New Zealand vs Fiji - Fri.22nd July - Sky Sports 1 - 8.35am

Judgement Day

It was 91-0 to the All Blacks on their last meeting in 2005 but the Fijian team is talking up their prospects - "We believe that Fiji is capable of producing a similar result as the Samoans did against the Wallabies," said team manager Talemo Waqa. Full preview here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/14216869.stm

If you think that lightening could strike twice and the ABs will sufffer the same fate as the Wallabies, PP are offering a very tempting 60/1 on a Fiji victory.

From this report http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5319514/Wing-Sitiveni-Sivivatu-keen-to-prove-a-point it appears that ticket sales are slow for the game and the Fijians are fielding a weakened team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JE3dkXI9sk

MungBean

Fiji to score first at 5/1 is tempting. Wouldnt bet a cent on them winning though.

thomond2006

New Zealand:
Mils Muliaina; Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan;
Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam.

Replacements: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith.

Fiji:
Iliesa Keresoni; Timoci Naqusa, Albert Vulivuli, Ravai Fatiaki, Napolioni Nalaga; Seremaia Baikeinuku, Nemia Serelevu;
Campese Ma'afu, Sunia Koto, Deacon Manu (captain), Sekonaia Kalou, Rupeni Nasiga, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Akapusi Qera, Sakiusa Matadigo.

Replacements: Viliame Veikoso, Setefano Somoca, Josefa Domolailai, Malakai Ravulo, Vitori Buatava, Taniela Rawaqa, Vereniki Goneva.

Unless Fiji have some unknown gems in that side they are gonna be in trouble.

The handicap on Fiji is huge, +60. I'll be having some of that. I don't think the ABs will get to that kind of margin. A few cent going on Fiji to win (60/1) too!

thomond2006

A few sites are saying the weather is set to be pretty bad, that bet is looking more enticing now.

Planet Rugby wrote:

Prediction: With the weather set to resemble a Fijian nightmare, the home pack should dominate. New Zealand by 35 points.

JustinDee

Thanks for heads up. Shall have game going on laptop while I work tomorrow morning.

Judgement Day

According to this http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Dunedin/forecasts/latest the forecast is looking okay but there's little value to be had. A small bet that the All Blacks will win by more than 60 points @ 10/11 seems the only one in the circumstances. Hopefully Colin Slade will return to his old form with the boot. I've only just noticed that Fiji amassed an incredible 3 yellow cards and 2 reds in in their recent 13-24 defeat to Japan - an indisciplined performance like that in Dunedin will have devastating consequences. Fingers crossed.

handsomecake

ben smith to score at least 2 off the bench

handsomecake

and i think nz will beat the 60 point spread

Always prefer the bet on the +60 in circumstances like these. If it loses, at least you'll know there's tonnes of highlights to be watched!

8:35 has to be the worst possible time for KO though, leave the house for work at 8, and no chance of sneaky browsing/watching in work.

jank

Colin Slade at outhalf. I wonder how will he do? If Carter gets injured that will be a big pressure point for the AB's.

Timothy Bryce

Stream?

Teg Veece

http://kostatz.webs.com/index.htm

macman2010

Timothy Bryce wrote: »

Stream?

http://www.yycast.com/embed.php?fileid=B9ywVazJkFRbuOw&vw=640&vh=360

thomond2006

32-0 to ABs, halftime. Not looking good for us punters. Sivivatu, Hore, Slade, Thomson with the tries.

I posted a stream in the stream thread.

Judgement Day

Scrappy 1st half with AB scrum not firing properly and error riddled handling by everyone. Slade is no Dan Carter and Jimmy "Two steps" Cowan is no Piri Weepu. Written at 30 mins in but while the 32-0 HT scoreline flatters the ABs (four good tries) there are ominous signs that the the early rustiness is wearing off and expect the boys to pull away in the second half. Fiji will need a miracle (a lucky intercept to score a try).

JustinDee

Bored watching it. Will watch recording instead so I can skip through the drudge.

liathroidí

GerM

Two tries in the last 5 minutes of the half killed Fiji (me). Expect NZ to empty the bench and put another 30 on the board in the second half anyway. Fiji scoring some points would be a nice surprise.

Reading updates just isn't anywhere as enjoyable as watching a game.

Is this error strewn? All Black's burning out the rust and Fiji just making up the numbers?

thomond2006

32-7, only reading updates here.

http://live.planet-rugby.com/2011/07/22/4588.shtml

Fiji scrum is getting destroyed apparently.

samesies

copacetic

Another try for NZ. Smith off a simple kick through from a steady scrum on 22. Full Back missing altogether.

thomond2006

39-7 now. first points in the second half for New Zealand.

copacetic

And another, chip over the top, couple of nice passes and in. Fiji looking like they have lost interest now. 10 left, 46-7

thomond2006

46-7, getting a bit nervous now about Fiji +60.

copacetic

copacetic wrote: »

And another, chip over the top, couple of nice passes and in. Fiji looking like they have lost interest now. 10 left, 46-7

But not lost enough to stop them scoring! Try Fiji, Beats smith in tackle and kick through finished well getting foot to 50/50. 46-14

thomond2006

copacetic wrote: »

But not lost enough to stop them scoring! Try Fiji, Beats smith in tackle and kick through finished well getting foot to 50/50. 46-14

Get in there!

copacetic

Penalty try NZ. 3 mins left. 53-14.
Interesting decision from dickerson, given early, probably right call, but quite a messy one in the conditions.

copacetic

Another try. Muliaina. 60-14. After a definite knock on, then a forward pass, should never have stood. Time for kick off but all over.

Comms reckon it was a poor performance from NZ.Lowest score they have ever put on Fiji apparently.

Fiji+60 never in doubt.

Judgement Day

60-14 FT. A rusty performance which only highlights, for me anyway, the gulf between certain AB players Slade/Carter and Cowan/Weepu. Still a win is a win. A lot of posters must have done well on their Fiji 60+ bets but not me. Pay day tomorrow?

GerM

Send the kids to the neighbours, I'm comin' home loaded!

NZ..pffft. Needed dodgy refereeing calls to even get that close.

handsomecake

GerM wrote: »

Send the kids to the neighbours, I'm comin' home loaded!

NZ..pffft. Needed dodgy refereeing calls to even get that close.

Nz average, Fiji uninterested , Dickinson garbage as usual.............. Next

thomond2006

handsomecake wrote: »

Nz average, Fiji uninterested , Dickinson garbage as usual.............. Next

Did you have money on NZ -60?

handsomecake

thomond2006 wrote: »

handsomecake wrote: »

Nz average, Fiji uninterested , Dickinson garbage as usual.............. Next

Did you have money on NZ -60?

No not a cent. If anything he shafted Fiji with the last 2 tries. Scrum a complete joke

thomond2006

Judgement Day

A more realistic analysis than some here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10740340

Roll on tomorrow.

GerM

Last two tries were dodgy and the last one in particular was very poor officiating. Guildford's pass was clearly forward. Bit of a shine on the result for NZ but job done comfortably. One thing I noticed (and it's becoming more prevalent in the game) was the sneaky little effort from Muliaina to take out the Fijian player with his leg after he was chipped for their second try. Noticing more efforts like this in recent times. A yellow card would soon sort the offenders out.

GiftofGab

Nz looked very rusty compared to their autumn your last year. They. Got the job done but they played nowhere near their expansive game from last year. They need to build momentum this tri-nations.

Weepu and Carter made a big impact when they came on. If Carter got injuried in a world cup final, god help nz if they've to rely on slade. Sivivatu looked pretty sharp IMO. Anybody any idea when isreal dagg is back?