Wounded Lions loose Welsh magic

After World War 3 broke out at Loftus Versfeld in the form of the second test between the British and Irish Lions and the Springboks, the Lions were left with an injury list that could shatter the continuity of their first team.

Both Welsh front rowers Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones will withdraw from the side after undergoing major surgery. Jenkins broke his cheek bone in a collision with Brian Habana. Jones received a dislocated shoulder courtesy of Bakkie's Botha at ruck time. With his first choice props out of the contention, McGeechan has told the press that he will not be calling for reinforcements but rather put his faith in the four other "world class" props on tour. While Andrew Sheridan and John Hayes may be up for the task and will probably be the Lions first choice, Tim Payne lacks big match experience and Phil Vickery is just a terrible prop (the world cup winner was taken apart by a no.8 converted to a prop, the beast and a hooker converted to a prop, John Smit). The lions will pray that there are no more injuries at scrum time in the third test after the Boks proved how dangerous they are from the set-piece with trys by Habana and Pieterson off a scrum and line out respectively.

British and Irish Lions Injury List:

G. Jenkins - Broken Cheek Bone. (out)
A. Jones - Dislocated Shoulder. (out)
B. O'Driscoll - Concussion. (out)
J. Roberts - Arm.
T. Bowe - Elbow.
R. O'Gara - Cut Above the Eye.

The Lions medical team told the press that these players will be monitored over the week and everything will be done to make them ready to play on Saturday at Ellis Park.

Lets hope the replacements will take their opportunities next week and provide a game as entertaining as the last.

MM

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"I'll Stand by you"...Schalk

Bok coach Peter de Villiers has told the press that he will "stand by" Schalk Burger after he was handed an 8 week suspension by the IRB citing commissioner for "an act not in the spirit of the game"(Not mentioning the eye gouging in the official review). This may be a hint from the Springbok camp that they wish to appeal the decision which will see the Springbok flanker missing the entire of the Tri-Nations. Well good luck, as much as this journalist loves and respects Burger, he feels that the actions fit the sentence.

Johann Muller to replace banned Bakkies and injured Bekker

After Bakkies Botha's suspect citing for clearing a ruck in the dominant style that he has used his whole career and a knee injury to Andres Bekker, Boks coach Peter de Villiers has called up one of the hard men of SA rugby to pack down with Matfeild in the final test. This being Johann Muller, he has no lack of experience being a world cup winner and having captained the Boks briefly in 2007. The mains issue is that Muller is a natural no.5 Lock (the same as Matfeild) and this may cause some instability against a powerful Lions scrum (if they have any good replacements to the 3 injured lions props). Dannie Russouw would be the natural player to take Botha's place as he has spent time at no.4 at the Bulls during Super Rugby matches, but after Brian O'Driscoll unceremoniously took him out in the second test with no attempt at a tackle (for which he should have been cited) the two players were left to recover on the side lines.

Muller is a great abasador to SA rugby and will no doubt make South Africa proud this weekend facing up to the wounded Lions.

MM

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Lions vs Springboks Second Test: Boks bury 12 year long hoodoo

In an emotional roller coaster of a match, the Springboks triumph over the Lions in one or the most tense and exciting games we have ever witnessed. The field, resembling a battle ground with the. wounded lions hanging their heads as Morne' Steyn slotted a superb penalty from 55 meters out to seal the match and series 2-0 for South Africa.

Schalks' fiftieth test match appearance was tarnished in the first 32 seconds of the match as he was sin binned for eye gouging winger Luke Fitzgerald. There was a case for a red card but luckily for the Boks he got away with a 10 minute rest. Don't expect to see him in the third test or in first match of the Tri-Nations. The Lions started the game well with all the work that the put in over the last 6 weeks finally falling into place, leading by 10-0 in the first ten minutes. Their scrummaging had seen a vast improvement, but after 60 minutes the ref had no choice but to turn to uncontested scrums due to lions injuries. Lions showed good cohesion and where hitting the gaps far better than their opponent. The Springboks set piece was heavily dominant, which calls the question to why they favoured the aerial route as a posed to taking the ball into contact. The Boks line outs functioned well, the first of their tries coming off the top from Matfield and with a stroke of genius from du Preez, released J.P Peterson to score. Final score at half time was Lions 16, Springboks 8.

According to Bok captain John Smit, there were some “harsh” words said in the dressing room at half time, this must have sunk in as they came out firing. In contrast to last weeks test (Boks winning 26-21) the home side dominated scoring 17 points to a lions 9. Substitutions hailed for both teams with Lions Jenkins, A.Jones, Roberts and O'Driscoll (all injured) were replaced by Sheridan, O'Gara, Williams and A.W. Jones. The home side lost de Villiers to injury and subbed Botha, Smith and Pienaar (who missed 3 kicks at goal) for Bekker, Rossouw and Fourie. Rossouw was knocked out by a dangerous tackle from O'Driscoll which took them both out of the game. Then came on Brussow who matched his good work last week with great work in the rucks setting up the Springboks for the win. The last twenty minutes was too much for any Bok or Lions supporter to handle. Habana crossed the line with an incredible individual try leaving 4 defenders out to dry. This got the Boks going, but then Bekker gave away a penalty in front of the posts to allow S. Jones to extend the their lead to 22-18. Then Fourie crossed the line after a great set piece move from the Springboks to put them in the lead for the first time in the game (25-22).
Just as you thought this game could not get any better, Jones landed a penalty kick to tie the game 25-25. The rugby gods could not except a draw and the bookies where saved when, in the 79th minute Ronan O'Gara, in a moment of madness tackled du Preez in the air. This set up the rookie and home boy Morne' Steyn to cement his place in rugby history by kicking a 54 meter penalty to win the match and series. What a boitjie.

In his interview after the game Springbok Captain John Smit said: “we just keep finding wins in some dark corners” then the interview asked if it was because of “good leadership” to which John respond without hesitance; “no, good players”. This Boks side have now won every available tournament to them under captain Smit, this surely making him the best Springboks captain in history, if not the best captain in the history of rugby.

To all the Springbok players, savour this moment, you have made history. To all the Springbok supporters, breathe out and sip your beer, you have been a part of the greatest side our country has ever witnessed.

Much Lovies

MM and sgr

xoxox

Watch Lions second test against South Africa live!

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Rugby Window Team

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Australia vs France: A celebration of running rugby.

What a game to watch, both these teams at the top of their games, Australia coming off a series win over the Italians and the French a win ova the All-Blacks. The style as was to be expected was a whirlwind of running rugby, both teams making significant meters every time they get the ball.
The Wallabies scrum however is still an issue, Baxter gave away a penalty for going straight down in the 13th minute. Giteau lead the Wallabies back line with cross feild kicks and a superb try fed to him by Mortlock, Turner and Barnes. Great team try. Beauxis scored the first points for France after a late tackle on the French fullback by George Smith. Barnes kicking was not great tin the first half, with miss-directed high balls and a kick that went out on the full and gave the French a good attacking opportunity.

The second half started with as much speed and ferocity. Giteau slotted 2 penalties in the first 5 minutes for an offside interception no12 and then for holding on by Heymans in almost the same spot. Score 16-3. The French couldnt quite get into top gear in the second half giving away penalty after penalty. Beauxis went off injured in 49th minute and replaced by Mas. Australia's poor kicking out of hand continued into the second half with penalties not going out and grubber kicks going straight into the opposition. Ashley-Cooper impressed with his workload, constantly looking to take on the French defense. In the end it seemed that it was one game too far for the star studded French team, after 11 months of matches including victories over England, Wales and New Zealand.

Final Score: Aus:22 -France 6
(Half time score: Aus: 10 France: 3)

Rassie Erusmus take note of the Ausies gameplan, this is how the Stormers need to play their rugby.


MM

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Brave Assurri fall short against unconvincing All-Blacks

A proud and brave Italian team with two loses on tour lined up against the mighty All-Blacks this morning. New Zealand did not end their Tri-nations build up on a high note, while they got the win it was only by a margin of 27-6. The Italian team, boosted by the return of the iconic Mauro Bergamasco, held the All-Blacks to an outrageously low total. While the Azzurri have a lot to be proud of, the All-Blacks where unconvincing. The only stand out players on for New Zealand side where Rokocoko (2 trys) and Ross (1 try), they put their hands up for All-black selection but the rest of the 15 need alot of work.

Final score: 27-6

MM

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Harry Ellis drops the ball...

Tommy Bowe wrote in his column for Irish Times that Harry Ellis, the Leicester Tigers second choice scrum half, England second choice scrum half and of course we must not forget the new Lions second choice scrum half, let the team down by asking a South African "why is Nelson Mandela famous? is it because the founded South Africa". Wow, what a goon. That is all i wanted to say! lol

Peace

MM

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Let me tell you the future

Well my wish didn't completely come true, but i'll be damned. I wrote an article a few weeks ago about Jake White and the Golden Lions and here is a little something that has just developed.

Click here for the full article

written by Keo.co.za

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Anything is possible

When it gets cold, you can go inside or you can put a jacket on. Which will the Lion's choose? They ended off well against the Boks, forget about the first 50 minutes, the mental edge will be with the Lions come Saturday afternoon. If they (the Lions) can pick up where they left off last Saturday then they could pull it off...and then we're off to Ellis Park for the “final”. The Boks will have this pressure added to a very demanding public, an interesting coach and the knowledge that because of 12 years ago: defeat is NOT and option. As usual there is nothing to loose forthe underdogs and almost nothing to gain for the champs, because if they beat them then everyone will say “we were supposed to beat them, big whoop!”.

Altitude will play a factor in the game and so will home support. That being said we saw more red than green last Saturday, MM covered that, I don't wanna talk about it, but the Boks will still be very very strong. They will have found their groove and the psychological boost of having Schalk Burger back could take them to the same unstoppable rugby we saw from the Bulls in the back end of the Super 14. Ruan's kicking is on song, Steyn will be better (safer) at the back and Habbana will be back to his best. Why they persist with Jacobs is a South African problem, one we cannot comprehend, but expect Jaque Fourie earlier than last week and De Villiers to stay on the field. The Springbok side chosen is almost as strong as it gets and on paper they should crush the Lions, but rugby is a funny game and the bounce of the oval ball very unpredictable.

Up front the Lions will have to show more aggression, especially in stopping the rolling mauls (Simon Shaw brought in for just that reason), in the scrums they need a complete overhaul. The tight five picked for this match, with an all Welsh front row, should fare better against the Beast. The irony of course being that it was the Springbok scrum, with a hooker playing tighthead, that would be weak and crumble under the weight of quality Northern Hemisphere rugby. Last Saturday's game showed that it is in the backs that the Lions have the edge, or maybe just the time spent together on all the warm up games has helped them gel better than the relatively new combinations of the Boks. Jean DE Villiers assures us that it was rustiness that let the Lions back into the game and that the defense this week will be better. is hard to see how it will get better when you have a player with an injured shoulder (which also happens to be the part of the body you tackle with) going in to contact half-heartedly. Roberts and O'Driscoll will be the danger men, if there is to be an upset it will revolve around them. The forwards just need to find parity to unleash these two quality players and its up to Bakkies Botha and the returned Schalk Burger to stop them.

One hopes we see more running rugby from the Springbok back three, but don;t count on it. They will probablyplay for territory again and only run from their opponents half. Ruan Pienaar will bee looking to build on his impressive start last weekend and the fans are just hoping that he will blossom into a world class flyhalf and someone who could help secure a third Tri-nations trophy for South Africa.

The kick-off is at 3pm CAT up at Loftus in Pretoria. I hope that if you are'nt going to the match you will be watching on the T.V or stream it live to your laptop. Peace be to you and your family. Enjoy.

Sgr

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