Rugby Fix » Eden Park

Four More Years, Boys

Mike — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:06:35 +0000

Four More Years. Four More Years. Four More Years.

It was a rabid yet cathartic release of eight years of pent up rage, humiliation and despair that said everything about how much this Rugby World Cup means to New Zealanders. In 2003 when George Gregan shouted the notorious “Four More Years, Boys” sledge into the face of fellow halfback Byron Kelleher, it was clearly cruel but also right on the button. Just how much hurt it caused to New Zealand fans was sadly apparent during the New Zealand v Australia 2011 semi final at Eden Park. Finally…

All Blacks Preserve Eden Park Fortress. Dominate Wallabies. Test Review and Highlights

Mike — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 08:49:02 +0000

The All Blacks have set both an intimidating lead in the 2011 Tri-Nations as well as underlined Eden Park’s status as a seemingly impenetrable fortress ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks completely dominated the first half, going into the sheds with a 17-0 score line. Soon after the break this was stretched to 20 nil with a Dan Carter drop goal, just his third in over 1200 test points scored. After a Sivivatu converted try, a Carter penalty and a converted Digby Ioane try, the score line was 30 to 7. However, Wallaby…

Wallabies Team named to face All Blacks at Eden Park

Mike — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:23:18 +0000

The Wallabies have named their team to play their Tri-Nations game at Eden Park on Saturday against the All Blacks. Both teams go into the match with the maximum five points having both thrashed the Springboks on their tour down-under.

It is that same run-on side that faced the Springboks in Australia, but the bench has been changed. Wallaby stalwarts Matt Giteau and Nathan Sharpe have been left at home for the trip to New Zealand. Dan Vickerman takes Sharpe’s place on the bench. While Vickerman is…

All Blacks Team named to Play Wallabies at Eden Park

Mike — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:30:36 +0000

There have been seven changes to the All Black side that destroyed the Springboks at Eden Park last week. The forwards, particularly the front row have a significantly different look. Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn and Kieran Read all return to make their first start of 2011. After a grueling Super Rugby tournament, those players have been rested to ready themselves for the big year ahead. Ali Williams retains his spot for his third consecutive test after three years in the injury enforced wilderness.

At halfback, Piri Weepu replaces Jimmy Cowan at halfback and Andy Ellis comes…

New Zealand 2011 Super Rugby Squads

Mike — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 07:08:35 +0000

The New Zealand Super Rugby franchises have named their squads for the 2011 Super Rugby tournament. NZRU professional rugby manager Neil Sorenson and the five New Zealand head coaches, Pat Lam, Ian Foster, Mark Hammett, Todd Blackadder and Jamie Joseph gathered at Eden Park to announce their teams. It will be Mark Hammett and Jamie Joseph’s first Super Rugby head coach position.

To allow for the longer Super Rugby tournament, each franchise was allowed to name 32 players for 2011. Of the 160 contracts, 40 have gone to players new to Super Rugby and 12 current players…