All Blacks v Wallabies, Dunedin, 19th October 2013

[Ignoto]

To me, that sounds like a very strangely rigid approach, especially given the Wallaby propensity for dorking themselves in recent years with all nature of injuries. If indeed that was what he meant.

Well yeah I guess it is. The problem would have been solved if Horne was included in the squad to begin with.

Seems like a fairly week excuse to me.

Sitaleki Timani seems to have picked things up alright despite not being around for that week and English isn't even his first language.

I agree, ruling them out because they're not part of the squad isn't right, especially when we're playing 3 hours over the ditch with a two week break. I'm pointing out why Harris was probably picked before Horne. Whether you agree with the pecking order over them is completely different (personally Horne should have been picked in the 40 man squad and should be starting this weekend with Lilo out, but that's another argument).

 

[Braveheart81]

I think Rob Horne has been excluded because when he was filling out his Wallabies application form, in the box that said:

Do not write in this space he wrote Okay.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

I think Rob Horne has been excluded because when he was filling out his Wallabies application form, in the box that said:

Do not write in this space he wrote Okay.

Least he did his homework unlike some of our cricketers..........

 

[Braveheart81]

Wallabies travel squad: James Slipper, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, Benn Robinson, Saia Fainga'a, Stephen Moore, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, Sitaleki Timani, Dave Dennis, Liam Gill, Michael Hooper, Ben McCalman, Ben Mowen; Will Genia, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Matt To'omua, Mike Harris, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Betham, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley.

So Cummins is still not match fit and unless Folau moves to the wing and Foley to fullback, Betham is set for a start.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Betham is set for a start.

Well I never would have seen that coming

 

[Braveheart81]

So assuming Betham starts on Saturday night, I wonder if it means he'll also get to go on the End of Year Tour or whether that is dependent in Tomane and CFS' hamstrings?

It would be pretty strange for a player to be in the starting XV this weekend and then not get to be part of a 32 man tour leaving (or he would make it 33) a couple of days later.

 

[I like to watch]

How many start are the bookies giving?
This is not looking promising.

 

[Braveheart81]

How many start are the bookies giving?
This is not looking promising.

The line is currently 14.5. That looks like a pretty good bet on NZ.

 

[RoffsChoice]

14.5?!?! I know we beat Argentina well but... Generous.

 

[scaraby]

14.5?!?! I know we beat Argentina well but. Generous.

AUS 29 vs NZL 47 Stats

NZL 27 vs AUS 16 Stats



11+18/2=14.5.......and considering these were catastrophic losses maybe we should be backing the wobs....

 

[Dam0]

AUS 29 vs NZL 47 Stats

NZL 27 vs AUS 16 Stats



11+18/2=14.5...and considering these were catastrophic losses maybe we should be backing the wobs..

Neither of them were catastrophic losses. But neither of them were particularly good All Black displays either. 14.5 seems about right to me.

 

[kiap]

TACKLE-shedding Peter Betham, battling for a Super Rugby contract 12 months ago, is set to be pitchforked into the Wallabies' backline against the All Blacks on Saturday. ​

​

Australia's growing wing crisis is expected to see Betham debut in the dead-rubber third Bledisloe in Dunedin after joining the Wallabies 24-man squad on their flight to New Zealand today.​

​

At the start of the year, the Kiwi-born flyer was rated as the NSW Waratahs' fourth-best winger at best. But a strong Super Rugby season, netting five tries, and a host of injuries to the country's best finishers has elevated him to a surprise Test debut in Dunedin.​

​

With Joe Tomane and Chris Feauai-Sautia ruled out with hamstring problems yesterday, and Nick Cummins yet to recover from a broken hand, Betham was brought into the Wallabies squad as the only fit specialist winger.​

​

The wayward James O'Connor (suspended), France-bound Digby Ioane, Fiji-born Brumbies flyer Henry Speight (ineligible), Dom Shipperley (shoulder) and Rod Davies (knee) are also unavailable.​

​

Australia's wing dramas had already forced coach Ewen McKenzie to move Adam Ashley-Cooper from his preferred position at outside centre for the last-start 54-17 win over Argentina.​

​

McKenzie could move Israel Folau to the wing instead of Betham and elevate fellow Waratah Bernard Foley to fullback but that's unlikely after the All Blacks successfully limited Folau's wing opportunities in the 47-29 and 27-16 Bledisloe losses in August.​

​

- See more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...y-e6frg7o6-1226740880944#sthash.csWfsHac.dpuf​

 

[Muttonbird]

Seriously hope Hansen has been able to get inside the heads of the younger All Blacks. It would be very easy for them to go off the boil listening to all this talk of how strapped the Wallabies are.

 

[nugget]

Seriously hope Hansen has been able to get inside the heads of the younger All Blacks. It would be very easy for them to go off the boil listening to all this talk of how strapped the Wallabies are.

nah mate, it's a dead rubber and we've got nothing. You guys are gonna piss it in. Treat it like a training run, save yourself for the tour etc. It'll be a walkover.

At least that's what I hope is manifesting somewhere unconsciously in the back of the AB's minds.

Cause I have the tiniest sniff of something brewing. Tiny, miniscule even, but a glimmer of hope for us.

 

[Blue]

Seriously hope Hansen has been able to get inside the heads of the younger All Blacks. It would be very easy for them to go off the boil listening to all this talk of how strapped the Wallabies are.

Nah.

The competition for spots outside the top 15 is fierce. Anyone getting a chance in this game will give it horns.

I see pain coming in the new house of pain.

Sorry Wob fans.

 

[Groucho]

Betham is set for a start.

Excellent. Betham and Folau both have the ability to break any defence.

Of course Betham needs to catch it first.

 

[RoffsChoice]

All Blacks not taking a game seriously? Not likely.

 

[Groucho]

All Blacks not taking a game seriously? Not likely.

Their recent record in so-called dead rubbers is much worse than their overall record, which suggests something is different in those games. The obvious answer is that they take their foot off the gas.

 

[Richo]

Excellent. Betham and Folau both have the ability to break any defence.

But not defend any break.

 

[Brumby Jack]

ALL BLACKS

1. Tony Woodcock (104)
2. Keven Mealamu (108)
3. Charlie Faumuina (13)
4. Jeremy Thrush (3)
5. Samuel Whitelock (47)
6. Liam Messam (26)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (120)
8. Kieran Read (57)
9. Aaron Smith (21)
10. Aaron Cruden (25)
11. Julian Savea (17)
12. Ma'a Nonu (84)
13. Ben Smith (21)
14. Cory Jane (43)
15. Israel Dagg (33)
Reserves:
16. Dane Coles (10)
17. Wyatt Crockett (19)
18. Ben Franks (28)
19. Brodie Retallick (20)
20. Sam Cane (12)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (10)
22. Beauden Barrett (13)
23. Tom Taylor (1)