Semi-Final #2
Now this is something I can talk about. I'm exceptionally nervous about this game. These two teams are very evenly matched and both have some spectacular talent. I maintain that there's just no option other than the All Blacks for the finals.
Here are your line ups - All Blacks on the left, Wallabies on the right.
1. Tony Woodcock / Sekope Kepu
2. Keven Mealamu / Steven Moore
3. Owen Franks / Ben Alexander
4. Sam Whitelock / Dan Vickerman
5. Brad Thorn / James Horwill (c)
6. Jerome Kaino / Rocky Elsom
7. Richie McCaw (c) / David Pocock
8. Kieran Read / Radike Samo
9. Piri Weepu / Wil Genia
10. Aaron Cruden / Quade Cooper
11. Richard Kahui / Digby Ioane
12. Ma'a Nonu / Pat McCabe
13. Conrad Smith / Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Cory Jane / James O'Conner
15. Israel Dagg / Kurtley Beale
Replacements:
16. Andrew Hore / Tatafu-Polota-Nau
17. Ben Franks / James Slipper
18. Ali Williams / Rob Simmons
19. Victor Vito / Ben McCalman
20. Andy Ellis / Luke Burgess
21. Stephen Donald / Berrick Barnes
22. Sonny Bill Williams / Anthony Fainga'a
Number one thing to notice when you look at the line ups are the front row. Australia has NOTHING on NZ's front row. I think set piece is going to be a big deal. I think our (NZ) jumpers will have to work hard but with Australia's inconsistent throwers (Moore or Polota-Nau) there's a good chance that we can capitalize on them like Matfield did last week. The McCaw/Pocock showdown will be epic. Both of those flankers have a similar playing style when it comes to rucks and they both cheat so atleast the world won't have to complain about who didn't get called where. We all know that there will be cheating from both sides at the breakdown. But if you don't get caught...is it cheating or are you just playing to the official? If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it...?
The 9-10 connection is going to be vital to this game. Yes, Aaron Cruden stepped in last week and did fabulous. Timing was a little off but hey, give the guy a break - he was booking his ticket to Fiji when he got the call up. Now he's has a full two weeks to get it right so he's going to be our man...mostly so that Duck never has to be. I couldn't pick between Wil Genia and Piri Weepu. Weepu, who I have lovingly referred to as Chubb Chubb - really has pulled his form together and is so flash right now. Has he lost weight in the last month? His kicking is spot on and if he can maintain that - it will be a weapon that Australia can risk. The world has been talking about which Quade Cooper will show up. A few hard hits should solidify everybody's questions. Quade temper and skills are directly correlated to his performance.
Centre combination: Nonu and Smith have this nailed. No, I don't think that Nonu will be able to slice and dice McCabe and AAC as easily but he attracts attention and that's all he needs to do to allow for the likes of Jane, Dagg, and Kahui to take flight. Really, I don't think there's a better centre combination in the world.
Back three...this is a close one. Both teams have stellar back three. But the life and energy of Jane, Dagg, and Kahui is flash. I just don't know if Australia can contain them. It would be like if Australia had three James O'Conners instead of just one. Kurtley Beale does count for something but the guy has a seriously tweaked hammy - I'm not counting him out but those kind of niggles don't just go away in a week even if it's manageable. Digby Ioane has serious speed so if he can get into the open but that would require some kicking and Australia just has not shown that they have that precision. I don't want ever be caught saying that James O'Conner isn't one of the best 15s in the world. Truly he is. He will be one of the Dan Carters for Australia. He's young and not even close to his prime.
The bench...well - aside from Duck. NZ has the depth to finish this game with a win. Does Australia? No. So I stand with my original prediction. New Zealand All Blacks by 5.
Here are your line ups - All Blacks on the left, Wallabies on the right.
1. Tony Woodcock / Sekope Kepu
2. Keven Mealamu / Steven Moore
3. Owen Franks / Ben Alexander
4. Sam Whitelock / Dan Vickerman
5. Brad Thorn / James Horwill (c)
6. Jerome Kaino / Rocky Elsom
7. Richie McCaw (c) / David Pocock
8. Kieran Read / Radike Samo
9. Piri Weepu / Wil Genia
10. Aaron Cruden / Quade Cooper
11. Richard Kahui / Digby Ioane
12. Ma'a Nonu / Pat McCabe
13. Conrad Smith / Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Cory Jane / James O'Conner
15. Israel Dagg / Kurtley Beale
Replacements:
16. Andrew Hore / Tatafu-Polota-Nau
17. Ben Franks / James Slipper
18. Ali Williams / Rob Simmons
19. Victor Vito / Ben McCalman
20. Andy Ellis / Luke Burgess
21. Stephen Donald / Berrick Barnes
22. Sonny Bill Williams / Anthony Fainga'a
Number one thing to notice when you look at the line ups are the front row. Australia has NOTHING on NZ's front row. I think set piece is going to be a big deal. I think our (NZ) jumpers will have to work hard but with Australia's inconsistent throwers (Moore or Polota-Nau) there's a good chance that we can capitalize on them like Matfield did last week. The McCaw/Pocock showdown will be epic. Both of those flankers have a similar playing style when it comes to rucks and they both cheat so atleast the world won't have to complain about who didn't get called where. We all know that there will be cheating from both sides at the breakdown. But if you don't get caught...is it cheating or are you just playing to the official? If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it...?
The 9-10 connection is going to be vital to this game. Yes, Aaron Cruden stepped in last week and did fabulous. Timing was a little off but hey, give the guy a break - he was booking his ticket to Fiji when he got the call up. Now he's has a full two weeks to get it right so he's going to be our man...mostly so that Duck never has to be. I couldn't pick between Wil Genia and Piri Weepu. Weepu, who I have lovingly referred to as Chubb Chubb - really has pulled his form together and is so flash right now. Has he lost weight in the last month? His kicking is spot on and if he can maintain that - it will be a weapon that Australia can risk. The world has been talking about which Quade Cooper will show up. A few hard hits should solidify everybody's questions. Quade temper and skills are directly correlated to his performance.
Centre combination: Nonu and Smith have this nailed. No, I don't think that Nonu will be able to slice and dice McCabe and AAC as easily but he attracts attention and that's all he needs to do to allow for the likes of Jane, Dagg, and Kahui to take flight. Really, I don't think there's a better centre combination in the world.
Back three...this is a close one. Both teams have stellar back three. But the life and energy of Jane, Dagg, and Kahui is flash. I just don't know if Australia can contain them. It would be like if Australia had three James O'Conners instead of just one. Kurtley Beale does count for something but the guy has a seriously tweaked hammy - I'm not counting him out but those kind of niggles don't just go away in a week even if it's manageable. Digby Ioane has serious speed so if he can get into the open but that would require some kicking and Australia just has not shown that they have that precision. I don't want ever be caught saying that James O'Conner isn't one of the best 15s in the world. Truly he is. He will be one of the Dan Carters for Australia. He's young and not even close to his prime.
The bench...well - aside from Duck. NZ has the depth to finish this game with a win. Does Australia? No. So I stand with my original prediction. New Zealand All Blacks by 5.
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