Rugby

Ezequiel · 06-15-2010, 08:04 PM

At this stage we are currently enjoying the Football World Cup in South Africa. However, next month there's a new edition of the amazing Tri-Nations Tournament. I'm talking about Rugby you guys. Since there are a couple of Aussies overhere and maybe a Kiwi, I was thinking of following it this year with you guys.

The 10th of July, 1 day before the FIFA World Cup final, the Tri Nations wil start this year. A tournament with South Africa (The Springboks), Australia (The Wallabies) and New-Zealand (The All-Blacks). Last year the amazing Springboks won the Tri-Nations for the 3rd time in history with 5 wins and only 1 loss. Among others they are big favourites to win it again this year. However, New-Zealand is the big favourite for me. I fear the worst when we have to play them twice in a row in only 1 week. I hope for the best though.

Here's the schedule:

Code:

10-07-2010:  New Zealand   -   South Africa  (Eden Park, Auckland)
17-07-2010:  New Zealand   -   South Africa  (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)
24-07-2010:  Australia     -   South Africa  (Lang Stadium, Brisbane)
31-07-2010:  Australia     -   New Zealand   (Docklands Stadium, Melbourne)
07-08-2010:  New Zealand   -   Australia     (Lancaster Park, Christchurch)
21-08-2010:  South Africa  -   New Zealand   (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
28-08-2010:  South Africa  -   Australia     (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
04-09-2010:  South Africa  -   Australia     (Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein)
11-09-2010:  Australia     -   New Zealand   (Stadium Australia, Sydney)

Here the teams that participate with a short story:

Springboks:

Playing in a dark-green shirt and orange collar, the Springboks have won the World Cup twice. The first time in 1995 on home ground and 12 years later in France. They managed to win the Tri Nations Tournament 3 times, in 1998, 2004 and last year they were the strongest team of the Southern Hemisphere.

Players to watch:
Bryan Habana, Ricky Januarie, Schalk Burger, Danie Rossouw, Gio Aplon and Francois Steyn

Wallabies:

Playing in Gold shirts with darkgreen strips we see the Aussies play beautiful rugby. However, it's not the topteam it was earlier this century. Australia won the Tri-Nations twice, in 2000 en 2001. Just like South Africa, the Wallabies won the Webb Ellis trophy twice, in 1991 and 1999 they were unbeatable at the World Cup. In 2003 they lost the final against the English.

Players to Watch
Matt Giteau, Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm en Nathan Sharpe

One of my favourites, Phil Waugh, won't be participating.

All-Blacks:

New Zealand is considered a topcountry in rugby, both in international matches as well as in club-matches in the Super 14. New Zealand won the first ever World Cup in 1987 and lost the final in 1995. In between they made it through the semi-final in 1991. After that the results were a bit disappointing at the World Cup. In the Tri-Nations they're superior which they won 9 times. That's 4 more than the Springboks and Wallabies combined.

Players to Watch
Joe Rokocoko, Piri Weepu, Mils Muliaina en Jimmy Cowan

I hope you guys will watch this year, especially the Aussies. Salmacis maybe? Come on Sal!!!

It's a very nice warm-up for the new season of the Super 15. This year the first time with 15 teams! It takes some getting used to with the new name. I still talk about the Super14 the whole time.

I really hope I got your blood flowing for this guys!

TheFeldster · 06-15-2010, 10:38 PM

Haha, I'm in the wrong demographic for rugby. We don't even get it televised in this state, I think

But, as always when Australia play in anything, I'll keep an eye on it

Aussie Aussie Aussie!
Oi! Oi! Oi!

Ezequiel · 06-15-2010, 11:58 PM

What state are you in then? I hope you can get it on tv because it is amazing! The Tri-Nations and the Super15 are worth watching. Any more Oceanic members who will watch this?

TheFeldster · 06-16-2010, 12:31 AM

I'm in South Australia (same as Sal).

Rugby ain't the most popular of sports out here, historically speaking.

Salmacis · 06-16-2010, 02:29 AM

A few matches are televised on Foxtel (pay TV) here, but not on the main free-to-air channels. Sunny from Sydney would probably be able to watch regular matches though, Rubgy is a lot bigger in pretty much all of the East of Australia.

Sunny · 06-16-2010, 02:52 AM

Rugby league is HUGE in New South Wales but I much prefer to watch union.

Ezequiel · 06-16-2010, 09:35 AM

Well, that's good to hear. Tri-Nations is Rugby Union. The Super14 club competition also. Does this mean I have a chatting partner on this forum to discuss rugby with?

Sunny · 06-17-2010, 02:45 AM

I will be watching most of the Tri-Nations when I get the chance. I agree with you Ez, Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe and Rocky Elsom are great ............. also another Wallaby to keep your eye on is young James O'Connor. He is a star!! Because his parents are from New Zealand and his grandmother is South African he could also have played for the All Blacks and the Springboks.

Ezequiel · 06-17-2010, 06:19 AM

Great! I don't know everything about the All Blacks and Aussies so any information is welcome. I am an expert on the Springboks though, having watched all their games the last 4 years and following the Super14 competition as well as the ABSA Currie Cup (With only South African club teams).

Any more info on Australia? New stars that aren't in the national team yet?

Foxhound · 06-17-2010, 09:49 AM

While normally I might sympathize with the Kiwis, it's tough for me to pull against Wallabies!

Sunny · 06-18-2010, 10:29 PM

Australia v England tonight ................ hopefully the Wallabies have improved on their scrum technique as it has been pretty woeful in the past few games. Another young player to look out for is Quade Cooper.

Come on the Wallabies!!

Ezequiel · 06-19-2010, 05:26 AM

The Springboks will play Italy today. Hopefully they will give away another show of excellence in Rugby after they crushed the French last week.

Sunny · 06-19-2010, 10:12 PM

England beat Australia 21-20. It was a very entertaining game to watch and England seemed to be much more enthusiastic than the Aussie players. Matt Giteau played so well but he missed that crucial kick which may have been an Aussie game winner. Never mind ................... England deserved to win.

Ezequiel · 07-02-2010, 01:38 AM

Only 1 more week before it all starts!!! The Tri-Nations kicks off with New Zealand - South Africa. The All Blacks against the Springboks! I cannot wait any longer!!!

At the same time in South Africa the national league will start, the Currie Cup. My favourite clubside Natal Sharks won this in 2008 by beating rivals Blue Bulls in the final at home in Durban.

This time Western Force will be the big favourites for the title but there is still hope the Sharks will go all the way although one of the best players left (Francois Steyn moved to Racing Metro in Paris, France).

3 Sharks won't be playing the first couple of matches since they are part of the Springbok team for the Tri-Nations (Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Tendai Mtawarira and Sharks- and Springboks captain John Smit).

Just one more week Sunny!!!!

Sunny · 07-02-2010, 02:06 AM

The Wallabies played Ireland last week and won 22 -16.

Very much looking forward to the Tri-Nations though! I know you will be going for the Springboks Ez ................ I'll be going for the All Blacks