Thread: The Rugby Championship 2016...

...kicks off this weekend:

Saturday 20 August

17:05 Australia v. New Zealand
22:05 South Africa v. Argentina

I once enjoyed this event.

Now with the state of Aussie Rugby I just hope they can at least be competetive.

There has been a bit of banter between Hansen and Cheika, the usual trans-Tasman mind-games.

I'm looking forward to it!

I don't even know the Aussie team.

I hope that bald headed Brumbie whinging bastard is not in the side.

Stephen 'The Whinger' Moore:



Yep, he's in. Captain too.

To add a bit of spice ANZ Stadium is one of the least successful hunting grounds for the All Blacks. They haven't won there since 2013 and the last two visits were for a draw and a loss (played 15, won 7, lost 7).

One the other side of the equation the Aussies haven't held the Bledisloe since 2002.

Even I am interested in this weekend's game (and I'm not a Rugby fan)..

Lots of tension between the coaches - going by the news last night.

Should be a great game.

Should be interesting, and I hope the Convicts make a good game of it; I suspect they will.

Interesting to see how the Argies and Bokks go too.

Maybe, I'll go for two home wins this weekend.

Rugby: Breaking the Bledisloe down by the numbers

7:23 AM Friday Aug 19, 2016


The All Blacks lost to the Wallabies the last two times the two met in Sydney last year. Photo / Photosport

It is the eve of this years first edition of the annual Bledisloe Cup series between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, with Sydney's ANZ Stadium setting the scene for the 156th clash between the trans-Tasman rivals.

With 155 previous test matches between these two proud rugby nations - a large chunk of those coming in the Tri Nations/Rugby Championship era - there is no shortage of rich and dense history between the double-World Cup winning sides.

A historically rich and dense rivalry between two of the world's greatest rugby-playing nations means there are a lot of statistics to complement their rivalry, with the stats frequently giving fans and punters insight into who may be the next victorious side in one of rugby's most prestigous and exclusive competitions.

Thanks to Opta, comprehensive statistical insight is provided for both fans and punters alike, with the sports data company providing a list of key facts and figures heading into Bledisloe I of 2016, hinting at who may emerge from Sydney with the advantage leading into Bledisloe II at Westpac Stadium in Wellington next week.

Opta Facts:

- The Wallabies have not held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, with the All Blacks winning or retaining the trophy 13 times since then.

- Between them Australia (2011 & 2015) and New Zealand (2010, 2012, 2013 & 2014) have won the last six editions of The Rugby Championship; Australia are aiming for back to back titles for the first time since 2000-2001.

- The All Blacks have lost just one of their last 13 against Australia (W10, D2); their 10 victories in that run have come by an average margin of 16 points.

- New Zealand have lost just one of their last six at ANZ Stadium (W4, D1), whilst Australia have lost seven of their last 10 at the same venue (W2, D1).

- Steve Hansen's side have won their last 11 on the bounce by an average margin of 27 points; only South Africa have managed to finish within 10 points of the All Blacks in that time.

- New Zealand have not lost their opening fixture of The Rugby Championship since 2005 (v South Africa), winning nine and drawing one since then; overall the All Blacks have won 17 of their 20 opening matches (D1, L2).

- The All Blacks have scored at least one try in each of their last 25 games, the longest current run in Test rugby after Fiji's run of 34 games came to an end in June against Japan.

- Australia have lost their last four Tests in a row and have not lost five on the bounce since a run of seven consecutive defeats in 2005; the fifth defeat in that run came against New Zealand.

- The Wallabies are just 35 points away from scoring their 2000th in the Tri Nations and The Rugby Championship; the All Blacks (2564) were the first team to pass the 2,000 point mark, in September 2012 against Argentina.

- Julian Savea has scored 39 tries in 43 games for New Zealand, and one more try would make him just the fifth All Black to reach 40 Test tries (Doug Howlett - 49, Christian Cullen - 46, Joe Rokocoko - 46 & Jeff Wilson - 44).


- NZ Herald

Some injury woes with the ABs. The hookers are going down like, well, cheap hookers.

Nathan Harris has just been ruled out with a season-ending knee injury (and shouldn't buy any lottery tickets, that poor bastard has no luck), first choice Dane Coles who he had replaced has had to be called back to the bench, and now rookie Codie Taylor will start.

Prediction time:

Convicts 27 CKBs 15

Bokks 37 Pumas 23

Well, well, well... Something dirty is afoot:

World exclusive: All Blacks bugged in hotel ahead of Wallabies Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney


• Listening device discovered in All Blacks' hotel team room

• Police investigation underway and hotel has launched its own inquiry

• Bug may have recorded team meeting, says NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew

• Aussie rugby boss is "utterly disappointed" media broke story "on match day"

• ARU categorically denies involvement.

• Wallaby great says revelation is "blight on classic contest"

^ gambling, or media seeking info?
Can't believe Cheika or ARU could be involved
Unfortunate distraction, though the week has been full of Oz media attacks on Hansen, all seems pointless to me

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

...kicks off this weekend: Saturday 20 August 17:05 Australia v. New Zealand 22:05 South Africa v. Argentina

Looking on Setanta program listings they don't appear to be showing the games. Is this correct?

I fecking well hope not

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

I fecking well hope not

I also tried their website but it doesn't show them.

Bugger.

They usually do so maybe (hopefully) just an oversight.

Sincere apology. I just checked on the TV and it is up for showing.

Huzzah!!

Had me in a slight panic there for a minute

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Well, well, well... Something dirty is afoot:

World exclusive: All Blacks bugged in hotel ahead of Wallabies Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney


• Listening device discovered in All Blacks' hotel team room

• Police investigation underway and hotel has launched its own inquiry

• Bug may have recorded team meeting, says NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew

• Aussie rugby boss is "utterly disappointed" media broke story "on match day"

• ARU categorically denies involvement.

• Wallaby great says revelation is "blight on classic contest"

There is something rotten in Sydney !

Hope it is bs, if not I hope they find the lowlife/s who did it and hang them.

AllBlacks by 20 +

Originally Posted by Mickmac

There is something rotten in Sydney ! Hope it is bs, if not I hope they find the lowlife/s who did it and hang them.

I wouldn't put it past the ockers.

What channel is it on Kiwi bros? (or just on Sky sport?)

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Prediction time:

Convicts 27 CKBs 15

Well you were pretty close to the halftime score... Just for the wrong team.

Indeed...

The CKBs are playing very well, but what has happened to the Convicts?

I was going to say, Betty, I enjoy your comments on cricket and rugby and can only hope that you were well pissed when making this prediction, it's one way traffic for the AB's at the moment mate.