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

[ranger]

Speaking of Aaron Smith.... I get the feeling that Jimmy Cowan may find his starting spot at the Highlanders under a bit of pressure from Smith this year. Cowan is still a great competitor and an exceptional defender but now that the Highlanders have a semi-competitive backline I feel that Smith's brilliant distribution game could be a real asset.

How Keats and Eaton ever got in the Canes over him is a complete mystery. To think they could have had Weepu, Smith and Parenara as their three halfbacks next year makes me sad. Also the fact that Smith and Cruden have to split at super level is a travesty.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Speaking of Aaron Smith.... I get the feeling that Jimmy Cowan may find his starting spot at the Highlanders under a bit of pressure from Smith this year. Cowan is still a great competitor and an exceptional defender but now that the Highlanders have a semi-competitive backline I feel that Smith's brilliant distribution game could be a real asset.

i'm hoping JJ puts some thought into this, the slade/Lima/A Smith axis could be very good for us. Three raising stars (not saying they are the best in NZ or should all be AB's right now) all coming through together.

I have often thought players should be selected for ab's in combos, so the best first five/half back combo could quite possibly be better the the best first five and the best half back...if that make sense...same goes for front rows and midfield combs...IMO

 

[ranger]

i'm hoping JJ puts some thought into this, the slade/Lima/A Smith axis could be very good for us. Three raising stars (not saying they are the best in NZ or should all be AB's right now) all coming through together.

I have often thought players should be selected for ab's in combos, so the best first five/half back combo could quite possibly be better the the best first five and the best half back...if that make sense...same goes for front rows and midfield combs...IMO

1)Macintosh
2)Hore
3)King
4)Bekhuis
5)Hoeata
6)Thompson
7)Hardie
8)Manu
9)Smith
10)Slade
11)Gear
12)Sopoaga
13)Smith/Ellison
14)Poki
15)Ellison/Smith

16)Rutledge
17)Fia
18)Tuineau
19)Crosswell
20)Cowan
21)Treeby
22)Piutau/Veainu

Best Highlanders side since the Wilson era. A bit on the small side in the backs but that didnt hurt them this year.

 

[Darwin]

I think physicality in the backs will be one of the biggest issues for the Highlanders next year, though the inclusion of Gear will certainly help! Assuming everyone is fit I think the back three of Gear/Poki/Smith more or less picks itself (though Ben Smith is capable in the midfield); who will play in the midfield is really up in the air at this stage though. I thought Treeby had a good debut season at 12 last year, so may have the inside running at the start of the season - I'd probably look at pairing him with Ellison. However I wouldn't mind seeing a Treeby/Lynn, Treeby/Piutau, Ellison/Lynn, or an Ellison/Piutau pairing - it is great to have options for a change! Playing Sopoaga at 12 is an intriguing prospect, but I'd be tempted to match him with a more physical centre (Piutau or even Treeby, who is very physical despite his size).

The only weakness I see in the starting forward pack is openside flanker. Hardie is a very good player at ITM Cup level, but hasn't really stepped up at Super Rugby level. I was calling for him to get more chances next year (at the expense of Soakai), but whenever he got a chance he didn't really do anything of note - his tackle rate was very low too. If Eben Joubert could stay fit for more than a couple of games he would be a good option, but he can't seem to manage that. Perhaps the Highlanders could look to import a promising young 7, but I'm not sure who is available (and whether they are better than Hardie, Boys, Ioane etc). I'm not sure about the Highlanders locking options behind Hoeata and Bekhuis either. Donnelly is gone, and it is rumored that Tuineau is leaving too (and Joseph doesn't rate him either, as his fitness levels are very poor). Ramsey looked quite good for Otago this year, though is a bit limited. It could be a case of targeting some up and coming locks to fill the void.

 

[Dizzy]

I think it's funny how the Aussies are defending Cooper after this game. If I played for the Wallabies, I'd be furious that my first five fuc*** up that bad in MY semi-final against the best team in the world. Graham Henry got it right on the money with what he said about Cooper after the game and for Deans to back his first five like that, it's a damn shambles.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Let's not forget kurt baker should be back

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

i'm hoping JJ puts some thought into this, the slade/Lima/A Smith axis could be very good for us. Three raising stars (not saying they are the best in NZ or should all be AB's right now) all coming through together.

I have often thought players should be selected for ab's in combos, so the best first five/half back combo could quite possibly be better the the best first five and the best half back...if that make sense...same goes for front rows and midfield combs...IMO

I'm looking forward to seeing Cruden and Kerr-Barlow combine for the Chiefs next season!

 

[james5000]

Just thinking today, are all you traitors that put hundreds on the Aussies to win happy lol.
I think it must have spoiled a good victory haha, I know there were a number of you salivating over the odds last week.

 

[nickdnz]

It's kinda gutting to be a Hurricanes supporter right now. We win with an all Canes backline barring Dagg, and now everyone is looking forward to all the great combos that their teams will get from the Canes. We've lost everyone.

 

[donmcdazzle]

How Keats and Eaton ever got in the Canes over him is a complete mystery. To think they could have had Weepu, Smith and Parenara as their three halfbacks next year makes me sad. Also the fact that Smith and Cruden have to split at super level is a travesty.

You can blame the dickheads in Wellington rugby who continue to pick Wellington academy players over performers from other provinces, most notably Manawatu (who won't have a single hurricane next year). Wound me up to no end when I saw the **** service Cruden was getting from Eaton and Keats this year behind a dogtucker pack.. no wonder he battled. They both should be running the canes backline behind a hard working pack made up of Hawkes Bay, Turbo's and Taranaki forwards now Weepu et all have bailed from the 'Canes. Instead once again they'll have a shite pack and an even worse backline. Morons have been ruining the canes for years.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

So much Quade Cooper hate.... there were 14 other players who did absolutely dick all that game.

 

[madflyhalf]

That what I really think of this match.

You can't blame QC for this match, when there were only 1 sufficient player in the first 8 men (Pocock IMO, but just with his tackles, because NZ shut him down superbly).

All Australians have been below par this weekend, and I really think that it's due to the QF against SA, too physical and too wearing to recover at this stage of the tournament, especially coming into NZ game.

Each player has been first of all outpaced by his counterparts, but credit to them they tried anything they could, they stood up until the end, they battled but it was too little.

NZ were better and fresher in all the match.


This is not the RWC of Australia, I think anyone knew that, but surely is a great experience for this young group of talented guy, whose future looks so bright, and it looks bright for almost everyone, it could even be the same team of these days (surely it won't!), because of their age.
Rob Horne, Barnes, QC, Genia, Beale and JOC, Horwill, Simmons, Pocock, Kepu, Slipper, Ioane, even Moore or AAC could be again involved in RWC, looking so fu***g good.
It could be pretty much the same team seen in this tournament: don't understimate this factor!

In 4 years time, they will be stronger, more experienced, smarter and more hungry than today.
They will remember what went wrong, what went good, how does it feel to lose and what it takes to win big games.


I bet they will be the team to beat in 2015.

 

[Darwin]

That what I really think of this match.

You can't blame QC for this match, when there were only 1 sufficient player in the first 8 men (Pocock IMO, but just with his tackles, because NZ shut him down superbly).

All Australians have been below par this weekend, and I really think that it's due to the QF against SA, too physical and too wearing to recover at this stage of the tournament, especially coming into NZ game.

Each player has been first of all outpaced by his counterparts, but credit to them they tried anything they could, they stood up until the end, they battled but it was too little.

NZ were better and fresher in all the match.

This is not the RWC of Australia, I think anyone knew that, but surely is a great experience for this young group of talented guy, whose future looks so bright, and it looks bright for almost everyone, it could even be the same team of these days (surely it won't!), because of their age.
Rob Horne, Barnes, QC, Genia, Beale and JOC, Horwill, Simmons, Pocock, Kepu, Slipper, Ioane, even Moore or AAC could be again involved in RWC, looking so fu***g good.
It could be pretty much the same team seen in this tournament: don't understimate this factor!

In 4 years time, they will be stronger, more experienced, smarter and more hungry than today.
They will remember what went wrong, what went good, how does it feel to lose and what it takes to win big games.

I bet they will be the team to beat in 2015.

I agree with most of that. Australia should certainly be in a much better position come RWC 2015, though Wales could also have a very good team by then too, and you know the AB's will be strong (4 under 20 ***les in row shows that there is plenty of young talent coming through!). I think over the next couple of years Australia may overtake the AB's at the top of the world rankings while the AB's rebuild their team (as the Wallabies team needs very little rebuilding at all).

 

[Kiwiwomble]

It's kinda gutting to be a Hurricanes supporter right now. We win with an all Canes backline barring Dagg, and now everyone is looking forward to all the great combos that their teams will get from the Canes. We've lost everyone.

....and Kahui....not that makes things that much better

 

[nickdnz]

....and Kahui....not that makes things that much better

Right. And Kahui.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Sopoaga has a lot of rough edges, but he has the raw talent to get in the all blacks frame

by the way, did anyone else think the yellow card was a little harsh? he completely tried to pull out when he realised he wasn't going to get the ball

 

[ranger]

by the way, did anyone else think the yellow card was a little harsh? he completely tried to pull out when he realised he wasn't going to get the ball

The yellow was very harsh. Also, there was some ridiculous obstruction in one of those australian tries, wonderful pass to finish it though

 

[hoform22xu]

Great idea - we should also play Muliaina at centre Hopefully the AB's coaches have learnt an important lesson from previous Rugby World Cups: DON'T PLAY PLAYERS OUT OF POSITION

 

[Black Heart]

It's kinda gutting to be a Hurricanes supporter right now. We win with an all Canes backline barring Dagg, and now everyone is looking forward to all the great combos that their teams will get from the Canes. We've lost everyone.

Not exactly...

... We've still got Hammett.


Yeah o.k. Bad taste.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

It's kinda gutting to be a Hurricanes supporter right now. We win with an all Canes backline barring Dagg, and now everyone is looking forward to all the great combos that their teams will get from the Canes. We've lost everyone.

Lets see:

Cruden (Chiefs)
Hore (Highlanders)
Gear (Highlanders
Nonu (Blues?)
Schwalger (Agen)
Tialata (Bayonne)
Weepu (Blues)

You guys do get Beauden Barrett and Tim Bateman but all in all, you are only left with Cory Jane, Conrad Smith and Victor Vito when talking about All Blacks in Wellington.

On the one hand, it's hard starting all over, but a fresh start could work well. It's a shame to see so many players leave a franchise at once, but every team goes through that at some stage.

The Bulls are losing Matfield, Rossouw, du Preez, Bakkies Botha, Gary Botha, Steenkamp and Kuun. They have to revitalise the squad with youngsters like Sadie, Engelbrecht, Vermaak (not that young, but still) and Jacques Potgieter.

Teams like the 'Canes have nothing to lose.