Tri-Nations: Wallabies v All Blacks Bledisloe Cup Preview

How long has it been for the Wallabies? Not since the outstanding run from the late 90’s where the team won everything does Australia enter a “grand final” with such a strong chance of winning. Not to discount the 2003 World Cup, but England deserved to win. For Australia to defeat them in that final would have been an injustice to an England squad which was so adept it was able to defeat the All Blacks on New Zealand soil prior to winning the tournament. This is the first time in a long time the Wallabies enter a decider with such a good chance of winning. Read more

Tri-Nations: Wallabies vs Springboks Preview, Bledisloe Cup Review

Thanks for nothing All Blacks. The Wallabies do you a favour by showing you your deficiencies with your worst loss for… ever? I’m still trying to find an All Blacks supporter who can ever recall their team being so comprehensively beaten in the physical confrontations.

So of course they come out and smash the Wallabies in New Zealand. Just as predictably the Aussie media lambaste the team. Read more

2008 Bledisloe Cup Game II: Wallabies v All Blacks.

The rugby clock is ticking – but for who will it toll come full time? A Wallabies victory would surely give them one and a half hands on the treasured Bledisloe. I say half because surely a Wallaby victory would mean that Game III would see the All Blacks with a new coach. Can the Kiwis accept loosing the Bledisloe and exiting the World Cup with the same guy at the helm – still don’t think so. Read more

Rugby Union and the 2008 Wallabies Tri-Nations Hopes

After two brutal contests in New Zealand, Australian rugby fans will finally get to see some competition when South Africa ventures to Perth on Saturday night. All rugby lovers have been impressed with the physicality of the All Blacks and Springboks, but are unsure of where Australia currently sits in comparison.

So far Australia has beaten an Irish side which, through no lack of effort, was not capable of winning away from home. In the two tests against the French, Australian and French fans were insulted by what France delivered. None of those two matches were of Test standard. Read more

2008 NRL State of Origin Game Three Review

Congratulations Queensland, a victory thoroughly deserved.  To the Qld coaching staff and selectors, well done. To the players, enjoy it because such a sustained run of success is rare. To win 4 series in a row would be unprecedented. It is amazing to think that Qld could achieve something so remarkable given that prior to their run of victories, New South Wales had won 3 consecutive series (2003-05).

Both teams came to play what turned out to be a classic State of Origin battle. The game itself couldn’t go down as a classic, but in the aggression, fights, injuries and spectacular tries it is everything we love about Origin. Read more

2008 Rugby League State of Origin Game Two Review

Have you ever experienced déjà vu? By the end of the match I could have sworn I was still watching the first game of the series again. Hang-on, it was NSW that won, and that guy in the centres he couldn’t be stopped. But now it is Qld on top and their centre was outstanding – oh that’s right, they swapped jerseys after the game, just forgot to put on their real ones before the second match!

Just who has been better/worse so far – Qld were poor in the first, but lifted in the second. NSW dominated but were completely outplayed by the end of the second match. At this stage of the series, Qld have everything going for them. Read more

2008 Rugby League State of Origin Game Two Preview

How valuable is the result of one game? Queensland were amazingly confident before game one. The positive hype was enormous – “Best backline in history!”. So ferocious was the hype it swept up the Qld selectors. The Maroons in 2006 and 2007 were well-balanced as a team – they played with an inner-belief and faith in the plan of their coaches; they gained strength and confidence from playing in positions they were comfortable with, and had faith in their mates on either side of them to do their job. So successful were they, 2008 presented an opportunity for a hat-trick of titles.

How did things look so dire after one game? Going back before game one, the selectors had a pretty easy job. Israel Folau comes in, and the question is then what of Billy Slater. Does he slot in on the wing, the bench or for the balance of the team he misses out. Read more

2008 NRL State of Origin Game One Review

Game one down, New South Wales 1-0. The game was remarkable for NSW dominance. Yet was there a dominant player for the Blues? Besides Peter Wallace every member of the team did their job to perfection. They were superb in defence – keeping their line, working together, taking advantage of the latitude given to the markers by the referee. Most importantly they realised shut-down Thurston, close down the ruck (Cam Smith) and Queensland have no other ball players. Full credit to Bellamy, outstanding – the hallmark of his teams is their work ethic and everyone playing their role; his team executed perfectly. Read more

2008 Rugby League State of Origin Preview

Rugby League’s QLD v NSW State of Origin time is upon us again – what can we expect in tonight’s game? New South Wales have shown their hand very early by naming Craig Bellamy as coach. After that many of the positions on the side are as expected – dominated by Melbourne Storm or former Storm players who know the coach’s plan and know that they just need to perform their role for the side to be successful. Read more

Scott Prince and the Selection Blues

Scott Prince is the new Nathan Merritt. Every year when representative games arrive it is someone’s turn to miss out. This year it is Scott Prince, last year Nathan Merritt, before him Matt Bowen, Billy Slater, Matt Orford, Anthony Watmough, the list is endless. Read more