Bledisloe IV 2010 Hong Kong

[#1 Tah]

Well I did not try to say they will use it as an excuse. (look like some is a bit tense here) I mean it may help them.

What can they say, players get criticised for being worn out after months of top-end footy, then criticised for having a decent rest.

No rest for the wicked, as they say.

 

[Muttonbird]

The rest of the world can see it with their eyes, the numbers prove it, your players even admit it, but you keep baaaing on in splendid denial, even when no one's mentioned it.

Yea to a certain extent I agree but what attempt is made to side with humility when a loss occurs is normally clouded over by some bad play or decision made by the AB's or even more so by some incompetent official or wrong rules been used rather than admitting to been beaten by a better side on the day.

Clearly Whatty suggests that the NZ media are the only ones to divert attention from a loss, "clouding over" it by blaming officials and rules. All I did was highlight that the same has been done ad infinitum by Australian Media and others for many months now.

Better get yourself an avatar Whatty.

 

[PaarlBok]

Clearly Whatty suggests that the NZ media are the only ones to divert attention from a loss, "clouding over" it by blaming officials and rules. All I did was highlight that the same has been done ad infinitum by Australian Media and others for many months now.

Better get yourself an avatar Whatty.

Whatty , see you support the right teams?

Now throw this all in one pot and you get a Snor brew out of it.

 

[whatty]

Maybe you can give me one at Cafe Melba, my local

No just the Kiwi press do it just that little bit different.

 

[Muttonbird]

We could be neighbours. I feel a bit funny about meeting men over the internet though. :lmao:

I'll be watching carefully for media reaction should the All Blacks lose on Saturday.

 

[Scarfman]

2 days to Bledisloe, things are heating up. Love it.

 

[Jnor]

[video=youtube;llQ6dxSQMe4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llQ6dxSQMe4[/video]

YEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

(I think it may have been too long between drinks...)

 

[dobduff11]

I'm glad to see Toeava on the bench whenever he has been injury free he has been awesome over the past three years.

Great player unfortunately born in a generation which contained mauger,umaga,mcalister,nonu,smith,kahui and now SBW.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

For a so called dead rubber, being played in a 2/3 full stadium 1/2 way to the other side of the world, this game is generating a shit load more interest that the circumstances would normally warrant.

To quote the late Big Kev "I'm EXCITED". Bring it on. Hope it is a cracker of a game.

Lucky bugger to be there Lance. I have very fond memories of several HK sevens, as a spectator, and HK 10's as a player in the 80's. HK is a decent town at the best of times, but awesome when the rugby circus rolls into town.

Bloody strong teams named by both combatants who appear keen to win the game.

I still think the NZRT will win quite comfortably, according to the Head. The Heart says otherwise.

While being a dead Bledisloe, there are massive strategic advantages for RWC preparation that will accrue to the victor of this game.

 

[disco]

Big Ben comes in for Snaafu and everyone's patting Robbie on the back.

I would change several of these selections - Chiz, Slipper, Brown, Giteau, JOC (James O'Connor) for a start.

In fact - does anyone want to support ANY of the above selections or is Robbie again seeing things from his unique POV.

Scarfie,
Other than Slipper I would change them all. ATM Slipper is our best bench option at reserve prop.

Chisolm - Well what can you do? I wouldn't start Mumm or Simmons & VH is the only one left but I saw him more as a dirt tracker for this tour which leaves zero options left from the squad. Personally I would have started Douglas but he was never given a boarding pass.

Brown- easy Hodgson or Higginbotham

Giteau - Barnes or Fainga'a

JOC (James O'Connor) - Turner 1st & Davies 2nd.

 

[dobduff11]

oh and btw, New Zealand and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw will sit out the first three rounds of Super Rugby in 2011.

"According to reports in New Zealand, McCaw has requested a three-week break. The flanker said he preferred a gradual start to the Super Rugby competition rather than a series of missed games later in the tournament."

 

[Hugh Jarse]

About 14 pages ago, I proposed this head to head. Changes to prediction are in red/italics. THe run on is almost identical. Selectors not as experimental with the bench as I was.

Here's my head to head. Rugby is a team game so the head to head doesn't mean too much.

1. Alexander v Woodcock
2. Moore v Mealamu
3. Robinson V O. Franks
4. Chisholm v Thorne
5. Sharpe v Donnelly
6. Elsom v Kaino
7. Pocock v Sir Ritchie
8. McCalman v Read
9. Genia v Cowan
10. Cooper v Carter
11. Mitchell v Jane
12. Barnes v Nonu
13. AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) v Smith
14. JOC (James O'Connor) was Turner v Rokocoko
15. Beale v Muliaina

Bench
16. Finger v Elliot
17. Slipper v Afoa
18. Mumm was Hogdson v Whitelock
19. Brown was Simmons v Braid was Messam
20. Burgess v Matthewson was Ellis
21. Giteau v Donald was Slade
22. Turner was JOC (James O'Connor) v Toeava was SBW

......

Robbie MUST empty the bench and on timely basis as well. Positive sign.

Robbie must make effective se of the bench if the Golden ones are to have any hope of victory.

 

[Bowside]

AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)>Smith
Mils>Kurtley

 

[dobduff11]

Toeava > Turner

Also you forgot to switch Barnes with Gits but it probably doesn't make a difference

 

[Slim 293]

No surprise that Deans has stuck with his useless boy crush...

My only change would've been to dump JOC (James O'Connor) and promote Turner to the starting XV...

Giteau/Barnes is 50/50...

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Fixed

I didn't know that Mark Lawrence, one of if not the best, referees in the world was a kiwi? Well there you go.

Gagger, not really interested in that sort of stuff mate. Here to talk rugby, not be a douche.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I'm just hoping that we don't have anything to complain about come Sunday, so there'll be none of this "we wuz robbed" stuff. By that of course, I mean I hope we cheat and get away with it.

I keed, I keed!

 

[dobduff11]

TBH i hope its a shootout 2000 bledisloe style

JOC (James O'Connor) to score two tries, beale with a length of the field breakaway, and gits to get his mojo back

But the AB's will probably still win

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

If it's half as good as the game in 2000, I'll be a very happy punter. Both teams have a scary amount of attacking firepower at their disposal.

 

[dobduff11]

I agree that game against RSA in the 3 nations was a bit of a modern classic some great tries there aswell

As you said lots of attacking power and some defensive deficiencies aswell should be a good game