Golf: The astonishing Woods is the daddy

We can only imagine what Tiger Woods thought when he heard or read that. Not playing to win? This is a completely unimaginable concept for Tiger. In fact, he addressed the idea in depth before the PGA Championship when he smirked that he was present for one reason, and it wasn't to "work on my farmer tan." The only reason to compete, he said, is to win. Otherwise, what's the point?

RUGBY: Painting it All Black

By Dan Retief - Super Sport Zone

One of the biggest strengths of New Zealand rugby is the care taken to preserve the heritage and ethos of the All Blacks.

Sean Fitzpatrick, when he was recently in South Africa, spoke movingly about the value All Blacks place on their jersey; how for instance they refuse to swop the black jumper with an opponent unless they thought him to be worthy.

The most-capped All Black of all time sketched his own passage through the age-groups and how there had always been All Blacks involved in the squads, either as coaches or managers, always passing on the lore of the brotherhood of black.

Fitzpatrick’s words came back to me in Christchurch recently while paging through the Jade Stadium programme for the 72nd test match between the All Blacks and the Springboks.

The first message of welcome in the booklet was from the president of the NZ Rugby Union – former All Black captain Andy Leslie.

The next note was from the president of the Canterbury Rugby Football Union – former All Black captain Tane Norton.

The All Black team’s manager was Sir Brian Lochore – also a former All Black captain.

I don’t propose to labour the point as I’m sure you get my drift. The future of the All Blacks is rooted securely in the past and their success is down to this legacy as each generation passes on experience, wisdom and knowledge to the next.

Experiencing New Zealand’s passion for rugby close up again was instructive; especially an undercurrent of hysteria – most often expressed in columns ridiculing this national angst! - that the All Blacks might not win the World Cup.

The All Blacks won the inaugural World Cup in 1987 but have not won the championship since, losing the 1995 final to South Africa and bowing out during the semifinals in 1991, 1999 and 2003.

With a record of not having lost at home in the last three years (establishing a record of 26 consecutive victories) while suffering only four defeats (three to the Springboks and one to the Wallabies) they will go to France as overwhelming favourites.

Their coach Graham Henry has recognized the depth of expectation, accepted the challenge, and embarked on a bold (and stridently criticized) plan to ensure that the player holding up the Webb Ellis Cup at the Stade de France late on the night of October 20 will be dressed in black.

This has engendered the increasingly expressed view that all Henry has done is create too much pressure which will once again result in the All Blacks becoming the best team “between World Cups.”

It was an opinion I tended to go along with until a niggling little thought germinated as I watch the Blacks, as they’re referred to in New Zealand, going through one of their slick, high-paced practices.

Could it be that the team most locked into history has quietly been exploring the future?

There has been a lack of discipline in recent All Black performances (the word “wild” comes to mind) that has worried traditionalists but could it be that this was intentional?

Could it be that Henry, confident of his team’s ability to play possession-based rugby and blessed with the best flyhalf in the world, was encouraging them to push the envelope?

Those 50/50 passes, those crazy offloads, those odd angles and seemingly stupid kicks? Running from deep, trying to play faster and faster, upping the tempo, attempting things only seen in Sevens? Could it have been part of a grand plan?

It seems far-fetched but I would not be surprised to find out that the All Blacks have deliberately been trying to test the boundaries – trying to play a ‘new’ game while their opponents were trying to perfect and imbed old habits.

I might be way off beam but I do know which team I would back if there were five minutes to go in a World Cup Final and the only way to win was with a try.

*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog

RUGBY: Ominous explanation for Boks captaincy riddle

COMMENT

After the New Zealand-South Africa Test in Christchurch on on Sunday, I was telephoned by a knowledgeable source, who asked me: "Do you know why Wikus van Heerden didn't captain the Springboks yesterday?" I told him I had also wondered why the most experienced forward in the team hadn't taken the armband.

I thought it may have had something to do with coach Jake White grooming Johann Muller - a huge second-rower who has been impressive on and off the field - for the job,

"Van Heerden," my informant told me, "is not going to make the Springboks World Cup squad. Jake White is being forced by the ANC to take Luke Watson. So the captaincy had to be given to someone who is going to France."

The development, if it comes to pass, represents bad news for the Tri Nations and Super 14. African National Congress heavies have been pushing for the inclusion of Watson, the Western Province captain, in the World Cup squad since he was excluded from the first squad earlier in the year.

Watson is a journeyman player, but his family played an important part in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. His father, Dan "Cheeky" Watson, gave up his chances of a Springboks jersey to play his rugby in the black competitions.
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Ominous explanation for Boks captaincy riddle

Spiro Zavos Tuesday, July 17, 2007

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COMMENT

After the New Zealand-South Africa Test in Christchurch on on Sunday, I was telephoned by a knowledgeable source, who asked me: "Do you know why Wikus van Heerden didn't captain the Springboks yesterday?" I told him I had also wondered why the most experienced forward in the team hadn't taken the armband.

I thought it may have had something to do with coach Jake White grooming Johann Muller - a huge second-rower who has been impressive on and off the field - for the job,

"Van Heerden," my informant told me, "is not going to make the Springboks World Cup squad. Jake White is being forced by the ANC to take Luke Watson. So the captaincy had to be given to someone who is going to France."

The development, if it comes to pass, represents bad news for the Tri Nations and Super 14. African National Congress heavies have been pushing for the inclusion of Watson, the Western Province captain, in the World Cup squad since he was excluded from the first squad earlier in the year.

Watson is a journeyman player, but his family played an important part in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. His father, Dan "Cheeky" Watson, gave up his chances of a Springboks jersey to play his rugby in the black competitions.

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For the ANC, Watson's elevation to the captaincy of the Springboks is seen as part of a necessary transformation of South African rugby in the post-apartheid era. Other changes deemed necessary are the imposition of a quota of 10 black or coloured players in the national starting XV and the renaming of the side to the Proteas.

If this policy is put into effect next year, as has been suggested, South African rugby will go into a decline from which it might not recover. The impact on the Super 14 and Tri Nations would be devastating.

Yet on recent evidence, South African rugby is - finally - coming to terms with the transformation experience: the Bulls became the first South African side to win the Super 14 this year, and the second-string Springboks side made a strong showings in the Tri Nations Tests against Australia and New Zealand in the past three weeks.

There were five black and coloured players in the 22-man squad for the All Blacks Test, and all justified their selection. In the warm-ups before the Test, the Springboks concentrated on their defensive patterns and drills. These patterns worked for 67 minutes, before the All Blacks scored three tries to establish their third-largest winning margin against the Springboks.

Steve Hansen, the embattled All Blacks forwards coach, pointed out that if the All Blacks had converted some of their 13 line breaks into tries, the score could have ballooned out to the 60s. A South African supporter said to me at half-time: "We are hanging on by our fingernails."

Spiro Zavos
Tuesday, July 17, 2007

The Springboks were also helped by the dropped-ball syndrome that is afflicting the All Blacks. In their five Tests before last Saturday, the All Blacks dropped 75 passes. Against the Springboks, they dropped 20 more.

This has been explained as an overeagerness to exploit a break and "a lack of patience" in waiting for an opportunity to score. But there is also the fact the All Blacks haven't fielded the same back line in successive Tests for a long time.

So the stage is set for the Eden Park showdown. The Wallabies seem to have settled on a side to take them to the World Cup. The All Blacks are still searching, it seems, for their best line-up.

What happens in South Africa next year can wait. The rugby story right now is that, in a World Cup year, the Wallabies and the All Blacks, with the Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup on the line, have a perfect dress rehearsal for the World Cup semi-final.

rugbyheaven.smh.com.au
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RUGBY: Scrum schools up on sneaky Gregan

16/07/2007

NZPA

A facet of the All Blacks rugby armoury that escaped condemnation last weekend ironically looms as an area demanding attention ahead of the Tri-Nations rugby decider against Australia.

An under-strength South Africa posed few problems at scrum time during New Zealand's scratchy 33-6 victory in Christchurch, and although the Wallabies pack is also identified as inferior to the All Blacks come set-piece time the gamesmanship of halfback George Gregan undeniably gave the home side parity there at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on June 30.

Gregan successfully undermined an area of All Blacks strength by ignoring one of his core responsibilities -- feeding the ball when the Wallabies gained possession from an All Blacks' indiscretion.

The canny veteran was so adept at delaying the feed, a scrum barely went its course, particularly during the first half of Australia's 20-15 victory.

Gregan's tactic resulted in practically all of Australia's scrums being either reset or fragmented after South African referee Marius Jonker awarded a free kick, usually in the home side's favour.

New Zealand were regularly penalised for either engaging too early or pushing over the mark while Gregan, ball aloft, remonstrated with Jonker.

Although the canny ploy was not wholly responsible for the All Blacks' grip on the Bledisloe Cup being loosened, it was one area where Australia's street smarts negated New Zealand's ability to attack a vulnerable area.

Tony Woodcock and Carl Hayman were frequently bemused by Jonker's rulings, particularly the latter after he was penalised for collapsing on Australian loosehead Matt Dunning.

Welshman Nigel Owens will be giving his slant on the scrummage at Eden Park on Saturday night, with loosehead Woodcock admitting the pack would have to react quicker to his interpretations -- and a repeat of Gregan's time wasting.

"They conjured up a strategy there, and we were probably a little bit slow to react to what they were doing," Woodcock admitted.

"There were a couple of calls where everyone was unsure about the ref, but we've got to deal with what happens and try as be as positive as we can.

"At times it was frustrating (at the MCG). We just have to be more patient."

The frontrower was loathe to finger Gregan as the genius, offering "it's pretty hard to tell when you've got your head buried".

However, the Australian's longtime adversary Byron Kelleher acknowledged his nemesis has been at his argumentative best in Melbourne.

"Referees determine the way they like to see the game -- and George likes to get in his ear and give his opinion on what should be happening."

France-bound Kelleher plays his 54th test on Saturday -- and last on home soil -- said he would not be changing his approach and entering onto a war of words, four years after Gregan's infamous "four more years" taunt during the 2003 World Cup semifinal.

"I concentrate on trying to dominate that space and make sure the opposition halfback knows I'm on top of him."

Meanwhile, Woodcock reiterated forwards' coach Steve Hansen's plea that an increasingly edgy rugby public keep the faith ahead of what looms as a virtual World Cup dress rehearsal -- their last meaningful game before the quarterfinals in France.

"We've slowly being trying to build, we're slowly getting there," he said.

"We realise we're not right there but hopefully in the next wee while we can put things together a bit better," he said, adding the team was virtually in a no-win situation.

"Before the last World Cup we were thrashing teams, and we were peaking too early."

The All Blacks team is named tomorrow (1pm) with Kelleher expected to return to the starting line-up for Piri Weepu. Jerry Collins will be back on the blindside flank for Reuben Thorne in the other definite switch.

There will be the usual element of intrigue surrounding the midfield combination though after Conrad Smith only received three minutes at centre in Christchurch it could be considered too great a risk to turn him out against Stirling Mortlock.

Luke McAlister and Isaia Toeava appear likely to continue their partnership though the experience of second five-eighth Aaron Mauger could prompt yet more tinkering.

Copyright: NZPA 2007

*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog

RUGBY: `Bledisloe is RWC dress rehersal`

Monday 16th July 2007

When New Zealand and Australia go head-to-head in a Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup decider in Auckland on Saturday it would be as much a dress rehearsal for a possible Rugby World Cup re-match later this year as it is a battle for the silverware on offer.

New Zealand forwards coach Steve Hansen and Wallaby flanker Phil Waugh said there is more at stake at Eden Park on Saturday than just two trophies - the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cups.

Speaking to Sportal after the All Blacks beat a second-string Springbok outfit 33-6 in Christchurch at the weekend, Hansen said he was "excited" about the showdown between the All Blacks and Wallabies this week.

"It is perfect. You couldn't ask for a better [RWC] dress rehearsal," he told Sportal.

"Everything is on the line. We have great opposition, we lost to them last time we played," he added.


Waugh, one of the Wallabies' co-captains - Stirling Mortlock is the other - said the Eden Park encounter will be the toughest Test Australia will face so far this year and agreed the clash would provide the perfect preparation for the World Cup.

"The challenges of going to Eden Park and facing the All Blacks in a Bledisloe Cup decider - games don't come much bigger - so it is going to be big challenge and a good experience for the guys," he said.

"It is a big clash and there is a lot at stake. Everyone is looking forward to it. We got a lot of confidence out of the game last year so we are fairly confident going over there.

"It is the business end of the competition and this is a big game it would be nice to fill the trophy cabinet up before going over to France later in the year."

planetrugby.com

*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog

RUGBY: Only winner was New Zealand

Monday 16 July 2007

There should never be any honour in losing a test to New Zealand by 27 points, writes Keo in the Sunday edition of the Weekend Argus.

New Zealand have problems, but even with all their problems they won by 27 points in a test against the Springboks. So let’s not get too carried away with talk of bravery, courage and defensive heroics. The Boks still got a hiding in being beaten 33-6.

The scorline is flattering, but whether you get your points in the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes the game is played over 80 minutes. It would be too simplistic to suggest the Boks lack fitness and that is the reason they have not been competitive against the All Blacks in the final quarter. A more accurate assessment is that if you tackle more than you are tackled for the first 70 minutes and if you play with 14 men and not 15 for 10 of those minutes you are going to be the more fatigued side in the last 10 minutes.

In Durban Pedrie Wannenburg’s sin-binning influenced the outcome and in Christchurch the same player’s departure for 10 minutes expedited the inevitable conclusion, with New Zealand again beneficiaries of a superior class of player warming the bench.

Brendon Leonard, replacing Piri Weepu at scrumhalf in the 50th minute, provided the urgency in New Zealand’s attack. For South Africa there was no such luxury, although the Boks would have at least given themselves an attacking opportunity if they had started with Peter Grant at flyhalf.

Instead Derick Hougaard got one more match to play himself out of the World Cup 30 and he surely must have succeeded. The first time he tried to attack from 30 metres out he got turned over and the Boks found themselves 30 metres out from their own tryline.

The Boks showed willingness to run the ball, but they did not have the backs to execute this intention. Their good intentions were not packaged with conviction. The All Blacks had the players to score tries but not the game plan. Too often the ball was moved laterally and the skip and long passes gave the Boks a crucial additional second to get back and scramble on defence.

The one on one tackling of the Boks was not as good as their scrambling, while New Zealand’s finishing was as ordinary as in the Melbourne test defeat against Australia. The same players made the same mistakes in throwing poor 50-50 passes and taking the wrong options.

New Zealand’s passing was sloppy and their finishing was not clinical. For that reason alone the differential was closer to 30 and not 50.

The Boks were tough in defence, but also cynical in trying to stop New Zealand from playing. With the quality of team in Christchurch that is all they could be. This test has no relevance to the Boks prospects of beating New Zealand should the two teams meet at the World Cup.

Only three of the battered Christchurch bodies will be in the Boks World Cup match 22 against England, with none of Gary Botha, Johann Muller and CJ van der Linde in the starting XV.

New Zealand’s starting XV, in four years, remains a debate and All Blacks coach Graham Henry is expected to make another seven changes for next weekend’s Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations final against the Wallabies.

The All Blacks in this year’s Tri Nations have played like a composite team, whereas Australia’s weakness in squad numbers could translate to strength. They only have 22 players and coach John Connolly is forced to pick his best team every time. They’ve found the continuity absent in New Zealand’s game.

Getting the ball for New Zealand was not an issue, but actually doing something with it was. The Boks made 206 tackles to New Zealand’s 136, but the handling error count of 16 to 5 was disproportionate with the advantage in ball dominance.

The All Blacks have psychological issues, but it would be naïve to think South Africa, France, Australia, Ireland and England don’t have similar doubts.

There will be relevance to next weekend’s test because the winner takes the Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations. In Christchurch the only relevance came at the final whistle when referee Stuart Dickenson ended the farce the Tri Nations has been in the last two weekends.

And if you question the use of word farce then ask yourself why the applause for a 27 point Bok defeat to the All Blacks? Exactly.

Mark Keohane - keo.co.za

*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog

RUGBY: Panto season nears uproarious finale

Thursday 12th July 2007

If the Tri-Nations game in Durban between New Zealand and South Africa was a dress rehearsal for the World Cup Final, then this weekend's affair in Christchurch will be nothing more than a local pantomime production.

New Zealand have made sweeping changes to their side with the view of raising the standard throughout their squad, while South Africa will limp into Christchurch under the guidance of a fourth captain in as many games, and under the pretense of being an international side.

The two subplots to this encounter are vastly different and yet both conspire to a brutal ending for the touring Springboks. And as with the Commedia dell'arte of Ancient Rome this show will also teach a valuable lesson, namely that a wounded All Black will feast well on a weakened Springbok.

The misfortune of losing yet another captain last week has done nothing to detract from the comicality of this Springbok tour. It hardly started in a positive manner, ridiculed in the press, particularly in Australia, and has gone from bad to worse. The sniggers in the wings could develop into roars of laughter come Saturday.

Without their lead man, Bobby Skinstad (injured in the defeat to Australia), South Africa have turned to Johann Muller to lead them into battle amid surprised cries of 'oh no he isn't' during the week. The man himself admitted that not long ago he would have seen this particular predicament as crazy, yet it is one he appreciates the magnitude of.

Jake White, seen as the chief villain in many parts, has made four changes to his side, although on reflection many may now see him as the pantomime director. Ignoring the fact Peter Grant gave the side more fluidity when he entered the fray last week White has stuck with the indifferent Derick Hougaard at fly-half.

At least we know the Springbok lines now: 'ten-man rugby, chaps', so if they happen to stumble and forget them a prompt from the side stage will soon have them back on track.

Skinstad is ably replaced by Jacques Cronjé who will relish the chance to prove his worth with the World Cup rapidly approaching. Last week's debutant Jannie du Plessis will be joined by his brother, Bismarck, in the run-on front row after they become the 30th set of brothers to represent the Springboks last week.

The other change sees sevens star Jaco Pretorius come in on the left-wing. The evil villain traditionally enters stage from the left and with his pace Pretorius could add some devil to a rather predictable backline, yet he will have to go some way to snatch the villain tag from White himself.

After all it was his decision to leave the bulk of his squad at home, a case he vindicated through the injury to Skinstad. After all South Africa could have lost a first-choice player and not a 'B Bok'.

Playing the lead role is hardly a strange concept to New Zealand and they have a cast full of players happy to take the limelight. They also have more than one Victorian Harlequin with a magic touch. The addition of a rare defeat to Australia will only have added fuel to the All Black fire and a two-week simmering period means they are ready to ignite and wreak havoc on the Springboks

All that remains to be seen is whether they produce a rousing performance that brings the house down or stumble through their line amid a chorus of boo's. The likely answer is the former, although the dip in form of key individuals will be of concern, none more so than that of the affable Dan Carter.

Luke McAlister has been restored to his customary inside centre slot with Isaia Toeava outside him to form the twenty-third centre pairing in as many Tests for New Zealand. The presence of McAlister outside Carter may prove to be the catalyst that steadies the ship and allows Carter to hit top form again.

Having returned from paternity leave Doug Howlett returns on the wing in place of Rico Gear, who after a near faultless performance against Australia can consider himself hard done by to be out of the matchday squad altogether. Joe Rokocoko finds himself in a similar situation with cousin Sitiveni Sivivatu preferred on the left wing - although Rokocoko himself said Sivivatu was the best man in the position at present last week. Piri Weepu also gets a chance at scrum-half to complete the shake up in the back line.

Up front the vastly experienced Reuben Thorne gets a hit-out in the number six shirt, with hardman Jerry Collins having to settle for a place on the bench. Keith Robinson, who is finally fit again, returns in the second row to partner Chris Jack. His return will add an extra dimension to the All Black line-out, something they desperately need. Veteran hooker Anton Oliver is replaced by Keven Mealamu.

As in many Commedia dell'arte productions the notion of jealousy is a rife one, as it may also be between South Africa and New Zealand rugby at present. If this is the case then the jealousy is set to escalate on Saturday as there is only one team who will be taking the flowers from the audience at the final curtain call. As to the manner in which they earn that right we will have to reserve judgement for now.

Players to watch:

For New Zealand: With such a side as Graham Henry has picked there isn't a player amongst them who you wouldn't want to watch. Yet after his considerable dip in form of late you may want to keep an eye on Dan Carter, as one senses there is a backlash in the offing from the Canterbury man.

For South Africa: With an uninterrupted run in the side Ruan Pienaar is finally getting a chance to showcase his considerable talents. He will get another shot this week and we may just get to see his running game as aimlessly kicking the ball away this week will cost the Springboks dear.

Head to head: Nobody is predicting a Springbok win, but if they want a chance of keeping an air of respectability to the score line then the battle at the scrum will be vital, and more importantly how young Jannie du Plessis stands up to Tony Woodcock. The All Black scrum is a menacing unit at its best and the Springboks could be in for a torrid time of it.

Prediction: It is hard to see anything other than a comfortable All Blacks win. The key factor will be if they click as a team and cut loose or if the Springboks can grind out another gritty effort as they did last week. One can't see it happening again. New Zealand by 22 points.

Recent results:

2000: New Zealand won 25-12 in Christchurch
2000: South Africa won 46-40 in Johannesburg
2001: New Zealand won 12-3 in Cape Town
2001: New Zealand won 26-15 in Auckland
2002: New Zealand won 41-20 in Wellington
2002: New Zealand won 30-23 in Durban
2003: New Zealand won 52-16 in Pretoria
2003: New Zealand won 19-11 in Dunedin
2003: New Zealand won 29-9 in Melbourne
2004: New Zealand won 23-21 in Christchurch
2004: South Africa won 40-26 in Johannesburg
2005: South Africa won 22-16 in Cape Town
2005: New Zealand won 31-27 in Dunedin
2006: New Zealand won 35-17 in Wellington
2006: New Zealand won 45-26 in Pretoria
2006: South Africa won 21-20 in Rustenburg
2007: New Zealand won 26-21 in Durban

The teams:

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Keith Robinson, 4 Chris Jack,3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Jerry Collins, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Conrad Smith, 22 Nick Evans.

South Africa: 15 JP Pietersen, 14 Breyton Paulse, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jaco Pretorius; 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jacques Cronjé, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Wikus van Heerden, 5 Johann Muller (captain), 4 Albert van den Berg, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Replacements: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Eddie Andrews, 18 Gerrie Britz, 19 Hilton Lobberts, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Peter Grant, 22 Tonderai Chavhanga.

Date: Saturday, 14 July
Venue: Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Conditions: Cloudy with a easterly winds and a slight chance or rain
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), Paul Marks (Australia)
Television match official: James Leckie (Australia)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)

By Marcus Leach - planetrugby.com

*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog