Who cares about the fight! Tri Nations are on the line

How is Cory Jane not a recognised winger? Cause he doesn't play there in Soup Rugby? Is James O'Connor a recognised winger?

Lucky SA aren't in the ABs pool. Our 2nd 15 couldn't beat them...

Hi Stillmatic - I thought KPM's best line was about how the Kiwi third XVIII would probably win most first-round games at a RWC because New Zealand has "so many billions of good players". In a country of 4,390,000 apparently.

i agree with you Matthew,but one sight i see kiwis being blamed for bringing this up ,MY GOD I THINK KIWIS HAVE OTHER THINGS ON THERE MIND.AND AFTER ALL QUADE COOPER SOMEHOW GOT OF ROBBERY CHARGE,ROBBING THOSE STUDENTS AT HOTEL(Motel) in surfers paradise,he was playing with reds at time.nothing done,maybe had to pay union but how did that help students i believe for one that fight occurred, i bet it was who was best kicker at least that's what i think.

Agree but although lucky to be there, would stop short of saying Guildford is a joke.

I agree Emuarse. This is a very important match for both teams - the fact the tri-nations is on the line is a factor, but the foot-on-throat factor is there as well. If the WBs feel the foot is off, it will be a massive morale boost for them and create a considerable chink in the armor of the army of darkness.

I think the issue here is the apparent continued ARU policy of "indulging the golden boys" policy , it's obvious to any thinking person that THESE THREE ARE LYING THROUGH THEIR TEETH about the incident and are HOPING TO HELL THAT THERE AREN'T ANY WITNESSES WHO MIGHT COME FORWARD ABOUT THE TRUTH - a policy I might add never works -since indulged people usually can't help misbehaving and as sure as there is death and taxes ; one or ALL of these three will be in trouble again before the year is out :-) -and be blessed :-)

I completely agree BEL but that is phase two, first we need to get the guys turning up, then we can get them binding and keeping their feet while they go past the ball. At the moment the only guy consistently driving past the ball is Horwill, Vickerman is the only other forward in the WC squad showing willingness to join him. Of the rest guys like Sharpe continually post, the others arrive at the last man's feet rather than a point behind the ruck so they can accelerate into it. They wind up stopped at the ball rather than past it. Step 1, get the guys hitting the breakdown well, six guys need to lift in this area. Step 2, as you say getting the players to hit the breakdown together, have them binding and working as a unit. A constant saying amongst my rugby mates and I is: "It is all about the numbers"

Hi David, great point. Who cares! However what is concerning is the way the three of them (JOC, KB & QC) firstly denied any incident, then later in the day said words to the effect of "we got over it". Hence there was an incident. The fact that they were dishonest with the Australian Rugby public at the outset suggest they are not the smartest trio or most honest to ever pull on the gold. They have lost some respect.On the bright side. Go Samo what a great story.

Hi DL If Vicks doesn't show any improvement from his past outings I will definately have something to say about it. That being said, I'm not expecting him to set the world on fire in this match, but I do expect to see some considerable improvements. Vickerman has been brought back into the team to give the pack some much needed mungrel. If he doesn't show any, then he shouldn't be in the team. We'll see.

A wide ranging article here. The main point I strongly agree on. Others... not so much. Re whether or not there was a punch up: Who gives a stuff?!? Hasn't this sort of thing happened at training before and we've all said "ooh - nice to see a bit of agro coming out"? Re Samo: Yes I am glad to see him finally getting a start. I hope he doesn't have too many nerves or try to 'overplay his hand'. He just needs to be really active and put in a good, agro performance. He's been clearly our best 8 this season and the 8 should be a speciality spot. I'm really rooting for him... but not in the Sean Fitzpatrick sense. I'm also happy for Faingaa. I've wanted to see this center combination but I think it's a stretch to say that they will "give the All Blacks plenty to think about". Since the departure of Mortlock, I don't think the All Blacks will be bothered in the slightest by any center combination we have at the moment. Re razzle dazzle: I do NOT think we will see this at International level. I hope they don't try to play like this either - just good, direct, smart, no-nonsense stuff is what's called for. And finally I DO think it's too long a bow to suggest that Todd’s omission could cost the men in black the William Webb Ellis trophy. I don't think the All Blacks should be playing him and McCaw at the same time - they've got too many other good players like Kaino and Read. Todd would only be required as a backup to McCaw. If McCaw is injured (and Todd needs to be brought in) then THAT could cost the All Blacks.

Oops. Apologies David. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

It's not about individuals Jeznez, it's about the group. It's how the group hits the breakdown that matters.

My take, player by player (guessing at the AB’s since I haven’t seen a team list): 1. Kepu – best we have available but likely to struggle against Owen Franks, went ok at Eden Park for most of the game but got dominated late 2. Moore – best we have available and a good match up for Mealamu 3. Alexander – best we have available and Woodcock will be a good challenge, BA is scrummaging well and Woodcock is just coming back from injury – could go either way. 4. Vickerman – I’m glad he is there, looking a little short on fitness but at least he hits rucks hard – not sure who his opponent will be, probably Whitelock 5. Horwill – So glad he is captain – is the only bloke who drives past the ball at the breakdown, he needs to insist the other go with him and Vicks, great battle looming with Thorn 6. Rocky – I’d have him on the bench and Higginbotham starting. Tough for either player against Kaino who will be smarting after last week 7. Pocock – was pretty quiet at Eden Park, needs to step up against the great Richie – can he do it? 8. Samo – can’t believe it is his first start, should have been there all season – great foil to Read 16. Faingaa – has a mountain in front of him to compete with Hore 17. Ma’afu – decent scrummager but so slow around the field, should be able to hold Ben Franks if he has to face him for twenty minutes but won’t do as much at the breakdown 18. Simmons – good lineout forward but not much else, likely opponent Williams who thankfully isn’t in much form either 19. Higginbotham – should be starting will do more than hold his own against Thompson 20. McCalman – not sure why he is there, we might be better served by a back – needs to lift enormously if/when he comes on 9-15,21,22. Backs – who cares Across the pack there are at least four players the AB's have a clear advantage in and zero for us – the remainder are line ball at best (gee I'm glad I'm a cocky Aussie or that might look worse!). Going to take a real team effort to make up for short comings in personnel. Still not an impossible mountain to climb - go Wallabies.

Poor diddums the second rower who did sweet fa at Eden Park is on the bench instead of starting? I'm glad Vick's is there, at least Horwill will have someone hitting the breakdown with him. Agree fitness is an issue but the only other second rower who hits breakdowns the right way in Timani isn't in the squad.

On the other hand, it creates an additional chance for Carter to McCaw to pick up an injury pre-RWC.

I dont think a senior rugby official would agree with you.

The AB's in fact are paying the Wallabies a huge complement in their strategy leading into the WC. They are selecting their #1 side against the WB as they are more concerned with losing to the WB's than the Springbok-why? I believe because of their loss in Hong Kong last year. Henry is worried that if the Wallabies get the upper hand at this stage then he will be creating a physcological monster in the mind of his players at the WC. So he is playing the game, selecting his best 15, because if the AB lose this weekend they not only lose the Tri-nations, but more importantly, to Henry, they lose their confidence to win when it counts at the finals stage of the WC. Two loses in successive weeks is not acceptable!

I don't care but Loite Tuqiri would I imagine. He had his contract torn up for less than belting a team mate.

Vickerman deserves his chance to further show his committment to the group. After selflessly toiling away at Cambridge for the good of the group and to his own detriment it is only fair that Robbie give him this chance. After all, Robbie always tells us that each individual needs to be in it for the group and not themselves.