Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
Flying fullback ... Israel Dagg has been one of the All Blacks' standout performers in 2012. Source:AAP
I think you all know by now that I don't like tipping against the Wallabies and that I spend a lot of time checking stats to see if I can spot any chinks in the opposition's armour.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
Well, I have to admit that there's not a lot wrong with this current All Blacks side.
Many thought they might have a Rugby World Cup hangover but apart from the fright the Irish gave them in Hamilton, it's been business as usual.
They had a clean sweep against Ireland. They've retained the Bledisloe Cup, won the inaugural Rugby Championship and they're still unbeaten this season.
If any Wallabies fans were hoping they might rest some stars and maybe take their mind off the job in Brisbane this weekend, they'd better think again. Motivation is not a problem.
They need just one more victory to equal the record shared with the Springboks for the most number of consecutive wins (17) by a tier one nation. They're closing in on the all time record of 18 wins on the trot by Lithuania (yes Lithuania!!!).
They'll also be determined to help Keven Mealamu celebrate his 100th Test cap with a victory. The hooker has been a great servant of New Zealand rugby and is a very popular member of the squad.
They'll be wearing black armbands in memory of coach Steve Hansen's dad, who passed away recently. Hansen has been with the All Blacks for the past nine seasons and has enjoyed a great working relationship with the players over that time.
Then there's the Suncorp Stadium factor. The All Blacks will be seeking revenge after losing to the Wallabies at the venue last year.
Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
That was the last time any team has beaten New Zealand and they'll be doing everything in their power to make sure it doesn't happen again.
The All Blacks have won the past three and 14 of the last 16 Tests against Australia. Three of their last four wins have been by 14 points or more. The Wallabies haven't been able to score a try in two of their last three games against them.
Scoring tries has not been a problem for Richie McCaw and his men in 2012. They've outscored their opponents by 33 tries to eight.
Seven of their nine wins have been by 10 points or more. And it goes on, but I think you've got the picture.
So what about the injury-plagued Aussies?
Well, firstly I just hope that they can compete and minimise the damage. They are, at least, playing at their favourite ground in Australia. They've won their last five Tests at Suncorp Stadium and 15 of the past 17.
They have a few experienced players returning from injury. Adam Ashley-Cooper replaces the injured Digby Ioane, Wycliff Palu replaces the rested Radike Samo and Drew Mitchell is on the bench for the injured Dom Shipperley.
15-1: Mike Harris (Queensland Reds), Nick Cummins (Western Force), Ben Tapuai (Reds), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Michael Hooper (Brumbies), Scott Higginbotham (Reds), Nathan Sharpe (Force, captain), Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota Nau, Benn Robinson (Waratahs).
Reserves: James Hanson, James Slipper (Reds), Kane Douglas, Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Liam Gill (Reds), Brett Sheehan (Force), Drew Mitchell (Waratahs).
So while it's great to have those players back in the squad, there's still so much talent on the injured list including James Horwill, David Pocock, Sekope Kepu, James O'Connor, Quade Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Stephen Moore, Will Genia, and Rob Horne.
Take three captains, your most experienced hooker and some of your best playmakers out of the All Blacks and they'd also struggle.
Nathan Sharpe has done a terrific job since taking over the captaincy and it's great that he's going on the spring tour next month.
He asked for more commitment from his team in Argentina and he got it. It might have been an ugly win but you couldn't fault the courage shown by the Wallabies in Rosario.
No one likes coming second but in the Wallabies case it wasn't a bad place to be at the end of The Rugby Championship.
At one stage it looked like they might finish last. So with so many players used in 2012, let's hope that the experience gained will be a blessing in what is shaping up as a huge season in 2013.
They just have to get through the remaining five Tests this year with their heads held high.
I think they will put up a spirited performance on Saturday. It'll be a full house in Brisbane and the players know they didn't play well against New Zealand in Sydney and Auckland, so they need to make amends.
It's going to take a huge effort to beat the classy All Blacks, but I just hope the Wallabies give it their best shot and show they learned some valuable lessons from earlier performances.
It's the final game in what has been a long and frustrating year at home. Let's hope it a good one.
Watch the Wallabies take on the All Blacks LIVE from 8pm (EDT) on Saturday on Fox Sports 3HD.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Clarkie's Bledisloe III preview
Dengan url
http://sportlivestyle.blogspot.com/2012/10/clarkies-bledisloe-iii-preview.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Clarkie's Bledisloe III preview
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Clarkie's Bledisloe III preview
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar