RWC Semi Final: New Zealand - Australia (16-10-2011, 21:00)

[Isurus]

Just watched Matt Dunning on Breakdown talking about what Australia's approach to this game should be. Australia will back themselves if the scores are close with 10 minutes to go, so they should put together a game plan that limits the All Black point scoring opportunities. Which I guess means playing more conservatively - tighter, less expansive.

Don't mind them doing that at all! The biggest threat from Australia is their backs so if they take a conservative approach then that plays right into our hands.

 

[Dizzy]

Just watched Matt Dunning on Breakdown talking about what Australia's approach to this game should be. Australia will back themselves if the scores are close with 10 minutes to go, so they should put together a game plan that limits the All Black point scoring opportunities. Which I guess means playing more conservatively - tighter, less expansive.

Don't mind them doing that at all! The biggest threat from Australia is their backs so if they take a conservative approach then that plays right into our hands.

Dont mean to rain on Dunnings parade but every team against any team will back themselves if the scores are tight. Otherwise whats the point in turning up???

 

[nickdnz]

I recognize this feelling. It's when you've finished exams and you know your results are going to arrive shortly...and you're praying for a C.

 

[emilia]

All Blacks squad named:

Starting XV:

1. Tony Woodcock (81)
2. Keven Mealamu (90)
3. Owen Franks (29)
4. Samuel Whitelock (23)
5. Brad Thorn (57)
6. Jerome Kaino (46)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (101)
8. Kieran Read (34)
9. Piri Weepu (54)
10. Aaron Cruden (7)
11. Richard Kahui (15)
12. Ma'a Nonu (64)
13. Conrad Smith (53)
14. Cory Jane (29)
15. Israel Dagg (10)
Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore (60)
17. Ben Franks (14)
18. Ali Williams (71)
19. Victor Vito (12)
20. Andy Ellis (24)
21. Stephen Donald (22)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (12)


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10758949

 

[Dizzy]

Predictable squad. And a good one at that. Looking forward to seeing how Cruden goes with a start against the Aussies. Here's hoping for a blinder.

 

[Darwin]

Yep a predictable squad as you say. The only (slight) surprise is the inclusion of Andy Ellis over Jimmy Cowan on the bench - I'm not a huge fan of Ellis, but he certainly looks to be in better form than Cowan, so deserves his spot.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I recognize this feelling. It's when you've finished exams and you know your results are going to arrive shortly...and you're praying for a C.

This!

no real surprises in the squad, i did hav a sly hope gear would get a shot from the bench thought

 

[jawmalawm24]

Just hope Donald doesnt win it for Australia this time and kicks the ball out when hes supposed to.

 

[Larksea]

predictable strong lineup only talking points are on the bench with Vito over Thomson and Elis over Cowan both are good choices.

The run on 15 is quite clearly NZ's strongest, I Honestly can't see any selection issues there. The forward pack in particular has such a solid and established feel about it. Could argue maybe Hore should start but it's close. Mealamu looks to be on the improve and he does play well against Australia.

Really like this back 3. Kahui, Jane, dagg but I'm hoping for a big game from the smith & Nonu combination.

And the most important part of the backline again is Weepu, key is for him to stay on as long as he can or until the game is in the bag. But IMO he actually looks in very good shape.

Definitely no Howlett missing out, McAlister over Mauger or Mills at 13 type selection issues to complain about this time.

 

[Dizzy]

Hahahahaha agree with that last comment Larksea

 

[Shaggy]

All Blacks squad named:

Starting XV:

1. Tony Woodcock (81)
2. Keven Mealamu (90)
3. Owen Franks (29)
4. Samuel Whitelock (23)
5. Brad Thorn (57)
6. Jerome Kaino (46)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (101)
8. Kieran Read (34)
9. Piri Weepu (54)
10. Aaron Cruden (7)
11. Richard Kahui (15)
12. Ma'a Nonu (64)
13. Conrad Smith (53)
14. Cory Jane (29)
15. Israel Dagg (10)
Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore (60)
17. Ben Franks (14)
18. Ali Williams (71)
19. Victor Vito (12)
20. Andy Ellis (24)
21. Stephen Donald (22)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (12)


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10758949

That's a pretty predictably line up given the injuries etc

... the main talking points are Mealamu over Hore in the starting line up (covered already in the thread)
... and Andy Ellis on the bench ahead of Jimmie Cowan, perhaps indicating that they want to play with width/quicker distribution, later in the match ... and SBW over Toeava (more impact perhaps)

I'm quietly confident the AB's will win this by a comfortable margin on the scoreboard by the time the full time whistle is blown ... not to say that they absolutely WILL WIN, or that it wont be close for most of the match

... I can't wait for this game, ... strangely, i'm not actually apprehensive at all

 

[Dizzy]

That's a pretty predictably line up given the injuries etc

... the main talking points are Mealamu over Hore in the starting line up (covered already in the thread)
... and Andy Ellis on the bench ahead of Jimmie Cowan, perhaps indicating that they want to play with width/quicker distribution, later in the match ... and SBW over Toeava (more impact perhaps)

I'm quietly confident the AB's will win this by a comfortable margin on the scoreboard by the time the full time whistle is blown ... not to say that they absolutely WILL WIN, or that it wont be close for most of the match

... I can't wait for this game, ... strangely, i'm not actually apprehensive at all

Let us pray!

 

[Larksea]

Just hope Donald doesnt win it for Australia this time and kicks the ball out when hes supposed to.

The Key is actually the kick chase, watch the Eden park game from AB's vs Aussie this year and compare the kick chase to hong kong last year. The AB's chase was superb in eden park, Smith and Nonu in particular.

All eyes turn to the wallabies team naming now and if Beale will make the side. Though we may not know till later, he may be named and given till game day to prove his fitness.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR][TD] New Zealand [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] Australia [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Israel Dagg [/TD][TD] 15 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Cory Jane [/TD][TD] 14 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Conrad Smith [/TD][TD] 13 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ma'a Nonu [/TD][TD] 12 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Richard Kahui [/TD][TD] 11 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Aaron Cruden [/TD][TD] 10 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Piri Weepu [/TD][TD] 9 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Kieran Read [/TD][TD] 8 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Richie McCaw [/TD][TD] 7 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Jerome Kaino [/TD][TD] 6 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Brad Thorn [/TD][TD] 5 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Sam Whitelock [/TD][TD] 4 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Owen Franks [/TD][TD] 3 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Keven Mealamu [/TD][TD] 2 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Tony Woodcock [/TD][TD] 1 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Andrew Hore [/TD][TD] 16 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ben Franks [/TD][TD] 17 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ali Williams [/TD][TD] 18 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Victor Vito [/TD][TD] 19 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Andy Ellis [/TD][TD] 20 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Stephen Donald [/TD][TD] 21 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Sonny Bill Williams [/TD][TD] 22 [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Bryan Selwood]

This is the best possible team, very strong

 

[Blacktrick]

That's a pretty predictably line up given the injuries etc

... the main talking points are Mealamu over Hore in the starting line up (covered already in the thread)
... and Andy Ellis on the bench ahead of Jimmie Cowan, perhaps indicating that they want to play with width/quicker distribution, later in the match ... and SBW over Toeava (more impact perhaps)

I'm quietly confident the AB's will win this by a comfortable margin on the scoreboard by the time the full time whistle is blown ... not to say that they absolutely WILL WIN, or that it wont be close for most of the match

... I can't wait for this game, ... strangely, i'm not actually apprehensive at all

it's good to see there ARE other supporters feeling the same way !!

 

[Blacktrick]

predictable strong lineup only talking points are on the bench with Vito over Thomson and Elis over Cowan both are good choices.

The run on 15 is quite clearly NZ's strongest, I Honestly can't see any selection issues there. The forward pack in particular has such a solid and established feel about it. Could argue maybe Hore should start but it's close. Mealamu looks to be on the improve and he does play well against Australia.

Really like this back 3. Kahui, Jane, dagg but I'm hoping for a big game from the smith & Nonu combination.

And the most important part of the backline again is Weepu, key is for him to stay on as long as he can or until the game is in the bag. But IMO he actually looks in very good shape.

Definitely no Howlett missing out, McAlister over Mauger or Mills at 13 type selection issues to complain about this time

Re the last comment , in 2007 I felt like knocking Mr Henrys block off with his non selection of some of the players in that quarter finaland the brain explosion of NOT taking a drop goal in that last 10 minutes or so of that game !! Phew, End of rant, feel better now 

 

[cardassian]

Really happy with this line-up, the only thing I'd even consider changing is Hore in for big Kev but it's a close call between the two and I might be bias coming from the Naki anyway.
Strangely was very nervous early in the week but as it's progressed have gotten more and more confident that we'll win.
Even feel quite confident that Donald will play really well if he comes on.
Go the All Blacks, smash 'em in the forwards and dazzle them in the backs.

 

[dan the man nz]

i predict cruden will make a name for himself in this game, his running game is a huge strength and without having to worry about kicking goals, he could do something special, haha thats what were counting on! game of the century (to date)

 

[Siva Tau]

Hore would be great for the early tough going and Mealamu to expose later what has to be a tired Wallaby forward pack after last week. Shame that would be my only change