Bledisloe III: Australia v New Zealand, 20/10/2012

[admartian]

Unlike Larksea, I fully expect Ben Smith to be named at first-five to give DC a rest; or just given a start.

Though that would be unfair as that'd be like having 25 men on the field.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

so will hansen be absent from all proceedings due to his father's passing? who will wear the coaches hat?

as mentioned, wont make a difference to the result. ABs are a professional enough outfit.

 

[Darwin]

The AIG All Blacks side has been named:

Starting XV:

1. Tony Woodcock (91)
2. Keven Mealamu (99)
3. Charlie Faumuina (3)
4. Brodie Retallick (9)
5. Samuel Whitelock (34)
6. Liam Messam (16)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (112)
8. Kieran Read (44)
9. Aaron Smith (9)
10. Daniel Carter (91)
11. Hosea Gear (12)
12. Ma'a Nonu (72)
13. Conrad Smith (62)
14. Cory Jane (37)
15. Israel Dagg (21)

Reserves:

16. Andrew Hore (71)
17. Owen Franks (40)
18. Luke Romano (7)
19. Victor Vito (16)
20. Piri Weepu (65)
21. Aaron Cruden (17)
22. Ben Smith (8)

A largely predictable side, with the only surprise being Faumuina starting. I don't mind seeing Faumuina given a start though - his scrummaging has improved immensely over the last couple of seasons, and though he is still a bit sloppy at times with ball in hand he brings another strong ball runner to the pack. The only other change in the starting XV sees Mealamu start in what will be an all Blues front row.

 

[Larksea]

yeah, no doubt Owen Franks is a very good prop, great at the scrum and good mobility around the field and tackles like a mad man. But he has almost no ability at all as a ball carrier. He seems to just get the ball flat footed and stand there and wait for the defense to hit him. maybe at best he will get one or two steps in.

Also got retallick starting, bit of a change there.

 

[Larksea]

so will hansen be absent from all proceedings due to his father's passing? who will wear the coaches hat?

as mentioned, wont make a difference to the result. ABs are a professional enough outfit.

Ian Foster will step up, I kinda expect Hansen wont travel for this game or have much involvement.

 

[admartian]

The AIG All Blacks side has been named:

This made me feel sick.

 

[james5000]

Should be a good win on the weekend with this very experienced team.

On a side note, why would you ever call them the AIG All Blacks? I'm all for sponsorship but they didn't buy a stake in the name lol.
Please don't ever do that again it really is offensive.

 

[Darwin]

yeah, no doubt Owen Franks is a very good prop, great at the scrum and good mobility around the field and tackles like a mad man. But he has almost no ability at all as a ball carrier. He seems to just get the ball flat footed and stand there and wait for the defense to hit him. maybe at best he will get one or two steps in.

Also got retallick starting, bit of a change there.

Retallick started in the last test (after Romano got so cut up he looked like Frankenstein after he previous test). I think it is really a 50:50 call between Romano and Retallick at the moment. Retallick is much better in the air and has a bigger work-rate, while Romano is a genuine TH lock who is stronger in the scrum and is a better ball carrier. I have been really happy with the way that Sam Whitelock has really stepped up this season and assumed the role of senior lock - hoping we get Boric back next season too, as that would give us 4 genuine test quality locks...

This made me feel sick.

Should be a good win on the weekend with this very experienced team.

On a side note, why would you ever call them the AIG All Blacks? I'm all for sponsorship but they didn't buy a stake in the name lol.
Please don't ever do that again it really is offensive.

I did that on purpose as a **** take (and to wind people up), and it was so worth it

I am considering sticking with the abbreviation AIGABs (American International Group All Blacks) for now

 

[james5000]

Retallick started in the last test (after Romano got so cut up he looked like Frankenstein after he previous test). I think it is really a 50:50 call between Romano and Retallick at the moment. Retallick is much better in the air and has a bigger work-rate, while Romano is a genuine TH lock who is stronger in the scrum and is a better ball carrier. I have been really happy with the way that Sam Whitelock has really stepped up this season and assumed the role of senior lock - hoping we get Boric back next season too, as that would give us 4 genuine test quality locks...

I'd take Retallick over Romano, I don't really think Romano carries the ball much better than Retallick. It's only marginal and Retallick has a much better work rate. Makes a ton of tackles and gets to a lot of breakdowns.

 

[admartian]

I did that on purpose as a **** take (and to wind people up), and it was so worth it :lol::lol::lol::lol:

I am considering sticking with the abbreviation AIGABs (American International Group All Blacks) for now

*SHAKES FIST*

Just for that, Ben Smith will fumble a lot, run for a total of -32m, and will be schooled by "Aussie" Mike Harris for a try...

 

[Larksea]

yeah I think Retallick had actually steeped over Romano in the pecking order. his fitness is phenomenal, his workrate on defense and at the rucks equals that of a loose forward and he's actually carrying the ball really well too

I think he hasn't really started much so far because he is only like 21 and he had a massive workload with the chiefs. They are just easing him in I think.

 

[Darwin]

I'd take Retallick over Romano, I don't really think Romano carries the ball much better than Retallick. It's only marginal and Retallick has a much better work rate. Makes a ton of tackles and gets to a lot of breakdowns.

I think Romano is a much better ball carrier in the open than Retallick - that is the main reason why they use him so often to set targets in the midfield from lineouts. I have been a bit frustrated with how often Romano has been used at first receiver as a passing option though, as his short passing game isn't that great, and he is much better being the ball runner (Messam would be much more effective in this role). Unless the AB's were up against a very strong scrummaging side I too would go with Retallick, because as you say, his vastly superior work-rate more than compensates for any advantages Romano has with ball in hand/ at scrum time.

*SHAKES FIST*

Just for that, Ben Smith will fumble a lot, run for a total of -32m, and will be schooled by "Aussie" Mike Harris for a try...

Ah, you jest. You know in your heart that would never happen.

 

[Larksea]

Bet the Aussies wish they could select Ben Smith right now

 

[admartian]

yeah I think Retallick had actually steeped over Romano in the pecking order. his fitness is phenomenal, his workrate on defense and at the rucks equals that of a loose forward and he's actually carrying the ball really well too

I think he hasn't really started much so far because he is only like 21 and he had a massive workload with the chiefs. They are just easing him in I think.

I prefer Retallick over Romano. Even with an expansive attack, we don't really lack the ball-carrying forwards. I'd rather some more balance and someone more in the mould of Thorn.

Ah, you jest. You know in your heart that would never happen.

I know....

But the lesson learn, you must.

Bet the Aussies wish they could select Ben Smith right now

lol why? Did they something to the effect that they don't need him?

 

[kovana]

I predict another NZ win.

No offense to the Aussies.

However, if QC had been playing with Will Genia in front of their home crowd at Suncorp.. i might be swayed into believing the Wobs could take it. But not this one.

NZ by 15 or less.

 

[Darwin]

Aussies continue dropping like flies - Ben Alexander now out with a wrist injury, with Slipper coming into the starting lineup, and Kepu (who is just back from injury) onto the bench.

 

[Larksea]

Hansen will travel with the AB's to Aussie today.

 

[Big Ewis]

I see nobody's bet on Australia so far...^_^

 

[ARCM]

I highly doubt an upset.

 

[Draggs]

Ben Alexander will miss the test owing to a wrist injury.
James Slipper will now start, with Sekope Kepu sitting on the bench.