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Match Thread: Australia V All Blacks, ANZ Stadium, Sydney. SS4 10:30am 16/08/14
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14-08-2014 4:21pm#1
V 
Australia|New Zealand
01: James Slipper|01: Wyatt Crockett
02: Nathan Charles |02: Dane Coles
03: Sekope Kepu|03: Owen Franks
04: Sam Carter|04: Brodie Retallick
05: Rob Simmons|05: Samuel Whitelock
06: Scott Fardy|06: Jerome Kaino
07: Michael Hooper (c)|07: Richie McCaw (c)
08: Wycliff Palu |08: Kieran Read
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09: Nic White|09: Aaron Smith
10: Kurtley Beale|10: Aaron Cruden
11: Rob Horne|11: Julian Savea
12: Matt Toomua|12: Ma'a Nonu
13: Adam Ashley-Cooper|13: Conrad Smith
14: Pat McCabe|14: Cory Jane
15: Israel Folau|15: Ben Smith
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16: James Hanson|16: Keven Mealamu
17: Pek Cowan|17: Ben Franks
18: Ben Alexander|18: Joe Moody *
19: Will Skelton|19: Steven Luatua
20: Scott Higginbotham|20: Sam Cane
21: Nick Phipps|21: TJ Perenara
22: Bernard Foley|22: Beauden Barrett
23: Tevita Kuridrani|23: Malakai Fekitoa
*Denotes uncapped Player
Australia
If you had have said back in 2013 that the wallaby Rugby Championship team in 2014 would have no Horwill, Genia, Cooper, Cummins, Leiliafano to be replaced with names such as Carter, White, Beale, Horne and Toomua, youd be laughed at out the door. Sure isn’t Genia the best 9 in the world, Coopers unpredictable but brilliant, Horwill, the captain?? Now youre just being silly…..
However roll on 12 months and here we have it. Genia, Horwill dropped, Cooper out but unlikely to have started anyway. Nick Cummins off to confuse the japs with his acquired lingo.
All these changes come off the back of a brilliant Waratahs SXV season in which they ran out 1 point winners after one of the best finals ever against the Crusaders. Coupled to that was the disintegration of the Reds season which saw them finish in 13th place, a drop of 8 positions.
Forwards
Firstly, full respect must go to Nathan Charles. The force’ hooker is a cystic fibrosis sufferer, a disease which severely limits lung capacity along with other physical symptoms to which his 28 daily tablets attest). To be playing rugby at all is an achievement, but to be playing at the highest level in one of the most gruelling competitions in world sport is super-human. His life expectancy when he was born was 10 years. The average is now 37 years, which, as a 37 yo myself, is a very sobering fact. However, the fact hes there to make his third cap signposts the injuries the wallabies have to their other hookers. Steven Moore (out for season) and Polota-nau (knee ligaments) and possibly Tolu Latu (broken arm) would all have expected to start ahead of Charles and the reserve hooker, James Hansons only test experience was back in 2012 as sub versus the same opposition. Sciott Sio rolling an ankle in training means Pek Cowen (1 start in 7 caps since 2009) comes to the bench. Elsewhere the best 7 in world rugby currently captains, and no Pocock has not made a miraculous recovery nor nor am I referring to ‘that other guy’. Hooper has probably been the best loose forward for the last 12 months. He mixes a hunger for grunt work with a fantastic eye for a shoulder support and a line which most 13s would be envious.
Backs
Perhaps the most interesting decision McKenzie had to make in his selection was the 9 / 10 / 12 axis. Its undeniable that the Phipps, Foley, Beale combo has been the most consistent in the SXV this season. Add to that the ever dangerous AAC outside again, and no one would have argued too strongly against EMK going with a practically all waratahs back line. However doubts persist about Foleys ability at the very top level and EWK has a style which relies very much on a playmaking 10 and 12, which is why hes gone with Matt Toomua, who certainly deserves his place after the summer tests and the SXV season.
Its on the wings where the eyes brows are raised most. Lets be honest, Pat McCabe is an honest journeyman of a center but is he really test class wing? On the other side Rob Horne deserves his chance due to the honey badgers philanthropic decision to move to Japan. Horne was converted by Cheika from center this season and has been quite a revelation. Expect to see him defend centrally however if Beale is dropping back on kicks. Perhaps EMK sees his two biggest weapons, AAC and Folau, as being negated if AAC plays on the wing? How this plays out is one of the games most interesting facets.
All Blacks
If the recent losses of the Sevens in the common wealth gams, the Black Ferns in the womens world cup and by the Crusaders in the SXV final prove anything, its that New Zealand rugby is not unbeatable. That being said, the All Black team go into this Bledisloe cup match with a remarkable record. They are 6 for 0 for the last two Rugby Championships and are unbeaten in the last 17 test games. Victory in this game will give them the record of 18 victories by a tier 1 team, and who would deny the world champions this? The AB s are missing some big names through injury Woodcock and Carter, and Dagg finds himself now the second best 15…… so in truth Steven Hansen has picked his strongest available 23.
Forwards
No real surprises here. Perhaps we should go to the bench fist where Joe Moody makes his debut. The young crusaders loose head gets there on merit and will be looking to stamp his mark on the jersey to challenge his team mate Crockett. Elsewhere Luatua benches in lieu of a rested Messam . Richie McCaw will come into this game under some pressure. After a harsh referring call on him cost the SXV championship, he must be thinking has his reputation finally preceded him. With Sam Cane coming back to full fitness, Richie must up his game considerably from his last few performances to be still consider the best open side in an all black jersey. Unlike Bods twilight season, McCaw does have viable alternatives pushing for his place.
Backs
Again no real surprise here. Where EMK is the tinkerman, Hansen is the essence of predicable. Smith and Nonu combine for their umpteenth partnership, outside of Cruden, who is selected ahead of the enormously talented but slightly raw Barrett. The back 3 of B Smith, Jane and Savea will have their eyes firmly focused for any defensive frailties in the wallaby wingers. Ben smith finds himself in his favoured 15 jersey after his last few outings as 14. A Smiths cool head is the driving force of this team, and expect him to herd his players from the outset.
Match ups
B Smith V Izzy Folau
Folau is a headline grabber. Hes a try scoring machine with power, pace and a silky step. He is infallible under a high ball, drawing from his NFL experience. Oh and he has a booming boot too. In a fantasy rugby team he’d be the first name down for most people. However, given the choice I think most pundits would have B Smith in their team at 15. Hes a leader, his link up play is excellent, his positional sense perfect. He tackles like a demon. Its this defensive ability that I think shades him currently as the best full back in world rugby. Hardly my highlanders bias talking
Beale v Cruden
Beale hasnt played 10 in gold for 2 years. Hes been at 12 for all this season, so its fair to say hes a bit of a gamble in this game. Cruden however is the picture of an out half comfortable in his position, he is coolness personified. He is so used to steeping into carters boots that its now done without a though. Be in no doubt, if Cruden has a good championship, Carter will have a tough job winning back his place for RWC2105.
Carter / Simmons / Skelton V Retallick / Whitelock / Luatua
Battle of the beasts. Expect nothing showy of the starting Carter / Simmons combo but big hits and big tackle counts. The brumbies team mates know each other well and this will show. From the bench however comes the mammoth Will Skelton. For all his bulk and power its his ability in the loose which make him an eye catcher. No tired AB back will want to see him running at them at full pelt in the dying minutes. The AB lock combo is the standard bearer. Retallick has thrown off his young hot headedness to become a main stay in this team. Dare I say it but he hits rucks like a machine programmed to destroy. Alongside him is the wily and dogged Sam Whitelock… another constant earth-moving machine.
Backs Bench V Bench
Its being suggested that EMK intends to finish the game strongly with a full Waratah back line, brining on Phipps and Foley for White and Toomua. Perhaps that’s a master stroke, but it would beg the question as to why its not good enough to start. The ABs have, perhaps individually, a stronger bench however. TJ Perenara has owned Aaron Smith the last time they played. Fekitoa IS the future 13 jersey owner and in Beauden Barrett they possess possibly the most dangerous of all 6 reserve backs.
Prediction
Not for a long time has an Australian team been talked up so much and an all Black team been talked down so much going into a Bledisloe cup game. However I don’t buy it. As a forward pack I cannot see Australia being able to withstand the inevitable AB constant ramming. I don’t expect the Abs to be flinging it about from the start, they will attack the fringes and over the top. Ben Smith is too clever a player to be banging bombs in on Folau so I expect to see minimal garryowens sent in. Kicks will be angled to the wings by Cruden, in what is a strength of his game. Nonu is the one I think that has the key to unlock the wallaby defense. His grubbers and ‘draw and pop’ plays, if executed correctly will open gaps and test the turned aussie back three. Australias best hopes depend on Beale having a master class, and that’s a huge ‘if’. Smith and Nonu to contain the Toomau / AAC channel, Folau however is dangerous from anywhere. Whether Phipps or White is good enough to offer the opportunity remains to be seen.
New Zealand may loose a game in this championship, but i dont see this as being the 'one'
I think new Zealand by 8-10 in a 40ish points game.16
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Bear in mind Read missed a large portion of the club season with injury.sydthebeat wrote: »In open play certainly and at international level yes.
Hooper however at club level had completely outshone him... and is arguably more effective in the tight work.0 -
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sydneybound wrote: »Can wait to watch this match. Was equally delighted when i found sky sports are having a free open day tomorrow...
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9412670/the-sky-sports-open-day-on-august-16th
Aus V NZ then SA V Arg talk about a feast of rugby!
Can you stream Sky through that offer? I don't have a TV
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thomond2006 wrote: »Soccer Saturday, Top14, Rugby Championship
Serious sports binge tomorrow!
Gooooo sports.0 -
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Could be tight for time. Might want to throw the kitchen sink at the task...
Anyone outside the usual rugby loving nations can watch the game legally on-line at livesport.tv. 99c 2 day trial, otherwise 5.99 month for rugby.
Time for Swiwi to do the usual menial Saturday tasks before the match...
...I suppose it's the kiwi ex-pats + judgement day versus the rest of ye for this game??
Cheers again Syd for the write-up, and hopefully the Highlanders lads go well!
I paid for that but can't see the match anywhere
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Deleted User wrote: »I paid for that but can't see the match anywhere
It's working for me. Aussie commentators though :mad:0 -
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