Rugby - Six Nations, S14, Lions, Can't Wait

[Havak]

Oh I've read John Laffins book Finbar. And broadly agree. Douglas Haig reputedly never went closer than twenty miles to the front.

McCaw is back for the ABs though - a big plus to any side. And George earning his 100th cap up against him I hear?

[finbar]

The Wallabies should be disappointed with that result, taking nothing away from the ABs' second half. The maligned Wallaby front row coped, just a pity the ref was suckered at key points by the AB loosehead pulling back, not to mention McCaw constantly joining the front row and boring inwards. Too many turnovers at the breakdown was the difference. I still don't think Stephen Donald is up to it. Kicking up and unders and bombs is one thing, managing a game is another.

[Havak]

After all this time you still expect scrums to be correctly refereed in the tri-nations Finbar. For shame.

The Wallabies should be disappointed. That AB side was there for the taking.

McCaw is a cracking player isn't he? Greatest active player in the world as my old kiwi mate recently opined? Well he is certainly up there. I have to say I think there's a Wallaby or two up there with him - Mr Giteau and Mr Mortlock have their hands up. But then so does BOD. Not to mention neither side has anything in the league of Croft at blindside right now.

The oft discussed gulf in standard betwixt north and south? No sign of it this morning. It was akin to watching Italy flop over the line against Wales.

Oh and I would not give you tuppance for either of the AB locks. They seem to have problems in that position at the moment? Can either side today trouble the Bok line out, not to mention the scrum?

[classical_hero]

It was terrible game to watch.

[kittenOFchaos]

I'm frankly very annoyed with Australia.

I had a £5 bet on NZ winning first half and losing the second.

£5 on Australia winning 6-10 points.

Very tasty odds on both options and given the form prior to the game and alot of the match itself not far off.

Boths sides were very sloppy, given the quality of play in response to the high ball during the Lions tour, today was absolutely shocking - particularly the Australians. I didn't see one excellent example of taking the high ball (and I am aware it was windy), but Kearney, Byrne and Armitage all would have been nailing those as they have done all year.

I expected far more of the Australians, particularly as the NZers were awful in the lineout...and given that backline, Australia seemed to lack real penetration for all of that second half.

As for McCaw...he is quality and NZ seem to need him. Today wasn't his greatest game, he wasn't as prominent in defence as I've seen him in many games, but that NZ win with him and lose without him, tells it all.

Overall it was one of the worst Aus/NZ games I've seen in terms of aggression and quality and Australia let me down badly. Waah!

It is just a shame that the Lions weren't touring NZ/Australia by the looks of things. I suspect the South Africans must be fancying their chances...

[Havak]

Plank really has earned that nick name this time I think.

What a silly fellow.

I hugely admire Ricky Ponting - only an Aussie can so classily damn a side that just beat him soundly with the faint praise he heaped on Freddie today.

[kittenOFchaos]

So, South Africa against New Zealand, any predictions and tips to help guide my betting?

[finbar]

Providing the Fruit Loop coach doesn't undermine them in some way, I'd fancy the Boks if they can reproduce any of their better form against the Lions, meaning they'll be ruthless and relentless enough to exploit the AB weaknesses. Which, basically, was Australia's problem - neither ruthless nor relentless.

I suspect the Ashes is going to seesaw back and forth. England were superior in the second Test but less so than Australia was in the first. All in all, two teams of less than high quality. On the other hand, unless Mitchell Johnson can get his head - and technique - together in a hurry, Australia will struggle. He seems to have come down with a case of the Harmisons. Bowled magnificently in South Africa, can't bowl a hoop downhill now. The second Test was lost in four hours on the first day.

The whole Quins debacle is odd indeed. Club fined, player suspended, coach and medical staff cleared. Are they saying the player came up with the idea to cheat and carried it off all on his lonesome? It all looked decidedly dodgy on the day.

[Andydog]

Yes it looks as if Quinns management have really hung Williams out to dry. I doubt very much that he was acting alone in this. And 12 months seems a bit over the top - it seems that faking an injury is now considered 10 times more serious than eye gouging.

The 2nd Ashes test was awesome, a proper test match, closer than the result suggested - even after the poor start it looked like Aus could get back in. Great performances from Straus and Clarke with the bat and Freddie and Anderson with the ball. Batting cameo's from Johnson and Prior, some brilliant fielding by North, controversy over dismissals, Hughes and Bopara getting exposed. Who needs Twenty20! Aussie let the Poms bash them about for easy runs. I assume that Ponting, thinking that England would be as woeful as the second innings in Cardiff, let Johnson take a pounding to play himself into form. Now England lead the series and don't need to try and win if faced with a declaration decision - if they get a flat pitch and the opportunity, they will go on and on. Australia have to take the risks now.

I’m nervous about the NZ SA game. SA have picked a strong side. If the ABs play like they did in the 2nd have against Aussie, we might just pip them.

[finbar]

Not with Stephen Donald at #10 you won't, not with that leaky defence you won't, not with that cr*p lineout you won't.

[Havak]

The line out will be absolutely key - it looks the weakest AB Lock combination in over a decade up against Bakkies and Victor. Only two winners there I think?

[kittenOFchaos]

And 12 months seems a bit over the top - it seems that faking an injury is now considered 10 times more serious than eye gouging.

Not really.

Eye gouging can affect a single player and potentially cause a significant injury. But, Burger didn't make him blind or cause more significant injury. Had he done so then I think it would be over for the dirty brute.

The Williams fake injury had no doubt that it was a deliberate attempt to steal a win despite the rules of the game. Had Quins have won, then the result of the Heineken Cup would be in doubt, thousands of fans would rightfully be demanding compensation and the game would be rocked by a massive scandal. Tough action was needed and it has been taken.


As for SA/NZ, I'll look at the odds. The critical factors for me is that the SA should dominate in the line out, won't be messed about like Australia in the scrum and they're tough, tough men than will match the NZers physically.

If NZ had Chris Jack and Carter, then I'd be saying NZ, but Donald is no Carter and the NZ lineout was embarrassing against Australia (who didn't capitalise on it). I don't think I've ever seen a more ordinary NZ team...

[finbar]

A major contributor to the AB lineout problem is Andrew Hore's rubbish throwing and Isaac Ross, a novice at this level, calling the lineouts.

Ross is a talented lad with a future. Problem is, Brad Thorn is a 2IC, a deputy. A talented novice playing alongside a 2IC isn't a great combination.

[Andydog]

Not with Stephen Donald at #10 you won't, not with that leaky defence you won't, not with that cr*p lineout you won't.

I meant to say "If the ABs play like they did in the 2nd half (not have) against Aussie.."

In the second half, when Mealamu came on, the lineout tightened up a bit, with no losses vs 4 in the first half when Hore was chucking.

In the second half, Stephen Donald seemed to settle and even play with a bit of confidence. He still had his dodgy moments, and was certainly tested by the Aussies, who swarmed to him like bees to the honey pot, but he did enough to cement his spot in the team for the rest of the Tri-Nations.

In the second half, our backline looked like it was starting to function. This NZ side are still only finding their feet, yet the rejuvenated Aussies a la Deans still couldn't put them away.

Don’t be too quick to write NZ off chaps.

[Andydog]

Not really.
The Williams fake injury had no doubt that it was a deliberate attempt to steal a win despite the rules of the game. Had Quins have won, then the result of the Heineken Cup would be in doubt, thousands of fans would rightfully be demanding compensation and the game would be rocked by a massive scandal. Tough action was needed and it has been taken.

How exactly would the 1000's of fans claim compensation?