TN#5 ABs vs Wallabies. Christchurch

[Teach]

       

I'm enjoying reading the recriminations across the ditch. Pocock is the only one that nobody wants to drop.
It's all about "aaargh what can we do!?"

Face it guys there is not a lot you can do. You can play well, but will only look good when the All Blacks LET you look good... and while that might happen next Saturday, I seriously doubt it.

I'd say ABs by 17

[Geeves]

What's that comment about the bigger the ego the bigger and harder the fall? 

As I have already mentioned I'm expecting the wallabies to fall short again but do not think it will be the same next year, baring injuries.  I personally believe that the wallabies will have the team that will set the standard in about 2 years. The quality of the youngsters coming through is simply outstanding.  There is a group now just starting to be blooded that need the exposure to this level. Scarily most are now coming through the QLD ranks that have learnt to play rugby the hard way a hell of a lot of losses but now have the confidence. There are also a smattering in the other states that are developing very nicely (I haven't listed them all)

Lets have a look both Faingaa (hooker and IC) and the third one (ACT) aint bad either but still way behind pocock
Prop: Slipper, Daley(not 100% sure on him yet)
Locks: Simmons, Douglas (NSW)
Loosies: Higgenbottom and the QLD trio I'm expecting to explode next year Gill (7), Quirk (6) & Schatz (7/8)
OC: Chambers
Back three: Davies, Fainifo (ACT), McCabe (ACT), Morahan

When we get back the other players that are injured or suspended: Alexander (prop), TPN (hooker), Cooper, Horwill, Palu (do need a long term replacement for him though), Hynes and especially Ioane its one hell of a different side that will be on the park.

[Teach]

Just looked at at Rocky's post-match again - doesn't look good for the Wallabies.

We just need to go a lot harder than them.

Mate if you think you can beat the All Blacks by "going harder", then you are in deep trouble.

When an AB's team is playing good rugby, they can almost never be beaten by "going harder". You beat them by playing smart, low-error rugby with a game plan emphasising your own strengths.

Good luck finding that performance.

Geeves. I just saw your post. Mate this isn't ego, and I won't be crying if we lose. I enjoy Test rugby because it's a test, not a foregone conclusion. I stand by my prediction as a best estimate, I could make it lower to appear more humble, or try and protect myself from future disappointment, but it would be false.

I'm just enjoying this time of AB dominance (wouldn't you?). Sure 2 years from now could be different, 6 months from now could be different. I'm sure you are right about WB's player stocks improving, I don't see that as a bad thing, bring it on.

[Teach]

All Blacks: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Benson Stanley.

With Weepu in, anybody north of Otago will say this a better starting XV than last week.

I'd say the only reason Dagg is out is so that he can play a whole domestic game next weekend instead of just 5-10 minutes of test rugby?

[Hamish]

I'd say the only reason Dagg is out is so that he can play a whole domestic game next weekend instead of just 5-10 minutes of test rugby?

and as a HB supporter, I'm OK with that     

[BallBoy]

All Blacks: 20 Alby Mathewson

Finally - hope he gets 30 mins

[Geeves]

Wallbies side is: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma'afu, Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Cameron Shepherd.

A few comments:

The Faingaa twins are starting.  Saia is starting to find his feet in the squad and is back to making his customary hard tackling and pilfering best.  While Anthony at IC gets rid of the confusion of two crabbing 5/8's.  A hard runner and solid tackler.  I look forward to seeing how he goes against Nonu.  As he was not at his best against the Hurricanes this year.

Mitchell is very very lucky that the talented wingers are injured at the moment.  (Hynes, Ioane, Etc, etc).  The movement of AAC to OC is not good either.  Once again its forced by injuries (Horne, Chambers) and I'm expecting the AB's to have little problem getting past Beale.

I think Mumm is also very lucky that Simmons is not starting.  I'm expecting Simmons to get about 30 min this week.

The 4/3 split on the bench isn't the best.  I would have liked to see Higgenbottom in the side on the bench, Hodgson starting and Brown picking up rubbish on the side of the road.

[DH]

The Wallabies are due a sneaky win. Reckon they might do it this time. Wallabies by 3!

cheers
DH

[Teach]

C'mon DH. You know they are saving their sneaky win card until the RWC

[DH]

C'mon DH. You know they are saving their sneaky win card until the RWC

No Teach, you know full well those wins are JAMMY sneaky wins! ;-)

Law of averages would state that the Wallabies win 2.8 / 10 against the AB's. To have 9 wins in a row...

Reckon they are due for a win!

cheers
DH

[DH]

Crikey - not only potentially 9 wins in a row...the last 20 tests the AB's have won 16!!!! 80% win record.

Definitely the Wobblies are due a win. Law of averages, thats what it is!

cheers
DH
 

[Geeves]

Don't get me started about law of averages, probability, risk and uncertainty.

I visit this site to stop doing that.  Just let me tell you DH that your theory is about on par with SA conspiracy theories

[Dingo]

C'mon DH. You know they are saving their sneaky win card until the RWC

No Teach, you know full well those wins are JAMMY sneaky wins! ;-)

Law of averages would state that the Wallabies win 2.8 / 10 against the AB's. To have 9 wins in a row...

Reckon they are due for a win!

Well lets hope its this weekend as we will only play them twice more this year and twice again before the world cup final so that will only be five in a row when Richie hoists the cup in Auckland

[Geeves]

Well lets hope its this weekend as we will only play them twice more this year and twice again before the world cup final so that will only be five in a row when Richie hoists the cup in Auckland

Already getting cocky about the RWC.  Damn Dingo I remember your optimism last time.  And then the crash.

Such memories.

[Teach]

... You beat them by playing smart, low-error rugby with a game plan emphasising your own strengths.

Good luck finding that performance.

Ooh bloody close to finding it, a few too many errors, but a great performance by the Wallabies.

ABs did let them have a lot of possession, I couldn't understand some of our kicking tonight, It was almost like they wanted some tackling practice? Pretty masochistic giving away possession in rugby these days. We were having to tackle and sweat through double digit phases time and again before getting a breakdown turnover or forcing some error, then two phases later it's "here you go - have another crack".

Oppenents with patience in possession (vs our lack of patience) has always been the sign of AB team about to lose. I seriously thought we might - regardless of the current difference in the teams. Happy to get the win though, and 1.99 trophies in the cupboard  , But the real bonus is our boys will also get a kick up the a...

Always handy if you want them to stay sharp