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

[RoosTah]

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

Haha I did indeed. Still laughing about SimonG going on that rant...

 

[goodNumber10]

Literally crying tears, Fox maybe gash but their funny gash:

Rugby HQ, Michael Hooper Adam Ashley-Cooper

 

[nickdnz]

I enjoyed that.

 

[Icemn]

conrad fantastic out is huge blow... more too my fantasy campaign but im sure to the AB aswell... esp on defence, will malakai be 13 and nonu 12

is a too big of a risk to play ben on 13, jane 14 and dagg on 15 :? just asking...

 

[Drogers93]

conrad fantastic out is huge blow... more too my fantasy campaign but im sure to the AB aswell... esp on defence, will malakai be 13 and nonu 12

is a too big of a risk to play ben on 13, jane 14 and dagg on 15 :? just asking...

Any defencive gain you get with ben at 13 would be too much of an attacking loss. He isnt as potent at 13 he is a fullback or wing imo.

 

[Imagine]

Literally crying tears, Fox maybe gash but their funny gash:

Rugby HQ, Michael Hooper Adam Ashley-Cooper

That was truly magical, pure lulz

 

[Jaguares]

FIVE WINNING FACTORS FOR THE WALLABIES

1 ISRAEL FOLAU: A world-class weapon on kick returns who mutes the All Blacks’ regular winning tactic of pressuring fullbacks and wingers with contestable kicks. Folau runs the ball back with interest.

2 IMPROVED DEFENCE: The Wallabies were shot full of holes last year, conceding 13 tries in three Tests against the All Blacks when Ben Smith ran riot. Cutting down cheap turnovers will be big.

3 CONFIDENCE: Some recent Wallabies sides did not truly believe they could beat the All Blacks. This team does after a seven-win streak and the confidence to really have a crack in attack.

4 MICHAEL HOOPER: Australia’s accidental captain seems blessed. He has a bumper Wallabies career born from an injury break, a Super Rugby ***le and now he is “The Man†to win back the Bledisloe. His big-moment energy as a flanker is immense.

5 THE BEALE-TOOMUA PARTNERSHIP: The twin playmaker plan can hurt the All Blacks. It will not just be with slick passing but a rattling Matt Toomua hit for a key turnover.

FIVE WORRIES FOR THE WALLABIES

1 MOTIVATED ALL BLACKS: They are aiming for a world record 18 Test wins in a row on top of a goal of equal billing, extending Australia’s pain in the Bledisloe Cup.

2 ROOKIE HOOKER NATHAN CHARLES: He will either be a great Test prospect or in need of quiet counselling after this trial by fire. He has less than 20 minutes of Test experience to deal with the All Blacks scrum juggernaut. The Kiwis will also try to pressure him into mistakes with his lineout throws. A clean possession drought would be a disaster.

3 LACK OF PACE: The wing crisis means the Wallabies will be short of finishing pace with Rob Horne and Pat McCabe on the wings. Both are big-hearted and in form but are converted centres.

4 HIDING KURTLEY BEALE: The Wallabies will likely have flyhalf Beale defending on the wing with winger Rob Horne tackling in midfield. Ewen McKenzie will see the up side in having Beale and Israel Folau as counter-attacking weapons on any errant Kiwi kicks.

5 RICHIE McCAW: Call him a fading force at 33 at your peril. Still a masterful breakdown presence in a great pack and bench flanker Sam Cane is excellent back-up.

http://m.foxsports.com.au/rugby/the...they-can-trip-up/story-e6frf4qc-1227025388852

 

[Big Ewis]

Literally crying tears, Fox maybe gash but their funny gash:

Rugby HQ, Michael Hooper Adam Ashley-Cooper

lol. I love them over at Fox. It's downright stupid at times, but it's just all fun if you do as they do, and don't take yourself seriously.

Conrad Smith: interesting pointers from Fox there. But they're still counting Richie McCaw as one of 5 factors on his own ?..

 

[Jaguares]

Literally crying tears, Fox maybe gash but their funny gash:

Rugby HQ, Michael Hooper Adam Ashley-Cooper

Good job, Fox! I want the lyrics please

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Good job, Fox! I want the lyrics please

here i think i saw you on fox sports, is that you at 0:43 ?

 

[Bazzy]

Can't wait for this game. After a very long time, the Aussies truly believe they can win and there is good reason for this.

Personally think All Blacks will still manage to win but by less than 5.

 

[Darwin]

A few quick thoughts:
- Fantastic so see the best fullback in world rugby starting at fullback for the AB's
- Good to see Conrad Smith has his priorities right. It will be exciting to see how Fekitoa goes, though we will obviously miss Smith (particularly on defense).
- It will be interesting to see where Beale defends. If he is defending at 10 I'm sure he will have Nonu running at him a lot, but I suspect he will spend most of the time defending on the left wing (hopefully he gets introduced to Cory Jane's fend....).
- I'm picking it to be a close game, but I'm predicting the AB's to extend their winning streak, winning by 5-10 points.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

- Fantastic so see the best fullback in world rugby starting at fullback for the AB's

Wahat are you talking about? Israel Folau plays for the Wallabies!

 

[Darwin]

Wahat are you talking about? Israel Folau plays for the Wallabies!

I know. I'm sure he will learn a lot playing against the worlds best fullback. What a privilege for him

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I know. I'm sure he will learn a lot playing against the worlds best fullback. What a privilege for him

I feel like this exact same conversation has occurred on here before...

 

[Jaguares]

A 70k crowd is expected at ANZ Stadium tonight, according to of the official ANZ facebook account.

 

[squirrel]

there is a real lack of kicking options in the wallaby back 3

 

[Bean]

I am so hoping the ref doesn't ruin this one!

 

[Guilty]

Super pumped for this game. Just left the Swans v Saints slaughter (AFL) but am expecting a very close game tonight. ANZ should be great - I heard 75K attendance tonight is expected. I've said this before, my heart says Wallabies by 3 but my head says AB's by 5. On this occasion I am going to back the heart and a glorious Wallabies victory - we shall see. We all know KB at #10 is a calculated risk but won I feel (or hope) is going to pay off. Despite the AB's going for the WR of consecutive wins, I really do feel as though the Australians have more to play for. Cmon boys, let's get this done!

 

[Patchey]

Very keen for this game, it'll be nice to have some really good quality rugby to watch again. I find the Top 14 and Premiership take a few weeks to warm up and even at their best they're obviously nothing on test match rugby. I'm going to make myself a bacon sandwich and sooth my hangover by watching Bin Smuth run some really nice lines.

I reckon All Blacks by 3-10 points. Beale at 10 is the wrong call IMO and I just cant see the Wallabies having the power up front and precision in the backs to stop New Zealand. If anyone is going to beat them this championship its South Africa.