[2014 TRC] New Zealand v Australia in Auckland (23/08/2014)

[goodNumber10]

(2) The AB's line speed is fine. Australia drifted across field in attack and the AB's drifted across to cover them. The AB's loose forwards and locks in particular are noted for their linespeed on defense. The backline with Cruden at 10 can be a bit slower getting off the line than they were with Carter at 10, but it is hardly a major issue.

It will be an issue against power teams like South Africa and England, who split you open quite effectively by attacking Cruden and Nonu. The Drift defence that NZ uses is good but there are times they need to get off the line a lot quicker, that's why it looked like they were more aggressive on their own line because they don't go drift there and just man on man.

 

[nickdnz]

Mark Reason is a total idiot.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Mark Reason is a total idiot.

A reaction I expected from most Kiwis, judging by the comments below his article. Anyway, I think Darwin did a good dissection of his piece.

Anyway, just spotted the AB team has now been announced:

ALL BLACKS: Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Malakai Fekitoa

 

[ABs2011]

Mark Reason is a total idiot.

Haha, yeah I know where you are going with this though I'd argue he is actually pretty smart!! For a guy that talks a load of rubbish most of the time (Ref Darwin's post) he has managed to become a pretty prominent rugby writer in NZ and like him or loathe him he gets a fair bit of air time. I personally think 90% of his motives are to rile people up rather than to produce reasoned arguments backed up by evidence (but isn't that what 90% of "mainstream" journalism is these days?).

I gave up on reading rugby opinion pieces a while ago. Now I listen what coaches have to say, listen to people that actually play the game, and then for the most part watch the games and form my own opinions. People like Reason are just trying to make a $ and fair play to them, but I don't think he and many others like him are worth 2 minutes of my time.

Great post by the way Darwin!

A reaction I expected from most Kiwis, judging by the comments below his article. Anyway, I think Darwin did a good dissection of his piece.

Anyway, just spotted the AB team has now been announced:

ALL BLACKS: Ben Smith, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Malakai Fekitoa

I like the side they have named given the injuries. Crotty is certainly the guy I would have gone for at 12, and Messam was a no brainer. My only concern, and for the most part it may be based o n my limited knowledge of the front row, is Crockett. He just gives way too many penalties away at scrum time, and therefore seems to be a bit too much of a liability.

I think we will see a reasonably comfortable win for the ABs this weekend.

Romain Poite

I believe Poite is the ref which blew the Ozzies off the park at scrum time in the second test v the Lions (and is known for rewarding the dominant scrum)? If so then then we can expect a real battle there, and likely a place where the ABs should be able to gain some dominance both on the park and scoreboard.

"Merged: Edit your posts, 4 in a row is a no no!" Haha - thanks mate - I'm not as well organized as you

 

[Jaguares]

There is a REAL possibility that Aussies can beat NZ away?

OMG! They are the mighty All Blacks in Auckland. Even the last golden generation of Wallabies couldn't win there

 

[ABs2011]

There is a REAL possibility that Aussies can beat NZ away?

OMG! They are the mighty All Blacks in Auckland. Even the last golden generation of Wallabies couldn't win there

I'm not sure if that is a statement or a question.... I'll take it as a question and reply yes, certainly OZ have a real chance. They outplayed the ABs in many/most aspects of the game in Sydney, so on that basis alone they deserve consideration. Do I think they will win? Nah I don't.

 

[Big Ewis]

I'm not sure if that is a statement or a question.... I'll take it as a question and reply yes, certainly OZ have a real chance. They outplayed the ABs in many/most aspects of the game in Sydney, so on that basis alone they deserve consideration. Do I think they will win? Nah I don't.

*in really stuckup old woman's voice* oh !...well I never !...

 

[Darwin]

Good to see Ryan Crotty getting a start. I've always been a fan of his, and I think he has taken has attacking game to another level this year. He is very much in the mould of Conrad Smith - he is a strong defensive player and invariable makes the right decision with ball in hand. Obviously the AB's will miss Nonu's ability to bust a game open, but Crotty will bring a bit more line speed on defense, better decision making and (hopefully) a few less chip kicks! He is very much on the fringe of the AB's squad at the moment, but he has looked comfortable in his matches so far (he made a good impact last weekend too), and I feel rather comfortable with him starting at either 12 or 13.

I would have preferred to see Ben Franks start, but the selectors rate Crockett very highly (for some reason?)....

 

[nickdnz]

Crotty starting is my preference too at this stage. Something about Canterbury...really produce some strong fill-in All Black midfielders Nathan Mauger, Tabai Matson, Mark Mayerhofler, Daryl Gibson, Ryan Crotty. They do a job.

 

[austingtir]

https://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/24770354/ref-says-sorry-to-all-blacks/

Messam should of started the last game away and Kaino this game but anyway it doesnt really matter.

Theres always a possibility Australia could win. But for them to get two dodgy one eyed referees in a row and the AB's play like England again would be really something.....

 

[RoosTah]

https://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/24770354/ref-says-sorry-to-all-blacks/

Messam should of started the last game away and Kaino this game but anyway it doesnt really matter.

Theres always a possibility Australia could win. But for them to get two dodgy one eyed referees in a row and the AB's play like England again would be really something.....

We've got way more injuries than you lot, but you have to admit the Wallabies played way better than anyone in NZ - you included - gave them credit for. Ultimately they dominated close to the last hour of play and only some inexperienced captaining from Hooper prevented the team from winning.

 

[austingtir]

We've got way more injuries than you lot, but you have to admit the Wallabies played way better than anyone in NZ - you included - gave them credit for. Ultimately they dominated close to the last hour of play and only some inexperienced captaining from Hooper prevented the team from winning.

Australia played o.k. if they'd actually played way better they'd of wont the game! The major point of this game for me is Australia got alot of ball they didnt deserve which compounded the AB's position of not being able to do much. The AB's certainly didnt do themselves any favours on this and probably should of been able to work themselves out of that position. I still say its kinda similar to the France game in 2007 except arguably not as bad (officiating). And Australia was nowhere near as good as France.

If the shoe was on the other foot you cant tell me the AB's would not of won and won very well indeed.

Its history now and we'll have to wait for this weekend and see how good Australia actually is. Being at home with a 16th man is a big difference to the AB's at Eden park.

 

[RoosTah]

If the shoe was on the other foot you cant tell me the AB's would not of won and won very well indeed.

Its history now and we'll have to wait for this weekend and see how good Australia actually is. Being at home with a 16th man is a big difference to the AB's at Eden park.

If what shoe was on the other foot? There were plenty of bad calls both ways mate, you're the only person I've come across other than Steve Hanson who thinks the All Blacks were rorted. At the end of the day the All Blacks missed 20 tackles and couldn't hold onto the ball for more than a couple phases without either kicking it or dropping it, so I don't really know what you think would have happened if you got a really bias ref in your favour ala the RWC Final .

 

[nickdnz]

Ugghh, can we drop it. The referee was bad - I thought the All Blacks got more bad calls than Australia (quite a lot more), but to be honest it's probably because Australia had more ball and it's rare that referees generally penalize the attacking team more. Either way, no team was conclusively better as the score was 12-12. Neither team looked particularly dangerous. I'm fairly confident the All Blacks will win the next match at Eden Park, providing conditions are better and players play to their potential. An Australian fan may well think this is their year which is fine too. Can we not drag in games from three years ago just to antagonize one another?

 

[austingtir]

If what shoe was on the other foot? There were plenty of bad calls both ways mate, you're the only person I've come across other than Steve Hanson who thinks the All Blacks were rorted. At the end of the day the All Blacks missed 20 tackles and couldn't hold onto the ball for more than a couple phases without either kicking it or dropping it, so I don't really know what you think would have happened if you got a really bias ref in your favour ala the RWC Final .

Australia wouldnt of had enough ball to make us miss 20 tackles if we werent on the back foot with 14men for 20minutes + all the dodgy scrum calls! How hard is that for you to understand? Thats a massive advantage. The fact is the Ref stuffed up he admitted it even.

Australia had probably the second biggest chance of the last 10 years to convincingly beat NZ and the fluffed it.

 

[RoosTah]

Australia wouldnt of had enough ball to make us miss 20 tackles if we werent on the back foot with 14men for 20minutes + all the dodgy scrum calls! How hard is that for you to understand? Thats a massive advantage. The fact is the Ref stuffed up he admitted it even.

Australia had probably the second biggest chance of the last 10 years to convincingly beat NZ and the fluffed it.

Well either way mate, silly what-ifs aside, the All Blacks clearly aren't invincible - just like the Crusaders weren't .

 

[The Jones Boy]

Is Kaino the Colossus injured?

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Is Kaino the Colossus injured?

Yes, injured elbow; out for 4-6 weeks.

 

[Big Ewis]

Yes, injured elbow; out for 4-6 weeks.

it's all over. Bled Cup back to Aus. Game, set match, Wallabies by 20. No, 25.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Ben Franks > Crockett. Seriously, Crockett, I don't know what the selectors see in him.