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Rugby Union
- Thread starter Tigerclan
- Start date
TC said:
He also strikes me as a class individual TC and I hope that his injury is not too bad. He was out on the field at the end of the game so maybe it will only keep in out for a week or so, NZ have next week off which would be beneficial, because he is one of their best and they will need their best to knock over the Boks which they simply have to do.
I was (un)lucky enough to be at the game and the atmosphere was fantastic as a Bledisloe always is and I would never miss it if I could. There were 85 000 people in the stand and it was electric. Funnily enough as soon as the match finished and the players had cleared out, the groundsmen started removing the chairs on ground level to move the grandstand into an oval for the Swans v Lions game on this afternoon.
I haven't seen a replay yet, so no opinions on the up close stuff, but it seemed to me that the first half was fairly Wallaby dominant we lead 13-0 and it was only a few infrigements (and their beautiful goal kicker) that had them in the game, but we were unable to sustain the pressure as the All Blacks stepped up the attack and the second half they simply ran us over, completely.
Richie McCaw was at his awsome best after being well below par against the Boks last week and he was destroying out forward in the mauls. George Smith should have been replaced with Phil Waugh way earlier, because even from my lofty nose-bleed position I could tell he was being swamped and Waugh is a much stronger body. Carter was good after a shakey start, but yet again his goal kicking was supurb.
For the Wallabies, there was only one bright stop. I thought that Drew Mitchell was the absolute stand out, despite missing Rokocoko running down the wing (completely understand that given the guys pace) he played a great game for only his third in the jumper and first in the run on side. I think he has a very bright future and should be trusted with the job as often as possible as soon as possible. John Roe and Nathan Sharpe also worked really hard for very little reward.
Match Reports:- http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,16255286-32463,00.html
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/all_blacks_down_wallabies,31744.html/section/21893
http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2005/08/13/1123353545085.html
On a slightly different, but related note, Australia need to start looking for the team that will take us to the 2007 World Cup in France and this one is definately not it (except maybe Mitchell, Giteau, Tuquri, Turinui, Gerrard, Lyons, Sharpe (future captain), Vickerman, Chisholm, Waugh, Rathbone and Elsom).
This one has too many old legs and players selected on reputation alone rather than form or the future of the Wallaby side. And it seems that our future has been decided already, at least until and during the World Cup, with Gregan, Mortlock, Larkham, Flatley and the very ineffective front row all signing on beyond 2007, and this is a worry, becuase they are not going to become better or different players in the four years since the WC final loss to England in 2003.
Jones for what it is worth tends to have blinders on and needs to improve his ability and selection process (stop selecting players on stats alone and your 'friend' network) before the calls for his head get any louder and they are growing daily. He, as his critics (eg David Campese) will be happy to point out, is not embracing the future of Australian rugby and keeps going back to the tried and tested even if they have not earnt their spot on the team.
Eddie: I'll Quit If They Want
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12428-4662040,00.html
Interesting article, and a fairly accurate summery of just where Australian rugby sits at the moment. And it is not the place it wants to be. What Jones does will be interesting, but I don't for a second think that he will quit for the betterment of the team because that is just not who he is. I don't see him taking the bullet for the loss, but if he wants to keep his job some big changes will need to be made as soon as possible, if not sooner.
I looked back at the "Team of Decade" again and I have to tell you, I miss those days!!!
This one has too many old legs and players selected on reputation alone rather than form or the future of the Wallaby side. And it seems that our future has been decided already, at least until and during the World Cup, with Gregan, Mortlock, Larkham, Flatley and the very ineffective front row all signing on beyond 2007, and this is a worry, becuase they are not going to become better or different players in the four years since the WC final loss to England in 2003.
Jones for what it is worth tends to have blinders on and needs to improve his ability and selection process (stop selecting players on stats alone and your 'friend' network) before the calls for his head get any louder and they are growing daily. He, as his critics (eg David Campese) will be happy to point out, is not embracing the future of Australian rugby and keeps going back to the tried and tested even if they have not earnt their spot on the team.
Eddie: I'll Quit If They Want
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12428-4662040,00.html
Interesting article, and a fairly accurate summery of just where Australian rugby sits at the moment. And it is not the place it wants to be. What Jones does will be interesting, but I don't for a second think that he will quit for the betterment of the team because that is just not who he is. I don't see him taking the bullet for the loss, but if he wants to keep his job some big changes will need to be made as soon as possible, if not sooner.
I looked back at the "Team of Decade" again and I have to tell you, I miss those days!!!
McCaw is the best in the world in that position and is as hard nosed as they come.
He is an absolute menace at the bottom of the packs, because he is always in there annoying the opposition team, protecting or killing the ball, either way it is effective. Phil Waugh models himself on McCaws ability to always be in and under, clearing the ball out to the AB's advantage.
Waugh should be in the run on side in Perth next week. I think it has been proven that the current pack is simply not working. And I don't know what Waugh did to put himself out of the team (injury aside), other than the fact he is not a Brumby. He was far superior to Smith in the Super 12 and the incumbant open side flanker. Should definately be in the side.
He is an absolute menace at the bottom of the packs, because he is always in there annoying the opposition team, protecting or killing the ball, either way it is effective. Phil Waugh models himself on McCaws ability to always be in and under, clearing the ball out to the AB's advantage.
Waugh should be in the run on side in Perth next week. I think it has been proven that the current pack is simply not working. And I don't know what Waugh did to put himself out of the team (injury aside), other than the fact he is not a Brumby. He was far superior to Smith in the Super 12 and the incumbant open side flanker. Should definately be in the side.
Dan Carter will be out with a broken leg and muscle damage for at least the next six weeks. This means he will miss South Africa's return trip to New Zealand next week and the second Bledisloe test the following week.
I hope he comes back to rugby better than ever becuase he is a joy to watch and is a nice bloke to boot.
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12428-4666269,00.html
I hope he comes back to rugby better than ever becuase he is a joy to watch and is a nice bloke to boot.
http://xtramsn.co.nz/rugby/0,,12428-4666269,00.html
Teams for Saturday night Australia v South Africa:-
Wallabies:-
Australia : Drew Mitchell, Clyde Rathbone/Mat Rogers, Morgan Turinui, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Elton Flatley, George Gregan (capt), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Vickerman, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.
Res: Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, Mark Chisholm, George Smith, Chris Whitaker, Clyde Rathbone/Mat Rogers, TBA.
Springboks:-
Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Andre Pretorious, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, C.J. van der Linde, John Smit (capt), Os du Randt. Res: Hanyani Shimange, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert van den Berg, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez, Wayne Julies, Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Wallabies:-
Australia : Drew Mitchell, Clyde Rathbone/Mat Rogers, Morgan Turinui, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Elton Flatley, George Gregan (capt), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, Daniel Vickerman, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.
Res: Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning, Mark Chisholm, George Smith, Chris Whitaker, Clyde Rathbone/Mat Rogers, TBA.
Springboks:-
Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Andre Pretorious, Ricky Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, C.J. van der Linde, John Smit (capt), Os du Randt. Res: Hanyani Shimange, Gurthro Steenkamp, Albert van den Berg, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez, Wayne Julies, Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Personally I hope they manage to land one on Tana. His attempts to make out that he is the victim out of all of this are hard to take. It was a mongrel act and he'd be far better placed to admit it (a la Chris Johnson after last Saturday.)
And remember Tana saying he rang BOD and apologised after the game? An article today said that this consisted of a message on BOD's mobile saying "Hi, it's Tana. Call me." Nice touch.
And remember Tana saying he rang BOD and apologised after the game? An article today said that this consisted of a message on BOD's mobile saying "Hi, it's Tana. Call me." Nice touch.
TC said:
Good to hear from you TC, how have you been?!!!
It was a very ordinary tackle to say the least, but for crying out loud just get on with it..... it is over and while I am sure O'Driscoll is still pissy about it (rightly so, I would think), it is not going to help the Irish cause to make the All Blacks any crankier or meaner than they already are. Just get on with it already.....
And as for targeting the Kiwi players (Tana will cop one), well I think that they actually like that, and would probably be expecting it, under normal circumstances but given this "extra special situation", they will be waiting for it. Especially now it has been announced in the press. For goodness sake, this ongoing stuff makes me crazy.
And also, is O'Driscoll actually serious about wanting to stop the Kiwis from doing the Haka?
Honestly he is losing any common sense (and sympathy) I thought he may have had or deserved. And that kind of comment is like throwing a red rag in front of a bull. Quite stupid really.
Just my opinion ;D !!!
Yeah it was an ordinary tackle, they have shown a lot of footage that looks like it may have
been taken in the crowd in UK, I just wanted to get the thread up and running again
The Haka is one of the best parts of a Kiwi game
I always call the kids and make them watch
Doing well here Cordie, was busy at new job in Aus and am now in UK for 5 weeks
Plenty of Rugby of both codes going on over here
We are in Yorkshire so there is a bit of coverage in the local papers and on TV
been taken in the crowd in UK, I just wanted to get the thread up and running again
The Haka is one of the best parts of a Kiwi game
I always call the kids and make them watch
Doing well here Cordie, was busy at new job in Aus and am now in UK for 5 weeks
Plenty of Rugby of both codes going on over here
We are in Yorkshire so there is a bit of coverage in the local papers and on TV
I am actaully looking forward to the up coming European Tour for the Wallabies as it seems they have finally chosen some youngsters to give a chance to and hopefully that will lead to bigger and better things in the next two seasons leading into the World Cup in 2007 in France.
They announced the likely team to play the French Baa Baa's this week and it is fantastic, with so many kids playing in the 'A' side, hopefully things will improve for the Wallabies in the years to come. Not that they could have been much worse than the 2005 season.
Likely Australia A team: Cameron Shepherd; Mark Gerrard, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lloyd Johansson, Digby Ioane; Lachlan Mackay, Matt Henjak; Scott Fava, David Croft, Leroy Houston, Hugh McMeniman, Adam Wallace-Harrison, David Fitter, Tatafu Polata-Nau, Greg Holmes. (http://foxsports.news.com.au/union/?from=FS_hp)
And as for the Bo'D tackle, it just doesn't seem logical to keep dragging it up as inspiration. It was a bad tackle, a report should have been laid but wasn't, Umaga probably should have been suspended but wasn't - but none of this changes what will happen at Lansdown Road in a couple of weeks if the Irish go after the man, it won't work against what is, IMO a far superior All Black side.
I understand the reasons behind the press and public accusations from players, but honestly do they really think that it is going to rattle the New Zealand Rugby team? Because if they do then they are dumber than I thought!!!
They announced the likely team to play the French Baa Baa's this week and it is fantastic, with so many kids playing in the 'A' side, hopefully things will improve for the Wallabies in the years to come. Not that they could have been much worse than the 2005 season.
Likely Australia A team: Cameron Shepherd; Mark Gerrard, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lloyd Johansson, Digby Ioane; Lachlan Mackay, Matt Henjak; Scott Fava, David Croft, Leroy Houston, Hugh McMeniman, Adam Wallace-Harrison, David Fitter, Tatafu Polata-Nau, Greg Holmes. (http://foxsports.news.com.au/union/?from=FS_hp)
And as for the Bo'D tackle, it just doesn't seem logical to keep dragging it up as inspiration. It was a bad tackle, a report should have been laid but wasn't, Umaga probably should have been suspended but wasn't - but none of this changes what will happen at Lansdown Road in a couple of weeks if the Irish go after the man, it won't work against what is, IMO a far superior All Black side.
I understand the reasons behind the press and public accusations from players, but honestly do they really think that it is going to rattle the New Zealand Rugby team? Because if they do then they are dumber than I thought!!!
Great article:-
Lions test tackle haunts All Blacks
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17072134-23217,00.html
"..."We've got every sympathy with him. It's an unfortunate thing that happened and we wish him well. But what can we do? We can't wave a magic wand and suddenly he is fit again." "
It also seems that there are a number of books being (ghost?!!) written by rugby union players in the Northern Hemisphere at the moment. O'Driscoll, Gavin Henson, Iestyn Harris, among others. Some of them are still mid-career.....
Do they really have that much to say
;D ?!!!
Lions test tackle haunts All Blacks
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17072134-23217,00.html
"..."We've got every sympathy with him. It's an unfortunate thing that happened and we wish him well. But what can we do? We can't wave a magic wand and suddenly he is fit again." "
It also seems that there are a number of books being (ghost?!!) written by rugby union players in the Northern Hemisphere at the moment. O'Driscoll, Gavin Henson, Iestyn Harris, among others. Some of them are still mid-career.....
Do they really have that much to say
;D ?!!!Great win by the Australian A side against the French Barabarians 42 - 12 ;D !!!
It is great to see some of the kids proving their worth and showing that there is some depth in the Wallaby camp and that we have a good future all over the ground, especially in the back line and at #8.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17114393-32463,00.html (Aussie rookies turn on style)
It is great to see some of the kids proving their worth and showing that there is some depth in the Wallaby camp and that we have a good future all over the ground, especially in the back line and at #8.
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17114393-32463,00.html (Aussie rookies turn on style)
TC said:
Sorry TC, just the one!
I'm not sure I'm going to see us whomp them but you never know. They looked out of their depth against the French.
