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

markpat says...

Looks like Australia's one and only plan is to try and stifle the NZ backs.

Personally, I still think that amount to trying to limit how badly they lose. They won't win by trying to beat NZ with defence only. They had to include Cooper somewhere to give them a plan B, even if he didn't start.

I hope I'm wrong, as NZ v AUS has been really good in recent years, but I expect this one to be pretty negative.

Posted 12:50 14th August 2012

piriaka says...

Good call - them Kiwis know all about the style of play of Cooper - they are a dime a dozen in NZ.

Posted 11:22 14th August 2012

rugby_rockstar says...

Irish ref. That'll help out the aussie scrum. Anyhow, what we have is the usual dazzling array of tallent in the backs who'll live or die depending on the following factors:

1, What kind of platform can the Aussie pack provide.

2, Whether the All Blacks play with structure or try to Out-Aussie Australia.

Knowing Steve Hansen's attention to detail I think NZ will do the basics, ruck like demons and score 7pt counter punches. That's not to say we won't see some awesome plays as well, I'm sure we will, but Hansen won't want things to get too loose too fast. Genia, Beale, Ioane, Ashley-Cooper... you really don't want to give these guys space.

Glad its in Oz though, it'll give the underdogs a bit of an edge.

Posted 11:16 14th August 2012

2EyedKiwi says...

@trinats12, settle down champ, PR is giving your 2 Wallabies Timani and Kepu a compliment, by inferring that they may actually know a thing or 2 about rugby given were they learnt the game. You're a hard man to please...

Posted 10:27 14th August 2012

hayj05 says...

@Trinats2 - "Next there will be a list of anyone who had a kiwi fruit." lol that's focken funny.

Posted 09:54 14th August 2012