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What2040
Guest
Palu, Slipper, TPN and Mitchell will all get run-on time against the Minnows - OZ needs them match fit for back end (hopefully)
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The Burner
Guest
I actually agree with a lot of what you are saying. But I was quite pleased with the irish front 5 in the warm up games and I think its an area Kidney will be hoping for supremacy. I dont think the Australian front 5 is a bad unit but we have to try and gain the upper hand in some area and I cant see where else we could gain the upper hand. Can you? I think Kidney has missed a trick in not starting O Gara. If conditions are as expected then O Gara should have started. He is a sublime tactical kicker in wet weather conditions. I have seen him do it so many time for Munster and Ireland. 2002 vs Australia in Landsdowne road comes to mind. O Gara has that Swagger (almost cockiness) to impose himself on this type of game. People regularly point to his week defence but he does put his body on the line even if he doesnt always get his man.
Tangawizi
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Most of that rain came through in the morning though. I did a 28km "Fun" run on Sunday morning before going to the match and it was up there for the worst conditions I've run in - worst raced in anyway. There was also a mini-Tornado that tore some family's house apart in the morning.
At the actual match there was a period of heavy rain in the first half but it passed fairly quickly and things were ok from there on - which partly explains the improved handling and thumping of the Italians that we dished out after break.
I think we've got too much class for the Irish either way, especially the way they've been playing lately.
But they certainly won't lacking for support at the ground. Plenty of Irishmen in the Auckland streets tonight and on the radio over here, every 2nd station has some knob DJ banging on about how all the Kiwi "neutrals" hope the Irish put one over us. Much like at the Italy match, I think a fair few Kiwi's will magically re-discover their Irish roots on Saturday and cheer for them.
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potogold
Guest
pocock should outplay o brien on the ground at 7 because o brien is not a 7. we only had one 7 and that was wallace who is gone. o brien is on the pitch to do a job, go forward and break the line, which he does nearly every time. its not hype, its deserved.
elsom won the ERC award and two years later o brien emulates him, that puts it in perspective.
pocock will outplay him on the ground sure, but he will get run over.
elsom won the ERC award and two years later o brien emulates him, that puts it in perspective.
pocock will outplay him on the ground sure, but he will get run over.
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potogold
Guest
at 1:40 vs scotland where he SWATS the player away and at 2:00 where he doesnt stop running are my favourite.
he is man horse[video=youtube;BDTmdDhGO50]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDTmdDhGO50[/video]
he is man horse[video=youtube;BDTmdDhGO50]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDTmdDhGO50[/video]
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Worldcupnut
Guest
Potogold, thanks for that educational video on SOB. I'm surely going to enjoy watching him Saturday!
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I don't know about that...
Pocock isnt the kind of player to get run over or miss a tackle...
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tranquility
Guest
Watching Jamie Roberts the other night, I bet Robbie Deans has had some wet dreams hoping Patty McCabe learn how to play like that in the next 3 or 4 weeks. I think under our current structure, that would be Robbie's ideal 12. Is it possible to prefer a 12 over Nonu? Im not sure....
Christ sake lads. O'Brien is a 6 or 8 playing 7. Of course Pocock will hammer him at the breakdown (hes pretty much the best in the world at it isnt he?). I bet O'Brien will carry the ball further. A daft comparison.
Incidently, even the good clips where O'Brien was wearing 7 (above 3 minutes), he was actually playing 6 at the time (Jennings had come on at 7 and O'Brien had moved across).
Incidently, even the good clips where O'Brien was wearing 7 (above 3 minutes), he was actually playing 6 at the time (Jennings had come on at 7 and O'Brien had moved across).
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BRIX
Guest
Deserved so indeed. Big fan of O'brien myself but that's just not going to happen mate - It's a whole different thing swatting players in the Magners League, but he'll be up against the form #7 in the world and his stubborn mates come Saturday. Should be a great game irregardless of the weather, good luck to all my Irish pals and posters
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Peter Fenwicke (45)
Would have thought moving O'Connor to 11 would have made more sense as he would have far more experience defending at 10 and it still allows Ashley-Cooper to counter attack. Obviously his fumbles under the highball cost him dearly and now he's going to have to do a lot of hard yards in defence. Fainga'a very lucky and will probably hold the 13 jersey till at least the quarters now unless Barnes or Horne are extraordinary in their limited game time.
Looking forward to this clash, I think the Irish are being heavily underestimated. They pose a threat and that alone is enough for me to suggest that the wallabies can't show any mercy. Would love to see this game played in the forwards but I think the Irish may fancy themselves running at the newly formed midfield combination and thus we will see some good attacking rugby. Tipping the Wallabies to get home in a fast finish, probably by about 10 points, Elsom to be MOM
Looking forward to this clash, I think the Irish are being heavily underestimated. They pose a threat and that alone is enough for me to suggest that the wallabies can't show any mercy. Would love to see this game played in the forwards but I think the Irish may fancy themselves running at the newly formed midfield combination and thus we will see some good attacking rugby. Tipping the Wallabies to get home in a fast finish, probably by about 10 points, Elsom to be MOM
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thedubs
Guest
Too right.
I really dont think us Irish should bother turning up for this one. Just remember guys...
http://youtu.be/1uTYLpbNUTs
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potogold
Guest
i agree he is up against the best 7, and it wont be easy at all, but he wont be up against him for the whole game everytime, unless australia have some insane man marking tactic, which i doubt.
and anyways in that clip there is alot of Hcup and 6nations, so he can handle talent. first taste of southern hemisphere on saturday though,,,, and to be honest i cant wait. will be a cracker
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BRIX
Guest
Yep the Irish will def be fired up and it'll be an absolute cracker. O'brien is a certainty to swat a player or 2 out of his way - most likely Quade he he
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
You'd have to prefer Nonu. Roberts has been in average to poor form in the last couple of seasons. That was his best game for club or country since the 2009 Lions tour, but it was bloody good wasn't it?
St Peter
Stan Wickham (3)
What scares me is that the weather conditions may be the same!
Good luck to the Irish, but "go you good thing" Straya!
Godfrey
Phil Hardcastle (33)
I know SOB is better, but this makes me think of last year against SA when Spies was making a massive run down field swatting away the whole Wallaby side. Then, the massively strong number 8 ran dead into Pocock who performed a textbook dominant tackle and drove him into the ground. I think he would do the same here.
Ignoto
Peter Sullivan (51)
Did you see who we played in that team? Dean Mumm for crying out loud!
Team who played Munster != Wallaby team of 2011
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