Tri Nations Game 3 New Zealand v Australia - Saturday 6 August 2011 - 3N2011

[fatprop]

Reports today that a 4/3 split will be used with fainga'a, Cowan, vickerman, burgess, fainga'a and turner. Wouldn't be a bad idea I think, especially as Fainga'a and Turner could help close out a game - it also indicates Elsom and pocock playing a full game which would be nice.

so the arguments about the merits of the various back row bench options are mute as none are being used

 

[Scotty]

Not quite, as he will now have to decide between Higgers and Hodgson.

 

[Sandpit Fan]

Not quite, as he will now have to decide between Higgers and Hodgson.

Shouldn't be a big decision - as Slim keeps reminding us, Higgers is a great winger, forced by circumstance to play in the forwards. Why wouldn't you take the 2 for 1 option?

 

[Bowside]

Not quite, as he will now have to decide between Higgers and Hodgson.

And they are going to have to come on at 8 unless they are covering an injury.....

 

[Joe Blow]

And they are going to have to come on at 8 unless they are covering an injury.....

6 or 8 are more likely so I would go with Higgers.
Elsom to go to 7 if Pocock gets injured.

 

[tigerland12]

Definatly Higginbotham on the bench in that case.

 

[Rev Spooner]

Hodgson and McCalman haven't impressed me greatly so far. McCalman works hard but struggles to dominate at the advantage line.

 

[chequebalance]

6 or 8 are more likely so i would go with higgers.
Elsom to go to 7 if pocock gets injured.

don't even want to contemplate it... Lalalala

 

[Rev Spooner]

Craig Joubert.

Thanks - breakdown mayhem then?

 

[Groucho]

Hodgson and McCalman haven't impressed me greatly so far. McCalman works hard but struggles to dominate at the advantage line.

As Scotty said on another thread, I don't think that's his job. We have Horwill and Kepu as battering rams. McCalman's job is to follow Pocock into breakdowns that are deliberately on the opposite side of the field from the last breakdown, over and over again, until the opposition forwards can't get there any more and our backs have free rein.

 

[Rev Spooner]

As Scotty said on another thread, I don't think that's his job. We have Horwill and Kepu as battering rams. McCalman's job is to follow Pocock into breakdowns that are deliberately on the opposite side of the field from the last breakdown, over and over again, until the opposition forwards can't get there any more and our backs have free rein.

Why can't he do both - he's not a small bloke.

 

[Slim 293]

Shouldn't be a big decision - as Slim keeps reminding us, Higgers is a great winger, forced by circumstance to play in the forwards. Why wouldn't you take the 2 for 1 option?

Haha, but you can now blame Deans for actually playing him there!

 

[Groucho]

Why can't he do both - he's not a small bloke.

Because the hit ups would sap his energy, and he'd be at the bottom of too many rucks. Effectively, what we're doing is playing a New Zealand style of 8.

 

[Rev Spooner]

Reid takes it up a fair bit and Beau Robinson took it up a lot for the Reds this year - still doesn't stop them from getting to the remaining breakdowns. there are other forwards who can do that job.

 

[MrTimms]

I just had some flights booked, and trying to organise some tickets now.

Anyone from here going to the game?

 

[Jnor]

Ok so my mates girlfriend has organised a dinner for 7.30 sat night at Glebe Pt Diner here in syd (v nice place IMO). If anyone wants to go in my place wearing an appropriate disguise I'll shout your dinner and drinks and feel free to behave in whatever manner you see fit. Send me a PM...

 

[RugbyReg]

5.30 kick off in Oz.

 

[kiap]

don't even want to contemplate it... Lalalala

 

[Jnor]

5.30 kick off in Oz.

Thanks RR. Hopefully I'll be able to make it all work but just in case my offer still stands

 

[FrankLind]

Sorry - pedant alert - it is "Read", not "Reid".