The All Blacks look to squash any glimmer of hope the wallabies showed a week ago in the South American wooden spoon decider. With the wallabies finally showing some urgency in there approach and execution.
With McKenzie stating at the start of his career all wallaby positions are on a week to week basis. And they must perform.
Unfortunately for Mckenzie he doesn’t have the fortune of the other Southern Hemisphere rugby giants with seemingly endless supply of talent to fall back on, his approach was solid, but lacking depth can create some difficult decision making.
Sticking with the storming team that ran wild over the Puma would be the best idea. They have finally linked up with there passing and forward momentum. Most importantly they have a better attitude to produced positive rugby.
One of the most important things to come from that Test was the rejuvenated Will Genia. After spending the last two Tests on the bench, he came out with all guns blazing.
He was directing the Wallabies attack with a new found form.
The Argentinans did manage to break through their defence, centre Marcelo Bosch and scrum-half Martin Landajo scoring tries, with fly-half Nicolas Sanchez kicking seven.
Pumas captain Juna Fernandez Lobbe gave credit to the Wallabies for their performance. “We are disappointed, also we have to congratulate Australia the way they played,” he said.
“They came here (backs) against the wall and played great rugby … we missed too many tackles.”
The Wallabies came hurtling out of the blocks and within three minutes they had crossed the Pumas line, Folau scoring his first try from Tomane’s layoff in the tackle, with Leal’ifano converting.
A massive confidence building Test needed with the possibility of coming last they had no other option.
They had to make a stand. All Wallabies and their supporters know that even with the completion of the Rugby Championship, their season is still far from over.
There is no two ways about it. This will be the biggest event for the Australians.
They are competing against a team that hasn’t lost on home soil since 2009. Some of the facts and reality facing the Wallabies.
All Blacks fielded a 723 Test cap team against the Springboks, I would expect the same for the Wallabies.
All Blacks have scored 202 Test points in the last six Tests, which is new tournament record.
Hansens winning rate is 91.3, with 81 tries scored under Hansen average of four a game.
47 months at number one in the IRB world rankings.
And they are now on there ninth straight win.
New Zealand’s last loss at home was to the Springboks in Hamilton in September 2009, when they were beaten 32-29.
That loss remains the last time the All Blacks lost at home and they have gone on to record 22 consecutive home victories since then.
All this adds to the pressure on both teams. Some say dead rubber. Some would say it’s the All Blacks just keeping to there tradition. Wallabies will not be concerned with any of these facts. It’s on the day, and what they do that counts.
I really hope to see the Wallabies come flying out of the gate and bring back some the historic Tests we use to see. Like at Ellis Park.
The Wallabies should approach this Test like the All Blacks in South Africa.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Explain 2012 then
CHJS
Guest
Yes agreed the win against the ARGIES was impressive. I don't believe the ABs are untouchable, no team ever is, and those who think so do at their peril. Really I'm replying about the sailing...funny you seem to imply NZ was beaten by non-Kiwis (Based on Oracle having an Australian skipper I'm guessing?)...yet the CEO and Tactics director was a Kiwi, along with much of the crew, and boat designers, Oracle Racing has about as much to do with Australia as it does with, well, the USA ;) Team NZ was beaten by money end the end.
LOLA
Guest
CHIVAS A little over the top, but you have earned your bragging rights. The ABs are untouchable, at the moment on the world stage at Rugby. We wont mention Sailing, as this is a Rugby Blog. I believe in EM, and i think he has the right Cattle, and there are signs that things are starting to come together. Its funny reading the Kiwi blogs, the smash and bash Bloggers, start stateing by how far the ABs are going to win by, then their is the Bloggers that know the ABs are going to lose at some stage, and try to hedge their bets. One thing i will tell you, the win against the ARGIESwas impressive/
Bobbo7
Guest
Would not surprise me if the Wallabies win this one. What do the ABs have to play for this week? Nothing. And there are more important fish to fry in the coming weeks. The Wallabies on the other hand should be full of motivation. ABs will win if they turn up but as we have seen, the Wallabies can surprise when nothing is on the line.
moaman
Guest
CHJS----Your guess is as good as mine(probably better!) on what the strategy behind it is; all I know is that it bugs me that our meagre stocks are being poached!
all7days
Roar Guru
Cory the Hori is back :)
paul sinnott
Guest
Hey DOug - it may surprise you but there are alot of Australians who live in NZ and receive all the welfare benefits every NZer is entitled to - not sure where you get your information from laddie...
Kiwi bro
Guest
Tye me kangaroo down sport
Kiwi bro
Guest
Haha the fend Gees the boy deceptivly strong with a maddive fend . Best in the game
kelefua
Guest
Uncle Argyle said "Oh yeh – how do you reckon you lot were settled. A colony of New South Wales up until 1840 wasn’t it?" Both NZ & AUS are rich in indigenous cultural history. When it comes to rugby, afterall this is a rugby site, one of these countries have clearly embraced their culture with a ritual that is respected & celebrated world wide. Uncle Argyle how we're you lot settled? Nevermind don't answer that lets just talk about the rugby.
darth vadar
Guest
don't stop booing Quade - it is making him a better human being ;)
darth vadar
Guest
:)
allblackfan
Guest
doug, this is a cultural thing. Kiwis tend not to talk themselves up (and when they do, the Oracle fiasco is pointed out to them and they come quickly back to earth). They walk the talk, is all. A lot of Kiwi fans would not, do not, understand why the Aussies keep talking themselves up all the time (albeit mainly from the media) especially when the results do not go their way. The Kiwis view the Aussies as arrogant in that regard. But it all comes down to cultural differences; Kiwis are introverts, Aussies are extroverts. Feel free to discuss!! :-)
Machpants
Roar Guru
The thing is it is now just like everyone going "beeeeaaast" for Tendai or doing a Mexican Wave. No real vindictiveness in the booing just an amusing part of QC playing. I'd rather the booing stop during kicks first but that isn't going to happen either.
atlas
Guest
I don't know - I do not speak for them, neither do i have an opinion about why they 'want him'. Merely repeating what they have gone public to NZ media with. NZ headline yesterday : Blues 'looking at' option of signing Ma'a Nonu The Blues franchise have confirmed they are looking at the unwanted All Black with a view to signing him for the 2014 season. A spokesman for the Blues said "we are looking at him as an option" but added there was nothing "concrete" to report at this stage. None of the Blues coaches were available for comment but it's interesting that the Blues have suddenly emerged as a contender to sign the outstanding All Black after it had looked likely he would be forced to play his rugby offshore in 2014. Same day, different headline: Chiefs join the market for enigmatic Ma'a Nonu Enigmatic All Black Ma'a Nonu now has two Super Rugby franchises lining up for his services in a dramatic change in circumstances likely to see the veteran midfielder remain in New Zealand. The Blues on Friday confirmed they were "looking at him" for next year's Super Rugby campaign, while Chiefs coach Dave Rennie yesterday told the Star-Times there were also keen to have discussions with the 84-test All Black with a view to potentially offering him a home. It's understood the Chiefs start some way behind the Blues, with talks between the Auckland franchise and Nonu said to be a fair way down the track. watch this space!!
atlas
Guest
CW - 'for example the Bok players have gone straight into the club competition (at least the OZ & NZ players had a week off).' SA have four weeks between tests. NZ has one week off, a test, one week off, travel and start 5 test EOYT on 2 Nov. SA and Aust start their EOYTs 9 Nov A second consideration is NPC/ITM Cup has played its final round this weekend - playoffs next week - how disruptive it would be to teams who have just played 10 or so games together to have 'AB strangers' walk into the side for one game then head off with ABs again. Think the AB players deserve that little break after travel NZ-Arg-SA-NZ!
Chan Wee
Guest
@ atlas Why would BLUES want Nonu ? They already have Frank Halai, Lolagi Visinia, Charlie Piutau, Benji Marshall, Francis Saili, Waisake Naholo (when not playing 7S), Baden kerr... Unless they want a replacement for Ranger, those guys have some quick wheels. Halai Visinia Piutau Naholo have all been thru the GT school of 7S rugger :) they are fast and super fit !!!
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Kuruki There are two schools of thought regarding player burn out vs continuity (form). . One says the guys in form must play on becoz of the age old adage - form is temporary , but class is permanent. Other says players need to be rotated to help the recovery - both physical and mental. This happens a lot in cricket but increasingly less in rugger and football. Only exception may be when there are mid-week games when the team is overhauled. The issue now is there is more of any game/sport than before. Most top players are always playing round the year and even when they get off for a month or so they are training to retain the physical fitness. Player welfare has actually been a hot topic and many countries and clubs have been accused of not looking after the boys. for example the Bok players have gone straght into the club competition (at least the OZ & NZ players had a week off). Cricketers and footballers skip between club and country all the time. In fact the hardest is on footballers who take half-day flights to play for country and return to play for clubs the same weekend. MIB and England are two teams that have tried to develop a wide selection group. All other countries IMO are "thin" on the availability of backup players. The issue for most teams is the management is target -driven (like a business). Success is measured by wins in the short term and not long term survival. So coaches cannot afford to experiment - they just go with the best team. Its not so bad in rugger , but in club and country football coaches get fired mid-season :)
Chan Wee
Guest
@ sheek : 2003 WC squad OZ 1.Matt Burke 2.Chris Latham 3.Matt Giteau 4.Nathan Grey 5.Stirling Mortlock 6.Mat Rogers 7.Morgan Turinui 8.Joe Roff 9.Wendell Sailor 10.Lote Tuqiri 11.Elton Flatley 12.Stephen Larkham 13.George Gregan 14.Chris Whitaker 15.Al Baxter 16.Ben Darwin 17.Matt Dunning 18.Bill Young 19.Brendan Cannon 20.Jeremy Paul 21.David Giffin 22.Justin Harrison 23.Nathan Sharpe 24.Daniel Vickerman 25.Matt Cockbain 26.David Croft 27.George Smith 28.Phil Waugh 29.David Lyons 30.John Roe 2003 WC squad NZ 1.Ben Atiga 2.Leon MacDonald 3.Mils Muliaina 4.Daniel Carter 5.Ma'a Nonu 6.Tana Umaga 7.Doug Howlett 8.Caleb Ralph 9.Joe Rokocoko 10.Aaron Mauger 11.Carlos Spencer 12.Steve Devine 13.Byron Kelleher 14.Justin Marshall 15.Dave Hewett 16.Carl Hoeft 17.Kees Meeuws 18.Greg Somerville 19.Corey Flynn 20.Mark Hammett 21.Keven Mealamu 22.Chris Jack 23.Brad Thorn 24.Ali Williams 25.Daniel Braid 26.Marty Holah 27.Richie McCaw 28.Reuben Thorne 29.Jerry Collins 30.Rodney So'oialo IMO both squads had quality , where a 50:50 hybrid team can be named. Those were the days.....
Machpants
Roar Guru
Yeah I can see Nonu treating Smith with a lot more respect that he (apperently) treated JK, Hammett and Joseph. I mean Waybe could be coaching any international team in the world if he wanted bar SA (like us I can't see a foreign coach) and Oz (cos they've had enough of Kiwi coaches)