RWC SF: Australia vs New Zealand, Sun 17 Oct 9am; Pre/During/Post Match Thread

thomond2006

Australia:
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia,
8 Radike Samo, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.

Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Rob Horne

New Zealand:
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu,
8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.

Date: Sunday, October 16
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 21.00 (08.00 GMT / 09.00 BST / 10.00 SAST)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Romain Poite (France)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7239488,00.html

Damn college is catching up with me, so no long winded write up for this weekend.

Kurtley Beale's selection is only provisional at the moment. If he doesn't make it Ashley Cooper will start at 15 with Faingaa at 13. Kahui comes back from injury and replaces Sonny Bill Williams on the left wing, while Israel Dagg comes in for the injured test centurion Mils Muliana at fullback.

It's really all about Quade Cooper's performance this weekend. If he fails to control proceedings then the Aussies are in big trouble. It's a big step for Aaron Cruden this weekend too but with Piri Weepu at 9 he doesn't have the pressure of goal kicking on his shoulders and can focus on running the game for New Zealand.

I fancy NZ to just take this one. Australia are definitely capable of causing an upset though. The anti-choke campaign goes on!

Otacon

New Zealand will win.

I hope Australia do it. But it will come down to Cooper as you say.

justsomebloke

McCaw's fitness could well be the deciding factor for this, already down Carter I think McCaw will need a big game this week to steady the ship after NZ had a less the convincing game against Argentina last week.

This is NZ's first decent game of the competition and this could well be the deciding factor. Oz have both lost a game and won a game that they shouldn't have so their players will be a lot more prepared for this however they were woeful last week so will need up their game considerably to have a chance

Fishooks12

New Zealand will win.

Pockock is so consistent it's hard to imagine him not having an impact, Australia need Quade Cooper to perform, if he can I reckon the Aussies could have the beating of the kiwis

They looked somewhat rudderless against Argentina last week and I don't think Crudon was much of an improvement on Slade.

wixfjord

New Zealand will win.

I think this hinges on Beale's selection (Faiinga is very ordinary for me), McCaw versus Pocock and how fit the big man actually is, and whether or not Cooper can temper his play, and give more sumblime than the ridiculous which he has been throwing out.

Pudsy33

Cant wait for the epic 7s showdown, the breakdown will be chaos.

[Jackass]

Tomás O'Leary

Australia are an awful side. I'd be amazed if New Zealand didn't beat them, even without a 10.

Nelson Muntz

[Jackass] wrote: »

Australia are an awful side. I'd be amazed if New Zealand didn't beat them, even without a 10.

That's why they are ranked 2 in the world & consistently beat teams other than the AB's :rolleyes:

Kayless

Aus to win by using the choke tackle

Digifriendly

Tomás O'Leary

New Zealand pack are the key - stronger in front five although back row battle will be very even. Australia were a bit fortuitous against S. Africa and referee mightn't be as kind this weekend. If this was being played across the Tasman sea I would fancy the Aussies but because it's on home soil even with the massive pressure on the Kiwis I back ABs to just edge this. Should be a real cracker.

chupacabra

Tomás O'Leary

I had an alcohol fueled dream of New Zealand beating France 33 - 7 in the final so im tipping New Zealand for this

wixfjord

New Zealand will win.

[Jackass] wrote: »

Australia are an awful side. I'd be amazed if New Zealand didn't beat them, even without a 10.

:eek::eek:
Eh?!
Don't see how you could call any team with Pocock, Genia, Cooper, Beale, O Connor, Ioane, Moore etc an awful side!!

.ak

Tomás O'Leary

Gonna be rooting for the ABs.

totallegend

Tomás O'Leary

I'm disappointed not to see Berrick Barnes get a start; McCabe has been pretty poor IMO and after the shocker that Cooper had in the QF, I would have liked to have seen Barnes at 12 to steady the ship as needed.

Massive game for Cruden and the Wallabies are going to target him, I expect to see Weepu playing as a 9.5, taking a lot more responsibility when it comes to decision making than he would if Carter was outside him.

I have no idea who I'm up for, reckon I'll only know when the game kicks off.

[Jackass]

Tomás O'Leary

wixfjord wrote: »

:eek::eek:
Eh?!
Don't see how you could call any team with Pocock, Genia, Cooper, Beale, O Connor, Ioane, Moore etc an awful side!!

Sorry, to clarify, Australia are PLAYING awful, of course they have great players etc.. They're impotent in attack and haven't really been impressive in the tournament at all.

Yes, their win over South Africa was one of the best defensive performances you'll see at a world cup, but it takes more than defence to win the competition, and South Africa are to blame for not winning that match more than Australia can be credited for winning it. They were sitting ducks waiting to be picked off, and with all the territory SA had inside the Australia 22, they should have had the wits about them to just keep slotting 3 pointers over the bar instead of trying to get over the line. Just one would have been enough.

All-Blacks haven't been as good as could have been expected, the loss of Carter is major, but I still don't see how Australia will go about beating them, I really don't see it happening at all. NZ will be able to break down that defence, as good as it is, will Australia be able to put enough attacking flair in to match them? I can't see it happening. Their only chance is winning it through the 10 channel, but even then it's risky to play territory and give possession away to the ABs.

A lot of their big players aren't performing either.

cgpg5

Tomás O'Leary

New Zealand to win- and more comfortably than people expect, in my opinion.

maddness

New Zealand will win.

[Damn college is catching up with me, so no long winded write up for this weekend.

I hope you are doing journalism in college cos your pre match write ups are excellent.

CatFromHue

cgpg5 wrote: »

New Zealand to win- and more comfortably than people expect, in my opinion.

I'm just watching the OZ SA Quarter now. I would have fancies our chances against either of these teams on this showing! It's very sloppy!

It's hard to disagree with what you say.

JustinDee

New Zealand will win.

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's really all about Quade Cooper's performance this weekend. If he fails to control proceedings then the Aussies are in big trouble. It's a big step for Aaron Cruden this weekend too but with Piri Weepu at 9 he doesn't have the pressure of goal kicking on his shoulders and can focus on running the game for New Zealand

I don't think it does come down to him as much as that. For example, you'll more than likely find he is switching with Beale in some plays and then out at outside centre on others.

I think, as before the competition even took place, that the pressure will be too much for New Zealand.
Australia usually thrive on the anti-Aussie sentiment, particularly in NZ and on Sunday, I expect them to do it again.

JustinDee

New Zealand will win.

CatFromHue wrote: »

I'm just watching the OZ SA Quarter now. I would have fancies our chances against either of these teams on this showing! It's very sloppy!

Rucks were a free-for-all no thanks to the laissez-faire performance of Bryce Lawrence.
Thought it was reffed far too loosely.

CatFromHue

JustinDee wrote: »

I don't think it does come down to him as much as that. For example, you'll more than likely find he is switching with Beale in some plays and then out at outside centre on others.

I think, as before the competition even took place, that the pressure will be too much for New Zealand.
Australia usually thrive on the anti-Aussie sentiment, particularly in NZ and on Sunday, I expect them to do it again.

The Aussies last won in NZ in 2001, they've lost the last 12 in NZ.

I agree with it not all coming down to Cooper as it's Genia who runs the show.

I do think the Kiwis will be a lot more clinical than the Boks so my money is on the ABs.

thomond2006

Tomás O'Leary

maddness wrote: »

I hope you are doing journalism in college cos your pre match write ups are excellent.

Business with french is my current course.

looking forward to what could be the best game of the tournament so far. Really hope that there's no nerves to spoil our fun, and that the teams go out and try and beat each other without restraint.

Unfortunately its more likely to be slow and steady pressure from both sides.

(Wales France is going to be the best game of rugby this year)

Kiwi_knock

Beale has been ruled out, he announced it on Twitter. Will be a big loss.

thomond2006

Tomás O'Leary

Big loss alright.

Ste_D

Tomás O'Leary

New Zealand have amazing strength in depth, the loss of Carter and the injury to McCaw are still huge factors in this. I think the battle of the 10s will be interesting but its far more likely that this game will be decided by the battle of the 9s. Genia vs Weepu will dictate the result.

Cant see beyond a NZ win here.

The Aussie

Who ever wins in the morning, they are taking care of "Bill" for the next 4 years, the French were back to their rubbish best today.

Its either going to be Australia by 2 or NZ by 20

danthefan

Tomás O'Leary

I think NZ will win this at a canter, by a good 10-15 points.

Fishooks12

New Zealand will win.

Beales loss is huge, been there most consistent threat in attack

I remember a few years ago and I used to laugh at the fat utility back Australian often had on the bench, he's come a long way since then

JustinDee

New Zealand will win.

danthefan wrote: »

I think NZ will win this at a canter, by a good 10-15 points.

Wales to beat NZ in third-place playoff.
Aussie by 3 tomorrow and 6 in final.


Them's my predictions.

JustinDee

New Zealand will win.

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Beales loss is huge, been there most consistent threat in attack

I remember a few years ago and I used to laugh at the fat utility back Australian often had on the bench, he's come a long way since then

He was never fat. Just used in the wrong position. NSW kept playing him at 10, where he was far too flaky.

thomond2006

Tomás O'Leary

twinytwo

Tomás O'Leary

i cant wait for this game... i think Pocock will rule the the breakdown.. Richie is injured he has to be. I cant see him being 100% and with carter gone there is going to be too much pressure on him...

twinytwo

Tomás O'Leary

JustinDee wrote: »

Rucks were a free-for-all no thanks to the laissez-faire performance of Bryce Lawrence.
Thought it was reffed far too loosely.

Was it what... it must have been like robbing candy from kids for Pocock. Im not worried though SA got to taste their own medicine for one.

irishh_bob

Tomás O'Leary

the rugby jedi is on the highlights show right now , guy is uglier than jabba the hut

Judgement Day

Really looking forward to tomorrow - Australia's World Cup Final.

What's the difference between a tea-bag and the Wallabies? A tea-bag stays in the Cup longer."

matthew8

Tomás O'Leary

Australia have been awful at this world cup, can't see past New Zealand. Australia's backs will be impotent yet again and their scrum will be murdered.

The game being in Eden Park also greatly helps NZ.

Judgement Day

Instead of my predictable 'haka' YouTube video that I often post on the eve of an All Blacks game I thought this Monty Python sketch might be a tad more amusing.

gcgirl

New Zealand will win.

like to see the Aussie's get one over the AB's, but we'll see depends how players play!

thomond2006

Tomás O'Leary

Is handsomecake still banned? He's quaking in his boots surely...

duckysauce

New Zealand will win.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Is handsomecake still banned? He's quaking in his boots surely...

no unbanned and slating irish rugby , come on les convicts

duckysauce

New Zealand will win.

oh yeah

PhiliousPhogg

Tomás O'Leary

Apart from Cruden New Zealand are much more experienced plus have home advantage. I'm hoping Cruden steps up, he was unlucky over the last year with injuries and is a clever player for half breaks & offloading. But he's very light and Australia will surely be targeting him tonight.

Kiwi_knock

Hoping Australia can do it but NZ should be strong favourites.

Morzadec

Anyone with a stream guys? Thanks

razorblunt

Boring Haka it has to be said!

Kiwi_knock

Very intense Haka, plus NZ completely ignored Australia's stare down. Psychological advantage to NZ after that.

duckysauce

New Zealand will win.

game over

thomond2006

Tomás O'Leary

game over!

bamboozling

Bold prediction, Quade to have the game of his life, Aussies to win.

Richard Hillman

The haka is stupid. Most of the all blacks are not even maori. They look silly