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Interpreting some games of rugby is akin to interpreting a Rorschach inkblot. The Rorschach Test was developed by Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach in 1921 to give insights into personality characteristics. It asks subjects to describe what they see in 10 symmetrical inkblots and the tester will make various assumptions about their personality according to the interpretation. – by John Eales
Samoan stalwart Seilala Mapusua has vowed his side will throw everything at the Springboks on Friday after winning the battle of the islands yesterday to keep their World Cup quarterfinals hopes alive.
The world’s rugby media have been rich in their praise for the All Blacks’ impressive win over France with former England lock Paul Ackford declaring: “The World Cup is as good as theirs”.
A Maori leader has backed Springbok coach Peter de Villiers’ comments on the haka being overused, saying it has been “hijacked by rugby people” for commercial purposes.
PETER LOVE: “The haka in our culture is something which is regarded as special and should not be bastardised by sport.”
De Villiers’ comments attracted over 270 responses on Stuff.co.nz yesterday, with opinion split on whether the haka was overused.
The Springboks on Tuesday made five changes to the starting line-up for their Rugby World Cup Pool D match against southern African neighbours Namibia at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, on Thursday.
South Africa v Namibia, 22 September 2011, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
South African brothers Marius and Neels Botha have been having a blast touring New Zealand with their idol and namesake Bakkies Botha.
But Springboks fans need not fear the star back row has defected from camp – the Botha brothers are carrying a cardboard cut-out of their hero as they trek across the nation and take in their team’s Rugby World Cup 2011 pool matches.
Bok coach, Peter de Villiers will have a selection headache at loosehead prop on his hands as the RWC reaches the business-end of the tournament.
Fiji flanker Dominiko Waqaniburotu has been cited for making a dangerous tip tackle during the World Cup Pool D match against South Africa on Saturday, organisers said today.
Ireland’s upset over the Wallabies really has put the cat among the pigeons at this World Cup..in more ways than one.
You don’t have to draw too long a bow from the best match of the tournament so far to realise the result, potentially, has serious implications for the All Blacks.
I’m really interested now – and concerned in the same breath – to see how the French react to this result.
The haka is in danger of losing respect because it is performed too often, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers says.
Blue Bulls (20) 28 / WP (3) 20 (Final Score)
The Vodacom Blue Bulls hosted DHL Western Province at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 17:05 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Vodacom Blue Bulls won the match against DHL Western Province but failed to get a 4-try bonus point, which ultimately almost certainly means the end of their Currie Cup aspirations for 2011.
Cheetahs (23) 53 / Sharks (18) 32 (Final Score)
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs hosted The Sharks at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 15:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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This was a 9-try festival of running rugby, won by the Toyota Free State Cheetahs with 5 tries to 4.
In the process the Toyota Free State Cheetahs bag 5 Log points and The Sharks only 1.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has reiterated that his plan to treat every game at this World Cup as a final and not to mix and match combinations to give everyone a run.
Call them stubborn, label them stupid, but it certainly seems Graham Henry and his fellow selectors are struggling to learn the harsh lessons of their last World Cup failings.
Samoan custom frowns upon chest-beating, but there is a strong self belief this World Cup squad can claim another historic victory over Wales on Sunday.
Warren Gatland’s Welshmen face an emotionally-charged and buoyant Samoan side in Hamilton, where World Cup aspirations will be defined.
Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina are both out of tomorrow’s test against Japan.
Both players have been ruled out of the All Blacks’ second game of the World Cup because of injury, while Israel Dagg has also picked up an injury, following a training session at St Peter’s College in Cambridge late yesterday afternoon.
All Blacks star Daniel Carter is injured and won’t play in this week’s World Cup match with Japan.
Carter, who suffered a sore back in the opening clash against Tonga, was replaced by Canterbury’s Colin Slade in the starting XV, with halfback Jimmy Cowan coming on to the bench, and Piri Weepu moving out to provide first–five cover.
Samoa (25) 49 / Namibia (0) 12 (Final Score)
Samoa did battle against Namibia in Rotorua at 04:30 SA Time (14:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & 4, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Samoa won this game and collected 5 log points by scoring 6 tries to the 2 late tries by error-ridden Namibia.
Having dodged a Welsh bullet, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers is more convinced than ever about the three ways his team can retain the World Cup.
Watertight defence. Pinpoint goalkicking. And, perhaps the biggest headache, getting inside the respective heads of the referees.
The most controversial kick in World Cup for a very long time was not over.
Pool A will have matches on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. On Wednesday 14 September Tonga will play Canada in Whangarei, on Friday New Zealand will play against Japan in Hamilton and the last pool a match will be in Napier when France play Canada.
South Africa
The adrenaline seemed to be still pumping for South Africa coach Peter de Villiers the day after his team’s 17-16 victory over Wales in their opening Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool D match at Wellington Regional Stadium.
De Villiers was at his animated, playful best at the team press conference in their Wellington hotel on Monday, cracking jokes and expounding on team tactics and rugby trends.
South Africa’s campaign to be the first nation to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup kicks off at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday when their hardened veterans take on a youthful Welsh side.
Of the 25 matches between the two sides since 1906, Wales have managed one win and one draw, both at home. They have lost their past 12 encounters in an 11-year losing streak.
Fiji (32) 49 / Namibia (15) 25 (Final Score)
Fiji and Namibia did battle at Rotorua at 05:30 SA Time (15:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Highlight of this match must be the 4 tries by Fijian winger Vereniki Goneva. Fiji was far more accurate in finishing their moves and kicks. It was a entertaining game with some sublime handling from Fiji.
Backline a real eyebrow-raiser
The All Blacks have sprung several major selection surprises for Friday night’s Rugby World Cup opener against Tonga in Auckland, with test regulars Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith and Keven Mealamu missing from the 22.
The number
5 – Days left until the first match of RWC 2011, and countries who have reached the quarter-finals of every World Cup:
Australia, England, France, New Zealand and Scotland.
He said it
“There was almost a few broken bones and a few bodies knocked out of the World Cup. I wasn’t great to be honest, I was just trying to knock people off the road.”
– Ireland wing Tommy Bowe gives coach Declan Kidney – not to mention the physios – a few grey hairs when he and his teammates tackled the Skyline Luge through the trees of Queenstown.
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers promised to “try to behave” and live up to the honour bestowed on him after being declared an honorary Maori when the team received their official welcome to Wellington on Monday.
RWC 2011 Judicial Process Background Information
The on-field disciplinary process for Rugby World Cup 2011 deals with Illegal and/or Foul Play and Misconduct. It reflects the citing, hearing and sanctioning process which applies across international Rugby as set out in IRB Regulation 17, but under expedited timeframes for the seven week tournament. Rugby World Cup 2011 will benefit from the most experienced Citing Commissioners and Judicial Officers selected on merit from the elite international Game to act in such roles at the Tournament.
The appointment of Citing Commissioners, Judicial Officers and Appeal Committees during the Tournament is based upon neutrality considerations.
Griquas (15) 35 / WP (21) 41 (Final Score)
GWK Griquas hosted DHL Western Province at GWK Park, Kimberley at 15:00 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
Western Province scored 7 tries to 4 by Griquas.
“In one week’s time, the world will be watching us as the seventh Rugby World Cup gets underway,” said Martin Snedden, CEO for Tournament Organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011.
“We promise all fans, at Eden Park, and those watching from afar, a night to remember.
Supersport’s Television coverage starts at 09:00
Claims on the eve of the World Cup that the All Blacks are blatant cheats have gone down like a cup of cold soup with rugby icon Colin Meads.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have today announced the squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
So, the New Zealand All Blacks had made a truckload of changes from the team that trounced the Wallabies in Auckland. So, they were eight or more players short of their first-choice run-on team. So, they had never – but never – won in Port Elizabeth. They still expected to win! And a lot of good judges expected them to win, also.
Toulouse flanker Thierry Dusautoir will skipper France’s 30-strong World Cup squad to travel to New Zealand for the September 9-October 23 tournament.
Prop Deacon Manu has been named as Fiji captain for next month’s Rugby World Cup.
Manu, who has played more than 100 matches for Llanelli since moving to Wales from New Zealand in 2006, will lead the 30-man squad named on Saturday, which includes 21 overseas-based players.