Sensational Wallabies Shock All Blacks
Aug 27,2011
A sensational first half performance by the Wallabies set the platform for a memorable 25-20 win over the All Blacks in Brisbane on Saturday which saw the Australians capture the Tri-Nations title for the first time in a decade.
A partisan Brisbane crowd in excess of 50 000 fans was treated to an epic encounter – a classic emotional roller-coaster ride filled with energy, excitement and top-class rugby.
The Wallabies were full of intensity from the opening minute and set the tone in a sublime first forty minutes, putting in a number of monster hits, bossing the breakdown with good cleanouts and counter-rucking and territory with a clever mix of running and tactical kicking.
The bruising first half claimed two key All Black casualties in Kieran Read and Adam Thomson, while Wallaby back rowers David Pocock and Radike Samo were catalysts in their team romping to a 20-3 half time lead.
A change in tactics led to an All Black resurgence in the third quarter, but the Wallabies, with new captain James Horwill part of a spirited pack, survived a tense finale to be crowned southern hemisphere champions and deliver a major psychological blow ahead of the World Cup.
In a role reversal from the All Blacks’ 30-14 victory in Auckland, Quade Cooper controlled the match while Dan Carter struggled under the severe pressure and made a uncharacteristically high amount of errors.
The Wallabies got off to a perfect start as Cooper slotted a penalty in the fourth minute and created the first try-scoring opportunity moments later when he made a half break and linked up with Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The Wallaby utility back crossed the try line but was unable to dot down with Piri Weepu and Mils Muliaina working in tandem to force a five-metre scrum.
From there, however, the hosts patiently continued to chip away at the All Black defence, stringing together a number of phases before a dart and show-and-go by Will Genia saw the Wallaby scrumhalf slice through Keven Mealamu and Owen Franks for a seven-pointer.
The All Blacks were desperate to strike back only to be met by some inspired defence. After a sustained period of pressure, the All Blacks created an overlap but they were unable to use their numerical advantage as lone Wallaby Anthony Faingaa rushed up and caught Muliaina in a ball-and-all tackle to save a certain try.
The out-of-sorts Carter finally opened the All Blacks’ account with a 24th minute penalty, yet the Wallabies remained in control. Cooper nullified his opposite number’s penalty with his second three-pointer of the match before the ever-present Samo sent the crowd into raptures when he fended off Thomson and ran all of 50 metres to score a sensational try.
The under-fire All Blacks were methodical and clinical straight after the interval as they clawed their way back masterfully, scoring 17 unanswered points as they switched tactics to a deliberate pick-and-go approach.
The resurgence was set in motion by a Carter penalty where after the New Zealanders strung together 26 phases to score their first try of the match, the extraordinary movement culminating with Carter pulling two defenders and offloading to an unmarked Conrad Smith for a seven-pointer.
Moments later, big Ma’a Nonu danced his way through four would-be defenders with Carter converting to level the scores at 20-all with 20 minutes remaining.
Genia rescued the Wallaby implosion by skinning Mealamu to break the line and finding Digby Ioane, who took it forward before linking up with Kurtley Beale, who scored the match-winning try against the run of play.
Cooper missed the conversion and a 72nd minute penalty to give the All Blacks a sniff, but the Wallabies were not to be denied as they held on to claim their third Tri-Nations title.
SARugby.com Man of the Match: The entire Wallaby pack was outstanding, with their physicality providing the platform for Will Genia and Quade Cooper to control the game.
Radike Samo was immense - he lit the fire early on with a couple of bone-crunching hits and strong runs before scoring that blinder of a try.
However, our pick is David Pocock, who did it all. He carried the ball effectively, defended bravely and starred at the breakdown.
His most telling steal came in the 75th minute when he halted the All Blacks’ momentum by winning a turnover penalty deep inside Wallaby territory, which allowed the hosts to close out the game.
Scorers:
Wallabies – Tries: Will Genia, Radike Samo, Kurtley Beale. Conversions: Quade Cooper (2). Penalties: Cooper (2).
All Blacks – Tries: Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu. Conversions: Dan Carter (2). Penalties: Carter (2).
Final Tri-Nations standings:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | BPts | Pts |
| 1 | Australia | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 92 | 79 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 13 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 95 | 64 | 31 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
| 3 | South Africa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 54 | 98 | -44 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 5 |
Comments (63)
Aug 27, 2011 at 14:08:57
PS: We (we = both the All Blacks & Boks) actually planned this from the very start of the season. You see, we felt (very) sorry for the Wallabies having never won the Tri-Nations for 10 years, yes, since 2001, sooooooo, we thought we'd give them it this year, we've had it enough times. Hahahahahahaha!!!! Jokes, good game to both teams and well done once again Australia!
Aug 27, 2011 at 14:09:56
Well well well...talk about pressure going into the RWC!! Graham Henry has made some awful selection choices for this game as well as the world cup. Hosea Gear and Sivivatu were sorely missed in this game. Adam Thomson is a liability at test level...I just dont understand how Henry can leave Kaino out for Thomson. Tony Woodcock is miles away from the player he can be, which beguiles the fact that Henry doesn't have Wyatt Crockett in the team. In the locking department, Ali Williams is a walking yellow card and Brad Thorn is getting too old. MaCaw is way past his best and I am sure there's probably a lot of thoughts going through the ABs brain-trusts.
Credit though to the Wobblies who played out of their socks in the first half and held on in the second. The Aussies played with a lot of heart, fire and passion and deserved to win the Tri-nations cup...well done Australia!
Aug 27, 2011 at 14:21:50
Agreed with all but the comment on McCaw, past his best? Hahahahahahahaha!! He's in his prime and a work horse, past his best? He's barely ripe, well, I won’t go that far but yeah, past his best he is not, buy a long shot. The First 15 team will be a force to be reckoned with but I agree, the selection of quality wingers we have in this country and we put the 2 on the field tonight who looked like a bunch of horse shit. Guilford has tits for hands!! I'd be surprised if he can take a piss later his hand on ball coordination was that bad. Never mind, could have gone either way so no stress. If it were 35-3 like it COULD have been if the All Blacks weren't well, the All Blacks lol THEN I'd be worried. They needed this although a loss to any team still sucks, especially the cocky Aussies.
Aug 27, 2011 at 14:34:09
MaCaw seems past his best cos I didn't see him pilfer any ball like he usually does and that game was lost at the breakdown. There was no challenger at the breakdown and the Wobblies got quick ball in the first half and were able to set their backline cracking. But one could sense the Wobblies had the better attitude from the very first whistle and completely shocked the ABs in the first half. They allowed the Blacks back into the game in the second.
Credit though to the blacks for showing a lot of patience and going through the phases to set up the attack in the second half...great composure!
Aug 27, 2011 at 14:42:45
Wow, what a game. I enjoyed watching this one... I told my wife who is kiwi, in the first half, not to worry to much, the ABs will be back. And they did have a good come back. Well done to the Wallabies for a good game!! They deserved this win. They did their home work well, thats for sure. This RWC winners will not get it handed to them, whoever they will turn out to be. Im a full on Bok supporter, but I think the ABs and the Wallabies will be in the final, in my opinion. Time will tell though. The Boks will need to start scoring tries to be up there with these two sides. Kicking is important, but tries are a must. This loss in line with last weeks loss will bring the ABs down to earth and give confidence to the Wallabies and Boks. Something all three sides needed before this RWC i feel...
Aug 27, 2011 at 14:52:44
ABs got smashed in the first half - as I have repeatedly stated - getting close to our best team.
Home ground advantage worth 8-10pts though - If comes down to this in RWC final will need to KICK better (Barnes is best kicker in squad) so....
Go wallabies - IT FEELS GREAT TO HOLD TN TROPHY!!! YEHAAAA !!!
Aug 27, 2011 at 14:57:36
Yes, a well deserved win mate!!! Tries are a must, but you cant afford to miss kicks like tonight. The Boks rely to much on kicks alone though. You have to be able to score tires, and not miss your kicks when opting to kick. Every poiint will count. This will be a good RWC for rugby lovers!!!
Aug 27, 2011 at 16:20:20
the vrystaaat pitbull to tear mcaw to bits in the wc!!!! lol
Aug 27, 2011 at 18:17:19
Well Well, I seem to remember calling this result and score difference in the preveiw thread!
Ozzies had bassically done there home work and were more intense in the first half. AB's looked good when they kept it in tight in the 2nd and I think they showed there hand slighty as to their RWC strategey, we also looked pretty comfortable at the set pieces.
I don't think our boy's will panic and they shouldn't, they played worse than the Irish in the first half and still came back from a 17 point deficit. Kinda disappointed that SBW wasn't there, but only because he needs a good hiding lol!
Bring Back Gear I say! we were missing a little physicality out wide today.
Carter should have takin a dropiee the next time they were in the oz 20-30 line after the nonu try in the 2nd half, this would have put pressure on the aussies and resulted in a possible 26-25 score line.
I still reckon NZ will win the RWC but everything after that for a few years will be all ozzy!
Aug 27, 2011 at 19:57:26
Really enjoyed the game. Aussies were deserved winners and really took it to the ABs. The ABs were clearly a bit flat, yet were impressive in the way they changed their game plan significantly in the 2nd half to nearly grab it.
What irritates me however, is the endless poor refereeing decisions. The near score by Ashley-Cooper was clearly ripped by Mealamu and dotted down - should have been a 22 drop out but the TMO rules 5 metre scrum to Aus (on what basis?), which led to them scoring. In my book that's a potential game-changing decision! There were numerous other missed calls (on both sides) and unfortunately the SA linesmen didn't help either. I just think it would be tragic if the path of any of the 3 SH teams in the RWC were to be adversly impacted by incorrect/poor reffing decisions.
Aug 27, 2011 at 20:39:00
No pearls of wisdom from Mr. NukeFreeKiwi :?
This would be my All Black squad of 22 if I were Graham Henry.....
15. Malili Muliaina. 14. Zac Guildford. 13. Ma'a Nonu. 12. Sonny-Bill Williams. 11. Josevata Rokocoko. 10. Daniel Carter. 9. Piri Weepu. 8. Kieran Read. 7. Richie McCaw (c). 6. Jerome Kaino. 5. Ali Williams. 4. Brad Thorn. 3. Carl Haymann. 2. Aled de Malmanche. 1. Jamie McIntosh.
16. Wyatt Crockett. 17. Keven Mealamu. 18. Owen Franks. 19. Chris Jack. 20. Adam Thomson. 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Rene Ranger.
Aug 27, 2011 at 22:21:18
Sshhhhhhhhh.........if you listen closely........can you hear it? That whimpering noise is Nukefreekiwi sobbing into his pillow. Not only did his beloved team get completely smashed in the first half but they Could not play the " amazing open running rugby" he seems convinced will win them the title. In fact the only way they could compete was by playing narrow, up the jumper stuff. So much for the All Blacks running away with the World Cup. Cheer up Nukefreekiwi, I'm sure your wifes Saffa family will stop laughing and pointing at you soon....
Aug 27, 2011 at 22:30:02
I think you have to give credit to the Wallabies for that Green. Sure, McCaw is getting old, but the Aussies were brilliant at ruck-time! Every time McCaw or any other AB even looked like stealing the ball they were ruthlessly cleaned of the ball with great precision. I seriously doubt whether the Boks can win the RWC and the same goes for the ABs, but I really wouldn't be surprised if the Wallabies pull it off. They've got great momentum going into this tournament. First the Reds won the Super 15 and now the Wallabies have won the Tri-Nations.
Aug 27, 2011 at 22:34:10
Radike Samo u Yster!!! - how did Pocock poach the man of the match from the Fijian rocket?. All Blacks were no were in this game - maybe they peaked to early.
Aug 27, 2011 at 22:35:10
Green mate your spot on. McCaw is not getting turnovers at all, in fact NZ arennt committing enough numbers to the breakdown, and got cleaned up.
Congratulations to AUSSY well deserved, although NZL has now lost the super15 and Tri-nations, I am still confident we haven't peaked just yet, and it is still coming. We are a mile off the pace at the moment, combinations need to be set now and our performances will improve.
NZL wont forget these last 2 losses come RWC. One thing about the ABs is they love playing teams who have put the challenge down to them and use it as motivation. 2009 we got cleaned up by SA in 2010 ive never seen the ABS team to get SO amped up for a test match. Same goes for france after they beat us early 2009.
Aug 27, 2011 at 23:08:19
Robbie Deans work has finally paid off-He is a great coach-ask any Crusader- he's taken the wannabees to contenders and I see them do well in the WC. The AB's were their usual consistant selfs and if it were not for Deans getting the best out of Aus they would have won again. Sorry to say as a Bok supporter I cannot see the Bokke get past quarter finals-PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG!!!If SA dont get past their idiotic coaches and insistance on racial quotas I will have to become an AB supporter!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aug 27, 2011 at 23:36:50
Agreed Radike should have a been named man of the match. Actually I believe Genia got that nod.
How bad where the AB's though in the first half, holy crap. The whole 80min they were beaten to the breakdown and were always short on numbers. Woodcock was a joke and spent more time on the wing, Crockett can feel seriously hard done by.
Ah well, Boks have nothing to worry about. Kiwis had the worst performance of this Tri Nations this year and Cooper is going to be liability for the Aussies. Someone should ask the Russians to do a number on the idiot.
Aug 28, 2011 at 00:39:27
A very well tactically played game from the wallabies in the first half, the ABs did not have the ball, and gave it away when they did. A deadly backline from the wallabies, on attack and defence. They read the ABs backline movement and shutdown any chance of scoring opportunities when it came to set piece. And really why is dan carter putting up the high ball? Slade did that in S.A last week too. We got blown away in the first half, but proud of the boys for comming back. Though I hope the last ten min of that match does not play out again for the ABs anytime during the world cup.
Aug 28, 2011 at 00:46:09
The only "laughing at pointing" is it SA mate, ahem, where did you come sorry? Sorry? You'll need to speak up...um...where sorry? Ohhhhhhh LAST. Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
Aug 28, 2011 at 01:24:45
Well Done Wallabies excellent win last night as an AB fan sucks they lost but was really impressed with a few things. They played terrible in the first half and yet only lost by 5, Their change in tactics was refreshing in the second half showed me they aren't so one dimensional and can change it up when needed. Line outs and scrums went well. To be honest i believe that all though it sux to lose this is exactly what the AB's needed.
On the negative guilfod to me is still not proven and Sivivatu was missed last night gilfod and gear are great super 15 players but sivi is a great test player. DC apart from goal kicking had one of the worst games i think I've seen him play in a long time and tonight proved that Kaino is just as important to the AB's forward pack at the moment as Mcaw because he provides that physical presence on defense as well as attack.
But at the end of the day you only play who ever is in front of you so well done wallabies. But just remember you coming to our backyard and this is the hardest place for any team in world rugby to win against the ABs so i cant wait.
Good luck to the Boks and Wallabies and i hope that if we are to win the world cup that we do it by beating the Boks and Wallabies on the way because to be the best you have to beat the best and aint none better then the tri nations teams. I hope that all teams have no serious injuries throughout the tournament and best of luck to each team. Bring on the world cup baby!!! GO the AB's :)
Aug 28, 2011 at 01:42:09
Here nukie nukie nukie, here boy... What's the matter, too scared to come out and play?
Aug 28, 2011 at 02:16:49
muliaiana is on the decline mate. Zac cant handle pressure situations yet, SBW is a good impact player, not sure about starting, Rokocoko has lost his speed, he tries to bash into people rather than trying to go around them and is dodgy under high ball, read is injured possibly out of RWC, carl hayman is in europe and cant even make the starting side for his team, Aled de malmanche cant throw the ball in straight and goes missing alot, chris jack would be a good option maybe a little slow these days and rene ranger has a lacerated kidney.
Apart from that good team....lol
Aug 28, 2011 at 02:19:06
There's no shame in losing to Australia (the 2nd best rugby team in the world) at home by only 5 points in a TN decider. At least the ABs were there, which is more than can be said for the lamentable Bokke.
So thats 3 wins for Wobbly Dreams from 14 games. Thats a 21% success rate. Only a SAFFA with the deVilliers "we only didnt win on the scoreboard" mentality could celebrate that statistic with elated jubilation.
It appears some Saffer bloggers have begun mentally recording Wobbly wins against the ABs as if they were Bokke victories. Eish, desperate times call for desperate measures I guess.
Nah, these recent losses will have a galvanising effect on the ABs psyche and steel their resolve to snatch the RWC of greasy Bokke hands. For too long the ABs have entered RWC's having recorded cricket scores against opposition teams only to falter at the RWC. They wont be lulled into a false sense of security this time round.
As for my wifes family? Huh? They've lived here for 13 years and have no familial links with Australia. Why on earth would they be celebrating an Australia win against the ABs? Logic and reasoning seem to be in short supply in the Republic since all the smart ones left already.
Mostly the flotsam remained OR the unethical oligarchs who were able to secure their positions at the lucrative SA'n Tenders trough. Those unfortunates who were unable to procure citizenship elsewhere are stuck eating mielie pap (and Nandos at Xmas) with their WOODEN SPOONs in their corrugated iron township shack.
Anyways, well done to the Wobblies. See ya again at the RWC final!
Aug 28, 2011 at 04:10:34
The best thing for a frequently-disappointed Wallaby supporter was seeing the team play with spirit- we’re used to seeing the ABs and Boks display that, but Wallies usually are a collection of individuals lacking a team ethic; having a core of Qld Reds with a passionate captain- good move!- brought a smell of team spirit that was very un-Wallaby.
One of the things that allowed this win was Brand Bieber getting on the turps and being pushed out of the team and being replaced with another Red: Faiinga- a strong defender.
Though it’s nice to finally see the TN trophy in Oz, I don’t see this as hugely meaningful- the results of this game and the last game to the Boks could have gone the other way with just a small change in luck. Bodes well for a good WC, though.
Aug 28, 2011 at 05:23:52
Wallabies won 2 of last 3 games kiwi nuke - the new wallabies are at beginning their reign...! 66% you'll find it. So go have a cry - heimleich manuveur time...
Aug 28, 2011 at 05:50:59
3 wins from 14 games for the wobblies under Wobbly Dreams red!... 21% you'll find it. So go stroke your cockatoo and "tie a kangaroo down sport" for you shelias to molest.
A little unscrupulous, really, how you conveniently left out the entire story about your precious "new look" wobblies red. 42 pitiable wins from 142 matches. Look it up if you dont believe me!
Aug 28, 2011 at 08:48:37
Nukefreekiwi you keep living in the past dude if it makes you feel better.
Aug 28, 2011 at 08:54:24
Shame, poor Nukefreekiwi has stepped out of his cry pit. Thinking he can wow us all with his highly intellectual turn of phrase he has stooped even lower by making sweeping insinuations. Shame he hasn't made any mention of the rugby played. Although what's there to say when your dream team gets schooled? His wife's family must have had a field day with him yesterday and maybe he just has nothing important to say. As usual.
Aug 28, 2011 at 10:20:17
Kiwi Nuke if you want to go to the record books Aust 2x RWCs SA 2x RWCs and ABz..... 1x with no SA playing...
Your backrow was punished and the 'new wallabies' still got more improvement in them - another stat for you ave age <26 even with my man Samo @ 35 in the mix...
Sooooo funny....!!
Aug 28, 2011 at 10:42:30
Can't you feel that tightening of the laryx? That shortness of breath? Is my jersey too tight?
IT MUST BE WORLD CUP TIME and the best team for 3 years and 9 months out of every 4 are remaining true to form and CHOKING!!!!!!
OH the pressure!
Aug 28, 2011 at 10:45:43
Nukefree is also upset at the fact that the only world cup the all blacks ever won, was when the best team in world rugby at that stage wasn't playing. That must put a huge chip on his shoulder along with the fact that he still lives in a country that is nothing more than a province of Australia.
Aug 28, 2011 at 10:51:14
Hey Nukefreekiwi, That's 2x RWC's to Aussie and Rugby is not even our primary football code. It trails a long way behind Rugby League and AFL in popularity and participation.
I suppose that's what makes the stats all that more enjoyable.
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:31:03
...and tell me mate where did you guys come in the last World Cup :?
Sorry? You’ll need to speak up…um…where sorry? Ohhhhhhh YOU DID NOT MAKE THE FINAL EVEN! Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:33:41
Would still bank on experience especially come World Cup time.
Then again New Zealand last won the World Cup when? Perhaps I should understand that Kiwis in general dont have enough experience when picking a World Cup winning squad :D
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:37:07
New Zealand played their best team and were given a Rugby lesson and NukeFreeKiwi feels its right to run South Africa down :?
Weird to say the least. At least you are consistantly a fool mate :D
Aug 28, 2011 at 11:38:23
The same can be said for South Africa where Football is the number one sport :(
Aug 28, 2011 at 12:19:18
Did the Springboks peak in 2009? Did the All blacks peak in 2010? Are the Wobblies peaking at just the right time? Let's not forget about the French and the English!!
The time to answer those questions has come...2 more weeks and we'll soon have the answers. The way I see it is that the competition is wide open and those top five all have the ability to win this title. It will come down to attitude blended with tactical-nous, experience and how the team is managed/conditioned through the tournament.
Aug 28, 2011 at 13:18:34
Nuke, despite all your SA bashing it seems you've taken to using the word 'eish'(on numerous occasions) which is as South African as the word 'braai', and you're also familiar with mielie pap, complete with correct spelling and everything - either you're desperate to know things about us (flattering...but no thanks) or you're actually an embittered Saffer living abroad insulting his wife's own family...both are equally sad and pathetic!
Aug 28, 2011 at 17:35:34
Good Game! Congrats to the Aussies. Cant help but wonder if the same AB team played through all Tri-nations game this result would have been different.I dont see too much into this win by the Aussies and they sure dont look any beter since their win against the boks.The Boks on the other hand are getting beter every game.The AB are now battling with confidence ahead of the worldcup.
Game on!
Aug 28, 2011 at 18:07:11
if thought to be honest it had no bearing maybe on the world cup reason being no team has ever won the tri nations and the world cup in the same year.
but....the look on the faces on the AB players told me a other story to be honest. richie's face looked like someone had just stolen his backstreet boys dvd collection.
die aussies beat the AB with running at them....not kicking at them but running at them. i think samo's try was one of the best i have ever seen. we need to sign him. he has more speed at 35years of age than JDV.
rugby in the big tournaments is al about momentum. the aussies have bagged both super 15 and tri nations this year. so they look in great shape. but the english has always had the wood over them in the RWC. the aussies's pack has really improved a lot under deans.
all is building up for a great world cup i feel. licking my lips already.
Aug 28, 2011 at 19:04:21
Sounds like that to me. A Kiwi in A SAFFA body hahahahaha. You can keep him. McCaw got bashed up alround i think you guys are going into the WC with a massive scare. How does it go again eish...
Aug 28, 2011 at 22:27:14
Huh? Where's your rugby commentary rentboy. Yup, the stiffled moral quandry that is Seth Efrika strikes again. LOL!
Aug 28, 2011 at 22:32:21
Please Shaun, you made your racist tereblanche sympathies painfully obvious on the Ndungane (qouta) thread. You have never had anything productive to offer this forum except for your inane gushing, wet pantied, love affair with fantasy bokke teams. Grow up littie!
Aug 29, 2011 at 00:00:27
How"s your rugby league going at the moment? Aren't NZ the current world champs? And to think league trails a long way behind union in NZ. AFL is one of those pointless homegrown sports that noone outside Australia give a cockatoo about. Its like tiddly winks or rounders or Americans with their meaningless baseball/gridion world series.
Oh and as for SA'n soccer! LOL! Need I say anything on the topic? Didn't NZ place the same or better than SA, who had hometown advantage, at the recent world cup where they(NZ) never dropped a single game? Amazing really considering soccer players are often the focus of scorn and derision in NZ. It's widely perceived as a sissies game.
The fact you're both on a rugby forum and feel incensed enough to comment tells us all just how indifferent and blasé you are about your nations rugby results. Pffft! Whatever!
BTW. Did anyone see the live press conference/extravaganza in SA where their RWC squad were named/knighted/worshipped? Of course y'all did, glued to the telly on the edge of your polyester lined recliners. It was all very entertaining. The pomp and ceremony, the flashy light show, the flambouyant little caps and the SA'n superstar with his butchered rendition of the national anthem really captured the electric mood in the Republic. Yeah, you guys dont care about rugby at all! Priceless! LOL!
Aug 29, 2011 at 00:54:06
Its okay for the ABs to lose. It's actually a blessing. The ABs now know how SA and the Aussies are going to play. My prediction is that the ABs will now defeat both teams. The ABs will cream the Aussies through sheer determination and revenge to make amends. SA will be harder but the ABs will be on fire and too hot to handle.
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:47:54
Aggressive, arrogant approach may just be what the Wallabies need for Cup assault Greg Growden
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-match-report/aggressive-arrogant-approach-may-just-be-what-the-wallabies-need-for-cup-assault-20110828-1jgjv.html#ixzz1WN1bLe3w
Again let us see who laughs last!
Aug 29, 2011 at 04:52:10
Great game to watch. The best test so far this season which is wonderful for the RWC. NZ is still the team to beat no doubt about it they were as great in defeat as were the Walliabies in victory.
I think Vickerman is a great plus for the Wallabies. For me he was the man of the match. In the first half he was a monster at the breakdown. Sort of Brad Thorn like (isn't he a great player and a gentleman to boot). Anyhow Vickerman laid a lot of the groundwork for Samo and Pocock thrive.
I don't know who they are going to leave out betweeen Fainga, Ashley-Cooper and O'Connor but it is a good problem for Deans.
The Wallabies have possibly the strongest bench with one of the above and Tatafu, Slipper Higgenbotham, Barnes, Mitchell & Sharpe .
NZ have the home ground which will probably be the determining factor however. Eden Park is worth 10 points.
Aug 29, 2011 at 05:41:06
In the words of Michael Lynagh, Matt Burke and Grant Fox... The Wallabies have done the All Blacks the biggest favour they possibly could. Both Lynagh and Burke said that losing that match would have been far better for Australia. The spot tackles which shut the NZ backline down won't work again because the ball will simply go behind the player and to the 3 unmarked player outside him(3 times we had overlaps and the spot tackle killed it)and the forward pack will never go walkabout for the first 40 again having been told that up the middle first, means round the outside later. While the loss was far from fun, I'm more concerned about the injury to Read. And who said Cooper controlled the match??? How can you control a match when you're 30 feet behind it? Genia controlled that match, Cooper did f all.
Aug 29, 2011 at 05:50:25
Not 100% sure I agree with Lynagh and Burke (they're Aussies and they'll lie to your face)by the way...but I still thought their 2 similar views were interesting when interviewed at different times.
Aug 29, 2011 at 09:23:05
Aussie's team are still building - Im telling you all. Watched the reds do it (albeit in immense pain for ~10yrs..) but the Wallabies are on the march... beat best Kiwi team (less Kaino?) could put up and Aussie still made plenty of errors... For me AAC stays on that wing - hard to change the winning formula...
I rekin it could be a SA v Wallabies (or England) final....
Kiwis are already gagging / coughin and CHCHCHCHOKING>>>>> hahahahahah
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:00:20
redsman, we have the Boks (the DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPIONS) and the Wallabies (THE TRI-NATIONS CHAMPION) exactly where we want them on this Chess Board. What is that saying,"pride comes before the fall!"
Good luck to your teams making it out of their respective pools.
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:24:53
I think ABs experienced that fall on the weekend.
Our boys are just keen /(getting) mean and ABs too old too slow and stats for you all from NZ Herald - guess which player missed the most tackles....??
King Richie hahahhahahaha tooo funnny.
Aug 30, 2011 at 00:10:23
I think it's great that this WC has been thrown wide-open with the realization that NZ are beatable, though I still think there home-ground advantage should see them through. However, if one considers that they will have to potentially face that Aussie team AFTER a tough match against the BOKS, it might be worth a fiver on the Convicts!Glad that EVERYBODY has also realized that NukefreeKiwi is a d@@s-lets all try to ignore him and enjoy the forum!
Aug 30, 2011 at 15:26:38
oh my gosh its the nuke free again. glad to see you have some free time on your hands. is there boyfriend/vacuum cleaner broken again ???
see you have some free time "on your hands" please do wipe you keyboard afterwords. mum does not like sticky keys. it messes with her online gambling mate. show some class you fairy
Aug 30, 2011 at 15:29:33
i agree with you. the aussie team is very young but they show a lot of class. it was really a great game to watch from a neutral perspective.
the tri nations nations will be very strong this year at the world cup. the norhern hemisphere looks a bit flat and boring. maybe they will hit there straps in the world cup. but congrats on the win. well played
Aug 31, 2011 at 04:08:13
AB's too old and too slow...... It's easy to say that after a much deserved 5 point win, at home might I add. Have they suddenly aged and slowed since bledisloe 1 a few weeks ago? Or have you forgotten about that? Congrats to the wallabies, but your fans are too much.
Aug 27, 2011 at 14:02:00
First of all, congratulations to the Wallabies. What a running rugby spectacle. They came out firing in the 1st half and really did shock the All Blacks, that happens once in a very blue moon. Big ups to the All Blacks for coming back from that scoreline and making it one hell of a match, one that could have gone either way in the last 20. It shows massive character. Not the best finish to the pre-RWC season but they have group matches to brush up on things. Once again, well done Australia, you deserved that victory and were the better team tonight.
The All Blacks just weren’t themselves, missed tackles were the biggest factor which as everyone knows is VERY unlike them. Defence is their biggest accent (yes, even over their attack). Defence tonight for the Abs was nonexistent. Good come back but in the end, not quite enough. I’m happy, I think they needed this game before the RWC kicks off, massive pressure and a tough encounter will bring them down to earth a little more. Rather now than in the crunch time of the RWC. Bring it on boys, home town advantage and with this loss, some payback to follow…….. On another note, the Abs First 15 is FAR from set. So be sure to see some big changes.