Bledisloe IV - Hong Kong - Pick The Score

[MajorlyRagerly]

Good to see a confident G & GR forum (by looking at the votes anyway). Hate to see opposition fans going into games without much hope, so glad to see you guys are bullish on the victory.

I'm saying AB's by 6-10.. and whenever I think the AB's are going to win a tight one and say so, we lose. so well done guys!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

GOLD BLACK
15 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs); Mils Muliaina
14 James O’Connor (Force); Cory Jane
13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies); Conrad Smith
12 Matt Giteau (Brumbies); Ma’a Nonu
11 Drew Mitchell (Waratahs); Josevata Rokocoko
10 Quade Cooper (Reds); Daniel Carter
9 Will Genia (Reds); Jimmy Cowan
8 Ben McCalman (Force); Kieran Read
7 David Pocock (Force); Richie McCaw [c]
6 Rockey Elsom [c] (Brumbies); Jerome Kaino
5 Nathan Sharpe (Force); Tom Donnelly
4 Mark Chisholm (Brumbies); Brad Thorn
3 Ben Alexander (Brumbies); Owen Franks
2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies); Keven Mealamu
1 Benn Robinson (Waratahs). Tony Woodcock;


16 Saia Fainga'a (Reds); Hikawera Elliot
17 James Slipper (Reds); John Afoa
18 Dean Mumm (Waratahs); Samuel Whitelock
19 Richard Brown (Force); Daniel Braid
20 Luke Burgess (Waratahs); Alby Mathewson
21 Berrick Barnes (Waratahs); Stephen Donald
22 Lachlan Turner (Waratahs). Isaia Toeava



Now both squads have been announced, those who have been waiting to pick the score with their heads can now tip.

IMHO the NZRT run on squad wins hands down in the individual match ups, but can they put it together as a team? I don't think the gap at the team level is as great as at the individual level.

The Gold bench appears better than the Black one. Will Dingo actually remember to use it?

 

[Blue]

The Gold bench appears better than the Black one. Will Dingo actually remember to use it?

Huh?


16 Saia Fainga'a (Reds); Hikawera Elliot
Did you see Elliot play in the ITM Cup? He is an awesome talent. Better hooker by far.
17 James Slipper (Reds); John Afoa
Slipper is very green. I'd pick Afoa.

18 Dean Mumm (Waratahs); Samuel Whitelock
Not an easy pick, about the same.

19 Richard Brown (Force); Daniel Braid
Braid. Squared.

20 Luke Burgess (Waratahs); Alby Mathewson
Luke. Just.

21 Berrick Barnes (Waratahs); Stephen Donald
Two players who have made a career our of being underwhelming.

22 Lachlan Turner (Waratahs). Isaia Toeava
Ice is more versatile.

If anything the Black bench edges it but at best it's about equal.

 

[PaarlBok]

All Blacks 41 Wallabies 28

 

[Tordah]

All Blacks 41 Wallabies 28

Sounds about right, I'm going a little more conservative, though:

ABs 33 - 21 WBs

 

[Langthorne]

The teams are in, and the news is not good for the Wallabies:

JO'C is still on the wing
The kicker averages just over 70% in tests (less against the ABs?)
There is lots of heart, but not much by way of results.

Mealamu, Carter, Kanio, Rockacoocoo are all playing.

Basically, the ABs forwards are a very strong unit, with very strong reserves. The Wallaby forwards have a couple of weaknesses, and even more the bench (just the tight 5, and the back row on the bench).

The Wallaby backs have some great attacking potential, but also a few frailties (revolving door defence in a certain channel in the middle probably being the worst). Best case scenario, the backs cancel eachother out.

Sad to say, the head says ABs and the heart say FFS NOT AGAIN!!!

Optimistically, ABs by 6.

 

[qwerty51]

Will make more a fortune on the Australia/New Zealand HT/NT double again. ABs by 1 hopefully (only if Aus win the HT)

 

[disco]

The Wallaby forwards have a couple of weaknesses, and even more the bench (just the tight 5, and the back row on the bench).

Other than Chiz I like our forward pack I think it's the best we've put out all season that's if Alexander doesn't display his super 14 scrumming form were he collapsed nearly every bind.

Still backing the boys. Wallabies by 8.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Wallabies 39-26 :thumb

 

[farva]

Either way, I think it will be high scoring. Both teams have very strong attacks.

I think this game will hinge on how long Dan Carter can stay on the field. If he is forced off early, then Donald will be overwhelmed and the Wallabies should run away with it (by a point or two).
If he is good for the whole game, it will be much tougher, and I think the Blacks will edge it (by about 10).

 

[Jnor]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/4284463/Dan-Carter-expecting-to-make-early-exit

If that article's right then hopefully your prediction is too, Farva.

It'll be interesting seeing which team is more rusty. The Wobs can win it, although it's gonna be a hard one we have a better chance than we did after coming back from SA.
I just hope it's a quick, flowing, entertaining game with no refereeing fuck-ups.
Actually, if the Wallabies win I won't care what it looked like

 

[#1?]

Agree that Carter is a potential weak link for the All Blacks. If he goes off early due to injury or precautions, or is not 100% on his game then there is a glimmer of hope for the Wobs.

Otherwise with a fit Carter, the AB's will probably have too much in the tank for us.

AB's by 5-10.

While disappointing, this would not be a disgraceful scoreline and being so close to the #1 rank team should be taken as a positive.

 

[Blue]

Twunty suven to suxteen for The Bluckness.

I already blame the ref to spare you all the trouble.

 

[whatty]

Thurty two to suxteen to kuwis.

scrappy game both sides.

 

[Enzedder]

Strong ABs side there - can't make it much stronger in fact. I think they are going to try some huge doubt seeds into the young Aussies mind tonight.
ABs by 10+.

 

[Budgie]

It will be a massacre. The New Zealand Rugby Team 46 Qantas Wallabies 13.

Both teams will then go on undefeated vs the various NH Teams.

 

[Newter]

Who are we kidding, the All Blacks are light years ahead of us. They ran over the top of us with ease in the final 15 mins of the last Test, and that was without a decent hooker or flyhalf.

The Wallabies will never defeat NZ with players like Chisholm, Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor. We're gone.

 

[Groucho]

Wallabies 72 - 9 New Zealand Rugby Team

 

[Jnor]

Who are we kidding, the All Blacks are light years ahead of us. They ran over the top of us with ease in the final 15 mins of the last Test, and that was without a decent hooker or flyhalf.

The Wallabies will never defeat NZ with players like Chisholm, Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor. We're gone.

There is such a thing as blind pessimism, you know. And don't call it being 'realistic'. I agree the ABs will probably win but to say we don't even have a chance is retarded. WE had it over them for 60min of the last test and that was after 2 tests at altitude in SA.

 

[qwerty51]

Got a feeling we'll get this 13+