Ma’a Nonu, Mils Muliaina, Rene Ranger and Israel Dagg all scored tries for the All Blacks, while flyhalf Daniel Carter, who had a poor goalkicking performance in missing five attempts at goal, slotted two penalties and a conversion.

Piri Weepu also added a penalty for the home side, who had beaten the Springboks 32-12 in Auckland last week.

Danie Rossouw and Schalk Burger scored tries for the world champions, while Morne Steyn added a penalty and two conversions.The Springboks, who had Bakkies Botha sinbinned early last week, again fell foul of the referee, with Rossouw shown a yellow card in the fourth minute for kicking All Blacks’ captain Richie McCaw.

The New Zealanders took advantage of their extra man, with Nonu and Muliaina finishing off sweeping moves that had begun inside their own half.

Carter, who had missed an early penalty, missed both conversions and the All Blacks had to settle for a 10-0 lead while Rossouw was off the field.

The flyhalf slotted his first successful penalty in the 31st minute before Rossouw barged over in the 37th minute after the Springboks had got field position from a penalty against Ranger for not using his arms in a tackle.

Steyn converted to make it 13-7, while Carter missed another penalty attempt into the swirling southerly wind in the final seconds before halftime.

The Springboks flyhalf added an early penalty in the second half but Ranger managed to dot down in the corner after a long pass from Muliaina to give the All Blacks an 18-10 lead.

Weepu, who temporarily replaced Carter as goalkicker, slotted a long-range penalty to extend the lead, before the All Blacks were forced to soak up immense goal line pressure from the Springboks.

Dagg then produced a mercurial run down the left touchline, turning four defenders inside out to score his first test try and Carter finally found his kicking boots, slotting the conversion and adding a penalty.

Burger added a consolation try for the Springboks late in the game, with Steyn converting to end the scoring.

Scorers:

New Zealand:
Tries: Nonu, Muliaina, Ranger, Dagg
Penalties: Carter 2, Weepu
Conversions: Carter

South Africa:
Tries: Rossouw, Burger
Conversions: Steyn 2
Penalties: Steyn

Teams

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Rene Ranger, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

Substitutes: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Liam Messam, Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg.

South Africa: Zane Kirchner, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Oliver, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp.

Substitutes: Chiliboy Ralepelle, BJ Botha, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Butch James, Gio Aplon.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRL)

Source + Pic: sport24.co.za

Take a look at the Pools and Match schedule for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The Springboks are playing Wales (11 September – Wellington), Fiji (17 September 2011 – Wellington), Namibia (22 September – Auckland) and Samoa (30 September – Auckland).

Source:   rugbyworldcup.com

The 28-year-old Smith owns a butchery in Bloemfontein and also farms with cattle between Bloemfontein and Kimberley.

Smith’s agent, Stephan Weyers, confirmed on Thursday that the Lions and Sharks were interested in signing him.

A number of offers from overseas were also on the table, but the Cheetahs captain did not want to risk jeopardising his Springbok career by accepting one of those prior to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

“He signed a contract for a further two years with the Cheetahs. Juan also has a Springbok contract that runs until the end of next year. One can only admire his loyalty,” said Weyers.

“Every year he receives offers for more than double his annual salary (against what he earns at the Cheetahs). The Cheetahs are privileged to have such a leader.”

Smith’s decision follows a recent announcement by the Cheetahs that Springbok tighthead prop CJ van der Linde will play for them in the Currie Cup.

Unfortunately for the Cheetahs, Van der Linde may be one of the Boks the South African Rugby Union would like to see rested during the Currie Cup, but may well be available for a possible semifinal and final.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské believes that the decisions by Smith and Van der Linde can lure a number of other players to the team, as well as convince local stars to stick around in the region.

Smith made his Currie Cup debut for the Cheetahs in 2002 when he formed a loose forward combination with Rassie Erasmus and André Venter.

Smith has represented the Boks in 62 Tests and should be available for the home Tri-Nations Tests against the Wallabies and All Blacks following his recent groin operation.

Source: sport24.co.za

Experts at a media workshop in Johannesburg agreed that a number of standout players will have to be carefully managed in the next two years.

Springbok fitness and conditioning coach Neels Liebel and sports scientist Tim Noakes said this would be vital to ensure top players were are fit and in peak condition for the World Cup in New Zealand September 9 in 2011.

Noakes showed a series of graphs on how players used excessively in a season tended to either get injured or under-perform the following year.

Liebel agreed senior players like Victor Matfield, 32, Bakkies Botha, 30, and John Smit, 31, should still be available for the 2011 World Cup – but on condition that they were properly managed.

Noakes warned that John Smit collapsed in 2008 after a strenuous season.

Fourie du Preez, he pointed out, played 1 835 minutes of rugby this season – the equivalent of 24 matches. Du Preez still had three Tests on this year’s outgoing tour ahead of him.

“It is highly unlikely that he won’t be injured next season,” said Noakes.

He pointed out that the form of former Springbok centre Marius Joubert, after a season of 38 matches, went downhill to the extent that he never played for South Africa again.

“Heinrich Brüssow has to be watched,” Noakes said, as had Morné Steyn.

All the players needed a single continuous break of at least eight weeks to recharge.

“Jake White was prepared, on our advice, to rest players for the away Tri-Nations series before the World Cup in 2007,” said Noakes.

“The Springboks lost both the away Tri-Nations Tests against Australia and New Zealand, but that gave our players the chance to go into the World Cup rested, motivated, uninjured and in peak physical condition.

“In fact, Jake had 30 completely fit players he could pick from for the final against England.”

Noakes said the Boks in 2006 had a poor year – so much so that White’s head as coach was called for. But it was necessary to give some players a break from the game.

“The saving grace of the Springboks is that they have [lately] cut down on training, but that is to a large extent offset by the players being trained into the ground by their provinces,” said Noakes.

He warned that there would be a price to pay: for the player, the country and also in the psychological plane where it will give opponents the confidence that the Boks were on their way out.

Liebel said the Springbok management were in constant discussions with the unions, but had to accept that the provincial and franchise coaches were measured by their results and would often opt for their best selections.

How to counter that?

Noakes agreed with a suggestion that the only way to really monitor and control the game as well as the training time of players was for them to be contracted by SA Rugby.

Liebel said teams managing their players the best were also at the top of the tree in the provincial and Super 14 competitions.

The Bulls, who used only 28 players in their 15 Super 14 matches, were a prime example of good management of players.

The Springboks’ success this year could also be contributed to good management of the players, with the injuries this year coming down significantly.

The recovery time of injuries within seven days was also much improved, and a cut-down on training time coupled with more attention to recovery were instrumental in that, Liebel said.

Source: rugby365.com

Pic: scrum.com

SARU president, Mr Oregan Hoskins, announced at a media conference in Johannesburg that positive discussions with Government had seen the last brick fall into place.

The Government has been very supportive and they have provided the financial backing to allow us to complete what we believe is a compelling case to bring the Rugby World Cup back home, said Mr Hoskins. South Africa in this day and age is set up to host the very biggest global sporting events and we believe we would offer Rugby an unrivalled showcase for the game.

Players, spectators and media would enjoy world-class facilities in purpose-built stadia; our financial model and time zoning would maximise commercial revenues and we’re a rugby-hungry country that can promise ideal playing conditions at a time of year when the Rugby World Cup would be the only sports event in the national imagination.

World Cup-winning captain John Smit and former IRB Player of the Year Bryan Habana have joined other leading South Africans who are acting as ambassadors for the Bid.

The Rugby World Cup is special to me and to all South Africans and not just because I played in a winning team, said Habana. The 1995 Rugby World Cup was a magical time in South Africa’s national life and I believe that if it were to return here we’d provide the stage to create even more special memories both for South Africa and world Rugby.

Mr Mark Alexander, Bid Committee chairman and SARU deputy president, said the newly-refurbished 90 000-capcity Soccer City in Johannesburg would be the venue for the Opening and Final Matches of any South African Rugby World Cup and other new stadiums, as well as existing Rugby stadiums, would be used.

South Africa is spending billions on upgrading our infrastructure and on venues to host the FIFA World Cup next year and the legacy of that tournament offers Rugby an incredible opportunity to put on a spectacular tournament in ideal conditions, said Mr Alexander.

Government has backed us every step of the way in our discussions with them and both the financial and logistical support they offer would allow a hugely successful commercial tournament to be held without any problems.

Rugby must publicly thank our Government and particularly the sports minister, the Rt Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile and his department for their unstinting help in producing this Bid.

Also attending the launch were Dr Ali Bacher, Danny Jordaan and Moss Mashishi, who are among a group of Bid Ambassadors who have lent their experience and advice to the Bid:

Rian Oberholzer: CEO 1995 IRB Rugby World Cup in South Africa

Moss Mashishi: CEO 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development  Johannesburg
CEO South African Tourism
Member of the IOC Sports Environment Commission

Ali Bacher: Executive Director, 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup

Danny Jordaan: CEO 2010 FIFA World Cup

Morne du Plessis: Former Springbok captain
1995 Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok team manager

Sam Ramsamy: IOC Executive Board Member

Gideon Sam: President, SA Olympic Committee

Imtiaz Patel: CEO SuperSport (major global Rugby broadcaster)

Sol Kerzner: Chairman and CEO, Kerzner International

Johan Rupert: Chairman of the Group – Richemont/Remgro/VenFin

Patrice Motsepe: Non-Executive Chairman: African Rainbow Minerals (ARM)
Non-Executive Chairman: Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd
Chairman Naledi Mining, Orkney; Chairman: Future Mining

Note: The South African Rugby Union team will present their Bid to the IRB Council in Dublin on May 13. The announcement of the successful bidders for the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups will be made on July 28.

Source: sarugby.co.za

Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 CEO Martin Snedden confirmed the Tournament will kick off at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday 9 September 2011 when New Zealand will play Tonga.

Auckland (Eden Park), Wellington and Christchurch have been allocated five pool matches each while North Shore, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Rotorua and Dunedin will each host three matches. Whangarei, Nelson, Palmerston North, Napier and Invercargill will host two matches.

“Our philosophy all along has been a Stadium of Four Million. We believe today’s announcement, building on the knock-out decisions announced last year, takes us further towards the fulfillment of that promise” said Mr Snedden.

“RNZ has worked very closely with Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) over the past few months to bring this to a reality. Our collective view is that the Match Schedule represents the best balance between ensuring a successful Tournament in New Zealand while also recognising its global standing”.

The quarter-final match-ups were also confirmed, with the top two teams in Pool A (featuring currently qualified teams New Zealand, France and Tonga) and Pool B (featuring Argentina, England and Scotland) playing off in Christchurch. Wellington will host quarter-finals featuring the winners and runners-up from Pool C (featuring Australia, Ireland and Italy) and Pool D (featuring South Africa, Wales and Fiji).

In addition, the dates for the final weekend, which coincides with Labour Day, were also confirmed with the Bronze Final to take place on Friday October 21 at Eden Park, followed by the Final on Sunday October 23 at the same venue.

“The two-day break after the Bronze Final allows us to better prepare for the Final on Sunday, and should also ensure a huge festival night for Auckland on Saturday”.

Representatives from all 11 regions which submitted match hosting proposals were in attendance at Thursday’s announcement.

The schedule features a blockbuster opening weekend which will see pool heavyweights Argentina take on England in Christchurch, and South Africa play Wales in Wellington as well as communities in Invercargill, New Plymouth, Rotorua and North Shore getting their first taste of Rugby World Cup action. The second and third weekends will feature the Australia v Ireland clash and New Zealand v France respectively. The pool stage wraps up with deciders taking place across all 4 pools.

“Today marks the culmination of a 22 month process that has involved regions from every part of New Zealand” said Mr Snedden.

“We are pleased that all 11 regions will have the opportunity to host matches. Given that a total of 16 venues were proposed, we do appreciate that there will be disappointment among those who have missed out.

“The RWC 2011 Regional Coordination groups, of which there are 22 around New Zealand, will now evolve from having an initial focus on bidding for hosting rights into regional core tournament and festival delivery agents.

“In many respects, today is a special day for the successful regions, and they deserve to be congratulated for the time and effort and unprecedented level of co-operation that has been evident throughout this process”.

Speaking at the announcement in Auckland, RWCL Managing Director Mike Miller said, “While the number of match venues is more than Australia 2003 and France 2007 it reflects the Organising Committee’s desire to take the tournament to the entire nation under its call to arms of a Stadium of Four Million philosophy. RWCL fully supports this and the desire to ensure the Tournament has a unique look and feel that fits in with the cultural background of the nation.”

Late kick-offs in local time have been a talking point, with some matches of the knock-out stage kicking off as late as 21.00 local time in order to reach out to the widest television audience.

Snedden confirmed the contentious issue of kick-offs had only been finalised on Thursday, a couple of hours before the official match schedule was released.

Snedden said consideration needed to be given to audiences on the other side of the world.

“This is not just New Zealand’s tournament. This is a tournament that belongs to the international rugby community,” said Snedden.

The semif-inals and final, all to be played at Eden Park, will be played at 21.00.

The bronze medal match will be at 20.30.

Snedden said pool matches played in the weekend would start no later than 20.30 while weekday pool matches would start no later than 19.30.

Source + Pic: planetrugby.com

A joint delegation from SARU and the International Rugby Board (IRB) met sports minister Mr Makhenkesi Stofile and deputy minister Mr Gert Oosthuizen in Cape Town as part of an information-sharing session. The IRB delegation included president Mr Bernard Lapasset and chief executive Mike Miller. SARU were represented by president Mr Oregan Hoskins, Mr Mark Alexander (deputy president) and Mr Rautie Rautenbach (vice president).

SARU is bidding to host either the 2015 or the 2019 Rugby World Cups and is seeking government support for the bid. Interested unions will make their presentations to the IRB in May and a decision on the hosting nations for both tournaments will be announced on July 28, 2009.

�We were delighted with the meeting and very pleased with the government�s expression of support for the South African Rugby union�s bid,� said Mr Lapasset. �A tournament of this size � the third-largest sporting event in the world � is not possible without a close partnership between the government and the rugby union and we were impressed with the enthusiasm and the support the government offered.�

The IRB delegation shared research on the enormous economic impact of hosting a Rugby World Cup � estimated to be worth as much as R28bn � as well as the importance of the government and rugby joining hands in the bidding and hosting process.

�The meeting surpassed my expectations and I was very heartened by the minister�s attitude,� said Mr Oregan Hoskins. �His attitude augurs very well for us and I left the meeting feeling that this was a very important moment for our bid.

�The minister stressed that the infrastructure will be in place at the stadiums and across the country and that, as South Africa is a rugby-mad country, that they would be delighted and honoured to host the World Cup.

�It would be a significant moment to host the tournament on the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, an event which did so much to assist in the growth of nation-building in the country.�

Source: sarugby.co.za

According to a report in Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag, Steyn has emerged as the major target of French club Racing Metro on their trip to South Africa next month and has been offered �one of the biggest contracts ever in rugby history� to make the move to France.

Steyn has apparently not signed anything yet, but according to Sondag�s information he is the only Springbok who is still looking overseas after the recent contract offers from SA Rugby.

SA Rugby�s player of the year Jean de Villiers, has reportedly said no to a massive offer of almost R4 million per season from Irish province Munster. Steyn�s contract offer is said to be in the region of R4.5 million per season.

SA Rugby yesterday announced the names of 19 players who signed contracts, but confirmed that CJ van der Linde has not signed a contract by the deadline on Saturday.

Steyn�s agent Gerrie Swart meanwhile admitted the young utility back has been approached about the contract.

�He hasn�t signed anything yet and will look at the offer with the same careful consideration and the knowledge of both SA Rugby and the Sharks. Frans needs to discuss the offer in his own time with his family and must then take a decision that will have all the implications considered,� Swart said.

Steyn accepted his contract with SA Rugby and has been contracted until the end of October at the Sharks.

The contracted players are:

Sharks: JP Pietersen, Adrian Jacobs, Ruan Pienaar, John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Steyn, Tendai Mtawarira.

Lions: Jaque Fourie

Free State Cheetahs: Juan Smith

Blue Bulls: Fourie Du Preez, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Bryan Habana, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha

Stormers: Conrad Jantjes, Enrico Januarie, Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger

Source: sport24.co.za

Pic: mg.co.za

Australia ended their end of year UK tour with a victory over the Barbarians. The Aussies won 18 – 11 at Wembley Stadium in an very exciting and action packed game.

“The Wallabies, with England referee Chris White seemingly in the festive season spirit already and very generous in his handling of the constant breaches of the law, simply tackled the BaaBaas into submission.

But it was the Australians’ greater enthusiasm and willingness to push the law to its utter limits in both defence and at the breakdown, that won them the day.

The victory was sealed only two minutes from time, by replacement Lachie Turner’s breakaway try after South Africa’s Francois Steyn, who also missed a number of goal-kicks, turned the ball over yet again.

The result meant Australia had won four of their six tour matches – also beating Italy, England and France, but losing to New Zealand, in Hong Kong, and Wales last weekend in Cardiff.

Australia took the Rugby Union gold medal in 1908 with a 32-3 victory over Great Britain, represented by the south-west English county of Cornwall.

The Barbarians, in honour of that match, all wore yellow Cornwall socks as they departed from their usual tradition of players wearing their club socks.

BaaBaas try-scorer Jerry Collins, who last year played for Cornish side Barnstaple, even dyed his hair yellow.

The Barbarians were 6-13 behind with just under 30 minutes left when they got back into the game with a superb try.

Australia fullback James O’Connor’s poor kick out of defence gave possession back to the Barbarians and Steyn, playing at flyhalf, threw a long cut-out pass to Welsh wing Shane Williams, the newly-crowned International Rugby Board Player of the Year.

Williams, on as a half-time replacement for Percy Montgomery, sprinted clear down the touchline.

And the flyer, who scored against the Wallabies last weekend, then took several Australians out of the game with a well-timed pass inside to All Black flank Collins, who went over for the try.

Steyn missed the conversion, but Australia’s lead was now 13-11.

Then, with eight minutes left, Steyn pushed a penalty wide of the posts.

In the ninth minute, Springbok wing Bryan Habana, one of seven members of South Africa’s World Cup-winning side in the Barbarians’ starting XV, broke clear and chipped ahead.

But his kick was fielded near Australia’s line by Lote Tuqiri who, despite pressure from New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, grounded the ball for a five-metre scrum.

Minutes later Tuqiri, making his first start since knee surgery after this year’s Tri-Nations, opened the scoring.

Australia wing Ryan Cross burst down the right touchline from deep in his own half and his clever cross-kick inside was gathered up by Tuqiri who strolled in under the posts for a try.

Teenage fullback James O’Connor added the conversion in his first start for the Wallabies.

And the 18-year-old soon stretched Australia’s lead to 13-0 with a couple of penalties.

The Barbarians, with South African lock Bakkies Botha a powerful presence, did start to gain ground.

They were rewarded with two penalties from Montgomery, the Springboks’ record points scorer, and at half-time Australia’s lead had been cut to 13-6.

Habana and All Black wing Joe Rokocoko then caught the Wallabies cold with a neat exchange of passes which took the Barbarians to within sight of the try-line.

Samoa prop Census Johnston and Botha both went close and White called on the video referee. But, with the pictures inconclusive, no try was awarded and instead the Barbarians had a five-metre scrum.

Off the back of that, former Wallaby prop Rodney Blake almost got over the line, but again the replay couldn’t offer firm evidence of a try.

On the hour, former Australia captain George Gregan came off the Barbarians bench to face his compatriots, but there was no fairytale finish for the scrum-half.“

Source: rugby365.co.za

Pic: bbc.co.uk

Flyhalf Willem de Waal again carried the load for Western Province, scoring all his team’s points with three successful penalty-kicks. The Cheetahs managed to goal a single penalty in three attempts by flyhalf Chris Rossouw.

The highlight of a tiresome match was the home team’s accurate lineout, as Western Province won 14 of 18 attempts at the set piece. The Cheetahs only claimed six of their 10 lineout throws, thanks in most part to the spoiling work of WP locks Ross Skeate and Adriaan Fondse.

Western Province scored first when the Cheetahs were penalised for leaving their feet while joining the ruck, and De Waal banged over a 25-metre penalty after 15 minutes of play.

Both teams put high premiums on territorial gains throughout the match – which saw the ball spend more time in the air above the Newlands pitch than the circling seagulls – but the Cheetahs’ tactic of hoofing the ball directly into touch gave WP numerous opportunities to exercise their well-drilled lineout manoeuvres in the first quarter.

WP scrumhalf Alistair Siegelaar’s pedestrian tactical kicks ironically paid dividends as the visitors failed to effectively support the ball-carrier on the counter-attack and, after a missed attempt two minutes earlier, De Waal slotted his second penalty with 11 minutes remaining in the first half.

The home team’s 6-0 lead at the break was cut in half by Rossouw’s 25-metre penalty kick eight minutes into the third quarter, after WP number eight AJ Venter was nabbed in an off-sides position by referee Craig Joubert.

But De Waal reclaimed his team’s six-point cushion three minutes later when Cheetahs captain Hendro Scholtz was penalised for not rolling away from the tackled ball-carrier, and the WP flyhalf drilled a 25-metre kick over the crossbar.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee will be relieved to have claimed four vital log points, despite his team’s numerous miscues. Meanwhile, the Cheetahs will be disappointed to have travelled 1004 kilometres from Bloemfontein to score all of three points – though the loss-margin bonus point will be of some consolation.

Both teams end the weekend tied with nine log points which – depending on the result of the match between the Sharks and Blue Bulls – could see them sharing first place in a three-way tie with the Durban-based team.

SCORERS:

WP – Penalties: Willem de Waal (3) .

Cheetahs – Penalty: Chris Rossouw.

Source: sarugby.com