Preview: All Blacks vs Wallabies
6 Aug 2010
JON CARDINELLI says the All Blacks will beat the Wallabies this Saturday to secure the Tri-Nations title.
After that mauling in Melbourne, the Wallabies will be hurting. Don’t underestimate the damage that 49-28 loss did to their psyche. Christchurch beckons, and another figurative and literal beating is likely.
Their forwards were outmuscled at the Ethiad Stadium, and this week, the benching of Stephen Moore won’t help their gainline or set-piece aspirations. The Saia Faingaa selection may add to their mobility, but mobility means nothing when you’re losing the battle at the collisions and scrums.
Will Genia isn’t as potent behind a losing pack and was well watched by the defence last week. The Wallabies are also missing Quade Cooper’s ingenuity and running threat in the flyhalf channel. Matt Giteau doesn’t take on the opposition defence like Cooper, and it’s because of this that the All Blacks have had an easier time of stifling the Aussie surge.
Some call it cheating, New Zealanders call it mastery. Richie McCaw will continue his dominance in this year’s Tri-Nations, ruling the breakdown in spite of the plucky David Pocock. That Australian back row aren’t done any favours by the five up front, and as a unit, they are lacking balance. Richard Brown has been a poor ball-carrying option thus far, and will be smashed backward once again.
Anthony Faingaa was impressive in the Super 14, but is in for a difficult Test debut in Christchurch. The All Blacks forwards should have the upper hand, and Dan Carter is in sublime form. Carter’s catalytic distribution should allow Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith to maximise their running talents, and the Wallabies’ new midfield of Faingaa and Adam Ashley-Cooper will find them difficult to contain.
The All Blacks are in rampant mood, and whether the game stays tight or grows loose, they should win comfortably. They’ve been brutally effective when they’ve retained possession or when probing for territory. If the Aussies kick poorly or concede the ball at the breakdown, the awesome All Blacks counterattack has the class to convert opportunities into points.
I called the All Blacks to win by 10 last week, a prediction that may have come to pass had the Wallabies finished the game with 15 men. This week, the All Blacks are at least five points better for starting at home. It’ll be a fourth straight win in the competition and secure them the Tri-Nations title and the Bledisloe Cup.
Prediction: All Blacks by 15
All Blacks – 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Benson Stanley.
Australia – 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c),5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Cameron Shepherd.
442 Comments
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6 Aug 2010, 15:42 pm
@sk0pskiet(sk0pskiet)-292: impersonating skop really betrays the kind of neurosis you’re afflicted with. Skopskiet own your thoughts hahahaha
get a life.
6 Aug 2010, 15:45 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-297: youve gone awful quiet… perhaps the mad kiwi Poppa in his ranting has some valid points? perhaps not..
seriously though, would pre-isolation Boks have resorted to this type of stuff? looking for an honest answer..
6 Aug 2010, 15:50 pm
I’ll say one thing though..
I think its disgusting the way this website is profiting from the rambunctiousness of a clown
surely krusty has copyright on all these articles?
6 Aug 2010, 15:50 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-291:
One (1) minute and Thirty seven (37) seconds into an International and Schulk Burger,………blantantly…….without provocation………and incontrovertibly,……….EYE GOUGES.
I would call that, “serious intent to maim and injure”.
6 Aug 2010, 15:51 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-304: looking forward to the youtube clip
6 Aug 2010, 15:51 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-300: Hopefully for your sakes it is not going to backfire on the ABs this weekend because the Hubble will be on the ref in this game.
6 Aug 2010, 15:54 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-302: I was driving home sunshine, u are changing the subject, the Boks are bemoaning the refs, for the last time saurez poppa, mactoogie doesn’t moan about refs, asnd I don’t condone it when others do, including the Boks. My topic is the obvious cheating by the filthy saurez AB scum, once u admit that there is something not right there when u look at the evidence then I will stop harping on.
6 Aug 2010, 15:55 pm
@charo(charo)-296:
Sorry Charo.
Just a re-action to the “cheating posts”.
A bit over the top for sure.
6 Aug 2010, 15:55 pm
@Airwell(Airwell)-306: not as much as it will be at Soccer City…the focus will surely be on that game..
look, in all honesty, I am hoping the ABs lose one of their next two games..they are at 10 or 11 straight victories (I dont know the exact number)..
but the more wins you have, the closer you are to your next loss… theres a WC coming up..
lets hope the Abs arent adversely affected then, that would be the true travesty of justice..
6 Aug 2010, 15:57 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-307: as I said Mac, cling to that..
when the saders were beaten by the bulls, with valid concerns about the ref, we kiwis were told to get over it..
ditto with Barnes in 07..
whats the difference now? honestly?
6 Aug 2010, 15:58 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-305:
I’m not even sure “incontrovertibly,……….” is even a word.
6 Aug 2010, 15:58 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-304: how do you know there was no provocation?? Were u in that ruck??? I think not so your point holds no water with me, go try and spin it elsewhere
6 Aug 2010, 16:00 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-310:
“when the saders were beaten by the bulls, with valid concerns about the ref, we kiwis were told to get over it..
ditto with Barnes in 07..
whats the difference now? honestly?”
Honestly Popps,……………………………………thats a great post.
6 Aug 2010, 16:01 pm
stupidity reigns on the day again
6 Aug 2010, 16:03 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-313: it would be great Cane
if I got an honest answer to the question..
but that eludes our good SA brethren..
6 Aug 2010, 16:05 pm
Ok so I decided to forego my usual Friday “business lunch” in favour of getting some work done, and I find myself regretting this as all i’ve read on here is “your team are d!CKs”….”no your team a d1cks”……no your team….well you get the point.
Can we not just all get along??
6 Aug 2010, 16:06 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-312:
The bounds of reason tell me so Toogie.
As a Neutral in the clash of the Bokke/Lions. I was appalled. As were most of the rest of the fair minded neutrals.
ONE MINUTE AND 37 SECONDS, and Burger unleashes Barbarism.
6 Aug 2010, 16:06 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-313: Nobody is blameing the ref. Most people are just wondering if the ABs coach or players are responsible for the blatant cheating. We are over the loss and again most bok fans acknowledge the ABs on the day were a better team and we are hopingo do better next time out.
6 Aug 2010, 16:06 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-311: its definitely a word, you just need to put it in context..as a suarez cheat, we’ll make it part of the vocab..
the clowns wailing “incontrovertibly” left a bad Morne Steyn on SA rugby..
sad but true…
6 Aug 2010, 16:07 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-310: the difference is u are referring to the ref while I’m talking about the players!!! How can u not understand that??? How thick are you, if the were purposefully throwing forward passes (not saying it was forward) all game then I would say u had a valid point, but u are blaming refs again, always got to do with refs in ur case, barnes made a brilliant call in 2007, he stopped the cheating scum, karma never forgets bud and she’s a real BH
6 Aug 2010, 16:08 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-315: And you don’t help things with your thinly veiled attempt at “we are more logical than you” ****. You are being deliberately provocative just like everyone else. You don’t deserve a logical and reasonable response as you seldom give your posts the same credit. I’m sure you’re capable of more. Take the high road once in a while, you may find it grows on you..
6 Aug 2010, 16:09 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-316:
lol,
Now, if we got along.
Would you even bother to log on?
8)
6 Aug 2010, 16:10 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-317: YOu too. Go sit in the corner.
6 Aug 2010, 16:10 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-320: so in your reference to barnes in the post this responds to, he made a brilliant call..
now whose referring to refs?
I thought you were referring to players?
please make up your mind…
6 Aug 2010, 16:16 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-321: stormers, valid point you make.. I agree totally, but unfortunately, Ive been on this blog TOO long..
I would love to only talk rugby, but refs and cheating and conspiracy keeps getting in the way..
my thinly veiled attempts are nothing more then a response… as many now are responding in like manner…
is it fair that I resort to what Ive been dealt the last 12 months???
6 Aug 2010, 16:19 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-324: off refs, after watching the clip, would you concede that something being fishy about the activities of the saurez AB’s around the ruck??
6 Aug 2010, 16:19 pm
Stormersboy is right.
WHY can’t we ALL get along.
We are not even playing The Republic of Eye Gougers this week.
You Okes have a weekend off.
Come out of the closet and admit it………………You Okes secretly admire the tenacity and sportsmanship of the Aussies.
Deep down, You want to more like them.
6 Aug 2010, 16:23 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-327: SA and Aussie alliance, I said it during the S14 season..
lets not mention the collusion there (bulls/stormers round 14) to get bums on seats
after all “they were hosting a final”
and its only kiwis that cheat..
puh-lease…
6 Aug 2010, 16:25 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-325: I don’t believe refs cheat, they are just sometimes very bad and make bad calls, I also don’t think there is any conspiracy, but what I do know for a fact is that you team has sunk to depths that are diplorable and unbecoming of the jersey they wear, you should be ashamed of them as I am with the eye gouging of burger and the headbutt of botha
6 Aug 2010, 16:29 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-328: your S14 teams were **** this year, end of story
6 Aug 2010, 16:29 pm
Am out of here going to have some beer and play pool in the Luanda metropolis. Enjoy the game boys.
6 Aug 2010, 16:31 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-325: I personally think it’s beneath you. In the same way that I don;t blame the Kiwis for exploiting the weak reffing. Most of us don’t think the AB’s cheat. We think the refs are biased and just plain bad. You fall hook line and sinker for the same stuff each day.
You are pandering to the lowest common denominator. Your choice, but I think you’re capable of better.
You’ll notice that I seldom address posts to you, not because i don’t like you or anything, just because I can’t find that many that have rugby as it’s topic and not just mud slinging. I’d prefer to engage you and the other Australasian bloggers in banter on rugby issues, but you make it hard sometimes.
Just my 10c worth, use it, don’t…
BTW I’m not referring to the playful banter that we all engage in, it just seems to get “real serious real quick” too often.
6 Aug 2010, 16:31 pm
@Airwell(Airwell)-331:
Goodnight Airwell.
6 Aug 2010, 16:32 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-329: youre tune has changed… so you believe Refs make mistakes? how is that the ABs fault? did they not have “neutral” refs for all 3 games? serious question..
do you always feed at the trough that is propoganda? no wonder you believe the conspiracy..
6 Aug 2010, 16:33 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-328: and even that has nothing to do with actively performing cheating acts on the field, training to cheat at ruck time, omitting guys from a team sheet is definately not cheating
6 Aug 2010, 16:35 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-332: well said stormer!
Unfortunately Poppa is a self-confessed dude the ‘wears his heart on his sleeve’.
6 Aug 2010, 16:37 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-330:
“……..your S14 teams were **** this year, end of story.”
Now I know this is childish, and Stormersboy will not approve.
8)
But Toogie,
Your National Team were **** this year, end of story.
6 Aug 2010, 16:42 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-334: you will never understand, you’re too thick, I take the reffing decisions on the chin because I know it balances out eventually, but I won’t take on the chin when teams cheat, there’s one thing for a guy to hold on to the ball too long after a tackle but to see the saurez AB’s continually take out defenders like that, its BS and disgusting, filthy scum they are
6 Aug 2010, 16:44 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-337: LOL ai yai yai……what’s a guy to do….
6 Aug 2010, 16:49 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-330: I agree, they were… but **** S14 results dont relate to international results, and this is what many SA fans are missing IMO..
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-332: very valid points.. and yes, I may over-react… but if you were to hear the constant cr@p directed at your country, would you not be a little aggrieved?
6 Aug 2010, 16:50 pm
Have been thinking about the Snorrie hearing today, and since there has been no result from whomever doing it, am wondering, is there so much evidence from the Bok camp.
If so its going to put the reffing in a bad light (GOOD)and they dont want to do that, and if they dont give Snorrie a harsh ruleing it also validates what he has been saying, so i think whoever is ruleing on this is between a rock and a hard place.
Now if anybody understood what i am trying to say and they can say this eloquently please do.
6 Aug 2010, 16:52 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-338: notice youre the only one stooping to insult levels.. and here you were telling all and sundry how much youre the better man then me…
none so blind as those that will not see..
yep, us Suarez ABs cheat, its the only way we have 11 wins in our favour over you guys, weve been doing it since the 60s..
feel better?
6 Aug 2010, 16:53 pm
@Panzer Chief(cane)-337: won’t argue there Panzer, there in lies the difference and proves my point, I can admit my team is not playing well and I don’t use the cheating as an excuse, I am just higlighting the fact that the Saurez AB’s are cheating, something you guys refuse to admit, I admit that the eye gouging is uncalled for, I admit that the headbutt is uncalled for and all other foul play by any team, why is it that you guy can’t admit that the tactics used by the Saurez AB’s are not on???
6 Aug 2010, 16:55 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-343: you dont use cheating as an excuse yet the opposition are cheats?
puh-lease, sink your sherry and go to sleep..
6 Aug 2010, 16:59 pm
post 344
“I can admit my team is not playing well and I don’t use the cheating as an excuse, I am just higlighting the fact that the Saurez AB’s are cheating”
so much for not using cheating as an excuse huh?
6 Aug 2010, 16:59 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-340: Me personally? Sure, but you really feed the vicious circle by rising to the bait. Remember, you are never going to “out insult” someone on this forum. It simply won’t work. Pointing out the error of their ways is unlikely to work iether given that that their sole purpose is to wind you up, not actually allow themselves to be converted to your point of view..
But you already know that…
Just sayin…..
6 Aug 2010, 17:02 pm
Anyway outta here all. Cheers, good luck for tomorrow, may the best team win.
6 Aug 2010, 17:03 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-342: how else am I to deal with you, you can’t grasp any logical arguement, you always go off topic, refferencing things that are not relevant to the discussion to try and prove ur point, all I ask is for you to show me where any team do what the Saurez AB’s are purposefully doing at the breakdown on a continuous basis, please show me??? Where 2 of the top 4 teams in world rugby say the same thing about the tactics being used???? So show me please, and don’t talk about refs or Semenya or barnes
6 Aug 2010, 17:09 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-345: where did I say the boks lost because of the cheating? I amintain the boks lost because of bad selection bad tackling and bad execution, doesn’t change the fact that the filthy scum from the land of the long white cloud were cheating
6 Aug 2010, 17:12 pm
@MacToogie(MacToogie)-348: whats logical about a losing coach blaming the refs? you tell me? its not the first time PDV has cried about persecution..continue hiding behind the excuse, hope it all works out in the ling run, like most excuses do..
as for the cheating video, again, go through some SA games with the eyes firmly open and tell me your team is innocent, you cant..
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