NZ versus Australia- NZ side

First topic message reminder :


http://www.allblacks.com/news/17771/All-Blacks-team-for-RWC-Semifinal-v-Wallabies-named

Predictable lineup:
Starting XV:

1. Tony Woodcock (81)
2. Keven Mealamu (90)
3. Owen Franks (29)
4. Samuel Whitelock (23)
5. Brad Thorn (57)
6. Jerome Kaino (46)
7. Richie McCaw – captain (101)
8. Kieran Read (34)
9. Piri Weepu (54)
10. Aaron Cruden (7)
11. Richard Kahui (15)
12. Ma’a Nonu (64)
13. Conrad Smith (53)
14. Cory Jane (29)
15. Israel Dagg (10)

Reserves:

16. Andrew Hore (60)
17. Ben Franks (14)
18. Ali Williams (71)
19. Victor Vito (12)
20. Andy Ellis (24)
21. Stephen Donald (22)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (12)

Some Kiwi's will cringe with the sight of Donald on the bench but now he's there we've just gotta get in and support him...
Ellis in front of Cowan on the bench. Good thing...

Good to have Joubert. Couldn´t ask for a better ref.

Wonder if Beale will play. It may be a handicap to play him as he´ll be short of match fitness. AAC I think is better at centre for Australia but he is a classy player but a fully fit Beale offers more of a threat there, especially in broken play. AAC is a monster close to the line but not as dynamic a runner as Beale.

Will Cooper turn around his form and put in his best performance in this RWC? That depends a lot on how the AB pack goes and the kind of ball Australia get. I agree though, no loose kicking giving him or Genia space. Close them down fast.

Forgot to add another reason to win on Sunday. It’s my birthday. I don’t want to cry on birthday. Especially in front of the kids I coach.

Me and the other Kiwi posters chipped in for a present for you chewed_mintie. It´s a surprise but we´ll tell you after the game.

Also worried about Cruden. One of his strengths could be turned into a big weakness. If he wants to establish his running game then he really needs to be aware of where Pocock is. If he's not and takes on the line, his slight frame will mean he will go to ground quickly and Australia will pilfer unless the All Black support is right up his bum. Though his passing has been far more accurate than Slade's and this means better backline continuity.

Again, that goes back to the pack I think disney. If we get some pick and goes and the defensive line is treating, it gives Cruden time and space to sum up the options. I was impressed at how confident he looked. Didn´t have that rabbit in the headlight stare like Slade did even though I think he has a better all-round game.

We just need Weepu to take the pressure off but also we need a dominant display from the pack. That´s a very experienced pack we have and plenty of people who can get us over the advantage line.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Me and the other Kiwi posters chipped in for a present for you chewed_mintie. It´s a surprise but we´ll tell you after the game.

A hide off a Wallaby? Exciting!

Hopefully a Quade Cooper mug. Let´s hope it doesn´t end up being a trophy!

Wouldn't it be a Quade Cooper urinal cake set instead?

The 03 semi had Aussie running scared in the media-NZ were deserved favourites and look where it got them. Thumped. I think Aussie talking it up again and making themselves joint favourites may play into NZ's hands. The taunts have come before the game and they've had the time to deal with it and turn that hurt into positive energy. DC or not I think the ABs are in an all right place. Henry deserves the kudos as he's managed to get the top XV (bar DC) on the park. McCaw's foot will be ok during the game it's the recovery that kills him. We can physically dominate Australia-not like in 03, and hopefully we scrum well enough in the eyes of the ref to get an advantage there.

Nice piece of editing here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvBs4XYptdE

(note, contains a couple of swear words)

Geez watched the bok oz match again twice last night and some of those oz forwards took a battering. Samo horwill pocock.
To back that up at eden park will surely take a huge effort.
Theyll need to do even more tomorrow.
Unreal...

If Aus have to make 140+ tackles tomorrow they're gone, so the question is can they get parity - not sure they can and therefore likely to be a long night at the office for the Aussies.