The Wallabies host the All Blacks at the Etihad Stadium, Melbourne at 12:00 SA Time on Saturday 1 August 2010.
This is the 1st encounter between these 2 side in this year’s Tri-Nations, so will we see another All Black juggernaut or will we see some slick Wallabie rugby?
The Wallabies showed a much better performance against the Springboks than their early Test season suggested, with Will Genia in superb form and with Rocky Elsom leading by example.
Quade Cooper, one of the 2 excellent playmakers in the Wallabie backline is suspended though and therefore Matt Giteau moves on up into the flyhalf berth with Berrick Barnes coming in at inside centre.
The All blacks on the other hand, have selected Joe Rokocoko at wing amongst the usual suspects, a truly gifted backline, coupled to a looseforward combination who monstered the Springboks in the battle for breakdown ball.
There is once agin very little weakness in the All Black squad.
I predict an All Black win, despite the fact that the game is played in Australia, their recent record against Australia suggests the same…. All Blacks by about 10.
Recent results:
2009: New Zealand won 32-19 at Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
2009: New Zealand won 33-6 at Westpac Trust, Wellington
2009: New Zealand won 19-18 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2009: New Zealand won 22-16 at Eden Park, Auckland
2008: New Zealand won 19-14 at Hong Kong Stadium
2008: New Zealand won 28-24 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
2008: New Zealand won 39-10 at Eden Park, Auckland
2008: Australia won 34-19 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2007: New Zealand won 26-12 at Eden Park, Auckland
2007: Australia won 20-15 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
2006: New Zealand won 34-27 at Eden Park, Auckland
2006: New Zealand won 13-9 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
2006: New Zealand won 32-12 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
2005: New Zealand won 34-24 at Eden Park, Auckland
2005: New Zealand won 30-13 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
Teams:
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley Cooper, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Kurtley Beale.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.
Date: Saturday, 31 July 2010
Kick-off: 20.00 (12.00 SA Time)
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Expected weather conditions: Scattered clouds with a 30% chance of rain, a high of 15°C, dropping to 7°C and a wind from the north of 14 km/h – not that will affect the game with the roof closed.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
Difficult to judge this one…. but I recon All Blacks by 8 or 10…
@ grootblousmile:
Your article is up, and the bill in the post 😉
The much-criticised turf at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium survived an Aussie Rules workout last night ahead of tonight’s Tri Nations battle between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
Last night’s clash between Essendon and St Kilda gave an insight into the conditions under the stadium roof for captain Richie McCaw who’s not entirely sure what all the fuss is about.
“It’s obviously not the best I’ve played on, but it’s going to be fine I think,” McCaw said.
New Zealand’s the $1.30 favourite at the TAB – with the Australians at $3.30 to break a seven match losing streak in Bledisloe Cup tests.
RadioLIVE
…
o bother …. i hoped that the pitch would provide both sides with quite a few serious injuries 😥
ag maybe it can still happen 😀
cooooooooooome-on pitch!! 😆
o,
and
goooooooooooooodmorning everyone
…
just a few hours before one of the biggest matches of the year kicks off …..
and
no, its NOT aus vs nz
but
paarl gim vs boys high!! 😀
…
gooooooooooooooooooooo gim!!
o, and what a 1st try by gio aplon yesterday evening
….
first step … and 2 defenders go the wrong way
2nd step …. 2 went the other way!!
😆 was just bloody magnificent!!
More mense…ek hoop die Kiwi’s speel die Auzies in die grond in vandag. Ausies lekker windgat nadat hulle ons op hul tuisveld gewen het…sal maar sien of hulle so gelukkig of so goed is as wat hulle dink as hulle hier in SA speel. Ek het niks tyd vir die Auzies nie…veral vir daai snob reporters van hulle
@ Ashley:5 – Ash……..hehehehe. You are so funny boeta…….hahahahaha. Have to admit I really enjoy Aplon, a great player. Always, always enjoyed watching him in the 7’s
Forgot. MORNING everyone.
Now I always support the All Blacks when they are not playing the Boks. But for today want the Aussies to win. ONLY cause it would make this Tri-Nations more interesting.
I enjoyed us winning 5 out of 6 last year. but it also took away the interest and excitement of a close Tri-Nations. So hoping than one team does not run away with it like we done last year.
Hello fellas, let’s move to the wallabies / All Blacks game thread
I would like to exchange links with your site http://www.rugby-talk.com
Is this possible?
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