At last, a decent test match

[Flamethrower]

At last, a decent test match
By JIM KAYES - The Dominion Post | Saturday, 05 July 2008


This is no understrength French team, or an English side complaining that they are at the end of a long and tiring season.

This is not an Irish or Welsh side promising to make history, only for them to perpetuate it.

Neither is it a rotated All Blacks side that will run out in tonight's Tri-Nations opener. This, at last, is a proper test that should be close, possibly low-scoring if the weather is bleak.

South Africa are brimming with confidence as they revel in the tag of world champions and have an eye on making history.

It's been 10 years since South Africa won in New Zealand........

Full story:At last, a decent test match - New Zealand's source for sport, rugby, cricket & league news on Stuff.co.nz

[zimeric]

Stormy night forecast for test - Rugby news & coverage - Stuff.co.nz

Stormy night forecast for test
By HANK SCHOUTEN - The Dominion Post | Thursday, 03 July 2008


There could be a bit too much ice for champagne rugby in Saturday night's Springbok-All Blacks test in Wellington.


Weather forecasters are suggesting that intrepid fans might need full wet-weather gear and anti-freeze to survive another stormy night at Westpac Stadium.

And even though the All Blacks seem to be on top of their game, ticket sales so far suggested there could be lots of empty seats - a repeat of the spectacle last month when thousands stayed away or left early as a bone-chilling wet southerly rolled through at the start of the Irish test.

The Wellington Rugby Union said yesterday that about 4000 of the 38,000 seats available were still unsold, including "a fair number" of the dearer covered seats.....