Australia vs New Zealand: Match thread, pondering and pontificating.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

It's almost upon us. Two teams geared up for this one. It's finally here.

Good luck to both sides and here's hoping for a cracker.

[Guest]

Can watch it in the UK for free on Sky Sports today too, as it has 24 hour free access  

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Rain tumbling down at ANZ stadium. Will there be a change with Beale moving to the outside and Foley a more traditional flyhalf using a more territory game?

Rain is the leveller and NZ will miss Conrad Smith with this type of weather.

[Guest]

Yeah, let's hope it's a showcase start to the competition.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Ian Smith looks more and more like a grumpy, fat hobbit the more I see him.

[disneychilly]

The conditions are making Conrad's loss a bit more influential. Wouldn't mind Dagg's kicking game at the back in this either.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=327588900741867&set=vb.144835545683871&type=2&theater

Brad Thorn's off to Leicester again I see. Great vid to get you pumped like big Brad.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

dc there may be a roof in the Dunedin stadium but he's played a lot in rain. He's quite good at the low missile kick to skid into touch. I think we'll be fine on that front. Count how many times Smith is tackled, releases the ball, gets up and goes again. Quite a good tactic in any conditions but a wet ground is a good idea.

[Guest]

Peter Cousens ain't afraid of no rain.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Nor afraid of holding that last note. Wallabies were lining up for the haka when he let go.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

The terrifying war cry of Waltzing Matilda sends chills down my spine.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Pretty Fardy done by there for being pinged for not rolling away. Folau with mistake eariler and Cruden sends it over no probs. May be raining but no wind to speak of.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Another mistake with most players ahead of the kick and this is not the start Australia wanted. NZ finding its rhythm and settling down.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Chance goes begging with Smith breaking from a turnover and passed too late.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Great hit from Kaino on Beale but couldn't resist flicking up the pass off his feet. Beale will feel roughed up by that and has to take the kick but gets it.

NZ earlier getting their game going but good work by Hooper over the ball. Australia haven't had much ball or territory so will be happy they're equal.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Fardy did anything in that lineout and still got pinged.

[Guest]

Bit stop and start eh.

Ouch, bad miss by Cruden

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Cruden misses. But the search for Fardy puns continues.

[Guest]

I won't be the first to drop a Fardy pun

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Great sportsmanship from Nic White.   

Ben Smith over the ball competing and Nic White claps him on and encourages him with his good work. Cruden gets the kick this time.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Folau definitely taken out there. Should've been yellow.

[Neutralee]

Weird start, Aus making mistakes but the ref seems to be watching one team sharper than the other.

Fardy did nothing and got pinged, and this pen came from the first Kiwi into the breakdown dropping on Tomua, Smith was 2nd man in and shouldve been pinged.

Interesting start, Aus should be tighter than they are, they look like they want to play Tah's rugby but NZ would be ready for it.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

But Peyper feels he just stood his ground.

[Neutralee]

Superb turnover, I'm going to use that clip next time I take a theory session, that was textbook!

[Neutralee]

NZ kicking game has been superb, varied and enough to turn/bring players onto.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Nonu returning the sportsmanship there giving Israel Folau a huge hug and saying I really dig you as a player. Held up and NZ get ball. Smith puts kick in behind and Folau and White clash heads going in different directions on the floor for the ball.

[Cyril]

2nd biggest game of the weekend!

A bit scrappy so far. Guess the weather hasn't helped.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Nic White limping and Wallabies pinged at scrum time.

It's scrappy but NZ ahead 9 - 3 and NZ will be happy to continue this and converting inside Aussie half.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

NZ pinged again with Crockett offside after the ball gets spilled after Folau gets clangered dipping into a tackle by McCaw.

Australia with rare possession in NZ's half.

[Neutralee]

2nd biggest game of the weekend!

A bit scrappy so far. Guess the weather hasn't helped.

Aus don't seem to have adjusted for the wet at all, more fool them so far sadly.

For a good game here we need Aus to get back on the board, or ahead, force NZ to play, and pick them off.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Good understanding between Fekitoa and Nonu to get Carter out into touch. We may lose defensive savvy but we gain in physicality, which is not such a bad thing in these conditions.

Kaino spills it though so let's see if Australia can capitalise.

[Cyril]

2nd biggest game of the weekend!

A bit scrappy so far. Guess the weather hasn't helped.

Aus don't seem to have adjusted for the wet at all, more fool them so far sadly.

For a good game here we need Aus to get back on the board, or ahead, force NZ to play, and pick them off.

I don't think it'll be that close come the end. Aus have improved somewhat from last year (when they were dreadful) but are still a way behind NZ. Aus do have a decent chance to beat SA but NZ should win every game this tournament (with practically 2nd strings vs Argentina).

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Beale gets a shoulder on McCaw and busts through but Beale does an impersonation of the Anaconda and gets pinged for crawling.

[Neutralee]

I count that as 5 unforced errors from Aus now, thats just way too high!

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Retallick stands over Nic White who took wrong option and Cruden goes for lineout instead of goal. NZ look dominant at the breakdown.

[kingelderfield]

Oz need to step up and adapt to the whistle and weather.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Fardy deserved to be pinged there and didn't! Got in the way and did a great job of disrupting the NZ maul.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

NZ with their own unforced errors. Never try to kick in the line again Savea!

[Neutralee]

2nd biggest game of the weekend!

A bit scrappy so far. Guess the weather hasn't helped.

Aus don't seem to have adjusted for the wet at all, more fool them so far sadly.

For a good game here we need Aus to get back on the board, or ahead, force NZ to play, and pick them off.

I don't think it'll be that close come the end. Aus have improved somewhat from last year (when they were dreadful) but are still a way behind NZ. Aus do have a decent chance to beat SA but NZ should win every game this tournament (with practically 2nd strings vs Argentina).

I disagree, I don't think they are any better than last year, they have just replaced a boatload of players.

Think of the quality Aus havn't got in this team...

Alexander
Horwill
Pocock
Higginthbotham
Genia
Cooper
Lilo
Ioane

A lot of those guys would be in or around the matchday 23. Form can take you so far, but quality has to be used as an indicator, take Nonu for example.

[Neutralee]

Finally White ghets pinged for feeding, every time ref!

[Guest]

None of the feeds have been straight. Why pen now?

[kiakahaaotearoa]

How can Toomua be a 10 at times and kick so poorly with the left?

[kingelderfield]

AB's are all over this.

[Cyril]

2nd biggest game of the weekend!

A bit scrappy so far. Guess the weather hasn't helped.

Aus don't seem to have adjusted for the wet at all, more fool them so far sadly.

For a good game here we need Aus to get back on the board, or ahead, force NZ to play, and pick them off.

I don't think it'll be that close come the end. Aus have improved somewhat from last year (when they were dreadful) but are still a way behind NZ. Aus do have a decent chance to beat SA but NZ should win every game this tournament (with practically 2nd strings vs Argentina).

I disagree, I don't think they are any better than last year, they have just replaced a boatload of players.

Think of the quality Aus havn't got in this team...

Alexander
Horwill
Pocock
Higginthbotham
Genia
Cooper
Lilo
Ioane

A lot of those guys would be in or around the matchday 23. Form can take you so far, but quality has to be used as an indicator, take Nonu for example.

If they're no better than last year then they better be very afraid. If they don't further improve next year the best they can hope is runner up tyo England in the world cup pool.

[Neutralee]

mccaw stood a yards offside and grabbing Palu's shirt as he picks the ball up, ref come on...

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Both sides not adapting to Peyper. He's strict but consistent and they need to accept it and adjust.

[Neutralee]

2nd biggest game of the weekend!

A bit scrappy so far. Guess the weather hasn't helped.

Aus don't seem to have adjusted for the wet at all, more fool them so far sadly.

For a good game here we need Aus to get back on the board, or ahead, force NZ to play, and pick them off.

I don't think it'll be that close come the end. Aus have improved somewhat from last year (when they were dreadful) but are still a way behind NZ. Aus do have a decent chance to beat SA but NZ should win every game this tournament (with practically 2nd strings vs Argentina).

I disagree, I don't think they are any better than last year, they have just replaced a boatload of players.

Think of the quality Aus havn't got in this team...

Alexander
Horwill
Pocock
Higginthbotham
Genia
Cooper
Lilo
Ioane

A lot of those guys would be in or around the matchday 23. Form can take you so far, but quality has to be used as an indicator, take Nonu for example.

If they're no better than last year then they better be very afraid. If they don't further improve next year the best they can hope is runner up tyo England in the world cup pool.

Sadly if they stay as they are they could still win their group, or they could in reality come 2nd, or 3rd, lets not pretend any of the 3 teams have a devine right to a qualification spot.

[Guest]

Yellow card huh

[Neutralee]

Youve got to admire Hoopers bravery and tenacity, taking a quickie, then a scrum option?!

Brave or niaive?

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Crockett binned after holding back Beale at the quick tap. Australia going for a scrum with a man advantage. Huge moment in context of the match.

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