2013 Rugby Championship draw

[TOCC]

So Australia has 7 days between Bledisloe Cup matches, shouldn't be a drama, the Wallabies will still be riding a wave of confidence after smashing the British Lions and having 3 teams in the Super Rugby Finals.

2013 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW​

Round 1​

Saturday 17 August: Australia v New Zealand, ANZ Stadium, Sydney​

Saturday 17 August: South Africa v Argentina, Free State, Bloemfontein​

Round 2​

Saturday 24 August: New Zealand v Australia, Westpac Stadium, Wellington​

Saturday 24 August: Argentina v South Africa, Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza​

Saturday 31 August - BYE​

Round 3​

Saturday 7 September: Australia v South Africa, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane​

Saturday 7 September: New Zealand v Argentina, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton​

Round 4​

Saturday 14 September: Australia v Argentina, Patersons Stadium, Perth​

Saturday 14 September: New Zealand v South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland​

Saturday 21 September - BYE​

Round 5​

Saturday 28 September: South Africa v Australia, Newlands, Cape Town​

Saturday 28 September: Argentina v New Zealand, Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata​

Round 6​

Saturday 5 October: South Africa v New Zealand, Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg​

Saturday 5 October: Argentina v Australia, Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario​

 

[p.Tah]

Why are we playing Argentina at Subiaco? if its in Perth they should play it at Members Equity. Subiaco is horrible to watch rugby and they're not going to get over 20k for that game are they?

 

[qwerty51]

Come on your kidding if you think we're going to have 3 Australian teams in the finals. I expect they all go very well but the Lions tour will affect them all towards the end of the season. Resting/Injuries/No Wallabies etc. Only the conference topper will make the finals imo.

 

[KevinO]

Wallabies, might have a small chance of winning seeing they don't have to play at Eden Park.

 

[TOCC]

yeah i would prefer to beat the AB's at Eden Park, but the Cake Tin will do...

 

[jermano]

shouldn't be a drama, the Wallabies will still be riding a wave of confidence after smashing the British Lions and having 3 teams in the Super Rugby Finals.

I love this, more please!!
which 3 teams? Reds, Tahs and Rebels?

 

[RoffsChoice]

So this will be the year to win the Bledisloe, Cake Tin is where we play our best in NZ and having 80000 at ANZ should help a lot. Hate to be the Boks, having to take NZ on at Eden Park and us at Suncorp, those are the best home grounds for either team.

 

[RoffsChoice]

I wouldn't be shocked if we get a new coach leading into TRC, but I just want to make sure everyone understands - Australia looks fantastic right now. You could have my u7s coach take them and we'd probably get 2nd.

If we get a new coach leading into TRC, do not give him credit for great success or crippling failure. This year, the team belongs to Deans and anyone new who comes in will spend the year simply becoming the new coach.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Looks to be all set up for the ABs to win. A short trip to Sydney, then three games at home on the trot!

All over bar the shouting.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Dan Carter is just getting back into it, McCaw will be out of form, Ben Smith is no Cory Jane when it comes to the wing, for some reason Wyatt Crockett is being selected over Ben Franks, their only real option at blindside flanker has been playing like a repurposed 8 and Conrad Smith is taking a break.

New Zealand is not weak, but it isn't as strong as it was for the last five years. Australia is at it's strongest.

 

[Athilnaur]

Dan Carter is just getting back into it, McCaw will be out of form, Ben Smith is no Cory Jane when it comes to the wing...

Big call!

 

[RoffsChoice]

Athilnaur Dan Carter = Best in the World, yes, but how did that pan out against France? He's been a bit on and off lately. Then again, if he were to fire on all cylinders it would be to save the Bledisloe.

McCaw hasn't played a game in 6 months. Sure he's amazing, but 6 months? We all notice how rusty players are in the first round of Super Rugby, how rusty will he look in the last rounds? Coming into TRC?

I see Ben Smith as this generation's Joe Roff, which is big from me (hence the name). But Cory Jane is just the BEST winger in New Zealand, at least at international level. Joe Roff was the best winger Australia has ever had, but he was a fullback who was put on the wing due to Burke/Latham/ect. The same is happening with Ben Smith. In three years, after being on the wing the whole time, he will own the position. Right now I would put him at fullback.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Athilnaur Dan Carter = Best in the World, yes, but how did that pan out against France? He's been a bit on and off lately. Then again, if he were to fire on all cylinders it would be to save the Bledisloe.

I too thought he was on the wane but did you see his game last Friday night?
Sublime!

 

[RoffsChoice]

Soup level isn't test level, but you're right, he ripped them a new one. On and off though, let's hope (for Australia's sake) he stays on-off.

 

[Athilnaur]

RC, to my eyes DC has been steadily returning to old form this year, save his goalkicking.

McCaw is the best captain in rugby. He could have a broken foot and still be highly effective. Oh wait.

Ben Smith is one of those rarest of players who always has that most precious of sporting commodities, time. I believe he is a player who will be pure class at test level.

So I think it is a big call to suggest the ABs are fragile on the basis of those three. But we're looking the sharpest we have since mid 2011 and arguably off a much stronger base; we have a shot for sure.

On Captains, loving the look of Mowen and Higgers, great to think we have some depth there.

 

[RoffsChoice]

ABs are never fragile, they just aren't as good as they have been. 2011 for example. We are better than we were in 2010-11.

 

[Bairdy]

ABs are never fragile, they just aren't as good as they have been. 2011 for example. We are better than we were in 2010-11.

Definitely vulnerable though. All their players are getting along and aging.

They lack depth at hooker with backup guys like Flynn, Elliot and even Coles nearing 30; loosehead prop with Woodcock, Crockett and B Franks all very old; Vito and Messam not imposing themselves in the 6 jersey (with Luatua and Shields still behind in development); no obvios centre placements for Nonu and Smith, with guys like Ellison, Kahui, and Ranger going overseas, and Saili, Aki still green.

Add to that the fact that arguably, Woodcock, Mealamu, Hore, McCaw, Weepu, Carter, Nonu, Smith, and Jane in the twilight of his career.

If we can't win the Bledisloe this year, we sure as hell don't deserve it!

 

[Melbourne Terrace]

Why are we playing Argentina at Subiaco? if its in Perth they should play it at Members Equity. Subiaco is horrible to watch rugby and they're not going to get over 20k for that game are they?

When it comes to stadium selection, The ARU always chase the dollar even if it means they look silly when they fail to fill it. i honestly think they are overestimating the current attraction of the national team when they book these huge AFL stadiums instead of more suitable rectangular grounds. They chose etihad for the Wales test match even though they only just barely filled half of the ground and could have saved face with play it down the road at AAMI Park like the fans wanted in the first place.

 

[Pfitzy]

For playing at the big grounds the ARU get kickbacks. That's why every Sydney test for the last decade or so bar the Welsh one last year is at Homebush.

Unless it's an event game (Lions, Bledisloe, World Cup) the attendance is always shit and they should really pack out the SFS instead for everyone else.

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I hate autocorrect ...

 

[p.Tah]

Referees for the RC:

http://www.irb.com/mm/document/news...toctherugbychampionship2013moappointments.pdf