RWC 2015 Final - Australia v New Zealand, Twickenham, Sunday 1 November, 3:00 AEDT
- Thread starter Hugh Jarse
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waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Whatever else happens, @qwerty51's prediction that those has-beens Carter & McCaw have played their last test WILL come true....... and it's only taken two and a bit years (that I know of)!
Hawko
Tony Shaw (54)
I worry a lot! Too much, people tell me. BUT...
- Between 50 and 70 minutes last week we looked tired, very tired. Only the replacements had some zip (Holmes, TPN, Smith, To'omua). Its been a very long and hard campaign and if we don't spend most of this week resting I think we could run out of gas on Saturday. I know its not Cheika's style but I hope he keeps the physicality to a minimum this week.
- Nigel Owens is not very good at picking up on "cheating" when its done with subtlety. Allowing Smith to take people out in the air and not scrupulously ruling the ruck will be to our considerable disadvantage and the NZ team know how to play to this, which is why our record with Owens is poor relative to other referees.
Scotty
David Codey (61)
It is complete crap. He is the best referee and will do a great job.
As long as he remembers to penalise all those ruck loitering Kiwi forwards!
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
And thank god it hasn't! We have a small chance to win now.
Inside Shoulder
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I have a hunch that Nige pays a great deal of attention to what is said in the press and I think he may even have a quick look on here.
With that said I would like him to police the end of the line out: no ABs joining it before it ends, no one hovering more than 15m from touch and no one in black crossing the line of touch except in the act of
There you go Nige - I'll have some more tips later in the week.
TahDan
Cyril Towers (30)
I think it's worth pointing out that the RWC has arguably been easier for him than Super Rugby from an opponent standpoint, considering NZ only had one tier 1 nation in their pool and played a complete shambles of a France team in the qtrs.
Langers
Bob McCowan (2)
There's so many angles to look at this from. Firstly where the Wallabies have come from since Cheika took over as coach. They were pretty much written off in terms of their progression through the World Cup. It's been pleasing to see the steady improvement over the last 12 months, which has culminated in their deserved place in the final.
The way the players carrying themselves and the references to supporters and family say so much about the way the culture in the squad has changed. As a long-time supporter, all you want to know is that the team is giving their all and the desire to represent your country outweighs all other considerations - and that's what I see.
My only concern for the final is fatigue. They all looked tired with about 15 to go against Argentina, so substitutions will mean so much more during the game. I have faith in their ability to lift again and match the All Blacks in every facet of the game.
I think Nigel Owens has had a terrific World Cup and deserves to ref the final.
So, lets get behind our team and support them 100% in what will be a great showcase for rugby. Win or lose, it's has been a fantastic season and the future for the Wallabies is looking very Green and Gold indeed.
The way the players carrying themselves and the references to supporters and family say so much about the way the culture in the squad has changed. As a long-time supporter, all you want to know is that the team is giving their all and the desire to represent your country outweighs all other considerations - and that's what I see.
My only concern for the final is fatigue. They all looked tired with about 15 to go against Argentina, so substitutions will mean so much more during the game. I have faith in their ability to lift again and match the All Blacks in every facet of the game.
I think Nigel Owens has had a terrific World Cup and deserves to ref the final.
So, lets get behind our team and support them 100% in what will be a great showcase for rugby. Win or lose, it's has been a fantastic season and the future for the Wallabies is looking very Green and Gold indeed.
Jellic87
Chris McKivat (8)
Larkham has said that this Wallabies side is better than his 99' World Cup winning team......
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/r...n-1999-champions/story-e6frf4zl-1227584949420
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/r...n-1999-champions/story-e6frf4zl-1227584949420
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Poey is very good at naturally addressing Ref's. Whether they are gay ref's or not is irrelevant. I think his game management and decision making and maybe politics too is what is holding Poey back from being a great Captain.
TahDan
Cyril Towers (30)
He has a point, but they'll also be playing a side that is better than the '99 side ever faced.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
He has a habit of talking up his own team. He also said To'omua and Lilo should be first choice halves for the wallabies. Nothing wrong with that, he backs his team and is vocal about that. Whether he actually believes it or not is up for debate.
Although, It probably is a better team given how much the game has changed but the All Blacks are a much better team too!
Jellic87
Chris McKivat (8)
Absolutely does have a point, but yes you're right, the task ahead of this team in the final is a lot harder than the one ahead of the 99' team in their final.
Jellic87
Chris McKivat (8)
Plus bringing Larkham himself into the Wallabies fold has done our backline wonders, i wonder if you could put Foleys step up down to Larkham? Now if he can just show him how to pull off a drop goal on the run from 50 out with scores even at the death.
Joeleee
Ted Fahey (11)
I think that having your best player as the captain isn't always a good idea either, as it can be a distraction. Obviously YMMV though. The other vibe that I've gotten is that he's not that well liked by some of the playing group. Obviously I have nothing to cite in that regard and I may be off the mark, but it's not unusual for elite performers to rub others the wrong way, because they are so single minded with their quest for greatness. It shouldn't be underestimated how difficult it can be to manage a group of egos and personalities of such elite performers and obviously Moore and Cheiks have done a great job with that.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
Sometimes it can be a distraction. But it worked well for McCaw. I don't think Poey is the type of player who would let it be a distraction.
I've heard that too about the playing group. I hope there is no truth to it. I doubt there'd be anyone who doesn't respect him, especially after this tournament. But who knows. There's still plenty of other choices too. Moore is doing a great job.
Viking
Mark Ella (57)
The wide-ball to AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) had Larkham written all over it. I didn't think Foley had that in him. Which is a huge reason I always favoured Cooper over him. That pass has raised my view of Foley two-fold.
Joeleee
Ted Fahey (11)
It can definitely work, it's just a consideration. In terms of respect, I have no doubt everyone in the squad respects him. Respect doesn't necessarily equal like though.
Jellic87
Chris McKivat (8)
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