Deans not spooked by ghosts of Eden Park
11 Oct 2011
The Wallabies have lost their last 12 matches against the All Blacks at Eden Park but coach Robbie Deans says it means nothing in the context of the World Cup.
The local media reminded Deans of the Wallabies record at Eden Park, where they last won in 1986, and where they also lost to Ireland in the Pool Stages of this World Cup.
Deans was unfazed: ‘It’s the first occasion we’ve played them in a semi final of a World Cup at Eden Park, so there’s no history,’ said Deans. There were also New Zealand reminders that the All Blacks had never beaten the Wallabies in the World Cup, having lost to them in the 1991 semi-final in Dublin and 2003 semi-final in Sydney.
Deans, a former All Black fullback and assistant All Blacks coach in the 2003 World Cup, won five championships with the Crusaders before being rejected as All Blacks coach in 2008.
He applied for the All Blacks job after Graham Henry’s side lost in the World Cup quarter-finals against France in 2007. The New Zealand Rugby Union opted to retain Henry and Deans took up the Australian job. In the four years the two have met 14 times with the All Blacks winning 11 times.
Significantly the first win was in Sydney the first time the two teams met under the respective coaches, after which Henry won 10 in succession. The Wallabies then won in injury time in Hong Kong, lost at Eden Park and won the most recent Test in Brisbane to claim the Tri Nations title.
Both match 22′s will only be named later in the week and the only injury concern among the Australians is fullback Kurtley Beale. He was described as having a 50 percent chance of playing after being injured in the 11-9 quarter-final win against South Africa.
36 Comments
11 Oct 2011, 04:16 am
Wallabies to get drilled and sent packing, as usual.
11 Oct 2011, 04:17 am
Unless O’Neils stitches up the ref ala Bryce….. oh he cannot, it is a solid South African one!!
11 Oct 2011, 04:37 am
Was this guy a history teacher in a previous life, he is always talking about history yet all of a sudden there is no history at Eden Park. There is plenty, the Bokke and Aus haven’t won there for a combined 100 years.
11 Oct 2011, 05:35 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-3: The Wallabies might not have won at Eden Park since 1986, but the All Blacks haven’t won the World Cup since 1987 or made a final since 1995.
Both teams appear to have history stacked against them.
11 Oct 2011, 06:12 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-4:
Bullshite man. Wallabies have been exposed as pretenders. They will have their arses handed to them on a plate. The Kiwis thrive on this. It will be absolute WAR and Wallabies only just survived – by the luck of the rugby gods, and the ref feeling guilty about the Ireland game against the Bokke – but in the process got so worked over making 150 tackles that they do not know what week they are in!!
The ABs are at home and have been building for this game (which should have been against the Bokke) so are PRIMED for a physical war of attrition.
Pocock will go home in a coffin.
Prepare yourself. If you thought the Boks were tough in away in Wellington, you ain’t seen nothing yet, because the ABs are at home at the Cathedral of Kiwi Rugby EDEN PARK, with lots of pent up frustration since 1987 to go with it.
The Wallabies will be scrambled eggs after this weekend.
11 Oct 2011, 06:14 am
I think the All Blacks will win this one.
But 12 losses in a row at Eden Park? You have to end that streak eventually, and it may as well be now. 13 anyones lucky number?
11 Oct 2011, 07:08 am
NZ are going to choke without Carter, the writing is on the wall. All Blacks have no game plan, without him, Aaron Cruden is going to be Pocock’s bunny, don’t worry a South African ref will be in charge, unlike the sheep shagging Bryce Lawrence, useless referee.
The game will be balanced, NZ won’t win this world cup.
11 Oct 2011, 07:09 am
@maximus1(maximus1)-7:
one thing is for sure, the Bokke won’t
11 Oct 2011, 08:19 am
Seems Robbie Deans has been living in Australia for too long, mouths as much shite as the sickeningly parochial Australia media.
C’mon Robbie, you’re better than that.
There’s PLENTY of history
There’s NO WAY you deserved to win the QF
and
The ref CERTAINLY DIDN’T blow equally poorly for both sides.
Finally, go the All Blacks, humiliate this mob in yellow.
11 Oct 2011, 08:21 am
well its gonna be hammer and tongs stuff that for sure.
for the ozzies it (probably) depends if quade shows up and for the keewis it depends on whether their fh replacement doesn’t buckle either…also key injuries to the ab forwards.
11 Oct 2011, 08:48 am
Ted has Dingo in his headlights,
He presses the accelerator to the floor……………………………………. To be continued.
11 Oct 2011, 09:25 am
If cooper does not fire i dont see us progressing.
11 Oct 2011, 09:27 am
@Joe Maher(Joe Maher)-9:
Yes he did.
We should have had conversion retaken and the first penalty conversion to the springboks was not correct.
11 Oct 2011, 09:31 am
@Joe Maher(Joe Maher)-9:
Its going to suck to be you if the wallabies beat the abs!
You have obviously been tortured by the sporting prowess of the australians over the years over your nations teams.
11 Oct 2011, 09:32 am
nothing to worry about so long as deans gets a ref like the last one…
11 Oct 2011, 09:33 am
@The Analyst(The Analyst)-5:
The boks are the pretenders…they got done in and shown what they really are.
11 Oct 2011, 09:43 am
Deans, Ted owns you by the tune of 13-3 … your convicts are going to be moered by the haka boys … bet on it.
11 Oct 2011, 10:10 am
I bet the kiwis play the most conservative game they have ever played.
the bok pack showed the kiwis that the ozzie pack are powder puffs. The irish also showed that.
kiwis will put the squeeze on them upfront, milk penalties and kick them out of site. it’s not bryce so that tactic should work a treat.
11 Oct 2011, 10:24 am
I think Cruden and the AB 3/4 back have a psychological advantage considering it’s predominantly Hurricanes back line and they hammered the Reds in Super 15. That being said never write off the Wallabies, they are the most intelligent team and can put you away with great ease.
11 Oct 2011, 11:01 am
@WOLFMAN21(WOLFMAN21)-4: Boks haven’t won there since 1937. Hitler had just hosted the Berlin Olympics and Danie Craven was the scrumhalf for SA. That’s how long ago it was.
11 Oct 2011, 11:32 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-6: We know you hate the AB’s ..must have been gut wrenching on Sunday…esp when they could have won it they had used there back-line more..only 2 line breaks that was the problem…4 more years chokers:)
My SA workmate hasn’t been able too look up for days…
One day you might be able to say something positive about AB’s…
11 Oct 2011, 12:29 pm
I agree with Drongo Deans.
the Eden Park hoodoo will have absolutely no part to play in the result, this is a 1-off match and must be considered as neutral territory and no subconscious ‘advantage’ can be assumed. The ABs must rip snort and bust, take them APART in the tight-5 with the desperation of a rabid dog pack and spread them like Vegemite deep in to the surface like toast. Genia must be taken out of their gameplan and with that, Quade will struggle.
Fingers crossed, but I suspect Wallabies come to the table slightly better prepared than NZ.
11 Oct 2011, 13:05 pm
This is going to be an Epic game, The AB,s minus Carter is still dangerous but vulnerable, can Cruden step into Carters shoes and do the job. Can McCaw stop. Pocock or is his foot going to be too painful to keep up. If Deans finally gets rid of Cooper and plays Barnes at 10 then we are in with a chance
11 Oct 2011, 13:23 pm
@SAussie/QldRed(SAussie)-23: McCaw will nail Pocock , he has too – hopefully on the weekend the ref will see the Aussie hands in the ruck – believe it will be tight – classic clash
11 Oct 2011, 14:11 pm
Stew, your funny, if The ref nails Pocock McCaw will get nailed as well, What ever happens the winner of this World Cup will have earned it hands down and will have bragging rights for four years, what an encounter it will be, pity about injuries though but I guess that is world cup rugby for you, May the best team win Stew
11 Oct 2011, 14:20 pm
Why should Deans be spooked by ghosts of Eden Park.
The Aussies have yet to lose a knockout game to Tri Nations rivals in a World Cup.
The Aussies, along with the Boks, are the most successful Rugby playing Nation at a World Cup with 2 World Cups under the belt.
I suspect after this weekend there will be snot, trane, blame the ref and sightings of Soozie, or maybe Sheila this time…
I look forward to this:
Green and Gold BMT vs the Flakes.
Reliance on the “Eden Park Hoodoo” as a factor in winning the RWC semi… LMFAO
11 Oct 2011, 14:21 pm
David “Zimbo” Pocock vs Reechie “Clubfoot” McCaw…
I know who I’ll have my money on.
11 Oct 2011, 14:30 pm
@SAussie/QldRed(SAussie)-25:
Awesome Win by your Lot,
over a magnificent SA.
Maybe the Match of the Tournament.
11 Oct 2011, 22:42 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-27:
LOL! Bet you had your money on the Bokke to beat the Wobblies as well. How’d that gamble work out for you?
11 Oct 2011, 23:39 pm
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-14:
Wallabie said…..”You have obviously been tortured by the sporting prowess of the australians over the years over your nations teams”.
20 million Ozzies Vs 4 million Kiwi’s and who are the current NBL, Rugby League WC and NRL finalists? (I’m not going to mention the Netball which is pretty 50/50) and you can keep cricket.
On history Oz have played at Eden park 23 timers since 1931 (included V Ireland ) and have won a total of four times in 49’,55’,78’ and 86’ for a 17.4% win rate, so you’re definitely due.
It’s crazy to think though that after four years of the Deans/ Henry coaching rivalry that it all comes down to this weekend and probably a single play or decision to decide who history will remember as the better coach/team.
Granted more pressure on Ted there, as Dean’s in 03′ doesn’t count against Deans in Oz, and them just getting to the SF is a gain for the Wallas.
We let you take your SF in 03’, so now you can return the favour thanks.
But watch out for the NZRU’s deep cell “sheep in Dingo’s clothing” plan to be activated. When the mercenary , ‘rent-a-kiwi’s’ of Digby, O’Conner, Sepu, Cooper and Deans after staring at AB flags and logo’s for five weeks, then find themselves standing in front of the kapa o pango haka, they’ll remember where they come from and (hopefully) get a ‘patriotic’ case of the dropsy’s.
Even the cynical play of Dan Vickerman taking out Brüssow at the bottom of a ruck won’t save you this week, as remember not even a Tuqiri spear tackle or Phil Waugh breaking his nose could take out Richie in a past Eden park encounter, let alone sending in Cooper to do one of his limp wristed slaps to his face.
If we can’t lift for the Pike river miners, the Chch earthquake victims, the last 100 yrs of proud AB’s for Jonah and for Dan and for the fact this one is at home and to get this 24 year old gorilla off our backs, then what will it take? (That’s a rhetorical question okay!)
If we lose then “it’s just a game” and “who cares about rugby anyway” with our eyes tearing up, while that pronounced nervous tick and that throbbing purple temple vein that we only get on the left side of our body when someone mentions the RWC gets worse.
12 Oct 2011, 01:18 am
Eden Park will be a problem for the Aussies, so will the weather, so will the crowd, and so will the referee.
The ABs should win this comfortably – especially if Beale is out.
If the Aussies had Palu, Robinson and Mitchell and Beale playing and Barnes was at FH instead of that idiot Cooper, I’d give them a chance. But the injuries and the situation lead me to the conclusion that they will be headed home on a early Monday flight.
ABs by about 16 I’d guess.
12 Oct 2011, 01:26 am
this should be an absolute rip snorter of a game….it looks like coming down to who has the least injury worries…can’t wait!!!
12 Oct 2011, 03:42 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-22: How do you mean by better prepared?
If Beale doesnt make it, they move Cooper to 15, and put Barnes in at 10. Hes OK, about as OK as cruden is for us
The big things we have to consider are:
At Brisbane – we had no kaino, read went early, and McCaw was way below best. carter also had his worst 40 mins in an AB jersey.
For the first 21 minutes in the 2nd half, we did the pickngo and drew level from 3-20 down.
Genia then used the ref to dodge 2 tackles as he set up the winning try, final score 25-20
Without our proper 6,7,8 – we were exposed. This week, we will be far more organised. Additionally, we are playing at home, in a fortress, with more screaming fans than theirs, it will be a black out of epic proportions through the crowd, as Aus would have expected to be in Saturdays semi final not Sunday.
I guess a fair bit depends on those Saffas offering to sell their tickets to the Aussies
12 Oct 2011, 03:46 am
@James in NZ(James in NZ)-30: “‘rent-a-kiwi’s’ of Digby, O’Conner, Sepu, Cooper”
Shouldn’t we say now loudly – POACHERS?
12 Oct 2011, 03:49 am
@maximus1(maximus1)-7: Indeed, the choke is the only hope you have. Get set for miserable 4 years.
12 Oct 2011, 06:54 am
@KiaKahaNZ(KiaKahaNZ)-33:
‘slightly’
They seem to have had their injury disruptions over with already. Im not sure whether Beale is unavailable, that sounds like a classic Drongo Deans ploy to me and Im assuming he’ll be lacing up his boots as a ‘unexpected boost’ to the team. Given that ABs have just called in their 4th-choice no10 – the key position on the field – then the Aussies look more settled now that Pocock is 100% fit again. Meanwhile ABs have McCaw clearly playing through an injury.
I actually think Cruden will do OK in partic if Weepus kicking maintains a good level. But lets not look past the fact he has only just come in to the squad.
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