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Geoff is a Melbourne based sports fanatic and writer, who started contributing to The Roar in 2012, originally under the pen name Allanthus. His first book, A World in Conflict; the Global Battle For Rugby Supremacy was released in Dec 2017 to critical acclaim. For details on the book visit www.geoffparkes.com Meanwhile, his twin goals of achieving a single figure golf handicap and owning a fast racehorse remain tantalisingly out of reach.
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It all began on the 13th August 1921. New Zealand versus South Africa may not be rugby’s oldest rivalry, but incorporating the two nations who take rugby more seriously than anyone else, it is indisputably the game’s greatest.
Older readers will recall the 1960s science fiction series Lost in Space, in which the Robinson family, at the hand of the evil Dr Zachary Smith, found themselves careering off course into the depths of space.
In the way that television broadcasters like to construct a narrative, anyone watching the lead-up to Stan Sport’s coverage of last night’s Rugby Championship Test between the Wallabies and Springboks would have been excused for thinking that this match was all about Quade Cooper.
For all of the All Blacks’ nineteen-year long dominance over Australia, it is worth pointing out that a clean sweep of matches has only been achieved three times in the last decade.
No rugby was played this weekend, but with the remnants of several recent unsavoury events still lingering in the air like a Faf de Klerk box kick, it felt like a good time to take stock of where the game of rugby currently sits.
COVID is doing strange things to people. Originally thought to be a respiratory virus, the delta variant has since been shown to attack common sense and rational thought and turn people – who more than ever should be supporting each other – against each other.
It says a lot that the record 57-22 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday, was not the worst thing to happen to Australian rugby over the last few days.
Magic Round, held in Brisbane on May 14-16, was the moment rugby league changed direction and finally got serious about concussion.
Since their last win at Eden Park in 1986, the Wallabies have endured what is now 21 straight losses at New Zealand’s home of rugby, many by margins in excess of 20 and 30 points.
When all of the nonsense associated with this Lions versus South Africa series is stripped away – and that will take some doing – what will be left is a measure of both sides against rugby’s base elements.
A week on from Australia’s thrilling 33-30 third Test victory against France in Brisbane, it felt like a good time to ask Rugby Australia’s Director of Rugby, Scott Johnson, about the importance of the series win for the Wallabies.
The “red cards ruin matches” brigade were out early in Brisbane on Saturday night; in the fifth minute to be precise, with match officials conspiring to dismiss Marika Koroibete, and seemingly hand the three-match series to France on a platter.
This time a week ago, anticipating the first Test match of the season, one simple objective was identified. After only one win in Dave Rennie’s first year, the Wallabies needed to beat France by whatever means, by whatever margin, and get their season started on a positive track.
Last week, in part-one, we looked at the wide-ranging responsibilities of a captain, how these have historically been ill-defined, and how informal and formal leadership groups have become en-vogue, so as to spread the load, and to better prepare future captains.
In ten days the 2021 international season kicks off in Brisbane when Australia takes on France in a fixture rescheduled to Suncorp Stadium.
Sean Wainui scoring five tries on Saturday night – a Super Rugby record – was impressive enough, but it was what he said afterwards that was the real story.
A superb kick by Western Force captain Kyle Godwin, converted into an 80th minute try by a flying Julian Olowofela, must have felt like a dagger to the heart of the bonus-point-seeking Crusaders.
Grammarians universally frown upon the modern usage of the word ‘learnings’ as a dubious pluralisation of a singular noun. Meanwhile, rugby players and people aged under 30 wonder what on earth a grammarian is and continue to use ‘learnings’ with gay abandon.
Like George Washington famously fessing up to his father about chopping down a cherry tree, Chiefs’ halfback and captain, Brad Weber is always great value for his frank and honest post-match assessments. Like all good halfbacks, he couldn’t tell a lie if he tried.
It’s all to do with Wales’ early success. The ‘original’ AB’s toured the UK in 1905 and won 34/35 matches (hell of a tour) dropping only the Test v Wales, 3-0. That was controversial because an apparent try to All Black Bob Deans was ruled a no try, because a defender had pulled him back off the try line before the referee arrived (where was the TMO when we needed him?).
Wales then won two of the next three matches, in 1935 and 1953. Since then, the AB’s have won all 31 matches played.
That run of success has, ironically, helped diminish the rivalry. There were some epic contests over the years, particularly in the 70’s when Wales were dominant in the UK, had had so many brilliant, iconic players.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
I’m really looking forward to both games, KP
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Interesting perspective West. It feels like Foster has it right, this is definitely something to get excited over.
Perhaps the Boks are foxing a wee bit, playing it down in public?
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Thanks for putting that up, Tony!
“Who says we’re favourites?” 😂 😂
At least he eventually did get around to talking about how the preparation is a wee bit different after a good win, when guys are starting to feel more confident and comfortable about themselves.
'Who says we're favourites?' Dave Rennie isn't buying into Wallabies' status ahead of Argentina Tests
😂
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Must have been a heck of an experience being there live, Tom.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
For many years #8 NZ and Australia didn’t play each other all that much (hard to believe compared to now!) and NZ’s 2nd most important rugby rivalry, after South Africa, was with Wales.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Thanks for the post, Chucked. I agree that looks like it’s a well selected side for this week.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
That’s true Faith and it is continuing to evolve as well.
It is right to say that the fierce rivalry was forged between NZ and mostly Afrikaans heritage, and of course, even though rugby is well integrated now, it’s popularity is nothing compared to football and the same intensity isn’t there across the population.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Yes, bit of both, robbo.
Memory isn’t so good when it comes to the list of home jobs I’ve been asked to attend to.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Thanks for that Step and Compress, awesome post.
It’s all coming back to me about how it all went down in the stadium.
The rage against the dying light, as it were.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
I lived one year in Stafford St, Muzzo, so the Rugby was pretty close by. But we never drank there regularly.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Tiger Taylor! Now there’s a blast from the past.
I remember the publican’s name was Gary. And there was a bloke called Arthur who used to man the darts bar on the side, downstairs. I reckon his pay deal was no cash, just drink all you want. And Gary would have come out a loser.
The bikies controlled the main bar downstairs. We didn’t go in there and they left us alone.
I know we’ve discussed before some of the great bands that went through the Cook upstairs. But the best thing about the place was the quality of their pies, made in house. I still don’t reckon I’ve come across better.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
TBH I don’t go out of my way to watch the pre-match stuff, Muglair.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
I reckon Bridge is a very complete player, BBoy, and has had some excellent matches for the AB’s.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
I played on there a few times Muzzo, it was usually pretty good.
If it got too wet they used to shove us out to Tahuna Park, out by the beach.
Bit of a dump, awful showers.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Nice post, thanks Haydn.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Brilliant post, muzzo.
I didn’t realise you were at the match in 2013, that must have been special.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
I don’t know how many tries the AB’s have scored in their history Tony, it would be thousands.
But thank one would definitely rank in the most iconic and famous top two or three.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
It would be chaos now, wouldn’t it? Imagine all of the possibilities. And the heckling.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
“Probably wished I had studied a little more though”
Don’t we all, mate – our attitude was very much, 51 was a mark wasted!
A few of us had a system where we’d prep for exams in the library, put in a couple of hours, then go across to the Cook for a ‘reward’ beer and pie, go back to the library, put in another hour, then back to the Cook, then… nah, bugger it, may as well settle in here.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
That’s it kev. Kiwis still desperately want to win on Saturday, but they want to earn it the hard way.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
That viewpoint was definitely widespread, Spew.
I’m sure you’ll appreciate the need for an article like this to acknowledge but not get too bogged down in what was a very complex situation.
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'
Yeah those old Manunui changing rooms were a shocker, Adam!
I remember some of our guys wouldn’t bother with the showers and just have a wash in the river instead. 😂
Celebrating 100 Tests and 100 years: 'There's never a winner in NZ vs South Africa, just the next battle'