Deans v Henry. Alot of hype in the media this week about this match. Hopefully will turn out to be a great showdown.
Permalink
Permalink
With a Deans victory!!! Henry should have had the balls to fall on his sword. Pretty much everyone else has.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
Permalink
Permalink
Deans v Henry. Alot of hype in the media this week about this match. Hopefully will turn out to be a great showdown.
Too much hype
Permalink
Permalink
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 8 Andy Ellis; 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid/Richie McCaw (c), 6 Rodney So'oialo, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock: Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Conrad Smith. � NZPA
Permalink
Permalink
God thats a massive decision to bench conrad. i like Kahui think hes absolute quality but i wouldnt have changed that combo. and what the fuk is ellis doing there? fuk i hate him
and in the last of my observations, no matter how good mccaw is, you either pick him or you dont. If hes not good to go let braid know he will be playing and let him train. i dont think this will do either player good.
as for henry v deans, i dont think henry should have been reappointed but have never been a deans fan. i hope the abs do it this weekend, because dear god i hate losing to australia
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
Permalink
Permalink
...because dear god i hate losing to australia
QFT
Permalink
Permalink
I'm from Canterbury and so I like Deans as a coach. Forgive me.
However there is no effing way I will ever gun for the Aussies against New Zealand EVER! First and foremost I'm a kiwi and so I support New Zealand. These twats (and I'm ashamed to say most of them are from my area) who say they'll be supporting Australia because of Deans are a joke. There not true fans.
I also think Ellis is the best 9 in the country. Yes I'm bias. Dah.......
However there is no effing way I will ever gun for the Aussies against New Zealand EVER! First and foremost I'm a kiwi and so I support New Zealand. These twats (and I'm ashamed to say most of them are from my area) who say they'll be supporting Australia because of Deans are a joke. There not true fans.
I also think Ellis is the best 9 in the country. Yes I'm bias. Dah.......
Permalink
Permalink
Will be close, but we will stil, win. Personally I think Deans is a better coach the Henry, I guess we have to cope with who we've got. Not too sure about benching Smith though, seems odd. Kahui played ok, but what rugby has he played since the England test???
Queenslander 3x a year.
Permalink
Permalink
Club rugby in the waikato and a warm up game for Waikato against a japanese club side. Hmmmm not great warm up to face Mortlock. My theory would be they wanted someone with a bit more phyiscial presence to match up to Mortlock, that would be the only reason i can think of
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
Permalink
Permalink
makes sense, but Kahui isn't that much bigger than Smith is he?? and Conrad's defence is sup[er strong!
Queenslander 3x a year.
Permalink
Permalink
Player:
Conrad Smith
Position:
Centre
Born:
12/10/1981 Hawera
Physical:
1.86m, 95kg
Tests:
16
Test Points:
35
Test Debut:
13/11/04 v Italy at Rome
Province:
Wellington
Super 14 Team:
Hurricanes
Eschewing the modern hit-it-up style, Smith demonstrates an ability to exploit the gap, an elusive burst of speed and a canny passing game.Known to teammates as �Snake� for his ability to slide through defences, Smith has vision and the skill to set up his outside flyers when his own attacking options become limited.
theprof2008-07-22 17:10:16
Queenslander 3x a year.
Permalink
Permalink
Player:
Richard Kahui
Position:
Second Five-Eighths
Born:
09/06/1985 Tokoroa
Physical:
1.86m, 95kg
Tests:
1
Test Points:
5
Province:
Waikato
Super 14 Team:
Chiefs
Queenslander 3x a year.
Permalink
Permalink
I'm from Canterbury and so I like Deans as a coach. Forgive me.
However there is no effing way I will ever gun for the Aussies against New Zealand EVER! First and foremost I'm a kiwi and so I support New Zealand. These twats (and I'm ashamed to say most of them are from my area) who say they'll be supporting Australia because of Deans are a joke. There not true fans.
However there is no effing way I will ever gun for the Aussies against New Zealand EVER! First and foremost I'm a kiwi and so I support New Zealand. These twats (and I'm ashamed to say most of them are from my area) who say they'll be supporting Australia because of Deans are a joke. There not true fans.
Good attitude. Personally I'd like to see more adopt it, even though it was a massive screwup the NZRU's part to keep Henry and lose Deans and New Zealanders have every right to feel disgruntled. Were I an All Blacks supporter, I'd be downright furious - instead I'm just surprised at the NZRU's incompetance.
And that's coming from a Wallabies supporter! (But one from NSW, not Christchurch).
Permalink
Permalink
Robbie who???
I remember this little curly Cantab halfback who's a Deans... can't recall any others though...
<!-- bmi_SafeAddOnload(bmi_load,"bmi_orig_img");//-->
I remember this little curly Cantab halfback who's a Deans... can't recall any others though...
<!-- bmi_SafeAddOnload(bmi_load,"bmi_orig_img");//-->
E + R + O
Permalink
Permalink
That was Bob Deans, his brother i think. All part of the famous Deans family in Canterbury Rugby that they are naming the new stand after at lancaster park
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
Permalink
Permalink
Still can't see why Macdonald isn't on the bench. Donald has not looked good in the few oppurtunities that he has been given. Macdonalds has covered first-five before, he should be #21. As for Graham Henry sating he is a bit battered and bruised, absolute bullsh*t. Macdonalds played 5-6 games off the bench, if he is battered and bruised after that. Then how is Rodney So'oialo feeling??? simon_hampton2008-07-22 18:25:56
Permalink
Permalink
RYAN Cross is poised to make his starting debut in the Australia's biggest Test of the year after captain Stirling Mortlock was ruled out the Wallabies' Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand on Saturday.
Mortlock has failed to recover sufficiently from concussion after sustaining a head knock in last Saturday's 16-9 Tri-Nations defeat of the world champion South Africa in Perth.
Permalink
Permalink
So who's cover for fullback, Sivi, ouch, Mils better not get injured. Oz will take this out 20-13ish, the 08 AB team will struggle to win overseas this tri nations
Permalink
Permalink
I think they have put Smith on the bench to cover them incase Kahui goes down injured or has a shocker. Pleased they dropped Afoa don't rate him, MCaws choice still getting a start at halfback which is a joke. Don't really know how this ones gonna go but I think the abs are gonna sneak the win.
On another note good to see Weepu is about to or already resign to the rugby union, what more does he have to do to make the All Blacks easily better then Ellis atleast.
Permalink
Permalink
I think they have put Smith on the bench to cover them incase Kahui goes down injured or has a shocker. Pleased they dropped Afoa don't rate him, MCaws choice still getting a start at halfback which is a joke. Don't really know how this ones gonna go but I think the abs are gonna sneak the win.
On another note good to see Weepu is about to or already resign to the rugby union, what more does he have to do to make the All Blacks easily better then Ellis atleast.
From what I've heard "become more of a team player" as the saying goes.
But agreed Weepu's way ahead talent wise.
Permalink
Permalink
I too am concerned with the lack of specialist fullback cover in the reserves. If Mils (God forbid) goes down with injury I'd rather see Carter revert to fullback as he has played a few games at fullback for Canterbury with Donald coming off the bench to first-five. Sivivatu at fullback sends shivers down my spine.
Permalink
Permalink
I still see us beating the aussies by 3 - 7 points, especially now that Morlock is out.
Queenslander 3x a year.
Permalink
Permalink
Ellis is easily the best half back, way better than the small sh*t.
Permalink
Permalink
ellis is not the best halfback in the country, i wouldn't have him in my top three when leonard is fit. He will go down as one of those players who did well because he played for Canterbury.
Mortlock out is a huge bonus for us but is tempered by McCaw being ruled out today. Im glad theyve made that decision today, i really wasnt keen on pissing about all week with a will he or wont he play.
I love it when Siti plays fullback for the chiefs but im not so sure howd he go against a team with a decent kicking game, in saying that though he is smarter than your average fijian winger. i can see the merit in using carter at fuulback if mills gets injured, would depend on the game situation though
Mortlock out is a huge bonus for us but is tempered by McCaw being ruled out today. Im glad theyve made that decision today, i really wasnt keen on pissing about all week with a will he or wont he play.
I love it when Siti plays fullback for the chiefs but im not so sure howd he go against a team with a decent kicking game, in saying that though he is smarter than your average fijian winger. i can see the merit in using carter at fuulback if mills gets injured, would depend on the game situation though
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
Permalink
Permalink
ellis is not the best halfback in the country, i wouldn't have him in my top three when leonard is fit. He will go down as one of those players who did well because he played for Canterbury.
Mortlock out is a huge bonus for us but is tempered by McCaw being ruled out today. Im glad theyve made that decision today, i really wasnt keen on pissing about all week with a will he or wont he play.
I love it when Siti plays fullback for the chiefs but im not so sure howd he go against a team with a decent kicking game, in saying that though he is smarter than your average fijian winger. i can see the merit in using carter at fuulback if mills gets injured, would depend on the game situation though
Mortlock out is a huge bonus for us but is tempered by McCaw being ruled out today. Im glad theyve made that decision today, i really wasnt keen on pissing about all week with a will he or wont he play.
I love it when Siti plays fullback for the chiefs but im not so sure howd he go against a team with a decent kicking game, in saying that though he is smarter than your average fijian winger. i can see the merit in using carter at fuulback if mills gets injured, would depend on the game situation though
He will be one of many that has got the all blacks jersey because of association not because of talent.
Permalink
Permalink
Havin Brad Thorn and Ali Williams back should tip the balance our way.
Permalink
Permalink
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith (captain), Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Timana Tahu, Drew Mitchell.
Its the Aussie loosies that worry me most. They've got Wycliff Palu as there big hitter and strong runner as well as George Smith and Rocky Elsom who will probably be faster than our loosies. Then add Phil Waugh off the bench and thats a very tough looking trio. Kaino isn't very fast but has the size to match Palu. So'oialo isn't as quick as Smith and Elsom but is bigger and will probably last longer. Thomson is the only one who can keep up with the Aussies' pace. Lauaki off the bench, will be devastating but unfortunately that is it I think from him.We should have them in the front-row, pretty even in the locks, pretty even in the halves (young halfbacks, excellent first fives), we should also have them in the midfield and in the back three.
I'm picking the AB's by 1-5 (23-20, give or take a conversion or two)
Permalink
Permalink
Thompson not in 22, Braid starting at 7
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
Permalink
Permalink
Thompson not in 22, Braid starting at 7
True, Braid is fit and fast, brilliant player. Should've been in the ABs all along.
Permalink
Permalink
well that has to be the worst referring performance i have seen since last year, but the all blacks played very average. Ill blame Henry just cause he should have gone after last year.
Permalink
Permalink
All Blacks were dreadful not the ref's fault they missed all those tackles or made all those unforced errors. Besides how they got away with bringing Cowan or Ellis or whoever it was back on is beyond me.
Three for me, and two for them.
Permalink
Permalink
Thats true buffon but a penalty could have changed momentum but we never deserved to win and thats why we didn't
Permalink
Permalink
Yep absolutely it was a horrible call but in this particular case it goes both ways with the case of bringing the halfback back on.
Three for me, and two for them.
Permalink
Permalink
All Blacks were dreadful not the ref's fault they missed all those tackles or made all those unforced errors. Besides how they got away with bringing Cowan or Ellis or whoever it was back on is beyond me.
Totally agree with you. Was dissapointed they took Nonu off for Smith as Kahui was clearly out of his depth. Am I the only one that hates these short hand penalties, makes the games look all over the place alot of the time.
Permalink
Permalink
Lote Tuqiri is brilliant, the ref was useless, the game was was great viewing.
Permalink
Permalink
Anyone else think Lauaki was beyond hopeless?
Buffon II2008-07-27 00:59:42
Three for me, and two for them.
Permalink
Permalink
As a non-Kiwi, I'm not going to take part in the wrist slitting and venting my spleen on talkback radio tomorow . From what I saw, the Aussies deserved the win and I think Mr Deans will be laughing himself to sleep tonight.
. From what I saw, the Aussies deserved the win and I think Mr Deans will be laughing himself to sleep tonight. Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
Permalink
Permalink
�
Am I the only one that hates these short hand penalties,
Stop listening to Murry, There's no such thing as a short hand or short arm penalty. It's called a free kick.
It's like calling a free kick in football an out of box penalty......
Permalink
Permalink
Anyone else think Lauaki was beyond hopeless?
Lauaki's was one of the worst performances ever by a player in the once proud AB's jersey.....and he was only a second half sub.........shambolic.....absolute tits for hands!!!!
The controversial penalty try was a slight turning point in the match but we should've adapted, didn't and instead the duuuurty Aussies turned up the heat and we got the fark out of the fire.....
Embarrassing, everyone could see we were rubbish in the 2nd half and were devoid of ideas and options.....
C'mon Phoenix!!!!
Permalink
Permalink