teach
Trevor Allan (34)
A starting spot as reward for a lot of work in the squad. If the ABs think they have the depth they may as well test it. And to be perfectly honest it's not like he is going to be facing a powerhouse scrum.
2012 Australia vs New Zealand - 20 Oct
- Thread starter kronic
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A starting spot as reward for a lot of work in the squad. If the ABs think they have the depth they may as well test it. And to be perfectly honest it's not like he is going to be facing a powerhouse scrum.
aeneas
Tom Lawton (22)
I'm quite nervous about this match as a NZ supporter. The AB's have at times had issues getting themselves up for the dead rubber in a Bledisloe and playing at suncorp is a non-trivial exercise. I'm expecting Beale to turn on a big performance if his forwards can consistently get some go forward. I get the feeling that the Aussies from earlier in the season have gone.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
The Darkness have named a fairly powerful and competant 22.
Has there been much comment in the Shaky Isles about team composition?
I can only think that there could be comment on Messum/Vito/Cane and Franks/Faumuina. Regardless strong arguments can be mounted to support all 22 players and the choice of a 4/3 Bench.
Has there been much comment in the Shaky Isles about team composition?
I can only think that there could be comment on Messum/Vito/Cane and Franks/Faumuina. Regardless strong arguments can be mounted to support all 22 players and the choice of a 4/3 Bench.
scaraby
Ron Walden (29)
fatprop your up...there's no one left...grab a jumper do us proud!!!!!
scaraby
Ron Walden (29)
yup agree...he spends most of the game there..
Will this mean that Paddy Ryan makes his debut off the bench?
That will be awesome if it happens.
Or is Sekope Kepu back in the mix?
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Richie McCaw goes into the All Black changing room to find all his team mates looking a bit down. "What's up guys?" he asks.
"Well Richie, to be honest we're having all sorts of trouble getting motivated for this game against Australia . We know it's important but we've just beaten Argentina and South Africa in consecutive weeks and, let's be honest, it's only the Aussies this week. They're crap and we simply can't be bothered".
Richie looks at them and says "Okay guys, I hear what you're saying. The way I've been playing recently, I reckon I can beat these Aussies by myself. Why don't you fellas go down to the pub, have a few jars and maybe catch it on telly. I really think I can do this by myself"
The rest of the team reckon it’ll work and they agree. So Richie goes out to play the Wallabies by himself while the rest of the ABs go off for a few pots. After a couple, they begin to wonder how the game is going, so they get the barman to put the telly on.
A huge cheer goes up as the screen reads (after 10 minutes): "New Zealand 7, (McCaw, converted try) -- Australia 0”
Dammit, he's actually beating Australia all by himself. Surely he can't do it, can he?
Anyway, a few more beers later, the telly goes off and the game is temporarily forgotten until someone suddenly remembers, "Heck, It must be full time now, let's see how Richie got on". They get the telly put back on and look on eagerly.
There on the screen is the result: Full-time from Eden Park,: New Zealand 7, (McCaw, 1 converted try); Australia 7, (Sharpe, 1 try, Cooper 1 conversion.)
They can't believe it! It's a draw. Richie v Australia and he single-handedly managed a draw against the Aussie Wallabies!
Delighted, they rush back to Eden Park to congratulate him. They find him in the dressing room, still in his gear, slumped over with his head in his hands. He refuses to look at them. "I've let you down guys," he mumbles disconsolately. "I'm so sorry, but I've really let you down."
"Don't be an idiot skipper; you got a draw against Australia, all alone, all by yourself. And they only scored a single try, right at the death, after 79 minutes!”
"No, no, I have" says Richie. "I've let you down. I hope you can forgive me. Twenty minutes from full time, I got sent off!"
"Well Richie, to be honest we're having all sorts of trouble getting motivated for this game against Australia . We know it's important but we've just beaten Argentina and South Africa in consecutive weeks and, let's be honest, it's only the Aussies this week. They're crap and we simply can't be bothered".
Richie looks at them and says "Okay guys, I hear what you're saying. The way I've been playing recently, I reckon I can beat these Aussies by myself. Why don't you fellas go down to the pub, have a few jars and maybe catch it on telly. I really think I can do this by myself"
The rest of the team reckon it’ll work and they agree. So Richie goes out to play the Wallabies by himself while the rest of the ABs go off for a few pots. After a couple, they begin to wonder how the game is going, so they get the barman to put the telly on.
A huge cheer goes up as the screen reads (after 10 minutes): "New Zealand 7, (McCaw, converted try) -- Australia 0”
Dammit, he's actually beating Australia all by himself. Surely he can't do it, can he?
Anyway, a few more beers later, the telly goes off and the game is temporarily forgotten until someone suddenly remembers, "Heck, It must be full time now, let's see how Richie got on". They get the telly put back on and look on eagerly.
There on the screen is the result: Full-time from Eden Park,: New Zealand 7, (McCaw, 1 converted try); Australia 7, (Sharpe, 1 try, Cooper 1 conversion.)
They can't believe it! It's a draw. Richie v Australia and he single-handedly managed a draw against the Aussie Wallabies!
Delighted, they rush back to Eden Park to congratulate him. They find him in the dressing room, still in his gear, slumped over with his head in his hands. He refuses to look at them. "I've let you down guys," he mumbles disconsolately. "I'm so sorry, but I've really let you down."
"Don't be an idiot skipper; you got a draw against Australia, all alone, all by yourself. And they only scored a single try, right at the death, after 79 minutes!”
"No, no, I have" says Richie. "I've let you down. I hope you can forgive me. Twenty minutes from full time, I got sent off!"
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
First Red Card for Sir Richie GOAT!
Scott Allen
Trevor Allan (34)
IS - that is an absolute classic - had a really good laugh!
teach
Trevor Allan (34)
Not much. Mealamu gets a start for obvious reasons. Vito back in lets Thomson play for Otago tomorrow night. I personally think Romano and Retallick are still far from the finished product and am hoping for a dominant display from them. But that will come.
With richie taking on the enforcer role that Kaino had, the pressure is off Vito and messum somewhat. I like Adam Thomson, the guy has a huge workrate and would like to see more of him. Maybe the end of year tour.
For all the wishful thinking talk of the ABs being complacent, I suspect they are far from it. They have multiple reasons to want to come out all guns blazing. Do it for Shag, Kevvy's 100th, equalling the world record for consecutive wins, proving they can back up 2 good performances. Oh yes, and smashing the Wallabies in their backyard.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7830695/Keven-Mealamu-to-start-for-100th-milestone
Keven Mealamu has been spared any potential anxiety attacks by being named to start his 100th test on Saturday night.
Rather than make the hooker sit on the bench and wait for the boss's signal to replace Andrew Hore, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has appropriately awarded Mealamu the No 2 jersey for the dead rubber against the Wallabies at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
Inserting the controversial R-word - rotation - into reports is never appreciated by Hansen but he will find few New Zealanders, if any, will have any truck with his decision to switch rakes for this test.
The popular Mealamu joins Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina as just the third man to mark a century of appearances for the All Blacks as they chase their 17th consecutive win.
Hansen has made just one other change from the side that swamped the Springboks 32-16 in Soweto on October 8; tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina comes in for his first start and Owen Franks moves to the bench.
This week Wallabies loose forward Scott Higginbotham tried to add some heat to the buildup by noting the Melbourne Rebels unexpectedly beat the Crusaders during the winter. It can be done again, said the Queenslander.
But even the most myopic Australian supporter would struggle to match his enthusiasm.
Of major concern for the Wallabies is the fact the All Blacks have several poignant reasons to flick the switch in Brisbane.
The New Zealanders will look at the scarred head of Mealamu to remind themselves why they must slather more misery on the Wallabies.
This is an addition to wanting to lighten a gloomy week for Hansen following the death of his father Des this week.
Since making his debut for the All Blacks against Wales in Cardiff in November 2002, Mealamu, now 33, has proved invaluable for his ability to operate either as a starter or an impact player and is a member of the side's leadership group.
"Kevvy is a hugely respected man, not only in the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby but also in his wider community," Hansen said.
"He is a key leader in the team and one of the true gentlemen of New Zealand rugby."
By re-jigging his bench Hansen has allowed loose forward Victor Vito to push out Adam Thomson and he will be available to play for Otago in tomorrow night's NPC championship semifinal against Tasman.
Vanuatu Chiefs
Sydney Middleton (9)
Inside Shoulder, Richie's prowess knows no bounds. A Kiwi regaled me with that joke in Port Vila this week!
BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
Seriously what the fuck is wrong with our Players / Training Camps ?!?! We seem to constantly have players going down. We haven't had one game this year where no players have been injured in the lead up to a game. Seriously the All Blacks have had ZERO injuries this week and we've had like 4. this really grinds my gears.
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
Interesting is not the word I'd use. Educating maybe. This is how NZ build depth of experience in their team so that when injuries come they have fully tested and proven back-ups. Not for them the "select the best till they're broken" nonsense we go on with. Is this the All Blacks disrespecting the jersey? No. Its just good common sense in an age where 15 tests in six months is par for the course. They are developing their depth before the injuries happen, not after.
I think it depends a lot on the situation. We've played around 40 players this year in tests. That is a huge number and most of those changes have been forced due to injuries.
We've already got 4 and a half forced changes to the 22 from the test two weeks ago against Argentina (I've counted Samo as a half as he has some sort of injury but would have been fit enough to play if required).
It's hard to fit in unforced changes when you've already got that level of disruption to the team.
It is a lot easier with an injury free run whilst winning everything, we on the other hand, are giving a shit load on the job training due to endemic injuries.
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