2011 Investec Super Rugby Week 12 - Teams, previews and KickOff

AllBlacks.com and superrugby.co.nz bring you all the final teams for the 12th round of the 2011 Investec Super Rugby season.

To view the New Zealand Rugby Union's official online Investec Super Rugby magazine KickOff 2011 (released weekly) click here.

To access live scoring via our official Twitter account here.

To view our official previews for this weekend's upcoming games, click here to access the New Zealand Super Rugby site.

Teams for the round 11 of the Super Rugby competition (all starts NZT):

FRIDAY

Hurricanes v Blues, Wellington, 7.35pm

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua, Jayden Hayward, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Hosea Gear, Aaron Cruden, Chris Eaton, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (captain), John Schwalger. Reserves: Dane Coles, Anthony Perenise, Jeremy Thrush, Mark Reddish, Tyson Keats, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett.

Blues: Jared Payne, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Lachie Munro, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Peter Saiili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Chris Lowrey, John Afoa, Keven Mealumu (captain), Tevita Mailau. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu, James King, Sean Tolwart, Chris Smylie, Aaron Bancroft, Sherwin Stowers.

Rebels v Reds, Melbourne, 9.40pm

Rebels: Julian Huxley, Lachlan Mitchell, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Peter Betham, James Hilgendorf, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve, Michael Lipman, Hoani Macdonald, Hugh Pyle, Alister Campbell, Laurie Weeks, Ged Robinson, Greg Somerville. Res: Heath Tessmann, Nic Henderson, Adam Byrnes, Tim Davidson, Sam Cordingley, Cooper Vuna, Afusipa Taumoepeau.

Reds: Ben Lucas, Luke Morahan, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Radike Samo, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Reserves: James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Leroy Houston, Jake Schatz, Will Chambers, Dom Shipperley.

SATURDAY

Lions v Cheetahs, Johannesburg, 5.10am

Lions: Michael Killian, Lionel Mapoe, Dylan des Fontain, Doppies La Grange (captain), Deon van Rensburg, Burton Francis, Rory Kockott, Warren Whiteley, Joshua Strauss, Cobus Grobbelaar, David de Villiers, Wikus van Heerden, Kevin Buys, Edgar Marutlulle, JC Janse van Rensburg. Reserves: Martin Bezuidenhout, Patric Cilliers, Franco van der Merwe, Michael Rhodes, Jano Vermaak, Elton Jantjies, Jaco Taute.

Cheetahs: Riaan Viljoen, Rayno Benjamin, Robert Ebersohn, Corne Uys, Phillip Burger, Sias Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius, Davon Raubenheimer, Ashley Johnson, Heinrich Brussow, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Francois Uys, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Coenie Oosthuizen. Reserves: Ryno Barnes, Lourens Adriaanse, Walti Vermeulen, Kabamba Floors, Tewis de Bruyn, Naas Olivier, Hennie Daniller.

Chiefs v Highlanders, Hamilton, 7.35pm

Chiefs: Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Scott Waldrom, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Ben Afeaki, Hika Elliot, Toby Smith. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo, Isaac Ross, Tanerau Latimer, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tim Nanai-Williams, Jackson Willison.

Highlanders: Robbie Robinson, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Ben Smith, Siale Piutau, Lima Sopoaga, Jimmy Cowan, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Smith, Matt Saunders, James Paterson.

Waratahs v Western Force, Sydney, 9.40pm

Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Ryan Cross, Tom Carter, Sosene Anesi, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Ben Mowen, Pat McCutcheon, Dave Dennis, Sitaleki Timani, Dean Mumm (captain), Sekope Kepu, John Ulugia/Benn Robinson. Reserves: Ben Roberts, Al Baxter, Kane Douglas, Chris Alcock, Brendan McKibbin, Daniel Halangahu, Tom Kingston.

Western Force: Patrick Dellit, Nick Cummins, Mitch Inman, James O'Connor, David Smith, Willie Ripia, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe (captain), Sam Wykes, Matt Dunning, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan. Reserves: Ben Whittaker, Tim Fairbrother, Tom Hockings, Ben McCalman, James Stannard, Rory Sidey, Alfie Mafi.

SUNDAY

Stormers v Crusaders, Cape Town, 3.05am

Stormers: Conrad Jantjes, Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Johann Sadie, Lionel Cronje, Dewaldt Duvenage, Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger (captain), Andries Bekker, Rynhardt Elstadt, CJ van der Linde, Deon Fourie, Wicus Blaauw. Reserves: Tiaan Liebenberg, Brok Harris, De Kock Steenkamp, Nick Koster, Ricky Januarie, Kurt Coleman, Juan de Jongh.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Mat Berquist, Kahn Fotuali'i, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), George Whitelock, Chris Jack, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Andrew Olorenshaw, Joe Wheeler, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock.

Sharks v Brumbies, Durban, 5.10am

Sharks: TBC

Brumbies: Pat McCabe, Andrew Smith, Tyrone Smith, Christian Lealiifano, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, pat Phibbs, Ita Vaea, Colby Faingaa, Mitch Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Peter Kimlin, Jono Owen, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Reserves: Huia Edmonds, Salesi Ma'afu, Ben Hand, Michael Hooper, Josh Valentine, Robbie Coleman, Franky Fainifo.

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Collins hit on Chabal

"You are in my house now, we speak Samoan!"

SUPER UGLY RUGBY

SUPER UGLY RUGBY SLIDESHOW!

Starting XV in the G&GR Super Rugby Ugly team:

1. Gurthrö Steenkamp (Bulls) Looks like Jabba The Hutt on a bad day and outclasses Wyatt Crockett and even Jamie Mackintosh.

2. Jason Rutledge (Highlanders) This position was the hardest to pick because of the outstanding depth of ugly hookers in Super Rugby, but Jason has impeccable bloodlines. His dad, Lester, an All Black flanker, was also facially challenged. Honourable mentiosn to Gary Botha, Andrew Hore, Aled de Malmanche, Ged Robinson and Chilliboy Ralepelle, who must be wondering what they have to do to get picked.

3. Salesi Ma’afu (Brumbies) His team nickname is “Gorilla” and it’s not because of his animal grunt on the rugby field. Guys like Werner Kruger, who has a moosh like a potato with a few slits in it, are unlucky to miss out, but Salesi is a natural .

4. Andries Bekker (Stormers) Put a couple of bolts in the neck of this ugly sonofabitch and he could star in the next Frankenstein movie.

5. Kane Douglas (Waratahs) The young bloke may have a good bod but has a head like a robber’s dog. Mentioned in despatches: Pat O’Connor and James Horwill, for obvious reasons.

6. Adam Thomson (Highlanders) A true boofhead who could not get a date off a calendar. Jarrod “Zombie” Saffy is unlucky.

7. Phil Waugh (Waratahs) Honourable mentions to Beau Robinson, Julian Salvi and Pieter Louw, but Waugh got a part-time job once as an Orc in a Lord of the Rings movie and they didn’t have to bother with makeup.

8. Nasi Manu (Highlanders) Scares small-to-medium sized kids as he walks down the street, and they shout “Boogieman” and run away crying. I know what you are going to say: what about Kieran Read, who was offered a leading role in a Saw movie? But somebody had to miss out.

9. Brendon Leonard (Chiefs) There was outstanding depth in this spot too. Januarie, Kockott and Sheehan had strong claims and McKibbin could even have got the nod, but he hasn’t started a game this year. Surely the gong has to go to a guy who shows consistency in being a truly ugly fucker week to week.

10. Aaron Cruden (Hurricanes) Outstanding talent: has a head like a busted crab yet it still has about 10 years to go getting bashed up. Could be world class by the end of his career.

11. Luke Rooney (Rebels) is so fucking ugly that his dog closes its eyes when it humps his leg.

12. Tana Umaga (Chiefs) Lots of candidates here but nobody else gets the bags under their eyes checked by Customs. Honourable mention to young Robbie Coleman, who looks like Woody from Toy Story.

13. Stirling Mortlock (Rebels) All time great in the position and has kept his form since that wonderful banjo sequence in the Deliverance movie.

14. Bjorn Basson (Bulls) Every team has to have a bolter and young Basson is the smokey in this team. But, I ask you, who else looks more like an undertaker whose haemorrhoids are flaring up? Sorry Sivi, but you have to make way for a younger bloke this year.

15. Gio Aplon (Stormers) Talk about shifty eyes: ever noticed that the guys who slip a knife into your ribs every now and then look just like Aplon? Pat McCabe was a chance, but shave away the bum-fluff from his face and he looks almost homely. Never mind, Pat: a few more years of running into brick walls as you do on the footie field and you could be in the Ones.

What do you think of our starting fifteen? Any truly world-class ugly fuckers who missed out?

Rugby and the South African Nation: Sport, Culture, Politics and Power in the Old and New South Africa (International Studies in the History of Sport)

Rugby and the South African Nation explores the complex and controversial role of rugby union in the politics and cultures of South Africa, from its emergence as a settler dominion in the early twentieth century through to the post-apartheid era. Conventional historical and political analyses of South Africa have frequently neglected the vital role of sport in general, and rugby in particular, in this fascinating society. This book seeks to fill this gap through a critical interpretation of rugby's role in the development of white society, its virtually ignored role in African communities, its role in shaping significant social divisions and its centrality to the apartheid era "power elite." It also considers the powerful influence of international rugby in forging a racist "national' identity." Finally, it examines the varying meanings attached to rugby in the new South Africa from broad euphoria to a more narrow nostalgic appeal for many white rugby supporters with particular emphasis on the 1995 Rugby World Cup hosted and won by South Africa.

Price: $31.95

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Rugby union results – April 2011

A crucial month in the Aviva Premiership and Magners League also sees the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup in the North, while in the South the Super 15 gathers pace.

Click here for all the fixtures in April

Sunday, 03 April

Aviva Premiership Rugby

Leeds Carnegie 27-22 Exeter

London Irish 25-12 Wasps

Saracens 20-9 Bath

The Magners League

Newport-Gwent Dragons 33-10 Benetton Treviso

Saturday, 02 April

Aviva Premiership Rugby

Gloucester 34-9 Newcastle

Harlequins 13-17 Leicester

Northampton 53-24 Sale

Super 15

Blues 29-22 Cheetahs

Hurricanes 14-26 Bulls

Lions 25-30 Reds

Sharks 6-16 Stormers

Western Force 25-26 Rebels

The Championship

Bedford 31-33 Doncaster

Esher 22-27 Moseley

Rotherham Titans 16-24 Cornish Pirates

Worcester 44-13 Nottingham

The Magners League

Aironi Rugby 16-17 Glasgow

Munster 24-23 Leinster

Ospreys 21-21 Cardiff Blues

National League Division One

Barking 31-16 Stourbridge

Blaydon 34-24 Blackheath

Cambridge 52-5 Redruth

Cinderford 39-19 Otley

Coventry 27-39 London Scottish

Macclesfield 39-31 Rosslyn Park

Sedgley Park 30-65 Tynedale

Wharfedale 10-12 Launceston

National League Division Two North

Caldy 102-3 Manchester

Fylde 53-24 Westoe

Harrogate 37-19 Morley

Huddersfield 13-10 Loughborough Students

Hull 39-0 Rugby Lions

Leicester Lions 45-29 Preston Grasshoppers

Luctonians 22-29 Kendal

Nuneaton 37-14 Hull Ionians

National League Division Two South

Clifton 10-25 Old Albanians

Ealing Trailfinders 45-10 Worthing

Lydney 27-13 Dings Crusaders

Newbury 22-37 Hinckley

Richmond 61-19 Canterbury

Southend 36-21 Henley

Taunton 40-36 Shelford

Westcombe Park 31-33 Jersey

Principality Building Society Premiership

Aberavon 21-25 Cross Keys

Cardiff 25-26 Llandovery

Neath 37-28 Llanelli

Newport 35-31 Tonmawr

Pontypridd 34-7 Swansea

Swalec Welsh National League Division One East

Bargoed 23-17 Beddau

Bedlinog 0-34 Newbridge

Blackwood 32-6 Rumney

Gilfach Goch 9-43 Ebbw Vale

Merthyr 18-22 Treorchy

Ystrad Rhondda 9-25 Llanharan

Swalec Welsh National League Division One West

Bonymaen 35-21 Bridgend Ath

Corus (P Talbot) 28-17 Whitland

Felinfoel 3-85 Bridgend

Llangennech 10-14 Carmarthen Ath

Maesteg 37-55 UWIC

Narberth 38-8 Waunarlwydd

Swalec Welsh National League Division One North

Bro Ffestiniog 17-27 Nant Conwy

Caernarfon 46-3 Llangefni

Colwyn Bay 22-24 Mold

Llandudno 14-12 Ruthin

Pwllheli 16-26 Bethesda

Scottish Premiership Division One

Aberdeen GSFP 37-24 Watsonians

Boroughmuir 15-43 Currie

Edinburgh Acads 37-29 West of Scotland

Falkirk 27-44 Kirkcaldy

GHA 29-48 Hillhead/Jordanhill

Heriots Rugby Club 20-38 Ayr

Jed-Forest 5-17 Kelso

Melrose 69-11 Dundee HSFP

Stewarts Melville FP 43-20 Biggar

Scottish Premiership Division Three

Ardrossan Acads 32-27 Musselburgh

Cartha QP 60-23 Haddington

Dumfries 48-0 Dunfermline

Morgan Academy FP 38-17 Howe of Fife

Perthshire 34-28 Dalziel

Whitecraigs 30-16 Hamilton

All-Ireland League Division One

Bruff 17-11 Clontarf

Cork Constitution 33-16 Blackrock College

Dungannon 11-32 UCC

Galwegians 37-18 UL Bohemians

Lansdowne 15-0 Buccaneers

Old Belvedere 25-19 St Mary’s College

Shannon 28-18 Dolphin

Young Munster 23-18 Garryowen

Friday, 01 April

Super 15

Highlanders 26-20 Brumbies

Waratahs 23-16 Chiefs

The Championship

Birmingham & Solihull 10-32 Plymouth Albion

Bristol 14-36 London Welsh

The Magners League

Connacht 27-23 Edinburgh

Ulster 20-18 Scarlets

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Ireland vs england rugby 19th March 2011

Ireland vs england rugby 19th March 2011

• 19th Mar 2011 -  KO 17:00 - Ground: Aviva Stadium

Ireland	vs	England

Match Links

• Live Scorecentre
• Add fixtures to Calendar

• RBS Six Nations 

Johnathon Sexton starts as fly half

 

Last 6 Results

Last 6 results

Ireland			England
Wales - Ireland	19-13	17-9	England - France
Scotland - Ireland	18-21	59-13	England - Italy
Ireland - France	22-25	19-26	Wales - England
Italy - Ireland	11-13	11-21	England - South Africa
Ireland - Argentina	29-9	26-13	England - Samoa
Ireland - New Zealand	18-38	35-18	England - Australia

2011 Investec Super Rugby preview - The Hurricanes

As always the Hurricanes have a marvellous roster, buttressed by 13 All Blacks, the bulk of which are considered test incumbents.

Indeed the six-time semi finalists – five of those appearances coming since 2003 – will boast a 947 Super Rugby capped group, a core of experience which will be vital to break what has become a fair drought for the prolific rugby producing region.

Either in the guise of the Hurricanes or Wellington, semi finals and numerous finals (in the ITM Cup) have been achieved by the region, but there has been no Super Rugby title.

Are they the strongest team not to have claimed the crown?

To put it broadly, one feels that if the Hurricanes had some small defining factor to add to their already potent arsenal, they could go on to claim success.

Surely inspiration could be drawn from the competition’s most successful team in the Crusaders, a side that has eliminated the Canes four times they have crossed swords in the top four finals (once in the 2006 final).

That je ne sais quoi for the Hurricanes could be the addition of new head coach Mark Hammett, a Crusaders title winner and key member of their backroom team.

The former All Blacks forward will replace Colin Cooper, who departs as the second most capped Super Rugby coach of all time.

While the new Taranaki coach was well regarded, surely it will smart that he could not take the title with such talent at his disposal, and one cannot forget that he too came from Crusaders territory.

Yet former test rake Hammett (with 29 All Blacks tests, 81 Crusaders and 76 Canterbury caps) has been forward's advisor and assistant to both Robbie Deans and Todd Blackadder since 2006.

The Hurricanes, well regarded as a potent attacking unit, will likely have a fair amount of starch and patterns integrated into them by the man fondly regarded as the Hammer.

This will suit the perennial contenders well.

They have long had the arsenal to match it with the big teams, and indeed when firing no side in the competition has been able to compete.

Yet ‘when firing’ is a statement that does not fit well with a side that hopes to be champions, and there is no doubt that the Hurricanes prominent weakness is occasional inconsistency.

However it will not only be Hammett who could change this, but the increasing seniority of their squad members, combined with the desperation of some of their All Blacks.

Piri Weepu will be out – even with a best case scenario – till March, which does rob the Hurricanes of a key player before their campaign even begins.

Karl Lowe will also miss the majority of the season.

Yet the rise and growing leadership of Conrad Smith will mean that the Hurricanes will have a world class player and general to kick off the season, and much will rest on the talented centre’s shoulders.

Also notable will be the attacking class of Hosea Gear, who has had his potential (long known to Wellington fans) realised with a stunning performance on the All Blacks Telecom Backing Black end of year tour.

However a host of All Blacks will be frantic to remind selectors of their class.

Two players will still be heavily on Graham Henry’s mind, yet their status as automatic selections did dim slightly towards the end of 2010.

Ma’a Nonu, whose incumbency as the All Blacks second five-eighth has been usurped by the emergence of the 109kg (based on recent boxing training reports) Sonny Bill Williams, will want to impress why he can be at his finest the best number 12 in the game.

While Cory Jane, one of the most consistent and reliable All Blacks wings in recent memory, will want to stamp his mark on the game, ironically with a chief rival (in Gear) playing with him in the back three.

But numerous players, from great warhorse Rodney So’oialo, to last year’s fringe All Blacks Aaron Cruden and Victor Vito, to forgotten prop Neemia Tialata and lock Jason Eaton, and returning hooker Andrew Hore – will all want strong campaigns to impress for a potential World Cup berth.

That desperate edge that so many key players will bring to the Hurricanes 2011 campaign could be the defining factor that could enable the star studded franchise to go all the way.

They will need to arrest the aforementioned consistency.

Last season three wins to open their campaign led to a horror middle patch, kicking off with a shock loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. That 28-12 defeat led to four losses in a row, and with a draw to the Crusaders and a bye meant they went from round four to round nine without a victory.

They kick off the 2011 Super Rugby season with a good draw, hosting the Highlanders and Crusaders before taking their first bye in round three. They will not play a match on the road (against the Blues) until round five, and will play the Rebels in Melbourne as their first ‘cross-conference’ opponent.

It is arguably the best beginning to the tournament of any team, and one that the Hurricanes will need to capitalise on if they are to break their title drought.

Roll of honour: Finalists 2006, semi-finalists 1997, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009
Last season: 8th (7 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses)
In 2010: 7th equal best attack, 7th best defence

Notable results
Home team first

Hurricanes 47 – 22 Western Force (round two)
Brumbies 13 – 23 Hurricanes (round ten)
Hurricanes 44 – 21 Reds (round 13)

HURRICANES 2011 SUPER RUGBY ROSTER

Fullbacks: Cory Jane
Wingers: Hosea Gear, Alipati Leiua, Julian Savea, Andre Taylor
Midfield: Charlie Ngatai, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith
First five-eigths: Aaron Cruden, Daniel Kirkpatrick
Halfbacks: Chris Eaton, Tyson Keats, Piri Weepu
Loose forwards: Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Karl Lowe, Rodney So'oialo, Victor Vito
Locks: James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Bryn Evans, Mark Reddish, Jeremy Thrush
Props: Michael Bent, Jacob Ellison, Anthony Perenise, John Schwalger, Neemia Tialata
Hookers: Dane Coles, Laurence Corlett, Andrew Hore

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WCR : World Championship Rugby : The Official Game of the England Rugby Team

Manufacturer's Description
World Championship Rugby comes from the creators of Jona Lomu Rugby, and includes all the key elements that made that game so popular--but now has the addition of awesome graphics, presentation and gameplay for next-generation systems.

Manufacturer's Description
World Championship Rugby comes from the creators of Jona Lomu Rugby, and includes all the key elements that made that game so popular--but now has the addition of awesome graphics, presentation and gameplay for next-generation systems.

Price:

Click here to buy from Amazon

Australian and Queensland Rugby unite in flood crisis

Australian and Queensland rugby are uniting to assist during the flood crisis in the state, with the flooding the worst in over 100 years, with billions of damage caused and with the death toll confirmed at 10 people.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill said the following.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by the devastating floods in Queensland. To ensure those impacted by the flood waters are supported the ARU is donating $50,000 to the flood relief appeal and we are also working on other measures that will further support the communities affected," he said.

"The recent Flood Appeal Telethon, hosted by Channel 9, was supported by the Queensland Reds who provided players to answer phones and take donations through the course of the night.

"The Reds, with the support of the ARU, are also developing several projects that will aim to provide support and assistance to the areas impacted by the flood waters.

"I congratulate Qantas Wallabies and Queensland Reds players Anthony and Saia Faingaa who have announced they will donate their first Super Rugby game match payments to the flood relief appeal.

"I understand that other players are planning to make their own contributions to the appeal as the extent of the flooding unfolds.

Suncorp Stadium is under water, causing this weekends A-League football match to be called off, while Reds players are assisting in Ballymore, which is at risk of being flooded as well.

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The Dream Team of the Rugby World Cup 1995 - The Final

Golden Moments: NZL v ENG RWC 1995
Jonah Lomu scores one of the tries of Rugby World Cup 1995 against England….

 
The final, played at Johannesburg's Ellis Park under clear blue skies - and a passing South African Airways jumbo jet bearing the words 'Good Luck Bokke' - pitched the hosts against the favourites. England's Ed Morrison refereed South Africa against New Zealand on June 24 in front of 65,000 spectators, and the All Blacks' running flair met the superb organisation and will to win of the side coached by Kitch Christie, managed by Morne du Plessis and captained by flanker Francois Pienaar. The Springboks devised a plan to deal with Lomu long before 'rush defence' become a vogue expression, with two or three tacklers ganging up on the huge wing and denying him any space. There were no tries in the first five-point-try World Cup final; instead the scores were tied 9-9 after 80 minutes, with two penalties and a dropped goal each by Stransky and the 22-year-old New Zealand fly-half, Andrew Mehrtens. Each man kicked a penalty in the first half of extra time then Stransky dropped a goal with eight minutes remaining. A dangerous-looking pass to Lomu from New Zealand No 8. Zinzan Brooke - who had dropped a goal against England - failed to stick and South Africa won 15-12.





Matches:
South Africa 15 - 12 New Zealand
England 29 - 45 New Zealand
South Africa 19 - 15 France
Australia 22 - 25 England

Players/Officials: Rob Andrew | Max Brito | Frank Bunce | James Dalton | Pieter Hendriks | Josh Kronfeld | Jonah Lomu | Andrew Mehrtens | Francois Pienaar | Joel Stransky | Chester Williams

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

 Final: South Africa 15-12 New Zealand

World Cup No. 3 
May 25 - June 24, 1995
 Hosts: South Africa 
Teams: 16
Format 
Sixteen national sides mustered in South Africa for the third Rugby World Cup - and the first to be hosted by one nation - in May 1995. There were 32 matches at nine stadiums which included some of the game's most famous venues such as Ellis Park, Newlands and Loftus Versfeld. The teams were arranged in four pools of four teams with representation from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Teams played each other in a league format in the pool stages, and were awarded three points for a win and one for a defeat. The top two nations of each pool advanced to the quarter-finals, with a pool-winning side matched against a runner-up from a different pool - followed by two semi-finals, a third/fourth place play-off and the final.
Pre-tournament hype 
England had won the Grand Slam under captain Will Carling earlier in the year and were regarded as favourites or joint-favourites with the southern hemisphere powers. The media at large voiced concerns about the crime rate in South African cities and no one knew quite what reception the so-called Rainbow Nation would give to a rugby tournament so soon after the end of the hated apartheid regime. However, the hosts, South Africa, were taking part in a World Cup for the first time after their official re-admission to the worldwide rugby family in 1992, and were bound to put up a huge challenge to take the title of world champions which many in the Republic had claimed for themselves in the long years before and during their sporting isolation.
Pool stages 
Most of the doubts were dispelled by the rapturous reception given to the third Rugby World Cup by a multi-cultural crowd at the opening fixture in Cape Town. The fact that South Africa kicked off Pool A by defeating the holders, Australia, at Newlands, certainly helped. Joel Stransky, the fly-half, kicked 17 points in a foretaste of later success. Both teams would qualify for the quarter-finals. The All Blacks rampaged through Pool C in which a dire deciding match between Five Nations rivals Ireland and Wales went the way of the Irish. England's mostly first-choice line-up laboured to narrow wins over Argentina and Italy before seeing off Western Samoa 44-22 to win Pool C. And France pipped Scotland 22-19 to edge Pool D, the same pool in which a tragic injury occurred to Ivory Coast wing Max Brito while playing against Tonga which left him paralysed below the neck.
Knock-out stages 
Jonah Lomu's performances in the pool had marked New Zealand as the team to beat and they duly hammered Scotland 48-30 in Pretoria. The Springboks had lost hooker James Dalton and wing Pieter Hendriks to suspension after an all-in fight in the pool win over Canada but held off a highly physical challenge from Western Samoa to get through to the last four. There the hosts defeated France in a semi-final in stormy Durban which only narrowly escaped being rained off. The French had comfortably disposed of Ireland in their quarter-final, while the most exciting match in the last eight was England's nerve-jangling 25-22 win over their 1991 conquerors Australia, settled by Rob Andrew's dropped goal in Cape Town. The semi-final was an entirely different story as Lomu put four tries past England in a stunning individual performance as the All Blacks won 45-29, again in Cape Town.

Player of the tournament 
The quietly authoritative captaincy of Francois Pienaar was a big factor in South Africa's victory, and the wing Chester Williams's four tries in the quarter-final was an extraordinary personal achievement. Williams had been omitted from the original squad with a hamstring injury but benefited from the slightly dubious regulation that a suspended player could be replaced when Hendriks was cited and banned after the Canada punch-up. But Lomu, who had turned 20 just before the World Cup, was the star. He had revealed some of his unique talent previously at the Hong Kong Sevens but was dropped by New Zealand after his debut against France in 1994. On the hard grounds of South Africa the Tongan-descended, 6ft 5in colossus ran riot. Big wings had been seen before but Lomu broke the mould. He bounced off would-be tacklers with ease and turned innocuous looking situations into outrageous tries. Aided by the clever openside flanker Josh Kronfeld and centre Frank Bunce, Lomu shattered England with four tries in the semi-final, famously running over Mike Catt and swatting off Tony Underwood along the way. He was termed 'a freak' by Will Carling but the world hailed a new sporting hero.
Frozen in time 
New Zealand's final defeat - blamed by some on an unsubstantiated claim that some of their players suffered food poisoning due to dodgy practice at the team hotel - took some of the gloss off Lomu's legacy. Stransky's nerveless dropped goal to win the Webb Ellis Cup might have lived on in the same way as Jonny Wilkinson's would do in 2003. But when Pienaar, the openside flanker (who in South Africa wears the No 6) was presented with the trophy by the country's president Nelson Mandela - wearing an identical green Springbok jersey - an iconic image was created which will recall forever South Africa's World Cup. Thanks scrumdotcom!
Also, next weekend in Wellington NZ has the Boks facing off against the Welsh side, I still have access to a double room at a hotel which is literally 5 minutes walk to the stadium, so please forward this if you know of someone struggling to find a place, I must get rid of it this weekend, I only wish we could be there ourselves! http://rugbyworldcupfever2011.blogspot.com/p/rugby-world-cup-2011.html

This is the semi-final match for the World Cup in Rugby, 1999. Taped and licensed by the Rugby World Cup.
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Rugby World Cup Greatest Tries

There is nothing more exciting in rugby than a well-worked try. It might come from a flowing move the length of the field. It may be produced by the strength of the forwards, by the brilliance of a back, or by the speed of a winger. The Rugby World Cup has produced well over a 1000 tries in its 20-year history, and this DVD contains almost 100 of the very best. Each one of rugby's top nations is featured, and all the best names are included. Think Jonah Lomu, the one-man wrecking ball, demolishing the England defense in 1995. What about David Campese, Australia s world cup winner, ghosting past Ireland and New Zealand four years previously. There's Serge Blanco s famous last minute try putting France into the 1987 final. And there s John Kirwan's length-of-the-field treat in the World Cup's very first game. This DVD is a treat for any fan of the oval ball game. Including: Jonah Lomu for New Zealand against England 1995 David Campese for Australia against New Zealand 1991 Jason Robinson for England against Australia 1993 Philippe Bernat-Salles for France against New Zealand 1999 Gordon Hamilton for Ireland against Australia 1991 Stephen Jones for Wales against England 2003 John Kirwan for New Zealand against Italy 1987

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2GB Rugby Football USB Flash Drive

Why carry around dull and boring USB Flash Drives? Use the Rugby Football USB flash drive and be the envy of all your friends (okay, some of your friends!).

Price: $39.99

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2011 Investec Super Rugby preview - The Crusaders

It is a remarkable statistic to think that if the Crusaders do not win their eighth Super Rugby crown this season it will constitute their longest drought without claiming the championship.

With seven titles to their name in 15 years, the most successful franchise in the competition’s history has never gone more than two years without winning the title.

Indeed, the greatest dynasty in Super Rugby has of late been usurped by the Bulls, who have not only won three of the last four titles, but on all occasions the South Africans have claimed the title, they have beaten the Crusaders in the semi finals.

However there has been a feeling in ‘title town’ that the Crusaders have not been quite the imposing machine that has seen them win almost half of the titles on offer in Super Rugby.

But history has proven that the red and blacks never lie dormant for long, and with Canterbury proving their status as the strongest province in New Zealand rugby, one feels that the Crusaders could make a statement this year.

Especially with far more derby matches in the revamped Super Rugby format.

On paper the Crusaders squad is typically strong, yet while they have their usual collection of All Blacks, there more menace to even their elite contingent.

Richie McCaw will begin the season with his reputation as one of the great captains the game has ever seen confirmed after a landmark season in 2010.

He is also the senior Crusader with 103 caps.

Dan Carter will begin the season not only the Super Rugby point’s record holder, but also as test rugby’s all time highest point’s scorer.

Both men will be crucial to the Crusaders campaign, but as was seen with the All Blacks last season, they are not the only two kingpins in the squad.

Kieran Read will enter the campaign a player whose status is beginning to rival that of his partner in the flank and the nation’s premier first five-eighth. The New Zealand player of the year is generally regarded as the best number eight globally, and will be crucial to the Crusaders hopes.

The list continues with ageless workhorse Brad Thorn, one of the top locks in world rugby last year, who gets better with age.

Supporting the senior players are rising All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Ben and Owen Franks.

Veterans such as Chris Jack, who will likely become a Crusaders centurion (with 98 caps), Andy Ellis and Corey Flynn will also play their parts.

The enviable squad list is bolstered with two new additions, and two more All Blacks – bring their international contingent to 12 players – in Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Dagg.

Both players, likely to play key roles in Graham Henry's selections this year, add considerably to the Crusaders backline arsenal, and to a team that could at full strength field a pack with past or present All Blacks from 1 to 8.

But the Crusaders strength is not only present with their test players, but also in their production line. Scrumhalf Willi Heinz, prop Andrew Olorenshaw, lock Joe Wheeler, hooker Quentin MacDonald and flanker Matt Todd were in the Crusaders wider training group last season and have made the step up to the full squad for 2011.

And finally the lure of the region is as strong as always, with first-five Matt Berquist and hooker David Hall (from the Highlanders) new additions.

While new Super Rugby players come in the form of Tasman five-eighth Tom Marshall, Southland prop Nick Barrett, Canterbury lock Luke Romano and Canterbury Colt and New Zealand Under-19 captain Tyler Bleyendaal.

Todd Blackadder will commence his third season as coach, and would dearly love to win a Super Rugby title, with the last crown coming in 2008 under Robbie Deans (who has won a record five championships).

His new forwards coach will be Dave Hewett, former manager of the Canterbury team last year, taking over from Mark Hammett who moves to take charge of the Hurricanes.

The Crusaders will play the Queensland Reds (Jan 29 in Cairns), the Melbourne Rebels (Feb 5 at AAMI Park) and the Highlanders (Feb 11 in Oamaru) as part of their pre-season programme.

They will kick off their regular season with two blockbuster derby matches, against the Blues and the Hurricanes, both away from home. They return home to host the Waratahs and Brumbies.

They will take their first bye in week seven.

Roll of honour: Champions 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, Finalists 2003, 2004, only three times in 15 years haven’t reached the top four
Last season: 4th (8 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses)
In 2010: second best attack, fourth best defence

Notable results:
home team first

Crusaders 35 – 6 Sharks (round three)
Western Force 24 – 16 Crusaders (round eleven)
Crusaders 40 – 22 Brumbies (round fourteen)

CRUSADERS

Fullbacks: Israel Dagg
Wingers: Zac Guildford, Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Tom Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams
First five-eigths: Matt Berquist, Tyler Bleyendaal, Daniel Carter
Halfbacks: Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i, Willi Heinz
Loose forwards: Richie McCaw, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock
Locks: Chris Jack, Luke Romano, Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler, Sam Whitelock
Props: Nicholas Barrett, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Olorenshaw
Hookers: Corey Flynn, David Hall, Quentin MacDonald

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Rugby World Cup Greatest Moments

There have been a huge number of memorable moments in the 20-year history of the Rugby World Cup. I still cannot believe the United States of Northern America are World Champions of Rugby!!!
Think of the last minute drop-goals to beat Australia by champion of rugby Rob Andrew (in 1995), and Johnny Wilkinson (in 2003). Or maybe the finest rugby match ever played, the semi between the rugby champions of  France and the All Blacks at Twickenham in 1999. Perhaps you might consider the moment that President Nelson Mandela walked onto the Ellis Park turf for the 1995 final wearing a Springbok shirt. Using interviews and action, The Rugby World Cup Greatest Moments includes all the most memorable action, including the record points tallies, and the breathless finishes. This years RWC 2011 will I guarantee be look out for something spectacular on the 26th Sept! There's a special bonus for all rugby fans, with extended highlights of some of the very best matches.
This DVD is a very special accompaniment to the sport's top tournament. Including: The 2003 World Cup Final Nelson Mandela visits the Springboks in 1995 France take on New Zealand in 1995 Wales beat Australia in 1987 Ireland play Australia in 1991 Scotland play England in the 1991 semi-final New Zealand win the first World Cup
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South Africans gear up for 2011 Investec Super Rugby pre-season

The Sharks, Stormers and Lions will play in the Neo Africa Tri-Series at the end of the month, a tournament which effectively constitutes those three teams pre-season matches before the 2011 Investec Super Rugby season starts.

The tournament will be hosted at Newlands, and the Western Force, who played in the three team series last year, will be replaced by the Lions.

The Tri-Series takes place from January 28 to February 5, kicking off with the Stormers hosting the Lions.

On February 1 the Sharks and Lions play, while the third and final match will be a replay of the 2010 Currie CUp final, with the home team taking on the Durban based side.

Three time and reigning champions the Bulls and the Cheetahs have not confirmed any pre-season matches at this stage.

The season proper will begin with two South African derbies, with the Lions hosting the Bulls on February 19, while earlier that night the Sharks will entertain the Cheetahs.

The Stormers have a first round bye before hosting the Lions on February 26.

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