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

[kiakahaaotearoa]

First topic message reminder :

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.

[kingelderfield]

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

Brave or niaive?

Grossly naive.

[Guest]

You'd have to think so in these conditions

[kiakahaaotearoa]

In the end Australia go for the 3 with the hooter sounding. Good captaincy from Hooper. Hits the post.

Opportune moment for half time. NZ have 8 minutes with 14 men and need to sort out their discipline. Australia had a sniff there so good time to head to the sheds and regroup.

[Neutralee]

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

Brave or niaive?

Grossly niaive

I disagree I think, Hooper wants a backrower off the pitch, and based on the breakdown Aus need it, Beale shouldve nailed the pen in a similar position to the original.

SA performed the same thing against Wales, and it proved a match winner.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Hansen's jibes at not having a genuine goal kicker finding its mark?

[kiakahaaotearoa]

SA will be happy about these conditions and hoping for benign conditions when they visit Australia. Bonus points are crucial and if there's a four try bonus after tonight I'll eat my cat.

[Guest]

Have to say, rain sucks.

[Guest]

The big fat one!!

[kiakahaaotearoa]

I can't remember the last time I saw or felt rain...

[Biltong]

Not a very good performance by either team, you could argue the rain has had an influence, but Beale is struggling, Folau is being isolated and even though the AB's are succeeding in their tactics, they are failing in their error rate

[Neutralee]

Can they not invest in a roof...

They only dry place in the stands will be at the back in the 3rd tier, of course you can only see half the pitch but at least you'd be dry lol

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Yep BB it's pretty ugly. Only genuine break from Aaron Smith and he delayed the pass for too long and it was low. Had Kaino out wide as well.

These conditions do not suit Beale. Will be interested to see if Link brings on Foley or whether he will continue with Beale for fear of people saying why didn't he just start with Foley in the first place.

[Neutralee]

Yep BB it's pretty ugly. Only genuine break from Aaron Smith and he delayed the pass for too long and it was low. Had Kaino out wide as well.

These conditions do not suit Beale. Will be interested to see if Link brings on Foley or whether he will continue with Beale for fear of people saying why didn't he just start with Foley in the first place.

Or just swap him with Tomua?

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Toomua isn't a genuine goal kicker either.

I really feel for Australia. Rugby is finally making the back pages of the sports page and there is genuine interest after the Wallabies on a roll and a S15 title and this is the rugby fare that is served up.

[Neutralee]

Tomua playing first receiver a lot early on, I have to say I hate that league style floated pass Beale keeps using, everyone to take it has to secure it in the gut just in case.

Tomua looking really sharp early on here.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Better continuity from Oz there. Nic White needs to be taken off. He's so slow and ponderous. Whether that's the knock earlier on, it doesn't matter.

Australia need points for this good passage of play. Hooper looks strong with ball in hand.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Yeah he's looked good Toomua early on with his straight running.

[Neutralee]

And then that pass...

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Put the jinx on him as he gives a shocker of a pass.

[Neutralee]

Think you may be right on White now, he's far slower, at the breakdown, and that attempted kick.

Also at the last pen Hooper was faster to the ball than him.

[Neutralee]

So that was a 3 point yellow card, both sides will be a bit happy with that I think.

[Neutralee]

Why is the ref not allowing White to challenge at the scrum, he's screaming behind the ball and blocking him, despite only getting half way around?

[Neutralee]

Beale you donkey, has a hooker turned, 5m out, foot on the touchline and you fly through and let him out of jail = NZ pen on half way.

I think it's time to ditch Beale!

[kiakahaaotearoa]

No advantage and White with a poor kick, NZ still get the lineout. Another handling mistake and Coles gets back and outdoes Beale and releases to Fekitoa. Entertaining passage of play. Rain seems to be subsiding but the damage has been done on the field.

[Neutralee]

Folau and Beale useless again...

Open field plenty of space and a 2 on 1 and Folau hits an air ball!!

Great strength from Savea, AAC shouldve had the pen, scrum or possibly try?

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Try goes begging there.

Aaron Smith with a poor kicking option sees NZ almost concede a try with a poor pass spoiling it. Time to take both halfbacks off I think.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Last quarter coming up with score tied. NZ getting hammered on penalty count and they must sort that out.

[Guest]

ABs need to wake up

[Neutralee]

NZ going to take the lead again, the momentum is all Aus at present, nicked ball and bang 3 points.

NZ have such a nack of nicking points when under the cosh!

[kiakahaaotearoa]

White fails to make touch and NZ get penalty. (Good intercept by Savea). How many mistakes does he have to make before he gets pulled?

[Guest]

Wow, Savea is playing!!

[Neutralee]

Out of jaol again, mcabe is no winger let alone finisher, 2 opportunites go begging.

Quick thinking and Aus are back on half way, heartbreaking for Aus they had the advantage!

[LeinsterFan4life]

Why did they go wide?!?!?

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Peyper doesn't know how to play advantage. NZ very lucky there. Great strength from Savea again.

[Neutralee]

Interesting NZ have made what 4 changes, Aus none as of yet? Could be an vpact finish for Aus?

[Neutralee]

Peyper with a poor call there...

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Barrett on for Cruden. Australia have a sniff but Charles is imploding, albeit a very harsh call. Time to take him off as well. Where is Link with the changes?

[Neutralee]

White, Palu, and Charles can be brought off here for an impact in performance...

[kiakahaaotearoa]

It wasn't Charles' fault but it's not going to hurt his confidence. Can't afford to be on an attacking lineout and lose it.

Has taken off White and Fardy.

[Guest]

Far jones!!

[Guest]

ABs don't deserve to win this game

[Neutralee]

NZ going to play the rest without a 10...

Aus have to be chomping at the bit now, if Aus ever had a chance to take a win this is it!

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Well this is going to be interesting. Barrett off for almost all of the remaining match.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Great pressure kick from Beale. Big finger to Shag!

10 minutes and who will be flyhalf for NZ?

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Comical stuff there! Will Australia pay for that mistake?

[Guest]

Boom bom boom bom boom bom (Skelton)

[Guest]

The ref, mmmm

[kiakahaaotearoa]

How is that not a penalty?!!!

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Good another scrum.

[Guest]

De jevu with Mealamu, warrior, but come on buddy

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