Australia vs South Africa at a test match held in 2017

© Joe McInally

Fifth ranked New Zealand defeats world number one South Africa in what has been labelled ‘the upset of the event’ and has been predicted to move Australia to clear favourites to win the World Cup.

Following a win against United Kingdom yesterday, New Zealand have done the unexpected defeatingSouth Africa 16 goals to 14, in a nail-biting matchat IOR Morgan Park on Tuesday April 23.

Beau Moore was an absolute stand out, shutting down South Africa’s key playerGraham MacLarty (male player of the match in Monday’s game between South Africa and Ireland). In the ladies side, Beth Peaker was very strong in the back of the line out, with these ladies lucky enough to have the champion Australian Stock Horse, Berragoon Percussion, on their team.

Australia and New Zealand played a preparation test match in March 2019, with Australia defeating New Zealand in all games. Perhaps it was this preparation that assisted New Zealand, or perhaps it is the balanced pool of horses supplied to all teams? What we do know is that this is a strong indicator of how the green and gold are positioned for this World Cup.

According to two times AustralianWorld Cup winning team coach, Ross Shepherd believes that this result could impact on the World Cup semifinals.

“If New Zealand defeat Ireland in their third game on Wednesday, New Zealand will finish on the top of their pool and will alter the predicted semifinal results”

“I think South Africa lost their way under the pressure. They would not have felt that kind of pressure in the last two world cups”

Ross went on to comment “Champion teams like SA and Zambia will find a way, just like Zambia did in their almost upset against Zimbabwe today”.

World Cup game results and highlights

Game: United Kingdom vs Ireland

Final Score: United kingdom 20 defeated Ireland 14

Awards: Female Player of the Match (sponsored by Carroll Truck Sales): Jason Webb (UK)Male Player of the Match (sponsored by Carroll Truck Sales): Charlotte Pykett (UK)Men’s Horse of the Match (sponsored by Black Toyota): Django (#77) Women’s Horse of the Match (sponsored by IOR Petroleum): Jaylyn Downs Joy (#73)
 

Game: Zambiavs Zimbabwe

Final score: Zambia 21 defeated Zimbabwe 19

Awards: Female Player of the Match (sponsored by Carroll Truck Sales): Damien Harris (ZAM) Male Player of the Match (sponsored by Carroll Truck Sales): Sophie Sargeant (ZIM) Men’s Horse of the Match (sponsored by Black Toyota): Berragoon Ace (#118) Women’s Horse of the Match (sponsored by IOR Petroleum): Piccaninny (#82)

Game: Australia vs USA

Final score: Australia 29 defeated USA 14

Awards: Female Player of the Match (sponsored by Carroll Truck Sales): Abbott Grills (AUS) Male Player of the Match (sponsored by Carroll Truck Sales): Lauren Sillitoe (AUS) Men’s Horse of the Match (sponsored by Black Toyota): JH Stonemason (#120) Women’s Horse of the Match (sponsored by IOR Petroleum): Leggetts Halo (#30)

Game: New Zealand vs South Africa

Final score: New Zealand 16 defeated South Africa 14

Awards: Female Player of the Match (sponsored by Carroll Truck Sales): Beau Moore (NZ)Male Player of the Match (sponsored by Carroll Truck Sales): Beth Peaker (NZ) Men’s Horse of the Match (sponsored by Black Toyota): Nungaburra Mavis (#103) Women’s Horse of the Match (sponsored by IOR Petroleum): Jaylyn Downs Perth (#75)

Results of all World Cup games will be released live on the website post each game.

Full details on results for the Barastoc Interstate competition can be viewed here.

Tomorrow, on day three of the Adina Polocrosse World Cup will see South Africa, Australia, UK and Zambia enjoy a rest day, whilst Zimbabwe face USA and new Zealand face Ireland.

An article about the Adina Polocrosse World Cup featured in our latest issue of Equestrian Life Magazine! To find out more about this article or what else was in our latest issue, click here!

Source: Event press release

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