Archive for the ‘Fantasy Rugby’ Category
The Springbok and Wallaby teams have been named to play the seventh Tri-Nations test of 2010. The match will take place on Saturday the 28th of August in South Africa. It will be Victor Matfield’s 100th test for the Springboks. If victorious he will be the first Springbok to win his 100th test. Percy Montgomery lost his landmark game, and John Smit played his 100th test against the All Blacks in last week and lost.
Springboks
15-Francois Steyn, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Francois Hougaard, 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Schalk Burger, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Flip van der Merwe, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-John Smit, 1-Gurthro Steenkamp
Reserves: 16-Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17-CJ van der Linde, 18-Danie Rossouw, 19-Ryan Kankowski, 20-Enrico Januarie, 21-Butch James, 22-Juan de Jongh.
Wallabies
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Saia Faainga, 1 Benn Robinson.
Reserves: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Ben McCalman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Anthony Faainga.
Tags: All Blacks, John Smit, Percy Montgomery, Springboks, Tri-Nations, Victor Matfield, Wallabies, Wallaby
The All Black and Springbok teams have been named to play the sixth Tri-Nations test of 2010. The match will take place on Saturday the 21st of August at 5pm, local time at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
All Blacks:
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.
Springboks:
15 Gio Aplon, 14 JP Pietersen, 13, Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (capt), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, CJ van der Linde, Danie Rossouw , Francois Louw, Ricky Januarie, Butch James, Wynard Olivier.
Points of Interest:
The match at Soccer City Stadium will be in front of over 90,000 fans.
The Springboks have made eight changes to the their team. Gio Aplon, JP Pietersen, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Francois Hougaard, Juan Smith, Jannie du Plessis and Flip van der Merwe come into the team.
The All Blacks have made two changes to their starting fifteen, with Ben Franks replacing his brother Owen at tighthead prop. Owen Franks drops out of the 22 and John Afoa comes onto the bench.
Jimmy Cowan returns from injury and replaces Piri Weepu, who moves to the bench. Israel Dagg replaces Benson Stanley on the All Black bench.
John Smit is playing his 100 test for the Springboks.
Victor Matfield is playing his 99th.
Keven Mealamu will join Ian Jones as the fifth-most capped All Black, with 79 tests.
Daniel Carter needs 3 more points to overtake Andrew Merhtens, who holds the record of most test points against South Africa for the All Blacks, with 207.
Joe Rokocoko has 9 tries against South Africa. He needs one more to equal Christian Cullen’s record of ten.
Tags: All Blacks, Andrew Merhtens, Ben Franks, Christian Cullen, Daniel Carter, Flip van der Merwe, Francois Hougaard, Gio Aplon, Israel Dagg, Jannie du Plessis, Jean de Villiers, Jimmy Cowan, Joe Rokocoko, John Afoa, John Smit, JP Pietersen, Juan de Jongh, Juan Smith, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Piri Weepu, Soccer City Stadium, Springboks, Tri-Nations, Victor Matfield
The Wallaby and All Black teams have been named to play the fifth Tri-Nations test and second Bledisloe Cup game of 2010. The match will take place on Saturday the 7th of August at 7.35pm, local time at AMI Stadium in Christchurch
Wallabies:
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia; 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (capt), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Benn Robinson.
Reserves: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Cameron Shepherd.
All Blacks:
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Benson Stanley.
Points of Interest:
If the All Blacks win they will retain the Bledisloe Cup for 2010.
The Wallabies have lost the last 8 test matches in a row against the All Blacks.
The All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 49-28 in Melbourne last weekend.
Jimmy Cowan suffered rib cartilage damage in that match and has been replaced by Piri Weepu in the only change to the All Black starting 15. Alby Mathewson joins the reserves bench. The only other change is Benson Stanley replacing Israel Dagg on the bench.
Tony Woodcock will overtake former team mate Greg Somerville as the most capped All Black prop, with 67 caps. He has scored 6 test tries, with 5 of them being against the Wallabies.
Ma’a Nonu will play his 50th test. He first debuted for the All Blacks against England in 2003. He has started 29 of the 31 tests since the 2007 World Cup.
Kurtley Beale and the Faingaa twins have been promoted to the starting Wallaby line-up. Kurley Beale starts at fullback, with Adam Ashley-Cooper moving to centre to replace the injured Rob Horne. Hooker Stephen Moore and Second-Five Berrick Barnes drop to the bench to be replaced by Saia Faingaa and Anthony Faingaa respectively.
The Faingaa twins became the 40th set of brothers and third set of twins to play for the Wallabies. This will be their first start together.
Cameron Shepherd comes onto the bench for possibly his first cap since 2008
Tags: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Alby Mathewson, All Blacks, AMI Stadium, Anthony Faingaa, Berrick Barnes, Bledisloe Cup, Cameron Shepherd, Fantasy Rugby, Greg Somerville, Israel Dagg, Jimmy Cowan, Kurtley Beale, Ma'a Nonu, Piri Weepu, Rob Horne, Saia Faingaa, Springboks, Stephen Moore, Tony Woodcock, Tri-Nations, Wallabies
The Wallaby and All Black teams have been named to play the fourth Tri-Nations test of 2010. The match will take place on Saturday the 1st of August at 8pm, local time at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
Wallabies:
15 Adam Ashley Cooper, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia; 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (capt), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Reserves: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Kurtley Beale.
All Blacks:
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.
Points of Interest:
There are only two changes from the Australian team who beat South last week. Stephen Moore in place of Saia Faingaa and Berrick Barnes comes in at no. 12 with Matt Giteau replacing the suspended Quade Cooper at 10.
If twin brothers Saia and Anthony Faingaa come off the bench they will become the 40th set of brothers to play a test together for the Wallabies.
Nathan Sharpe will equal the record for most tests by an Australian lock. It is currently help by John Eales with 84 test caps.
Joe Rokocoko will become the most capped All Black wing, over taking All Black greats John Kirwan and Jonah Lomu.
With 66 caps, Tony Woodcock will join former team mate Greg Somerville as the most capped All Black prop.
The Wallabies have lost the last 7 test matches in a row against the All Blacks.
Matt Giteau needs one more conversion to move ahead of Springbok Percy Montgomery for most conversions scored against the All Blacks.
Tags: All Blacks, Etihad Stadium, Fantasy Rugby, Springboks, Tri-Nations, Wallabies
The Wallabies and Springbok teams have been named to play the third Tri-Nations test of 2010. The match will take place on Saturday the 24th of July at 8pm, local time at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
WALLABIES:
15 Adam Ashley Cooper, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia; 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Saia Fainga, 1 Benn Robinson
Reserves: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Kurtley Beale.
SPRINGBOKS:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Oliver, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar; 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Ryan Kankowski, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Butch James, 22 Juan de Jongh.
Points of Interest:
This test will be the Springboks’ last away test of the Tri-Nations.
The Wallabies beat the Springboks in Brisbane last year 21-6. It was South Africa’s only loss of the tournament.
This Wallabies team contains 13 of the players who played in that match.
It will be the first Tri-Nations match for Rob Horne, Quade Cooper, Salesi Ma’afu and Saia Faingaa.
On the bench Kurtley Beale, Matt Hodgson, Rob Simmons and James Slipper could also make their Tri-Nations debut.
Springbok Gio Aplon comes on to the wing for the suspended Jean de Villiers
Ryan Kankowski replaces Francois Louw in the Springbok loose forwards, BJ Botha starts ahead of CJ van der Linde, and Ruan Pienaar replaces Ricky Januarie as starting halfback.
Tags: Fantasy Rugby, Springboks, Suncorp Stadium, Tri-Nations, Wallabies
The All Black and Springbok teams to play the second Tri-Nations test of 2010. The match will take place on Saturday the 17th of July at 7:35pm, New Zealand time at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
All Blacks
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.
Springboks:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Jean de Villiers, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ricky Januarie; 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon.
Points of Interest:
There are only two changes to each starting team. Piri Weepu and Rene Ranger start for the the All Blacks. Danie Rossouw and CJ van der Linde start for the Springboks
Bakkies Botha has been banned from all rugby for nine weeks for headbutting Jimmy Cowan in the last test.
The Springboks were beaten by the All Blacks last week 32-12 at Eden Park, Auckland.
The All Blacks need just seven points to overtake France as the highest point scorers ever in test rugby. However, the will do it in a third less games. France has scored 11,792 in 660 tests; New Zealand has scored 11,786 points in 462.
Tags: All Blacks, Fantasy Rugby, Springboks, Tri-Nations, Westpac Stadium
The All Black and Springbok teams to play the first Tri-Nations test of 2010.
All Blacks
15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Richard Kahui.
Springboks:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Jean de Villiers, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ricky Januarie; 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Butch James, 22 Gio Aplon.
Points of Interest:
- The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park since 1994.
- The All Blacks haven’t lost to the Springboks at Eden Park since 1937
- The Springboks have beaten the All Blacks in their last three games.
- There will be a total of 1332 test caps on the field at kick off, with the All Blacks having 671 caps, and the Springboks with 661.
The game kicks off at 7:35pm NZ time on Saturday the 10th of July at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.
Tags: All Blacks, Eden Park, Fantasy Rugby, Springboks, Tri-Nations

SUPER 14 GRAND FINAL FIXTURE:
Bulls v Stormers Sat 29 May 17:00 Orlando Stadium, Soweto
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Bulls v Stormers
Bulls
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg
Stormers
15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Tim Whitehead
Author: M A Williams | Filed under: Fantasy Rugby, Rugby Union News, Super 14
Tags: Bulls, Rugby Fixtures, Rugby Union, Stormers, Super 14, Team Announcements
Rugby Union Results from Round 14 of the 2010 Super 14
Crusaders 40 v 22 Brumbies
Waratahs 32 v 16 Hurricanes
Sharks 27 v 22 Force
Blues 30 v 20 Chiefs
Reds 38 v 36 Highlanders
Cheetahs 59 v 10 Lions
Stormers 38 v 10 Bulls
Upset of the Round: The one sided nature of the Crusdaders, Brumbies and Waratahs, Hurricanes games.
Game of the Round: Reds v Highlanders. Some fancy tricks from Quade Cooper and a gritty comeback from the Highlanders.
Author: M A Williams | Filed under: Fantasy Rugby, Rugby Union News, Super 14
Tags: Blues, Bulls, Cheetahs, Chiefs, Crusaders, Force, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Quade Cooper, Reds, Rugby Results, Rugby Union, Sharks, Stormers, Super 14, Waratahs
HURRICANES
Victor Vito (calf). Note: Kahn Fotuali’i has been stood down this week for breaching team recovery protocol.
BLUES
Luke McAlister (quadricep).
CRUSADERS
Corey Flynn (ankle); Kade Poki (hamstring).
CHIEFS
Nathan White (rib cartilage), Callum Bruce (ankle sprain), Richard Kahui (shoulder strain), likely to be out of rugby for between 2-3 weeks, Sona Taumalolo (shoulder strain), Sione Lauaki (bruised, infected arm), Stephen Donald (calf strain), Sitiveni Sivivatu (shoulder), Mike Delany (shoulder), Lelia Masaga (knee), Mils Muliaina (broken thumb), James McGougan (back strain).
HIGHLANDERS
Jason Macdonald (Achilles); Nasi Manu (knee); Michael Hobbs (bruised knee), Jamie Mackintosh (turf toe), Kendrick Lynn (groin); Clint Newland (back strain)
Author: M A Williams | Filed under: Fantasy Rugby, Rugby Union News, Super 14
Tags: Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Player Injuries