Tri Nations 2008: Thread will contain spoilers

pucan

[Jackass] wrote: »

Well I don't know. They shouldn't be playing test rugby if that's the case.

They need every game they can get

ManofMunster

ManofMunster wrote: »

yeah don't fancy the argies but 23 points looks a big spread. would've thought it'd be closer?

good call

RuggieBear

ManofMunster wrote: »

good call

toomevara

Should be an interesting game. hope the Boks can show some creativity and ingenuity this time out and perhaps play some rugby instead of relying exclusively on braun. Monty dropped to the bench, replaced by Jantjes and Habana out with injury....

Vickerman, Elsom and Dunning on for the Aussies...should be an interesting tussle, no doubt more mouth-watering, eye candy for Elsom's growing Leinster fanbase...

copacetic

Sa 27-3 ahead with 40 gone.
Waltzing through Matildas defence with ease at the moment.

Good game though, Aussies go 3 ponts up then give up 27
with no reply. Ouch!

toomevara

Rarely seen a wallaby team so disinterested, heads not in the game at all. Methinks they may have their eyes on the decider v the AB's, still nice to see the boks play some intelligent, relatively sophisticated rugby.

Inquitus

Where's this on? Can't find it on Sky Sports?

copacetic

Inquitus wrote: »

Where's this on? Can't find it on Sky Sports?

sky sports 3, via red button. But only 8 mins left.

Inquitus

Meh UPC me, no red button, no wonder I couldn't find it earlier

jayteecork

Jesus, this must be some sort of tri-nations record.

toomevara

Anyone got any gen on this match? Team sheets etc....Could be an interesting match up....

*Edit*: found the teams:

New Zealand 1- Tony Woodcock, 2 - Andrew Hore, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Anthony Boric, 5 - Ali Williams, 6 - Jerome Kaino, 7 - Adam Thomson, 8 - Rodney So'oialo (captain), 9 - Jimmy Cowan, 10 - Dan Carter, 11 - Anthony Tuitavake, 12 - Ma'a Nonu, 13 - Conrad Smith, 14 - Richard Kahui, 15 - Mils Muliaina.

Reserves: 16 - Keven Mealamu, 17 - Neemia Tialata, 18 - Sione Lauaki, 19 - Piri Weepu, 20 - Stephen Donald, 21 - Isaia Toeava, 22 - Rudi Wulf.

Samoa 1 - Simon Lemalu , 2 - Loleni Tafuna, 3 - Heroshi Tea, 4 - Filipo Levi (captain), 5 - Chad Slade, 6 - Semo Sititi, 7 - Alafoti Faosiliva, 8 - George Stowers, 9 - Notise Tauafao, 10 - Uale Mai, 11 - Esera Lauina, 12 - Jerry Meafou, 13 - Pale Toelupe, 14 - Reupena Levasa, 15 - Alatasi Tupou.

Reserves: 16 - Lafoga Aoelua, 17 - Roysiu Tolufale, 18 - Maselino Paulino, 19 - Simaika Mikaele, 20 - Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 - Roger Warren, 22 - Romi Ropati.

toomevara

The Blacks put the ton on Samoa, complete mismatch,men against boys, embarrassing for the Samoans, who to their credit stayed game throughout....

score:101-14...ouch!

Stev_o

toomevara wrote: »

The Blacks put the ton on Samoa, complete mismatch,men against boys, embarrassing for the Samoans, who to their credit stayed game throughout....

score:101-14...ouch!

Professionals vs Amateurs thats the problem Soma's big guns are already in France and England

toomevara

Aussies make five changes for Saturdays 3N decider...

Ryan Cross, hooker Stephen Moore, flanker George Smith, tight-head prop Al Baxter and lock Nathan Sharpe, will all start.

Stev_o

Has Tahu even played a full match yet

Anyway Wallabies going for a very defensively sound midfield to try stop Nonu and Smith functioning.

The match though is probably going to be decided at the breakdown and really depends on what the ref is going to allow etc should be a great battle between Smith and McCaw

JWAD

Stev_o wrote: »

Has Tahu even played a full match yet

Anyway Wallabies going for a very defensively sound midfield to try stop Nonu and Smith functioning.

The match though is probably going to be decided at the breakdown and really depends on what the ref is going to allow etc should be a great battle between Smith and McCaw

Giteau and Carter will go pound for pound for territorial kicks and it will be won at the lineouts. Looking forward to Mortlock and Cross working together in the midfield but it will be the front five who will shape the outcome.

I seriously reckon Aussie can topple the All Blacks and take the 'Sloe and Tri.
Should be a cracker of a game regardless and hopefully the QLDers can make Lang Park hop with the noise and get behind the Wallabies.

toomevara

JWAD wrote: »

I seriously reckon Aussie can topple the All Blacks and take the 'Sloe and Tri.

Agreed...at least that's what I'm telling anyone who'll listen, even though they all reckon I'm barking...Reckon this is going to be a really close run thing.

pucan

JWAD wrote: »

I seriously reckon Aussie can topple the All Blacks and take the 'Sloe and Tri.

Bledisloe won't be decided until Hong Kong.

JWAD wrote: »

hopefully the QLDers can make Lang Park hop with the noise and get behind the Wallabies.

You know they will!

JWAD

pucan wrote: »

Bledisloe won't be decided until Hong Kong

So I read. A four match Bledisloe is taking the proverbial athough I see why given that both unions need the money.

pucan

That Hong Kong game should be the Crusaders versus Munster!

toomevara

Fascinating game in prospect, I'm putting my head on the block and predicting a Wallabies win...

copacetic

toomevara wrote: »

Fascinating game in prospect, I'm putting my head on the block and predicting a Wallabies win...

contro versial!

can't see it myself, ABs by 10.

ongarite

half-time

10-7

. Good game so far, 2 good tries.

toomevara

Superb try from the wallabies at the close of the second. Cross having a blinder..Wallaby of the series for me...very strange refereeing, at least one clear AB yellow...

Fitzpatrick having a whinge about kaplan's refereeing of the scrum, saying its nullifying the AB's. Don't see it myself, for me he's letting the kiwis away with murder at the breakdown.

copacetic

now THAT was a quality try.

toomevara

copacetic wrote: »

now THAT was a quality try.

+1, beautiful passage of play...splintered the AB's, all that defending in the first taking its toll?

ongarite

AB hit back, sloppy try to give away.

toomevara

Game on, wallabies really need to muscle up in defence...or it'll do for 'em

ongarite

Great defense from AB, Wallabies had to score there.

Stev_o

Game over 28-24 to the Blacks. Wallabies just lacked the hardness to keep their leading after their break but fair play to them they kept on playing.

MoTM Ryan Cross he had a blinder broke nearly every first tackle and nearly always got over the gain line, his try was a insane show of power.

Ref i thought was going to be good then he turned out to be all talk and no action backed out off giving both side yellows even though he had warned them that he would, needs to grow a pair i think.

JWAD

Made a note in diary. Simply said "bugger"

toomevara

Referee very poor, just how in the name of God does McCaw get away with it? Does he have some magic unguent rendering him invisible to refs which he applies generously before each match?

Hard luck to the wallabies, left it after them, and punished for lamentable defensive frailty....

JWAD

toomevara wrote: »

Referee very poor, just how in the name of God does McCaw get away with it? Does he have some magic unguent rendering him invisible to refs which he applies generously before each match?

He's a breakaway and very very good at what he does. George Smith, Martyn Williams and Schalk Burger all the same in my opinion. Josh Kronfeld and Dave Wilson set the platform for all good no.7s to match up to.
How about Rich Brown today? Thought he had a massive game when he came on for the Walls.

toomevara

JWAD wrote: »

How about Rich Brown today? Thought he had a massive game when he came on for the Walls.

Didn't know much about the fella when he came on, but you gotta say he's going to be one for the wallabies for the future...played a blinder.