The Scrum
Hello and welcome to ‘the scrum’. We’ll be rounding up all the action from over the last week teeing up the upcoming games and dissecting all the latest news in the rugby world.
The 3rd place game
An exciting appetizer for the Final; South Africa defeated Argentina 24-13. It was an emotional game for both sides, Argentina were strongly supported- as they were throughout the tournament. While South Africa bid farwell to their heroes Matfield, Burger and Habana, A swan song in the end for the remaining members of the 2007 World Cup Winning side. The Springboks took control early with a try for JPR Pietersen, before pollard added a conversion and 3 penalties to make it 13-0 at half. The fabulous Sanchez fly-half for the Argentine side pushed his teams closer, but ultimately it wasn’t until the subs came on and the game petered out, that JP Orlandi crossed the line in extra time to give the South Americans something to cheer about. A fulfilling final, with the Springboks taking home the bronze medal, lots to be proud of on both sides.
The Final
It comes once every four years, it’s one of those rare occasions in sports where it almost always lives up to the reputation. In terms of match-up you couldn’t have asked for much better the World number 1 against the world number 2, Australia New Zealand, the south pacific mouth-watering clash. It started with both teams testing the waters and throwing some jabs. Before Dan Carter made it his game, the All Blacks did score a well worked try from Milner-Skudder, their relentless defence and strong fundamental play meant that the Wallabies never had a chance. Smith was sent to sin bin for a dump tackle and that’s where Australia came back into the game Pocock scoring and then Kuridrani all with the man advantage. Fighting back to within four points it had the looked of a classic finish. Once again Dan Carter made sure he would get his hands on the Webb Ellis Cup, with a superb drop goal, with Australia needing a try with 10 minutes left. Barrett made it comfortable for New Zealand in the end as the All Blacks raced through the Australian backs who were in desperation mode. 34-17 was the final, the All Blacks became the first team to win the trophy three times, the first to back to back championships and won their first away from home soil.
Player of the Year
With the international season coming to an end the 2015 player of the year was awarded. Nominees were Dan Carter, Julian Savea of New Zealand, Michael Hooper and David Pocock of Australia, while Welsham Alun Wyn Jones and Scotsman Greg Laidlaw. Dan Carter took home the award after he led the All Blacks to the World Cup. As humble as ever Carter said: “It’s a dream come true. It’s not why you play the game, for personal accolades, but at the same time it’s very pleasing and a very proud moment because I’ve had to work extremely hard, especially these last two to three years with the injuries that I’ve had. To come out fighting on the other side and achieve what I’ve achieved personally, but also what the team has achieved, it has been a very special moment of my career.”
Australian coach Michael Cheika won the coach of the year for leading his side to the World Cup Final, as well as the Rugby Championship title, in his first 12 months in charge. While Nehe Milner-Skudder won the inaugural ‘breakthrough player of the year’ scoring 6 tries at the World Cup including the opening try in the Final.
Premiership
In Premiership news Saracens and Tigers sit pretty with the 3 wins from 3 at the top of the premiership table. Liecester have the tough task of going to Exeter to play the Chiefs who sit 3rd in the table. While Saracens play the Northampton saints who will be hope theyre season can be kick started. Of course all English Rugby players involved with the world cup can expect to be intergrated back into the squads.
