BDA
Jim Lenehan (48)
ugh its only 1 day into the pre-match build and already the kiwi cockiness is making me woozy.
Of course NZ should be favourites, but the message seems pretty clear, if the All Blacks turn up, the wallabies aren't a chance.
Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy for us to be written off in this one, but you know what, i just don't see it based on what we've seen recently.
Despite what those bitter Northerners would have you believe, Australia has been the team of the tournament, not the kiwis. One average game against Scotland doesn't change that, nor does one resolute win against the Boks.
Despite all the propaganda, I can't say I'm overly impressed with the All Blacks' tournament. They beat Argentina in the group stage (by less points than the Wallabies) and they beat an out of sorts French team. You don't have to have been around long to have seen a French team capitulate and concede 60 points.
Whilst the NZ and Bok fans would have you believe that the best 2 teams in the world played last week, the truth is that's rubbish. As good as the Boks played they never chanced their arm against the All Blacks. Thankfully, unlike some of the previous versions of the world cup, this one has reinforced the concept that the teams that play the rugby will more often than not take the spoils. Unfortunately and quite naively the Boks again played very little rugby. They threw the ball around a bit early on but they seemed to get less creative as the game wore on. Part of that would have come down to the gulf in experience between the 10/12/13 combinations of the two team. That wont be an issue for the wallabies backline, which will actually test the All Blacks' defense.
I had to listen to Jeff Wilson on TV tonight jerking off to how much of a trump card the All Blacks' bench is. I gotta tell ya, I'v seen your bench and I aint exactly quaking in my boots. The Wallabies bench players have provided outstanding impact this season and there aint one of those boys which I'd want to swap for one of those dirty kiwis.
Sio is a big piece of the puzzle for the Wallabies. If he plays I could see us having a clear advantage in the scrum. In fact I'd rate both our starting front row and our bench front row as having an advantage on their opposition. It's an area of the game where the Boks got some good purchase, and we have the personnel to do the same. Though the absence of Sio might even things out a bit.
Another crucial area of the game the wallabies can win is the breakdown. McCaw is awesome, but it's undeniable he rarely has the impact on the game like he did 4 years ago. In fact I don't think he has any greater impact on the field than Michael Hooper. He doesn't even come close to David Pocock at the moment. You have to wonder how many more games the Wallabies might have won against New Zealand over the last 3 years if Pocock had been in the side.
Of course there's a few areas, where they'll likely struggle against New Zealand (line-out, High-ball, restarts, general 2nd row impact) but likewise you don't have to look to far to see how this game can be won by the Wallabies.
NZ, you might be deserved favourites, but the Pooper is coming to pilfer your title.
Of course NZ should be favourites, but the message seems pretty clear, if the All Blacks turn up, the wallabies aren't a chance.
Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy for us to be written off in this one, but you know what, i just don't see it based on what we've seen recently.
Despite what those bitter Northerners would have you believe, Australia has been the team of the tournament, not the kiwis. One average game against Scotland doesn't change that, nor does one resolute win against the Boks.
Despite all the propaganda, I can't say I'm overly impressed with the All Blacks' tournament. They beat Argentina in the group stage (by less points than the Wallabies) and they beat an out of sorts French team. You don't have to have been around long to have seen a French team capitulate and concede 60 points.
Whilst the NZ and Bok fans would have you believe that the best 2 teams in the world played last week, the truth is that's rubbish. As good as the Boks played they never chanced their arm against the All Blacks. Thankfully, unlike some of the previous versions of the world cup, this one has reinforced the concept that the teams that play the rugby will more often than not take the spoils. Unfortunately and quite naively the Boks again played very little rugby. They threw the ball around a bit early on but they seemed to get less creative as the game wore on. Part of that would have come down to the gulf in experience between the 10/12/13 combinations of the two team. That wont be an issue for the wallabies backline, which will actually test the All Blacks' defense.
I had to listen to Jeff Wilson on TV tonight jerking off to how much of a trump card the All Blacks' bench is. I gotta tell ya, I'v seen your bench and I aint exactly quaking in my boots. The Wallabies bench players have provided outstanding impact this season and there aint one of those boys which I'd want to swap for one of those dirty kiwis.
Sio is a big piece of the puzzle for the Wallabies. If he plays I could see us having a clear advantage in the scrum. In fact I'd rate both our starting front row and our bench front row as having an advantage on their opposition. It's an area of the game where the Boks got some good purchase, and we have the personnel to do the same. Though the absence of Sio might even things out a bit.
Another crucial area of the game the wallabies can win is the breakdown. McCaw is awesome, but it's undeniable he rarely has the impact on the game like he did 4 years ago. In fact I don't think he has any greater impact on the field than Michael Hooper. He doesn't even come close to David Pocock at the moment. You have to wonder how many more games the Wallabies might have won against New Zealand over the last 3 years if Pocock had been in the side.
Of course there's a few areas, where they'll likely struggle against New Zealand (line-out, High-ball, restarts, general 2nd row impact) but likewise you don't have to look to far to see how this game can be won by the Wallabies.
NZ, you might be deserved favourites, but the Pooper is coming to pilfer your title.
