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Sonny Bill Williams in All Blacks end of year squad..

SBW named in All Blacks end of year squad...



Former league star Sonny Bill Williams has won a place in the All Blacks end of year tour squad to the northern hemisphere.



The All Blacks have named their squad for this year's end of tour, with Sonny Bill Williams the only new cap.

The full squad is: John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Tom Donnelly, Hika Elliot, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Tony Woodcock, Andy Ellis, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Alby Mathewson, Mils Muliaina, Ma?a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Sonny Bill Williams.

Coach Graham Henry made special mention for the only player named in the squad not to have worn the black jersey - Williams. He says he's had an outstanding ITM Cup for Canterbury and has won his spot on form.

Manawatu's Aaron Cruden, Auckland second five Benson Stanley, Northland's Rene Ranger, Wellington's Victor Vito and Canterbury's Colin Slade have all missed selection.

Players not considered because of injury were Piri Weepu, Israel Dagg, Ali Williams, Corey Flynn, Richard Kahui and Luke McAlister.

Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk/

NZ beats Australia in Commonwealth Games Sevens...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

New Zealand beat Australia 24-17 to claim their fourth successive Commonwealth Games gold medal...






New Zealand won their fourth successive Commonwealth Games gold medal, beating Australia 24-17 in the final of the 2010 Games in Delhi.



It was an enthralling climax to the second day of competition which also saw South Africa win bronze, Samoa win the Plate and Papua New Guinea deservedly collect some silverware, defeating Canada 17-10 in the Bowl final.



Following a dramatic end to the first day with Kenya beating Samoa, there were a further 18 matches for the crowd at the Delhi University stadium to savour, ending with New Zealand's historic victory over Australia.





Trailing 17-7 in the second half following tries from Wallaby Lachie Turner, Luke Morahan and James Stannard, it seemed as though New Zealand would suffer their first ever defeat in the history of the Commonwealth Games.



But tries from DJ Forbes, replacement Sherwin Stowers and Kurt Baker ensured Gordon Tietjens' side went home with the gold medal in front of a packed crowd at the Delhi University stadium.



Who was your player of the tournament? >>





Lote Raikabula had given the defending gold medallists a 7-0 lead but without the injured Tomasi Cama they seemed unable to unlock the Australian defence.



The three Australian tries followed either side of half time, including a sensational individual effort from Morahan, but when flyer Stowers came on as a second half replacement he had an immediate impact against some tired legs.





Australia's silver medal is their first since a bronze in 1998 and although they will be disappointed, the medal caps a successful year, with Michael O'Connor's side winning their first leg on the World Series since 2002 at the 2010 London Sevens.



Final word from IRB CEO/Secretary General, Mike Miller, on Twitter in Delhi (@irbmikemiller): "Congratulations to New Zealand for winning a fourth-successive Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens Gold. Heartbreak for the young Australians, but they go home with a first ever Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens silver."



In the bronze medal match, South Africa dramatically claimed their first medal since 2002, beating England 17-14 having trailed 14-5 at half time.





Bernard Botha scored the opening try of the match but converted tries from Matthew Turner and Dan Caprice gave the 2006 silver medallists the lead going into the interval of the penultimate match in the competition.



Cecil Afrika and Lubabalo Mtembu clinched the title in a nervy second half, however, as Paul Treu's men held firm to deny the efforts of the spirited Ben Gollings at the death to claim an historic bronze medal.



Medal competition lights up Comm Games





New Zealand became the first side to reach the final, beating England 33-12 in a repeat of the 2006 gold medal match, when New Zealand were 29-21 victors.



Forbes (two) and Cama got the defending champions off to a flying start before Isoa Damudamu hit back for England. But Raikabula and Cama cemented the victory for Tietjens' men.





The second semi final between Australia and South Africa was a closer affair and although Ryno Benjamin put Treu's men on the front foot after two minutes, Turner, Liam Gill and the influential Stannard ensured O'Connor's side were guaranteed their first medal since 1998.



New Zealand had earlier beaten RWC Sevens 2009 winners Wales 33-10 in the quarter finals despite conceding the opening try to Ifan Evans, with Baker (two), Ben Smith, Hosea Gear and Toby Arnold securing victory.





England set up a repeat of the 2006 final after a hard-fought victory over Samoa, a side they lost 15-12 to in one of the most dramatic matches of this year's World Series in Edinburgh, edging a tough encounter 7-5.



Alatasi Tupou gave Stephen Betham's men a 5-0 lead after a period of possession and territory on the England try line before Greg Barden drew the scores level and Ben Gollings added the conversion to give England a crucial two-point lead in a very tight affair. It is the second successive time England have beaten Samoa at this stage of the competition, having won 17-14 in Melbourne.





Kenya caused the biggest upset in the final pool match of the opening day, beating Samoa 12-10, but Australia proved a step too far in the quarter finals, with the 2010 London Sevens champions reaching the semi finals with a 27-5 victory thanks to two tries from Stannard.





South Africa and Scotland completed the quarter final line-up, and it was Treu's side who reached the semi finals with a 10-7 victory thanks to a decisive try from Benjamin. Scotland had scored one of the tries of the tournament through Mike Adamson with the last play of the opening half, but their hearts were broken early in the second.





Samoa too strong for Scotland in Plate final





Samoa scored six tries as the reigning World Series champions put the disappointment of missing out on a medal behind them, beating Scotland 34-0 in the final.



Afa Aiono and IRB Sevens Player of the Year Mikaele Pesamino both scored two tries against a Scotland side who will have done head coach Stephen Gemmell proud in his final Sevens hurrah.





Earlier the two teams had reached the final after respective 38-12 and 22-17 victories over Wales and Kenya, following their losses in the medal quarter finals.



The eventual winners avenged a Plate semi final loss to Wales in 2006 as Stephen Betham's men crossed for six tries against the current RWC Sevens holders, whilst Scotland beat Kenya dramatically in sudden death extra time with Lee Jones the hero.





Having earlier lost 27-5 to Australia in the medal quarter final, Kenya were unable to build on their 100% record and dramatic victory over Samoa on day one.





Papua New Guinea beat Canada in Bowl final





Papua New Guinea recorded a memorable victory over World Series regulars Canada to win the Bowl final 17-10 at the 2010 Commonwealth Games thanks to two tries from Albert Levi.



It was just reward for PNG who entertained the crowd at the Delhi University stadium with some exhilarating Sevens throughout the tournament, scoring three tries against reigning World Series champions Samoa and narrowly missing out on a huge upset with a 17-12 defeat to Pool C winners Kenya on day one.





Earlier Canada and PNG had come through two thrilling semi finals with Geraint John's side beating Uganda 22-17 despite trailing 12-5 at half time and the eventual winners proving too strong for Tonga, winning 24-5.



Henry Liliket gave a Sevens master class in the opening half, showing great strength and speed to score the first two tries before turning provider for PNG's third through Shadrach Ghabiliha, with 18-year-old Eugene Tokavai sealing the victory.





In the first semi final Uganda had opened up a 12-0 lead after Lawerence Wakabi, picking up where he left off earlier in the day, and Ambrose Kamanyire scored the opening two tries of the match, but Canada hit back with the next four tries.



Nathan Hirayama and Conor Trainor both scored twice - the former taking his tournament tally to seven - and although Kamanyire scored his second of the match, Canada held on to reach the final.



The two bottom placed teams from each of the four pools on day one moved into the Bowl competition and although no medals were on offer for them, the players put on an exhilarating competition for the spectators.





Canada had begun proceedings on day two against India and a hat-trick from Hirayama helped them through to the semi final. The home crowd were delighted, however, when Puneeth Krishnamurthy and Rohaan Sethna scored the host's points, whilst Wakabi scored two tries for Uganda in their 26-14 victory over Malaysia.





PNG earlier defeated Sri Lanka 26-12 with Levi adding to his tournament try tally with two more against the Asian side, before Tonga scored three times against Guyana to secure their position in the semi finals.





Day two results:

Gold medal match: New Zealand 24-17 Australia

Bronze medal match: England 14-17 South Africa

Plate final: Samoa 34-0 Scotland

Bowl final: Canada 10-17 Papua New Guinea

Medal semi final: Australia 17-7 South Africa

Medal semi final: New Zealand 33-12 England

Plate semi final: Kenya 17-22 Scotland

Plate semi final: Wales 12-38 Samoa

Bowl semi final: Tonga 5-24 Papua New Guinea

Bowl semi final: Canada 22-17 Uganda

Medal quarter final: South Africa 7-5 Scotland

Medal quarter final: Kenya 5-27 Australia

Medal quarter final: England 7-5 Samoa

Medal quarter final: New Zealand 33-10 Wales

Bowl quarter final: Tonga 21-14 Guyana

Bowl quarter final: Papua New Guinea 26-12 Sri Lanka

Bowl quarter final: Uganda 26-14 Malaysia

Bowl quarter final: Canada 43-10 India





Go to cwgdelhi2010.org for more information, or click HERE for match details>>



Acknowldgements: © International Rugby Board

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Canterbury defeat Southland in Ranfurly Shield classic...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Canterbury defeat Southland in   Ranfurly Shield classic...





Southland 16



Canterbury 26





Canterbury celebrate their 26-16 Ranfurly Shield victory over Southland. Photo / Getty ImagesIt was bitter-sweet, even for newly-elected Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt as, with heavy hearts, Southlanders farewelled the Ranfurly Shield last night.



Re-elected yesterday for a sixth term, Shadbolt had correctly predicted earlier this season Southland would beat Auckland 9-6 but his forecast the Stags would beat Canterbury 17-14 last night was, sadly, astray.



The Stags fought with every fibre but this was a bridge too far against more polished opposition.



It was a humdinger of a match, a shield classic.



It was no disgrace for Southland. Canterbury were simply too good, as they usually are at the business end of the season.



There were heroes aplenty on both sides. For Canterbury, Colin Slade, who contributed 21 points and controlled play so coolly; composed halfback and captain Andy Ellis; hard-running centre Robbie Fruean; the inimitable Sonny Bill Williams; and forwards like Nasi Manu and Matt Todd.



For Southland, the front rowers Jamie Mackintosh and Jason Rutledge; the workaholic flankers John Hardie and Tim Boys; and hard-running three-quarter, Tony Koonwaiyou.



But it's a cruel world. There was not even a bonus point for all that endeavour.



"It's been one hell of a ride," Mackintosh said as he handed over the log of wood, and no one would disagree.



It was 13 days short of a year since Southland beat Canterbury 9-3 to take the shield and, in the course of it defending it six times this year, the Stags had formed an impenetrable defensive barrier.



They had conceded just three tries in those matches but, conversely, their attacking momentum had stalled. They had scored just one try, by the injured Kenny Lynn, and not reached double figures in their last three games.



Of their eight wins in the championship this season, six had been by five points or less. They had lived on the edge, sustained by their physical endurance and their indomitable spirit.



Canterbury were fuelled by revenge and bolstered by players with international experience in Sam Whitelock, Wyatt Crockett, Isaac Ross, Ellis, Slade and All Black-in-waiting Williams.



Canterbury went into the match with momentum and with a proud shield challenging record.



They had won the shield 13 times before, including four times since 2000 and, understandably, they began as favourites. They had lost just twice to Southland since 1981.



Canterbury had first use of a cool, southerly breeze on an overcast evening in front of an almost capacity crowd of more than 14,500 but there was early encouragement for Southland when Robinson kicked an angled 35m penalty after Canterbury infringed at a scrum. Slade soon cancelled that out with a penalty for Canterbury.



Shield matches are won and lost on mistakes and James Wilson made a howler midway through the way. His timid chip was blocked by Williams who gathered, drew in the defence and wing Telusa Veauinu sprinted 25m for the try and a 10-3 lead.



There was a controversial moment three minutes before halftime when Southland flanker John Hardie touched down after taking an in-pass from Koonwaiyou but, after an interminable delay, television match official Doug Rodgers ruled Koonwaiyou had put a foot out before he delivered the pass.



But the Stags' persistence paid off as Koonwaiyou ran off Jimmy Cowan and No 8 Kane Thompson scored by the posts. Robinson's conversion made it 16-13 as the crowd and players caught their breaths at the break.



Southland had 62 per cent territory and 72 per cent possession in the first half, dominated the breakdowns 65-26 and would possibly have been disappointed not to have been in front. But they would also have been encouraged to be just three points behind after trailing 3-16 after 30 minutes.



The pivotal moment arrived 11 minutes into the second spell when Whitelock won a lineout on halfway, Fruean burst through midfield and, from the ensuing ruck, Slade scampered 20m down the blindside to score and convert and increase Canterbury's lead to 23-13.



It was a double whammy for Southland for Robinson was injured in making the tackle on Fruean and had to leave the field. Two minutes later, James Wilson kicked an angled penalty and the Stags, at 16-23, were still not without hope.



Southland twice turned down kickable penalties but Canterbury turned the ball over and Williams almost scored 100m downfield, just beaten to the touch by Pehi Te Whare.



Five minutes from the end Slade kicked his fourth penalty and Canterbury had a 10-point buffer.



Southland 16 (K. Thompson try, R. Robinson con, 2 pens, J. Wilson pen); Canterbury 26 (T. Veauinu, C. Slade tries, C. Slade 2 cons, 4 pens). Halftime: Canterbury, 16-13.

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Kiwis in Delhi happy with what they have seen - Commonwealth Games start in six days...

Image via WikipediaKiwis in Delhi happy with what they've seen - Commonwealth Games start in six days...

More than a dozen Kiwi Commonwealth Games competitors are among the 1200 athletes who have arrived in Delhi so far.



After a week of doubts and criticism, optimism is growing that the venues and accommodation will be ready in time.



With just five days to go until the start of the Games, the rest of the New Zealand team is due to arrive in India over the next 24 hours.



And the athletes themselves told ONE News they were reasonably impressed with what they had seen so far, including security levels.



Archer Stephen Clifton said, "It looks pretty impressive, there are lots of guys with guns, hopefully to keep us safe."



Chef de Mission Dave Currie said today the venue was very different from the "bomb site" it was two weeks ago.



The accommodation was not five star, "but it's clean and tidy," he said.



"One of the challenges we feared would happen was that, as they (the organisers) have more pressure on the village, they would struggle to keep ahead of it," he told NZPA.



"They're keeping ahead of it. They've got a lot of cleaners and workers here, but I understand there are still a few countries experiencing problems."



New Zealand's lawn bowls team, coached by Dave Edwards, arrived in Delhi this morning.



"The facilities are not up to the standards the team is used to but they are habitable and functional," Edwards said.


"Obviously, there's been a bit of work go in over the past few days, but as far as we're concerned, it's fine."



There were still a few disappointing aspects which were not up to New Zealand standards, he said.



"But the plumbing is working at the moment and the air conditioning is working. It will be fine, I'm sure it won't be a problem for us," Edwards said.



And Edwards said the rooms were a good size.



"There's horror stories from previous Commonwealth Games where you roll over in the middle of the night and give your neighbour in the bed next door a black eye," he said.



"But these are roomy and spacious in that regard and the rest of the village is all fine. The dining hall is excellent."



Tight security slows movement



Currie said transport was "a bit of a problem" in getting fine-tuned because of the tight security measures in place, but he said organisers were "certainly doing what they said they would".



"There's some delays... with the security at the village here... and getting into the training venues. Because of the heightened security, getting these movements streamlined has been a challenge."



It was starting to look more like a games venue and less like the ghost town it had been, Currie told Radio New Zealand.



Currie also confirmed it had been decided that the only reason the athletes could leave the village is to train and compete.



He said while it's a sad decision to make, it was also a necessary one.



The team had been briefed on the importance of wearing insect repellent to avoid contracting dengue fever, a mosquito-borne virus, and using hand sanitiser to keep hygiene levels up.



Last week the unhygienic state of the accommodation areas, and the amount of work that still needed to be done, cast doubt on the Games, which are due to open on Sunday and run until October 14.



The situation led the New Zealand Olympic Committee to delay the arrival of the first New Zealand athletes into the village from last Saturday to today.



Today Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that they were racing against time, but that "we will perform".



"Please don't take a negative story, I wish you could all be more positive, because these will be very good games."

Smiling Kiwi athlete:

Acknowledgements: NZPA, One   http://tvnz.co.nz/

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Canterbury rebounds in Christchurch - Sonny Bill Williams scores crucial bonus point try against Wellington...

Canterbury rebounds in Christchurch  -  Sonny Bill Williams scores crucial bonus point try against Wellington...  .




.Canterbury bounced back from last week's upset ITM Cup defeat to Taranaki with a 37-30 win over Wellington in Christchurch on Saturday.







A late furry of scoring with the wind behind them earned the home side their victory over the Lions in front of a bumper home crowd that was given free entry in respect of the recent Canterbury earthquake.





In an even contest throughout, both sides played open and enterprising rugby whenever possible and each scored four tries. But it was Canterbury tries in the 64th and 68th minutes that helped make the difference, giving them a 34-25 lead heading into the last 10 minutes.





With Wellington in front 25-20 following a try off the back of a scrum to number eight Faifili Levave, Canterbury full-back Sean Maitland scored in the corner and fly-half Colin Slade converted to put his team ahead for the first time since midway through the first half.





Replacement centre Sonny Bill Williams then broke through for a second quickfire converted try to extend their advantage to nine points.





The Lions hit back almost immediately through scrum-half Alby Mathewson who stole the ball from the back of a Canterbury scrum on their own tryline and darted over for a five-pointer, bringing the score back to 34-30.





The home side were able to re-establish field position and hold off the Lions once more and Slade was able to kick a late penalty to make sure of the victory.





Despite the defeat and Canterbury's retention of the Harry Saundercock Memorial Trophy, the Lions earned two competition points and will remain near the top of the ITM Cup points table at the conclusion of this weekend's tenth round.





Tighthead prop Neemia Tialata failed a pre-game fitness test on his injured ankle and wing Hosea Gear assumed the captaincy of the Lions for the first time.





It was Gear who helped spark the Lions to a 20-13 lead at half-time with a pair of wonderful tries, after Canterbury had opened the scoring in the 12th minute through their speedster Telusa Veaniu who took a final pass from former Wellington centre Robbie Fruean after a midfield scrum turnover.





Wellington answered through Gear who raced up into the defensive line and plucked a Canterbury pass out of the air and cruised 60 metres for a try under the bar. Fly-half Lima Sopoaga's conversion evened up the ledger to 7-7 after 17 minutes.





Both sides probed for further opportunities and Slade and Sopoaga exchanged penalties to make it 10-10.





The tight run of play ensued. Slade put his side back in the lead with a penalty in front. Sopoaga replied with his second penalty after a concerted period of attack, making it 13-13 after 30 minutes.





Sopoaga put Canterbury back inside their 22 with a pinpoint touch-finder into the corner. Canterbury's defensive line-out was overthrown and the loose ball was snaffled at the back by flanker Scott Fugistaller.





From Fugistaller's initial incursion, Wellington swung play both ways across the posts to Gear, who effortlessly steamed in for his second try. Sopoaga converted to put the Lions ahead 20-13.





A Slade penalty attempt hit the uprights, before a Sizzling break by Julian Savea put the Lions back into the attacking zone. Canterbury held on and the half-time hooter sounded soon after with the home side inside Wellington's half of play.





Now with the wind advantage, it was Canterbury's turn to score next through halfback Andy Ellis who finished off a sweeping movement.





Canterbury failed to control the next re-start, leading to a Lions scrum and surge at the line by the Lions forwards. Prop David Te Moana crashed over in a heap of bodies for a try in reply that the TMO couldn't award due to inconclusive evidence.





But with the heat still on, the Lions attacked from a 5m scrum and Levave made a powerful burst at the chalk and was rewarded with a try. Sopoaga pushed the conversion wide but the visitors were back in front at 25-20.





Maitland scored in the corner in broken play and Slade converted to put Canterbury back in front with 15 minutes remaining.





Sonny Bill Williams scored his try next. Slade's conversion extended their advantage to 34-25 and the Lions now needed to score twice with 12 minutes on the clock.





Flanker Api Naikatini couldn't reel in a fingertips pass in the left-hand corner, leading to a defensive Canterbury scrum feed.





From the set-piece, Mathewson snaffled the ball from Canterbury number eight Nasi Manu's grasp and came up with the Lions' bonus-point try and the deficit was whittled back to four points ahead of a tense final nine minutes of play.





The scorers:





For Canterbury:

Tries: Veainu, Ellis, Maitland, Williams

Cons: Slade 4

Pens: Slade 3





For Wellington:

Tries: Gear 2, Levave, MathewsonCons: Sopoaga 2

Pens: Sopoaga 2





Canterbury: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 George Whitelock (c), 6 Matt Todd, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Peter Borlase, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Rob Verbakel, 19 Ash Parker, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.





Wellington: 15 Apoua Stewart, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Shaun Treeby, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Faifili Levave, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Api Naikatini, 5 Nick Passi, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata/David Te Moana, 2 Dane Coles, 1 John Schwalger.

Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 David Te Moana/Reg Goodes, 18 Brad Shields, 19 Dean Brunsdon, 20 Ruki Tipuna, 21 Fa'atonu Fili, 22 Alapati Leiua.





Referee: Bryce Lawrence

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SBW pays the price for defensive deficiences and is on the bench against Wellington...

Image via Wikipedia Sonny Bill Williams has paid the price for his defensive deficiencies and drops to the bench for Saturday's 'Earthquake Relief' ITM Cup match against Wellington in Christchurch.


Williams, who makes way for a fit-again Ryan Crotty at second five-eighths, is one of five changes to the Canterbury team that was thumped 31-20 by Taranaki last weekend.



The aspiring All Black will get a chance to make an impact off the bench where he will cover the outside backs.



All Blacks Colin Slade (first five) and Corey Flynn (hooker) return to replace Stephen Brett and Steve Fualau respectively, with both no doubt keen to push their claims for a spot on the end-of-year tour.



And two others also return off the injured list, with Nasi Manu (knee) back at No 8 and Tu Umaga-Marshall (shoulder) reclaiming his spot on the wing. Manu repalces Ash Parker who drops to the bench while Umaga-Marshall comes in for Patrick Osborne who isn not required for the 22 this week.



But it's Williams' axing that will no doubt have lips flapping in the earthquake region, even though he is replaced by a quality individual in the form of Crotty who has finally shaken off his foot problems.



Williams has looked a polished performer on attack in his two starts for the Cantabs (against Northland and Taranaki) and his distribution and offloading in particular has been impressive. He also looked to have established a fair combination with blockbusting centre Robbie Fruean.



But the former league star was not the same imposing figure on defence and last week against Taranaki he made two howlers fielding the loose ball on the deck in wet conditions, both of which led to tries for the home side.



Canterbury coach Rob Penney will no doubt play down Williams' demotion, and it could be they are just looking to take a little pressure off the high-profile new signing who remains under massive scrutiny as he looks to play his way on to the All Black tour.



But it's hard to see how Graham Henry will be pleased with Williams' dropping, with the national selectors surely keen to see as much of the newcomer as they can ahead of their tour selection.



Saturday's week-nine match (kickoff 2.35pm) will be played in front of a near capacity crowd at AMI Stadium after the CRFU, along with partners, opted to make it free admission following the recent earthquakes in the region.



Close to 36,000 people are expected at a game with plenty riding on it. Canterbury lie fourth on the standings, just a point ahead of the Lions. Wellington last won in Christchurch in 2007 and would dearly love to repeat that dose on Saturday.



 CANTERBURY: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis; 8 Ash Parker, 7 George Whitelock (capt), 6 Matt Todd, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Peter Borlase, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Rob Verbakel, 19 Ash Parker, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.

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Aussie league - NRL site...

Image via Wikipedia History beckons: Semi-finals coming.


Wests will be hoping for a repeat of the 2005 preliminary final result when they meet minor premiers St George-Illawarra next Saturday. On Friday night, the Titans await their first ever preliminary final against the resurgent Roosters.

http://www.nrl.com/

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