Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="606441" data-time="1471519347">
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<p>Forget the fans, has Cheika come to terms with it?<br><br>
The overseas selections for the RWC made sense in a "break glass in case of emergency" way. But as you perfectly illustrated the imports aren't going to dominate today and they are not part of the future. So why pick so many?<br><br>
Im not sure what selections if any aside from McMahon really point to a bigger plan here?</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Probably not.</p>
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<p>The overseas selections bit is, possibly, part of a wider plan to let up and comers know there is a trading route between overseas bounty and Wallaby fame.</p>
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<p>I cannot follow what he is up to but I shrink from over analysis because he has had to start from such a low base.</p>
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<p>I have set out here before that this is "ten year plan" stuff, as pursued successfully by Sir Graham and by Eddie McGuire and Mick Malthouse at Collingwood.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Cheika is in my view the best opportunity we have had since McQueen, Jones and Dwyer because, like them, Australian rugby needs him more than he needs it. He must be given wide scope and plenty of time to try different things and to eventually get it right, which I believe he can do.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="606447" data-time="1471520602">
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<p>I can't see what Folau has over BFA. Shows the odd spark but is extremely inconsistent, especially at test level.</p>
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<p>Folau has natural talent but not in all facets of rugby - his positional play is poor as is his ability to link and pass early. Ben-from-accounting and Israel Dagg have instinctive abilities beyond Folau's.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="606447" data-time="1471520602">
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<p>I can't see what Folau has over BFA. Shows the odd spark but is extremely inconsistent, especially at test level.</p>
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<p>Ben has a better kicking game and is positionally better. Folau is the best player in the world under the high ball and is arguably the most destructive runner in the game. So he has a few things over Bender if you are being totally objective about it.</p> -
In a world XV BFA would play 15 and Folau on the right wing.<br><br>
For the game, the Wallaby backline looks pedestrian, Naholo, Dagg and Smith are faster than four dads and Folau. Tho Folau and DHP might be fast enough to not be run down if they get a good chance. Gits and Kuridrani are certainly slower than their counterparts.<br>
Will any of this matter if the Wallabies get flogged up front? Of course not, which will propably happen.<br>
Hooper and Pocock wont let you down but I would still have Cane and Read over them, definetily Kaino over both Fardy or McCalman, the Wallaby props and Douglas are the only ones that in form could be better than their All Black counterparts. Im not even going to start on Stephen Moore. Or Simmons who seemingly is the only one who can run a lineout in Australia.<br><br>
This all being said this Sydney opener has been for eithers to take and I dont see why it couldn't be this time. The All Blacks are certainly enterntaining themselves on going big on this one and deepening the misery of Australian rugby and the Wallabies certainly are driven to the corner and will come out breathing fire. Just hoping they won't do anything stupid and channel the furstration and fear of even a longer losing streak in to good things.<br><br>
Wallabies by <10 -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="606505" data-time="1471532218">
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<p>Wallabies by <10</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Logic says you and the doom sayers Edit: <strong>could be </strong>right.</p>
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<p>So, how short are our memories? Bet if the Wobbles pinch it, there's calls for Hansen to be sacked :biggrin:</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="606505" data-time="1471532218">
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<p>In a world XV BFA would play 15 and Folau on the right wing.<br><br>
For the game, the Wallaby backline looks pedestrian, Naholo, Dagg and Smith are faster than four dads and Folau. Tho Folau and DHP might be fast enough to not be run down if they get a good chance. Gits and Kuridrani are certainly slower than their counterparts.<br>
Will any of this matter if the Wallabies get flogged up front? Of course not, which will propably happen.<br>
Hoopah and Pocock wont let you down but I would still have Cane and Read over them, definetily Kaino over both Fardy or McCalman, the Wallaby props and Douglas are the only ones that in form could be better than their All Black counterparts. Im not even going to start on Stephen Moore. Or Simmons who seemingly is the only one who can run a lineout in Australia.<br><br>
This all being said this Sydney opener has been for eithers to take and I dont see why it couldn't be this time. The All Blacks are certainly enterntaining themselves on going big on this one and deepening the misery of Australian rugby and the Wallabies certainly are driven to the corner and will come out breathing fire. Just hoping they won't do anything stupid and channel the furstration and fear of even a longer losing streak in to good things.<br><br>
Wallabies by <10</p>
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<p>Douglas better than Retallick ? That must be a joke.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="606537" data-time="1471554843">
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<p>I thought Horne was a VC? Obviously not enough to make the starting XV (justified IMO).</p>
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<p>I guess that's why they have two VC's :)</p>
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<p>Unfortunately for Horne he is really a 13 that was moved to the wing in hope that he could shore up the defence.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="606505" data-time="1471532218">
<div>
<p>In a world XV BFA would play 15 and Folau on the right wing.<br><br>
For the game, the Wallaby backline looks pedestrian, Naholo, Dagg and Smith are faster than four dads and Folau. Tho Folau and DHP might be fast enough to not be run down if they get a good chance. Gits and Kuridrani are certainly slower than their counterparts.<br>
Will any of this matter if the Wallabies get flogged up front? Of course not, which will propably happen.<br>
Hoopah and <strong>Pocock wont let you down </strong>but I would still have Cane and Read over them, definetily Kaino over both Fardy or McCalman, the Wallaby props and Douglas are the only ones that in form could be better than their All Black counterparts. Im not even going to start on Stephen Moore. Or Simmons who seemingly is the only one who can run a lineout in Australia.<br><br>
This all being said this Sydney opener has been for eithers to take and I dont see why it couldn't be this time. The All Blacks are certainly enterntaining themselves on going big on this one and deepening the misery of Australian rugby and the Wallabies certainly are driven to the corner and will come out breathing fire. Just hoping they won't do anything stupid and channel the furstration and fear of even a longer losing streak in to good things.<br><br>
Wallabies by <10</p>
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<p>David Pocock is the most over-hyped Rugby player in a generation. The All Blacks will look to expose his lack of pace and the flaws in his technique at every available opportunity. Few things in Sport are sweeter than deepening Australian misery. Hansen and Read's men aren't going to miss the opportunity to do so.</p>
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<p>All Blacks by 11-15.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="606718" data-time="1471586505">
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<p>Nathan Harris has done his ACL.</p>
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<p>Taylor comes into the XV, and weirdly Dane Coles comes onto the bench.</p>
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<p>Bugger - that's unlucky.</p>
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<p>Harris has had a terrible run of injuries.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="606726" data-time="1471588208">
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<p>I wonder who the next hooker in line is? Parsons? Hika? Ash Dixon? Wouldn't mind seeing Riccitelli to be honest. </p>
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<p>I'd tend to think Hika.</p>
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<p>They had him in their initial RWC squad last year - but, it seems he's a bit of a "last resort" selection. I can't see Parsons ever getting another test - he looked a bit out of his depth vs Scotland.</p>
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<p>Riccitelli wouldn't be a terrible call - a fair bit early for him, but he looks to have great potential.</p> -
<p>I definitely think Riccitelli is one for the future. Not sure whether Hika is fit to play, considering he was watching Counties play from the stands last night.</p>
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<p>Dixon has been playing the house down this year and is way better than Parsons, but to be honest, I don't want to lose him or Riccitelli from the Magpies squad! Selfish, I know ...</p> -
<p>Really tough for Harris -- poor sod! Hope it doesn't require op, but more likely than not does if a rupture.</p>
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<p>Thought Ash Dixon very good in Supers, although it must be said that GPT really made an impression when he came on in semi's against Lions. </p>
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<p>How things seem to have changed. A couple of years ago we had Coles and a couple of geriatrics. Now each of the NZ franchises has at least one hooker who is perfectly serviceable at Super level.</p> -
<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="606719" data-time="1471587112"><p>David Pocock is the most over-hyped Rugby player in a generation. <br><br>
All Blacks by 11-15.</p></blockquote>
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I dunno.. I reckon that title goes to Sergio Parisse (sp?).<br><br>
Pocock is a great player. If he wasn't, then the ABs wouldn't have made plans to negate him.. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="606759" data-time="1471594322"><p><br><br>
I dunno.. I reckon that title goes to Sergio Parisse (sp?).<br><br>
Pocock is a great player. If he wasn't, then the ABs wouldn't have made plans to negate him..</p></blockquote>
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Yeah much as it pains me to give any sort of plaudits to Bonocock I can't disagree with that or the comment about Parisse.
