- Joined
- Sep 15, 2010
- Messages
- 2,026
Fair point, just a kneejerk reaction from me really, I am resigned to us getting rolled anyway.
-
Help Support The Rugby Forum :
RWC Semi Final: New Zealand - Australia (16-10-2011, 21:00)
- Thread starter TRF_Ezequiel
- Start date
Fair point, just a kneejerk reaction from me really, I am resigned to us getting rolled anyway.
Glad your not a selector!!!
Has any one spotted that its the same top 4 from the 1987 world cup?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2010
- Messages
- 2,026
See my above comment haha, yes a moment of weakness.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2010
- Messages
- 5,444
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
no it wasn't, it was a good call, Tony would be a better option than donald, i said it a few pages ago, come the end of the final you want a guy whos going to tackle everything, kick clear and pass...thats tony brown
HOSEA GEAR!!!!!!!!!!
Now that's out of the way I'm very happy with the replacements. Muliaina and Slade both looked to no longer be starters in the squad, but I think the changes were the right ones.
No doubt in my mind that Gear should start on the left wing. Whether or not he will is another question, and I know it seems pretty unlikely he'll get the nod over SBW or Kahui, despite being more proven in those positions (not against Australia mind you, but neither is SBW). I'm guessing Larksea will be very happy with the call up of Stephen Donald, but in honestly I can actually see him doing fairly well. If he wins us a World Cup I'll crack up, but I think he may be slighlty more composed than Slade and even more creative. He does have brain-explosions, but with any luck he'll have learned from it.
Now that's out of the way I'm very happy with the replacements. Muliaina and Slade both looked to no longer be starters in the squad, but I think the changes were the right ones.
No doubt in my mind that Gear should start on the left wing. Whether or not he will is another question, and I know it seems pretty unlikely he'll get the nod over SBW or Kahui, despite being more proven in those positions (not against Australia mind you, but neither is SBW). I'm guessing Larksea will be very happy with the call up of Stephen Donald, but in honestly I can actually see him doing fairly well. If he wins us a World Cup I'll crack up, but I think he may be slighlty more composed than Slade and even more creative. He does have brain-explosions, but with any luck he'll have learned from it.
Amobokoboko
Waikato Junglist
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2008
- Messages
- 4,724
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
Here is the article, really happy to see Weepu in the XV and knowing that he will stay there till the end of the RWC. Cruden ahead of Donald is also a great decision.Curious for next week. Kahui and Daggs returning as well.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10758055
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10758055
I'm with you, best options available. Wonder what the bench will now look like this weekend?
Shaggy
First XV
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2010
- Messages
- 3,095
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
I think Dagg must be okay, but i think kahui is probably still injured, because Mils is out, and it really only leaves Dagg and Toeava as the full backs (although they could play Jane there) ... if Dagg wasn't okay, they would have named a player that can play both full back and wing, such as Ben Smith, and not a specialist wing, such as Gear.
... as for Stephen Donald, he's pretty much the only 1st five with international experience we have left, except for Nick Evans ... and it's clear they aren't going to back down on the overseas player issue.
I am one who has bagged Stephen Donald in the past, but my policy is to keep the faith/not bag them, no matter who is selected.
So go Aaron Cruden, go Stephen Donald
... the irony will not be lost on me, that it was games against Australia that effectively got Cruden, Donald, and Gear dumped from the All Blacks, and that some or all of these guys could be responsible for a win next weekend
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2010
- Messages
- 2,026
Well if Donald is ever going to redeem himself, now is the time. I guess he has no fear since he has already signed overseas, not like he will be playing for his future selection or anything so hopefully he won't feel so pressured if he gets on.
Apologies for bagging you earlier Stevie, give it everything champ.
Apologies for bagging you earlier Stevie, give it everything champ.
InsaneAsylum
First XV
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2006
- Messages
- 1,334
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
does anyone else think it's ironic that weepu was left out of 2007, yet he's proving to be one of the allblacks best?
That's more like it.
I honestly think Donald has all the skills necessary to be a world class 10, he just needs to get his head right.
He has had his up's and down's but he's kind of lucky, he's in the right place at the right time.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for him really, he could possibly become a legend.
Imagine Donald kicking a Droppy to win the World Cup, could be the next "Yeah Right" advert, but could come true!
Black Heart
Bench Player
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2010
- Messages
- 744
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
He could equally replace Quade Cooper as public enemy #1.
I think 99% of the New Zealand public would just be content for the All Blacks to not take that risk.
Last edited:
Black Heart
Bench Player
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2010
- Messages
- 744
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
I wouldn't say ironic. He certainly deserved to be there in 2007 but was left out because of off the field issues.
austingtir
First XV
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2011
- Messages
- 2,710
- Country Flag
Even last year weepu imo wasnt better than cowan its only been the last few games id have to agree he's been better. Cowan is either out of form or this WC just is not suiting his style of play. I wonder a bit whats going on there i think cowan at his best is the better half back but he hasnt been as good this year.
InsaneAsylum
First XV
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2006
- Messages
- 1,334
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
he doesn't need to kick a droppy, it will already be a tui billboard by tommorow!
apologies, i didn't realise weepu was left out of 2007 for off field stuff
- Joined
- May 29, 2007
- Messages
- 4,120
- Country Flag
Weepu was poor in 2007 - he still probably deserved a spot over Ellis, but he was not one of the top halfbacks.
Black Heart
Bench Player
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2010
- Messages
- 744
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
Define this logic:
He was not one of the top halfbacks but he still probably deserved a spot over Ellis in the squad.... :S
Weepu was almost certain to go to the WC in 2007 until he hit problems with the coaching staff.
Tricia McMillan
Academy Player
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
- Messages
- 425
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
At the moment, I literally have no clue what to make of Stephen Donald being in the squad now.
Icemn
First XV
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2011
- Messages
- 1,111
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
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! The AB's have two 10's in the squad, Slade and Cruden, they simply have to choose one of the two for this match and back them to do the job (their choice may be easy if Slade's injury proves serious).
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY DONALD?!?!?!?!?!
WHAT DID mCALISTER DO TO gh??? :'(
Black Heart
Bench Player
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2010
- Messages
- 744
- Country Flag
- Club or Nation
I'll share that sentiment. If Donlad gets on the field we might as well just give Aussie the cup in advance.
Similar threads
