The NH teams must sneak a win or two down south.

First topic message reminder :

So by tomorrow Australia will be taking on Scotland in a one off test before Scotland head home to face Fiji and Samoa. Australia in the mean time will have to face Wales only 5 days later.

All this amidst a Super XV competition that has been halted in midstride to quickly polish off three weeks of test rugby.

Effectively Robbie Deans has 1 day to prepare for Scotland, then 3 days to prepare for Wales as three of his Franchises were still playing Super Rugby this past weekend.

To make matters worse some of his greatest playmakers will not be available as they are either still injured or hasn’t had enough game time.

Injury list for Australia: James O’Connor, Quade Cooper.

South Africa on the other hand has a few days more to prepare for England who will be chomping at the bit, to gain a much needed away victory against SA. But Heyeneke Meyer himself has quite a few challenges to face. His two stalwarts Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez has (thankfully) declined to front up, and due to injuries in his forwards he will be without Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Duane Vermeulen, Jean Deysel and Andries Bekker.

Surely with so little time to prepare and so many first class players not available in the forward pack, England must fancy their chances.
Hansen himself is not going to have it easy even against an Ireland team that has never beaten the All Blacks, however some injuries and lack of preparation may just work to the advantage of Decclan Kidney.

The reason why this is happening, and in my opinion very poorly planned is obviously to do with money, but in all honesty as much as I am looking forward to it, it seems ridiculous that it has been planned this way.

What it does provide though, is an opportunity for the NH teams to sneak a win down south. It will be the best opportunity for the NH to gain ground on their SH counterparts and it should make for interesting viewing.

I can’t wait.

If IRE win a single game it would probably be the greatest result in their history... esp without Ferris or O'Connell.

NZ simply don't do losing at home.

4 matches in 10 years (in 60 games with half of those being against AUS & SA).

With NZ as world champions there will be a lot of pride at stake. They are the offical kings of the hill now.

IMO they are going to come out with full intent to put 40 points on IRE in each test... no disrespect to IRE.... if WAL or ENG went to NZ it would be the same.

These tests are the same as the AI's for the test sides but in reverse. However the one thing which benefits the SH sides is that they have already played half a season of club rugby.

In the NH players will be lucky to play perhaps 4 times before playing their first AI test.... SH teams have played 12.

Money is very important at the moment... only 2 unions regularly make money every year... the others barely survive and flipflop between profit and loss year on year.
Its bad for the players but until they find a way to increase their revenues over a sustainable period they will always cram in as many games as they can/push the players to braking point.

Ireland has a good record for upset the world cup holders.

NZ changing a lot of players and the new coaches. Especially missing "enforcement" type player with no Brad Thorn and not Jerome Kaino so might have some soft spot! Also NZ always have bad first game at home and weakest show of the year and make only focus on the basic play.

NZ might also be underestimate Ireland and save some options "rested" like Nonu and try to make Piri Weepu on the fast diet.

Also even though all blacks so good also Ireland too good to having the silly record about don't win. So some bad luck in the past. Maybe time to be lucky! Also some time there was not so much long tour and just one game is easiest to losing.

I don't surprise if Ireland winning at least one this time!

Why is your syntax changing constantly???

Why you using too many punctuators?

anotherworldofpain wrote:

wales606 wrote:Ireland who finished 4th in the 6Ns to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand - a task which only the best SA, Australian and French teams have done.

When was the last time NZ lost at home? - A couple of years ago against France? - Aus haven't done it for ages and I don't think SA have since 08?

Ireland have very little hope im afraid, England and Wales have a chance.

And I cant see Scotland losing to Fiji and Samoa in Scotland.

A bit is logic Wales606! Time will tell and we can discuss after in the brightness of true!

France finished 4th. Ireland finished 3rd.

Again...

anotherworldofpain wrote:Why you using too many punctuators?

Oh dear...classic...

Every year about this time the NH sides tour the SH,this year the SH sides are sandwiched mid Super Series.IF you look at the Historical Records of the respective SH home records.You will note few home losses by these Countries
versus anyone.Mostly it is losses amongst themselves,the exceptions being England during the early 21st century and France.[France series wins SA 1958,1964,4 wins out of 12 v ABs in NZ].I am interested to see that some SA and OZ fans consider there sides the strongest SH sides.On what evidence i`m not sure, last years 3Ns was vitually uncontested by Nz and SA in RWC year.
Reds won the Super title with a Home Semi,and Final,and was the most consistent side true.THAT is the norm for the Tournament only one side has won a Super title off shore.In recent years the All Blacks away record is 77% there Home record about 81.5 %.Injuries have hurt ALL the teams contending
this Summer and Tours of this nature have`nt occurred for at least 10 years.
The All Blacks may have weaknesses at lock,6,9,and wing according to some pundits.To discard THE best current 9 Andy Ellis,and form of players like Jason Eaton at Lock hardly shows lack of confidence by NZ selectors.At 6 Thomson has been playing out of his skin,Vito is a sound substitute,Read is a 6 to even CaptainTackles can play there if needs be.Hosae Gear or Zack Guildford are both Class wings,Savea tho inexperienced can cover either.BUT Ben Smith is most likely going for the utility bit.At Lock Ali Williams isn`t the Ali of old,and IF facing Matfield and Botha I would be concerned.BUT he is a highly experienced Lock,a good Lineout exponent,solid in the Scrum and at Kick Offs the key Lock duties.Romanao and Berkuis will gain game time off the Bench,Hoerta maybe getting a run later as will other promising players.Carter and McCaw are both better of from there enforced rest,RM now pain free for first time in about 18 months.Australia have a habit of finding ways around not having a dominant Pack.BUT don`t underate there Scrum,SA have a lot of names new to me but
Boks never pick weak teams outside RWC years.
Incidentally All Black losses at home since 1903 France 4,England 1 v NH sides.

Ladt year Deans got ripped when Samoa took the first test for the year. Tonights has a similar ring to it but difference is last years will serve as the motivation for it.

Weird night for a test...

Irelands only chance I believe is this Saturday at Eden Park...and what a place to do it...

If they win that they probably wont win any others...not a lot worse than a wounded AB team at home where I think theyll be laughed at for losing the record more than actually being sore about it. We know it has to go sometime and frankly I'd rather see it go than not one day.

Bit generous of you there TM

If we lose one, it'll well and truly rip my undies and I wont be laughing one bit. Glad the coaches don't have your 'we're going to lose 1 one day so why not now' attitude. No mercy, pummel them

I actually tink that Ireland have a better chance of getting that first win away from home. Not necessarily this time (although Kidney will always have that one match wonder in his teams).

The timing of tours is better coming at the end of the season than in the Autumn, for Ireland anyway, and there is the galvanising factor of playing the world's best team on their own patch on the other side of the planet with players nearing the end, but with plenty left in the tank.

Despite some injuries, there is a pretty good blend of youth and experience in this Irish squad and I don't think NZ will take them too lightly.

If they do, we may sneak a win. It would make my decade!

If Ross isn't fit, and if the Kiwi's watched Ireland's last game against England, they'll happily scrummage us off the park and run in a heap of tries. We've next to no chance this year.

"Irish eyes will be looking to the heavens for a down pour of biblical proportions and hope that their great club form from Leinster, Munster and Ulster players all fire up for their first victory over the ABs. Never say never, they get three goes at it."

i agree although i would not want to be in a green jersey next saturday vs an all blacks side that just lost......that team racks up points very quickly

Unfortunate the "great club" made of a lot of import players. So is not translate like this.

Bullsbok wrote:"Irish eyes will be looking to the heavens for a down pour of biblical proportions and hope that their great club form from Leinster, Munster and Ulster players all fire up for their first victory over the ABs. Never say never, they get three goes at it."

i agree although i would not want to be in a green jersey next saturday vs an all blacks side that just lost......that team racks up points very quickly

God no,rain is the last thing we want.

anotherworldofpain wrote:Unfortunate the "great club" made of a lot of import players. So is not translate like this.

Not True.

It seems the respect is all one way in this one, maybe deservedly so, but I'm peeved non the less.......

Ireland to win the series 2-1. There I said it.

Bullsbok wrote:"Irish eyes will be looking to the heavens for a down pour of biblical proportions and hope that their great club form from Leinster, Munster and Ulster players all fire up for their first victory over the ABs. Never say never, they get three goes at it."

i agree although i would not want to be in a green jersey next saturday vs an all blacks side that just lost......that team racks up points very quickly

All Black just lost???

anotherworldofpain wrote:Unfortunate the "great club" made of a lot of import players. So is not translate like this.

What import players do Leinster have? They had Thorn for 3 months and Nacewa in their starting XV. Next year they won't have Thorn. Go ahead though, try and name me a few of the imports that Leinster will have next season.

Well Scotland has sneaked a win and as I have a Scottish father, part of me thinks it would be sweet to let that lone Scottish victory stand out more amongst the other touring Home Nations. But really I am only interested in one series and that involves the Irish.

I like your confidence rodders. But I'm with you EBOP. Rip them a new one and buy up big on bleach and whitewash the feckers.

Ya bollix Kia! Your going down!

Oh yeah, that's not confidence...its desperation......

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:Unfortunate the "great club" made of a lot of import players. So is not translate like this.

What import players do Leinster have? They had Thorn for 3 months and Nacewa in their starting XV. Next year they won't have Thorn. Go ahead though, try and name me a few of the imports that Leinster will have next season.

Rory leinster bought the HC dont you know that? We are unable to produce irish players...

geoff999rugby wrote:With the heart of their team missing - Bowe, POC, Ferris and maybe Ross plus others I honestly dont think Ireland have a hope.

If their is to be a NH win, against a Tri Nations side, it will be Wales in Australia or England in SA

Hardly the heart of the team Geoff. SOB is a better 6 than Ferris = covered. Aslongas Elmer Fudge plays him there and not at 7. Bowe was way off form and needs a rest. We have oodles of talented backs that need airing.

Ross would be a huge loss however. The rest we can and should be able to cover anyway. POC is way too one-dimensional. I dont think we'll miss him as much as feared. BOD is back and fresh to lead us out and inspire us.

It will still be 3-0 to NZ though.

Yer full off shoite Gibbo..... SOB is not a better 6 than Ferris, Elmer Fudge will play him at 7 and we'll win the series 2-1

rodders wrote:Yer full off shoite Gibbo..... SOB is not a better 6 than Ferris, Elmer Fudge will play him at 7 and we'll win the series 2-1

Oh no...

There's more chance of Leo Cullen pullin Georgia Salpa than there is of Ireland beating New Zealand.

You know, I don't think there is much between SOB and Ferris.. at their best, I think O'Brien could be more talented in fact.

Though SOB has been doing class at 7 recently Gibson. He should stay there for the time being, and we can have both Ferris and O'Brien.

Leo better get his finest aftershave on .......

His wife is an absolute beauty though. Seriously, look for a picture of her. I was shocked.

HC Final Rodders me darlin? Who put who in his phoca?

I rest me case.

D. Ryan is a better player now than POC. Munster for Munster.
SOB better than 1F. Leinster for Ulster.
Bowe? Any of 4 or 5 players could replace him. Kidney had more options available to him there. In fairness, Fitzy is injured. Gilroy should have traveled imo. Madigan too. I hope Zebo shines.

I can see the entire Leinster backrow starting a Test. Mclaughlin, SOB and Heaslip. But Kidney will have POM at 6 or 7 - as 1st choice, I'd reckon.

Its all immaterial anyway. Look who's in charge.

Id better stay off here, if Kidney manages a win.

Id still want him gone.

He could still lose all the Tests with some creedence, IF he uses the whole squad. Or at least the ones who deserve it. Cave, Fitzpatrick & Touhy come to mind.

"He could still lose all the Tests with some creedence, IF he uses the whole squad. Or at least the ones who deserve it. Cave, Fitzpatrick & Touhy come to mind."

This. I at least want to see some new blood on the field. A few guys to show what they can do. Unfortunately, the best guy for this would have been Gilroy IMO.

Gibson wrote:HC Final Rodders me darlin? Who put who in his phoca?

Look Gibbo man, I want Kidders gone too and Gert Smal who always seems to sneak under the criticism radar. We're going nowhere under those boyos.

That said I think we can go out on our shields here, pull off the big one, shoite or bust. Let Kidney go out as a hero and then bring in someone who know what they are doing... happy days everyones a winner!

Its not about Kidney though, its about the players..... Best, Ryan, SOB, Kearney, Healy, Sexton... lads who've worked their bollix off... and oh yeah I'm missing someone....

In BOD we trust sir, in BOD we trust

Yeah Rory, of all the players on the fringe, Id have had Gilroy in. He's the real deal. No flattering to decieve with him. He just goes for it. Because he knows he's good enough. Possibly the most talented player - along with Madigan, we have at our disposal right now.

Still. In Kidney's defence, he did pick Marshall and Zebo.

Or was it injuries forcing his hand and improving the squad? Again?