Australia had just come off a very hard game the week before
Not many teams would have stood up to that onslaught it remains to be seen whether
NZ can do it again on sunday
Cooper was much better being gracious in defeat than his smirking in victory maybe he has learned something-- be more like the rest of the team--sportsmen
All the flak he copped he asked for
Hate to say it - League ball movement tactics could help - Having grown up on Union - discovered AFL thru' the kids and now in Qld re-visiting (just on the box) league (state of origin - brilliant).
I found the game really frustrating. You knew that there was a snowball in hell's chance of the ball going down the line and scoring - they really need to get some of the league tactics involved. A better structure for selling dummies, changing direction, mixing it up - causing confusion and openings - dynamic (like top level league) - the predictable pass out till someone gets stopped - was average school boy level.
I bought into the hype but compared to the reality - not next time.
A penalty kick needs to be cheaper - say 2 points and a try 6 + conversion 3.
Aerial croquet is not that interesting - take the best kicker of any AFL team and 50 meters is in range without sweating - specially with a flowerpot to kick-off[}:)].
Cheers
Ap
This is the core of the issue (& about the only objective observation from Ted & all NZ )
Here is another objective observation for you Of all the top Rugby playing nations
Australias record for clean play would be second to none IMHO
^^^^^^ yeh unlike wales who wanted to loophole the rules with illegal tactics to win the game then they go and whinge about about a player being sent off for a nasty tackle which all countries were warned about. it was nasty no matter what angle you watched it at. maybe the welsh would be happier if they left there demeaning mining jobs in the happy homeland and moved over here for a proper mining job. nah we got enough whingers here already. even if france lose they will always have sexier women
Aw wow what an awesome tournament. Highlights would be TOnga's win over france and NZ Dominating Aus. Players ive enjoyed watching include David Pocock and Kaino. Been a quiet comp for the 10s but the loosies have dominted. I also think wales were hard done by that was not a red card in my books.
For history sakes the Maori's weren't native Kiwi's.The Moriori's were, and they were eaten by the Maori's, and the rest fled the country to the Chathams.
So the real lineage of the kiwi's are actually from the Chatham Islands....and they weren't cannibals.
Go Figure......
Shhh don't tell to many people as they might be able to contest the Treaty of Waitangi.....
Go the AB's !
At the end of the day its really just a game.........and we had better win or there will be trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The nation will mourn and heads will be chopped off. I am not sure if they will be eaten though. This match will define many things - from Henry's legacy to Richie to Cruden and even SBW - he may decide to stay in NZ and play rugby for anoter few years. There is nothing but downside if the lads come unstuck. I am hoping that big bad Brad has a stormer. He has been an amazing talent for a very long period of time. One of our best.
AB's by 14 I reckon. 1 yellow card and the first points will be an AB penalty from Piri to settle the nerves.
Tonights game I am not so sure. On form the Welsh should have it in the bag but the Aussies are long overdue a decent performance, although they have made a host of changes. Lets hope its a great battle. I have a dozen cold ones in the fridge and can not wait to start cracking them, sitting on the lounger with the volume turned up loud and gobbling down some pizza at half time. I will be guttered when this RWC is over - what will I do with all my spare time in the evenings?
What are you Aussie boys thinking tonight? I would love to hear your thoughts / predictions?
You could be right Lacey. They are not looking like they could organise a **** in a whorehouse! I think they will win - they have controlled territory well so far.
ok so you won - well done. But once more the Welsh were brought down by their kicking!!!!!!!!!
Hope the Cooper injury is not serious. Looked bad.
Yep.
Berrick Barnes has that Steve Larkham (or Dan Carter - the Kiwi God Who Can Do No Wrong [}:)]) style & class.
And maybe there in lies the fault - Robbie should have played more of him. At the start of the test season I thought McCab would not cut the grass....but he surprised me and did well in the hard physical encounters against the boks......but over the last few weeks maybe having BB outside Cooper may have been the calming influence he needed. It is a team game at the end of it and combinations can dictate results as much if not more than key individuals.
I think it will be a great end of season battle in Europe this year with lots of teams wanting to prove themselves and move forward. I am looking forward to seeing what squad they announce for the Wallabies. Some of the key position selections maybe very interesting. I hope the Australian public can maintain its interest in the Wallabies over the summer. They deserve it.
And for the record Wineman it was a very happy day when SL decided to step down from the international scene. Absolute living legend. He was truely gifted. Hopefully the AB's learn from that and move Dagg up to number 10 one day soon!!!