Australia v New Zealand - Sydney 16 Aug

[mudskipper]

Links chosen a very strong defensive backline... hard men all, should make the ABs think a little...

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Links chosen a very strong defensive backline. hard men all, should make the ABs think a little.

Sure has. I had the same thought also. There are some blokes around KB (Kurtley Beale) in that back line who can play some D. They can also attack too, but I'd be surprised if we got opened up badly with who we have out there.

 

[Tomikin]

I agree. When he just referees the game and allows the players to play, he's one of the best. Unfortunately, he often seeks to put himself at centre stage and imposes himself on the game to the extent that the whole thing becomes about him instead of the players.

I would like to think he tries too hard.. If I picked a top ref in the world.. He would be there..

 

[Bairdy]

We certainly don't lack hard runners who can straighten the attack.
Against the All Blacks' jockey defense, that will make all the difference.

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) and McCabe to make inroads in the midfield, and Beale and Folau to dance around tiring forwards.

Three more days to go. Can't wait

 

[lewisr]

I hope we exploit the inside ball a bit more this year. It's something we've been lacking since Digby left but with McCabe and Horne out there, I think we will see more of it. Should be a cracker and legitimately cannot wait.

I think Beale will step up to the plate, he has had a coach that has instilled him with confidence to play his natural game all year, and now has a wallaby coach that will do exactly the same thing. Cheika and McKenzie are too good at player management to let confidence players like Beale and Cooper get under the weather, and we have seen this time and time again. It's a risky decision by Link but I see the justification behind it - after all, we aren't here to fuck spiders.

To'omua to be another standout performer and Hooper to play out of his skin, as he has all fucking season. The guy is a machine, I truly think it's comical the amount of bullshit flying here that "pocock is clearly superior, Hooper doesn't scare anyone!". Pocock is injured, and his place has been taken by a different, but just as, if not more, brilliant and effective open side that has proven time and time again that he is one of the best players in international rugby at the moment.

I hope to hear you bastards south of the border on my TV screen come Saturday night. Do the rest of us proud.

Go the Wobs!

 

[mudskipper]

Sure... Good luck to Beale, he is certainly a player in fine form with a good understand with his fullback... 2 solid defensive wingers and an attaching fullback... Interesting choice... Horn had a great S15 final pm the wing...
No Moore is a worry thou... Set piece will be tough

 

[Moono75]

Need to be careful of the AB's quick ball movement. No one has slicker passing.

 

[KOB1987]

Blecks - (Caps)
1. Wyatt Crockett (27)
2. Dane Coles (18)
3. Owen Franks (57)
4. Brodie Retallick (27)
5. Samuel Whitelock (54)
6. Jerome Kaino (51)
7. Richie McCaw (c) (127)
8. Kieran Read (62)
9. Aaron Smith (29)
10. Aaron Cruden (32)
11. Julian Savea (22)
12. Ma'a Nonu (91)
13. Conrad Smith (77)
14. Cory Jane (48)
15. Ben Smith (29)

Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu (113)
17. Ben Franks (31)
18. Joe Moody *
19. Steven Luatua (11)
20. Sam Cane (14)
21. TJ Perenara (3)
22. Beauden Barrett (19)
23. Malakai Fekitoa (2)

 

[fatprop]

Blecks - (Caps)
1. Wyatt Crockett (27)
2. Dane Coles (18)
3. Owen Franks (57)
4. Brodie Retallick (27)
5. Samuel Whitelock (54)
6. Jerome Kaino (51)
7. Richie McCaw (c) (127)
8. Kieran Read (62)
9. Aaron Smith (29)
10. Aaron Cruden (32)
11. Julian Savea (22)
12. Ma'a Nonu (91)
13. Conrad Smith (77)
14. Cory Jane (48)
15. Ben Smith (29)

Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu (113)
17. Ben Franks (31)
18. Joe Moody *
19. Steven Luatua (11)
20. Sam Cane (14)
21. TJ Perenara (3)
22. Beauden Barrett (19)
23. Malakai Fekitoa (2)

shiiit that is a good side

 

[Scrubber2050]

This game looks exciting - but like all close games they are won or lost on a missed tackle, a dropped ball, a forward pass, a penalty etc

Wallabies need to ensure the small things are done right and play with absolutely minimal mistakes.

Think we will get parity in the forwards and our backs will made good inroads out wide culminating in a Wallaby win - by 6.

Think one of our biggest dangermen is AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper).

 

[maxdacat]

shiiit that is a good side

Yes and 91 caps for your number 12 is one major difference between us....and it's not just that position.

But anyhow I am feeling optimistic.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Saw a quote yesterday by KB (Kurtley Beale) calling McKenzie "Linky"

He just doesn't come across as a "Linky"

 

[KOB1987]

shiiit that is a good side

Was it ever not going to be!?

I know what you mean though, it looks a lot more daunting when it's written out and put in front of you like that!

Also optimistic..

 

[FrankLind]

Our bench impact with Tuipulotu and Faumuina unavailable is weakened.

Love how Ben Smith has claimed the jersey.
I wonder, if Sam Cane gets game-time, who would come off.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

Imposing run on side as expected however that's the weakest AB bench I've seen in some time. Weak isn't the right word, 'least strong' perhaps.

Just looking for any chink in the armour really...

 

[Viking]

Our bench impact with Tuipulotu and Faumuina unavailable is weakened.

Love how Ben Smith has claimed the jersey.
I wonder, if Sam Cane gets game-time, who would come off.

How's Ben Smith at the high ball? He is a bit short so I could see Falou out jumping him easily (easier then Dagg). I hope we use this tactic on the weekend. Can't see any other perceived weaknesses.

 

[cyclopath]

The ABs look strong as ever in the pigs - no need for much discussion. Retallick and Whitelock is just unfair. I hope Peyper gets into Crockett's liberal interpretation of geometry, and puts the protractor on him early to keep him straight-ish!
That AB backline is just such a well-balanced lineup. Great mix of experience, flair, pace and plenty of threats.
Defensively, I think the Wallabies should cope well enough, but they will have to be switched on all night.
I hope the contest up front is even enough, so we see what each backline has to offer.
It could be a cracking game.

 

[Braveheart81]

How's Ben Smith at the high ball? He is a bit short so I could see Falou out jumping him easily (easier then Dagg). I hope we use this tactic on the weekend. Can't see any other perceived weaknesses.

He's very good.

He's probably not as good as Folau but I'd say he's every bit as good as Dagg.

We may have the option of a cross field contestable kick at some point to try and score a try but I doubt we'll be consistently trying to put up contestable high balls. It doesn't seem like an area where the All Blacks have a sufficient weakness that we're likely to capitalise on.

 

[Braveheart81]

Wallabies bench: James Hanson, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, Will Skelton, Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani

I wonder if McCalman has a niggle or if Higgers is just preferred?

A bit surprising to me. I think McCalman is a better 8.

 

[Viking]

Wallabies bench: James Hanson, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, Will Skelton, Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani

I wonder if McCalman has a niggle or if Higgers is just preferred?

A bit surprising to me. I think McCalman is a better 8.

Think McKenzie is looking for impact from the bench. Similar reason to why Skelton is picked over Horwill but to a less degree. McCalman is one of those players you know exactly what you are going to get, no more and no less. Higgers probably would be better at a short stint off the bench if he keeps his decision making, or lack their of, in order.