Tri Nations 2009

[Bobcock]

It needs a real rugby supporter to open this for you, God knows half the SH Legends around here won't even know it's up this weekend.

Tri Nations Fixtures, with what I believe are the Thai Kick Off times
Match One - July 18th New Zealand v Australia, Auckland 1335.
Match Two - July 25th South Africa v New Zealand, Bloemfontein 1900
Match Three - Aug 1st South Africa v New Zealand, Durban 1900
Match Four - Aug 8th South Africa v Australia, Cape Town 1900
Match Five - Aug 22nd Australia v New Zealand, Sydney 1605
Match Six - Aug 29th Australia v South Africa, Perth 1605
Match Seven - Sept 5th Australia v South Africa, Brisbane 1605
Match Eight - Sept 12 New Zealand v South Africa, Hamilton 1335
Match Nine - Sept 19th New Zealand v Australia, Wellington 1335

I believe I have the kick off times correct for you. No nasty English people killing the sport stone cold dead it'll be tries, tries and running from all angles. No one will kick, you'll almost think it has become illegal.

Who will win?

South Africa in my book as long as they field a team to win, best pack and they'll hit the ground running. But who knows with De Villiers? after all they've already won the one they really wanted this year, maybe he'll be blooding more players for the future and will give the tournament a miss. Sure hope not!

Australia will give it a good go as always. There is some young backs to look out for, though I don't feel they have come through quite as fast as some of the names in the past. Of course this doesn't apply to young O'Connor, who just couldn't cum any quicker.

I feel this is very much a transition year for New Zealand. The strength in depth of a few years ago looks a bit more suspect. The back row in the recent first test was anonymous and the game against Italy didn't inspire. I think the right selection is there, but will Henry find it? Certain names need shipping out, but this is Test Match rugby, Super 14 flash won't win test matches on it's own and the back doesn't look to be a hige strength.

Tenderloins most Saturday's until mid September, gotta love it, though 3 games against each team, as a tournament it is a bit same same.....but different.

[Bobcock]

Oh and big George gets his 100th on Saturday, remarkable achievement for a forward. Best Aussie forward since the Great man (OK they played together....) Good Luck to him, I think I'll root for Australia Saturday.

[Loy Toy]

South Africa in my book as long as they field a team to win

I thought the South Africans looked decidingly under done and vulnerable in defence against the Lions.

after all they've already won the one they really wanted this year

The big boys come out to play this weekend and sit back in awe and enjoy Bob.

[Marmite the Dog]

SA for me. They're the only SH team with a pack.

[Bobcock]

LT, get back in the other threads and finally give us some of this great knowledge you allude to.

Great post Bob, I'm busy, i'll respond later......

I'll be back late to give you my views.....

but you never ever do.....

Lynagh or Larkham?

[Loy Toy]

Check my last post in the cricket thread Bob.

That just about sums it up for me!

[Bobcock]

What the one where you didn't know who Lynagh and Larkham were.

Okay Okay..... Roche or Sironon?

King Wally or Big Mal?

at last we'll get some dialog going......5555555555

[Loy Toy]

Brian McTigue, Billy Sullivan, Puig Abbert, Tommy Bishop, Cliff Watson, Vince Karalius all great players I watched play probably whilst you were still in nappies.

A great example you are mate............... can't put an old head on your shoulders no matter how good you can yap, press the 5 key or google.

[splitlid]

nz will win cos i like that dance thing they do at the start.
sa burnt out
aus shite

[BKKBoet]

It needs a real rugby supporter to open this for you, God knows half the SH Legends around here won't even know it's up this weekend.

SA play their first game next week so for me it only starts then.

[Loy Toy]

nz will win cos i like that dance thing they do at the start.

Yep one of the great events in world sport!

aus shite

Well lets see if you eat your words!

Only time will tell but isn't it exciting to see the 3 best sides in the world go at it!

[daveboy]

NZ for me just.

[splitlid]

^^
just jokes mate, knew youd like it.

[Bobcock]

Of course this is what the haka was like before Big Buck became captain.

In these days (1973) they didn't even do it at home





Not quite the same was it?

LT I'm not sure how old you are but I doubt I was in nappies when you were watching these guys. Doubtless you were asleep because as the ones I have heard of were English and doubtless slowed the game down, were boring and shite in your view. Or were you less prejudiced in those days. To have seen mcTigue play in the flesh I reckon you must be in your mid 50's, you age well.

Now, I for example have seen Australian Rugby union players such as John Hipwell, Lawrie Monaghan, Paul MacLean, Garrick Fay, Greg Cornelson.... which isn't bad considering they didn't travel much. I guess I'm just not as young as you think.

as for the 3N, Richie Rich is back for Saturday, and the boks are using the same squad as they did for the lions with Janie Du Plessis added.

[sabang]

Should be interesting.
On paper, boks.
On repo blacks.
Wild card the wallabies.

[Bobcock]

I'm not sure what has happened to my post above and every time I edit it, it gets worse....Could a mod try to help?

[Thai Pom]

Should be interesting. On paper, boks. On repo blacks. Wild card the wallabies.

I think this just about sums it up, looking forward to it!!

BTW, Thanks for the OP Bobcock. Printed out and on the office wall.

[Bobcock]

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, James Horwill, Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Richard Brown.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Phil Waugh, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Ryan Cross, James O'Connor.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko.



Looks like a far better All Blacks side now there is a decent back row.


I think this is a crunch season for Australia, the young backs (Barnes, A-C, Turner, Burgess) are now the backs, they've got Sterling Mortlock to lead them along but now is the time to step up and show how good they can be. a few of them to me are not progressing as well as the Wallabies would have hoped. I must say I loved Giteau at 12, but of course he's good at 10, most fun footballer to watch in the World on his day at the moment.



Good to see Al Baxter still hanging in there, I miss Matt Dunning though.

[Loy Toy]

I played Rugby with Laurie Monoghan (same school)and threw the ball around with the Ella Brothers when they were still kids in Sydney. Not dropping names but my family, (father, Uncle and Cousins) were pretty successful playing both codes.

Some great Rugby players defected too League during the 60's and 70's including Fairfax, Waly Lewis, Hawthorne, the Thornett brothers and they are still defecting today as there is more money to be made.

In fact at public schools Rugby Union was still the only code you could play when I was young but I am not sure whether the same is the case now. I think that is still the main problem with Aussie Rugby with the majority of promising Rugby players wanting to play League.

I can remember when the "Welsh Wizard" Jonathon Davies, played for my side (Canterbury Bulldogs) in the Aussie League competition and blitzed it. What a player!

[Bobcock]

so...how old are you?

Oh no it's a direct question you'll not actually reply will you?

I think there is something wrong with the teams above as I thought the BBC said that Palu was back at 8 with Mumm on the bench.

As for Jiffy, he should have been playing Union with his country.....

[Bobcock]

Laurie Monaghan is 58 (yes, that one I did actually Google) there is no way you are that old.....you've got hair.

[Loy Toy]

Laurie Monaghan is 58

You question my age??????? and you would be surprised about my rug as well!

East Hills Boys High School did you google that as well?

I was quite good when I was younger and played regularly in teams of older age grades particularly with that school. Those days you played in teams according too your weight and I was the same size when I was 13 as I am today (plus another 10kgs or so).

[sabang]

Download and watch the third State of Origin game, NSW vs Qld. it's a great match, with some good old fashioned blood n guts.

I don't care what code you prefer, this is a great game. What rugbys all about.

[Bobcock]

Yes, from having met you i am questioning your age to have played with laurie Monaghan.

You should take it as a compliment....

[Loy Toy]

Laurie is just a few years older than me mate and was in 6th form when I joined the school.

We played together in some open age competitions between the schools including a game against the teachers and their ring-ins!

A top bloke and a great Rugby player. That school produced some great sportsman over the years including olympians (gold medal winners) and I stand to be corrected but I believe Ian Thorpe went to that school as well.