Showing posts with label worldcup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worldcup. Show all posts

Thursday, October 18, 2007

SOUTH AFRICA PENPIX FOR THE FINAL

South African penpix for World Cup final with England at the Stade de France on Sunday (kick-off 1900 GMT) (age-caps):

Percy Montgomery 33-93

Dashing fullback, whose Hollywood film star look belies a brilliant running and kicking game. Has the chance to make up for double World Cup disappointment of losing 1999 semi and missing 2003 edition because of suspension.

JP Pietersen 21-14

Has emerged from Bryan Habana's shadow here and shown he is as effective a finisher as him. Jake White highlighted him as being potentially a star of the tournament and thus far has been proved right.

Jaque Fourie 24-36

Bustling centre, tough tackler but also a fairly prolific try scorer and can show up on either wing. Quick-thinking opportunistic try against Tonga exemplified his form at the tournament.

Francois Steyn 20-15

The young star has shown no nerves here and is a superb kicker from long range, either with drop goals or penalties. Slightly let down by temperament and was yellow-carded against Tonga.

Bryan Habana 24-34

Closing in on all-time Springbok tryscoring record. The descendant of Spanish ancestors has much more to his game than just pure speed, thinks on his feet and outfoxes opponents regularly with jinking runs and brilliant chips which he then collects and touches down as he did against Argentina.

Butch James 28-25

Has been one of Springboks unsung heroes here. Toned down mightily on his former trademark of rash and high tackles and has played with calm authority, kicking when necessary, but also opening up the backs as well.

Fourie du Preez 25-37

Has lived up to his reputation of being the best scrum-half in the world, especially when he terrorised England the first time round. Made a remarkable comeback from injury last season and looks set to rival Joost van der Westhuizen as the 'Boks best ever scrum-half.

Dannie Roussouw 29-30

Hard as nails No 8, who took some serious knocks against the Tongans. Solid tackler and not bad runner with the ball either and was deservedly named man of the match in the semi-final with Argentina.

Juan Smith 26-40

Perhaps the most impressive of the 'Boks back row in the tournament, both in close and open play and has scored several excellent tries. Tarnished his image somewhat with yellow card in semi-final for high tackle.

Schalk Burger 24-37

Has not been as impressive as expected, a two match ban hardly helped after the opening win over Samoa. Still waiting for the big game from him, though, there were signs of him returning to his best in his performance against Argentina.

Victor Matfield 30-66

Truly outstanding World Cup, as one would expect from probably the finest lock to have come out of South African rugby. As good running and passing the ball as in the lineout. Formidable competitor.

Bakkies Botha 28-43

About as good as Matfield in the World Cup and that says it all.

CJ van der Linde 27-46

His burly look hides a speedy tryscoring prop. 'Boks will hope he has fully recovered from his knee problem, because he faces a tough time against the England front row.

John Smit 29-73

Another to have had a very good tournament, who knows all the tricks and more in the book. Outstanding captain, who has done more than anyone to learn the hard lessons from the 2003 debacle, when he was mostly a replacement.

Os du Randt 35-79

Legendary prop and would emulate Aussies like John Eales were he to win a second World Cup. Still one of the best at his job even at 35, as he has proved thusfar here, but Sunday may test his ageing limbs too far.

Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Johannes Muller, Wickus van Heerden, Ruan Pienaar, Andre Pretorius, Wynand Olivier

ENGLAND PENPIX FOR THE FINAL

Penpix of the England starting XV for the World Cup final against South Africa at the Stade de France Saturday:

Jason Robinson (Age: 33; Caps: 50)

Elusive runner whose ability to evade the first tackle can make him a dangerous opponent. The scorer of England's only try in the 2003 final, the former rugby league international is set to retire after Saturday's match.

Paul Sackey (Age: 27; Caps: 9)

Scored two tries in both of England's World Cup wins over Tonga and Samoa after coming late to international rugby - he only made his debut in November.

Mathew Tait (Age: 21; Caps: 18)

Dumped on his backside by Wales's Gavin Henson on England debut in 2005 when still a teenager and then dropped, he has fought his way back. Yet to show full range of talents on world stage.

Mike Catt (Age: 36, Caps: 74)

Recalled several times in a 13-year international career, he made the most of Andy Farrell's injury when brought back for the quarter-final against Australia. Shrewd playmaker who has proved to be calm in pressure situations.

Mark Cueto (Age: 27; Caps: 23)

Hasn't featured since the Pool match over Tonga, he has been given another chance following Josh Lewsey's tournament-ending hamstring in the semi-final win over France.

Jonny Wilkinson (Age: 28; Caps: 64)

Talismanic fly-half who, as well as being England's leading points scorer, during this tournament went to the top of the World Cup scoring charts. Come through a wretched run of injuries since landing winning drop-goal in 2003 final but has looked fallible with goalkicking in France.

Andy Gomarsall (Age: 33; Caps: 32)

England's third choice scrum-half when they arrived, the bubbly No 9 has forced his way back in, having been left without a club at the end of last season, and has been increasingly influential in the knockout stages.

Nick Easter (Age: 29; Caps: 11)

In space of three years gone from second division rugby to England No 8, forcing former captain and World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio onto the bench.

Lewis Moody (Age: 29; Caps: 51)

Switched between openside and blindside flanker during a stop-start Test career, he is renowned for having little regard for personal safety and an all-action approach although composure can occasionally go astray.

Martin Corry (Age: 34; Caps: 63)

Former captain, he led the side in France when Phil Vickery was suspended. Increasingly effective at doing the 'donkey-work' associated with the blindside flanker role.

Ben Kay (Age: 31; Caps: 52)

Dropped a pass during the 2003 World Cup final which would have spared England agony of extra-time. Team will look to him to organise lineout.

Simon Shaw (Age: 34; Caps: 42)

The nearly man of English rugby after missing out on the 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Cups, he has finally managed to convince a Test coach of his worth having been a second row mainstay of Wasps's trophy-winning teams.

Phil Vickery (Age: 31; Caps: 59)

Nicknamed 'Raging Bull', the tighthead faces a tough battle in anchoring the scrum against South Africa. Missed Pool match against the Springboks through suspension. One of four members of the 2003 final starting line-up in this XV.

Mark Regan (Age: 35; Caps: 42)

Veteran hooker, he is known for his hard, 'streetwise' approach and for plenty of verbal sparring with his opponents.

Andrew Sheridan (Age: 28; Caps: 19)

Brilliant performance in the scrum against the Wallabies, the 19st (122 kg) forward hasn't always fared so well against teams such as South Africa who are renowned for their forward power.

Replacements: George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Peter Richards, Toby Flood, Danny Hipkiss
 
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