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Bledisloe II @ Eden Park

Forcefield

Ken Catchpole (46)
That would not be good. Almost self sabotage

I wondered about that. Suppose we did win. What is the probability that we would have to play NZ in the RWC? The probability of beating NZ 3 times in a calendar year? Figure we have to drop one in order to win the potential third. Or maybe that's just losers mentality.
 

Spruce Moose

Fred Wood (13)
I do hope we play the same starting 15 this weekend but with Pocock on bench instead of Jones. Think with a potentially tough must win match first up against Fiji and my expectation that we field a 2nd XV against Samoa then its important to check that it wasn't a fluke last week and these guys can back it up.

On a side note its interesting that all the media and pundits were saying South Africa fielded a 2nd XV however it seems now it was a Wallabies 2 XV as well. Only 2 players in our backline were starting from that match and an entirely different front row.
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
That would not be good. Almost self sabotage

remember what happened last RWC cycle.

We won in Sydney v ABs with a very good performance built around 9 Phipps, 10 Foley, 12 Giteau.

We go to Eden Park the next game and play 9 White, 10 Cooper, 12 To'omua and get pumped.

First choice playmakers are confirmed (noting Genia was injured) and the other lads basically don't get sited come the RWC
 

VassMan

Darby Loudon (17)
Hopefully we've learnt from 2015 then! Pocock on the bench though please. As much as I don't like Hodge and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) in their current positions, they proved me wrong and deserve to play again this weekend. Then we can do some more experiments vs Samoa.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
remember what happened last RWC cycle.

We won in Sydney v ABs with a very good performance built around 9 Phipps, 10 Foley, 12 Giteau.

We go to Eden Park the next game and play 9 White, 10 Cooper, 12 To'omua and get pumped.

First choice playmakers are confirmed (noting Genia was injured) and the other lads basically don't get sited come the RWC
The win in Sydney was not as convincing and the performance from the ABs in that match more of a blip. Their form has been on the slide for a bit now, and their depth being seriously tested.

Plus that was at the start of Cheikas reign. This is his last shot at the Bledisloe.

I doubt we'll see him throw the game like last time.
 

RedsHappy

Tony Shaw (54)
Here we go, we should be throwing the kitchen sink at this test, we want the Bledisloe, and after the salty crying from NZ I want it more.

Win the Bledisloe then chase Bill

Yes. Many will disagree but if we win the Bledisloe it will do more to uplift rugby in Australia than if we win the RWC but yet again sacrifice the BC.

Like it or not, Australian sports lovers care more about what they see and repetitively know close to home than that which occurs in far away places every 4 years, no matter how elevated the latter may be.

Both would be the most optimal, of course :).
 

Brumbieman

Dick Tooth (41)
If any non-injury related change is made other than Pocock for Jones, i'll completely lose my shit and be waiting for Cheik at the airport.

Winning is a habit and we've got the fucking Bledisloe on the line, what kind of imbecile would tinker with the team? They've been tinkering to FIND the best team, now they've got it don't fucking change anything!
 

chasmac

Dave Cowper (27)
Gameplans will be interesting;
NZ are sure to address their defensive issues, we will see alot more from their forwards especially the tight 5.
Wallabies need a similar plan to last week but with some subtle variations.
I think we should look to pressure their lineout more by playing for territory early.
Actually, just rip in. Don't get to clever about it. Win the forwards battle. Handle well. Tackle everything. Expect some tough decisions. Have faith in your team mate. They never quit.
 

swingpass

Peter Sullivan (51)
well i was watching the wallabies train this am. the same XV were in the "green bibs" (except Arnold who was on the sidelines). i cant see too many, if any changes to the 23. Pocock was in full training :), back reserves may change, two dads was running a bit with the green team when SK was having a rest. Uelese was packing down in the "others" scrum when i was there, so perhaps another change. i agree they should try to win the Bled. i'd keep Pocock on ice until he is 100% fit (not even 99.99999....). against Samoa, give him a run at 8, Jones to start at 6 and then whoever else they think is in the mix a full half. JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 and TK or JP at 13, perhaps DHP at 15, but i think i'd keep White and CLL playing as much as possible.
 

Scoey

Tony Shaw (54)
I really think that White/CLL halves paring should be the way forward into the RWC. I'm not convinced of To'omua though and would prefer Foley and Genia on the bench to finish games I think.

Anyway, for this weekend, we shouldn't change a thing unless forced by injury. The only possibly exception to this would be Pocock in for Jones and/or Foley in for To'omua but even then I'd be happy to see the same 23.

I dare to dream. I'm not optimistic but I am very hopeful. We will beat them at Eden Park one day and it could be this weekend. Who knows.

I know the AB's tend to tinker a bit and seem to place less importance on the RC in a RWC year but everything has changed for them now. A draw at home (loss essentially) then a loss, third in the Rugby Championship, and the possibility of losing a major piece of silverware and a huge psychological advantage just before the RWC means the stakes for this match are almost as high as they get for both teams.

Wallabies by 2.
 

Up the Guts

Steve Williams (59)
Yes. Many will disagree but if we win the Bledisloe it will do more to uplift rugby in Australia than if we win the RWC but yet again sacrifice the BC.

Like it or not, Australian sports lovers care more about what they see and repetitively know close to home than that which occurs in far away places every 4 years, no matter how elevated the latter may be.

Both would be the most optimal, of course :).
I can see us winning the RWC if we win the Bledislode, I can’t see us winning the RWC if we lose it. The confidence from winning will do far more for our chances than any extra time building combinations.
 

Ballboy

Chris McKivat (8)
From history we will get thrashed by 50 points in NZ ,, just the way it goes , my simple minded suggestion is dont give them the fkn ball , if you keep turning it over or kicking it to them they will beat you , plus the referees will always ( mostly ) penalise the defenders .. did you see Beale run it from his line ? ABs do that , see our players looking for offload rather than go to ground ? again AB play ,, looked very promising , will need to defend like crazy and make them tackle all day to have a chance in NZ
 

Tex

John Thornett (49)
I think we can also take a lesson about psychological health from our cousins across the Tasman.

They enter test matches expecting to win and when it goes pear-shaped, they provide a very public case study of Kubler-Ross' stages of grief, but rather than progressing through to acceptance, they seem to be stuck in a maelstrom of denial, anger and depression. Very unhealthy.

Us on the other hand have become somewhat inured to middling test match performances and smell the roses while they're blooming, knowing full well that winter is coming.
 
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