All Blacks v Wallabies, Dunedin, 19th October 2013

[Braveheart81]

Just Read an article on Fox Sports, written by David Barbeler. Barbeler writes the following:-

Betham's break comes courtesy of James O'Connor, Digby Ioane, Henry Speight, Dom Shipperley, Nick Cummins, Rod Davies and Cam Crawford all being unavailable.​

Wait a second.Rod Davies?! is he even in consideration these days?

I think the journo is just creating a bit of hyperbole by making his list longer.

Realistically, Crawford might have been picked ahead of Betham but he's also uncapped so it's a little harsh to include him in the list.

Shipperley is healthy isn't he so he isn't ahead of Betham. He's just played a test before.

Davies has played one test and sucked so it's arguable whether he would have had a look in even if healthy. Betham definitely had a better 2013.

Henry Speight isn't eligible so including him in the list is a furphy.

Also, the players you keep mispelling are To'omua and Kuridrani. Kuridrani seems to be pronounced as if there is an n before the d, but there isn't one in the spelling.

 

[BDA]

when I wrote down To'omua and Kuridrani's names I knew the spelling was incorrect but was sure that no one would be petty enough to call me on it

 

[vismyr]

Sad that Jane isn't returning -- one of the best finishers in the game. That said, exciting opportunity for Charles and Sam Cane, who will hopefully continue his fantastic form.

I'm really looking forward to this match...I think both teams will take the shackles off now that the Championship belongs to the All Blacks (for the second straight year), and we are in for a very open game. I think its a wonderful opportunity for the Wallabies to feed on the great win last week, while the All Blacks can't help but be a little bit complacent, like they were the last two years in the same games.

 

[Braveheart81]

when I wrote down To'omua and Kuridrani's names I knew the spelling was incorrect but was sure that no one would be petty enough to call me on it

By all means, feel free to continue spelling them incorrectly in the future if you want.

It doesn't really bother me. I was more trying to be helpful.

 

[Muttonbird]

So the All Blacks now have three specialist fullbacks in their starting backline.

Looks like it, while the Wallabies go with no specialist fullback.

 

[Braveheart81]

Looks like it, while the Wallabies go with no specialist fullback.

Except for the player playing fullback.

Or is he a specialist rugby league player in your books?

 

[Muttonbird]

Except for the player playing fullback.

Or is he a specialist rugby league player in your books?

It's interesting. Who picked Folau at fullback? He was a wing in NRL and lord-knows-what in VFL, so did someone just decide he's good in the air, rolled the dice, and made him a fullback? I remember his specialty in RL was the aerial game, climbing high over the defense to take bombs on the last tackle.

Better on the blind wing I think, aka Jonah, Roff, North, Savea, etc.

 

[Braveheart81]

It's interesting. Who picked Folau at fullback? He was a wing in NRL and Lord knows what in VFL, so did someone just decide he's good in the air, rolled the dice, and made him a fullback?

Better on the blind wing I think, aka Jonah, North, Savea, etc.

Michael Cheika did.

I'd argue that it was a pretty good choice.

 

[Ash]

Shipperley is healthy isn't he so he isn't ahead of Betham. He's just played a test before.

I believe that he's had shoulder surgery.

The only real options left were Morahan or Betham, and Morahan appears to be out of favour with Link.

Neither option of Morahan or Betham are ideal, although Morahan is maybe the slightly safer one. That being said, my problem with Morahan is that he is enigmatic, can be missing for entire games, and rarely looks for work.

 

[biggsy]

Happy to see jane back in the AB'S but also very happy he is not now playing.
Mccaw meeeeeeh, what ever.
Much rather see the AB's new pest Read out of action.....

 

[biggsy]

Michael Cheika did.

I'd argue that it was a pretty good choice.

My view is that he is not a test fullback... Yet
Another season there with tahs at 15 will improve his game more.

I'm glade the bloke can catch, but his kicking needs a lot work. (Like All wallabies kickers need work) But I have no doubt he will be 15 in the WC and will be awesome at it.

If genia,cooper combo and cooper,To'omua combo play well again this weekend I can see izzy getting plenty of meat.

 

[Shiggins]

Why is morahan not been considered?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The NZ Rugby Team will be weaker without Sir Richie GOAT and Jane.

Several years ago, Mount Cook in NZ lost a couple of hundred feet in height after a bit fell off the top of it. It is still a bugger of a climb to get to the top of it, even though it is not as high as it used to be.

I feel the same way about the Wobs taking on The Darkness without the Goat and Jane.

 

[hawktrain]

Cory Jane missing out is a sad story, he's clearly put in a massive effort to return to rugby less than 7 months after a knee reco, and then to make the ABs after 120 minutes of NPC is huge. Would've been a nice reward for him to play on home soil in his comeback test.

 

[mudskipper]

Pleased to see To'omua get another shot, I can see cooper not giving him the ball thou and passing long... Cooper To'omua is a very good defensive player, stays calm too...

 

[Tangawizi]

I'm glade the bloke can catch, but his kicking needs a lot work. (Like All wallabies kickers need work) But I have no doubt he will be 15 in the WC and will be awesome at it.

I wouldn't mind seeing Izzy get a bit of time of 12 next year to allow KB (Kurtley Beale) to slot in at 15. By the time the World Cup rolls around we could be fielding an absolute monster of a backline if they all stay fit and focused.

Given the number of players who've debuted this season, depth and lack of international experience shouldn't be a problem either.

 

[TooEasyWobbles]

I'm expecting a record loss to Australia.

The NZ Media have been stirring up rubbish on Cooper, so unfortunately the crowd will probably be booing him way too much as usual

 

[I like to watch]

Interesting article,saying Quade's tackling stats are better than Richie's.
Better than all but 3 of his team mates as well.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/the-rugby-championship
Kudos to QC (Quade Cooper),many thought it was beyond him(me included!)

 

[cyclopath]

Pleased to see To'omua get another shot, I can see cooper not giving him the ball thou and passing long. Cooper To'omua is a very good defensive player, stays calm too.

Who is this guy? I like the cut of his theoretical jib.

 

[Brumby Jack]

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