Ian Madigan (Picture http://bit.ly/UCvx7r)
Saturday morning started early with a seriously good test between the Pumas and the All Blacks. The Argentineans put their bodies on the line, with bone crunching tackling that had my TV shaking! It was a contest up until the last 20 minutes, then the All Black class told and they ran away with it. Ireland and Argentina now have shown there are chances with the All Blacks if you put them under pressure.
South Africa and Australia were up next, frankly the match was a bit of let down after the earlier one. Lots of aimless kicking from both sides, I thought the Springboks would win this easily enough, but they have no ambition at the moment, their back line is there to defend only. Australia hung in there and won this by sheer bloody mindedness rather than any great skill on their part.
I taped and caught the Leinster match after Herculean barbequing efforts (on the level of the Argentinean tackling). Leinster’s attack is back on song. They scored a number of well worked trys, moving the ball around and creating space. Madigan must be the 2nd best fly half in the country, and Sexton will only be too keen to get back into action! The Dragons however, didn’t come for a party in Dublin, and found try scoring a bit easier – they just ran straight through our defense. Lot’s of unfamiliar combinations in the backline, but it’s something that needs to be fixed fast. I thought Cooney was great, and Marshall, Reid and McGrath all played well. Better!
I didn’t see Ulster do their thing, but that’s an impressive away win for them.
Rugby Championship
New Zealand 21 - 5 Argentina
Australia 26 - 19 South Africa
RaboDirect PRO12
Zebre 17 - 30 Connacht
Cardiff Blues 19 - 21 Edinburgh
Glasgow 13 - 18 Scarlets
Munster 19 - 6 Benetton Treviso
Leinster 45 - 25 Newport-Gwent D'gons
Ospreys 13 - 16 Ulster
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