Bledisloe IV 2010 Hong Kong

[TOCC]

It's a different concession but still a concession. No Australian playing has been aloud to do what Rocky did. Thus he was a concession.

The McMenimen situation is quite different to the Rocky situation and not particularly relevant, however I'm pretty sure that was more to cover Horwill then anything. Perhaps Samo would not have reemerged.

Anyway, let's agree to disagree.

Actually it happens all the time, George Smith was released from his contract only earlier this year, there was actually a big debate about it a few years back over players like Jeremy Paul, Matt Burke and George Gregan who were all seeking releases from the last few months of there contract. Chris Latham, Peter Hewat, David Lyons, Radike Samo are a few other names which spring to mind who were released early from ARU contracts in the past few years.

I raised the McMenimen reference because it's relevant to the overall issue of making concessions, at the time, McMenimen was only one of 2 current Wallabies in the Reds pack in a team which looked largely in turmoil.

 

[en_force_er]

I more meant that Grumbles thought Davies would come off the bench... which suggests Turner might not have a place. Should have been more clear.

I can't see Davies getting his defensive act together in time for the WC.

What I can see is him cutting the smaller nations to pieces (Russia/America) like Mitchel did last WC.

 

[chief]

24000 expected to watch live. Wow. What a poor turn out. London would have been the better idea.

 

[Nusadan]

Just found out Sky sports after all is putting on the game when they didn't advertise the fact in their rugby TV guide:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12946,00.html

Gags, you will be happy it's on Sky sports 1 so your Virgin will cover that then...

 

[Lee Grant]

Gags has a girlfriend?

 

[Lance Free]

I'm on the 18th floor of the Kowloon Hotel (in the business lounge) overlooking Hong Kong Island with beer in hand - it's a bit hazy today but fine.

It's about 23C and quite humid. It's forecast fine and dry for Saturday with a fresh breeze.

Apart from the humidity the conditions will be great this weekend.

In today's South China Morning Post there were about 5 articles relating to the Bledisloe Cup match. Unfortunately four of them focussed on the All Blacks. So its not as though there isn't any publicity - just not much interest in a dead rubber.

I've spoken to a few of the locals and......as you'd know rugby isn't big for the Chinese. And nobody has commented on my G&GR T-shirt yet!

But there was a photo of Gits and co on the back page of the paper. Van had a dirties 'training vest' on so I guess he's not going to be named in the test team tomorrow.

Keep getting harrassed of course by people who feel that I need a watch and a new suit....

 

[Gagger]

Nice one LG, take em up on the offer and you could go into Real estate or used cars when you get back

Gags has a girlfriend?

The days that I had virgin girlfriends are now pitifully long ago LG. With hindsight, I'd rather they'd all been sluts - makes for better memories.

I'd say we're digressing on this thread, but we are talking about cheating I suppose...

 

[RugbyReg]

Lance, I assume you won't be doing an article on the team announcement?

 

[Lance Free]

Lance, I assume you won't be doing an article on the team announcement?

No I won't - I'll be up some bloody mountain on Hong Kong Island by the sounds of it. Over to you RR.....

 

[Groucho]

I'm on the 18th floor of the Kowloon Hotel (in the business lounge) overlooking Hong Kong Island with beer in hand - it's a bit hazy today but fine.

It's about 23C and quite humid. It's forecast fine and dry for Saturday with a fresh breeze.

Apart from the humidity the conditions will be great this weekend.

In today's South China Morning Post there were about 5 articles relating to the Bledisloe Cup match. Unfortunately four of them focussed on the All Blacks. So its not as though there isn't any publicity - just not much interest in a dead rubber.

I've spoken to a few of the locals and......as you'd know rugby isn't big for the Chinese. And nobody has commented on my G&GR T-shirt yet!

But there was a photo of Gits and co on the back page of the paper. Van had a dirties 'training vest' on so I guess he's not going to be named in the test team tomorrow.

Keep getting harrassed of course by people who feel that I need a watch and a new suit....

Kowloon is one my favourite places in the world, Lance. I'm extremely envious. Go and eat in Temple Street, south of Mong Kok - marvellous. And Fook Lam Moon on Kimberley Rd is great if you want to spend a bit more. Also Tung Choi Street for bars.

 

[ChargerWA]

40%

We have the skills and talent, but to win the ball needs to bounce our way and our kicker needs to slot his kicks. Mentally they are all over us.

 

[Lindommer]

No I won't - I'll be up some bloody mountain on Hong Kong Island...

I thought you said you were with your wife?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Kowloon is one my favourite places in the world, Lance. I'm extremely envious. Go and eat in Temple Street, south of Mong Kok - marvellous. And Fook Lam Moon on Kimberley Rd is great if you want to spend a bit more. Also Tung Choi Street for bars.

With you on that Groucho. Hong Kong is a fabulous city in all its cheerful insanity.

 

[JJJ]

20%. I'd love us to win but I think against the ABs especially we can choke from even the most commanding of leads. Hopefully this won't be one of those matches where I turn off the telly convinced we would've won it but for some dodgy reffing at the breakdown. It's conceivable.

 

[Jnor]

55% - We can do it!!!! just....

 

[Ruggo]

Wallabies can get up and win. I am 100% confident. We are close, damm close and the losing streak can't last forever. A win here will be a massive confidence boost and the start of big things. Well I hope so.

Go the Wallabies.

 

[Red Rooster]

Wallabies can get up and win. I am 100% confident. We are close, damm close and the losing streak can't last forever. A win here will be a massive confidence boost and the start of big things. Well I hope so.

Go the Wallabies.

Can we assume then that if we dont win the we will get the inverse of a "massive confidence boost" and then where does that leave us? Back to wishful thinking, prayers, justifying false dawns, speculating on whose fault it all is etc etc

 

[Scotty]

No I won't - I'll be up some bloody mountain on Hong Kong Island by the sounds of it. Over to you RR.....

If you have already done it, do the Dragon's back walk down on the south east side of the island. Awesome views. Have a much deserved beer at Shek O beach after it.

 

[farva]

Four changes from the team that beat Australia 23-22 in Sydney last month.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named their team for the DHL Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday 30 October.

The Test is the first in the All Blacks Telecom BackingBlack Tour to Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Starting XV:
1. Tony Woodcock (69)
2. Keven Mealamu (80)
3. Owen Franks (17)
4. Brad Thorn (46)
5. Tom Donnelly (13)
6. Jerome Kaino (33)
7. Richie McCaw – captain (89)
8. Kieran Read (25)
9. Jimmy Cowan (41)
10. Daniel Carter (74)
11. Josevata Rokocoko (66)
12. Ma’a Nonu (52)
13. Conrad Smith (41)
14. Cory Jane (21)
15. Mils Muliaina (89)

Reserves:
16. Hikawera Elliot (uncapped)
17. John Afoa (25)
18. Samuel Whitelock (08)
19. Daniel Braid (04)
20. Alby Mathewson (01)
21. Stephen Donald (19)
22. Isaia Toeava (26)

Number of Test caps in brackets
 
The starting XV features four changes from the team that beat Australia 23-22 in Sydney last month in the last match of the Investec Tri Nations: Jerome Kaino is back at blindside flanker, Jimmy Cowan is at halfback, Daniel Carter returns to the Test side following his ankle surgery while Josevata Rokocoko is in the number 11 jersey in his 67th Test.

Meanwhile, hooker Hikawera Elliot, whose sole All Blacks appearance to date was against Munster on the 2008 end of year tour, may make his All Blacks Test debut from the bench, while other reserves include loose forward Daniel Braid, who last played for the All Blacks in 2008; Alby Mathewson at reserve halfback; with Stephen Donald covering the inside backs and utility Isaia Toeava, who is back in the All Blacks after hip surgery, the outside backs cover.

Graham Henry said: “Australia will again present a massive challenge for the All Blacks and we have picked an All Blacks starting side that has done outstandingly well this year. This Test is a very important one for the team who are keen to get the Tour off to a good start, and, like all trans-Tasman matches, it will be another huge encounter.”

A number of All Blacks will reach individual milestones on Saturday: Captain Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina will play their 90th Tests –and their 70th Test together, Daniel Carter will play his 75th Test match, becoming the seventh most capped All Blacks of all time, while the All Blacks most capped prop, Tony Woodcock ,will play his 70th Test.

All Blacks Telecom BackingBlack Tour

Saturday 30 October, All Blacks v Australia, Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong
Saturday 6 November, All Blacks v England, Twickenham, London
Saturday 13 November, All Blacks v Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday 20 November, All Blacks v Ireland, AVIVA Stadium, Dublin
Saturday 27 November, All Blacks v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

http://www.allblacks.com/news/14687/All-Blacks-team-to-face-Australia-named

 

[farva]

Good to see the ABs selecting a B team.

This will be a walk in the park surely!