the breakdown. Remember that Hooper missed most of that series so, with the pair set to be reunited in the loose trio, it is a mouth-watering prospect indeed. But what Cheika will be most pleased with is the abundance of options in the front-row. Young guns such as Taniela Tupou and Brandon Paenga-Amosa are pushing the old guard for a regular starting berth and this sort of competition and mix of youth and experience can only be beneficial to the squad.

Ones to watch: Keep a lookout for Tatafu Polota-Nau. With a lack of experienced hookers in the Wallaby set-up at the moment, Polota-Nau’s role has become even more crucial to the Wallabies since Stephen Moore’s retirement. All eyes will be on Polota-Nau as he hasn’t had a lot of game-time in recent weeks, with him now plying his trade in the English Premiership with Leicester Tigers.

Watch out for the electrifying Tom Banks. There is surely no one faster in the Wallabies squad. Banks has showcased that searing pace on numerous occasions for the Brumbies this season and was rewarded for his eye-catching performances when being named in Michael Cheika’s squad for the June series against Ireland. The 24-year-old had scored four tries in three games prior to receiving the call from Cheika, including a brilliant solo effort and contender for try of the season against the Bulls in Pretoria.

Prediction: It will be a tight battle between the Wallabies and South Africa for second but we think that the Springboks may just have the edge up front, particularly with Cheika still looking for that young hooker to fill the position vacated by Stephen Moore. Third.

Fixtures:

Saturday, 18 August: vs New Zealand (home)
Saturday, 25 August: vs New Zealand (away)
Saturday, 8 September: vs South Africa (home)
Saturday, 15 September: vs Argentina (home)
Saturday, 29 September: vs South Africa (home)
Saturday, 6 October: vs Argentina (away)

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Loose forward Guy Mercer is leaving Bath ahead of the 2018/19 campaign after eight years at the club, having been released from his contract.

Mercer made 123 senior appearances for the Club since making his first team debut in 2010.

Director of Rugby, Todd Blackadder said: “We have an extremely deep and talented range of players in the back row and it was clear that time on the pitch would be limited.”

“We’d like to thank Guy for the immense contribution he’s made during his time with the Club. Not only has he captained the team, he’s been hugely influential passing on his experience to an exciting crop of talent coming through in his position.”

Mercer added; “I have had an incredible time with Bath Rugby and want to thank the players, staff and friends of the club that have made that possible.”

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The match officials for this weekend’s action have been confirmed, with Jaco Peyper taking charge of the Rugby Championship opener between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney.

Elsewhere, the Mitre 10 Cup and Currie Cup tournaments also get underway.

Rugby Championship

Australia v New Zealand
@ ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

South Africa v Argentina
@ Kings Park, Durban, South Africa
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Mitre 10 Cup, Round 1

North Harbour vs Northland
@ QBE Stadium, Albany
Referee: tbc

Tasman vs Canterbury
@ Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Referee: tbc

Manawatu vs Waikato
@ Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North
Referee: tbc

Auckland vs Counties
@ Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: tbc

Bay of Plenty vs Taranaki
@ Rotorua International Stadium
Referee: tbc

Wellington vs Otago
@ Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: tbc

Southland vs Hawke’s Bay
@ Rugby Park, Invercargill
Referee: tbc

Currie Cup, Premier Division

Free State Cheetahs v Blue Bulls
@ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe

Pumas v Griquas
@ Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Ricus van der Hoven, Des van Wyk
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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Blue Bulls head coach Pote Human named an experienced team for Friday night’s Currie Cup opener against the Free State in Bloemfontein.

Number eight Hanro Liebenberg leads the side that will include one Currie Cup debutant – lock Ruan Nortje – in the run-on side.

Flanker Thembelani Bholi will make his Blue Bulls debut in the competition, and so will Theo Maree and Earll Dowrie if they take to the field off the replacements bench.

Human feels there will be little room for error because there is only one round of fixtures.

“It is going to be tough to come back if you have a slow start in the competition, so every win will be crucial if you have ambitions to win the Currie Cup this year,” he said.

“It is going to be a very interesting and tense competition this season and we are looking forward to the challenge. Our preparations have gone well and I think this squad will be very competitive.”

Human believes that the experience gained by the players in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament this year will help in the Currie Cup.

“Most of the players have been involved at that level, so should be able to cope with the pressures they will experience in Bloemfontein on Friday,” he said.

“Toyota Park can become a very lonely place for a visiting team if you don’t front up to a Free State side that will be very motivated to do well at home.”

Liebenberg said the squad are keen to start on a winning note.

“We have the ability, no doubt, so the challenge will be to make sure we play according to that. There are some really good players in both teams and I think we are in for a great game.

“That is exactly what we want as a group, to be tested against the best out there.”

Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Conrad van Vuuren, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Matthys Basson
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 18 Hendre Stassen, 19 Jano Venter, 20 Theo Maree, 21 Tony Jantjies, 22 Earll Douwrie

Date: Friday, August 17
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19:00 (18:00 BST, 17:00 GMT)
Referee: Dan Jones (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Ben Crouse, Jaco Kotze
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe

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Vaea Fifita has expressed his confusion after being omitted in favour of Jackson Hemopo for the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad.

Despite being something of a revelation in last year’s tournament, numerous injuries have hampered Fifita’s progress this year, with the utility forward having fallen down the pecking order behind lock combination Michael Fatialofa and Sam Lousi at the Hurricanes.

This has meant the 26-year-old has had to be content with brief cameo appearances off the bench, which has left him short of match fitness.

“This has probably been the hardest year for me playing Super, because I had a few injuries and then I come back and only play for like 30 minutes off the bench or 25,” he told Stuff. “You’re still unfit because you’re coming back from injury and you need to play 80 minutes every week to get fit and get up to the speed of the game.”

The final disappointment for Fifita in an altogether frustrating season came when he was a casualty of the trimming down of the training squad to the final 33-man group for the tournament.

According to the forward, he was told by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen that he was not selected because he had been used primarily as a lock by the Hurricanes this season and therefore he would not use Fifita as a blindside flank for the All Blacks.

Fifita was satisfied with this explanation at the time, but was left puzzled when in a later interview, Hansen said he had picked Hemopo as a back-up six and not a lock, despite Hemopo having played all season at lock for the Highlanders.

“He told me that, but when I saw he got interviewed and he said Hemopo was to cover six, not lock, I kind of feel he’s not telling me the truth,” he said.

“But that’s life.”

Fifita says he prefers the number six jersey, but the reason he was used at lock with the Hurricanes was because they were short on second-rows at the time.

“They asked me and I told them I don’t enjoy playing lock,” he added. “I prefer six, but I know I can’t play six, because [Brad Shields] is there.

“At the same time, I didn’t mind, because I just wanted to play.

“I like six, because I can use my athleticism to do what I can do on the outside, rather just stay tight and do the hard work, like running into a brick wall and getting your body tired.”

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Saracens prop Juan Figallo has been called up by Argentina coach Mario Ledesma for Los Pumas’ opening two fixtures of the 2018 Rugby Championship.

Tighthead Figallo will be in contention for their matches against South Africa on 18th and 25th August before returning to Saracens for the beginning of the Premiership season.

Ledesma brought an end to Argentina’s blockade on selecting European-based players by adding Figallo to his squad.

The 30-year-old, who has 24 caps for his country, last represented Argentina at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

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Kyle Steyn will captain the Griquas when they face the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday in the opening round of Currie Cup action.

AJ Coertzen, Ederies Arendse and Godfrey Ramaboea make up the back three, with captain Kyle Steyn and Christopher Bosch forming the midfield pairing. George Whitehead starts at fly-half, while Christiaan Meyer slots in beside him at scrum-half.

Conway Pretorius is eighth man and Sias Koean and Wendal Wehr complete the loose trio. FP Pelser and Sintu Manjezi lock down in the second row as Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Khwezi Mkhafu and Devon Martinus combine in the front row.

Griquas: 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Ederies Arendse, 13 Kyle Steyn (captain), 12 Christopher Bosch, 11, Godfrey Ramaboea, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Christiaan Meyer, 8 Conway Pretorius, 7 Sias Koen, 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 FP Pelser, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 Khwezi Mkhafu, 1 Devon Martinus
Replacements: 16 AJ Le Roux, 17 Liam Hendricks, 18 Ruan Kramer, 19 Pieter Van Vuren, 20 Izak Burger, 21 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 22 Andre Swarts

Date: Friday, September 17
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 17:00 local (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Ricus van der Hoven, Des van Wyk
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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Marnus Schoeman will start at blindside flank for the Pumas when they take on Griquas at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday.

Gerrit Smith is at full-back while JP Lewis and Neil Maritz line up on the wings. Ryan Nell and Henrie Skorbinski form the midfield combination with Christopher Smith and Stefan Ungerer combining as the half-back pairing.

Willie Engelbrecht will front up at the back of the scrum, as Schoeman and Stefan Willemse complete the loose trio. Cameron Lindsay and Le Roux Roets lock down in the second row, while Marne Coetzee, Simon Westraadt and Kwezi Mona make up the front row.

Pumas: 15 Gerrit Smith, 14 JP Lewis, 13 Ryan Nell, 12 Hennie Skorbinski (captain), 11 Neil Maritz, 10 Christopher Smith, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Kwezi Mona
Replacements: 16 Frankie Herne, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Jeandré Rudolph, 20 Reynier van Rooyen, 21 Justin van Staden, 22 Trompie Pretorius

Date: Friday, September 17
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 17:00 local (15:00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Ricus van der Hoven, Des van Wyk
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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