Round 12 of a very long season is imminent and it seems the effect is starting to be felt, not just by the large amounts of injuries in many teams, but by the way some “top” teams seem to struggle against the traditionally “weaker” teams. [...]
Posts tagged with: Dan Carter
Is the lengthy season taking its toll?
The Crusaders challenge
The Sharks will be welcoming the Crusaders to Kings Park on Friday night for the 8th time in the history of the competition and for the first time since 2009, as the conference system ensured that these teams did not meet last year. The last time these sides played against each other they made history by playing the first Super Rugby match on European soil, when they faced off at Twickenham. The Crusaders delivered an exhibition and came out victors in that game as they have in most games where these teams met before. [...]
Much to gain – much to lose
While losses sustained by both the Bulls and the Stormers over the Easter Weekend may have given the Sharks a little breathing space at the top of the South African Conference log, an unlikely new challenger, in the form of the Cheetahs, has emerged to ensure that Friday’s game against the Crusaders remains a must-win. [...]
Carter beats Farrell – eventually!
All Black flyhalf Dan Carter may not have been able to do much against English flyhalf Owen Farrell on the rugby field last Saturday, but gained a measure of revenge when he beat his northern rival to the IRB Player of the Year award in London yesterday. [...]
Barritt shines in great English win
England stunned the rugby world in Saturday in surging to a record win over the All Blacks at Twickenham. It was the English midfield, superbly marshalled by Sharks old boy Bradley Barritt, that did most of the damage, carving open the Kiwi defence three times in the second half to put the result beyond doubt. [...]
Player of the Year nominations surprise
The nominees for IRB Player of the Year were released yesterday evening, with the usual suspects in Richie McCaw and Dan Carter leading the race. The other two entries were slightly more surprising, with ex-Sharks flyhalf Fred Michalak getting the nod and England flyhalf Owen Farrell completing the list. [...]
14 changes for All Blacks
The All Blacks have made 14 changes to the team that beat Scotland over the weekend, to do the business against Italy this weekend. Kieran Read takes over the captaincy from Richie McCaw, who takes a complete break from the match 23. [...]
New captain for All Blacks
The All Blacks will have try out a new captain on their end of year tour to Europe, in anticipation of Richie McCaw’s sabbatical from rugby next year. [...]
Two debutants in experienced All Black tour squad
The All Blacks have named their squad for their tour of Europe with two uncapped players called into the 32 man squad that has 1103 caps amongst them. [...]
Carter out, Cruden in for All Blacks
6 Sep 12 08:30 by Richard Ferguson | All Blacks, Original Content, The Rugby Championship | 2 Comments
The All Blacks side named to take on Argentina this Saturday has been changed hours after going public with Dan Carter withdrawing from the side with a calf strain. Aaron Cruden will replace Carter in the starting team with Beauden Barrett coming onto the bench. [...]
All Blacks go all out for Aussies
16 Aug 12 08:15 by Richard Ferguson | All Blacks, Original Content, The Rugby Championship, Wallabies | 9 Comments
The All Black team to face the Wallabies in the opening fixture of the inaugural Rugby Championship has been named, with the expected centre pairing of Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu starting together. [...]
Centre stocks low in New Zealand
25 Jul 12 08:50 by Richard Ferguson | All Blacks, Original Content, The Rugby Championship | 3 Comments
Looking forward to the Rugby Championship, it seems New Zealand coach Steve Hansen will have an interesting time finding fit centres to take on the Argentines, Boks and Wallabies. [...]
Crusaders change one
Todd Blackadder has named his team to take on the Chiefs in Hamilton this weekend, making only one change from the team that beat the Bulls in the qualifier last weekend, with brothers Franks rotating in the front row, with Ben getting to start while Owen waits to make an impact later. [...]
Crusaders named for Bulls clash
The Crusaders team to face the Bulls in the first play-off match this weekend, has been announced with only a few changes to the team that beat the Force last weekend. [...]
Saders back to full strength
In news that will come as a blow to any Sharks (and Bulls) fans hoping for a second Crusaders loss this weekend, Todd Blackadder has named a full-strength side for Friday’s crunch derby against the Chiefs in Hamilton. [...]
