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Posted 301 days ago
THE CRUSADERS team that beat the Bulls 28-13, in last weekend’s qualifier match will get another chance to prove they are finals quality this Friday. Only one change has been made to the team, who notch up their 14th semi-final place, face the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Ben Franks will start in the number three jersey this week and brother, Owen, will…
Posted 308 days ago
Former All Black Sir John Kirwan has been appointed the new Head Coach of the Blues, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Blues Franchise announced today. The 47-year-old has signed a two-year contract for the 2013 and 2014 Super Rugby seasons. His contract is effective from 13 August 2012.
Kirwan played 142 games for Auckland, 96 for the All Blacks…
Posted 329 days ago
AFTER ALL the optimism generated from last week’s effort, the manner of Saturday’s flogging is even harder to take. Watching Ireland on this tour has been an emotional rollercoaster. How can the same group of players offer up such different levels of performance over three test matches?
Posted 333 days ago
IRELAND PRODUCED an incredible performance last week, one that few saw coming, but it seems New Zealand have finally learnt how set up a drop goal and so Brian O’Driscoll & Co were condemned to another defeat. The wait for that first Irish victory over the All Blacks goes on – so can they do it this weekend?
Posted 334 days ago
Two changes in the backs and one in the forward pack, have been made by Declan kidney and co to the side that took the field in the second test in Christchurch.
Paddy Wallace, who was called out as a replacement for the tour after Gordon D’Arcy returned home injured, goes straight into the side at inside centre in place of…
Posted 335 days ago
THE STARTING XV features six changes to the team that started last week’s Test against Ireland – two forced by injury and four selection strategy changes – with the selection of uncapped lock Luke Romano the key feature. First five-eighth Aaron Cruden comes in for All Blacks Vice-Captain Daniel Carter who has suffered a hamstring injury which has made him…
Posted 337 days ago
In a pre-match interview, Declan Kidney said: “The belief is unquestionable. Just because you have a bad day doesn’t mean you can’t turn it around a week later.” And Ireland did just that. They may not have got that elusive first win against the All Blacks but they took them as close as I can remember. It was a big night for Christchurch and the people of Canterbury
Posted 339 days ago
Rarely will you see a more dramatic Test match than this. Ireland hadn’t beaten New Zealand in 25 previous attempts spread over 107 years and a magnificent effort in Christchurch took them within a whisker of that first win (or even a second draw), but they were denied
Posted 340 days ago
IRELAND ENDURED a miserable evening at Eden Park last weekend, the All Blacks running in five tries in a comprehensive 42-10 win to ensure their unbeaten run against the men in green remained intact. It may have been New Zealand’s first outing since the World Cup final last October and they may have capped three new players, but they still looked far and away the best side in the world.
Posted 341 days ago
The Ireland team to play New Zealand in the second test of the summer tour has been named and shows four changes from the starting XV that took the field in the first test.
Gordon D’Arcy starts at inside centre in place of Keith Earls, who was not considered for selection due to a chest injury that he picked up in…
