[2013 Bledisloe Cup] New Zealand v Australia in Dunedin (19/10/2013)

[Larksea]

Last home test for the All Blacks this year. Interesting side named.

Update: McCaw and Jane ruled out of test due to injury. (no need to panic though Ben Smith is ok).

ALL BLACKS:
Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Ben Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Jeremy Thrush, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Steven Luatua, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Tom Taylor

Talking points:
Jane to start?
Ben Smith at 13?
Mealamu to start and hore released from the squad?
Thrush gets a start!
Ben Franks hasn't been completely booted out
Tom Taylor gets another shot from the bench

WALLABIES:

1. James Slipper
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (c)
6. Ben Mowen
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben McCalman
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Peter Betham
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau
Replacements
16. Saia Fainga'a
17. Benn Robinson
18. Sekope Kepu
19. Sitaleki Timani
20. Dave Dennis
21. Nic White
22. Mike Harris
23. Bernard Foley

 

[lynam1104]

Looking forward to Jane being back, most confusing call for me is Thrush I didn't even know he was in the squad!

 

[Larksea]

Looking forward to Jane being back, most confusing call for me is Thrush I didn't even know he was in the squad!

yip he has had a couple of appearances off the bench. He actually had one nice cameo in one game did some nice lineout work and looked hungry.

Generally I think the AB team has looked better with Luatua covering lock on the bench.

I think this selection is about giving Retalick a rest, maybe giving Thrush a chance to show what hes got and maybe earn/hold a spot on the EOY tour.

Generally I dont see him forcing his way past Romano or Bird (both injured) in the pecking order long term. He has earned his shot by being arguably the Hurricanes best and most consistant forward this year. Eaton had an off year in comparison - which was a shame because he was great in 2012 and unlucky not to get a call.

Yeah it is good to see Jane back, on the flip side I really want to see Piutau some more. That guy can cut grass.

 

[ABs2011]

Last home test for the All Blacks this year. Interesting side named.

ALL BLACKS:
Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Jeremy Thrush, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Tom Taylor

Talking points:
Jane to start?
Ben Smith at 13?
Mealamu to start and hore released from the squad?
Thrush gets a start!
Ben Franks hasn't been completely booted out
Tom Taylor gets another shot from the bench

You conveniently forgot arguably the biggest talking point on the forum re AB selection....Barrett v Cruden Seems the selectors are still of the mindset that Cruden is their man!

Looking forward to the game, I'm thinking this one will be high scoring as well.
Will be watching Ben Smiths with interest and hoping CJ has a good return!

 

[Aspry]

Christian Lealiifano is out due to an injury. Who will do the kicking duties for the Wallabies?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Christian Lealiifano is out due to an injury. Who will do the kicking duties for the Wallabies?

Kurtley Be......James O'Co......Quade Cooper?

 

[Jaguares]

Christian Leali'ifano and Scott Fardy ruled out of Bredisloe Cup clash:

http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-union/uni...ut-of-bledisloe-cup-clash-20131014-2vhzk.html

Toomua at second 5/8 and Hugh McMeniman come back as 6?

Cheers

 

[ABs2011]

Kurtley Be......James O'Co......Quade Cooper?

Hasn't little Jimmy been given the chop by the Ozzies for being a brat? Or have they reinstated him already?

 

[Jaguares]

Christian Lealiifano is out due to an injury. Who will do the kicking duties for the Wallabies?

I think Matt Toomua at second 5/8 and first kicker.

 

[Larksea]

You conveniently forgot arguably the biggest talking point on the forum re AB selection....Barrett v Cruden Seems the selectors are still of the mindset that Cruden is their man!

Looking forward to the game, I'm thinking this one will be high scoring as well.
Will be watching Ben Smiths with interest and hoping CJ has a good return!

you could say its probably to do with Barretts proven ability as a "super sub" both have proven they can start, Barrett has shown he can come on in the 2nd half slot right in and turn the game on its head.

 

[ABs2011]

you could say its probably to do with Barretts proven ability as a "super sub" both have proven they can start, Barrett has shown he can come on in the 2nd half slot right in and turn the game on its head.

Haha, sorry Larksea, you just read as so one sided when it comes to this debate
1) I've said it before and explained it as well, but Barrett is yet to prove he can start. I'm not sure how you can infer that yet from the tests he has played.
2) He has for sure proven he is a super sub.

 

[Draggs]

I would say
15 Folau
14 Ashley-Cooper
13 Kuridrani
12 Toomua
11 Betham
10 Cooper
09 Genia

Seems like Betham will get a start. Lively on attack, but both he and Folau are very easy targets in defence.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hasn't little Jimmy been given the chop by the Ozzies for being a brat? Or have they reinstated him already?

Nooooooo, that was the joke
Wallabies lost their first 3 choices of kickers so far.

 

[Big Ewis]

Kurtley Be......James O'Co......Quade Cooper?

And goddamn, it's about time somebody made this thread ! I was gonna but then I forgot, like 4 times...

Well it is a bit of a sneaky match...it's not part of TRC, and it's not really a November Autumn test...

Anybody going to bet on another draw this year ?

 

[Chikwa]

And goddamn, it's about time somebody made this thread ! I was gonna but then I forgot, like 4 times...

Well it is a bit of a sneaky match...it's not part of TRC, and it's not really a November Autumn test...

Anybody going to bet on another draw this year ?

Cory Jane is excellent with the ball in hand,secure under the high ball,can easily slot into full back and has the experience to perform at Test level even after a long lay off.The choice of hooker is puzzling to me.Personally I rate both Hore and Mealamu way above Coles.Hansen however,keeps telling the media how Coles is the future and had proved himself.I must be missing something.Regarding Ben Smith my question is are the AB's not going to miss his opportunism and lethal finishing on the wing?My prediction Ab's to win convincingly,however in the first 50 minutes the wallabies will put up a spirited performance before they disintegrate.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Bit disappointed that Piutau isn't getting a start on the wing - would've liked to see Jane come on after fifty minutes or so. Even more disappointed that Piutau isn't even on the bench!

It also sounds like the selectors will be taking Hore on tour after all. Apparently they aren't happy with back up hooking options yet. I think this is a big mistake, personally. There's only three more squads after this year before the World Cup squad is chosen, and the third hooker is unlikely to get much game time from that position anyway.

 

[Larksea]

AB's should win but the wallabies always seem to have more to play for in what is generally this dead rubber. Aussies have a history of throwing everything at this game.

Hore is clearly being "put out to pasture" right now even though he is still NZ's best hooker. Its kinda a shame but at the same time we need more youngsters getting exposure.

I kinda expect Hore not to make the EoY tour. And Coltman to go.

 

[ABs2011]

Cory Jane is excellent with the ball in hand,secure under the high ball,can easily slot into full back and has the experience to perform at Test level even after a long lay off.The choice of hooker is puzzling to me.Personally I rate both Hore and Mealamu way above Coles.Hansen however,keeps telling the media how Coles is the future and had proved himself.I must be missing something.Regarding Ben Smith my question is are the AB's not going to miss his opportunism and lethal finishing on the wing?My prediction Ab's to win convincingly,however in the first 50 minutes the wallabies will put up a spirited performance before they disintegrate.

Agree completely. I don't like Coles, met him and thought he was a prat. However his rugby hasn't got me excited either. He runs well but that's about it. What is more concerning is that comments out of the AB camp about Hooker are the only times when things don't add up. Namely Coles will start in SA but then he didn't. I think the ABs are legitimately concerned about their hooking stocks, I don't think they believe Coles is ready yet and they are worried about what will happen now that Hore is gone, Kev is old, Coles is not an adequate replacement, and the rest (Colman, Marshall, Harris etc) are far from ready. That's why I think Elliot could be due a call up, but I acknowledge that is a long shot! Lucky the rest of the team are stellar.

On Piutau, I agree, it's a shame he isn't getting a start. Maybe there's an injury concern? Jane will slot back in eventually, so I reckon he coulda played ITM cup and given Piutau a run on crack... Oh well!

 

[Darwin]

A largely predictable side for the AB's. Like others I am disappointed that Piutau is not starting (as he certainly deserves a start, am I'm yet to be convinced Jane is ready to return to test level yet). However I can only assume the choice of Jane is a tactical decision. The AB's have had great success this season with high kicks (mainly from Aaron Smith) - Ben Smith has been outstanding chasing/catching these kicks. Obviously they want to keep using this same tactic, and Jane is a master of this (Piutau is good under the high ball too, but he is not as good as Jane/Ben Smith).

Interesting to see Thrush get a start, but Retallick probably needs a rest! It wouldn't surprise me to see Retallick given 30-40 mins off the bench to give Whitelock a rest in the second half. It will be interesting to see how Thrush goes. He is a good solid player, but I feel the AB's will really miss Retallick's physicality (and phenomenal work-rate). Not sure what to make of the hooker situation. It appears the AB's selectors have no idea who their first choice hooker is. I'm not sure who I would have picked personally - it will be very interesting to see which hookers they take on the end of year tour.

It will certainly be a big challenge for Ben Smith shifting into centre even though he is in outstanding form (especially when he is replacing arguably the best centre in world rugby). He really hasn't had much high level experience in the position (a couple of games each for Otago and the Highlanders, and the test against Scotland last season). Defense will be a big challenge for him, as I feel centre is the most difficult position defensively. He tends to read the game really well so hopefully he will have that aspect of defense sorted, he will however need to be more physical in defense, as he can at times be a bit passive. Hopefully he doesn't get too focused on defense though and remembers to attack when he gets the ball!

Tom Taylor's inclusion on the bench is an interesting one. Obviously they require midfield cover so it was either a choice between Taylor and Saili for one bench spot. Personally I would have liked to have seen Saili given another chance, but I'm sure we will see more of him on the end of season tour. Another possible option would have been to include Piutau on the bench rather than Barrett (which would probably have provided a more balanced bench), but it would be silly to get rid of Barrett given his current form!

 

[Big Ewis]

Cory Jane is excellent with the ball in hand,secure under the high ball,can easily slot into full back and has the experience to perform at Test level even after a long lay off.The choice of hooker is puzzling to me.Personally I rate both Hore and Mealamu way above Coles.Hansen however,keeps telling the media how Coles is the future and had proved himself.I must be missing something.Regarding Ben Smith my question is are the AB's not going to miss his opportunism and lethal finishing on the wing?My prediction Ab's to win convincingly,however in the first 50 minutes the wallabies will put up a spirited performance before they disintegrate.

most probably...