Oracle of DelphiWallabies v All Blacks: The Decider!
July 19th 2007 21:40
The Decider!
Venue & kick-off time:
5.35pm (AEST), 7.35pm (NZT)
Last time:
June 30, 2007 Wallabies 20-15 All Blacks
(link provided for match review)
Telecast Times:
LIVE on Channel 7 in Sydney and Brisbane from 5.00pm AEST.
Delay in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth on Channel 7 from 11.30pm (local time).
LIVE on Fox Sports 2 from 5.00pm AEST.
**************
This is it.
This is The Decider.
The Wallabies and the All Blacks are level on 9 points with the All Blacks ranked first, due to some stupid statistical equation that barely makes sense to me so I won't bore you with those details.
What is very clear is the level of confidence The Wallabies have after winning their last match, against the Springboks, and after winning what many thought was an un-winnable (is that a word?) match against the Blacks in Melbourne.
We're talking...through the roof...and it's on fire. Their confidence, not the roof.
- The Wallabies with the Mandela Plate, after their Tri Nations match against the Springboks. Look, there's Larkyum! (image courtesy of Getty Images)
....BUT...we must not get comfortable and complacent.
The Wallabies may have achieved a remarkable feat by coming back from behind to win their last 2 matches (and even their first test match against Wales - link provided and that was a damn good post!) but we cannot afford to give the All Blacks any leeway.
We haven't held the Bledisloe and Tri Nations trophies since 2001.
We are on their territory...and we have not beaten the All Blacks in Eden Park for 21 years. AND the All Blacks are hurting.
We need to win this match not because the All Blacks are under par but because we have no equal.
We? Yes. We.
When The Wallabies play they play for me, for you, for Australia.
This will be the last time that the Wallabies meet the All Blacks before the World Cup. We need to get the knife in now. We've already made a puncture wound....all that's left is to twist and shove it in further in September....
Game on.
***************
All Blacks:
Welll...the Blacks have been rucked and rolled and they're feeling fragile...but this is why and the only time, they should not be underestimated.
When they're playing their best game, that's when they should be overestimated because they believe their own hype.
They didn't play as well as they should have against the Boks last week and almost gave it away but (unfortunately) pulled it together to eventually humiliate the valiant not quite Boks Boks.
....and of course they are on home ground and Kiwi supporters are louder than Australian supporters even when they're sitting in one of our stadiums!
They have made a few changes to their backline, which means that Dan Carter will be wearing a different shade of lipstick.
Captain McCaw will be dangerous as always...the cheating bastard.
Joke!...and I'm sorry I haven't said anything about this. Apparently McCaw was so good against the Boks last week that there has been all manner of mayhem surrounding his ability. The Boks accused him of "cheating" and the Ref for being "in awe" of McCaw.
Hey, that rhymes. Cool.
Look...McCaw may not be a Wallaby but he's still one of the best and to accuse him of cheating is like accusing Larkham of having an unfair advantage because he's brilliant and beautiful and gorgeous and amazing and...
Oh.kay. Ummm...who else? Who else?...obviously Robinson (#5) was impressive because he's earned the spot ahead of regular Troy Flavell.
Hayman and Splinter Dick will be their usual 'scrumpaging' selves.
The Forwards:
- some of the best Forwards in the business. Very scary pack but an almost identical pack to the one that got whupped by our boys. I am praying that wasn't a fluke because there is not one player here I can fault.
Other than the fact that they're All Blacks.
1. Tony Woodcock aka Splinter Dick, 2. Anton Oliver, 3. Carl Hayman, 4. Chris Jack, 5. Keith Robinson, 6. Jerry Collins, 7. Richie McCaw (Captain), 8. Rodney So'oialo
The Backs:
- yeah whatever. Pansies the whole bunch of them.
Please note that the little pansy boy wannabe 10 is begrudgingly bolded and only because I feel sorry for the little naff ponce wiener because try as he might he will never be Larkham
9. Byron Kelleher, 10. Dan Carter, 11. Josevata Rokocoko, 12. Luke McAlister, 13. Isaia Toeava, 14. Doug Howlett, 15. Mils Muliaina.
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Neemia Tialata, 18. Reuben Thorne, 19. Chris Masoe, 20. Brendon Leonard, 21. Aaron Mauger, 22. Nick Evans
Oh f**k. This is a scary team.
***************************** ********
The Wallabies:
Ahhh my beloved Wallabies...they're just perfect...see? Even the Ref is telling the Boks he can't rise up to their level...
Well...no. They're not. Die hard tunnel visioned fanatic I may be but I can't see perfection without knowing the faults.
There has been a lot of kerfuffle in the Wallabies camp...and whereas the Rugby media are all going "woe", I'm going "wow!".
Gene Fairbanks did everyone a favour by putting Huxley where he needed to be. Out.
...and Lyons has not been on form.
(links provided to these posts)
...but is Chris Latham ready? Coach Connolly has made one wise decision, and only because he couldn't stand Tim Horan's whiny voice, by putting Latham on the bench and starting Adam Ashley-Cooper.....who is just marvellous.
Of course he is. He's a Brumby.
Ashley-Cooper's versatility makes him a great selection and he's hungry...he looks for that ball, he doesn't wait for it to come to him and he listens to what the Masters (Larkham and Gregan) say on field.
This young man understands the fundamentals of Rugby. It's a team sport. Individual brilliance is for the good of all not for the solo glory....something which Latham has never understood, despite his brilliance on field.
I guess we'll see if Latham is ready. If you hear a snap followed by a crackle and pop... that's no cereal, that's serious shit for Latho.
I'm also very happy to see Hoiles where he should have been all along (#8) and Chisholm back on the team.
Alas...Connolly did not take up Jeremy Paul's generous offer and I hope that our lack of an experienced front row doesn't bite us too hard.
Don't give a damn how hard it bites Connolly's lard ass.
The Forwards:
- oh boy...ex all Blacks have already come out and started the psyche-out warfare. They say our Forwards are just not up to it and our front row is certainly no match against 3 of the world's best...but...you never know...Pudding (Dunning) might trip at the right times and save the day.
Smith is on fire and aiming for another John Eales Medal, which is always good incentive (but never his motive).
1. Matt Dunning, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Guy Shepherdson, 4. Nathan Sharpe, 5. Dan Vickerman, 6. Rocky Elsom, 7. George Smith (vc), 8. Stephen Hoiles
The Backs:
- Believe it or not sportsfans...I, DieHard Believer that the Lower The Number the Better The Man...actually believe it will be our magnificent Backline that will win this match for us.
Am a little concerned at the unproven wings (#s 11 & 14) and fullback (#15) combination but I'm sure under the direction of their world class halves and centres pairings, they'll be okay.
9. George Gregan, 10. Stephen Larkham, 11. Drew Mitchell, 12. Matt Giteau, 13. Stirling Mortlock (c), 14. Mark Gerrard, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Reserves:
16. Adam Freier, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Hugh McMeniman, 19. Mark Chisholm, 20. Phil Waugh (vc), 21. Scott Staniforth, 22. Chris Latham (maybe)
*********************
Well...that's it.
May I remind you all that this is STEPHEN LARKHAM'S and GEORGE GREGAN'S last Bledisloe / Tri Nations and...I can't go on...
Very difficult to predict a result. Both teams have more than usual incentive and reason.
I think it will be a close one. 3-5 points. A kick will win it. For us.
I don't want the All Blacks to not play well...I want us to win because when it comes to Rugby, no one does it better than...
Larkham....Gregan...and The Wallabies!!
Go You Good Thing!!!
Please Note:
I will do my best to post the results of this match as soon as possible (Victorian, SA and WA readers, please ignore this potential post)...however (DDH and) I will be attending our Rugby Club's annual Bledisloe Dinner and posting the result will depend upon 3 factors:
1, the availability of a computer (because hello? who takes a laptop to dinner?)
2. My sobriety (lack of...which hasn't stopped me before)
3. the result
images courtesy of Getty Images , Perth Now and Rugby Heaven
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Comment by David
Will this be a gothic EMO shade of black?
As for posting the results early? I plan to go to the local pub and watch the match on Foxtel, so you can even post updates on Saturday night (just in case you think you might be too hammered afterwards).
David ...
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
lol I wouldn`t actually be surprised to see you whip one out...
I'm stuck here.... is it all black and white?? nah I`m a colourful gal....
GO THE GREEN AND GOLD!
enjoy your evening out - paint the town... um... GREEN AND GOLD!
hugs
ash
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I always knew you had a soft spot for him. You hide it well, you know!!!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Cara xxxx
Comment by Miss Nomer
the only reason I ever get excited about anything NZ vs anyone is the Haka...all those hunky men getting down and ready for war..bring it on...
Alas..my flatmate (male), and my best friend (female), and numerous other friends are making plans for watching the whole game.......here...tomorrow... .what the hell am I going to do after the Haka.....
On a serious note...you do have a way of making rugby sound interesting, VERY......maybe I'll just take a little peek and maybe it will grow on me...
I have mentioned I do like the tight shorts and bending over aspects previously..
PS my BF thinks Larkham is super hot..and she is a married mother with children as well...
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I have satellite and am trying to find the game to TiVo it. EXCITING!
Mis
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
No. A darker shade of pansy....
mah warmth sugah...
Dusk
ps. was that a sledge? hammered??
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Well...the Green and Gold works for both of us...
Go The Wallabies!!
big hugs...
Dusk
ps. I'm allowed to use the club's computer...!! And I'll be (fairly) sober...the game finishes early...and it's about to start soon...I'm so nervous!!...and I have to get ready...for the dinner and for the match!!
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Go The Wallabies!!
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
The only soft spot I have for Dan Carter is the skin on my fist...
Have a great weekend hon...
Go The Wallabies!!
Go Skaifey!
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I like your friends!...and it's rather uncanny that your BF and I share many traits and yet...
Anyway...all that 'hunky men getting down and dirty' thing doesn't stop at the haka...will tell you that if McCaw wasn't an All Black...he's be drop dead gorgeous (he's the AB Captain and #7)...
Thank you for the compliment (yes?)...I just tell it like I see it...slightly left off centre but (try) always on the ball...warped but still user friendly.
Hope you do have a great night and...
Go The Wallabies!!
...but if all Black is more your colour then...good luck! Thank you for coming by...I appreciate your comment..
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
have a great weekend hon...
Dusk
Go The Wallabies!!