Wallaby v All Blacks: Live Match Thread

[Pal Joey]

First topic message reminder :

1st Match: 2012 Bledisloe Cup - The Rugby Championship
Saturday 18th August, 2012.
Sydney Olympic Stadium, 8:00pm

Wallabies:

15 Kurtley Beale
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
13 Rob Horne
12 Anthony Fainga'a
11 Digby Ioane
10 Berrick Barnes
9 Will Genia
8 Scott Higginbotham
7 David Pocock (capt)
6 Dave Dennis
5 Nathan Sharpe
4 Sitaleki Timani
3 Sekope Kepu
2 Tatafu Polota Nau
1 Benn Robinson

Reserves:
16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Michael Hooper, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Drew Mitchell


All Blacks:

15 Israel Dagg
14 Cory Jane
13 Ma'a Nonu
12 Sonny Bill Williams
11 Hosea Gear
10 Dan Carter
9 Aaron Smith
8 Kieran Read
7 Richie McCaw
6 Liam Messam
5 Sam Whitelock
4 Luke Romano
3 Owen Franks
2 Keven Mealamu
1 Tony Woodcock

Reserves:
16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Victor Vito, 19 Brodie Retalick, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Unfortunately too many errors for NZ as well. Should have at least two more tries and make this more comfortable. Deans will have to look at the ABs defence coming up fast. It really worked well tonight and Australia didn't have any time on the ball. Some ill discipline as well gave away vital territory and didn't allow any sustained pressure. Far too many errors on both sides. Not a great spectacle but certainly an interesting game. I can see an AB blowout at Eden Park if they click on attack. Australia needs to be far more effective at the breakdown.

[Full Credit]

With only 4 million dropped balls and a thousand missed tackles the Wobblies did well to only lose by 8. Fortunately I was able to go and get a fresh beer and water the garden in the time it took Genia to move the ball from the base of each ruck.

[Morgannwg]

Morg you were asking if Oz would miss JOC- this centre partnership I think gives a resounding "yes".

Yeah they looked pretty awful out there today. Should have been Horne and AAC in the centre with Mitchell on the wing. This was raised as being an odd call when the teams were announced in case you missed it. BTW, I thought you were in Uni so how could you know??? And seeing as fly-half was well covered that still left no room for JOC. If he was a fit I would consider JOC, Barnes, AAC as the midfield.

[ChequeredJersey]

Morg you were asking if Oz would miss JOC- this centre partnership I think gives a resounding "yes".

Yeah they looked pretty awful out there today. Should have been Horne and AAC in the centre with Mitchell on the wing. This was raised as being an odd call when the teams were announced in case you missed it. BTW, I thought you were in Uni so how could you know??? And seeing as fly-half was well covered that still left no room for JOC. If he was a fit I would consider JOC, Barnes, AAC as the midfield.

I was working on a Uni computer, after about 20 mins, I walked to Belushi's, ordered a diet coke, watched the match then headed back to continue failing to do work. Probably do the same again in an hour or so. I agree, AAC should have been at 13 for sure. And Barnes, JOC, AAC might actually have tested the ABs defence a bit if O'Connor had been fit. Or, you know, caught a ball.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

I question Australia's tactics to run everything. The quick tap in front of the posts that led to nothing and 3 points went begging. Meanwhile, inexcusable dropped balls with no pressure and Higganbotham in particular when Australia were hot on attack. Just too many mistakes. 10 years of not having the Bledisloe seems to be weighing on these players. Only Nathan Sharpe knows the winning feeling. You always fancy Australia's chances in Brisbane for the non 4N match but Auckland in my view is a bridge too far. Looks increasingly likely that it'll be 11 years now. How much pressure is going to come down on Deans and the team if they lose next week?

Ireland showed that a turnaround in attitude and performance is possible. But NZ won't be happy with many aspects of their game particularly finishing off attacks. Deans can change the centres but it's in the forwards where he has the real selection problems. Australia looked bullied out there tonight.

[OzT]

Well played ABs, congratulations, though they never really had to get out of 3rd gear to beat our lot today.

Everything's been said already, school boy errors, dropping the ball, knocking on (much the same thing really) and the worst was the penalty for the 5 man lineout going offside!!!

Although from this game I am now convinced, after the Welsh series, Deans does have a game plan and the side is playing to it. Nope, not any sizzzeling back moves, slight of hands or even, simply to catch the ball.

I'm sure the slow balls are Deans orders, and the shorten lineouts too. Playing to a plan of slow slow catch them on the break, why else was AAC on ther wing when his lack of pace got shown up, instead of centre where he could have gone for breaks, and Mitchell not on the wing?

But when for once in an attack when they didn't drop the ball Sharpe scored.

I still feel confident for the rest of the 4Ns. Sure unforced, and forced, errors abounded, but the comfort we can take from this game is we can't play any worse... can we???

Roll on next week! Shame that penalty right at the end, salvaging a losing bonus point could be cruciel if we were going for the win in the 4Ns, but now not a chance.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Still early days yet OzT. Like you say, it won't get worse than that. Australia seem to have had the wood over SA recently and I can see the Boks beating the ABs in Soweto.

Tactics and selections must change but Australia are not out of this yet. Going to be tough though in Auckland next week.

[Full Credit]

Us conceding a scrum penalty right at the death was preordained years ago wasn't it?

[OzT]

I'm not 100% sure we do have the wood over the boks. They didn't play their best sides last 3Ns, and a new coach with new players, after the Puma games they would have worked their combos out. Some impressive new faces against the English.

Although the ABs must be doing some homework too after today, twice the ball went to touch when the overlap try was on, I think SBW played a bit too far back today, and decision making when charging with the ball could've been better, for example running on instead of passing.

But a polished enough performance from the ABs, as I saod, don;t think they got out of 3rd gear, the 2nd half looked as if they were going to accelerate away but then they slowed down again. Unless of course they saw no sense in wasting energy as they thought they had the match wrapped up. Well if only we weren't turned over at the end resulting in the kick ahead and 5 metres scrum, we all know what happened then!

ABs in NZ will always be tough, but I really expect the wallabies to go hard and true this time.

[OzT]

Us conceding a scrum penalty right at the death was preordained years ago wasn't it?

Reliving Eales??

[Morgannwg]

Morg you were asking if Oz would miss JOC- this centre partnership I think gives a resounding "yes".

Yeah they looked pretty awful out there today. Should have been Horne and AAC in the centre with Mitchell on the wing. This was raised as being an odd call when the teams were announced in case you missed it. BTW, I thought you were in Uni so how could you know??? And seeing as fly-half was well covered that still left no room for JOC. If he was a fit I would consider JOC, Barnes, AAC as the midfield.

I was working on a Uni computer, after about 20 mins, I walked to Belushi's, ordered a diet coke, watched the match then headed back to continue failing to do work. Probably do the same again in an hour or so. I agree, AAC should have been at 13 for sure. And Barnes, JOC, AAC might actually have tested the ABs defence a bit if O'Connor had been fit. Or, you know, caught a ball.

Yeah you could have either of JOC, Barnes and Cooper at either 10 or 12. It's just a channel the All Blacks strike runners will be licking their lips at. That is the possible issue. It has be tempting at some point for Deans to bring in a big 12 like Tom Carter then have the O'Connors and Beales work around him.

[ChequeredJersey]

Fair enough. Based on today, I think they should be more worried about their attack than their defence though

[ChequeredJersey]

At least we've seen how the Lions can beat Australia- wait till Pocock gets the ball and flood him so he can't be involved in the breakdown and is isolated, and hope that Genia and Beale have shockers

[aucklandlaurie]

Morg you were asking if Oz would miss JOC- this centre partnership I think gives a resounding "yes".

Any team in the World would miss James O'Connor, but the player I felt Australia really missed last night was James Horwill.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

The Aussies need someone who can make the all black midfield defence stop and think twice about rushing up and cutting off channels otherwise barnes needs to collect the ball standing and play flat passes super quick.

Something I felt they should have done is have had wingers coming off the shoulders of their centres to try and take advantage of how fast Nonu and sbw were up and there were gaps there where forwards didn't come up at the same speed

[Pal Joey]

Frustrating to watch them squander half chances and then fall for the sucker punch again out wide. Twice!

That's the difference between scraping through against a team like the ABs and being within reach only to make unforced errors when clean breaks had been made. We were very lucky we didn't get punished more because the ABs themselves mucked up a few more opportunities as well.

You could see straight away that the Wallabies were always going to struggle to get quick ball. Pocock was again caught out in a few key contests with McCaw, Read & Co. and Higginbotham and Dennis were too occupied themselves dealing with the AB pack to assist Pocock in delivering clean fast ball to Genia. (tell 'em they're dreamin'!)

The ABs executed their plans perfectly and again the Wallabies couldn't do anything about it. Getting the ball out was too slow - if it ever came out at all. Again, we were dominated in the scrum and too many penalties were given away a regular intervals when the ABs were in control, we were desperate and then committed an infringement right in front of the nose of Mr Rolland.

Well done again NZ and SA.

[dw7]

The AU midfield has needed a new dynamic.
The ARU should have moved heaven & earth to clinch the Greg Inglis to Western Force deal that nearly happened some years ago...

Ioane Genia Super Cooper JOC Inglis AAC
Beale

[emack2]

I have just read todays domiion post and new-zealand herald especially there team ratings.One gave star ratings to McCaw and Dagg ,the other barely pass marks.Dan Carter 5 in the NZH the NZ media want to watch the match before
printing such drivel.It was by no means a polished win,and any continuity was broken up by Rollands whistle.It is also true the AB`s should have won more easily.BUT that isn`t being fair th the Wallabies came back well and often it was one pass or the Whistle that stopped both sides scoring.Aussie decision making was poor tap s when 3 points was a gimme?the same as the match versus England just before halftime at twickenham 2010.Deans said his set piece both Lineout and Scrum was solid,But for Rolland s whistle the Scrum would have been under extreme pressure.Certainly changes are called for Pocock doubrful ditto Woodcock.Both sides will improve at Eden Park and if OZ win there then the third match at home means the Bledisloe is still under threat.AllBlacks now have 3 Home matches if they can win them,the final two away legs will decide the 4Ns.

[aucklandlaurie]

The AU midfield has needed a new dynamic.
The ARU should have moved heaven & earth to clinch the Greg Inglis to Western Force deal that nearly happened some years ago...

Ioane Genia Super Cooper JOC Inglis AAC
Beale

Or maybe something more along the lines of Ioane, Cooper, Inglis,JOC, AAC, Beale and Slater...

[nganboy]

Morg you were asking if Oz would miss JOC- this centre partnership I think gives a resounding "yes".

Any team in the World would miss James O'Connor, but the player I felt Australia really missed last night was James Horwill.

James O'Connor is a great player. But who would you oust from the ABs to fit him in?
10 Carter / Cruden
11 Gear / Savea
12 SBW/ Nonu
13 Smith
14 Jane
15 Dagg

The only weak position is left wing which he hasn't played.
Good reserve though

[dw7]

The AU midfield has needed a new dynamic.
The ARU should have moved heaven & earth to clinch the Greg Inglis to Western Force deal that nearly happened some years ago...

Ioane Genia Super Cooper JOC Inglis AAC
Beale

Or maybe something more along the lines of Ioane, Cooper, Inglis,JOC, AAC, Beale and Slater...

Billy 'see you later' Slater's instinctive running game is unparalled in either game (the only real option for RL full backs!).
It would have been interesting to have seen him temper this & grapple with the tactical side of union 15 play.
He has stated that he would never consider a RU move.

Inglis would have fitted in perfectly at either 12 or 13 however.
Less dexterous than SBW & a little more route one in contact.
But bigger, faster, bumps off tackles & much more elusive in open space.
SBW is a pussycat in comparison!!

[disneychilly]

I still remember Slater's brain fart in the World Cup Final though. Man that was a shocker.

Would like to see Inglis play union. Would take time to learn the lines of a 13 though-which is where I'd play him. SBW's a totally different player so no need to compare them for me.

[Taylorman]

Some Eden Park AB stats:

In the professional era played 26 won 26 average score 34-15.

All time won 60 from 72 with 2 drawn.
8 of the 10 losses were pre 1980.
Aus have won 4 times ever at Eden park. The last in 86, losing the last 13 since.

Does support the feeling that this won't change this time but good luck to both teams. The interview with Deans just now at the park did not look like one remotely resembling confidence so if oz do get up...buggad if I know how they'll do it.
TAB has Abs at 1.10 and oz at 6.00.

Amazing odds for a two horse race which includes the ranked 1 and 2 sides in the world.

[FerN]

Naas and Nick Mallet said that the pressure must be on Deans with Ewan McKenzie doing so well. How long do you think he still have, and what will be seen as a reasonable season by Australians?

[Taylorman]

Well their ranking suggests they should do better than both SA and Argie in this tournament so 3rd has to be seen as a failure...yet that's the most likely outcome.

Deans doesn't help himself by clearly signalling begnning of the year that only the bledisloe cup will do this year.

Its an easy thing to say nine to ten months out but it rings and rings through the year.

This test will largely seal that fate- for certain if they lose, and a big possibility of winning it if they win...the third match in oz.

[Taylorman]

Typically rugged start. ABs do look to have the numbers but oz doing well all round, holding their own...

[FerN]

Tight game.

Carter puts on the first points after 25 minutes

[Taylorman]

Very impressed with the AB handling and passing but oz equal to the task. Messam going well so is the new hooper.
Beale on.

[gowales]

Although it's been tryless i think this game has been much better quality than last weeks.

[Taylorman]

half time. Dagg took a thigh hit after that last kick through and look to be limping off. He's had that before so hope he's back.

[wales606]

9 - 3 handling errors at 35 mins.

NZ not taking advantage of their territory advantage.

Aus are still in this game, but need to score next.

Some fantastic defence from Aus too.

[Biltong]

Very impressed with the AB handling and passing but oz equal to the task. Messam going well so is the new hooper.
Beale on.

9 handling errors by the All Blacks, they are willing yes, but too many errors

[rainbow-warrior]

No1 v No2 maybe but what a yawnfest

Gona watch the 'test Card' that I SKY+ see if the girl winks hahaha

[Taylorman]

Yes Abbs errors coming from a lot of possession and throwing it around a bit. 13 offloads to one is part of the story.

Oz pressuring very well. Their scrums getting worse as the game goes on. ABs just need more accuracy and less 50/50 stuff and the gaps will come.

But oz without looking getting anywhere near the scoreboard hussling well.

Second half pressure will tell.

[Full Credit]

Good tight contest so far. Wallabies won't get anywhere until they stop kicking the ball away to Dagg.

[Biltong]

Thar was a strange chase by Beale, he didn't seem to look at the ball and overran it by about ten meters.

[valjester]

Thar was a strange chase by Beale, he didn't seem to look at the ball and overran it by about ten meters.

Yeah, Barnes' kicking has been terrible all game but Beale should still be looking at the ball.

[Taylorman]

Woohoooo!!

[Biltong]

Sharp run there by Carter and then the finish of Dagg.

Great try

[valjester]

Thar was a strange chase by Beale, he didn't seem to look at the ball and overran it by about ten meters.

Yeah, Barnes' kicking has been terrible all game but Beale should still be looking at the ball.

That try all came about after a bad kick by Barnes followed up by a good kick by Dagg, the difference between the two teams is staggering.

[valjester]

Taking off Higginbottom was a weird decision. God that is just terrible from Barnes.

[Taylorman]

Yeah this looks ominous for oz. ABs have started much more accurately and look full of running.pressures telling now. Let's hope they don't drop their heads too soon or this score could blow out.

[Biltong]

Am I right in thinking this is SBW's last game before he leaves?

[valjester]

Am I right in thinking this is SBW's last game before he leaves?

Yep

[Biltong]

Geez did you see that line out throw, it was as skew as anything.

[valjester]

Geez did you see that line out throw, it was as skew as anything.

Maybe they should have gone for that type of lineout again because that was crap.

[valjester]

Genia has been poor two weeks in a row.

[Biltong]

One thing I do like about Nigel Owens is that he penalises counter rucks if you go off your feet.

[Taylorman]

dagg is class isn't he. Two weeks in a row he's all over it.

[Guest]

Think Nigel Owens is having a very good game

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