All posts tagged "luke mcalister"

  Barbarians 25 All Blacks 18 You get what you deserve when you treat a game like...

From the outhouse to the penthouse. In the space of five matches on their Northern Tour the All Blacks have stunningly recovered their reputation. In a match that could only be described as a showcase of free flowing power rugby, the Kiwis blew Les Bleus out of the Stade Velodrome in Marseille....

The big question on everyone’s lips in the crunch Tri-Nation’s test in Hamilton on Saturday is whether South Africa will revert to type by employing their successful aerial game last seen in Capetown a couple of tests ago. This successful strategy which contributed mightily to them winning their three home tests is...

It’s not often G&GR agrees with Richie McCaw – but when the Uber-cheat said the loser of this game was finished for the year’s Tri-nations, it was hard to disagree. Both sides have been below their best thus far and for the team that comes second on Saturday night there is no...

Two talismen return to the Wallabies and All Black sides for Saturday’s clash in Sydney. For Australia, it’s the long awaited return of Rocky Elsom, back from his much celebrated stint in Europe and ensuing bruised bone (always painful). This return alone will be fascinating to watch. Will we see him dominate...

South Africa 31 New Zealand 19 The Springboks circled their wagons and fought off the sheep shagging hordes to register a convincing win over an error riddled All Black team who’s mojo certainly isn’t working. Be warned Wallabies, this Bokke side is the real deal. On the back of a match winning...

Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s get ready to RRRUUUMMMBBBLLLE. This is a 10 round heavyweight contest featuring, in the black corner and weighing in with serious intent, former World No 1 and World Cup Chokers Champions, the All Blacks. In the green corner, with the weight of a rainbow nation on it’s shoulders,...

This game is the first in a heavyweight encounter between South Africa and New Zealand in Bloemfontein. For the All Blacks to retain their Tri-Nations title a win here would be a huge step in the right direction. In addition to being a Tri-Nations match, this game will determine who tops the IRB rankings. South...

For a Wallaby supporter this is a vicious tease of a match. Standing defiantly is the wily 23 year old Eden Park minx, and laid out like a string of Bacardi Breezers before her is the key to melting this ice maidens defences. It’s only fitting that the French and Italians –...

Much has been made of the fact the Wallabies haven’t won at Eden Park for 23 years however not as much has been made of the fact for the first time in a long time, the Wallabies finally look to have a team capable of correcting this travesty. That is not to...

The Aotearoans are asking themselves just where is the depth after the 2009 All Black Tri-Nations squad...

New Zealand 27 – Italy 6 The All Blacks struggled to overcome a committed Italian side tonight scoring three tries to none, but it was the manner of the win that will have the AB brains trust a little concerned. The result was never going to be in doubt, just a matter...

France 27 – New Zealand 22 O.K. Lets put all the crap to bed first. The excuse...

Final Score: Wallabies 55 – Barbarians 7 Qantas Wallabies 55 (James Horwill, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell 2, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, David Pocock, James O’Connor tries; Giteau penalty, 3 conversions; Stirling Mortlock 2 conversions) defeated Barbarians 7 (Iain Balshaw try; Luke McAlister conversion) at the Sydney Football Stadium. Crowd: 39, 688.

Some interesting facts about the Baa-Baa’s squad to play the Wallabies tomorrow. 1 – Clarke Dermody (New...

Never has a game of rugby been more of a dress rehearsal for higher representative honours that this one. On both sides of the ledger there are players who have reason to go at the game with all the fury that only the motivation of being left out in the cold can...

As a nice touch Phil Waugh has been announced as captain of the Barbarians. There’s a head...

It’s been a long old wait since last October, but at last we get some good southern hemisphere rugby back on the telly. What’s intriguing about this years competition though is trying to pick the key runners and riders, because this year there are a couple of extra factors in play. To...

This weekend effectively sees the grand final of the 2007 tri-nations, with the Wallabies taking on the All Blacks in Auckland. The twists and turns of this year’s competition means the default supposition of only a month ago – that the ABs should stroll this one – is no longer a foregone...

AFTER a valiant but unsuccessful opening to their Tri-Nations campaign in South Africa, the Wallabies face a step up in opponent as they take on the premier team in world rugby – the All Blacks. What can we expect from this game and where will the key battles on the field be?...