THE PRESS, Wednesday, August24, 2011 SPORT B19

RUGBY

IN BRIEF

Head1

Tonga surprise ❯❯ -based back rower Coaches face highs and lows of job Finau Maka has been named to captain a Tonga team coached Richard Knowler WALLABIES them this is the most experi- last weekend. Henry said he yesterday, had to attend to the by his brother, Isitolo Maka, at enced All Blacks squad to was stunned at how well Dagg business of fielding questions next month’s . was chirping , Adam Ashley- contest a World Cup. But that played considering his lack of on his players’ behaviour and Former captain Nili Latu, who like a sparrow but it took a Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, vital maturity was not enough game-time. then watch Cooper, Beale and led Tonga to the 2007 World while for to Pat McCabe, , to save 45-test wing Sivivatu ‘‘Obviously he is a bloody O’Connor be interrogated. Cup, surprisingly was not unearth his sense of humour , ; who lost out to Guildford who, good athlete but it speaks Despite repeated questions included in the squad named yesterday. , , at 21, is eight years his junior volumes about [how] he can packaged in a variety of yesterday, though the Immediately after All , , and has played just six get himself to that state to different ways, the trio prospect of his selection Blacks boss Henry announced , Ben internationals. play at that level in that avoided giving specific details prompted the resignation of his World Cup squad, Alexander, Stephen Moore, ‘‘He is just playing with a period of time.’’ of what happened during the Tonga chairman Wallabies coach Deans was . Res: Saia little more energy than the Although lock Boric has incident, or where it hap- Bob Tuckey. The union’s new forced to defend backline Faingaa, Salesi Ma’afu, Rob others, a little more desire,’’ been nursing a foot injury pened, and repeatedly stated chairman, Tevita Latailakepa, stars Quade Cooper, Kurtley Simmons, Ben McCalman, Henry reasoned. ‘‘It was a since June, forwards coach they were ‘‘best mates’’. said the directors considered Beale and James O’Connor , Luke very close-run thing. Because insisted his The brawl allegedly resul- it was not appropriate for Latu from allegations of boozing Burgess, one TBA. of that energy and ability he selection was a ‘‘no brainer’’. ted in them forfeiting their to be selected because he had and brawling among them- got the nod.’’ While he admitted the match fees before assisting not played in warmup games. selves in last November. One of the biggest feel-good coaches reviewed Colin the Wallabies to belt France Deputy chairman Aminiasi This was barely 12 hours Robbie Deans Graham Henry impress at No 8 in last stories belonged to Israel Slade’s yo-yo performance in by a record score. Kefu said the union had after O’Connor had been fined weekend’s 5-18 defeat to the Dagg after he suffered a last weekend, ‘‘If you look at how often considered Latu’s case and and banned from Saturday Contrast Deans’ situation instead of Springboks. serious quadriceps injury Henry has stuck with the first we hang out, there are going instructed Maka not to select night’s Tri-Nations test at with that of the upbeat Henry and in place of ‘‘He [Vito] has got a lineout playing for the in five-eighth over Aaron to be disagreements every him. Maka complied, saying ‘‘at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium who gave another insight to Jarrad Hoeata. option which is quite import- early May. Despite playing Cruden because of his ability now and then. the end I am just the coach, for going out on the grog and his World Cup plans when Undoubtedly the selection ant and Liam didn’t quite tick just one match for Hawke’s to play wing and fullback and ‘‘That is what happens there are people above me’’. missing the Australians’ revealing a 30-man squad that of Vito was the biggest shock, all the right boxes in the last Bay he forced his way into the also pouch the high ball. when you are best mates. World Cup squad naming last included Victor Vito ahead of the loose forward forcing his test,’’ Henry admitted. squad with an outstanding Meanwhile, Deans, who There are no issues,’’ Cooper Young captain week. , way in after Messam failed to With 1133 test caps among performance against the Boks named his Wallabies team maintained. ❯❯ will become ’ youngest World Cup captain after coach revealed his 30-man squad yesterday. However, misses out on Blackadder the chance to win his 100th cap at the tournament. Gatland confirmed that flanker Warburton, 22, would take over the armband rates omitted from hooker , who was ruled out after surgery on a neck injury. The Welsh squad contains one uncapped player, Crockett hooker . He received a late call to replace Tony Smith and Richard Knowler the injured . We think Tony ’s World Cup Hoeata guilty omission has done nothing to Woodcock is a change Crusaders coach Todd ‘ better prop, ❯❯ Tasman lock Riki Hoeata Blackadder’s opinion that he has been found guilty of a is the world’s best loosehead probably in the dangerous tackle and will miss prop. area of scrum- his team’s final ITM Cup rugby Crockett declined to com- maging. It was a match against Manawatu in ment yesterday, although he Nelson tomorrow night. The indicated he would be at close run thing incident related to Hoeata’s Canterbury training to- but Woody has tackle on Otago winger Joe Hill morrow, and would be happy in the 59th minute of their to speak then. been there, done match, won 19-16 by Otago, in Blackadder said last night that and he has Nelson on Sunday. Hoeata, 23, he knew Crockett would be shown us he can denied the charge, but judicial hurting, but he insisted the officer Bruce Squire, QC, ruled front rower should be ‘‘really do it time and that the player did not use his proud’’ of his Tri-Nations time again in the arms in executing the tackle. performance. highest arena. ‘‘He has proved he can per- Murray gets nod form at that level. But [the All Steve Hansen Black coaches] have probably Assistant coach ❯❯ has been just gone for Tony Wood- named in coach Declan cock’s experience, and he’s Kidney’s 30-man squad for the never let them down.’’ us he can do it time and time World Cup at the expense of Blackadder said during the again in the highest arena. It Munster team-mate Tomas Crusaders’ cam- is unfortunate for Wyatt – O’Leary. Murray made his only paign that Crockett was the there is not enough room.’’ test appearance against best loosehead prop in the ‘‘Woody has shown that if France in Bordeaux 10 days world, and he said last night he is not the best loosehead Wing and a prayer: Zac Guildford thought of his late father when the young back was picked for the All Blacks’ World Cup squad. Photo: REUTERS ago. He will travel to New he had not seen anything in prop in the world, he is one of Zealand with fellow halfbacks the Tri-Nations arena to alter two.’’ and Isaac Boss, that view. Hansen said the scrum who hails from Waikato. ‘‘I defy any prop to get penalties conceded by Crock- around the field as well as ett in the test Guildford plans to ‘do father proud’ Codes meet Crocky does,’’ he said. against Australia had not Blackadder said Crockett counted against him, and the ❯❯ Canterbury Rugby have met was ‘‘too tough’’ to let his selectors had told the Canter- Richard Knowler Brisbane final in – which Zac’s Guildford to find a release for who missed out were taken Keeping the secret, he said, with Canterbury World Cup non-selection set bury man he had done all he team won his grief and frustration aside in private before the was no difficulty – although (CRL) and the Christchurch him back. He said the 28-year- could. It is just not because his against – Robert, 44, following his father’s passing meeting. he thought team-mate and City Council about a possible old had ‘‘really turned his Blackadder urged Crockett father’s name is tattooed died of a heart attack. and last year he joined the Despite the relief of being Twitter-mad may Crusaders move to Adding- game around and I think he to keep his head up, because across his heart that Zac After his death Zac had his Crusaders. named, Guildford said he was have struggled to contain his ton’s . CRL still has a great future’’. he could be ‘‘only one injury Guildford thought of his dad father’s full name inscribed ‘‘It would be good if he was in no mood to go overboard excitement. general manager Graeme Sole All Blacks forwards coach away’’ from making the squad when he was named in the on his chest and said he was here but unfortunately he with the celebrations and told ‘‘Not really, it is only a said discussions were in the Steve Hansen said in Bris- if a front row casualty World Cup squad. indebted to him, and his can’t be. But I know he is sort only his mother and brother. couple of days you have to ‘‘preliminary stages’’ after two bane yesterday Crockett had occurred. When Guildford, 21, was mother, Deb, for the support of there in spirit. I just try to Not even persistent wait. It might be hard for meetings. Sole thought it ‘‘done everything he possibly The All Blacks’ loss could told by the All Blacks’ coaches they had given him while he play each game for him and pestering from his friends someone like Cory Jane who would be a struggle to could’’. be Canterbury’s gain. Crock- he had been selected for the chased his rugby dreams. hopefully I can do him made him spill the beans. likes Twitter but for someone complete post-earthquake ‘‘In our opinion, we think ett will resume training with tournament, he thought of all ‘‘My dad has given me a lot proud.’’ ‘‘They wanted us to keep it like me it is pretty sweet.’’ repairs at Rugby League Park Tony Woodcock is a better Canterbury tomorrow, and the hours his late father, of inspiration over the last Like his team-mates, pretty hush. Before he left South Africa, by the start of next year’s prop, probably in the area of could be available for selec- Robert, had spent kicking a couple of years. My dad and Guildford was told he had ‘‘I had mates text me and Jane tweeted he was off to Super Rugby season. scrummaging. tion for the final ITM Cup rugby ball to him as a my family, they are big parts been selected in the World tell me ‘I know you know, tell Brisbane, a sure sign he was ‘‘It was a close run thing, round-robin match against youngster. of my life and drive me to Cup squad at a team meeting me’ but I said ‘sorry guys I in the squad. When the tweet Tuilagi chosen but Woody has been there, Otago in on Satur- In June 2009, at the end of succeed.’’ before they left South Africa can’t tell you for a few days was reported in the media, it done that and he has shown day. the world under-20 rugby It was rugby that allowed last weekend. Those players yet’.’’ was later removed. ❯❯ gatecrashed England’s 30-man World Cup squad yesterday, costing fellow centre his ticket to the tournament, with named ‘‘squad Bay of Plenty first five-eighth puts boot into Canterbury captain’’. Tuilagi partnered New Zealand-born Flutey in Tony Smith SCORERS lapsed for the rest of the half. final ball to a rampaging the midfield for the 23-19 win The Bay rattled on 29 Arnold. over Wales. He has got the nod Canterbury have capped an unanswered points with a But referee Chris Pollock in manager Martin Johnson’s ■ Bay of Plenty 35 (Toby improbable comeback to sal- dominant display, aided and had already signalled the try squad, with 2003 World Cup Arnold, Colin Bourke tries; vage two bonus points to stay abetted by some porous so his decision stood. winner and former 6 pen, top of the ITM Cup table and Canterbury defence. Canterbury’s composure Kiwi also dropped goal, 2 conv) give themselves a great shot The home side bossed it at cracked completely with full- named at centre. Canterbury 31 (Luke of hosting a home final. the breakdown, winning the back suffering Romano, , Ryan ’s men first-half rucks 53-33. the handling horrors only for Crotty, Telusa Veainu tries; New French boss still lost 31-35 to a resurgent Canterbury coach Rob Todd to mop up his mistake Tyler Bleyendaal pen, 4 Bay of Plenty in Tauranga last Penney must have read the with a try-saving tackle on ❯❯ Toulon sporting director conv). Halftime: 29-3. night after trailing by a riot act because his team was Bay wing Lelia Masaga. Philippe Saint-Andre is to ■ Waikato 31 (, staggering 3-29 at halftime. transformed in the second 40. Then it was wing Patrick replace Marc Lievremont as Save Tokula, Tim Mikkelson But Telusa Veainu was the They rallied after the restart Osborne’s turn to spill the pill France rugby coach after the tries; Trent Renata 4 pen, 2 toast of Canterbury after his with three tries in the third from a Bleyendaal pass in the World Cup, French Rugby conv) 27 76th-minute try and Tyler quarter to , 15th minute. Wing Federation sources say. (Alapati Leiua, Michael Bleyendaal’s superb sideline Willi Heinz and . swooped and fed former All Lievremont announced in May Hobbs, Apoua Stewart conversion earned Canter- But the red-and-blacks Blacks flanker Tanerau last year that he would not tries; 2 pen, bury two bonus points to inch revival proved too little too Latimer, who looped a lovely extend his contract. 3 conv). Halftime: 15-17. ahead of Waikato, who had late – the damage had been ball inside for his skipper, earlier beaten Wellington done in the opening stanza. Colin Bourke, to cross under Kellock to lead 31-27. It looked like Bay coach Down 3-0, Bay struck back the Canterbury posts. Noakes’ Canterbury are now in the Sean Horan had filched the with one of the best tries of conversion gave Bay of Plenty ❯❯ coach Andy box seat to top the table at the same script near neighbours the ITM Cup season. They a handy 17-3 lead as they Robinson yesterday confirmed end of the round robin. They Waikato used to waste Canter- won the ball at a ruck inside camped in Canterbury’s half. as captain of play championship strugglers bury a fortnight ago. their own 22m and first-five But this proved a game of his 30-man squad for the Otago in Dunedin on It was a total turnaround eighth Chris Noakes made a two halves, Canterbury scor- Rugby World Cup. The Saturday while Waikato host by Canterbury from their dab to put Burleigh into open ing 28 points to six in the Warriors second-rower led his . imposing 27-0 annihilation of space. The movement ended second spell. country during this year’s Six But this will go down as a Taranaki after a turbo- 85m upfield with fullback It was Veainu’s try and Nations tournament The Great Escape. As Whitelock charged start at Rugby Park crashing over in Bleyendaal’s radar boot that Scots’ World Cup campaign candidly admitted, Canter- last Saturday. ’s tackle. kept Canterbury’s title hopes kicks off on September 10 bury made ‘‘far too many Bleyendaal gave the red- The touch judge flagged a alive before Noakes made the against Romania in mistakes in our half’’ in the and-blacks the lead with a forward pass from Bay back- home side happy with his Invercargill, with further group first spell. ‘‘And every time second-minute penalty goal rower to Jamie sixth penalty of the night for a On the charge: Canterbury prop tries to bust the Bay of Plenty defence at Mt Maunganui last games against Georgia, we did, they capitalised.’’ but Canterbury’s game col- Nutbrown, who delivered the deserved win. night. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Argentina and England. Agencies