Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
So long as Kepu doesn't clock off, then I think the Aus props will have the better of Crockett and Franks around the ground and at least parity in the scrums. Aus>NZ there.
Australia v New Zealand - Sydney 16 Aug
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So long as Kepu doesn't clock off, then I think the Aus props will have the better of Crockett and Franks around the ground and at least parity in the scrums. Aus>NZ there.
Possibly confusion over those nsw waratah years when they represented Australia . I believe we recognise those games as capped tests but other countries may not.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Based it off this which is from the IRB
http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/mediazone/02/07/26/92/20140816ausvnzl.pdf
http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/mediazone/02/07/26/92/20140816ausvnzl.pdf
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
I mentioned earlier that for that reason (& the Tahs centres/FB combo) we may see a bit of switcheroo during the game..possibly a set piece move or two and maybe some midfield breakdown positioning, but agree it's stupid to suggest it's part of a bluff.
They are interesting stats..
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Its so hard to compare players who offer very different skill-sets. For example TWAS's post about To'omua being a better all-round player then To'omua, but then Nonu is so destructive on attack and his balance with C.Smith makes it a very good (and proven) centre combination.
Also I rate Cruden very highly but Beale (under McKenzie) is an unknown.
I agree that Beale and To'omua will certainly shift between first and second receiver during the game. Particularly I think To'omua will handle a fair amount of the clearing kicks from our 22.
I think the suggestion that To'omua and Beale will actually line up at 10 and 12 and the selection announced is just a bluff is way off though.
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
I reckon you're being a little generous to the AB's there Hugh. We don't need to fudge the numbers to grab underdog status in this one!
Props: Parity or AUS
Hooker: Parity or NZ
Locks: NZ by some margin. (Not saying ours aren't good but as a pair, the NZ duo are the best in the world)
Strap ons: Parity or NZ by a whisker.
9: NZ but Smith is very capable of having an off night and if so White will be miles better.
10: NZ
Centres: Parity or AUS if Conrad is actually out.
Wings: NZ
15: Tough to compare but I'd agree with parity here.
Interesting exercise to go through though!
scaraby
Ron Walden (29)
hmmm he does look a bit like Carlos though....just saying
Set piece magic
John Solomon (38)
Someone at the IRB needs to be fired for this. In fact, that is such a fucking disaster if I was involved at the IRB over the last 10 years I would fire myself out of shame and never get involved in Rugby again
JOHN STENSHOLT AND JAKE MITCHELL
Before he left the ARU in 2007, Flowers met with then Seven West Media boss David Leckie, a rugby fan who was awarded an honorary “Blue” from Macquarie University, where he played the game during his studies.
A previous time the Australian Rugby Union was negotiating with broadcasters over a new television rights deal, its then-chief executive Gary Flowers got short shrift from the sport’s longtime free-to-air broadcaster.
Flowers leaned towards Leckie and said earnestly: “What can the ARU do for Seven?”
Leckie, a renowned character, replied: “Can you take your sport to another network?” Leckie went on to hammer Flowers, insisting that scrum interpretations and too many penalties were ruining rugby.
I just can't see us getting parity in scrums especially with the triumvirate of Match Officials named.
The Aussie scrum prejudice will result in Sir deciding that every collapse was the fault of the Men in Gold regardless of actual cause or the angular non-alignment of Crockett.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Gee I'd say the NZ backrow of Kaino, Read, McCaw are the best in the world. They would beat us there for sure. All have been nominated or won the IRB award in the last 3/4 years.
Kaino>Fardy
Read> Palu
Current McCaw = Hooper - and that's if Hooper steps up and McCaw continues playing below his best, if McCaw is at his best then I'd give it to McCaw too.
So I guess if Conrad Smith makes it back tomorrow he could take his place on the bench.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
The IRB give minimal fucks for what happens in Australia, as long as it doesn't hurt their cash cow - the Rugby World Cup.
They pay lip service to the fact that we, uniquely, compete with other codes, then point to the attendance figures they get across Europe for the 6N and lower tier comps, and the rude health of club rugby.
Thus, any law changes that take place in our nek of the woods are usually dismissed. Witness the ELVs that the MARC tried in 2007. Pretty much all the major recommendations were thrown out (mostly around the ruck) because the IRB are NH-oriented, and altering the maul and ruck to make a faster game with less penalties didn't suit them.
Further to this, the points changes, while noble in aspiration, won't make it past this 9 week competition and probably won't even be used next year by the NRC.
Over on the Fern, @barbarian and I have been flying the flag for the new comp and the Law modifications, and from the initial "this will be interesting to see" it has swiftly denigrated into "fucking Aussies trying to turn rugby into league!"
I'd agree this generally but I think as a trio our backrow is brilliant and the best we've fielded for a long time.
Palu was far more influential on the Super Rugby final than Read. We will need that strong ball running from Palu tomorrow night to consistently get us over the advantage line.
Fardy has a big job to do handling Kaino's physicality. He'll probably be their go to ball runner in tight much the same as Palu will be more us.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
Yeah fair point for sure.
6. Kaino > Fardy at the moment
7. Hooper is in sublime form and McCaw is off the pace for mine so Hooper gets the nod here. Having said that eternal pain in the Wallabies arse will probably re grow his third leg once he pulls on the black.
8. Cliffy is in career best form and matches Read in my books.
As a unit, I think we're as good as the AB's loosies. If Fardy has a big one we could beat them here. But I expect other may disagree.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Agreed, If Read, McCaw and Kaino are even slightly off their games and Palu, Hooper, Fardy continue their good form we will have advantage. Some area's we already have an advantage (but as overall players Kaino, Read are clear favourites), like you mentioned Palu's destructions runs and Hoopers mobility and ball-running.
I see Fardy as the weak link when comparing the back rows.
Palu plays a different game to Read, and both are very good at what they do, same with The Goat and Hooper.
Kaino is a complete package and the Chuck Norris comparisons are fairly accurate. Fardy is too much of a Notta in comparison - Not a 6, Not a 8, Not a 4/5, but useful to have around.
Palu plays a different game to Read, and both are very good at what they do, same with The Goat and Hooper.
Kaino is a complete package and the Chuck Norris comparisons are fairly accurate. Fardy is too much of a Notta in comparison - Not a 6, Not a 8, Not a 4/5, but useful to have around.
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