OK, here we go. The one scenario we as Wallabies fans hoped for, but perhaps weren’t supremely confident about coming into the series.
After two classic Test Match rugby fixtures, it all comes down to this. The decider.
There can be no dispute that this is the biggest game of rugby in Australia in 10 years. And it’s a nice reference back to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, too, because that was probably the last time that rugby was, dare I say it, ‘cool’ in this country.
Suddenly, rugby is the hottest ticket in town again. After a gradual buildup from when the British and Irish Lions first arrived in Perth a month ago, the hype will reach its crescendo at 8:05pm on Saturday night.
The last available tickets – mostly one-offs – were snapped on Monday morning. EBay and the classifieds have been doing a roaring trade since then. The Olympic Park precinct in and around ANZ Stadium in Sydney is all set for what shapes as an all-day event. Things will start happening there from 10 o’clock on Saturday morning. I hope I can get a park on arrival at lunchtime…
Both sides have been named, and once again, no-one has thought of the keyboards and web servers. Many, many, bloody thousands of words and comments and essays have been written on why each side is either bang on the money, or completely hopeless. Both coaches have been simultaneously lauded for laying it all on the line for a decider, or denigrated as being stark, raving mad.
Certainly, the major talking point for the Lions has been the omission of legendary Irish centre, Brian O’Driscoll. Once Sam Warburton was ruled out of the decider, most assumed that O’Driscoll would assume the captaincy, an honour many thought he should have had from the outset. Instead he’ll be wearing a suit.
For the Wallabies, it’s all about the second-coming of George Smith. With all the to-ing and fro-ing and paperwork lodged, and clearances granted just to make him eligible for selection, it always felt like he would play some part in this series if he was fit. Now he’s set to return from a 6-8 week injury well ahead of time, and add one more Test to his already extraordinary record.
I made the comment earlier in the week that in many ways, it’s a shame that Smith and O’Driscoll, both of whom came of age in the 2001 series, won’t get to face off one last time. Each decision could define the respective coaching careers of Warren Gatland and Robbie Deans.
I don’t know about you guys, but I am absolutely pumped for this Test. Actually, I do know about you guys, you’re all pumped in your own way too, and that’s fantastic. It will be the biggest game I’ve witnessed live in my life and I genuinely can’t wait to head up to Sydney in the morning.
I did mention I’m going, didn’t I? Sorry, I’ve been doing that a bit this week. It’s the excitement.
Anyway, I’m equally excited for our last Q&;A session of the Tour, from 10:30 this morning. Start getting your questions through now. The Brisbane and Melbourne sessions both went down really well, and thanks for everyone’s involvement so far.
You don’t need me to start things off, so I’ll just leave you with the two teams. You all know what the ins and outs are by now.
The teams line-up this way for the decider in Sydney:
Australia: Kurtley Beale; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Ben Mowen; James Horwill, Kane Douglas; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Jesse Mogg.
British and Irish Lions: Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Jonny Sexton, Mike Phillips; Toby Faletau, Sean O’Brien, Dan Lydiate; Geoff Parling, Alun Wyn Jones; Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Alex Corbisiero. Replacements: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Justin Tipuric, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi.
Looking forward to the discussion from 10:30am AEST.
Jerry
Guest
"To have a less lineout success don’t mean changes were made to the line out laws" You were whinging about law changes and then produced a bunch of stats about how SA were winning less lineout ball. Silly me for thinking you were implying they were related. It's more a case of 'How can Victor Matfield win lineout balls when he's not playing?". He retired, so the Boks aren't winning as much lineout ball. Is that a bit too complicated for you?
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The law change that aided the All Blacks in 2010 was the change to the tackle law. It had nothing to do with the retained ELV about not passing back into the 22.
Rassie
Roar Rookie
Again Jerry it points how you jumo the gun and think stats within relation to the game. To have a less lineout success don't mean changes were made to the line out laws. How can a guy like Matfield win balls if a law tweak have taken away lineouts? Can't kick it out no line out simple
mhsq
Guest
BOD is dropped because Roberts will surely break down by half time and, with brute strength needed in the centre, as far as Gatland is concerned, Manu MUST come on, but he can't play 12 (nor can BOD), while J Davies can cover both berths. Simples, but sad...
bennalong
Guest
GO the WALLABIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!@!
bennalong
Guest
I would like to end this session with a response to great 13's Adam Ashley Cooper is a great IMO, He is a hardman in the purest sense and one of the Wallabies most committed players over a long period. He comes up trumps when the chips are down He scorns injury He's redefined the work of a 13 at the breakdown His defence is rock solid. He's a bit like Morty actually. It's not fancy footwork...... it's all absolute intention and hard straight lines. I WILL smash through ! ! !
bluerose (Rotuma Island).
Guest
Brett did the IRB change the Rules of the Maul regarding the ball carrier?
Jerry
Guest
"In 2009, South Africa had a success rate of almost 40% on their opponents lineout with 24 lineout steals. This year their overall success was under 10% with only 9 lineout steals" The laws haven't changed in respect of the lineout after 09. I can't think of anything else that could possibly explain it....other than the retirement of probably the best pincher of opposition lineout ball in the history of the game. But that was probably some IRB conspiracy to get rid of him, right?
PeterK
Roar Guru
head says Lions and heart says wallabies
Chivas
Guest
I'd go O'Driscolll, Bunce and Gerber
Rassie
Roar Rookie
In 2008 yes your correct. In SA in Vodacom cup we had all the ELV's in a test run and it contained wacked ideas of taking down the maul etc etc Now of those ELV'd. Which ones was kept and laws changed permanently? Jake White already pointed NZ were scoring most tries from kick returns. So he made sure there is space and kick it out. This is what that little tweak did New Zealand scored 8 tries from opposition kicks. Australia and South Africa scored 1 between them South Africa conceded 6 tries from their own kicks, New Zealand conceded 1 and Australia 2 New Zealand’s opponents scored 1 try from possession obtained from inside their own half. South Africa conceded 12 In 2009, South Africa had a success rate of almost 40% on their opponents lineout with 24 lineout steals. This year their overall success was under 10% with only 9 lineout steals ·
Chivas
Guest
Agree rl, big gap. I hope he is not beset by injury throughout his career. I have watched him bully both the AB's and the Bok off the ball. He's an absolute machine when firing on all cylinders Pocock, Higgs, Palu and Mowen.... what a pain in the ass they would be. I don't think I'vr ever rated the Wallaby back three as world class and then they produce this...Then you add Horeill I and all honest workers,,I want to see them for a season together,,, then they can break down and go west so they don't disrupt the All Black domination of world rugby.
ScotandProud
Guest
Wallabies are now over confident but... They could be over confident and still win... 3rd test 1993 NZ go 7 points down early, commentator "we can stll take thes guys, easily" and they did. How much has this BIL backline actually created ensemble in the tests? 1 try... maybe 1, 2 other concerted attacks? Wallabies just streets ahead with ball in hand.
ScotandProud
Guest
BOD has not been a Rolls Royce of centres = he's changed from Lamborghini into a Panzer tank over the years but his guile outside Roberts is crucial to Roberts' effectiveness as it was in SA 2009. BOD has been one of the best centres and players ever over his career and would have played in any country's team. The UK analysts last week were all predicting his selection and that perhaps this would be the game too far in advance, that the years were about to catch up with him in a Gotterdammerung drama of Wagnerian proportions ("or maybe he'll play really well? we don't know.." paraphrased.). All shocked he was dropped. WG made a brave or foolhardy call - who knows - alot depends on how the combination goes and how JD plays... :/ WG said sentiment is going out the window and with it any sentimental story about Lions legends as plucky losers, BOD applauding the fans with a tear in his eye. He made the choice between Tuilagi JR in the same squad orBOD JR - he went for the power and the risk as in risk versus reward. We shall see..
Jerry
Guest
You mean not passing back into the 22? That was part of the ELVs.
Rassie
Roar Rookie
Not talking about the ELV's talking about the touch laws tweak which was in favor of only two teams. NZ and Australia. It had a effect on all the other teams. Did not effect NZ what so ever and Kiwi's did not have to change the way they play. The way they play had to change to the way the kiwi's play. And no that is not the answer. You kiwi's take everything so personal like it was each of you sitting in the council having a effect on the laws. Jerry did you vote anyone into the IRB council? No you just hear IRB had made changes. Yet here you are dismissing others points as theories and whatever without even knowing the bye-laws of the IRB (which is important) and who was on the council and had power to change any laws. How can you dismiss my point if you do not even know those factors?
Rassie
Roar Rookie
I do not think you can compare any guy from 1997 and back with todays players https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BOZ0N9qCIAAJ8q8.jpg:large
Jerry
Guest
You're talking about the ELV's which were brought into Super Rugby and the TN in 2008, but were initially proposed back in 2006. When NZ won 12 of 13, including the TN. And the Crusaders won the S14. So remind me why they needed a leg up?
Rassie
Roar Rookie
COnspiracy theory/ You are not a kiwi are you. Cause frankly you should be the last to talk about it. But consider after the 2007 RWC countries were complaining about not filling stadiums. NZ and Aus have that problem where SA thanks to isolation more or less can fill a stadium even with Steve Hofmeyer singing every 5 minutes Then take into account that NZ are hosting the next WC which is one of the IRB's big revenue suppliers. Off course to get the stadiums filled a kicking game is not going to do it. From the Kiwi annual report of 2010 In 2010, the All Blacks coaches identified the style they wanted to play and built game plans that created attacking opportunities and suited the instincts of New Zealand players. The team embraced these plans and adapted to new law interpretations that saw rugby move away from the tactical kicking game that had dominated in 2009. This style brought success – Steinlager Series wins over Ireland and Wales, the Bledisloe Cup retained again, a record-setting unbeaten run in the Investec Tri Nations and a Grand Slam on the Telecom Backing Black Tour. One law tweak And before you are trying to dismiss my point for fud like theories etc etc give me the real reason why the laws was actually changed. I am waiting.
Yeah, and our winning percentage between 1995-2003?