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

[smartcooky]

The winning streak is gone but we can't set the record for most games undefeated.

Yes we can

It currently stands at 23, and we hold that record....

NZL -vs- ALL , longest undefeated streak (incl. draws)

The AB's are currently on the longest undefeated streak since professionalism began "globally"

 

[Big Ewis]

Srs fkng amazing. There's no sport at int'l level where the no.1 team is that much better than all the rest.
They really owned the RC, wouldn't have bet they'd go perfect tbh. Because we get used to seeing them winning obviously, and in our little minds, the logic is that they're basically gods and their medium efforts equal HUGE efforts for the other team. But that's wrong, it's a start-from-scratch new challenge each time, a new anatomy of a test match, a new mindset each and every time. And they still get them. It's not like a war where every team has mere spears and they have machine guns, no, we all have a XV and they have a XV and they get us still very very often.

So in that streak, the only times they were in srs danger of losing have been the RWC Final against us and this very test, then.

 

[smartcooky]

So in that streak, the only times they were in srs danger of losing have been the RWC Final against us and this very test, then.

I would count the second Ireland test this year as a "got out of jail" performance too!



Also, here's an Interesting development. I have just had an email from my "source" in the NZRU...

Higginbotham has been cited twice for the two actions in the one incident

[TEXTAREA]Law 10.4(a) -- Striking with knee
Low End – 3 weeks
Mid-Range – 8 weeks
Top End - 12+ weeks[/TEXTAREA]

[TEXTAREA]Law 10.4(a) -- Striking with head
Low End – 4 weeks
Mid-Range – 10 weeks
Top End - 16+ weeks[/TEXTAREA]

Given that he deliberately kneed McCaw in the head (that much is obvious for all to see) then aggravated it by head-butting him, Higginbotham is going to have a difficult time convincing the Judicial Officer that he is remorseful for the second one.

If he is found guilty of both, even if given the Low End sanctions, he could go for seven weeks because the two charges are separate and could be served consecutively

[TEXTAREA]Regulation 17.19.8
17.19.8 In cases of multiple offending, Disciplinary Committees and Judicial Officers may impose sanctions to run either on a concurrent or a consecutive basis provided that the total
sanction is in all the circumstances proportionate to the level of the overall offending.[/TEXTAREA]

He could also end up with two suspensions on his disciplinary record.

 

[RWC2011Fan]

Srs fkng amazing. There's no sport at int'l level where the no.1 team is that much better than all the rest.
They really owned the RC, wouldn't have bet they'd go perfect tbh. Because we get used to seeing them winning obviously, and in our little minds, the logic is that they're basically gods and their medium efforts equal HUGE efforts for the other team. But that's wrong, it's a start-from-scratch new challenge each time, a new anatomy of a test match, a new mindset each and every time. And they still get them. It's not like a war where every team has mere spears and they have machine guns, no, we all have a XV and they have a XV and they get us still very very often.

So in that streak, the only times they were in srs danger of losing have been the RWC Final against us and this very test, then.

What about the 2nd test against Ireland?

 

[easy2288]

A very disappointing ALL BLACKS performance. Many players do not deserved to wear the ALL BLACKS jerseys based their performance yesterday. DaN carter should not try the drop kick at the last moment and should have went for the try line. This is not the first time he has try to do some fanciful act. I hate it when when I see ALL BLACKS do such act.... In one of Rugby Championship game, Dan was just 2m away from the try line and he did another fanciful act and pass the ball... And the ball went out.

Hansen was there with the team even during mourning of his dad. He deserved a much better performance from the boys.

He should drop some non-performer for the coming Europe trip. They are many players waiting in the line...no one is for sure selection and take things for granted.

 

[Sam Owen]

It wouldve been good to see the Wallies come away with the win. They were so close as the ABs were ripe for the picking.

Like most of our posters, I'd have to agree that it was a messy game. Maybe player burnout is creeping in for some of the players for both teams.

 

[nickdnz]

A very disappointing ALL BLACKS performance. Many players do not deserved to wear the ALL BLACKS jerseys based their performance yesterday. DaN carter should not try the drop kick at the last moment and should have went for the try line. This is not the first time he has try to do some fanciful act. I hate it when when I see ALL BLACKS do such act.... In one of Rugby Championship game, Dan was just 2m away from the try line and he did another fanciful act and pass the ball... And the ball went out.

Hansen was there with the team even during mourning of his dad. He deserved a much better performance from the boys.

He should drop some non-performer for the coming Europe trip. They are many players waiting in the line...no one is for sure selection and take things for granted.

Huh? Dan Carter's drop goal gave us a win against Ireland. I agree that we should have held onto the ball till we got a penalty (if we couldn't score a try in 84 minutes of the game, I doubt we'd have got it in the 85th), but I'm not unhappy with Dan Carter attempting drop goals to win matches. They're a part of the game and they've won World Cups, Heineken Cups, Tri Nations games, Super Rugby Games etc. Had we been able to do them well in 2007 and we wouldn't have lost to France. No reason we shouldn't be able to do it - and it takes an awful lot of guts to try it. Had it gone 4-5 metres the other way - and everyone would be estatic. Can't praise something while it works and criticise it when it doesn't.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Interestingly, I actually thought Messam was one of the better performers on the night - bit strange to hear other's thoughts. Running sideways too much? He made ground from every carry, didn't he?

 

[Big Ewis]

smartcooky:
yeah you're right. Ireland second test too. But Ireland was on form and NZ just didn't seem inspired as they usually are. And "out of jail" ? I dunno, it's pretty fkn heroic that Carter won it at the last second !...

Do you think this 3d Bledisloe tie will instill doubt and loss of confidence to the AB's just before entering the month of Nov., or that it's a wake-up call and that they may have been playing routinely this time out and will enforce their will and performance to make sure they send a message to Europe and the world ?

 

[tenpm]

I don't think so. I find that the All Blacks tend to underperform in matches where everyone is thinking, "Of course they'll win this one. They'll completely dominate the opposition." See: RWC final, this match, and I think the second test against Irish - the general consensus seemed to be that Ireland was going to struggle in Christchurch and would have a better chance in Hamilton. On the other hand, when a close match is predicted, they often do better.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

As an Aussie, I'll take this as a win, we should have attempted the drop goal first after 14 phases without a penalty though, you have to take matters into your own hands, if beale had a shot and missed (ball went dead), it would have been the same result and it almost came undone for the wallabies as they gave away a penalty in attack (trying to milk a penatly of their own) and the ball ended up 70 metres down the park. I almost shot myself in the foot as I sent my kiwi mate (loves carter) a message saying "carter is wearing 2 right boots tonight" after he misses a penalty, lucky he missed that drop goal otherwise i'd have looked real stupid.

My opinion on the mccaw-higginbotham incident was that higginbotham initially motioned toward mccaw with intent, but I believe there was nothing in that "knee". mccaw retaliated and the repeated headbutts from higginbotham were there for all to see. i think he'll definitely go for the headbutt, but the knee was negligible. i thought coopers knee was a lot worse and he got nothing for it.

 

[RyotoTheDragon]

i thought coopers knee was a lot worse and he got nothing for it.

Same here, I couldnt believe Cooper got off for that knee. Im guessing Higginbotha will get nothing for that, maybe not for his weak headbutt.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

hey watch this, how the hell did TPN get away with what looks like a head high late shoulder charge on jane just after he chip kicks it?

 

[smartcooky]

Same here, I couldnt believe Cooper got off for that knee. Im guessing Higginbotha will get nothing for that, maybe not for his weak headbutt.

Landscape with regard to concussion and impacts to the head have changed since then. I think this will be Significant.

I expect Higginbotham to get no less than two weeks and no more than five.

 

[TNT88]

Yea, should have been a penalty on TPN. But look what happens when you miss these things as a ref? It always escalates, and in this case 15 seconds later.

 

[nickdnz]

Landscape with regard to concussion and impacts to the head have changed since then. I think this will be Significant.

I expect Higginbotham to get no less than two weeks and no more than five.

In scenario one that means he'll miss a grand total of 0 matches...Five weeks seems more fair - especially considering Higgenbotham was the same against McCaw last game - showing there obviously was intent. Weeks really need to be changed to games, otherwise they're pretty meaningless at this level.

 

[TNT88]

I'm sure the terminology "2 weeks" is the same as "2 games".

The citing commissioner seems to like using "weeks" as a guide in his final verdict, because it makes his suspensions sound longer (so 2 games ends up as "5 weeks" in this sort of case)

 

[smartcooky]

I'm sure the terminology "2 weeks" is the same as "2 games".

The citing commissioner seems to like using "weeks" as a guide in his final verdict, because it makes his suspensions sound longer (so 2 games ends up as "5 weeks" in this sort of case)

Of course, five weeks is what will go on his disciplinary record, which would count against him more than two weeks would the next time he's on the mat!

 

[smartcooky]

Higginbotham got four weeks suspension, which covers two matches.

He will miss Australia's matches against France and England. With the third match being v Italy, I doubt they will take him in the tour.

Here's the official report
[TEXTAREA]Duty Judicial Officer, Jannie Lubbe SC, assessed the case and having reviewed the incident, the reports by the referee and
Citing Commissioner as well as a medical report from the All Blacks team doctor and submissions by the legal representatives
of the Player, Mr Lubbe SC concluded:

1. Both incidents are categorised as low entry level. The hitting with the knee was more of a bump than a hit. The head butt
was reckless and not executed with much force. McCaw was not injured and play resumed.
2. The Player has an exemplary disciplinary record and at the age of 26 it was his first appearance before a Judiciary.
3. The Player pleaded guilty and placed on record that he and McCaw shook hands after the match and that there are no ill feelings.

As such Higginbotham has been suspended for two weeks on each count from all forms of the game.
Mr Lubbe SC determined a sanction of two weeks on both counts to run concurrently, which was agreed upon by Higginbotham, to be
appropriate. To make the sanction effective Higginbotham will miss the next two Test matches that will be played on 10 and 17 November.[/TEXTAREA]

Effectively, he now has two, two week suspensions on his disciplinary record.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Very fair, I think.

Aussie's views?