James Buchanan
Trevor Allan (34)
From my calculations, there is no chance that SA can get #2. #3 is as good as they can hope for at this point (and only 2 chances of that). #4 is much more likely.
RWC 2011 SF2: Australia vs. New Zealand
- Thread starter Swarley
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From my calculations, there is no chance that SA can get #2. #3 is as good as they can hope for at this point (and only 2 chances of that). #4 is much more likely.
Kepu had a scan on his ankle after rolling it in the quarter-final. The team remain hopeful he will be fit, but will know more by Thursday.
They are also confident that McCabe's injured shoulder will improve in time for selection.
http://www.rugby.com.au/wallabies/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1516/ArticleID/4717/Default.aspx
That seems to be about the extent of the official updates available at this stage.
darkhorse
Darby Loudon (17)
As has been said I would be keen for Cooper and Barnes to share 15/10.
Defence nothing changes.
First phase ball let Cooper take it, then Barnes can choose when to kick from then on and play Cooper in as a second-receiver where he is dangerous as well. As noted, cooper can inject himself into first-receiver and have no qualms about being tackled.
For Barnes to be an effective decision maker and be able to control the game, he needs to be able to access the ball easily. If you throw him in at 12, there will times when he decides a tactical kick is needed, but he won't be able to do so. With Barnes at 10, Cooper can still play a lot of first receiver, but Barnes can 'OK' it before hand so that an opportunity for a tactical kick will not be missed.
Defence nothing changes.
First phase ball let Cooper take it, then Barnes can choose when to kick from then on and play Cooper in as a second-receiver where he is dangerous as well. As noted, cooper can inject himself into first-receiver and have no qualms about being tackled.
For Barnes to be an effective decision maker and be able to control the game, he needs to be able to access the ball easily. If you throw him in at 12, there will times when he decides a tactical kick is needed, but he won't be able to do so. With Barnes at 10, Cooper can still play a lot of first receiver, but Barnes can 'OK' it before hand so that an opportunity for a tactical kick will not be missed.
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Fredfreduels
Guest
Horne at 12 and McCabe at 13 would be awesome.
I think Kepu had his best game of the cup so far. He definitely gave his best scrummaging performance of the cup, made 12 tackles and didn't miss one.
Alexander made 11 tackles, missed 5 and had one hit up and a scrum penalty.
I don't think this is really the time to drop Kepu. He's finally playing pretty well.
Alexander made 11 tackles, missed 5 and had one hit up and a scrum penalty.
I don't think this is really the time to drop Kepu. He's finally playing pretty well.
Sir Arthur Higgins
Dick Tooth (41)
can't see horne coming in except maybe on the bench
Faainga was solid when he came on and has game time recently. Horne is a couple weeks out of action. Besides that, if i was a coach, given how often he gets injured i wouldn't want to risk him starting and buggering himself again.
Faainga was solid when he came on and has game time recently. Horne is a couple weeks out of action. Besides that, if i was a coach, given how often he gets injured i wouldn't want to risk him starting and buggering himself again.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Swap that and I'd agree.
However, if this wasn't a RWC semi I'd also be keen to check it out...
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
Slipper for Alexander. No need to drop anybody. Slipper must get significant game time. He has too big an engine to waste on the bench.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
The stats are off as always, kepu had at least one run bringing the ball back from the in goal area when he picked up the injury but is listed as having no runs
Ruggo
Mark Ella (57)
Yep agree. Stats may be handy but they can also be useless without context.
Groucho
Greg Davis (50)
Nah.
T
tblackadder
Guest
if we can win this one with the duck or the midget at 10 then we will have really earned the cup......that balances the home ground advantage nz otherwie has...........
donald doing something to win a game for the abs in a world cup...........that would be worthy of a t shirt
donald doing something to win a game for the abs in a world cup...........that would be worthy of a t shirt
da_grubster
Ted Fahey (11)
Dai, I am a NZer. sounds like a rematch of the 3rd and 4th playoff ;-)
BTW, I am really enjoying how wales are playing and I do hope they get to the final. Would be fantastic.
da_grubster
Ted Fahey (11)
CB, Ireland and Samoa have never defeated my team
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What2040
Guest
Big engines are going to be needed by all the forwards, not just the bully boys up front. Am sure this will be a fantastic and very fast game. Oz by 6
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Utility Back
Guest
Yeh my bad...
Dam0
Dave Cowper (27)
Is there any thought being given to dropping Quade? Maybe putting him on the bench to come on if things get hairy towards the end. I thought he was appallingly bad on Saturday. It wasn't just that his skills weren't up to it, it was that he looked totally lost whenever he touched the ball. Barnes, on the other hand, looked a picture of composure, is a better tackler and you don't lose all that much in attack with him.
Is it too late to be thinking so?
Is it too late to be thinking so?
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