Richard Graham could then be parachuted in to take over as coach.
Aus vs NZ - 1st Test Sydney 17Aug2013
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thierry dusautoir
Alan Cameron (40)
Am I the only who feels a bit 'meh', about this All Blacks side?
I just don't feel the same sense of FML that I usually do at the beginning of each tri-nation/rugby championship for the last 3 years. I don't feel as if we will be treading water trying not drown amidst a relentless black tide. Instead I feel optimistic that we will ride the crest of the wave that is the NZ rugby leviathan. I have no fears that if we wipeout, we will not be able to paddle out against the tide and try again.
While the All Blacks pack is strong and full of power, I feel like we have managed for the first time in years to stump up a pack that will be able to go blow for blow with them for the full 80; which I consider impressive considering our lack of Higginbotham and Kimlin (who at times where impressive beyond belief this year). I feel as if our front row will be more than just a few heavyweights there to pack a few scrums, but could actually do some damage in open play. I feel as if our back five will be more than just workhorses racking up stats that in the end mean nothing but players who will meet Read, Romano and Whitelock in contact and pull as many punches as they take.
Finally I know for the first time in a long time our backline will be more than a question of "what if?" but "what is". I feel as if we have fielded a backline that can be methodical and cunning. While at the same time will not be strangled and smothered into thinking the chip kick is the right option.
I am not saying we will win but I think the era of All Blacks cruising to victory is over. I feel a few of the players in the forwards are no longer at the height of their power and their backs have a few players that can be mentally shut out of games (Savea & Nonu).
I honestly don't care if we lose every game, but as long as I am on edge of my sheet for the full 80 and getting a the feel of rugby ecstacy the early 2000's bought us. Then I will consider the outcome satisfactory!
Sorry for the essay but i needed to get it off my chest and spread the optimism
I just don't feel the same sense of FML that I usually do at the beginning of each tri-nation/rugby championship for the last 3 years. I don't feel as if we will be treading water trying not drown amidst a relentless black tide. Instead I feel optimistic that we will ride the crest of the wave that is the NZ rugby leviathan. I have no fears that if we wipeout, we will not be able to paddle out against the tide and try again.
While the All Blacks pack is strong and full of power, I feel like we have managed for the first time in years to stump up a pack that will be able to go blow for blow with them for the full 80; which I consider impressive considering our lack of Higginbotham and Kimlin (who at times where impressive beyond belief this year). I feel as if our front row will be more than just a few heavyweights there to pack a few scrums, but could actually do some damage in open play. I feel as if our back five will be more than just workhorses racking up stats that in the end mean nothing but players who will meet Read, Romano and Whitelock in contact and pull as many punches as they take.
Finally I know for the first time in a long time our backline will be more than a question of "what if?" but "what is". I feel as if we have fielded a backline that can be methodical and cunning. While at the same time will not be strangled and smothered into thinking the chip kick is the right option.
I am not saying we will win but I think the era of All Blacks cruising to victory is over. I feel a few of the players in the forwards are no longer at the height of their power and their backs have a few players that can be mentally shut out of games (Savea & Nonu).
I honestly don't care if we lose every game, but as long as I am on edge of my sheet for the full 80 and getting a the feel of rugby ecstacy the early 2000's bought us. Then I will consider the outcome satisfactory!
Sorry for the essay but i needed to get it off my chest and spread the optimism
Deputy Van Halen
Larry Dwyer (12)
I wouldn't say a bit 'meh', there is far too much class in the AB's team to take them lightly, as there always is.
That said with the change of coach and logical and promising team selection there is a real sense of optimism and hope. A loss can and will be written off to new selections not gelling yet and a new game plan that hasn't fully sunk in whereas the last few years any changes felt like shifting deck chairs on the titanic when facing the darkness.
That said with the change of coach and logical and promising team selection there is a real sense of optimism and hope. A loss can and will be written off to new selections not gelling yet and a new game plan that hasn't fully sunk in whereas the last few years any changes felt like shifting deck chairs on the titanic when facing the darkness.
aeneas
Tom Lawton (22)
As a Darkness supporter i'm pretty nervous about this match. Now that the ARU has finally woken up to Dean's failings and dumped him I can't imagine that the Wallabies will just roll over as they have done over the last couple of years. The changes in the team seem positive and im personally a big supporter of Cooper coming on as an impact player.
Carters absence is a loss for this specific match but he has missed most big matches lately and perhaps looking at Cruden as the long term starting option at 1/5 can begin now.
I wish Kaino was still around for us as a fired up Wallaby team in sydney doesnt seem like the right place to have your run on start at 6.
Carters absence is a loss for this specific match but he has missed most big matches lately and perhaps looking at Cruden as the long term starting option at 1/5 can begin now.
I wish Kaino was still around for us as a fired up Wallaby team in sydney doesnt seem like the right place to have your run on start at 6.
thierry dusautoir
Alan Cameron (40)
I wouldn't be surprised if cooper came on at 15 if To'omua is playing well.....
Aus are paying $2.70It has been a long time since I have had a bet but those odds are very, very tempting.
I was thinking the same thing.
Very good odds on the home team in what should be a close contest. I was expecting somewhere around $2.30.
Hardtackle
Charlie Fox (21)
Where's all the humble pie eaters who accused the coach of provincial bias? All gone very quiet.
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
In their defence, it is hard to talk with your mouth full. ;-)
mudskipper
Colin Windon (37)
And thats how they should always be picked, likely was where many previous Wallabies coaches lost track...
Who seriously made this accusation though? Most people spoke of Link favouring the Reds players as understandable, as that was what he was familiar with.
.
scaraby
Ron Walden (29)
1-12 is $3.50 better betAus are paying $2.70
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Scoey
Tony Shaw (54)
It was more than one person that spoke of out and out bias. Probably not worth spending any time discussing but. There's a certain cup to be won!!
On the odds, I saw NZ are $1.80 for a 3-0 series win! Fuck me! I reckon we're more than an outside chance to nab one game!
Bullrush
John Hipwell (52)
I'm feeling good about the ABs. Yes, a little nervous but still pretty good.
The only guys in the Wallaby pack who worry me are Moore and Hooper. MMM is pretty unknown so maybe he will be all that you guys seem to think he is - we'll see. I don't think Horwill is as good as some of you rate him and his grub acts this year have left me with having little respect for him. (I'm sure he's devastated!!)
Genia has the potential to be the best half-back in the world but hasn't consistently shown that. To'omua is unknown at this level but even at Super Rugby he's very solid but not much more. 12-14 are very good but I'm not a big Mogg fan at all. He did do very well in his Lions appearance though so I'm not shutting the book on him yet.
People seem to be saying the ABs look old but I like the mix of experience with youth they have. Hore and Mealamu won't let anyone down, we have very good young locks, McCaw is a bit of a question mark but I was pretty happy with the performances he put in for the Crusaders - albeit very short. Luatua is obviously an unknown at this level but an exciting prospect. In the backs, Nonu is proven at this level time and time again - including a great French series in June - can he do it again? Conrad Smith, IMO, is starting to decline but is still probably one of the top 2 13's in the world, Savea is devastating. Dagg is finding his form again and Ben Smith will be his usual very good self - I prefer him at FB but I like his energy and eagerness to get involved at wing. Cruden is not DC but he's not bloody far off.
In saying all that, if everything falls into place for the Wallabies and everyone performs, they will be very hard to beat. But they really need everyone to perform at their best. If a couple of guys are slightly off, I can't see them winning this one.
The only guys in the Wallaby pack who worry me are Moore and Hooper. MMM is pretty unknown so maybe he will be all that you guys seem to think he is - we'll see. I don't think Horwill is as good as some of you rate him and his grub acts this year have left me with having little respect for him. (I'm sure he's devastated!!)
Genia has the potential to be the best half-back in the world but hasn't consistently shown that. To'omua is unknown at this level but even at Super Rugby he's very solid but not much more. 12-14 are very good but I'm not a big Mogg fan at all. He did do very well in his Lions appearance though so I'm not shutting the book on him yet.
People seem to be saying the ABs look old but I like the mix of experience with youth they have. Hore and Mealamu won't let anyone down, we have very good young locks, McCaw is a bit of a question mark but I was pretty happy with the performances he put in for the Crusaders - albeit very short. Luatua is obviously an unknown at this level but an exciting prospect. In the backs, Nonu is proven at this level time and time again - including a great French series in June - can he do it again? Conrad Smith, IMO, is starting to decline but is still probably one of the top 2 13's in the world, Savea is devastating. Dagg is finding his form again and Ben Smith will be his usual very good self - I prefer him at FB but I like his energy and eagerness to get involved at wing. Cruden is not DC but he's not bloody far off.
In saying all that, if everything falls into place for the Wallabies and everyone performs, they will be very hard to beat. But they really need everyone to perform at their best. If a couple of guys are slightly off, I can't see them winning this one.
Bullrush
John Hipwell (52)
Nice wrap up Bullrush!
I'd give Folau probably the edge over Savea. While Savea is probably a bit stronger in contact, Folau is also pretty damn good in the tackle as well.
Just a quick word on Hansen - I like what he's said. McKenzie has tried to play a bit of mind games around the 10 position and Hansen is returning serve. And he's pretty spot on with what he said. McKenzie was a huge QC (Quade Cooper) promoter when Deans was in charge but now he's running the ship his tune has changed eg. now I've seen other options in training etc etc. Like Deans did as well?
Anyway, I like that we have someone who will put it out there and say what he thinks - without being rude or disrespectful - and he'll live or die by it come Saturday nite.
Gives us something to talk about too
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Wait what?
How dare you question Will "Holy fuck he's gods gift to rugby" Genia! Seriously though, no one comes close to him.
Everything else you said was pretty spot on though
Garryowen
Larry Dwyer (12)
If Mogg is a flop, then surely Folau goes to fullback? Kuridrani would then go to 13 and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) wing.
I don't think Cooper or AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) are great 15s, albeit for different reasons.
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