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

[Jaguares]

I was disappointed at how 'Dingo Deans' was treated. He did a lot of great things for Australia, like blooding new players and winning the tournament. Sure he had a poor record against NZ, but who doesn't? What he did during his tenure will set up the Wallabies for the next 5 years.

In terms of this match I would like to see Australia win and take back the Cup. It would be a great confidence boost to the team but also remind NZ that other nations are closing the gap fast.

Yeah, Deans for me not was so bad with Wallabies, the Australian media were very bad against him just because he's a Kiwi

 

[Gavin]

I think they were hoping Deans would provide them with the secret (similar to the Holy Grail) which would help them beat the All Blacks.

It sort of stuttered the international career of Deans because I think he is a top notch coach and could take the reigns of New Zealand.

 

[RoosTah]

I think they were hoping Deans would provide them with the secret (similar to the Holy Grail) which would help them beat the All Blacks.

It sort of stuttered the international career of Deans because I think he is a top notch coach and could take the reigns of New Zealand.

Yeah, a similar thing happened with State of Origin a few years back funnily enough. The highly successful premiership winning coach of the Melbourne Storm, Craig Bellamy, was made coach of the Blues in 2008 after Queensland had won three in a row.

The core of the Queensland team all played for Melbourne (their feeder clubs are all in Brisbane), so it was believed Bellamy could dismantle them. Just like Deans, he started with a win and everyone got their hopes up, but it was quickly shown that it's harder to coach against your superstars than to just coach them yourself. As a result, after losing two series, Bellamy lost the job and was accused of being too close to the Qld players and all kinds of crap.

 

[austingtir]

I think they were hoping Deans would provide them with the secret (similar to the Holy Grail) which would help them beat the All Blacks.

It sort of stuttered the international career of Deans because I think he is a top notch coach and could take the reigns of New Zealand.

I think his asistant stint under John Mitchell did him alot more damage than the Australia stint over there.

He'd probably need to coach the Saders again (or another side) and win the comp before he'd get a look in again. And I still doubt he'd ever get the job.

ATM its a bit of a old boys network Hansen is likely to hand it over to Wayne Smith I suspect when he's done.

 

[Darwin]

I'm quietly confident of a good AB's win here. We also seem to perform much better after a 'flat' performance. It would be good to see our outside backs get a bit of space to move, as (for a change) we actually have a bit of a speed advantage out wide

I'm picking the AB's by 10-15. Ben Smith to score a couple of tries

 

[squirrel]

gotta feeling the wallabies are gonna struggle big time tonight

 

[Jaguares]

I just woke up, here is 3:20 am. I enjoy this f**king sport!!!

 

[Guilty]

Very excited for tonight's game. I usually pick the safe prediction but I am going to go against the grain and say that I think the Wallabies are going to get the historic win tonight. Call me crazy but I just believe that Australian Rugby is finally undergoing a cultural and mental revolution where they believe they can be the number one side in the world again. I think you can draw alot of parrellels between the Wallabies and Waratahs, both sides have been serial underachievers who have lacked that winning culture, self belief and killer instinct needed to become great teams in the past. Both McKenzie and Cheika have done excellent jobs (separately) of instilling a sense of pride and self belief that I think has been missing. I have been waiting a long, long, long time to see this attitude adjustment and I think it has finally happened.

Conversely, the All Blacks are as beatable as they have been in recent memory and while they are still the best, they will not go through the RC undefeated this year.

I am not saying the Wallabies are certainly going to win, the AB's are favorites and rightfully so but I just believe in our lads. All records are meant to be broken and no period of dominantion lasts forever - it really looks like the Wallabies understand this now. Hopefully they prove me right.

Anyone else going to call the upset?

 

[TheSaffycen]

I think Ben Smith is going too run the show tonight and the All Blacks will win by 11.

 

[Bluemoon]

Different level of intensity from the ABs already for me. If they keep it up then I can't see another winner. Aus need to cut out the knock ons and weather this AB storm.

 

[austingtir]

The only way Dagg is going to get back into this side is though injury. For me he should be put out to pasture and bring Piutau in.

 

[Jaguares]

ABs look very angry today/tonight...

 

[austingtir]

ABs look very angry today...

And rightly so....

 

[Jaguares]

HUGE tackle by Aaron Cruden!

 

[Bluemoon]

Hmm, anyone else think Cruden was a bit lucky with that tackle? Lifted man in the air, dropped hime on back, penalty, no yellow?

 

[Chikwa]

Jaco pyper at it again!

 

[austingtir]

Thats a huge call by the Ref there. Mccaw was all over the show since the start of this game. He is FAAAR from done with. Carter on the other hand is imo.

 

[Thingimubob]

Is this where the NZ fans start saying the ref is against them

Also was that seriously only his 2nd ever international yellow card?!

 

[TheSaffycen]

Holy **** McCaw carded !!!!!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's only Richie's 2nd international yellow?!
I was about to say how the ABs looked far more disciplined in their defence then, on the goal line, then Mccaw goes and does something so stupid then.

If he was anyone other than Mccaw I don't think he'd make the RWC, he's been a liability these last two weeks, and his form isn't making up for these stupid stupid penalties.

Hmm, anyone else think Cruden was a bit lucky with that tackle? Lifted man in the air, dropped hime on back, penalty, no yellow?

That's what I thought, too.
I don't think it should've been a penalty at all, but to the letter of the law it should have been. Lucky escape.