Immense: Bismarck du Plessis
Now that the dust has settled in the southern hemisphere, Planet Rugby looks at the players who stole the show in week two of the June Tests.
15 Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) - Thirteen points from him as he made a watching Neil Jenkins proud from the tee in Melbourne on Saturday.
14 JP Pietersen (South Africa) - He is such an intelligent winger. Pietersen demonstrated his power and pace in making four clean breaks while he also won a turnover for his side as both he and Bryan Habana once again stood tall for the Springbok cause in Jo'burg. Two quality players.
13 Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) - It seems as though Waratahs and Australia centre Rob Horne has been around for ages but he is still only 22. His score and general effort was good but what can we say about O'Driscoll? All heart, his post-match interview with Scotty Stevenson summed up both his hunger and disappointment over the result.
12 Felipe Contepomi (Argentina) - Their game against France was never going to be pretty, but with Contepomi helping control matters outside Ignacio Mieres, the Pumas ultimately made it eight wins in their last eleven meetings with les Bleus. Freedom of Córdoba?
11 Tim Visser (Scotland) - The wait finally ended for Andy Robinson on Saturday as Visser was an eligible Scotland international. Two tries in his first Test and judging from his PRO12 scoring rate, we can expect plenty more crossings for the Dutch-born finisher.
10 Berrick Barnes (Australia) - Firstly a mention for Greig Laidlaw for another impressive performance while Dan Carter's drop-goal broke Irish hearts. But, after flying back to Sydney for the birth of his child, Barnes more than earned his money for nappies in Melbourne.
9 Ben Youngs (England) - No doubt that Leicester scrum-half Youngs was England's best player in Johannesburg. He scored two tries and also had a hand in how Toby Flood got his five-pointer so it is unlucky for Stuart Lancaster that he is now on his way home injured.
8 Thomas Waldrom (England) - Jamie Heaslip was excellent on his 50th cap for Ireland while the dynamic Louis Picamoles also put in some shift for France in their defeat, again, to Argentina. However, we look past the fact he played one-and-a-half games this week as Waldrom did more in that aforementioned 20 minutes in Johannesburg that a lot of his team-mates did. He was also man-of-the-match in the midweek game in Kimberley.
7 Sam Cane (New Zealand) - This was a tough selection as while Australia's David Pocock was solid enough and Ireland's Sean O'Brien did well, we decided that for a debut showing like this, Cane deserves his inclusion. Was a big part of turning the game in Christchurch.
6 Willem Alberts (South Africa) - 52 minutes on the field but what a 52 minutes. He carried like a Trojan once again, brushing off tacklers in a strong showing. We will look past the fact that the scrum should have been reset when he capitalised on the loose ball early on.
5 Donnacha Ryan (Ireland) - Week after week we come across Geoff Parling's name in the statistic column. The Tiger topped the England tackle count but we just felt Ryan did a bit more around the field in a pack that had plenty of dog about it. Credit too to Dan Tuohy.
4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) - Playing in only his second international for the Springboks, Etzebeth further enhanced his reputation in the rugby world by putting in a commanding shift in the engine room. Remind yourselves that the Stormers second-row is only 20 years old.
3 Mike Ross (Ireland) - Dropping Declan Fitzpatrick seemed a tad harsh after the Ulster prop's strong effort in Auckland. But after Ross' shift, Declan Kidney proved he made the right call. Ross was a rock at scrum-time and, like his front-row mates, played a full game.
2 Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa) - We challenge anyone to find a hooker who can do what Du Plessis does. A colossal for the Springboks on Saturday with a key try to boot.
1 Cian Healy (Ireland) - While the Beast racked up some running metres at Coca-Cola Park, it was a certain Irishman who got our vote this weekend. Healy also carried strongly but add to that him making thirteen tackles and scrummaging well and we came across our winner.
By Adam Kyriacou
Comments
Dub_Len_Irl says...
I though Willem Alberts & Bismarck du Plessis were immense.
Posted 17:11 22nd June 2012
blametheref says...
@Sandal
I suppose a lot of these points are down to points of view. For example, regarding "that scrum" where Ireland were penalized when it should have been the other way, Cane had broken his bind even prior to the penalty to NZ, so no matter what way it's viewed that scrum was a mess. You cite some incidents that weren't penalties against NZ, well the McCaw knee into D'Arcy wasn't picked up, but I fully accept these oversights happen to both sides. For example, both sides had a few forward passes that weren't picked up.
Regarding Poite, it seems both NZ, Hanson and Kidney, among other Irish sides, have had big issues about this ref. One quite controversial, where Poite apparently wrote to the Italian management apologizing for some of his decisions against Italy in an Ireland v Italy match, then the following year awarded 14 penalties against Ireland, mostly in the scrum, in the fixture away to Italy. It seems this ref can get on to one team in a match and woe betide that team if he does, I can tell you most Irish rugby supporters do not like to see him named as the ref...I hate to say this, but it's really bad when your team feel they have to work out a particular ref as if they are playing him as well as the opposition, hopefully Ireland have learnt how to play Poite at this stage!!
Posted 10:50 20th June 2012
Capedcrusader says...
@blametheref
Your comments are usually insightful in the case of Dagg it is pathetic. Are players not allowed to compete for the ball in the air??
The yellow card was a joke - Dagg went for the ball - that was it. Why would he jeopardise his team? How can you catch ther ball if you dont reach / compete for it. If that means a body part makes contact with the opponent then thats unlucky it is NOT cynical. Take your tinted glasses off Dagg is not a dirty player Kearney would be the first to defend that.
As for the ref play whats in front of you & stop trying to make excuses it leaves you in a bad light.
Posted 10:03 20th June 2012
sandal says...
@blametheref
I'm afraid I didn't see the McCaw-Darcy incident that you describe. If it happened as you describe then it was deplorable. When was it, btw, in case I get a chance to see another replay?
As to the scrum you mention, I'm not sure which one you are talking about, because I have seen no consensus that Ireland were denied a legitimate scrum penalty at the death. If you mean the scrum that Ireland were penalised for wheeling, I don't think the TV pictures gave a close enough view for us to cast judgment as to whether Ireland were pulling -- certainly Owens had the better view.
I don't hold with your statement that ""it's the match winning penalties at the death in tight matches that are the most crucial for refs to get right"", playing down the importance of earlier decisions. Ireland were level at 19-19 only because the earlier decisions had been wrong. If the score had been, say, 19-13 then the incident you speak of wouldn't have mattered either way.
I think you are taking an extreme position in saying ""Dagg put a deliberate cheap cynical stiff elbow into Kearney's face"". In the first place, elbow did not connect with face. In the second, Dagg's posture was intended to protect himself. I ask you: might'nt Dagg have done himself severe damage if he hadn't adopted the position he did? (Think of exposed ribs, groin etc.) Sure, it was a penalty, but don't be so ready to assume there was malice.
My friend, I share your dismay at the prospect of Poite controlling the next test. The All Blacks also have little reason to think fondly of him, not least in his control of the scrum. One thing we can be pleased with, however, is the way these two packs have got down and scrummaged with very little resetting, and no nastiness that I can recall. So Poite might not be a factor.
Posted 07:33 20th June 2012
KiwiLad says...
Trinats, Why is it Aus can not win a RWC south of the Equator??
Posted 20:27 19th June 2012
JayStarr says...
Here's a suggestion to the Editor:
How about having a poll in your future "team of the weeks" (especially the Super Rugby one) - and then publish both your one and the reader's one?
Posted 15:28 19th June 2012
blametheref says...
OH NO!!! Romain Poite's the ref for NZ v Ireland on Saturday, the All Blacks need only stick out their 2nd team + Carter...this guy has blown Ireland off the park in practically every game we've had the misfortune to be landed with him. He'll also be out to impress Paddy O' Brien et al so Carter will have loads and loads of near in penalty opportunities....Shame really, as before discovering this I really believed we were in with a very good chance......I've torn my hair out watching this ref give penalty after penalty after penalty after penalty after penalty after penalty after penalty after penalty against Ireland...He's even had opposition TV commentators questioning his endless string of one sided decisions. When this ref gets on one teams back he stays on it......Any ref but Poite!
Posted 14:21 19th June 2012
blametheref says...
Regarding the Dagg/Kearney incident, if coaches of teams encouraged that as acceptable to do when going for a charge down they would be banned for inciting their players to damage/hurt opposition players. Dagg put a deliberate cheap cynical stiff elbow into Kearney's face with the intention of ruffling Kearney's feathers with a bit of added pain. Dagg was caught and paid the price, in the cool light of day can the dissenting posters here not see that?
Posted 13:44 19th June 2012
Trinats2 says...
KiwiLad:
Not a dig just a fact !! But since you brought it up, why is it you can only win in NZ and under controversial circumstances ?
"Canary Yellow" That's Australian GOLD my friend, and don't you forget it ! (quote Bill Birmingham) Harris is an Australian (once he pulls on the gold, just like your Islanders when they pull on the black or even Aussie Franks !!! )
As for Deans, he is a Kiwi who wishes he was an Aussie !!!
silk purse or sows ear, both can still carry GOLD !
Posted 11:11 19th June 2012
KiwiLad says...
Trinats234673, was that another dig about the ABs only being able to win RWCs at home???
Who was it that got the lads in Canary Yellow over the line last weekend??
A Kiwi? One who wasnt good enough to play for the ABs? Much like your Coach? The Coach you all crowed about when you nabbed him?
The one who can not make a silk purse out of a sows ear?
Posted 10:38 19th June 2012
blametheref says...
@ sandal
Mid match there will always be penalties that go against either side that will be disputed, I agree there were some that should not have been awarded. But it's the match winning penalties at the death in tight matches that are the most crucial for refs to get right, and in this respect it is widely accepted that Owens got it clearly wrong when NZ were being shunted in the scrum by Ireland. It was kickable penalty Ireland, and if he couldn't decide, an Irish put in at least.
One incident you forgot to mention was McCaw's deliberate heavy knee into D'arcy's leg that put D'Arcy off and out of the next match. That was not seen by ref or linesman and should have been a penalty and a card for McCaw. This incident leaves us now without the crucial D'Arcy/BOD partnership for test 3, a very disruptive loss
Posted 09:50 19th June 2012
blametheref says...
3 Leinster players and 1 former Leinster player in Contepomi, not surprised. Seems that if France are the All Blacks hoodoo at times then Argentina are France's hoodoo, quite amazing that one of the stodgiest low try scoring teams in international rugby have beaten France in 8 out of their last 11 meetings. Think France have to get rid of coach St.Andre and pay whatever it costs to get maestro Toulouse coach Guy Noves before he retires, because if he was the coach France will win a World Cup. Under St.Andre France are now trying to play like England...Weird!
To the O'Driscoll knockers, think you should firstly appreciate he's played for Ireland and not one of the big 3, look at a game more closely, follow BOD and watch what he does during a match, defensively and positionally quite amazing acting like a 7 and closing down space that other 13's just don't see. On this tour the All Blacks have done a good job in keeping him relatively quiet in attack...so far! I can guarantee he's been working on that as it's rarely he'll go 3 matches without a try and making some more. In the 3rd test I'd back him to score a try as he'll be up for it big time because this is his last roll of the dice to put one over on the AB's. Though, with injuries, Ireland should not win, the AB's will get a real test match though.
As for the McCaw knockers and the McCheat calls, he cleverly plays refs to their limits, and why not? I think he should be in this team, or Sean O' Brien, as both played very well as opposite 7's, bar one or 2 forced pressure knock ons from RMcC.
Posted 09:30 19th June 2012
hellovanite says...
token AB at 7 lol
Posted 08:34 19th June 2012
bigb6969 says...
pog_mahone says...the statement that Ireland was the "far superior team" hardly stands scrutiny. The stats .
NZ had 59% possession, 62% territory, 3 clean breaks to 1, Defenders beaten 20-9, Off loads 6-2, 94 rucks to only 60 for Ireland. Also ruck efficiency 96.9% to 95.3%, Tackles made/missed NZ 89/9 90.8% Ireland 145/20 Tackling success rate 87.9%. Scrums and line outs NZ retained 100% of their own ball. Ireland lost 2 scrums and 3 line outs, 87.9%.
So NZ dominated territory and possession. On average the 4 NZ penalties where kicked from a closer distance, apart from the start ireland hardly threatened the line. The penalty that Ali Williams was done for, the Irish half deliberated hooked Williams leg when he was rolling away. milked.
Ireland definitely gave themselves a chance, but truth is it is that Ireland were not unlucky to lose. The All Blacks would have been little unlucky to lose, but this is the first time for years Ireland really got close, but they were beaten by a better team.
PS: That Dagg yellow card was bogus, he just jumped in the air, and yes a penalty, but it was not deliberate or intentional as portrayed on some websites
Posted 07:42 19th June 2012
bloemboy says...
"The editor says.... Man-of-the-match in midweek and made the second most carries for England in the 20 minutes he was on the field on Saturday."
That just proves how dominant SA were in the game. For such a mediocre performance from Waldrom to stand out really indicates where the England side is at present. Agreed that Youngs had a pretty good game and if I were absolutely forced to put another Pom in the Team of the Week, it would need to be from the front row as England did dismantle the Bok scrum in the second half.
Etzbeth is certainly a future legend in the making to rank with the Matfields, Johnstons and Eales of the world, and possibly eclipse them all. What a team it will be once Bekker is back to partner him with Burger, Juan Smith and Vermeulen back in the mix. Brussouw will also bounce back.
From the other games, my top picks were Tim Visser and Kieren Reid, both of whom I thought were class. In general though, a fairly mediocre weekend of rugby aside from a good first half from the boks. Not great, just good.
.
Posted 07:39 19th June 2012
StunTheMullet says...
@ pog_mahone - Here I was thinking the Welsh predantic whistleblower was doing his best to hand the game to Ireland after they clawed their way back to 19 all.
Dodgy penalty and sin bin leaving ABs down to 14 men with 8 minutes to go followed by nice job of ABs, lead by Sir Richie, to close the game out.
But best to leave ABs, bar Sam Cane, out of the PC 15.
Posted 07:31 19th June 2012
Cdn_content says...
Sorry editor I got to ask... Was the mid week game a test? I didn't think it was. So it doesn't come into consideration for the best test 8. And as well since when does the most carries = a great game? Sometimes it means u aren't hitting rucks and are playing an opportunistic game. Heaslip was all over the field. And led the way to the closest opportunity the Irish have come to beating the abs in 109 years. cane was good, Mahony was better than cane, Pocock was immense.
Posted 02:42 19th June 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
pog_mahone, Ireland played their hearts out and credit to them but NZ still won nearly 60% of both possession and territory, it wasn't a complete surprise that once they reduced their error count they scored points and won the match. No comment on Daggs yellow card! Fair play about team of the week, no complaints there.
Posted 01:11 19th June 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
pog_mahone, Ireland played their hearts out and credit to them but NZ still won nearly 60% of both possession and territory, it wasn't a complete surprise that once they reduced their error count they scored points and won the match. No comment on Daggs yellow card! Fair play about team of the week, no complaints there.
Posted 01:10 19th June 2012
Sharpster says...
Funny how the supposed best players of the week come from losing teams! I know yhe games were close but let's put politics aside and just pick the absolute best, if that means 12 kiwis or whatever...
Posted 01:04 19th June 2012