Wallabies v All Blacks Saturday 26th August at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

[TSR]

AB’s Citation List coming thru and its a long one...

Damian McKenzie: throwing intercept pass after about 10 seconds

Ben Smith: taking sabbatical before DMac is ready.

Ryan Crotty: attempting to damage foreigners knee with his head.

Sonny Bill Williams: making FOUR handling errors in the first SEVEN minutes of the test then proceeding to wander around for the rest of the game like a giant crippled ineffectual thalidomide baby

Rieko Ioane: embarrassing foreigners with startling turn of pace.

Aaron Smith: screaming at everyone like a deranged chipmunk

Sam Cane: assaulting foreigner’s knee with head and subjecting us to Ardie Savea’s dogshit pillar defence for 74 minutes of a rugby football test match

Liam Squire: sporting mullet haircut in 2017

Sam Whitelock: letting Beale score under the sticks in 74th minute ffs

Brodie Retallick: trying to stand up at a ruck then falling over.

Nepo Laulala: neck rolls

Dane Coles: neck rolls

Joe Moody: neck rolls

------------------------------------------------

ps I know it’s a brave new world of pro rugby these days but it just seemed daft tuning in to the Panasonic game in Japan, played at same time as Wallaby game, and seeing David Pocock taking it easy there on the subs bench, at the exact same time his compatriots are about to go into battle for the Bledisloe.

No point citing any of the ABs now Dismal. We don't play them again for 5 games.

I'm pretty sure there are a score of Saffas & Argies who all need to be rubbed out for a month though.

 

[Gnostic]

Frankly I am astounded at the Wallabies play last night. Who'd have thought that had it in them after the shite we have been served up this year, culminating in the test last week. It was not unreasonable for people to be expecting 35+ points to be the margin last night. But fair play to them that upped the intensity multiple notches and got some results from it, and they stayed in the game for the full 80. It was very pleasing to see.

I remain unconvinced about the defence, though we saw a marked improvement without the shuffling and farting all over the place all of the time, but to miss so many tackles in a test match they cannot expect to win against any top tier side.

Exit strategy is for three years running a problem, why is Foley sill taking the clearing kicks?

I though Owens had a very good game, and explained the decisions well, even the very contestable ones made by the Video Ref. All in all it was a consistent and good performance and he remains the best Test ref in the world IMO. The constant footage of Cheika doing his lolly in the coaches box and the post game comments do his credibility not favours at all. Michael you are embarrassing yourself with the consistent carry on, this is rugby mate, the officials are not treated as one does in soccer or league or baseball. Not good enough.

 

[wamberal]

Has anybody noted that the ABs had a bit of a horror run with injuries last night? Losing Cane was a body blow. Crotty ditto.


This does not detract from our performance, but it might modify our joy a bit. They will come roaring back in Brisvegas.

 

[Dan54]

Boy they just keep appearing these images, another citing?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah - both courtesy of hard running by Rory Arnold. More than one way to have an impact on a game.

EDIT : Btw, was very encouraging to see Rory play the full 80 minutes. Looks like the second row is developing nicely with Arnold and Coleman. And Rodda looked really good when he came on too. Certainly not out of place. Should make the bench lock spot his own if he keeps that effort up.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

a score of Saffas & Argies who all need to be rubbed out

PM me. I know a bloke on the Deep Web.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Barrett bloody lucky to get away without a citing in my opinion.

Kicked most of his goals and scored match-winning try in Bledisloe therefore cleared of any and all wrong doing.

 

[Up the Guts]

Boy they just keep appearing these images, another citing?

Would be beneficial for the Wallabies if he gets a few weeks. We can bring in RHP or Higginbotham and Ned can go to the gym.

 

[Pfitzy]

Has anybody noted that the ABs had a bit of a horror run with injuries last night? Losing Cane was a body blow. Crotty ditto.

More important was the timing of the head knocks - losing Cane early left their fringes exposed, which Genia took full advantage of.

With Crotty and then Barrett going to the head check at various times, it disrupted their midfield a little and their attack was built mostly on individuals breaking tackles.

Not SBW though - he has to own that shit.

 

[KOB1987]

Has anybody noted that the ABs had a bit of a horror run with injuries last night? Losing Cane was a body blow. Crotty ditto.


This does not detract from our performance, but it might modify our joy a bit. They will come roaring back in Brisvegas.

Cane is technically a better 7 than Savea but in terms of impact I don't think there is a lot of difference.

Crotty was off for 8 minutes for a HIA

 

[tragic]

In defence of Foley's kicking, every kicker has an off day (I've seen Carter have an off day), the tragedy is Foley picked last night to have it! Overall, his goal kicking is pretty accurate from within 45 metres, as his 80% record this Super season would reflect. And it's not like his kicking was woeful, three hit the upright!
Would it be good to have a better goal-kicker than Foley? Of course it would, but he isn't that bad an option. His kicking out of hand? Now that's a different story.

There's an off day and then there's 2 from 6.
No international level paid professional should be that awful.
One or two maybe.
Not 2 from 6.

 

[TSR]

Boy they just keep appearing these images, another citing?

You don't think Coles has a case to answer for based on the current stance being taken on attacking the head and neck?

Serious question - not trying to be a smartarse. I'm not sure to what point you're post is banter, or whether you think I'm over reacting.

 

[Quick Hands]

There's an off day and then there's 2 from 6.
No international level paid professional should be that awful.
One or two maybe.
Not 2 from 6.

Particularly at an indoor stadium where there is zero impact from external factors.

 

[Kenny Powers]

It's one thing for the referee who has to deal with a live game, one view and no eyes in the back of his head, to make mistakes which do go both ways but its another thing for the off field officials to be so incompetent and inconsistent. They are able to deal with matters post game, gather all the views and facts.

The way the NZ Rugby get treated differently to everyone else in these off field after game decisions is disgraceful

* Cole's attacking Kane Douglas's face and being told to cease by the referee, no citing
* SBW suspension and the BS games that were counted toward this, World Rugby tries to show some backbone but caves in to NZ Rugby
* SBW was twice concussed in the 1st game, some half arsed attempt was made to investigate but SANZAR caved. He plays the 2nd game and plays very poorly most likely the result of his concussions in the 1st week. Can the qualified doctor for the All Blacks who would have sworn Hippocratic oath seriously say SBW was OK to play? Whomever is the All Blacks doctor needs to grow a pair and stand up to Steve Hansen.
* Liam Messam back in 2015 injured but acting as a waterboy involves himself in an on field scuffle - no action taken by SANZAR / World Rugby, NZ Rugby are able to determine their own discipline. Great way to assert your authority SANZAR / World Rugby.
* Kieran Read is clearly concussed during the Lions series, does not come off for a HIA or is the matter addressed by World Rugby.
* Coles won't be cited for his neck role on Foley
* Retallick won't be cited for carelessly causing Hanigan to land on his head

Counter this with Dean Mumm's citing and one game suspension last year for giving a reflex no look back hander to Retallick who was offside and holding him back from joining a ruck! To add insult to this NZ Rugby claim Retallick was concussed but played on?

Everyone wants to climb into Michael Chekia, but what about Steve Hansen, he has some questions to answer about his conduct and integrity and I am not just talking bugs in chairs.

 

[tragic]

Boy they just keep appearing these images, another citing?

Are you referring to the ABs 8 and 20 who had detached from the ball carrier and were thus in an illegal position driving hanigan away and preventing him from making a tackle?

 

[Quick Hands]

Frankly I am astounded at the Wallabies play last night. Who'd have thought that had it in them after the shite we have been served up this year, culminating in the test last week. It was not unreasonable for people to be expecting 35+ points to be the margin last night. But fair play to them that upped the intensity multiple notches and got some results from it, and they stayed in the game for the full 80. It was very pleasing to see.

I remain unconvinced about the defence, though we saw a marked improvement without the shuffling and farting all over the place all of the time, but to miss so many tackles in a test match they cannot expect to win against any top tier side.

Exit strategy is for three years running a problem, why is Foley sill taking the clearing kicks?

I though Owens had a very good game, and explained the decisions well, even the very contestable ones made by the Video Ref. All in all it was a consistent and good performance and he remains the best Test ref in the world IMO. The constant footage of Cheika doing his lolly in the coaches box and the post game comments do his credibility not favours at all. Michael you are embarrassing yourself with the consistent carry on, this is rugby mate, the officials are not treated as one does in soccer or league or baseball. Not good enough.

WE agree on most things, but I've never bought the view that Owen is the best ref in the world. He's a good referee, but a show pony. He likes to referee the All Blacks and they like him with the whistle for fairly obvious reasons. Nothing sinister or improper in it, it's just the way it is. It's a huge advantage for the ABs when he has the game.

I agree re Cheika. It's one thing people on an internet site complaining about the referee, but as the national coach it's something he should avoid at all times.

 

[ACT Crusader]

Why are there so many Kiwis on an Australian rugby forum? They seem to be a recurrent and inescapable part of life, sadly even in the online world.

Personally I really like the green and yellow colour combination of the forum design.

 

[Quick Hands]

It's one thing for the referee who has to deal with a live game, one view and no eyes in the back of his head, to make mistakes which do go both ways but its another thing for the off field officials to be so incompetent and inconsistent. They are able to deal with matters post game, gather all the views and facts.

The way the NZ Rugby get treated differently to everyone else in these off field after game decisions is disgraceful

* Cole's attacking Kane Douglas's face and being told to cease by the referee, no citing
* SBW suspension and the BS games that were counted toward this, World Rugby tries to show some backbone but caves in to NZ Rugby
* SBW was twice concussed in the 1st game, some half arsed attempt was made to investigate but SANZAR caved. He plays the 2nd game and plays very poorly most likely the result of his concussions in the 1st week. Can the qualified doctor for the All Blacks who would have sworn Hippocratic oath seriously say SBW was OK to play? Whomever is the All Blacks doctor needs to grow a pair and stand up to Steve Hansen.
* Liam Messam back in 2015 injured but acting as a waterboy involves himself in an on field scuffle - no action taken by SANZAR / World Rugby, NZ Rugby are able to determine their own discipline. Great way to assert your authority SANZAR / World Rugby.
* Kieran Read is clearly concussed during the Lions series, does not come off for a HIA or is the matter addressed by World Rugby.
* Coles won't be cited for his neck role on Foley
* Retallick won't be cited for carelessly causing Hanigan to land on his head

Counter this with Dean Mumm's citing and one game suspension last year for giving a reflex no look back hander to Retallick who was offside and holding him back from joining a ruck! To add insult to this NZ Rugby claim Retallick was concussed but played on?

Everyone wants to climb into Michael Chekia, but what about Steve Hansen, he has some questions to answer about his conduct and integrity and I am not just talking bugs in chairs.

No surprises here. (from 2016)

Welsh rugby referee Nigel Owens praises 'consistently good' All Blacks during test week

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-owens-has-never-been-approached-to-match-fix

 

[TSR]

To be fair, I've always though a lot of Kiwis accept that Hansen can act like a bit of an arse. But if Cheika had Hansen's record I reckon most of us would be happy enough to laugh off most of his behaviour.

 

[KAOPointman]

What would you do with Hunt if he was available?

If Beale stats at 12, Hunt goes to the bench - which I guess is a good sign if we can get to the point of having him off the bench. But, even on the back of Kurtleys efforts last night, I still reckon we'd be a better team with Hunt there.

Also, IMO, pushing Beale back doesn't have to mean Folau moves up. Although, of course, the alternative is Foley defends back in the line, leaving Folau and Beale back. Or Beale defends at 10.

What would I do?.....Genia with Powell as cover, Quade the 10, Hunt in but playing the wider channel playmaker, Kuridrani and Kerevi rotating depending who were playing. Hodge on the wing....DHP and Speight rotating other wing, and Folou 100% FB.....Beale as perfect backs cover for any and all positions. (Sadly the exact reason he left for in the first place......couldn't nail a particular spot, kinda the Adam Ashley syndrome, but worse)
Hodge does as much exit and place kicking as possable with Quade back up. That's heaps of attacking threat, good kicker, good defenders and combinations!
Moore gone...Foley gone...Robinson I still can't work out why he's even around?(can someone school me on that one please?)

That's what I would do......oh and start a pathways school for up an coming 10s