Comments on: ABs sweat over back-up boys

By: BBA

BBA — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:17:38 +0000

I think not playing France this NH tour may be more about the fact that the AB’s play France in a 3 match series next year whilst the Lions are in Aus. Therefore it builds the anticiapation for that series more by not playing them this time.

PS France might not of wished such a hard match this time as well with world cup ranking points on the table. Aus thrashed them in 2010, and Pumas and AB’s both have good records against them at home. Smart play. Same goes for the Boks no wanting to venture too much on their NH tour either, gives them a better chance of finishing #2. Wallabies tor schedule being the toughest looks like it might cost them a lot.

By: gonzo

gonzo — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:47:04 +0000

@goodstuff-3: I believe they were too scared to play France. Two easy teams up front to get some practice in a post-RWC year, followed by Wales so Hansen could visit old friends then England for the sake of cash. Simple

By: Slumtown

Slumtown — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:28:26 +0000

@goodstuff-3: uhh you mean ahem cough cough FRANCE surely?

By: goodstuff

goodstuff — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:36:27 +0000

@Brads-5: Guess your right.

By: Brads

Brads — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:08:24 +0000

@Brads-5: Besides which, I suspect there is a contract between the RC teams and the 6 Nations where each country play one another home and away on a set roster. That roster will be within the 3 week NH international window. Hence the reason NZ gouged the Poms for appearance money to play them the week after the Welsh fixture.

By: Brads

Brads — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:03:28 +0000

@goodstuff-3: Of course it does. Money. Italy will be a nice earner.

By: WP-Forever

WP-Forever — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 07:56:39 +0000

@goodstuff-3: The RC wooden spooners for all intents and purposes beat the Springboks in Mendoza. We were lucky to salvage a tie.

By: goodstuff

goodstuff — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 07:54:19 +0000

Why is the AB’s even playing Italy? Does that even make sense? It’s just a
massacre waiting to happen.

Only team that might show some potence in the NH is England, Wales just got
bested at home by the RC wooden spooners.

By: Brads

Brads — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 07:22:13 +0000

Hansen needs to call in some back up now.

The business end of the tour was always going to be the matches against Wales and England so the last thing NZ wont is to go into those matches with a bench player who has been called up at the last week.

Both Ellison and Ben Smith will be sidelined for at least two weeks so cut them loose now and get new cover for Conrad and Nonu for the last two matches.

Good grief, either or even both of those guys could get injured as well this weekend, where would that leave Hansen?

By: goodstuff

goodstuff — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 06:21:59 +0000

Back up player injuries not really a concern dragons.

Don’t know how NZ will cope with them against Italy? I mean damn, that sucks
for them. (SARCASM)