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1st October 2007, 11:53 | #1 |
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So.. to cardiff we roll
but why do i have a sinking feeling about playing france in the quarters
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He sleeps. Sock. Bar of soap. Bang bang bang! Brain damage. Corn field. Gun. *pchew* Funeral |
1st October 2007, 12:32 | #2 |
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I'm predicting an AB vs SA final so you're not allowed to have a sinking feeling.
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1st October 2007, 13:06 | #3 |
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I'm predicting an AB vs SA final so you're not allowed to have a sinking feeling UNTIL THEN.
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1st October 2007, 13:24 | #4 |
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My main concern is drop goals, And I think it could be a concern for Australia as well.
Its all good going for trys, but if they don't come, and then all of a sudden the other side is down the other end kicking a drop goal, it really adds up. England will definitely employ that tactic, but France will probably do it as well. It will be the only way we loose this game. |
1st October 2007, 16:54 | #5 |
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We will thump France. Big time.
I'm starting to wonder if Henry has pulled off an awesome hand of poker. I just can't help feeling that the ABs have been kept in check up until now. Things might be different against Aussie and then SA; but it was just the realisation when seeing the players on the bench and in the stands for the Romania game that we have not put the form 15 on the field yet; not by a long shot. I have faith.
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If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days? |
1st October 2007, 18:33 | #6 |
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Go the All Blacks winning the coin toss and making France play in the We French Love to Surrender strip
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1st October 2007, 18:43 | #7 |
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I want NZ to play a tough grinding encounter vs France to prepare us to verse Aussie in the finals. I think previous world cups have taugh us one thing: big margins mean NOTHING
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1st October 2007, 21:58 | #8 |
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I think the game will be either a really tight one with only a couple of points different (to either side). Or, we will win it by 20+ points
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1st October 2007, 22:02 | #9 |
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lol very nice prediction you made there. you what you trying to say is you dont have a clue.
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1st October 2007, 22:21 | #10 | |
May contain nuts
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This is the year
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omgwtf |
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1st October 2007, 22:48 | #11 |
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Tough game or not, I simply can't see the All Blacks losing to the French.
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your intelligence has been insulted. |
1st October 2007, 23:15 | #12 |
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So here's what I think would be our best team, assuming no injury concerns:
1. Tony Woodcock 2. Keven Mealamu 3. Carl Hayman 4. Chris Jack 5. Ali Williams 6. Jerry Collins 7. Richie McCaw 8. Rodney So'oialo 9. Byron Kelleher 10. Dan Carter 11. Joe Rococoko 12. Luke McAlister 13. Isaia Toeava 14. Doug Howlett 15. Leon MacDonald Bench: 16. Anton Oliver 17. Neemia Tialata 18. Chris Masoe 19. Keith Robinson 20. Brendon Leonard 21. Conrad Smith 22. Mils Muliaina The fact that this would still be sitting out players like Mauger, Thorne, Somerville, Ellis, Evans, Sivivatu means (injuries aside) we really do have a shitload of good players to choose from.
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If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days? Last edited by caffiend : 1st October 2007 at 23:17. |
2nd October 2007, 03:03 | #13 |
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1. Tony Woodcock
2. Anton Oliver 3. Carl Hayman 4. Chris Jack 5. Ali Williams 6. Jerry Collins 7. Richie McCaw 8. Rodney So'oialo 9. Byron Kelleher 10. Dan Carter 11. Joe Rococoko 12. Luke McAlister 13. Mils Muliania 14. Doug Howlett 15. Leon MacDonald Bench: 16. Kevin Mealamu 17. Neemia Tialata 18. Sione Lauaki 19. Keith Robinson 20. Brendon Leonard 21. Nick Evans 22. Isaia Toeava My team Smith hasn't shown enough to warrant a spot. Lauaki and Mealamu offer the most impact from the bench IMHO. |
2nd October 2007, 06:41 | #14 |
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I reckon Robinson and Evans are a hairs breath away from being in the first 15.
Robinson has been dominating lineouts and Evans had a blinder of a game against romania. He was everywhere and his kicking was much more consistent that McAlisters |
2nd October 2007, 08:13 | #15 |
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Evans has pretty much cemented a bench spot for the rest of the tournament imho.
Lauaki is gone until the Final - if we make it. Which is good because they really only need him against South Africa anyway. Id agree with those teams posted above pretty much. |
2nd October 2007, 09:11 | #16 |
SLUTS!!!!!!!
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McAlistair off the bench IMO* as an impact player
* And John Hart's as well, apparently
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Slow internet is worse than no internet. It's like putting your penis in once and then being required to make out for 2 hours --Matt "The Oatmeal" Inman |
2nd October 2007, 09:39 | #17 |
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Go the ABs - this is where the fun really starts 9am kick off too, sweet time.
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NZ Breakbeat Culture - Bassdrop.co.nz |
2nd October 2007, 10:01 | #18 |
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http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/ne...pended+matches
Lauaki out for 2 weeks
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What would Brian Boitano do? |
2nd October 2007, 10:55 | #19 |
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We only need Lauaki for the Boks anyway. Also - Mcalister is better off the bench imo too.
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2nd October 2007, 11:38 | #20 |
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I dunno why but i feel like the AB's have been holding back in tactics & approach, hopefully they are ready to go.
1. Tony Woodcock 2. Anton Oliver 3. Carl Hayman 4. Chris Jack 5. Ali Williams 6. Jerry Collins 7. Richie McCaw 8. Rodney So'oialo 9. Byron Kelleher 10. Dan Carter 11. Joe Rococoko 12. Luke McAlister 13. Conrad Smith 14. Doug Howlett 15. Mils Muliaina Bench: 16. Keven Mealamu 17. Greg Somerville 18. Chris Masoe 19. Keith Robinson 20. Brendon Leonard 21. Aaron Mauger 22. Isaia Toeava They usually start Oliver against the frogs for his scrummaging, i can't see anyone apart from Smith at centre as no-one else has really stepped up. Hard to choose between Mauger & Evans & Toeava & Sivavatu as the back cover, i would have Mauger in my starting 15 ahead of McAlister this game to give him a chance to find some form but Henry seems to prefer McAlister atm. Last edited by pig : 2nd October 2007 at 11:39. |
2nd October 2007, 12:38 | #21 | |
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2nd October 2007, 12:42 | #22 |
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IMO the team will be as follows.
1. Woodcock 2. Mealamu 3. Hayman 4. Williams 5. Jack 6. Collins 7. McCaw 8. So'oialo 9. Kelleher 10. Carter 11. Rokocoko 12. McAlister 13. Muliana 14. Howlett 15. McDonald 16. Evans 17. Thorne 18. Sommerville 19. Leonard 20. Oliver 21. Toeava 22. Masoe |
2nd October 2007, 13:28 | #23 | |
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2nd October 2007, 13:42 | #24 | |
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Here is the relivant part of the article......
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If you read between the lines - the All Blacks _ARE_ holding something back. This much is obvious in their rotation policy anyway. |
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2nd October 2007, 13:53 | #25 |
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Wasn't every lineout throw in the Portugal game exactly the same, purportedly because a) we could and b) why give anything away?
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2nd October 2007, 13:56 | #26 |
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The centre pairing still worries me. McAlister with his stupid little kicks that never work or Mauger who is slightly better tactically but isnt such a force at the line.
Im happy with either Toeava or Muliana at 13 tho. Conrad smith can fuck right off.
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Teddy Bear Junction, the worst scumhole in the galaxy. |
2nd October 2007, 14:16 | #27 |
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Yeah Toeava or Muliana I'm happy with also.
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2nd October 2007, 14:29 | #28 | |
A mariachi ogre snorkel
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2nd October 2007, 14:31 | #29 |
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Yeah and therein lies the problem. I wonder if Muliana could play 12.
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Teddy Bear Junction, the worst scumhole in the galaxy. |
2nd October 2007, 15:13 | #30 |
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Im not worried about second five, im pretty happy about either of those guys starting altho i prefer Mauger's experience. I am concerned about centre, especially the way bloody Mortlock has tended to have his way with us in recent times.
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2nd October 2007, 15:39 | #31 | |
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It makes sense, why play great moves against the nobodys, that other team can watch and learn. They may have tested a few things, but there will still be a lot in the goody bag. |
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2nd October 2007, 16:05 | #32 | |
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10. Evans 12. Carter Better than McAlister or Mauger, but it'll never happen Carter is first choice 10 and 12 isn't he? Last edited by o9 : 2nd October 2007 at 16:08. |
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2nd October 2007, 16:20 | #33 | |
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With Leon a competent fullback (hell - Evans is handy there too) it's a safe approach with Mills in at centre. In that case I'd chuck McAlister in for a bit of flair and risk taking. With a cool head either side of him I think he would thrive. At 1st 5 definitely not... I'd like to say Conrad Smith as 1st choice at 13 but he hasn't really put his hand up with the small opportunities he's had. I like Toeava and to see him at 13 I'd put Mauger in at 12. But even then I don't think this is as strong as the pairing of McAlister and Mills(or Smith). |
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2nd October 2007, 16:26 | #34 |
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Henry and the ABs management arent stupid - they have been planning this for 4 years now, if all the top teams didnt have some tactics saved for the final rounds I would be very suprised.
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NZ Breakbeat Culture - Bassdrop.co.nz |
2nd October 2007, 16:29 | #35 |
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other teams will have tactics saved as well. the midfield pairing still does seem to be dodgy which i guess is mine and everyone elses concern.
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2nd October 2007, 17:37 | #36 |
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I think Toeava did well at 13 against Romania. Very quietly, and without any flashiness; but he's been fairly solid whenever he's come on in other games too. I'd like to see him in 13 for the France game because that will definitely give him a bit of a try-out against a semi-decent opponent, without being too risky since if he isn't up to par I doubt the French will be able to exploit it with the quality of players around him.
He needs a good test before he goes up against the likes of Mortlock.
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If ignorance is bliss, why is everyone so unhappy these days? |
2nd October 2007, 17:55 | #37 |
A mariachi ogre snorkel
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I'd like to see Carter 10 and Brett 12 next year.
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2nd October 2007, 17:57 | #38 |
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Everyone here is acting overly paranoid about the centre combinations. Geez do you think the coaches with their 4 years of planning would let the biggest sticking point in All Black RWC history be the fall-down yet again ?
The team has more than enough options to cover centre for whatever team we face. We've got the bulk when needed, and we've got the pace when needed. Don't stress. |
2nd October 2007, 18:22 | #39 |
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I hope you are right but we havent seen a consistent centre pairing for a long time, so I think everyone is entitled to be a bit unsure.
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Teddy Bear Junction, the worst scumhole in the galaxy. |
2nd October 2007, 18:47 | #40 | |
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