NZ v Australia Semi Final: Live Match Thread

[Pal Joey]

First topic message reminder :

Eden Park, Auckland 21:00 NZ/ 19:00 AEST/ 09:00 GMT

New Zealand:

1. Tony Woodcock, 2. Kev Mealamu, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Sam Whitelock, 5. Brad Thorn, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. R McCaw (C), 8. Kieran Read

9. Piri Weepu, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Richard Kahui, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Israel Dagg

Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Ali Williams, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Stephen Donald, 22. Sonny Bill Williams


Australia:

1 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore, 3 Ben Alexander, 4 Dan Vickerman, 5 James Horwill (C), 6 Rocky Elsom, 7 David Pocock, 8 Radike Samo,


9 Will Genia, 10 Quade Cooper, 11 Digby Ioane, 12 Pat McCabe, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 14 James O'Connor, 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper,

Reserves:
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Rob Horne.

[Ozzy3213]

Prefer Ka Mate though

[I'm Robin F'n Gibb]

GO WALLABIES!!!!

[Ozzy3213]

Great kick from Weepu

[EnglishReign]

Did it look to anyone else like the Wallibies were standing up to the haka at the end? Then it went to adverts, ah well probably nothing.

[Cowshot]

One way traffic so far. Good defence Aus

[I'm Robin F'n Gibb]

Cracking start from Cooper

[Ozzy3213]

Great start AB's.

Dagg looking well up for this!

Although was his foot in touch before he offloaded to Nonu???

[Cowshot]

...didn't last.

My word. If Aus don't wake up this could be appalling.

[Pal Joey]

Great run from Dagg and offload for Ma'a Nonu to score in the corner.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Oh well theres the world cup, at least we cna all go home now ....ubless Barnes is reffing the final

[I'm Robin F'n Gibb]

Great start AB's.

Dagg looking well up for this!

Although was his foot in touch before he offloaded to Nonu???

i thought so

[Taylorman]

Yehooo!

[Davie]

Surprising there was no TMO for that try

[I'm Robin F'n Gibb]

Surprising there was no TMO for that try

for touch? thought you could only use it for player taking ball in goal?

[Pal Joey]

I knew Joubert would have it in for Pocock...

[Ozzy3213]

What a break from Ioane!!!

[Ozzy3213]

This is going to be a cracker.

[Pal Joey]

At least we look better with the ball. Great run from Digby. Probably blew a try in the corner there - they got things mixed up.

[I'm Robin F'n Gibb]

Is it a bird, is it a plane, no it's Cooperman!

[maestegmafia]

What a brilliant game...!


Great work

[Pal Joey]

fine drop goal from Cruden - nailed that!

[Ozzy3213]

Cruden looking super composed.

Had Weepu nailed his kicks the AB's could be running away with this a bit.

[Cowshot]

As far as I can tell, the Kiwis are disappearing off into the distance in third gear at present.

[I'm Robin F'n Gibb]

Is Cooper a Kiwi?

[Ozzy3213]

Cooper having a 'mare. How long before Deans hooks him and gets Barnes on to control things for Aus?

[EnglishReign]

Cooper having a mare.

[Pal Joey]

Yeah he is Robin.

Agree Pete, we need to get BB on there to restore some normalcy!

[Ozzy3213]

Israel Dagg breaking the gainline every time he attacks it. Aus need to sharpen up in defence.

[EnglishReign]

Should've brought Giteau

[Cowshot]

Is Cooper a Kiwi?

Sleeper agent planted by All Black Intelligence Service years ago.

[Ozzy3213]

Cooper show's he's got a bit about him there nailing the DG.

[EnglishReign]

Christ, Genia takes his sweet time.

[PJHolybloke]

Is Cooper a Kiwi?

Sleeper agent planted by All Black Intelligence Service years ago.

Like Walsh?

[PJHolybloke]

Or Deans?

[Cowshot]

Aus have done well to be only 8 points down, imo. Felt a bit men against boys out there at times. ABs look very good, of course. Dagg is particularly impressive and Cruden has settled in well.

Like Walsh?

Ahah! More than enough evidence for a good conspiracy theory!

The ABs have no faith in this playing against sixteen men to make sure thing. They are going for at least seventeen. Except England when they are going for 21 or 22. Walsh, Cooper, Hape, Hartley.QED.

[Taylorman]

Not happy with the scoreboard.
Weve just entered the period ive been saying for years where abs do nothing between 30- 60 mins and go out.
For 10 of it thats been the case.
Next 20 will decide the match if the theorys correct.
If abs dont score reasonably that period were in trouble.
Mistakes already creeping in.
Cmon abs.

[rodders]

Not happy with the scoreboard.

Yeah its amazing the score is still so close. The ABs have had so much territory and posession.

Australia look very dangerous when they get into the AB's half.

[Pal Joey]

Yeah, we're lucky to be only 8 behind, clinging on.

[I'm Robin F'n Gibb]

Cooper is losing this all on his own

[Pal Joey]

Barnes on... that's good.

[Cowshot]

Aussies getting desperate and forcing passes. Rock solid AB defence.

Going to be a very dull final, unless the French produce something completely out of the blue.

[rodders]

Why is Weepu going off? The AB's can't afford to take the foot of the gas yet.

[Pal Joey]

Off the hook big time there.

[rodders]

Gees McCaw is some player.

Well done the AB's. Awesome performance

[Ozzy3213]

Congrats to all the AB fans, hope you go on and win it now.

Commiserations to the Australian supporters.

[Pal Joey]

Well done All Blacks - they completely outplayed the Wallabies. Cruden, Dagg, Kaino, had blinders but happy to see them in a home Final.

Best of luck against France!

[maestegmafia]

Well done NZ.

In your rightful place.

[Taylorman]

Yeeeeeeeehoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

[Taylorman]

Thanks people.
This means one heck of a lot for all kiwis.
Especially rapt for henry.
He deserves it.
Not over yet but........

[Pal Joey]

Congrats Taylorman - epic day for you.

Also Kiwi, kia, chewed, laurie, TGG and all the other NZ posters - well done!

Only one more hurdle to go.

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