Belgium shock Spain

Final of IV Nations

Belgium beat Spain 18-6, six kicks to two kicks, in the final of the inaugural IV Nations tournament.

The result is a surprise to Spain and a blow to the country's hopes of qualifying for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.  This tournament was to have acted as part of the Spanish preparation for their match against Czech Republic and the Spanish side had something of an experimental look about it.

To get to the final Spain had had a convincing (25-7) victory over the Welsh Amateurs while Belgium had beaten the French Amateurs 15-12.

The match was slow and only kicks scored.  The Belgian fullback Carlos Fiero kicked three penalties in the first 20 minutes to give his side a 9-0 lead.  Experienced Spanish flyhalf Esteban Roqué reduced the deficit to 9-6 but then Foero added a fourth to make the score 12-6 at half-time.

Spain made every effort to score a try in the second half but, despite chances, did not manage a single point while Belgium added two dropped goals.  The Belgium pack denied Spain possession and was the instrument of victory.

In the play-off for third place.  France Amateurs beat Wales 28-17.  The tries each scored a try but seven penalty goals and four yellow cards put paid to Welsh hopes.

Scorers:

For Belgium:
Pens:  Fiero 4
Drops:  Fiero, André

For Spain:
Pens:  Roqué 2

Teams:

Belgium:  15 Carlos Fiero, 14 D Nemesdaze, 13 Thibaut André, 12 Dirk Haghendooren, 11 Simon Marote, 10 Peter Dunman, 9 Olivier Mahieu, 8 Pierre Plasman, 7 Bertrand Billi, 6 Mathieu Molreu, 5 Damien Godefroy, 4 Mathieu Verschelden, 3 Jerome Wey, 2 Norman Wende, 1 Alain Miriallakis
Replacements:  16 Patrice Gautier, 17 Julien Massimi, 18 Cyrille Nana, 19 Geoffroy Mulls, 20 Charlie Fourneau, 21 Daniel Nkwasina, 22 Romain Orban, 23 Aaron Denmati, 24 S.  Gunsl, 25 Noam Dubart, 26 Fabian Renquin.

Spain:  15 Rafael Álvarez, 14 Tomás Salvador, 13 David Mota, 12 Javier Canosa, 11 Juan Cano, 10 Esteban Roqué, 9 Matthieu Lo, 8 Álvaro Lázaro, 7 Juan González (captain), 6 Rafael Camacho, 5 Guillermo Bárcena, 4 Andrew Ebbet, 3 Manuel Serrano, 2 José Maria Bohorquez, 1 Jon Insausti
Replacements:  16 Diego Zarzosa, 17 Javier Salazar, 18 Carlos Souto, 19 Iván Criado, 20 , 21 Antonio Beltrán, 22 César Caballero, 23 César Sempere, 24 Álvar Enciso, 25 Matthieu Cidré

Referee:  Bruno Gaudefrin (France)

All Blacks shine in Pretoria

Boks' losing streak continues

New Zealand recorded a well-deserved 45-26 victory over South Africa in a bruising encounter in Pretoria on Saturday, running in five tries and ensuring the Boks' worst run of defeats since they were re-admitted to rugby union post-Apartheid.

There are few feathers left to add to Graham Henry's cap, but one was added at Loftus Versfeld this weekend:  a win over the Boks in South Africa.  Just one diminutive gold pot remains out of his grasp -- for the moment, that is.

The All Blacks, who have already won the tournament, scored five tries and were good value for the win, with Henry making it third time lucky after two consecutive away losses against the Springboks in as many years in the Tri-Nations.

Jake White's cap is not quite as cluttered as his counterpart's.  This is now the worst losing streak since South Africa's readmission and the spotlight over the Bok boss will grow a little more intense.

It was a beautiful day on the Highveld.  Opulent cumulus clouds hung motionless in the big African skies.  There was a palpable sense that something grand was about to happen.

Indeed it did:  the Boks restored a little pride in their rugby and the All Blacks proved that they are fallible.

A fallible 45-26 victory?  A pride-restoring 45-26 defeat?  Perhaps we should back up a wee bit -- it was an extremely confusing afternoon.

Like Pretoria, recently renamed Tshwane, this was a game that struggled to define itself.  Was it a brilliant advert for rugby or a disjointed mess?  A joy to behold or embarrassment?

It would be unfair to say that either side played poorly -- but neither side would look back at this match with much fondness.

Yes, there were moments of brilliance -- but also episodes of pure idiocy.  Some beautiful rugby, but also some moments of barbarism -- the sort of thuggery that Helen Clark might be inclined to call "acts of assault".  Indeed, the citing commissioner is unlikely to have an early night.

The schizophrenia extended even to the stadium clock.  South Africa owned the first 20 minutes of the game and the last 20 minutes; New Zealand feasted on the sandwich's filling.

Despite the flaky performances, two absolute truths remain etched in stone -- the All Blacks are still the current Picassos of world rugby, able to forge masterpieces with the merest flick of the wrist; the Springboks continue to paint by numbers.

And so it was that South Africa began the game -- blasting the visitors with big hits and crash balls, playing with fire in their bellies and textbooks in their pockets.

It worked wonderfully as an opening gambit but the All Blacks hit back once their hosts had burnt themselves out.

Percy Montgomery kicked two penalties to put the Springboks 6-0 up after only four minutes.  Dan Carter managed to halve the deficit with a three-pointer only for the hosts to extend their lead through a Fourie du Preez try.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, having turned the ball over from Akona Ndungane, then lost possession himself, allowing scrum-half Du Preez to pick up and motor over for the opening score.

Carter brought the All Blacks to within five points with another penalty before Mils Muliaina sped down the near touchline, offloaded to Rico Gear, who cut inside only to be stopped a metre short.

The recycled ball was spread wide and Carter stabbed on for Neemia Tialata to touch down.

Carter stretched the lead to eight points with penalties prior to and after half-time before the Boks conceded three tries in 10 minutes.

First, Luke McAlister stripped the first line of defence from the halfway line to go over before Jerry Collins took a quick tap and sent Sitiveni Sivivatu past a clutch of forwards to score the third try.

The fourth came when New Zealand forced a turnover, launched a counter attack, and saw Muliaina finish off a flowing move to put his side 38-14 up.

The game needed two late tries from Jaque Fourie to make the scoreline easier on the eye for the hosts.

The centre scored the first of his brace when he received a flip-pass from Jacques Cronjé on a blindside move to power his way over from close range and then got his second when he was on the shoulder of Jean de Villiers to score under the posts.

That brought the Boks to within 10 points, but as they were edging closer to the All Blacks line, another turnover saw Gear run 70 metres to complete the victory.

Man of the match:  The Springbok half-backs didn't disgrace themselves, Jean de Villiers was a welcome addition to the SA lines, and Jaque Fourie took his tries well.  But this award will be returning to New Zealand.  Dan Carter recovered from so early wobbles to stamp his usual authority on proceedings.  Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe were as cerebral as he was forceful.  Rico Gear created much those around, and Sitiveni Sivivatu had one of his better games.  But we're handing this award to the calm and ever-dependable Mils Muliaina, the unsung hero of New Zealand's dazzling backline.

Moment of the match:  The early exchange raised a few eyebrows -- you don't see idols melt into mortals on everyday of the year.  But for that eternal "that was-the-game-in-which..." moment, look no further the that soaring 62m penalty from Dan Carter on the stroke of half-time -- it meant so much than three points.

Villain of the match:  Isaia Toeava will feel a little villainous after dropping a try-scoring pass, but we'll leave the AB fines council to sort that one out.  As usual, a few silly slaps were exchange by the 'prettier' members of both sides; more unusually, several of the bigger fellows decided to come to blows in a few very ugly encounters.  There's plenty of video to pick over, but for the moment we'll single out the most obvious offender, Ali Williams, who landed a accomplished right-hook to Johann Muller's face.  The big AB lock seems destined to miss out on a the trip to Rustenburg.  Not much of a punishment, granted.

The scorers:

For South Africa:
Tries:  du Preez, Fourie 2
Cons:  Pretorius
Pens:  Montgomery 2, James

For New Zealand:
Tries:  Tialata, McAlister, Sivivatu, Muliaina, Gear
Cons:  Carter 4
Pens:  Carter 4

The teams:

South Africa:  15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Jacques Cronjé, 7 Pierre Spies, 6 Solly Tyibilika, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Johann Muller, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit, 1 Os du Randt.
Replacements:  16 Chilliboy Ralepelle, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Wynand Olivier, 22 André Pretorius.

New Zealand:  15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Mils Muliaina, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Chris Masoe, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Reuben Thorne, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Anton Oliver, 1 Neemia Tialata.
Replacements:  16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Jerry Collins, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Sam Tuitupou, 22 Isaia Toeava.

Referee:  Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges:  Chris White (England), Hugh Watkins (Wales)
Television match official:  Eric Darrière (France)
Assessor:  Michel Lamoulie (France)

All Blacks retain Tri-Nations crown

Australia go down in Auckland

New Zealand clinched the 2006 Tri-Nations title courtesy of a tense 34-27 victory over Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

The visitors put up a sterling challenge and had the better of their illustrious opponents during the early exchanges.  But the All Blacks upped the gears in the second half to notch up their 21st consecutive home win and seventh Tri-Nations title, four of those coming in the last five years.

The results mean that the South African leg of the tournament has been reduced to little more than a victory parade for the all-conquering ABs;  the Springboks and Wallabies now must ready themselves to play for that most unpalatable of substances -- pride.

"It's all yours, New Zealand."

Danie Craven said that at Eden Park in 1956.  It's true again at Eden Park fifty years later as the All Blacks stood to receive the Blesidloe Cup and the Tri-Nations Cup.

Even with two matches still to play, the All Blacks are the champions of all that is available to them so far in 2006.  But it was not easy.

The Wallabies had the champions on the ropes in the first half but then, like true champions, they tightened a little and came back in the second half, winning it 23-7.  The All Blacks have the quality of champions and in warding off the Wallabies they had to fight against a physical onslaught.

Physical it was, and enthralling it certainly was as both sides sought to play with the ball in hand.  For one thing there was little kicking, in fact just 23 line-outs in the match.

There were many turn-overs, mainly in the first half and mainly in favour of the Wallabies -- 12-6 was the half-time statistic -- as the All Blacks played a risky game which threatened to sink them.

The All Black line-out held up well and the Wallaby scrum, creaky at times, stood up but it was in the area of the tackle that the fierce contest raged with Richie McCaw an obvious target for the Wallabies, especially for Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom who were not always scrupulous in their methods.

Elsom was particularly prodigal, giving away four penalties and nine points.  But Waugh was the one sin-binned late in the game -- for quite calculatedly grabbing Ali Williams when he did not have the ball and was supporting the ball-carrier in a movement which could have led to a try.  Lote Tuqiri weighed in with a tackle on McCaw that looked remarkably like a spear tackle.  He was not sanctioned, except by the crowd at whom he sneered.

Those were the bad bits of a match that had so much going for it.

The first shot fired in the first half was by Stephen Larkham as he charged straight ahead and made ground from the first line-out after New Zealand had sought to run from his kick-off.  Carl Hayman was penalised at the tackle and Stirling Mortlock, who had another giant of a game, goaled the penalty.  The Wallabies led 3-0 after two minutes.

Then it was New Zealand's turn to attack.  They went right, left and right again till Elsom and Dan Vickerman were penalised for being off-side and Elsom, who had infringed earlier in the movement, earned his first talking-to.  Carter goaled.  3-3 after five minutes.

In this half Carter's play was more hesitant than his majestic usual and he missed two kicks he would have been expected to goal.

The All Blacks threatened to go right when McCaw turned a pass inside to Joe Rokocoko but a forward pass destroyed a possible try.

When McCaw looked likely to win a turn-over off Greg Holmes Waugh battered into his face and set the All Black captain's nose bleeding, which troubled him for the rest of the match.  But it was McCaw who later gave away a penalty at a tackle that enabled Mortlock to make the score 6-3 after 15 minutes.

New Zealand's line-out was working well though -- evidently reaping the rewards of Robin Brooke's coaching -- and they threatened with their first long maul from the line-out, a tactic which would eventually produce their first try.

When Nathan Sharpe held on, Carter goaled.  6-6 after 20 minutes.

After the Wallabies, with the light wind, had done what the All Blacks did, namely run the ball from their own 22, disaster struck the All Blacks.  They had been doing a lot of risky passing but mostly it was at close quarters.  Jerry Collins tried doing it far out and long and with his left hand.  He floated it high and wide.  Tall Lote Tuqiri plucked the ball out of the twilight sky and raced just over 50 metres to score the first of his two tries in the match.  Mortlock converted, 13-6 after 26 minutes.

At this stage Carl Hayman left the field injured and was replaced by Greg Somerville.  It may come as a surprise to some that the All Black scrum improved with the change and put increasing pressure on the Wallabies, forcing a turn-over through a wheel.

After Carter had missed an easy penalty at Goal when Vickerman was off-side, Elsom was penalised at a tackle and Carter put the ball into touch.  The All Blacks, remarkably confident and efficient at lien-outs compared to their previous two Tri-Nations matches, threw deep and mauled some 20 metres to, and then over, the Wallaby line where the television match official confirmed that Jason Eaton's long reach had scored a try.  It was the young lock's first Test try.  Carter missed the comfortable conversion.  13-11.

The selection of Isaia Toeava had been much debated and it was not a great success as the young man's hands proved fallible.  In the second half he was replaced by Leon MacDonald with Mils Muliaina moving to outside centre.

Toeava's second knock-on on the All Black left sent the Wallabies counter-attacking down their left.  This led to a line-out in All Black territory.  New Zealand tried to run the ball out of their own 22 but Muliaina was turned over and suddenly Mortlock was hammering at their line on his right.

The Wallabies went left on a frantic attack and Elsom managed to stumble past McAlister.  Down he turned over and stretched for the line.  The referee consulted the television match official.  It was a tough decision.  Did he lose the ball forward before grounding it?  Did the ball spit forward after he had grounded it.  eventually the TMO advised that a try had been scored -- a debatable but understandable decision.  Mortlock converted and the wallabies led 20-11 at half-time.

The All Blacks were different in the second half.  The risky passes were gone, the forwards more physically active, meeting muscle and bone with muscle and bone.  Gradually they ate away at the Australian lead.

Two penalties for off-side took the score to 20-17 after 50 minutes but then the Wallabies attacked for the first time in the half, as Tuqiri grabbed the ball at a knock-back from the kick-off.  They won an attacking scrum and Wycliff Palu had a good moment when he charged.  But he followed this with a bad moment when he knocked on and New Zealand was relieved.

Substitutions were happening now -- Piri Weepu for Byron Kelleher who had suffered erratic ball in the first half, Ali Williams for Eaton, and a few others.  Waugh and Mortlock were replaced for bleeding.

Rokocoko had a great moment when he caught a kick and started at counter-attack from well inside his own half.  Weepu went for the line in a battering attack but lost the ball forward over it.

The All Blacks created space for Doug Howlett who came back inside.  Weepu went blind and gave the ball away with an attempted grubber.  The Wallabies cleared but there was lock Williams waiting back for the ball.  He countered with power down the right and from there the ball went far left where Muliaina straightened brilliantly to give lock Chris Jack and easy run-in for a try -started by lock, finished by lock, both in "funny" positions.  Cater converted.  24-20.  The All Blacks were ahead for the first time with 17 minutes to play.

They went even further ahead four minutes later with a present of a try.  Larkham, who had grown quieter as the match progressed, got good ball from a scrum and moved to his right.  Suddenly Carter was up on him, and Larkham spilled the ball in the tackle into the eager arms of McAlister who was just inside his half of the field.  The burly inside centre pumped his powerful thighs down the field for a try which delighted him.  Carter converted.  31-20.

Mat Rogers replaced Larkham who was playing his 90th match for Australia.

At this stage it looked as if the All Blacks were cruising to a big victory.  After all they had scored 20 points to nil in the half, but the Wallabies were proud and determined.

With eight minutes to go they scored a wonderful try as far out Matt Giteau got the ball going right and then slid a long grubber in behind the All Blacks to his left.  there was not an All Black soul in the big empty box and Tuqiri raced after the ball.  It sprang benignly for him and he stretched out and scored as Howlett clung to him from behind.  Mortlock converted.  31-27 with eight minutes to play.

At this stage the Wallabies were rejuvenated and victory was not unlikely.  Mark Chisholm, on for Elsom, had a great charge but then Chris Masoe, on for Rodney So'oialo, won a turn-over off Clyde Rathbone and the All Blacks made attack out of defence.  Waugh was cynical in grabbing Williams.  The referee and the touch judged conferred and bloodied Waugh left for the sinner's chair.  Carter kicked the penalty.

There was just time for the kick-off, which Chris Jack won and bashed the last nail in the Wallaby coffin with a great left-footed kick down the touch-line.

Man of the match:  There were some great performances.  Veterans Chris Latham and Stirling Mortlock were magnificent for Australia as was industrious Lote Tuqiri apart from that bad moment with Richie McCaw and his puerile reaction to it.  For the All Blacks Mils Muliaina was full of constructive endeavour and, of course, Richie McCaw was a telling factor.  If opponents have to go to so much trouble to contain one man, he is doing a great job.  Keven Mealamu was as lively as ever, and Joe Rokocoko was superb on and off his wing.  But our Man of the Match is inside centre Luke McAlister who was so effective in all departments of the game.

Moment of the Match:  There was something special about all the tries but the most special of them all for the vision and skill was Lote Tuqiri's second try, the one off Matt Giteau's perfect grubber.

Villain of the Match:  It will be interesting to see what happens to Lote Tuqiri and Phil Waugh if the citing commissioner decides on activity.  But for the time being Phil Waugh is the official villain for his well-deserved yellow card.

The scorers:

For New Zealand:
Tries:  Eaton, Jack, McAlister
Cons:  Carter 2
Pens:  Carter 4

For Australia:
Tries:  Tuqiri 2, Elsom
Cons:  Mortlock 3
Pens:  Mortlock 2

Yellow card(s):  Waugh (Australia) -- holding back the attacking player (77).

The teams:

New Zealand:  15 Malili Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerry Collins, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements:  16 Andrew Hore, 17 Greg Somerville, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Chris Masoe, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Sam Tuitupou, 22 Leon MacDonald.

Australia:  15 Chris Latham, 14 Clyde Rathbone, 13 Stirling Mortlock (vice-captain), 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Stephen Larkham, 9 George Gregan (captain), 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman (vice-captain), 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Jeremy Paul, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements:  16 Tai McIsaac, 17 Al Baxter, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 George Smith, 20 Brett Sheehan, 21 Mark Gerrard, 22 Mat Rogers.

Referee:  Chris White (England)
Touch judges:  Mark Lawrence, Craig Joubert (both South Africa)
Television match official:  Willie Roos (South Africa)
Assessor:  Bob Francis (New Zealand)

Canada rush off to France

Big win over the USA

In a Rugby World Cup qualifier for a place in France in 2007 Canada destroyed the USA's hopes by winning 56-7 in St. John’s Newfoundland on Saturday.

The USA now go into répechage and face Uruguay in two matches with the burden of further matches to qualify for France.

This is Canada's biggest win over the USA in 41 matches between the two.  Canada's biggest win prior to this one was 53-12 in 1997.  The USA's biggest win over Canada was 35-20 in 2003.

The Canadians dominated the game from start to finish.  They scored seven tries to one.  Northampton Saints player James Pritchard, playing wing, scored a hat-trick of tries and added three penalty goals and five conversions for a 36 points, a record haul for a Canadian.

One of the try-scorers was veteran prop Rod Snow, one of rugby's itinerant who may well have played his last match for Canada.  A Newfoundlander, Snow's performance was loved by the whole of the 5000 strong crowd which included delighted members of his family.

It took Canada just six minutes to get on the scoreboard.  The USA penalised, prop Kevin Tkachuk tapped and the Canadians raced some 40 metres downfield for a try by fullback Mike Pyke.  The brittleness of the Eagles' defence was evident.  7-0.

Snow got the next try, his eighth for Canada, after virtually the whole side had been in the action.

Two Pritchard penalty goals made the score 20-0 after 24 minutes and it was clear that there would be only one winner.

Four minutes later centre Ryan Smith broke and No.8 Sean-Michael Stephen scored, 27-0

That was the half-time score.

In the second half the wind was behind Canada to add to the USA's woes.

Pritchard was first to score in the second half when he and Justin Mensah-Coker chased a long kick.  Mensah-Coker caught François Viljoen the USA fullback who tried to get a pass away.  Pritchard intercepted in athletic fashion and scored.  34-0.

Pritchard scored again when Pyke came into the line to provide the overlap.  41-0.

Pritchard added a penalty and then, surprise, the Eagles scored.  They won a turnover and centres Phillip Eloff and Albert Tuipolotu were off to make a try for flank Todd Clever.  44-7.

Replacement Derek Daypuck accepted a pass from Pritchard to score in the corner.  49-7.

From a quick line-out experienced scrumhalf Morgan Williams set Pritchard flying half the length of the field for a try, which he converted.  56-7.

Afterwards Ric Suggit, the Canadian coach, said:  “I'm very happy.  I couldn't be happier for the players.

"We said two-and-a-half years ago that this was the game we needed to win and now it is a reality.  At times we played some excellent rugby but we have to continue to improve because when we go to play Wales and Italy in November, we'll have to be even better than this.  The next level is a huge jump."

The eagles' coach Peter Thorburn said:  “It was amateurs against professionals.  Canada was much better than we were today and when things go wrong they tend to compound.  They put us under an immense amount of pressure and we didn't handle it well.”

At the World Cup Canada will be in Pool B with Australia, Wales, Fiji and probably Japan.

Scorers:

For Canada:
Tries:  Pritchard 3, Snow, Pyke, Daypuck, Stephen
Cons:  Pritchard 6
Pens:  Pritchard 3

For USA:
Try:  Clever
Con:  Hercus

Teams:

Canada:  15 Mike Pyke, 14 James Pritchard, 13 Ryan Smith, 12 David Spicer, 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Morgan Williams, 8 Sean-Michael Stephen, 7 Stan McKeen, 6 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Luke Tait, 4 Mike James, 3 Rod Snow, 2 Pat Riordan, 1 Kevin Tkachuk
Replacements:  16 Mark Lawson, 17 Dan Pletch, 18 Garth Cooke, 19 Colin Yukes, 20 Mike Webb, 21 Ed Fairhurst, 22 Derek Daypuck

United States:  15 Francois Viljoen, 14 Brian Barnard, 13 Phillip Eloff, 12 Albert Tuipolotu, 11 Paul Emerick, 10 Mike Hercus, 9 Kimball Kjar, 8 Kort Schubert (captain), 7 Justin Stencel, 6 Todd Clever, 5 Mike Mangan, 4 Alec Parker, 3 Chris Osentowski, 2 Matt Wyatt, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements:  16 Patrick Bell, 17 John Vitale, 18 Adam Russell, 19 Louis Stanfill, 20 Scott Lawrence, 21 Chad Erskine, 22 Vaha Esikia

Referee:  Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch-Judges:  Romain Poite, David Rosich (both France)

Mortlock boots Wallabies to victory

Mortlock conversion seals Wallaby win

Stirling Mortlock slotted a 76th minute conversion of a Mat Rogers try to secure a two-point, 20-18, Tri-Nations win for Australia over South Africa at the Telstra Stadium, in Sydney, on Saturday.  Not only did the victory win back the Mandela Plate for the Wallabies from the Springboks, but it also kept the Aussies Tri-Nations dream alive.

Six years ago, in Durban, Mortlock slotted a last minute penalty to win a game against the Boks and win the Tri-Nations.  Saturday, in Sydney, he again calmly slotted the winner that ensured the Wallabies stay in the hunt.

They now head to Auckland on August 19 for a rematch with New Zealand, a game that is shaping as the Tri-Nations decider.

And the Boks finally scored their first Tri-Nations point of the year, a bonus point for losing by less than seven points.

But it was a game the Springboks could have, and should have, won.  Another opportunity butchered.

For the Springboks it was another improved performance in a funny old game that was as dull as ditch water for the most of the game and then suddenly bubbled into life in the last 12 minutes or so as the scores were tight.

In the end a bit of Wallaby brilliance was enough to win the match.  Somehow, under pressure and near the half-way line Sam Cordingley hit a ball up to Phil Waugh and the flank, playing his 50th Test, broke down the midfield.  Challenged he threw a pass to Mat Rogers on his left.  He was unchallenged though Percy Montgomery came across to shepherd him to the corner where he scored his try.

From touch Stirling Mortlock's conversion hit the upright and dropped over the bar to give the Wallabies a two-point victory.

It was tense stuff at the end, which may have been compensation for the drab stuff that had gone on before, especially in the first half, when they kicked.  Both teams kicked.  They kicked and kicked and kicked.  In the first half there were 56 kicks -- 27 by the Wallabies and 29 by the Springboks.  The difference was that Australia did it better than South Africa and ended the half winning 10-0.

The ten points came from a penalty and a try.  The try came from a bizarre South African kick.

The Springboks play a conservative game, which is an understatement.  They do not mind where they kick as long as they have men behind it.  The kick that gave the Wallabies their try was not a safe kick.

The Springboks battled to get the ball back from a maul after a line-out on their right.  Under pressure from George Smith but looking as if it were a pre-planned idea James kicked wide to his left.  Perhaps Smith's pressure forced him to hook the kick low and shallow.  Shallow and low the ball went and it hit the ground between Percy Montgomery and Bryan Habana.  There was mark Gerrard who grabbed the ball and raced 50 odd metres to score.  Mortlock converted and the score was 10-0 after 33 minutes.

That score came after the Springboks had had territorial advantage despite being contented to kick the ball to Chris Latham who outkicked them.

Mortlock could have scored in the first minute.  Stephen Larkham kicked off low to start the match and Wynand Olivier knocked on.  Producing the first wobbly Wallaby scrum of the half, but the Wallabies kept the ball going and eventually CJ van der Linde was penalised for diving in.  Mortlock missed the relatively easy kick.  But when the Wallabies got close to the posts and Johan Muller dived in, Mortlock lobbed over the easy kick to make it 3-0.

The Springboks had a good passage of play as they gave the Wallabies a tough time in the line-out.  The Springboks then attacked but Montgomery missed an easy penalty.  He missed a sitter of a drop as well when he had lots of time and was right in front, but the ball just made it into the Wallaby in-goal and wide of the posts.

James conjured up a clever chip for Habana but the perverse ball bounced away from the wing and into touch.

Then came Gerrard's try and a 10-0 lead for the Wallabies at the break.

The Springboks started the second half on the attack but Jacques Cronjé lost the ball as he bashed at the Wallaby line and suddenly the Springboks were scampering back to get to Gerrard's kick.  Fourie saved the day.

Then it was the Springboks' turn to break out as Fourie du Preez footed a dropped pass at the Wallaby line where Matt Giteau fell on the ball and slithered back to concede a five-metre scrum.  Form the scrum Cronjé charged at the wallaby posts where George Smith was penalised at the tackle.

James now took over the goal-kicking and easily potted this won.  10-3 after 46 minutes.

Then came the second best individual break of the match.  From a line-out Wynand Olivier cut clean through going left.  He played to Akona Ndungane on his right.  The wing was tackled but Larkham had no scruples about playing the dangerous ball from the wrong side.  Again this was an easy kick for James.  10-6 after 48 minutes.

Again South Africa attacked but Cronjé was penalised for holding on, and then came the first Springbok try.

Under pressure again at a scrum, massive Wycliff Palu passed back to George Gregan but behind his captain.  The ball fell loose and Du Preez footed far ahead.  Ndungane was there to hack it on and then Jaque Fourie dived on the ball in the in-goal for the try.  James converted from far out and the score was 13-10 to the Springboks after 55 minutes.  In terms of recent performances this had an air of unreality about it.

The Wallabies should have scored soon afterwards when Gerrard came to a chip at the Springbok line with just Latham behind him.  Impatiently he tried to snap up the ball and instead knocked it on.  The Springboks won the subsequent five-metre scrum but Montgomery's clearance took them to a line-out just six metres from their line.  The Wallabies mauled and James was penalised for coming up too early.  Mortlock goaled.  13-13.

South Africa attacked with Montgomery prominent on the left and then the veteran fullback scored a remarkable try.

From the far left the Springboks came right and Montgomery got a pass on the wallaby 22 and surged ahead.  He got past Larkham but then Tuqiri got him and three other Wallabies gathered as somehow the slender fullback kept going forward with just slim Habana to support him till eager Solly Tyibilika joined in.  Over the Wallaby line they went where, in a steaming bundle, Montgomery was awarded his most unusual Test try.

James missed the conversion, which became significant in the action that happened eight minutes later when Mortlock kicked his in-off to win the match.

Man of the Match:  It was not easy to single out anybody but two players made a big contribution for South Africa -- Victor Matfield of South Africa who led the Springboks in the pressure they put on the great wallaby line-out and Fourie du Preez at scrum-half.  For the Wallabies George Gregan, breaking John Eales's record as captain of Australia, had moments of brilliance with the variety in his play and his ability to probe close in and our Man of the Match, Stirling Mortlock of Australia.  He looked most likely to run, always likely to tackle and he kicked the goal that counted.

Moment of the Match:  We are going for Mat Rogers's try off Phil Waugh's break.

Villain of the match:  There was Dan Vickerman and John Smit, who did some silly embracing and Stephen Larkham seems so cantankerous when tackled and then his killing the ball at the tackle could well have earned a yellow card.

The scorers:

For Australia:
Tries:  Gerrard, Rogers
Cons:  Mortlock 2
Pens:  Mortlock 2

For South Africa:
Tries:  Fourie, Montgomery
Con:  James
Pens:  James 2

Australia:  15 Chris Latham, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Stirling Mortlock (vice-captain), 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Stephen Larkham, 9 George Gregan (captain), 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman (vice-captain), 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements:  16 Jeremy Paul, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Mat Rogers, 22 Clyde Rathbone.

South Africa:  15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Jacques Cronjé, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Solly Tyibilika, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Johann Muller, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Os du Randt.
Replacements:  16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Eddie Andrews, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Joe van Niekerk, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

Referee:  Joël Jutge (France)
Touch judges:  Paul Honiss, Kelvin Deaker (both New Zealand)
Television match official:  Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Assessor:  Dick Byres (Australia)