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

[Jaguares]

I'm the only one who thinks the Aussies have greatly improved in their last 2 games and with McKenzie plus the return of injured players, they can get back to the level of NZ and SA?

Cheers

 

[William18]

They have always been a good side. Don't forget they drew the third Bledisloe 18 all last year. I think they are still a long way off us and South Africa. On their day, they can definitely beat us.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

They have always been a good side. Don't forget they drew the third Bledisloe 18 all last year. I think they are still a long way off us and South Africa. On their day, they can definitely beat us.

Only if the All Blacks and Springboks are below their best.

For me the Wallabies are just battling to regain being 3rd best team in time for 2015. The 2 November's match between England v Australia will show go along way to settling this for 2013; although even if England do win, Wales have shown this year that they are a better team than England as they are 6N champions. The two matches between the three is a nice precursor to Pool A of RWC 2015.

I think for these three they just can't compete against the All Blacks and Springboks when it comes to strength in depth of the squads. England are fretting over Alex Corbisiero's fitness for the AI because below him is Marler and Vunipola who are not as good technical scrummagers. Wales have a good first 15, but begin to struggle when any of their first 15 get injured. And we've seen how the Wallabies have been without key players like Pocock and Higginbotham.

 

[austingtir]

I'm the only one who thinks the Aussies have greatly improved in their last 2 games and with McKenzie plus the return of injured players, they can get back to the level of NZ and SA?

Cheers

I actually dont get this comment. They were pretty much as bad as they could be this year. They only had one way to go in this game in particular they could not get any worse than the previous games.

I thought the AB's handed them plenty of opportunity in this game. They didnt do much with it really.

I honestly believe if Deans was still around and had dumped Beale, O'conner, Genia, and anybody else that dropped their bottom lip he would get more out of that group than McKenzie has so far. The only decent thing thats happened to the wallabies since he came in was get rid of all these spoilt brats. And really he didnt even do that it was out of his control.

 

[Big Ewis]

yeh saw it last night...amazing perseverance from the Wallabies. As explained in the post-match interview, they really did come to WIN, and are happy with improvements but won't nearly settle for the loss.
Look out, Europe !

 

[Jaguares]

I actually dont get this comment. They were pretty much as bad as they could be this year. They only had one way to go in this game in particular they could not get any worse than the previous games.

I thought the AB's handed them plenty of opportunity in this game. They didnt do much with it really.

I honestly believe if Deans was still around and had dumped Beale, O'conner, Genia, and anybody else that dropped their bottom lip he would get more out of that group than McKenzie has so far. The only decent thing thats happened to the wallabies since he came in was get rid of all these spoilt brats. And really he didnt even do that it was out of his control.

ABs gave a lot of opportunities in this game or Aussies played so well that forced ABs to make these mistakes?? Don't get merit to aussies, if ABs made ​​mistakes because Wallabies were forced to make.

Wallabies played very well then ABs made many mistakes...

 

[Bada-Bing!]

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/wallabies-bledisloe-iii-player-ratings/

Green and gold rugby website's marking of the Wallaby players.

 

[admartian]

Great improvement by the Wallabies. But one has to think, that they seemingly played their best against one of the best in competition, yet still came up short.

Good showing, but also a tad demoralising imo.

 

[Larksea]

was an interesting game, started with a hiss and a roar ABs definitely got on top early defended superbly and whenever they got the ball the Aussies crumbled.

But over time the weight of possession the Aussies had started the break the AB's down a bit and some slick play from Cooper got them back in the game.

All Blacks definitely in control the whole time though.

Ab's best players were probably Cane and Messam, closely followed bu faumaina, Piutau, Nonu, Dagg. Cruden and Read were good as well, as you would expect.

Ok showing from thrush but he did make on very bad miss on defense which led to an Aussie Try.

Also shout for Tom Taylor, came on and instantly nailed a potentially try saving tackle - I think on Falau in full flight? And unleashed a massive clearing kick - pretty good little cameo. I've always liked Taylor as a player i think even his haters will be starting to see the light.

Ben Smiths quietest game of the year I guess thats to be expected - this was a learning experience for him as much as anything else. Missed one on defense but did improve during the game. Finally got the ball with some space late in the game and showed what he can do. Was just a shame he did not get more chances in similar positions - but that is the game as a center. Generally you are defending and distributing, draw and pass. I mean Conrad smith only gets a chance to have a good run once or twice every few tests.

Much improved Aussie Side.

But still no match for the AB's even though they were missing: McCaw, Carter, Conrad Smith, Hore, Romano, Owen Franks - kinda puts things in perspective.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i'll just add about Smith, he was the next man in at least three of our tries. I know that's not the same as actually making the break or scoring the tries but it showed he was picking thos same lines that lead to tries and backing up well

 

[ABs2011]

i'll just add about Smith, he was the next man in at least three of our tries. I know that's not the same as actually making the break or scoring the tries but it showed he was picking thos same lines that lead to tries and backing up well

Yeah, I'm a bit confused about all the Ben Smith -ve talk as well. I've seen a few posts and articles about him not having a good game. Did I miss something? I thought he played well for his first game at 13. As you say he was involved in several of the tries, I thought he defended well and I don't recall him making any mistakes. I was at the pub watching though so concentration levels may have been a bit low. Is all the talk just because he didn't excel (i.e. soccer 2 tries) like he did through the RC? Me thinks people are forgetting he played a different position this game.....

 

[Saint Matt]

I guess it proved just how big the gap is between the two sides at the minute. Australia will take a fair few positives out of the game but were outclassed really. Toomoa had a good game at 12, and appeared to bring out the best in Cooper in regards to the fact that he is capable of slotting in at first reciever every now and again. Mixes things up and allows them the opportunity to play with a touch more width. Cooper played the best rugby I've seen him play in a while. Certainly has the potential to be a decent combination in midfield if given time.

Clinical performance from New Zeland once again with some wonderful attacking play. They attacked with so much width and took their opportunities when they came about. Cruden pulled the strings brillantly but the lines and angles run in midfield made it easy for him. Looked like a 10's dream out there at times. Did it lack intensity? Possibly, but I guess that's to be expected from a Bledisloe Cup game to a certain extent.

Huge Automn for the Wallabies in my opinion. As I say plenty of positives to take into it but still a whole lot to improve on. They have a point to prove without a shadow of a doubt.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Yeah, I'm a bit confused about all the Ben Smith -ve talk as well. I've seen a few posts and articles about him not having a good game. Did I miss something? I thought he played well for his first game at 13. As you say he was involved in several of the tries, I thought he defended well and I don't recall him making any mistakes. I was at the pub watching though so concentration levels may have been a bit low. Is all the talk just because he didn't excel (i.e. soccer 2 tries) like he did through the RC? Me thinks people are forgetting he played a different position this game.....

He made a few bad reads on defense, didn't do anything wrong on attack but wasn't heavily involved really. I'd say he had an ok game. Not great, not bad. Which is a good result for his first test in the position.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i'm not even sure they were his mistakes, there were several attacks through the channel between him and nonu but as we saw from that vid...cant remember who posted it...that is the BA's defensive pattern, that channel is left to nonu

 

[donmcdazzle]

i'm not even sure they were his mistakes, there were several attacks through the channel between him and nonu but as we saw from that vid...cant remember who posted it...that is the BA's defensive pattern, that channel is left to nonu

'

There was one obvious one where Smith drifted onto the winger, who was already covered by our winger (so we had a two on one defensively), and their guy went through the gap. That was really the only obvious one, there were some other hesitations and things that gave them a few extra yards but not a whole lot more than your average centre does a game. I guess it highlights just how good Conrad is defensively.

 

[Jaguares]

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/wallabies-bledisloe-iii-player-ratings/

Green and gold rugby website's marking of the Wallaby players.

According to G&G Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani: 8

The best aussie forward? Michael Hooper, again.

Much improved Aussie Side.

But still no match for the AB's even though. they were missing they were missing: McCaw, Carter, Conrad Smith, Hore, Romano, Owen Franks - kinda puts things in perspective.

Yeah but Wallabies hadn't their full team too. They were missing: David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Wycliff Palu, Christian Leali'ifano, Kurtley Beale, Henry Speight and Joe Tomane. Even James O'Connor who no longer has a contract with the ARU.

Cheers

 

[ABs2011]

According to G&G Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani: 8

The best aussie forward? Michael Hooper, again.



Yeah but Wallabies hadn't their full team too. They were missing: David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Wycliff Palu, Christian Leali'ifano, Kurtley Beale, Henry Speight and Joe Tomane. Even James O'Connor who no longer has a contract with the ARU.

Cheers

You can't use injuries/ineligibilities/contract issues as an excuse mate. As Larksea points out the ABs were missing Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, and Corey Jane to name a few . Compared to your list I know which players I would rather have in my team.

My point is buddy that every second comment you make about how good the OZ team is, has reference to all the players you don't have available for your team. A good team can cope with the inevitable injuries, the inevitable bad egg (or 3), and the players you'd like to have drafted from the islands but are not yet to be eligible.....

EDIT: Sorry didn't see Larksea's post.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

If we had Eales, Kefu, Gregan, Lynagh, the Ella Brothers, Mortlock, Larkham, Horan, Grey, Roff, Tuqiri and the All Blacks had Stephen Donald, we would have won.