Well Done Aussie

[carlnz]

What a game it was...untill the scoreline blew out. Thank god that was the last time we ever see Johns in the green and gold because last night he finaly stood up and killed us.

With no Wiki i dont think we could have ever won the game but i would still thought they would of held in longer.

Great crowd, big hits and the only two bad points was the referee and the score line.

Well Done Australia you were the better side on the night ....be interesting to see how the Kiwis do in the Tri Nations.

 

[gunnamatta bay]

Bob McClennan looked like a snowman slowing melting under the intense heat.

 

[gunnamatta bay]

With no Wiki i dont think we could have ever won the game but i would still thought they would of held in longer.

Do you really think 'no Wiki' was the problem?

 

[carlnz]

Do you really think 'no Wiki' was the problem?

Hell yes, the guy is the heart and sole of the team, look at last year when he was not on the field the Kiwis crumbled.

Every kiwi looks up to Wiki...he is the leader and it showed him not being out there last night.

 

[JJ]

the problem was the Aussies were much better - more skill, and better ball movement

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Bob McClennan looked like a snowman slowing melting under the intense heat.

Who the hell is Bob McLennan

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

As i mentioned in another thread that 2nd half by the Aussies was just dominant

 

[JoeD]

Well done Aussies. Normal transmission has resumed. While not surprised by the result the scoreline is fairly embarrassing. Luckily i taped the match and could fast forward through the most humiliating parts. Thats the bad stuff, on the positive side the first half was as good a game of footy as you'll see. What test football should be about. Big hits and tight defense. Pity we couldn't go on with it. It did seem the Pritchard hit was a turning point in the game although that may have been just a coincidence as it happened at the same time we were likely to be tiring anyway. Kinda reminded me of the Villasanti hit on Fittler in the '02 GF in some respects. I don't buy that losing Wiki was such a huge factor. The kiwi forwards in the first half had at least parity with the opposition. I think not starting Marshall was a mistake because we had to make the most of our attacking opportunities whether they were in the first two minutes or the last two minutes. When are the kiwis going to learn that you can't consistently win on passion alone?

 

[gunnamatta bay]

Who the hell is Bob McLennan

Lets just call him 'whats his name.'

 

[ozbash]

the problem was the Aussies were much better - more skill, and better ball movement

yep, betcha you never needed your viagra last night jj....:lol:

 

[AuckMel]

Can't say enough about Johns. He was brilliant. The difference? The hit on Hunt turned the game in Australia's favour. Would never have been a penalty in SOO.

Not worried at all about the result as I think we'll be much better later in the year.

Picking Marshall was a mistake. Kicking game was crap. If SBW can stay fit, I think he'll be sensational later in the year.

Bring on the tri-nations and a better reflection of just where we really stand.

 

[tack]

The Kiwi team for the tri nations will have a different look to it with the inclusion of Wiki,Puletua & Rauhihi also other possibilities:

Utai
Matai
Lolesi
Halatau
Moimoi
Latu
Covell
Vatuvie
Faumuina
Hape
Soliola

and the problem with the halfs needs attention:Smith & Ngaiwi have to be given a run.

Lets hope our selectors get it right?

GO THE KIWIS (the wars still on)

 

[cookie36]

Sorry to say this AuckMel but this year it would be a problem, if you dont already know they have changed the rules this year on attachs to the head. It is a penalty ANY time contact is made to the head, inlcuding what would have been let go in past years.

 

[carlnz]

Sorry to say this AuckMel but this year it would be a problem, if you dont already know they have changed the rules this year on attachs to the head. It is a penalty ANY time contact is made to the head, inlcuding what would have been let go in past years.

need to be changed if the player was falling or heading down, we are turing Rugby League into soccer

 

[innsaneink]

Wiki wouldnt have made much difference last night....I dont see the warriors atop the NRL ladder.

Hes inspirational and passionate, but that onlytakes you so far.

A decent halves games and kicking is what the Kiwis missed last nite.

 

[AuckMel]

Sorry to say this AuckMel but this year it would be a problem, if you dont already know they have changed the rules this year on attachs to the head. It is a penalty ANY time contact is made to the head, inlcuding what would have been let go in past years.

I'll believe it when I see it.

You guys have a bad habit of letting a lot of stuff in SOO go.

 

[nadera78]

The Kiwis really need a scrum half. And it needs to be someone boring, with a good kicking game and the ability to lead the team around the field. Leave the razzle dazzle to other guys like Marshall and SBW, they just need a no>7 who plays a simpl, basic game.

If anyone at the NZRL has some money (or can find a supporter with deep pockets) maybe they need to try and get Piri Weepu and Luke McAllister back from union. Play Weepu at 7 and McAllister at 1. They both played RL as kids and would adjust easily enough.

A scrum half with a kicking game is all that stands between NZ and winning the RLWC in 2008.

 

[BatiFan]

Well done to the Aussies for sure. They played good controlled, patient rugby league and have just got class all over the field. When you look at that side, it just has so much strike power in every position. King and Hunt, along with Johns and Kennedy (due to retirement) and possibly Gasnier (union - oh please no Gaz your too good to go there) will be the only changes for the Tri Nations campaign if they all stay fit.

Whereas the Kiwis will hopefully welcome back Stacey Jones, Rueben Wiki, David Solomona, Tony Puletua, Lesley Vainikolo, Henry Paul, Sione Faumauina etc. for their Tri Nations campaign. Take these players and the fact that Sonny Bill and Benji will only get better as they play more games and get fitness back and the Kiwis stand in a good position for the Tri Nations. I think what showed last night is that the Kiwis need to be ruthless from now on and pick players that are the best in their respective positions. For instance, Paul Whatuira is the best defensive centre in the game and he did a great job loast night on Gasnier and he would have to be picked for the left centre spot on current form, that means no position in the team for Toopi (as good a player he is). Nigel Vagana is the best option as a right centre and he should be selected there. Brent Webb is not up to test level imo and with Benji's defensive weaknesses being exploited in the front line he would be my pick for fullback, leaving Henry Paul to play alongside Stacey Jones in the halves. Another specialist position is hooker, where the Kiwis really lacked potence last night. Tevita Latu or Lance Hohaia are the Kiwis with the best passing and running games from dummy half and surely have to come into contention for the Tri Nations instead to Louis Anderson and David Faiumu.

No matter what the result last night for the Kiwis and what happens in the one off test in England against Great Britain in July, it will all be geared towards the Tri Nations again and lets just hope that all the best players are available to all 3 teams and played in front of packed stadiums just like last night at Lang Park (how good was seeing 45 000 spectators to a test in OZ

 

[ouwet]

Wiki wouldnt have made much difference last night....I dont see the warriors atop the NRL ladder.

Hes inspirational and passionate, but that onlytakes you so far.

A decent halves games and kicking is what the Kiwis missed last nite.

Agreed... But Stacey Jones would of been!! They gave possession and field position to the Aussie's all game long and it was bound to kill them in the end (Which it did)... With Jones in there Australia would still win imo but it would of been a brilliant game from start to finish, not start to 50minutes.

 

[douglasallen91]

Wiki wouldnt have made much difference last night....I dont see the warriors atop the NRL ladder.

tigers = 3 wins
warriors = 3 wins.