Rugby, presented in Socratic method:
1. Will New Zealand seek to command more possession? How?
2. Will an All Black team ever beat fewer defenders than in 2020 Bledisloe 1? How can you be sure?
3. If an All Black team completes less than half the passes, as well as offloads, of the Wallabies, is that by design or perforce?
4. Is Ian Foster the new Laurie Mains?
5. Is Dave Rennie the new Rod Macqueen?
6. Can any team survive consecutive Tests of three lost lineouts, two lost scrums, six misses at goal, 14 per cent missed tackles, 22 turnovers conceded with only six won back, 14 penalties, far too much possession to be comfortable, and reliance on an opponent losing the ball in the air during a swan dive? In New Zealand?
7. In this century, or any other, has an All Blacks team ever only gained 242 metres by running with the ball?
8. How badly will Nic White be smashed in the tackle at Eden Park?
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
9. Is Sam Whitelock replaceable? Really?
10. Beauden Barrett is the Boks’ Achilles; but when the Achilles of your Achilles is aching, is BBBBB beatable?
11. Can Scott Barrett just walk into a Bledisloe without gametime and avoid a card?
12. If James O’Connor outplays Richie Mo’unga in consecutive Bledisloes, will he finally get his number ten card?
13. Are Kiwis just not used to a sniping darting halfback? Do any of their Super Rugby nines do what Nic does?
14. Will the All Blacks’ big ball carriers remember that channel close to the set-piece and ruck? Or just speeding it wide to be rushed?
15. In a kicking shootout from 60 metres, do you take Reece Hodge or Jordie Barrett?
16. Is Harry Wilson the second coming of Rocky Elsom in tighter shorts?
17. Who will win this week’s aerial battle?
18. Can any backline player make a first-up tackle on Caleb Clarke?
19. Should the Wallabies use a lock to lift a lock who lifts Ned Hanigan, to win a middle lineout?
20. Is Matt To’omua going to bring a kicking tee on to the pitch?
Matt To’omua. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
21. Is Angus Gardner going to feel a wee bit of pressure; will it result in even more whistling?
22. Which Tupou will be happier at the end?
23. Is Shannon Frizell desperate to keep that jersey?
24. At what point will young Wallabies realise they are playing the bloody All Blacks at Eden Park?
25. Is there any other match in 2020 that even matters compared to this one?
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Roar Rookie
We certainly got an answer to question 18.
Tissot Time
Roar Rookie
#18. NO #23. YES
Tom
Guest
Liked Laurie better fosters been round long time. Maybe Rennie's inside knowledge of Wellington, and the weather hence draw.wallabys bit apprehensive towards end of game at moment seem to be playing super Aru with five to go. But passes not sticking throwing to no one. Hopefully Scotty can comeback on the mountain for kiwi trifecta.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Yes Laurie Mains was another that never made my Christmas Card list ... average, slow and boring fullback
jameswm
Roar Guru
A half back with a no like that almost deserves it.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
I don't see us winning at all, but if we can keep it to 10 points, it may give us confidence for the next couple of games.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
The shirt side. Gees Digger that is brilliant
The Late News
Roar Rookie
He's a locksmith now?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Socrates? In the words of Eric Idle... Yes, Socrates himself was particularly missed, A lovely little thinker, but a bugger when he's pi$$ed!
elysiusrugby
Roar Rookie
It's mostly because they think Razor is a better coach. Similar to why Hooper was disliked, because most thought Pocock better.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Will the wallabies be penalised for their off the ball late tackles this match.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Does Scott Wisemantle have the keys to unlock the All Blacks back line for the third game in a row?
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
From memory, the media (and public) didn’t much like gruff Hansen when he began either.
Chufortah
Guest
Usually I always say the way to beat them All Blacks is let them score first, never score first or you make them angry. They chill out when in front, but with this new Wallabies team and ABs out of sorts, I think some pressure and a quick start and a try is what we need.
Machooka
Roar Guru
'Surely you're not supposed to answer them?' Ummm, I don't know about that, Noodles... have crack, a two minute crack. Boil it up. :silly:
Harry Jones
Expert
Tricky dicky
Machooka
Roar Guru
:angry: :silly:
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Important which team gets on top first, gets that mental edge of confidence. Hope the WB's win the toss and kick off....deep into the corner. Make the AB's play near their own line at the start.
scrum
Roar Rookie
Fair enough but they do not have to compete with the NRL and AFL for the sporting dollars .
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Hazza. Interesting observations there. I suspect the ABs are going to moving the pill around a bit using contestable kicks by Richie and tricky runs by BBBBB