Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)
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Shots fired by Shag<br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://m.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11693787'>http://m.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11693787</a><br><br>
Fire returned by Cheika<br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://m.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11694086'>http://m.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11694086</a><br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83188927/wallabies-coach-michael-cheika-has-added-to-the-theatre-of-bledisloe-cup-rugby'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83188927/wallabies-coach-michael-cheika-has-added-to-the-theatre-of-bledisloe-cup-rugby</a><br><br>
Horne tries mind games<br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83201329/Australian-back-Rob-Horne-says-All-Blacks-will-be-under-much-more-pressure-than-the-Wallabies'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83201329/Australian-back-Rob-Horne-says-All-Blacks-will-be-under-much-more-pressure-than-the-Wallabies</a> -
Hang on if Dagg is taking shots at goal does that mean they might see him starting with Cruden to cover if Cruden is having an off night with the boot? Didn't Dagg have an awesome season with the boot for the highlanders one year? I was surprised he stopped doing it.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rembrandt" data-cid="605633" data-time="1471262427">
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<p>Hang on if Dagg is taking shots at goal does that mean they might see him starting with Cruden to cover if Cruden is having an off night with the boot? Didn't Dagg have an awesome season with the boot for the highlanders one year? I was surprised he stopped doing it.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Has Dagg got more range than Cruden? A few other teams have a guy with a huge boot keep his hand in just in case they need to hoof one from the halfway. Wasn't so much an issue with Carter as he had big range, but not sure re Cruden out past the 40... </p> -
<p><u><strong>Starter and back-ups</strong></u></p>
<p> </p>
<p>9 - Aaron Smith, TJP, Ben Smith</p>
<p>10 - Barrett, <strong>Dagg (reserve goal kicker), </strong>Ben Smith</p>
<p>11 - Naholo, Moala, Ben Smith</p>
<p>12 - Crotty, Moala, Ben Smith</p>
<p>13 - Moala, Crotty, Ben Smith</p>
<p>14 - Ben Smith, Naholo, Moala, Ben Smith</p>
<p>15 - Dagg, Ben Smith, Barrett.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Only one back reserve needed (TJP)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="605611" data-time="1471252112">
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<p>Yeah could well be. Cruden seems to step up against Aus, Barrett against SA.</p>
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<p>How can you make that statement when I can't remember Barrett starting against Australia and even if he has not enough to establish a track record or being good or bad.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="605644" data-time="1471270564">
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<p>How can you make that statement when I can't remember Barrett starting against Australia and even if he has not enough to establish a track record or being good or bad.</p>
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He was first five in the Brisbane Bledisloe a few years back where Fekitoa scored in the last minute.</p>
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<p>I kind of get where Bones is going though - Barrett's best rugby has come against the Boks and his style seems to give them more issues, with the caveat it has mainly come both off the bench and at fullback.</p>
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<p>Still think we should go with Cruden at 10, Barrett at 15 and Smith at 14 at least for the first couple of tests.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="605644" data-time="1471270564">
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<p>How can you make that statement when I can't remember Barrett starting against Australia and even if he has not enough to establish a track record or being good or bad.</p>
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<p>I can make that statement by saying the word "seems" as a qualifier and having memories of Barrett causing all sorts of mayhem against SA teams, whilst not a huge amount against Aus. I never said Barrett is good or bad against them.</p> -
<p>I don't really buy they've played enough against different teams, though part of the reason could be the defensive patterns the 2 teams play, ie umbrella v rush v push & so on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barrett has tended to cause chaos v the Boks mostly because he has come off the bench after the ABs have run them all over the park, I think its more about extreme pace v not great fitness than it is about him being particularly suiited.</p> -
Sacrilege to say but my interest in this game is middling with the Olympics on. Will probably be a replay I watch.<br><br>
My interest for the next game will increase if NZ lose though... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="605653" data-time="1471277777">
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<p>Sacrilege to say but my interest in this game is middling with the Olympics on. Will probably be a replay I watch.<br><br>
My interest for the next game will increase if NZ lose though...</p>
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<p>The opportunity to put Australia on a 6 game losing streak over the next two weeks must be a tasty one for many of the players and coaching staff - especially after the way they were talked up heading into the final last year. South Africa would then play them in Brisbane to equal their professional era record of 7 on the trot from 2005.</p>
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<p>Also knocking Aussie off in Aussie becomes less voluntary than it has been in previous years after England did it three times on the trot. The trolls will be out in force if we drop this fixture. Huge game and first high stakes game since the RWC - can't wait.</p> -
<p>It has to be said though , it is a fixture we have struggled with in recent times, </p>
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<p>Last 2 games is a loss and a draw , and even when we win we haven't looked great for a while , </p>
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<p>Aussies tend to front for this one more than any other , </p>
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<p>Without looking up stats , I would say it is up there with Ellis Park for difficulty but doesnt get the same build up </p> -
<p>The Wallabies have been in camp for a month leading into this fixture. If they can't win this against an injury-ravaged team that contested the Super Rugby finals, they won't win anything.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="605653" data-time="1471277777">
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<p>Sacrilege to say but my interest in this game is middling with the Olympics on. Will probably be a replay I watch.<br><br>
My interest for the next game will increase if NZ lose though...</p>
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<p>I'm with you mate. The only reason i remember it's on is this thread. Between the Olympics, and club semi this weekend, i would be surprised if i watched the whole game. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Still, be nice to win</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="605685" data-time="1471300312">
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<p>The Wallabies have been in camp for a month leading into this fixture. If they can't win this against an injury-ravaged team that contested the Super Rugby finals, they won't win anything.</p>
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<p>I honestly prefer the ABs lead up - Coles is one of only two starters in the AB side to play last weekend and he rested the semi final and Savea hardly has been overworked. They've had adequate time with the Blues, Highlanders, Crusaders and Chiefs players, I'd much rather the young guys from those last three franchises coming in brimming with confidence from a great season where they won a finals game - while hardly being overworked since the June international window opened.</p>
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<p>Given the huge rest gap after RWC I'm guessing guys like Whitelock, Read and Rettalick are in the best nick they have been since 2012.</p>
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<p>The centre combo is a huge worry and if the Aussies can't come up with a plan to attack it I have serious questions about the team they have in the box.</p>
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<p>Another huge wildcard for me is going to be discipline. We saw at least 4 incidents in the RWC final by Wallabies forwards that would have been yellow card offenses in any other test - they usually come out full of piss and vinegar for the first Bledisloe and Cheika will likely do little to dampen that - so making sure that aggression is channeled correctly will be important.</p> -
Apparently our winning record in this fixture over the last 15 years is 47% , that's it then , wallabies are favourites .
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<p>Where the Aussies usually catch us out in these games is we play a bit lateral, we are a bit passive in the ruck, they tackle well, mess up our ball, the game stays close, then the grab a late try and turn another corner.</p>
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<p>The script generally goes we then go home, play direct and hard, are brutal at the ruck, and fucking blow them off the park in the first 30 minutes, and they go back around the corner to the drawing board.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="605690" data-time="1471302704">
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<p>Where the Aussies usually catch us out in these games is we play a bit lateral, we are a bit passive in the ruck, they tackle well, mess up our ball, the game stays close, then the grab a late try and turn another corner.</p>
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<p>The script generally goes we then go home, play direct and hard, are brutal at the ruck, and fucking blow them off the park in the first 30 minutes, and they go back around the corner to the drawing board.</p>
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<p>Bottom line is our tight 5 front up and we win.</p>
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<p>For the Aussies to win, we need an off night and they need to play well. It happens, but only 1 in 5 or so</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="605689" data-time="1471302206">
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<p>Apparently our winning record in this fixture over the last 15 years is 47% , that's it then , wallabies are favourites .</p>
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<p><img src="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/07/finger.gif" alt="finger.gif"></p>
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<p>The actual stats at ANZ Stadium, are 7 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw. Hardly overwhelming, but its the only ground in the world where the ABs don't have a winning percentage... apparently.</p>
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<p>Though its pertinent to note that they don't have a losing percentage there, either... :)</p>
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<p>I would expect our Foreign Legion to be heavily involved, and that might tip the balance for us. What that says about the quality of our current Super Rugby teams is there for all to see. Maybe something like this:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1 Slipper</p>
<p>2 Moore</p>
<p>3 Kepu</p>
<p>4 Douglas</p>
<p>5 Simmons</p>
<p>6 Fardy</p>
<p>7 Hooper (c)</p>
<p>8 Pocock</p>
<p>9 Phipps/Genia</p>
<p>10 Foley/Quade</p>
<p>11 Mitchell</p>
<p>12 Giteau</p>
<p>13 Kuridrani</p>
<p>14 AAC</p>
<p>15 Folau</p>
<p> </p>
<p>16 TPN</p>
<p>17 Sio</p>
<p>18 Robertson</p>
<p>19 Mumm/Coleman</p>
<p>20 McMahon</p>
<p>21 Genia/Phipps</p>
<p>22 Toomua/Cooper</p>
<p>23 DHP</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But there are a few permutations in there that could make it anything.</p>
