Join other Roar readers tonight from 7.30pm to discuss the big Bledisloe Cup match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. The Wallabies haven’t won the Cup since 2002, and regardless of the result, they won’t be winning it tonight. But they can reclaim some pride in this traditionally fierce trans Tasman clash.
TEAMS
Wallabies: Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau, Lachie Turner, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm, Salesi Ma’afu, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Huia Edmonds, James Slipper, Dean Mumm, Richard Brown, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Anthony Faingaa.
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Victor Vito, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Res: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan, Colin Slade, Rene Ranger.
Kick off: 8pm (AEST)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (Rsa)
cloudy
Guest
tiwana you are 100% correct I think it is shocking what they say, one can almost see them all sitting on their couches in their green and gold jerseys, swigging down a Tooheys and commentating the game. I am so sick of hearing their one-eyed comments and channel 7 is not much better but at least I don't have to listen to that whining Kearnsy, he is pathetic!
Jason Cave
Guest
The Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney highlights why the Wallabies will have some problems on their hands between now and World Cup time. And one of them is how to close out a game once they have a big lead. The Wallabies led 22-9 but were outscored by the All Blacks 14-0 in the last 15 min. And in the Tri-Nations match against the Springboks, the Wallabies led 31-13 at half-time but were nearly overrun by the 'Boks 26-10 in the second half alone. The Wallabies might get away with it against Italy, USA & Russia, but try doing it against England, France, South Africa, Wales & NZ, and it won't work.
tiwana
Guest
True, but thats only when the Wallabies are leading, when theyre not, they start talking yellow cards etc, pay close attention to their full commentry comments
bayboy
Guest
No the All Blacks found a way to win and they thouroughly deserved to win this match. Thats a sign of a good team who can come back from a shocking start. This loss again says more about the Wawllabies than it does the All Blacks
mickh
Guest
You guys only here what you want to hear. How about all the comments about penalties against the All Blacks that they thought were harsh. There were plenty. Take the good with the bad boys.
Colin N
Guest
Nick Evans has signed a two-year contract extension with Harlequins.
pothale
Guest
That's not my point. McCaw was over the line and going to score in the left hand corrner. McCalman? the No 8 allowed him to brush by him and move 20 metres nearer the posts, making the conversion much easier. As McCaw did it, I said to the guy next to me, that's two points lost there - and what's the bets that'll make a difference at the end of the match? At 8 points down, the ABs might have gone for the posts instead of the corner, the next time they got a penalty. It was another one of those small but important points around defence - if a guy is gonna score, make sure he does it as far away from the posts as possible. Mcalman flapped at him.
MattakII
Guest
You're kiddding lads. McCaw had broken 5-10 feet of the side of the scrum well before he coils do so legally! The only person to blame was the ref.
Behind Enemy Lines
Guest
Yep, don't disagree. Wasn't trying to dispute the outcome. As Pothale said the try was still only allowed because of missed tackles. My point was more around the attacking opportunities that sides are missing out on by not employing this AB tactic more often.
pothale
Guest
It was definitely the number 8 who could have forced McCaw to touch down out wide.
Taniwha
Guest
If anything I thought Lawrence was very harsh against AB's. Couple of times we had the ball and he penalises the AB's for over pedantic things! Still AB's very lucky to get out of jail! On AB selection side, once Hore is fit is that the end of Flynn? And Thompson over Vito?
Tui
Guest
Yeah agree tiwana thats the aussies for ya. We will in enjoy win number 10 in the mean time
jake
Guest
Gotta love Greg Clark too. In the post match he says something like "i'ts been a great tri-nations so far." Riiiiight, what are we like only half way through or something? Dumb-ass !
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Well asked bayboy
allblackfan
Guest
There's also a law saying that players joining the breakdown should stay on their feet (hint hint Maafu, Sharpe) so all even!
Behind Enemy Lines
Guest
Without trying to be funny or a bad sport, isn't there a law thy prevents the attacking flanker from detaching from the scrum well before the ball is out? If we aren't making use of that, we should be. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Hayden
Guest
Gold. It was worth wading through 150 odd posts just to reach this one. I echo these sentiments, turdy.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The All Blacks won because Richie McCaw didn't want to lose. I swear Richie McCaw is pushing Colin Meads hard for greatest All Black ever.
Mr Grumpy
Guest
Smallest crowd - 70,288 - for a Bledisloe at Homebush. Previous low was 78,900 in 2008. Always considered a banker for the ARU, the difference equates to at least $750,000 less in ticket turnover. With ticket sales at Honkers anaemic, and the world cup reducing the number of inbound tests next year, the ARU's slush fund from the 2003 world cup will diminsh further. Bayboy - it is all about perception, and this is an Australian-based website. The Wallas' winning streak ends at one.
Je Geniko
Guest
We left our A game at home. Turned up 60 minutes late and still managed to win. Nerves of steel!