All Black Injury Crisis

[qwerty51]

Yep, well served at wing and inside centre.

At 12, we have a choice of Barnes, JOC (James O'Connor) and Giteau
On the wings, Turner, Ioane, Gerrard, Davies, Morahan, JOC (James O'Connor) (should Deans opt for Barnes at 12) and maybe Cummins

We have options. JOC (James O'Connor) has to be on the paddock somewhere and with him playing either wing or 12, I think we would go Turner and Ioane on the wings or Ioane and JOC (James O'Connor) with Barnes at inside centre.

Barnes, JOC (James O'Connor), Giteau? You think these guys are comparable to Nonu, SBW, McAlister, de Villiers? Not even close imo.
Turner, Gerrard, Davies, Morahan, Cummins again have nothing on Maitland, Guildford, Gear, Poki, Ranger, Rokocoko. I think you're giving us way too much credit. We have some very good top line players but no depth. We've taken out Mitchell our only true world class winger.

Believe it or not but I have more faith in our forward pack than our backline this WC. I also have strong optimism for our scrum which would be a first. The guys on the podcast mentioned this, when was the last time our tight five were the easiest to pick?

 

[Ali's Choice]

Australia's depth is okay. Is there any position in which Australia has just one good player like NZ has with first-five? Maybe tighthead prop?

 

[PaarlBok]

I actually believe we will too. And as an AB fan I know that will be looked upon as being extremely arrogant. But I genuinely believe we will win.

I actually believe they will choke, just like the Proteas and hopefull against the Bokke in the semi. :lmao:

 

[qwerty51]

I'd say #8 with Palu, last year he was sorely missed. Or two decent locks.

 

[whatty]

Why do NZ deserve it!!!! "Ag Shame"

Anyway all these so called injuries are just a plot for a bit of a bit of a lay off in a WC year.

 

[Slash]

Australia's depth is okay. Is there any position in which Australia has just one good player like NZ has with first-five? Maybe tighthead prop?

Do we have a good tighthead?

 

[Scotty]

Australia's depth is okay. Is there any position in which Australia has just one good player like NZ has with first-five? Maybe tighthead prop?

Goodness me that list is certainly bigger thp. Let's see:

Thp
Lhp
Lock
Blindside
No 8
Halfback
Oc wing

That just about covers it. As always the wallabies need to be very lucky with injuries to have a good chance in major tournaments.

 

[qwerty51]

Blindside? I disagree, we've got some depth there now. Dennis, Mowen, Higginbotham, Saffy, Kimlin, Brown, Hodgson and McCalman

Halfback? heh.

 

[Scotty]

Why do NZ deserve it!!!! "Ag Shame"

Anyway all these so called injuries are just a plot for a bit of a bit of a lay off in a WC year.

Being the best for many years makes them more deserving than anyone else but I was more thinking due to earthquakes and tornadoes!

 

[Scotty]

Blindside? I disagree, we've got some depth there now. Dennis, Mowen, Higginbotham, Saffy, Kimlin, Brown, Hodgson and McCalman

Halfback? heh.

I agree with you but that doesn't seem to be the majority view in this forum.

 

[#1 Tah]

Oh dear god. you have given the ABs the kiss of life now, YOU DONT START A THREAD BASHING THE ALL BLACKS!

Case in Point.

 

[Slash]

Blindside? I disagree, we've got some depth there now. Dennis, Mowen, Higginbotham, Saffy, Kimlin, Brown, Hodgson and McCalman

Halfback? heh.

Dennis is a dud. Higginbotham not far behind

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Barnes, JOC (James O'Connor), Giteau? You think these guys are comparable to Nonu, SBW, McAlister, de Villiers? Not even close imo.
Turner, Gerrard, Davies, Morahan, Cummins again have nothing on Maitland, Guildford, Gear, Poki, Ranger, Rokocoko. I think you're giving us way too much credit. We have some very good top line players but no depth. We've taken out Mitchell our only true world class winger.

Believe it or not but I have more faith in our forward pack than our backline this WC. I also have strong optimism for our scrum which would be a first. The guys on the podcast mentioned this, when was the last time our tight five were the easiest to pick?

I wasn't making any comparison with the All Blacks, but now that you mention it, with the exception of Mitchell, we could take a backline into the 3N that beat the AB's last time we played them. That's surely not too shabby. That same backline was also good enough to beat the Boks too. And France.

As far as the AB centres are concerned, SBW is largely untested at test level, McAllister is a bit overrated IMHO and has never been his former self since coming back from the North. de Villiers and Nonu are class.

I think you are worrying unnecessarily.

 

[OLDDOG]

i reckon the all blacks could put 2 teams in the world cup, and both be competitive, such is their depth, sadly for the rest of us.....

 

[Gagger]

We've been here before haven't we - thinking they're a shoo-in? I remember feeling just as strongly about it.

And the thing is, you can only ever put one of their teams on the park at any one time. As Scotty says, Aus gets a decent run of (non) injuries, and we're in with a show as ever before.

 

[da_grubster]

at the moment, the injuries aren't too important. Toeava is the biggest worry. As long as no one breaks anything like Mitchell and is available for the tri nations then we should be ok touch wood.

Its injuries in the tri nations and rwc group stages that are going to really impact our chances of winning.

 

[da_grubster]

We've been here before haven't we - thinking they're a shoo-in? I remember feeling just as strongly about it.

And the thing is, you can only ever put one of their teams on the park at any one time. As Scotty says, Aus gets a decent run of (non) injuries, and we're in with a show as ever before.

Aus have a great chance and are peaking nicely. The big question mark will be how your forwards will be able to put three huge efforts on consecutive saturdays to win it.

Home advantage will be a big thing for us, in most tournaments across sports, home advantage means that the home side exceeds expectations and overperforms, hopefully that will get us over the line!

 

[Skippy]

Just playing devils advocate or giving an alternative view point.
What would you rather as the coach of the Wallabies.... key players injured now and having time to rest, recuperate, work on strength/fitness etc (injury permitting) and go into the friendlies, tri nations and WC fairly well rested and ready to go
Or.... players coming off the back of a Super 15 season, then friendlies, then tri nations, and perhaps into the WC tired, carrying niggling injuries etc etc.

Perhaps missing 10 or so rounds will be a god send for someone like Pocock etc come WC time. Perhaps some of these All Blacks when/if they recover will go into the WC fresh and reap the benefits of not having had a lot of hard rugby and the subsequent wear and tear niggling injuries, tiredness etc.

Thoughts?

 

[fatprop]

How many of these injuries are actually bad enough to be out of the RWC? Most will be back for the Tri-Nations, let alone the RWC

 

[Skippy]

Dont know mate... I don't think anyone's been ruled out of the WC yet. So it could all be a blessing for Henry and co as there wont be any risk of player burnout etc come the WC for NZ. Atleast if they lose they wont be able to use that excuse!!