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Posted 336 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 338 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 343 days ago
THE STARTING XV features just the one change with loose forward Adam Thomson replacing the injured Victor Vito (knee) at blindside flanker, while his place on the bench has been taken by new cap Sam Cane.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said, despite last week’s first Test win over the Irish, there had still been a lot for the All…
Posted 345 days ago
I’LL BE honest, when I first saw Declan Kidney’s team selection it didn’t fill me with confidence. Losing to the Barbarians the week before travelling to the backyard of the World Champions isn’t ideal preparation by any means. Doing so without three world class players, Stephen Ferris, Paul O’Connell and Tommy Bowe, left Ireland with
Posted 349 days ago
The Ireland team to play New Zealand in the first test of the summer tour has been named and includes two new caps with wing Simon Zebo and prop Declan Fitzpatrick making their first starts in the green jersey at this level.
Zebo, who is the youngest member of the touring squad at 22, starts on the left wing in a…
Posted 356 days ago
Blues coach Pat Lam welcomes back a couple of players from the squad’s lengthy injured list to the starting 22 this week.
Fullback Rudi Wulf returns to the side after being laid off for a month with a shoulder injury. Saturday night’s match is a special one for Wulf who will be running out for his 50th Super Rugby game for…
Posted 366 days ago
THREE UNCAPPED players have been named in the Ireland squad to travel to New Zealand in June. Ulster prop Declan Fitzpatrick has made the cut, while Munster duo Mike Sherry and Simon Zebo have also been included in the 29-man party.
Ulstermen Darren Cave and Dan Tuohy, both of whom played in Saturday’s Heineken Cup final, have also been named in…
Posted 431 days ago
IRELAND’S TOUR to New Zealand in 2006 might not have brought success on the pitch, but the men in green did find some light relief off it. When hooker Jerry Flannery was late for a team meeting because he was having his hair cut, the Ireland squad made him do this…
Posted 559 days ago
The RFU has confirmed the dates of the 2012 QBE Internationals. England will play four Test matches at Twickenham in November-December, against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and World Champions New Zealand.
Reflecting on the fixture announcement, representatives from all five competing unions have expressed their excitement ahead of next year’s QBE Internationals.
Nick Easter, England and Harlequins Number 8, a QBE ambassador:…
Posted 583 days ago
Craig Joubert will take charge of his first Rugby World Cup Final after the International Rugby Board (IRB) announced that the South African has been appointed to the New Zealand versus France Rugby World Cup 2011 Final at Eden Park on Sunday, October 23.
Joubert, who took charge of the New Zealand versus Australia semi-final on Sunday, becomes only the second…
