http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7113739.stm
Printable View
downloading now - hope to have clip of gits try later (tonight?)
looks like it started off well but conditions made it scrappy after half time.
Congrats to Gits and Rocky. Again the Aussies prove they have what it takes despite the rest of the world never giving them much credit.
coach where do you D/L from?
The Rugby Heaven story
http://news.rugbyheaven.com.au/barba...1202-1ebe.html
Barbarians bring Springboks down to earth
01 December 2007 (16:35)
Jake White © Gallo Images
South Africa's wonderful year ended in disappointment on Saturday as the world champions were humbled 22-5 by Barbarians in a hugely entertaining non-cap game at Twickenham.
Blow-by-blow commentary
The Springboks, featuring just five of the side who won the World Cup final six weeks ago, were never able to find the form that swept them past Wales last week as the famous invitational team turned on the style.
Tries by Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau, Wales flanker Martyn Williams and Australia back rower Rocky Elsom were a fair reward for their enterprise and a reminder to the rugby authorities that the black-and-white hoops remain a popular part of the game in an ever-more-crowded calendar.
It was the last game in charge for South Africa coach Jake White and a last senior appearance for England back Jason Robinson.
"Absolutely brilliant, you can tell by the smiles on the guys' faces what it means," Robinson told Sky Sports.
"That first half especially was great and in the second half we kept them out and kept them out," added Robinson, who went off to a standing ovation 12 minutes from the end.
FORWARD PRESSURE
The Barbarians turned on the style from the start, just as the near-60,000 crowd had been hoping they would.
Giteau got the first try after 18 minutes in a 70-metre counter-attack after Joe Rokocoko had produced a wonderful tackle to deny Springbok number eight Ryan Kankowski a metre short of the line at the other end.
Barend Pieterse, a late call-up for Schalk Burger in the Springbok back row, plopped over after his side reverted to forward pressure but it was a rare visit beyond the 22 for the world champions, who looked weary and short of inspiration after a gruelling 12 months.
The Barbarians looked dangerous whenever they attacked but blew two or three good situations before Martyn Williams made the most of a fizzing Robinson break to score their second try for a 15-5 halftime lead.
Elsom stretched that to a remarkable 22-5 within two minutes of the restart with a bullocking 50-metre run and the Springboks suddenly had a mountain to climb.
A downpour then made ball-handling difficult and South Africa tried desperately to force their way back in through their forwards.
The Barbarians, though, dug deep and defended with the sort of dedication that the Springboks themselves had shown as they ground their way to the world title in France.
SCORERS:
Barbarians:
Tries: M Giteau, M Williams, R Elsom. Conversions: M Giteau x2. Penalties: M Giteau
Springboks XV:
Tries: B Pieterse
if you just want to see giteaus try then go to http://www.foxsports.com.au/shows/news and click on foxsportsnews in a minute (on the right) and watch the 1 minute video, gits try is someware in the middle its about 10 seconds long.
Brilliant game - Setanta telecast had a 15 min overrun so had to wait for repeat to see the end - all 4 Aussies did well - was suspicious about Justin's fitness for that level but he did well - and obviously enjoyed playing the game - pretty sure that Eddie ensured that all Baabaa's got a run lots of subs on from 50 mins - Baabaa's deserved it open imaginative play rather than procession playing the ref won the day - reckoned the second half quieter as the Saffa's copped on and everyone was generally knackered !
Anyone have any idea which club Gitts was representing with the green socks !
he must of forgot his force socks!!...Quote:
Originally Posted by Thequeerone
Well done to the Aussies, and glad no injuries were picked up.
Also, congrats to Jason Robinson for his rugby (both union & league) career. One of the few Englishment to play an expansive game. He was always a danger with ball in hand and played rugby in the correct spirit. Enjoy your retirement!
By all accounts it was tipping it down with rain after half-time, which closed the game right down. Though they may have been knackered as well, it sounds like the first half was a ripper.Quote:
Originally Posted by zimeric
It does sound like the Aussies played well; it's kind of an obvious suggestion, but maybe it's worth Wallaby coaches looking at how and why the BaaBaas gelled and trying to replicate it...!
http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_RUG...nnel=0&sp=true
Rugby-Barbarians must have a future, say White and O'Sullivan
LONDON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Winners and losers were united in calling for a future for the Barbarians on Saturday after the invitational side poured on the style to beat world champions South Africa 22-5 at Twickenham.
Eddie O'Sullivan, coach of Ireland and in charge of the "home" side, said he disagreed with those in the game who say there is no longer a place for such a fixture.
"The test of the Barbarians is whether people come to watch them and what the boys produced today was up there with any Barbarians performance," he said.
"People want to see that sort of rugby. We talked all week about the Barbarians ethos, running with the ball at every opportunity, but in the second half the guys put their bodies on the line for ages and I was very impressed."
Johann Muller, captaining the Springboks in the absence of World Cup skipper John Smit, on club duty in France, said the Barbarians had made it a real match.
"We were beaten by a better, more committed team -- that was some of the best defence I've ever seen in my life out there," said the lock, one of 10 players in the side not to feature in the World Cup final team.
PART OF RUGBY
South Africa coach Jake White also warned against edging such games out of the picture. "These sorts of fixtures are part of rugby union and we must be careful about chiselling away at them," he said.
"The one thing you must never forget that rugby union has is history; to have a game like that, you've got to be excited about the way the Barbarians played for their jersey today."
White also paid tribute to England back Jason Robinson, making his last senior appearance.
"He was a great rugby league player and an unbelievable rugby union player," said White.
"There was a fair bit of emotion on their team to see him off with a bit of a bang. It was a nice day for everybody and hopefully these Baba games will continue."
It was also a farewell for White, who steps down as South Africa coach at the end of the month.
"When the Boks run out for their first game next year, that's probably when it will hit home that I'm no longer a part of it," said White, who was one defeat away from the sack in November last year but led his team to their second World Cup triumph 11 months later.
"I've been really privileged to lead an amazing group of players in an amazing four years.
"The most important thing is to just enjoy it and reflect on what's been an unbelievable year, just put my feet up and enjoy the achievements."
White said he had had "eight or nine offers from clubs and countries around the world", including two or three English clubs but there was one he did not think would be taking.
"There was one from Wales. It was a fourth division club called Llantwit Major -- a mate of mine is there and he thinks he can get me the job," he said.
"He's a bit worried though that Graham Henry has also applied." (Editing by Sonia Oxley)
I read an article in an English newspaper focussed on Robinson being his last game and all and they added the cheap shot that Robinson could have gone out celebrating a fantastic try were it not for Matt Giteau's poor decision making. Bah!Quote:
Originally Posted by JediKnight
Congrats to Jason. Its always sad to see a super player retire especially when you know they are/were probably a "one-off".