Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)
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<p>Dagg is a much better fullback than he is a winger , </p>
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<p>Ben Smith is awesome at both </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="606308" data-time="1471486055">
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<p>Wallabies named</p>
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<p>3 or 4 of the Wallabies last played 4 weeks ago, for the rest of them it is longer. The standard of rugby every one of them offered in July was simply woeful, appalling.</p>
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<p>What about the cavalry? Genia last played for Stade Français on January 4. Giteau has played just 7 matches for Toulon this year, the last was 12 weeks ago when he left the field after being dumped by Machenaud. Mitchell has played 9 matches for Toulon in 2016, the last in April.</p>
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<p>Lord Two-Fathers played 4 matches in May, 2 in April, 3 in March, 2 in February and 3 in January. 4 of them were part matches, replaced or as a replacement.</p>
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<p>I didn’t bother looking up Your Laptop Cooper, Cheika has him there almost as a mercy bonk I reckon. The millionaire who owns him at Toulon thinks he is a flake and said so publicly.</p>
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<p>That is an awful lot of not a lot of rugby underwriting the Wallabies.</p>
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<p>By comparison Beauden Barrett cranked it up each week in July and August so impressively that he has displaced the incumbent first five; and Perenara similarly ramped up to play the house down in the final and he already knew he couldn’t crack it beyond second string for the Blacks.</p>
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<p>There are a couple of them in competition for Sir Richie’s jersey and the best way they can show their wares is by tossing wee little Bono out of the way (as they did in the World Cup) and by forcing wee little Hooplah! out onto the wing where he likes to be.</p>
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<p>The talented Folau still cannot pass and hasn’t improved his positional un-awareness since day one. If Savea takes his last chance seriously then Israel will have the Big Black Bus down his throat the moment he takes the field.</p>
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<p>The bookies are offering the Darkness at 9:4 on and the Wallabies at 15:8. I'll be taking this certain opportunity to top up my TAB account.</p>
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<p>The Australian fans have yet to come to grips with the reality that Cheika's task is a long term one, with a lot of losses yet to be had until he can offer forward momentum. They'll be calling for BBBT to be appointed as coach on Monday.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mick Gold Coast QLD" data-cid="606437" data-time="1471518586"><p>
The Australian fans have yet to come to grips with the reality that Cheika's task is a long term one, with a lot of losses yet to be had until he can offer forward momentum.</p></blockquote>
Forget the fans, has Cheika come to terms with it?<br><br>
The overseas selections for the RWC made sense in a "break glass in case of emergency" way. But as you perfectly illustrated the imports aren't going to dominate today and they are not part of the future. So why pick so many?<br><br>
Im not sure what selections if any aside from McMahon really point to a bigger plan here? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="westcoastie" data-cid="606415" data-time="1471513103">
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<p>Why can't the best Fullback in the world play Fullback, and Dagg can go play wing?</p>
<p>Seriously, why doesn't this happen?</p>
<p>Does Dagg have revealing photos?<br>
Does he sook it up when he isn't given the 15 jersey?</p>
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<p>Am pretty sure Folau has been picked at fullback. Sorry, I rate him above Ben.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="606441" data-time="1471519347">
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<p>Forget the fans, has Cheika come to terms with it?<br><br>
The overseas selections for the RWC made sense in a "break glass in case of emergency" way. But as you perfectly illustrated the imports aren't going to dominate today and they are not part of the future. So why pick so many?<br><br>
Im not sure what selections if any aside from McMahon really point to a bigger plan here?</p>
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<p>Probably not.</p>
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<p>The overseas selections bit is, possibly, part of a wider plan to let up and comers know there is a trading route between overseas bounty and Wallaby fame.</p>
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<p>I cannot follow what he is up to but I shrink from over analysis because he has had to start from such a low base.</p>
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<p>I have set out here before that this is "ten year plan" stuff, as pursued successfully by Sir Graham and by Eddie McGuire and Mick Malthouse at Collingwood.</p>
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<p>Cheika is in my view the best opportunity we have had since McQueen, Jones and Dwyer because, like them, Australian rugby needs him more than he needs it. He must be given wide scope and plenty of time to try different things and to eventually get it right, which I believe he can do.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="606447" data-time="1471520602">
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<p>I can't see what Folau has over BFA. Shows the odd spark but is extremely inconsistent, especially at test level.</p>
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<p>Folau has natural talent but not in all facets of rugby - his positional play is poor as is his ability to link and pass early. Ben-from-accounting and Israel Dagg have instinctive abilities beyond Folau's.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="606447" data-time="1471520602">
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<p>I can't see what Folau has over BFA. Shows the odd spark but is extremely inconsistent, especially at test level.</p>
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<p>Ben has a better kicking game and is positionally better. Folau is the best player in the world under the high ball and is arguably the most destructive runner in the game. So he has a few things over Bender if you are being totally objective about it.</p> -
In a world XV BFA would play 15 and Folau on the right wing.<br><br>
For the game, the Wallaby backline looks pedestrian, Naholo, Dagg and Smith are faster than four dads and Folau. Tho Folau and DHP might be fast enough to not be run down if they get a good chance. Gits and Kuridrani are certainly slower than their counterparts.<br>
Will any of this matter if the Wallabies get flogged up front? Of course not, which will propably happen.<br>
Hooper and Pocock wont let you down but I would still have Cane and Read over them, definetily Kaino over both Fardy or McCalman, the Wallaby props and Douglas are the only ones that in form could be better than their All Black counterparts. Im not even going to start on Stephen Moore. Or Simmons who seemingly is the only one who can run a lineout in Australia.<br><br>
This all being said this Sydney opener has been for eithers to take and I dont see why it couldn't be this time. The All Blacks are certainly enterntaining themselves on going big on this one and deepening the misery of Australian rugby and the Wallabies certainly are driven to the corner and will come out breathing fire. Just hoping they won't do anything stupid and channel the furstration and fear of even a longer losing streak in to good things.<br><br>
Wallabies by <10 -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="606505" data-time="1471532218">
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<p>Wallabies by <10</p>
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<p>Logic says you and the doom sayers Edit: <strong>could be </strong>right.</p>
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<p>So, how short are our memories? Bet if the Wobbles pinch it, there's calls for Hansen to be sacked :biggrin:</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="606505" data-time="1471532218">
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<p>In a world XV BFA would play 15 and Folau on the right wing.<br><br>
For the game, the Wallaby backline looks pedestrian, Naholo, Dagg and Smith are faster than four dads and Folau. Tho Folau and DHP might be fast enough to not be run down if they get a good chance. Gits and Kuridrani are certainly slower than their counterparts.<br>
Will any of this matter if the Wallabies get flogged up front? Of course not, which will propably happen.<br>
Hoopah and Pocock wont let you down but I would still have Cane and Read over them, definetily Kaino over both Fardy or McCalman, the Wallaby props and Douglas are the only ones that in form could be better than their All Black counterparts. Im not even going to start on Stephen Moore. Or Simmons who seemingly is the only one who can run a lineout in Australia.<br><br>
This all being said this Sydney opener has been for eithers to take and I dont see why it couldn't be this time. The All Blacks are certainly enterntaining themselves on going big on this one and deepening the misery of Australian rugby and the Wallabies certainly are driven to the corner and will come out breathing fire. Just hoping they won't do anything stupid and channel the furstration and fear of even a longer losing streak in to good things.<br><br>
Wallabies by <10</p>
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<p>Douglas better than Retallick ? That must be a joke.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="606537" data-time="1471554843">
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<p>I thought Horne was a VC? Obviously not enough to make the starting XV (justified IMO).</p>
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<p>I guess that's why they have two VC's :)</p>
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<p>Unfortunately for Horne he is really a 13 that was moved to the wing in hope that he could shore up the defence.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="606505" data-time="1471532218">
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<p>In a world XV BFA would play 15 and Folau on the right wing.<br><br>
For the game, the Wallaby backline looks pedestrian, Naholo, Dagg and Smith are faster than four dads and Folau. Tho Folau and DHP might be fast enough to not be run down if they get a good chance. Gits and Kuridrani are certainly slower than their counterparts.<br>
Will any of this matter if the Wallabies get flogged up front? Of course not, which will propably happen.<br>
Hoopah and <strong>Pocock wont let you down </strong>but I would still have Cane and Read over them, definetily Kaino over both Fardy or McCalman, the Wallaby props and Douglas are the only ones that in form could be better than their All Black counterparts. Im not even going to start on Stephen Moore. Or Simmons who seemingly is the only one who can run a lineout in Australia.<br><br>
This all being said this Sydney opener has been for eithers to take and I dont see why it couldn't be this time. The All Blacks are certainly enterntaining themselves on going big on this one and deepening the misery of Australian rugby and the Wallabies certainly are driven to the corner and will come out breathing fire. Just hoping they won't do anything stupid and channel the furstration and fear of even a longer losing streak in to good things.<br><br>
Wallabies by <10</p>
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<p>David Pocock is the most over-hyped Rugby player in a generation. The All Blacks will look to expose his lack of pace and the flaws in his technique at every available opportunity. Few things in Sport are sweeter than deepening Australian misery. Hansen and Read's men aren't going to miss the opportunity to do so.</p>
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<p>All Blacks by 11-15.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="606718" data-time="1471586505">
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<p>Nathan Harris has done his ACL.</p>
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<p>Taylor comes into the XV, and weirdly Dane Coles comes onto the bench.</p>
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<p>Bugger - that's unlucky.</p>
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<p>Harris has had a terrible run of injuries.</p>
