Monday, July 20, 2015

The All Blacks impose, while the Wallabies get out of jail!



 Jesse Kriel rugby player
 Jesse Kriel ( picture http://bit.ly/1TLztkU)

Round one of the Rugby Championship, and wins for the home sides. Now I have to confess I didn’t watch the New Zealand/Pumas match – I had planned to, had it recoded and everything, and was studiously avoiding Twitter and the media outlets so that I could watch without knowing the score. But I overheard someone discussing it, so I didn’t bother in the end. Pretty handsome win for the All Blacks, as usual, they are going to be the team to beat, and they have a bonus point in the bag already.

One bit of good news I picked up is that it’s a three round competition this year, short and sharp, and means it’s more likely full teams will be picked for each round.

In Brisbane, Australia got of jail with a try 2 minutes after full time, stealing a victory at the death. South Africa played great rugby for 60 minutes, then faded as their replacements came on, while Australia finished far the stronger, with the replacements leading the way. The Boks will be kicking themselves for letting that one get away. Their reserve props are not of the standard of Du Plessis and the Beast, at least they know that now. They also need a bit more experience at 10 – I reckon Morne Steyn on for the last 20 minutes would have closed that out beautifully. Some try for debutant Jesse Kriel, too! For the Wallabies, I thought Pocock and Phipps imposed themselves on the game in a way that their predecessors, couldn’t. Smashing match, four more great games to look forward to!

Fri - 17th Jul                       New Zealand      39 - 18   Argentina                                         
Sat - 18th Jul 15                Australia              24 - 20   South Africa

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