Bledisloe Cup

[Manu Vatuvei]

They were all over 12 months ago, so they were reputation, not form. He'd had a crap S12, and the decision to let him find form in the under 21s tour proved to be correct.

They were not all over 12 months ago. He scored a sensational try against Wales late last year (around November I think?). So, up until 6 months from the start of the Lions tour he was a sensational player at the highest level. An 11 game Super 12 season is not enough to make a good provincial player better than a first-rate international player (especially when Rokocoko's poor form was quite obviously largely due to playing in a poor team, and Gear's great form quite obviously largely due to playing in an excellent team- what could be more obvious?).

The fact that a sensational player has continued to be sensational does not prove anyone correct. They could've had him working in a brothel or fighting in Iraq, he'd still be brilliant.

He didn't play under-21s btw, he is 22. The Junior ABs are an A side.

 

[ThrashViking]

He couldnt even start ahead of Brent Ward for Auckland in the months leading upto to the Northern Hemisphere tour.
Pat Lam must be a racists white man.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

He was rested for part of the NPC. Then he came back and his form was obviously deemed good to go on the tour where, as I said, his sensational try was the turning point against Wales.

 

[aqua_duck]

Smokin joe had another blinder tonight

 

[ozbash]

he certainly did.
that ref didnt. he was useless.

shame we lost in SA, i reckon it will be the only game we drop this year.

our first 5 was good.

 

[CanadianSteve]

I've read that if the AB's beat Aus next week, they'll win the 3N. How does that work since the AB's and Boks will each have 1 loss against each other. What breaks the tie in that case?

 

[Iafeta]

I've read that if the AB's beat Aus next week, they'll win the 3N. How does that work since the AB's and Boks will each have 1 loss against each other. What breaks the tie in that case?

Bonus Points and For/Against.

You get a Bonus Point for 4 tries, and losing by less than 7.

New Zealand lost by less than 7 to SA, SA did the same to ABs, ABs I think scored four tries last night, so all they need is 4 points in the last game.

 

[Iafeta]

I just watched the test match, the referee should change his name from Joel Dupe to Joel Joke. How he penalised McDonald for taking out a player in the air when he himself not only contested the ball, but won the ball - I have no idea. Shalke Burger, Bakkis Botha about 80% of the rucks continually came in from the side but he never, ever enforced it. And don't get me started on offsides, Bryan Habana's try, if Ricky Januarie is onside then I'll do a nude run down in front of the Beehive - deadset, the offside line is behind the hind most foot, when the ball comes out, he's practically signing his autograph onto Piri Weepu's head.

Joke Frenchman, f*** off back to your frogs legs and give up refereeing for life.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Smokin joe had another blinder tonight

The second try was unbelievable. I worry for people who could ever have thought that Rico Gear was a better option than Rokocoko (including the selectors, of course.)

 

[aussies1st]

I think the selectors just wanted the real Rokocoko back. He wasn't in super 12 but now hes back to his best.

 

[ThrashViking]

Gear was terrible alright & so was Muliaina who's had a very poor tri nations.
Very impressed by the way Piri Weepu & Tony Woodcock have stepped up over the past couple of weeks.

 

[Scott]

Howlett is in for Gear and Luauki replaces Collins in this last game.

I expect the All Blacks to dismantle Australia.

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

I expect the All Blacks to dismantle Australia.

I don't know mate you blokes have not had your customary "choke” as yet.

 

[aussies1st]

The ABs don't choke in between WCs.
Interesting seeing Gear been ditched. He hasn't done too much wrong.

 

[douglasallen91]

weepu and macdonald may be out with injuries. with jimmy cowen called into the squad

 

[bayrep]

I am actually keen to see how the Aus team goes with so many changes. Very similar to when they brought in unknowns Tim Horan and Kearns for a test match at Eden park in 89. Those 2 went on to dominate. Will Aus find some new talent that will do the same ?

 

[aussies1st]

Its good to see changes occuring, still not enough made yet but this will do for now. 2 players to watch out for will be Smith and Rogers playing in new positions.

 

[aqua_duck]

Interesting seeing Gear been ditched. He hasn't done too much wrong.

Hasn't done too much period. Gear is a solid winger who can finish off a backlinbe move but really doesn't offer much apart from that, you give him the ball 15m out one on one with about 5 metres to work and he'll score once every 20 times, Rokocoko would score 70% of the time.
Gear is a reasonably quick solid winger but not much more apart from that, very rarely score a try if its not put on an absolute platter.

 

[aussies1st]

Isn't Howlett basically like Gear?

 

[Scott]

Howlett has played nearly 50 tests for the All Blacks mate. He is a far better player at the moment than Rico Gear.

In saying that, the first choice All Black wingers are Rokocoko and Sivivatu.