All Blacks vs Ireland First Test - AKA What the F*** Happened?

On a cold, wet night in the capital, Henry's Heroes lined up against the keen-spirited (but seemingly feeling the early effects of pneunomia) Irish.



Congratulations to all involved. For the first 60 minutes the All Blacks played like a bunch of fourth formers (sorry, year 10) selected for the first XV. The fire and enthusiasm was there, but the combinations weren't firing, the kicks were more for territory than exciting play, passes weren't sticking, penalties and possesion were going to the Irish. Who played exceptionally gritty, unrelenting football.

It is worth noting that the Irish are by no means a mediocre, weak nation. By playing the first test of the season against them, which is historically a fixture reserved for a Pacific nation for the very reason I just outlined - it allows the team room to get into the flow of things and gain confidence - The NZRU played a game of Russian roulette. The media would not let a loss go down lightly and in turn more fans would be lost. Or at least, thats the way journalists would spin it.

But both teams held together. Conrad Smith proved suprisingly elusive in what may have been his best professional game to date, McCaw was, as always, dominating at the breakdown and So'oialo again showed his talent in covering number 6.
The team escaped with only Afoa injured, although Carter may be a bit staggered by his goal-kicking stats on the night.

If fans were to be gained, we would have needed to win this by 30 or more points. But those who watched the game would agree any team would have struggled to beat an on form Irish team in the rain that night.

Final score 21 - 11.

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Halfway through

Hurricanes v Crusaders
G.O.T.R
However way you look at it, this is going to be the game of the regular season. A few weeks ago the Blues v Crusaders would have claimed this title, but Nuci's boys have left a lot to be desired lately. Anyway, on to the game. Potentially an All Black trial, there are dream match ups in almost every position (bar Gopperth/Carter, as we all know who has that one stitched up). The Crusaders have been the 'Canes bugbear over the seasons, but they have the game plan to rattle the men from the garden city.

One to watch
How about Tialata v Sommerville? Eaton v Williams? Weepu v Ellis? Masoe v McCaw?

Result:
Crusaders

Waratahs v Cheetahs
The Cheetahs took the game to the Brumbies last week and could have very nearly won. The Waratahs, despite the protestations of Phil Waugh to otherwise, were nowhere near the Crusaders stature. This could shape to be a tremendous upset if the Cheetahs win, as everyone has been keen to write them off (my $5 bet for them by less than 12 will pay out $40). The 'Tahs need to assert some dominance from the word go to gain some confidence.

One to watch
Tuiquiri

Result:
Waratahs

Force v Stormers
The Force and Stormers are both on the rise, so this should be a close one. The Force beat the Blues and the Blues beat the Stormers, so smart money would be on the Force to get 4 points.

One to Watch
Ryan Cross

Result:
Force

Chiefs v Highlanders
The Highlanders have been all but written off by the NZ public, but I believe they've been tremendously unlucky to not win as yet. They've rattled everyone they've come up against, notably the Force and Hurricanes. However, the Chiefs have players back from injury - and the halfway point always sees them have a strong run home.

One to Watch
Kahui

Result:
Chiefs

Blues v Bulls
The Blues were at one stage being labelled as better than the Crusaders, but as always the wheels have somewhat fallen off the wagon. Meanwhile in Bulls-land noone is sure what has gone on this season.
However, with Du Prieer and Habana back, this weekends side will be reinvigorated and playing to their full potential.

One to Watch
Habana

Result:
Bulls

Sharks v Reds
Easy pick. Reds have been less than contend able this season.

One to Watch

Result:
Sharks

Bye
Brumbies
Lions

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Over the Neglect

I began with good intentions, but have been tied up with assignments due this week.

Anyway, my look at this weekends Super 14 matchups:

Crusaders v Waratahs

Without question the Crusaders are the form team in the competition at the moment, despite that little shake up the Force gave them - May I add the Force were very unlucky to lose that one and deserved to win. Waratahs have been struggling for consistency following their thrashing of the Canes where they had looked to be a force.

All eyes on:
Beale vs Carter

Result:
Crusaders

Brumbies v Cheetahs

Another easy pick. Although the Cheetahs head to Brisbane with a number of rested players, the Brumbies should cruise.

All eyes on:
Tyrone Smith

Result:
Brumbies

Highlanders v Force
G.O.T.R

Could swing either way. on the one hand, the Highlanders have done a fantastic job this season and defend like a brick wall. On the other hand, the Force put in a mighty effort against the Crusaders and showed up the Blues, so it could go either way, which is what makes it the Game Of The Round. Giteau could spark a solid attack if he spies any chinks in the Highlanders armour.

All Eyes On:
Setephano

Result:
Force

Blues v Stormers
Another two form teams, with the Stormers beginning to pick up their act at the moment. The Blues will need to be ruthless to bounce back from their loss last week, without allowing the Stormers to assert control.

All Eyes On:
Tony Brown

Result:
Stormers

Chiefs v Bulls

Its always a shame when the defending champion fails to fire the following season - a common occurrence in the NFL, yet not so much in the Super series. Yet this is the story of the 08 Bulls, underlined by their performance against the Reds last weekend. The Chiefs will get their season back on track this weekend, relieving a little of the pressure they're feeling from their nearly written off season.

All Eyes On:
Stephen Donald (although this could change, I'd be more interested in watching Stephen Brett at #10 for the Chiefs as RugbyHeaven say he is)

Result:
Chiefs

Lions v Reds

The Reds are coming off a strong performance against the aforementioned Bulls(**ts) and should dust off the hapless Lions with ease.

All Eyes On:
Roe

Result:
Reds


Bye Hurricanes
Sharks

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Roughies [An irregular feature]

The first edition for Roughies has to be split between two sportsmen, as both have had potentially career-ending ailments revealed very publicly this week.

First off, 29 year-old Julian Huxley.



The former Queensland Reds and current Brumbies player was taken to hospital after collapsing following a tackle during last weekends game against the Reds. Cleared of any spinal injuries, he was sent for an MRI and was found to have a benign brain tumour. The tumour is believed to be at the top of his brain which can affect an individuals motor skills - obviously not the most desirable affliction for a world-class utility.
Peter Playford has been named as Huxley's replacement for this weekends derby against the Warratahs.

Next, New Zealand rower Rob Waddell.



Waddell was World Champion in 1998 and 1999, then an Olympic Gold medalist in 2000 and has also won the Halberg Award. After leaving the sport he joined Team New Zealand as a grinder in the 2003 and 2007 Americas Cup series, before returning to rowing and beginning training no more than six months ago. The past summer has seen him competing against current world champion, Mahe Drysdale. The two have been locked into an enthralling battle all summer for the Olympic single-sculls berth. Unfortunately, in the final race in a best-of-three series, Waddell encountered a flare-up of atrial fibrillation, a condition he has lived with in secret for many years. This led to Drysdale scoring an easy victory over Waddell and as announced today, the single sculls berth.
Waddell can still attempt to qualify for a seat in the men's double scull.
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Good luck to both Huxley and Waddell in bouncing back from their rough week.

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The Opening Salvo - On Super14, Cricket and Rowing

My, what an excellent weekend I can use to kickstart this blog.
A triumph for the beloved Hurricanes, Brendan McCullums surgical disembowelment of the Auckland Aces in the national cricket final and the looming regatta between Rob Wadell and Mahe Drysdale.

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