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

[InsaneAsylum]

how come you guys were nervous and now confident? what has changed? i'm still ******** myself over this result.

basically, people were a bit shaky about cruden/donald early in the week and now everyones saying that cruden will take the game by the scruff of the neck. now it's the best/strongest team.

 

[ACT1NUP]

Wallabies made 147 odd tackles last week-end compared to the 47odd NZ made. Probably the only stat that will play a real part this week-end. Good to see the pack has been maintained I'm expecting them to try and absolutely pummell the Aussies into the ground every time they even catch the ball. Taking the Wallabies pack out has to be the number one goal of this game. If the ABs don't do it convincingly it's going to be a hell of a game.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

fair point about the tackles made, but if you hit a cut of meat with a tenderising mallet, doesn't it get better?

also, isn't it the whole idea of forwards to physically pummel eachother. i don't see this game being different to any other game of rugby.

 

[donmcdazzle]

how come you guys were nervous and now confident? what has changed? i'm still ******** myself over this result.

basically, people were a bit shaky about cruden/donald early in the week and now everyones saying that cruden will take the game by the scruff of the neck. now it's the best/strongest team.

People are probably trying to talk themselves into not being nervous. I myself am still extremely nervous about this one. Still worried about Cruden too, and no this isn't our strongest team! If our forwards aren't dominating and Ellis comes on I'm even more worried!

 

[ACT1NUP]

Yeah it is the whole idea but something easier said than done. I just remember one of the forwards talking about being embarrassed (Thorn?) what happened in the last game against Aus, well the first half anyway. AB pack will be wanting to restore pride and what better place to do it than in the Semis against the 2nd placed team in the world. I think the Wallaby pack will be a bit sore after last week (and what team wouldnt after defending like they did!) and adrenaline will only get you so far. I think it's our only real advantage as backs on backs probably cancel eachother out, even with Carter missing.

 

[dan the man nz]

theres many reasons why cruden will do well:

hes played heaps with four of the seven backs in this line up, most importantly the guys eithier side of him such as weepu and nonu, and then theres smith and jane, allmost a hurricanes backline infact

then theres the way he stepped up in the last test, for a guy fresh to the squad with all that pressure he really did excel

he doesnt need to worry about kicking goals

hes played cooper and genia this year and won

hes had plenty of rugby in the itm cup, having a few blinders

and lastly he guy has nothing to lose, if hed been there all along then sure they'd be heaps of pressure, as there is on cooper after playing poorly so far this tournament, but instead he can only be a hero, not a villian

 

[InsaneAsylum]

true, cruden has played well. i watched manawatu v wellington and he had it on a string. and yes he has nothing to lose, he can only be the all blacks saviour.

 

[Bryan Selwood]

A lot of us are still nervous but I think people have finally realised we still have a very strong team. Having Kahui and Dagg back in the team helps and Cruden played well last week. It's the strongest team available currently

 

[Larksea]

fair point about the tackles made, but if you hit a cut of meat with a tenderising mallet, doesn't it get better?

also, isn't it the whole idea of forwards to physically pummel eachother. i don't see this game being different to any other game of rugby.

If by better you mean Tender and easier to cut then yes

 

[Tricia McMillan]

true, cruden has played well. i watched manawatu v wellington and he had it on a string. and yes he has nothing to lose, he can only be the all blacks saviour.

This exactly. If he doesn't play well we'll forgive him because he's young and inexperienced. If he pulls a performance out and wrecks the Wallabies he'll be a national sporting hero.

 

[Dizzy]

theres many reasons why cruden will do well:

hes played heaps with four of the seven backs in this line up, most importantly the guys eithier side of him such as weepu and nonu, and then theres smith and jane, allmost a hurricanes backline infact

then theres the way he stepped up in the last test, for a guy fresh to the squad with all that pressure he really did excel

he doesnt need to worry about kicking goals

hes played cooper and genia this year and won

hes had plenty of rugby in the itm cup, having a few blinders

and lastly he guy has nothing to lose, if hed been there all along then sure they'd be heaps of pressure, as there is on cooper after playing poorly so far this tournament, but instead he can only be a hero, not a villian

I hate remarks like this. They mean so little!. Do people forget it's a team sport or something?

 

[dan the man nz]

does anyone feel our kicking is more limited than aussy:

barnes + genia + cooper + oconnor + beale (hopefully hes playing too) vs weepu + cruden + dagg

 

[Dizzy]

I'd say that's irrelevant. You only need a couple of kickers, not an entire backline.

 

[dan the man nz]

im just talking about his confidence levels mate, no need to get upset about it, im sure knowing hes on a simalar level to them will help his mental game alot.. do you disagree ?

i dislike people who look for an argument

 

[Darwin]

I'd say that's irrelevant. You only need a couple of kickers, not an entire backline.

I tend to agree with you there - Australia had many more kicking options than South Africa last week, yet spend most of their time pinned in their own territory. Cruden is a much better kicker than he was when he first was in the AB's, and I think between him, Weepu, and Dagg (who has a massive punt) the AB's kicking game should be fine.

 

[Dizzy]

Now who's looking for an arguement?? You weren't talking about anyones confidence. You just stated that Aussie had a wider range of kickers than us and I stated that I feel it's irrelevant. How's that asking for an arguement?.

 

[Dizzy]

I tend to agree with you there - Australia had many more kicking options than South Africa last week, yet spend most of their time pinned in their own territory. Cruden is a much better kicker than he was when he first was in the AB's, and I think between him, Weepu, and Dagg (who has a massive punt) the AB's kicking game should be fine.

Thank you. . Yes Cruden has improved immensely since his ommission from the All Blacks. It's like he was willing to do anything to get that Black jersey back.

 

[Bryan Selwood]

I find it rather amusing that 5 of the starting backs for the All Blacks played for the Hurricanes this season - probably the most under performing team in the Super 15 this year.

 

[ranger]

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.

The key is actually putting it in the stands!

 

[Dizzy]

Don't forget all the starting Hurricanes played little rugby for the Canes this year.