The Rugby Championship

[Silent But Deadly]

Looking forward to a great series. Am interested to know people' thoughts on how they see team's chances this year. For what it's worth, here are mine:
Wallabies - in the hunt but only if we don't incur any injuries. Cooper needs to get his mojo back or we are gone. Barnes is a god defender but that's it. We won't win much if he is at 10. Palu needs to justify his selection imo.
AB's - still the best team in the world and have depth in every position. Can't see them losing.
Boks - Very solid and competetive. Will hold their own in the forwards. They lack creativity in attack but the boots of the Steyn boys and Lambie will keep them in every match.
Argies - haven't see them since the RWC so am looking forward to it. travel will be their biggest nemesis so not expecting many wins from them though they will be very physical and make every team earn their win.

 

[Silent But Deadly]

Okay great to see Cooper at 10, Horne gone and AAC in the 13 jumper! Timani finally justified his selection in game 2 and Hooper/Gill have now had a taste. Shipperley's inclusion is great also. Bring on the Boks! I no i probably shouldn't be, but I'm feeling confident going into this game...

 

[Silent But Deadly]

Not that it's anything to get carried away with, but a win is a win. I'll take it as we were the better team. Shipperley vindicated his selection i thought and true to form, Tatafu knowcked himself out within the first 5 minutes lol. Timani's last couple of performances have been great so i have no issue with him anymore. Cooper was running (and passing) very flat which was great to see. Hooper was awesome! Genia's injury is a big blow but O'Connor may be back which is great...things may be on the up now. Argies will present a very difficult challenge, so too will the Boks at home but hopefully we will start having a bit more faith in our own ability to hold onto the ball and build some pressure with multiple phases. Time will tell...

 

[Rambo1']

Tbh I thought Richie McCaw was past it and should of hung the boots up after the WC but holy s***. What a game he played last night. Sam Kane's still got a bit of waiting to do.

 

[Rambo1']

Richie McCaw goes into the All Black changing room to find all his teammates looking a bit down. “What's up, guys?” he asks. “Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game Richie. We know it’s important but we've just beaten Argentina and South Africa in consecutive weeks and, let's be honest, its only Australia. We simply can't be bothered.”



Richie looks at them and says: “Oh well, the way they've been playing recently, I reckon I can beat these Aussies by myself, so you guys go on down to the pub.”



So Richie goes out to play the Wallabies by himself while the rest of the All Blacks head off for a drink. After a few beers, they wonder how the game is going so they get the barman to put the TV on. A big cheer goes up as the screen reads New Zealand 7 (McCaw, 10th minute try, con) Australia 0. “He's beating Australia all by himself!” his teammates yell. A few more beers later and the game is forgotten until someone remembers that it must be fulltime, so the telly goes back on.



Result from Eden Park: New Zealand 7 (McCaw 10th minute) - Australia 7 (Sharpe, 79th minute)



They can't believe it. Richie has singlehandedly drawn against Australia. The All Blacks rush back to Eden Park to congratulate him. They find him in the dressing room, still in all his footy gear, sitting down with his head in his hands. He refuses to look up at them.



“I've let you down guys. Sorry, but I've really let you down,” moans Richie.



“Don't be an idiot. You drew against Australia and they only scored at the very end,” says Kieran Read.



“No, no, I have,” says Richie, “I've let you down… I hope you can forgive me… I got sent off after 12 minutes… “

 

[ozbash]

Lol, brilliant..

 

[Silent But Deadly]

Hehe not bad...smart@ss!