The final game of the Vodacom Tri-Nations kicks off in about half an hour and in reality it is a bit of a non-event considering the Springboks wrapped up the tournament last week.
However for the Australian and All Black coaches there is plenty on the line. Both have been under some serious fire for the way their sides have performed.
While I expect the All Blacks to come out on top I'd expect both sides to run the ball - they've got very little to lose and I've got an each way bet on the first points being scored via a try.
In terms of my try-scorers I don't think you can look beyond Matt Giteau (18/1) and Dan Carter (16/1). Giteau has been in good try-scoring form and Carter looks like he is coming back to his best - with a running game on the cards - I'd expect these two to be prominent.
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Made it...
Phew well eventually the Springboks got home but it certainly wasn't as comfortable as it could have / should have been.
Guess I didn't have anything to be worried about after all....
Pienaar had an indifferent game and the fact that he scored a try shouldn't count too much in his favour - it was a straightforward run-in for him.
If the All Blacks had been down an extra 8 points at the half-time whistle then the second half could have been far more straightforward and allowed our team to run.
Thought our backline looked the most effective it has in a longtime. Defence was solid and on attack the All Blacks always looked like they were going to be making a lot of tackles. Apart from where Conrad Smith slipped through I thought we looked top drawer and Frans Steyn impressed me for the first time in a long while - good composure and decision making.
Hope the Devilliers injury isn't too serious.
Amongst the forwards the two guys who impressed me were Bismarck Du Plessis and Bakkies Botha. Both of them put in some good solid graft. I am not a Bismarck fan but he worked hard today and things happened every time he touched the ball - was good to see.
A nice start to our Tri-Nations campaign.
Guess I didn't have anything to be worried about after all....
Pienaar had an indifferent game and the fact that he scored a try shouldn't count too much in his favour - it was a straightforward run-in for him.
If the All Blacks had been down an extra 8 points at the half-time whistle then the second half could have been far more straightforward and allowed our team to run.
Thought our backline looked the most effective it has in a longtime. Defence was solid and on attack the All Blacks always looked like they were going to be making a lot of tackles. Apart from where Conrad Smith slipped through I thought we looked top drawer and Frans Steyn impressed me for the first time in a long while - good composure and decision making.
Hope the Devilliers injury isn't too serious.
Amongst the forwards the two guys who impressed me were Bismarck Du Plessis and Bakkies Botha. Both of them put in some good solid graft. I am not a Bismarck fan but he worked hard today and things happened every time he touched the ball - was good to see.
A nice start to our Tri-Nations campaign.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tri-nations thoughts and predictions
The Tri-Nations kicks off shortly and I must say that as far as I can see, the money must be on Australia to take the trophy this year.
Australia are the outsiders according to the guys over at World Sports Betting, but this year is probably going to one of the closest contested tournaments ever.
New Zealand are on form but have not really had a run against some decent Southern Hemisphere opponents and the Australians are playing really well at the moment.
There seems to be some real poise in the Australians and they seem to have a great ability to control the play. Think they are going to be a real handful for anybody.
The Springboks of course are as unpredictable as they come. On form they can challenge and beat the best in the world and the lineup has a great deal of battle hardened experience... their ability to control the game though appears to be in serious doubt.
Even though I am an ardent Springbok supporter I'm afraid my money is down on Australia..
Australia are the outsiders according to the guys over at World Sports Betting, but this year is probably going to one of the closest contested tournaments ever.
New Zealand are on form but have not really had a run against some decent Southern Hemisphere opponents and the Australians are playing really well at the moment.
There seems to be some real poise in the Australians and they seem to have a great ability to control the play. Think they are going to be a real handful for anybody.
The Springboks of course are as unpredictable as they come. On form they can challenge and beat the best in the world and the lineup has a great deal of battle hardened experience... their ability to control the game though appears to be in serious doubt.
Even though I am an ardent Springbok supporter I'm afraid my money is down on Australia..
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Wanted - Australian and New Zealand rugby blogger counterparts!
With the Super14 ahead of us, we're trying to partner with a couple of South African, Australian and New Zealand rugby bloggers to try and make our platforms a little more interactive.
So if you operate a rugby blog in any of these regions and are a passionate supporter of one of the franchises in the competition then let me know and lets try and find ways to work together to boost traffic to eachother sites and have fun allowing readers to interact and chirp a little bit.
Either post your blog details in the comments section or mail me at marc@rival.co.za!
So if you operate a rugby blog in any of these regions and are a passionate supporter of one of the franchises in the competition then let me know and lets try and find ways to work together to boost traffic to eachother sites and have fun allowing readers to interact and chirp a little bit.
Either post your blog details in the comments section or mail me at marc@rival.co.za!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
England and New Zealand name their lineups
England has named their side to take on the All Blacks and there are a couple of changes to the side that got smashed by the Springboks.
Cipriani (Or Capriati as Peter De Villiers is rumoured to have called him in a press interview) has been dropped to the bench but amazingly Sackey (who was a real liability in the Bok game) managed to keep his place....
England
15 Delon Armitage, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 James Haskell, 5 Nick Kennedy, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Tim Payne.
Subs: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Tom Croft, 19 Tom Rees, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Danny Hipkiss.
New Zealand have named a side that looks like it could run riot over England if they're given half a chance....
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu; 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino; 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn; 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Cipriani (Or Capriati as Peter De Villiers is rumoured to have called him in a press interview) has been dropped to the bench but amazingly Sackey (who was a real liability in the Bok game) managed to keep his place....
England
15 Delon Armitage, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 James Haskell, 5 Nick Kennedy, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Tim Payne.
Subs: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Tom Croft, 19 Tom Rees, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Danny Hipkiss.
New Zealand have named a side that looks like it could run riot over England if they're given half a chance....
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu; 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino; 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn; 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Weekend international rugby
Supplied by the Sports Trader blog
It's a rugby filled weekend and while I think the results will probably be pretty predictable it might be interesting to take a look at some of the more exotic bets:
(Odds as supplied by Black Pearl Sports Betting)
England vs Australia (Australia to win)
1st scoring play
- Australia try (4/1)
- England try (9/2)
An Aussie try looks attractive
France vs. the Pacific Islanders
We've got France down to win comfortably and no exotics are offered here, pity we might have gone with a Pacific Islanders to score first though...
Ireland vs New Zealand (All Blacks to win)
First try scorers (Top 3)
Sitiveni Sivivatu - 12/1
Joe Rokocko - 12/1
Brian O'Driscoll - 12/1
Our preference is for All Black centre Conrad Smith quoted at 16/1
First scoring play we're going with a New Zealand try at 22/10
Italy vs. Argentina
I suspect Argentina will carry too much firepower for the Nick Mallett coached Italy, but the Italian side have been on the up since the South African took charge so watch their progress with interest.
The BIG game of the weekend is South Africa vs. Scotland.
Despite the Scots being at home, I can't see any way that the Boks will lose. Scotland are simply going to be outclassed on all fronts.
So I've turned my attention to a first try scorer and quoted some odds below:
Bryan Habana - 12/1
Jean De Villiers - 12/1
Adrian Jacobs - 18/1
Ruan Pienaar - 20/1
Ricky Januarie - 20/1
Pierre Spies - 22/1
Schalk Burger - 25/1
Juan Smith - 25/1
Bismarck du Plessis - 33/1
Beast Mtawarira - 40/1
Despite all the chatter about the backs running the Scots ragged, I'm favouring a try from a set piece / scrum. I think Ricky Januarie at 20/1 is attractive, but my gut is headed for Juan Smith or Beast Mtawarira
South Africans - Planning your rugby viewing for the European Tours, Super 14 and Tri-Nations?
TravelStart.co.za Find out which airline is really the cheapest Click Here
It's a rugby filled weekend and while I think the results will probably be pretty predictable it might be interesting to take a look at some of the more exotic bets:
(Odds as supplied by Black Pearl Sports Betting)
England vs Australia (Australia to win)
1st scoring play
- Australia try (4/1)
- England try (9/2)
An Aussie try looks attractive
France vs. the Pacific Islanders
We've got France down to win comfortably and no exotics are offered here, pity we might have gone with a Pacific Islanders to score first though...
Ireland vs New Zealand (All Blacks to win)
First try scorers (Top 3)
Sitiveni Sivivatu - 12/1
Joe Rokocko - 12/1
Brian O'Driscoll - 12/1
Our preference is for All Black centre Conrad Smith quoted at 16/1
First scoring play we're going with a New Zealand try at 22/10
Italy vs. Argentina
I suspect Argentina will carry too much firepower for the Nick Mallett coached Italy, but the Italian side have been on the up since the South African took charge so watch their progress with interest.
The BIG game of the weekend is South Africa vs. Scotland.
Despite the Scots being at home, I can't see any way that the Boks will lose. Scotland are simply going to be outclassed on all fronts.
So I've turned my attention to a first try scorer and quoted some odds below:
Bryan Habana - 12/1
Jean De Villiers - 12/1
Adrian Jacobs - 18/1
Ruan Pienaar - 20/1
Ricky Januarie - 20/1
Pierre Spies - 22/1
Schalk Burger - 25/1
Juan Smith - 25/1
Bismarck du Plessis - 33/1
Beast Mtawarira - 40/1
Despite all the chatter about the backs running the Scots ragged, I'm favouring a try from a set piece / scrum. I think Ricky Januarie at 20/1 is attractive, but my gut is headed for Juan Smith or Beast Mtawarira
South Africans - Planning your rugby viewing for the European Tours, Super 14 and Tri-Nations?
TravelStart.co.za Find out which airline is really the cheapest Click Here
Sunday, October 26, 2008
New Zealand squad
New Zealand have announced their squad for the end of season match ups against England, Wales, Ireland and scotland.
New Zealand squad:
John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Jason Eaton, Andy Ellis, Ross Filipo, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks*, Hosea Gear*, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane*, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Jamie Mackintosh*, Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam*, Malili "Mils" Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read*, Josevata "Joe" Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, Piri Weepu, Scott Waldrom*, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.
*Denotes new cap
New Zealand squad:
John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Jason Eaton, Andy Ellis, Ross Filipo, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks*, Hosea Gear*, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane*, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Jamie Mackintosh*, Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam*, Malili "Mils" Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read*, Josevata "Joe" Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, Piri Weepu, Scott Waldrom*, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.
*Denotes new cap
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