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THE SEASON FINALE FOR THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. . .

BUT IT'S ALL JUST BEGINNING DOWN SOUTH
Preeti Virdee

Saturday 9th June 2007

61 - 10
Westpac Stadium, Wellington

The All Blacks perform Ka Mate as they lay down the gauntlet to France

The fallout from last week's game turned out ot be not be too dismal - the All Blacks lost Dan Carter to an ankle injury and was replaced by Nick Evans, but apart from that, the serious casualty list was zero. French prop Christian Califano was receiving his 70th international cap; New Zealand Captain Richie McCaw was running out for his 50th cap, as was scrum half Byron Kelleher. And two Kiwis who thought they would have little or no input received surprise promotions as lock Keith Robinson injured his calf muscle in the warm up, so in his place rose Chris Jack from the bench, and Troy Flavell was put on it.

Following a return to the traditional Ka Mate haka [without the jump at the end which is never performed on home turf], the French were the first to put points on the board with a penalty from Benjamin Boyet 50m out. Soon after, Julien Laharrague intercepted a pass and made his break but unfortunately he was offside. Another five minutes and after persistent attacking on the line, Anton Oliver finally scored the first try, neatly converted by Luke McAlister, 7 - 3; this was the start of the French demise as they conceded a second penalty [McAlister missed the first attempt], and the All Blacks led 10 - 3. This week it was sexy Chabal's turn to receive a bone-crunching tackle from Jerry Collins in the shoulder. Following another French penalty from the scrum, the ABs slotted over another 3 points, and though a passage of play was stopped dead in its tracks by Laharrague, Kelleher then picked up the ball from the back of the scrum and ran round then through the defence to score his 7th test try. After the conversion, another ninety seconds passed before Joe Rokocoko intercepted and touched down in the corner.

It was now time for Chabal to get his own back, as he smacked into Ali Williams and broke his jaw. French Captain, Pascal Papé was replaced by Olivier Magne in the lead role. With just a few minutes to go until half time, Troy Flavell quickly passed the ball out from the ruck to Rokocoko who dodged and jigged and wove his way thorugh to score his 37th test try for the All Blacks. With yet another conversion missed by McAlister, the Kiwis went into the break 30 - 3 up.

The second half was much the same, with McDonald scoring a fifth try, and McAlister missed again. The exception was ten minutes in, when Evans tried passing to Isaia Toeava who knocked on, and the ball was picked up by Nicolas Durand in his own 22, recycled to Benjamin Thiéry who passed out to Laharrague to score a magnificent try, which Boyet kicked through tapping the upright; ABs 35, France 10. Five minutes later, Toeava scored the sixth, another ten and Collins went over the line, as finally McAlister got the hang of converting successive tries. With eight minutes left on the clock, the seventh try came from the Kiwis using the tried and tested Wasps method as replacement hooker Keven Mealamu threw to replacement prop Neemia Tialata who passed it right back for Mealamu to put the ball down in the corner to increase the French destruction to 54 - 10. By now McAllister had dragged his kicking ratio down to 54% by missing yet another.

A final French lineout two minutes from time was stolen by Chris Jack for Nick Evans to score the eighth and final try under the posts which McAlister could not have missed if he tried to. The French were beaten by the highest margin ever: 61 - 10, but that was only because all the top players were back in Paris for the Top 14 Final that evening. And there the French Summer Tour ended in absolute defeat.

49 - 0
Subiaco Oval, Perth

Australia charge on to leave Fiji in their wake...

Australia's superstar winger Lote Tuqiri is in fact Fijian by birth; he's even represented and captained Fiji in rugby - rugby league that is. But like most of the best Pacific Island players, they all get snapped up by the more powerful rugby nations of Australia and New Zealand. Or of course the are sceonded to the British Army and are quite instrumental in the habit the Army has developed of winning.

Then, in a bizarre incident, the Fijian Assistant Coach, Semi Rogoyawa was refused entry into Australia because he is a Naval Warrant Officer, and despite being on leave and having no actual involvement in the bloodless military coup that toppled the Fijian Government last December, he has been deemed guilty by asociation, along with newly capped prop Alefoso Yalayalatabua, who was a private at the time of the coup. This must have been a blow to Fijian morale, as politics took precedence over sport just because they happened to be members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

But let us put politics aside, and return to the matter in hand. I'm afraid there is not really too much to say. The Fijians performed the cibi [pronounced thimbi] - a war dance not hugely differing from the Maori haka, and then the Wallabies took possession of the ball - for the majority of the match. By half time, they had 87% possession, Fiji had missed 31 tackles, Scott Staniforth busied himself by scoring two tries, Lote Tuqiri did the same, and Julian Huxley, despite missing four out of five conversions, managed to score a try too. And it was 30 - 0.

The second half began with Fiji finally having an opportunity to put points on the board with a penalty kick from Marika Vakacegu after 90 seconds, but unfortunately he missed. Then newly returned to the Aussie fold, Stephen Larkham scored a try very close to the posts so that Huxley could convert; at 54 minutes Larkham was replaced by Sam Norton-Knight who received his second cap - and about 90 seconds later he scored his first test try...which Huxley fluffed. With just over a quarter of the game left, the Australians were winning 42 - 0, and on his debut, centre Adam Ashley-Cooper made a shoulder tackle on a Fijian off the ball which was ignored by both the Ref, Bryce Lawrence of New Zealand, and the Touch Judge [probably Kiwi Paul Honiss who would not notice a white elephant parked under his nose], and then he knocked the ball on before touching it down over the tryline, but lucky for him no one of any significance noticed and he was awarded the try. Huxley of course missed the conversion in time-honoured fashion, and a few minutes later, Tuqiri decided to go for the hat-trick as he chased a clever chip and tried to put the ball over the line but with no downward pressure; despite awarding himself the try, this time the Ref bothered to go to the Video Ref [also known as the TMO or Third Match Official in case you were wondering] for his opinion, who clearly saw the action for what it was. Finally with the disturbing Southern Hemisphere siren deafening everyone within a 10 mile radius, the Referee called time and the Fijians' fate was sealed at 49 - 0.

35 - 8
Ellis Park, Johannesburg

South Africa and Samoa had only faced each other four times, twice at World Cups in 1995 and 2003 - the Bokke had won every time by a huge margin, on average by 43 points. And for once here was a Pacific Island team with names we recognise all the way up here in the north: Leicester's Alesana Tuilagi, his younger brother Anitelea [who has just left Leicester for Leeds Carnegie], Quins' Steve So'oialo, London Irish's Seilala Mapusua, Wasps' Dan Leo, Glasgow's Justin Va'a, Connacht's Gavin Williams, Newcastle's Loki Crichton, Sale's Elvis Seveali'i and captain Semo Sititi of the former Border Reivers, running out for his 50th test cap. These chaps from Samoa are in the middle of the Pacific Nations tournament right now, but were not about to give up the opportunity of a test run against fellow RWC Pool A  contenders, South Africa, even if half of them were suffering with flu, and their captain Brian 'The Chiropractor' Lima was injured in the first round of the PN. And there were 13 changes to the South African team that beat England a week before.

Samoa performed the Manu Siva Tau - or Samoan haka to you and me, led by Captain Setiti, and it is every bit as powerful as the traditonal Kiwi haka we are now so used to. Then Scottish referee, Michael Changleng took the reigns and got proceedings underway. Both sides started well with much activity on both sides, including penalties being conceded; Alesana Tuilagi  - a man constantly being compared to All Black giant Jonah Lomu - made a good break but was intercepted, and the virile young Francois Steyn attempted a wishful drop goal that dropped short. South Africa was awarded a dubious penalty from Setiti's boot allegedly causing huge infringement which in the days before the world went PC mad would have been perfectly acceptable - it would not even register as a shoeing! But anyway, whilst I remove myself from my soapbox, the deadly Derick Hougaard kicked beautifully through the posts to take the lead 3 - 0; but the controversial Luke Watson immediately conceded a penalty for Gavin WIlliams to equalise. Steyn then broke deep from SA territory but the powerful Albert van den Berg knocked on; Samoa conceded another penalty at the scrum to put the Bokke in front again. The scrum was to be a fundametal problem for Samoa thoroughout, and with a quarter of the match gone, captain John Smit capitalised on this as he bundled over the tryline; an excellent conversion from Hougaard and the Bokke led 13 - 3.

Minutes later Ricky Januarie intercepted the ball and spread it wide for JP Pietersen to pick up and score, but this time Hougaard's boot was slightly off as the ball bounced off the post. Samoa received a team warning about infringement at the breakdown, but So'oialo summarily violated at the next ruck and was sent for a 10 minute rest pitchside. Great recycling from the Bokke set up boy wonder Steyn for a try in the corner - his third in only six tests. As So'oialo prepared to return to the field, illegal binding at the scrum sent Justin Va'a off to replace him. Samoa would have to play at least a quarter of the game down a man; at half time the Springboks led 23 - 3, no thanks to Samoa conceding nine penalties, an issue they would have to address if they were to have any hope of a comeback.

The first ten minutes of the second half, possession favoured neither side in particular, but Samoa's lateral play let them down, and knock on's ensued on both sides. As Smit went off with a blood injury, Bob Skinstad deservedly retook the mantle of captain after five years of self-imposed exile in England. Following handbags at the ruck between Johann Ackermann and Kane Thompson, and numerous replacements on both sides, the Bokke conceded a penalty at the scrum, putting Samoa in a great position to score from a line out 5m out, but just as Lome Fa'atau went to dive over the line, debutant Waylon Murray made a try saving tackle. Finally after twenty minutes, the Springboks stole the ball from the ruck deep in their own territory for replacement loose forward Pedrie Wannenberg to score. South Africa 28, Samoa 3.

Five minutes later and the Samoan defence could not hold out as Percy Montgomery scored his 21st try to make 700 points for his country, and then added two by converting his own try: 35 - 3. With just over ten minutes left, play had to be stopped for a Bokke supporter who decided it was a nice day for a sprint around the pitch at Ellis Park - well actually on the pitch, and he had the replacement bench in stitches. The elder Tuilagi finally found space and gained territory, but despite good ball recycling from Samoa, the momentum was halted by Skinstad offside in the ruck and he was rewarded with a ten minute cool down - and since there was only six minutes left, he was not coming back. At last some Tuilagi power, as the ball was carried first by Alesana, then by Anitelea, and good handling and some hot sevens tactics allowed Tuilagi the younger to go over in the corner two minutes from time. Williams could not convert, but though it was too little too late for Manu Samoa, they took the game to South Africa, and achieved their lowest margin of defeat to date. Full time, South Africa 35, Samoa 8.

24 - 6
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza

To continue the tradition of the second string team this summer, Italy had sent a squad six guys short of their first choice team - partly due to injury, but mostly because of the Italians playing in the Top 14 Final later that day. But this time, Argentina also was in the same predicament, with seven of its boys playing for either Stade Français or Clermont, so in fact one could argue that they were fairly evenly matched; but Head Coach Marcelo Loffreda saw this as an opportunity to test out some young blood, so there were nine changes to the team that had easily beaten Ireland a week before.

Coincidentally, this match was being played at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas - the Stadium of the Falklands Islands to us Brits, just as the 25th anniversary of the South Atlantic War is upon us. But there were two differences - firstly the enemy was Italy, and secondly, and more importantly for the formidable Argentinian rugby nation, they won. At half time, the Pumas were 18 - 3 up, and with this cushion, Loffreda brought in his replacements to stake their place in the world cup squad. Italy's Coach, Pierre Berbizier's arrogance of the past paled into insignificance as the Pumas threw caution to the wind, and 27 year old businessman, fullback and man of the match, Federico Serra scored 19 of the 24 points to secure a hat trick of wins for Argentina going into the world cup.

23 - 18
Stade de France, Paris

Top 14 Champions Stade Français celebrate their win over ASM Clermont Auvergne

By all accounts it was a thrilling final. But before we get to that, here's what was at stake: Stade Français had not won any silverware since 2004, but they have the advantage of the limitless chequebook from its President and media man, Max Guazzini. ASM Clermont Auvergne had lost three finals already, but were in Paris off the back of winning the European Challenge Cup Championship. Stade came top of the Top 14 league table with 87 points, but Clermont were only three points and two places behind on 84, and beat the number two team Toulouse in the semi final. Stade may have been playing in their own back yard, but you could bet your last cent that there would have been as many Clermont supporters in Paris that day. Both teams had everything to play for and everything to lose. 

And so the scene was set at the Stade de France in Saint Denis. Clermont led from the outset, with Aussie fly half, Brock James sublimely kicking two penalties with the Stade not really getting a look in. And the gorgeous Anthony Floch edged the southern boys further ahead with a drop goal to take the visitors clearly in the lead at half time: 9 - 0. Earlier, both James, and his counterpart, David Skréla missed a penalty kick at goal each. There may not have been expansive running rugby, but that was not a surprise for a final, where the core aim is to win - no matter how you do it as long as it is legal.

Soon into the second half, James had made good on another penalty, increasing Clermont's lead to 12 - 0. French International Tony Marsh was ending his professional career with Clermont on this fine evening, and almost went out on a huge high when he made a break and got to within inches of the line, but was prevented from completing the manoeuvre by Nicolas Jeanjean. Then Stade's proper fly half, Argentinian Juan Martin Hernandez got his kicking boots on and notched up 3 points from a penalty - and moments later another. James stuck again for a fourth penalty; Clermont 15, Stade 6.

There were only twenty minutes left when Clermont conceded another penalty for Hernandez to take advantage of, and Stade crept closer. Then the first blow - Pumas Captain Agustin Pichot found the space to score the first try of the match which Hernandez converted, and Stade Français led 16 - 15.

James scored his last points with a penalty to regain the advantage: 18 - 16, and seven minutes left on the clock. Clermont were almost home free but with only three minutes left, Fijian-born Australian International,  6' 4" replacement, Radike Samo scooped the ball and drove it over the line for the floral team to win the match, finished off by a final conversion from Hernandez. Game set and match, if you'll excuse the pun.

Now that really is it from the Northern Hemisphere this season. The players are either still on vacation, or already back in pre-season training for 2007/8. The clubs have lost their world cup players until at least November, as the national squads are finally coming together for team building at training camps across the globe.

We won't be seeing much of the Premiership players now until August 18th at the Middlesex 7s at Twickenham. But this by no means is an excuse for us to sit on our laurels or go off on our own holiday jaunts, as the Southern Hemisphere nations are just warming up; its now time to observe the serious contenders for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and South Africa...and of course Australia is playing in the Tri Nations too. So keep a close eye...the antipodeans and the Bokke are on the move...

Images: İAction Images, Royal Navy & Jo Wallwork