Wallabies vs All Blacks: Pocock eyes McCaw challenge

Yes Store his gentetic material and freeze it (evil laugh with pinky in mouth )

Crockett Coles O Franks Whitelock Rettalick Kaino McCaw Vito A Smith Sopoaga Savea SBW C Smith NMS B Smith Woodcock Laulala Taylor Romano Cane Perenara Slade Fekitoa This is the team i would like to see. Read gets a rest because you want him there next week when McCaw gets his. Messam has been lacklustre, a solid game from Vito at 8 would answer one difficult selection question. NMS needs a start this week, because if he absolutely shines do you really want to leave out one of your experienced performers based on one outstanding game? no. You will want to see if he can back it up. Same goes with Sopoaga, if he is going to be a genuine option he needs another game to prove he has the goods. We all know what Carter can and can't do. Barret is a lock. We have pool play to get these guys game time. C Smith over Fekitoa because you want that cushion and familiarity inside NMS. Cane is having a run for the BOP this weekend, another 30 or so minutes for the AB next week and he will be ready for a start in the final match. SBW played his best game of the year against the Puma, he will start for sure after having a week off. Laulala to come on for a good 40 minutes and show that enthusiasm. C'mon Hansen don't let me down. We don't need to see Dagg,Carter,Messam next weekend we already know what they have to offer, lets answer some questions.

The All Blacks will continue to experiment for the next two games you can bet on that. They have only two games left before they must name a 31 man squad, it makes no sense to play your tried and true then guess who of the new brigade is good enough to go to the world cup. Sam Cane has not played for 6 weeks, another 2 weeks on that would be counter productive. Milner-Skudder is still yet to be seen. Taylor might also be given a start to see how he handles the pressure.

I reckon he'll want to play his last game at home. For the same reason he has never wanted to play in the side show that is Nth Hemisphere club rugby; sentiment. Or maybe I'm just hoping...

He had openly said that if he thinks about retiring or announces it, then he might has well retire immediately because it softens his game. You can take it too ways; he's putting the decision off until the after the world cup, or he hasn't decided yet. Either way Ritchie still has no plans to retire.....wouldn't be surprised if we see him back next year.

I want to see Ritchie win 100 tests as Captain .And another world cup .And another S15 .And Bledisloe of course and chuck in that RC trophy as well . Then we can cryogenically store him for when his clones are ready and need instructionsor a mind meld . Then he can retire .

Yep, all good OB, it's probably just that I'll be so disappointed if they go for another split in Brisbane. This is the type of test you really want to win. Losing the RC and retaining the BC just doesn't have the right ring to it for this side. Hansen won't want anyone else going into the WCup as TC champions...at least I would hope.

I'm with you. Ritchie has never said he will retire after the cup. I think he will play a couple of home tests next year then retire.

CS I agree. While I'd like the ABs to succeed in Sydney, it won't be the straw that breaks the camel's back, if they don't. IMO, that straw will be if the ABs win in Sydney but lose in Auckland.....we retain the silverware but forsake the fortress of our home base. Maybe I'm too old and too rigid in my thinking but sometimes, I wouldn't mind forgoing this particular silverware, if it means retaining the fortress mentality, of our own crown jewel.

I'd argue that losing in Auckland is a mile worse than losing in Sydney. If they lose in Sydney then they lose the Rugby Championship (which might not be a bad thing in a world cup year) and that's about it. If they lose in Auckland then they could potentially lose the Bledisloe cup (depending on Sydney) but then they would also lose their Eden park record, their current winning in NZ record and their 14 year winning in NZ against Australia record. If the All Blacks win in Auckland then they sow up the Bledisloe Cup regardless of the results in Sydney. I'd also argue that winning in Sydney and retaining the Bledisloe would feel empty if they lost in Auckland for the first time in 21 years. Auckland is the more important game when an outright win is concerned. Also, the All Blacks team I put out to play the Wallabies in Sydney should still be good enough to win the game.

I have my eyes on three things: 1. That the ABs come through the RC largely unscathed for the WC 2. Sewing up the Bledisloe (Eden will be a must-win) 3. Finalising our combinations. The RC is certainly important, but I'd gladly see it out of the cabinet in favour of achieving those first three goals.

Don't forget Read was injured early in the Brisbane test. Had he stayed on, that great Wallabies try might not have been scored, and the ABs close it out.

Nick, McCaw is the greatest rugby player I have seen lace up a pair of Adidas. He has my (albeit at times grudging) respect. We don't disagree on that front. But that is not to say that it necessarily follows that McCaw has consistently been a better ruck warrior than Smith. I believe over the period of their respective careers, the ascendency in this area has vacillated. What is clear is that as a playing group, the All Blacks have executed vastly more effective ruck and maul (+ set piece + collision point) efficiency collaboratively and the perception that McCaw has dominated Smith individually at the breakdown is misguided. As his game has modified with age, McCaws broader rugby skills and undeniable leadership certainly adds more bow strings. But I'd contend that Smith's backrow game has also expanded significantly and his current form - specifically at the breakdown - is superior to McCaw's. Just as David Pocock is the most effective breakdown merchant between the two playing groups currently - this doesn't necessarily mean the Wallabies will enjoy ascendency at the ruck at ANZ as the Wallaby supporting cast is currently lagging behind that of the Blacks. George Smith would tip the balance.

Obviousness is IMO, that neither of us are probably right or wrong.....you advocate Sydney while I go for Auckland. We both provide tangible arguments and I suggest, we both want positive outcomes for the MIBs - it's just that we're taking different paths, to reach the same destination. I don't have a problem with how we get there just as long as we get there and, still have a smile to show for it. Cheers mate for the chin-wag and you enjoy your day.....later.

2011 was an issue because there were critical selection issues, the biggest being Dagg had not played for months. It was also the fact that the final was to be played in Brissy a week after the Port Elizabeth match, and, the Crusaders had been through a huge amount of travel- mcCaw, carter, Read, Guiford, Brad Thorne were all rested because Henry didnt want to further burn them out by playing Port Elizabeth, then Brissy in the one week. Plus several players were returning- Dagg, SBW hadnt played a full test etc. So this is nothing like 2011 in terms of needing to try out players, or rest them. Here theres a two week break, and its in Sydney. Hansen has seen most of who he needs to see and if he needs to see anyone else, he can use Eden park for that. This one is about winning- simple as that. Dress rehearsal for the toughest match, all out. I just can't see how thats not obvious...

t-man I should've read this post before commenting above but I will repeat what I said above from another angle. This year is no different from 2011. We lost the RC to the WBs but that game was played in Brissie. Ted made some decisions back then that in hindsight, probably cost the ABs their RC chance but, that's all immaterial now because I think the most important impact of 2011, was where the RWC final was to be played - Eden Park, Auckland and that venue, was like a talisman to the ABs. Perhaps the biggest lucky charm the ABs had going into RWC 2011 and I'd like to believe, that provided an extra lump of encouragement, for the team. This year then is similar in context - winning or losing the RC may become an unfortunate outcome to the overall scheme of things, because it is played in Sydney. However, that monster gorilla that seems to plague this WB side every time they cross the ditch, is just around the corner. You're advocating that we toss all our best eggs into the Sydney basket and then mix and match our eggs, for the Auckland basket. If that is the case, then I hope Hansen realises what he forsakes at Eden Park if he follows your lead and does a mix and match team selection.....the Eden Park fortress and potentially the last home test for a few players who happen to be IMO, members of his best team.

We will see Nick, we will see...

Understand what you are saying, I just very much doubt it. With the match being in SA in 2011 trying Dagg and co was worth the risk, but Sydney? A chance to play a top dog in an away final- how much of a World cup final rehearsal does one need? Pure gold, and if Hansen doesnt treat it like that I would be very (very) surprised.

I dont think theres much doubt that McCaw is a superior footballer the Smith ever was Crash Ball2. McCaw is the greatest of all time.

Carter doesnt need to show anything at all. He's nailed on starter in the RWC There's absolutely no doubt about that. There's a hysteria to your thinking that i just don't believe the tam or the coaching staff would entertain. They may well want to rest at Eden Park but it would be panic that dictates it.