Tri Nations Early Rounds

www.testrugby.com managers.
The All Blacks play in the first three matches of the 2009 Tri Nations, so stack your team with them and hope that the much maligned "rotational policy" doesn't eat into your transfers. The sides have been named for the first trans-Tasman match and there are limited bargain priced starting players available.

This match will be close as any advantage the All Blacks had last year has gone once Dan Carter hurt his achilles. This makes for a nice change given the traditional dominance of the All Blacks in Tri Nations history.

Managers are forced into selecting non ideal players for their testrugby.com sides, simply because of budget constraints. This will be challenging, but if managers are to beat this problem they should buy low and sell immediately after the close of each round.

Essentials
The main problem is affording essential players who will get great points and are in high point scoring positions. The only problem is this series has some dilemmas.

All Blacks
Richie McCaw - will play every possible minute and make plenty of tackles.

Mils Muliaina - Mr Consistent will play every possible minute.

Starting hooker - In this first match it is Andrew Hore, but be wary of Keven Mealamu getting minutes off the bench.

Ma'a Nonu - With his ability to break the line, Nonu always gets good points.

Sitiveni Sivivatu - This guy has talent, but could be too expensive for most.

Australia
Stirling Mortlock - As captain he will be amongst everything and is so powerful.

Matt Giteau - This guy is the best pivot in the competition.

Stephen Moore - Like Andrew Hore, he may get his minutes cut into by his deputy, but gets lineout and scrum points and is good with ball in hand.

Bargains
Isaac Ross - This guy is an exciting starting lock and should be your first bargain.

Cory Jane - Jane is starting on the wing and has talent.

Stephen Donald - If you want to take a punt remember Donald will be kicking goals and starting. Best of all, he is cheap.

Jimmy Cowan - If you have budget constraints then Cowan is your man. He may get subbed though. Not a goal kicker though!

Tony Woodcock - You may have to consider Woodcock if you can't afford Hore and Moore.

Australia
Richard Brown - The starting blindside may move to Number Eight during the match.

Benn Robinson - Could be an option if you can't afford Hore and Moore.

Luke Burgess - It could be worth sacrificing a goal kicking inside back for a starting halfback.

Some players could make an impact from the bench. Will Genia and James O'Connor for the Wallabies or Piri Weepu and Luke McAlister for the All Blacks.

I really don't know who is going to win this match. When in doubt, go home by a nose.

All Blacks by 5.

NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Joe Rokocoko.

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess; 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Richard Brown/, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dean Mumm 19 Phil Waugh, 20 David Pocock, 21 Will Genia, 22 James O'Connor.

Springboks Squad:

Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies.

Backs: Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Morne Steyn.

Let The Tri Nations Begin - Leave Henry Alone!

Listening to Radiosport is painful at the moment as everyone is ripping into the All Blacks coaching staff. Give these guys a break! In my opinion we just don't have the depth that we used to. It will be interesting to see what the Tri Nations is like this season. There are three teams in totally different stages of development.

The Springboks are strong on paper with plenty of depth and experience. The main problem will be their discipline and the relationship between the eccentric Pieter De Villiers and his players. The Springboks have talent to burn from John Smit, The Beast and Bissmark Du Plessis up front through to Bryan Habana, Jonge Nokwe, Franc Steyn and the Ndungane brothers out wide. The depth is the best of any other team in the world at the moment, yet they only just beat the Lions in a three match series. The competition will have a high attrition rate, so that is where the Boks will have an advantage. They don't have a proven first five eighth with Ruan Pienaar, Morne Steyn and Franc Steyn their best options. Apart from that, I am jealous of their side on paper. Can they put it together on the field?

Star player: Victor Matfield
Player to watch: Heinrich Brussouw

The Wallabies have the best coach in the Tri Nations in my opinion. They have strong and experienced players in key positions and with a great coach and a sprinkling of young talent. Matt Giteau is easily the best first five eighth in the competition and he is so influential that they will always be in contention. There are always question marks about their tight five, but if they can weather the storm, they have experienced players in the backs like Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley Cooper to be dangerous. Experienced forwards like Rocky Elsom and George Smith are crucial to their chances. The Wallabies have enough talent and a brilliant coach to always have a chance, but don't have the depth if there are injuries or suspensions.

Star Player: Matt Giteau
Player to watch: Berrick Barnes

The All Blacks are always the favourites to win, at the New Zealand TAB. I would suggest that they don't have the array of quality players to win the Tri Nations. This season rests on a core of players like Richie McCaw, Ali Williams, Mils Muliaina and Daniel Carter. Unfortunately these players with the exception of Muliaina have been struggling with injury and the cupboard behind them is bare. This is a rebulding year for the men in black, but hopefully the replacements gain valuable experience which could help the All Blacks in 2011 when the World Cup is on! The rugby public in this country have unrealistic expectations and want their team to win every game. In this professional era it is unrealistic. We complain if we win everything between World Cups, but lose the World Cup, yet aren't willing for us to do what the teams who have won previous World Cups have done and drop some games in between World Cups, but get the one that matters. The coaching staff could potentially be past their best.

In summary, the All Blacks need McCaw, Carter and co if they are to have any chance in the Tri Nations this season. They don't have the depth like they used to. Any injuries or suspensions will kill us.


Star player: Richie McCaw
Player to watch: Isaac Ross

I am picking the Springboks to win and at just over $2 at the NZ TAB it represents good value for money. They have too much depth and will be their own worst enemy if they don't win.

Who do you think will win the Tri Nations? Who are you looking out for?

The All Blacks Still Won

In very few sports would there be disappointment over a team winning by 21 points (three scores) over another World Cup opponent. It would be the equivalent of Brazil only beating the Socceroos by 3-0. But we demand perfection from the All Blacks. We also demand that our team wins the Tri Nations and the Rugby World Cup. It isn't realistic given the number of overseas defections to expect such high standards. Without so many front line players, in the past we could've called on Nick Evans or Marty Holah as replacements, but these days we have to blood players with no experience like Stephen Donald or Tanierau Latimer, we just don't have the depth. That is why I have put $40 on the Springboks to take the Tri Nations at $2.25. I think we are in for a bad year, but hey, there are still two more years until the World Cup and hopefully the experience that guys like Isaac Ross, Tanierau Latimer, Brynn Evans and Wyatt Crockett among others, get this year will reap rewards in the future. We are still the second favourite at our TAB somehow, and with guys like Richie McCaw and Sitiveni Sivivatu about to return, we will still be competitive. I think that this rebuilding is actually good. It is better this happening now than later. People are moaners. The singing of the National Anthem has come under criticsm as have the coaching staff and referees. We just don't have the players with ability like we are used to having!

All Blacks Two Debutants To Take On Italy

The selectors have handed debuts to Lelia Masaga and Wyatt Crockett against Italy on Saturday. The Italians will provide a good test up front for the All Blacks, but Lelia Masaga should have a field day out wide against the Azzuri. Another point of note is the return of stars like Ali Williams and Brendon Leonard, while other injury replacements to get a run are Isaiah Toeava, John Afoa and Luke McAlister for Conrad Smith, Neemia Tialata and Stephen Donald. Although for the latter you wonder if it is solely because of injury? The bench contains a 5 forwards and 2 backs split which is rare for the All Blacks and shows the lack of back up first fives. With utilities like Toeava, Muliaina, Weepu and Jane, this is fine. It is interesting to see the same loose forward trio two weeks in a row. Mind you who else is there? I thought Liam Messam may have got a recall. In the backs, outside Luke McAlister the names have a very Pacific Island look to them.

I am excited because I rate Wyatt Crockett and think that Masage is extremely exciting, so it will be interesting to see how they go on Saturday.

The team is:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Keven Mealamu
3. John Afoa
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Williams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Kieran Read
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Luke McAlister
11. Josevata Rokocoko
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Isaia Toeava
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Mils Muliaina - captain

Reserves:

16. Aled de Malmanche
17. Tony Woodcock
18. Owen Franks
19. Isaac Ross
20. George Whitelock
21. Piri Weepu
22. Cory Jane

What do you think about the team?

More Questions Than Answers

This was more exciting than the game that followed in Wellington as conditions dictated terms between France and the All Blacks. The All Blacks won, but the Tricoloures raised several question marks over the All Blacks and even won the series, although you wonder why Graham Henry didn't get his side to give their all in an attempt to win the series with a six point win. Instead, the Dave Gallaher trophy goes to France, although the All Blacks didn't realise as Piri Weepu kicked the ball into touch on fulltime, while Graham Henry didn't seem to care.

Was this the biggest shocker of the weekend?

Stephen Donald had a forgetful day at the office and now his future in the All Blacks must be in jeopardy. He polarises a nation like Caleb Ralph and Reuben Thorn used to. The problem is we have to rely on Luke McAlister returning to cover him, as the only other options in New Zealand make Donald look impressive. The likes of Stephen Brett, Colin Slade, Willie Ripia and Daniel Bowden are too young and inexperienced.

There are other question marks over the All Blacks. They went for Kieran Read and Cory Jane out of position, but hopefully the return of experienced players like Richie McCaw, Rod Soioalo, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Brendon Leonard, Andrew Hore, Ali Williams and squad members like Anthony Boric and Rudi Wulf.

All will be answered in the Tri Nations. The Springboks have a strong squad, while the Wallabies look exciting under Dingo Deans. Next weekend when France play the Wallabies will answer a few questions. I heard from the Aussie commentators in the Aussie vs Italy game that the All Blacks go off their feet at the breakdown to kill the ball. It will be interesting to see if this is picked up on or if it is just a psychological call by Chris Handy. Were France good or the All Blacks average? I must admit that Cedric Heymans scored a stunner of a try on Saturday and it was a refreshing sight seeing a good France team here in June.

Despite Henry and Donald's shockers were they the worst of the weekend? The New Zealand Women's cricket got steamrolled in the final and lost to England but only got 85? The Steel got some poor calls in their loss to the Firebirds. I hate when poor umpiring ruins a contest and you know that when Aussie commentators give the umpires a serve, that they have something to complain about. They only lost by two, but that is why no New Zealand team has won in Australia yet in the competition. The other shocker was the celebration of the nil all draw by the All Whites. They couldn't finish their opportunities off, but yet celebrated with a great nil all result.

What do you think was the shocker of the weekend?

At least the future is bright with our Under 20 side winning the World Cup. Southland has a good future with three players in that team. Robbie Robinson reminds me of a young Jeff Wilson.

Six Reasons We Lost to France

Above- Graham Henry plucked Mils Muliaina from Southland (we let him slip through our fingers) to be his high school principal and so has developed a rapport with one of New Zealand's worst test captains.

I was feeling on edge all day prior to this match. There were so many factors that could potentially cause the All Blacks to stumble. I almost put money on France paying $6.25 to win, but I didn't.

Six Reasons we lost 27-22.

1) France brought a close to full strength side (with the players from the French club final arriving by next week) unlike the Northern Hemisphere teams of recent seasons who brought third string sides.

2) France were too hungry, too physically strong, too fast and most of all too experienced. They were impressive at the breakdown and aggressive in defence. They love playing the All Blacks and beating us means everything to them.

3) We were missing heaps of great players. Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Rod Soioalo, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith and Rudi Wulf. Our depth is no longer what it used to be. Despite the loss hopefully our team will gain experience from this loss.

4) This was our first hit out of the year. We usually are rusty, but get away with it against a Pacific Island nation or lesser opponent. This time, we had a worthy opponent. We were rusty tonight and lacked combinations. There was some really loose play which gifted France points.

5) The ELVs have largely been ditched and the rules are closer to what the Northern Hemisphere have been playing with. We are used to infringements being free kicked rather than penalties. This slows the game down and can often make games disjointed. It took us a bit to get used to.

6) Slippery ground conditions on a dewy Carisbrook made handling and footing difficult. Unfortunately too many players had inappropriate footwear causing some players like Nonu to slip all over the show. Soft ground long sprigs boys!

I thought Stephen Donald and our loose forwards at the breakdown got shown up. Donald is too inconsistent to be a top fly half, our loose forwards lacked the physical presence at the breakdown.

We are going to lose the Tri Nations at this rate. Australia and South Africa are looking good, but as long as we win the World Cup in 2011 then who cares?

The 15 year curse continues!

The 15 Year Hoodoo

It is funny how history repeats itself as the France side of 2009 looks to gain a series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time since 1994. France not only defeated the All Blacks twice in 1994, but 15 years before that they won at Eden Park in 1979. I wonder what the chances are of them pulling one out of the hat this year?

Ironically it is the All Blacks who are fielding a largely experimental team, but this isn't because we don't respect the mid year tours like the Northern Hemisphere teams are known for, but we are running out of fit players. It has reached an alarming rate with Rudi Wulf the most recent withdrawal through injury joining captain Richie McCaw and others like Brendon Leonard, Rodney Soioalo, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Sitiveni Sivivatu and a Mr Dan Carter who may have been out with French club commitments if he was fit. Hopefully this inexperienced team isn't left to try and win the Tri Nations this season and hopefully these injuries and defections will help us develop some depth for when 2011 comes round. In the past we have complained that we never won any World Cups but won everything in between. At this stage it is looking like people may get their wishes, with the Springboks especially looking good for the Tri Nations.

The All Blacks will have their work cutout for them in the second test especially once all of the French players are available. Our front row still looks good although Neemia Tialata hardly impressed in the Super 14. Isaac Ross has brilliant aerial skills but is on debut, while Brad Thorn is a beast, he is hardly a great lineout option. The loose forwards are largely unproven at test level. Thomson was a great Number Six in the Super 14, but barely cut it as an openside for the All Blacks last season. Liam Messam was mainly a blindside in the Super 14, but will provide some speed off the back of the scrum even if he lacks the bulk of a Lauaki. Kieran Read did well during the Super 14 and I think him and Messam are great long term options for the All Blacks.

In the backs I think Donald is too inconsistent, but hopefully time will prove me wrong. Cowan is brilliant defensively but lacks the attacking prowess of a Leonard or Weepu. The Nonu and Toeava midfield is exciting, but both Kahui and Smith are big losses for our depth. Surely the starting midfield needs plenty of game time together to gel as these two have rarely been paired up. Rokocoko has the ability to step it up on the wing, while Jane and Masaga are both unproven at test level. Jane is better defensively. Muliaina is reliable and an amazing all round player.

The bench is hardly intimidating, with debutants Latimer, probably Masaga and Super 14 bench player Bryn Evans among the cavalry. If ever there is a time for France to pay out on their $6 odds at the TAB, either this weekend or next is a goer I believe.

The Most Hated Sports Commentator Sayings

I got this off the Radio Sport website. I reckon full credit must be close to making this list. Sports commentary is full of cliches, but that's what makes it brilliant. Murray Mexted tries to come up with his own sayings, but they invariably make him an easy target rather than sound sophisticated.

My favourite commentators are Richie Benaud, Bill McLaren, Grant Nisbett, Martin Tyler and Gordon Bray.


Setanta Sports has compiled a survey of the most irritating cliches, with "at the end of the day" romping home to win


If you have ever had to watch sport with the sound turned down because the cliche-ridden commentary drives you mad, it seems you are not alone.


Setanta Sports has compiled a survey of the most irritating clichés ever, with "at the end of the day" romping home to win with 18 percent of the votes. It was followed by "on paper" and the Sean Fitzpatrick special "game of two halves", in second and third respectively.


Completing the top five were "this game needs a goal" and "there are no easy matches".

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/SportsNews/spspo/Detail.aspx?id=158377