Tri Nations: All Blacks - Wallabies @ Eden Park (06-08-2011, 08:35 GMT)

[smartcooky]

Lesson 1: There is no substitute for experience:
The Wallabies came into this game full of confidence and they have been sat firmly on their arses. Good win to the All Blacks; one which went a long way to answering all the BS coming out from former Wallabies about the AB's being old and past it.

Lesson 2: Test rugby bears no relationship to Super Rugby:
Genia and Cooper, as good as they are at Super Rugby level, appear not all that flash when their opponents cut down their time and space; and that is what happened at this level. In Test Rugby, things happen quicker, and there is less time for decision making. This is where Carter stands out; he always looks like he has time to do things. Cooper appeared to panic (Conrad Smith's intercept was the first of a few examples) and he hardly got any chances to run with the ball in hand. His kicking game deserted him at times, and when he tried his twinkle toes act, he got hammered. He was also caught out of position covering at fullback a couple of times later in the game.

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

Lesson 1: There is no substitute for experience:
The Wallabies came into this game full of confidence and they have been sat firmly on their arses. Good win to the All Blacks; one which went a long way to answering all the BS coming out from former Wallabies about the AB's being old and past it.

Lesson 2: Test rugby bears no relationship to Super Rugby:
Genia and Cooper, as good as they are at Super Rugby level, appear not all that flash when their opponents cut down their time and space; and that is what happened at this level. In Test Rugby, things happen quicker, and there is less time for decision making. This is where Carter stands out; he always looks like he has time to do things. Cooper appeared to panic (Conrad Smith's intercept was the first of a few examples) and he hardly got any chances to run with the ball in hand. His kicking game deserted him at times, and when he tried his twinkle toes act, he got hammered. He was also caught out of position covering at fullback a couple of times later in the game.

Also, in case people take Cooky to be just a biased and blinkered All Blacks fan, I'm sure he also feels that effectiveness of Australia's very good Super 15 players would be much more sorely tested against other nations in the NH also than they have been at Super 15 level.

Just how I read that might be different to how others may take it.

 

[TNT88]

Oh well. Lots of room for improvement in the wallabies squad, but who would have beaten NZ today? See you at Suncorp

 

[DariusLovehall]

Gear did nothing outside of a semi break in the 20th or so minute.

Gear played fine - the game didn't go his way - he took a few hit ups and and linked well - saved a try, his defense was good.

Its not like the AB's were playing Fiji or some shitehouse Saffar B Team - Gear is the biggest fastest back we have and is devestating in space - can even finish with barely any space and tacklers on him.
HE made the right decisions - took the tackle and set for the next phase instead of trying to hard and losing options- un-informed opinion off one hard test match .... Gear is good -
look at what he did to the NH backs last year and remember.

 

[ACT1NUP]

Lol @ Quade Cooper, all attack and nothing else.

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

Gear played fine - the game didn't go his way - he took a few hit ups and and linked well - saved a try, his defense was good.

Its not like the AB's were playing Fiji or some shitehouse Saffar B Team - Gear is the biggest fastest back we have and is devestating in space - can even finish with barely any space and tacklers on him.
HE made the right decisions - took the tackle and set for the next phase instead of trying to hard and losing options- un-informed opinion off one hard test match .... Gear is good -
look at what he did to the NH backs last year and remember.

I suppose it's always important to remember that opportunities do not always come along in every game for every player.

 

[smartcooky]

Also, in case people take Cooky to be just a biased and blinkered All Blacks fan, I'm sure he also feels that effectiveness of Australia's very good Super 15 players would be much more sorely tested against other nations in the NH also than they have been at Super 15 level.

Just how I read that might be different to how others may take it.

Absolutely. I'm just calling it how I see it. England will trouble them as well, and so will France.

I also think BOTH The Wallabies and the All Blacks will find the going a lot tougher in the Republic.

Both teams are playing at sea level, but the Wallabies have a 7 day turnaround whereas the AB's have a week off.

 

[madflyhalf]

Some concerns about ABs lineout...
The problem seems to be in Mealamu's throws, sometimes they appeared not straight too...

 

[Darwin]

Gear played fine - the game didn't go his way - he took a few hit ups and and linked well - saved a try, his defense was good.

Its not like the AB's were playing Fiji or some shitehouse Saffar B Team - Gear is the biggest fastest back we have and is devestating in space - can even finish with barely any space and tacklers on him.
HE made the right decisions - took the tackle and set for the next phase instead of trying to hard and losing options- un-informed opinion off one hard test match .... Gear is good -
look at what he did to the NH backs last year and remember.

I don't think I remember Gear making a single tackle - I do remember him slipping off one tackle, and Ioane going inside him at one stage with ease... Despite this Gear certainly didn't have a bad match - I thought he did pretty well with the ball he got. People also have to remember that he hasn't played for a number of weeks, so it is not too surprising he was not at his best (why have I suddenly started defending Gear, there must be something wrong with me!). He will, however, certainly have to show a big improvement in his next match, as Jane, Guildford, and Sivivatu have all taken their chances so far...

 

[UilamOsa]

I suppose it's always important to remember that opportunities do not always come along in every game for every player.

Or only the very special players can make something from nothing.

It was a B minus performance from the AB's. Some of the Guys showed some rustiness (mealamu,thorne, read, gear) and the quality of the combinations (Weepu & Carter, the Loosies & Scrum) showed that the team will be better for more game time together.

And the Aussies? Well, I don't think they're ready to dominate the world. I see them being the team to beat next year.
They are a long way off mentally and strategically.

There's every other no 10 in the world. And then there's Dan Carter.

 

[Sneaki]

Brilliant game from the ABs, not perfect of course, but extremely clinical and defensively outstanding. Nonu, Smith, Sivivatu, Carter, Read were all excellent. Gear didn't have the his best game, while play didn't really go his way I think he still needs to try to get involved a little more when the ball isn't reaching his wing, something that Jane, Guildford and Sivivatu are all very good at doing. At the moment I'm guessing Guildford and Sivivatu are pencilled into the WC squad so Gear has his work cut out if he wants to get in there as a third specialist winger.

Agree that Cooper looked lost, he seemed unable to stop playing 'his game' when he was in no position to try it, and it almost cost them big time when he threw that ridiculous flick pass. I think it was similar to the S15 final in that respect, where he didn't make a huge impact.

Looking forward to the Boks in two weeks, should be another decent test, hopefully my AB's jersey has arrived from the uk by then, no way I was paying $190 for it.

 

[Steveskiez7]

I can't believe Owen Franks amazing break wasn't mentioned. Haha. I think Read should get a mention for his work ethic, I'm sure he ran the ball about 15 times.
I swear Rocky Elsom has lost his balls aswell.. he never gets involved in any rucks and now his defense is a liability.

 

[Whitewolf]

Apparently Hosea Gear wasn't great. Guildford and Jane were better last week?
Cory Jane is one of my favourite player, and I think he deserves the number 14 with the ABs. Guildford has the potential, but Sivivatu and Gear....lack of skills.

 

[nickdnz]

I don't think I remember Gear making a single tackle - I do remember him slipping off one tackle, and Ioane going inside him at one stage with ease... Despite this Gear certainly didn't have a bad match - I thought he did pretty well with the ball he got. People also have to remember that he hasn't played for a number of weeks, so it is not too surprising he was not at his best (why have I suddenly started defending Gear, there must be something wrong with me!). He will, however, certainly have to show a big improvement in his next match, as Jane, Guildford, and Sivivatu have all taken their chances so far...

Agreed. I thought he did pretty well in defense, more in collecting kicks (there was one kick I remember that he had to run back and collect from Cooper, but on the whole it was good. Did well under the highball). With that in mind, he needs a big game against South Africa. He didn't get many oppertunities this game but Sivivatu, Jane and Guildford all looked for more options around the park. Gear certainly was never given any space, and I don't think he made any mistake, I just think his performance has done little to silence his critics. I hope he has a big game against South Africa.

@Whitewolf: Why not watch the game and then offer an opinion? Sivivatu actually had another very good game.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Hey now, I didn't say he did!
I'd be disappointed if a 7 was on the pitch and now cheating his little heart out - it's part of the job :lol:

Oh good good, can't have anyone besmirching the good name of Sir Richard.

 

[Rhyer]

I see them being the team to beat next year.

Out of the starting XV today, to my knowledge only three players are leaving after the world cup which are Thorn, Mils and Sivivatu. To be honest I really think the All Blacks have sufficient cover for all three of those positions.

 

[UilamOsa]

Out of the starting XV today, to my knowledge only three players are leaving after the world cup which are Thorn, Mils and Sivivatu. To be honest I really think the All Blacks have sufficient cover for all three of those positions.

Of the 3N teams, I honestly believe that the Aussies will be the most successful over the next few years (I hope I'm wrong) but they've got a young core of players, that simply lack big match experience. They've already got a team that can be world beaters. They just need to build depth and get rid of some excess baggage. (I'm looking at you Rocky Elsom)

The South Africans are likely to go through a big rebuilding phase post world cup and after the results of the first 2 games, it does not look that promising. They have a sprinkle of fantastic players coming through but it may be a completely new start/new coach/new systems.

With the AB's post world cup, the new coach with have to make a call on whether to build on a Solid AB's core and add few new players or look to rebuild for the long term. I'm not too sure if that core will be that strong if they win the WC.

 

[beerholder]

Out of the starting XV today, to my knowledge only three players are leaving after the world cup which are Thorn, Mils and Sivivatu.

Probably Weepu too.

 

[cardassian]

Probably Weepu too.

Weepu is playing at the blues next year so I very much doubt he'll be unavailable for Internationals.

 

[madflyhalf]

Out of the starting XV today, to my knowledge only three players are leaving after the world cup which are Thorn, Mils and Sivivatu. To be honest I really think the All Blacks have sufficient cover for all three of those positions.

The problem for ABs, IMO, is right about the cover...
Some first choice player are going to stay, but Roko, Sivi, McAlister, Muliaina, Tialata, Thorn (retires)... are going abroad, still quite young and with a chance for an AB spot, along with the growing age of the team (McCaw, Williams, Woodcock, Mealamu, Flynn also Jane), and a few youngsters that haven't already been well tested in international who will need a lot of experience (Dagg, Fruean, SBW as well, Toeava, Cruden)...
And maybe it will take a while to rebuilt, while Australia has already started this project (with different problems though) 4 years ago, and now they has a good advantage of time.


Average age for NZ today was almost 29
Average age for OZ is something like 24.4

That was really a matter of Men against Boys, but let's talk about that in a 2-3 year time, when NZ probably wouldn't have no more Carter, McCaw, Nonu, Jane... but Australia will still have JOC, Beale, Horne, Genia, Pocock, Higginbotham, Fainga'a, Slipper, Horwill, Ioane, Barnes...