Ambush in Oz

With Kefu,Palau,and Drew Mitchell picked for Brisbane plus Ashley Cooper returning the Wallabies
will be very much stronger than thought previously.Australia in OZ are NEVER a formality so the
record is in real danger.Methinks this could be another Hong Kong certainly not the the pushover
some pundits were predicting.If we go on the 2011 final 3Ns game there could be a lot of injuries
to key NZ players.Also who is subbing for Rettalick as presumeably he is now not available thoughts?

What's happened to Retallick Alan? Not aware of that story.

Certainly those players coming back strengthen the Wallabies but they don't really change their backline woes. Brisbane has been a difficult place for AB teams but Richie will emphasise HK all week in the lead up and the win in Argentina shows the Wallabies are able to go against predictions, notably mine!

There is always the risk of injuries in any game Alan but just because injuries happened in one game means the same will apply on the same ground the following year. If you're able to find a correlation with injuries it's more the Wallabies this year in any event!

A difficult game but hardly an ambush. The ABs will know what this game means to Australia ahead of their tour and how a loss will make life a lot more difficult for them for their tour because it will offer up belief that they can be beaten.

Retallick cited for a tip tackle post match yellow card assumed it was a one match suspension.Unable to confirm I was taking a line that it maybe a rough house on injuries front as it was last year.A fit Mitchell and Ashley Cooper should improve the backs.IF they get some go forward ball which they may now expect,the backs may flow.IF Beale cuts out the little chip kicks,and running the ball out from there 22 they could be dangerous.Always wary of Oz in OZ especially if it seems to be a dead rubber.

Alan wash your mouth out. There is no such thing as a dead rubber in rugby!!

Frankly there is too much rugby being played and both sides would be happy resting more before they embarked on their tour up north. But they don't have anything to do with the scheduling. There's a match to be played and both sides recognise the importance of winning it. For Australia a chance to take something really positive out of an otherwise disappointing year and a chance to build on a plucky win in Argentina against the odds. For NZ the chance to continue their winning streak and sending out a message to their NH opponents this autumn that there are no frailties and this AB side doesn't have problems mentally building themselves up for games.

I forgot about the post match yellow card but I never really understood what it actually meant. Did it mean the tackle should've been punished so don't do it again or does it come with a sanction? I don't know. It would be interesting to see who gets picked to sub Romano if it is a one match suspension.

Mitchell and AAC faced NZ earlier this year and though Palu and Kepu will add grunt they have been out for a while and will probably struggle with the pace. I imagine Harris will continue at 15 for his goalkicking and AAC will move to centre and Beale at 10 but Genia and JOC are big omissions still and I think continuity and conhesion are still problems for them.

The key factor is the forwards and whether Australia can secure enough possession or continue to get shut out of the game. I think they will fare better but will struggle to last 80 minutes with their new inclusions. So can they find a way to get out in front by the 60 minute mark or will they be chasing? If it's the latter, it looks unlikely.

Saying a dead rubber that is the common perception not mine.Post Match Citing is pointless unless it is a banning offence.A deliberate Tip or worse a spear tackle is auto matic suspension.BUT a post match yellow logic says the side starts with 14 men for 10 minutes but that is ridiculous probably a fine.
Is the Squad named on Thursday just for this match or the AI`s as well?very interested to see who is back up Lock,6,8,Hooker,SH,13 and 15.
Not au fait with the injuries and ITM Bolters but Hansen has indicated he won`t stray far from the current squad.
Vito does`nt impress at 6 or 8,Thomson is out of favour and maybe heading off shore[way he`s been treated would not blame him].
Cane is a certainty as back up 7.Luke Whitelock?Matt Todd is better than Cane
but plays for the wrong franchise.Was talk of Hoerta as a Lock/6 some time ago maybe.How`s Andre Taylor going? Hika Elliott or Dane Coles look likely Perenara and Kerr -Barlow fit?Sam Blade at 6?apecialist Lock Eaton maybe or Callum Clark?
As to OZ being chasing the game,most Bledisloes recently AB`s have been behind at half time but won.

Well after yesterdays match the better not pick Hoerta. Idiot got yellowed for a double head high- two heads at the same time with each arm. Taylor, Coles and Eaton all played well.

This time an ambush is no excuse. Oz have enough issues to suggest theyll still find the ABs too difficult all round. The fact that NZ have been through this before will steel them to not muck it up again.

This side is finally playing to its own standards and shold be too much. Unlike Hong Kong the pressures now off somewhat with the titles all locked away. Two things could happen. Complacency could kick in and they ABs get beaten or they finally get to cut loose, relax a bit more and play to their full potential.

I think this time it will be the latter, mainly due to HKong being so recent for many.

Brisbane last year when we lost the 3N is even more recent Taylorman. Both those defeats will rankle the senior players.

Yep. That will help as well. They couldnt have more motivation for this.

Simply put put this side is better than any side at the moment and should win. They need to find a way of doing this test after test until a genuine challenger comes along.

Regardless of the 16 straight, the world cup and RC wins its still a 2 horse head to head match. And player for player each AB is ahead of nearly every Oz equivalent. If they lose they'll only have themselves, not the coaches, the ref, the luck etc to blame. This side should rise above all those reasons commonly used as an 'excuse' and simply play better rugby.

They've set a high standard, and need to play to it.

Hansen's dad is seriously ill. Hope that he gets better soon. Means the ABs are without their coach for a few days. Will be interesting to see how they go-I'd assume they know their systems and what they have to do very well but you never know.

Ioane is in doubt with a knee-oh man it's getting even worse. If Australia can beat NZ on this roll without so many players it will be a magnificent achievement. I don't want to sound patronising but you Aussies have just lost so many that it's hard not to feel for you guys.

No mercy will be shown though. There are a lot of reasons for NZ to go into this game hell for leather. Again a one pointer will do me. Brisbane is a bloody hard place to win.

It'll be interesting to see who steps up to the manager type role in Hansen's absence. Sometimes adversity can be a motivator and other times a distraction. The earthquake 'home' games for the Crusaders usually saw them below their best. They seemed to play better away.

It's been pretty got in Brisbane lately according to my brother so that might be a big adjustment to make even if it's a night game. That's why it's difficult to play there.

It's supposed to be 30 odd degrees on the weekend, should make things interesting.

I remember watching the Crusaders v Reds at Ballymore in 2002, it was played on a Sunday afternoon in March and it was hot. That was supposed to play into the Red’s hands and they fancied their chances but came unstuck against possibly the greatest vintage the Super series has ever known (they almost put 100 pts on 2nd place NSW later on that season).

The moral is, the temperature is unlikely to affect this All Blacks team or any ‘champion team’ for that matter

I don’t expect an ambush. NZ know full well what to expect from Australia. Brisbane isn’t the graveyard it is made out to be, 1 loss doesn’t make this so. This NZ team have so much determination and are acutely aware of the goals they want to achieve. I expect they are placing a high premium on this game as they will absolutely want to take that WR off Lithuania.

For this reason I expect a high scoring game, with NZ winning 35-18

Foster I think is stepping up and by now routine is pretty much established. This team has all the tools and have been rehearsing the gameplan all year. Mentally, physically and strategically they're in a much better position than I think they were in HK and even for the world cup last year as they've now seen it all.

This has carried them most of the year I reckon. There's so much belief there its almost scary.

Deans has said they want to upset the record attempt and that's a good thing. Just don't think he`ll get another bite of the cherry a second time.

Ioanes a big loss but players coming back will boost them. Gonna be a cracker.

All the best to Hansens Dad, a Canterbury coaching legend from what I've been reading.

Normally I'm inclined to give the Wallabies a chance in just about any match but it would take a small miracle for them to pull this one out. Last week against Argentina in Rosario there was a bit of heat and resultant sweat flying around and we dropped more ball than one could hardly believe. The Wobs are going to have to play like men possessed to have any chance. If the aggro isn't there from the first whistle then this could be a blowout. If they muscle up then either team by less than 7, otherwise NZ by a country mile. I'll know after the first 5 minutes if there's any point watching the remaining 75.

I can't see anyone stop the AB's this year, they are good, haven't hit their stride often enough this year, but the rest of the challengers are simply not good enough at the moment.

Too many of the teams such as OZ, SA, England etc are rebuilding and hit with injuries or retirements, France aren't playing them and I doubt Wales will get close in December.

Not good for international rugby when the top two contenders can't put out their best teams and challenge the All Blacks.

I dunno about that FC mate, after the first 20 mins in Soweto I was thinking oh shoite it's gonna be one of THOSE games. Then the Kiwis ratcheted up the pace and pressure and the game changed totally.

Aussie are still dangerous. I know a lot of people will be telling us that Australia don't deserve all the respect and caution we're giving them, but again Kiwis and Aussies are masters of ruining each other's parties. I really, really don't want you guys to ruin this particular shindig. I'd love us to thump you because it would mean that we were well up for it and gave you the respect that IMO you DO deserve.

What's the official word on Ioane? Has he been ruled out at all yet?

Still bloody nervous and it's only Monday!

What time is the match by the way?

We have started poorly in just about every match this year in the RC. Even Auckland was a less than convincing first half. I love how we don't lack composure when we get behind or how we often react well by scoring almost immediately after a try is scored against us but geez it'd make life a lot easier for us if we started with a hiss and a roar rather than a hiss by McCaw under the goalposts. It seems we're willing to engage in a kicking territorial tussle for the first 20 and then look to step up the pace. I don't mind that tactic but too often we've been inaccurate in that kicking game and mistakes like lineout misses or kicks out on the full have cost us.

A lot of the first twenty is still about putting out the fire in the opposition who all know its critical to start well against this side as a poor start likely means a heavy loss. I mean in some even good starts have still meant heavy losses.

So in that context our relatively poor starts are partly explainable. I'm getting used to weathering the early storms as oppositions start to make more and more errors as the match wears on. Its intruiging seeing it unfold almost like clockwork. That's why I think the self belief in this side is so strong.

Understand they could lose this as its still xv v xv, just don't see it. If oz win then they will have showed signs of picking up after argie and that would be good for them.

Only thing Id be concerned about is fatigue on the hot ground but is it really that much of an advantage to oz if we're generally playing a more efficient game within each of the combinations?

I see the intent Taylorman but I don't often see the execution. I'd just like to see us weather that storm better without conceding points. I think apart from Auckland the opposition scored first in nearly every match if not every match. Many of those first up points being tries.

yeah agree its not ideal. Its been a very weird year in that way. Whatevers been thrown at them its still been soaked up and repelled eventually. At some point there's a sense of control in the match although its come late in some matches. I think it comes down to each of the combinations working so well together. Sure taking a little while for each to click but getting there n the end. This side really does work as a team, feeding off each other like we've rarely seen in an entire season.

Disney, I don't know what the latest is with Digby, last I heard they were still deciding. His form hasn't been that great the last few games anyway, maybe they should give him a rest. I also don't know how useful the other guys coming back from injury will be, they'll probably be undercooked (Mitchell especially) and could be more a liability than anything.

Digby's out
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/7819348/Digby-Ioane-ruled-out-of-test-with-knee-injury

Just keeps getting worse. AACs back in the line but Ioanes the biggest attacker after Beale.

He'll have his hands full on defence let alone having to conjure up some way through the AB defences who will gain more confidence with Ioane out.

Massive effort required from oz and our best chance to secure a good win in brissy for years.

Here's the truth of the matter...

Of this side, how many would play in a combined anzac side ahead of the opposite AB...perhaps at best...Only Nathan Sharpe.

This is why NZ have no excuse. They need to perform at their best and a loss this weekend would undermine this side as a unit considerably.

The Wallabies team to play New Zealand:

15. Mike Harris (Queensland Reds) 14. Nick Cummins (Western Force) 13. Ben Tapuai (Queensland Reds) 12. Pat McCabe (Brumbies) 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs) 10. Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels) 9. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels) 8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs) 7. Michael Hooper (Brumbies) 6. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds) 5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force, captain) 4. Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs) 3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies) 2. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs) 1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)

Run on Reserves:

16. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds) 17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds) 18. Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs) 19. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs) 20. Liam Gill (Queensland Reds) 21. Brett Sheehan (Western Force) 22. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)

Saia's out too, he broke his hand at training.

Gaww..one of the worlds best subs as well...
Something in me wants to support oz as things start getting more dyre. I mean 'shock' is practically all that oz have left going for them team wise...

We may end up getting the record but history won't record the problems both SA and Oz have had compared to NZ on the way...

Good to see Drew on the bench but has he really recovered from his ankle injury? Think we'll miss Samo as a sub, the rest of the side picks itself from those left standing.

And yet I feel strangely optimistic, that win in Arg has really made me think we have turned the corner. Looking forward to seeing Phipps play. Only player I'm a bit concerned about is Higginbotham, as one who may go missing this match.

Can't wait till 11am Saturday!!

Let us face facts. On the basis of the combinator NZ should walk it by 20-25 points.

Harris? Cummins? Tapuai? Nick Phipps? When Pat McCabe starts to look like an experienced rock in the back line then you know this is some reserve combinator.

And let us not forget that backline play is supposedly the Wallabies overwhelming strength.

Sharpe will have his work cut out on the leadership front...

I do like the look of the backrow though. Powerful and dynamic.

Australia has been ridiculed for their lack of depth in losing to Samoa and Scotland (at least one of whom is apparently a 2nd tier nation).

If they pull this one off it will certainly make some critics eat their words.

But somehow I think the critics will go with empty stomachs on Saturday.

And Harris is another borrowed kiwi...hopefully made from sterner stuff than lone wolf Quade!

I was unimpressed by Tapuai. Loads of potential in the sort of Toeava mould, but he was so raw I thought he would struggle in SXV.

Well while I hope and expect to win I will always remain a little nervous against those crafty criminals.
There's more than enough arrogance and over confidence about the ABs being unbeatable provided by others don't need a Kiwi to start on that.

I think I'll head out to a pub with my bros to watch it after Wellington give Auckland a licking!

Going to the game Taylorman?

Hey hey...Careful...I maybe Wellington in body but definitely Auckland in spirit.

Just might go actually. Last weeks crowd was a little light. This should be just right I reckon...

Plus...Is an ambush really an ambush if you already know about it a good 2 weeks beforehand....

ben alexander out. Is this the youngest, most raw side in oz history or what?
ABs with their million tests will look right chumps if they lose this now.
Beale must be the primary hope for oz to get any go forward ball.

After thousands of kiwis queued to see the ABs in Brisbane Sharpe was asked whether he thought it was a home game and he looked mortified but took it tongue and cheek saying Perth had more kiwis than brisbane.

And AAC, Mitchell, and several others all playing first up here after injury, sekopu not played since August.

I can't believe the bookies have the Wallabies at nearly $7 in a 2 horse race at home at a stadium we've won 15 of our last 17 games. Sure, most of our blokes are either brand new or coming off crutches and half the crowd will be kiwis but still...

I know fc its surreal. Sharpe says the w's are fully capable of beating the ABs if they play their best and some.

Kind of obvious thing to say...I mean what else s there.

But the gulf in talent, experience alone, let alone consistently performing combinations- something the ABs have been fine tuning all year with mixed results- is just too great to think a side that this time last year you would have laughed at as a no.1 side.... once you found out who some of them were.

So if a team of half rookies, half crookies can win this th I'll laugh my head off.

But one things for certain...ONLY an Australian side could do this and that's what makes them dangerous. I think we'll see the most ridiculous risks being taken based on a sniff of genuine oz confidence with no reason to have it.....SWAGGER!!!

Or they'll get beat by 30... this is one of those games. One where previously unknown heroes could be unearthed

All Logic says the All Blacks will win they have a lot still to achieve ,the Record equalled. A win for Steve Hansens father and Mealamu`s 100,OZs 100th defeat
no shortage of incentives.
The Wallabies are injury weakened,fielding a huge pack in a Stadium expected
to be very hot.Where the NZ sides have several recent defeats every one is writing them off.Now where have I heard that before Pre-Hong Kong,the away leg 3Ns 2011,the Boks in Dunedin.
This is the Wallabies in OZ with better Goal kicking the AB`s could have lost in Sydney,been closer in the Home leg and lost to the Boks in Dunedin.
They have nothing to lose that makes them dangerous early injuries to Read or Carter could well lose the ABs the game.
I expect an AB win but always nervous of Oz in Oz.

Dangerous or not. There's no excuse. If oz can put a team of seconds, returning injureds, a fifth captain and beat probably the most stable, injury free, trophy holding side in AB history, then anyone can.

This should be a mismatch. And not often have we been able to say that..that is...those of us who are being honest rather than reserved.

Call me reserved then

Go the Wallabies!!

emack2 wrote:Call me reserved then

Alan virtually every AB supporter will be saying the same thing. 'We should win...but oz could...' its just natural. If you're objective then the only conclusion is an AB win.

But way way bigger upsets have happened in sport so it could here. I just like to state what I think will happen. I don't care if I'm wrong.

Frankly part of me wants this oz side to, if not win, do very well. They've been dealt the worst of blows and I love Sharpes attitude this week. He's revelling in this captaincy thing and is doing ozzie proud I reckon. And I was a huge Mitchell fan just before he had that main injury a few years ago. Good to see him fight his way back.

I agree ozt...go oz! Go ABs. Ooh and go Auckland in the itm semi. Give henry and jk something to work with next year.!

Bit early for S15 2013 but Highlanders look like they could realy go next year.Before Slades injury they were really going the Cowan drag factor is gone and they have serious grunt now.Quite a lot of ABs in the squad now after being cinderellas for so long .Go OTAGO

Yeah theyve added woodcock and thorne and now nonu. Josephs wanting supermen in his pack and literally wants to stormtroop his way through the competition. Highlanders are going to be a force next year though I'm not a fan of his approach. He burns his sides out. They fell off at the end. So what does he do...get tougher guys in that can hack it.

If nothing its interesting.

Slade`s injury was the key there i think but we shall see,be suprised if the Blues are ready.Chiefs with a lot players leaving that could be interesting too.

Game time gents. I was feeling quietly confident until they just flashed the AB team sheet up.

The guy at 15 has a funny name. He couldn't be any good.

Yeah, and the bloke at 14 has a girls name.

Why do they get these crap singers in to butcher the anthems?

Lucky quade, digby and Dominic aren't playing

Listen to how many people singing their anthem. We need to shut the door. It's getting silly.

Exactly - the crowd were doing it, we don't need the local operatic society singers coming in drowning them out.

Don't NZ get called for forward passes anymore?