Pauline in all black
If you’re reading this post then I have been killed, or so the line went from Pauline Hanson with her so-called ‘obituary’ video.
I’m currently visiting enemy territory in the southern North Island of New Zild on business and expect to be terminated at any time with extreme prejudice.
It’s no comparison to El Dommo I know, who’s on the sake express to Tokyo (as you’ll be reading about soon), but you take the good with the bad.
As soon as I open my mouth here I’m targeted as an ‘awful Aussie’; one of those guys who supports that weak and woeful Wallabies team.
Fair sux of the sauce bottle digger, you’re a goose for not going undercover but I just can’t seem to get a handle on the right vowel movements?
I’ve been pitied today by people who point at me and say ‘how come you have dropped one of your only world class players from the run-on side to play the All Blicks this weekend?’ I cringe and offer a weak, defeated response.
Robbie says “We think that David’s strengths will serve us well at the front end of the game, but I’m sure you will also be seeing George during the match”. What, on the telecast sitting in the stand getting splinters up his arse? I say Dingo…..how very, very dare you!
At the front end of the game? George Smith was one of our most effective Wallaby forwards at the front end of the game earlier in the season until you moved him out of his natural No 7 position. You know, the position he became a world class player in?
George Smith is the guy you made captain in an under performing team because there was no one else at the time and it seems he’s carrying the can for those players who didn’t step up or have the necessary ticker.
Not only will his young replacement Bam Bam Pocock be up against Richie again at No 7, but he’s also got Rodney So’oialo to contend with now at the breakdown, who’s another very mobile loosie .
Against the second best team in the world you’d want all your experienced big guns firing, wouldn’t you? If you wanted to start your northern tour with a confidence building win you would.
Flying in brother Tyrone as a replacement for an injured Rob Horne is no substitute for being dumped onto the bench, albeit a welcome addition to the touring party. Le Fuse being demoted I can understand; Phil Waugh to a lesser extent although he’s a guy you’d still want in the trenches with you but George – no way.
Sure, father time catches up with all of us eventually but I’m damned sure he ain’t caught up with George just yet. There’s no talk of rotation or keeping him back for more important games so the assumption is he’s been demoted. This is a bad business.
The thing about this particular game for Kiwis over here is the ‘ho-hum’ factor. They just don’t give a tutae. That’s to say not that many people seem to be too enthused over this match.
It starts here on TV at about 9.30pm and looks like lots of punters will either record it or not even bother. Four games against the Wallabies is way too many, especially as they’ve already retained the silverware three zip.
There seems more interest in Saturday’s semi-final of the NPC (Air New Zealand Cup) with Wellington taking on Southland, the new Ranfurly Shield holder.
The All Blacks have made three changes to their team from the last test. As I said, So’oialo is back for Kieran Read who drops to the reserves, Sitiveni Sivivatu returns for Smokin’ Joe (who’s clearly been stubbed out) and Conrad Smith’s is in his rightful outside centre spot.
The really good news is that the big Qantas bird takes me back home on Saturday morning in time to read El Dommo’s latest tour excerpt.
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Cory Jane, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Reserves:16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Tamati Ellison.
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It does feel bad being prejudiced against. But hang in there. As long as you know what you believe in and you are adamant about it then be assured that you will succeed!
That’s a good looking AB team. They’re not dicking around.
Yep, they look good. I am a bit worried it could be another Wellington!
I can’t seem to see the game in the guide for Setanta or Mediazone… Seems like the broadcasters don’t give a shit either.
I hope the money is worth another beating to the fans morale.
Two things.
I feel the same way as LF does every time I’m in Oz; which is often so I escape to Tasmania where no body has ever heard of newzild, or australia for that matter.
Second thing. On paper and man for man these two teams are very even. Front row, question mark only over Ben Alex and only at scrumtime. Locks – about even I reckon. Just as well Ali Williams isn’t playing of it might not be. Back row. Palu and So’oliala – a good match up. If Palu is on his game he is a head over Rodney. Elsom and Thomson – Rocky by a shade. It’s Pocock who has got the biggest task and we will see if he is up to it or not very soon.
Genia ahead of Cowan. At 10, Dan Carter a clear head and shoulders on recent performances over Gits. Time for Gits to earn his play money I think. Barnes and Nonu? Well Nonu isn’t really the thinking man’s player, but he can be pretty damaging nonetheless. On balance a pretty even showdown I think. Cross and Smith? Smith by a whisker.
Hynes and Cory? Even. Sivi and Ioane? Hmmmm. This could be a good one, but I’m picking Digby to take it out. Mils and AAC? AAC by a comfortable margin.
Lineouts? WBs, despite the ABs using platforms to stand on. Scrums? even. Kicking for field possie? ABs, WBs have to step up here. Kick and chase? ABs again. So what’s so hard about running after the ball? Time the WBs did some of it.
In the end and the beginning and the middle – it will come down to the breakdown ……. again.
If the WBs sort this out they will take the game by a narrow margin. But it is a big IF.
Hope never dies though. Time for some good news on Sunday morning.
Robbo – Tasmania is a bit like NZ, nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there! At least you can understand what they’re saying but the continual double take is a bit off-putting…..
I think the Wallabies have definitely improved the team with Digby, Marcia and Cliffy but in my view the former should be playing at outside centre. He’s a far more penetrative and elusive runner than Cross, a journeyman by anyone’s description.
It’s a retrograde step to demote a world class player like George as I’ve said – that’s not to say that Bam Bam isn’t a very promising player, but he’s yet to deliver on that potential.
With Cliffy its really only about form. He’s got the go-forward and aggression, just needs to focus on the work rate. The proper balance in the loose forward trio has been restored.
That said, the Kiwis are a better side this time round as well. So’oialo has been back to his best in the NPC, we know what Conrad Smith is capable of and Sivivatu is a game breaker.
The All Blacks have shown an improvement throughout the season but the Wallabies are all over the place. Really, I can’t see the result being too much different than before.
As the only specialist locks selected, it’s time for Chizz and Big Kev to step up.
Agree entirely that Digby should be at 13. As I’ve said before, he never really played the house down on the wing, it was only once he got the ball a bit more at 13 that he showed how hard he is to stop at close range.
Fuck this…with Berrick out bring George in at no 12 and let him chip-kicking ’til his heart’s content. At least we might win the odd ruck contest out wide.
I see a light at the end of the tunnel but I suspect it is a rather large locomotive
Yes and the light is behind, not in front of you.
*#@/^+>.