All three the other Southern Hemisphere teams in action this weekend were announced this morning, with changes all over the place as the coaches use one last match to tinker before the World Cup squads need to be selected.
South Africa’s opponents Argentina have made 7 changes to the team that won in Durban. Bear in mind that the team that humiliated the Boks had 11 changes made to it from the previous weekend, so do not think that changes count in our favour at all.
Looking at the backline, out go Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Jeronimo De La Fuente (Injured) and Tomas Cubelli, in come Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Nicolas Sanchez and Martin Landajo. Sanchez will take the flyhalf reigns from Hernandez, who shifts into the midfield.
In the forwards, out go Guido Petti Pagadizabal, Pablo Matera and Leonardo Senatore, in come Benjamin Macome, Tomas Lezana and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.
Argentina: 15-Joaquin Tuculet, 14-Santiago Cordero, 13-Matias Moroni, 12-Juan Martin Hernandez, 11-Juan Imhoff, 10-Nicolas Sanchez, 9-Martin Landajo; 8-Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 7-Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6-Tomas Lezana, 5-Tomas Lavanini, 4-Benjamin Macome, 3-Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2-Agustin Creevy (captain), 1-Marcos Ayerza
Substitutes: 16-Julian Montoya, 17-Lucas Noguera, 18-Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19-Matias Alemanno, 20-Pablo Matera, 21-Tomas Cubelli, 22-Juan Pablo Socino, 23-Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino
Over in New Zealand we have a rematch of the match of the weekend last weekend, with New Zealand hosting Australia in Auckland. We can again expect fireworks so be sure to get up early on Saturday morning and watch what should be a World Cup Final, but sadly will not happen thanks to the powers that be at the IRB.
The All Blacks have made three changes to the team that lost the Rugby Championship ‘final’ last weekend, including Ma’a Nonu, Victor Vito and Sam Whitelock. They replace Sonny Bill Williams, Jerome Kaino and Luke Romano.
On the bench there are further changes, Codie Taylor, Ben Franks and Beauden Barrett are replaced by Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett and Colin Slade.
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Substitutes: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Malakai Fekitoa
Their opposition has made six changes to the team that won the Rugby Championship last week. The entire 9/10/12 axis is new with Nic White, Quade Cooper and Matt Toomua starting in place of Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley and Matt Giteau. The other change to the backline sees Henry Speight starting ahead of Drew Mitchell.
Amongst the forwards, Will Skelton starts ahead of Dean Mumm while David Pocock sits on the bench allowing Wycliff Palu a start at the back of the scrum.
Australia: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13-Tevita Kuridrani, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Henry Speight, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Nic White, 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-Michael Hooper, 6-Scott Fardy, 5-James Horwill 4-Will Skelton, 3-Sekope Kepu, 2-Stephen Moore (captain), 1-Scott Sio
Substitutes: 16-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17-James Slipper, 18-Greg Holmes, 19-Dean Mumm, 20-Kane Douglas, 21-David Pocock, 22-Matt Giteau, 23-Kurtley Beale
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This looks roughly like the no. 1 All Blacks’ side. Good team…
This doesn’t really look like the Aussies no. 1 side, does it?
@pastorshark (Comment 1) : I wonder who Barratt pissed off…from the form super rugby 10 to watching on the telly.
Why drop Giteau? Did he get hurt?
@coolfusion (Comment 4) : Nope just read properly he is in at reserve. Still why not start him he is so dangerous. Has this game been agreed up front? Match fixed?
@coolfusion (Comment 4) : @coolfusion (Comment 5) : I think the answer would be that Cheika is checking out all his options in the last game before the world cup…sounds sensible to me…
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : I think Shaggy is making Carter earn his place,no Jean delivers free rides in the A.B ‘s.
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : @The hound (Comment 7) : Plus: The All Blacks have several form options at flyhalf. I always thought that Barrett’s iffy kickng game would cost him a spot…
@The hound (Comment 7) : They will surely take Barratt to the RWC tho? Id rather take him than Slade or Dagg…even if he plays 15 or wing
So this is what rotating your players looks like so that everybody gets a shot to show what they can do. Not select the same failing team week in and week out and just make injury enforced changes
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : Seriously? Did you watch the Semi and Final? The guy cracked under pressure.
@Ben (Comment 11) : I’m also not sure that he will make the squad. His goal kicking alone would make me hesitant to pick him in world cup knock out games…
@Mutley (Comment 10) : But then they don’t have a Lions team whose players they have to leave out…
@pastorshark (Comment 13) : Hahahahahaha. As long as they release Whiteley to come and play for the Lions next week
@Mutley (Comment 14) : You don’t even need him…but ja…
@pastorshark (Comment 6) : A sensible coach with a strategy? I’m not used to that…
@coolfusion (Comment 16) :
Touché…
Who will cover scrumhalf for the Wallabies?
@Rooiwillie (Comment 18) : I think it will be Giteau…he’s done it before…
@Ben (Comment 11) : He seems to score tries at will against the Boks tho
If the All Blacks decide Ben Smith is their 1st choice Full Back… Which I think they will… Then I’m sure Hansen will take Slade and Barrett to the WC instead of Dagg… I’ve heard them discuss it on Breakdown the other day and I’m sure I heard Hansen actually say it… That after their first choice in each position they look for players that can cover multiple options. IMO Dagg is limited in that department compared to Slade and Barrett
Anthem time in New Zealand…
I can’t believe I’m saying this…but…Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!
Jeepers…there is something to be said for singing an anthem a capella!
Powerful stuff…amazing!
And as if that wasn’t inspirational enough…here comes the Haka!!
And now it’s rugby time!
Countdown…and kick off…
The All Blacks chase a good hanging kick but knock it on…
Retallick lands awkwardly after jumping for that…but seems ok…
First scrum is very solid from the Wallabies…and then they start marching with the All Blacks…and win a penalty…wow!!
That is a very promising start for the Aussie forwards…
They kick the penalty out just about on the 22…but the Kiwis steal it and clear to half way…
Whitelock is such a top player!
This time the Aussies win the lineout and a wonderful attacking chip by Cooper almost works for the Aussies…unlucky bounce…
The All Blacks kick three in a row…
Great 22 drop out by the All Blacks…but the Aussies turn it over…dangerous running, but Cooper just can’t get it away…
The All Blacks win the lineout and kick again…
The Aussies take it through phases…kick…and then turn the All Blacks over…
Prolonged pressure by the Aussies finally wins them a penalty on the 22…
Cooper will take a shot…
He nails it and the Wallabies take a deserved lead…
0-3 after 7 minutes…
Good exit by the Wallabies from the kickoff…they look very good…
The All Blacks have kicked every single ball they’ve got so far. That is 6 times now…
And again…great take by Folau…and they win the penalty at the breakdown…
The Aussies kick it out for a lineout near the 22…
Sloppy play by the AUssies at the lineout…but the All Blacks can’t make the counter count…
The All Blacks look a bit flustered at this stage…
0-3 after 12 minutes…
This time the All Blacks win the scrum penalty…
Nigel Owens pulls a huffy teacher move on one of the chirping All Blacks… 👿
The All Blacks with an attacking lineout…good sack by the Wallabies…
The All Blacks with numerous phases but going nowhere…finally an innocuous kick is easily marked by Folau…
The All Blacks kick AGAIN!!
This time they win a penalty…
Carter will take a shot…
The Aussie defence has been very impressive so far…
Carter nails it…just…and it is 3-3 after 17 minutes…
Hard tight game so far…
Folau great under the high ball again and the Aussies look dangerous…
The All Blacks play the halfback but aren’t penalised…
Sustained pressure by the Aussies…
Great hands by the Aussies but they are finally bundled into tough…great stuff…
The Aussies attack again…
More great defence by the All Blacks and they turn it over…
And a superb try by the All Blacks!!
Wow! Great counterattack from metres out from their own line…
Carter makes the break and Dane Coles steps, skins Ashley-Cooper and runs 40m to score a spectacular try!!
Coles runs like a centre.
That is what makes the All Blacks sooo dangerous…
Another turnover for the All Blacks…and another dangerous counter…
Two best fullbacks in the world on show
The conversion was good just now…
10-3 after 25 mins…
Cooper can’t take the high ball and the All Blacks attack hard…but it comes to nothing…
Come on ausies…
Hooper looks punch drunk…
…but stays on the field…for now…
The Wallaby scrum is really solid!
Pocock comes on for Hooper…concussion test! The All Black commentators are blind…they saw none of that!
Jeepers…when the All Blacks smell blood they just ratchet up through the gears…
More fluent attack…and they win a penalty…
There’s a lot of how’s your father now!
Someone dropped a knee into Moore…Nonu…man he can be a prick!
Lot of needle in the game
They won’t do anything about it…but Nonu is a bit lucky…that was daft! Moore tackled him…and then Nonu just dropped his knee down on Moore…looked deliberate…but gets away with it…
The All Blacks keep their penalty and take a shot…
All Blacks went from being rattled to dominating the gamenow
Carter nails it and makes it 13-3 after 29 mins…
Ooooh…great take in the air but an All Black tackled him in the air…
Penalised…and a bit lucky not to get a card…
Conrad lucky not to get a yellow there.
@pastorshark (Comment 92) : The All Blacks do have a lot of “luck” in that regard
A lot of refs would have carded that…All Blacks lucky twice in a row…they certainly get a lot of these breaks…
In the meantime Cooper nails a good penalty kick and makes it 13-6 after 32 mins…
@Bokhoring (Comment 94) : Yup…always…
@Bokhoring (Comment 94) : If that was a Bok he was gone…
The All Blacks win another penalty and will have a shot again…
Carter is short with the penalty…
Still 13-6 after 34 mins…
@pastorshark (Comment 98) : I respect and admire the All Blacks but the kids glove treatment they get from refs is not on.
@Bokhoring (Comment 102) : Yup…and sometimes I lose respect for some of them when they pull a Nonu…
Speight will also need a concussion test…
Or maybe not…Speight stays on as the Wallabies win a penalty…
And now the doctor pulls rank and Speight is off for that concussion test…
Clever attack by the Wallabies…the All Blacks gather the inside pass but kick it out directly…
13-6 after 38 mins…
Aaron Smith is a cocky little twat
The Aussies win the lineout but concede turnover ball at the maul…
@Bokhoring (Comment 109) :
True…typical scrummie!!
The Wallaby scrum has been impressive but is penalised now!
A last crack by the All Blacks before halftime…there goes the siren…
Carter attempts the drop kick but is wide…
So that is halftime…13-6 All Blacks…
@pastorshark (Comment 114) : Yip, they have learned about the value of a drop kick the hard way
Bar a 5 minute patch where the All Blacks were dominant and dangerous, this has been a very tight game…
When the game is tight and the opponents make few mistakes, the All Blacks are certainly not invincible. I reckon that is why they often fall short at World Cups. There is a fair chance that can happen again…
Irritatingly, the All Blacks do get away with several incidents as the refs don’t treat them like they treat most other teams…
Should be a good second half…
@pastorshark (Comment 119) : One word sanzar. …I wonder what our stats would look like if there were a neutral central world governing body.
@coolfusion (Comment 121) : Probably…but to be fair, this was Nigel Owens…no Sanzar connection, good ref…but apparently not brave enough to take harsher steps against ABs…
We’re about to get underway again…
Hooper is back on and Pocock is on for Paul…interesting breakdown prospects…
The All Blacks exit effectively from kick off…
Cooper cocks up the fielding of another All Black kick…and the All Blacks have an attacking lineout…
Maul time…
Now freed up and the All Blacks attack…
Ben Smith with an attacking grubber but it goes touch in goal…
The two captains clash heads and Moore is down…
22 drop out as Moore continues…
The Aussies clear well…
Now the All Blacks attack again…good break Smith…
Finally the All Blacks knock it…
Aussies with a defensive scrum in theirn22…
All Black pressure at the scrum but the Aussies keep the ball…the kick is charged down but they regain it…
Great work by the Aussies again under the high ball…
Penalty try All Blacks…
A wonderful break by Milner-Skudder…he got a great offload to Smith who was stopped by a high tackle…fair call…
Cooper also gets yellow carded…
Milner-Skudder is a tricky customer. Would never stand a chance in an HM team though.
The decision is fair…but what leaves a sour taste in the mouth is that Conrad Smith wasn’t carded for the All Blacks earlier when he should have been…that makes the question of fairness and consistency all the more frustrating…
@Bokhoring (Comment 141) : Yeah…magic…that was amazing…
20-6 after 49 mins…
The All Blacks skin the 14 man Aussies and score a good try…
Nonu scores…
Amazing how the All Blacks change the plan as needed. After a lot of kicking initially, they now running the Wallabies off their feet
27-6…
@Bokhoring (Comment 147) : This is what makes them so awesomely dangerous…
Aussies penalised as they try to attack…
The All Blacks just have serious skills…
Last try was made by really quick hands by Coles.
Conrad Smith scores and it has become a landslide…
And another try. All Blacks absolutely rampant now
@Bokhoring (Comment 152) : Great skills by forwards…
They are just very impressive when they hit this gear…
34-6…
Carter is having a great game tonight. Bodes well for AB world cup chances.
Now the Wallabies knock the kick off…nothing going their way now…
3 tries while the Aussies have been a man down…
The Wallabies win a penalty…
Cooper’s time in the sin bin is over and he is immediately replaced by Beale…
The Aussies can’t win their own lineout but do get the ball back from the All Blacks…and win a penalty…
They kick for the corner…
@Bokhoring (Comment 147) : They lull you into expecting one attack platform and as soon as you shuffle ranks they adjust and they hit you with the real plan. Too bad our style is so rigid. There should be enough room for one off crashball high ball and expansive play in 40 minutes and a good team knows how to alternate anticipate and fool their opposition into expecting one form of attack and then varying it. I hate the all blacks but they are definitely a professional outfit. Makes our games seem like luck and brute force in comparison.
Good kick White…but another poor lineout! Mistakes by the Aussies…
All Blacks counter attack…
Wallabies stuff up their own lineout and the All Blacks run it all the way before an early tackle stops the run out
I’m very glad that wasn’t a yellow…that would have been ridiculous!
Ben Smith is such a clever player
The All Blacks attack again…
Good defence by Beale saves the day…for now!
Relentless attack by the All Blacks…
The Wallabies turn it over but are pinged for a forward pass…
Bad pass by White 5m from his own line…
Another attacking opportunity for the ABs…
Scrum 5m out…
@coolfusion (Comment 165) : Problem with SA teams is that they can only play one preconceived plan – either run everything or kick everything. When things don’t work out, they just have no idea.
I would get Giteau on for Cooper now.
Solid scrum…big tackle by Beale on Carter…
Kurtly Beale making a second momentum stopping tackle.
Knock on in the tackle gives the ABs another scrum…
@coolfusion (Comment 179) : He’s been on for Cooper for a while…
@Bokhoring (Comment 181) : Yup…but they will come again…
With 47% territory the All Blacks dominating the game. And another Nonu try
Another solid scrum…great move and Nonu scores again…
@Bokhoring (Comment 178) : Which I think is Meyer’s gripe with kicking too. Sure you can kick but know when and which kicks to use. We get a small results with a grubber and suddenly try it every move after that same with box kicks. Predictable. That doesn’t cut it against clever opponents, only the ones you outweigh in experience or raw talent or sheer physicality. But a clever opponent not so much.
Carter having his best game in a long time
@Bokhoring (Comment 185) : With them, once the shackles go they are unstoppable…
@Bokhoring (Comment 188) : Agreed…
41-6…
The All Blacks are all over the Wallabies now…but penalised that time…
At least the ref is consistent
McCaw deservedly gets a standing ovation!
Conrad also had a good game, although he should have been yellowed
Good on him…amazing player…
The Aussies attack for a change but knock it…
All Blacks defending their tryline as if the only 5 points ahead
Penalty Wallabies…
The ABs have been awesome in the second half…
This lineout is better…
Penalty again…
Kick for the corner again…
Good lineout again…another penalty Wallabies…
Kick to the corner again!
Great defence of the maul by the ABs…turnover…
Better maul defence from All Blacks this time, and turnover the ball
@Bokhoring (Comment 198) : Excellent…
Still 7 minutes to go…
Good Aussie scrum but ABs come away with it and break out…
Great mark by Nic White…
Monster scrum from Wallabies but the All Blacks still run it out.
White clears…
Interesting kick from Ben Smith there, almost worked well.
Nice half break by Ashley-Cooper but a poor knock by the Wallabies…
@Bokhoring (Comment 214) : Yup…
Poor kick by Perenara and Folau punishes them!
Rubbish kick from Perenara and Folau scores the other side
Folau has been the best Wallaby on show…
Good conversion by what but largely pointless…41-13…
Another poor piece of handling by the Aussies..mHooper this time…penalty All Blacks…
Quick tap. By the ABs…
Finally Fekitoa knocks it…
Last action of the game…Wallaby scrum…
@pastorshark (Comment 219) : He has been incredible under the high ball. Has not lost a single one
Siren goes and the Aussies run from in theirn22…
Oh dear…White passes it into touch and that is it…
41-13 final score…
@Bokhoring (Comment 225) : Very good…
That was a snotklap of note.
The All Blacks have showed today how dangerous they are and why they are favourites for the World Cup!
Ironically, in that first half the Aussies did also show what makes the All Blacks vulnerable. Pit them under pressure and keep it tight and even the All Blacks look shaky!
I predict that there will be shaky moments for the All Blacks at the World Cup! It just depends whether any team can keep that pressure up on them for 80 minutes…
@pastorshark (Comment 233) : And stay disciplined…if you’re a man down against these boys they will punish you!!
The All Blacks skill and style of play has to be admired, though! Even if they can be right royal pricks sometimes!!
@pastorshark (Comment 235) : Nonu tops that particular list by far.
@pastorshark (Comment 232) : Strangely the Aussies did not play that badly for most of the game. Towards the end the pressure got to them. All Blacks just made the most of each little mistake.
@Bokhoring (Comment 236) : Absolutely. He frustrates me…so talented…and when he thinks about it, quite a nice fella…but just too often a prick!
@Bokhoring (Comment 237) : Well, the break by Milner-Skudder and the yellow card that followed basically meant 4 tries in 8 minutes. That makes the All Blacks so dangerous! But for the rest, the Aussies did expose those areas in the All Blacks armour that everyone else will have to aim to exploit if they want to dethrone the deserved world champs!
@pastorshark (Comment 238) : geez but he is super talented!!!! and by far my lease disliked player in the team (will never admit that I like any NZ player).