Tri-Nations latest (Wed)

1 Sep 2010

Keo.co.za brings you the news from the Tri-Nations.

Ashley-Cooper takes blame

Adam Ashley-Cooper blames himself for the Wallabies’ 44-31 defeat against the Springboks in Pretoria last Saturday.

This comes after Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans called for his players to toughen up and to take their opportunities to score after relinquishing an early 21-7 lead.

Utility back Ashley-Cooper, who started at outside centre last weekend, had the opportunity to score a try in the 58th minute but lost the ball forward after being tackled by scrumhalf Francois Hougaard. If he scored, the Wallabies would have led 36-34 with the conversion to come.

‘I can safely say that I had a direct result on the match,’ Ashley-Cooper said. ‘And it all comes down to doing the basics well, and I didn’t do it at the time.

‘It was probably the wrong side to hold the ball. It probably would have been a different result if I had carried it in my right hand. He [Hougaard] did very well to make that tackle, and it popped out of my hand. I was obviously very disappointed with that because I know that’s a non-negotiable for me, and the other nine times out of 10, I would have kept that ball.’

Slade to cover Cruden

Colin Slade will replace Dan Carter in the All Blacks squad for the last Tri-Nations match against the Wallabies next Saturday.

With Carter recovering from ankle surgery, Highlanders’ new recruit Slade has been called up by All Blacks head coach Graham Henry.

‘He’s the form flyhalf basically,’ Henry said of Slade’s performances in the New Zealand Cup. ‘He has been playing bloody well. Luke McAlister didn’t play badly [against Bay of Plenty last weekend] and he played well against Otago the week before. But Luke is a 12 playing 10 and the other guy is an established flyhalf who is playing particularly well. So it came down to form in that particular position.’

While he spoke highly of Slade, Henry confirmed that Aaron Cruden will start at flyhalf against the Wallabies in Sydney.

‘This is a great opportunity for him [Cruden]. It’s a big test match played away from home in Sydney and it’s always been a difficult place for us to play,’ said Henry. ‘So the team is going to be under pressure and it’s a good challenge for him.’


10 Comments

  • 1.Victor4CAPTAIN: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 07:51 am

    Australian dragons accepts responsibility

  • 2.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 08:09 am

    Looking forward to seeing Cruden play.

  • 3.jeest: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 09:35 am

    @Victor4CAPTAIN(UnbeataBULL)-1: SA blames ref

  • 4.aliboy: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 09:44 am

    @jeest(jeest)-3: Same old headline every week huh :-)

  • 5.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 10:21 am

    PuffDivvy backs a non-Bok up for murdering a cop? What’s it got to do with Helium anyway? PDV is like those hand-driers in the mens’ room — push his button and you reliably get 30 seconds of hot air.

  • 6.muffy: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 10:31 am

    @TheTackler(TheTackler)-5:Thanks, That has made me snort my coffee! You own me a nice white shirt :)

    Helium Pete…AKA the Hand Drier :) :)

  • 7.DROOOL: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 10:55 am

    @TheTackler(TheTackler)-5:

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha

    Some contributors on this forum fall in the same mode.

  • 8.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 13:34 pm

    @TheTackler(TheTackler)-5: :D

    Not bad. Still not recapturing past glory but a decent attempt.

  • 9.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    1 Sep 2010, 23:37 pm

    Looking forward to seeing Cruden get some gametime. He’s small but nuggety and not shy of showcasing his skills. Wallabies in Sydney is a great chance for him to shine. I hope we also see longer spells for Vito and Izzy. Not sure of Ranger or Stanley as yet but theyre probably there as cover. Squad is starting to grow nicely and a solid hardcore of talent still in the NPC

    NZ SQUAD:

    Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Benson Stanley, Aaron Cruden, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Victor Vito, Brad Thorn, Tom Donnelly, Sam Whitelock, Anthony Boric, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, John Afoa, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn.

  • 10.Bludeks: Reply to this comment
    2 Sep 2010, 09:40 am

    The Tackler .
    Still around you all seeing eye? What is it that you hsve exclusive knowledge of? Do I err in zsuming that you are anti RSA?

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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