Thread: Bledisloe Cup 2017 tussle starts in Sydney

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Sadly, Unions stocks have fallen so low in Australia there is nary a word being penned about it.

That - and I say this as a Kiwi and All Blacks fan - is very sad!

I was reading about that the other day in the NZ Herald. Rugby in Aussie is in dire straights and it's not a good thing for world rugby.

I agree, but given the huge gulf between a Lions tour of New Zealand, and the current state of Wallaby rugby, this should probably have its own thread?

Ah, yeah it probably should.

I actually thought it was a separate thread to be honest. Followed a link here and didn't notice it was in this one.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Ah, yeah it probably should.

I actually thought it was a separate thread to be honest. Followed a link here and didn't notice it was in this one.

Ant, you are indeed powerfull with that comment.

We have our own thread now.

*cough ... thanks Mr/Miss Mod

The mods once again following my bidding!

Anyways here's some more on what I referenced earlier:

Gregor Paul: Who's to blame for Aussie rugby mess? - NZ Herald

Wallabies distracted as Australian rugby shaken to its core - NZ Herald

Rugby: Wallabies playing to save Australian rugby against All Blacks - NZ Herald

It really is a gawdawful mess.

We need the Wobblies not to wobble.

A few years ago they had a great backline but the forwards couldn't scrum.

Now apart from 2 players they are useless.

Sad for world rugby.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

We need the Wobblies not to wobble.

A few years ago they had a great backline but the forwards couldn't scrum.

Now apart from 2 players they are useless.

Sad for world rugby.

Michael Hooper and Israel Folau ?

England were a bit shit until Eddie Jones took over. The talent is there, but coach and player selection is dire.

With the Bledisloe coming up worth remembering this classic:

The greatest test ever? Remembering the 2000 Bledisloe Cup Sydney test - NZ Herald

And for mine it was and still is.

Well they just might play very well, with their backs up against the wall.I hope so.

Individually, the Aussies are a good team.They just have to put it together.

Few interesting selections for the ABs: McKenzie at fullback, no Jerome Kaino, and SBW over Lienert-Brown.

McKenzie is expected given Barrett Jnr is out, Smith soon to be, and Dagg being rested; SBW is probably about game time; but no idea on Kaino, bit odd that one.

Wallabies team to play New Zealand in Bledisloe 1

1. Scott Sio (32 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (120 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (11 Tests)
4. Rory Arnold (12 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (12 Tests)
6. Ned Hanigan (3 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (68 Tests)
8. Sean McMahon (15 Tests)
9. Will Genia (78 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (45 Tests)
11. Curtis Rona (Debut)
12. Kurtley Beale (60 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (8 Tests)
14. Henry Speight (12 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (55 Tests)

Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (71 Tests) 17. Tom Robertson (9 Tests) 18. Sekope Kepu (80 Tests) 19. Rob Simmons (71 Tests) 20. Lopeti Timani (7 Tests) 21. Nick Phipps (52 Tests) 22. Reece Hodge (13 Tests) 23. Tevita Kuridrani (47 Tests)

All Blacks

1. Joe Moody (28)
2. Codie Taylor (19)
3. Owen Franks (94)
4. Brodie Retallick (64)
5. Samuel Whitelock (88)
6. Liam Squire (9)
7. Sam Cane (44)
8. Kieran Read (100) - captain
9. Aaron Smith (62)
10. Beauden Barrett (53)
11. Rieko Ioane (5)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (36)
13. Ryan Crotty (27)
14. Ben Smith (62)
15. Damian McKenzie (2)

Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris (8), 17. Wyatt Crockett (62), 18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (4), 19. Luke Romano (26), 20. Ardie Savea (16), 21. TJ Perenara (33), 22. Lima Sopoaga (7), 23. Anton Lienert-Brown (13)

The last time the Wallabies won the Bledisloe Cup back in 2002, Facebook and iPhones weren't invented, John Howard was the
Prime Minister and the current captain of the Australian team, Michael Hooper, was still in primary school.

The world is a different place in 2017 but the cup is still there to be won and if the Wallabies can finally end the All Blacks reign, it might
inspire fans to return to the so-called game they play in heaven.


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What does my Bookie think?

How it’s shaping
Make no mistake this clash is far from a foregone conclusion.
The Wallabies have as good a chance as any to knock the Kiwi’s off their perch and reclaim the Bledisloe in 2017.

With no test at Eden Park and with the first of 2 tests in Australia, the Wallabies are every danger of producing a major upset over
their arch rivals and go halfway to bringing the big trophy back to where it belongs after a 14 year hiatus.

The Lions provided the framework and the Wallabies have had the last 4 weeks together to formulate and put into practice a plan
on how best to rattle the greatest side in the world.

If the men in Gold are to start the Rugby Championship on a winning note they need to be clinical in their execution, you only get so
many chances against the ABs and for once the Aussies need to take them with both hands. Having said that, the Wolf (Bookie)
has looked into his crystal ball and sees the the All Blacks showing their class and getting home in a relatively tight one.

I think the Bookie is an optimist !

The Wallabies are given a 16 1/2 point start and the KIWI's are $1.11 to Win ... about the same odds as they gave against the Lions ...

You can tell how well a country is travelling by the performance of its rugby team.
Australia is a good example of what happens when you don't mend the back fence.

40-6 at half time now 54-6 after 48 min. AB scoring at better than a point a min.

All Blacks 54 Wallabies 34

Aussies did come back...

"come back"? They were there all the time! Just didn't want to get their nice uniforms dirty with tackling & all. Mummy wouldn't be happy knowing they were playing with those rough NZ boys..

Jesus! What a sorry excuse for a team.

Me, watching the Bledisloe Cup.

Gentlemen ... I was genuinely embarrassed.

We were woefull, you guys great ... so good in fact you had a second half snooze.

I don't mind getting beaten but ...

... but I hope we play game II and show some grit that does justice to the long standing traditions between our two fine nations.

(Now I know how a NSW State of Origin Supporter feels like )

A few changes for both teams in tomorrow's test

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Izack Rodda (potential debut) 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Curtis Rona

New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Date: Saturday, August 26
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England)

Good to see Coles back after all his issues.

Huge start from the Wallabies, a try in first minute to Folau cleverly reading the intercept, out to 17-0, but the lead closed to 17-14 at halftime

What. A. Game!!!!!!