Rugby Tri-Nations thread
Discussion
Despite it being right before the World Cup, and being quite dilluted as a result, there are still some good games of rugby to be had.
NZ are looking impenetrable and heavy favourites to win this, reading their team sheet for tomorrow there isnt a single weakness, and even if one or two players arent performing on the day, their bench is a powerhouse.
Tomorrows game against the Springboks should be a formality, and Im expecting a score of between 45 to 50 for NZ, with the Boks getting one try and maybe a penalty or two, so anything from 10 to 16 points, all this is now is a chance for uncapped players to show they can still play under pressure and dont go to pieces against a heavy loss.
Looking forward to NZ Australia, it'll be the game of the series no doubt, and at least closer on the score line, but even with all of NZ's strength I still dont give them the World Cup, they'll have to work for that, and we've seen them look unbeatable in Tri Nations before and still not come away with a WC.
Tomorrows game will be a nice warm up for NZ before they play Aus. Given the Boks dont have any locks left and are flying in guys who have 2 days to integrate into the team, I can see NZ kicking the ball into touch from anywhere on the field, then beating the Boks for the ball in the lineouts, getting it to their centres who will then carve a line through the Boks centres with relative ease (Ma'a Nonu vs De Jongh is only going to end one way, as is Conrad Smith on Adi Jacobs), will be good to watch some amazing plays by NZ, and no doubt they'll be playing with a lot of flare since they dont need to worry too much about the counter attack.
NZ are looking impenetrable and heavy favourites to win this, reading their team sheet for tomorrow there isnt a single weakness, and even if one or two players arent performing on the day, their bench is a powerhouse.
Tomorrows game against the Springboks should be a formality, and Im expecting a score of between 45 to 50 for NZ, with the Boks getting one try and maybe a penalty or two, so anything from 10 to 16 points, all this is now is a chance for uncapped players to show they can still play under pressure and dont go to pieces against a heavy loss.
Looking forward to NZ Australia, it'll be the game of the series no doubt, and at least closer on the score line, but even with all of NZ's strength I still dont give them the World Cup, they'll have to work for that, and we've seen them look unbeatable in Tri Nations before and still not come away with a WC.
Tomorrows game will be a nice warm up for NZ before they play Aus. Given the Boks dont have any locks left and are flying in guys who have 2 days to integrate into the team, I can see NZ kicking the ball into touch from anywhere on the field, then beating the Boks for the ball in the lineouts, getting it to their centres who will then carve a line through the Boks centres with relative ease (Ma'a Nonu vs De Jongh is only going to end one way, as is Conrad Smith on Adi Jacobs), will be good to watch some amazing plays by NZ, and no doubt they'll be playing with a lot of flare since they dont need to worry too much about the counter attack.
Just waiting for the game to start.
As a Kiwi I'm always nervous playing SA the week after they've been humiliated! They always come back strong so I'd predict an All Black victory but a lot harder fought/closer scores than must pundits predict.
Love the Tri-Nations, especially with the WC so close.
As a Kiwi I'm always nervous playing SA the week after they've been humiliated! They always come back strong so I'd predict an All Black victory but a lot harder fought/closer scores than must pundits predict.
Love the Tri-Nations, especially with the WC so close.
It's a double edged sword being this close to the WC. I don't believe for a second that that many Boks are "injured".
But on the other hand, it's going to make some of the games VERY competitive, if only for selection purposes.
(ditto the home nations games in the next month too, actually)
But on the other hand, it's going to make some of the games VERY competitive, if only for selection purposes.
(ditto the home nations games in the next month too, actually)
That was painful to watch, not unexpected but was still an embarrisment. Steyn at full back, there's a great idea, Lambe at 10 but not doing all the 10's duties, another great idea, I guess the coach had accepted they were going to lose so decided to have a laugh by shuffling the squad around.
NZ played very well, the ominous thing (for non NZ's) was that it was clear they had a lot more in reserve that will be available once they have gelled more as a team, from what I saw there NZ look like they are going to get better as they play together more.
Lets see how Australia handle that kind of pressure.
NZ played very well, the ominous thing (for non NZ's) was that it was clear they had a lot more in reserve that will be available once they have gelled more as a team, from what I saw there NZ look like they are going to get better as they play together more.
Lets see how Australia handle that kind of pressure.
I think the Tri Nations is pretty much decided less than half way through the tournament. NZ are simply a class or two above the others, and even playing at 70% they could beat the others playing at 100%.
Australia are busy getting a thumping right now and unless they can perform the most amazing comeback in history they arent going to give NZ much competition.
I expect the rest of the tournament to feature much more experimental sides from NZ as they prep themselves for the World Cup and develope some depth.
The biggest worry must be for Australia, as although the Boks were even more rubbish, a lot of their regulars werent playing, this is basically Australias strogest side so they have nowhere to go from here.
Australia are busy getting a thumping right now and unless they can perform the most amazing comeback in history they arent going to give NZ much competition.
I expect the rest of the tournament to feature much more experimental sides from NZ as they prep themselves for the World Cup and develope some depth.
The biggest worry must be for Australia, as although the Boks were even more rubbish, a lot of their regulars werent playing, this is basically Australias strogest side so they have nowhere to go from here.
France could be the dark horse of the World Cup, when is their first warm up game though?
They'll either be amazing, or amazingly bad, but they could give some of the big guns something to think about.
The next game should be interesting, probably more of the regular Boks in the side and a second chance to take on Australia. I expect to see some big improvements in the Boks given they have now had time to train togetehr and should be more of a unit.
They'll either be amazing, or amazingly bad, but they could give some of the big guns something to think about.
The next game should be interesting, probably more of the regular Boks in the side and a second chance to take on Australia. I expect to see some big improvements in the Boks given they have now had time to train togetehr and should be more of a unit.
I thought the ABs looked superb against SA and felt a side couldn't get much better until I saw the First half against Australia - McCaw and Carter were astounding. Made the spectacle I saw at Twickenham in the afternoon seem a very dour affair (which it was!). It'll have to be a massive mothful of the unchewed for the ABs to choke in this years's RWC.
Tokoloshe said:
France could be the dark horse of the World Cup, when is their first warm up game though?
They'll either be amazing, or amazingly bad, but they could give some of the big guns something to think about.
Agreed about France, they are the AB's bogey team in the WC. I think they play Ireland soon.They'll either be amazing, or amazingly bad, but they could give some of the big guns something to think about.
Big E 118 said:
Very promising from the AB's today.
I reckon Quade Cooper is going to get a dressing down from Robbie Deans after the game. He's very talented but some of his decision making is appalling.
This. No one knows what the hell he will do next. Must be so frustrating to play with. AB's will win RWC at a canter.I reckon Quade Cooper is going to get a dressing down from Robbie Deans after the game. He's very talented but some of his decision making is appalling.
I wont give NZ the World Cup at a trot just yet, formidable side but still very reliant on their mainstay players, take Dan Carter and Ritchie McCaw out of the equation and you have some very talented players but their whole "standard" game play in tatters.
The Boks suffered this with the loss of Fourie at scrum half and Broussow at flank, the way they usually play is suddenly disrupted and it's a tough adjustment, perhaps in a way playing without them will be beneficial as it'll force change.
Both Carter and McCaw are pretty robust though, so chances are NZ will smash their way through, but a lot can change in the course of a WC, and there are a few teams who could take advantage of any weakness in NZ.
Saturday Im expecting a much closed score line. Australia to win, but pushed hard for it and something like 3 tries for Aus, 2 for SA, and a few penalties either way. Hopefully defenses on both sides will be a lot more solid (especially the turnstyle Boks!!)
The Boks suffered this with the loss of Fourie at scrum half and Broussow at flank, the way they usually play is suddenly disrupted and it's a tough adjustment, perhaps in a way playing without them will be beneficial as it'll force change.
Both Carter and McCaw are pretty robust though, so chances are NZ will smash their way through, but a lot can change in the course of a WC, and there are a few teams who could take advantage of any weakness in NZ.
Saturday Im expecting a much closed score line. Australia to win, but pushed hard for it and something like 3 tries for Aus, 2 for SA, and a few penalties either way. Hopefully defenses on both sides will be a lot more solid (especially the turnstyle Boks!!)
I reckon we will get a chance to see if France are going to bring thier good game to the world cup with them this Saturday. France V Ireland at Bordeaux. Ireland will be unhappy about loosing to Scotland so should give France a tough trial. I will be going to watch as its just 2 hours from me.
New Zealand will have to play really well for the whole tournement as in my opinion the other top teams will come on song at the right time. My head says AB v boks final But my heart wants England v Ireland final and Ireland thrashing the English lads. With O'driscol bowing out with a fantastic performance. Well we all have dreams. Getting really excited about it all now.
New Zealand will have to play really well for the whole tournement as in my opinion the other top teams will come on song at the right time. My head says AB v boks final But my heart wants England v Ireland final and Ireland thrashing the English lads. With O'driscol bowing out with a fantastic performance. Well we all have dreams. Getting really excited about it all now.
Good stuff, didnt know France were playing this weekend, will watch that.
Here is the Boks team for Saturday:
Backs: Gio Aplon, Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Morne Steyn, Butch James, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard
Forwards: Ryan Kankowski, Ashley Johnson, Pierre Spies, Jean Deysel, Heinrich Brussow, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Gerhard Mostert, John Smit (capt), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde
Though latest news is that Spies has aggrevated a groin injury and is out.
Still not the strongest side they could field, there are quite a few 1st choice players missing due to long term injuries, and the above team doesnt fill me with confidence, some great players but a real mishmash of players who havent been together before, more of the same from the first game I think, Fosters for the win over Castle.
Here is the Boks team for Saturday:
Backs: Gio Aplon, Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Morne Steyn, Butch James, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard
Forwards: Ryan Kankowski, Ashley Johnson, Pierre Spies, Jean Deysel, Heinrich Brussow, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Gerhard Mostert, John Smit (capt), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde
Though latest news is that Spies has aggrevated a groin injury and is out.
Still not the strongest side they could field, there are quite a few 1st choice players missing due to long term injuries, and the above team doesnt fill me with confidence, some great players but a real mishmash of players who havent been together before, more of the same from the first game I think, Fosters for the win over Castle.
That was a great game Saturday, I think NZ will actually take a lot of positives away from it despite losing to Steyns boot, it was very close to being 3 or 4 tries, they have this way of getting through 2 or 3 defenders almost untouched that makes all their runners dangerous, every time they start running with the ball you just think "uh oh".
They just need to work on their finishing, a few tweaks here and there, and a few first choice players in key positions, and I doubt the Boks would be celebrating a win today.
Im a little more convinced on NZ winning the WC now, their weaker side is fearsome, and could be a force with just a little more game time together, never mind what their first picks are capable of.
The Boks played a good game, their defense was very good in defending the last few centimeters between NZ and the try line, but overall cant be called good because NZ were able to get that far in the first place!! You cant always rely on penalties to win a game, and being camped on your own try line for most of the game isnt going to work for the duraton of a World Cup, someone will eventually get through.
Saying that, the Boks looked determined and strong, and matched physicality, so they have positives to take away from the game too. If they can work on their first tackles, and get some training time together to improve their break through to make tries, and then improve with game time, they could at least make NZ work for the WC.
NZ v Australia next, Im expecting a NZ whitewash given the loss will motivate the players, and has also given a lot of them a chance to run off the rust.
They just need to work on their finishing, a few tweaks here and there, and a few first choice players in key positions, and I doubt the Boks would be celebrating a win today.
Im a little more convinced on NZ winning the WC now, their weaker side is fearsome, and could be a force with just a little more game time together, never mind what their first picks are capable of.
The Boks played a good game, their defense was very good in defending the last few centimeters between NZ and the try line, but overall cant be called good because NZ were able to get that far in the first place!! You cant always rely on penalties to win a game, and being camped on your own try line for most of the game isnt going to work for the duraton of a World Cup, someone will eventually get through.
Saying that, the Boks looked determined and strong, and matched physicality, so they have positives to take away from the game too. If they can work on their first tackles, and get some training time together to improve their break through to make tries, and then improve with game time, they could at least make NZ work for the WC.
NZ v Australia next, Im expecting a NZ whitewash given the loss will motivate the players, and has also given a lot of them a chance to run off the rust.
The one area NZ look weaker than the others for me is the tight five and hard headed nature of what brews there. If England or the Boks have serious designs on winning the thing, its there they have to drive into New Zealand. Im not sure what the genuine state of the Boks is, how many are out properly injured and so what the first team will look like, but whatever the makeup, they will put a genuine Test Pack together. The Boks also play Tournament Rugby in a very Northern Hemisphere style, or rather English style. They know where to knock the heads together and how to grind the victory out when it needs to be done.
NZ and Aus will rely on the attacking potential more than the grind as per normal, but the Kiwis look to have such an overall balanced game. When they attack with the Pack, its pace and initial punch, then move the ball to attackers already at pace. Its devastating on the front foot. On the back foot? Who knows...has anyone actually managed it yet?
England will depend on who Johnson picks in the front row. If he has any sense - and he usually does in these things - he will go for bone crushing impact b
dness. A juggernaut front row, then let Lawes and Palmer or Shaw loose in the engine room to back them up and the back row to create havoc. No point even discussing England's backs, if it involves Tindall we all might aswell become Welsh now.
NZ and Aus will rely on the attacking potential more than the grind as per normal, but the Kiwis look to have such an overall balanced game. When they attack with the Pack, its pace and initial punch, then move the ball to attackers already at pace. Its devastating on the front foot. On the back foot? Who knows...has anyone actually managed it yet?
England will depend on who Johnson picks in the front row. If he has any sense - and he usually does in these things - he will go for bone crushing impact b
dness. A juggernaut front row, then let Lawes and Palmer or Shaw loose in the engine room to back them up and the back row to create havoc. No point even discussing England's backs, if it involves Tindall we all might aswell become Welsh now.Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff