ABs for Fiji

First topic message reminder :

So looks like Crocket, Hore, Slade, Siti, Hoeata, Ali Williams and Thompson will all get starts against Fiji.

Personally I'm happy to see Crocket there because I'd have him in as first choice anyway, but the rest are obviously erm, rotated selections. I don't think Henry has any choice, and personally I'm a little more confident about the ABs depth than the Aussies...It'll be interesting to see if the ABs are ambushed in the same way the Wobblies were though.

Yeah I agree Matt, Alan. Solid lineup for the first game. I think Hore's on a last chance as his form hasnt been good this year.

Slade knows Dunedin fairly well and is the typically unselfish 10 that we need around as back up- very solid at the basics without being too flashy.

Oz ambush last week means Fiji will get a lot more respect than they might have so they're lucky that went first. That match has woken the sleeping 3N giant up in a 'welcome to test rugby 2011 style' kind of way.

The newbies look good and we'll all be watching Thompson, Williams and Crocket closely. I think Guilford might find he gets a surprising amount of space when he adopts his terrier role and goes looking as he's probably had better defences this year and after a few points down the Fijians can go wandering a bit. Don't know a lot about this Fiji team and their Pacific cup/ politics havnt helped them. Can't see anything but a mid- big score here- I'll go for 32-12

Forgot Fiji beat Samoa in the Pacific cup by 20 odd. will now go for 32-18 with the ABs getting a couple of late ones.

In all honesty I'm just glad to see the boys out in the jersey, the haka etc for the first time this year. Its been a while...

taylorman
I agree its very special the first All Black game of the year to New Zealamders.Its also special in that it sees the induction of a new AB,Jarred Hoeata.
But heres a stat for you.the number of test caps among Fiji's starting XV =83. thats 11 less than All Black fullback Mils Muliana...

Rugbydreamer
Hell man ,I am a New Zealander,posting on a thread entitled ABs for Fiji, there is a test tonight between New Zealand and Fiji, Perhaps its you thats off topic....

Well, looking forward to the match. Always good to see the first ABs match of the season. Let's hope for some exciting Rugby.

TheGreyGhost wrote:Welshjohn this is a thread about Fiji and NZ, I fail to see what your relationship with England has to do with it. Please can you keep on topic and keep your racist slurs to yourself?

Hush hush now gg, don't have a cow there's a good boy. I must have picked up on the racism reading your trash.

OMG!!!! A Fijian scores against Fiji!!!

Fijians look sloppy so far. ABs look very controlled.

Fijian scrum being monstered but their defence has been very impressive thus far

New Zealand 11 - 0 Fiji

20 minutes gone.

But it looks like Fiji can't hold on to the ball to save their lives. Every time they get something going forwards, they knock it on.

Nice try...............

I cant watch the match unfortunately so any updates would be nice

Good try Slade, lead up was a bit slap stick though....I feel NZ are loosening the rust at the moment

Another New Zealand try for Slade, but the McCaw turnover which caused it looked illegal to me, could be wrong.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Another New Zealand try for Slade, but the McCaw turnover which caused it looked illegal to me, could be wrong.

Never, McCaw with an illegal turnover? I cant believe that lol.

Seriously though, he really is the master at the turnovers..

eirebilly,
Slade's try was a nice one. From somewhere just inside the 22 he chipped over the top. Ball takes a short bounce off the pad on the goal post and he picked up and put it over. ABs are playing a tight controlled game.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Another New Zealand try for Slade, but the McCaw turnover which caused it looked illegal to me, could be wrong.

Agreed, a good way offside this time (normally I'd defend him cos I think he gets too much stick)

And then he got penalised for an absolute beaut (and legal) turnover!

Cheers doctor. I get scared when the AB's play a controlled game, that for me is when they are their most potent.

McCaw is such a mennace but i could seriously watch him play rugby all day long. Such a great player.

I agree mate. If this is how they will approach the RWC, this is bad for everyone else.

As long as the All Blacks win by a margin of 47 points, i am happy. That was my superbru prediction.

The crowd is embarrasment to NZ to be honest, there is no excuse. It is so quiet there all I can hear is that Fijian lady shouting all the time.

Williams has been very busy but his link play has been a bit of a let down. Twice he's popped up on the left and both times he's stuffed up under no pressure.

I'm prepared to give him a break though, good to have his enthusiasm back, even if Whitelock has overtaken him in that dept

Oh hush welshjohn.
NZ crowds have never been famous for the atmospher as everyone in the crowd lives the match and intensity with the players.

Are there two Sivivatu's on the pitch? He's EVERYWHERE!

Another try. This from a breakdown on the right touchline to the a score close to the left corner. Good vision by Slade to see the opportunity all the way across the pitch.

They do look scary when they play controlled rugby doctor. It just looks so easy for them when they are playing this way.

So Slade is having a good game then?

ABs looking a bit over-coached and hesitant. Looks a bit like they're thinking about so many things they've forgotten the aim is to get the ball over the line.

A few wobbles and moments of uncertainty, but defo coming into the game and building his control

How cold is it in Dunedin now? I am currently outside New York City (here for the summer) and yesterday the temperature hit 100°F. Cricky thats hot.

eirebilly wrote:Oh hush welshjohn.
NZ crowds have never been famous for the atmospher as everyone in the crowd lives the match and intensity with the players.

WHAT!!!! Your dreaming mate. To get a crowd of under 20,000 for a test match is appaling.

Everyone lives the match hahahahaha nice one, even though you are so far from the truth it hurts.

I have only seen Slade a few times but from what i have seen i have been impressed.

Slade playing well, he's settling into it

Try from Thompson, thought it was a double movement myself

32 - 0 at half time. One way traffic. Wales dominate them in the scrum and we should romp home aainst this Fiji.

Best i just ignore you then welshjohn as you seem to have a problem with New Zealanders.

You're not even interested in the game are you Welshidiot? Don't know why you bother just popping in to comment on the crowd.

Slade showed a few nerves with some off the mark passes early. But he has settled into the match nicely.

welshjohn369 wrote:32 - 0 at half time. One way traffic. Wales dominate them in the scrum and we should romp home aainst this Fiji.

Yes because everybody knows Wales are as good as the ABs.

Is it a walk in the park for the AB's or are Fiji really bad?

It's an odd game. Has very little intensity. A lot of scrum re-sets. All Blacks playing a very conservative game but sloppy and loose in execution and Fiji defending reasonably well. Really Slade's try was the only moment of interest or skill. So far doing the basics has been enough for NZ.

eirebilly wrote:Best i just ignore you then welshjohn as you seem to have a problem with New Zealanders.

You do what ever you want paddy not fussed there to be sure:)


Hush gg you sound like an old lady again, I bet you are so proud of your fellow Kiwis with that hald empty stadium, disgusting sight to be honest. Actually don't give a toss about the game, prefer Top Gear there are more people in the audience

Says it all really. Off you go then. I'd rather Carisbrook and ABs in control, than being a village idiot fan packed into the Millennium Stadium watching Wales drawing the match. Run along.

Referring to Irish people as Paddy's - seriously get a grip.

But there have been signs that the AB's are clicking TheGreyGhost?

Welshjohn.... Paddy??? is that the best you can do, childish name calling? Pretty sad, if you dont like the game and dont want to watch it then may i suggest you stop watching it and watch Top Gear then because you are making a bit of a foll of yourself here.

eirebilly wrote:But there have been signs that the AB's are clicking TheGreyGhost?

.

I wish there was. Cowan is kicking a lot of ball away - badly. He just got charged down. To be honest, Fiji looking more inventive and threatening with the ball

The scrums are getting pretty annoying now, there needs to be something done about then!