Posts Tagged new zealand
Coaches plan rest for All Blacks
Echoing the sentiments of their South African counterparts, the All Blacks coaching team have raised concerns about burnout of New Zealand’s top players and will meet with Super 14 coaches on Friday in the hope of scheduling periodic breaks in the packed calendar.
Upon his return form a successful November tour of Europe - despite Saturday’s [...]
Ireland to play Barbarians in June
Ireland will take on the Barbarians at Munster’s Thomond Park ground in Limerick on June 4 next year the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed on Wednesday.
The IRFU said the match would serve as a warm-up for their June tour to New Zealand and Australia. The Barbarians will play England the week before.
The match will be [...]
Henry pleased with tour return
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has praised his side’s unbeaten Test tour after returning home from a gruelling European stint. New Zealand saw off challenges from Australia, Wales, Italy, England and France before their second string fell to a fired-up Barbarians side in a non-cap encounter at Twickenham last weekend.
Henry believes that the defeat has [...]
Roberts revels in All Blacks win
Jamie Roberts hopes his role in the Barbarians’ victory over New Zealand will make up for his dad missing the match.
Victor Matfield’s Barbarians took their place alongside the fabled class of 1973 by inflicting the solitary defeat of New Zealand’s autumn tour with a 25-18 triumph at Twickenham.
As a spectacle the match failed to rescale [...]
Barbarians v New Zealand Rugby Match Preview
There is one final assignment this calendar year for New Zealand - and an exhibition victory over the Barbarians would be the ideal way to see off 2009.
Following an unbeaten end-of-season tour which saw them beat the likes of Wales, England and France quite comfortably, the improving Kiwis finished on top of the IRB World [...]
Richie McCaw captains All Blacks
Richie McCaw will captain New Zealand in Saturday’s clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham.
McCaw, who played for the Barbarians last year, leads a weakened side in the final fixture of the All Blacks’ autumn tour.
Dan Carter is rested so Stephen Donald starts at fly-half while former Sale centre Luke McAlister features at inside centre.
Team: C [...]
All Blacks prove test rugby can be beautiful
Test rugby has the smile back on its face, and it has the All Blacks to thank for that.
As Graham Henry’s New Zealand side ran in five tries to finally unleash its attacking arsenal at the Stade Velodrome yesterday, the stunning 39-12 victory over France not only rounded off the autumn test programme in style, [...]
Preview: France v New Zealand
Having each claimed one of their two Tests this year, France and New Zealand come face to face again in Marseilles on Saturday.
While South Africa’s visit to Dublin is being billed as the ‘battle of the hemispheres’ thanks to the trophies won this year by the protagonists, the clash at the Stade Vélodrome certainly merits [...]
Three changes for All Blacks
New Zealand have made three changes to the team which defeated England 19-6 as they turn their attention to Saturday’s meeting with France in Marseille.
Prop Neemia Tialata replaces Owen Franks, flanker Jerome Kaino steps in for Adam Thomson, and Cory Jane will get the nod ahead of Zac Guildford on the right wing.
Hooker Corey Flynn [...]
Johnson aims to learn from criticism
England manager Martin Johnson revealed his men are in “determined mood” heading into Saturday’s showdown with New Zealand.
The critics have been out in force after two disappointing performances in the 18-9 defeat to Australia and last weekend’s laboured 16-9 victory over Argentina.
World Cup-winning full-back Josh Lewsey and the former England captain Will Carling have both [...]