Bledisloe II - Have a stab at the teams.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="609028" data-time="1472155576"><p>
While I think we will win, I don't think it will be a dusting like last week. The Aussies won't role over. If anything, last weeks result should fortify them a bit.</p></blockquote>
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I reckon it will be a dusting. I haven't been this confident of a big win over a Tier 1 nation since the ABs 1/4 final vs France in 2007... I remember my American friend at the time when I was discussing where we would watch the semi saying what if they lost the 1/4. I laughed condescendingly, no chance of that it's not even going to be in France!<br><br>
I still reckon it'll be a dusting. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="609026" data-time="1472154325">
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<p>It's Wellington , a forecast here is good for four hours tops usually.</p>
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<p>Drizzly and cold today which should mean it's fine tomorrow.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rembrandt" data-cid="609033" data-time="1472155982">
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<p>I reckon it will be a dusting. I haven't been this confident of a big win over a Tier 1 nation since the ABs 1/4 final vs France in 2007... I remember my American friend at the time when I was discussing where we would watch the semi saying what if they lost the 1/4. I laughed condescendingly, no chance of that it's not even going to be in France!<br><br>
I still reckon it'll be a dusting.</p>
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<p>A serious dusting I say.</p>
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<p>The NSW TAB has the Wallabies at 8:1 and the All Blacks at 19:2 on. $19 to top up my TAB account by $2!</p>
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<p>You can see where the bookies are most exposed in betting to date - The All Blacks by 1 to 6 is paying $7.50, 7 to 12 pays $6, 13 to 18 pays $4.50 and 19+ is $1.80!</p>
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<p>I won't be repeating my mistake of last week, taking the All Blacks for 13 to 18 at 5:1 only because I was put out that 19+ was at 9:2 ($4.50). Not too proud now to accept 5:4 on for a sure thing.</p>
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<p>Michael Cheika is on a hiding to nothing this week. The fanboys over here have, in just five days, rewritten the record to state that their favourite champion players weren't that bad, it was Cheika's selections and his game plan which let us down. Little wonder that the modern fan nods knowingly and accepts as normal when the millionaire players conspire to sack leading coaches who aren't as good at rugby as them. Cheika is all we have but the loons in the stands will clamor to have him hit to leg.</p>
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<p>By putting Li'l Kwadie - YOUR Li'l Kwadie - out there he might have a cunning plan to be rid of him for good. He's played a match in March - <u>a match</u>, one match - a match in April and two in May. He's been selected as first five, which he most certainly never has been! If he survives long enough Ardie gets to do the assassination, after he has been seen off by a crowd collapsed with amusement; softened up by biggish Jerome and slamming Sam; made look ridiculous by Barrett (and himself) and Ben and Julian - line up fellas.</p>
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<p>I'll be surprised - astonished - if the All Blacks don't crack a 40+ margin.</p> -
<p>Have done a fair bit of reading on the upcoming game today. I can confirm, that I haven't seen this sort of confidence over a victory of a tier 1 nation in a long time.</p>
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<p>Probably since France quarter final 2007, and prior to that, WC semi vs Australia.</p>
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<p>I do think it's unlikely that Aus will win, but this is the Wallabies we are talking about. An early opportunist try, give a bit of confidence and who knows how it will pan out.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="609136" data-time="1472188934">
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<p>Have done a fair bit of reading on the upcoming game today. I can confirm, that I haven't seen this sort of confidence over a victory of a tier 1 nation in a long time.</p>
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<p>Probably since France quarter final 2007, and prior to that, WC semi vs Australia.</p>
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<p>I do think it's unlikely that Aus will win, but this is the Wallabies we are talking about. An early opportunist try, give a bit of confidence and who knows how it will pan out.</p>
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<p>They are in a woeful state but you have a point, there's a fair bit of hubris about.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="609136" data-time="1472188934">
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<p>Have done a fair bit of reading on the upcoming game today. I can confirm, that I haven't seen this sort of confidence over a victory of a tier 1 nation in a long time.</p>
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<p>Probably since France quarter final 2007, and prior to that, WC semi vs Australia.</p>
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<p>I do think it's unlikely that Aus will win, but this is the Wallabies we are talking about. An early opportunist try, give a bit of confidence and who knows how it will pan out.</p>
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<p>I have been far more confident about winning big games recently than 2007 and most of those games we have gone on to win. But, yeah, we are pretty confident.</p> -
<p>does it really matter if fans/media are over confident if the players are grounded?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="608945" data-time="1472115750">
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<p>Squires looks like he offers much more impacty off the bench, Dixon more a soilid starting 6. The test Dixon started v Wales he looked like he'd been told to hit rucks, make tackles & that was it & he did it & did it well, but Squire visably provided impact off the bench & upped the tempo. I can't see any reason they'd put Dixon on the bench over Squires when they are looking for punch in the last 20.</p>
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<p>Its a bit like the Romano v Tuipoluto arguement, Tui, when fully fit, is the better bench option but Romano might squeak it as a starter</p>
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<p>dixon is read, and squire is kaino is basically the way i see it - if you want the same game plan - though they play the opposite positions.</p>
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<p>but yeah, bench vs starting - one of dixon's biggest assets is his motor, he can play 80 and run all night, be everywhere. squire not so much, but he can certainly play 20 minutes and smash the shit out of blokes.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="609148" data-time="1472192686">
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<p>does it really matter if fans/media are over confident if the players are grounded?</p>
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<p>Depends - if its confident Aussie media, then retrospective shit-flinging from Kiwi fans is absolutely a matter of importance ;)</p> -
That dickhead on one news said Lienart-Brown would provide impact off the bench tomorrow night. I know I know, NZ journalism is the laughing stock of the world but FFS at least get your facts about rugby, the one fucking thing we give a shit about, correct.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="609279" data-time="1472210063">
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<p>I think we are going to see more of Coopers long passing game. Wales showed up the All Blacks a few times by getting wide quickly - especially on the Savea wing (mind you they did have North). </p>
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<p>It would make sense given the AB defensive plan to try skip the midfield, but that relies on him getting a bit of time, if he is rushed he'll be throwing intercepts or flinging it out, or just randomly tossing it into space. Completely buy that if he gets it right & he throws a perfect skip to Folau galloping into the line it'll tear us open, but I think its equally likley he'll throw it straight into touch or we'll see Coles do a 50m special after intercepting on the wing.</p>
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<p>Its the same way that, given our D, it made sense for Foley to try a cross kick, thats a great ploy against a rush D. But if you fuck it up Kaino charges you & scores a 7 pointer. Which he did. </p> -
I was worried as hell in 2003 and 2007. 2007 we were farked over by Barnes so doesn't count.<br><br>
The 2003 Wallabies team had Smith, Gregan, Larkham and Mortlock. <br><br>
Normally I expect Aus to be a threat in every game. But this is the weakest I've seen them in 20 years. <br><br>
The only thing to stop a rout tomorrow is ab complacency -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="609151" data-time="1472194044">
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<p>dixon is read, and squire is kaino is basically the way i see it - if you want the same game plan - though they play the opposite positions.</p>
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<p>but yeah, bench vs starting - one of dixon's biggest assets is his motor, he can play 80 and run all night, be everywhere. squire not so much, but he can certainly play 20 minutes and smash the shit out of blokes.</p>
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<p>I think one of Dixon's biggest assets is his lineout ability, which is often overlooked when his value is being assessed. He was the most prolific lineout winner amongst all NZ Super Rugby players this year and also effected the most defensive lineout steals.</p> -
I'll on relax when the ABs are up by 22 with 5 mins left. Don't care how shit they were last week. This is fairly new territory (the thrashing usually comes the week AFTER a flat performance/close game.) and anything can happen when the scoreboard starts at 0-0.
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<p>Yeah i cant remember a feeling of such confidence when playing the Wallabies , </p>
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<p>But I have heard Hansen a few times now through the week talk about getting inside the players heads and making sure they are not complacent , making sure the hunger is there , that is his biggest challenge after a game like that he said , </p>
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<p>So you have to assume they are onto it , the players should be switched on </p> -
<p><img src="http://www.citylink.co.nz/webcams/majestic-north.jpg" alt="majestic-north.jpg"></p>
