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

[Bada-Bing!]

Wait till you see Ardie Savea. Mccaw might not even make it to the next WC cup thats how good he is.

Yep Ardie was outstanding in the ITM cup, but if the All Blacks did not take McCaw (assuming he's fit) that would be a bigger shock than Gatland dropping BOD. I doubt New Zealand would forgive Hansen, unless McCaw could not go because he was injured.

Anything can happen in 2 years, but McCaw's still king at the breakdown and the All Blacks will want to learn from dropping Buck Shelford before the 1991 WC. Experience and leadership still counts for a hell of a lot at test level.

Still not a bad long term replacement for McCaw in Ardie Savea or Sam Cane.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Am I the only one who's not a fan of Joubert? He doesn't police the offside line particularly well, in my opinion.

 

[austingtir]

Let's wait until Savea get some game time against Super Rugby sides before we get too far ahead of ourselves

Its pretty obvious this guy is pretty special. If he's not in the EOYT squad ill be suprised. Deff needs a year starting for the canes though.

That wellington side just looks like men against boys in the ITM cup atm. The carrys Savea is doing are very McCaw like. And remember McCaw is a different player than when he started he never used to carry like he does now. Give Ardie 6 years in an AB enviroment and with the right development and attitude he would be incredible.

With Ardie or Cane its just weather they can develop that McCaw ticker/toughness thing he has.

 

[Chikwa]

Am I the only one who's not a fan of Joubert? He doesn't police the offside line particularly well, in my opinion.

After the flowing and entertaining rugby at Ellis Park.Of which Nigel Owens was accredited with.He probably wanted to try and "ref" the game in a manner that allowed the game to flow.

 

[Darwin]

Meh. An expansive game, but I didn't really enjoy it that much. I thought I was watching 7's at times, there were a lot of unforced errors (from both sides), and the game lacked intensity. I think I was just spoiled by the outstanding test vs South Africa a couple of weeks ago and want all games to be up to that standard!

For the ABs:
- Front row was average. The lost a couple of scrums, but did dominate a couple too. Mealamu made a couple of good runs though.
- Whitelock outstanding (as always), while Thrush was solid on debut. Retallick made a big impact when he came on.
- Messam was good, while both Cane and Read had superb games. Cane was everywhere, and I felt he was unfairly penalized a couple of times near the end.
- Smith was solid at 9, and I thought Cruden had a good game at 10. He did miss a couple of kicks at goal but he distributed well, his kick-offs were superb, and his great cross-field kick setup one try.
- Nonu was well contained, but was pretty accurate and made some good kicks. Ben Smith did a resonable job at centre - he didn't get many chances with ball in hand, but his defense was pretty solid (apart from one obvious miss on Kuridrani).
- Savea and Piutau both looked dangerous on the wing, with Piutau really impressive on defense. Dagg looked a bit more confident with ball in hand (playing a big part in the first two tries), but his defense was poor.

For Australia:
- The tight-five were solid, but I continue to be underwhelmed by James Horwill. He hasn't been bad, I just think he needs to have a bigger impact on the game than he does (I forgot he was even playing).
- Hooper was good (as usual), but I don't think McCalman is up to test rugby. I still think Australia should be playing dual opensides (Gill & Hooper), with Mowen at 8.
- Genia played well, but he doesn't seem the same player he was 2 years ago.
- Quade Cooper had a very good test - probably his best ever test against the AB's. His goal-kicking was flawless, he took the ball to the line well, and generally stood up well in defense.
- Toomua and Kuridrani paired up pretty well in the midfield. Toomua isn't huge, but is quite physical, and could develop into a good international 12. Kuridrani used his size and pace well - his distribution still needs work though...
- AAC and Betham worked hard but didn't get many chances. In contrast Folau got a lot of ball, and he certainly made the most of it. He looked dangerous whenever he got the ball, breaking tackles at will at times. Obviously he still has some areas to work on (decision making and defense), but he is a real weapon for Australia from the back.

 

[austingtir]

I think with Genia he has the wrong attitude. He knows his team mates are a bunch of soft cocks and it rubs off on his performances and the way he handles himself on the field imo. Whereas he should be the one leading the team. But he obviously isnt that great a leader as they've given the awful Horwill that job.

I thought the AB's were kinda bad at times to hand them that many points on a platter but you get that in these dead rubber games i guess.

 

[Chikwa]

I think with Genia he has the wrong attitude. He knows his team mates are a bunch of soft cocks and it rubs off on his performances and the way he handles himself on the field imo. Whereas he should be the one leading the team. But he obviously isnt that great a leader as they've given the awful Horwill that job.

Will genia did perform much better than he has done for the wallabies this season.

 

[lynam1104]

Kurindrani looks very good and is exactly what the Wallabies need, they have a bunch of very good fancy twinkle toes who are great but they need Kurindrani to get them going first, which he did very well.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Meh. An expansive game, but I didn't really enjoy it that much. I thought I was watching 7's at times, there were a lot of unforced errors (from both sides), and the game lacked intensity. I think I was just spoiled by the outstanding test vs South Africa a couple of weeks ago and want all games to be up to that standard!

For the ABs:
- Front row was average. The lost a couple of scrums, but did dominate a couple too. Mealamu made a couple of good runs though.
- Whitelock outstanding (as always), while Thrush was solid on debut. Retallick made a big impact when he came on.
- Messam was good, while both Cane and Read had superb games. Cane was everywhere, and I felt he was unfairly penalized a couple of times near the end.
- Smith was solid at 9, and I thought Cruden had a good game at 10. He did miss a couple of kicks at goal but he distributed well, and his great cross-field kick setup one try.
- Nonu was well contained, but was pretty accurate and made some good kicks. Ben Smith did a resonable job at centre - he didn't get many chances with ball in hand, but his defense was pretty solid (apart from one obvious miss on Kuridrani).
- Savea and Piutau both looked dangerous on the wing, with Piutau really impressive on defense. Dagg looked a bit more confident with ball in hand (playing a big part in the first two tries), but his defense was poor.

For Australia:
- The tight-five were solid, but I continue to be underwhelmed by James Horwill. He hasn't been bad, I just think he needs to have a bigger impact on the game than he does (I forgot he was even playing).
- Hooper was good (as usual), but I don't think McCalman is up to test rugby. I still think Australia should be playing dual opensides (Gill & Hooper), with Mowen at 8.
- Genia played well, but he doesn't seem the same player he was 2 years ago.
- Quade Cooper had a very good test - probably his best ever test against the AB's. His goal-kicking was flawless, he took the ball to the line well, and generally stood up well in defense.
- Toomua and Kuridrani paired up pretty well in the midfield. Toomua isn't huge, but is quite physical, and could develop into a good international 12. Kuridrani used his size and pace well - his distribution still needs work though...
- AAC and Betham worked hard but didn't get many chances. In contrast Folau got a lot of ball, and he certainly made the most of it. He looked dangerous whenever he got the ball, breaking tackles at will at times. Obviously he still has some areas to work on (decision making and defense), but he is a real weapon for Australia from the back.

Good points Darwin.

Lacked intensity? Yes, but to be expected with no Bledisloe on the line. Compared to the penalty fest this time last year, a much better game.

What the game also showed is that the ABs have incredible depth. No Owen Franks, McCaw, Conrad Smith, Carter, Jane, Romano, Andrew Hore and the replacements stepped in superbly. It's looking pretty ominous for everyone else to play catch up.

 

[Tony Manx]

Very entertaining game that I enjoyed but would agree, slightly, with comments about the intensity.

I was very pleased that the Aussies played as they did and thought their scrum looked so much better than in the recent past and the quality of their backs has never been in doubt. I thought the obnoxious Cooper was excellent and my only criticism of his performance would be he never seems to get the ball while on the move and this slows down any attack. This may be due to Genia who, I think, takes so long on the ball that he was regularly in danger of being caught! His attitude does not seem right to me either....

The Abs were incredible in view of the fact that there were so many regular starters who did not start.......Cane was magnificent and McCaw has serious challenges to face but he is so far up on a pedestal that if he is fit, he will always start as the born leader he is and whom the Blacks would follow everywhere!

Joubert was a mixed bag and I disagree with Marshall (who said he had a great game other than a couple of mistakes). He made a lot of mistakes and most of them made the Wallabies suffer. Mind you, the commentators were very fair in their comments for a change!!

There has without doubt been an Aussie progression since McKenzie came on board and they will be a much stiffer challenge than some of their performances in the RWC would have indicated. I just cannot see any team in the NH getting near the ABs on this tour but that is what makes the Autumn something to look forward to!!

PS was Ben Smith (sarcasm warning!!) playing?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Very entertaining game that I enjoyed but would agree, slightly, with comments about the intensity.

I was very pleased that the Aussies played as they did and thought their scrum looked so much better than in the recent past and the quality of their backs has never been in doubt. I thought the obnoxious Cooper was excellent and my only criticism of his performance would be he never seems to get the ball while on the move and this slows down any attack. This may be due to Genia who, I think, takes so long on the ball that he was regularly in danger of being caught! His attitude does not seem right to me either....

The Abs were incredible in view of the fact that there were so many regular starters who did not start.......Cane was magnificent and McCaw has serious challenges to face but he is so far up on a pedestal that if he is fit, he will always start as the born leader he is and whom the Blacks would follow everywhere!

Joubert was a mixed bag and I disagree with Marshall (who said he had a great game other than a couple of mistakes). He made a lot of mistakes and most of them made the Wallabies suffer. Mind you, the commentators were very fair in their comments for a change!!

There has without doubt been an Aussie progression since McKenzie came on board and they will be a much stiffer challenge than some of their performances in the RWC would have indicated. I just cannot see any team in the NH getting near the ABs on this tour but that is what makes the Autumn something to look forward to!!

PS was Ben Smith (sarcasm warning!!) playing?

You came to the wrong neighbourhood, buddy.

 

[Tony Manx]

You came to the wrong neighbourhood, buddy.

:lol:

 

[Chikwa]

Meh. An expansive game, but I didn't really enjoy it that much. I thought I was watching 7's at times, there were a lot of unforced errors (from both sides), and the game lacked intensity. I think I was just spoiled by the outstanding test vs South Africa a couple of weeks ago and want all games to be up to that standard!

For the ABs:
- Front row was average. The lost a couple of scrums, but did dominate a couple too. Mealamu made a couple of good runs though.
- Whitelock outstanding (as always), while Thrush was solid on debut. Retallick made a big impact when he came on.
- Messam was good, while both Cane and Read had superb games. Cane was everywhere, and I felt he was unfairly penalized a couple of times near the end.
- Smith was solid at 9, and I thought Cruden had a good game at 10. He did miss a couple of kicks at goal but he distributed well, and his great cross-field kick setup one try.
- Nonu was well contained, but was pretty accurate and made some good kicks. Ben Smith did a resonable job at centre - he didn't get many chances with ball in hand, but his defense was pretty solid (apart from one obvious miss on Kuridrani).
- Savea and Piutau both looked dangerous on the wing, with Piutau really impressive on defense. Dagg looked a bit more confident with ball in hand (playing a big part in the first two tries), but his defense was poor.

For Australia:
- The tight-five were solid, but I continue to be underwhelmed by James Horwill. He hasn't been bad, I just think he needs to have a bigger impact on the game than he does (I forgot he was even playing).
- Hooper was good (as usual), but I don't think McCalman is up to test rugby. I still think Australia should be playing dual opensides (Gill & Hooper), with Mowen at 8.
- Genia played well, but he doesn't seem the same player he was 2 years ago.
- Quade Cooper had a very good test - probably his best ever test against the AB's. His goal-kicking was flawless, he took the ball to the line well, and generally stood up well in defense.
- Toomua and Kuridrani paired up pretty well in the midfield. Toomua isn't huge, but is quite physical, and could develop into a good international 12. Kuridrani used his size and pace well - his distribution still needs work though...
- AAC and Betham worked hard but didn't get many chances. In contrast Folau got a lot of ball, and he certainly made the most of it. He looked dangerous whenever he got the ball, breaking tackles at will at times. Obviously he still has some areas to work on (decision making and defense), but he is a real weapon for Australia from the back.

But there is still a gap between them which begs the question: how good are these All Blacks? Definitive statements on that will have to wait, but when they score 30 points in a half while conceding the territory and possession stakes by a distance, then they cleanly have a fair idea what they are doing with the ball.The above Is a quote in an article by Gregor Paul in the Herald. Henry's meyer(springbok coach ) and Stuart Lancaster (English coach ) will be having sleep last nights trying to figure out how to stop this all black jaggernaught.

 

[Big Ewis]

I wake up (from a deep slumber...) and read NZ wins 41-33. Wow, just wtf happened...they say it was amazing ? Man, this is turning out to be a classic year with a ton of action, good or bad:

Wales dramatically awakens and breaks the horrible streak and takes the 6N (from England) a second straight year, beating England by a historical margin, France gets the Wooden Spoon and its worst start in 6N history (since 2000 that is..), Ireland France happens (second straight draw), Italy puts up a historical display and beats France again and manages a big match in Twickers and beat Ireland for the 1st time ever, England finally win in Ireland, the Lions finally win a series (and George North carries a Wallaby along the way), NZ is unbeaten at this point and matches like S.A. NZ happened and now this third Bledisloe which looks amazing...

Not exactly the placid, cliché year of Rugby eh ?

 

[Andronicus]

Undoubtedly the Wallabies best performance of the championship and encouraging for the future of Australian rugby.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Definitely going into the AI's with confidence now.

Are any of their injured players going to come back into contention between now and then?

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Definitely going into the AI's with confidence now.

Are any of their injured players going to come back into contention between now and then?

After a strong finish to the Rugby Championship against Argentina, McKenzie has made minimal changes for the squad that will play matches against England, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The make up of the squad is 14 backs and 18 forwards with Mike Harris and Nick Phipps recalled to the backs with Nick Cummins returning from a hand injury.

In the forwards, Waratahs prop Paddy Ryan gets another chance to impress with hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau returning from a hamstring injury.

Before the tour gets underway, the Wallabies have one more Bledisloe Cup clash in Dunedin on October 19 with 24 of the 32 to be named for that clash.

Certain non-starters for that match will be Cummins and Polota-Nau as they are still rehabilitating their injuries and joining them on the sideline will be Scott Fardy who has an eye injury.

BACKS

Adam Ashley-Cooper
Quade Cooper
Nick Cummins
Chris Feauai-Sautia
Israel Folau
Bernard Foley
Will Genia
Mike Harris
Tevita Kuridrani
Christian Leali'ifano
Nick Phipps
Joe Tomane
Matt Toomua
Nic White

FORWARDS

Ben Alexander
Dave Dennis
Kane Douglas
Saia Fainga'a
Scott Fardy
Liam Gill
Michael Hooper
James Horwill (c)
Sekope Kepu
Ben McCalman
Stephen Moore
Ben Mowen
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Benn Robinson
Paddy Ryan
Rob Simmons
James Slipper
Sitaleki Timani

Not considered for selection: Kurtley Beale (shoulder); Anthony Fainga'a (shoulder); Kyle Goodwin (shoulder); James Hanson (neck); Scott Higginbotham (shoulder); Pat McCabe (neck); Hugh McMeniman (shoulder); Jesse Mogg (shoulder); Wycliff Palu (knee); David Pocock (knee); Hugh Pyle (shoulder); Jake Schatz (knee).

Source:http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/wallabies-2013-spring-tour-squad/

 

[jessta]

Great improvement by wallabies. Falou was constant danger as too was kirrundrani in 2nd half, however AAC best position is clearly center. Tamooa was very solid at 12 and seemed to gel great with cooper who had his best game in yonks! Think Mckenzie is starting to click with the team. Wallabies have potential!

 

[Jaguares]

Quade Cooper had 100% success in his kicks... UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please don't tell me Savea has a brother

Yeaaaaaah, Ardie Savea:

He's only 20, he can play at flanker or number 8. This year he began his career in Super Rugby with Hurricanes. He played in Baby Blacks.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Franks, Whitelocks and then Savea brothers. A family of All Blacks.