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Showing posts with label Rugby Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rugby Union. Show all posts

Monday, October 29, 2007

Red Sox claim World Series glory



Boston Red Sox have won the World Series, beating Colorado Rockies 4-3 in the fourth game for a sweep in the best-of-seven series.

It is the second World Series win in four seasons for the Red Sox after they beat St Louis in 2004. Before that they had to wait 86 years for a win.

Veteran third baseman Mike Lowell hit a solo home run and scored twice for the Sox before becoming a free agent.

It was Boston's seventh Series crown overall since it started in 1903.

Lowell blasted his homer in the seventh innings to give Boston a 3-0 lead.

And after Colorado's Brad Hawpe answered with a solo home run, pinch-hitter Bobby Kielty blasted on the first pitch of the eighth innings to seal the Rockies' fate.

The Rockies refused to give in, however, with Garrett Atkins hitting a two-run homer off Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima in the eighth innings to pull Colorado back to 4-3.

But then Jonathan Papelbon, Boston's closing reliever, forced the final five outs.

Colorado's Jamey Carroll cracked the ball deep to left field in the ninth innings, but it was caught for the penultimate dismissal before Rockies pinch-hitter Seth Smith followed by striking out, touching off a huge Red Sox celebrations.

It completed a remarkable turn-around in form for Boston who had rallied from a 3-1 deficit against Cleveland in the AL Championship series, before winning seven straight games.

"This team has got a lot of heart," Boston team captain Jason Varitek said afterwards.

"We just beat a very, very good team, an excellent team. We had to do the little things, and we were able to."

The Rockies, who won 21 of 22 games to storm into the post-season and their first World Series, never found their stride after waiting eight days for the Series to begin.

And Rockies manager Clint Hurdle admitted: "Boston executed better than us all four games.

"They deserve all the credit. We just got beat by a better team in this series in every way."

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Betsen takes place in France team


Serge Betsen
Betsen was in the stands for most of France's win over the All Blacks
Serge Betsen has been named in France's team for the World Cup semi-final against England despite suffering a head injury in the quarter-final.

The flanker lasted just five minutes against New Zealand before sustaining a heavy blow to the back of his head.

Coach Bernard Laporte has named the same starting XV and replacements who featured against the All Blacks for Saturday's game with England.

Prop Olivier Milloud, who hurt his neck against New Zealand, is fit to play.

One of the biggest issues was who should start at fly-half - Lionel Beauxis, who has started the last two games, Frederic Michalak, who turned the game against New Zealand after coming on as a replacement, or David Skrela.

But Laporte admitted it would have been hard to make any changes to the team that beat the tournament favourites in such thrilling fashion in the quarter-final.

"All the players gave us satisfaction against New Zealand and that made it very difficult for us to take somebody out," he said.

Laporte insisted Betsen was completely fit to play, despite having looked extremely groggy as he was helped from the pitch in Cardiff.

"He's passed all the medical tests. If we'd had the slightest doubt, we wouldn't have picked Serge," he said.

Saturday's game at the Stade de France will be the fourth time the teams have played one another this year.

England won the Six Nations encounter at Twickenham 26-18, but France won both pre-tournament warm-up encounters, 21-15 at Twickenham and 22-9 in France.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

England fans get Cup ticket alert



England fans have been warned against buying tickets for Saturday's World Cup semi-final with France off disgruntled Australia and New Zealand supporters.

The International Rugby Board says not all tickets are transferable, which means some fans may not get in.

"There is the risk they won't get entry," said IRB spokesman Greg Thomas.

After their win over Australia, around 40,000 English fans could go to Paris for the game with France, who upset the All Blacks in their quarter-final.

The IRB has already put an extra 2,000 tickets on sale for the match but had more than three million hits on its website from fans trying to buy them.

Many more fans are likely to travel to the French capital hoping to buy tickets sold on by people who do not want to go to the game or cannot resist making a profit.

Others will come to savour the atmosphere and watch the game in bars or on big screens being erected in the city.

The early indications are that fans of both Australia and New Zealand will be there, too, despite their country's surprise exits.

The Wallabies were beaten 12-10 in Marseille while the All Blacks, the tournament favourites, slipped to a 20-18 defeat in Cardiff.

"People have reserved and paid for their accommodation in advance, some through official tour organisations, and will also have paid for their tickets," added Thomas.

"They will not be able to get refunds so we would encourage them to hold on to their tickets, stay around and watch the games.

"There can't be many better places to watch rugby than Paris."

France face England at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France on Saturday (2000 BST).

The second semi-final between South Africa and Argentina takes place at the same stadium the following day.

Laporte wary of Wilkinson threat


France coach Bernard Laporte has singled out Jonny Wilkinson as the England dangerman ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash on Saturday.

The fly-half missed England's first two group games through injury but has been instrumental in his side's resurgence, including the upset win over Australia.

Laporte said: "He has come back well. He is the motor of the team.

"England do not perform as well when he is not there. He gives them confidence and plays flat out."

Although England's results - wins against Tonga, Samoa and Australia with Wilkinson in the team, a lacklustre win over USA and a hammering by South Africa without him - seem to back that up, the number 10 has struggled with his kicking.

With the usually metronomic Wilkinson's current success rate running at about 60%, there has been concern in some quarters that England may struggle to turn pressure into points.

England forward Martin Corry dismissed any fears over Wilkinson's form, saying: "He's a class act - there is no doubting that.

"What epitomises him for me is when he had taken a heavy bang against Australia and needed a bit of treatment, he got up to take a penalty on the halfway line.

"He's not bothered about his stats, we're not bothered about his stats - he's still going for the difficult kicks."

Certainly Laporte, who saw his side start the World Cup with defeat to Argentina in the opening game, is not one to underestimate England.

He said: "We have had the same run-up to the game as them. They have gained in confidence.

"They made a recovery when they played Australia, and we did the same when we played the All Blacks.

"And we mustn't forget that this is the team that prevented us from winning the Grand Slam during the Six Nations."

However, Laporte made it clear he will not be looking back at that defeat - or even further back to 2003, when France met England in the World Cup semi-finals and lost 24-7.

"Who can we speak about revenge to?" said Laporte.

"Half of our players now weren't there. What was Lionel Beauxis doing in 2003? He didn't lose against them that day.

"In 2003, we didn't win the match because the English were better than us. In 1999, it is the same, the Australians were better than us in the final.

"We must stop looking for excuses."

Monday, October 8, 2007

Argentina v Scotland

Kick-off: 2000 BST

2149: "The Pumas fans are going crazy. The Argentine players have a huddle in the middle of the pitch before joining their countrymen in the stands. The party is about to begin. What a story this is."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at the Stade de France

2146: "Congratulations Pumas! Scotland have given a good account of themselves. Obviously disappointed to lose, but at least we got to the quarters and didn't disgrace ourselves.

"Good luck to Argentina for the rest of the tournament."
RR on 606

2143: "Scotland may have lost, but they have nothing to be ashamed of. Another close, entertaining game!

"I'm not entirely sure that the Boks will have seen much there to worry them though..."
OFR on 606

80 mins: Agustin Pichot gets his timing a bit wrong, hoping for the final whistle as he dilly-dallies in his own 22. Scotland get a scrum with their final attack of the match but a knock-on brings the match to a close and Argentina are through to the last four.

Scotland will be left rueing their failure to make their chances stick - this was a game they could have won, but the opportunity is gone.

78 mins: Scotland's forwards go through drive after drive before giving out to the backs, and the pack may well wish they hadn't.

Dan Parks puts a chip kick up for Sena Lamont to chase but there are two covering defenders and the kick was out beyond the touchline. Will they get another chance?

76 mins: Scotland win another kickable penalty when Patricio Albacete dives on top of Sean Lamont on the floor.

With time running out, Dan Parks is told to kick to the corner and he obliges with a brilliant kick to within 5m of the line. We're in for a grandstand finish.

73 mins: Scotland win a penalty as Argentina go in at the side. Dan Parks kicks it to within 7m of the Argentina try-line.

But the line-out goes all wrong as the ball goes over Scott MacLeod's head and Argentina gobble it up.

71 mins: Juan Martin Hernandez is a lucky fella as he sends out a suicidal flick out of the back of his hand to a slipping Felipe Contepomi. Fortunately for the Pumas, Contepomi gets fingertips to it and controls it with his neck (it's difficult to describe) before regaining full control and setting the ball up.

In an alternative universe, that crazy pass went a few inches higher and behind Contepomi and Scotland went through to score under the posts.

70 mins: Another knock-on from Agustin Pichot at the base of the ruck gives Scotland another reprieve.

67 mins: Scotland bring on Hugo Southwell and Scott Lawson, so they have no more substitutions left to make. It's all or nothing.

Meanwhile, Argentina knock on at the base of a ruck as they try to improve the angle for a drop-goal attempt with a series of drives. Scotland need to make the most of that let-off.

65 mins: A horrible error from Scotland full-back Rory Lamont as he lets a kick close to the touchline slide through his fingers and out into touch. Neither of the Lamont brothers has had much to laugh about so far, but there's still time for all that to change.

63 mins: Almost straight from the kick-off, Juan Martin Henandez gets the chance to have a pot at a drop-goal but the kick goes just wide.

62 mins: TRY Argentina 19-13 Scotland
Scotland show that they can play a bit of rugby when the mood takes them.

Craig Smith makes the initial dent but knocks-on. Argentina's Ignacio Corleto chips ahead with the loose ball but Chris Paterson cleans up and launches another wave of attack.

The ball is passed in and out of contact with Fijian-like abandon before Kelly Brown gives the scoring pass to replacement Chris Cusiter in the corner.

Paterson curls in a crucial conversion from the touchline, with the ball coming off the post.

59 mins: Juan Martin Hernandez is doing pretty much whatever he wants with his kicks at the moment, with his latest effort leaving Sean Lamont helpless to do anything other than watch the ball sail just out of his reach.

58 mins: "I feel the Scots are static, not a lot of running with the ball, same as the All Blacks. There's not much initiative and the Pumas dictate the game they want to play. 19-6 and it looks easy going, doesn't it?" Walgert on 606

56 mins: Scotland coach Frank Hadden makes four changes at once, with Chris Cusiter, Craig Smith, Scott MacLeod and Kelly Brown all joining the fray.

They need to make an impact quickly if Scotland are to get back into this game.

53 mins: DROP-GOAL Argentina 19-6 Scotland
This is starting to turn into the Juan Martin Hernandez Show as he follows up an absolutely exquisite touch finder with a drop-goal.

It's a slightly scruffy effort, but it just about makes it through the posts.

The touch finder is worth a par of its own though. The fly-half goes back in the pocket and fires a perfect spiral kick over the head of Sean Lamont which rolls into touch two feet from the corner flag. Brilliant.

51 mins: Juan Martin Hernandez shows there is more to his game than just kicking the ball up in the air.

He sends out an extravagent looping pass to put Felipe Contepomi into space and the centre takes it up before giving the pass to Ignacio Corleto. The pass is just a little too hard though and the ball goes forward, but it's a definite warning sign for Scotland.

49 mins: Excellent quick hands down the blind-side sees Rory Lamont power down the flank but the opportunity goes in a second after Patricio Albacete bursts through the middle of the ruck to snaffle possession.

47 mins: Andrew Henderson takes the ball at pace and gets over the gainline, winning a penalty after Argentina's tacklers refuse to roll away.

It's a long-range kick from just inside the Argentina half, so Dan Parks is given the kicking duties. But his kick is short and wide, and his 100% kicking record goes out the window.

45 mins: A bad misjudgement from Sean Lamont gives Argentina a promising attacking position. Agustin Pichot kicks up the touchline and Lamont sticks out a flailing hand and succeeds only in knocking it into touch and giving Argentina the throw.

43 mins: PEN Argentina 16-6 Scotland
Argentina put the penalty out for a line-out and from the resulting maul, Scotland's pack drags down the rolling maul.

Felipe Contepomi slots the kick and Argentina, without having needed to do anything special, are comfortably in front.

41 mins: Dan Parks kicks off for Scotland, who have Andrew Henderson on in the centre in place of Rob Dewey.

A terrible kick up in the air from Mike Blair goes slightly backwards and leads to a penalty for offside against his team.

2049: "I reckon Scotland have got away with it on the scoreboard. Obviously it's a shame about the needless try, but they have been at least seven points better than us.

"One charge-down went their way, the one at the other end bounced for them too. Third time lucky?!"
Hawick on 606

40 mins: The half-time whistle is sounded with Argentina prop Rodrigo Roncero rather agitated about something or other. The referee gets himself in between Roncero and the Scottish pack and Pumas captain Agustin Pichot quickly calms the situation down.

If truth be told, it's been a fairly tedious 40 minutes so far, although perhaps we've been spoiled by the dramatic matches we've been treated to already this weekend.

38 mins: A great scrum from Scotland inside their 22 as they take one against the head and then win a penalty as Argentina's back row disengages before the ball is out.

36 mins: PEN Argentina 13-6 Scotland
Argentina are penalised at the breakdown and it gives Chris Paterson the chance to kick his first points of the game and maintain his 100% record in the tournament.

34 mins: Sean Lamont takes the ball into contact and just has it ripped from his grasp by opposite man Horacio Agulla. Scotland need to keep hold of the ball better than that.

32 mins: TRY & CONVERSION Argentina 13-3 Scotland
Disaster for Scotland as they hand Argentina seven points on a plate.

Dan Parks takes too long as he tries to clear inside his own 22 and has his kick charged down by Argentina number eight Gonzalo Longo who then regathers the loose ball from under the nose of Sean Lamont and scores.

Felipe Contepomi nails the conversion and Argentina stretch the lead.

29 mins: "It's percentage rugby from both teams, and Argentina are just that bit better at it than Scotland. They are getting the physical nudge on all the time.

"We need to break up the game, tap penalties and the like."
hawick on 606

26 mins: PEN Argentina 6-3 Scotland
Juan Martin Hernandez misses badly with a drop-goal attempt which is fielded 15m to the right of the posts by Rory Lamont.

There should be no danger, but he seems to hesitate and is quickly caught in possession and then penalised for a "squeeze-ball" where he tries to feed the possession back to his team-mates.

Felipe Contepomi slots the resulting penalty to put Argentina ahead, but Lamont clearly feels aggrieved. Did he call a mark which went unheard by the referee?

24 mins: Argentina have a kick charged down inside their own 22 but are relieved to see the loose ball bounce into the hands of their full-back Ignacio Corleto.

21 mins: PEN Argentina 3-3 Scotland
Juan Martin Hernandez, who seems to be at the centre of everything so far, takes the ball into contact and is caught by a clumsy high tackle from Nathan Hines.

The resulting penalty is struck with assurance by Felipe Contepomi and sails between the posts to level the score.

19 mins: Argentina drive 15m with a rolling maul off a line-out on halfway but Scotland reorganise well to stop the Pumas' progress.

16 mins: PEN Argentina 0-3 Scotland
Scotland take the lead as they get points on the board with their first chance of the match.

Mike Blair claims a brave take under the high ball and Argentina's hands in the ruck give Dan Parks the chance to strike from just inside the halfway line.

14 mins: Scotland infringe at the line-out, to give Felipe Contepomi his first shot at goal but his effort from the 15m line goes wide of the posts.

12 mins: Another scrum goes down and this time it's a penalty against Scotland, with Euan Murray singled out bythe referee for a talking to.

Juan Martin Hernandez fires a penalty to within a couple of inches of the corner flag for a superb touch, giving Argentina a line-out 5m out.

10 mins: Sean Lamont busts a couple of tackles and releases the ball to Simon Webster who runs crossfield before a fairly aimless kick upfield. Scotland will need to do a bit more with decent attacking ball than that.

8 mins: Juan Martin Hernandez puts up yet another up-and-under - that's at least four so far, and it looks as though Scotland's back three will be seeing plenty of the ball... coming down from 500 feet in the air accompanied by several Argentine tacklers.

5 mins: Simon Webster comes in on the angle to take the ball off Dan Parks, but the move is all wrong with the pass behind the centre and he knocks on.

4 mins: The first scrum of the game goes down twice, and referee Joel Jutge gives Argentina the free-kick. A quick tap and Juan Martin Hernandez fires up an up-and-under which Rory Lamont cannot quite claim.

There is a Argentina knock-on though, and Scotland clear their lines through Dan Parks.

3 mins: Another mistake from Juan Martin Hernandez as he overcooks his penalty to touch by 5m or so. The ball dribbles out of play beyond the corner flag and Scotland get a scrum in midfield back in Argentina's half.

1 min: Juan Martin Hernandez kicks off for Argentina and Scotland are unable to collect the ball. Agustin Pichot fires a loose pass out to hs fly-half and with 17 seconds on the clock, Hernandez has a shot at a drop-goal but it goes just right of the posts.

El Mago is human after all.

1959: Right then, the anthems are out of the way and we're just about to get under way.

1953: The Stade de France is a sight to behold, lighting up the Parisian night sky.

Add to that the noise of the crowd as the two teams march out onto the field before launching into a jog and you have the makings of another great occasion at this tournament.

Argentina go into a brief huddle before joining Scotland in linking arms and lining up for the pre-match anthems.

1948: The players have done all the warming-up they need to do and are back in the dressing room psyching up for this massive game. We're just 10 minutes away from finding out the final team to reach the last four.

1946: "I am watching ITV and Kenny Logan just won a dance-off. It must be an omen! Good luck Scotland!"
Eckstatic on 606

1944: Let's just remind ourselves about the players on show at the Stade de France:

Scotland: Rory Lamont; Sean Lamont, Simon Webster, Rob Dewey, Chris Paterson; Dan Parks Mike Blair; Gavin Kerr, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Nathan Hines, Jim Hamilton, Jason White (captain), Allister Hogg, Simon Taylor.
Replacements: Scott Lawson, Craig Smith, Scott MacLeod, Kelly Brown, Chris Cusiter, Andrew Henderson, Hugo Southwell.

Argentina: Ignacio Corleto, Lucas Borges, Manuel Contepomi, Felipe Contepomi, Horacio Agulla, Juan Martin Hernandez, Agustin Pichot (captain), Gonzalo Longo, Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Lucas Ostiglia, Patricio Albacete, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Martin Scelzo, Mario Ledesma, Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: Alberto Vernet Basualdo, Omar Hasan, Rimas Alvarez, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Nicolas Fernandez Miranda, Federico Todeschini, Hernan Senillosa.

1935: "Just had a walk outside the stadium and St Denis is jumping. Cheesy Euro-pop tunes are blasting outside. Not to everyone's taste I grant you, but it does add to the atmosphere.

"In the bowels of the Stade de France I have just bumped into a certain Jonah Lomu. He may have been a superstar in his prime but I reckon I could have taken him down. Actually thinking about it, maybe not.

"The fans that are slowly filling the ground are being treated to replays of yesterday's France v New Zealand epic on the big screens. Still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end."
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at the Stade de France

1933: "Argentina are never gonna runaway with a game.

"They are grinders, so I suspect it will be a slow strangle. If Argentina lose their discipline though, they could get themselves into trouble because Chris Paterson is without peer as a kicker."
SP on 606

1923: All of a sudden, rugby union is a very big deal in Argentina.

The success of the Pumas in this tournament has seen the "Superclasico" - River Plate v Boca Juniors, one of the biggest matches in football anywhere - shift its kick-off time to make sure no-one has to miss Argentina's meeting with Scotland.

No pressure then, boys.

1915: "It's a glorious early autumn evening here in Paris. The sun is just setting and there is not a cloud in the sky - it will be a perfect night for rugby. Maybe Scotland will be able to throw off the shackles and give it a lash.

"The kilts are out in Paris. Both the Scots and the French are showing off their legs, and it is some sight I can tell you. The locals are definitely rooting for the Scottish underdogs.

"The bars around the Stade de France are rammed and the sound of drums and brass bands fills the air. The Argentine fans are in full voice, they know their side is just 80 minutes away from booking a place in their first ever World Cup semi-finals.

"The Scotland fans I have talked to are a wee bit concerned about the outcome but if we have learnt anything from this incredible weekend, it is that we cannot take any result for granted. I'm going for a Scotland win, who's with me?"
BBC Sport's Mark Orlovac at the Stade de France

1910: Evening all, we're building up to the final quarter-final of an incredible weekend of international rugby.

The match has got plenty to live up to, coming in the wake of epic victories for France and England, while South Africa were pushed all the way by a valiant Fiji side this afternoon.

But Scotland and Argentina will not care if it is 3-0 as long as it their side with the three points to their name.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Carter confident for French test


New Zealand v France
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Saturday, 6 October
Kick-off: 2000 BST

New Zealand's star fly-half Dan Carter says he expects to be fully fit to face France in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff.

The 25-year-old missed the Romania win with a calf strain and has been restricted to light training this week but was named in the Kiwi starting XV.

"I'm confident I've progressed and I'll be fine," he said.

"This is what I've prepared myself for - the knockout games. I need to step up my game another level."

Centre Luke McAlister said losing Carter would be a blow but would not alter New Zealand's threat.

"Obviously we'd like him to play but if not, Nick Evans can step in there," said McAlister, who is set to play beside Carter at inside centre.


The selection of the side is probably the most difficult it's been since we've done the job, particularly the backs
New Zealand coach Graham Henry

"We've got the best players in the world and we've learned to adapt to each other for the last three or four years, so it's no big deal."

New Zealand's record try-scorer Doug Howlett was left out of coach Graham Henry's 22 when he named the All Blacks team on Tuesday.

Howlett, who has scored 48 Test tries, has been kept out of the side by Sitiveni Sivivatu.

The winger is one of only five players that remain from the side that beat Romania, along with McAlister, wing Joe Rokocoko, lock Keith Robinson and back row Jerry Collins.

Robinson is preferred at lock to Chris Jack, while Anton Oliver starts at hooker, with Keven Mealamu on the bench.

Leon MacDonald starts at full-back and Mils Muliaina comes in at outside centre.

"The selection of the side is probably the most difficult it's been since we've done the job, particularly the backs," said Henry.

"We could have picked any of our 14 backs in this match because they're all playing exceptionally well.

"Up front, there is a bit of a gap between the top and second players in some positions. That's no criticism of the second player, that's just the fact of the matter.

"Having tough choices to make is a great situation to be in but it's also difficult to inform the guys who haven't been picked."

Henry had all of the 30-man squad available for selection, with the exception of loose forward Sione Lauaki, who was banned for two matches for a dangerous tackle on Romania winger Gabriel Brezonianu.

Henry added: "We are excited to play France. Sudden-death rugby obviously has its own tensions and that's the reality all eight teams face this weekend.

"France probably weren't expected to be in this quarter-final so there may be some extra tension in this match particularly.

"As a team we have really enjoyed the big occasions over the last few years and we've enjoyed a good and thorough preparation for this match."

New Zealand will wear their grey "away" strip instead of their traditional black after losing a coin toss to France, whose shirt is dark blue.

"The All Blacks are a very strong team and if they play in pink, blue or white they would be as strong as playing in black," said France captain Raphael Ibanez.

New Zealand: MacDonald, Rokocoko, Muliaina, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Robinson, Williams, Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo.
Replacements: Mealamu, Tialata, Jack, Masoe , Leonard, Evans, Toeava.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Aussies wary of Wilkinson factor


Australia's Matt Giteau says Jonny Wilkinson's return has made England a far more dangerous proposition for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.

Wilkinson missed England's first two games through injury but started against Samoa and Tonga to help get his nation's faltering campaign on track.

"They have lots of confidence with him back in the side, and not just in terms of his kicking," said Giteau.

"Once he is in the team, the whole side seems to grow in confidence."

Australia have won four of the five Tests against England since the last World Cup but Wilkinson - who has kicked 40 points in his two appearances in France - missed all the matches through a series of injuries.

The last time Wilkinson did play against the Wallabies was in the 2003 World Cup final - when he scored 15 points in England's famous victory, including a match-winning extra-time drop-goal.

But Giteau insisted his side would go into the match, against an England side that will have Wilkinson at fly-half, without any psychological scars.

"We don't fear England with him in the team - we don't really fear any of their players," insisted the Australia centre.

"We respect all the teams but we don't fear anyone in the tournament.

"England have got a very good forward pack and their back line is beginning to improve."

Giteau also stated that the more experienced players in the side would be doing their best to take the pressure off the shoulders of their inexperienced fly-half Berrick Barnes.

The 21-year-old has made an impressive start to his Test career after coming in for the injured Stephen Larkham and Giteau said he wanted the youngster to just "play his game".


England are improving as tournament goes on and have momentum on their side
Australia flanker George Smith

Meanwhile, Wallabies flanker George Smith believes England will pose a challenge that few thought they could mount after their 36-0 demolition by South Africa.

"England have been in a rebuilding phase since 2003 and it takes time to build cohesion," said Smith.

"They definitely aren't the team of 2003 but they are improving as the tournament goes on and have momentum on their side.

"It's a huge challenge. England were humbled by South Africa but have improved with each game and are now a very good side. They are always up for it against Australia."

Smith's comments are in marked contrast to those of his team-mate Lote Tuqiri, who dismissed England's back line, claiming that winger Jason Robinson was the nation's only world-class three-quarter.

NZ's Carter back to face France


New Zealand v France
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Saturday, 6 October
Kick-off: 2000 BST

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has ushered fly-half Dan Carter back into the side for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with France in Cardiff.

Carter, 25, missed the 85-8 victory over Romania with a calf strain and has yet to return to full training, but he is hoping to be fit to face the French.

New Zealand's record try-scorer Doug Howlett is left out of the 22.

"Dan Carter was playing 50% of the time in practice [on Tuesday] but it looks like he'll be fine," said Henry.

"We can't be 100% sure on that but we have Nick Evans ready to step in if required, so it's not a major issue.


The selection of the side is probably the most difficult it's been since we've done the job, particularly the backs
New Zealand coach Graham Henry

"Dan is reasonably positive he'll get through, but if we keep pushing him in training he won't get there.

"For him to train at 100% would be suicidal so we need to keep the reins on him a bit."

Only five players remain from the side that beat Romania - inside centre Luke McAlister, wingers Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu, lock Keith Robinson and back row Jerry Collins.

Howlett, who has scored 48 Test tries, has been kept out of the side by Sivivatu, while Leon MacDonald starts at full-back and Mils Muliaina comes in at outside centre.

Robinson is preferred at lock to Chris Jack, while Anton Oliver starts at hooker, with Keven Mealamu on the bench.

"The selection of the side is probably the most difficult it's been since we've done the job, particularly the backs," said Henry.

"We could have picked any of our 14 backs in this match because they're all playing exceptionally well.

"Up front, there is a bit of a gap between the top and second players in some positions. "That's no criticism of the second player, that's just the fact of the matter.

"Having tough choices to make is a great situation to be in but it's also difficult to inform the guys who haven't been picked."

Henry had all of the 30-man squad available for selection, with the exception of loose forward Sione Lauaki, who was banned for two matches for a dangerous tackle on Romania winger Gabriel Brezonianu.

Henry added: "We are excited to play France. Sudden-death rugby obviously has its own tensions and that's the reality all eight teams face this weekend.

"France probably weren't expected to be in this quarter-final so there may be some extra tension in this match particularly.

"As a team we have really enjoyed the big occasions over the last few years and we've enjoyed a good and thorough preparation for this match."

New Zealand will wear their grey "away" strip instead of their traditional black after losing a coin toss to France, whose shirt is dark blue.

"The All Blacks are a very strong team and if they play in pink, blue or white they would be as strong as playing in black," said France captain Raphael Ibanez.

New Zealand: MacDonald, Rokocoko, Muliaina, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Robinson, Williams, Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo.
Replacements: Mealamu, Tialata, Jack, Masoe , Leonard, Evans, Toeava.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Aussie Jones tipped for Wales job


Eddie Jones is the perfect candidate to take over as Wales coach, according to South Africa coach Jake White.

Jones is working as a technical advisor to the Springboks at the World Cup, and is set to work as a consultant at English club Saracens next season.

And White said: "Eddie is a very special rugby coach. I don't think a country can go far wrong in getting a guy like Eddie Jones involved.

"He is one of the astute students of the game and a well-respected coach."

Wales have launched a worldwide search for a new coach after sacking Gareth Jenkins on Sunday.

Jenkins paid the price for Wales' exit at the pool stages of the World Cup, bringing a premature end to a disappointing 17-month period in charge.

Jones, who led Australia to the 2003 World Cup final, immediately emerged as one of the leading contenders to succeed Jenkins, and White believes he has all the right credentials.

"You've seen what sort of impact he's made on the Springbok team and you can see what impact he made on the ACT Brumbies and the Wallabies," said White.

"He hasn't mentioned anything to be about the Wales job so I'll speak to him when I get to the team hotel.

"Hopefully he'll take it on next year because we've got to play Wales at the end of this year."


We must have in place a clear structure and strategy that will take us forward and that will be attractive to the very best
WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis

Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis has said a caretaker coach is likely to be in charge for that game in Cardiff on 24 November.

Lewis said they would take time to guarantee they make the correct appointment after conducting a full review of the Welsh rugby structure.

Whoever is appointed will become Wales' sixth coach in as many years, and Lewis admitted the short shelf-life of previous incumbents could put off perspective candidates.

"That could be a consideration," Lewis told BBC Radio Wales. "That's why it's so important for us all to behave properly, in a measured way.

"We must have in place a clear structure and strategy that will take us forward and that will be attractive to the very best."

Lewis also revealed that the search to fill the newly created post of Elite Performance Director (EPD) will be stepped up.

The WRU announced in March their intention to appoint someone whose brief would be to ensure the maximum number of top players achieve their potential and build competition for places in Wales.

Former Wales coach Kevin Bowring, currently the head of elite coach development at the Rugby Football Union, has been linked with the new post.

The WRU says the position could be filled from within rugby, from another sport, or from a business, academic or commercial background.