Samoa’s Uale Mai (with ball) fights through three New Zealand defenders during the USA Sevens Rugby tournament in Las Vegas, Nev. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Samoa surprised everyone by defeating the powerful New Zealand squad 26–19 in the USA round of the HSBC Sevens Rugby Cup at Las Vegas, Nev., Sunday afternoon.

The Samoans combined fierce defense with a swift, slashing attack, which the New Zealanders could not contain. The Samoans opened with a pair of unanswered tries (the rugby equivalent of touchdowns), and New Zealand’s Charles Piutau broke loose with a Samoan turnover to put some points up just before halftime.

Samoa came out strong in the second half with a run down the right sideline, making the score 19–5 two minutes into the half. The Samoan squad then played keep-away, holding on to the ball for as long as possible and stifling any New Zealand assault with swarming defense.

Samoa’s defensive tactics paid off until, with 45 seconds left, New Zealand’s Tomasi Cama broke free for a 50-yard try. The subsequent kick-off went out of bounds, and on the inbound play New Zealand’s Ardie Savea broke free for another 50-yard scoring run, tying the match at 19 with 15 seconds left on the clock.

Samoa had the option of killing the final 15 seconds and coming back in overtime, but after spending most of the half playing conservatively, decided instead to make one more effort. The final horn had already sounded when New Zealand won the ball in a scrum, and put together a series of 18 passes to finally feed Alafoti Faosiliva on the right sideline. Faosilivia powered through a pair of defenders and managed to extend the ball over the try-line for the game-winning score as he was dragged to earth.

Seven-Man: Rugby Sped Up

For people who have seen regular rugby, the seven-man game is a different animal entirely. The game still has all the powerful running and brutal hitting that makes rugby so exciting, but with half the defenders running plays a bigger role than in the 15-man game. There are more chances for a runner to break through the defense and get loose for 20 or 30 yards—or even 50, as the New Zealanders did twice in the final match at Las Vegas.

The periods are half-sized, too. Halves are 7 minutes each for all games except the final, which has 10-minute halves. This doesn’t make the matches easier; teams have to play two matches a day for each three-day weekend on the nine-event schedule. Getting up for the final game after two-and-a-half days of battering has got to be tough—and the final game is, of course, the most important.

Rugby doesn’t get much prime-time coverage in the United States. However, that might change as the sport gains a following in North America. Canadian and U.S. squads both made good showings. USA made an unexpectedly strong run before losing to the mighty Australian squad in the Bowl semifinals; the same Aussie seven downed Canada in the Bowl final. (There are three tiers of trophies awarded: Plate for teams beaten twice in their draw, Bowl for teams beaten once, and Cup for teams undefeated throughout a weekend.)

Rugby rules are not that complicated. Particularly with the seven-man game, there is lots of readily appreciable excitement to get novices involved while they learn the finer points. While it will likely never replace the NFL, rugby provides the kind of hard-running, hard-hitting action that football fans enjoy.

Captain Richie McCaw of the Rugby World Cup Champion All Blacks hoists the Webb Ellis Cup after beating France 8-7 in the final on Sunday night. This was the first championship for the All Blacks since 1987. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

As Andy Ellis booted the ball into the stands shortly after the clock struck 80 minutes, he kicked 24 years of agony with it. Finally, the All Blacks are Rugby World Cup Champions again.

In one of the grittiest defensive battles of the tournament, the New Zealand All Blacks beat France 8-7 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

“We had to dig deeper than ever before and it’s hard to get it to sink in, but I am so proud of every single one of them,” All Black captain Richie McCaw said after the match.

In a rematch of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, France came out dominating possession. The action was hard-hitting and fast-paced, keeping the 61,000 in attendance, and the millions of New Zealanders watching at home on the edge of their seats.

The All Blacks struck first, getting their only try from an unlikely source as prop Tony Woodcock rumbled through a huge hole in the defense, sliding over the try line for his first try of the World Cup at the 15-minute mark. Piri Weepu attempted the conversion, but missed, keeping the All Blacks lead to a slim 5-0.

The All Blacks perform the Haka with their championship medals and beside the Webb Ellis trophy. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Weepu was given a starting role after injuries to superstar fly-half Dan Carter and his replacement Colin Slade, who both went down with groin injuries. Carter was injured during a final training session before a pool play match against Canada, and Slade went down in the quarter-final win against Argentina. Many thought the All Blacks would suffer without Carter, but Weepu carried the torch on his broad shoulders. Sunday night was not his night however, as he missed a conversion and two penalty kicks, leaving eight points untaken.

The All Blacks appeared to catch a bad break when they lost Aaron Cruden in the 33rd minute. He hyperextended his right knee and was forced to watch the remainder of the match from the bench. Losing a starter is never a good thing, but little did they know that replacement Stephen Donald would provide the difference.

Donald took over kicking duties for the shaky Weepu and nailed a 36-meter penalty kick just four minutes into the second half, putting the All Blacks up 8-0.

The 8-point buffer would not last long…

Fatigue and elation … France overcome Wales 9-8 to make the world cup final. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images )

Poised on the cusp of immortality, New Zealand face their toughest opponent, France, in the Rugby World Cup final in Auckland this Sunday (Oct 23.)

Virtually everybody has written France off—the fans, opposing world cup coaches, the media. Some of the criticism is almost vitriolic, with many commentators saying France doesn’t deserve a place in the final.

Even France’s coach Marc Lievremont called his players “spoiled brats”. “Undisciplined,” he said, “disobedient, sometimes selfish, always complaining, always whingeing.”

France has bumbled its way through the cup, losing to the small island nation of Tonga, then only just beating Wales 9-8 in their semi-final, even though Wales was reduced to 14 players for three-quarters of the match after their captain, Sam Warburton, was sent off.

The All Blacks are a total contrast. They are the only unbeaten side in the competition and they overwhelmed the number-two side in the world, Australia, 20-6 in their semi-final last weekend. New Zealand produced almost faultless, precision rugby, capped by the return from injury of dazzling young fullback Israel Dagg.

A question-mark hung over the head of fly-half Aaron Cruden, 22, who was brought into the squad to replace Colin Slade who was deputising for the injured superstar Dan Carter—a player widely considered to be the best in the world.

Critics foretold that the loss of Carter could de-rail the All Black campaign. When his replacement Slade also succumbed to the same tournament-ending groin injury, the critics foretold doom.

However, third-choice Cruden slipped into the New Zealand back-line like a hand into a glove.

By contrast, Australia’s controversial fly-half Quade Cooper had a poor game, seemingly affected by both the pressure and the animosity of the crowd. Earlier this year, the brilliant Cooper had steered Queensland to victory in the Super 15.

He then steered Australia to victory in the Tri Nations.

His form has slipped throughout the cup. At the same time, the New Zealand public took a dislike to Cooper, who was born in New Zealand.

The animosity began in Hong Kong last year when Cooper put several cheap shots on the New Zealand captain Ritchie McCaw during a Bledisloe Cup game.

On the field, his audacious talents enable him to treat opponents with contempt. He seemed to treat the New Zealand public with the same contempt, which fuelled the animosity.

In the semi-final against the All Blacks, Cooper struggled, as the whole Australia team struggled.

France, All Blacks Bogey Team

This Sunday the erratic France meet the hyper-disciplined New Zealand. The facts say it’ll be an easy New Zealand victory. But I’m not so sure.
France is the bogey team for New Zealand; it has always been Le Bleus unsettling the All Blacks. France consistently has unexpected against-the-run-of-play wins—and has knocked New Zealand out of the world cup twice.

Finally, against all expectations, France knocked New Zealand out of the last world cup, held in France in 2007.

Peter Lalanabarvi has over 30 years experience a rugby writer.

The All Blacks perform the haka during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match New Zealand vs Argentina in Auckland on Oct. 9. New Zealand won 33-10. (William West/AFP/Getty Images)

Imagine an NFL Sunday like this:

The New York Jets march onto the field and line up in hulking formation; they squat half way to the ground, like tigers ready to strike, and begin to chant tribal hymns. One of the linemen lets out a war cry, they beat their chests like thunder, stomp the ground in unison, and unveil a tribal war dance.

Not quite what we’re used to, but something all too common in the land down under. Welcome to a New Zealand All Blacks game and say hello to football’s rowdy older cousin, rugby.

As a die-hard NFL fan the last thing I cared about was rugby. But after seeing the All Blacks shake the earth with their opponent-taunting Maori war dance, I was intrigued.

I plugged in and boy was I surprised.

Imagine an NFL Sunday like this:
Rugby is kind of an American football and soccer hybrid, where possessions play like soccer and teams tackle and score similar to football. Any football fan will dig it after a little orientation to the rules.

And right now is the best time to become a rugby fan because the best of best are fighting for it all in the Rugby World Cup—a spectacle that only graces the planet once every four years.

This year’s tournament started in New Zealand with 20 teams representing 20 countries, but now it’s down to the final four. The teams share one wish: a chance to play for the holy grail of the rugby world: The Webb Ellis Cup.

This is not a tournament for the faint-hearted: rugby and the Rugby World Cup (RWC) are physical, aggressive, violent, and only the strongest survive.

The RWC started in 1987 with the New Zealand All Blacks being the first winners. The defending champs are the South Africa Spring Boks, which once beat the All Blacks in a thriller of a final that was surrounded with a conspiracy involving allegations of food poisoning. True or not, there certainly were New Zealand players sick on the side of the field.

Richie McCaw of the All Blacks hands off Gonzalo Camacho of Argentina. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Early rugby history and the initial World Cup win put the All Blacks on a pedestal and gave them a sterling reputation for being the best. When it comes crunch time however, the All Blacks have fallen short—they haven’t won a World Cup since the beginning. Australia, South Africa, and England have all held up the trophy and France and Ireland always put up a good fight.

The minnows are teams like Japan, Canada, and the USA, which are often on the receiving end of a severe thumping, but slowly these teams are getting stronger.

So as a born and bred football lover, I give my solemn approval to rugby. These skilled warriors exhibit talent, strength, and teamwork and their exciting games are the perfect complement to any football lover’s palette.

With additional reporting by Chris Holehouse.

Mighty minnows—Tongan prop Soane Tonga'uiha leads the charge as the Pacific Islanders crush France 19-14 in Wellington. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

New Zealand has slipped in favoritism as all the big rugby nations move through to this weekend’s quarter finals.

It was a week where the off-field drama almost matched the drama on the field.

The best player in the world, New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter, injured his groin while practising his kicking. He is out for the tournament.

His replacement, Colin Slade, is a shadow of the great Carter. Many people would rather see half-back Piri Weepu be used. He replaced Slade to good effect in the second half when New Zealand beat Canada 79-10 in Wellington. Despite playing at fly-half in the Super 15, Weepu is the best half-back for New Zealand, so shifting him comes at a cost.

New Zealand plays Argentina in Auckland on Sunday in the only clear-cut quarter-final.

England vs. France

England plays their old foe France in Auckland on Saturday. Both teams have off-field problems. French coach Marc Lievremont, who will be replaced after the tournament by Philippe Saint Andre, has had a running battle with the French media.

His players seem to disrespect him. However, they have been poor on the playing field, losing to Tonga 9-14 in the boil-over of the tournament. Seventy-four Test flanker Imanol Harinordoquy said he was disappointed that the coach had publicly criticised the team after the game.

“I am not happy because all the media know what he said,” Harinordoquy said. “I think there are things that have to stay in the room when you speak between the coach and players.”

Harinordoquy was questioned about his antipathy towards England, which team he has described as “extremely unpleasant, chauvinistic and arrogant.”He laughed, then said, “Always a big fan of England.”

Speaking euphemistically, he added that there would be “a lot of fighting in the game”

England has been playing better than France, but the mercurial French can never be discounted.

Dwarf-Throwing Continues

The press controversy over England centre Mike Tindall’s night of dwarf-throwing, drinking and womanising in Queenstown continues. It transpires that there is more to his “innocent” encounter with an unnamed woman.

Tindall is married to the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips, so interest in England is high. The unnamed woman, who has since been named, turned out to be an old flame of Tindall. Three other players have been reprimanded after harassing a female hotel worker in Dunedin.

Australia vs. South Africa

Australia plays current world champions South Africa in Wellington on Saturday. The Australians have been plagued by injury through the cup, but they have three star players back, hooker Stephen Moore, flanker David Pocock and winger Digby Ioane.

South Africa has lost inside-centre Frans Steyn who played himself into contention while Jean de Villiers was injured. The loss of Steyn’s long-range goal kicking will hurt the Africans. However, de Villiers is back from injury.

The Springboks go into the match with a powerful pack, which many see as the key to victory. But Australia has a brilliant, if unsettled back-line.

The referee is Bryce Lawrence from New Zealand. Australians believe he treats the Wallabies harshly.

The South Africans have an outstanding goal kicker in fly-half Morne Steyne, which makes the referee more significant. The Australians have several kickers, including winger James O’Connor and fly-half Quade Cooper.

Their relative inexperience may prove costly in the swirling Wellington wind.

Ireland vs. Wales

The final match is a clash of the Celts, with Ireland meeting Wales in Wellington on Saturday. Both sides came into the tournament with poor form, yet both have been outstanding.

The Irish set the cup alight by beating Australia 15-6 in Auckland, then went through their pool unbeaten. Wales lost one game in their pool, to South Africa 17-16.

Ireland looks the better side, but there is a hair’s breadth between them.

IRB Tests the Gate

The quarter-finals aside, the tournament has brought to light questions about the way the International Rugby Board runs the tournament.

The New Zealand and Australian rugby unions have complained that they lose home-Test gate takings because of the cup, which places an unworkable impost on their finances.

Many of the smaller nations, such as Samoa and the United States, complained about short-turnarounds between matches, compared to those given to the major nations.

The IRB has taken a high-handed stance throughout these debates. For example, IRB chief executive Mike Miller said this week, “Does the World Cup need the All Blacks? Everyone is replaceable.”

Peter Lalanabarvi has over 30 years experience a rugby writer.

Israel Dagg of the All Blacks goes over to score his second try during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and France at Eden Park on September 24, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Sandra Mu/Getty Images)

The Scots have the chance to knock England out of the world cup when the sides clash in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.

On paper, England is much stronger. But the Scots come into the game after losing to Argentina 12-13 in the dying minutes, so they will be focussed – and desperate. A loss will put them out of the cup.

Argentina, who meet lowly Georgia, are certain to go through to the quarter-finals.

New Zealand

The top-ranked side in the world, New Zealand, are the competition front-runner after their impressive 37-17 win over France in Auckland last Saturday. Though Les Bleus were under-strength, the Blacks were on-song.

The win featured the inclusion of young fullback Israel Dagg, 23, in place of the 98-Test veteran Mills Muliaina, 31, who debuted about the same time as NZ coach Graham Henry, who presides over his 100th Test when the All Blacks plays lowly Canada in Wellington on Sunday.

The French clash saw New Zealand captain Ritchie McCaw become the first All Black to play 100 games.

Different views

The French may profit from resting players, but the All Blacks defeat was comprehensive. No-one knows for certain whether player-management strategies are more valuable than momentum. The popular view is that momentum over-rules everything – the professional view is obviously different.

For example, both New Zealand and South Africa rested players through the just-completed Tri-Nations, then came second and a humiliating third respectively.
But at the moment, New Zealand is the cup favourite, while many people believe that South Africa – who won the last world cup – are really the favourite.

South Africa

The Africans are a riddle tied up in a conundrum. For example, hooker Bismarck du Plessis is one of the stars of the tournament. But he plays off the bench behind Springboks skipper John Smit, who seems to be one season too old.

Winger Brian Habana scored his 39th international try to break the South African record held by Joost van der Westhuizen to become the leading South African try-scorer. Sadly, van der Westhuizen, 40, is suffering from motor neuron disease and has been given an estimated two-to-five years to live.
Winger Habana had gone 11 Tests without a scoring a try.

The Springboks drew the Pool-of-Death, which includes Wales, Samoa and Fiji. While none of these sides are world-beaters, they are all significant teams, and each is capable of threatening, if not beating, any side.

The exciting thing about the South Africans is their commitment to boring play.

South African hooker Bismarck du Plessis shines in the cup despite starting behind captain John Smit (Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images)

While international-rugby evolves rapidly, the Springboks play the same way they did in the 1900s. That is: big tight-forwards, supported by big loose-forwards, supported by big backs, with the exception of the flyhalf, who is never touched because he prefers to kick rather than confront.

This outdated plan won them the last world cup in France in 2007. Back then almost-everyone “knew” they had lost the plot by clinging to long-outdated tradition.
They could silence any lingering criticism should the Boks back-up their success in the cup.

England

England, by contrast, have an exciting back-line to go with their traditionally good pack. Young, Samoan-born centre Manu Tuilagi – his brother Alesana Tuilagi plays on the wing for Manu Samoa – is outstanding, though he is yet to find form.

However, because of his skills, height and weight, the 20-year-old will almost certainly feature through the cup.

England centre Manu Tuilagi leaves defenders in his wake as his side defeats Romania 67-3 in Dunedin. (Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images)

His centre partner, Mike Tindall, 32, is married to the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips. He is considered to be too old, but he still managed to make headlines while celebrating in Queenstown. It’s questionable whether he did anything wrong, but he inspired ongoing headlines like this: “No more dwarf-throwing, drunkenness or womanising for England.”

Australia

Australia have been hit hard by injuries – and by an unexpected loss to Ireland, which means they will face South Africa then New Zealand on the path to the final.

With an ongoing injury to star open-side flanker David Pocock, there have been calls for the inclusion of Wallaby giant George Smith. However, the 110-cap Smith, 31, is playing in Japan, after being rejected by the Wallabies.

Australia are ranked two in the world, but the poor performance of their forwards through the cup means they are outsiders to win.

Ireland should beat Italy in Dunedin on Sunday to finish ahead of Australia in their pool, but both should go through to the quarter-finals.

Peter Lalanabarvi has over 30 years experience a rugby writer.

England v Georgia -- IRB RWC 2011 Match 18-Dunedin. (David Rogers/Getty Images)

Half way through pool play at the 2011 Rugby World Cup followers throughout New Zealand have been treated to a carnival like atmosphere. Overseas media reports have heaped praise on the New Zealand public for turning out in support of other nations with attendance rates high at games not featuring the All Blacks.

But the tournament has not been without controversy and surprising animosity. Some Australia supporters have been on the end of excessive trans Tasman rivalry, with a number of New Zealanders hurling abuse at supporters of the team they least want to win the cup.

Wallaby fan Phil Dunne told the New Zealand Herald that some supporters had crossed the line.

Mr Dunne and his wife had been at the receiving end of some vicious verbal attacks.

The animosity displayed by some New Zealanders "is so entrenched at this World Cup that most Kiwis don’t even realise how hostile they actually are", he said.

Although not representing the majority, the behaviour has alarmed many.

Victoria University associate professor of Psychology, Marc Wilson, told the Herald New Zealanders are driven by insecurities and are feeling “deeply, pathologically and perversely,” about the World Cup.

He said “New Zealand is no different from any other country in the world … we associate with things that make us feel positive about ourselves.”

Controversy has arisen over the naming of the French team to play the All Blacks at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday night.

Instead of naming a full strength side, French coach Marc Lievremont has excluded many of their stars in a bid, some say, to lose the match and have an easier road to the final, facing either Ireland or England, instead of Australia or South Africa.

“It’s wrong … but we’ll beat them where it counts—in the final,” All Black fan Gregg Thorpe told the Herald.

Controversial All Black Sonny Bill Williams assesses the Tongan defence in Auckland, where he 'thrilled' the crowd. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

In the match of the tournament so far, the Welsh outclassed South Africa but lost 16-17 in a nail-biter that could have gone either way.

The performance means the lowly-rated Welsh have shown they can match any team. The game showcased a well-rounded Welsh side that played faultless, high-pressure rugby against the great Springboks in full flight.

That is something that is much easier to say than do, which means the Welsh have a plan that they can execute almost faultlessly.

Both the Springboks coach, Peter de Villiers, and the captain, John Smit, said the Boks were lucky to win. Both thought the experience of the older side was crucial as they closed the game down in the final minutes.

The victory came at a high price because key players, centre Jean de Villiers and lock Victor Matfield, left the field injured.

The Welsh captain Sam Warburton, 22, outclassed the brilliant Springboks loose forwards—including superstar Schalk Burger—to be named man-of-the-match. He is a player to watch. As Wales is a team to watch.

The Welsh centres, Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts, outplayed the world-class Springboks duo of de Villiers and the equally great Jaque Fourie.

New Zealand vs Tonga

Meanwhile, the host, New Zealand, cruised to a 41-10 victory over Tonga, but an injury to outstanding flyhalf Dan Carter will expose under-performing back-up Colin Slade. This is the most-debated spot in the All Black squad—as it has been for several years.

The All Black coach, Graham Henry, kept Slade in the side despite widespread fan dissatisfaction. Perhaps he will find his feet playing Japan, one of the second-tier nations.

Best Matches this Weekend

Willing to die for country, Welsh front-rower Adam Jones sings the national anthem before starring against South Africa. (Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images)

The two matches of the weekend will be played on Saturday, with South Africa meeting Fiji and Australia meeting Ireland. South Africa and Australia are expected to win, with the Australian game being the closer of the two.

However, the Wallaby star, winger Digby Iaone, is out with a broken thumb that requires surgery. The brilliant Iaone covers for flyhalf Quade Cooper in defence, so his absence will require a fundamental change of plans.

The young Wallaby winger James O’Connor was subbed on during the somewhat slow 32-6 win over Italy. His arrival sparked a return-to-form by the Wallabies that will see him back in the starting line-up after being dropped.

Ireland and Second-tier Teams

The quality of the second-tier teams has been a feature of the tournament, with countries like Namibia, Rumania and the USA acquitting themselves well.

While Ireland stuttered to a 22-10 win over the USA, their forward pack showed it will test all-comers. Therefore Ireland, a cup outsider, have ticked box number-one, which says, “Everything begins up front.”

The criticism of flyhalf Ian Sexton continues. His back-up, the 113-cap, under-stated star Ronan O’Gara, was subbed on to great effect. It is easy to imagine O’Gara combining with fellow veteran, the Irish captain, superstar centre Brian O’Driscoll, to add thrilling danger to the Celtic forward power.

If the Irish pack can dominate the Wallabies in their coming match this weekend, a surprise result is possible. And, though improving, the Australian scrum remains a question mark.

More Players to Watch

All the attacking brilliance of Fiji was needed when they beat Namibia 49-25 in a highly entertaining match that marked the coming-of-age of the Namibians at their fourth world cup.

Fijian winger Vereniki Goneva scored four tries, to sink the Africans and to show that he will be a player to watch through the tournament. As one commentator said: “Listen to this. It’s one, two, three, four tries at the world cup.”

Talking of watching players, a huge, feminine cheer rung around Eden Park when All Black centre Sonny Bill Williams changed his torn, skin-tight jersey. Williams entered the match under a media cloud over both his performance and over a perception that he is too self-serving.

On field, he was excellent against Tonga. Off field, he polarises people. Some, like myself, admire him. Others dislike him intensely. Others think he’s hot. Whichever way, he is an x-factor player.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

Ireland has slipped to their lowest-ever ranking for the Rugby World Cup. At the foot of the Remarkables Mountain Range, the team is seen here during a training session at Queenstown Events Centre on September 7 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images)

New Zealand is favourite going into the Rugby World Cup which starts this Friday (September 9) when they play Tonga.

The tough-tackling Tongans will struggle to win, but they will punish the All Blacks with their death-or-glory style of play.

New Zealand has entered all world cups as hot favourite, yet has won only one. England and Australia have both won two. This time, though, the All Blacks are not-so-hot favourites after losing their last two Tri-Nations games – which saw Australia win the trophy.

This Rugby World Cup is in New Zealand, so the ante is raised significantly. New Zealand are known as world-cup chokers, so the pressure of playing at home in rugby-mad New Zealand will be intense.

Usually, the All Blacks are strong across the park, but there are question marks over the outside backs, the loose forwards and, crucially, at flyhalf, where the outstanding Dan Carter has a poor deputy.

The other two Tri-Nations teams, Australia and South Africa, go into the cup with momentum, both having beaten the All Blacks in their last encounter.

Australia

The Wallabies, in particular, are brimming with confidence after having beaten both the Springboks and then the All Blacks in the final two Tri-Nations fixtures.

Though experienced, they are a young side, so they improve with each game. Their mercurial flyhalf Quade Cooper could guide the Wallabies to victory. He has the ability to win a game with single-handed brilliance.

The Wallaby confidence is widely seen as arrogance outside Australia. But that laconic casualness is a hallmark of the great Wallaby sides.

South Africa

The Springboks stocks rose dramatically when the so-called A-team beat the All Blacks so-called B-team in South Africa. In one great game the image of the under-performing Boks was transformed. Suddenly, they were cup contenders. Suddenly too-old had become much-needed-experience; too-young had become the x-factor.

Before the win, the politically appointed black coach, Peter de Villiers, had become a laughing stock. But suddenly his crazy scheme to rest the top 21 players seemed to be sensible.

Unfortunately, the important Tri-Nations games leading up to the world cup are used as trial games. This makes a mockery of the Tri-Nations, which is a high price for the rugby public to pay.

England and France

The international rankings favour the southern hemisphere, with the All Blacks number one, the Wallabies number two and the Springboks number three.

But the northern hemisphere sides – particularly England and France – deserve higher billing. Both teams are used to playing in the wet, New Zealand-style conditions, which gives them an edge over Australia and South Africa.

Both sides know how to grind out a victory, which such conditions demand.

England have their superstar flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson back, exhorting his team-mates to make every second of every game significant. At 32, his skills – and his hard-working attitude – will have an important impact on the English side.

However, England was beaten by Wales in the lead-up to the cup and captain Lewis Moody will be out through injury for the first match at least.

Former England flanker and 2003 world-cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio has said the side is too young to win in New Zealand.
The French, like the Springboks, have been in a two-month training camp. Coach Marc Lièvremont said the side was in peak condition – the French beat Ireland twice in lead-up games.

Ireland

Ireland has had the worst possible lead-up to the cup, losing twice to France and also losing to England and Wales. As a result the great Ireland side has slipped to eighth place in the world rankings, their lowest position ever.

Others

Of the South Pacific nations, only Manu Samoa make the top 10 in the international rankings. However, their impressive, lead-up win over

The other pacific teams, Fiji and Tonga, along with Argentina, have the ability to beat any side with a touch of luck.
While under-rated Italy has the forward pack to surprise any team.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

Reds half-back Will Genia bursts clear to run 60 metres to score, sealing the final against the Crusaders. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images )

In a fairytale finish to their fairytale season, the Queensland Reds have taken the Super 15 title, with many players stepping straight into the international arena.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has selected 15 Reds in his 40-man Australian squad to play Samoa this Sunday.

To win their first Super 15 title, the Reds defeated the Crusaders 18-13 before a record 52, 000 home-ground fans at Suncorp Stadium.

Radike Samo, 35, is the fairytale within the Reds fairytale. The No. 8 played six Tests for the Wallabies in 2004. He was plucked from semi-retirement in Sydney club rugby last season by Reds coach Ewen McKenzie.

The defensive soundness of Samo and his fellow Reds forwards provided a platform for the brilliant backs.

Just like Samo, open-side flanker Beau Robinson was vegetating in Sydney last year after being discarded by the Waratahs. Given half-a-chance by coach McKenzie, Robinson packed his clothes into an old car and drove north to Brisbane.

McKenzie said all the contracts were filled, but Robinson could train with the Reds when bar work and club-rugby commitments allowed. Robinson not only played his way into the starting line-up, he became a pivotal member of the side.

He too has been selected in the Wallaby squad, which plays the Springboks in the Tri Nations opener in Sydney on July 23 after the warm-up game against Samoa in Sydney on Sunday.

In contrast, South African selections have been dominated by the unavailability of 21 players through injury, including stars Schalk Burger, Frans Stains and Victor Matfield.

Australian Rugby Union Boss John O’Neill said it appeared that the South African players were being rested ahead of the Rugby World Cup, to be held in New Zealand in November. He said the three countries – Australia, South Africa and New Zealand – had agreed to not to compromise the Tri Nations by resting players.

However, South African Rugby Union Boss Jurie Roux said the players were genuinely injured and that the Boks would play the best side available. Their intention was to win every Test they played.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry said all his players would be available for the All Blacks during the Tri Nations. He was unconcerned South African team selections.

He said the All Blacks have refined their game, even though they were the dominant team in the Tri Nations last year.

“We’re going through a process of analysing the game,” Henry said. “We’ve spent a lot of time on that. I’m sick of it quite frankly, I’ve been doing it for about seven months.”

Henry indicated the All Blacks may play more conservatively this year. He imagined the All Blacks would still play running rugby but he said winning would take priority. “If that means winning ugly, it means winning ugly,” he said.

With those comments, Henry shows he has his eye firmly fixed on the World Cup. Because conditions will be damp in New Zealand during November, all teams will need to have a wet-weather game.

With some night games being played at 9pm, the dew will make conditions slippery even when the weather is fine.

But a final word should go to the Crusaders, who lost the Super 15 after playing all their games away from home after their Christchurch ground was destroyed in the February earthquakes. Their quest to win the title saw them travel some 130, 000 km this season.

Though they failed to win the title for the people of Christchurch, the team praised the Reds. In fact, Crusaders and All Black lock Brad Thorn played rugby league for the Brisbane Broncos, winning four premierships.

He said he was pleased with the revival of rugby in Queensland after years in the wilderness.

“To see Queensland rugby so strong, there’s a big part of me that appreciates that,” Thorn said. “I think it’s a good thing.

Ryan Kankowski of the Sharks puts the ball over the line for a try during the round four Super Rugby match against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on March 11 in Melbourne, Australia. (Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

South African teams are dominating Super Rugby in this important Rugby World Cup year. The Sharks and the Stormers remain unbeaten after four rounds, while the Bulls have lost just a single game.

Yet, last Friday the star-studded Sharks almost lost to the Melbourne Rebels, who are in their first season. The Durban-based Sharks won 34-32, but only after number 8 Ryan Kankowsky and centre Meyer Bosman scored tries in the final 10 minutes.

The match featured a showdown between Springboks flyhalf Patrick Lambie and the Rebels’ Danny Cipriani, a former England international. Lambie, 20, made the Springboks last year after a starring role for Natal, who won the South African Curry Cup final against Western Province.

Lambie scored 14 points in Melbourne, Cipriani 18. But a telling missed pass from Cipriani led to a try by the Sharks. While Lambie has yet to establish himself as a Test player, he is widely viewed as a future international star. He also plays centre and fullback, but his ability to guide a team from flyhalf is invaluable, like New Zealand’s Dan Carter and England’s Jonny Wilkinson.

Unfortunately for the Rebels, their fullback, former Wallaby Mark Gerrard, was injured. This disrupts a new backline that was beginning to show brilliance. Captain Stirling Mortlock, 33, leads the backs. The former Wallaby captain has a point to prove. He was dumped as Wallaby captain by current coach Robbie Deans in 2009.

The general view then was that Mortlock was too old to make it to the world cup, which will be held this year in New Zealand.

For Mortlock, the creation of the Rebels must have been a godsend. He suddenly had the chance to prove to Australia – and then to the world – that he should still be Wallaby captain. Or, at least, still be in the team.

He and inside-centre, former Wallaby Julian Huxley, have formed a partnership that has become the focus of the Rebels backline. Suddenly “too old” is translating as “smart between the ears” and “too predictable” has become “mistake-free”.

Springbok young star �¢ï¿½�¦ Patrick Lambie of the Sharks throws a pass during the round four Super Rugby match against the Melbourne Rebels. (Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Their stability gives freedom to the mercurial Cipriani. But, with Gerrard gone, the strike-power of the backline will be hampered in coming weeks.

Of course they still have Cooper Vuna on the wing. Vuna, a former Rugby league player, started at inside-centre, but the switch with Huxley has suited both players. Huxley had a benign brain tumour removed in 2008, which kept him out of rugby until 2010, so even playing Super 15 rugby is an achievement in and of itself.

Umaga returns to NZ

While discussing centres, former All Black captain Tana Umaga started for the Chiefs against his team of 13 years, the Hurricanes, after returning to New Zealand following a stint with Toulon in France.

The Chiefs lost 29–26 in a cliff-hanger. Umaga played well and received warm applause from the Wellington crowd when he was subbed off after an hour. An emotional Umaga, 37, said he was surprised at this reception and also by his own nervousness before the game.

“Some of my best memories are on this park,” he said.

As All Black captain, Umaga led the first performance of the Capa O Pango haka against the Springboks in Dunedin in 2005. Written by the All Blacks, the haka was secretly rehearsed for weeks. The fiery performance by Umaga as haka leader was spine-tingling.

The haka, which is used occasionally, has been criticised by officials from Australia for the throat-cutting gesture at the finish. The Springboks, however, say they feel honoured that the All Blacks unveiled it against them. The teams are traditional rivals.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

Sonny Bill Williams of the Crusaders beats the tackle of Dave Dennis (R) and Ben Mowen of the Waratahs during their round three Super Rugby match, Trafalgar Park, in Nelson, New Zealand. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The Crusaders beat the top-placed Waratahs 33-18 in an emotion-charged match dedicated to earthquake-hit Christchurch.

The match was also dedicated to the memory of 29 miners who were killed in an underground explosion in the nearby Pike River Mine.

While earthquake aftershocks continue to rock Canterbury, it was the Crusaders’ first game since the disaster—166 bodies have been recovered as of Wednesday March 9.

After the third week victory, Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said: “I’ve never been prouder as a coach.”

The Waratahs went into the match unbeaten and playing with authority. However, the meticulous Crusaders exposed two serious flaws, the mid-field and the scrum. Before the game, Waratah coach Chris Hickey said he would focus on the midfield to stop centre Sonny Bill William, who was playing his first Super 15 game despite having played for the All Blacks.

Instead, it was Williams and his centre partner Robbie Fruean who dominated, with Fruean scoring two tries.

Brumbies This Weekend

On Friday (March 11), the Crusaders will try to inflict more pain on their Australian peers when they meet the ACT Brumbies, again in Nelson, where a sell-out is only 11,000 people. The Brumbies come into this match off a loss to the Queensland Reds, their first home loss to them.

That loss was the first game played by the Brumbies following the controversial sacking of coach Andy Friend. In 2004, a player revolt led to the sacking of coach David Nucifora. He was retained till the end of the season, with his Brumbies winning the competition.

This time too, leading players had issues with Friend. This time though there was no talk of player power, as there was with Nucifora. In fact, players denied player power was a factor, even though commentators keep saying it was.

Another important difference is that the players with the power in 2004 were some of the all-time greats of the game. They included Wallabies stars George Gregan, Stephen Larkham (possible future Brumbies coach) and George Smith.

I get the impression he was smart enough to allow his players the freedom to choose to do what he wanted them to do.

All the problems at the Brumbies now lie with their players. Following the sacking of Friend, everyone knew that failure on the field would lead to criticism off the field. So, just as with the Crusaders, the force of emotion flooded in.

Emotions on a Knife Edge

Crusaders coach Blackadder managed that force carefully, saying, “If we go into the game with too much emotion, we will come second.” He hired a psychologist to help the team cope with their emotional response to the earthquake.

The Brumbies troubles were insignificant by comparison, but disturbing nevertheless. Unlike the Crusaders, they were left leaderless. And, in losing to the Reds, they looked rudder-less.

They need someone smart saying: “This is the way things are.”

The Crusaders epitomise the all-for-one spirit. But they are the team. And Blackadder is the boss.

He is the boss of all-time great All Blacks like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. Blackadder himself was an All Black and played for the Crusaders.

That is why the win against the Waratahs was so important. The Crusaders are the heroes of the rugby-mad people of Christchurch. Crusaders players said they wanted to be a ray of hope. So the pressure was enormous.

With that pressure off them, I think the Crusaders will be at their brilliant best when they meet the Brumbies in Nelson on Friday night. If so, they will send the leaderless herd stampeding into a despair-filled pit, as blame and recrimination are heaped upon them.

That’s pressure. The Brumbies must win. Their reputations are at stake.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

Ged Robinson of the Melbourne Rebels throws the ball into the lineout during the Round 2 Super Rugby match against the Brumbies at AAMI Park in Melbourne. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The elite Super 15 rugby competition has spluttered through its second week, despite it being a curtain-raiser to the Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand later this year.

This slow start has been due largely to fate; the earthquake in Christchurch has cast a pall over the whole competition. Every Super 15 team plays in Christchurch – the home of the champion Crusaders team. The distraught Crusaders cancelled Saturday’s (Feb 26) game against fellow New Zealanders the Hurricanes.

Future Crusaders home games will be played in the rural town of Nelson. I imagine World Cup games will also be scheduled away from Christchurch, where 160 people are confirmed dead (as of Wednesday afternoon March 2) and almost as many are expected to be found dead and buried in the rubble.

There are also other factors behind the slow start to the competition, however. These include:

• A revamped and expanded competition that is difficult to understand.
• No free-to-air TV coverage in Australia.
• Complicated, finicky rules, which stifle play.
• PR-driven marketing that overlooks fans in a drive to “grow the game”.

A bright ray of hope, though, comes from Australia, where the new team, the Melbourne Rebels, won last Friday Feb 25 against the Brumbies. After the Rebels lost their opening game 43-0 to the Waratahs, most pundits predicted a winless season.

However, super-coach Rod Macqueen revamped his side, which stole a one-point win over the star-studded Brumbies. The Rebels were guided home by fly-half Danny Cipriani, who scored 20 of the Rebels 25 points, including a last minute penalty goal for victory.

Cipriani’s masterful control of the match showcased his outstanding talent. The English international has a bad-boy reputation and he has already been fined by the Rebels following a nightclub incident.

Interestingly, the brilliant Cipriani needs the stabilising, off-field influence of Macqueen, while Macqueen needs the stabilising, on-field influence of Cipriani.

As a coach, Macqueen is a creative rugby tactician. A marketing master. And, more importantly, a leader who people love to follow. By people, I mean his coaching staff, his players, the fans and the general public. He is inspirational.

He was the founding coach of the ACT Brumbies, turning a group of “reject” players into Australia’s premier team. He went on to coach the Wallabies to World Cup success, using many of his Brumbies, including the reliable Wallaby half-back and captain George Gregan, and his fly-half partner, the mercurial genius Stephen Larkham.

Macqueen has the valuable knack of being able to create team spirit, which he transforms into a community ethos that inspires people at large, rather than just fans. For this reason, the re-emergence of Macqueen in Melbourne means he will be considered a logical heir to Robbie Deans as the Wallaby coach.

Formerly, with the Brumbies and the Wallabies, Macqueen created champion teams. He set high standards on and off the field, and was able to sell his sides as the champions of those standards, which proved popular and profitable.

Macqueen himself is a marketer’s dream. His quietly spoken, inclusive manner has wide appeal beyond sport, as does his ability to communicate emotions as well as ideas. He is the perfect type of leader to bring union, at the elite southern hemisphere club competition level, to sports-loving Melbournians–whose traditional football code is Australian football.

At the moment, Australian rugby is marketed in a simplistic, macho fashion, which is out of touch with most rugby fans. Macqueen’s “image” of rugby is far more sophisticated; it is more in sync with rugby fans and the big-end-of-town sponsors that rugby attracts.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

eighton Asia HKCC dominated 90 per cent of the first half in their match against Valley Red at Kings Park 1 last weekend in the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union’s G4S Domestic League.

With HKCC’s Division 1 team in relegation territory and Valley Red perched in equal second, a white-wash was on the cards. But HKCC surprised and took it up to Valley.

They have to step up to yet another level if they are to defeat ladder leaders Hong Kong Football Club’s Newedge Club this Saturday. HKCC Captain and Coach Andy Hall said that they could again surprise some people next week.

“I would suggest that if we turn up and play for the full 80 next week, then that performance should be enough to get the result. But, obviously, there are 15 players trying to stop that. We could surprise some people next week if we turn up with the right attitude,” said Hall after the Valley match.

“It is a big game [this Saturday] because it’s Club. It’s a compliment to Club that everybody gets up for them. They’re one of the best teams around. They have a certain reputation. That’s good. It’s good to have a team with reputation— to be involved with a team with reputation,” said Andy, who is from Birmingham, UK. “We will very look forward to coming and playing here and giving them a good run for their money.”

Playing basic rugby, HKCC weren’t overly flashy against Valley, but they had a good defence, good offence and the backline was solid. Whereas, when Valley had the ball, they were not able to break the lines, despite trying to play with flair—their handling was not up to the task and they had a few fumbles and knock-ons.

However, a costly try later in the opening half to Valley visibly demoralised HKCC and the game was on.

In a low-scoring first half, scores were HKCC 6 to Valley 7. HKCC’s Andy Hall said that it was hard to make assessment straight after a game, but that basic errors were costly.

“Just before half-time, we had a binning. In that period, we conceded three or four points I think. So we could turn around and point the finger at the play, but I don’t think that’s the case. The tries that they scored, I just think we’re just one or two basic errors. I don’t think it was to the point where they were stretching us and stretching us and our defence was stretched because we were one man down. I don’t think it was like that at all. I just think we had one or two basic areas, just cost us a few chances, cost us a few bounces.

HKCC appeared to get rattled, making mistakes that left gaps for easy tries early in the second half. Valley capitalised. In true Tradition Valley spirit, they showed why they are one of Hong Kong’s powerhouse rugby teams.

It was not that Valley dominated play in the second half, it was more that they had bursts of power of pushing through HKCC lines. And they had quite a few nice runs. A late try for Valley sealed the win. While HKCC had managed to score just another 7 points for the match, Valley scored 20 to win 27-13.

The beginning of the second half was quite tragic for HKCC. From an outside point of view, that’s were they lost the game. By the end though, the players were standing their men again.

“Do I agree with that assessment?” Hall asked. “Before they scored, I still think we were in it. Once they got that last one, you could see the boys were a bit down. We were struggling to get into positions were we could strike. Your assessment there is probably correct.

“At full strength, our backline can compete with anybody. Our pack, we’re not the smallest, we’re not the youngest, so occasionally we use a bit of guile to get what we want. But that’s OK. I’m excited about the challenge. January is a big month, we got Valley, we got club, we got the Dragons, we got Valley again. Great start to the year.”

Sonny Bill Williams during a press conference with boxer Anthony Mundine who will train Williams for a professional heavyweight boxing bout against Scott Lewis in February. (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Sonny Bill Williams is the biggest news in rugby … even when he is doing nothing.

This week the media focused on how he will conduct his pre-season training, before joining his Super 15 side, the Crusaders in February.

In fact, Williams will be trained by the controversial Australian boxer, Anthony Mundine, who played Rugby league before switching to boxing.

As a Muslim, Mundine neither drinks nor smokes. Yet he is not seen as a role model in Australia. Because he speaks out on Aboriginal issues, Mundine is often in the headlines. He also promotes his fights by courting controversy. This polarizes the Australian public, making him a hated-and-loved figure.

When Mundine quit league, he said it was because he was overlooked for representative selection because he was an Aboriginal. Many people agreed with him. The same was said of his Aboriginal team-mate, Nathan Blacklock, who was a brilliant winger. He later switched to Rugby union and made the Wallabies.

Anyway, Mundine will be training his mate, Williams. You can guarantee they will continue to make the headlines; and you can guarantee Williams will be super-fit by the time he arrives in Christchurch. Mundine is a brilliant athlete who has succeeded in two sports through hard work—he could also have been a professional basketballer.

Williams, like Mundine, has been a controversial figure, mainly for walking out on his NRL contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs. The Murdoch press particularly lambasted him. But, unlike Mundine, Williams makes an effort to be honest and open.

Mundine, however, is brash and arrogant, at least publicly. Mundine advised Williams when he broke his contract and began playing rugby union with the French club, Toulon. Mundine was there to see him play his first game. Williams has fought on the under-card at Mundine fights.

Williams joins the Crusaders on February 1; on January 29 he has his third professional boxing match on the Gold Coast in Australia. Who knows, he may be knocked out of rugby right there.

 A curious question will be whether Mundine can still support Williams if the Wallabies play the All Blacks in next year’s World Cup. One thing is for certain, the media will make a big issue of it. There are many Mundine-hating, Australian journalists who would love to label the boxer a traitor.

Whatever happens, Mundine will fuel the fires. So, what a world cup it’s shaping up to be. And we are only talking about what Williams thinks he will do for pre-season training.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

Barbarians Fijian Replacement Seru Rabeni (C) flicks out a pass while being tackled by South Africa's Scrum Half Francois Hougaard at Twickenham Stadium. (Glyn Kirk/Getty Images )

The last of the southern rugby raiders, the Springboks, was sent packing 26-20 by the Barbarians, the London-based invitation side.

The Baa Baas used to be a feature of the international calendar. However, only 31,000 turned up to watch the star-studded Barbarians play exciting rugby from the outset. The Africans must have thought they were back in the Tri-Nations as Wallaby and All Black backs wrought havoc.

Matt Giteau, the recently dropped Wallaby center, captained the Baa Baas. He said the relaxed atmosphere of the Barbarians camp was a welcome reminder of the joy of rugby, after a long professional season.

His Baa Baas coach, Nick Mallet, a former Springboks player and coach, could not contain his emotion after the victory. “We cut them to pieces,” he said.

However, Mallet, who also coaches Italy, said the northern teams were well behind the southern giants, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the All Blacks.

South African lock Anton Van Zyl was the best Barbarians player.

After that final game, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers said the northern tour had been a qualified success. Despite his optimism, the Boks still haven’t found their feet. Two big questions remain unanswered: are the old players too old and are the young players too inexperienced?

The answer to both questions looks more like yes than no. That spells trouble, less than a year out from the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Northern Tour Wrap-up

Wallabies

The Wallabies started their tour in the best possible way, with a win over the All Blacks in Hong Kong. However, they lost to England, who played brilliantly, running the ball from all quarters.

Against Italy, France and Wales it was the Australian backs who bewildered their opponents, particularly the French, who were trounced 59-16 in Paris.

Despite the wins, the Wallaby pack remains suspect. It remains “a work in progress”, as coach Robbie Deans says.

All Blacks

The All Blacks, as usual, are the hot favorites leading into next year’s world cup, to be held in New Zealand. They achieved a grand slam, defeating England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and dominated in the International Rugby Board (IRB) awards.

Captain Richie McCaw has been named the IRB player of the year for a record third time.

If proof was needed, the award places McCaw among the greats of the game.

The All Blacks were named team of the year for a fourth time in six years. Graham Henry was named coach of the year for a record fourth time. Henry was coach of the year in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

Other nominees for player of the year were Mils Muliaina (NZ), Victor Matfield (South Africa), Imanol Harinordoquy (France) and David Pocock and Kurtley Beale (Australia).

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

David Pocock of the Wallabies breaks away during the 2010 Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match against the New Zealand All Blacks at Hong Kong Stadium on Oct. 30, 2010. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The brilliant Wallabies smashed France 59-16 in Paris on Saturday Nov 27, with the young backline stars laying claim to be the best in the world.

The backline is so good that their traditional star, Matt Giteau, was on the bench, replaced at inside center by the reliable Berrick Barnes.

There are widespread calls for the head of the French coach, Marc Lièvremont, who, despite winning the Six Nations title, has favored experimentation over stability.

By contrast, the Wallaby coach, Robbie Deans, has answered his many critics by developing the most-exciting running side in the world. This means more in Australia than most countries, because Australian fans love—and demand—the running game.

The French played poorly and the Wallabies are erratic, but at their best they can beat any team in the world.

The player who may well prove to be the greatest is not a back, however. The open-side flanker, David Pocock, 22, is big, strong and intelligent. Fortunately for him, he has one of the great blind-side flankers, captain Rocky Elsom, playing in tandem with him.

Disciplined Aggression

Pocock’s primary role is to secure contested ball, in the tackle, for example. It is highly physical and success depends upon operating in the slim space between legal play and illegal. Some players bully their way across this void, giving away penalties, but frightening the opposition. Pocock is the opposite. He doesn’t engage in personal confrontations and he manages his emotions, which is reflected in his highly disciplined, yet aggressive play.

The All Black captain, Ritchie McCaw, plays in a similar way. He is the best in the world at it.

During the northern tours by the three southern giants, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, much has been made of their aggressive, competitive edge. McCaw and Pocock build their aggression on discipline, rather than anger.

The minute the whistle blows, both are as meek as kittens. This discipline enables them both to play constructively as well as destructively, their primary role. Both players chime effortlessly into running plays.

Boks

Saying that, super-aggressive players have values that McCaw and Pocock don’t. For instance, the Springbok flyhalf, Butch James, is feared. He is a demon tackler, who often tackles late or dangerously, giving away penalties. However, everyone knows what will happen if they go near James.

His discipline is that he always hurts people, legally or illegally. As you can imagine, he is effective. And rightly so; he can turn attack into retired-injured in less time than took to read this sentence.

While on the subject of discipline, the Springboks coach, Peter de Villiers, is known for the lack of it, at least when talking to the media. This adds to fan dissatisfaction with the poorly performing Springboks. However, on Saturday they beat mighty England 21-11 in London.

A week earlier the Boks had been downed by lowly Scotland. It was a different story at Twickenham. The powerful Springboks forwards were back to their brutal best and they looked the match of any side in the world. The hooker, Bismarck du Plessis, was man of the match.

Barbarians

This Saturday the Boks play the Barbarians. Juan Smith has been named captain, replacing Victor Matfield who has returned to South Africa after injuring his ribs. Two other players have been released to their clubs, Frans Steyn (Racing Metro) and Ruan Pienaar (Ulster), as the Barbarians match falls outside the November release time-frame.

The Barbarians is an England-based invitation side, which usually includes several rising players. Traditionally, sides throw the ball around, giving rise to some spectacular matches.

All Blacks

The All Blacks were the only team to go through the northern tour unbeaten to win a Grand Slam. However; their record-setting tour was marred by a loss to the Wallabies in Hong Kong on their way north. The All Blacks had the game. They had the ball. Time was up. The flyhalf, Stephen Donald, then missed his kick to touch and the Wallabies scored through James O’Connor, winning the game.

So despite pocketing the Grand Slam, the Tri-Nations (undefeated) and the Bledisloe Cup (3-1), the All Black fans are having nightmares about Donald and “that kick”. They would also be having nightmares about who will be the back-up flyhalf to the brilliant Dan Carter. Surely not Donald?

At present, there’s no answer to this question. But that is a measure of how good the All Blacks are: the only chink in their armor is on the bench.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

Sole point scorer for Scotland, Dan Parks lines up for a conversion in his teams 21-17 victory over South Africa at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh Scotland last weekend. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The Scots turned the rugby world on its head by beating the mighty Springboks 21-17 at Murrayfield – in the process they finished South African hopes of a grand-slam tour of the UK.

Only a week before, Scotland had been crushed by the All Blacks 49-3.

The Scottish win suggests that next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will be hotly contested. Scotland fall outside the big five nations that are expected to contest semi-final spots in the cup, they being Australia, England, France, New Zealand and South Africa.

Last season Scotland came fifth in the Six Nations, with only Italy behind it, so they are considered to be easy-beats. But in dour conditions in Edinburgh the Scots played a perfect team game, with flyhalf Dan Parks kicking all the points.

Therein lies a secret of the world cup: it will be played in similar conditions in New Zealand, or Aotearoa as the Maori call it. This is a great disadvantage to the second and third-ranked teams, Australia and South Africa. Their players are used to dry, fast fields. So playing wet-weather football is unnatural.

South Africa, with its forward-focus, tends to play a wet-weather style even in dry conditions. So they adapt well. Yet they looked all at sea in the Murrayfield rain. That revealed a serious problem. Many experts say the cause lies right at the heart of the Springboks, with the coach, Peter de Villiers.

Morale must be particularly low in the Springboks camp, as two players were sent home following positive drug tests just prior to the Scottish game.

On Saturday they face a buoyant England, which has already beaten Australia and “rattled” the All Blacks, who remain the only team unbeaten side on these northern tours.

All Blacks VS Ireland

The All Blacks defeated Ireland 38-18 in an exciting game that was closer than the score suggests.

After the game the Irish flanker, Stephen Ferris, complained that the All Blacks had illegally slowed play at the breakdown. What he is talking about is one of the many points that make rugby difficult to comprehend, yet fascinating.

The breakdown is where the ball is contested by several players. It is possible to illegally slow the attacking team as it tries to release the ball. The All Blacks do this by “accidentally” being pulled into an obstructive position, which breaks the attacking team’s momentum.

Momentum is one of the most valuable factors in rugby, because of the game’s trench-like structure. That is why it is said that Tests are won up-front. At rugby’s most trenchant, the forwards create that momentum, with hard graft, winning continual break-downs, or continual contests.

Therefore, when the All Blacks break that momentum, they give themselves a huge, illegal advantage. In close encounters, a winning advantage.

“It’s the same old faces that are doing it, but they’re good at it and get away with it,” Ferris said. “Richie McCaw did a great job at slowing it down.”

In fact, the All Blacks do a great job in all aspects of their game, legal and illegal. That is why their illegal play is hard to detect, because they are disciplined enough to keep offences within “the borderline” between legal and illegal.

That steely discipline is applied to all aspects of their game. They have two superstars in captain McCaw and flyhalf Dan Carter, who is within two points of becoming the highest point-scorer ever. They have a stable team and a stable coaching staff, yet have blooded exciting young players like Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Dagg.

Wales

On Saturday the All Blacks play Wales to cap their grand-slam. Unfortunately for Wales, they drew with Fiji 16-all on Saturday. Fiji sit in a tier of nations beneath the likes of Wales. So again, this shows how open the World Cup is looking.

Wales can regroup. Their form is good enough, almost defeating South Africa two weeks ago. That momentum is with them. Further, the coach, Warren Gatland, comes from New Zealand. It will be a special occasion for him, so he will be particularly diligent in his preparation.

However, the All Blacks can win their third grand-slam in five years with a victory at Millennium Stadium. Despite that record, there have only been eight grand-slam victories by southern hemisphere sides. So the grand-slam is a highly regarded prize.

This Weekend's Best

In possibly the match of this round, Australia play France in Paris. Both sides play exciting, running rugby, though the French have the advantage in the forwards.

The Wallabies have been erratic on tour. After defeating the All Blacks in Hong Kong, they lost to England in London, then in a mid-week game to the Irish club team Munster.

France have been patchy in lead-up Test victories over Fiji and Argentina. I think the French forwards will establish the foundation for victory at Stade de France. But the young Wallaby backs, Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor and Quade Cooper have the ability to make stars look like bumbling beginners.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

Sonny Bill Williams of the New Zealand All Blacks offloads the ball during the Test match between New Zealand and Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on November 13, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

After only two games for the All Blacks, Sonny Bill Williams is being called “the new Jonah Lomu” after the former All Black superstar.

Williams was man of the match when the New Zealanders thrashed Scotland 49-3 on Saturday. He has little intuitive understanding of rugby and looks more like a weight-lifter practising synchronised swimming. However, his size and his athleticism means he towers over his more-skilful peers.

Against Scotland, his off-loads in the tackle created havoc and led directly to tries. Last week, I said Williams would be a star. But I meant “in due course”. Not “next week”.

The scary thing is, Williams hasn’t unleashed one of his big hits yet. They usually turn defence into attack with bone-cracking intensity. The tackles have all the grace of a hawk snatching a hare; and all the violence. So dramatic was his first tackle in rugby, it was reported around the world.

His opponent lay dazed on the ground and said later that he felt as if he had been electrocuted.

Though only 25, Williams transcends sport already. Like Muhammed Ali, he is loved and hated. In Australia, where he played league for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Williams is widely hated. The Murdoch media in particular hasn’t forgiven Williams for breaking his Bulldogs contract to go to France.

On the face of it, that moral tone is understandable. However, the once-great Bulldogs had become mired in controversy and scandal – bringing league into disrepute. For example corruption, secret player payments, fan violence, extraordinary salary payments to staff and so on … a list that has some spectators shying away from the sport in disgust.

To me, he seems polite, shy and humble. To his critics, he’s a self-serving traitor.

Under coach Graham Henry, the star-system is non-existent. The team-ethic dominates. Continual improvement is required. His fellow centres, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, are possibly the best in the world.

Finally, inside him is the great Dan Carter, the best fly-half in the world, and possibly the best rugby player in the world. It is the perfect environment for a superstar.

The All Blacks will play Ireland this Saturday.

Wales vs Boks
In Cardiff, another star was born. The 18-year-old Welsh winger, George North, was named man of the match, despite Wales losing 29-25 to the Springboks. He scored two tries and has been dubbed the Welsh Jonah Lomu.

The Boks have sent two players home, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson. Both tested positive to a banned stimulant.

South Africa play Scotland this Saturday.

England vs Wallabies
Meanwhile the high-flying, young Australian side has to re-build following a poor performance losing 35-18 to a brilliant England on Saturday.

The Wallabies play lowly ranked Italy on Saturday.

At Twickenham, in front of 81,000 fans, England played an almost perfect game, with winger Chris Ashton scoring an 85-metre try. Despite the cheering post-game crowd, coach Martin Johnson was subdued.

“We have got to go out and perform every week and that is what we need to get better at,” he said.

England play Samoa on Saturday. Given England’s new running game, it should be a spectacle.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

Sam Thaiday of Australia is challenged by Gareth Ellis of England during the Four Nations match between the Australian Kangaroos and England at AMMI Park on Oct. 31 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Australia has won their second Four Nations tournament game easily as they beat England in a rain-soaked game, scoring 34 points to England’s 14.

The English Lions had a terrible first half, scoring only 1 try compared with Australia’s 6. The Kangaroos Darren Lockyer had a hand in 3 of the 6 tries scored, as the Broncos legend’s kicking game gave Australia a substantial advantage.

England had a slightly better second half, scoring within the opening minutes from kickoff, but Australia responded with scoring another try a few minutes later. Neither team scored any tries after the opening 6 minutes of that second half.

The wet weather conditions favoured the Australian side, as England fumbled and generally struggled with ball handling.

There was criticism of the referee as the Kangaroos were given play on in several controversial moves, especially one in the 68th minute, when the referee denied England a try after the video referee couldn’t decide if the ball was put over the line for a try or not.

And from Michael in London, via text: "That was so forward. Why can't we have neutral refs? Wish my Aussie girlfriend would stop going on how good they are."’

It's been a disappointing tournament for the Lions so far, as they lost to both New Zealand last week, and now Australia–the two big teams of the Four Nations tournament. This has led to criticism of the tournament itself by Ben Elias, claiming that two of the four teams, namely the Kumuls and England, should be scrapped from the tournament.

Luke Lewis of the Kangaroos breaks a tackle during the Four Nations match between the Australian Kangaroos and England at AAMI Park on Oct. 31, in Melbourne. (Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

"Why don't we just call it the Bledisloe Cup or some other concept instead of Four Nations?" Elias said.

"Call it the Two Nations, then we could try to incorporate and benefit from the rivalry between Australia and New Zealand because they're the only two teams who are competitive. Twelve years ago they (England) came up with the Super League concept and a promise to compete with the world, and here we are in 2010 and Australia are $1.10 to beat them."

"Watching Australia beat PNG last week was like watching the big bully beat the little kid in the schoolyard," Elias continued. "How is that a good thing?"

Cooper Cronk and Brett Morris defended the claims, but they do ring true. Unless the English and Papua New Guineans improve their game enormously, the only real competition in the Four Nations is between Australia and New Zealand, the two bastions of Rugby League in the Oceanic region.

England play the Kumuls while the Kangaroos play the Kiwis next week on Saturday, which will determine the final outcome of the tournament.

Billy Slater of Australia celebrates his try with teammates during the Four Nations match between the Australian Kangaroos and England at AMMI Park on Oct. 31, in Melbourne. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Australia has had a flying start against England in the second Four Nations with a half time score of 28-6.

Darren Lockyer’s kicking game has given the Kangaroos a huge boost in their play, as he set up their second, third and fourth try, lending his experience to a talented team.

By then, it was clearly all Australia as they scored four tries in a row while the Lions struggled with what is arguably one of the best Australian sides of all time.

England is in shaky shoes after an early try and a penalty kick giving them 6 points. However, with the Lions' poor performance and ball control, it is no wonder they are struggling against an in-form, strong and talented team.

James O'Connor breaks the tackle of Mils Muliaina to score his second try in the the Hong Kong 2010 Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. He converted to win the match with no time left on the clock. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The young Wallaby side defeated the All Blacks 24-26 in Hong Kong on Saturday, showing they will be a force in the Rugby World Cup next year.

The Wallaby coach, New Zealander Robbie Deans, said he had no mixed feeling about defeating the All Blacks, a side he has played for and has helped coach.

The Wallaby winger, James O’Connor, 21, kicked the winning goal right on full time, after scoring a last-minute try.

“I was pretty nervous to say the least,” he said of the kick that won the match, ending a 15-game, All Black winning streak.

The All Black coach, Graham Henry, said the Wallabies were able to retain possession, which put pressure on the All Blacks.

The Wallaby fullback, Kurtley Beale, 22, an Aboriginal, had an outstanding game. The schoolboy star has struggled to adjust to professional rugby, but through this season he has found his feet. With blistering speed and a sharp rugby brain, Beale will be a star in the near future.

The Wallaby flyhalf, Quade Cooper, was a key to the success with his audacious skills. As always, his defense was poor, but his team-mates covered that inadequacy.

The All Black flyhalf, Dan Carter, made a successful return from ankle surgery. His replacement, Stephen Donald, failed to find touch with a clearing kick, which led directly to the final try by O’Connor.

Both teams now head to Europe, where the All Blacks will play England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. The Wallabies will play Wales, England, Italy and France.

Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years of experience.

David Pocock of the Wallabies is tackled during the 2010 Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Like the result from a collision of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates that they belong to, there will be an eruption of passion that will ripple out across the globe when New Zealand and Australia meet at Hong Kong Stadium for the final 2010 Bledisloe Cup match on Saturday.

While the buildup has continued to escalate since they last met in September—when the All Blacks won by the narrowest of margins—and although New Zealand has already won the series to retain the exalted cup, the stakes remain high as both sides are determined to win for a number of reasons.

Rivalry at the Top

Firstly, and no less important, there are the International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings.

Then there is the traditional rivalry between New Zealand and Australia, which comprises a mountain of aspects. Although it extends through sports and through most facets of life between the two countries, the competitiveness is never greater than when they meet on a rugby pitch.

This sibling or Trans-Tasman rivalry, which finds particular focus in All Black-Wallaby Tests, must be factored in when considering who will win. The Wallabies have lost 10 Tests in a row to the All Blacks. But the truth is, the Wallabies could easily snatch victory in Hong Kong.

Recklessness vs. Pragmatism

Traditionally, the Australians have a devil-may-care attitude. You may remember the food-poisoned star center, Tim Horan, with his dashing dominance in a World Cup semifinal against South Africa. And then getting off his sick bed, after days without food, to be judged Man of the Final and Player of the Tournament, as he captained the Wallabies to 1999 World Cup victory over France in England.

You may remember the great Wallaby winger, David Campese, scoring tries so dazzling that those who saw them couldn’t believe their eyes.

This Wallaby approach annoys the All Blacks, who are more pragmatic. So there’s a clash of temperament, which usually adds spice to the encounters.

ewedge Club retained second position on the ladder after a convincing victory at home over their much improved challengers the Amadeus Causeway Bay Rams in the G4S Domestic League on Saturday night Oct 23, 32-10.

In a fiery encounter that saw referee Dewi Rowlands issue six yellow cards, the Rams, while competitive were unable to cross the line more than once to the two tries that Hong Kong Football Club’s 1st XV Newedge Club managed.

It took 7 minutes for Causeway Bay to score the first of the match, but Club’s dominance in the scrums saw them take the lead into the halftime break.

The vital first score of the second half went to Newedge two minutes in. A costly off-side penalty against Rams gave Newedge a chance to score and they converted for 3 points. Club moved to 19 against Rams 7.

Minutes later Rams responded with a conversion when Newedge were penalised for holding the ball. It would turn out to be their final score for the night with Newedge taking the premiership points at home.

Rowlands, the referee, spoke with The Epoch Times after the match and said that the two teams had a “big rivalry” coming into the match that was reflected in aggressive play on and off the ball.

“Causeway Bay are really an up and coming side this season,” Rowlands said. “As it stood before last night, it was second in the division versus third. So it was always going to be a closely fought game. Both sides started off very positively, wanting to play hard rugby; with some good scores from both sides.

“There was a lot riding on the game and I suppose with both competing for spaces on the league [standings] – and of course with Club not wanting to lose on their home ground.

“I started to get some reports from behind me that there was some niggle behind play,” said Dewi who has been a referee in Hong Kong for the past seven years with four at the Division 1 level.

“There were six yellow cards. Three each. So it’s even. The first ones were for repeated infringements at the tackle ruck … this is something that we give out all the time. Then two apiece afterwards were for foul play. Some of them were for calls I received from the AR [assistant referees], others I saw myself that were just late tackles and stuff like that.

“In games like this where it’s very physical, players get emotional. Sometimes you get a bit [of fighting].

“As it happens, the tackle and ruck were OK. That’s of course where I focus – I can only referee what’s in front of me and what the players decide to do is entirely up to them,” explained Rowlands who played schoolboy rugby in Wales and wanted to give something back to the game. When it became apparent that he was “no longer big enough or tough enough to play rugby” he decided to pick up the whistle.

After halftime the Rams weren’t really in the match. The forwards from HKFC were dominating despite their backline not being quite up to scratch. Conversely, the backline of Causeway Bay were a bit better, but their forwards were not, they were fairly ineffectual.

“Club were definitely very physical up front. Actually, I think even some of the Causeway Bay guys were pretty physical as well. So, I suppose different styles of play for each side,” said Dewi who calls refereeing his hobby.

“Certainly an interesting game for me to referee,” he said. “I’m pretty happy in the way that it was an evenly contested game.”

Other Results

In other matches in Week 4, the previously undefeated DeA Tigers slipped from their lofty perch to fourth in the Friday night game against Tradition Valley Red. Touted as the Friday Night Thriller by the league, it was anything but that as Valley’s 1st XV demolished their opponents, 62-3.

Valley Black (their 2nd XV) went down to Altus Kowloon who continue to impress each week, 15-45.

Leighton Asia HKCC was too good for Newedge Dragons (HKFC’s 2nd XV) in the closest mach of the week, 32-24.

There are no matches for this weekend in the domestic league. There is a bye while Australia and New Zealand take centre stage at Hong Kong Stadium in the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday night Oct 30.

Brian Higgins, coach of Tradition Valley Rugby Football Club. (Terence Tomlinson/The Epoch Times)

Tradition Valley Red’s 29—12 victory over Altus Kowloon on Saturday night in Hong Kong’s G4S Domestic League was at times messy and error-marred.

While Kowloon had a good running game going in the first 20-30 minutes yet was unable to capitalise with play mostly in their own half. They squandered their opportunities with many mistakes, fumbles and knock-ons.

Take nothing away from Valley, they were phenomenal; they out-muscled, out-scrummed and out-ran Kowloon. Even when they were down to 13 players in the second half after receiving two yellow cards for using the feet in the ruck and for not rolling away in the tackle, Valley were able to control the play with their backline stopping their opponents from scoring. When they got the ball and moved forward they were on-fire.

Brian Higgins, Coach of Valley and forwards coach of the Hong Kong National team, spoke exclusively to The Epoch Times after the match.

“I thought we controlled it for most of the time. We were a little bit unlucky because I thought we made most of the play the first half, but they defended and when they scored it could of easily have been a try the other way and we just dropped the ball,” said the New Zealand-born coach of Tradition Valley for the past four years.

Despite being short two players, Valley won most of their own line-outs, stole a few others and ran circles around Kowloon in the backline.

“They had to work hard our guys. We knew there was going to be some space out wide and our guys used that.

“Both teams had a bit of a go,” said Higgins. “They got a try from a tighthead [prop]. But, we came through at the end and it’s a good victory for us.”

In a game of two distinct halves of running in the first and mostly kicking in the second, it was as much Valley’s dominance on display as it was Kowloon’s inability to play their natural game that saw them win their first two matches in the season.

After going down to Newedge Club (HKFC) last week, Valley played the kind of rugby that fans have come to expect of one of the league’s traditional powerhouse clubs.

Rams Return To Form

Traditions Valley’s other team in Division 1, Valley Black, meanwhile went down to the Amadeus Causeway Bay Rams 49—14. It was a return to form for the Rams who lost to the undefeated DeA Tigers last week.

According to a report from the Rams, they began with some positive, direct rugby and soon found gaps in the Valley Black defence, scoring a barrage of first half tries. With a healthy lead at the halfway point, though, the Rams’ game became more hurried and less structured as the team looked to rack up a big score. Some unforced errors and ill-advised passes allowed Valley’s second team to compete more effectively in the second half, when they scored two converted tries.

The Rams look forward to a tough encounter this weekend against Newedge Club at Hong Kong Football Club.

“A solid win against Valley Black was good preparation for this weekend’s game,” said Head Coach Sam Pinder. “We still need to work hard on maintaining our shape and patterns of play, but I’m confident we have the right players and tactics to beat anyone in this division. Playing [Newedge] Club will be a great test of our progress.”

Other Results

Newedge Club defeated Leighton Asia Hong Kong Cricket Club 32—13, while Newedge Dragons (HKFC’s 2 nd XV) were defeated by Dea Tigers 10—16.

This Week's Matches

DeA Tigers host Tradition Valley Red on Friday night starting at 7.30 pm.
On Saturday; Valley Black host Altus Kowloon 6.00 pm; Newedge Dragons host Leighton Asia HKCC at 3.00 pm; and Newedge Club host Amadeus Causeway Bay Rams at 6.00 pm.

AUSTRALIA VS. NEW ZEALAND -- 2008 HK BLEDISLOE CUP: The All Blacks perform the Haka Ka Mate Ka Mate before the Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium on November 1, 2008. ( Mark Weekley-Pool/Getty Images)

Like Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan, the All Black rugby union side transcends sport.

Firstly, they are usually the No. 1 team in the world.

Secondly, they have a spirit that stands outside the ordinary world; a spirit that is defined in a traditional Maori medium, the “haka” or war dance.

Haka Creation

What other team dances?

And these “dancers” bring the past into the modern world. They are like the Shaolin or the Samurai—except the All Blacks tour. And compete.

The Ka Mate haka was written by Te Rauparaha, an ancient war chief of the Ngati Toa tribe. One story has it that the chief wrote the haka while hidden in an under-ground food pit, over which was placed stays, then a mat, upon which a woman sat.

The chief’s pursuing enemies were fooled, and continued on. Yet, the great chief had hidden beneath a woman, both literally and figuratively, which many considered a fate worse than death.

Kapa o Pango

If that’s not enough, the All Blacks players wrote their own haka, called Kapa o Pango, which is used rarely, at the players’ choosing. The great captain, Tana Umaga, led the haka when it was unveiled against the Springboks in 2005. Boks players said they were honored by the gesture.

The Wallabies tried to have it banned as too violent. That’s part of the recent history between these two sides. To paraphrase Muhammad Ali, they get it on ’cause they don’t get along.

Umaga can be viewed leading the 2005 Kapa o Pango on Youtube. But be warned, if you watch it, you will want to buy tickets to the All Black–Wallaby match on Oct. 30.

South Africa Tour Criticism and Democratic Reform

Part of the All Blacks appeal, is that they consistently had black players, mostly Maori, when most other sides were Caucasian. To that extent, the conservative All Blacks were leading the rugby-playing nations into the modern, multi-cultural world.

The one nation that objected was South Africa, during apartheid, the former policy of racial segregation. Maori players were banned from touring South Africa, then given “honorary white” immigration status. New Zealand was criticized for playing sport with a then racist South Africa.

Nevertheless, because of the importance of rugby in South Africa, the All Blacks were a force for democratic reform; the countries are long-standing rugby rivals, with a history of memorable clashes.

This sporting closeness brought an exchange of ideas. The All Black persona is always a melding of the past and the present, the history of the haka and the immediacy of sporting victory. This represents sporting excellence plus something intangible.

How did marketing experts come up with this unique concept? The answer is, they didn’t. The All Blacks are more culture than product. There have been attempts to re-brand the All Blacks, to modernize them, but public outrage in New Zealand ended that.

This only adds to the untouchable aura of the All Blacks.

Continued on the next page…

HKFC and Singapore in a line out during a pre-season season warm-up match (Jason Sze/The Epoch Times)

The rise or fall of a rugby club can happen quickly in the nation’s domestic competition. It can happen from one week to the next, or from season to season with players leaving after having furthered their business and professional careers in Hong Kong.

After appointing a new coach and new captain since the end of last season, and losing in the first match of this season the previous Saturday, Hong Kong Football Club has turned their form around and won their first match of the 2010–11 G4S Domestic League season.

Following their comfortable defeat over Tradition Valley Red on Saturday Oct 9, HKFC coach Rob Naylor spoke exclusively with The Epoch Times.

“We probably eased off a bit in the first 20 minutes of the second half,” Naylor said soon after their 1–5 try, 11-34 points victory over Tradition Valley Rugby Football Club’s 1st XV (Valley Red) who HKFC had defeated in last season’s nail biting premiership final.

“You could see those that were starting to get a bit of a roll on, and they scored that try. There’s little things that you’ve got to work on. Our aim is to develop as the season goes on,” he explained of his aim to get his team peaking at the end of the 14-week season, “Rather than hit our structure running first game …

“Last year we beat teams by 30 odd points in the first couple of games then we dropped off. We really wanted to ease off into the season and hit the season and gradually get that aside.

“Obviously we’ve gotten a lot better since last week,” the 35 year-old Australian-born said.

Staying in HK

Rob says he’s put his roots down in Hong Kong. The Field Art Director with Ocean Park, has been living here for 14 years. While star players may have moved back overseas after only one or two seasons of success he’s stayed – an anomaly in Hong Kong’s sporting world.

Soon after arriving, Naylor played rugby with DeA Tigers for nine years before switching across to the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC). In those days he described how the Hong Kong Rugby 7’s team was one of the best in the world. “They won quite a few tournaments, they pushed the line with Australia and New Zealand and they beat Fiji.”

He said the standard that was at Brisbane when he left in 1996 compared closely to the local standard. And went on to explain how the transient nature of players in Hong Kong could see a team rise to the top and fall to the bottom in a matter of months.

“HKCC a few years ago were at the top of the league. They were very strong and now they are just at the bottom of the league a while. It’s very hard on them. It certainly does have an impact.”

Appointment as Coach

Naylor “hung up his boots” at the end of the 2008-9 season and took up assistant coaching. After one year’s apprenticeship under Terry Heart. He assumed the role of head-coach for the HKFC—now known by its sponsored name as Newedge Club.

As an assistant, he helped to take the team to the dais to hold up the Grand Champs Cup last season. Asked how he rated his recently played opponents in the season’s first two weeks Altus Kowloon and Valley Red, Rob said that “Valley are better…they’re a lot stronger and a lot bigger.”

HKFC Better Than Last Year?

Asked if he could take the club to back-to-back premierships, Naylor said: “At the moment we haven’t hit our straps but we have the potential to be better [than last year].”

“We need to play together more … some are still here from last year, some retired, some good ones have come.”

Naylor oversaw the HKFC Newedge Club Dragons play against Tradition Valley Black as a curtain-raiser to their 1st XV match. Both clubs field their 2nd XV in Division 1, between them they represent half of the eight teams in league, so the rivalry between the two big clubs is strong.

“The Dragons did well too last weekend and won 36-0 which was a great result,” Rob said. “It took us about 25 minutes to get some momentum but when it came we really put the nail into the coffin scoring 6 tries.”

“We will be playing DeA this weekend coming and anticipating a fairly hard game considering DeA are topping the table right now.”

After a Week 1 loss to Altus Kowloon, HKFC can put any thoughts of a shaky start to the season behind them. Their dominance and depth in Week 2 showed that they will be a force to reckon with again this year.

John Mitchell head Coach during the Super 14 match between the Sharks and Western Force held at Absa Stadium on May 14, in Durban, South Africa. ( Steve Haag/Getty Images )

Former All Black and Western Force New Zealand rugby coach, John Mitchell, has been stabbed by intruders in his South African apartment during a robbery.

After mistaking the intruders for his flatmate, Mitchell was stabbed twice, once in his upper arm and once in his thigh, while in his Johannesburg apartment.

The intruders tied Mitchell up and his apartment was ransacked, with his laptop and mobile phone amongst the items stolen.

Mitchell is in South Africa after accepting a contract to coach Super 15 side, the Lions, for the 2011 season.

A New Edge player couldnt escape Gesindes clutches. (Terence Tomlinson/Epoch Times Staff)

The Altus Kowloon Rugby Football Club faced last season’s premiership team, Newedge HKFC, in its first hit-out of the 2010/11 season at home turf on Oct. 2.

Eniola Gesinde, the Altus Kowloon captain, believes his team will be “in amongst it” at the end of the season. He spoke exclusively to The Epoch Times immediately after defeating reigning Grand Champs Newedge Hong Kong Football Club, 19:13.

“We just grow, grow and grow each year. This year we are feeling quite confident that we are going to do very well, very well,” said the 28-year-old, who lived in Newcastle in the North of England for seven years but went to school in Leeds, Yorkshire, in the UK.

The Match

Altus Kowloon defeated New Edge twice last year and their start to this season could only have been better had they collected a bonus point. Gesinde said that the team’s upsides stem from “phenomenal” tackling and defence.

“Absolutely phenomenal! From Mark Goosen, Alex Harris, big hits from David Tait, our new import from the UK. Generally across the board, from 1 to 15, we were fantastic. Tackling was just phenomenal.

“We worked hard in training procedures,” a still puffed Eni said, “… we did a lot of hard work in defence. But when we had the ball we tried to have a go at them; really, really batter them."

“We worked hard. We had to work hard to make sure we attacked it and gave them scrappy ball, scrappy ball for the whole game,” Gesinde said.

“We knew they’d bring a whole new level of attacking rugby. They’re physical, they were aggressive and we had to match it with all 1 to 15. They came with everything they had and threw the kitchen sink at us. We had to be equally as good and give right back at ‘em,” said Eni in his rapid-fire breathlessness.

“They were strong as well [Newedge]. They came out at us so we had to have a go at them. We had to make sure that they weren’t the dominant team, and we had to have a go. We had some good drives ourselves – 10minute drives with mauls, put them on their heels.”

“The final score, I think it was 19:12 or 19:13. It was 19:6 during the second half. Last minute of the game we let them off a little bit and they scored and got it through the two sticks for the extra 2 points.”

The Season

Gesinde has very clear goals for this season and is “quietly confident” that, come the 2010–11 G4S Domestic League finals in February, his team will be there.

“Just to be in and amongst it at the end of the season. To really, really be amongst it. To be consistent every game. To make our defence the stalwart of our team. And make sure Kowloon are no a longer push over. We’re not just a social club, we’re a competitive club. The team spirit, the bond, the inspiration, the determination that comes is fantastic.

“We’ll just do our best and see how far we get this year.”

Please continue to next page

Final Score:

St George-Illawara Dragons: 32
Sydney City Roosters: 8

The NRL Grand Final has been won by the St George-Illawara Dragons 32-8. After trailing 8-6 at half time the Dragons produced an almost flawless second half performance. Scoring 4 tries to none they ruined the Sydney City Roosters chances of becoming only the second team to go from last to first in consecutive seasons.

It’s master coach Wayne Bennett’s seventh grand final success, having won six with the Brisbane Bronco’s, and now with the Dragons.

Two of the stars of the match were Kiwi test players winger Jason Nightingale and utility Nathan Fien. Nightingale scored two second half tries, while Fien had an outstanding second half scoring a try, and breaking down the Roosters defense with his incisive attacking game.

The Roosters were held scoreless in the second half as the Dragons ran in 24 unanswered points.

Brian Smith's team made eleven second half errors and couldn’t penetrate the Dragons defense which has been the best of all teams this year in the NRL. Smith has taken 4 teams to the Grand Final and is still to taste success.

Five-eight Jamie Soward had a near perfect goal kicking performance kicking 6/7. Dean Young, who scored a second half try, and Brent Morris matched the performances of their fathers's Craig Young and Steve Morris who also won Grand Finals.

Dragon’s fullback Darius Boyd won the Clive Churchill medal as the man of the match. He thanked the fans and teammates and finished his acceptance speech saying “let’s go party.”

In the National Youth competition for the under-20’s, the Warriors won their first-ever title in sixteen seasons, beating South Sydney 42-28. Warrior’s five-eighth Carlos Tuimavave won the Jack Gibson medal as the player of the match.

Crowd: 82,334

Matt Giteau of the Australia Wallabies: Just one of the many stars that will be in Hong Kong to play in the Bledisloe Cup on Oct. 30. (David Rogers/Getty Images)

Wallabies Rocky Elsom and Matt Giteau have been invited to play for the Barbarians against the world champion Springboks in London later this year.

Though he has had chequered form of late, flyhalf Giteau is a mercurial player, who can turn a game in the twinkling of an eye.

Elsom, the Wallaby captain, personifies passion, skill and commitment. His greatness can be measured by the fact that he shaped his brilliance from youthful aggression, which was impaired by ill-discipline. Like the great Wallaby captain, John Eales, Elsom is an inspirational player.

As a leader, he epitomizes a selfless commitment to the cause. If anyone can lead a group of players though to Rugby World Cup victory next year, it is Elsom.

That all-for-one attitude sums up the spirit of the Barbarians, the British invitation side.

The Barbarians match will also feature the return from injury of high-profile Welsh center Gavin Henson, who is making news following the break-up of his relationship with Welsh singer Charlotte Church. They have two children.

Henson is a brilliant player, who upsets both opponents and team-mates.

In another match-up, former Springboks coach, and current Italy coach, Nick Mallet, will coach the Barbarians. So deep in the heart of the match, the contest will be Springboks against Springboks.

That is like pitting the immovable against the unstoppable. That is why Elsom and Giteau are perfect players to invite; they are death-or-glory players. Win or lose, they are always exciting.

Barbarian

Barbarian rugby is the elite-level showcase of running rugby. It is the British expression of the attacking flair of rugby.

In the professional era, with win-loss statistics deciding a coach’s career, that spirit has sometimes been ignored, to the detriment of the Barbarian tradition … and to the detriment of rugby.

After all, it’s an old tradition. The concept of the Barbarians was conceived in an English restaurant in 1890 by W. P. Carpmael. His intention was to have an invitation team that was cosmopolitan and which would foster goodwill.

Boks

Meanwhile, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has survived a hostile, end-of-year review, despite his side coming last in the Tri-Nations. Calls for his sacking have been widespread. However, he has been reappointed for the northern tour, which will include the Barbarians match.

CWG Delhi

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Games Sevens competition is about to begin. Five of the top six rugby nations are taking part, with Fiji being excluded after being dismissed from the Commonwealth following a coup in 2006.

There are 16 teams including current World Series champions Samoa, who won the title from New Zealand this year. The exceptional side includes IRB Sevens Player of the Year Mikaele Pesamino, who scored 56 tries this year.

The sides are divided into four pools, featuring leading sides from New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and England. The competition will also feature emerging nations like Sri Lanka, Uganda and Guyana.

Wales has the ability to upset the big teams, famously beating New Zealand on the way to winning the Dubai Sevens last year.

New Zealand were pipped to the World Series title by Samoa this year but they boast a formidable squad, including three All Blacks in Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford and Ben Smith.

Australia beat South Africa to win the London Sevens title at Twickenham in May, and will feature Wallaby Lachie Turner.

South Africa won the IRB Sevens World Series in 2008/2009, but finished a disappointing sixth in the overall standings this year.

Hong Kong

Of local interest, Elsom and Giteau are expected to play for the Wallabies in Hong Kong on October 30, when they will play the All Blacks.

Bledisloe Cup Hong Kong Tickets and Hotel Packages are still available.

Todd Carney of the Roosters runs with the ball during the First NRL Preliminary Final match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Sept. 24 in Brisbane. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The big event of the Rugby League season, the NRL Grand Final, will be played this Sunday Oct. 3 between the St George-Illawara Dragons and the Sydney City Roosters, at a sold out ANZ Stadium in Sydney in front of over 80,000 fans.

The Dragons have been the form team of 2010, winning the Minor Premiership, four points clear of the Penrith Panthers. In the finals the Dragons brushed aside Manly 28–nil in round one and narrowly defeated the Tigers 13–12 in the Preliminary Final.

The Roosters, although finishing sixth at the end of the regular season, have been the stand out team of the NRL finals with crushing wins over the Panthers 34–12 and Gold Coast Titans 32–6. In the first week of the play-offs they produced an epic, 100-minute golden point victory over the West Tigers.

The St George and Illawara clubs merged in 1999 and reached the grand final, losing to the Melbourne Storm through a controversial penalty try.

The Roosters have played in four grand finals this decade with a 30-8 win over the Warriors in 2002, 30-8. Last season the Roosters came last. A turnaround from wooden spooners to premiers in consecutive seasons has not happened since Western Suburbs Magpies achieved the feat in 1934.

In a contest within a contest, the final is a battle of coaching skills between the Roosters Brian Smith, and St George-Illawaras Wayne Bennett. Bennett has won six Grand Finals while Smith has taken three teams to the big event of the year but is yet to claim a title.

Season statistics favour the Dragons in defence and Roosters in attack.

Wayne Bennett's men have the lowest missed tackle count (26 missed tackles per game). The Roosters however have an average of 34 per game.

The Dragons have conceded 54 tries at an average of just 2.08 per game, while the Roosters have let in almost double; 96 tries, or 3.56 per game.

The Roosters are the number one team for both line breaks and tackle busts, and have scored the second most tries this season, 4.2 per game.

Dragons players to watch are fullback Darius Boyd and wingers Jason Nightingale and Brett Morris. While the Roosters dangermen are Dally M player of the year, Todd Carney, and Kiwi’s, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Sam Perrett.

Kickoff is at 5 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) and will be preceded by the Toyota Cup Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and NZ Warriors at 2 p.m. AEST.

HKFC and Singapore in a line out during last weekend's season warm-up. (Jason Sze/The Epoch Times)

Teams in the G4S Domestic League 2010/11 season, which kicks off on Saturday Oct. 2, are deep in the middle of final pre-season preparations.

Reigning champions of the G4S Domestic League Division 1, Hong Kong Football Club Rugby (HKFC Rugby) team captain recalled last year’s epic Grand Premiership Final, after the traditional season warm-up match against Singapore last weekend.

Dan Watson:

HKFC’s 1st XV’s captain for last year, Dan Watson, 31, explained how Singapore had hosted the previous two years and that “it is the first time we have hosted while I have been here”.

“I was in Hong Kong just 13 hours and I was down at HKFC. I’ve been playing for two full years in Hong Kong and this is the start of the third season.

Back in the UK, “I captain my university team and later a local team in UK.

“At HKFC I was captain in my second year and if I get the opportunity, I will do it again.

“The match against Singapore went well.

“Counter rucking was very strong; it is certainly an area we need to work on before we head into the start of the season. I’m not going to get too emotional about how the result turned at the end. The reality is we came to this game wanting to test ourselves. We chose not to kick the penalties. So we were playing a set piece every time. When they had a player sent off, I said to the referee that we want to play against 15 players. And they were allowed to exchange a player. We lost by 1, but we got a lot to take out of the game.

“We have been working very, very hard on our defence to make sure we have got an aggressive defence and that was showing through. Our fitness was very good. There were no real injuries when we walked off so that was a positive.

“We can start again on Monday [Sept. 20] and focus on the first game of the season and we will turn out a very aggressive progressive 22 players.

“There were a couple of players who played exceptionally well. Our starting hooker, Tom, was exceptional and moved into the back row. And Adam who scored two break-away tries—exceptional pace on him. Those were the two standout players.

“Generally speaking, we came out with 28 players. Some of the boys were new to Hong Kong—learning their position it’s good to have them involved.

“Our counter ruck was our weak point—something to work on. That’s not a difficult thing to train for. The forwards will get a good shouting out on Monday.

“We’ll just keep focussing on our aggressive defence. I’m not walking away thinking we had a shocking result. We played the right formula and we just have to keep focussing on our game plan.

“We haven’t done one scrummaging session in all pre-season. Our foundation is fantastic and a key for us. A lot of us have been playing together for three years now.

“Season is two weeks away. That’s our marker in the sand. Our first match is against Kowloon.”

Dan Carter of the All Blacks. ( David Rogers/Getty Images)

Rumours that the All Black-Wallaby Test in Hong Kong was to be cancelled due to lack of sales have been quashed by the NZ and Australian rugby unions.

In a joint statement, both unions confirmed the match would go ahead, stating that 14,000 tickets have been sold already.

Perhaps the biggest star in international rugby, fly half Dan Carter is expected to play. The All Black is recovering from an ankle operation, which kept him out of the final Tri-Nations match against Australia.

Carter said he was confident about playing, even if his recovery prevented him playing warm-up matches.

The two sides play in Hong Kong on October 30 as they head to Britain on spring tours.

With the Rugby World Cup less than one year away, this match will take on particular importance. Both teams are seeking confidence and momentum, so will be desperate to win, and to find form leading into their northern tours.

Former Rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams is expected to debut for the All Blacks in Hong Kong – that alone should make the match a must-see. He has already played for the Canterbury provincial side in New Zealand.

The Wallabies feel that Cooper is crucial to their side. He brings flair and finesse, and has the ability to turn games with brilliant plays. However, his defence is suspect. And as a new player, his job will get harder as sides develop plans to counter his skills.

Carter is one of the best flyhalfs in history, possibly the best. He is a brilliant ball distributor, whether he passes or kicks. As well, he is an outstanding attacker in his own right. And a faultless defender.

In another head-to-head clash, All Black captain Richie McCaw will be up against rising Wallaby flanker David Pocock. Like Carter, McCaw is brilliant in both defence and attack. And like Carter, he may be the greatest player ever in his position.

However, Pocock, 22, is expected to become one of the greats of the game. He is strong, skilful and fearless. For several years the Wallabies have had two brilliant open-side flankers, George Smith and Phil Waugh. Pocock has replaced them, which shows how highly regarded he is.

Both teams play open, running rugby so the contest will not only be fierce, but exciting as well.

The Wallaby backs feature two youngsters who may become stars of the game. Utility back James O’Connor is brilliant. He broke into top-level rugby as a teenager, and has always played with boundless confidence and assurance.

The other, winger Lachie Turner, has been in and out of the side this year. However, he is fast, physical and intelligent, and has the potential to be a great player.

The All Blacks blooded Israel Dagg during the Tri-Nations. This young fullback is dazzlingly brilliant, and no defence can contain him.

Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom is a rugby superstar. While playing for Leinster he was named European player of the year. He has also been Super 14 player of the year and Wallaby of the year, among many other awards.

The All Blacks have dreadlocked inside centre Ma’a Nonu, often called the human wrecking ball. He is big, fast and almost unstoppable, having said that, the other All Black backs are as imposing. For example, outside centre Smith is a faultless player; he always does the right thing and he always does it perfectly.

On one wing is Corey Jane, a player like Smith. While brilliantly athletic, Jane seems to be thinking half-a-second faster than everybody around him, which allows him to be breathtaking and casual at the same time.

Wallaby inside centre Matt Giteau is a brilliant attacking player. However, he is trying to rebuild his confidence, which has fallen under coach Robbie Deans.

Having said that, when paired with Cooper, the Wallabies are blessed with brilliance-plus-brilliance, which is more than most defences can cope with.

With the All Blacks number-one in the world and the Wallabies number-two, the Hong Kong game will be a showcase of international rugby.

All Black captain Richie McCaw (R) and Australian Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom (L) pose with the Bledisloe Cup in Cathedral Square. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The All Blacks are set to kick off at tonight's Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies, but not without some very special supporters who've flown all the way from Japan to cheer them on from the side lines.

The Gamushara Oendan are a group of Japanese performers who don their own black uniforms and rev up the crowd with infectious cheers in a traditional Japanese style.

The group were the winners of an All Blacks fan competition ahead of the Bledisloe Cup match in Tokyo last year.

Oendan can usually be found in high schools, colleges and universities. The group has been together for three and a half years. Group leader Takahiro Muto said most oendan cheer on their school, "but we want to cheer on the whole world."

OUEDAAAN! The All Blacks choose you!

Members wear happi (Japanese straight-sleeved coats) and hachimaki (headbands) emblazoned with logos, catch cries, or the name of their favorite players.

Muto has been an All Blacks fan since childhood, and said he was inspired by their talent and confidence.

"I always wear All Blacks shirts–I can feel nervous or chicken, but when I put on my All Blacks shirt I feel confident because they believe in themselves."

The group already performed at an All Blacks training session this week, and will rev up the fans during tonight's Rugby Rd. parade.

Muto said the group is enjoying the New Zealand atmosphere and is confident the All Blacks will take home the trophy tonight.

The Bledisloe Cup sits on display as the All Blacks takes game 1 and also strengthens its claim on a record tenth Tri-Nations title series. The All Blacks also have won 37 Bledisloe Cups to the Wallabies 12. (Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE—The Wallabies failed to learn from past mistakes and were hung, drawn and quartered 49-28 by New Zealand on Saturday night to fall to their worst home loss in seven years.

Australia were their own worst enemies at Etihad Stadium to lose any realistic hope of regaining the Bledisloe Cup but nothing can be taken away from the outstanding All Blacks who all but sealed the Tri-Nations title half-way through the competition with the seven-try rout.

After the excitement of the vibrant 30-13 win over South Africa, the Wallabies, desperate for a consistent back-to-back performances, once again returned to earth with an almighty thud.

It was their biggest loss on home soil since suffering a 50-21 defeat to NZ in 2003, capping their worst trans-Tasman losing streak in 63 years.

All Blacks maestro Dan Carter finished with 19 points and skipper Richie McCaw was a stand-out in their scintillating display to guide his team to their eighth straight trans-Tasman Test win -- their best run since 1947.

Whereas five of Australia's previous seven losses came after they leading at halftime, they were blown away in a 15-minute period in the first half when the visitors turned on three tries.

They once again fell into bad habits and paid the price.

Restarts were not claimed, kicks failed to find touch and crucial tackles weren't made.

Everything had looked good early as the home side tested the world's top team with their fast-paced continuity game.

Matt Giteau opened their account with a fourth-minute penalty following his own 70m line-break, but the Wallabies allowed Carter to square the scores from the kick-off.

Even worse was to follow in a crazy start.

Winger Drew Mitchell charged down Carter to score in the right corner, but the All Blacks' five-eighth immediately made amends by charging down an off-key Berrick Barnes to score himself.

Carter's ensuing conversion put the visitors in the lead 10-8, and they widened the margin to seven after Jerome Kaino forced a ruck turnover off Mitchell to spark a slick counterattack which ended with Mils Muliaina crossing from a desperate Cory Jane chip.

While the Wallabies were able to grow their score through penalty goals, the more clinical All Blacks did it through tries.

Making it more galling for Robbie Deans, NZ's third five-pointer, to McCaw who swooped on loose ruck ball, came while they were down to 14 men with prop Owen Franks sin-binned for a shoulder charge.

It was a blow that gave NZ a 22-11 lead and seemed to break the Wallabies back.

Mitchell then copped the first of his two yellow cards and while he was off Jane pushed off a flimsy attempted tackle by Richard Brown to cross in the corner for a bonus point and a 32-14 half-time lead.

The bonus-point win lifts the All Blacks to 15 points from three games to have a firm grip on the Tri-Nations trophy.

Australia (4) must win next week's return clash in Christchurch to stay alive while defending champions South Africa (0) are out of what looks a one-horse race.

Tri-Nations Rugby Standings

Team            P     W    D    L    PF    PA    BP   Pts
New Zealand  3     3     0     0  112    57     3    15
Australia        2     1     0     1    58    62     0     4
South Africa   3     0     0     3    42    93     0     0

NOTE: 4 points for win, 2 for draw, 1 for loss by seven points or less, 1 for scoring four or more tries in a match.

Calm in the heat, Will Genia of the Wallabies is tackled by Victor Matfield of the Springboks during their Tri-Nations match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 24.

As the mighty Springboks lick their wounds back in South Africa, the giant-killing Wallabies prepare to face the All Blacks in Melbourne this Saturday, July 31 in Game 4 of the Tri-Nations.

The All Blacks are the hot favorites, but favoritism has been a curse in the competition so far.

At the start of the Tri-Nations, the South Africa Springboks were considered to be the best rugby nation in the world. But they have been thrashed three games in a row, twice by the New Zealand All Blacks in New Zealand, and once by the Australia Wallabies in Australia.

The Wallabies were virtually written off before the Tri-Nations began. They had stumbled through four Tests in June, beating low-ranked Fiji, then Ireland, and then drawing with England at 1-Test all.

The Wallabies looked unconvincing: the forwards were inept, the backs brilliant but patchy. Both problems are difficult to fix. And few imagined they were fixable in the cauldron of Tri-Nations rugby. However, coach Robbie Deans had the Wallabies finely tuned when they trounced the Springboks 30–13 in Brisbane last Saturday in the third week of the nine-week Tri-Nations series.

Wallaby captain, flanker Rocky Elsom crashed into top form, after underperforming through June. Elsom is a dashing player, who personifies flair. Fellow flanker David Pocock was man of the match against the Springboks, which shows that the Wallabies won the contest for the loose ball.

In fact, the duo laid an outstanding foundation for a loose-forward trio that could be world class by season’s end. Elsom is already a star and Pocock, 23, is destined to be. It will be fascinating to see how their combination develops.

Their next challenge comes on Saturday, against the All Black loose forwards, led by captain Richie McCaw, who is the best open-side flanker in the world. He comes head-to-head with Pocock. McCaw’s main support is number eight Kieran Read, an average player who blossomed in the two Tri-Nations Tests against the Boks.

Read is now fast and creative, which means he fits perfectly into the All Black machine, which operates on adaptability, speed, and precision. Though aggressive, the New Zealand loose forwards focus more on winning and distributing ball, than on being physically dominant.

Rule changes favoring attacking play suit the adventurous All Blacks. That adventure is presided over by superstar fly half Dan Carter, who is so talented that he can change games through individual flair. His masterful skills also allow him to sit back and direct play like a puppeteer.

Wallaby utility back Matt Giteau is the Australian star. Like Elsom, he had been out of form. And like Elsom, he burst back to his best against the Boks last Saturday. Blessed with speed and the ability to read a game, Giteau can cut a defense apart in a twinkling. He is backed by the attacking brilliance of wingers James O’Connor and Drew Mitchell.

However, the key to Wallaby success is halfback Will Genia. He brings a calmness to the backline, and an authority to the forwards. He is the lynch pin of the team. As a relatively new player, his influence is still developing. When he fully establishes himself, every Wallaby player will improve. In the high-pressure, Test environment, where circumstances change rapidly, Genia’s calmness is a rare quality.

As stated earlier, this Tri-Nations has made a mockery of form. Despite that, I predict an All Black victory over the Wallabies. Player for player the All Blacks are stronger. As well, they have a better, more-established game plan.

In saying that, the Wallabies were outstanding against the Springboks. So form is hard to assess, and the result is open to speculation.

Finally, a flame of intrigue was relit when the Wallabies beat the Boks. Deans controversially failed to win the New Zealand coaching position from incumbent Graham Henry. Both coaches come from New Zealand, where Deans has considerable support.

As the Wallabies underperformed, the controversy petered out. But if the Wallabies beat the All Blacks, speculation will begin again. And controversy over the All Black coach is the last thing the New Zealanders want one year out from the rugby World Cup, to be held in New Zealand.

NEXT WEEK
Tri-Nations continueS in Week 5 with a preview of New Zealand hosting Australia in the second leg of the Bledisloe Cup.

Tri-Nations Week 3/9
New Zealand All Blacks 2
Australia Wallabies 1
South Africa Springboks 0
NEXT WEEK
Tri-Nations continues in Week 5 with a preview of New Zealand hosting Australia in the second leg of the Bledisloe Cup.

Tri-Nations Week 3/9
New Zealand All Blacks      2
Australia Wallabies            1
South Africa Springboks     0

Peter Lalanabaravi, based in Sydney, has 30 years experience as a rugby writer.
 

Springboks Ruan Pienaar and Morne Steyn take part in a training session on Thursday in Brisbane, Australia. (Tertius Pickard/Gallo Images/Getty Images )

SYDNEY, Australia—Humiliated in two Tests by the All Blacks, the Springboks face a wobbly Wallaby side in Brisbane on Saturday, July 24 in game three of the Tri-Nations.

Two weeks ago, the Springboks were considered the best rugby team in the world. But after being outplayed by the All Blacks in two Tests, 32–12 and 31–17, the brilliant Boks looked battered and bewildered—literally.

The pride and defiance that followed the first Test in Auckland gave way to blame and vain hope after the second in Wellington. Springboks coach Peter de Villiers criticized Irish referee Alain Rolland unfairly.

Despite the devastating impact of the two losses, the Springboks can redeem the away-leg of their Tri-Nations by beating the Wallabies. That would enable them to claw their way back into the competition, at home on African soil.

An achievable task, but a task made harder because the All Blacks secured two bonus points for scoring four tries in each Test.

This begs a question: Are the Springboks as bad as they looked in New Zealand? Or are the All Blacks just too good? That question will be answered on Saturday when the Boks and the Wallabies meet.

A fortnight ago the Springboks towered over the Wallabies; now the two sides are vying for a distant second place behind the All Blacks. It is impossible to assess which is the stronger side. On paper, it is the Springboks. But, on the field, they were hopeless.

Wallabies Face Extinction

Meanwhile the Wallabies have been on the training paddock, with coach Robbie Deans using trial line-ups, refining his game-plan after witnessing the new, up-tempo All Black game. But he, like us, won’t really know whether the Springboks are hopeless, or the All Blacks are outstanding.

Each proposition seems correct when viewed from each perspective. However, the Australians must feel confident in one vital area, the contested ball. This is the domain of the loose forwards, an area where the Springboks were invulnerable before the Tri-Nations started.

But the Boks back row failed to perform in New Zealand, despite containing the greats, Schalk Burger and Pierre Spies.

The Wallaby “loosies” are led by captain Rocky Elsom, a rampaging rugby genius. His skills have been hindered by his under-performing tight forwards. Ideally, the tight five provide a platform, which allows the loose forwards the freedom to range in the open.

Conversely, when the tight-five falters, the loose forwards have to stay tight to help them. Consequently, the tight forwards set the foundation for the whole game.

For the Wallaby loose forwards to function, the battle has to be won up front. Again, on paper, the Springboks are streets ahead of the Wallabies. But the game will be played on grass in Brisbane, where the Boks have a poor record.

Furthermore, brilliant Australian coach Robbie Deans, is on a precipice. On one side lies devastating failure. On the other, glory. This is unfamiliar territory for the former coach of the New Zealand Super 14 side, the Crusaders. Whether this intensity brings out the best or the worst in Deans is an interesting subplot to the Tri-Nations.

Though written off, a Wallaby win will give them a sound start to the Tri-Nations. A loss, sends them, and coach Deans, tumbling toward the precipice.

A Springboks victory gives them a slim, but achievable chance of taking the Tri-Nations title for the second year running. Humiliation in New Zealand aside, that would be a sound start to the Tri-Nations.

It is impossible to predict a winner of this intriguing contest.

Tri-Nations Week 2/9
New Zealand All Blacks 2
South Africa Springboks 0
Australia Wallabies 0

Peter Lalanabaravi, based in Sydney, has 30 years experience as a rugby writer.

The All Blacks perform the Haka to the Springboks during their Tri-Nations match. The All Blacks have won both matches against the boks in this years Tri-Nations series. (Marty Melville/Getty Images)

BRISBANE—The Suncorp Stadium reunion of red-hot Queensland halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper has the Springboks on edge ahead of Saturday night's must-win Tri-Nations clash.

Genia's return from a broken hand to partner Reds teammate Cooper for the first time from the start of a Tri-Nations Test has not only lifted the confidence of the Wallabies but also helped force a change in South Africa's plans.

The Springboks, desperate for victory following two losses to New Zealand, identified the Queensland pair as major threats on their home ground where they were the most exciting and dangerous players in the Reds' Super 14 resurgence.

Since then Genia and five-eighth Cooper have only played one Test together, when the halfback broke his hand early in the surprise 21-20 loss to England in Sydney.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was on Tuesday reluctant to bring back all of his players returning from injury at the same time, leaving hooker Stephen Moore on the bench and also overlooking rangy flanker Scott Higginbotham and winger Cameron Shepherd.

But the Genia-Cooper playmaking combination adds an extra dimension to the Australian attacking game.

To combat it, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has taken a selection gamble by choosing specialist No.8 Ryan Kankowski at flanker in one four changes to make his side as fast as possible.

De Villiers noted their 2010 statistics showed the Brisbane ground, where the Springboks have lost their past six matches, was the quickest in the southern hemisphere.

"Of all the Super 14 teams and the surfaces that are used this is rated the quickest one," he said.

"We know they can run the ball and they are very quick across the field so we opt to bring some speed into our team."

A major reason for such an assessment of the venue must be put down to the efforts of the Reds backline, and Kankowski and halfback inclusion Ruan Pienaar admitted Genia and Cooper were central.

Pienaar said the mercurial Cooper's bag of tricks made the Wallabies more unpredictable than the All Blacks.

"I thought (Genia) was the best No.9 in the Super 14 and he was outstanding together with Quade Cooper so it's a big challenge for not only myself but the whole team to have our eye on him," Pienaar said.

"He and Quade have for a year or two together and they have gelled and I thought they really led the Reds team well this year.

"(Cooper) brings something new. We all know he's a good stepper and he's got great feet and he's got those funny kicks so he's a good all-round player so we have to watch him all around."

The Australian Super 14 player of the year, Cooper's best moments were produced against South African rivals and he hinted it was due to their extra size up front.

"The South African packs are big and massive and it makes it a bit easier to move around when you are facing such a big pack like that," he said, adding it would be a massive test of his defence.

"Having a big, fast and physical back-row, I'm sure I'll have to bring my shoulder pads this weekend."

Prop Benn Robinson (broken forearm) and lock Nathan Sharpe (shoulder) return along with Genia while the unavailability of Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes has seen winger Drew Mitchell recalled a fortnight after he was dumped from the 30-man squad.

Deans has also switched James O'Connor and Adam Ashley-Cooper with Ashley-Cooper reinstated at fullback to counter Springboks flyhalf Morne Steyn's big kicking game.

Chris Ashton of England is tackled by Will Genia during the Cook Cup Test Match between the Australian Wallabies and England at ANZ Stadium on June 19, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (David Rogers/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—A resurgent England have upset Australia 21-20 in Saturday's second Cook Cup Test at ANZ Stadium.

The 2003 World Cup-winning hero Jonny Wilkinson returned to the scene of his greatest moment to score the winning penalty goal as England secured just their third win over the Wallabies in Australia.

But while Wilkinson's boot delivered the winning points, it was England's new breed who set up this victory, with youngsters Ben Youngs and Chris Ashton scoring first-half tries for the visitors.

Australian inside centre Matt Giteau scored all 20 points for the Wallabies, including two tries, but had an off day with the boot, missing four penalty shots including an almost unbelievable one from dead in front late in the second half that could have won the game.

While England's scrum was their dominant weapon in the first Test in Perth last weekend, it was barely used on Saturday as an improved defence and dominant field position secured the unlikely win.

The English outscored Australia two tries to one in an entertaining first half, showing far more enterprise than in the 27-17 loss in Perth.

After early penalties had Australia leading 6-3, halfback Youngs stunned the home crowd in the 17th minute when he broke from a line-out into a gaping hole to put England in front.

The Wallabies hit back just four minutes later when a clever inside ball from Quade Cooper released Digby Ioane, who sprinted clear before feeding Giteau who converted his own try to put Australia 13-10 up.

Unbowed, England continued to dominate the field position and went over for their second try in the 26th minute when winger Ashton took advantage of some tired Australian defending to evade James O'Connor and beat Ioane to the line.

Giteau missed two penalty shots late in the half to allow the visitors to hold a 15-13 advantage at the break.

But the Australian centre made up for those misses when he finished a sweeping backline move in the 42nd minute to score his second try and put the Wallabies ahead 20-15 after again converting.

Flood's 44th minute penalty reduced the margin to two and then Wilkinson, freshly on the field for Flood, had an immediate impact with a penalty to put England ahead 21-20.

No more points were scored despite Giteau and Wilkinson both having chances to secure the win for their teams with penalty attempts.

Stephen Moiles of the Barbarians gets tackled by Dave Attwood of England. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—England lock Dave Attwood will renew hostilities with the Australian Barbarians in Gosford on Tuesday less than a week after having two stamping charges dismissed.

Attwood was cited for two alleged incidents in last Tuesday's 28-28 draw with the Barbarians in Perth, the second of which left opposite number Mitch Chapman requiring up to 17 stitches in his head.

Both charges were thrown out by the judicial officer after England successfully argued the citing commissioner should not have been from Australia.

Attwood will line up against Chapman again at Bluetongue Stadium in an England side that includes seven changes from the Perth draw.

Joe Worsley has replaced Chris Robshaw as captain and blindside flanker while wing David Strettle and centre Dominic Waldouck make their first starts of the tour.

Props Jon Golding and Paul Doran-Jones also come into the team while England have switched Dan Ward-Smith from number eight to join Attwood in the second row.

James Haskell, who came off the bench in Saturday's Test defeat to the Wallabies, takes over from Ward-Smith in the back row and will pack down alongside Worsley and openside flanker Steffon Armitage.

The Barbarians team includes a return for Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau in the hope he can prove his fitness ahead of Saturday's second Test in Sydney.

Polota-Nau's return would be timely after Australia's front row was crushed by England on Saturday.

D Armitage; D Strettle, D Waldouck, O Barkley, M Banahan; C Hodgson, R Wigglesworth; J Golding, L Mears, P Doran-Jones, D Attwood, D Ward-Smith, J Worsley (capt), S Armitage, J Haskell.

Replacements: R Webber, D Flatman, C Robshaw, P Dowson, P Hodgson, S Geraghty, M Tait.

The Australian team celebrate with the trophy after winning the Cup Final at the IRB London Sevens at Twickenham Stadium on May 23. (Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—Australia toppled defending champions South Africa 19-14 in a thrilling final at Twickenham to win the London Sevens on Sunday and claim their first victory on the IRB Sevens World Series since Brisbane in 2002.

New skipper James Stannard raced the length of the Twickenham pitch in the dying seconds of the decider to make a match-winning tackle which secured Australia a memorable victory at the home of rugby in front of more than 40,000 fans.

Australia took an early lead in the Cup final when a brilliant try to Brackin-Karauria Henry in the fifth minute opened their account before South Africa drew level through a converted chip-and-chase effort from Fabian Juries.

Stannard broke the South African defence two minutes after halftime and crashed over for his fifth try of the tournament to swing the match back in Australia's favour.

The defending champions hit back again through Juries to regain a 14-12 advantage before forward Henry Vanderglas swooped on a chance offload to power over for a 19-14 Australia lead.

Cecil Afrika then looked certain to snatch South Africa a famous victory but Stannard cut him down with a spectacular match-winning tackle which cleaned up the corner post.

Australian coach Michael O'Connor said he was sure South Africa were going to sneak home right on the siren.

"An unbelievable tackle," O'Connor said.

"I thought James had no chance of getting him. I have no idea where he pulled that pace from. He's got to be the player of the tournament.

"The boys are absolutely thrilled. I am incredibly proud of them."

Stannard was also crowed highest pointscorer at the penultimate leg of the IRB Series with 67 points, while teammate Clinton Sills announced his return to the circuit with nine tries.

Australia's undefeated performance at the London Sevens moved them into equal third with Fiji behind Samoa and New Zealand on the overall standings.

Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs celebrates scoring a try with team mates. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—The shellshocked Hurricanes have no doubt the NSW Waratahs have the firepower to finally break their Super rugby title drought in 2010.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper and All Blacks centre Conrad Smith hailed NSW's record-setting attacking unit as simply awesome after the Waratahs secured a fourth semi-final berth in six years with Friday night's 32-16 bonus-point win at the SFS.

The NSW back three of fullback Kurtley Beale and wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner were almost unstoppable, while centres Rob Horne and Tom Carter won the decisive midfield battle against Test stars Smith and Ma'a Nonu.

Beale collected two brilliant chip-chase tries, while man-of-the-match Mitchell rocketed to the top of the tournament's tryscoring list with his eighth and ninth five-pointers of the season.

"They played really well. I would love to be on their team the way they were (playing), that (style of) football," Smith said.

"Their whole backline was operating well and just the offloads they were getting away … Drew and Lachie and all that, it's a tough team to stop when they're like that.

"Rob was particularly good … they sapped the life out (of us)."

The Hurricanes had been riding a five-match winning streak and were themselves hopeful of qualifying for the playoffs, but they had no answer to NSW's scintillating attack.

"At one point there in the first half, it was amazing," Smith marvelled.

"Every pass (by the Waratahs] was sticking. Every chip kick would bounce into their hands.

"I know being in the Hurricanes that we have nights like that when it's your night."

Widely condemned as boring in recent seasons, the Waratahs have so far racked up a franchise-record 385 points in 2010, including 45 tries, another record haul.

While the Tahs wouldn't learn their semi-final opponents -- or venue -- until after the Bulls-Stormers clash in Cape Town early on Sunday morning AEST, Cooper had no doubt the free-scoring New South Welshmen were capable of snaring the title.

"If they can control their set pieces and keep attacking the way they are, they'll go well," Cooper said.

Cooper said the NSW attack had a beautiful blend of control and unpredictability, admitting the Waratahs' clever kicks behind the Hurricanes defensive line had caught his side off guard.

"We really didn't think they would do that," the Canes coach said.

"We thought they'd keep pretty structured and build.

"We couldn't keep the ball and, every time we gave them the ball back, they seemed to punish us.

"We tried our hearts out. Our defence was going pretty well but, in the end, it took its toll."

Results and Standings Round 14

CRUSADERS 40 (Owen Franks, Zac Guildford, Sean Maitland, Richard McCaw, Kieran Read tries Daniel Carter 3 cons 3 pens) bt
BRUMBIES 22 (Ben Alexander, Huia Edmonds, Tyrone Smith tries Matt Giteau 2 cons pen)
at AMI Stadium. Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZL).

NSW WARATAHS 32 (Kurtley Beale 2, Drew Mitchell 2 tries Berrick Barnes 3 cons 2 pens) bt
HURRICANES 16 (David Smith try Piri Weepu con 3 pens)
at Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: Chris Pollock (NZL).

SHARKS 27 (Jacques Botes, Ryan Kankowski, Lwazi Mvovo tries Ruan Pienaar 3 cons 2 pens) bt
WESTERN FORCE 22 (Nick Cummins try James O'Connor con O'Connor 3, Brett Sheehan 2 pens)
at ABSA Stadium. Referee: Pro Legoete (RSA).

BLUES 30 (Rudi Wulf 2, Alby Mathewson, Benson Stanley, Paul Williams tries Stephen Brett con pen) bt
CHIEFS 20 (Liam Messam, Save Tokula tries Trent Renata 2 cons 2 pens)
at Eden Park. Referee: Paul Marks (AUS).

QUEENSLAND REDS 38 (Poutasi Luafutu 2, Quade Cooper, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Radike Samo tries Cooper 4 cons) bt
HIGHLANDERS 36 (Fetuu Vainikolo 2, Israel Dagg, Chris King, Jason Rutledge tries Dagg 4 cons pen)
at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Steve R. Walsh (NZL).

CHEETAHS 59 (Bjorn Basson 2, Hennie Daniller 2, Sarel Pretorius 2, Coenraad Oosthuizen, Barend Pieterse, Corne Uys tries Naas Olivier 6, Louis Strydom cons) bt
LIONS 10 (Michael Killian try Herkie Kruger con pen)
at North West Stadium. Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA). Crowd: 10,345.

STORMERS 38 (Bryan Habana 2, Andries Bekker, Jaque Fourie tries Peter Grant 3 cons 4 pens) bt
BULLS 10 (Ruan Snyman try Francois Brummer con Jacques-Louis Potgieter pen)
at Newlands Rugby Stadium. Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA). Crowd: 48,739.

Super 14 Ladder P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 Bulls 13 10 0 3 436 345 91 7 47
2 Stormers 13 9 0 4 365 171 194 8 44
3 NSW Waratahs 13 9 0 4 385 288 97 7 43
4 Crusaders 13 8 1 4 388 295 93 7 41
5 Queensland Reds 13 8 0 5 366 308 58 7 39
6 Brumbies 13 8 0 5 358 291 67 5 37
7 Blues 13 7 0 6 376 333 43 9 37
8 Hurricanes 13 7 1 5 358 323 35 7 37
9 Sharks 13 7 0 6 297 299 -2 5 33
10 Cheetahs 13 5 1 7 316 393 -77 4 26
11 Chiefs 13 4 1 8 340 418 -78 8 26
12 Highlanders 13 3 0 10 297 397 -100 7 19
13 Western Force 13 4 0 9 258 364 -106 3 19
14Lions 13 0 0 13 270 585 -315 5 5

Top point scorers (tries, conversions, field goals, penalty goals, points):
Morne Steyn (Bulls) 5 35 3 39 221
Quade Cooper (Reds) 5 31 1 27 171
Daniel Carter (Crusaders) 1 23 2 29 144
Stephen Brett (Blues) 2 28 2 23 141
Matt Giteau (Brumbies) 1 25 1 26 136
Stephen Donald (Chiefs) 2 22 -- 25 129
Peter Grant (Stormers) 1 17 -- 25 114
Naas Olivier (Cheetahs) 1 19 2 21 112
Israel Dagg (H'landers) 5 16 -- 18 111
Ruan Pienaar (Sharks) 3 16 1 20 110

LEADING TRYSCORERS
9: Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs), Joe Rokocoko (Blues)
8: Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls)
7: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Jaque Fourie (Stormers), Rene Ranger (Blues), David Smith (Hurricanes)
6: Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), Alby Mathewson (Blues), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Bryan Habana (Stormers), Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs), Sean Maitland (Crusaders)

Rocky Elsom of the Brumbies scores during the match against the Highlanders at Canberra Stadium on May 8. (Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

CANBERRA—The Brumbies are just one win away from sealing a dream Super 14 finals berth after posting a crucial 31-3 bonus-point victory over the Highlanders in Canberra on Saturday night.

The Brumbies notched three tries in the opening 48 minutes but had to wait until two minutes before time to score the crucial bonus-point fourth.

Five-eighth Matt Toomua was the man to cross, ensuring George Smith and Stirling Mortlock received a perfect Canberra farewell.

The win lifted the Brumbies (37 points) to fourth spot on the table, equal on points with the fifth-placed Hurricanes but with a better points differential.

And with the third-placed Waratahs (38 points) to host the Hurricanes next week, the Brumbies will secure a top-four spot if they can defeat the Crusaders (36 points) in Christchurch on Friday night.

Smith lasted 74 minutes and was superb in his likely Canberra farewell while Mortlock, whose back injury denied him the chance to play one last time in front of his home crowd, did a lap of honour before the game and was chaired off after.

"We made it hard for ourselves out there, didn't we?" Smith said of the bonus point after the match.

"Full credit to the boys, they stuck in there until the last minute."

Coach Andy Friend said he was proud of the way his team stuck to the task.

"It's quite a relief to be honest with you," Friend said.

"We tend to leave things pretty late but it was good.

"It (a top-four spot) is there in our hands if we're good enough."

Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles said he was more relieved rather than delighted with the bonus point.

"It took us a while to get it … but we got it, we're still alive," Hoiles said.

"A couple of weeks ago we wouldn't have thought we would have control of our destiny, it looks like we may do now.

"But having said that, we're playing a tough side (Crusaders) at home after they've come off a couple of pretty tough losses in Africa so they're playing for everything, too."

Rocky Elsom opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he took the ball cleanly at the back of a lineout and twisted and turned his way through several opponents to cross over.

The lead swelled to 14 points when Matt Giteau converted Salesi Ma'afu's 16th-minute try, before fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper pulled off a try-saving tackle in the 23rd minute to deny Highlanders lock Josh Bekhuis.

The Highlanders' only points for the night came when Israel Dagg nailed a penalty after the halftime siren.

The Brumbies notched their third try when Toomua sliced through the visitors' defence to pave the way for Josh Valentine to cross.

Dagg was sin-binned for a cynical knock-down in the 49th minute and Brumbies prop Ben Alexander twice came close to notching his team's fourth try, only to be held up on the first occasion and penalised for double movement on the second.

But perseverance finally paid off and after a rolling maul stretched the Highlanders' defence, the Brumbies switched it wide where Toomua was able to take full advantage to nail the vital fourth try.

Waratahs Take Control of Their Finals Destiny

Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs scores a try despite the efforts of Brendon Leonard of the Chiefs. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—NSW Waratahs rose to the challenge to take control of their Super 14 finals destiny with a crushing 46-19 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Combining forward muscle and backline flair, the Waratahs scored seven tries to three and rocketed to third on the back of their bonus-point win.

Up 20-0 at halftime, NSW secured the vital bonus point within 60 seconds of the restart, when five-eighth Berrick Barnes scored a 50-metre intercept try.

The win set up a potential winner-take-all final-round home game against the Hurricanes next Friday.

"We've given ourselves everything to play for now and every opportunity to grab a place in the finals series, I think," Waratahs coach Chris Hickey told AAP.

"It's a big challenge playing the Hurricanes but we're back at the SFS and we're looking forward to a really big crowd there to support us."

While some of their first-half passing left something to be desired, NSW produced several impressive multi-phase moves throughout the game.

"This is a team that rises to the challenge and shows that they have got the ability to turn up at the big games," Hickey said.

"It was a good performance in most aspects at the game."

Starting the round in fifth spot, NSW delivered on their pre-match aim to produce a more physical performance after their listless effort at the breakdown against the Highlanders last week.

Captain and openside flanker Phil Waugh popped up everywhere while No.8 Ben Mowen and lock Kane Douglas also excelled.

"We knew that if we were going to get the opportunity to play we needed to control the breakdown," Hickey said.

"I thought Ben Mowen, Phil Waugh and (blindside flanker) Pat McCutcheon performed admirably in that area."

In the backs, winger Drew Mitchell, fullback Kurtley Beale and Barnes created constant problems for the Chiefs defence.

"Drew Mitchell had a really strong influence on the game and did some special things and I think Kurtley is growing in confidence in that position at fullback," Hickey said.

A brilliant second-minute solo try from Mitchell, who burst through a gap, chipped and regathered, set the tone for a dominant NSW display.

Mowen and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau added further tries before the break and Barnes reasserted the Waratahs dominance by scoring almost immediately after halftime.

Beale and Turner scored tries from well-weighted kicks and replacement hooker Damien Fitzpatrick crossed for his first Super five-pointer just before the end.

Hickey said Barnes, Waugh, centre Rob Horne and prop Benn Robinson were replaced as a precautionary measure and didn't expect Sunday's medicals to produce any major injury worries.

Three final-quarter tries, two to centre Jackson Willison and one to fullback Tim Nanai-Williams salvaged a smidgeon of respectability for the Chiefs, who completed their 2010 program in Hamilton without a win.

Super 14 Results and Standings Round 13

HURRICANES 44 (Hosea Gear 3, Tamati Ellison, Cory Jane, David Smith tries Piri Weepu 4 cons 2 pens) bt
QUEENSLAND REDS 21 (Will Chambers, Rod Davies, Scott Higginbotham tries Quade Cooper 3 cons)
at Westpac Stadium. Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZL).

BULLS 40 (Francois Hougaard 2, Victor Matfield tries Morne Steyn 2 cons 5 pens 2 drop goals) bt
CRUSADERS 35 (Andrew Ellis, Sean Maitland, Ti'i Paulo, Brad Thorn tries Daniel Carter 3 cons 2 pens drop goal)
at Loftus Versfeld. Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA).

NSW WARATAHS 46 (Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Damien Fitzpatrick, Drew Mitchell, Ben Mowen, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Lachlan Turner tries Barnes 2, Daniel Halangahu 2 cons Barnes pen) bt
CHIEFS 19 (Jackson Willison 2, Tim Nanai-Williams tries Callum Bruce, Dwayne Sweeney cons)
at Waikato Stadium. Referee: Steve R. Walsh (NZL).

BRUMBIES 31 (Rocky Elsom, Salesi Ma'afu, Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine tries Matt Giteau 4 cons pen) bt
HIGHLANDERS 3 (Israel Dagg pen)
at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Chris Pollock (NZL).

BLUES 56 (Joe Rokocoko 2, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Tom McCartney, Rene Ranger, Paul Williams tries Brett 6 cons 3 pens) bt
LIONS 14 (Carlos Spencer 2 tries Herkie Kruger 2 cons)
at Ellis Park. Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA).

CHEETAHS 29 (Bjorn Basson 2, Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius tries Olivier 3 cons pen) bt
WESTERN FORCE 14 (Ryan Cross, David Pocock tries James O'Connor 2 cons)
at Vodacom Park. Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA).

SHARKS 20 (Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar tries Pienaar 2 cons 2 pens) bt
STORMERS 14 (Peter Grant, Francois Louw tries Grant 2 cons)
at ABSA Stadium. Referee: Stuart Dickinson (AUS). 

S14 Ladder P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 Bulls 12 10 0 2 426 307 119 7 47
2 Stormers 12 8 0 4 327 161 166 7 39
3 NSW Waratahs 12 8 0 4 353 272 81 6 38
4 Brumbies 12 8 0 4 336 251 85 5 37
5 Hurricanes 12 7 1 4 342 291 51 7 37
6 Crusaders 12 7 1 4 348 273 75 6 36
7 Queensland Reds 12 7 0 5 328 272 56 6 34
8 Blues 12 6 0 6 346 313 33 8 32
9 Sharks 12 6 0 6 270 277 -7 5 29
10 Chiefs 12 4 1 7 320 388 -68 8 26
11 Cheetahs 12 4 1 7 257 383 -126 3 21
12 Western Force 12 4 0 8 236 337 -101 2 18
13 Highlanders 12 3 0 9 261 359 -98 5 17
14 Lions 12 0 0 12 260 526 -266 5 5

LEADING TRYSCORERS
9: Joe Rokocoko (Blues)
8: Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls)
7: Rene Ranger (Blues), Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
6: Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs), Jaque Fourie (Stormers), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), David Smith (Hurricanes), Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes)

Brumbies coach Andy Friend and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. (Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—The problem with superstars is they often come with super-sized opinions.

And that has been the cause of some angst for Brumbies coach Andy Friend this Super 14 season as he has tried to maintain a happy camp in the nation's capital.

Having added the likes of Matt Giteau, Rocky Elsom and Justin Harrison to an already formidable playing list for the 2010 season, Friend admits that pulling his star-studded outfit together has been a challenge.

"We have got a lot of very experienced people within that side and therefore a lot of opinions," he told AAP.

"Just getting them all on the one page has been interesting to deal with.

"There has been a lot of discussions amongst ourselves as a group how we best should be functioning.

"I actually felt leading into the Waratahs game that we were going to see it that night and we obviously didn't (in the 19-12 defeat).

"So when it occurred on Saturday night (in the 32-12 win over Queensland) it did not really surprise me to be honest but it was pleasing to see it happen."

Friend believes his players are firmly on the same page before Saturday night's crunch match against the Highlanders in Canberra.

The Brumbies boast the cream of Australian rugby and have in the past had a reputation of players holding considerable power within the franchise.

The two-time Super champions have been brilliant in patches but also proved highly frustrating this season with injuries and new combinations not aiding their cause.

But Friend, in his second season at the helm in Canberra, backed his players to make a stirring finish to the season and force their way into this month's Super 14 finals.

"It still is going to be a work in progress," he said.

"One good game does not mean we are home and hosed."

"We have been getting results but our performance has not been up to the standard that we have been setting ourselves."

With only two points separating third from seventh place on the ladder, the sixth-placed Brumbies need to beat the unpredictable Highlanders and account for the Crusaders in Christchurch in the final round to enhance their finals aspirations.

But Friend said his men couldn't look beyond the 12th-placed Highlanders after they rolled the NSW Waratahs in Invercargill last weekend.

"The Highlanders are a tough side, you don't want to be looking at ladder positions with where they sit at the moment," he said.

On the team front, Friend said that George Smith (shoulder) was a good chance of being fit for his Canberra finale while fellow stalwart Stirling Mortlock (back) is likely to have played his final home match for the Brumbies.

Smith is leaving Australian rugby while Mortlock will join the Melbourne Rebels next year.

Five-eighth Matt Toomua is set to come back into the side and push Matt Giteau out to inside centre.

Adam Ashley-Cooper high fives Ben Alexander of the Brumbies after he scored a try. The Brumbies went on to defeat the inform Reds. (Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

CANBERRA—The sleeping giants have awoken and suddenly the Brumbies have the inside running in the mad dash for a Super 14 semi-finals berth.

While the defending champion Bulls took a giant stride towards the minor premiership with a 27-19 triumph over the Sharks in Pretoria, predicting the remaining three play-off sides remains a lottery after another weekend of upsets and drama.

The Brumbies entered round 12 seven points adrift of the top four and 50-1 long shots for the title but now loom as the most likely Australian side to squeeze into the semis after crushing injury-hit Queensland 32-12 in Canberra on Saturday night.

The Brumbies piled on four unanswered tries in the desperately-needed bonus-point victory to close to within two competition points of the fourth-placed Reds.

If results go to form in the penultimate round and the Brumbies account for the lowly Highlanders at home on Saturday, the ACT franchise will find themselves in the four heading into a do-or-die last-round clash with the faltering Crusaders in Christchurch.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend has no doubts his star-studded line-up -- dubbed the Real Madrid of Australian Super 14 rugby in the pre-season -- can make a late title charge after finally clicking into top gear.

"A hundred per cent. I firmly believe we can," Friend said.

"We obviously need to continue to play like that, play with real belief and energy and for each other.

"If we can do that next week, that obviously takes us one step further and then we'll see what happens beyond that."

The Reds, though, now appear vulnerable to being swamped by the chasing pack.

Eyeing a home semi-final before stumbling yet again in the national capital, the Reds will head to Wellington needing to conquer the fast-improving Hurricanes on Friday or face the prospect of plummeting to seventh on the ladder.

Queensland finish the regular season at home against the Highlanders, but the semi-final ship may have sailed by then if they can't rebound from their 15th loss from 16 Super rugby showdowns with the Brumbies.

The NSW Waratahs remain in fifth position, one point behind the Crusaders and Reds, despite their surprise 26-10 loss to the Highlanders in an arctic Invercargill.

The second-placed Stormers did NSW a huge favour by trouncing the Crusaders 42-14 in Cape Town and the Waratahs received a further boost on Sunday when classy pair Benn Robinson (forearm) and Rob Horne (buttock) arrived in New Zealand to strengthen the squad.

Robinson and Horne face more fitness tests during the week but coach Chris Hickey is hopeful both will be available for Saturday's must-win tussle with the disappointing Chiefs in Hamilton.

Should they prevail, the Waratahs would then also have to beat the Hurricanes in the final round to remain in the play-off mix.

The fast-finishing Hurricanes are equal sixth with the Brumbies after snatching a 33-27 bonus-point win over the Chiefs in Wellington.

Regardless of which trans-Tasman sides make the play-offs, it seems inevitable they will confront mission improbable in South Africa.

The Bulls look nigh unbeatable at home after registering their 17th consecutive victory on the high veldt of Loftus Versfeld and now need just one bonus point from their games against the Crusaders and Stormers to lock up a semi-final spot.

One win would be enough for the titleholders to host a semi-final. 

Super 14 Results and Standings Round 12

HIGHLANDERS 26 (Adam Thomson 2, Stephen Setephano tries Israel Dagg con Matthew Berquist 3 pens) bt
NSW WARATAHS 10 (Kurtley Beale try Daniel Halangahu con pen)
at Rugby Park Stadium. Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZL).

STORMERS 42 (Jaque Fourie 2, Sireli Naqelevuki tries Peter Grant 3 cons 7 pens) bt
CRUSADERS 14 (Daniel Carter, Colin Slade tries Carter 2 cons)
at Newlands Rugby Stadium. Referee: Stuart Dickinson (AUS).

HURRICANES 33 (Ma'a Nonu 2, Cory Jane, Neemia Tialata tries Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu cons Cruden 2, Weepu pens) bt
CHIEFS 27 (Liam Messam, Tim Nanai-Williams, Arizona Taumalolo, Jackson Willison tries Callum Bruce 2 cons pen)
at Westpac Stadium. Referee: Keith Brown (NZL).

BRUMBIES 32 (Ben Alexander 2, Mark Chisholm, Josh Valentine tries Matt Giteau 3 cons 2 pens) bt
QUEENSLAND REDS 12 (Quade Cooper 4 pens)
at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Chris Pollock (NZL).

CHEETAHS 36 (Bjorn Basson, Jongi Nokwe, Juan Smith, Phillip van der Walt, Waltie Vermeulen tries Meyer Bosman 2, Naas Olivier 2 cons Olivier pen) bt
BLUES 32 (Alby Mathewson, Rene Ranger, Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake tries Stephen Brett 3 cons 2 pens)
at Vodacom Park. Referee: Marius Jonker (RSA).

WESTERN FORCE 33 (Mark Bartholomeusz, David Hill, Scott Staniforth tries Hill 3 cons 4 pens) bt
LIONS 12 (Herkie Kruger 4 pens)
at Ellis Park. Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA).

BULLS 27 (Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Gerhard van den Heever tries Morne Steyn con 5 pens) bt
SHARKS 19 (Rory Kockott try Andy Goode con 4 pens)
at Loftus Versfeld. Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA).

Ladder P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 Bulls 11 9 0 2 386 272 114 7 43
2 Stormers 11 8 0 3 313 141 172 6 38
3 Crusaders 11 7 1 3 313 233 80 4 34
4 Queensland Reds 11 7 0 4 307 228 79 6 34
5 NSW Waratahs 11 7 0 4 307 253 54 5 33
6 Brumbies 11 7 0 4 305 248 57 4 32
7 Hurricanes 11 6 1 4 298 270 28 6 32
8 Blues 11 5 0 6 290 299 -9 7 27
9 Chiefs 11 4 1 6 301 342 -41 8 26
10 Sharks 11 5 0 6 250 263 -13 5 25
11 Western Force 11 4 0 7 222 308 -86 2 18
12 Highlanders 11 3 0 8 258 328 -70 5 17
13 Cheetahs 11 3 1 7 228 369 -141 2 16
14 Lions 11 0 0 11 246 470 -224 5 5

Top point scorers (tries, conversions, field goals, penalty goals, points):
Morne Steyn (Bulls) 5 33 1 34 196
Quade Cooper (Reds) 4 24 1 27 152
Stephen Donald (Chiefs) 2 22 -- 25 129
Matt Giteau (Brumbies) 1 19 1 24 118
Daniel Carter (Crusaders) 1 17 1 24 114
Stephen Brett (Blues) 1 21 2 19 110
Israel Dagg (H'landers) 4 12 -- 16 92
James O'Connor (Force) 1 12 -- 20 89
Peter Grant (Stormers) -- 12 -- 21 87
Joe Pietersen (Stormers) 3 10 -- 17 86
Naas Olivier (Cheetahs) -- 10 2 20 86

LEADING TRYSCORERS
8: Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls)
7: Joe Rokocoko (Blues)
6: Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Jaque Fourie (Stormers), Rene Ranger (Blues)
5: Kahn Fotuali'i (Crusaders), David Smith (Hurricanes), Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Richard Kahui (Chiefs), Pierre Spies (Bulls), Morne Steyn (Bulls), Wynand Olivier (Bulls), Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs)

The Queensland Reds celebrate victory against the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. (Jonathan Wood/Getty Images)

BRISBANE—The scintillating Queensland Reds stamped themselves as genuine Super 14 contenders on Saturday night with dramatic 19-12 upset of the defending champion Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.

Captain Will Genia produced a sensational display at half-back to lead his team into the top four as they successfully ran the monster Bulls pack off their feet for 70 minutes of a helter-skelter affair.

The two-tries-all win, which left the 26,669 Brisbane crowd in raptures, looms as the launching pad towards a first finals campaign in nine years for the perennial battlers.

Queensland's sixth win of the season, and certainly their most memorable, sees them leapfrog NSW (28 points) into fourth place on the Super 14 table with 30 points.

The victory was tarnished with a suspected ankle ligament injury to stalwart lock Van Humphries, who stood extremely tall to outpoint Bulls skipper Victor Matfield.

But none were better than Genia who did everything, including setting up Queensland's first try with the vision and execution to put Scott Higginbotham over with a 80m kick following a Bulls attacking turnover.

"It was an outstanding effort," Genia said of his team's performance.

The Reds were unlucky not to race up a comfortable lead such was their dominance for the first hour of the match.

But a Morne Steyn ankle tap on Rod Davies, great last-ditch defence by fullback Zane Kirchner and several last passes just going astray kept the visitors in the game.

Queensland's pack were even winning scrum penalties and scrum feeds off resets by bullying the exhausted Springbok-laden Bulls forwards.

When the visitors lost a rare line-out off their own throw in the 58th minute, Queensland's back-line pounced with centre Will Chambers fading into space and then flick passing for Anthony Faingaa and Digby Ioane to put Rod Davies over for a 19-7 lead.

But a schoolboy error, allowing the ball to roll straight out of the scrum tunnel, allowed Pedrie Wannenburg to crash over for an extremely tense final 10 minutes.

The Bulls camped in the Reds quarter for the last five minutes and veteran hooker Sean Hardman was hugged by all and sundry when he forced a ruck penalty in the final minute.

The Reds grabbed an 8-7 lead at the end of the pulsating first half when play-maker Quade Cooper kicked his first successful attempt at his third chance.

For all of the Reds' audacious attack it was the Bulls who scored the only try of the first 28 minutes with flanker Derick Kuun finishing a 75m counter-attack in his 50th Super game in the sixth minute.

Higginbotham got Queensland on the board when he out-sprinted Bulls centres Wynand Olivier and Stephan Dippenaar to score from a perfect kick by Genia.

Digby Ioane was a stand-out for the Reds while the Faingaa twins -- Anthony and Saia -- were in the thick of everything.

Western Force rue Missed Opportunities

Nic Henderson of the Force (L) slumps over following his sides loss against the the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—Western Force coach John Mitchell was left to rue missed opportunities as All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko bagged a hat-trick of tries in the Blues' 38-17 Super 14 win in Auckland on Saturday.

Gunning for a franchise record-equalling third straight win, the Force enjoyed over 60 per cent of territory spent five more minutes in their opponent's 22.

But they failed to capitalise on their territorial domination and a promising start and were given a lesson in finishing and opportunism by the free-flowing Blues.

The home team scored the first six tries -- three of them to Rokocoko -- to lead 38-3, before a late flourish earned the Force some deserved respectability on the scoreboard.

In the final three minutes, flanker David Pocock muscled his way over the line and the Force were awarded a penalty try after some lazy running from a Blues defender, with fullback James O'Connor converting both tries.

The Force let a possible 13 points go begging in the first 12 minutes, despite holding an early 3-0 lead.

O'Connor kicked just one out of three penalties and never got the chance to convert what should have been a simple try to winger Mark Bartholomeusz, who dropped the ball with the line beckoning.

Rokocoko quickly punished such profligate play, crossing for the Blues' first two tries, as the New Zealand side piled on 19 unanswered points in just 12 minutes to take control.

"If we converted that pressure things may have been different, but that's could have and should have," Force coach John Mitchell told AAP.

Rokocoko rounded off a sweeping left-to-right move for his first five-pointer after 18 minutes and was in again seven minutes later after sweeping onto an inside pass from five-eighth Stephen Brett.

He was also involved in the build-up to the Blues' third try, scored by Tony Woodcock off a pass from fellow prop John Afoa.

The Force went to the sheds 19-3 down after failing to capitalise on a 13-phase move in the Blues' 22 and a five-metre scrum feed.

Dangerous half-back Alby Mathewson notched the Blues' bonus-point try within six minutes of the second half, when he scampered 30 metres through some inadequate defence after taking a quick tap.

Rokocoko completed his hat-trick after 52 minutes, charging onto a short ball from inside centre Luke McAlister.

The Blues recorded their sixth try when their other winger, Rudi Wulf, slid over following a break from McAlister following a lin-eout.

Mitchell opted to substitute replacement prop Matt Dunning rather than run the risk of finishing with 14 men, after the Wallaby front rower was penalised in a number of scrums by referee Keith Brown.

Force skipper and lock Nathan Sharpe praised the Blues for their ball control in slippery conditions, but felt his team lacked creativity.

"We just tried to sledgehammer away at the Blues and obviously we need to be be a bit more subtle," Sharpe said in his post-match TV interview.

"Tonight is a good learning experience for us and we need to get better."

Centre Ryan Cross (diaphragm) was the only Force casualty.

Super 14 Results and Standings Round 10

STORMERS 49 (Andries Bekker, Deon Fourie, Bryan Habana, Tiaan Liebenberg, Sireli Naqelevuki, Duane Vermeulen tries Peter Grant 4, Willem de Waal cons Grant 3 pens) bt
CHIEFS 15 (Tanerau Latimer, Tim Nanai-Williams tries Stephen Donald con pen)
at Waikato Stadium. Referee: Steve R. Walsh (NZL).

HURRICANES 23 (Conrad Smith, Victor Vito tries Aaron Cruden 2 cons 3 pens) bt
BRUMBIES 13 (Matt Giteau, Patrick Phibbs tries Giteau pen)
at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA).

BLUES 38 (Joe Rokocoko 3, Alby Mathewson, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf tries Luke McAlister 4 cons) bt
WESTERN FORCE 17 (1 penalty try) (David Pocock try James O'Connor 2 cons pen)
at Eden Park. Referee: Keith Brown (NZL).

CRUSADERS 45 (Thomas Waldrom 2, Ryan Crotty, Kahn Fotuali'i, Ben Franks, Zac Guildford, Sean Maitland tries Colin Slade 5 cons) bt
CHEETAHS 6 (Meyer Bosman, Riaan Viljoen pens)
at AMI Stadium. Referee: Jonathan White (NZL).

QUEENSLAND REDS 19 (Rod Davies, Scott Higginbotham tries Quade Cooper 3 pens) bt
BULLS 12 (Derick Kuun, Pedrie Wannenburg tries Morne Steyn con)
at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA).

Bye-Highlanders, NSW Waratahs

Ladder 10 P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 Crusaders 9 7 1 1 283 167 116 4 34
2 Bulls 9 7 0 2 308 242 66 6 34
3 Stormers 9 7 0 2 258 111 147 5 33
4 Queensland Reds 9 6 0 3 279 183 96 6 30
5 NSW Waratahs 9 6 0 3 278 215 63 5 29
6 Brumbies 9 6 0 3 261 217 44 2 26
7 Blues 9 5 0 4 248 240 8 5 25
8 Hurricanes 9 4 1 4 232 212 20 4 22
9 Chiefs 9 4 0 5 249 284 -35 5 21
10 * Sharks 8 3 0 5 176 198 -22 4 16
11 Highlanders 9 2 0 7 201 285 -84 3 11
12 Western Force 9 2 0 7 165 280 -115 2 10
13 Cheetahs 9 2 0 7 167 312 -145 1 9
14 * Lions 8 0 0 8 195 354 -159 4 4
*(denotes teams yet to play)

Top point scorers (tries, conversions, field goals, penalty goals, points):
Morne Steyn (Bulls) 4 29 1 24 153
Stephen Donald (Chiefs) 2 22 -- 25 129
Quade Cooper (Reds) 4 23 1 20 129
Daniel Carter (Crusaders) -- 14 -- 23 97
Matt Giteau (Brumbies) 1 16 1 18 94
Stephen Brett (Blues) 1 17 2 16 93
James O'Connor (Force) 1 12 -- 20 89
Joe Pietersen (Stormers) 3 10 -- 17 86
Israel Dagg (H'landers) 4 8 -- 16 84
Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) -- 14 2 13 73

LEADING TRYSCORERS
7: Joe Rokocoko (Blues)
6: Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
5: Zac Guildford (Crusaders), David Smith (Hurricanes), Rene Ranger (Blues), Pierre Spies (Bulls), Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls), Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
4: Sean Maitland (Crusaders), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Morne Steyn (Bulls), Wynand Olivier (Bulls), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Israel Dagg (H'landers), Michael Hobbs (H'landers), Kahn Fotuali'i (Crusaders), Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Digby Ioane (Reds), Rod Davies (Reds), Bryan Habana (Stormers), Jaque Fourie (Stormers)

Peter Hynes of the Reds over for the winning try with Jano Vermaak of the Lions too late in the tackle. (Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

BRISBANE—A Quade Cooper-inspired Queensland have weathered a second-half Lions fightback to prevail 41-26 in a helter-skelter Super 14 match in Johannesburg.

The Reds seemed to have Sunday morning's (AEST) clash in the bag after racing to a 24-0 lead in the first 17 minutes but the winless Lions charged back at Coca-Cola Park.

Queensland were in deep trouble midway through the second half when hooker Saia Faingaa was sin-binned and the home side scored their third try to close to 27-19.

However mercurial five-eighth Cooper, who continued the dazzling form he showed against the Sharks last week, turned the game again with a stepping run to put fullback Peter Hynes over near the posts.

It was one of six tries scored by the visitors and Cooper had a hand in four of them, including one he dotted down himself early in a 16-point haul.

The 22-year-old was a deserving man of the match as he also saved two certain tries with wonderful last-ditch defence.

Queensland's bonus-point victory gave them their fifth win for the season, the most since 2003, and kept them in fifth place on the table, two points outside the top four.

Ewen McKenzie's attacking machine tore the weak Lions defence to shreds from the outset with speedster Rod Davies making a break from the kick-off that sparked a brilliant team try he finished by diving on a Cooper grubber kick in the corner.

Such was Queensland's ruthless early onslaught, Davies secured the Reds' four-try bonus point in the 17th minute by darting over for his second five-pointer.

The blazing winger could have had his hat-trick just 10 minutes later but failed to reel in another Cooper grubber to the right corner.

Only a drifted forward pass by Cooper denied Scott Higginbotham another first half try as the Lions started to get their act together.

The home side began to recycle possession and pressure the disciplined Queensland defence and fullback Michael Killian crossed for them to trail 24-5 at halftime.

While Cooper starred, his childhood idol, Carlos Spencer, endured a poor start and also left his kicking boot behind as he missed three costly kicks at goal before replacement Herkie Kruger took over.

The Lions continued to dominate possession after the break and lock Franco van der Merwe and Kruger crossed within five minutes of each other to close within eight points of the 14-men Reds.

But by the time Faingaa returned from his yellow card, for dangerously taking out Van der Merwe in the air at a line-out, Hynes had scored.

Reserve forward Ezra Taylor also crashed over late from a strong Will Chambers run before Killian picked up his second try and the Lions' fourth for a bonus point in the last minute.

BULLS 33 (Gary Botha, Dewald Potgieter, Pierre Spies, Gerhard van den Heever tries Morne Steyn 2 cons 3 pens) bt
CHIEFS 19 (Brendon Leonard try Stephen Donald con 4 pens)
at Waikato Stadium. Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA).

WESTERN FORCE 41 (Ryan Cross 2, Cameron Shepherd 2, James O'Connor, Justin Turner tries O'Connor 4 cons pen) bt
HIGHLANDERS 27 (Chris King, Stephen Setephano, Fetuu Vainikolo tries Matthew Berquist 4 pens)
at Queenstown Events Centre. Referee: Marius Jonker (RSA).

STORMERS 33 (Dewaldt Duvenage, Jaque Fourie, Anton van Zyl tries Peter Grant 3 cons 4 pens) bt
BLUES 21 (Serge Lilo, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko tries Stephen Brett 3 cons)
at Eden Park. Referee: Stuart Dickinson (AUS).

CRUSADERS 20 (Kahn Fotuali'i try Daniel Carter 5 pens) bt
NSW WARATAHS 13 (Robert Horne try Daniel Halangahu con Berrick Barnes, Halangahu pens)
at AMI Stadium. Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA).

BRUMBIES 61 (Ben Alexander 2, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rocky Elsom, Stephen Hoiles, Alfi Mafi, Patrick Phibbs, Tyrone Smith, Matt Toomua tries Matt Giteau 6, Julian Huxley 2 cons) bt
CHEETAHS 15 (Sarel Pretorius, Adriaan Strauss tries Riaan Viljoen con Naas Olivier pen)
at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZL).

QUEENSLAND REDS 41 (Rod Davies 2, Quade Cooper, Saia Faingaa, Peter Hynes, Ezra Taylor tries Cooper 4 cons pen) bt
LIONS 26 (Michael Killian 2, Herkie Kruger, Franco van der Merwe tries Kruger 3 cons)
at Ellis Park. Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA).

Bye-Sharks, Hurricanes

Ladder P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 Bulls 8 7 0 1 296 223 73 5 33
2 Crusaders 8 6 1 1 238 161 77 3 29
3 NSW Waratahs 9 6 0 3 278 215 63 5 29
4 Stormers 8 6 0 2 209 96 113 4 28
5 Queensland Reds 8 5 0 3 260 171 89 6 26
6 Brumbies 8 6 0 2 248 194 54 2 26
7 Chiefs 8 4 0 4 234 235 -1 5 21
8 Blues 8 4 0 4 210 223 -13 4 20
9 Hurricanes 8 3 1 4 209 199 10 4 18
10 Sharks 8 3 0 5 176 198 -22 4 16
11 Highlanders 9 2 0 7 201 285 -84 3 11
12 Western Force 8 2 0 6 148 242 -94 2 10
13 Cheetahs 8 2 0 6 161 267 -106 1 9
14 Lions 8 0 0 8 195 354 -159 4 4

Top point scorers (tries, conversions, field goals, penalty goals, points):
Morne Steyn (Bulls) 4 28 1 24 151
Stephen Donald (Chiefs) 2 21 -- 24 124
Quade Cooper (Reds) 4 23 1 17 120
Daniel Carter (Crusaders) -- 14 -- 23 97
Stephen Brett (Blues) 1 17 2 16 93
Matt Giteau (Brumbies) -- 16 1 17 86
Joe Pietersen (Stormers) 3 10 -- 17 86
Israel Dagg (H'landers) 4 8 -- 16 84
James O'Connor (Force) 1 10 -- 19 82
Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) -- 14 2 13 73

LEADING TRYSCORERS
6: Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
5: David Smith (Hurricanes), Rene Ranger (Blues), Pierre Spies (Bulls), Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls), Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
4: Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Joe Rokocoko (Blues), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Morne Steyn (Bulls), Wynand Olivier (Bulls), Michael Hobbs (H'landers), Israel Dagg (H'landers), Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Digby Ioane (Reds), Jaque Fourie (Stormers)

Rob Horne of the Waratahs makes a line break during the round eight Super 14 match between the Waratahs and the Cheetahs at Sydney Football Stadium. (Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—The NSW Waratahs surged to the top of the Super 14 ladder with a thumping 40-17 victory over the lowly Cheetahs at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

Despite the wet and slippery conditions, the Waratahs put on a show to celebrate Al Baxter's 100th Super rugby game in style -- and the veteran front-rower came to the party with his first-ever try for his state.

Baxter, Australia's most-capped prop with 69 Tests to his credit, crossed from the closest of range in the 44th minute as the Waratahs bagged five tries to clinch a vital bonus point.

The 33-year-old Baxter, beaming from ear to ear, received rousing applause from the Waratahs faithful -- and high fives from the NSW bench -- after receiving a well-earned early shower in the 52nd minute.

"It's fun to score, but I don't think my main job out there is to be running down the sideline like a winger scoring tries," said Baxter, whose one and only try for the Wallabies came in his 50th Test, against Canada at the 2007 World Cup in France.

"I'm one for milestones. No, I'm a front-rower and tighthead prop, so it's set piece first and foremost, and hard yards around the field.

"But it's good to get a few tries -- at least one -- but I'm certainly not banking on making a career on tries."

With the Bulls, Stormers and Crusaders all stumbling this weekend, NSW's fifth straight win guaranteed Chris Hickey's side first position on the table on points differential after round eight.

Impressed Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske believes the Waratahs can go right on with the job and land their elusive first Super crown.

"They can definitely win this competition. There's no doubt about," Drotske said.

"The big thing about them is, they win their close games. And if you want to win this competition, you need to do that.

"They mix quite well as a team, they've got a very good defensive system. It's not easy to score tries against them and they showed that night.

"The first 50, 60 minutes we couldn't score against them. When they had four or five tries on the board, maybe they relaxed a little bit."

With a trip to Christchurch next week to take on the seven-times championship-winning Crusaders, followed by a points-free bye and a round-10 derby against the Brumbies, it was crucial the Waratahs performed in the absence of injured skipper Phil Waugh.

Captaining his state for the first time at Super level, lock Dean Mumm was a stand-out, while centre Berrick Barnes enjoyed his best game for the Waratahs since joining the franchise from Queensland at the end of last season.

The Waratahs led 23-3 at half-time courtesy of tries to centre Rob Horne in the 26th minute, after he capitalised on a clean break by his midfield partner Barnes, and prop Benn Robinson.

Five-eighth Daniel Halangahu added both conversions, plus penalty goals in the ninth, 18th and 37th minutes to leave the home side in control at the break.

Baxter's five-pointer followed by a runaway effort from Beale in the 46th minute secured the win and bonus point.

Replacement half-back Josh Holmes added a fifth NSW try in the 78th minute, which man-of-the-match Barnes converted to complete the rout.

The Cheetahs grabbed a couple of late consolation tries through prop WP Nel and reserve Corne Uys.

Super 14 Results and Standings Round 8

HURRICANES 26 (Ma'a Nonu, Jeremy Thrush tries William Ripia 2 cons Piri Weepu 4 pens) drew
CRUSADERS 26 (Zac Guildford, Ti'i Paulo, George Whitelock tries Daniel Carter con 3 pens)
at Westpac Stadium. Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA).

WESTERN FORCE 16 (David Pocock try James O'Connor con 2 pens David Hill drop goal) bt
STORMERS 15 (Peter Grant 5 pens)
at ME Bank Stadium. Referee: Stuart Dickinson (AUS).

BLUES 32 (Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava tries Stephen Brett 2 cons 6 pens) bt
BULLS 17 (Pierre Spies try Morne Steyn 3 pens drop goal)
at Eden Park. Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA).

CHIEFS 27 (Stephen Donald, Sione Lauaki, Arizona Taumalolo tries Donald 3 cons 2 pens) bt
HIGHLANDERS 21 (Hayden Triggs, Fetuu Vainikolo tries Israel Dagg con 2 pens Robbie Robinson drop goal)
at Baypark Stadium. Referee: Marius Jonker (RSA).

NSW WARATAHS 40 (Alastair Baxter, Kurtley Beale, Josh Holmes, Robert Horne, Benn Robinson tries Daniel Halangahu 2, Berrick Barnes cons Halangahu 3 pens) bt
CHEETAHS 17 (WP Nel, Corne Uys tries Meyer Bosman 2 cons Naas Olivier pen)
at Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: Keith Brown (NZL).

SHARKS 30 (Jacques Botes, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen tries Ruan Pienaar 3 cons 3 pens) bt
QUEENSLAND REDS 28 (Will Chambers 2, Quade Cooper, Greg Holmes tries Cooper 4 cons)
at ABSA Stadium. Referee: Chris Pollock (NZL).

Bye-Brumbies, Lions

Super 14 Ladder P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 NSW Waratahs 8 6 0 2 265 195 70 4 28
2 Bulls 7 6 0 1 263 204 59 4 28
3 Crusaders 7 5 1 1 218 148 70 3 25
4 Stormers 7 5 0 2 176 75 101 4 24
5 Queensland Reds 7 4 0 3 219 145 74 5 21
6 Chiefs 7 4 0 3 215 202 13 5 21
7 Brumbies 7 5 0 2 187 179 8 1 21
8 Blues 7 4 0 3 189 190 -1 4 20
9 Hurricanes 8 3 1 4 209 199 10 4 18
10 Sharks 8 3 0 5 176 198 -22 4 16
11 Highlanders 8 2 0 6 174 244 -70 3 11
12 Cheetahs 7 2 0 5 146 206 -60 1 9
13 Western Force 7 1 0 6 107 215 -108 1 5
14 Lions 7 0 0 7 169 313 -144 3 3

Top point scorers (tries, conversions, field goals, penalty goals, points):
Morne Steyn (Bulls) 4 26 1 21 138
Stephen Donald (Chiefs) 2 20 -- 20 110
Quade Cooper (Reds) 3 19 1 16 104
Stephen Brett (Blues) 1 14 2 16 87
Joe Pietersen (Stormers) 3 10 -- 17 86
Israel Dagg (H'landers) 4 8 -- 16 84
Daniel Carter (Crusaders) -- 14 -- 18 82
Matt Giteau (Brumbies) -- 10 1 17 74
Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) -- 14 2 12 70
James O'Connor (Force) -- 6 -- 18 66
Naas Olivier (Cheetahs) -- 6 2 16 66

LEADING TRYSCORERS
6: Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
5: David Smith (Hurricanes), Rene Ranger (Blues), Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
4: Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls), Pierre Spies (Bulls), Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Morne Steyn (Bulls), Wynand Olivier (Bulls), Michael Hobbs (H'landers), Zac Guildford (Crusaders), Israel Dagg (H'landers), Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs), Digby Ioane (Reds)

Lachie Turner of the Waratahs scores the winning try. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

SYDNEY—The NSW Waratahs consolidated their position in the Super 14 top four with a thrilling 39-32 victory over the Blues at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night.

The Waratahs trailed until winger Lachie Turner sped 90 metres for the game-turning intercept try eight minutes from full-time.

"It was a big play by Lachie. Those sort of plays can change a season and it was a great effort by him," relieved NSW captain Phil Waugh said.

Indeed, NSW's fourth straight win vaulted the Waratahs to second spot on the table behind the defending champion Bulls.

But had replacement back Taniela Moa's pass gone to hand, red-hot centre Rene Ranger would surely have completed a try-scoring hat-trick to clinch victory for the Blues.

Such a result would have left the Waratahs adrift of the top four at the halfway mark of the season -- and still with a points-free bye weekend to come.

The Blues were shattered to have lost on an intercept try after rallying from 21-7 down late in the first half.

"We looked like scoring in the corner so to see Lachie Turner scoring up the other end, it was tough," Blues coach Pat Lam said.

"But the boys showed a lot of character to come back … it was just a good game of footy, one of the fastest of the season."

While Turner ultimately got the Waratahs home, five-eighth Daniel Halangahu was a worthy man of the match after contributing 24 points for the home team from two tries and six goals from seven attempts.

"The points he scored were obviously impressive, but the thing that really impressed me was his game control and his decision making," Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said.

"His composure actually had an influence on the team, and obviously in that 10 position that's really important.

"His leadership and composure out there was really important in a game where there was a lot of pressure."

The Waratahs had to hang on without the services of Wallabies quartet Phil Waugh (thigh), Wycliff Palu (hamstring), Al Baxter (calf) and Berrick Barnes (leg) after they all failed to complete the match.

But classy young outside centre Rob Horne made a successful return from his chronic hamstring injury, playing strongly before being replaced in the 70th minute.

The Waratahs looked set for a big win after racing to their 21-7 lead after just 20 minutes through Halangahu's double strike plus Dean Mumm's early converted try.

But the Blues' deadly back-line, led by Ranger, clicked into gear to pile on 19 points in a 15-minute blitz either side of half-time to give the visitors a 26-21 advantage.

After Halangahu and Blues five-eighth Stephen Brett traded penalty goals, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau combined cleverly with replacement forward Ben Mowen to score from a line-out move to put the Waratahs back on level terms at 29-29 on the hour mark.

Another Brett penalty nudged the Blues ahead, before Turner had the final say to save NSW blushes.

Super 14 Results and Standings Round 7

HIGHLANDERS 39 (1 penalty try) (Kendrick Lynn, Hayden Triggs tries Israel Dagg 3 cons 6 pens) bt
LIONS 29 (Wigan Pekeur 2, Cobus Grobbelaar, JP Joubert, Michael Killian tries Earl Rose, Carlos Spencer cons)
at Carisbrook Stadium. Referee: Stuart Dickinson (AUS).

BRUMBIES 30 (Michael Hooper, Matt Toomua, Josh Valentine tries Matt Giteau 3 cons 3 pens) bt
CHIEFS 23 (Richard Kahui, Brendon Leonard tries Stephen Donald 2 cons 3 pens)
at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Jaco Peyper (RSA).

QUEENSLAND REDS 31 (Will Genia, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane tries Quade Cooper 2 cons Cooper 3, Genia pens) bt
CHEETAHS 10 (Ashley Johnson try Naas Olivier con Meyer Bosman pen)
at Vodacom Park. Referee: Vinny Munro (NZL).

SHARKS 29 (Patrick Lambie, JP Pietersen tries Ruan Pienaar 2 cons 5 pens) bt
HURRICANES 26 (Ma'a Nonu, Victor Vito tries Piri Weepu 2 cons William Ripia 2, Weepu 2 pens)
at Westpac Stadium. Referee: Ian Smith (AUS).

NSW WARATAHS 39 (Daniel Halangahu 2, Dean Mumm, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Lachlan Turner tries Halangahu 4 cons 2 pens) bt
BLUES 32 (Rene Ranger 2, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf tries Stephen Brett 3 cons 2 pens)
at Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: Garratt Williamson (NZL).

BULLS 28 (Zane Kirchner, Pierre Spies, Morne Steyn tries Steyn 2 cons 3 pens) bt
WESTERN FORCE 15 (James O'Connor 5 pens)
at ME Bank Stadium. Referee: Nathan Pearce (AUS).

Bye-Crusaders, Stormers

Ladder P W D L PF PA PD BP Pts
1 Bulls 6 6 0 0 246 172 74 4 28
2 Stormers 6 5 0 1 161 59 102 3 23
3 Crusaders 6 5 0 1 192 122 70 3 23
4 NSW Waratahs 7 5 0 2 225 178 47 3 23
5 Brumbies 7 5 0 2 187 179 8 1 21
6 Queensland Reds 6 4 0 2 191 115 76 3 19
7 Chiefs 6 3 0 3 188 181 7 5 17
8 Hurricanes 7 3 0 4 183 173 10 4 16
9 Blues 6 3 0 3 157 173 -16 4 16
10 Sharks 7 2 0 5 146 170 -24 4 12
11 Highlanders 7 2 0 5 153 217 -64 2 10
12 Cheetahs 6 2 0 4 129 166 -37 1 9
13 Lions 7 0 0 7 169 313 -144 3 3
14 Western Force 6 0 0 6 91 200 -109 1 1

Top point scorers (tries, conversions, field goals, penalty goals, points):
Morne Steyn (Bulls) 4 26 -- 18 126
Stephen Donald (Chiefs) 1 17 -- 18 93
Quade Cooper (Reds) 2 15 1 16 91
Joe Pietersen (Stormers) 3 10 -- 17 86
Israel Dagg (H'landers) 4 7 -- 14 76
Matt Giteau (Brumbies) -- 10 1 17 74
Daniel Carter (Crusaders) -- 13 -- 15 71
Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs) -- 13 2 12 68
Stephen Brett (Blues) 1 12 2 10 65
Naas Olivier (Cheetahs) -- 6 2 15 63

LEADING TRYSCORERS
6: Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
5: David Smith (Hurricanes), Rene Ranger (Blues), Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
4: Francois Hougaard (Bulls), Morne Steyn (Bulls), Wynand Olivier (Bulls), Gerhard van den Heever (Bulls), Israel Dagg (H'landers), Michael Hobbs (H'landers), Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs), Digby Ioane (Reds)