ruckingkiwi says...

A bit of dribble there Funk, so after your waffle all we've worked out Ben Franks is the only current All Black born abroad? Kerr-Barlow is an interesting story though, raised in the bush with the indigenous population.

Despite the banter surrounding foreigners, this was bound to happen to Australia eventually, due to their white only immigration policy Australia are only now seeing the results of Pacific island immigration, something NZ experienced 20 years ago.

On a different note, I believe only 2 Australian forwards from last years semi have made the cut for this match and no Cooper, looks like that semi-final loss may have ended a few careers? Throws the young team theory out the window.

Anyway, all the best to our Australian brothers , hope it's a good match and the ABs sneak it by 10 :)

Posted 21:40 16th August 2012

Funk says...

I'm not too sure whether the abs have found the right enforcer at lock to replace the Australian schooled (and accented) Brad Thorne, and the Australian born Ben Franks has not showen his strengths of the past in recent games. The scrum half position for the abs seems to be still unsettled with the Australian born and early schooled Kerr-Barlow not getting a shot! We'll have to see how Read will do in the test line up due to that unfortunate injury to the America Samoa born Kaino. However I feel the Australian schooled Pocock and Ioane may show some of the form of old in this game!

It's a little droll and boring isn't it?

Posted 03:53 16th August 2012

carpelone says...

Too many injuries. When with all players, Australia will be a handful for every team. Depth is not there, not sure about Deans' plan.

Posted 20:46 15th August 2012

makemehappy says...

@hobo - he hasn't played enough to assess current form, but based on previous form, he is clearly better. If he isn't carrying an injury, then its Mitchell all day long.

Posted 13:06 15th August 2012

Trader2 says...

@cuw3100 now I know London has been focused on other things but QC and Steph

have been over for months, she saw the light fairly quickly there, has had another couple since then. I only know this gossip cos my wife told me.

Posted 09:03 15th August 2012

cuw3100 says...

A lot of guys on the field have something to look forward to :)

Most test wins - ONE PLAYER V ONE NATION

21 - Richie McCaw (NZ) v Australia

19 - Mils Muliaina (NZ) v Australia

18 - Keven Mealamu (NZ) v Australia

17 - Tony Woodcock (NZ) v Australia

16 - Justin Marshall (NZ) v South Africa

16 - Dan Carter (NZ) v Australia

16 - Sean Fitzpatrick (NZ) v Australia

Most test losses - ONE PLAYER V ONE NATION

18 - Nathan Sharpe (Australia) v NZ

18 - David Campese (Australia) v NZ

17 - Matt Giteau (Australia) v NZ

17 - George Smith (Australia) v NZ

16 - Victor Matfield (South Africa) v NZ

15 - George Gregan (Australia) v South Africa

15 - George Gregan (Australia) v NZ

14 - Stephen Jones (Wales/Lions) v NZ

14 - Rocky Elsom (Australia) v NZ

Posted 06:08 15th August 2012

ruckingkiwi says...

On paper, form and history, NZ should win comfortably but who knows, Oz at home, they'll be fired up with their best chance in years of getting the Bledisloe, NZ has new coach, systems and some new players but great defence, a powerful pack and attacking threats across the whole park.. Oz will have their work cut out 1-22. All the best for a good game, looking forward to it. NZ by 10.

Posted 01:21 15th August 2012

Trader2 says...

Ahhh @Trinats "turn it up PR. Next there will be a list of anyone who had a kiwi fruit." That is priceless good to see you are back on top of your game after the feeble Red's efforts in S15. As I said in another blog you cannot lose really cos if the Wannabies get smashed then Dingo will be gone and if they win you will have all the bragging rights until the next game. Can the Wannabies make it 8/30, well for mine they have a better chance with Barnes than QC thats for sure, a lot depends on that Kiwi pack of the Wannabies delivering some good ball to test the AB's mid field.

Posted 23:55 14th August 2012

passtheball says...

Deans will be on the next plane to NZ as that's where the next game is! Deans must be envious of the resources Hansen has available to him. Complacency and a very fired up Aussie are the only real enemies for the ABs.

Posted 13:32 14th August 2012

Trinats2 says...

Bones7:

Cooper wasn't considered because he is not match fit, same for O'Connor. If he would have been included in the squad he would have started, never mind the bench.

"Quade obviously isn't at the top of his fitness yet" (Deans on why Cooper wasn't selected)

Posted 13:15 14th August 2012