THIS WEEKEND 13 SEPTEMBER

 

The test match in Brisbane works out to be the final of the Tri Nations tournament. The winner will walk away with the trophy for 2008. This tournament is now far too drawn out with gaps between fixtures. Quite frankly I have lost interest. Hopefully an extra team can be added in the not too distant future. I would like to see either the Pacific Islands or Argentina added to the mix with a final match that is a final.

 

In the north the European Nations Cup competition gets underway. Matches in the Third Division see Armenia face Serbia whilst Hungary takes on Slovenia.

 

13.09.2008

New Zealand 28, Australia 24 in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup, Tri Nations)

New Zealand won by 4 points. I predicted NZ by 7.

 

Previews

After trailing 10-7 at the break and then 17-7 just into the second half, New Zealand stormed home to take the Tri Nations Trophy for 2008. The win also gives the Kiwis a 2-1 lead in the Bledisloe Cup with the final match to be played in Hong Kong 1 November. It was an exciting match, with Australia scoring late in the half but unable to press for the final try that would have produced a victory. New Zealand held on, just, and was deserved winners.

http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_4139132,00.html

 

Reviews

In the last few seasons the home side has won this encounter. Also they seem to be winning turn about. All this would suggest that Australia should win in Brisbane.

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_4133999,00.html

 

Last Five Encounters

02.08.2008 New Zealand 39-10 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup & Tri Nations)

26.07.2008 Australia 34-19 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup & Tri Nations)

21.07.2007 New Zealand 26-12 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup & Tri Nations)

30.06.2007 Australia 20-15 in Melbourne (Bledisloe Cup & Tri Nations)

19.08.2006 New Zealand 34-27 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup & Tri Nations)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 3rd

                                Oceania Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd

 

Teams

 

Australia

15 Adam Ashley-Cooper

14 Peter Hynes

13 Ryan Cross

12 Stirling Mortlock (Capt.)

11 Lote Tuqiri

10 Matthew Giteau

9 Samuel Cordingley

8 Wycliff Palu

7 George Smith

6 Rocky Elsom

5 Nathan Sharpe

4 James Horwill

3 Alistair Baxter

2 Stephen Moore

1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements

16 Adam Freier

17 Matthew Dunning

18 Hugh McMeniman

19 Phillip Waugh

20 Richard Brown

21 Brett Sheehan

22 Drew Mitchell

Coach: Robbie Deans

 

New Zealand

15 Mils Muliaina

14 Richard Kahui

13 Conrad Smith

12 Ma'a Nonu

11 Sitiveni Sivivatu

10 Daniel Carter

9 James Cowan

8 Rodney So'oialo

7 Richard McCaw (Capt.)

6 Jerome Kaino

5 Alistair Williams

4 Bradley Thorn

3 Gregory Somerville

2 Andrew Hore

1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements

16 Keven Mealamu

17 John Afoa/ Neemia Tialata

18 Anthony Boric

19 Adam Thomson

20 Piri Weepu

21 Stephen Donald

22 Isaia Toeava

Coach: Graham Henry

 

Armenia 41, Serbia 0 at FC Smederevo, Smederevo (WCQ Europe, ENC 3A)

Armenia won by 41 points. I predicted Armenia by 3

 

Reviews

 

Previews

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/article_detail.php?article=775

 

Previous Encounters

25.05.2008 Serbia 19-8 in Belgrade (ENC 3A)

10.05.2008 Armenia 25-0 in Yerevan (ENC 3A)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Armenia 24th, Serbia 26th

 

Teams

 

Armenia

1. Hambardzumyan Vahagn

2. Bedrossian Laurant

3. Laurant Eric

4. Melkonian Robin

5. Tchuruckdichian Alain

6. Hairabetian Laurent

7. Juillat Albin

8. Donabedian Didier

9. Topol Gregory

10. Boyadjian Frederic

11. Gerlach William

12. Avedickian Karmik

13. Boghossian Jasques

14. Ciani Gaetan

15. Anthian Yoan

16. Baghdasaryan Taron

17. Vartanian Gregory

18. Axarlian Raffy

19. Boghossian Nicolas

20. Vignon Pierre Alexandre

21. Ancelin Nicolas

22. Erenian Hovannes

Coach Bos Jean Jacques

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2839

Not sure if the numbers are the playing positions or not or just squad numbers.

 

Serbia

Not available

 

Slovenia 32, Hungary 26 in Ljubliana (WCQ Europe, ENC 3B)

Slovenia won by 6 points. I predicted Hungary by 11.

 

Reviews

 

Previews

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/article_detail.php?article=775

 

Previous Last Five Encounters

08.10.2005 Hungary 15-12 in Ljubliana (ENC 3B)

06.11.2004 Slovenia 41-0 in Ljubliana (WCQ Europe R2, Pool A)

16.10.1999 Slovenia 27-3 in Budapest (FIRA D1)

10.10.1998 Slovenia 16-12 in Ljubliana (FIRA B)

18.04.1998 Slovenia 38-0 in Ljubliana (FIRA Bronze B)

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Hungary 29th, Slovenia 33rd CHANGE

 

Teams

Not available