20 METROSPORT Monday, November 30, 2009 D RUGBY international by john donnelly Flannery delight as Ireland build on Grand Slam Jerry Flannery reflected on a near-perfect autumn by declaring Ire- land had lived up to their reputation as Grand Slam champions. Declan Kidneys men completed their november internationals with a brutal 15-10 triumph over South af- rica played against a macabre back- drop of heavy fog that added to the intensity of the spectacle. Occasionally thrilling, mostly ugly but always compelling, a match billed as the battle of the hemispheres pro- duced a third successive home victory over the World Cup holders. For once the Tri-nations winners had been sent packing by the masters of europe and Flannery was delighted by Irelands refusal to dine out on past achievements. It would have tarnished the Grand Slam had we shown up this autumn and had a poor series, said the all-ac- tion Munster hooker. Weve come a long way and I take satisfaction from the way things havent dropped off after the Grand Slam. I was worried that might happen but the players and management took steps to ensure it didnt. We wanted to test to ourselves against South africa to see how we are progressing as a team. This win is a big lift for us because we have massive respect for the Springboks theyre an awesome side. Were still no world beaters but weve progressed from the Six nations. Were proud of what weve achieved. Ireland had every right to bask in the glory of a deserved victory that was more commanding than the scoreline suggests because at times they made hard work of dispatching a team clear- ly running on empty. apart from a brisk start, Schalk Burgers 16th- minute try and a late assault spear- headed by prop Tendai Mtawarira, South africa offered little in attack. Man of the match rob Kearney, flawless throughout, thrived amid the Were still no world beaters but weve progressed from the Six Nations an Sexton, in only his second Test, made them pay with five penalties. The result completed an unbeaten year for Ireland, a sequence spanning ten matches that has won Declan Kid- ney the IrB coach of the year award. Kidney has been key presence in Irelands transformation into a genu- ine global force, but Flannery insists Gert Smals contribution was crucial to toppling the Springboks. Forwards coach Smal worked with South africas during their successful World Cup campaign and his inside knowledge proved invaluable. Gert Smal gave us a good insight into the mentality of the Springboks, said Flannery. He gave us a glimpse of the mental strength thats got them where they are. We spoke about going through 2009 undefeated but even if wed lost all our gameswewouldstillhavegonehammer and tongs at the world champions. running wild: irelands tommy bowe skips by the diving tackle of South african captain john Smit RACING: Denman will defend his unbeaten record at Newbury in the Aon Chase in February his sole outing before the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding became the first horse since Arkle and third in history to win two Hennessy Gold Cups as he beat stablemate What A Friend by three and a half lengths on Saturday. Nicholls said: Weve been from hell and back last year but for him to come through in that sort of form was really, really good. I would have been happy if hed have run fourth and fifth but Denman was at his very best. CriCKet: triumphant england captain andrew Strauss hailed his sides bowlers after a dominant seven-wicket win in the fourth one-dayer saw the tourists take a 2-1 series lead over South africa. englands attack, led in exceptional fashion by james anderson (five for 23), excelled in knocking over the Proteas for just 119 and england lost just three wickets in their chase. the key was to start well, Strauss said. jimmy was outstanding, but today was a day for the bowling unit as a whole and they complemented each other very well. TENNIS: Nikolay Davydenko celebrated joining the sports most illustrious names following his 6-3, 6-4 victory over Juan Martin del Potro in the final of the World Tour Finals in London. The Russian had already beaten Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and made it a clean sweep of this years grand slam winners with a dominant win over the US Open champion. Davydenko, who lost in the final last year, said: Until 2008, so many names there, like Djokovic, Federer, everyone, [Pete] Sampras. In 2009 the name Davydenko stays forever for this trophy. I think its amazing. For my name to be there is amazing. rUGby: italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the Six nations after undergoing knee surgery yesterday that will sideline him for six months. the Stade Francais flanker had his anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed in his right knee after getting hurt in training last week. italy team doctor Gianluca Melegati said: Parisse will be able to walk with crutches and will immediately begin physiotherapy. the time of recovery is estimated at 180 days. nick Malletts italy ended a 13-game losing streak by beating Samoa 24-6 on Saturday. SPORTDigest big name: davydenko Victorious: Flannery relentless aerial bombardment and the Springboks, playing the final match of a magnificent season, did not have the strength or energy to ex- ecute a more dynamic plan B. Their discipline suffered and Jonath- Player of the year: McCaw Red-faced Wales have no answers JOnaTHan THOMaS admitted Wales were embarrassed after australia subjected them to their worst home defeat in two years. The Wallabies waltzed away in a one- sided encounter and the 33-12 scoreline and a 4-0 try count hardly did justice to their dominance. Boos rang around the Millennium Stadium as a dejected, demoralised Wales trooped off, having suffered the second-heaviest loss of coach Warren Gatlands 22-Test reign. as a group of players we are embarrassed to put on a performance like that, said Ospreys forward Thomas. It is something we cant allow to happen again. It was very fast and very physical, but it is always like that when you play against the top nations. We have played enough Tests that we knew what to expect. We lost a lot of 50-50s in the air, we lost a lot of contact situations on the floor. We lost the battle, full stop. and the scars were physical as well as mental, with Shane Williams, Matthew rees and leigh Halfpenny forced off injured inside the first 30 minutes. McCaw is given IRBs top honour New ZealaNd captain Richie McCaw has become the first man to win the International Rugby Board Player of the Year award twice after being announced as the 2009 winner. The 28-year-old flanker, who previously won in 2006, saw off stiff competition, notably from Irelands Brian Odriscoll and South africa scrum-half Fourie du Preez, and was presented with this years award after Saturday nights impressive 39-12 victory over France in Marseille. It is a huge honour. I am extremely proud. I am just happy to be part of a team doing well, McCaw said in a statement. I am happy to do my bit, but it is a great honour. I said it before, you cant do it without a bunch of mates. It has been a trying year at times, but it is great to be part of a winning team. South africa were named Team of the Year after taking the Tri- Nations and beating the British and Irish lions. Picture: PA index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html