The first real exciting game of the Tri Nations sees the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in Auckland, a ground where New Zealand have not lost a match in 17 years, and interestingly enough, the venue of the Rugby World Cup Final.
The All Blacks are certainly favourites for this game, even though they have made a few personnel changes to their team. The front row sees the return of Keven Mealamu along with the Franks brothers swapping positions. The loose trio is also bolstered with the return of Kieran Read.
The Wallabies have made only a few changes to their bench, sticking with the starting 15 that beat the Springboks in the opening game of the Tri Nations two weeks ago.
This game should be really fascinating and the ideal start to a great day of rugby.
Date: Saturday, 6 August 2011
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Expected weather conditions: It’s midwinter in wet New Zealand but it seems that a dry Friday will be followed by a dry Saturday – partly cloudy with a high of 16°C, dropping to 12°C. Good for good rugby.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Fainga’a, 22 Lachie Turner
Apart from seeing Lambie start at 1o for the boks, I think i’m more excited bout this game than our game against the All Blacks
Goal kickers: AllBlacks Carter 72% (74 from 102) 436 pts and 96 pens in TriNations; Slade 80% (12/15)
Goal kickers: Wallabies: O’Connor 72% (60 from 83) Cooper 67% (74/110) Beale 72% (59/82)
Drop kicks if it gets close, in Super15, AllBlacks Carter 1 from 3, Wallabies Cooper 4 from 7, Genia 0 from 2
In case you missed it AllBlacks 51 average caps age 28.9 years, Wallabies 26 caps age 24.3,
AllBlacks 2011 average per game 17.5 Lost possession/turnovers, 9 hand errs, missing 1 in 7 tackle attempts, 7 pens
Wallabies 2011 average per game 22.5 Lost possession/turnovers, 12 hand errs, missing 1 in 5 tackle attempts, 7.5 pens
AllBlacks v Wallabies ref Joubert forced to award in 2011, per game average 19.3 pens (12.2 pens at ruck)
Ref Joubert’s 1st international match was between Nambia and Uganda 31/8/2003. Want to guess the score?
Joubert 3.2 scrum resets (lowest out of Super15 refs) 4.5 scrum infringes (4th highest)
Kick-off is approaching!
Come on you Ozzies…
this is frantic stuff
AB’s score in the corner…
AB’s 10 – AUs 0…..9 mins in
FINALLY Supersport sort out the sound….
The All Blacks take an early 10-0 lead, looks like the Wallabies are going to get a hiding and they won’t be able to use the excuse “it was a ‘B’ team”!!!
@Just a Fan (Comment 8) : I really think that more rugby games should be broadcasted LIVE on SABC Sport.
We seriosly need a new sport’s channel competitor in South Africa.
@RuckinGoodStats (Comment 2) :
Thanx for the awesome stats dude!
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 10) : It’s schocking that one of the main sports in the country isnt broad cast on SABC….
How many times must Joubert tell 7 black to roll away….why wont he ping him?
@Just a Fan (Comment 12) : I found it even more shocking that SuperSport, with all of its multiple channels, only broadcasts 3 out of the 4 Currie Cup games on the weekend!
SABC should be allowed to broadcast the 4th game if SuperSport doesn’t. Seriously messed up situation in South African Television!!!
Sooo close there for the Aussies
@Just a Fan (Comment 12) :
Its all about the money.. SABC are not interested in paying for the rights..
@Just a Fan (Comment 13) : I think the ref’s like Richie McCaw’s smile.
Score still 10: 0 to the AB’s 19 mins in the first half
Aussies looking good on attack..
The All Blacks having to make a lot of tackles!
Aussie got penalty advantage coming
Got the ABs by 12, I think.
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 17) : Dont understand it myself – to me he has a “please punch me” face..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 16) : There are no brains at the SABC then. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that rugby is probably one of the biggest sports in the country – if not THE biggest. They will earn back the money they pay for the rights within a couple of months!!!
Also the SABC doesn’t have as many channels as SuperSport so they only need to broadcast the really big matches – the minnow matches can be watched on SuperSport. This way the majority of South Africans who can’t afford DSTV, can still watch the really good rugby games on the common channels.
SA Rugby should also get involved as rugby will become available to so many more South Africans and it will only grow the game!
can anyone else hear the commentators on supersport…all i can hear is the crowd and the ref…
@Just a Fan (Comment 22) : Well the refs seem to like it… unfortunately for South Africa the refs think Stegmann’s face is ugly…
Good morning guys. Entertaining game this one…
Aussies gotta put points on the board before half time…..
@Ben (Comment 26) : Morning Ben – very entertaining game….
Nonu is on fire tonight
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 23) : A lot has been said on the topic. And Rugby is only the 3rd most watched game in SA. Soccer and cricket is one and two respectively.
What an unbelievably good passage of play by both teams
Come Wallies – you an do it…..
All Blacks with all the rugby – looks like the Wannabies took to much out of their 39-20 win over South Africa.
Ab’ 17 – Oz Nil…28 Mins in first half
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 25) : Not only the refs
@JarsonX (Comment 30) : And surprise, surprise soccer and cricket are both shown on SABC – go figure why they are more watched!
Looks like my 15 point margin is going to be a little conservative!
So who scored the points?
James kicks a penalty wide – Ozzies still on Zero
@JarsonX (Comment 30) : That proves our point me thinks…
@JarsonX (Comment 38) : Nonu and Mealamu scored the tries – Carter 2 conversions and a penalty
Go all blacks …
The BULLS are BOTTOM of the log
O Connor penalty and misses it again….
Gonna be a hiding of note …wannabees..getting shown a rugby lessong
@AlterEgo (Comment 45) : think you’re watching a different game mate…Score line doesnt depict the game. Wallabies got the AB’s under loads of pressure
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 36) : @Just a Fan (Comment 40) : I dont think it will change though, not anytime soon at least.
Looking forward to wales and eng game
@Just a Fan (Comment 41) :
@JarsonX (Comment 47) :
you’re right….
what a move by quade and o connor…
@JarsonX (Comment 43) :
Say it again!! It sounds so good!!
The disciple at the ruck is very good and so is the ref. Makes for flowing rugby.
Half time 17:0 to the AB’s
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 52) : The Bulls are bottom of the log!!
Is Matt Giteau injured?
The Wallabies are taking too much from the SupeRugby final. They need to regroup and front up to the All Blacks.
@Ben (Comment 56) : I think he has been dropped by Deans.
? Score
Concerning AllBlacks 1/2time stats: 6 lost possessions/turnovers (incl 2 hand errs) 13 missed tackles, 33 %terr 3 pen conceded
Concerning Wallabies 1/2time stats: 10 lost possessions/turnovers (incl 3 hand errs) 12 missed tackles 2 pen conceded
Halftime: 1st 5/8 options kick/run/pass from set piece/recycled ball: Carter 54%/8%38/% Cooper 20%/8%/72%
Halftime: Tactical kicks from the hand: AllBlacks = 15 Wallabies = 11
Time the ball was in play/contestable in the first half was 19:57 mins from refs time of 40: 45
Halftime: If AllBlacks lineout calls predictable, next attacking lineout throw goes front/middle/back.
Halftime: Stats for AllBlacks will want to continue: 6 linebreaks lineouts
Halftime: Stats for #Wallabies will want to continue: 5 linebreaks 5:26 min time in opp 22.
NZ 17 – 0 Aus
@Ben (Comment 57) : All the stats in in their favour – they are doing well, just panicing a bit in the red zone and so not able to get through the AB defense. AB’s way more experienced team. The young Australian team will be unbeatable in the near future. Maybe they are just luring the AB’s into peaking before the world cup..:)
Jimmy missed his third kick
@Just a Fan (Comment 62) : Yup the Wallabies are trying to be too cute when they get to the AB’s tryline. Thy need to keep it simple. Stick to the basics. Clean out the rucks and the overlaps will come.
DC with a drop goal – eish hate to admit but he is good
Drop goal Carter.
NZ 20 – 0 Aus
48 mins
All Blacks 20 – Wallabies 0
Think wallabies are losing their way a bit….need to settled down and focus
Try Digby!
Great try!!!!!! Ozzies finally on the board.
Awesome support running by Beale (i think it was him)…
Converted
NZ 20 – 7 Aus
53 mins
Quade converts the try – AB’s 20 – Ozzies 7…
Damn! ABS”s just scored as I was typing
Try Sivivatu
JOubert missed the AB knock on and awarded the try…
Converted
NZ 27 – 7 Aus
55 mins
AB’s 27 – Ozzies 7 55 mins
@Ben (Comment 76) : Your internet is faster than mine
@Just a Fan (Comment 75) : Joubert is overrated imo.
@Ben (Comment 79) : Still way better than the antipedian refs….
I thnk with the speed of the game lately they have to consider using two refs…they just cant keep up with all that is happening
Colin Slade playing on the wing. Strange one
Quade Cooper really showing his inconsistency today.
Well I think that Alterego put the moccas on the Ozzies- this game has disintergrated into nonsense now
Cooper giving us a glimpse of the mindless play that Frans Steyn has in stall for Bok fans.
might as well get my chores done early – maybe catch you guys later.
Penalty NZ
NZ 30 – 7 Aus
69 mins
@beet (Comment 85) : troll
@Ben (Comment 83) : hallow benjamin
Watching the last 20, scrapy
Try Rocky Elsom
Converted
NZ 30 – 14 Aus
77 mins
A couple of beautiful passes by Cooper
@Franshark (Comment 89) : Howzit Franna?
Im in line for a margin point
FULL TIME
NZ 30 – 14 Aus
4 from 4 and 2 margin points
@Ben (Comment 94) : lekke, a lot of driving the last 2 weekends… Enjoyed the game last weekend
NZ will do the Treble this year. Bledisloe Cup, Tri Nations and World Cup.
Think the only team to stop nz is SA..but we need to get our head n game right..
You beauties all blacks..well done now cheetahs to do the same…great game lets hope boks can do it next weekend
@Ben no mokkers …all blacks all class…think they will lose the choker tag and hungry for wc…boks need to pick up speed otherwise we are gonners
@just a fan …funny how the headlines and famous critics say how good the all blacks are …aussies got shown a lesson mate. Scoreline shows it barring one aussie turn over fortunate try