[2014 TRC] Australia v New Zealand in Sydney (16/08/2014)

[Jaguares]

New Zealand:

15 Ben Smith, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Joe Moody, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_9420449,00.html

So Bin Smuth at fullback; that will please AB fans. Corey Jane on the right wing and no Dagg or Piutau.

I guessed the ABs lineup

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I guessed the ABs lineup

Well done. :clapping: But you only really guessed one position: who would play on the right wing. Bin Smuth was always going to be in the starting XV whether at FB or RW. The rest of the team was pretty predictable, with Hansen already saying Crockett would start instead of the injured Woodcock.

 

[nzlizard]

Well done. :clapping: But you only really guessed one position: who would play on the right wing. Bin Smuth was always going to be in the starting XV whether at FB or RW. The rest of the team was pretty predictable, with Hansen already saying Crockett would start instead of the injured Woodcock.

Agreed, was a safe pick for the 1st test, barring injuries you could see maybe the same team for the 2nd test but with Piutau on the wing for Jane.

 

[Drogers93]

Anyone else think that dagg should have been considered ahead of jane?
I remember last year daggs form wasnt great during the s15 however once he was put in a black jersey he performs. And considering jane showed average form against england, and the only reason dagg is dropped is cause b.smith is just incredible i think he could do a good job at wing.

 

[Icemn]

Anyone else think that dagg should have been considered ahead of jane?

nope... nnnnext...

 

[nzlizard]

Anyone else think that dagg should have been considered ahead of jane?
I remember last year daggs form wasnt great during the s15 however once he was put in a black jersey he performs. And considering jane showed average form against england, and the only reason dagg is dropped is cause b.smith is just incredible i think he could do a good job at wing.

Seen him play wing for the Crusaders in 2? halves this year and he was average at best, would have put Piutau on the wing before Jane.

 

[Big Ewis]

Coach must've gone: "hmmm....Kuhrtley Bale or Burnurd Foley...hmmmmmm....".

 

[Jaguares]

I'm not sure about Beale at 10 and Aussie's substitute front row in the last 20 minutes so for me ABs by 5.

Buuuut I still have hope, if Kiwis fall asleep as in the first tests against the English and if the Aussies come into play with the attitude that had Waratahs in the opening minutes of the Super Rugby final, there is a real possibility.

 

[Larksea]

Conrad Smith is out and Crotty is in.

Smith Returning home for birth of his first child. This is not how they normally handle it maybe the baby decided to come early or something.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/10387015/Conrad-Smith-out-Crotty-in-for-Bledisloe-test

 

[donmcdazzle]

Sort it out Conrad - surely play the game and fly back right after. It isn't like he is actually involved in the delivery.. Aussie just perked up seeing him out I bet and our midfield defence just got a bit dodgy. Not sure how confidant I am of Fekitoa making the right reads with Folau popping up around him

 

[nzlizard]

Sort it out Conrad - surely play the game and fly back right after. It isn't like he is actually involved in the delivery.. Aussie just perked up seeing him out I bet and our midfield defence just got a bit dodgy. Not sure how confidant I am of Fekitoa making the right reads with Folau popping up around him

Well we are most probably going to find out.

I don't know if you are serious about the play the game comment, but if you are then my opinion of you just dropped to -1, you only get one first child and as a father they is no greater honour than being present for that.

 

[Larksea]

he may end up playing ~90-100 tests

he will only ever get 1 first born

AB's will be fine without him. Fekitoa is a beast, and hes a beast on defense as well. Nonu & Cruden is still the area the Aussies may target

 

[donmcdazzle]

he may end up playing ~90-100 tests

he will only ever get 1 first born

AB's will be fine without him. Fekitoa is a beast, and hes a beast on defense as well. Nonu & Cruden is still the area the Aussies may target

Bad luck for children numbers 2 onwards then.

Fekitoa is good one on one, i'm yet to be convinced he can manage the defense in the wider channels, especially as Aussie's 2 best attackers (AAC and Folau) will be heading his way.

 

[nzlizard]

Fekitoa is good one on one, i'm yet to be convinced he can manage the defense in the wider channels, especially as Aussie's 2 best attackers (AAC and Folau) will be heading his way.

Guess we will find out then, having Nonu and Jane present will help immensely, and McCaw will have to up his game and get to the midfield quicker.

 

[Jaguares]

Conrad Smith is out and Crotty is in.

Smith Returning home for birth of his first child. This is not how they normally handle it maybe the baby decided to come early or something.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/10387015/Conrad-Smith-out-Crotty-in-for-Bledisloe-test

Well, few hours ago I said ABs by 5. Without me (Conrad Smith) I think it will be a draw. Conrad is one of the most solid players in the last years, his defense and his wisdom is very important for the team, so this makes things more interesting.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Well, few hours ago I said ABs by 5. Without me (Conrad Smith) I think it will be a draw. Conrad is one of the most solid players in the last years, his defense and his wisdom is very important for the team, so this makes things more interesting.

congratulations conrad. and off course you would say that even though its true but yeah.

 

[LittleGuy]

Well, few hours ago I said ABs by 5. Without me (Conrad Smith) I think it will be a draw. Conrad is one of the most solid players in the last years, his defense and his wisdom is very important for the team, so this makes things more interesting.

I thought you were Sonny Bill Williams?

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I thought you were Sonny Bill Williams?

well thats just silly his name is conrad smith, the username says it all

 

[Larksea]

just another person in the AB back line the Aussies need to commit more defenders too

what we lose from Conrads sure hand on defense we gain in Fekitoas ridiculously large thighs and ability to trample through multiple defenders and offload.

I like Crotty on the bench as well he's proven to be a good closer in games, good combination of experience and ability. I expect Fekitoa to be very active and come off for Crotty to get ~30min or so.

 

[LittleGuy]

well thats just silly his name is conrad smith, the username says it all

You didn't get it....Sanzar will.