Aus vs NZ Test was Rubbish > NZ were garbage.

[simostorm]

From the very first hit up. Kiwi's took some soft runs in there first set of 6.
then on defence no muscling up in defence. No FIRE in there bellys.

What has happened to the kiwi's?? few years back.. first set of 6.. they'd Charge the ball into the line..and then on there first defensive 6 they'd
smash the aussies in every tackle..

Where has this gone? Wheres the passion from the Kiwis gone?

Australia just did what they had to to win.

And the Pommy ref.. get rid of this hack.. get a aussie ref in there, would have run the game much better.

 

[thorson1987]

From the very first hit up. Kiwi's took some soft runs in there first set of 6.
then on defence no muscling up in defence. No FIRE in there bellys.

What has happened to the kiwi's?? few years back.. first set of 6.. they'd Charge the ball into the line..and then on there first defensive 6 they'd
smash the aussies in every tackle..

Where has this gone? Wheres the passion from the Kiwis gone?

Australia just did what they had to to win.

And the Pommy ref.. get rid of this hack.. get a aussie ref in there, would have run the game much better.

I actually didnt mind the ref. Was good to see someone have the balls to make a decision.

 

[tezzah]

Ref was a knob but at least he made dubious calls for both teams insted of giving benefit of the doubt to Australia all the frickin time. Kiwis are their worse enemy's and it was pleasing to see them put up a fight and not submit like previous mud Kiwi teams! Change in culture has shown that power alone is not going to win them games. Great win for the Kangaroos. Future looks great for International battles between the two teams.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

I've noticed as a rule when its pouring rain, teams generally play like they just dont want to be out there.

EDIT: And Matai re-affirmed that his the biggest grub in the game, was good too see his knee hurt, he can give-th but cant take-th.

 

[grandorient]

I agree, I thought the ref had a great game.

I also agree with simostorm, the passion wasn't there; perhaps too long between the Haka and the start of the game, due to the breakdown of that electric cart.

I thought that having the English referee out there, there may have been a fiery start, at least for the first 20 minutes or so, but not to be.

GO

 

[Kong]

A depleted NZ lost on goal kicks against the greatest team in the galaxy. The passion is still there, they know the games not won in the first 10 minutes.

 

[Meth]

To be fair, if NZ were garbage than Australia were equally so- perhaps more so.

Much has been made of the fact that NZ had a very young and green team. We were missing Moimoi, Pritchard, Mannering, Vatuvei to name a few. Australia were at near full strength.

Australia scored their second try off the back of the most bogus of penalties (the one against Matulino for the tackle on Thaiday). Both of the tries that NZ scored were legitimate.

NZ weren't flash- but geez, how crap were the superstars?

 

[Meth]

I agree, I thought the ref had a great game.

I also agree with simostorm, the passion wasn't there; perhaps too long between the Haka and the start of the game, due to the breakdown of that electric cart.

I thought that having the English referee out there, there may have been a fiery start, at least for the first 20 minutes or so, but not to be.

GO

NZ loses it when they start fiery; look to intimidate etc. It's happened time and time again

 

[East Coast Tiger]

I think it was quite a good game. I must have been watching the wrong one or something. There might not have been the big hits and there certainly wasn't any niggle or anything, but there rarely is these days, but I thought it was great to see a close mid-year Test. The conditions were always going to nullify anything too spectacular and yet the ball handling was very good. I also thought the ref did a good job, even though he clearly fecked up several calls and pretty much made up that rule about a scrum after passing when called held. At least he let the game flow for the most part and used a bit of common sense.

 

[Meth]

I think it was quite a good game. I must have been watching the wrong one or something. There might not have been the big hits and there certainly wasn't any niggle or anything, but there rarely is these days, but I thought it was great to see a close mid-year Test. The conditions were always going to nullify anything too spectacular and yet the ball handling was very good. I also thought the ref did a good job, even though he clearly fecked up several calls and pretty much made up that rule about a scrum after passing when called held. At least he let the game flow for the most part and used a bit of common sense.

Yeah, what the hell was up with that?

I'm pretty sure we got a new set of 6, didn't we?

 

[East Coast Tiger]

It wasn't in the rules, but it was better than NZ losing possession because of the stupid held call. The best call would have been to allow the Kiwi player to play the ball and the game goes on. But I don't have a major problem with a ref using his judgement. Too often refs are expected to follow the rules to the letter, even when the rule is crap and can't be fairly applied to a real game situation. He chose not to follow the rules and instead chose a fairer outcome. Good on him for having the guts to do it.

 

[simostorm]

To be fair, if NZ were garbage than Australia were equally so- perhaps more so.

Much has been made of the fact that NZ had a very young and green team. We were missing Moimoi, Pritchard, Mannering, Vatuvei to name a few. Australia were at near full strength.

Australia scored their second try off the back of the most bogus of penalties (the one against Matulino for the tackle on Thaiday). Both of the tries that NZ scored were legitimate.

NZ weren't flash- but geez, how crap were the superstars?

Im not sure if Australia were garbage or if they were just in 2nd gear all game long. Seemed to me like they were just coasting along.

 

[Meth]

In a match where NZ had a depleted, under-strength, young side the match was decided by goal-kicking, halves and a dubious penalty. Your pack was matched at least by ours and our outside backs, no name in comparison to yours, were your equal.

 

[Kurt Angle]

NZ never fire up for the mid-year test, its just a money spinner. It is why they always play it here in Aus. It usually a good vehicle to blood new players, and Foran did alright.

As far as the ref, I thought he was a breathe of fresh air.

Despite a few iffy calls, they evened out, but it was so refreshing to see a ref with the balls to make a call instead of deferring to the video.

 

[Meth]

NZ never fire up for the mid-year test, its just a money spinner. It is why they always play it here in Aus. It usually a good vehicle to blood new players, and Foran did alright.

Yep- we hate it

 

[raiders fan forever]

I actually didnt mind the ref. Was good to see someone have the balls to make a decision.

Agree with you there i was happy to see a ref come from overseas without these new nrl interpretations brainwashing him so some common sense calls FINNALY!

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

NZ have come charging out before with fire and brimstone in the first 20 minutes - they usually then get belted by 40 as that's impossible to keep up for 80 minutes.

3-4 seasons ago a NZ side depleted as badly as it was last night would've gotten slaughtered. There were times last night where Australia threatened to break it open, but the Kiwi's held firm, played smart and at times they shifted the momentum back in their favour rather than falling apart under the pressure.

A few big hits in the opening 20 followed by a ritual slaughtering in the last 60 doesn't make a great test match. Two sides going at each other for 80 minutes without massive hits, both determined not to let the other gain the upper hand, does make for a good test match.

If either side lacked passion last night they would've been beaten comfortably.

 

[deluded pom?]

I see that, according to simo, the Aussies still can't even win with a bit of humility. he's coming out with the "we were in second gear and still beat you" BS.

 

[thorson1987]

I see that, according to simo, the Aussies still can't even win with a bit of humility. he's coming out with the "we were in second gear and still beat you" BS.

Yeah but simo is a bit of a spastic.

 

[simostorm]

But we WERE in 2nd gear.. and i wouldnt be surprised if Aussie boys let them score those two last trys at the end on purpose just to make the game at least look decent by full time.