Preview: Scotland v Italy

Friday 28th September 2007

The time for talking is over as Scotland take on Italy in this winner-takes-all game in Saint Etienne on Saturday.

The equation is one of simplicity, the winner advances to the quarter-finals, the loser goes home, and is left to rue their missed opportunity for another four years. Add to that the expectation of two proud nations resting on the players' shoulders and the pressure is intensified dramatically. Losing, then, is a fate not worth contemplating.

It is not as if either of these sides expected it to be any different, such was the make-up of the pool and fixture schedule. Both have carefully negotiated their way towards their date with destiny. Not that their journeys have been pretty, far from it, but the bottom line remains: they are both here and both know that their respective World Cup campaigns boil down to eighty minutes of rugby.

Both coaches will be hoping, nay praying, that their meticulous planning will bear fruit in the form of the required victory they both so desperately seek. It is fair to say that their planning has, as of yet, failed to materialise into a tangible performance on the paddock. In this sense Italy have more to worry about than Scotland, but only marginally.

Frank Hadden will, whilst not delighted with what he has witnessed thus far, head to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in good spirits. His side may not have found top gear yet, but they are a long way from neutral, while Italy have been stuck in reverse.

The rugby may not be pretty, but then for once it is only the result that matters. Having said that both coaches will tell you that if their teams can put together a good performance the result will take care of itself. And herein lies the problem, neither side has managed to muster a complete performance.

To their credit Scotland have come the closest, albeit against Portugal, but since then have struggled to recreate the kind of form that earned them a warm-up win over Ireland. If they can produce a forward display with as much zest and momentum as that day, then Italy will be blown away, of that there is no doubt.

In order to do this they will need Jason White to be at his imperious best; he is the life and soul of the team after all. Without him Scotland are a shadow of the side he makes them. To accredit so much to one man may seem unjust but in White's case it is accepted his effect is a monumental one.

Errors have riddled the Scots game for the last three weeks and will need to be eradicated at best, or minimised at worst, for any kind of meaningful performance to materialise. For that to be the case they need to approach the game in a relaxed state of mind, easier said than done admittedly.

The Azzurri have stumbled and fallen their way to this stage. Two displays packed full of inept rugby hardly helped to rectify the considerable damage done by New Zealand in the opening round. The important fact is that they managed to win, despite playing poorly, against Portugal and Romania. Time then to rediscover their form that impressed so much in the Six Nations.

Back-to-back wins over Scotland themselves and then Wales in the Six Nations augured well for Italy, but since then they have been decidedly average. That they have a chance of making the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history owes more to their pool than their current state of affairs.

It's hardly ideal that their talisman, and captain, Marco Bortolami has been ruled out of his country's most important game in their history with a neck injury then. Despite coach Pierre Berbizier claiming he will not be a big loss, Italy will not be the same without him. He is to Italy what Jason White is to Scotland.

Given that they will not be afforded the luxury of three converted tries in the opening seven minutes again, Italy will need to build a game that mixes the brawn of their forwards with the limited, yet effective talent of their back line. Simply taking Scotland on pound for pound up front will not be enough.

So the scene is set for a titanic struggle between two sides sharing the same dream. All that remains is to see if the flower of Scotland wilts under the passionate attacks of the Azzurri, or if it blossoms amidst a performance worthy of World Cup quarter-finalists.

One to Watch:

For Scotland: If Scotland are to emerge victorious they will need a complete team effort, but for that to happen there is one man who has to stand tall. Jason White is the very heartbeat of this Scotland team, and so much revolves around him. From a reliable source at the line out, to the core of a solid defence White is the key factor. The improvement in Scotland's performances has been notable since his return from injury and he will once again need to be omnipresent against Italy.

For Italy: With the loss of skipper Marco Bortolami in the week the onus is firmly on Italy to step up to the plate, something they have thus far failed to do. There have been fleeting performances from key players, but nothing of note in terms of consistency. The battle will be won in the forwards, and to that end you will need to keep an eye on Sergio Parisse, the affable number eight from Stade Français. He is yet to reach the heights we know he can and now the chips are down it is time for him to deliver. Nothing less than a barnstorming display will suffice.

Head to Head: Both sides will seek a platform from their forwards, ultimately only one side will get their hearts' desire. And it comes down to one man on each side. The battle between Mike Blair (Scotland) and Alessandro Troncon (Italy) will be paramount to their respective teams' success. Blair offers a game packed full of pace and awareness, where as the wily Troncon takes a more physical approach. Contrasting styles they have, a united goal they share, and only one will walk away with his head held high. Let the games begin.

Recent Results:

2007: Italy won 37-17, Murrayfield
2006: Scotland won 13-10, Stadio Flaminio
2005: Scotland won 18-10, Murrayfield
2004: Italy won 20-14, Stadio Flaminio
2003: Scotland won 47-15, Murrayfield
2003: Scotland won 33-25, Murrayfield
2002: Scotland won 29-12, Stadio Flaminio
2001: Scotland won 23-19, Murrayfield
2000: Italy won 34-20, Stadio Flaminio
1999: Scotland won 30-12, Murrayfield
1998: Italy won 25-21, Treviso
1996: Scotland won 29-22, Murrayfield

Prediction: When all is taken into account one concludes that the quest for a quarter-final place will yet again have to wait for Italy. It will not be the finest of games from a spectator's point of view, but Scotland will have too much to offer not to win this one. Scotland by 10

The Teams:

Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Simon Webster, 12 Rob Dewey, 11 Chris Paterson, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Allister Hogg, 6 Jason White, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Gavin Kerr.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Craig Smith, 18 Scott MacLeod, 19 Kelly Brown, 20 Chris Cusiter, 21 Andrew Henderson, 22 Hugo Southwell.

Italy: 15 David Bortolussi, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Mirco Bergamasco, 11 Andrea Masi, 10 Ramiro Pez, 9 Alessandro Troncon (c), 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Carlo Del Fava, 4 Santiago Dellapè, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18 Valerio Bernabò, 19 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 20 Paul Griffen, 21 Roland de Marigny, 22 Ezio Galon.

Date: Saturday September 29, 2007

Kick off: 21:00 (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
Venue: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Etienne
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes, Hugh Watkins
Television match official: Dave Pearson
Assessor: Bob Francis

By Marcus Leach  www.planetrugby.com

Preview: New Zealand v Romania

Friday 28th September 2007

After a quiet week that included a two-day break away from rugby the All Blacks will travel South West to the French city of Toulouse, to wrap up what has been a mundane Pool C campaign for the World Cup favourites.

For what it is worth, their opponents on the day, Romania, will not be playing against a full-strength All Black team at the Stade Municipal on Saturday. We suspect that won't make too big a difference to the final result though.

The Romanians will, however be very aware of the fact that Graham Henry's team still has a lot to prove to a hyper-critical rugby fraternity despite having won their first three World Cup games comprehensively.

It is the relative ease with which the All Blacks have won this Pool that would, and probably should, worry the New Zealand rugby faithful.

Popular opinion has it that the All Blacks have been 'underdone' ahead of the knock-out stage of the tournament.

Two players that have probably been most underdone are utility backs Luke McAlister and Nick Evans.

The former ought to take over the reins at pivot for the potential quarter-final against France and possibly even further in the tournament, depending on how severe the calf injury to Daniel Carter is.

Evans has been forced to play at full-back in the absence of regular full-backs Leon MacDonald (thigh) and Mils Muliaina (hamstring). However, he could also have a critical role to play in the rest of the tournament.

Both Evans and McAlister will need to get as much out of the Romania game as they possibly can, just in case Henry doesn't have his regular players in time for the knock-out stages.

Henry has opted to field a different midfield pairing yet again. This the one area that New Zealand selectors haven't looked at all certain on since Tana Umaga retired from the international game in 2005.

Surely the All Blacks would have wanted to settle the matter of a centre partnership before the final Pool game in this World Cup? That is clearly not the case.

In order for a centre combination to be most effective they need to play as much rugby together as possible and that hasn't really happened for New Zealand in the Pool stage.

This Saturday's combination, Isaia Toeava and Aaron Mauger, may just be their best centre pairing and Henry may have stumbled upon it by accident - through injury

Another frailty in the All Black team is at lock. The two starters in the second row for Saturday's match, Reuben Thorne and Keith Robinson, have just returned from injury and will also want to take as much out of the game as they possibly can.

What this ultimately means for Romania is that they can expect an onslaught of mammoth proportions from a team desperate to silence its critics - which they are very capable of doing.

Romania put on a brave fight against Italy in their 24-18 loss earlier in the Pool stage but struggled against Portugal on Tuesday this week.

The Romanian team that played Os Lobos is very different from that will play the All Blacks and should provide stern opposition ... at least in the early stages.

The return of Sorin Socol to the second row will bolster both the Romanian scrum and line-out.

This is one area where Socol will feel his team can make an impact of some sorts against a New Zealand lock pairing that may be a touch underdone.

As is the case with all the World Cup minnows, Romania will seek to utilise their size and strength against the All Blacks, by standing up to Jerry Collins' forward pack.

Finally, if they hope to minimise the damage against the Tri-Nations champions, Romania will also have to improve on their defence patterns.

Ones to watch:

For Romania
The 30-year-old Sorin Socol will add some stability to the Romanian set-pieces and his leadership, experience and motivational skills will prove useful against the All Blacks. Socol has an important role to play against the All Blacks and he needs to lead from the front.

For New Zealand
There are many players to watch here but Luke McAlister starting at pivot will give a clear indication of how prepared Graham Henry's All Blacks really are for the bigger World Cup contests. The 25-year-old utility-back has a solid kicking game and is a natural runner with ball. Although he has been proven to crack under pressure in the past, he can be an absolute gem on the field when at his best.

Head to head:

Once again, it should be a one-sided affair but if Romania hope to make an impression anywhere, it will be in the line-outs. While the Romanian captain Socol is one of the players to watch, keep an eye out for the 28-year-old Cristian Petre at number five. The duel between him and Chiefs stalwart Keith Robinson could be intriguing.

Previous Results:

1981: New Zealand won 14-6 Bucharest, Romania

Prediction: It is elementary really. The All Blacks, although slightly handicapped by the absence of key players will emerge convincing victors. Romania might resist for the first quarter, but even that isn't a guarantee. Expect the All Blacks to accumulate at least 80 points against the European minnows.

New Zealand: 15 Nick Evans, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Chris Masoe, 6 Jerry Collins (c), 5 Keith Robinson, 4 Reuben Thorne, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Neemia Tialata.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Richie McCaw, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Doug Howlett, 22 Conrad Smith.

Romania: 15 Iulian Dumitras, 14 Stefan Ciuntu, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Romeo Gontineac, 11 Gabriel Brezoianu, 10 Ionut Dimofte, 9 Lucian Sirbu, 8 Ovidiu Tonita, 7 Alexandru Manta, 6 Florin Corodeanu, 5 Cristian Petre, 4 Sorin Socol (c), 3 Silviu Florea, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Bogdan Balan.
Replacements: 16 Razvan Mavrodin, 17 Paulica Ion, 18 Valentin Ursache, 19 Cosmin Ratiu, 20 Valentin Calafeteanu, 21 Florin Vlaicu, 22 Catalin Robert Dascalu.

Date: Saturday, 29 September
Kick-off: 13:00 (12:00 BST, 11:00 GMT)
Venue: Stade Municipal, Toulouse
Referee: Joël Jutge
Touch judges: Federico Cuesta, Malcolm Changleng
Television match official: Paul Marks
Assessor: Tappe Henning

www.planetrugby.com

It`s official - Boks` best are back

Friday 28th September 2007

One of the worst kept secrets were confirmed on Friday when Springbok coach Jake White named a near full-strength team to face the United States at Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, in their final World Cup pool match on Sunday.

As expected Schalk Burger, who missed the matches against England and Tonga through suspension, is back in the starting XV - at number eight.

He takes the place of the injured Danie Rossouw, who suffered a knock to the neck against Tonga.

With Burger ar number eight, Juan Smith and Wikus van Heerden will scrum down at flank.

The other noteworthy selections are at lock and prop.

Albert van den Berg will partner Victor Matfield in the second row, with Matfield's regular partner Bakkies Botha getting a break on the bench.

At tighthead prop BJ Botha starts ahead of CJ van der Linde.

And Akona Ndungane will have his first start of the tournament, on the right wing, ahead of JP Pietersen.

The absence of Rossouw, who played at number eight in the Boks' first two World Cup matches and then on the flank against Tonga, means the Bok coach may stumble upon his best loose forward combination by accident.

Burger has played at number eight before, but how he will combine with Van Heerden, one of the few genuine openside flankers in South Africa, and Smith could have a significant impact on the Bok campaign in the play-offs.

Van Heerden plays towards the ball and his ability to turn over ball at the breakdown has seen him force his way into White's preferred starting XV - despite not being in the initial World Cup squad.

When White decided to rest his frontline players for the away leg of the Tri-Nations in mid-year Van Heerden grabbed the opportunity and forced his way into the World Cup squad. He started the tournament as a bench player and now he has a chance to cement a starting place.

Burger's all-action, bustling style of play and know defensive capabilities means he could even be a better bet than Rossouw at number eight - with the latter's ball-carrying abilities his major asset.

Smith has established himself as South Africa's first choice blindside flank during White's reign and his ball-carrying and line-out abilities mean the loss of Rossouw may not be such a huge factor.

Smith also runs clever support lines and has an outstanding work rate.

The Bok team shows 13 changes from the largely second-string line-up that squeezed past Tonga 30-25 last week.

Van den Berg at lock and Van Heerden on the flank are the two players to be retained.

The back-line is completely refreshed, with all the star players - fullback Percy Montgomery, winger Bryan Habana and scrum-half Fourie du Preez - all back.

Hooker John Smit returns as captain and takes the armband off number eight Bobby Skinstad, who is demoted to the bench.

The Springboks, who have a 100 per cent record this tournament, have already qualified for the quarter-finals by finishing top of their pool.

South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Albert van den Berg, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit, 1 Os du Randt.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Bakkies Botha, 19 Bobby Skinstad, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 André Pretorius, 22 JP Pietersen

23rd man: Wynand Olivier

Date: Sunday, 30 September
Venue: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Kick-off: 20.00 (18.00 GMT, 19.00 BST)
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
Touch judges: Paul Marks (Australia), Federico Cuesta (Argentina)
Television match official: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
Assessor: Ian Scotney/Stuart Beissel

www.planetrugby.com

Alonso vows to stay with McLaren

World champion Fernando Alonso says he sees no reason to leave McLaren at the end of this season despite his frosty relationship with team boss Ron Dennis.

The pair have not spoken since a row at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August.

But the Spaniard, who is in the first year of a three-year contract, said: "For next year I have a contract with this team and I don't see any problem.

"I have won four races and I'm fighting for the championship so everything is going quite well and I'm happy."

Dennis described Alonso as a "remarkable recluse for a driver" at a hearing into the spy saga and claimed that he had not been on speaking terms with the Spaniard since the beginning of August.

But Alonso, who had been linked with a move either to Ferrari or back to Renault, said he was concentrating only on the championship battle.

Chasing his third title in a row, the 26-year-old said he was keen to do his talking on the track though as the season reaches its climax.

He is two points behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the standings with three races, in Japan this weekend, China and Brazil, remaining.

"I have been working with the engineers, the mechanics, with everybody from the start of the season, until now with the same relationship," said Alonso, 26.

"They are all very professional, very focused on doing the best we can and we are achieving good results.

"About the spying, I have nothing to say. I will try to speak on the track and try to do my job.

"I really think that many of the things that have been said about the spying and about me are totally wrong and not the truth.

"But these things happen and I will not answer every day what they have been saying about me, I will not lose time on that.

"I cannot be every day and every week answering rumours telling my version of the truth to anyone.

"So at the moment, I am completely focused on the last three races and that is the truth."

www.bbc.com

Wallabies want more young Boks

September 28, 2007

Australia is looking at unearthing more young South Africans like Dan Vickerman and Clyde Rathbone in the buildup to the next Rugby World Cup in 2011, reports said on Friday.

Newly-appointed Australian Rugby Union high performance manager Pat Howard has arrived at the World Cup in France to examine what countries and what systems are producing the best results.

Australia has had great success poaching young Springboks into its ranks, with lock Vickerman a member of the current national squad and outside back Rathbone forced out of World Cup selection reckoning through injury.

"It's a matter of looking at how we, with our very small player base, stay up there at the top end," Howard told Australian media on Friday.

"If we leave it to luck, you might get the Argentine model occasionally coming through, but it's not a consistent model."

Australian rugby has only four provincial teams from which to choose its national squad.

Howard, who coached English Premiership giants Leicester till the end of last season, intends targeting the usual sources of future Wallabies, the schools, clubs and rugby league, but admitted Australia might investigate whether there was a pool of talented young South African players prepared to one day play for the Wallabies.

"South Africa presents itself as an opportunity, or it could," Howard said.

Howard believes what could drive young South Africans to abandon their homeland in pursuit of another is the plan of the South African Government to step up a quota system to ensure a set number of black players are selected for the Springboks.

Any such imports would have to be assisted by the ARU and would have to be regarded as a long-term investment since the players would need to serve a three-year qualifying period before they became eligible to represent Australia in time for the next World Cup in New Zealand.

Sapa - AFP

Usmanov increases Arsenal stake

Share purchase makes billionaire second-largest shareholder at Emirates

Staff and agencies
Friday September 28, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

Alisher Usmanov today further increased his stake in Arsenal to 23% as his investment company Red and White Holdings Limited became the club's second-largest shareholder. The purchase is estimated to have cost the billionaire in the region of £6m, at some £10,000 a share.

Reports in the Russian media have quoted Usmanov as being ready to up his interest to obtain a "blocking stake" of just over 25%, before then waiting for the share price to rise. Even though the board maintain they are not about to sell up and the current financial figures show there is no need for a wealthy individual backer, today's announcement will continue to fuel speculation Usmanov is preparing to launch a hostile takeover.

"Red and White Holdings Limited today announces, in accordance with its intentions stated on August 30, that it has increased its shareholding and now holds a 23% stake in Arsenal Holdings plc," read a statement.

Arsenal's parent company earlier this week published highly impressive figures for 2006-07, with overall turnover up to £200.8m at Emirates Stadium and operating profit also increased significantly to £51.2m following the club's move to their new 60,000-seater home.

Suggestions of an imminent takeover or Usmanov gaining major influence in the club's affairs are, however, perhaps somewhat premature. A 25% stake would, according to Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman, allow little actual influence over company affairs, only enabling the veto of special resolutions such as changing the name of the company, or calling an Emergency General Meeting, which could be resolved by the current board given their share holding at any rate.

"I am unsure what he [Usmanov] can do with 25%," said Edelman earlier this week. "I do not believe he can stop us operating the business on a day-to-day basis. Usmanov has a stake, Kroenke has a stake and we get on and run the business every day. It is a distraction for us to keep talking about it, but we are trying to focus on the team getting the job done and we do not think it affects them."

Once any individual or company reaches the 30% threshold, they would be required to launch an official takeover. However, this would not apply to Red and White Holdings Limited for at least six months after a public statement claimed there was "no current intention to make a takeover offer".

All Blacks' lineout the best to date

NZPA - Friday September 28, 06:45 AM

It is constantly singled out as a chink in the All Blacks armour but so far New Zealand's lineout has operated with a rare efficiency at the rugby World Cup.

Tournament statistics released after every team had played three games shows the All Blacks level with probable quarterfinal opponents France as the most successful team at securing their own lineout throws.

Both had won 42 of their 44 throws for a 96 percent rate. Australia were third at 94 percent.

Less than halfway into the campaign, hooker Keven Mealamu said the start was encouraging but it was too soon to say New Zealand's lineout was infallible.

"The last couple of years we've put a lot of work into it. It's really good to see some fruit," he told NZPA.

"But once we get into the quarters, and hopefully we get further, that's when the pressure comes on and we'll look to execute as well."

Mealamu said not every lineout trick had been unveiled so far because the eyes of all their main rivals would be watching.

New tactics would come out when everything was on the line in the knockout phase.

"Teams like Aussie and South Africa, they thrive on that sort of stuff," Mealamu said.

"You can't show everything. You've got to make sure you have something you can go to when you need it in the big games."

Indeed, the Springboks and Wallabies are second and third when it comes to winning opposition throws, behind Scotland.

France are fourth and New Zealand sixth with a 23 percent success rate, having stolen six of 26 throws.

Another area where the All Blacks lead the way is line breaks, with their 18 easily a tournament-high.

Next are Wales with 12 and Ireland's 11.

Mealamu said that statistic had little value if the breaks weren't finished off, as was often the case in the 40-0 win over Scotland last weekend.

"From a linebreak point of view it's very good, it's just a matter of finishing," he said.

"We're not far away from getting those 50-50 passes sticking and we're not far away from a good performance."

Henry blunders in not naming First XV

By JIM KAYES in Aix-en-Provence - Fairfax Media | Friday, 28 September 2007

The All Blacks often say they have left no stone unturned in planning their campaign to win the World Cup.

The preparation certainly has been thorough.

World Cup campaign manager Steve Cottrell has been to France seven times checking out grounds, hotels, routes, food and more.

Team manager Darren Shand has been here five times for similar reconnaissance.

Coach Graham Henry also made it clear before he had even named his squad that his planning for the pool games was done and all 30 of the players would be used in the four games.

He reiterated that stance when he named his side last night to play Romania on Saturday night (11pm NZ time) with 12 changes from the 'top side' that beat Scotland last Monday.

There's a lot of sense to the logic of using his full squad as it gives everyone a chance to push for a place in the top team and should ensure there are few if any unhappy campers. If there was one lesson Henry learnt from when he coached the Lions to Australia in 2001 it was that idle hands truly are the devil's work.

Henry focused heavily on his Lions test side in Australia and those left on the fringes were a damaging and disruptive influence with the squad.

There seems no chance of a repeat of such divisiveness here in France.

Yet, some rules are meant to be broken and Henry's pre-World Cup team sheets should have been shredded as he watched the All Blacks at Murrayfield.

If that muddled performance showed anything it was that the All Blacks' top side needs more time together.

A match against Romania in Toulouse tomorrow could have been a perfect dress rehearsal for a probable quarter-final in Cardiff next week against hosts France.

Henry's record with the All Blacks is fantastic. They have played 47 tests and lost only five - three to South Africa and two to Australia.

Even this year when the players were coming off a truncated Super 14 season and had their eyes on the looming World Cup, they lost only once [to Australia] as they retained the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations trophy.

Henry's All Blacks are unbeaten in Europe and swept aside the Lions in 2005.

The coaches have also shown they are big enough to learn from their mistakes, especially after they lost the Tri-Nations in 2004 with away defeats to Australia and South Africa.

So there has to be an element of "trust us, we know what we're doing" at this World Cup.

But that doesn't dispel the feeling that the All Blacks "First XV" needs another game together - if not a few more.

The team that runs out at Toulouse's Le Stadium should be the side Henry and co think will start in Cardiff next week, with only two possible exceptions.

Mils Muliaina is the All Blacks' best fullback, perhaps second in the world only to Chris Latham, and if his hamstring needs another week, so be it.

Keith Robinson also had to start his first match after missing the first three games with a calf injury and if he can quickly return to the peak of his powers he is a strong contender for the top XV anyway.

But what is achieved by playing so many of the second stringers other than to just give them another game in the World Cup?

Sure they might be called upon for injuries - but that's contingency planning and the All Blacks have more immediate concerns than what might happen.

Scotland were the first side to put the All Blacks under any sort of pressure and while they scored six tries, the test will be remembered more for the long list of errors.

It was a graphic example of how the All Blacks need more game time.

Sure it's good no stone has been left unturned in the All Blacks planning for this campaign in France.

But will they rue having their selections plans so set in concrete?

The answer will come in Cardiff .

Is it goodbye to Mauger?

Friday, 28 September 2007

It will be the last appearance at this World Cup for several All Blacks involved in tomorrow's pool clash against Romania while an even more permanent rugby farewell could loom for second five-eighth Aaron Mauger.

Still one of the world's premier backs, Mauger, 26, may well have no involvement in the tournament playoffs if Luke McAlister establishes himself in the No 12 jersey and the reserve mix doesn't accommodate the Cantabrian.

That would represent a quiet end to a quality test career if Mauger can't reclaim a black jersey when his upcoming stint with English club Leicester ends.

Mauger knows injuries could yet open doors for him at this tournament but hoped to force a place in the top team for next week's quarterfinal on merit with a display that couldn't be ignored at Le Stadium.

"I haven't had too much in the way of information from the coaches what we're going to be doing going ahead," a realistic Mauger said.

"It's been hinted at in the past that they might go for the strongest team three weeks in a row (in the knockout phase). That's probably what it's looking like.

"Luke's played well all year... if I got a start I'd be pretty happy at this stage but you have to always prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

The multi-skilled Mauger made his debut along with current captain Richie McCaw against Ireland at Dublin in 2001 and has since been generally regarded as the first-choice second five-eighth.

That is until this year, where McAlister's Super 14 form and early test efforts outshone Mauger.

"The guys who have been in the top team over the last few months deserve to be there, they've played well," he said.

"The next tier are always putting pressure on and trying to get spots for themselves so it's pretty healthy."

The other six All Blacks who have signed with European clubs after the World Cup can expect to be involved in the playoffs next month.

They are McAlister, winger Doug Howlett, halfback Byron Kelleher, lock Chris Jack, prop Carl Hayman and hooker Anton Oliver.

He won't be out to prove himself individually, as usual hoping for a performance that best allows a quality team outcome.

"Ideally I'd like to play the World Cup final in the No 12 jersey but we'll have to wait and see I suppose," Mauger said.

"Just to be in the 22 would be great.

"My main goal is to start games and play the whole game but it's such a good team and there's so much depth in each position that it's pretty hard these days."

Mauger called for a patient performance against Romania and an improvement on the 40-0 defeat of Scotland last weekend.

He believed that good option-taking and accuracy through phase play would see the game open up later in New Zealand's favour.

-NZPA

France's nervous waiting game

Reuters | Friday, 28 September 2007

A victory with a bonus point against Georgia and an Irish win by more than seven points over Argentina would be France's dream scenario on Sunday.

The hosts would then snatch top spot in Pool D top spot from the Pumas and swap a quarter-final against New Zealand in Cardiff for a game against Scotland or Italy at the Stade de France.

To know their fate, they will however have to spend two nail-biting hours in the dressing room of the Stade Velodrome in Marseille between the final whistle of their game and the end of the Argentina v Ireland match, at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

"Ireland and Argentina are on the same level. Everything could happen," France coach Bernard Laporte said. "The best way to reach the quarter-finals is to beat Georgia scoring four tries.

To reach that goal, Laporte stuck to his squad rotation policy and made nine changes to the side that beat Ireland 25-3 and saved the host country, beaten by Argentina in the opening game of the tournament on Sept. 7, from an early exit.

"We only are in the middle of the woods and we have to conserve our strength," he said.

Among the players rested are captain Raphael Ibanez, prop Pieter de Villiers, who are 34 and 35 respectively, flyhalf Frederic Michalak and lock Sebastien Chabal.

In are flyhalf Lionel Beauxis, captain of the French side that won last year's under-21 World Cup, scrumhalf Pierre Mignoni and wing Christophe Dominici, both dropped after the opening game. Flanker Serge Betsen will captain the side.

Laporte also gave a start to Sale hooker Sebastien Bruno - the only player not to have been been named once since the beginning of the World Cup.

"We took into account the need to rest some players and to give playing time to others to keep them on their toes," team manager Jo Maso said.

"We'll field a well balanced team that can bring us the four tries we need to qualify but we'll have to be patient, rigorous and well organised because Georgia proved their worth against Ireland and Namibia," he added.

Georgia clinched their first World Cup victory when they defeated Nambia 30-0 on Wednesday. They had previously threatened the biggest upset in the 20-year history of the tournament before succumbing 14-10 to Ireland.

"Our goal was to win a match and the players gave it absolutely all they had," said coach Malkhaz Cheishvili after the Namibia game.

"They made Georgia proud and showed that Georgian rugby has a future. There's no question of letting go (against France). This will have freed us mentally and we will give our best."

Nightmare for ABs: Carter out with calf injury

Friday, 28 September 2007

The All Blacks' worst injury fears have been realised with the World Cup quarter-finals just around the corner – star first five-eighths Daniel Carter has been ruled out of Saturday's final pool match against Romania with a calf injury.

It is unclear how serious the calf strain is to the key New Zealand playmaker, who suffered the damage at training yesterday morning.

He has been replaced in the starting lineup by Luke McAlister, who made his debut in that position in 2005 but has specialised at second five-eighth this season.

Winger Doug Howlett will take McAlister's place on the reserve bench.

It is unclear whether Carter will be fit for the quarterfinal in Cardiff next week.

A team press release said his fitness would be reassessed early next week.

Carter felt tightness in his calf following training and, after consulting the All Blacks medical team, withdrew from the final pool match at Le Stadium.

"Luke is an experienced first-five at test level. This will add to our options at the position while we take a sensible approach to Dan's calf strain," coach Graham Henry said in the release.

"Our goal through the pool round is to give game time to as many of our 30-man squad as possible. Dan has played two matches already so this has a pretty minor effect on our strategy."

Henry said Nick Evans, the team's other option at first five-eighth, remained at fullback to give Mils Muliaina (hamstring) and Leon MacDonald (bruised thigh) additional time to recover from their injuries.

-NZPA

Lewis: McLaren favour me

Hamilton continues war of words with team-mate Alonso.

Last updated: 28th September 2007

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed what many already suspected: McLaren would rather he won the title than his team-mate Fernando Alonso.

Since almost the very start of the season, Alonso has claimed that McLaren are not giving him the backing that they should.

The Spaniard has continuously expressed his unhappiness at the situation, which has partly led to the deterioration of his relationship with his team boss Ron Dennis.

However, it appears his fears may be coming true with Hamilton admitting that McLaren would rather he won this year's Drivers' Championship title than Alonso.

"When you are in a relationship with a certain amount of people, you do the best job you can and want to show to everyone that you are the one for the team," the 22-year-old said.

"In this situation, I was a rookie and he was the two-time World Champion coming into the team. He is the one that was looked at to bring it home, but eventually I have earned more respect from them.

"And since what's gone on in the last few weeks they've realised who the real people are in the team and who they really should back.

"I feel my bond with the team is even stronger."

And in response to rumours that Alonso offered the men on his side of the garage cash in hand if they help him beat Hamilton, the rookie says he would never stoop to asking for favouritism.

"I want to win it fair and square. Not once have I approached the team members and asked to be favoured," he said.

"It is just not something I have done at any team, asking for better equipment."

But whether McLaren do opt to back Hamilton, who leads the Championship by two points over Alonso, in the remaining three races remains to be seen.

The team has always stood by their driver equality policy, which Dennis recently reiterated.

"We at McLaren believe in the principle of equality and giving both our driver's an equal opportunity to win championships," he said.

"We have our own ethics and also promise that in the interest of competition we vow to give both our exceptional driver's nothing but equality for McLaren has always believed in being transparent."

www.skysports.com

Nicklaus could be Ryder Cup solution

28 September 2007 Sapa-AFP

MONTREAL — The secret to reviving the US Ryder Cup team might just be Jack Nicklaus, who has an easy-going attitude as US Presidents Cup captain, and the new US PGA Tour playoff chase.

Nicklaus, who has won a record 18 Major championships, is guiding the US at the Presidents Cup against a non-European Internationals squad which started last night at the Royal Montreal Golf Club.

“Captain Nicklaus has been a tremendous captain and that’s why we keep asking him to come back and hoping he accepts, because we love him,” said world No2 Phil Mickelson.

The US has a 4-1-1 edge in the Presidents Cup, where most players are those on the US PGA Tour rather than the European Tour.

Nicklaus lost his 1998 cap-taincy debut in Australia, then drew a titanic clash at George in SA in 2003 and finally won in 2005 in suburban Washington.

“If I had been smart I would have gotten in my captain’s cart and ridden off into the sunset. But I was never that smart,” Nicklaus joked at the opening ceremonies on Wednesday.

Nicklaus’ humour and light touch — letting players decide who they want to play alongside in pairs matches — is a stark contrast to the tension-packed Ryder Cup, where US teams have lost five out of the past six starts against Europe.

“We’ve talked about it,” US veteran Scott Verplank said.

“Last year about 3am Jim Furyk and I were sitting in the hall of the hotel trying to figure it out. Neither one of us knew what we were talking about.

“I can’t put my finger on it, but I guess things go in cycles and it will probably turn around.”

Nicklaus said he would accept an offer to guide the US Ryder Cup team but added that he thought his time had passed.

He guided the US home triumph in 1983 and a 1987 home loss to Europe, the first US Ryder Cup defeat on home soil.

Twenty years later, his true time might have come at last.

“Most guys are comfortable picking who they want to play with. I think that has helped in this event,” Verplank said.

“Jack says, ‘If that’s what you want to do let’s do it’. I had not particularly noticed it being that simple in the Ryder Cup.

“Ryder Cup has been a case of captains more just saying, ‘You’re playing with him and he’s playing with him’. I don’t know if that makes a difference.”

Mickelson called Tom Lehman, last year’s US Ryder Cup captain, “one of the best captains we’ve ever had” and was uncertain what help a more casual leader like Nicklaus would have been. “We didn’t play very well.”

The southpaw said what might help the US cause more is a revamped scheduled that puts several key season-ending events just before the Ryder Cup, meaning players will arrive at the event just as they are peaking.

“I think what will positively affect form in the Ryder Cup will be the FedEx Cup,” Mickelson said. “It will keep everyone competitive and keep their games sharp up to the event.” Sapa-AFP

Ashton talks tough

Thursday 27th September 2007

England coach Brian Ashton has "total confidence" in his players to keep alive their World Cup dream on Friday, when they face Tonga, and book a quarter-final date with Australia.

But the showdown with the Wallabies in Marseille next Saturday will not materialise unless England topple Tonga, thetournament's surprise package.

England are faced with a simple equation - beat Tonga at Parc des Princes and they march on; lose, and a weekend flight home beckons.

No reigning champion has exited at the pool stage in five previous Rugby World Cups, and England do not intend creating a humiliating piece of history.

There were signs during last Saturday's victory over Samoa that England have started to turn a corner following their record 36-0 World Cup defeat against South Africa eight days previously.

With fly-half Jonny Wilkinson again in the driving seat on Friday, their next stop should be the south of France, rather than Heathrow.

"If we don't win this game, we go home," Ashton said.

"I think Tonga are probably a stronger side at the moment than Samoa, and it is going to be a tough game.

"But there is a sense of anticipation, as opposed to anxiety, this week. I think it is fair to say all the players are really anticipating the match.

"I have got total confidence in the 22 players who are going out there tomorrow night that they are going to do the job."

England expect a far sterner challenge in the set-pieces from Tonga than Samoa mustered, with the back row presence of skipper Nili Latu and number eight Finau Maka posing a considerable twin threat.

"We've looked at them very closely, and certainly Maka and Latu, their defensive work and handling of the ball in this competition, we haven't seen anything better," said England captain Martin Corry.

"It would be wrong to single out those two if you look at the pack, their line-out play, their line-out drive, the way they pick and go and the way they turn slow ball into fast ball.

"They've posed a lot of problems for every single team in the group by doing that. That is something we have to stop because it is a real threat.

"We are going to have to win the game, and we expect to win the game, but that is taking nothing away from Tonga.

"They are coming into this game full of confidence, but we are just focusing on ourselves.

"We are a team which also has momentum, which in terms of our expectations and ambitions, we are looking to improve on what we did against Samoa."

Ashton's bold call in selection means no starting place for World Cup captain Phil Vickery, who features among the replacements after serving a two-match ban.

Corry retains the leadership role, with Matt Stevens staying at tighthead prop despite Vickery's re-emergence, and two changes from the Samoa encounter see lock Steve Borthwick and flanker Lewis Moody gain start ahead of Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley, respectively.

Vickery, Worsley and Lawrence Dallaglio give the England bench a powerful feel, and it is that strength in reserve which could ultimately negate Tongan hopes of causing a monumental upset.

England, too, will have the lion's share of support - a fact not lost on Corry.

He said: "We know how much people are sacrificing to come out, and it does mean a hell of a lot when they get behind us.

"One of our major motivations going into the game is to give the crowd something to shout about.

"As long as everyone wearing white is shouting for us, that's all that matters to me. We have fantastic support, and it means a huge amount to the players.

"We are going into this game very confident - we've worked very hard on that.

"As captain, the most important thing you want to see is that everyone is right on the money, and when you get closer to the game it is about judging how the mood is.

"Our execution wasn't right in the first two games, and neither was our discipline going through with the game plan.

"It is making sure we are all clear, at whatever stage of the match, we stick to the discipline of our game."

www.planetrugby.com

Hadden goes all out

Thursday 27th September 2007

Frank Hadden has named a full strength side for Scotland's crucial World Cup Pool C game against Italy in Saint Etienne on Saturday.

Having rested most of his front line players for the game against New Zealand last week Hadden had a full squad to pick from, and the side selected is as expected, showing thirteen changes.

The back row trio of Simon Taylor, Allister Hogg and captain Jason White all return in a new-look pack, and will be looking to dominate the Italian forwards, who are without their captain Marco Bortolami.

Behind the scrum the only two players to retain their places are Simon Webster and Chris Paterson, although both make positional changes. Webster comes back to outside centre, where he played against Romania, and Paterson moves from fly-half to the left wing berth.

The equation is simple for Scotland, if they win they progress to the quarter-finals and if they lose they are out of the World Cup.

Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Simon Webster, 12 Rob Dewey, 11 Chris Paterson, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Allister Hogg, 6 Jason White, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Gavin Kerr.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Craig Smith, 18 Scott MacLeod, 19 Kelly Brown, 20 Chris Cusiter, 21 Andrew Henderson, 22 Hugo Southwell.

Date: Saturday September 29, 2007
Kick off: 21:00 (20:00 BST; 19:00 GMT)
Venue: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Etienne
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes, Hugh Watkins
Television match official: Dave Pearson
Assessor: Bob Francis

www.planetrugby.com

Preview: England v Tonga

It is a 'fight to the death'! It is a 'do-or-die battle'! Pick your cliché, it will fit in nicely here. The scenario for England and Tonga is simple - the winner moves on to the World Cup quarter-finals and the loser goes home.
But wait, there is a twist! What happens if there is a draw?
England will go home and Tonga move into the play-offs, since Tonga have a slightly better (+9 against +4) points differential.
The only other way to separate them is if one team scores four tries and the other doesn't - which means the bonus point will put them through.
Not surprising, then, to hear both teams talk this week of their biggest game since 2003 for England, and the most momentous encounter in Tonga's history.
It may sound like Hollywood-style hype and an overuse of platitudes, but it really is a case of winner takes all.
As England's superstar fly-half Jonny Wilkinson said this week, it will be the team that wants it most and the side with the most commitment that will go on to meet Australia in the World Cup quarter-final at Stade Velodrome, Marseille, on October 6.
England have lost 25 of the 43 Test matches since Martin Johnson held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup in Sydney four years ago (a strike rate of just 58 per cent), compared to 42 wins from 47 (89 per cent) of the previous four years (1999 to 2003).
And a 26th defeat would officially make them the worst reigning World Cup champions in history, given that every previous title holder at least made the quarter-finals.
But the Tongans, having pushed Pool A winners South Africa to the limit last Saturday, are chasing the unique achievement of appearing in their first-ever World Cup play-offs - which would earn them a place in Rugby Union folklore and the history books.
England know this will not be a 'just arrive to win' scenario. The Pacific islanders will literally throw everything but the kitchen sink at the English.
"We've already seen huge performances from Tonga, who showed against South Africa you have to go out there with everything," Wilkinson said.
"You can't hold anything back against these guys. You need to go out there and be enormously committed to a cup-final mentality.
"Tonga are a hugely-organised side, as well as having that fantastic flair and physical ability that makes them enormously dangerous and threatening. There is a fantastic balance."
The Tongans have made no secret of how important the game is for the psyche of the nation.
"It's the biggest game in our history," said Tonga captain Nili Latu.
"We have a great chance of getting into the quarter-finals.
"We have had three great weeks - but we don't want to lose now. We have set a benchmark for ourselves, and I expect the boys to step up.
"We don't want to be going home next week. Our destiny is in our own hands.
"England is a one-off match, and the losers won't get another chance to put it right. We need to stand up and be counted, or we will get left behind."
While the adrenaline-induced action will certainly dominate the early exchanges - those big collision points that can shape the game - at some stage the teams will have to fall back on their skills and experience.
The one aspect of the game where England could have a distinct advantage - and where they have looked impressive - is the set-pieces.
England's vulnerability under pressure came to the fore against South Africa, when their pack did not have it all their own way. Against Samoa England's forwards were in control for most of the game.
However, the Tongan set-piece game is certainly not a weakness England can expect some pressure in this department.
"We know Tonga have got a huge amount of physicality, and we've got to step up and bring our own physicality," Wilkinson said.
But they will need to keep it up for the entire game and not allow those lapses that saw Samoa come back from being down 9-26 to narrow the gap to just one score - before a late English rally sealed the game.
The Tongans are geared to push England all the way.
"We have been training for a long time to make ourselves an 80-minute team," Latu said.
"We are strong; we are calm under pressure and we will continue to play the way we've been playing. We will get opportunities to score, so it's in our own hands to take them.
"We haven't got the greatest facilities or equipment in Tonga - but we've shown here that you don't always need that.
"We are a tight group and we respect each other, and we are not playing just for us - we're playing for the people of Tonga.
"People under-estimated us, but we believed we were good enough to get to the quarter-finals. We are one step away from that now."
Ones to watch:
For England: He showed against Samoa last week his true value to the English cause and fly-half Jonny Wilkinson will again be a key player. There is also young Matt Stevens, who is keeping England's World Cup captain on the bench and he will need to show that he deserves that elevated status.
For Tonga: Number eight Finau Maka is easily the most recognisable of the Tongan players because of his huge afro hairdo, but along with flankers Nili Latu (the captain) and Hale T Pole they are a vital component of the Tongan defensive and attacking units.
Head to head: This is a showdown of two classic fly-halves - Jonny Wilkinson (England) versus Pierre Hola (Tonga). Wilkinson's ability and World Cup-winning exploits are well documented, but Hola has proved himself to be an equally astute number 10 on the world stage. It just so happens they will also be controlling the destinies of their respective countries.
Previous result:
1999: England won 101-10, Twickenham (RWC)
1979: England win 37-17, Nuku'alofa (unofficial)
Prediction: When you look past all the hype and sentiments that go with Tonga's elevated World Cup status, you will find that across the park England just appear to be a bit too skilful and classy for the islanders. Expect England to work hard, but secure a deserved win - by 10 to 15 points.
The teams:
England: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Martin Corry (c), 5 Ben Kay, 4 Steve Borthwick, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 George Chuter, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Phil Vickery, 18 Lawrence Dallaglio, 19 Joe Worsley, 20 Peter Richards, 21 Andy Farrell, 22 Dan Hipkiss.
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Tevita Tu'ifua, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 Epeli Taione, 11 Joseph Vaka, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Sione Tu'ipulotu, 8 Finau Maka, 7 Nili Latu (c), 6 Hale T Pole, 5 Lisiate Fa'aoso, 4 Viliami Vaki, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Ephraim Taukafa, 17 Taufa'ao Filise, 18 Maama Molitika, 19 Inoke Afeaki, 20 Soane Havea, 21 Hudson Tonga'uiha, 22 Aisea Havili.
Date: Friday, September 28
Kick-off: 21:00 (20:00 BST; 19:00 GMT)
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
Conditions: Light rain - high 13°C, low 12°C
Referee: Alain Rolland
Touch judges: Craig Joubert, Christophe Berdos
Television match official: Mark Lawrence
Assessor: Bob Francis

www.planetrugby.com

IRB sees red over green

Thursday 27th September 2007

International Rugby Board (IRB) officials have ordered Tonga's leading players to head to the showers after they dyed their green in honour of their sponsors.

The gesture was in appreciation of Paddy Power, the Irish bookmakers, for pumping funds into nation's cash-strapped World Cup preparations.

But the IRB, who Tonga have accused of coming up short on promised funds, said the green hair was a form of advertising and therefore outlawed at the tournament.

By the time the team appeared at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris to practice for Friday's winner takes all Group A match with defending champion England, only a couple of players still had streaks of green in their hair.

"I just do not get the ruling," said Tonga captain Nili Latu.

"Some of the guys in the other teams are wearing blond hair."

But Tui Uata, vice-president of the Tongan Rugby Union, alleges that a lack of support from the IRB drove the islanders into the arms of the bookmakers.

He claims that his side has only received a fraction of what was originally offered from the governing body.

"I understand from our high performance officer that we have not had £110,000 [$223,000] of the £150,000 [$304,000] we are due," he told Reuters.

Tonga centre Epeli Taione concurred with Uata, pointing to the financial gulf between his country and the men they face at Parc des Prince on Friday.

"We've had £40,000 [$82,000] - we're playing England on Friday and I don't know what other teams are on," he said.

This is Tonga's second attempt to thank their benefactor - and the second failure.

Taione changed his name by deed poll to 'Paddy Power' in acknowledgment of the sponsors, but the IRB refused to amend his entry in the official guide to the World Cup.

The IRB has made no official comment about the Tongan players' stance or their accusation.

The Tongans, meanwhile, cancelled a pre-planned press conference on Thursday evening, and team spokesman Joh Fifita was unavailable for comment.

If Tonga beat England, they will secure a World Cup quarter-final place for the first time, sending the Webb Ellis Trophy holders home.

www.planetrugby.com

Have faith, Henry tells fans

28/09/2007

Sportal.co.nz

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has asked New Zealand fans to have faith in the processes being employed at the World Cup.

Before announcing the All Blacks team to play Romania in the final pool match on Saturday, Henry made a statement to the press conference that he had heard there was anxiety back in New Zealand because the team had a couple of days off after not playing well against Scotland and that the No.1 team wasn't being chosen for the Romanian game.

In an effort to get the message across he reiterated the same points he has been making throughout the time the team has been at the World Cup.

"We had a strategy and the strategy was that all the guys were fresh coming into the tournament. I think we've achieved that.

"We had a strategy of ensuring that the 30 players felt a vital part of the All Blacks team and the only way we could continue to fulfil that strategy was to make sure they all got game time and were considered for selection for the quarter-finals and we've continued with that strategy.

"We've got 30 players who are all pretty keen, all fit, or will be fit next week, going into the quarter-final.

"We've fulfilled the strategy, we feel we are on track," he said.

Henry finished by reminding everyone that the campaign had been planned for a considerable period of time and the men who inspired it in the first place, the selection panel, were comfortable with where the team is at.

"So I don't know why people have got some anxious times at home.

"Maybe you can express that strategy to our many, four and a half million, friends at home."

Henry said he expected the team named to play Romania would raise the side's standards again in the match.

"We picked up in some areas of weakness against Scotland, but maybe not in others so we have our own challenges this week," he said.

The team is: 1 - Neemia Tialata, 2 - Keven Mealamu, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Reuben Thorne, 5 - Keith Robinson, 6 - Jerry Collins (captain), 7 - Chris Masoe, 8 - Sione Lauaki, 9 - Andy Ellis, 10 - Dan Carter, 11 - Sitiveni Sivivatu, 12 - Aaron Mauger, 13 - Isaia Toeava, 14 - Josevata Rokocoko, 15 - Nick Evans.

Reserves: 16 - Andrew Hore, 17 - Tony Woodcock, 18 - Chris Jack, 19 - Richie McCaw, 20 - Brendon Leonard, 21 - Luke McAlister, 22 - Conrad Smith.

Born abroad by team

Thursday 27th September 2007

If asked which country has most foreign-born players, many would immediately say New Zealand and start another complaint about poaching, but that is not true, however resentful people may be about All Black success.

New Zealand has more than most but not as many as Samoa which is often thought to be the All Black nursery. Then, too, New Zealand provides the most players for other countries as we list both importing and exporting countries in a kind of log.

There are only two countries who do not have foreign-born players - Georgia and Romania. Italy on the other hand have enough foreign-born players to form a Starting XV. The team with the second most may be of interest.

Foreign-born players by country at the 2007 Rugby World Cup with birthplace in brackets.

Argentina: Estaban Lozada (Ottignies, Belgium)

Australia: Stephen Moore (Saudi Arabia), Daniel Vickerman (South Africa), George Gregan (Zambia), Lote Tuqiri (Fiji), Guy Shepherdson (Jakarta, Indonesia), Matt Dunning (Calgary, Canada)

Canada: James Pritchard (Parkes, Australia), DHT van der Merwe (Worcester, South Africa), Nick Trenkel (Randburg, South Africa)

England: Mike Catt (Port Elizabeth, South Africa), Perry Freshwater (Wellington, New Zealand), Simon Shaw (Nairobi, Kenya), Matt Stevens (Durban, South Africa)

Fiji: Nicky Little (Tokoroa, New Zealand)

France: Pieter de Villiers (Malmesbury, South Africa), Serge Betsen, (Kumba, Cameroun), Thierry Dusautoir (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire), Yannick Nyanga (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Georgia: -

Ireland: Simon Easterby (Harrogate, England), Ronan O'Gara (San Diego, USA), Frankie Sheahan (Toronto, Canada), Isaac Boss (Tokoroa, New Zealand)

Italy: Carlo Dal Fava (Umtata, South Africa), Rolland de Marigny (Durban South Africa), David Bortolussi (Auch, France), Paul Griffen (Dunedin New Zealand), Josh Sole (Hamilton, New Zealand), Kane Robertson (Auckland, New Zealand), Marko Stanojevic (Birmingham, England), Manoa Vosawai (Fiji) and then the Argentinians Matias Aguero (Buenos Aires), Gonzalo Córdoba), Martín Castrogiovanni (Parana), Pablo Canavosio (Córdoba), Santiago Dellapè (Mar del Plata), Sergio Parisse (Mar del Plata), Ramiro Pez (Córdoba)

Japan: Chulwon Kim (Seoul, Korea), Christian Loamanu (Tonga), Luatangi Samurai Vatuvei (Tonga), Luke Thompson (Christchurch, New Zealand), Philip O'Reilly (Hamilton, New Zealand), Bryce Robins (New Plymouth, New Zealand)

Namibia: Lu-Wayne Botes (Johannesburg, South Africa), Johannes Meyer (Bloemfontein, South Africa), Jacques Nieuwenhuis (Brakpan, South Africa), Piet van Zyl (Worcester, South Africa)

New Zealand: Joe Rokocoko (Fiji), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Fiji), Sione Lauaki (Tonga) and the Samoans Chris Masoe, Rodney So'oialo, Isaia Toeava, Jerry Collins and Mils Muliaina

Portugal: David Penalva (France), André Silva (Paris, France), Juan Severino Somoza (Argentina)

Romania: -

Samoa: The following were born in NZ - Tanielu Fuga (Auckland), Census Johnston (Auckland), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Auckland), Gavin Williams (Auckland), Leo Lapiali'i (Auckland), Kas Lealamaua (Wellington), Elvis Seveali'i (Wellington), Lome Fa'atau (Wellington), Justin Purdie (Wellington), Kane Thompson (Wellington), Daniel Leo (Palmerston North), Junior Polu (Otahuhu), Justin Va'a (Lower Hutt), Fosi Palaamo Murupara)

South Africa: Bob Skinstad (Harare, Zimbabwe)

Tonga: Ephraim Taukafa (Aucland, New Zealand)

Scotland: John Barclay (Hong Kong), Nathan Hones (Australia), Dan Parks (Australia), and several from England Hugo Southwell (London), Andrew Henderson (Chatham), Gavin Kerr (Newcastle), Simon Webster (Hartlepool), Craig Smith (York), Rob Dewey (Marlborough), Jim Hamilton (Swindon)

USA: Takudzwa Ngwenya (Harare, Zimbabwe), Inaki Basauri (Mexico), Philip Eloff (Mossel Bay, South Africa), Chad Erskine (Pietermaritzburg South Africa), Owen Lentz (King William's Town, South Africa), Hayden Mexted, (Whakatane , New Zealand), Andrew Osborne (Fiji), and the Tongans Vahafolau Esikia, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Valenise Malifa, Fifita Mounga, Salesi Sikia

Wales: Dafydd James (Lusaka, Zambia), Ian Evans (Johannesburg, South Africa), Sonny Parker (Thames, New Zealand) and from England Chris Horsman (Newport Pagnell), Colin Charvis (Sutton Coldfield), Will James (Plymouth), Tom Shanklin (Harrow)

That enables us to determine the biggest importers and exporters of rugby players:

Importers

1. Italy - 15
2. Samoa - 14
3. USA - 12
4. Scotland - 10
5. New Zealand - 8
6. Australia, Wales - 7
8. Japan - 6
9. England, France, Ireland, Namibia - 4
13. Canada, Portugal - 3
15. Argentina, Fiji, South Africa, Tonga - 1
19. Georgia, Romania - 0

Exporters:

1. New Zealand - 26
2. South Africa - 16
3. England - 13
4. Argentina, Tonga - 8
6. Fiji, Samoa - 5
8. Australia, France - 3
10. Canada, Zambia, Zimbabwe - 2
13. Belgium, Cameroun, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Saudi Arabia, USA - 1

Of the countries at the 2007 World Cup the following have no exports - Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Namibia, Portugal, Scotland and Wales

www.planetrugby.com

It's time to step up - Collins

28/09/2007

NZPA

Enough is enough. Jerry Collins says it's time the All Blacks started playing like would-be world champions.

It's only Romania tomorrow and three figures will be threatened on Le Stadium Toulouse scoreboard, as was achieved against Portugal when Collins last led the team two weeks ago.

He won't bother to look as the numbers turn over.

Like his coaches and teammates this week, the tough flanker has called for serious improvement from the disjointed defeat of a weak Scottish side last weekend.

It is crucial impetus is created heading into a match the likes of which they haven't gone close to sampling at this tournament -- a quarterfinal in Cardiff, probably against France.

Collins laces his message with a reality All Blacks supporters won't want to hear.

"After this week it could all be over the following week," he said.

"Next week you'll be talking about how we've gone home."

The fact that the bulk of tomorrow's starting 15 won't line up in Cardiff is irrelevant.

"I suppose you use these games to figure out how you get it right on the day," Collins said.

"Hopefully Saturday will be much better than last Saturday because we really need to start kicking into gear and working towards a quarterfinal."

The manner, rather than the size, of victory is all important.

And that means not ditching the daring attitude seen at Edinburgh, just executing it better.

Pushing passes and forgetting core work at the breakdown was a common theme, something that Collins is out to nip in the bud.

"It's not from a lack of trying. We're trying to play some footy and at the moment it's just the little things that are letting us down," Collins said.

"There aren't many teams trying to move the ball, at the moment there seems to be a lot of bombs.

"At the moment we're trying to play our style of game ... but we probably haven't mastered it yet."

Carter keen to make some breaks

28/09/2007

NZPA

Having landed 22 from his 26 shots before Scotland, it would be unfair to say Carter is in a kicking slump.

More accuracy wasn't top of the Carter priority list ahead of his second consecutive start, against Romania at Le Stadium here tomorrow.

Statistics don't register in a big way when he is assessing his own goalkicking form.

"Obviously they're reasonably important but I prefer just to get a feeling that `oh yeah, I kicked well today, I was striking the ball well', rather than stats and things like that," Carter said.

Even better for the confidence levels was his impact in general play, where his early inspiration was highly-skilled Canterbury predecessor Andrew Mehrtens.

More recently Australian counterpart Stephen Larkham is another whose ability is held in high regard.

"He knows when to kick and when to run and he's got a great pass that gives the guys outside a lot of space," said Carter, who was quizzed on whether he had the ability and potential to take this tournament by the scruff of the neck.

"A bit of natural talent got me to where I am but I'm hitting the next level where opponents know a lot about my game... I haven't really attacked the line as much as I would have liked.

"I haven't made some decent runs for a while so I'd like to bring that to my game at some stage."

Ferguson fears £17m recruit is a year off pace

Daniel Taylor
Friday September 28, 2007
The Guardian

Anderson, Manchester United's £17m summer recruit, may come with a big reputation and an even bigger price tag, but the Brazilian is facing a prolonged spell in the reserves after an unflattering start to life with his new club.

Sir Alex Ferguson had angry words with the entire team after Wednesday's Carling Cup defeat at home to Coventry City, but he was particularly aggrieved about Anderson's ineffectual display and is concerned at how the new arrival is struggling to make a favourable impression.

Ferguson made it clear from the outset that he did not expect the 19-year-old to acclimatise straight away to life in a new country and that he was signed, in effect, with the long-term intention of him taking over from Paul Scholes, who will be 33 in November. None the less, Ferguson is entitled to be dismayed that his expensive recruit has been unable to make a positive impact in his first four months at Old Trafford.

Anderson suffered the ignominy of being substituted at half-time in his only Premier League appearance, the 1-0 victory over Sunderland on September 1, but Ferguson expected the attacking midfielder to play an important role in the experimental and youthful side he chose against Coventry. Instead, Anderson was one of the weaker players, often off the pace and, most disappointingly for his manager, showing little desire.

Ferguson admitted being "flabbergasted" and "shocked" by the performance of his players after Coventry won 2-0. Even stronger words were used in the dressing room and Anderson was not spared from the harshest criticism.

While not singling out Anderson, United's captain for the night, John O'Shea, clearly had the Brazilian in mind when he said: "The lads know they should have done better. For some reason, the technique and ability we know these young players have just wasn't there, which was a big disappointment."

In mitigation, Anderson has not been helped by a pre-season hamstring injury, but it has been made clear to Ferguson that the teenager may need a longer bedding-in period than had initially been anticipated. Ferguson has told his colleagues it may be a year before the player, a full Brazil international, is ready to seriously challenge for a first-team place, an astonishing admission given the amount of money it took to sign him from Porto.

Anderson is having English lessons to help him adapt to life in Manchester but he did himself no favours with Ferguson when, along with Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo, he allegedly employed the services of an escort agency and became the victim of a kiss-and-tell story in the tabloids. All three players have been reprimanded and reminded of their responsibility to avoid bad publicity.

True price of Wembley delays revealed

Matt Scott
Friday September 28, 2007
The Guardian

The enormous financial cost of the delays to the Wembley National Stadium project has been exposed in accounts filed this month at Companies House by the venue's operators. The stadium had been due to open in time for the 2006 FA Cup final but construction difficulties meant a 12-month wait before its first full-capacity match could be held. With income frozen, Wembley National Stadium Ltd missed its first scheduled payment to the banks of £64.1m, leading to a £2.8m penalty being added to the bill.

Then there was a £12.56m settlement with the builder, Multiplex, as compensation for design changes to the stadium which it claimed were at least in part responsible for the delay to completion. The final unexpected burden on finances came in the shape of the £445,000 compensation package paid to WNSL's sacked chief executive, Michael Cunnah.

Having been sidelined for several weeks while Alex Horne, the FA's finance and human resources director, took a more hands-on role, Cunnah was finally fired last December. He received £445,000 severance in addition to his £337,000 salary and £55,000 pension contributions.

The banks insisted the £64.1m gap had to be partially plugged by WNSL's parent, the FA. The FA believes it will all be worth it now, claiming that with Wembley now operational and new television deals set to come on stream, the organisation will soon boast a £200m-a-year turnover.

Chelsea's cash blues

After changing their manager Chelsea are again expected to embark on a spree for the world's top players, and Ronaldinho is the latest to have been linked with Stamford Bridge. But if the club intend to make their move during the January transfer window they have an expensive few months in front of them - the £36m balance of the Eurobond loan taken out by Ken Bates's regime in 1997 is due for repayment in December.

McLaren count cost

Money has clearly not been enough to warm Ron Dennis's "extremely cold relationship" with Fernando Alonso. The formula one team benefits from the biggest budget on the starting grid. And, according to Christian Sylt, co-author of the Formula Money analysis of F1 income, much of their revenue is thanks to Alonso having joined them from Renault last year as a world champion. "Alonso brought with him US$25m [£12m] in sponsorship and McLaren could lose around $10m or $20m if Alonso goes," said Sylt. Among the companies attracted by Alonso's talents was the Madrid-based insurance firm Mutua Madrileña, which joined directly from Ferrari when the Spaniard signed. Sylt suspects that the association of Vodafone, which committed to its $65m title sponsorship while McLaren was courting Alonso, might not be unconnected.

Leeds 'making fuss'

Leeds United's reaction to the Football League's 15-point penalty has met with astonishment. Yesterday the chief executive, Shaun Harvey, was complaining about "a matter which we believe is fundamentally wrong, and sets a dangerous precedent", after the FA refused the club's request for an inquiry into the league's handling of their exit from administration. Sources say that Leeds signed up to the penalty in return for the "golden share" which must be granted by the league to each of its members - although they immediately appealed it - and cannot see why the club is making a fuss.

League board entrusted

The Football League has announced the composition of its trust board that will distribute money to its clubs from the £9.4m-a-year "solidarity payment" from the Premier League. That money is for community and youth development and comes from the £90m, three-year funding from top-flight clubs. Heading the board is Dave Edmundson, the former Burnley chief executive, alongside a representative from the Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association. The chair is Nottingham Forest's chief executive, Mark Arthur.

A date with another minnow awaits

By Neil Reid, Yahoo!Xtra Sports

September 27, 2007

The next stop in the All Black quest for the William Webb Ellis Trophy is Toulouse

The Graham Henry-coached team leaves the south of France tomorrow afternoon, shortly after the match 22 to take on Romania in Toulouse is announced.

The most notable selection will be that of Keith Robinson at lock, ending a painful three weeks on the sidelines for him at the World Cup to date.

But aside from giving Robinson some much-needed game-time, what else can be achieved against Romania.

In days gone by the Romanian side had a feared pack in Europe. It was a time when the national rugby team was used as a virtual PR tool by the country's former dictatorship.

Those days are long gone, as evidenced during the side's very disappointing 14-10 win over Portugal last night.

So with a possible quarterfinal showdown against France awaiting, are you happy with how the All Blacks are travelling?

And do you think the poor level of opposition in pool-play could come back to haunt them in Cardiff?

No All Black side has ever failed to make it into the semifinal stage at a World Cup.

If France play to their potential, and the All Blacks repeat their fumbling showing against Scotland, this team might just be the first ABs team to do so.

Here's hoping that is not the case!

I know I would feel a lot more comfortable about the side's chances had they been properly tested during pool-play.

What do you think?

It is farewell time from the south of France!

The All Blacks and the media contingent following them will farewell the south of France for the last time on this trip tomorrow.

We've spent almost a month here already - both in Marseille and now Aix-en-Provence - and it's fair to say it has been a very enjoyable stay.

The weather has been superb - although the region's famed Mistral wind is now starting to show its teeth.

The people have been fantastic and in both locations there has been no shortage of patisseries, bars and restaurants on offer to quench the appetite for local food and drink.

It's been a great opportunity to see a couple of areas not renowned as French rugby strongholds.

And it is sure as hell beats covering the Springboks, a side that will be based in Paris for most of the World Cup.

This isn't fair, say Pumas

Reuters | Thursday, 27 September 2007

Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma, determined that the Pumas should progress as winners of the toughest pool at the World Cup, remarked on the unfairness of the draw.

The Pumas lead Pool D ahead of hosts France and Ireland, all three sides among the top six teams in the world, going into the final round of matches on Sunday when one will be eliminated.

"In any other zone, the team that wins the hardest match takes first place. In this one, we've already beaten France and we're still not even qualified," Ledesma told reporters.

Ireland are in the worst position, needing to win with a four-try bonus point and prevent Argentina from taking a bonus for losing by seven points or less when the sides meet at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

The 34-year-old, who reached the French championship final with Clermont in June, said Argentina must go for a fourth win in the pool.

"We must take advantage of the situation we find ourselves in, so we have to aim at finishing first (in the pool)," Ledesma said. Winning the pool means avoiding title favourites New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

He said that at a meeting in 2004, leading players and the coaching staff vowed to change the Pumas' approach from trying to lose by as little as possible to thinking of winning.

"And that's borne out by the results we've obtained from the moment on."

Ledesma, captain Agustin Pichot and lock Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, who all reached the quarter-finals with the Pumas in 1999, are set to equal Lisando Arbizu's World Cup appearances record of 11 matches on Sunday.

Kirwan forever, demands Japan media

Reuters | Thursday, 27 September 2007

Japan's media called for the country's rugby coach John Kirwan to be given the job for life after the team's battling World Cup performances.

Japan's "Brave Blossoms" bowed out of the tournament in France with their pride intact after a dramatic 12-12 draw with Canada in their final Pool B game against Canada.

Under a picture of Koji Taira's stoppage-time try in Bordeaux, the Nikkan Sports daily ran the headline: "Eternal power for Kirwan!"

Although trounced 91-3 by Australia and 72-18 by Wales, Kirwan's side were unlucky not to beat Fiji, losing 35-31 to the Pacific islanders in a see-saw battle.

The Nikkan Sports was not alone in calling for Kirwan to be granted control through the the 2011 World Cup in his native New Zealand.

"Another four years please, Kirwan!" the Sports Nippon demanded next to a photo of Japan's players celebrating after Shotaro Onishi's conversion had sealed a draw with Canada.

"Unless Kirwan doesn't want to (stay) we're not going to let him go," Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) executive director Noboru Mashimo was quoted as saying.

"We want him to continue laying the foundations and to support the team."

Japan had lost 13 World Cup matches in a row since 1991 but were a far better organised and drilled side than the one crushed a record 145-17 by the All Blacks in the 1995 tournament.

Japan's bravery was epitomised by centre Onishi, who calmly landed the tying conversion from the sideline despite suffering from a painful rib injury.

"Somehow I was able to block out the pain and focus on the kick," he said. "I was amazingly relaxed. I tried to imagine the hearts of my team mates and Japan fans. I had to make it."

The Sankei Sports also threw its weight behind former New Zealand great Kirwan following Japan's thrilling draw with the Canadians under the banner: "Carry on Kirwan!"

The 42-year-old is under contract with the JRFU until December 2008 but now looks likely to be offered a lucrative extension.

Tonga bring the `kitchen sink`

Thursday 27th September 2007

Tonga are ready to "throw the kitchen sink" at England in Friday's World Cup eliminator at Parc des Princes.

The Pacific Islanders, rated as pre-tournament cannon fodder for the likes of England and South Africa, are one win away from their first World Cup quarter-final appearance.

While England still start as favourites to book a last-eight appointment with Australia next Saturday, Tonga intend making life distinctly uncomfortable as the reigning world champions target the runners-up spot in Pool A behind South Africa.

Tonga captain Nili Latu memorably claimed his team had thrown "the petrol tank - and the car included" at South Africa in Lens last Saturday after they came within a converted try of claiming an astounding victory over the Springboks.

"We are going to throw the kitchen sink at England," said Latu, who is still battling a hamstring injury that restricted his training this week.

"People back home have been over the moon with what we have done in this tournament, and it is rewarding for us to see where the country is now.

"Even being here is bringing Tongans together as one, but it's not just for us.

"We are here to do a job and change the face of rugby in the islands, and in Tonga especially. This is going to benefit the whole country."

Tonga are boosted by the return from suspension of New Zealand-based flanker Hale T Pole, who packs down in the back-row alongside Latu and Toulouse number eight Finau Maka.

Behind the scrum, meanwhile, Tonga can call on their experienced fly-half Pierre Hola and former Newcastle centre Epi Taione to attempt to make in-roads.

Taione though, knows how England will benefit from fit-again Jonny Wilkinson's presence, as illustrated by his 24-point haul during the face-saving victory over Samoa last Saturday.

"We are well aware that we are facing a different England side when it has Jonny Wilkinson in it," said Taione, of his former Falcons colleague.

"England are world champions, and they have improved from their first game, but we will give it the best shot we have.

"This is the biggest moment in our sporting history.

"We know that we have a lot of support in the likes of Tonga, France, Scotland and Ireland. Anywhere that doesn't like England will be wanting us to win.

"And this is a personal game for me, to play against players I know. There's no bigger moment for me to meet them."

www.planetrugby.com

Larkham still hopeful

Thursday 27th September 2007

Time is running out for veteran fly-half Stephen Larkham to make a World Cup comeback after he spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in a Montpellier hospital recovering from his second knee operation of the World Cup.

While Larkham remains optimistic about his prospects of returning for a possible Wallaby semi-final, it has to be said that the likelihood of him playing another World Cup game is rather slim indeed.

"I do feel a lot better than yesterday, and the swelling has come down a bit, " a spirited Larkham told the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday.

The Wallaby pivot can't even walk without crutches yet, let alone run and doctors say it could take at least four more days before they can determine Larkham's immediate rugby future.

One has to also consider the fact that a semi-final place is by no means guaranteed for the Wallabies.

Likewise Larkham's match fitness when and if he plays another World Cup game will be questioned in any event. The pivot is not giving up nevertheless.

"I am hoping everything will be cleared out by Monday, and I am certainly hoping of playing again in this World Cup," Larkham said.

Larkham was released from hospital on Thursday and will travel with his team to Bordeaux for the clash against Canada.

He will take solace from the fact that the extent of the knee infection could have been far worse.

"Thankfully, the infection was on the outside of the knee, and not within the knee joint. Our team doctor [Martin Raftery] definitely made the right decision of me returning to hospital as soon as possible, and we were able to get at it early enough. So I am feeling lot more happier now."

Coach John Connolly might be forced to make a team decision at some stage - like calling in a replacement fly-half - but there is a danger of sentimentality clouding his judgment.

"We've got to give him time," said assistant coach Scott Johnson.

"You owe it to the team and you owe it to Stephen [Larkham] to give him as much chance as we can. Now that we're through [to the quarter-finals], we've bought ourselves some time.

"It is always discouraging when a player gets some issues he didn't expect. It is his swan song, and he doesn't want to cut it short," added Johnson.

Even the optimistic Wallaby selector couldn't deny that although team doctor Martin Raftery said Larkham should return for the semi-final, it didn't mean he would definitely be available for the likely clash against the All Blacks.

As a result Johnson has opted to not get ahead of himself in the interim.

"The first job is to get that swelling down. If we can get that down pretty quickly, we are going to be on target. If we fail to get that down, or he doesn't respond, then it is going to be slower.

"In a week's time, we'll be able to give a much clearer picture of where we are heading," said Johnson.

Until then the whole of Australia shall await with baited breath.

www.planetrugby.com