The Wallabies finally broke their All Black hoodoo, which had lasted some ten straight matches, with last night’s victory over the world’s leading team, by 26 points to 24. In a high quality, thrilling match, it was the Wallabies who this time scored the last minute, get-out-of-jail try and the nail-biting conversion from out wide. It was a justified result, for the Australian team, after long periods of dominance, had been denied a significant lead by poor goal-kicking. They were positive, aggressive and enterprising throughout and their final and fourth try sealed the game in the same manner that had used throughout.
The All Blacks’ defence, built on an ability to deny quick recycled ball to their opponents, was always going to be difficult to crack. Success against quality defences requires attacks to ask difficult questions and a good percentage of these questions need to be asked at and around the tackle contest. The need for defensive numbers in this zone, to combat the threats, will make space elsewhere for properly aligned phase attack. T
he Wallabies had a clear focus and excellent execution to provide off-loads and urgency in ball delivery; all of this distracted the All Black defence and mistakes were made. Such a strategy will never be without errors; these plays are, by necessity, made under the very noses of punishing tacklers and the slightest miscalculation can result in a ball-turnover. One attempted off-load from the brilliant Kurtley Beale, for example, hit his own foot, as it whirled through the air in the spin of his tackle, and was kicked through to the opposition. The Wallabies though had the courage of their convictions and were not to be dissuaded by such outcomes. Their courage was rewarded.
The Wallabies had dominated early possession, a reward to their positive mind-set, and Quade Copper crossed after one such off-load – this one by Ben McCalman. Recent goal-kicking problems continued and a blank score-sheet of none from three attempts assisted the calm through the storm for the All Blacks. A comeback from a five-nil deficit after such a period under extreme pressure, is readily achievable.
More was to follow, however, and a scything break from Ashley-Cooper saw him round the covering Corey Jane for a beautiful try under the posts. Now it was 12 – NIL, and a whole lot more serious. It was very early days still and the All Blacks knew that consistent possession would give them similar opportunity. As they had done previously all season, they focussed on their individual jobs, did the basic things well and were soon back in the game. Indeed they were in the lead at 12-14 and on the stroke of half-time a penaly by Dan Carter extended that to 12-17.
At this point, the Wallabies looked somewhat downcast and indeed had been a little unlucky with a couple of full penalties (!) for early engagements on their own scrum ball. The first of these came from a Wallaby scrum feed about 6-7 metres from the all Black line, when the scrum had been called only after Conrad Smith had theatrically appealed to the referee for an obstruction – by the referee! Without debating the merits of Smith’s appeal, I can only say that I have frequently seen such appeals ignored. To see the Wallabies subsequently penalised from the scrum and then the All Blacks score soon after at the other end, seemed horribly unjust.
Full marks to the All Blacks, nevertheless, for two clinically executed tries in this period of New Zealand dominance. Upcoming opponents will have noted that there is no opportunity for a ‘breather’ against this team.
The Wallaby scrum looked much more stable after the break, following clear All Black dominance in the first half and this augured well, but after yet another missed penalty, they appeared to slacken – perhaps wondering how, without a kicker, they could prevail. The All Blacks sensed this and lifted their efforts. Poor tackling and relentless powerful running soon created opportunity for New Zealand and Nonu made short work of the front-rowers between him and the try-line. 12-24 was not looking easy for the Wallabies.
Somehow, however, they rallied. Their rejuvenated scrum held firm and a brilliantly executed backline play, with a pin-point Cooper pass, saw Beale break clear. He ran beautifully and expertly gave Mitchell the space for the run to the corner. This was sheer excellence and, once again, the Wallabies understandably believed in themselves. O’Connor converted from touch and Wallaby ‘tails were up’; the necessary five points were well within their grasp!
The remaining period saw both teams maintaining their efforts to score – the Wallabies to save the game and perhaps to take the lead, the All Blacks to gain any additional points which would secure the victory. On those occasions however when the Wallabies threatened the All Black line, the defence gave away obviously deliberate penalties, any one of which deserved a yellow card. Here the referee let himself, and his craft, down. Given the drama of the moment, they were perhaps difficult decisions, but that is what good referees – and good players – do. They make good, difficult decisions.Let’s hope that Paddy has a quiet word to Alain!
In the end, after sustained attacking play, all the time maintaining the positive approach which they had used throughout the game, O’Connor crossed for a superb team try. It contained all of the elements that make our game great – brains and brawn, superb running and handling skills, and direct, powerful collision where necessary. A great try against a desperate, great adversary. With the scores level and full-time long gone, O’Connor then calmly drilled it dead centre. One conversion from the left touch, then the next from the right. Maybe we’ve found a reliable kicker.
I thought that Ben Franks, at tight-head, was immense, literally and figuratively. He seems to have bulked up in the last month and looked powerful and aggressive. He gave Ben Robinson a torrid time, especially in the first half, and was the major factor in his team’s scrum dominance in this period. McCaw was his usual outstanding self all round, but his young opponent had his number at the tackle. Nonu was a real handful, but spoilt his performance with a few stupid penalties. Read also was once again outstanding at No.8.
For the winners, Beale and Cooper consistently threatened the defence and were the major components in a great team performance. Pocock and Elsom were outstanding contributors up-front and the Australian lineout tormented their opponents all night. But for me, the most significant single factor in Australia’s victory was the accuracy of their passing. I can’t remember one backline player having to turn , or adjust his run, to accommodate a misdirected pass. Outstanding teams do the simple things outstandingly well! Halleluiah!
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="17317 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=17317">109 Comments
Bob,
I would be very interested to hear your views on these two issues….
1. Matt Giteau’s continued lack of kicking success…
2. Quade Cooper’s perceived lack of tackling ability
Doug
Agreed,
I like your articles for your analysis of the game and it’s players. For a recount of the games events I can just watch the replay.
No offence intended Bob!
id also like to hear bobs take on giteaus hold on #12
is it time for barnes? is it time for oconner or beale in there?
Superb article Bob.
I would add a couple of points. I think Faingaa’s lineout throwing will need to improve and obviously Quade’s defence needs a bit of work.Similarly we need greater ability to play for field position when we have a lead.
But I think we should give credit to Deans for picking four very creative players in the one backline – Quade, Giteau, Beale and O’Connor. More orthodox coaches would have picked a ‘specialist winger’ instead of O’Connor and would be concerned that these four do not have enough bulk between them.
But their creativity and vision is our ‘point of difference’. It is of particular importance to have this vision and creativity on the wings for the style of rugby we are playing. If we are going to run it from our 22 or run it back every time they kick it to us having vision and creativity in our back three is essential.
It would be great to get your thoughts on these points Bob.
And for the record – well done boys !!!
Fingers throws were so bad, didn’t it seem like there was confusion between the calls?
saaia only threw 2 – the first just slipped straight through chisms hands but the 2nd was terrible. His lineout throwing is not a concern – all season its been pretty high quality.
Glad you said that. I thought he played pretty well with just the one throw that went in the middle to no one at home. The difficult Chisholm one was 100% MC’s fault.
I also thought Faingaa’s defence heralded an improved effort by the team to tackle low.
All in all I’m still amzed that with our high error rate in so many areas of the game that we still came away with a win. Fix those up & we will be a terrific team.
I hear ya.
Still. This is school boy stuff, yeah. Not something I expect t to see in first grade Sydney, but at international level. And in the context of the other rubbish being dished out by this coaching regime… Embarrassing?
Some where, someone is not training effectively.
In the RWC, where any team can win on any day, basic stuff like this will lose us matches.
Great write up Bob…..who would you play at 12? I dont think we need to harp on the topic much as it is clear that Gits cant take the big kicks anymore….he definately has the yips, and we cant have him standing over the ball in 12 months to win a world cup semi or final.
Also what to do when Ioane returns…..JOC has shown he is dynamite close to the line….you were right about Beale….soon will be the World XV full back.
Also how good will we be with Cliffy and Horwill and TPN back.
Finally i think Van the Man needs to be given a good looking at for a starting spot.
No mention of The Man From Waiuku River?!
Yeah gotta agree with you Garry, it looked to me like they’d practiced all week with Moore throwing. Which might nit be true, but the communication was dismal.
Another so far unmentioned bright spot for me was the Chisholm was actually involved in general play, or that’s the impression I got. Looking forward to the stats on that.
How much more dangerous have we looked in attack since Cooper came back from suspension?! As Bob says, the passing in our backs is on another level. I’d love to see Quade use his shoulder and hit waist high in a tackle though. It really does look that simple to me.
For me Chis is still dead weight and shouldn’t get too many more bites of the apple. Mumm has butter fingers but at least he can still learn, Chis has had his chances and is still Mr Invisible most of the game.
I wish it was that simple. Quade’s attempt to tackle a charging Richie McCaw was monstrously infantile in it’s ineffectiveness. It consisted of a series of clawing grabbing motions like a drunk trying to get on board a moving bus until, like a drunk, Quade just collapsed in a heap on the turf. McCaw kept on going. One count measured seven missed tackles by Quade. Now I don’t know how right that is, but he certainly missed more than the one I have just described. In my opinion his tackling woes have reached crisis point and he desperately needs some serious remedial treatment. He is the WBs number one playmaker – and a brilliant one too – but you just can’t have someone that ineffective in the tackle holding down the job. Since nobody in their right mind would put him out of the job, then someone needs to correct his tackling style – and quickly.
Great description of QC’s attempt to tackle. ;) You gotta love it!!!
Bob – thanks for the article.
I would like your thoughts on two issues if you have a sec.
Do you see Ben Robinson as unfortunately too small to be competitive at the very highest international level – Aus v ABs in a WC final, or Bledisloe decider? It looks to me like RD has reluctantly come to this conclusion also and is grooming Slipper for the future.
Secondly, I am expat NSW but have simply given up supporting the Waratahs given their rugby philosophy – “grind out a win and everyone will be happy”. I think Hickey & Waugh dont get it and have to go immediately. Do you agree?
Interesting point on Ben Robinson. I have always thought our forward pack was too small, we need TPN back asap. However I dont think Robinson at 100% is too small for international Rugby, he was outstanding last year. He hasnt been performing at his best yet. But he will improve and once again be great im sure of it.
However at the moment he is clearly not the worlds best. And im not even sure at 100% he will be, Franks last night was outstanding, he looks so strong.
“Do you see Ben Robinson as unfortunately too small to be competitive at the very highest international level “…didn’t seem to hinder Dan Crowley.
I can recall 1 bad pass. In the dying seconds to AAC. He had to jump for the ball. But I’ll let that slide this week. I am so still pumped from that win!!!!! Onya boys!!!!! Next year, bledisloe & world cup back in our cupboard!!!!
Found the highlights on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go0FwuaduOM
I´m looking forward to seeing the All Black response in the first Bledisloe of 2011. I was simply an observer but the sight of Quade Cooper slapping McCaw around the head after O´Connors try, after missing about 20 tackles and getting owned by Nonu all game, was enough to make my blood boil. This loss will fester with the All Black camp all summer and this coupled with the inherent Australian over-confidence after a rather fortuitous victory will result in a comfortable All Black victory in Bledisloe I in 2011.
I just looked at the highlights of the O’Connor try. It looks to me that McCaw dived onto O’Connor after the try had been scored (shades of Richard Loe?). Perhaps that could be a clue to Quade Cooper’s reaction.
Oh no JLC… Saint RIchie would never do anything so dastardly. Just like he didn’t kick Pocock from the side of the scrum. What goes around comes around
Are you two ladies serious? What game was being played – AFL?
Both occasions you mention were ligitimate attempts to, 1. prevent O´Connor from rolling had he not grounded the ball in the first instance and 2. hook the ball back to the All Black side of the scrum. Is it any wonder you lost 10 successive times when you classify those 2 events foul play?
Wait, I was unaware a flanker was allowed to use his feet in the scrum to get the ball out. Is this a new law???
I´ll think you´ll find a flanker can use his feet in the scrum, so long as it is not in the tunnel between both front rows which it clearly was not. Anyway, how on earth is that foul play – wasn´t the topic of discussion McCaws supposed acts of foul play?
Cooper was defensively poor, kicked the ball out on the full at least two times, kicked it dead twice, and also happened to break the line a couple of times. The ARU throws a bit of money his direction after holding the Wallaby jersey at ransom and all of a sudden he is a world beater. Unless Phil Blake(??) can teach him to tackle sometime soon he will continue to be a liability. Especially if he carries on like he did after a what could be best described as a mediocre performance.
This Wallaby victory however is probably the best thing that could have happened to this beautiful game in a long time. Congratulations.
You’re wrong. What McCaw did was illegal. Not only was it illegal but he attacked Pocock’s legs. I don’t think it’s a big deal but you’re the one that brought up Cooper pushing McCaw after JO’C’s try.
Most penalised team in the Tri-Nations and bugger all yellow cards. WTF?
The crackdown is coming lads!
Barnes’s pass after making that break went strait into touch and JOC could have been in for a pie if that went to hand
Also, in a ruck some time earlier in the second half, Cooper superbly took out McCaw at the break down with a solid legitimite hit McCaw landed on his arse. Have a look at the highlights you will find it. Its there that McCaw kicks a standing Cooper!
I think thats where it really started
i was trying to work out what happened there.. It it looked to me that Quade had grabbed his legs but i could not work out why, I will have to watch it again now, thanks.
Quade Cooper is an over-rated little poofta. He probably took exception to McCaw basically just picking him up and throwing him on his arse when he made that break down the side.
The guy should learn how to tackle before he starts acting like a hard man instead of flailing around like a desperate kid everytime a ball carrier runs at him.
@Dew-1…I could be wrong but I don’t think there is any law against McCaw trying to hook the ball back onto the AB side of the scrum. Anyone in the scrum can hook it back.
The ball was already on the Wallabies side. At no time is the flanker on the opposition allowed to use his feet to try to rake it out.
@Drew-1…You’re wrong.
20.9 SCRUM – GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
(c) All players: Other restrictions on winning the ball. Players must not try to win the ball in the scrum by using any part of their body except their foot or lower leg.
(f) Locks and flankers: Staying out of the tunnel. A player who is not a front row player must not play the ball in the tunnel.
The tunnel is the space between the two front rows.
No reason McCaw couldn’t go for the ball as:
1. He went for ir with his foot or lower leg.
2. The ball was no longer in the tunnel.
Guys, you’re over-complicating it. Richies actions were illegal for a much simpler reason – Binding! The only reason he could get anywhere near the ball was by using the good old ‘fingertip’ bind.
Haha – brilliant Drew! So used to Sir Richie’s ‘binding’ apparently it’s legal now!
Drew B
McCaw didn’t need to be bound.. the scrum was over as it is when the front rows collapse. It must be reset. Besides, it was a nothing moment in the game and you’re making too much out of it
Says the man who has done what exactly? I believe it may be your ego that you overate chump.
This should have been attached to Bullrush’s original comment.
“Conrad Smith had theatrically appealed to the referee for an obstruction ”
Bob, glad you mentioned this. That was a massive turnaround in a pressure situation, for something very trivial..
Any one else notice, how many times tony woodcock put his arm on the ground at scrum time?
IRB official scrum laws:
Locks and flankers: Staying out of the tunnel. A player who is not a front row player must not play the ball in the tunnel.
What is the tunnel? The space between both front rows. Was the ball in this space? No. Was McCaws attempt to rake the ball back therefore illegal. No.
The fact that Pococks legs were adjacent to the ball when McCaw played at the ball is the reason McCaw appeared to kick Pocock.
Question for Bob – Rugby is progressing nicely as a spectator sport but one of the ‘drive me nuts’ things about the game is the different timing Refs seem to use for the Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage.
Surely this should be standard timing. The timing of Mr. Rolland was so long that at one stage I thought he’d actually forgotten why everyone was crouched there.
It’s frustrating for the fans & it must be a huge pain in the arse (back & hammies I suspect) for the teams.
What would you or other bloggers suggest?
Shorten the commands to “crouch” “engage”. Let the ref do the pause thing without saying it, but count “2 and 3” under his breath.
one of the refs last year had his hands on the two oposing props shoulders and guided them in with the count
i imagine that would be pretty easy was of getting the timing right
3 words crouch touch PACK! let the front rows sort it out afterwards….it seem the pause is the problem….two 800 kg packs…pAUSE…..makes no sense.
And who said JOC isnt a winger? Wallabies need a ginuine finisher on the wings and JOC has been finishing off backline moves all season. this team is getting better and better and are gaining good progress and momentum heading in to next years world cup.
Well I was ONE of the ones who said it and I still think it, because his natural talents and vision are far better suited to a midfield back. And he hasn’t been finishing off backline moves all season either. The tries he’s scored on the wing – up until Saturday night – have been more opportunistic than anything else.
His try on Saturday was brilliantly taken, no question, but it was his footwork that got him over the line not his speed. I seriously doubt whether he would have enough end pace to score in the same situation that Mitchell scored his from. But that is pure supposition on my part. I think that O’Connor at five eighths in tandem with Cooper would produce more try scoring opportunities than O’Connor on the wing.
And that’s the sum total my basic reasoning for not wanting him on the wing.
Well put. JOC’s footwork is sublime in traffic, but he’s not a true winger with blinding pace.
If he were a little more solid in defence, I’d slot him into inside centre and bench Giteau. Ultimately he will prove to be far more destructive than either Giteau or Barnes in the centres and it’s just a pity that he can’t be given an opportunity to prove it at the moment. Hats off to him though he’s making a real difference in attack and still scoring tries opportunistic or otherwise. I’d be looking to keep him on the pitch somehow
Barnes’ bombed pass to O’Connor may have been alright if it was an out and out winger (Mitchell, Turner, Davies) in JOCs place. I haven’t seen a reply but at the time it seemed as though the pass was flat and in front of JOC and perhaps he didn’t have the top end pass to accelerate onto it.
Not complaining about him being selected though, he proved his worth in the last 10 mins or so.
fair point, JOC does have a large skill set that could benefit the wallabies in several positions, although i do think he showed alot of pace when he beat Muliaina to the line in their test against the AB’s in sydney, and also his try against the boks when he got around Habana and Hougard in bloemfontain.
Can we just get Southern Hemisphere refs to govern our matches and let the North fu*k up their own? Seriously, viewers are lost with refereeing like that and its becuase of this our game is being held back.
As for Coopers little biffo with McCaw, ABOUT TIME!!!!!!! We havent had someone with attitude like that since Melon left the Wallabies and it worked. He annoyed McCaw all game and it fuc*king worked. Horwill is similiar in the way he gets under the skin of players which will be another addition.
What I really want to know is, is Dan Carter’s departure from that test the only reason we won? Is he that important to the AB’s? If so, why dont we smash the shi*t out of him in the first 10 mins….. players were always trying to smash Larkham and more often than not they did but Carter seems to be just like any other player. If we took him out of the game (with legitimate hits Phil Waugh style) then wed be on the front foot regardless of the score board. Surely the odds of an AB victory are influenced by this man more so than any other.
glad to hear the joc baggers eating their pie
turner would not have scored that try to equalise
The game was won by australia for one reason only. Donald. The Wallabies were beaten at 60 mins after 24 unanswered points and the cracks were showing, easy meters round the park and brutal defence from the ABs. Donald comes on with Toeava and the line breaks stop and the territory shifts to Australia. He made three glaring errors in 20 mins and two in the last five that really cost the AB’s the match.
Slade or Delaney need to be there. The only people in NZ who believe Donald is worth the chance are the cartel unfortunately.
Strange game for that reason. The AB’s forwards dominated especially the loose trio and the front row and the Wallaby defence in the mid field is atrocious (in particular Cooper and Giteau), strange because that dominance showed on the scoreboard until two players who aren’t up to it take the field and they handed the initiative to Australia.
I’m going to call bullshit on this. Yes Donald’s kick didn’t go into touch. But the fact of the matter is that if his kick did find touch, it would have been a quick line out or there would have been time on the clock for a line out as there was 20 seconds on the clock and the siren went off 20 seconds after the tv clock, so the ref would have played a line out.
Donald didn’t have any wrong doing in Schmoo’s try to get us back in the game and 3 penalties in the final 90 seconds,(which should have been 4 as the cheaters weren’t on the line for one of the taps) would still have happened and alas the same result.
He missed a penalty, but so did Carter on his first attempt too.
The point is The Wallabies won the game with sheer determination and skill, Donald did not single handedly lose it for the all blacks. These bloody kiwis are looking for a skape goat and can’t come to terms with the fact that we beat them. Get over yourselves you bunch of dickheads. We beat you and we’ll beat you again.
Sorry D
wrong. If Donald had kicked it into the stands there would’ve been no quick line out and even a decent chase would’ve seen to that. Donald changed the game completely because he can’t run a game the way Slade or Carter can.
Good that you ention the try that got you back. That was he other selc=ection no body wanted. Toeava. Both are not of international standard and that game showed why. The aussies were blown off the park from 20 mins till 60 and AS SOON as Carter leaves the field the game changes. Simple as that.
Your foward pack are up to it and you backs were owned on defence by the AB’s loosies and center pairing. You’ll lose both Bleds next year and i’d be surprised if you go unbeaten in the AI’s.
This win was as a result of poor selections on the Cartels part and the cracks papered over in the Wallabies will be shown up
Wow, the AB’s lose one game and the knives are out, they are jumping at shadows and predicting they will win it all next year at the same time as predicting the demise of the only team that troubled them this year.
The scary thing for you AB fans should be the fact that we left way too many points out on the field in all the games through poor goal kicking, we are still missing front line starters, others are just getting back into game form & yet we won 1 game & went close to beating you in a couple of the others. Meanwhile , you really haven’t got anything left in the wings that will add to what you have already put on the park!
Be afraid, be very afraid. Shades of 1998/99……
Not sure what game you were watching. So your saying Donald mist the first 2 penalties of the game which would have been enough of a lead to win. Donald also let Quade Cooper and AAC walk over the try lines. If Donald had stopped those guys, we wouldn’t even be on the board!!! Donald also came in from the side twice in the first 10 minutes of the match which ended up in at least 1 try for the wallabies.
Watch the game again and this time pay attention and you will see that it was Carter, nonu, Jane, mccaw to name a few that fucked up and lost the game for you. It wasn’t single handedly lost by Donald and Toeava. Australia beat New Zealand not Australia beat Stephen Donald.
D
Mate,
The AB’s came back from the poor start to put on 24 unanswered points and were pushing on making line breaks for fun and when Nonu went over were in complete control. This is what you don’t understand. It’s not the start that counts it’s the end.
Donald has now played 19 tests for NZ and performed badly in 18 of them. He was dropped earlier this year for this record and brought back due to his form in our NPC. This was an error.
Former All Black greats have stated he was a major reason for the loss, the public no he’s not international standard and he must be dropped again. He did cost the AB’s that game. 3 glaring errors in 20 mins and a complete loss of control of a game they were in complete control of.
As for who’s in the wings. Dagg, Weepu, Slade for starters will go along way to making sure these issues won’t arise again.
McCaw was immense again and to suggest he had a poor game shows your lack of insight. He was the best loosie on the field again and his running, linking and defensive game is second to none. Pocock is the master of the pilfer now but McCaw has moved away from that side of the game and Keiran Read is man doing that job for NZ. Breakdown turnovers were largely even because the NZ loosies are a trio rather than a one man army at the breakdown like the Wallabies.
Well if former all black greats have stated it then it must be right….give me a break! they’re as one eyed as you.
Nick – who was the guy with 10 on his back that played for the All Blacks for the first 20 mins, missed a bunch of penalties and waved Adam Ashley-Cooper through for a try?
That must have been Stephen Donald as well, otherwise YOU’RE A BUNCH OF WHINGING BLAMEMAKING BIATCHES!!
Could that be the truth?
It was nonu who missed Adam ashely cooper not carter. He was Nonus man and he missed his line.
Yes Carter missed his first couple of kicks but Donald missed a winning penalty and touch at the end of the game. (yes if he’d kicked it into the stands or the ab’s had chased there would be no quick lineout) Carter would not have made BOTH of those mistakes and either one would have gone along way to winning the game.
You call us whinging? EH? this attitude is the reason the AB’s have been the best for so long. Not looking at a referee but judging the players we have at hand. Donald has proven himself a failure and the flow of the game changed so dramatically when he arrived. He doesn’t control the game like Slade or Delaney does, the key to closing out a game.
Ex AB’s one eyed? WTF has that to do with it? One eyed would apply if we were whinging bout a ref or official of some kind. These are rugby experts who see Donald for what he is and said so before he was reselected, he’s not up to international standard. End of story. Donald was dropped this year for his record of failure, his recall was a mistake and they’ve paid with a loss of a game they were in complete control of even though the Wallabies had it all to play for.
LOL @ “YOU’RE A BUNCH OF WHINGING BLAMEMAKING BIATCHES!!”
How many posts on this site have blamed Giteau for losing Wallaby Tests because of missed kicks??
I don’t really buy into missed kicks as necessarily losing games but from the second both Carter and Jane walked off the pitch, the game changed.
@D. re “Watch the game again and this time pay attention and you will see that it was Carter, nonu, Jane, mccaw to name a few that fucked up and lost the game for you.” I’m sorry but I believe that the ABs had twice as many points on the board than the Wallabies with these guys on the park.
Anyway not saying we would have won with them on because it’s impossible to know but hey…good on the Wallabies for finally getting over the line. Congratulations :)
I still don’t think they are a better team than the ABs (genetic disposition perhaps).
McCaw, Carter shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath as Nonu and jane.. not yet.
Come to think of it the twin sons of the rugby gods shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as anyone in the wallaby team either, nor written about in any language but Latin or Sign. So far beyond mere international class it beggars belief
Blah blah blah, standard kiwi retoric (drivel!)
All didn’t go to plan for Mccaw so he kicks out like a little school kid, and got the school kid push in the head for his toubles (from the wallaby school kid)
The delusion is stunning.
Donald missed 1 kick. Giteau missed 3 (Beale missed 2, but we didn’t even take him off)
Donald made his last punt went out at 79.37 – of course there would have been a last lineout. Chasers couldn’t have changed anything
“It all went wrong when Jane and Carter left the field” – Who was there when it was 12-0 to the Good Guys?
I’ll give you this, you guys make us look rookies at last straw grasping
Nick, they were not in ‘complete control’.
Both teams were dominant at different periods, with the Wallabies being so for longer.
And as Bob D said, where was the forethought to kick a field goal and put the game beyond Australia’s reach. Was that Donald’s fault too, or is Sir Ritchie as captain not to blame for that as well?
Gagger yes there would have been a lineout.. well done for missing the obvious point. It would have been a lineout rather than a man running into a broken scrambling defensive line. The AB’s would have had a set defence and most likely kept the Wallabies out. At least they would’ve had a better chance than the one Donald gave them. the point of the chasers would be to stop a QUICK lineout if Donald couldn’t get it into the stands.
Yes kicks were missed by both sides but Donalds would’ve won the game, thats the difference, with time running out conjecture doesn’t come into it as it does from a missed kick at 5:06 in the match.
Carter and jane were on the field when the Aussies took off at the beginning yes, BUT they turned it around and put on 24 unanswered points and controlled the match. Then they went off and it all changed. Simple really.
Dally… it’s hard to suggest the AB weren’t in control when they had done all the scoring for the past 40 mins, put on twice as many points as the Wallabies and were making easy metres down the right hand side and through the middle while Cooper and Genia were panicking and kicking the ball dead and taking bad options. This all changed when two players of provincial class came on the scene and ceased to ask the same questions of the wallaby defence in addition to finding themselves out of position on defence. the Wallabies had their periods hot on attack, of course they did, but that wasn’t what won them the game. they had been subdued by the 60 min mark and were panicking. If carter stays on… game over
Thats a question for you.. do you win with carter on or does he close you out? The most likely answer is that the pattern of the previous 40 mins would continue especially as the AB’s had just run 50 meters through the wallaby defence to score a 7 pointer.
How many of you aussie fans thought “here we go again” when he scored? I’d bet to a man you all did. Of course you did, the run of the game was away from you Donald and Toeava turned that around…
@ Gagger “Donald made his last punt went out at 79.37 – of course there would have been a last lineout. Chasers couldn’t have changed anything.”
Do you watch rugby? Have you ever played? Let me break it down for you….if Donald had kicked the ball out into the stands then a full lineout would have had to have been formed where it went out.
Would that have meant a different result? No-one knows. Australia may still have been able to score from the resulting line-out and subsequent phases. Or they they have lost the line-out of knocked the ball on or any number of things could have happened. But almost all rugby pundits would agree that the odds are better if Donald had kicked the ball out. I can’t believe this has to be explained on a rugby forum?!?!?!
“It all went wrong when Jane and Carter left the field” – if you’re quoting me then that’s not what I said. (If you’re NOT quoting me then OK). I said the game changed when they left. Yes the Wallabies had been up 12-nil with them on the field but that’s only telling half the story. After being down 12-nil, they then put 24 unanswered points on the board. They walk off and Drew Mitchell scored a try.
I’ve already said that it’s impossible to know if Carter and Jane staying would have meant the ABs win but judging on the merits and past performances of players involved, AB fans will like to think they would have.
I’d say we only whinge and blame-make as much you guys do every time you lose a game where Giteau misses a kick. And you make us look like rookies at over-exaggerating a win. One win in 12 Tests and according to the site, the Wallabies dominance over the ABs now extends 3 days….despite the All Blacks still No.1 in the World Rankings – for just a little under a year now.
But it is a Wallaby blog so I’d expect nothing less. Again, congratulations on the win :)
Dally..
Drop kick? HE HAD A PENALTY NOT FAR FROM IN FRONT!!!
After that the wallabies had possession for most of the remainder. He had his chances, One kick for goal and one for touch (that Carter has subsequently labelled a mistake to fail to kick out) that would have gone a long way to closing it out.
I don’t know why you find this so hard to understand. The game was heading in one direction till two players took the field. Two players that have real problems convincing anyone in NZ they’re worth their spots. Then things changed dramtically.
If you’re gonna tell me that the players don’t decide the game now or that a weak badly selected first 5 doesn’t influence the result of a match that his predecessor had set up for him to close out then we’re talking about two different sports.
Like I said, watch the game again and look at it from a non bias point of view (I know that’s hard for you sheep shaggers, but try) and you will see that it was a whole team effort of fuck ups that (and I’m going to use this term to make you feel better about yourself) keep the wallabies in the game or let us into the game.
I didn’t say mccaw had a shit game, I said he was penalized for coming into the ruck from the side, but i will add ‘as usual’.
Also if a game is all about how you finish, why do we play for 80 minutes and why should the first 77.5 minutes count. What is considered the end for you? 5 minutes? 6 minutes? Maybe 20 when Carter came off. If that the case we beat you by 14.
If the end of the game is what it’s all about, I would then have to come to the conclusion that the all blacks are a bunch of cheating fuckers. 3 penalties in 90 seconds “when it counts” (your words, not mine) would in fact be ring true more than ever. I know I’m rambling, but I believe I have to to try and make sense of your logic.
We could talk shit all day and I could waste more time than your one eyed opinion is worth, but once again, Australia beat New Zulund, not Stephen Donald. Donald is your next best fly half (or what ever the fuck it’s called over there, second or third or fourth five)
We beat you. Suck it up for the next 9 months, until you have your chance at redemption. Until then, don’t give us bullshit excuses why we won and try to justify it with us. We already know we beat you, because we were better on the day. Did I mention we beat you because we were BETTER? In case I didn’t, we beat you because we were BETTER. Go shag a sheep to get your mind off it.
@Bullrush – of course I fucken have and from the arse you made of yourself about McCaw being able to unbind and stick his foot wherever he likes in the scrum, it was a obviously a lot more senior than a keyboard warrior like yourself made it to in the under 9’s.
As for the lineout – as long as Australia can stick one man in the lineout in the next 20-30 seconds it’s gonna happen, after 80 or not. Eejit
Nick – listen to D. He’s trying to help you
@ nick, so would this set defence have been abything like the set defence when AAC scored his try? the whole point of it is that the game was still on and to say just because the kick didn’t go out the wallabies looked like they were wanting to push for the points.
Yes I seem to recall that both Carter and Jane were both on the field whilst the first 12 points were scored, I’m sure you could ask one of the former ab greats and they will tell you momentum shifts continually during the game and unfortunately for the abs the last 20 mins the momentum was the Wallabies. I don’t think it would have made a difference in the end.
Nick, whatever your many arguments here with others, can we not conclude the following, using your own data here and that of the last ABs-Walls match in Sydney:
– If in (a) Carter’s absence when Cruden had that v poor start in Sydney (that no doubt aided the Walls) and, again, in (b) Carter’s absence for the final 20 in Honkers, serious AB errors and/or weakened AB play thus occurred and (c) The Cartel – hardly a stupid bunch – picked both Cruden and Donald, then…
– (d) the current ABs are very vulnerable indeed – match losing or seriously threatened to lose games vulnerable – when DC is out and (e) The Cartel’s two attempts to fix things in his absence have failed badly indicating poor – indeed dangerously poor – depth in NZ’s ranks of Test-capable 10s?
Or, are you just saying that the otherwise hallowed Cartel just gets all these big calls wrong, and all will be fine once (e.g.) Slade is picked when and if DC is out?
@Gagger
I’ve been pretty cordial but you’re just a dick.
All the original comments about McCaw at the scrum were about him kicking Pocock’s legs and how a flanker can’t try to do what McCaw did cos the ball was already on the Wallabies side. It wasn’t till after the rules we brought into the discussion that showed that anyone can try to win the ball if it’s not in the tunnel and they use their feet/lower leg that people jumped on the ‘binding’ wagon. Look back at the posts – you know I’m telling the truth.
And I never disputed that the line-out would happen. My point was that the possibilty of a better defense for the All Blacks or something going wrong for the Wallabies from that set-piece is higher than having a great attacker like Beale run it back at broken defense is much higher.
If you don’t know and understand this fairly basic point then you must have been a fucken hopeless player who has turned into a fucken hopeless keyboard warrior.
The Wallabies went on to win the game (it had to come at some stage didn’t it?!?!) and I’ve already said twice that it’s impossible to say that Carter (in particular) and Jane would have been the difference between a win and a loss but it’s possibility.
For the final time…great game and good on the Wallabies for taking the W.
redshappy
you are totally tight when you suggest the AB’s are vulnerable when Carter is out. The trouble NZ’rs have always had with the cartel is their troubling desire to have pet projects like Donald and Toeava whom the attempt to create into what they aren’t. Test match capable players. Its a weakness for sure.
NZ isn’t short of 10’s. Slade and Delaney didn’t disgrace themselves when they were offered a shot but the cartel backs certain horses even when they prove to be nags.
D
Donald is not NZ’s second best fly half. This is the problem. Just because you’re an inarticulate gobshite with a pedestrian knowledge of rugby doesn’t mean you should attempt to aim so low in a debate. Surely you can do better than that?
The thing is D actual rugby observers know that merely saying “we lost” isn’t going to correct the issues that led to the loss in the first place. There were very real reasons why the Wallabies won that game and the major factor was the bench of the AB’s. This has been a massive issue in NZ rugby for the better part of two or three years and it seemed that the Cartel had found a sensible course of action when they moved on from Donald and Toeava earlier this year. Much in the same vein as Deans moving on from Gits at Fly Half or Burgess as first choice 9… these decisions have real impact on games and you can’t with with out making the right ones.
I haven’t mentioned ONE excuse.. an excuse is to rant “McCaw cheats? or he was unbound for the match winning try” what i’ve said is a REASON. A very real and palpable reason why the game turned out how it did. If this error is corrected then the wallabies won’t get a look in.. if it isn’t. You will win next year of that there is no doubt.
Try a little harder next time you insignificant bottom dweller if you want to lunch at the adult table!
Anyone got a box of tissues for nick? haven’t seen that big of a sook in a long time. I can just see him stomping his foot, taking his bat and ball and going home….haha.
To say we won’t get a look in if you simply replace Donald & Toeava is extremely arrogant & probably explains why the Kiwi’s have a confused & dazed look about them when they choke on the big stage at the World Cup.
The fact is, the Wallabies have not had their first choice side for quite some time, yet they have managed to come close to, and in this case, beat the All Blacks.
Whilst you may improve your bench, we have a number of good players yet to come back & the combinations that have only come together this season are going to gel over the next 12 months. There is therefore plenty of improvement to come & isn’t confined to 1 or 2 reserves.
They are the number 1 & 2 sides in the world & that order isn’t likely to change in the next 12 months, but the Wallabies are a lot closer than you will admit, probably because it scares the bejesus out of you kiwi’s!
Yeah…it is arrogant to say that.
That’s why the All Blacks and the coaching staff don’t say it and rate the Wallabies as the biggest threat to the 2011 RWC – publicly at least. It’s the fans who sometimes get carried away.
I think that All Blacks still have room to improve (obviously – they lost on Sat) and still have some fire-power to come into contention which will make the Super Rugby next year really interesting.
Some of the Wallabies will get better on tour and there are some pretty big names to come back for them as well. This tour – both ABs and Wallabies – will be fascinating.
Geez….considering some of the flippin’ boring and predictable rugby that’s been churned out in the last 3 years, this 2011 RWC is shaping up to be one of the best yet….and don’t forget about SA. I think anyone would be stupid to write them off.
I´ll start worrying about the All Black losing to the Wallabies again when…..
1.Your tight five, particularly your front row learn how to scrummage (and no TPN is not a better scrummager than Moore, he is not your saviour),
2. Quade Cooper learns how to tackle,
3. You drop Matt ´show me the money´ Giteau and replace him with Barnes,
4. You find a blindside or No. 8 to support Pocock before he burns out (note that your illustrious captain is not the answer, nor is anyone else currently on the radar),
5. James O´Connor goes through puberty,
6. The over-confidence of your quintessential Australian is replaced by a mild dose of realism.
How typical of a kiwi blogger, the only reason the abs lose is because of themselves nothing to do with the winning team being better on the day….surprise, surprise! and as for the ifs and buts about Donald…who cares you lost!!!!
I can still see plenty of improvement for the boys in gold to try to sort out, and once they do…look out. I’d like to reply to you 5 points
1. the tight 5 are in desperate need of some consistencey the same combinations haven’t played togeather in more that 2 games in a row and as I’m sure you know getting your timing and combinations together is vital, and I’m sorry TPN is a better scrummager that SM (not quite as good at throwing in though).
2. W
Those little glimmers of hope (those golden rays of sunshine) are starting to show through the darkness, and I for one anm loving it!
Damn computer only got half way through my spiel before it decided to send.
where was I
2. That is what we are waiting for too,
3. Preaching to the converted!
4. so you didn’t happen to see McCalman out ther on Sat night? and I’m also waiting to see Higgers get a run, hopefully during the upcoming tour.
5. If that is what he can do without pubes just you wait!
6. Australian confidence is what they have been lacking for a while and it looks like they might be starting to get it back finally. Maybe a bit of kiwi reality and acceptance that other teams can beat them because they were not good enough on the night?????
So what is your story? Your first post says “The game was won by australia for one reason only. Donald.”. Your last post says “There were very real reasons why the Wallabies won that game”
Is it one or is it several? Once again, I’m finding it REALLY hard to follow your logic. What you seem to call the “adults table” in unzud, we call a funny farm.
Was it just Donald or was it Graham Henry? Maybe they should both be sacked. That would help wouldn’t it cuzzy bro.
You know what. It’s just dawned on me that I am actually helping the mungos in black. You are 100% right bro. Donald is the only problem you have. That’s it, Keep EVERYTHING else the same and you’ll be golden. The WC uz un the bag bro. Guve ut to you now. Just like uvreebody sid 4 years ago. Utz a shoe un.
Good point re the passing in the back line. One of those things: you notice when the passes are NOT good but not so much when they’re good. Glad you noticed it for us because it makes a HUGE difference doesn’t it?
Just on another thought…. Did anyone notice the total inconsistancy of the refs call at scrum time?
So we have ‘crouch”…’touch’…’pause’…’engage’
or was it ‘crouch’..’touch’……….’pause’…………………………..’engage’
or ‘crouch’………….’touch’…………………….’pause’…’engage’
or was it……….
you see my point. While im based OS, and dont quite have the same access to replays, it seemed almost everytime the ref was changing his timing. This resulted in the front rowers C*cking up the engagement, and then essentially turned the scrums into a coin toss.
And it cant ALL be because of the turf… Ive played there before, and while not a stellar pitch, it aint as bad as its been made out to be. Surely this lottery was caused by the ref. You saw the look on both sets of front rowers faces. Nothing they couldve done…. Shrugs all around.
Bob, what are your thoughts on this? Should the call be simplified? Should it be done within a set time frame? How could this, in your opinion be better managed? With the game reaching new heights of entertainment and exhiliration for fans and players alike, we could really do without reset after reset, turnover penalties on attacking ball and 50/50 (at best!!!) calls.
Surely PaddyO over at the IRB needs to have a chat with Rolland and the other refs- they cannot keep killing the spectacle of the game with there silly mis-managements of this vital portion of rugby.
I can’t even remember why they brought this new timing in the first place. Has just made scrum time more of a shambles
If anyone can make the game a shambles the IRB can.
If I remember correctly, it was to make the scrums safer by stopping teams engaging early or to avoid collapsing scrums on impact. Worked well didn’t it!
D. spot on. it was done to slow the process down and blunt the force of the initial engagement.
-But now, if the front rowers are uncertain about the moment of engagement, if One goes in hard, and one goes in hesitant- surely that is more of a danger to both sets of players….???
Still… BennR had a poor, tentative game IMO but he will be much better for it. He is a player who picks himself up well. And BennyA will be heaps better for the game time. I said in another post that for those guys its all attitude, play to play… we get that right and i reckon they would negate the uselessness of the refs in this department.
agreed Gibbsy, the tight 5 will only get better as they play together more often with the same guys there, it’s a little difficult to get your timing and combinations right when you change your players every 2 weeks. At least Ma’afu is out…
I’m also hoping that Rodney Blake will have learned a bit about scrummaging over in europe and hopefuly some of the Frenchmen will have p*ssed him off enough to bring out a bit of mongrel in him, because in the WC we could do with a 135kg mongrel scrummager….
Serious?;
Ill start worrying about the AB’s winning the WC when:
1) You find someone to fill Carters shoes when hes not playing.
2) Learn how to win a line out.
3) The Wallabies continue to miss a shit load of kicks at goal per test.
You dont need to bang on about problems in the Wallabies, trust me we all know what they are! Unlike the AB’s, you guys are still searching for answers. ONLY answer is however…. that you got got rolled by a:
Younger, more inexperienced side
with more pace and flare
More hunger and determination
who have been improving for a while now.
Your only as good as your last game mate, AB’s have some thinkign to do. An ego wont get you over the line any more.
We already have a back up to Carter. Our coaches just won’t pick him!! They’ll have to eventually. Slade will take care of that problem.
Line outs began badly but evened up towards the end. We’ve just beaten you 10 times in a row and gone 15 unbeaten with that line out so thats not a major problem.
Think back to who beat the Boks in 2009.. walloped them in fact. Your guys, but then normal transmission resumed soon after. The wallabies wanted this game more, of course they did. They’ve been humiliated lately so had everything to gain, that won’t be the case in the games that matter. The AB’s will show up for Bled next year much like this years first TN game and the Wallabies will most like be blown apart.
There’s plenty of room for improvement in this AB side, of course there is. They just lost to a side they’ve dispatched 10 times in a row. The injection of new blood like Dagg, Sonny Bill Williams and Hosea Gear will help fire up the 22 and Weepu and Slade coming back in will help back up the 10 shirt.
Amazing how one win coming as this one did has seen all the Wallaby trolls imagining that their team is ready to claim bragging rights over a side that has won 15 in a row and 10 against them!! Especially with such a weak link in the chain being exposed yet again..
As for the Wallabies.. You ‘ll need
Better tight 5 and number 8
Teach Cooper to defend and kick from hand
Ditch Giteau
and hope Henry and co keep picking the two players in question who have failed repeatedly.
Admit it, you strokers expected a win and you didn’t get it. Go cry in your milk elsewhere. Nobody cares about your whinging. Wahhhhhhh.
Also to let you know, after watching the highlights again, Smith and Toeava missed beale to let him run 40 meters at the end, then Mils fell over O’Conner at the end as a pathetic attempt on a tackle, which could have been a try and game saver and jo rokokokokokkkookkooo looked like he didn’t know what planet he was on. Uhhhh what just happened cuz? Bloody Donald’s fault….What a crock!!!!
“The thing is D actual rugby observers know that merely saying “we lost” isn’t going to correct the issues that led to the loss in the first place.”
People who call themselves rugby observers (I’m assuming you are referring to yourself and the former all black greats that were mentioned earlier) have no clue what is going on. Well I observed the above and I am still coming to the conclusion that it wasn’t Donald’s fault. Maybe you should open both eyes and do the same thing. If removing Donald is what you’re thinking is going to fix everything, then your mindset is pathetic. But like I said earlier, you keep thinking that way and you’ll be crying in your beer next october, and I will be pissing my pants laughing, remembering the bullshit that came from your keyboard
“Weepu and Slade coming back.” Oooohhhh, I’m shitting bricks. What’s weepu famous for? Sticking his tongue out and rolling his eyes back in a haka. Wow… Well we have Horwill, Ioane, Palu, Mortlock, Vickerman to name a few. All known for being hard men who can destroy teams. Got you there too.
And in closing, just to remind you again, WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geez D you really are at a loss aren’t you. ha
For someone who “doesn’t care” you’re certainly engaging here in a big way, albeit in a slightly convoluted and rather confused fashion.
Where to begin.. perhaps just to point out the obvious. Slades return will settle the back up to Carter issue. Weepu is also able to cover 10 in a pinch which is why his return is worthwhile not to mention he’s a fine halfback. Options are important.That is why those two are significant.
Roks actually had a great game (carrying defenders with him on attack and some great defence) so no need to address that.
The point is that donald was the problem. the team you choose to malign put 24 unanswered points on the Wallabies and was in complete control at the point the backline changed. This fact is unescapable and defines the match.
D you’re obviously not the brightest observer as your rather childish comments imply. In fact you’re plainly a fuckin idiot. ha.. unfortunate but true. The fact that after 10 straight losses your team wins one game and you lose all control of your faculties suggests that you really might be a very young fella indeed. At least that would be preferable to being a demented old man with the kind of delusions you suffer.
I’ll let the voice of at least 3 ex all black greats, one Australian journalist and 2 English writers make my point for me from now on. The AB’s bench cost the game, namely Donald (just to make it easier for you… yes i said one reason… Donald…. the addition of Toeava didn’t help but Donald was the root cause for sure)
Just to wrap this up for you since you’re really just a pedantic child jerking off on an internet forum : Sentences like this are truly unbelievable :
” Well we have Horwill, Ioane, Palu, Mortlock, Vickerman to name a few. All known for being hard men who can destroy teams. Got you there too.’
Ha ha thats funny, genuinely funny “all known for being hard men who can destroy teams” ha ha. You’re taking the piss right? Surely.. you know as well as i do the capabilities of that group you mentioned and a good number of them are almost certainly gonna have a hard time getting back in. They are hardly a fearsome lot and since the Wallaby problems are in the front row, 10 channel defence and loose trio workrate (and loose trio skill levels as a unit) I don’t believe a couple of mid fielders (including one who surely AAC has moved beyond in the pecking order), a lock (we know you have a better lineout) and a large but really not highly skilled 8 are going to make a huge difference.
I’m pleased you want to keep watching into the future to “piss yourself etc” Seeing as you’re beloved Wallabies have now got a 1-10 win loss ratio i can see where your confidence lies. Let us not forget the Wallabies also beat the Boks in 2009 when no one else could in the TN then were found out again soon after. The reaction to this win is extraordinary… long may it last as the actual reasons for it appear to be lost on empty vessels such as yourself.
I’m still not buying this ‘complete control’ crap.
They had the run of possession and the momentum that went with that. I’m pretty sure there were a couple of Wallaby brain farts that helped out in that regard too.
On that basis, i’m assuming the Wallabies were in ‘complete control’ the rest of the match including the time that your old scapegoat Donald was on the pitch.
Nick,
First of all, to insult me in that manner just proves my point that you don’t have a solid argument to back yourself with. Secondly, who is being the child. You have no idea of my background and who I am. You’d be quite shocked if you did.
Thirdly, to laugh off the list of players that are on the Wallaby injury list is ridiculous. You would be the ONLY person not worried about these players returning. If you think Graham Henry and co aren’t worried about the injury list coming back into the frame, then you are seriously delusional. To educate you “again” it is all about having depth in the ranks and players pushing themselves to be better to gain or keep their spot in the starting side. But you already knew that didn’t you, as you guys have no depth when it comes to 10.
Forth, people wonder why I hate kiwis. I used to try and explain myself , but now I just send them to this posting and let them read your posts. It makes my life easier and prevents me looking like a whinging prick, aka a kiwi. The most important thing is, after they read your verbal diarrhea, they completely understand.
God bless New Zealand wankers sprouting their bullshit about the All Blacks on an Aussie Rugby forum. If you want to justify your loss and make excuses for being beaten by the Wallabies, go dribble your shit on your on your forum. Meanwhile, we Wallaby supporters, will continue to bath in our victory over the “Greatest” All Black team ever, and continue to countdown to the RWC, where the Wallabies will embarass the All Blacks in their own backyard.
Take the loss on the chin, although that is asking to much from a Kiwi.
@ Lee
“If you want to justify your loss and make excuses for being beaten by the Wallabies, go dribble your shit on your on your forum.”
The Home Page says ‘We welcome comments here from everyone…”
“Take the loss on the chin, although that is asking to much from a Kiwi.”
At least we blame our own players and coaches for the loss. Not whining excuses like, “They’re cheats”, “The ref was hopeless” and “It’s a big Paddy O’Brien conspiracy.”
The Wallabies ended up with more points on the board and closed out the game so it was a deserved win…..after 10 previous attempts in almost 3 years it was due wasn’t it. ;)
I’ve just read through all of this and one thing that our Kiwi cousins are forgetting is that it’s a 22 man game now. You may be upset over the selection of Donald and he did have a shocker but the Wallabies also lifted their intensity to a degree that hasn’t been seen all season. Both teams kicked for goal poorly and both teams defended poorly. We were totally out-scrummaged yet our lineout looked better. In the end we lifted our intensity at the right end of the game as the ABs have been doing to us for the past few seasons now – such a pleasure to see!
Oi Nick, what was the score fuckhead, the start obviously does count. And while were on ” what ifs” with your Stephen Donald comments,” What If” Giteau converted one more goal in the Sydney test? Two wins in a row.
Stephen Donald wasn’t the reason the wallabies won, The Wallabies were the reason The Wallabies won.
Nick,
Your country is really just another state of Australia so why don’t you fall into line and recognise no one here really gives a shit what you think.
Cheers,
Joe
Who wants them as another state of Australia? I know I don’t.
Check your own spelling and grammar first fuck face, before you comment on mine or anybody else.
I’m done lowering my standards to yours. I know you had your fun, but some of us do have real lives.
An issue that has been raised on this forum but not in this article is the use of the bench. The commonly held view is that Deans consistently gets it wrong by not emptying the bench at the 60 min mark. There is little doubt that NZ suffered when Donald and Toevva replaced Carter and Jane. For the Wallabies i think that Slipper, Burgess and Mumm added momentum when they came on and that Barnes and Fiangaa were on par with their counterparts. This is an awesome result from a bench, who by definition are supposedly inferior to their starting counterparts. That, in my book, is coaching of the highest order.
Good point!!
Deans was out coached but Henry many times recently in the use of the bench. Henry called his bench to action at exactly the right time many games in a row while Deans lacked the same judicious use.
THIS game however Deans picked the right players and used them perfectly while Henry used this game to try out some fringe players and brought of the match winner a touch early. Deans pulled one back for sure.
Nick,
I would hate to think how many hours you have spent formulating a ‘debate’ here on the blog with your A4 responses about why you and New Zealand are fantastic.
The reason why no one has bothered to respond with anything more than a brief remark is not for a lack of intelligence but likely, a lack of time. I myself work as an oil trader in London which as you can imagine is a pretty challenging way to earn a crust.
If however, I lived on sparsely populated island with only sheep herding and growing kiwi fruits as my only means of entertainment I too would want to use anonymous blogs to justify my importance to the world. I mean what other means do you really have to try and get people to take you seriously when your economy relies on milk exports to prop up the economy and both the ‘Haka’ war dance and the Australian Defence force to protect should anyone want to attack your worthless island?
Anyway, i better get back to the real world. Why don’t you spend the next few days formulating a clever response?
Cheers,
Joe McGuire
OK guys, this has all got outta control, I’m closing the comments.
It was my bad for letting it run too long, but if you carry on the personal stuff on other posts, or troll, you’ll be getting banned.
Guys, enough with the personal slanging match. When I was coaching, I’ll pulled a couple of guys from the pitch for “putting s… on the opposition” after scoring. ‘Respect for others’ is a vital part of a good life. ‘Respect for your opponent’ is a vital part of a successful team. This is entirely compatible with determination and passion to win. I would be very happy to read constructive comment in the future.
OK. That’s done. Now for the game. There were, as always, a couple of ‘turning points’ in the game. The first was early in the match, when the referee called a scrum for his ‘alleged’ obstruction of an NZ tackler. Conrad Smith, the complainant, was committed to the inside tackle and could not have made the tackle on Ben Alexander. Maybe McCaw could have made the tackle before the tryline, maybe not, and he was not obstructed.
Then for the referee to give a full penalty to the defending team for “early engagement’ was mind-boggling. NZ scored as a result – good play by them. This was a huge turning point, indeed, possibly 14 points difference. [The ref determined early engagement on five occasions during the match. The first two were both bent-arms, one each. The third was a full penalty, as above. The fourth was a full penalty v Aust. (pen goal?). The fifth was back to a bent arm, but v NZ. What was going thru the ref’s mind?].
Next to the replacement of Carter. I’m sure that the NZ back-room had decided the 60 mins was going to be enough for the recently returned Carter, and so it was, but this had nothing to do with Mitchell’s try. Maybe Jane may have done better than Toeava, maybe not. Beale was excellent in his straightening and drawing of Muliaina – who was an original and unchallenged selection!
This try was set up by all of the earlier plays, which questioned the NZ defence. They came up with wrong answers for AAC’s try, questioning 10, 12, 13, and again for Mitchell’s try, questioning the same 12 ,13 & 15 plus, MAYBE, Toeava.
Re Donald’s clearing kick. It has become common practice in the ‘modern game’ to keep these kicks in the field of play and to back yourself to cover the counter-attack. Indeed, NZ and Crusaders use this tactic to TEMPT the opposition to TRY to counter. They frequently get points from this tactic – from t/overs or penalties.
It’s red hot to now totally blame Donald for his team-mates lack of ability to execute their roles in preventing the counter. The Wallabies, imo, were clearly the better team on the day, and deservedly won a great match – that is, THIS match between the two teams/squads, as selected. That’s what the contest is about each week! Whether our 22 can perform better than our opponents. We can then speculate on new selections, new tactics, etc – but that’s for the next match, indeed, something to look forward to with stomach-turning anticipation!”
Best regards & go the Wallabies!