3N no. 2 Oz vz NZ Eden Park and signs pdv is leaving us...

First topic message reminder :

http://www.allblacks.com/news/16963/Nucifora-impressed-but-Eden-Park-holds-no-fears

Have to admit I dont see the point in Nucifora stating the obvious and seeing that somehow as an advantage.

I love the forum comments on this one:

"Wow such a genius. It matters not that you know the strengths of the All Blacks, dont for one second think that makes you anymore prepared for what you are going to face this weekend. Everyone knew Jonah Lomu was the most dangerous ball runner in the world but did that ever stop him from running straight through over and on top of you?????
And no having a young side is not a possitive considering age'd and experienced sides win world cups. "

My sentiments exactly. Not sure what his point was...but thats the media for you I suppose...

On the Sa front to me his comments say 'thanks and goodbye...'

http://www.allblacks.com/news/16965/Losses-good-for-the-Springboks-future-

I think his brief was to bring this team here to do the best he could with them. He has so far not even echoed a mention about those players not here, nor talked about who he would bring back in etc and is talking about what the next coach will have as a positive.

Not sure if the rules allow it but I reckon pdv has just coached his last test, or at leasrt wont be coming back to NZ i the near future.

boomeranga wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:I remember Cooper being sought after by Parramatta. I don't know how close Cooper actually was to moving, but it seemed a close run thing from what I read. The one billion seems quite high to me, but if thats real, then they will nail down Cooper and a number of others.

Do you see Beale as a league player? For some reason I don't see him fitting in as well as in Rugby. But I can't put my finger on it.

It seems a huge amount to me as well Doctor, as for memory they received about $470m last time. One difference is that the AFL just signed for $1.25bn and they (apparently) used some clever ways of breaking up their content (tv, web, video, phone, free to air v Fox) to maximise their cash and which the NRL will be able rip off. The other side of that coin though is $1.25 is already spent, so how much more can the same companies afford to blow?

I dont know about Kurtley as a leaguie. I'm less convinced of him moving the Cooper, but you would think big money will come for him and JOC eventually as they both also have league background as kids. Losing either of those two would be a huge blow to us.

The TV deal is correct. I think by 2013/2014 it will allow the clubs to lift their salary caps from $4.3mm to $7mm+ which will allow them to write much bigger checks. Cooper will give it a go at some stage. But like SBW he will keep signing 1 year deals. Wouldnt be surprised if he tries league then goes back to union. Him and SBW are mercenaries - its all about playing playing footy and $$ - the code is a secondary matter. Cant see any others going over - if the ABs win the RWC hopefully a lot of W will hang around for another crack in '15.

Can't see Cooper in League. Hes a Tokoroa boy and leagues not in his blood plus he wouldn't handle the defensive side to the game. I mean they've even got digby jumping into the pocket to protect him. He wouldnt get the time and space he gets in rugby to succeed. Tackling will be his reason for not going over.

All Blacks team annouced for 3Ns-2
Owen Franks
Mealamu
Crockett
McCaw[captain]
Thorn
Ali Williams
Kaino
Read
Weepu
Carter
Sivivatu
Nonu
Smith
Gear
Muliana
BENCH
Ben Franks
Hore
Whitelock
Thomson
Ellis
Sonny Boy Williams
Colin Slade
The war of words says the All Blacks are on the down slope,that Mc Caw and Carter are past there best.
Chris Rattue considers that the All blacks have no backs,at least compared to the Wallabies,and that the All Blacks should have established wings by now.
That is the gist of the news in NZ papers today,well Saturday will tell the Tale.
I think some one may be eating there words Sunday Morning !!!

765 tests between them if my maths is right.
That's about as good as it gets other than Dagg and Woodcock in there somewhere.
Only drawback I can see is 5 havn't played for a few weeks including 4 of the pack but that's just nitpicking and is probably an advantage that they'll be fresh.
This is one heck of a strong team AND bench.
On the AB site Henry has emphasised the need for the intensity to lift considerably and this test marks the first real test for 2011 in the SH where all cards are on the table.

If Oz win this this weekend I'll be the first to congratulate them as it looks a formidable outfit on paper...

a somewhat predictable lineup apart from assigning sivivatu to ioane duties , Cory jane is the specialist right wing, I dont see why they are going away from the multiple fullbacks which has worked so well in recent weeks....

I tend to agree,this is THE one to win the rest they can mess about a clear win for the All Blacks .
Without conceding bonus points Bledisloe locked up for another year then it is to getting what points both sides can from away legs.

I think Sivivatu is being thrown to the wolves a little bit. Last chance to impress when the pressure is on. I'll expect to see the wing positions rotated in the away legs.
No Toeava? No back line utility full stop? has GH turned a page? I would've thought Weepu could cover 9/10 and there wouldn't be a need both on the bench.

As mentioned in an earlier post it's also a departure from the recent trend to play "high ball wingers"/an extra full back with two running wings as per 2008. Looks like Henry thinks the Wallabies will keep the ball in hand all night.

The points of interest for me will be in rating the Wallaby scrum progress, and to see if another rearranged side can get the defense coordinated.

Crockett's certainly done well to retain his spot and the work hes put in since the mauling he got against Italy. Sometimes you just get to a point where they'll never get back in. I thought Crockett was that back then.

Bonus for the AB's with now 4 reliable props when Woodcock returns.
With Slade around and Dagg and Toeava returning we now have pretty good cover for all positions, though no genuine specialist 7 oddly enough...

He either thinks the Wallabies are going to hold onto the ball or they wont get any which seems a little optimistic.
sometimes Genia likes to get that extra yard away from the scrum, with the Number 8 distributing from the scrum base , its at that point when the scrum goes down to 7 men that the second shove comes on and result in a loosehead feed to the other side.

Taylorman
they're playing 7 and 8 as a combination. Hence you saw both mcCaw and Thomson packing at 8 last week and at the back of the lineout on opposition throws..

The Australian tactics for this match suddenly become very interesting I agree with that back selection. Still think they'll look to the area behind Nonu as he isnt a fast turner and gets up on his man quick.

Someones gotta fill that hole. Carter exploited it last week with his chip through.

Clearly they'll run at Cooper as without admitting it a 'sore toe' recovery of a couple of months wont exactly displease everyone.

Reads form was devastating end of the SXV and we'll need more of that from both him and Thorne and agree Grey, the scrum situation is huge. Larsen will have been targetting this for some time

This test has excitement written all over it. Can't wait...

Yep, saw that Laurie. Thinking more around injuries.

McCaw injured means we lose speed to and around the breakdown and someone else in the 7/8 role with Read Thompson wont be as quick. Its a bit of a risk but not huge.

Tabloids sure are making a meal of the aged team we have on Saturday.

Its certainly in contrast with the Oz whippersnappers- O'Connor was 4 living in Brisbane when Brad Thorn made his Bronco's debut in the same city. Now they're in the same match- amazing.

Have to admit it does make some reading looking at those ages down the list.

'Aged' teams have won it before- 2007 and 2003 fairly good examples. Ideally there should be a better mix of ages "Wise heads and athletes" so to speak though I think the ABs and Oz seem to be at both ends of the spectrum. SA have some old war horses as well depending on who makes the field.

Doesnt seem to fit our methodology either- expansive fast rugby.

Interesting...

Average age is 29. I don't see it as an issue though - it could end up being perfect timing or perhaps their peak was really last year. Notwithstanding one year past their peak will probably still be good enough.
Will be interesting to see how Mealamu, Thorn and Reid go as this is their first game back in a while.

The AB backline is pretty conservative. SBW seems to be on the outer a bit - I think the Reds managed to keep him pretty quiet later in the season so if he is not rampaging through defences perhaps Henry thinks he is not a safe option. You need X factor this season as all sides will front up with quite sound defence. Those sides who can find a way through defences and score tries will prevail.

ABs will dominate the scrum as W still not there with their front row - best options still not available. But my interest will be whether it is improving. It hasn't really been tested yet.

This should be one of the games of the season.

Rob B wrote: Those sides who can find a way through defences and score tries will prevail.

Man this is sure true for the ABs...nothing through the midfield between 30-60 minutes.
Been saying this for years with the ABs during their WC exits.
-Mortlocks intercept through our midfield in 2003 then a complete Oz blackout on defence...
-AB's did nothing 2007 second half through midfield and in 1999 the French tore through it with and scored long range.
-Campese/ Horan magic ripped through again in 91 and we couldnt do anything again.

Us putting Fullbacks at Centre hasnt helped either but agree 100% Rob, finding a way through is the answer and generally, in tight WC matches where Oz and France are concerned- thats done us at dinner time every time.

And it always seems to come at Wcup time...choke...choke...choke...

The side picked is almost the strongest possible,the pack certainly Woodcock just out of his moon boot with 40 minutes ITM Rugby never an option.Afoa with a Broken cheek bone ditto.No Problem Crockett is the form 3Ns loosehead and not far away from world number one.
The Brothers Grimm are in standard Rotation mode,one game at a time forget RWC for now.
IF the ABs had a couple of games under there belt unchanged I would be happier.Seven changes versus against an unchanged team is a lot.
Interesting the injury cover guys are getting the game time.
I doubt Henry is taking anything for granted about how OZ will play he`s to crafty for that.
A Bit concerned that both wings only just returned from injury,if they pull up lame.
Means either we will see Nonu,Slade,or even SBW there,a specialist 7 seems a luxury for the moment but thee are genuine alternatives in NZ now.
A couple of years ago people were kicking to Sivivatu to catch him out of position and forced him to kick.He coped very well then so don`t see a problem now.
Interesting that Henry has revived the Practice used by Kel Tremain and John Graham at scrum time alternating 7and 8.
With Read back at Eight the practice will cease probably,hopefully this match ABs will play it straight without any weird,unfamaliar combos.
I expect Wallabies will strike early,try to build a lead,if they are leading in the last 20 minutes I think they have a real chance to win.
Last year they caught the all Blacks cold several times.
I don`t think SBw will start,being used off the bench most of the year,since he is not committing to NZ Rugby he`s a disposable luxury.
Warming a place till his replacement comes along,this one will be close,but Home win.

allen
the alternating 7/8 combination thing is not done merely to revisit history,its about increasing the chances of winning turnover ball at the breakdown and keeping the penalties at a minimum.
Presently our best ball winner on the ground is McCaw, the intention is to get McCaw more often arriving at the breakdown as the "2nd man",as the "2nd man " in at the moment has abetter opportunity to effect the turnover...

And let's hope he arrives through the gate and not the side door

Unless there is no ruck formed of course. Which is usually the case when opposition fans are bemoaning McCaw being "on the wrong side".

TheGreyGhost wrote:Unless there is no ruck formed of course. Which is usually the case when opposition fans are bemoaning McCaw being "on the wrong side".

+1

-1

boomeranga wrote:-1

In fairness, 'tis only the men with whistles who's opinions really count on that one . Mcaw's genius is his ability to figure out quicker than most what a given referee will call. Coupled with having the athleticism and anticipation to actually be in the right place to do anything ...

There's definetly no need for us to rehash it anyway KRD.

Fair point