By Rodney J Smith

Here’s a look at the Big Three of world rugby in terms of where they’re at ahead of the 2010 Tri Nations tournament. The teams will also have one eye firmly on long-range preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand too, which adds to the pressure in this year’s Tri Nations.

Australian Wallabies

Considering the relatively low profile of rugby union in Australia and the fact that much of the athletic talent gravitates towards rugby league or Aussie Rules football, it’s a testament to the Australian fighting spirit and “never say die” attitude that they are so competitive in rugby union. Australia tends to favour an open running style of rugby, relying on fast, elusive backs and not a little guile to run rings around their opponents, which can be very entertaining to watch. Teams that are successful against them tend to try and force a more structured, forwards-oriented game on them to capitalise on what is perceived as their main weakness: an under-powered front five, particularly in the scrumming department.

It’s something that coach Robbie Deans is trying hard to address ahead of the 2010 Tri Nations and next year’s world cup. Many questions still remain after the summer internationals against the northern hemisphere sides, which this Tri Nations tournament may go a long way towards answering. If they can manage to be more competitive up front, one feels that the core of this young side could carry the Wallabies forward for the next decade.

New Zealand All Blacks

Although the Kiwis are a relatively small nation, rugby is religion in the Land of the Long White Cloud, which means the sport enjoys the pick of the athletic talent. Their ranks are further bolstered by imports from the various Polynesian islands whose people, both culturally and physically, seem born to play rugby. Arguably the team to beat over the years, the All Blacks have perhaps the most balanced approach to the game, combining strong, incisive running backs with tough battle-hardened forwards who are capable of dominating against most teams in world rugby. They are a formidable prospect, with few obvious weaknesses.

Their achilles heel seems to be an inability to win that most elusive of prizes: the world cup (apart from the inaugural tournament). Each year they seem to be the team to beat going into the competition, yet somehow they have not managed to win it, earning them the tag of “chokers”. Perhaps their problem is that they want it too much? Anyhow, one thing is sure: the Kiwi public will tolerate nothing less than a win at next year’s world cup on home soil – otherwise the players and staff may as well pack their bags and go play in the Heineken Cup!

No such problems in the Tri Nations though – the All Blacks have been dominant over the years, and will be keen to re-establish the natural order of things after under-performing in last year’s tournament.

South African Springboks

Rugby has traditionally been a white man’s game in South Africa. But since the birth of the Rainbow Nation, more non-white players have been coming through the ranks. Whilst this is still somewhat of a political process rather than pure rugby development, the future looks bright for the Springboks if they can tap deeply into the local talent pool. The Springboks have traditionally played “10 man rugby” built on a very powerful forward pack with a kicking flyhalf and the rest of the backline there mainly for defense but more recently they’ve made progress in becoming more balanced – sometimes swinging too far the other way – but lately seem to have to the balance just about right.

After a very successful couple of years in which they have won just about everything going, the challenge for them is to keep developing to stay ahead of the pack. Many of their stars are nearing the end of their playing careers, and it remains to be seen if suitable replacements can be found to take over the mantle after next year’s world cup. At the moment depth doesn’t seem to be much of a problem, but one or two injuries in key positions could have a big impact.

Be sure to catch all the excitement of the 2010 tri nations rugby tournament over at http://trinationsrugby.blogspot.com

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Technorati Tags: rugby, team profiles, Tri Nations Rugby

17/09/83.

Canterbury vs Wellington – Ranfurly Shield

A thriller from Lancaster Park. A grudge match as Wellington try to take back the Ranfurly Shield they lost in 1982. Great tries, a great penalty from Robbie Deans. This is Part 4 of 4.

All Blacks galore – Robbie Deans, Bruce Deans, Jock Hobbs, Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser, Murray Mexted, Craig Green, John Ashworth, Murray Pierce, Wayne Smith, Victor Simpson, Warwick Taylor.

Duration : 0:8:39

Technorati Tags: 1983, Canterbury, Canterbury rugby, Ranfurly, rugby, Shield, Wellington

1983

Canterbury rugby

All the tries from the major Ranfurly Shield defences in 1983. One of the great Canterbury teams, and one of the great shield era’s.

Duration : 0:4:26

Technorati Tags: 1983, Canterbury, Canterbury rugby, Ranfurly, rugby, Shield, tries

17/09/83.

Canterbury vs Wellington – Ranfurly Shield

A thriller from Lancaster Park. A grudge match as Wellington try to take back the Ranfurly Shield they lost in 1982. Great tries, a great penalty from Robbie Deans. This is Part 3 of 4.

All Blacks galore – Robbie Deans, Bruce Deans, Jock Hobbs, Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser, Murray Mexted, Craig Green, John Ashworth, Murray Pierce, Wayne Smith, Victor Simpson, Warwick Taylor.

Duration : 0:6:11

Technorati Tags: 1983, Canterbury, Canterbury rugby, Ranfurly, rugby, Shield, Wellington

17/09/83.

Canterbury vs Wellington – Ranfurly Shield

A thriller from Lancaster Park. A grudge match as Wellington try to take back the Ranfurly Shield they lost in 1982. Great tries, a great penalty from Robbie Deans.

All Blacks galore – Robbie Deans, Bruce Deans, Jock Hobbs, Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser, Murray Mexted, Craig Green, John Ashworth, Murray Pierce, Wayne Smith, Victor Simpson, Warwick Taylor.

Duration : 0:7:59

Technorati Tags: 1983, Canterbury, Canterbury rugby, Ranfurly, rugby, Shield, Wellington

17/09/83.

1. Canterbury vs Wellington – Ranfurly Shield
   

A thriller rugby game from Lancaster Park. A grudge match as Wellington try to take back the Ranfurly Shield they lost in 1982. Great tries, a great penalty from Robbie Deans. This is Part 1 of 4.

All Blacks galore – Robbie Deans, Bruce Deans, Jock Hobbs, Stu Wilson, Bernie Fraser, Murray Mexted, Craig Green, John Ashworth, Murray Pierce, Wayne Smith, Victor Simpson, Warwick Taylor.

Duration : 0:7:57

Technorati Tags: 1983, Canterbury, Canterbury rugby, Ranfurly, rugby, Shield, Wellington

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Canterbury rugby Supporters

The clubrooms have finally been demolished.

Duration : 0:0:19

Technorati Tags: Canterbury, Canterbury rugby, Club, rugby, Supporters

To view video, please click on the post title

Some of the best All Blacks rugby tries ever.

Brought to you by: www.rugbier.com.br

Duration : 0:7:11

Technorati Tags: All, Blacks, buck, carter, cullen, England, italy, kirwan, lomu, McCaw, New, pumas, rugby, shelford, spencer, tries, try, umaga, Zealand

Dan Carter returned to New Zealand last month and has been weighing up offers from Auckland and Canterbury.  This afternoon Carter signed on the dotted line with Canterbury.

Carter, the injured All Blacks’ first-five eighth has re-signed with the Canterbury rugby Union through until the end of 2011.

It is reported that Auckland was prepared to pay Carter as much as $400,000 a season to move there.  This must have been attractive to Carter who now resides in Auckland although Carter says Christchurch has always been home.

I am sure the Canterbuy Rugby fans will be pleased with his loyalty to the region.

Technorati Tags: All Blacks, auckland, Canterbury rugby, Dan Carter, first five eighth

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on the post title

The Canterbury Crusaders

This is a clip I made of the greatest Super Rugby Franchise of all time. Also if u like this join up 2 my fanpage http://Crusaders07.bebo.com enjoy and GO THE CRUSADERS!!!!!!

Make Sure you come and show your support here http://www.vodafonerugbytribe.co.nz/ have your say read the weekly blog I wil be posting also you can win heaps of free stuff. http://www.vodafonerugbytribe.co.nz/ http://www.vodafonerugbytribe.co.nz/ http://www.vodafonerugbytribe.co.nz/ http://www.vodafonerugbytribe.co.nz/ http://www.vodafonerugbytribe.co.nz/

Duration : 0:5:58

Technorati Tags: Black, Blackadder, Canterbury, carter, caw, champs, christchurch, Crusaders, dan, jade, mc, red, reubin, richie, rugby, super, thorne