Welsh Rugby and all things Wales

[Welshboy]

5 live Sport - 5 live Rugby
- World Cup Quarter Finals Reaction
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b015n00x/

Rugby 606 England
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b0169pk7/

NEWS.

Lomu discharged from hospital
.11th October 2011
...New Zealand media is reporting that All Blacks great Jonah Lomu has been released from hospital 16 days after being admitted for kidney failure.
Lomu has been receiving dialysis treatment at Auckland Hospital since Sept. 25 when the kidney he received in a 2004 transplant operation began to fail.
The 35-year-old Lomu, who played 63 tests on the wing for the All Blacks between 1994 and 2002, was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a serious kidney disorder, in 1995.
Lomu went to hospital weeks after being featured in the opening ceremony for the Rugby World Cup. An Auckland Hospital spokesman told local media that Lomu had been discharged Tuesday after being treated in the renal and liver transplant ward.

New Bok coach to be named in 2012
...The Springboks will have to wait until next year to discover the identity of their new coach, the South African Rugby Union have confirmed.
Current coach Peter de Villiers' reign will end on December 31 and SARU will not rush in to announcing his replacement.
"The formal review of the 2011 season and the process of making appointments for 2012 will only be concluded towards the end of the year, as was decided by the executive council in July," said SARU chief executive Jurie Roux.
"The appointment of the Springbok coaches and management team are easily among the most important decisions we must take as an organisation.
"The next steps we take in that process will be in the very best interests of the Springbok team.
"We are aware that there is great public interest in the matter, but supporters will understand that we have many factors to consider before any further announcements."
The Springboks' next assignment is a three-Test series against England next June.

Around 7,000 tickets across most price categories are still available for Saturday's first semi-final between Wales and France. Category A tickets cost NZ$797 (£398), while Category D tickets are NZ$296 (£148). World Cup organisers have reached 99% of their ticket revenue target with four matches remaining, having sold NZ$265.6m (£132.6m) worth of tickets. They had targeted NZ$268.5m to achieve a NZ$39m loss on the tournament. Organisers are only allowed to keep revenue from ticket sales and are forced to pay a hosting fee to the International Rugby Board and cover the costs of the tournament - about NZ$310m (£154.8m).

Tactical briefing notes about England's on-field moves and training drills were discovered at Ireland's team hotel in Wellington. Nine pages of A3 paper inside a cardboard folder were discovered in an empty conference room at the Inter-Continental Hotel, three days before England were knocked out in the quarter-finals by France. Among other things the papers detail 'Exit Fix-Ups' and Red Zone' tactics, with the advice 'Adapt if required'. At one stage it looked as if England could play Ireland in the semi-finals.

[Welshboy]

5 live Rugby.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b015n6vc/

Latest News.

Jones to coach Japan?
.14th October 2011
...Former Wallaby mentor Eddie Jones has emerged as a front runner to replace John Kirwan as coach of Japan.
Jones, who has a Japanese mother, guided Australia to the 2003 World Cup final and worked as a technical consultant to Springbok coach Jake White during the South African's successful World Cup campaign in 2007.
The 51-year-old currently serves as an advisor to Top League outfit Suntory Sungoliath.
According to reports in the Japanese press, Jones' name has been put forward to the Japan Rugby Football Union as a possible replacement for Kirwan whose contract will not be renewed.
Jones is certainly open to the possibility of taking charge of the Cherry Blossoms.
"I would definitely be interested," he told the Daily Yomiuri.
"Getting Japan into the world's top ten is a big task, but is achievable if everyone works together."


Carter has surgery in Melbourne
...New Zealand fly-half Daniel Carter has had surgery to repair his left adductor longus tendon, it has been confirmed.
Carter had the surgery in Melbourne on Monday and flew back to Auckland on Wednesday.
The ten injured his groin at training on October 1, the day before the Pool game against Canada. He was withdrawn from the RWC squad following a scan which revealed an injury to the tendon.
Carter says the surgery "went well" and he will now be concentrating on his rehabilitation. The graduated rehabilitation programme will involve re-establishing normal walking and strengthening exercises, with a view to progressing onto running and kicking over an eight-week period. He hopes to be fully recovered by about the 12-week mark


Cotton to head up RFU review
...Former Rugby Football Union vice-chairman Fran Cotton will lead an independent review of the entire England structure at the RFU.
Cotton will head a two or three-strong panel which will include at least one member who has no ties to rugby.
The panel will review the performance of the RFU's professional rugby department and assess rugby operations director Rob Andrew's report into England's failed World Cup campaign.
The review will begin in November and the findings of the panel will be presented to the RFU's management board and the council on December 2

2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final:
Buoyant Wales set for French test

Sam Warburton will lead the sides Wales approach arguably the biggest match in their history confident they can reach their first World Cup final.
Saturday's semi-final with France is their first since the inaugural event in 1987, while Les Bleus are in their fifth straight last-four clash.
About 65,000 fans are expected to watch the match on a giant screen at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
"We know the whole nation is behind us. We have to deliver for them," assistant coach Shaun Edwards told BBC 5 live.
France have won nine of the countries' last 11 meetings over the last decade, Wales' only victories coming in their Six Nations Grand Slam years of 2005 and 2008.

RECENT MEETINGS
•2011: France 28-9 Wales
•2010: Wales 20-26 France
•2009: France 21-16 Wales
•2008: Wales 29-12 France

But Edwards insists France's greater World Cup pedigree means little to a well-drilled 22 featuring eight players under 23, eight British and Irish Lions and 10 Grand Slam winners, all bursting with energy and confidence.

"They really couldn't care less if France have been in five straight semi-finals or whatever," the defence guru said. "They are in front of us, so they need sorting out tomorrow."

[maaka]

yucky da Taff

just driven thru Auckland and still 5hrs till kick off, Wales v France semi final, and the crowds are out, all decked out in red or blue and funny costumes. I guess most of them are kiwis, but no harm in getting into the spirit of things nei..good luck all four teams

[BobHelm]

Game rather ruined by the sending off of the Welsh captain, Sam Warburton, less than 20 minutes. That really ended it as wondering who would win as rugby is a game where reduced numbers nearly always ends in defeat.
As it was the remaining Welsh players gave it a real go & will consider themselves extremely unfortunate not to have pinched the game - especially after scoring the only try.
In the short time that the starting 15s were playing each other it looked all Wales. Unfortunately the sending off was compounded by some injury enforced changes in the Welsh scrum & the French rather took control in that area.
As for the sending off....a VERY harsh decision. The 'spear' tackle is rightly banned from the sport but slow motion replays certainly confirm that this was a foul tackle by accident than design. The force of the Warburton tackle took the French player off his feet & the natural momentum took the feet above the head. What can the tackling player do in those circumstances?? It is difficult to know but removing him from the pitch for the remainder of the game was, I think, rather a penalty far too harsh...

[Astana]

Hats off to the Welsh who gave it their best shot and did themselves proud.

[Tafia]

Game rather ruined by the sending off of the Welsh captain, Sam Warburton, less than 20 minutes. That really ended it as wondering who would win as rugby is a game where reduced numbers nearly always ends in defeat.
As it was the remaining Welsh players gave it a real go & will consider themselves extremely unfortunate not to have pinched the game - especially after scoring the only try.
In the short time that the starting 15s were playing each other it looked all Wales. Unfortunately the sending off was compounded by some injury enforced changes in the Welsh scrum & the French rather took control in that area.
As for the sending off....a VERY harsh decision. The 'spear' tackle is rightly banned from the sport but slow motion replays certainly confirm that this was a foul tackle by accident than design. The force of the Warburton tackle took the French player off his feet & the natural momentum took the feet above the head. What can the tackling player do in those circumstances?? It is difficult to know but removing him from the pitch for the remainder of the game was, I think, rather a penalty far too harsh...

Have to agree Bob, a yellow card tops.
France were beatable and they struggled against 14 men. That said we had enough kicks at goal to take the game.
Just listened to Radio Wales phone in and the number of past French, SA and other rugby internationals as well as current English Internationals who all agree it was a terrible decision and one that spoilt the game.
Another terrible decision could be argued why was he appointed to ref the game as his father is French as the ref for tomorrow is South African but thats another argument.

The Welsh Team have nothing to be ashamed of they showed their courage and displayed some first class rugby over this tournament...long may it continue.

[Welshboy]

I have been in Cardiff yesterday morning to watching the match, lost 8 -9
Then on to Carmarthen to watch Bridgend play, Bridgend lost 28 - 14
I will have to change my name to Aardvark

Three-week ban for Warburton
.16th October 2011

...Wales captain and flank Sam Warburton has been handed a three-week ban for his dangerous tackle on France wing Vincent Clerc in Saturday's semi-final of the World Cup.

Irish referee Alain Rolland acted immediately to red card Warburton who lifted and heavily dumped Clerc in the 19th minute of the match that France went on to win 9-8.

Warburton will miss the third-place play-off next week against either Australia or New Zealand.

The flanker admitted committing "a dangerous tip tackle" contrary to Law 10(4) (j) when he appeared at a disciplinary hearing on Sunday.

Tackles involving a player being lifted off the ground and tipped horizontally and then forced or dropped to the ground are illegal and constitute dangerous play. The IRB Memorandum issued on June 8, 2009 stated that such tackles "must be dealt with severely by referees and those involved in the off-field disciplinary process."

The Independent Judicial Officer determined the sending off to be appropriate in Law and the action in line with IRB directives to Unions, Teams and Match Officials.

The Judicial Officer concluded that the offence was mid range on the scale of seriousness, which has an entry point of six weeks.

He found that there were no aggravating features and there were compelling on-field and/or off-field mitigating features including the Player's admission, outstanding character and disciplinary record and remorse. Therefore, the suspension was reduced to a period of three weeks

The 2 RWC match reports to follow after Australia vs New Zealand.

[Welshboy]

France edge fourteen-man Wales
.15th October 2011
...France booked their place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final with a 9-8 win over Wales at Eden Park on Saturday.
Did they deserve it for the way they played against fourteen men? No. But that is rugby as Wales bow out following what was a superb tournament.
Sam Warburton was the man shown red for a dangerous tackle after just 18 minutes but that didn't stop Wales from scoring the only try of the game, through Mike Phillips on the hour mark.
But it wasn't enough in the end as three Morgan Parra penalties ultimately trumped a solitary three-pointer from James Hook and that try.
A repeat of the 1987 final is almost complete.
Not ten minutes before kick-off the heavens opened over Eden Park as hopes of an open spectacle took a knock before the semi-final had even got going. Perhaps the nagging question was who would the new conditions favour but before opinions were given, the rain abated.
Despite an almost immediate Welsh pack foray through the driving maul, it was France who came out of the blocks with the bit between their teeth when William Servat found space on the blindside to allow go-forward ball that took them into the red zone. However, Wales were solid enough to counteract that attack and soon set off on one of their own, fly-half Hook it was who put the ball into George North's grasp which led to the game's first three points.
Wales were looking like the confidence they had picked up during earlier rounds was still coursing through the veins and a dominant first scrummage against the French - which saw them awarded a penalty by referee Alain Rolland - gave them an extra shot in the arm. Hook's missed attempt at goal definitely was not what the doctor ordered though. Neither was the sight of in-form prop Adam Jones limping off with only twelve minutes gone.
It was all going swimmingly for the Welsh until the moment arrived that turned the game and all but ended their hopes of making the World Cup final. France were looking to attack the fringes of a line-out on halfway but Vincent Clerc found his path firmly shut by flanker Warburton - the skipper lifting, turning and tipping Clerc much to the displeasure of Rolland. Warburton was shown red amid mass boos and jeers from the supporters wearing that colour. As expected, the fallout of that refereeeing decision is already well underway.
For Wales it was abundantly clear that they now needed the performance of their lives while France could almost smell another final on New Zealand soil. Parra - given the kicking tee earlier in the day - quickly helped them on their way with a penalty just after the quarter and another on minute 33. That saw France go 6-3 up but there was still a feeling Wales had something in their locker, before or after Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards got their say.
What might have given the Wales players and coaching staff encouragement was the statistic that France made 22 more tackles during the first-half. A sign of Welsh pride.
Let's be honest, Wales had to clutch all of the mini-victories they could at this stage but seeing Servat and Jean-Baptiste Poux being replaced by the fresh legs of forwards Dimitri Szarzewski and Fabien Barcella just four minutes into their return was not something they could spin into a positive. Neither was another three from Parra after a collapsed driving maul brought an end to a sustained period of territory for Les Bleus. 9-3 was now their lead.
Gatland had obviously sensed that without their captain on the field, Wales needed real experience in the middle and who better to call upon than someone with 100+ caps in his cabinet. Enter Stephen Jones in place of Hook and so it began as Wales did superbly to weather that passage of pressure before Phillips, like against Ireland, caught the defence napping, fending and ghosting through for a key score. Jones missed the extras though.
The crowd had found their voice and feet once again, as did the replacement benches of both sides as Bradley Davies and Julien Pierre joined the fray ahead of the final fifteen.
It had turned into a true semi-final as no one knew which way the game would turn next. A single point was all that was in it and the tension was palpable, no more so than when Wales set up camp five out on two occasions. Their first charge resulted in a horrible left-footed drop-goal attempt by Jones before he failed to get into the pocket for the second.
There was further drama to come, however, when Nicolas Mas was ruled offside at a ruck. But full-back Leigh Halfpenny's 75th minute long-range penalty dipped under the crossbar.
And those three chances proved golden moments as France held on for an undeserved place in the final, with several of their players looking embarrassed about celebrating.
Man of the match: All fourteen Welsh players on the field. They played with their hearts on their sleeves for their country and were desperately unlucky not to be in next week's final.
Moment of the match: Simple; the red card for Sam Warburton.
Villain of the match: While the law is the law, a quick decision from referee Alain Rolland pretty much sealed the fate of Wales. If he had of taken time to talk to his touch-judges Wayne Barnes and Jonathan Kaplan then maybe the game might not have been soured.

The scorers:
For Wales:
Try: Phillips
Pen: Hook

For France:
Pens: Parra 3

Red card: Warburton (Wales - 18th min - tip tackle)

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (capt), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Lloyd Burns, 17 Paul James, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Scott Williams.

France: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Aurélien Rougerie, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 Morgan Parra, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (capt), 5 Lionel Nallet, 4 Pascal Papé, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 William Servat, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Replacements: 16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Fabien Barcella, 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 20 Francois Trinh-Duc, 21 Jean-Marc Doussain, 22 Cedric Heymans.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Wayne Barnes (England)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy




All Blacks march into World Cup Final
.16th October 2011
...New Zealand are just 80 minutes away from possible Rugby World Cup glory after booking their place in the final with a convincing 20-6 victory over Australia at Eden Park on Sunday.
The hosts - the only unbeaten team left in the tournament - will face France at the same venue in seven days in a repeat of the 1987 RWC final.
New Zealand led 14-6 at half-time thanks to a try from centre Ma'a Nonu, created by a brilliant run and offload by full-back Israel Dagg. And further points from Piri Weepu provided the cement.
Conditions were perfect for a fixture many had billed as being fitting of a final. The anthems and Kapa O Pango were stirring but the biggest cheer before 21:01 arrived at the kick-off when public enemy number one, Quade Cooper, sent his drop-kick out on the full. Cue happy Kiwis.
What also caused bums off seats was the form of Dagg - back in the XV following injury - and he immediately caught the eye with his running ability. The full-back was slicing Australia to bits during the first six minutes and when he cut down the right before offloading back inside to Nonu, the hosts were on the board. Inspirational nine Weepu was unsuccessful with his first kick but nine Wallaby missed tackles was far cry from their effort against the Boks.
Weepu struck the post moments later when David Pocock was penalised at the ruck but did find his range on twelve minutes from a similar position.
Australia needed a foothold at 8-0 down as a fired-up New Zealand looked to work the body of their trans-Tasman rivals. Digby Ioane almost provided the perfect fillip to their cause from a counter-attack but fell just short of the line following a good fend on the covering defence. It resulted in three points however via the boot of James O'Connor which helped ease the early loss of heavyweight prop Sekope Kepu to injury, James Slipper his replacement.
Their reprieve was shortlived though as back came the hosts with a Cruden drop-goal. Meanwhile, Cooper was having the game of his nightmares. The fly-half was slicing numerous kicks from hand to go with that initial kick-off, with many a coach probably eyeing up Berrick Barnes even on 25 minutes.
In fact Barnes did emerge as a blood-bin replacement for Pat McCabe soon after fly-half Cooper had shown character when sitting back in the pocket in response to Cruden's effort. At 11-6 the game was nicely poised for Australia going into the break but then an unlucky ricochet off lock Dan Vickerman that went forward to Adam Ashley-Cooper promptly put the lead back to eight at 14-6. New Zealand's public were breathing a lot easier for their charges.
It was looking like being the same final as 1987.
History being repeated gained further momentum not three minutes after the resumption too when an Owen Franks tackle led to McCabe holding on in a kickable position, Weepu having the simple task of extending matters to eleven as Australia and Robbie Deans worked out the next score would be vital. The probability that would be Gold was reducing by the minute however as mistake after mistake, such as obstruction and fumbles, foiled their efforts.
What was also noticeable was the lack of impact flanker Pocock was having on proceedings, with a tighter rule on the breakdown applied by referee Craig Joubert. Sunday's official did not however have to be a rocket scientist to spot the side-entry from hooker Stephen Moore but Weepu sent his penalty wide from distance, which was set to be his last act due to the arrival of Andy Ellis for the final fourteen minutes. Australia had also put on Tatafu Polota-Nau.
The Wallabies' front-row change made little impact to their cause and it was in fact New Zealand's Andrew Hore who enjoyed the better closing stages, first winning a breakdown penalty for his side and then being the middle of All Black dominance at scrum-time. The game was all but sealed thanks to returning scrum-half Weepu - on for a bloodied Ellis - knocking over three points to make it 20-6. The Kiwis were home and hosed, or so they thought.
Why? A yellow for Sonny Bill Williams for a shoulder charge on Cooper made for an anxious final four minutes but the hosts stood firm. Next, France - again.
Man of the match: New Zealand's forwards were dominant from minute one but it was the cutting edge that Israel Dagg brought from full-back that sees him wrestle this award from one of his pack. Dagg was a calming presence when Australia kicked long, sending fine returns into touch while also combining those with the mesmeric step that has been thrilling Crusaders fans all year. Mils Muliaina leaves his jersey in very good hands.
Moment of the match: The All Blacks came out of the blocks firing and when Ma'a Nonu crossed with just six minutes gone, they were well on their way.
Villain of the match: You know him, New Zealand loves to dislike him. Quade Cooper played the villain for those wearing black in the stands.

The scorers:
For Australia:
Pen: O'Connor
Drop: Cooper

For New Zealand:
Try: Nonu
Pens: Weepu 4
Drop: Cruden

Yellow card: S.B. Williams (New Zealand - 76th min - shoulder charge)

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Rob Horne.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Romain Poite (France)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

[Welshboy]

Sit down relax and watch this.
The Lions - New Zealand 1971
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b014b5j9/

5 live Sport - 5 live Rugby
- Wales v France reaction
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b016nkb5/

Lièvremont slams his 'spoiled brats'
.16th October 2011
...Marc Lièvremont has stirred up more upheaval in his French World Cup squad, describing some players as "spoiled brats" after they ignored his orders and went out celebrating the narrow semifinal win over Wales.
Lièvremont was a player in the squad.
"I went to bed in a bad mood because I'd asked the players not to go out, and I found out a few of them had gone out," Lièvremont, now the coach, said Sunday.
He called a meeting Sunday morning to reproach the players for their night out, telling them in harsh terms that they had let him down.
"I told them what I thought of them," he said. "That they're a bunch of undisciplined, spoiled brats, disobedient, sometimes selfish, always complaining, always whining, and they've been (frustrating me) for four years."
"It seems to be our way of functioning," Lièvremont continued, with an apparently serene look on his face, considering what he was saying. "I also told them I have a lot of affection for them, but it's a shame they don't know how to look after themselves."
Lièvremont has good reason to warn his players against getting carried away.
He recalls that the '99 team spent most of the week celebrating their inspired 43-31 comeback semifinal win over New Zealand and never prepared properly for the final, which they lost heavily to Australia.
"We're not world champions, we're in the final, that's all. I experienced this in 1999 ... why (does my attitude) surprise you? I'm surprised it surprises you," Lièvremont told reporters.
"Because in '99 we spent four days celebrating our semifinal win. We didn't prepare properly and I don't want us to relive the same thing."
Lièvremont has had harsh words toward his players before, berating them for their lackluster attitude in the opening pool win against Japan, and after the defeat to Tonga in the final pool match.
Perhaps with the repercussions from that in mind, he attempted to backtrack from his comments Sunday in a belated attempt at peacemaking.
The night out is incidental, it's not that important," he said
"It's not a few sneaky cigarettes, the two or three beers they're going to drink during the week or extra dessert they eat that's to hamper them for the preparation of the final."
Lièvremont continues to have tense relations with some of the French press, saying the players laughed at some of the headlines that have been written about the team.
But he appeared irritated when asked about France's level of performance against Wales, when France played for more than 60 minutes with an extra man but failed to score a try.
"I watched it again fairly early this morning, and I really enjoyed it," Lièvremont said with a wry smile when asked if he watched a video replay of the semi-final.


Recent Results
World Cup
Sunday , October 16
Australia 6 - 20 New Zealand
Saturday , October 15
Wales 8 - 9 France

Top 14
Toulon 38 - 0 Perpignan

LV= Cup
Newport-Gwent D'gons 16 - 46 Bath
Gloucester 58 - 27 Sale
Harlequins 26 - 19 London Irish
Scarlets 31 - 3 Leicester
Exeter 35 - 9 Ospreys
Newcastle 33 - 3 Cardiff Blues
Worcester 20 - 19 Wasps
Northampton 36 - 6 Saracens

Currie Cup
Cheetahs 49 - 39 Griquas
Sharks 53 - 9 Lions
Western Province 43 - 18 Pumas

Top 14
Friday , October 14
Bayonne 17 - 26 Montpellier
Bordeaux-Begles 22 - 18 Racing Metro Paris
Brive 32 - 7 Biarritz
Castres 24 - 3 Toulouse
Clermont Auvergne 27 - 13 Agen

Currie Cup
Blue Bulls 92 - 21 Leopards

[Welshboy]

Scrum V - 2011/2012
- 16/10/2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b016kh0m/

Finalists France climb to third in rankings
(Rugby News Service) Monday 17 October 2011
France’s reward for reaching a third Rugby World Cup Final is a rise to number three in the latest IRB World Rankings, thus becoming the first northern hemisphere nation to occupy this position in nearly 16 months.
Les Bleus were the last side to break the Tri Nations' stranglehold on the top three, albeit only for a week as their 41-13 loss in Argentina on 26 June 2010 allowed Australia to regain the place they had lost on the back of a defeat by England on home soil the previous weekend.
The tense 9-8 victory over 14-man Wales in the first semi-final at Eden Park on Saturday sees France climb above not only their opponents but also South Africa, who slip out of the top three for the first time since the beginning of Rugby World Cup 2007.
Wales have slipped two places to sixth, the position they occupied when they arrived in New Zealand, after missing out on a first ever Rugby World Cup Final appearance, with England climbing one spot as a result.
The second semi-final did not result in a positional change, but New Zealand have improved their rating by seven-tenths following a commanding 20-6 victory over Australia which set up a repeat of the inaugural Rugby World Cup Final in 1987 against France.
New Zealand, who would have surrendered top spot with defeat, now have a cushion of 4.85 rating points over Australia at the top of the rankings. Australia were never in danger of losing second spot, even with defeat, and still remain 1.7 points above France
IRB World Rankings - 17 October 2011
Position (last week) Member Union Rating Point
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 91.34
2(2) AUSTRALIA 86.49
3(5) FRANCE 84.79
4(3) SOUTH AFRICA 84.34
5(6) ENGLAND 81.58
6(4) WALES 81.10
7(7) IRELAND 80.65
8(8) ARGENTINA 80.28
9(9) TONGA 76.63
10(10) SCOTLAND 76.20

Wales determined to retain Gatland
(Rugby News Service) Monday 17 October 2011
Wales are determined to retain the services of New Zealand-born coach Warren Gatland after he led the Dragons into the Rugby World Cup 2011 semi-finals and the hearts of many neutral supporters.
Roger Lewis, the Wales Rugby Union chief executive, said he was confident the national team coach since 2007 would commit himself to Wales "because we have committed to him".
But Lewis is realistic enough to realise other interests may attempt to lure Gatland.
"The lure of other things in life can always be very powerful and nothing is certain in life," Lewis said. "From a contractual point of view I have got a contract certainty and at this moment in time I don't see that changing."
The terms of Gatland's contract are not known but generally contracts run from World Cup to World Cup.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry and his two coaching cohorts, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, have their agreements with the New Zealand Rugby Union ending after RWC 2011 and if they do not reapply or are not retained, Gatland's name would be near the top of the union's wish list.

Rugby World Cup: Millennium Stadium to show play-off
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium will open again on Friday morning for Wales fans to watch them play Australia in the Rugby World Cup third-place play-off.
More than 61,500 people packed the venue on Saturday morning to see Wales lose narrowly to France in the semi-final in New Zealand.
Despite the match result, stadium officials regard the free ticketed event as a success worth repeating.
A civic reception on the squad's return to Wales is also being planned.
Wales are in the play-off for third place on Friday at 08:30 BST after their narrow 9-8 defeat by France. They will meet Australia, who lost the other semi-final on Sunday to hosts and favourites New Zealand 20-6.
The Welsh Rugby Union has reacted to the sending-off of captain Sam Warburton, which many believe cost Wales the chance of making the final. Warburton has also been banned for three weeks, meaning he will miss the play-off.
Chief executive Roger Lewis said the WRU was disappointed with the suspension but "respects the process which has been followed and understands the disciplinary procedures in place".
Mr Lewis said: "The WRU further wishes to state its unequivocal support for Sam Warburton as a role model and exemplary captain who has led Wales to formidable success in the competition so far."
In a statement released by the WRU, Warburton said: "I am naturally disappointed with the outcome, but now my job is to focus entirely on supporting the boys in their preparations for Friday's match".
Many families made an early start to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience Warburton had tweeted on Saturday: "Disappointing end result. Thanks for support back home and to those in the stadium, sure Delilah was sung more than once! Not over yet!!!!"
Fans snapped up free tickets to watch the Cardiff screening of Saturday's match in Auckland. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) installed a giant 100 sq metre screen on the pitch, along with the stadium's two permanent large screens.
Initially, 25,000 tickets were released, but organisers released tens of thousands more when the huge demand became clear.
The attendance was given by the WRU as 61,543 - almost 3,000 more than watched the game itself at Eden Park.

People out to get England - Thompson
.17th October 2011
...Steve Thompson believes there where people who were intent on "tearing" England apart during their disappointing World Cup campaign.
England's time in New Zealand was overshadowed by a number of off-field incidents that ensured that the team stayed in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The Rugby Football Union have since announced that they will investigate whether any members of the squad contravened their code of conduct.
However, while admitting that mistakes were made, Thompson believes that there where forces working against the team.
"It felt like from the day we turned up in New Zealand certain people were intent on tearing us to shreds," he wrote in his ESPNScrum column.

Joubert to ref World Cup final
...South African Craig Joubert will referee the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and France in Auckland on Sunday.
Joubert, who took charge of the semi-final between New Zealand and Australia at the weekend, will become only the second South African to referee rugby's showcase match, following Andre Watson who blew the 1999 and 2003 finals.
"The whole team [of tournament referees] has performed superbly, assisted each other and bonded over the course of the last six weeks and I would like to thank them for their support and best wishes," Joubert said.
His appointment was made by the International Rugby Board's (IRB) match official selection committee on Monday following a "thorough review of performances during the knockout phase".
Joubert will be joined by Alain Rolland of Ireland and Nigel Owens of Wales, the assistant referees, and Guilio de Santis of Italy, the television match official. Rolland is the reserve referee.

Another South African, Shaun Veldsman, will be the television match official for the bronze-medal clash between Australia and Wales in Auckland on Friday.
Englishman Wayne Barnes will take charge of the match. He will be supported on the field by assistant referees Romain Poite (France) and George Clancy (Ireland).

[Welshboy]

This has nothing to do with Wales or Rugby but it is interesting.
This is one of three and i will post all three.
Get a cup of Tea/Coffie sit back and injoy

Origins of Us
- 1. Bones
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/p00jjjw4/

[Welshboy]

Rugby World Cup 2011:
Wales 18-21 Australia
Friday, 21 October 2011

Wales (3) 18Tries: Shane Williams, HalfpennyCon: S JonesPens: Hook, S Jones
Australia (7) 21Tries: Barnes, McCalmanCon: O'ConnorPens: O'Connor 2Drop-goal: Barnes
Barnes scored a try in a superb personal display A Welsh World Cup campaign that held so much promise a week ago ended in disappointment as Australia won the third-place play-off.

A try and drop-goal from Berrick Barnes and eight points from the boot of James O'Connor left Wales with fourth place despite a try from Shane Williams in possibly his last Test appearance.

In an error-ridden contest short on quality and atmosphere, Wales failed to replicate their devastating attacking form of earlier in the tournament.

A succession of handling errors gifted the Wallabies the initiative, and Leigh Halfpenny's try in the 83rd minute came too late to deny Robbie Deans' men.

While the result gives Australia revenge for Wales' victory in the corresponding game in the inaugural World Cup 24 years ago, a serious knee injury to fly-half Quade Cooper left their celebrations muted.

And while Eden Park was virtually full, there was the unmistakeable whiff of anti-climax about the night, the minds of both players and supporters on Sunday's final and what might have been.

Wales will reflect that they lost three matches at this World Cup by a combined total of five points, with a host of missed kicks costing them dear in the final analysis.

Australia's hopes suffered an early blow when full-back Kurtley Beale limped off with a recurrence of his hamstring injury, but after Williams was clattered into touch by the right corner-flag the Wallabies struck with pace and precision.

Will Genia took quick ball from the back of an attacking scrum and fed Cooper, whose sweetly-timed flat pass put Barnes through the hole between Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts and under the posts.

O'Connor converted for 7-0, only for a fumble from David Pocock off a poor pass to set up a Welsh scrum in front of the Australian sticks. When referee Wayne Barnes called the Wallaby front row for collapsing, James Hook eased over the resultant penalty.

Australia lost Cooper to a serious knee injury With Australia looking for another gap deep in Welsh territory, Cooper then went down in a heap after his right knee appeared to buckle. He was carried off the pitch, clearly in great pain, his nightmarish World Cup coming to an end with an injury later confirmed as torn anterior cruciate ligaments.

O'Connor hit the right upright with a long-distance penalty attempt after prop Paul James was mangled at a scrum, and the game entered a scrappy phase with both sides spilling possession in contact and under the high ball.

Halfpenny pushed a penalty of his own wide to the right before Davies opted for a grubber with space outside him and put the ball into touch.

The errors continued after the interval as Hook somehow hooked a straightforward penalty from 25 metres out and O'Connor kicked the ball out on the full after taking it back inside his own 22.

But even without suspended skipper Sam Warburton, Wales were beginning to dominate the breakdown, and when Wallaby possession was burgled on halfway a clever kick ahead from Mike Phillips allowed Hook to gather behind the defensive line.

His pass out wide appeared to be both forward and short of Williams, but the old stager booted the ball onwards on the volley and kicked past the covering run of O'Connor before gathering and flopping over the line for his 58th Test try and an 8-7 lead.

Hook again missed his place kick, albeit from way out left, and O'Connor snatched back the lead with a brace of penalties as the Welsh forwards failed to roll away at the breakdown.

Barnes then lofted over a drop-goal from distance for a 16-8 lead with 15 minutes left, replacement Stephen Jones reducing the deficit to five points with a drilled penalty from 35m.

A glorious piece of counter-attacking rugby from the Wallabies' back line appeared to have made the game safe, Genia releasing Adam Ashley-Cooper to run from deep, the winger combining beautifully with O'Connor to cut through the Welsh defence until George North's desperate tackle on the try-line stripped the ball from Ashley-Cooper's grasp.

It was a brief stay of execution. Another handling error in the Welsh midfield allowed the Wallaby forwards to batter their way towards the try-line, and Ben McCalman took advantage of a disorganised defence to rumble over in the left-hand corner to seal victory.

Wales had the last word after a series of 30 controlled phases saw Bradley Davies put Halfpenny over in the left corner, Jones converting, but it brought little consolation.

Wales: L Halfpenny; G North, J Davies, J Roberts, S Williams; J Hook, M Phillips; G Jenkins (capt), H Bennett, P James, L Charteris, B Davies, D Lydiate, T Faletau, R Jones.

Replacements: L Burns (for Bennett, 70), R Bevington (for James, 64), AW Jones (for Charteris, 53), A Powell (for Lydiate, 64), L Williams (for Phillips, 64), S Jones (temp for North, 33-37, for Hook, 50), S Williams (for J Davies, 70).

Australia: K Beale; J O'Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, B Barnes, D Ioane; Q Cooper, W Genia; J Slipper, T Polota Nau, S Ma'afu, J Horwill (capt), N Sharpe, S Higginbotham, D Pocock, B McCalman.

Replacements: S Faingaa (for Polota Nau, 52), B Alexander (for Ma'afu, 59), R Simmons (for Sharpe, 46), R Samo (temp for Higginbotham, 30-33), L Burgess (for Genia, 67), A Faingaa (for Cooper, 20), R Horne (for Beale, 10).

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

[Welshboy]

Australia vs Wales.
http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=282910
There is no getting around the adverts

[Welshboy]

Scrum V - 2011/2012- 21/10/2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b016vqgb/

New Zealand claim the World Cup!
.23rd October 2011
...It was not as convincing as many fans expected but the All Blacks held on to claim an 8-7 success over France and with it their second World Cup crown.

Les Bleus were a completely different side to the one that had fallen to the 2011 hosts and also Tonga during the Pool stages.

And they pushed the Kiwis right up until the death in a highly-charged 80 minutes at Eden Park on Sunday.

But New Zealand managed to beat their rivals who had caused them such bother in the past, ultimately banishing their 1999 and 2007 ghosts.

The score has a certain eeriness to it too - '87?

Auckland was alive with All Blacks supporters all afternoon as the whole population hoped for an end to their 24 years of Webb Ellis hurt. Tickets were not sold out however as only hours before kick-off, sales were still going: cheapest for $401 ranging up to £1280 for the most expensive.

France meanwhile had banked on proving that their 6/1 bookmaker price for a game of such magnitude was way off the mark, and they duly racked up the phases inside opposition territory. This followed les Bleus not backing down from the Kapa O Pango - in fact they walked into it.

A marker was well-and-truly thrown down by France.

It was always going to be key for France to deprive New Zealand of the same start they enjoyed against the Wallabies and that was exactly what they managed, keeping the All Blacks away from the red zone despite an early penalty miss from fan favourite Piri Weepu.

Their starvation attempt did not last as back came the All Blacks following a solid touch-finder from scrum-half Weepu. And from that ensuing line-out, superb off-the-top ball back inside to Tony Woodcock saw the prop ghost through unopposed. Cue a big sigh of relief.

Suddenly the momentum had swung while Morgan Parra continued to struggle, which eventually led to Francois Trinh-Duc replacing him. France were not going to be alone in losing their fly-half though as six minutes before the break, Aaron Cruden exited injured.

Breakdown supremacy was also always going to be vital and as is their wont in 2011, the All Blacks soon dominated matters, which should have resulted in another three from Weepu. However, the former Hurricane looked like he was kicking in one with another missed shot.

Despite those eight points from the tee having gone begging, there was little worrying New Zealand heading past the half-hour mark but as this nation had become accustomed to, France aren't to be taken lightly, particularly with only a five-point lead taken into the sheds.

Marc Lievremont was clearly encouraged from what he had seen from his charges and sent the French back out from the break with the greater intent, but this time it was they who counted the cost of a penalty miss. Dimitri Yachvili sending the ball just wide of the uprights.

It looked like New Zealand had made the visitors pay for that failed attempt when first-half replacement Stephen Donald slotted from bang in front, but as the French have a habit of doing in this tournament, they soon came back to haunt their hosts. Thierry Dusautoir it was who crossed as the All Blacks fell asleep in defence following Donald's effort. The visiting captain burrowed his way over close to the post to make it an easy conversion for Trinh-Duc.

Suddenly the nerves of yesteryear were weighing on the hearts and shoulders of the 61,000
play nervously pitched itself on the halfway line coming up to the hour mark. That aforementioned 6/1 bookies price tag had become a great amount shorter.

France had the chance to snatch an unlikely World Cup crown on 63 minutes when Trinh-Duc lined up a 45-metre penalty but it proved unsuccessful as New Zealand weathered both the French storm and the pressure they'd put on themselves after almost a quarter-of-a-century without the Webb Ellis trophy.

The game was on a knife edge right until the final moments but the hosts just managed to hold on and end 24 years of waiting for their second RWC, McCaw left holding the prize.

Man of the match: Yet another towering performance from Imanol Harinordoquy has gone into the locker of the Biarritz stalwart. The number eight proved once again he is a must in this French line-up as he foiled several home line-outs, ran well in open play and also had a good night in close quarters. However, along with Thierry Dusautoir, Richie McCaw put in captain's performance on Sunday and was colossal at the breakdown. Big game effort.

Moment of the match: It had looked like France were going to upset New Zealand in 1999, 2007 and now 2011 when Francois Trinh-Duc lined up a long-range penalty attempt with only a quarter of the game remaining. The replacement fly-half did not get hold of his attempt though and that proved the difference between the two when it came down to it.

Villain of the match: A game played in good spirits. Nothing to report.

The scorers:
For France:
Try: Dusautoir
Con: Trinh-Duc

For New Zealand:
Tries: Woodcock
Pen: Donald

France: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Aurélien Rougerie, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 Morgan Parra, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Lionel Nallet, 4 Pascal Papé, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 William Servat, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Replacements: 16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Fabien Barcella, 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 20 Jean-Marc Doussain, 21 François Trinh-Duc, 22 Damien Traille.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.

Referee: Craig Joubert
By Adam Kyriacou at Eden Park

[Welshboy]

Rugby News

Henry to coach Barbarians
.24th October 2011
...The All Blacks' World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry will take charge of the Barbarians against Australia at Twickenham next month.
Henry and his assistant, Steven Hansen, have agreed to coach the famous side against the Wallabies on November 26.
The duo guided the All Blacks to success in Sunday's Rugby World Cup final, beating France 8-7 at Auckland's Eden Park to end a 24-year wait for the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Several of the world's biggest names have agreed to play in the match, including All Blacks duo Keven Mealamu and Sonny Bill Williams, Springbok locks Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Wales pivot Stephen Jones, former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock and Wales centre Jamie Roberts


Dusautoir named world's best player
.24th October 2011

France captain Thierry Dusautoir has been named the IRB Player of the Year, during a star-studded ceremony in Auckland on Monday
Dusautoir is the second Frenchman to win the award, following in the footsteps of former national team captain, Fabien Galthié, who claimed the accolade in 2002.

New Zealand were named IRB Team of the Year and Graham Henry IRB Coach of the Year, to add to the Rugby World Cup crown they claimed at Eden Park with a hard-fought 8-7 victory over the French on Sunday.

Dusautoir was outstanding all season for France, including in the World Cup and particularly the final where his defensive effort and ball-carrying inspired the French against the hosts.
He was picked ahead of five other nominees - New Zealand scrum-half Piri Weepu, flanker Jerome Kaino and centre Ma'a Nonu and Australia flanker David Pocock and halfback Will Genia.

The winners were selected by the awards' independent panel of judges, chaired by Rugby World Cup-winner John Eales and made up of former internationals with more than 500 caps between them. The panel deliberated on every major Test match played this year, starting with the first Six Nations match and finishing with the Rugby World Cup 2011 Final.
The glittering event, which also celebrated 125 years of the International Rugby Board, was a fitting finale to what IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset described as an "exceptional" Rugby World Cup and was attended by all four semi-final teams, royalty and stars from sport and entertainment.
Earlier in the day, an estimated 240,000 fans turned up to catch a glimpse of the All Blacks who were last to arrive at the Vector Arena with the Webb Ellis Cup.
Other award winners on the night included South Africa's Cecil Afrika, who won the IRB Sevens Player of the Year. Afrika was the outstanding player from the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series and finished as the top try and point scorer. Afrika scored 40 tries and 385 points across seven events, returning from injury in double quick time to inspire the Blitzbokke to Cup success in Las Vegas, and was also key in their victories in London and Scotland.

England's George Ford took home the IRB Junior Player of the Year gong. Ford becomes England's first recipient of this award after playing a key role in his country's run to the IRB Junior World Championship 2011 final in Italy, where they ultimately lost 33-22 to New Zealand.

Australia number eight Radike Samo was awarded the IRPA Try of the Year, for his effort in the Tri-Nations decider between New Zealand and Australia in Brisbane. The Fijian-born 35-year-old forward received the ball on his own 10m line and shrugged off a couple of All Black defenders before outsprinting the cover defence to score a remarkable individual try.

Full list of IRB awards winners
IRB Player of the Year: Thierry Dusautoir
IRB Team of the Year: New Zealand
IRB Coach of the Year: Graham Henry
IRB Junior Player of the Year: George Ford, England
IRB Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC: Cecil Afrika, South Africa
IRB Women's Personality of the Year: Ruth Mitchell
IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service: Keith Lawrence
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service: Jock Hobbs
IRB Development Award: Rookie Rugby
IRB Spirit of Rugby Award: Wooden Spoon
IRPA Special Merit Award: George Smith, Australia
IRPA Try of the Year: Radike Samo, Australia v New Zealand


Lawrence to referee Currie Cup final
.24th October 2011
.Mark Lawrence has been appointed to referee Saturday's Currie Cup Final between the Golden Lions and the Sharks in Johannesburg.
The 46-year-old Lawrence, who recently announced his retirement from international refereeing, was also the man in charge of the Currie Cup Final in 2007 and the Super 14 Final in 2008.
Former Test referee Andre Watson, who is now the general manager of the South African Rugby Referees Association, said Lawrence is among the best officials in the game


'Home' games no guarantee for Wales
.24th October 2011
...Wales can't be certain of hosting any matches in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset said on Monday.
England won the bid to hold the tournament on its own, but Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Roger Lewis has been pushing lately for Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to host pool games involving Wales and up to two quarter-finals not involving the Welsh.
However, the Tri-Nations powerhouses have opposed Wales playing at the Millennium Stadium, saying that if Wales and England are placed together in a pool then the other teams in the pool would be disadvantaged by conceding home advantage twice.
Lapasset said the IRB and England 2015 organisers have discussed using the Millennium Stadium without making any decisions yet.
"No guarantee (for Wales)," Lapasset said.
"We have two objectives. The first is maximising revenues to be successful, and the second objective is to run a quality tournament for everyone like we have done in New Zealand.
"We opened 12 venues (in New Zealand) to make it possible for as many fans to participate. It will be the same in England, but which cities in England we have not decided."
England have proposed using Twickenham and Wembley in London, and Leicester's Welford Road, Gloucester's Kingsholm, Leeds' Elland Road. The English were also interested in football arenas Old Trafford, Anfield, St. James Park and Emirates Stadium, subject to their needs.

[Welshboy]

Origins of Us
- 2. Guts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/p00jjjxm/

[santos123]

Hi All....Anybody know whats happend to Welsh Boy?

[santos123]

Hi all.
Got some news on Welsh boy.
He is now living in a council house in Porthcawl.
With a lady boy from udon.
They have opened a fish and chip shop.
So if your on porthcawl seafront, and feeling a bit peckish.
Please come in, for a real udon fish and chip dinning experience.
santos123

[Aardvark]

Bad Luck for a very Talented young Man .... http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/ ... r-of-aust/

[GT93]

This might get Welsh Boy's ladyboy partner more interested in the haka if Wales is playing NZ:

"Maori have a tradition of public nudity. Professor Rawiri Taonui says pre- European Maori sometimes performed haka with an erection.

"In fact, there is some literature that says that, unless a man could perform the haka with an erection, he was not adequate. The thinking behind it is that a warrior should have no fear. Maintaining an erection while you're performing a haka would seem to indicate confidence."

From: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/ ... be-exposed

I'd never heard of this about having a boner while doing the haka. Maaka do you think this is a wind up?