Incidentally that's now 8 (or 9??) Tests, 780min of rugby and 3yrs since the All Blacks have conceded a try on a Northern Hemipshere tour.
I've a feeling that might end on a technicality this week against the Baba's though. Plus as impressive a stat as it is it still really doesn't make up for what has been overall a pretty average season for the AB's.
Still at this point I'd rather be seeing the improvement and winning with things to work on, so it's not all bad.
Sports torrents have been moved from diwana.org to ATT forum. But you need to follow the sign-up link from diwana to register.Originally Posted by AntRobertson
There's 227 seeders for it at the mo'. It'll come down as fast as your connection can handle.
I did look at that diwana but it said you need to be invited to register. Is it the same for this ATT thingy?
I would like to know what the tries for and against (Autumn Internationals) Southern Hemisphere v Northern Hemisphere teams and from memory I will probably find it is a double digit difference.Originally Posted by AntRobertson
Not sure about that one mate, but here's an article that touches on the issue as a whole:
Obviously the win/loss ratios include all Southern hemisphere teams, but against the 'Big 3' of the SH (SA, NZ and Oz) it would be significantly less.Rugby: Northern exposure as stats tell tale of improvement
This time last year, the Northern Hemisphere was staring at an ugly statistic they showed little evidence of being able to alter radically.
Between 2000 and 2008, teams from the north had managed to win only 37 per cent of November tests against southern opposition. These are the games where they have home advantage; where they are able to field players just a couple of months into their season; to take on men with 10 months of solid football under them.
It should be their time to shine but, during the last decade, the November tests have only highlighted the gulf in class between the two hemispheres. The Southern Hemisphere nations won 86 per cent of the tests in June when they had home advantage and relatively fresh players. There was no redress in November - until 2009.
Before this weekend, the Southern Hemisphere touring side had managed only five wins - the All Black victories over Wales, Italy and England; South Africa's win against Italy and Australia's 18-9 victory at Twickenham.
France have beaten South Africa and Samoa; Wales have beaten Argentina and Samoa; Ireland have drawn with Australia and defeated Fiji; Scotland have beaten Australia and Fiji; England have beaten Argentina and even club sides Leicester and Saracens have defeated the Springboks.
Of the 14 tests played prior to this weekend, the Northern Hemisphere had clocked eight wins and a draw; almost a 60 per cent win ratio.
Overnight, there was a fair chance of that improving, with Wales a good chance to beat the Wallabies; France an even bet in Marseilles; Scotland a realistic hope of beating Argentina and Ireland determined to win against the Boks.
Has the balance of power shifted back to the Northern Hemisphere?
"I think they are getting better. I recognise a lot more big players in their teams now. I see their line ups and I recognise a lot more names than I have in the past," says assistant All Black coach Wayne Smith.
"It's always been tough up here with the travel and the time of the year. Now I think we have quality teams to play against and there is not a divide any more."
But Smith has to be politic. He's not so silly as to offer the northern hemisphere ready-made motivation by talking about a gulf in class.
To the neutral observer, if there is such a thing, the analysis away from the statistical data, gut feel and immeasurables point towards there still being basic shortcomings in the skills of most of the northern hemisphere teams.
New Zealand, South Africa and France would be on one level - at least one step ahead of the rest of the world with the rest following behind.
The likes of England have the physicality and organisation in the forwards but lack the creativity and imagination to do much with the ball which is why, in their three-test November series, they scored just one try.
Scotland were able to beat Australia yet they barely had the ball. They won by playing to the wet conditions and delivering one of the best defensive efforts of the age.
Even Wales and Ireland, who have made some obvious improvements over the years, are not able to play with the enterprise and flair they believe they possess. Wales couldn't score a try against the All Blacks and Ireland tend to clam up when they are faced with a heavyweight opponent.
France are arguably the only northern hemisphere side that has developed some of the softer skills to cut open defences. The French are capable of offloading through the forwards and linking their backs and forwards in a way none of the other northern hemisphere sides can.
It's more pertinent to ponder whether, like Smith says, the northern hemisphere have they closed the gap in real terms - that is, have they improved their basic skills or have they simply benefited from the new rules which have made it easier for sides to prosper if they have brutal forwards and good kickers?
The best answer is that it has been a bit of both. The current game has played into northern hemisphere hands more than it has either Australia or New Zealand's. It is possible now, as Scotland and England showed last weekend, to stay in the contest for at least 60 minutes on the back of a big pack and a kicking game alone.
With set piece ascendancy and territory now the key facets of test football - more so than ever - the game is set up for the likes of England and to a lesser extent Scotland who can handle that but who struggle to give and take passes or put players into space.
The blacks performance against the Frogs was superb with them running the ball at every opportunity and scoring length of the fields tries.
The Aussie pack completely dominated the Welsh pack and therefore their enterprising backline were allowed room to move. They could of very easily put 50 points past Wales.
The South Africans were disappointing throughout this series but still could of stole that game right at the death.
At the end of the day SH Rugby still rules and they prooved that once again on NH soil.
Finally gotten around to seeing the France v. AB's game (a download of an ESPN broadcast interestingly enough). What a great game, and not just because of the win or margin of it. Better than most of the dross that's been served up this season combined.
Don't need a new thread....
The autumn Internationals are here again, starting off in Cardiff and London.
My thoughts.....
Cymru -v- Awstralia
Awstralia by 15.
Can't see Wales troubling the Aussies much today, Australia very much a teanm on the rise, full of confidence after an excellent performance last week full of traditional grit with that famous desire not to lose. Wales are cold, haven't been together for some time, lost 7 of the last 9 and with big injury problems. Gone are Byrne, Halfpenny, Evans, Prydie, Roberts, Davies and captain Ryan Jones. all the injouries in similar areas giving Wales some weak points.
They will be strong up front fielding the best front row in the world last year. All coming back from injury since that time so here's hoping they have one advantage.
Second Rows even.
Wales' back row sees the selection of the great young hope Sam Warburton. He missed the experience of playing in New Zealand after playing 70 minutes against south Africa with a brokebn cheekbone. He's been picked at 7 taking the place of the vastly experienced Martyn Williams. On the blindside they've picked dan Lydiate, good player at club level but not a test player in my eyes and he's up against Pocock.
wales are also weak at centre, Andrew Bishop and Tom Shanklin get the nod with Roberts and Davies injured and James Hook having to fill in as 3rd choice full back. A weak middle is never a good thing, so lets hope Shanklin can turn back the years and stay fit for 80 minutes. will harries comes in at wing in what i could only describe as an amazing decision. I've seen him play 3 times in the last year and he most definately isn't a test match player....GULP!!
Wales:
15-James Hook, 14-Will Harries, 13-Tom Shanklin, 12-Andrew Bishop, 11-Shane Williams, 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Mike Phillips; 1-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Matthew Rees (captain), 3-Adam Rhys-Jones, 4-Bradley Davies, 5-Alun Wyn-Jones, 6-Dan Lydiate, 7-Sam Warburton, 8-Jonathan Thomas
Replacements: 16-Huw Bennett, 17-Paul James, 18-Deiniol Jones, 19-Martyn Williams, 20-Richard Rees, 21-Dan Biggar, 22-Chris Czekaj
Australia:
15-Kurtley Beale, 14-James O'Connor, 13-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Drew Mitchell, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Will Genia; 1-Benn Robinson, 2-Stephen Moore, 3-Ben Alexander, 4-Mark Chisholm, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 6-Rocky Elsom (captain), 7-David Pocock, 8-Ben McCalman
Replacements: 16-Saia Faingaa, 17-James Slipper, 18-Dean Mumm, 19-Richard Brown, 20-Luke Burgess, 21-Berrick Barnes, 22-Lachie Turner
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Lloegr v Seland Newydd
Seland Newydd by 6
It'll be a close one, England's big pack with be a tough as for New Zealand, but hopefully they'll overcome the power and win it in the backs. Tom Croft is key for england, turning into another iconic Ork in White. In the backs look out for foden a potential talent at full back, but doubtless England will come up with a game plan to ensure he is ineffective. Sheridan is back in the front row with Steve Thompson which will make it a huge front row.
weather could be key.
England: 15-Ben Foden, 14-Chris Ashton, 13-Mike Tindall 12-Shontayne Hape, 11-Mark Cueto, 10-Toby Flood, 9-Ben Youngs; 1-Andrew Sheridan, 2-Steve Thompson, 3-Dan Cole, 4-Courtney Lawes, 5-Tom Palmer, 6-Tom Croft 7-Lewis Moody (captain), 8-Nick Easter.
Replacements: 16-Dylan Hartley, 17-David Wilson, 18-David Attwood, 19-Hendre Fourie, 20-Danny Care, 21-Charlie Hodgson, 22-Delon Armitage.
New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina, 14-Joe Rokocoko, 13-Sonny Bill Williams, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Hosea Gear, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Alby Mathewson; 1-Tony Woodcock, 2-Keven Mealamu, 3-Owen Franks, 4-Brad Thorn, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Jerome Kaino, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 8-Kieran Read.
Replacements: 16-Hika Elliot, 17-Ben Franks, 18-Anthony Boric, 19-Liam Messam, 20-Andy Ellis, 21-Stephen Donald, 22-Isaia Toeava.
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Irweddon -v- Seth Effrika
Irweddon by 10.
I haven't seen the side picked by South africa yet, but I do know thay only arrived in Dublin yesterday. actually I'll go look and update......
Ireland:
15-Rob Kearney, 14-Tommy Bowe, 13-Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12- Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Luke Fitzgerald, 10-Jonathan Sexton, 9-Eoin Reddan, 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-Tony Buckley, 4-Donncha O'Callaghan, 5-Mick O'Driscoll, 6-Stephen Ferris, 7-David Wallace, 8-Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Tom Court, 18-Donncha Ryan, 19- Denis Leamy, 20-Peter Stringer, 21-Ronan O'Gara, 22-Keith Earls
South Africa: 15-Gio Aplon, 14-Bjorn Basson, 13-Zane Kirchner, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Ruan Pienaar; 1-Tendai Mtawarira, 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 4-Bakkies Botha, 5-Victor Matfield (capt), 6-Deon Stegmann, 7- Juan Smith, 8-Pierre Spies.
Replacements: 16-Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17-CJ van der Linde, 18-Flip van der Merwe, 19-Keegan Daniel, 20-Francois Hougaard, 21-Adi Jacobs, 22-Patrick Lambie.
not a bad Soutth African selection the old pairing is bad in the second row, Bismark is back from injury but smit is missing. They are lacking at openside without Schalk Burger and Heinrich Brussow. The lucky thing for Ireland is they mainly pick from two teams and Ulster, so they are a bit more familiar with each other than other countries. I think this is also the opening of their new stadium so a special day for them. wales beat SA in their first game in the Millenium.
Last edited by Bobcock; 06-11-2010 at 03:46 PM.
Might want to remove the Taffy as well before some mod deletes the post.Originally Posted by Bobcock
three more southern hemisphere wins
Wales 16 - Australia 25
England 16 - New Zealand 26
Ireland 21 - South Africa 23
and I like my stats; these are based on the last ten matches between the above teams:
Ireland played six at home, won three from ten, 14 tries v 27, average score 16-24
England played five at home, won one from ten, 9 tries to 30, average score 13-30
Wales played seven at home, won two and one draw from ten, 13 tries to 32, average score 16-27
and last nights matches
Ireland had won three in row v SA 2004-09
England's ninth consecutive loss to NZ
and trivia . . . Hartley's try against NZ last night was the first try scored against them in three European tours. And it was scored by a New Zealander - Hartley born in Rotorua, NZ.
more rugby on the way
Sat - 13th Nov
14:00 Italy vs Argentina
14:30 Ireland vs Samoa
14:30 England vs Australia
14:30 Wales vs South Africa
17:00 France vs Fiji
17:15 Scotland vs New Zealand
Australia's scrum was very weak, again. They are not in the running for the RWC unless they get that fixed imo.
How strange to see a welsh side with such a dominant pack and shite backs.
Mind you only one back was the same as our previous test match, shame Australia couldn't notch one more score to make my prediction correct.
They came close a couple of times. But a very error riddled messy game. I concur with what sabang said, our pack was rubbish.
Shock result of the year, Wales manage a draw at home against Fiji.
That's six losses in a row. They were awarded a penalty try, each team had one conversion, three penalties and a try (well almost a try for Wales)
Great confidence builder for their match next week v NZ.
Coach Warren Gatland 'embarrassed' by Welsh display
Fiji's first-half try stuns Wales
Last edited by genghis61; 20-11-2010 at 08:36 AM.
It's a kangaroo. Know your roadkill.Originally Posted by BKKBoet
Matches this weekend (UK start times)
Fri - 19th
19:30 Wales 16 vs Fiji 16
Sat - 20th
14:00 Italy vs Australia
14:30 England vs Samoa
14:30 Scotland vs South Africa
17:30 Ireland vs New Zealand
19:45 France vs Argentina
Shocking display by wales, didn't see it, but Gatland says he was embarrased.
True to say it wasn't exactly the 15 that will lose to the All Blacks, but it was a 15 more than capable of beating Fuji.....it's just a Japanese restaurant team after all and lots of the waitresses are girls!
^ heard from my brother he had the misfortune to see it . . . said both sides dreadful, as a closet Wales supporter (after NZ of course) he described game as 'laugh or cry' it was so bad to watch.
Italy v Oz tonight - the Italian scrum will fancy their chances of dominating, though the team weakened by loss of their Oz import Gower at 1st five. Argies will give France a go too.
Always a good test. That's the one I'll DL on Sunday.Originally Posted by genghis61
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