Of course, this game lacked the big-match feeling of preceding matches, and the actual result meant nothing, which is why neither team applied themselves: result – Australia 21 Wales 18. Consider that 60 000 people packed the stadium to watch this twaddle. The match was unstructured and all 30+ players showed they would rather be [...]
With the possibility of a home semifinal still within their reach at kick-off, the Toyota Free State Cheetahs did everything in their power to finish second in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division when they beat neighbours GWK Griquas 49-39 at the Free State Stadium. The Sharks put an end to the Cheetahs’ aspirations a [...]
The Sharks turned the Absa Currie Cup formbook on its head with their 53-9 thrashing of the MTN Golden Lions in Durban. The Sharks had to secure a four-try win over the Lions at King’s Park to secure a play-off fixture next Saturday, and they certainly did that, as early as the 57th minute, with [...]
It took a Herculean effort, and a typically Six Nations display, but France did just enough to edge Wales 9-8 and advance to the Rugby World Cup final. Two relatively straight penalty goals and a conversion attempt by James Hook and it would have been Wales through, but in the event it was French defence [...]
The Bulls hammered the Leopards 92-21 at a sparsely populated Loftus Versfeld in what should be their final Absa Currie Cup match of the season. It seems inconceivable, but the Bulls will miss the Currie Cup playoffs for the first time in living memory. What makes this more remarkable is the sheer quality of their [...]
The Regent Boland Cavaliers are the Absa Currie Cup First Division champions after beating the more fancied EP Kings in the final in Wellington, 43-12. A convincing second half by Boland gave them the win. They ran in five tries after one try in the first half. Flyhalf Elgar Watts missed just one kick out [...]
The All Blacks, predictably, are in the semifinals and will play the Wallabies for a place in the final. They beat Argentina 33-10 after leading 12-7 at halftime. It was a rough match, as the Pumas are never easy opponents, but scrumhalf Piri Weepu had an inspired kicking display, with 21 points. Flyhalf Colin Slade [...]
So South Africa’s World Cup dream is over. No team has managed to defend the title, and the Springboks were no exception. South Africa did everything necessary to win the game, except actually win it. The Australians made 147 tackles to South Africa’s 53; South Africa had 72% possession and 56% territory, but somehow the [...]
For the first time in living memory, the Vodacom Blue Bulls might be on their way out of Absa Currie Cup semifinal contention. After a hectic and thoroughly entertaining weekend of Currie Cup rugby, it is now clear that both the MTN Golden Lions and The Sharks have home semifinals. The Toyota Free State Cheetahs [...]
England came within seven points of equalising with France, but in the end their lack of direction and structure meant they had no chance against a French team who were vastly superior on the day. England have taken some terrible beatings in recent years, but not learnt their lessons. They struggled all through the tournament [...]