the sabanator
Ron Walden (29)
Who saw Dean Mumm & James Horwill as the Wallabies starting lock six weeks ago?
Bledisloe #1 - AUS v NZL, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, August 8th
- Thread starter KOB1987
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the sabanator
Ron Walden (29)
I've got a good feeling about this game, I don't think this particular ABs XV is as strong as everyone seems to believe. Their tight five is pretty average outside of Retallick, and I expect our front row to put some pressure on theirs in the scrum. Pooper + Fardy is a pretty good counter against Kaino/Read/McCaw (which is still the premier combination of backrowers in world rugby). If Mumm & Horwill can show some proper mongrel and our backrow hits top gear, I can see us winning a forwards battle.
Undoubtedly their backline has some firepower. Savea is always dangerous and our kicking to the back will have to be wary of giving too much space to Ben Smith or Milner-Skudder. I'm surprised they've picked NMS for this game - hopefully we can exploit some of his inexperience. Kuridrani + Giteau should be a good enough defensive combination against SBW & Smith. Obviously Aaron Smith and DC are a level above Phipps/Foley, but if we can get a serviceable kicking game out of Foley and Giteau reverses his Brisbane form, I'm excited about what Kuridrani, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Folau & Mitchell can do.
If we can get the ball in Izzy's hands, create some go forward, Foley has a better night with the boot and we shut down their midfield I think the Wallabies have a great chance of winning this game.
Undoubtedly their backline has some firepower. Savea is always dangerous and our kicking to the back will have to be wary of giving too much space to Ben Smith or Milner-Skudder. I'm surprised they've picked NMS for this game - hopefully we can exploit some of his inexperience. Kuridrani + Giteau should be a good enough defensive combination against SBW & Smith. Obviously Aaron Smith and DC are a level above Phipps/Foley, but if we can get a serviceable kicking game out of Foley and Giteau reverses his Brisbane form, I'm excited about what Kuridrani, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), Folau & Mitchell can do.
If we can get the ball in Izzy's hands, create some go forward, Foley has a better night with the boot and we shut down their midfield I think the Wallabies have a great chance of winning this game.
Fireworks
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Official Team Announcement:
1. Scott Sio (Brumbies - 7 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore, C (Brumbies - 94 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (Waratahs - 54 Tests)
4. Dean Mumm (Waratahs - 34 Tests)
5. James Horwill (Reds - 59 Tests)
6. Scott Fardy (Brumbies - 21 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper, VC (Waratahs - 43 Tests)
8. David Pocock (Brumbies - 48 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (Waratahs - 30 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (Waratahs - 19 Tests)
11. Drew Mitchell (Toulon - 64 Tests)
12. Matt Giteau (Toulon - 93 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies - 22 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, VC (Waratahs - 106 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (Waratahs - 31 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs - 51 Tests)
17. James Slipper (Reds - 65 Tests)
18. Greg Holmes (Reds - 15 Tests)
19. Will Skelton (Waratahs - 10 Tests)
20. Ben McCalman (Force - 39 Tests)
21. Nic White (Brumbies - 20 Tests)
22. Matt To'omua (Brumbies - 23 Tests)
23. Kurtley Beale (Waratahs- 50 Tests)
http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsAr...ew-Zealand-in-Rugby-Championship-decider.aspx
1. Scott Sio (Brumbies - 7 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore, C (Brumbies - 94 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (Waratahs - 54 Tests)
4. Dean Mumm (Waratahs - 34 Tests)
5. James Horwill (Reds - 59 Tests)
6. Scott Fardy (Brumbies - 21 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper, VC (Waratahs - 43 Tests)
8. David Pocock (Brumbies - 48 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (Waratahs - 30 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (Waratahs - 19 Tests)
11. Drew Mitchell (Toulon - 64 Tests)
12. Matt Giteau (Toulon - 93 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies - 22 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, VC (Waratahs - 106 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (Waratahs - 31 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs - 51 Tests)
17. James Slipper (Reds - 65 Tests)
18. Greg Holmes (Reds - 15 Tests)
19. Will Skelton (Waratahs - 10 Tests)
20. Ben McCalman (Force - 39 Tests)
21. Nic White (Brumbies - 20 Tests)
22. Matt To'omua (Brumbies - 23 Tests)
23. Kurtley Beale (Waratahs- 50 Tests)
http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsAr...ew-Zealand-in-Rugby-Championship-decider.aspx
Official Team Announcement scooped by the Gaggerland exclusive on the blog front page.
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/gagr-exclusive-prepare-for-the-pooper/
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/gagr-exclusive-prepare-for-the-pooper/
emuarse
Desmond Connor (43)
I was very optimistic last year, in fact I think we could have won the first Bledisloe game if we had a true #10 (Not Beale, thanks Link).
Then came the disaster of Eden Park, where we were crushed unmitigated and I lost ALL faith to win the Bledisloe again.
In the last game we were the better team but they regained up the pace in the last minutes and they won the game. I lost all faith since. I prefer to be negative and amaze me with a victory to be positive and be struck again.
Luckily these will be the last games against generation of McCaw, Carter, Conrad Smith, Nonu, Mealamu and others. I don't think the next AB generation will be so dominant like these blokes. At least I hope so.
Tongan Thor and Samoan Wolverine will bring the Bledisloe to Australia again
The big question is... will those players perform as well as they did when they were younger. For example, McCaw is still good, but a younger McCaw would probably run rings around him.
The only player I've seen recently who is performing probably better than before is Nonu, and I think he is out with an injury.
Very important milestone game coming up for Big Kev
5. James Horwill (Reds - 59 Tests)
Some predicted he would be stranded.
Sanchez and Cliffy may struggle to comply.
From the SMH:http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...or-overseasbased-players-20150422-1mqtsw.html
5. James Horwill (Reds - 59 Tests)
Some predicted he would be stranded.
Sanchez and Cliffy may struggle to comply.
From the SMH:http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...or-overseasbased-players-20150422-1mqtsw.html
KOB1987
Rod McCall (65)
Good point, that is essentially the decision
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
I'll add to my earlier post the changes in the team from last years Bled to this year's.
There are many commentators that feel that Australia had a realistic chance of winning the Bledisloe last year and I agree.
The All Blacks team from last year is largely the same as it is this year. The starting XV for the TRC Bled games, the AB's have retained 9 players in the same position.
For the Wallabies, the same comparison yields 4 players that have been retained in their same position.
So tell me this: given that we were close last year, have the 11 additions to the Wallabies improved them more than the 6 additions to the All Blacks?
2014
2015
There are many commentators that feel that Australia had a realistic chance of winning the Bledisloe last year and I agree.
The All Blacks team from last year is largely the same as it is this year. The starting XV for the TRC Bled games, the AB's have retained 9 players in the same position.
For the Wallabies, the same comparison yields 4 players that have been retained in their same position.
So tell me this: given that we were close last year, have the 11 additions to the Wallabies improved them more than the 6 additions to the All Blacks?
2014
2015
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
jollyswagman
Ron Walden (29)
What is telling for mine is who didn't make the run-on side. Call it "Australia B + Rehab" but as nice as it is to see us with some depth across the park, I can't help but feeling Cheik has over-thought this one. I am generally a pretty optimistic Wallaby supported and was feeling confident until I saw the team lineup. Is that really Australia's best back line?
Pihipps, Foley, Giteau, TK, Mitchell, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) & Folau??? Really?
I think the Kiwi's will be licking their lips at this line-up.
Australia B + Rehab
Slipper
TPN
Holmes
Skelton
Simmons
McMahon
Higgers
Palu
Genia
Cooper
To'omua
Horne
Speight
Tomane
Beale
Does anyone else think the line-up above could beat this week's team?
Pihipps, Foley, Giteau, TK, Mitchell, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) & Folau??? Really?
I think the Kiwi's will be licking their lips at this line-up.
Australia B + Rehab
Slipper
TPN
Holmes
Skelton
Simmons
McMahon
Higgers
Palu
Genia
Cooper
To'omua
Horne
Speight
Tomane
Beale
Does anyone else think the line-up above could beat this week's team?
chasmac
Dave Cowper (27)
Biggest single difference and a crucial one is Foley for Beale. Foley adds alot to those outside him.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
I would have gone for Lilo over Gits too. Hope I can be proved wrong.
Although I'm guessing Gits is the best (currently) goal-kicker in the squad.
FrankLind
Colin Windon (37)
Gotta love your optimism. Good luck.
KOB1987
Rod McCall (65)
I was a pooper advocate and I'm pretty excited about seeing it! Taking the kids down for the game and can't wait!
A lot of it may have come down to 'who are the 80 minute players?'. Both of those blokes are as is Fardy. Possibly none of the locks are so I wouldn't be surprised to see us finish with something like:
4. Skelton
5. Fardy
6. Pocock
7. Hooper
8. Mccalman
A lot of it may have come down to 'who are the 80 minute players?'. Both of those blokes are as is Fardy. Possibly none of the locks are so I wouldn't be surprised to see us finish with something like:
4. Skelton
5. Fardy
6. Pocock
7. Hooper
8. Mccalman
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