NEWS:

17/08/03 All Blacks WIN BACK THE BLEDISLOE:

First of....ARRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!...OK im finished..

The All Blacks have beaten Australia 21-17 at Eden Park to lift the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 1998.

In the final dress rehearsal for both teams before the World Cup the All Blacks emerged victorious on the back of some defiant defence in an open, fast-paced and often frenetic match.

On a greasy and rain swept Eden Park Australia opened the scoring from the kick off through a Elton Flatley penalty.

The All Blacks reply was swift and precise. An errant Wallaby kick allowed Mils Muliaina to bust through and when the ball was swept wide a Keven Mealamu break and off load saw Doug Howlett cross unopposed. Carlos Spencer converted for a 7-3 lead.

A Flatley penalty following a powerful Wendall Sailor charge pulled the All Black lead back to one point, and as light drizzle fell for the first time Flatley slotted a third penalty to nose the Wallabies in front.

Following a missed Spencer penalty attempt, a turnover from Jerry Collins saw Howlett outpace Flatley and gather a beautifully weighted Spencer kick ahead. Spencer missed the conversion, but the All Blacks had regathered the lead 12-9.

The All Black lead was then further extended to 15-9 through a Spencer penalty.

On the stroke of halftime Chris Jack appeared to have stretched out and scored, but the third match official ruled he had lost control of the ball. Referee Kaplan returned to a prior Wallaby infringement to award an All Black penalty, but Spencer missed his third kick of the half.

Ferocious Defence

The All Blacks opened the second half scoring through a Spencer penalty as Leon MacDonald returned to the black jersey as one of the stars of the first half Muliaina limped off with a leg injury.

Sustained Australian pressure saw firstly replacement lock Nathan Sharpe, then Stephen Larkham cross the All Black line, only for the third match official to rule no try both times. The Wallabies pressure however didn't go unrewarded with Flatley goaling a simple penalty to cut the All Black lead to six, 18-12.

Inside the final quarter Spencer landed a valuable three points to stretch the margin out to nine points and ensure the Wallabies had to score twice to take the lead.

Ferocious All Black tackling continued to snuff out the Wallaby momentum with none being better than captain Reuben Thorne's steamrolling of Matt Burke.

However the weight of possession and a quick turnover finally broke the All Black line and George Smith galloped free to score. Flatley missed the conversion and the Wallabies entered the final minutes four points down.

Sniffing victory the Wallabies threw everything at the All Blacks but couldn't break through and with captain Thorne securing crucial lineout ball a jubilant All Black side held on to win.

New Zealand

Tries: Doug Howlett (2)
Conversion: Carlos Spencer
Penalties: Spencer (3)
Australia

Try: George Smith
Penalties: Elton Flatley (4)

Halftime: 15-9

NPC ROUND 1:

Otago Take Out 2003 NPC Opener

Otago have beaten the defending NPC champions at Carisbrook Stadium on Friday night, in a game dominated by Otago possession and territory, as well as outstanding Otago scrums and lineouts, the final score 6-3

The game was a low scoring one due to Auckland's capable defence, which tested Otago's attacking play throughout the game. This left Otago exhausted for options, meaning a lot of loose kicks were put in, resulting in turnover of ball.

Auckland's Derren Witcombe dropped the games kick-off ball. From this point on, handling errors and lack of ball retention became a theme for the 2003 NPC season's opening game, a theme that was continued throughout the full 80 minutes.

The first points of the game were scored as a penalty that was kicked by Otago's Willie Walker early in the first half. The opening score 3-0.

Brent Ward retaliated with an Auckland penalty in the 27th minute, the score 3-3.

In the closing minutes of the first half Willie Walker successfully kicked another penalty for Otago, making the halftime score 6-3 to Otago.

And it stayed like that for the second half.

Wellington fight off spirited stags:

Wellington got their 2003 season away to a shaky start with an unconvincing 34-28 win over a spirited Southland side at WestpacTrust stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Wellington in the past have struggled against Southland with the Stags sneaking close wins in the past two seasons against the Lions. And they came very close to doing the same again on Saturday afternoon with two tries in quick succession to Gavin Williams giving the visitors the lead going into the final ten minutes.

The homeside managed to get themselves out of jail through some late heroics from speedy winger Lome Fa'atau.

With an exciting looking backline including the likes of Christian Cullen and Ma'a Nonu, the homeside were expected to run away with the match. But instead it was Southland who showed more enterprise on attack, outscoring the Lions four tries to three.

It was poor discipline that cost the Stags in the end, with Wellington captain David Holwell knocking over five penalties.

The homeside conceded two penalties in the opening minutes of the match, allowing Southland to enjoy the bulk of possession and territory in the opening stages.

But it didn't take long for the Wellington backline to find some sort of rhythm though while they were threatening the visitors line, it was a while before they make any impact on the scoreboard. In fact it was Southland who recorded the opening try of the match.

The homeside slowly but surely accumulated points throughout the first half to hold a 16-8 lead at halftime.

Most of the action came from Southland in the second forty with the visitors scoring three tries to give the homeside a shake-up by claiming the lead in the late stages in the match. But Wellington were able to pull off an escape act in the final five minutes.

Southland had the opportunity to open the scoring in the match with a penalty from 30 metres out but first-five Richard Apanui's shot at goal was off-target.

Instead it was Wellington captain David Holwell who notched up the first points of the afternoon, landing a penalty after the Stags were pinged for a ruck infringement.

While the Lions were threatening to break out, it was Clarke Dermody of Southland who scored the opening try of the match and the 2003 NPC season after the tryless Auckland-Otago game on Friday night.

Dermody barrelled his way over the line from three metres out to claim the lead for Southland in the 23th minute. Apanui could not extend the Stags lead, missing the sideline conversion.

Holwell soon reclaimed the lead for the homeside, knocking over a penalty in the 26th minute to give Wellington a narrow 6-5 lead.

A mistake from Southland in their own 22 lead to Wellington's first try of the match to Ma'a Nonu.

The Stags were penalised for not releasing in the tackle 10 metres out from their own line. Holwell opted to take the quick tap which saw Nonu run through a half gap to score. Holwell landed the conversion 15 metres in from touch.

Three minutes later Holwell added another penalty to his tally to extend Wellington's lead to 16-5.

But Apanui narrowed the Lions lead to eight in the 38th minute in a classy fashion, knocking over a brilliant drop-goal 30 metres out and to the left of the uprights, in what was the last scoring play before halftime.

Wellington led 16-8 at halftime, though they had looked more dangerous on attack than the scoreline suggests.

The homeside opened the scoring in the second spell after Southland conceded a penalty in their own half. Holwell duly converted to maintain his 100 per cent record for the afternoon.

Four minutes later Southland stunned the Lions when Graydon Staniforth scored an opportunists try after picking up a ball lost by Wellington in the ruck, and darting 15 metres to score in the corner. Apanui could not raise the flags with his sideline conversion.

Holwell had the opportunity to give the Lions some more breathing space with a penalty but his kick was off target. However he made amends minutes later with an incisive to set up a try for Rodney So'oialo in the corner.

Southland proved they weren't done with yet though, with centre Gavin Williams diving on a perfectly placed kick to score in the corner in the 65th minute.

Five minutes later Williams was in under the posts to grab himself a double and secure a bonus point for Southland with their fourth try. Seremaia Bai then grabbed a 25-24 lead for the visitors, landing the conversion.

But their lead didn't last long with Holwell putting Wellington in front again with a penalty.

Lome Fa'atau gave the homeside a bit of a cushion when he scored a try close to the uprights. Fa'atau showed his explosive pace to elude several Southland defenders. Holwell landed the conversion to put the game beyond doubt for Wellington.

Wellington conceded a penalty right on fulltime to give Southland a shot at goal and a chance at securing a second bonus point. Bai landed the kick in what was to be the last act of the match.

Tries: Ma'a Nonu, Rodney So'oialo, Lome Fa'atau. Cons: David Holwell (2). Pens: Holwell (5).
Tries: Clarke Dermody, Graydon Staniforth, Gavin Williams (2). Con: Seremaia Bai. Pen: Bai. Drop-goal: Richard Apanui.
Halftime: Wellington 16-8.

Messy Cantabs hold of Norhland:

The calming heads of their experienced players and a 15-3 penalty count gave Canterbury a messy 30-26 win over an impressive Northland side at ITM Stadium in Whangarei on Saturday afternoon.

The home-side outscored Canterbury four tries to two with New Zealand sevens star bagging a double.

All Black Ben Blair kicked 20 points for a Canterbury outfit that will be worried with the amount of fundamental mistakes they made.

Northland started the match well, opening the scoring in the fourth minute after Jared Going put Fero Lasagavibau through a gap and the flying Fijian winger scored beneath the posts. James Arlidge converted to open up a 7-0 lead.

Northland extended their lead after 14 minutes when Norm Berryman delivered a pass to Going who went over with a couple of would-be tacklers hanging on to him.

Arlidge converted and the home side raced out to a surprise 14 point lead.

Berryman's experience and Arlidge's composure helped direct a Northland side that looked a great deal better than the side that they were in 2002.

Whilst Northland were impressive in the opening half, the Ranfurly Shield holders struggled for any sort of fluency.

Blair finally got Canterbury on the board with a penalty and by the half-hour mark, the visitors' scrum had begun to ascertain some dominance.

Canterbury turned down a regulation penalty with five minutes to go in the first half in order to go for the try and moments later the gamble paid off, with second-five Doug Tausili.

Blair added the extra two points to close the gap to just four points before kicking another penalty on halftime to leave Northland with a 14-13 lead.

Canterbury picked up their acts in the second spell.

Former All Black Scott Robertson, playing at blindside, took a short ball from Ben Hurst close to the line to crash over.

Blair missed the conversion from wide-out but the visitors had the lead for the first time.

A counter-attacking move from Northland saw them re-take the lead in the 48th minute. Arlidge ran the ball back from a missed touch-finder, passing to Going, who split the Canterbury defence, selling dummies, to score his second try of the afternoon.

Another penalty to Blair put Canterbury back in front with 23 minutes to play.

Former Northland lock Norm Maxwell was given a little over 20 minutes by Canterbury coach Aussie McLean as he attempts to re-ignite his All Black career.

As the match went into the final quarter, Going went close to scoring his hat-trick but was pulled down just short. Winger Matt Faleuku picked up the ball and dived over however to bring the Cambridge Blues right back into the match.

Arlidge added his third conversion of the afternoon.

Blair kicked Canterbury back in front with yet another penalty 15 minutes from time.

Northland tried in vain to get across the line in the final few minutes.

Berryman and Jason Shoemark were heavily involved but the resilient Canterbury defence held strong.

When Blair kicked another penalty goal and referee Bryce Lawrence blew the final whistle a minute later, Canterbury had got away with a scrappy win.

Tries: Jared Going (2), Fero Lasagavibau, Matt Faleuku. Cons: James Arlidge (3).
Tries: Doug Tausili, Scott Robertson. Con: Ben Blair. Pen: Blair (6).
Halftime: Northland 14-13.

Taranaki win Bovine battle:

Taranaki won the battle of the bovine as they beat Waikato 26-20 at Waikato Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After narrowly missing the semifinals last season, Taranaki upstaged last year's runnersup on a wet day in Hamilton.

The conditions were not condusive to expansive rugby, despite both sides playing that way, making plenty of errors in doing so.

Taranaki opened the scoring through openside flanker Richard Bryant in the fifth minute of play.

Daryl Lilley converted.

Loki Crichton struck back for Waikato moments later, after some good lead-up work by Todd Miller.

Crichton added a penalty in the 20th minute to give the home side the lead.

Some very good offloading by the Taranaki forawrds gave their backline some quality ball inside the Waikato danger zone.

As the ball was flicked wide and the strggling Waikato defence followed the ball across field, Lilley cutback on the inside, straightening the move to score.

He converted as well.

More errors from boths sides continued to let the opposition off the hook and Crichton closed the gap to three points with another penalty five minutes from halftime.

Waikato levelled scores at 14-14 shortly after the break courtesy of another Crichton penalty.

But it was Taranaki who were the first to get over the line. After some solid forward drives, the Amber and Blacks flicked the ball wide, where Bryce Robins found a gap to score.

Lilley converted to extend the lead out to 21-14 with 25 minutes remaining.

Crichton pulled Waikato closer with another penalty but the Mooloo men would have been disappointed they could not capitalise better on some good field position.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, Brent Thompson selaed the win for Taranaki, crashing over near the sideline.

David Hill kicked his second penalty with time gone, claiming a bonus point for the home side.

Tries: Loki Crichton. Pens: Crichton (3) David Hill (2).
Tries: Daryl Lilley, Richard Bryant, Bryce Robins, Brent Thompson. Con: Lilley (3).
Halftime: Taranaki 14-11.

Jackson Steers BOP To Victory

Bay of Plenty has kicked off the 2003 NPC season with a 22-16 win over North Harbour in Mount Maunganui.

Both sides scored one try, with Aleki Lutui dotting down for the Steamers, while Troy Flavell crossed for Harbour.

But first five Glen Jackson kicked Bay of Plenty to victory, with five penalties and a conversion.

Luke McAlister was also accurate with the boot for the visitors, slotting three penalties and a conversion.

Bay of Plenty led 19-10 at halftime

Source:Xtra.co.nz

9/08/03 - NZ Take 3N Title !!
8/08/03 - AB & Wellington squads, Aucks vs Samoa & JONAH
27/07/03 - ABs Thrash the Wallabies
9/07/03 - Ranfurly game, Ron crib & Anton Oliver
6/07/03 - No Cullen in Tri-Nations squad
5/07/03 - Cullen in Form for Club game
4/07/03 - Steinmetz is off too
3/07/03 - Cullens Leaving !!!
2/07/03 - Canterbury VS North Otago Ranfurly Shield clash
1/07/03 - Wellingtons Pre-Game

INSTANT TRANSMISSION