Its official, the Wallabies will be taking on the Barbarians again to kick off their 2009 season. The match will take place on the 6th of June 09. This match up between the baabaa’s and the Wallabies will be the first time
after 60 years of competition that the teams will play in Austrailia. The venue for this classic encounter will be Sydney Football Stadium.

ARU Managing Director John O’Neill said “The success of that (Wembley) match hardened our resolve to finalise discussions with the Barbarians about them coming to Australia for the first time.”
One wonders who will be in this Barbarians team. I will keep you informed as i find out more.

I hope all my readers had a great christmas and I wish all the best for 09, which ever team you may be supporting!

Big spenders Toulon have extended the partnership with former Springbok coach Jake White. White was hired as a consultant for Toulon to see what is stopping Umanga and his boys from gaining glory.

White will be acting as Toulon’s eyes down in the Republic, informing them of up and coming talent that could be snatched up by the promise of Euro’s as apposed to Rands.

Jake White Consultant/Scout

You may or may not have known that arguably the biggest name in rugby made his debut for a new club over the weekend. After months of intense speculation, New Zealand international Dan Carter made his bow for French Top 14 club Perpignan.

The 26-year-old was heavily involved in the French club’s 26-20 Heineken Cup victory over Leicester on Sunday as he kicked 16 points to ensure a more than impressive debut performance.

Speaking after the match, Carter said that he was ‘very pleased’ with how the team worked together and that overall he had made a ‘great start’ to life at Perpignan. Considering his very high standards though, he was extremely ‘disappointed’ to miss two kicks during the match.

Nevertheless, Perpignan won the game and it has to be said that the ‘Carter factor’ played its part. Not only did he score over half of their points, but the mood inside the ground was different to normal. There was a great sense of anticipation inside the stadium and this created an electric atmosphere throughout, something that would have lifted the Perpignan players a great deal.

With the first match of his seven-month spell with the French club out of the way, it is interesting to note that Carter considered the standard to be ‘just as high’ as what he is used to in the Super 14. The only thing he believed to be different was the ‘wetter than normal’ conditions. This is something he will have to get used to though.

Then there is the language barrier, the change of culture and the different style of play in the French Top 14. He may have made a good start to life as a Perpignan player, but there are plenty of challenges to come. The league is well known for its aggressive nature and it has to be said that just about every loose forward will be looking forward to tackling the famous Dan Carter. It will be interesting to see how he deals with this.

As for where Perpignan are right now in terms of this season, well they are perfectly positioned for a Carter influenced assault on silverware. In the Heineken Cup they need two wins from their remaining two games to qualify with the crucial clash taking place against Ospreys in a few weeks time.

Then in the French Top 14, they sit 3rd – four points behind current leaders Toulouse. They have another home game this weekend though against Castres and victory here could well and truly kick start the Carter era. Then, the rugby odds may well back them to go on and win the league. That’s how huge the New Zealand man could prove to be for them.

Even though it works out at £30,000 per game for the fly-half, don’t be surprised if the French club end up getting there moneys worth because no matter what boundaries are in his way, Dan Cater is a world-class performer and that will come shining through anything else. Much like it did during his debut performance.

New Zealand star happy with debut

By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about rugby betting

As soon as February we will once again play witness to who will be crowned kings of Northern Hemisphere Rugby. Drew up the fixtures list for the 6 Nations 09 below. Wiil England have golden Johnny back in time? Will the Welsh do it again?

February 2009

Sat 7:England v Italy, Twickenham
Sat 7:Ireland v France, Croke Park
Sun 8:Scotland v Wales, Murrayfield
Sat 14:France v Scotland, Stade de France
Sat 14:Wales v England, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sun 15:Italy v Ireland, Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Fri 27:France v Wales, Stade de France
Sat 28:Scotland v Italy, Murrayfield
Sat 28:Ireland v England, Croke Park

March 2009
Sat 14:Italy v Wales, Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Sat 14:Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield
Sun 15:England v France, Twickenham
Sat 21:Italy v France, Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Sat 21:England v Scotland, Twickenham
Sat 21:Wales v Ireland, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

When New Zealand had a early exit from the rugby world cup many expected that Robbie Deans would be the man that replaced Mr Henry as coach of the All Blacks. However this was not to be and Deans was given the Wallabies to coach instead.

Deans told reporters that he was very pleased with his sides tour. The Wallabies played 6 and won four. One was the loss to the All Blacks in Hong Kong and the other was Wales. Australia suffered to injuries in their final match up against the Barbarians on Wednesday Night. Prop forward Matt Dunning exited the match on a stretcher with a torn Achilles tendon. Kepu tore his pectoral muscle. Both were injured in the same scrum, the pitch is said to be the culprit for Dunning’s slip.

This leaves the Waratahs in a bit of a sticky situation for 2009

Could this be the last of Matt Dunning? We wish him a speedy recovery.

The Wallabies managed to salvage some respect by beating the Barbarians 18-11 after being the only Southern Hemisphere team to loose on their European tour.

George Smith Captained the Wallabies as Mortlock was nursing the injury he received against the Welsh last weekend. Tuqiri and Turner got a try a piece in the first and second half. Hard Man Collins managed to get the only try for the Barbarians. All in all a great match with real intensity!

Read more about the game here: Thetimes.co.za

Here are some highlights from the game.

Tonight we are in for a treat! Jake White former Springbok and RWC winning coach has selected a Barbarian team to take on the Wallabies. The Barbarians have a line up that would make the Rugby Gods druel, with 4 of the last 5 IRB player of the year in their squad of 22 players.

Jake White selected his old skipper from the Rugby World Cup to lead the Baba’s into battel against the Wallabies. George Gregan makes an apperance on the bench and will hopefully get a run against his old team mates.

Here are the line ups for tonights Australia vs Barbarians game.
Barbarians
15 Percy Montgomery
14 Joe Rokocoko
13 Rico Gear
12 Jean de Villiers
11 Bryan Habana
10 Frans Steyn
9 Fourie du Preez
8 Jerry Collins
7 Richie McCaw
6 Schalk Burger
5 Johan Muller
4 Bakkies Botha
3 Census Johnston
2 John Smit (c)
1 Federico Pucciariello

Replacements: 16 Mark Regan, 17 Rodney Blake, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Nick Koster, 20 George Gregan, 21 Ollie Smith, 22 Shane Williams.

Australia:
15 James O’Connor
14 Lote Tuqiri
13 Ryan Cross
12 Adam Ashley-Cooper
11 Digby Ioane
10 Quade Cooper
9 Brett Sheehan
8 Richard Brown
7 George Smith
6 Dean Mumm
5 Hugh McMeniman
4 Mark Chisholm
3 Matt Dunning
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau
1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 David Pocock, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Lachie Turner, 22 Drew Mitchell.

McCaw and Burger finally get to play on the same team

After the end of season tours the Southern Hemisphere has shown once again that they rule the roost. While only 6 nations champs Wales managed a win in a thrilling game against Australia. Scotland gave the Springboks a scare and New Zealand steam rolled very one in their path with only the Welsh again having a great half against the number 1 ranked rugby team in the world. Here are the IRB World Rankings after the Europena tours:

Taken from: IRB.com World Rankings and correct as of 1 December 2008

1(1)	NEW ZEALAND	92.68
2(2)	SOUTH AFRICA	89.45
3(3)	AUSTRALIA	85.86
4(4)	ARGENTINA	81.56
5(6)	WALES	81.03
6(5)	ENGLAND	80.86
7(7)	FRANCE	79.49
8(8)	IRELAND	78.45
9(9)	SCOTLAND	76.76
10(10)	FIJI	75.24

Rugby World Cup New Zealand will have the same pool set up as 2007. With 4 pools and 5 pools to each team. The draw took place in London at the New Zealand Giant Rugby Ball facility.

Ladies and gentlemen i present to you the pools for the next Rugby World Cup that will be held in New Zealand in 2011.

Pool A:
New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B:
Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, Final Place Playoff
Pool C:
Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D:
South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1

In connection with Amazon Rugby World Cup Blog now has a online store for rugby training gear, DvD’s and books.

Here are some top class rugby iteams:
I recommend “In Black and White: The Jake White Story” Good read about the World Cup winning coach of the Springboks and Jeppe Old boy.