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 v Springboks Preview (30/08/08)

Oh how the wheels of the rugby world turn. South Africa have gone from being World Champions, to defeating the All Blacks in New Zealand, to being on the verge of a hat-trick of home losses. The Wallabies have gone from being bundled out in the quarter finals of the Cup, to a team with new hope after the appointment of a new coach and a run of victories. They then flipped back to a team that doesn’t perform on the road but now it is attempting back to back victories in South Africa – at altitude no less. Not only that but they have a strong chance of winning back the Tri-nations title, with only the small matter of a Brisbane date with some team called the All Blacks still to come. 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

Tri-Nations: Wallabies vs All Blacks Bledisloe 1 Preview and Springbok Review

Australia has passed its first true test by defeating the Springboks. Immediately you must ask yourself – how switched on were the Springboks? To go into a Test match without a true number 7 set them back. By attempting to strengthen their line-out capabilities the Springboks damaged their ability to compete at the breakdown. When this is coupled with an inability to dominate at scrum time the South Africans were ripe for the picking. Of course a couple of Tests against the All Blacks didn’t hurt to soften them up. 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