Australia & NZ: The Antipodean Rugby Thread (including Bledisloe games)

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 8:40 am

Game's kicking off, may as well make a match thread.

EDIT: May as well make it a rolling thread.

by **Pal Joey** Sat 31 Oct 2020, 8:46 am

Thanks for setting this up, rr&b.. a miserable wet night here but not too cold.

Will be interesting to see how the Wallaby debutantes cope with the occasion but I have a feeling the All Blacks will put on a show with the Cup at stake.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 8:57 am

Great start...yellow card for a pointless challenge in the air. Killer.

by mikey_dragon Sat 31 Oct 2020, 8:58 am

Admittedly, Sam Cane has been pretty good throughout the series so far. Maybe we were wrong!

by mikey_dragon Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:00 am

Elbow fend from Barrett. Red?

by mikey_dragon Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:05 am

How is O’Keefe trying to give that without checking, awful kiwi ref.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:05 am

Both men down to 14 now. Daugunu and Jordie Barrett off for high in the air and a fend to the face respectively.

2nd try to ABs. Close. 12-0.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:06 am

They're checking Coles' try. Kick through crossfield which has worked well in open play rolls in to dead ball from Mouga and Coles beats Nic White. But it's one of those loose 'throw your arm at it as it fumbles along the floor. No control for me but probably enough for the try given the laws. Tough one for Oz to stomach.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:07 am

Good call. Chalked off for no control.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:21 am

Excellent running try by Mouga down the right hand side. Doesn't covert but NZ back up to 12-0.

Aus have had jack sheet so far, no territory, no possesssion. Need their 10 to step up, he was stepped easily for the try as last man and is providing nothing in terms of control. Australia were comprehensively outplayed even with a man advantage. It's not looking good, this could be a hammering if they don't get things going.

by westisbest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:25 am

Stick a fork in it. This ones done. Sadly.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:25 am

What a try Mouga. Barrett and Mouga combine with a dink outside their 22 from turnover ball and Mouga runs the distance after claiming it on halfway.

Was just about to say that Oz had been better, growing in to the game, but just forcing the last pass to try to keep the break going. And from one such forced pass, NZ turn it over and the try comes.

NZ are killing Australia by kicking from first phase. Completely denying them to get set in to their defensive patterns. Crossfield and dinks, they're all coming off. Could have had 3 tries directly from kicks by now, one chalked off, one was Barrett's card, and now this one the try.

19-0. 28 mins gone.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:27 am

10's looked poor for Australia. Clearly a young guy, will take painful lessons from this. Looks a bit out of his depth so far.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:27 am

Easy drive over from the maul, and that's the game before the half hour mark.

by **Pal Joey** Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:31 am

Yes, he's barely a schoolboy Lolesio... he's getting a baptism of fire.

Wallabies are lucky to only be down by 26. Total domination from the All Blacks in all facets.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:36 am

It's a pretty worrying sign when you're a man up due to a yellow card, in soaking wet weather, and NZ are still throwing a quick lineout throw even though the yellow card clock is up and the man is waiting to come back on. Confidence to go with the dominance.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:39 am

Mouga should have had a hat trick before half time. Dropped kick in backfield falls in to his arms but he can't keep his balance clean on through. The pass is knocked on but NZ have played the elements perfectly. Kick the ball and everything else follows. Masterful use of positive kicking.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:49 am

Lolesio was stepped as the last man in backfield for 2 of the tries. I didn't realise that. He's not looked good ball in hand but it appears they need to change where he's defending asap. If he's better defending from full back than he is at 10 and tackling people then that's a worrying sign!

Not saying it would change much of the result if Oz had a 10 on the field who would add control and good decision making, but they've had almost nothing to stem the tide. It wouldn't be as one sided with a bit of control and/or stepping up from the half backs. Nic White has just had to box kick once in a while and then take a pounding in defence.

by **Pal Joey** Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:55 am

Nice try from the kid. Smile

You're right though. Completely at 6s and 7s when it comes to defence. The ABs were toying with him in the first half... expect some more this half.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 9:55 am

Nice to see Lolesio finish that off, hopefully he's had a reset at half time. What a run from Petaia though.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 10:09 am

It's been very 'bitty' since the try. Not a lot to it. Long stoppages, lots of scrums. Weather's not helping but it looks like both teams just want to wrap this up.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 10:30 am

This second half has dragged on. Still 10 mins to go and finally the ABs get another, Ioane making up for last week after finishing off a set piece blindside move having nearly gone end to end on the break.

As an aside, black mouthguards make you look simple. Not a good look.

by Guest Sat 31 Oct 2020, 10:44 am

That final play sums up Australia in attack. What little ball they had, they ended up overplaying and forcing it.

Tough game, not a great spectacle second half, and not much of a contest, but decent rugby played at times as well. NZ looked several notches above Oz in terms of game management, accuracy, and all those other things that decide test matches.

Lots of new blood for Australia. Should pay off in time.

by **Pal Joey** Sat 31 Oct 2020, 10:51 am

Pal Joey wrote:Just about over it, Tino. The rugby that is. Apparently there will be 4 rookies starting against the ABs on Saturday. Just waiting for the usual silly remark which will no doubt inspire the opposition to go into full rampage mode. The Kiwis should win by about 37.

Not far off.

The Wallabies simply had no answer to this All Black side. Early indiscipline, poor at the set pieces, pointless kicking when running options were available, lacklustre defence, slow to the breakdown, clumsy handling, generally lacking creative vision against such an opponent.

Otherwise a half-decent effort. Congratulations to the Kiwis. Very well deserved. clap

(Mum is happy...)

I'm just glad Gordon won the Shute Shield today over Eastwood. 28-8. Their first shield in 22 years and their 9th overall. They also won the Premiership and the Club Championship. A major comeback after several years near the bottom of the table. Go the Highlanders... or Stags!! Smile

by **profitius** Sat 31 Oct 2020, 10:56 am

Saw the first half and bits of the second.

NZ were a joy to watch while Aus looked a shambles at times.

Tate McDermott looked very good for Aus.

by sensisball Sat 31 Oct 2020, 6:36 pm

I know Australia had several fresh faced youths playing in the back line but I couldn't help but notice the same defensive lapses that Scotland and Glasgow suffered under Matt Taylor. With a different defensive coach Scotland were able to shut Wales down in the last 15 minutes today and grind out a hard faught if uninspiring win. Shows how important specific coaches can be in certain facets of the game.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 8:37 am

Hoping for a more competitive game tonight! Suspect there will be a bigger UK audience given the time difference change making this kick off at a reasonable time.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 8:55 am

Great start Australia!

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:18 am

All black red card on 22 minutes - game on!

Been an exciting game so far.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:28 am

Can't help but think wallabies should be taking these easy 3 points when on offer. Aussies getting a bit excited.

Great game though - bit mad!

by bsando Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:33 am

Why dont Aus just try and play a bit smarter and get some territory before spitting it wide? I could easily see All Blacks winning this with one man down.

by lostinwales Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:33 am

https://twitter.com/10SportAU/status/1325005218069815297?s=20

Just saw that. Red works for me

by bsando Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:34 am

Yeah agree RDW

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:37 am

Red for the wallabies now exact same offence!

AB one made more contact with the head, wallaby one more reckless.

I think the wallaby red will be more disruptive - he was having a good game.

by bsando Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:38 am

Unlucky! An inch lower that’s a yellow

by bsando Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:39 am

How many players have a had a red card on debut?

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:44 am

Koribete yellow now.

He's such a beast, but wallabies were due a yellow from repeated infringement.

Ref is letting a lot of off the ball incidents go - TJ could have had the pen reversed there. Ref needs to get control of the game.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:46 am

What a half!

by bsando Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:48 am

Yeah he grabbed nic white by the head a looked guilty as hell afterwards.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 9:54 am

This is when the coaches really earn their coin - winner will be whoever gets control of the game quickest.

Wallabies absolutely lost the head after the kiwi red.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:02 am

Also, letting Sam Cane play on when he was in no way bound in the scrum was a huge turning point in the half. Was a shocking call from the ref.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:04 am

Would love to see more of Petaia in open play - he looks insanely talented. Reminds me of Randrada - not huge but so fast and powerful.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:08 am

Not sure Hodge at 10 is really working. This game is tailor made for the young pup off the bench - it's so open.

by bsando Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:16 am

Sky have lost the tv feed now, what a weird match

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:20 am

We're ok in Australia luckily.

Great game!

Aussie scrum on top now.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:25 am

Koribete is so good - he's exactly the calibre of player the Aussies need to hold onto if they want to build a competitive team. I'm sure the big money clubs will come calling soon though.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:29 am

Stupid from Scott Barrett.

Game on!

Wallabies again refusing to take the easy 3.

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:35 am

Hooper had had a great game

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:37 am

Tongan Thor making a huge impact!

Surely wallabies will win from here?

by **RDW** Sat 07 Nov 2020, 10:41 am

Jeeeeeeeeez

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