Jantjies boots down Rebels

Updated July 08, 2012 07:51:50

Fly half Elton Jantjies succeeded with all seven of his kicks at goal to secure the Lions a 37-32 win and deny a remarkable Melbourne Rebels comeback.

They held on following a fantastic comeback by the Rebels who scored three second-half tries to turn a 24-7 deficit into a 32-27 lead at Ellis Park.

But replacement flanker Jaco Kriel charged down the blindside to score an equalising try, which Jantjies converted from the touchline. He then kicked a penalty on the final hooter to stretch the winning margin to five points.

The Lions played with enormous confidence and freedom in the first half, running in three tries and Jantjies kicked a penalty to give them a 24-0 lead after 36 minutes.

"We had a disappointing first 15-20 minutes, making simple, fundamental errors in good field positions, that gave the Lions lots of possession and, to their credit, they turned that into points," Rebels coach Damian Hill told a news conference.

The home side made a great start when right wing Lionel Mapoe stepped inside and sent outside centre Waylon Murray over for the opening try after just two minutes.

Flanker Derick Minnie scored two more as the Rebels struggled to get on the front foot against an aggressive defence in the first half.

The Australians finally got some points on the board on the half-time hooter when, after a rolling maul, hooker Ged Robinson emerged with the try which was converted by fullback Julian Huxley.

Having dominated the opening 40 minutes, the Lions lost their focus in the second half, conceding a string of penalties to give the Rebels momentum and territory.

"There was a lack of concentration in the second half, especially defensively, with guys not manning up in the one-on-one tackles," Lions captain Josh Strauss said.

"If we can keep concentrating for 80 minutes and play like we did in the first 40 minutes, then we'll be a very dangerous side. We're still playing for pride and each other."

Lock Hugh Pyle scored two tries in three minutes for the Rebels.

Huxley converted Pyle's first try and brought the Rebels to within two points in the 58th minute as he kicked a penalty.

Jantjies replied with a penalty but then turned villain when his clearance kick was charged down by flyhalf Jimmy Hilgendorf for a Rebels try.

Huxley converted to give the Rebels a 29-27 lead and then added a penalty.

But Lions scrumhalf Michael Bondesio caught the Rebels defence napping with a pop-pass down the blindside to Kriel, who powered through the cover defence to score in the corner.

The 21-year-old Jantjies kept his nerve to kick the conversion and give the crowd a happy ending to the Lions' last home game of the season.

"There's a good spirit and camaraderie in the group and we've consistently shown that when we're down, we find a way back," Rebels captain Stirling Mortlock said.

"But too often we let ourselves down first and we need to find a way to be better as a team, to be able to put pressure on the opposition from the start."

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, south-africa, melbourne-3000

First posted July 08, 2012 07:51:50

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Mortlock to hang up the boots

Updated June 17, 2012 15:08:53

Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock will retire at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Mortlock, the skipper of Melbourne Rebels, made the announcement on Sunday and he is set to bring down the curtain on an 80-Test career that included 29 as Wallabies captain.

The 35-year-old has endured an injury-plagued two years at the Rebels, having moved south from the Brumbies, with whom he made his Super Rugby debut in 1998.

"It really has been an incredible journey and it will take some time for this to sink in," Mortlock said in a statement.

"Without the love and support of my family, I would never have achieved all that I have. I would also like to thank the Brumbies, the Wallabies and of course the Rebels for their support over the years, I feel a great sense of pride in representing these great teams."

Mortlock first arrived on the international scene in 1997 when plucked from the Sydney first grade competition by Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen.

He did not make his Test debut until 2000 against Argentina in Brisbane, the same season he famously kicked a penalty goal to beat South Africa in Durban to clinch the Wallabies' first Tri-Nations title.

Mortlock enjoyed several memorable moments in the Wallabies jersey, including his 80-metre intercept try that helped set up the semi-final victory over New Zealand at the 203 World Cup in Sydney.

Rebels coach Damien Hill noted the importance of having someone with Mortlock's experience as the foundation captain of the Melbourne-based franchise.

"As a start-up club, it is vital that you have the right leadership in place," he said.

Mortlock, who has 489 points to his name at the Test level, will finish the season for the Rebels with matches against Queensland, the Lions and Stormers.

The Reds fixture on June 29 will be his farewell appearance on Australian soil.

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, melbourne-3000, canberra-2600

First posted June 17, 2012 15:08:53

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Sharpe to hang up boots after 2012

Updated February 10, 2012 11:25:17

Most-capped Wallabies second-rower Nathan Sharpe is to retire from all competitive rugby at the end of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Sharpe, who turns 34 on February 26, said he wanted to end speculation about his future and ensure his focus was only on helping his Western Force team to make the Super Rugby finals for the first time.

Sharpe has played 101 Tests for Australia, making him the equal fourth most capped Wallabies player behind only George Gregan, George Smith and Stephen Larkham and equal with David Campese.

He debuted in 2002 and was still in the Wallabies' ranks last year, playing at the World Cup in New Zealand.

"It is an emotional time for me," he said in a statement on Friday.

"It's one of those decisions you mull over and think 'are you going too early or too late' and I wasn't really sure of that until recently.

"I've been incredibly lucky right through my career to have been involved with some great people and great teams.

"I've got one more shot at winning a title and I don't intend on fading away, I want to finish with my best Super Rugby season yet, that's the way I want to exit the game."

ARU chief executive John O'Neill said Sharpe had earned the right to finish his career at the top of his game.

"Nathan has been one of this country's great players for more than a decade, he has never shied away from a contest and has given his all no matter if he was wearing a Queensland, Western Force or Wallabies jersey," he said in a statement.

"The commitment he's shown and the work he has done both on and off the field at the Western Force has been commendable.

"While there is still plenty of rugby to be played between now and Nathan's last game later this year, it is safe to say that come the final siren in that last game an era will end at the Force and to some extent in Australian rugby."

An inaugural marquee signing for the Western Force from Queensland, Sharpe has captained the franchise since it started in Super Rugby in 2006 and is entering his 15th season in top flight rugby.

Coach Richard Graham recently began the transition by handing the Force leadership to Wallabies flanker David Pocock.

"I've had a wonderful time playing rugby, have seen some pretty special things over my time and cherished every single moment of it," Sharpe said.

"It's not the end right now, I still have some goals I want to achieve this season.

"Coming to Perth was the best decision I made in my career.

"I've had an amazing time and have been part of the strongest support network I've experienced in rugby."

While spending more quality time with his two young boys is high on the agenda, Sharpe will also make a move into the resource industry and will stay in touch with the game as a media commentator.

"The career opportunities being made available are amazing and will give me a completely new challenge to focus on after such a long time playing rugby," he said.

"I've got a keen interest in the resource sector and being in Perth has definitely allowed me to meet a lot of people in the industry."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said there was more to Sharpe's influence on the game than just his statistical achievements.

"The statistics of his career on their own are impressive but they only tell a small part of the story," he said.

"For most, it is the quality of the man, his longevity and his dedication to the pursuit of excellence that will be recalled, long after he has hung up his boots for the final time."

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted February 10, 2012 10:20:37

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England boots Tindall over Cup antics

Updated November 12, 2011 10:50:58

Mike Tindall's England career is in tatters after the centre was thrown out of the country's elite player squad and handed a hefty fine following his off-field antics at the World Cup.

Photographs of the 33-year-old drinking with a "mystery blonde" in a bar in Queenstown less than two months after he married into the British royal family filled the British newspapers while England struggled on the pitch in New Zealand.

Tindall has been fined 25,000 pounds by the Rugby Football Union, which he is appealing.

"Mike Tindall's actions reached a level of misconduct that was unacceptable in a senior England player and amounted to a very serious breach of the EPS (Elite Player Squad) code of conduct," Rugby Football Union director Rob Andrew said in a statement.

"Whilst we acknowledge his previous good character, it needs to be made clear that what he did will not be tolerated."

A series of unwanted front-page headlines accompanied England's flat performances at this year's World Cup before its quarter-final stage exit, with Tindall the highest-profile offender.

The Rugby Players' Association (RPA) released a statement saying Tindall, whose wife Zara is the Queen's grand-daughter, will be appealing his fine.

"Mike will be appealing this unprecedented fine as per the terms of the EPS agreement," it said.

"There will be no further comment from Mike Tindall or the RPA at this time."

Suspended fines of 5,000 pounds were also been handed out to winger Chris Ashton and forward James Haskell, until December 31 2012, relating to a separate incident.

Forward Dylan Hartley has been cleared of any involvement in that episode.

"It should be stressed that the allegations of very serious wrongdoing made against Chris Ashton, Dylan Hartley and James Haskell by Annabel Newton, a member of staff at the team hotel, were entirely false," Andrew said.

"We do not believe the players had any intention to sexually harass or intimidate Ms Newton."

The suspended fines were imposed on Ashton and Haskell for breaching the squad's code of conduct.

While those players can continue their England careers, Tindall's removal from the squad means he is unlikely to add to his 75 caps.

Tindall was a member of England's 2003 World Cup winning team, playing in the 20-17 victory over Australia in the final.

Another member of that side, fly half Jonny Wilkinson, has had little sympathy with his team-mates following the infamous drinking session in Queenstown, where players were photographed looking the worse for wear during "Mad Midget Weekender".

"What I cannot understand is the naivety of people going out to the extent that they did and it not crossing their minds it would find its way back to the media," he wrote in his autobiography "Jonny", which was published on Thursday.

"What is required is individual responsibility and not Johnno (manager Martin Johnson) at his wit's end," added Wilkinson, known for his dedication to abstinence and training.

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, rugby-union-world-cup, england, united-kingdom

First posted November 12, 2011 10:33:55

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Waugh to hang up the boots

Updated June 21, 2011 12:57:00

New South Wales skipper Phil Waugh has announced he will retire from rugby union at the end of the season as the most-capped player in the state's rugby history.

The inspirational openside flanker is in his 13th season for the Waratahs after making his first appearance against the Brumbies in 1999 before his Super Rugby debut against the Stormers in 2000.

He told reporters on Tuesday in Sydney that he hopes to finish his career playing for the Wallabies in the World Cup later this year in New Zealand.

"I've been very humbled and very proud to have represented Australia over a decade, which has encompassed 79 Test matches, and I hope to increase on that number," Waugh said.

"It's obviously a big year for rugby and I want to be a part of that World Cup squad.

"I'm very proud of my career and what I've achieved and, in terms of rugby memories, I hope that my fondest memories occur over the coming months."

Waugh led New South Wales to fifth on the Super Rugby table and a wildcard spot in the play-offs in 2011 with a 10-6 record including four wins out of the province's last six games.

It means the Waratahs will be playing for more than just their finals survival on Friday afternoon (AEST) against the Blues in Auckland, with the Eden Park clash potentially Waugh and veteran prop Al Baxter's final appearance in the sky-blue jumper.

Baxter decided to call it a day earlier this month, citing a tiring body as the reason he would step aside from the game to pursue a career in architecture.

The Waratahs skipper said he had started to think about life after rugby.

"I think at 31 years of age, the timing is right for me to make the transition into business," he said.

"It's been my honour and my privilege to play at the Waratahs for 13 years."

The 31-year-old Waugh came to the Waratahs from club side Sydney University.

He made his Test debut in 2000 off the bench against England. He continued to see game time for the Wallabies until an ankle injury held him out of contention in 2002.

The following year he returned to the international scene as Wallabies vice-captain at the 2003 World Cup at home.

Australia eventually lost the final to England at Sydney's Olympic stadium but Waugh was honoured with the second annual John Eales Medal that season as the Wallabies' best player.

In 2010 he became the most-capped player in New South Wales rugby history when he surpassed former Wallaby scrum-half Chris Whitaker, whom Waugh also took the mantle of most games as Waratahs captain.

Waugh has won New South Wales' best forward award for the last three years running and took home the Matthew Burke Cup as the side's players' player in 2004.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000

First posted June 21, 2011 12:01:00

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Freier pulls his boots on again

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Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Broadcast: 29/05/2011

Reporter: Barrie Cassidy

Panellist Adam Freier has made a return to club rugby, aiming for a return to the Rebels.

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