Bledisloe II - Have a stab at the teams.

LagerLout

Ref was baffling today, well pretty on form for Poite generally. I hate watching games he and Barnes ref. Both lapse between good and just hopeless. If only we could clone Owens and bin the rest of them!
 
The Wallabies are just awful at the moment. Set piece horrendous. Kicking game very poor. Defensive alignment is poor & slow, and what's with the silly niggle (which we seem to be wading into too). Cheika started this he needs to stop it and get them focussing on Rugby. Reminds me of 97 bringing in Michael Brial for a bit of mongrel, it didn't work then, won't work now. It's not 1956. 
 
Team just looks lost, I'd start by dropping Moore, he's out of form and hardly leading by example. Pocock to get a run again IMO. Hooper doesn't look in top form either. 
 
As for the AB's. Don't believe the hype. We're playing well, but if we come up against a more structured team things will be a lot more difficult. The Wallabies had no ball, couldn't win a set piece, and made mistakes. Sure we look good, but I don't think we can measure ourselves just yet until we get tested a lot harder. 
 
Amazing to win 42 on the trot at home though, incredible statistic.

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="609875" data-time="1472301735">To rest Barrett ? The fellow doesn't look tired at all. He doesn't even sweat nor look short of breath after a run.</blockquote>
 
That's what makes impact subs difficult, Barret, And Smiths can literally play a full 80mins at such a high standard, I think only Tamanivalu added impact in the backs. I can also see the reluctance with Tuipalotu on the bench given our locks can easily put in 80 minute shifts.

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="LagerLout" data-cid="609876" data-time="1472301767">Ref was baffling today, well pretty on form for Poite generally. I hate watching games he and Barnes ref. Both lapse between good and just hopeless. If only we could clone Owens and bin the rest of them! 
 
The Wallabies are just awful at the moment. Set piece horrendous. Kicking game very poor. Defensive alignment is poor & slow, and what's with the silly niggle (which we seem to be wading into too). Cheika started this he needs to stop it and get them focussing on Rugby. Reminds me of 97 bringing in Michael Brial for a bit of mongrel, it didn't work then, won't work now. It's not 1956. 
 
Team just looks lost, I'd start by dropping Moore, he's out of form and hardly leading by example. Pocock to get a run again IMO. Hoopah doesn't look in top form either. 
 
As for the AB's. Don't believe the hype. We're playing well, but if we come up against a more structured team things will be a lot more difficult. The Wallabies had no ball, couldn't win a set piece, and made mistakes. Sure we look good, but I don't think we can measure ourselves just yet until we get tested a lot harder. 
 
Amazing to win 42 on the trot at home though, incredible statistic. </blockquote>
 
Scary thing with the ABs is I thought they did not capitalize on opportunities with usual ruthlessness, if they did we would have been looking at 50 points.

nostrildamus

Not sure if Cruden is impact sub as much as 10 insurance. PS even if he didn't play as well as last week it is a real delight to watch BB learning how to gel his considerable skills together.

sparky

Sir Ted speaking before the game about the woeful Wallabies: 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='

'>

</a>

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="609846" data-time="1472296329">
Haven't read over the thread yet but man Phil Kearns is a whiny bitch. You'd think Fox would ask him to tone it down because he makes Tony Johnson seem balanced for Crusaders/ Ta$man games (and Smithy for Magpies games). 
You know what I'm actually glad when he cries like a little girl, because when he's like that I know we're kicking their ass.</blockquote>
 
A feelin i share Neps <blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="609745" data-time="1472290689"> 
Have decided that Kearns's whinging is a delight. The more he's whinging the better we're playing.</blockquote>

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Samurai Jack" data-cid="609866" data-time="1472299821">There was no reaction at all from recipient at the time. I think I would like to hear from the Aussie player before making a judgement.</blockquote>
Still, this isn't a good look with the left hand <a class="bbc_url" href="

">

</a> 
Now, Douglas doesn't react. But that doesn't excuse the actions of Franks. Another angle might help h him. 
If the situations were reversed, no doubt some on here would be talking about what a tough nugget the AB player was, to carry on in spite of the dirty eye gouging convict.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="609920" data-time="1472330333">
<div>
Still, this isn't a good look with the left hand <a class="bbc_url" href="

">

</a> 
Now, Douglas doesn't react. But that doesn't excuse the actions of Franks. Another angle might help h him. 
If the situations were reversed, no doubt some on here would be talking about what a tough nugget the AB player was, to carry on in spite of the dirty eye gouging convict. ;)
</div>
</blockquote>
Yep, no excuse for that. Definite suspension for that.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="609920" data-time="1472330333">
<div>
Still, this isn't a good look with the left hand <a class="bbc_url" href="

">

</a> 
Now, Douglas doesn't react. But that doesn't excuse the actions of Franks. Another angle might help h him. 
If the situations were reversed, no doubt some on here would be talking about what a tough nugget the AB player was, to carry on in spite of the dirty eye gouging convict. ;)
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Look at the tweets below it, what a bunch of sad whining fluffybunnies. I had no idea Kearns family was so big.

taniwharugby

Frank's doesn't have history as a dirty player though, silly or stupid at times yes....guess that's about all he has going for him cos that looks grubby as fuck!

jegga

Just having a read of the match thread at g and g 
 
<div style="margin:0px;color:rgb(20,20,20);font-family:Helvetica, Verdana, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">
<blockquote class="">The hardest part of the All Blacks current generation of dominance isn't that they dominate (they always do) but that they act like a sack of shit while they do it. Constantly offside, constant cynical fouls, blatant cheating for all but Poite. But its more than the cheating, its the attitude. Even the great McCaw, who lived on 1 Offside St, was a top bloke in every other respect. Dane Coles pretty much summed up the Kiwi attitude these days when he did his best to blind and choke Douglas. On top of that you booed the bloody kicker. You goddamn arrogant twats.</blockquote>
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Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="609875" data-time="1472301735">
<div>
To rest Barrett ? The fellow doesn't look tired at all. He doesn't even sweat nor look short of breath after a run.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I just think if Hansen is going to make some changes the Argie test will be the game to do that. I have no problem if he keeps the same starting XV but the risk is some players won't have played for a month if required later in the 4N. He would be best to release some players to play in the NPC but I doubt he will do that.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="609920" data-time="1472330333">
<div>
Now, Douglas doesn't react. But that doesn't excuse the actions of Franks. Another angle might help h him. 
If the situations were reversed, no doubt some on here would be talking about what a tough nugget the AB player was, to carry on in spite of the dirty eye gouging convict. ;)
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Speaking of Douglas, I was surprised more wasn't said post-match about his action on Read, when Read was yellow-carded for collapsing the maul at 74 mins last week. At best it was a clumsy clean-out and a penalty, at worst a flying heatbutt and citing.
 
I expect Franks will have some time off himself.

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="609938" data-time="1472332858">Speaking of Douglas, I was surprised more wasn't said post-match about his action on Read, when Read was yellow-carded for collapsing the maul at 74 mins. At best it was a clumsy clean-out and a penalty, at worst a flying heatbutt and citing. 
I expect Franks will have some time off himself.</blockquote>
 
There were a few ruck clean outs that were definitely not "plane taking off" but "plane landing". In a couple of cases it was " plane smashes into tarmac" 
Also, remember the neck roll thing from RWC2015? That seems to have fallen by the wayside a little in the games I've seen this year. 
That's the problem with adding things to the refs list - other things get forgotten. 
Though Poite at least did call "use it" at rucks. Mostly Australian ones as we dithered over the ball

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="609928" data-time="1472331713">Just having a read of the match thread at g and <blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">The hardest part of the All Blacks current generation of dominance isn't that they dominate (they always do) but that they act like a sack of shit while they do it. Constantly offside, constant cynical fouls, blatant cheating for all but Poite. But its more than the cheating, its the attitude. Even the great McCaw, who lived on 1 Offside St, was a top bloke in every other respect. Dane Coles pretty much summed up the Kiwi attitude these days when he did his best to blind and choke Douglas. On top of that you booed the bloody kicker. You goddamn arrogant twats.</blockquote></blockquote>
 
Hahaha Oh wow. I guess every forum has someone like that. Or is Kearns posting there now?

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="609947" data-time="1472333369">Hahaha Oh wow. I guess every forum has someone like that. Or is Kearns posting there now?</blockquote>
 
There is more than 1, probably because the population of gagr is larger than here. They've all got a solution, too.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="609947" data-time="1472333369"> 
Hahaha Oh wow. I guess every forum has someone like that. Or is Kearns posting there now?</blockquote>
 
He must be posting under a lot of user names if it is him, the mods should cracking down on that.

broughie

I think there was a bit of karma for the aussie hooker when he got the studs to the face. He actually lead with the elbow diving into Coles.
 
The appearance of what Franks did was awful. 
 
Never known an Aussie team that is not able to keep possession. Loss of player personal and structure. The good old days with Eales and Co I think the ABs were lucky to get 40 percent possession, they had forwards that could run onto the ball in the midfield churning up yards and the backs that knew what to do with the ball. The one time they were able to get in the AB half near the end Folau carved us up. Anyway all they have to offer is niggle now, not that the ABs don't, Hopefully for the sake of the rivalry some talent will come through because they can't rely on the old guard much longer.
 
Just wondering if Barret is not kicking enough on the angle. He seems to kick too front on which may explain his trajectory. Maybe he has learned this to counter the winds of Wellington like hitting a low punch shot in golf.

westcoastie

Just read Rattues player ratings on NZ Herald, lol'd because I didn't even realise Will Skelton got on the field... completely invisible.
And Franks was 9/10 good? really?
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11701155'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11701155</a>

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="609968" data-time="1472335980">
Never known an Aussie team that is not able to keep possession. Loss of player personal and structure. The good old days with Eales and Co I think the ABs were lucky to get 40 percent possession, they had forwards that could run onto the ball in the midfield churning up yards and the backs that knew what to do with the ball.</blockquote>
 
The ruck wasn't as much of a contest back then. Brumbieleague was in full swing and once you hit the deck there was few opportunities to pilfer. 
People also tend to be overly romantic about that period of Wallaby rugby. We had a number of last-minute wins over the ABs at critical points, and very few dominant performances either on the field or the score board. 
We lost games we should have won, and were probably smarter than the rest of the world about being professional, and therefore fitter and more precise. 
A big part of it was being ahead of our historical curve in terms of playing talent, but most importantly: organisation. It just all came together for a few years, with the right players, coaches, and political willpower at the top. Then it went away. The end. 
Given the cultural changes that were instilled in NZ rugby in the last decade, there isn't going to be much opportunity to challenge that. I don't think AB complacency is an option when the hunger is so great. I mean, there was already a ridiculous winning ratio, and that has only become more ridiculous, yet it's clearly not enough. 
"Just get better!" doesn't apply here in the same way it does there. The number of external forces being applied to rugby aren't even the problem - though they certainly don't help. 
I've heard a story where, at a rare post match function a few years ago, someone let slip how much the top Wallabies are paid in front of some top All Blacks. The Kiwis were agog. These guys were making much more than any AB player, and what had they delivered? 
Not much. Just that in a congested market where players could make money by going to league, or overseas, the hunger for the Wallaby jersey doesn't always override a player manager's desire for the percentage. 
That aside, it's the internal ructions that are the biggest issue. I've been told there are positive moves to help correct the pathways, but the benefits won't be seen for 5-10 years. To me, these changes just look like more elitism.

The Silver Fern

Bledisloe II - Have a stab at the teams.