Oz rugby...For once I agree with Rattue...well

Linebreaker wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:Well generally speaking of records, Australia has a far, far superior record against all of the home nations - especially Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The question arises can the Lions become more than the sum of its parts? Previously they have shown this potential (before 1997) but to be frank it has not really gelled for them in the last 3 tours.

Sure, up until 2001 it has not been rosy for us but don't forget the Lions overall record is something like Played 111, 44 games won; 57 lost and 10 drawn. In other words - the Lions myth is crumbling as time goes on. I still love the special nature of the contest though and I wish them all the best when they arrive here.

Naturally, the Wallabies will be looking to continue that trend and we have more than enough very skillful players to do it. Of course we'll probably leave 7-12 points (per match!) on the field due to poor goal kicking... but I just have this feeling there will be lots of tries scored from the Wallabies against a slower and ageing Lions outfit and that we are more likely to prevail on current form.

Likewise there is plently of evidence that the myth surrounding the Aussies is fading too with all of Samoa, Scotland and Ireland beating Australia in the SH recently and Wales and England coming very close.

If you want to talk about ancient records then surely the Lions superior record over the Aussies is more relevant.

GunsGerms wrote:I was responding to the comment that the Lions rarely win series. The records show they do v Aus.

You keep falling into your own trap, GG.

It was you who brought up the topic of records (which is completely untrue, btw, in the modern era as everyone knows... except you).
I was talking about the historic trend against the individual home nations. Do you really want to revisit Ireland's shocking record against Australia again? I thought we sorted that out a few weeks ago. Keep trying - but maybe it would be better if you said less about recent Lions winning series. How embarrassing! Can't believe you are still banging on like that foolish, armless and legless knight on Life of Brian... still arguing and insisting he wants to go on with it.

Blues, a little bit like you too on these threads of late - still trying to justify Wales' dismal record against Australia - but perhaps you also have a short memory? Fair enough if you want to believe your own myths but let's be a little more objective please. You are clutching at straws but full of hope. Nothing wrong with that but I tend to disagree with most of what you are saying.

Biltong wrote:It wasn't 68 injuries, it was 78.

Linebreaker wrote:68? Who said that?

Look,... I know you are desparate for a 3-0 clean sweep.





I would too with the Australian dollar so high!

I'll buy you one but unfortunately I'll be wearing ear-plugs... if you don't mind. I like to enjoy our Lions wins.

thebluesmancometh wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:68? Who said that?

Look,... I know you are desparate for a 3-0 clean sweep.





I would too with the Australian dollar so high!

I'll buy you one but unfortunately I'll be wearing ear-plugs... if you don't mind. I like to enjoy our Lions wins.

fa0019 wrote:we could say that AUS have had their ups and downs...i.e. losing to Scotland last year, Samoa the year before etc (both to 2nd AUS XV's mind).

Whereas this season Ireland (9 squad players) have lost to both Italy and Scotland. Scotland (3 squad players) have lost to Tonga. Wales (15 squad players) have lost to Argentina and Samoa in the last 12 months and those losses were all when the respected teams were fielding first XV's.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:It is the ABs who are notorious slow starters. Australia will be mindful that they have no rugby behind them. Deans will have opportunities to see the Lions prepare though and has the advantage of having a sneak preview. Say what you like about him from an attacking perspective, he is a good tactician of the game and will have the Wallabies prepared from a defensive perspective.

Super rugby is a step down from test level there is no doubt. But what the Aussies have from Super rugby is confidence and that cannot be underestimated. You can think that that confidence is misguided but like a placebo effect you cannot deny the benefits. They won't be taking the Lions lightly as they know the challenges they face.

Of course this is speculation but I will gladly take part in a friendly 606 wager that Australia will not go down 3-0. Not willing to go down the opposite road and say Australia will win 3-0 because I think the Lions will win the second one and even more so if Australia win the first test well (not necessarily by a big margin but a good performance).

So I will go on record that my name gets changed to NZ are a poor man's Wallabies if the Lions win 3 - 0. There need be no counter bet. That's how confident I am of that result not happening. Feel free to think up your own sure fire bet.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Don't go down the path of this happened to B so B is like A. England beat NZ but they didn't look like world beaters against Wales.

Italy have undoubtedly improved and it's great to see. The score against NZ flattered NZ as they only went away with the match in the last quarter.

fa0019 wrote:SR is very different from European rugby though.

Other than a few exceptions, all the players who play for the 5 AUS teams are available for Wallaby selection.. in Europe thats simply not the case.

European club rugby is intertwined with the test season.... club sides have to do without their European test players for much of the season. SH rugby is totally different yet again... all players are generally available for SR selection throughout the season regardless if they are test players.

The form in SR is relevant to test rugby.

12/17 times have the nation of the SR winners gone on to win the 3N/RC.
05/18 times have the nation of the HC winners won the 6N in the same year.

Linebreaker wrote:We won the Tri Nations as well.

Much harder to win that than your Mickey Mouse 6N comp!

Linebreaker wrote:If you're talking about your last win here in 1969... oh, but you only won by 3 points.
We were the better team that day. The ref was shocking!

Man hadn't even landed on the Moon the last time Wales beat Australia at home.

Linebreaker wrote:On the contrary, as you should know blues, the only thing that will mug you is an angry duck when you talk too loudly going by Kippax Lake.

It's nothing like Wales, where they'll break a (well empty) bottle over one's head for looking too confident.

Linebreaker wrote:That's way out west though, mate. If you do go to country towns it can be a bit feral for 100m or so on the main streets but they are mostly deserted in mid-winter.

Seriously, I wouldn't wander around certain areas but 99% of the city is very safe during the day. Some dodgy areas at night but mostly in the south-western suburbs and parts of the Cross and small areas (east & south of the City) with lots of pubs and clubs, etc.
Manly has it's problems too but there has been a crackdown and there is a zero tolerance approach to hooligans and uncontrolled boozers.

Linebreaker wrote:That's way out west though, mate. If you do go to country towns it can be a bit feral for 100m or so on the main streets but they are mostly deserted in mid-winter.

Seriously, I wouldn't wander around certain areas but 99% of the city is very safe during the day. Some dodgy areas at night but mostly in the south-western suburbs and parts of the Cross and small areas (east & south of the City) with lots of pubs and clubs, etc.
Manly has it's problems too but there has been a crackdown and there is a zero tolerance approach to hooligans and uncontrolled boozers.

GunsGerms wrote:Manly is awesome.

Linebreaker wrote:Capital M for Manly, please.

Haven't you got an essay on the origins of the demise of south african rugby to do?

thebluesmancometh wrote:Habana sucks...

Biltong wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:Capital M for Manly, please.

Haven't you got an essay on the origins of the demise of south african rugby to do?

did it last week already, for the aussie site I frequent.

Linebreaker wrote:Oh, we all look up to you, mate.

Linebreaker wrote:Oh, we all look up to you, mate.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:POC's too tall to look up to Warbs. Yet another to look down on the Welsh captain

thebluesmancometh wrote:

Biltong wrote:I find it amusing that when a SH supporter thinks the Wallabies will win the series 3-0 it is shunned and laughed off, but when a NH supporter says it, it is called confidence.

It has far less to do with SH/NH confidence arrogance etc, and far more to do with facts.

For all the bigging up of Aus there is no actual evidence that they are improved from last year at all, a spike in Brumbies form and the return of Georg Smith does not compensate for the Cooper/Beale mess, the loss of key players to injury / retirement, or the uneven and unbalanced look to the squad.

For me the lions played SA at their strongest, world champs who were no.1 on the planet, and it was some of the most brutal rugby ever recorded, if this lions squad can reproduce that level of unity, and commitment then they have the stronger squad and better players comfortably.

I'm not saying the Lions will definately win 3-0, but if Gatland gets his house in order, unites the team correctly then I think there is little Aus can do, and their 'nightmare' season is far from over.

Youngster carving up the Super league still need testing on the international stage, older experienced heads aren't performing great, and the squad looks a little desperate, the back row combinations look weak, Higg isn't an effective 8, Hooper and Gill are untested in a tour like this, the centre options are lacking something, and there is no lock to partner Horwill.

Key for Aus will be Cooper, he needs to get back into the squad, be treated like nothing has happened and all past dispensed of, then his partnership with Genia realised to it's fullest, that is a lot of trust to put on that little **** IMHO!

GunsGerms wrote:2-1 to the Lions, no question. Australia are grossly over rated.