The First Test

[Lizard]

Eden Park, this Saturday. I have my ticket.

There is at least one member of the current All Blacks squad who was not even born the last time the All Blacks lost at Eden Park.

But there is a ray of hope. One of the few teams not to have had a chance to break that streak is Wales, who have not faced the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1988.

On the other hand, Wales' Eden Park record is not too flash, having played and lost 4 tests there - 1969 and 1988 tours, and RWC2011 Semi and Bronze finals. (Wales did not play Auckland on any tour to NZ.)

Still, history counts for nothing, right?

[WaspInWales]

Eden Park, this Saturday. I have my ticket.

There is at least one member of the current All Blacks squad who was not even born the last time the All Blacks lost at Eden Park.

But there is a ray of hope. One of the few teams not to have had a chance to break that streak is Wales, who have not faced the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1988.

On the other hand, Wales' Eden Park record is not too flash, having played and lost 4 tests there - 1969 and 1988 tours, and RWC2011 Semi and Bronze finals. (Wales did not play Auckland on any tour to NZ.)

Still, history counts for nothing, right?

Indeed. It wasn't that long ago when Wales went over 20 years without a win at Twickenham and they've won a few times since then. Records are there to be broken...although England c.2008 are not in the same league as any NZ team!

NZ without a doubt massive favourites and most probably will win but it's their first game for a while, they've lost the kind of players that would result in many unions having to rebuild for a few years so there's an element of the unknown about that in some respects....in other respects, there's the element of Read, Cane, Savea, Whitelock, Kaino, Smith, Dagg, Barrett, Cruden etc.

Judging by their performance at Twickenham, it's not looking too good for Wales, but they can play better and I expect them too against NZ. If they can play at their best, I fancy them to push you close and possibly get a result but that depends on a number of ifs.

Looking forward to it though.

[Lizard]

We are traditionally a little rusty in first tests, and we haven't had a warm up like Wales. This weekend is Wales' best shot at an upset, I think.

I've always said that the drought has to end at some point for Wales and I hope I am there when that piece of history is made as it will surely be an epic match.

There is a real sense of calm about the All Black squad despite the departure of what's been called "The Golden Generation." However, should Wales get some ascendancy in the scrum, and put our rookie midfield under pressure then some cracks may appear. The real test will be whether Wales can be sure to take points from the opportunities created. Links from the break down to men in space will be vital.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the new team gels, and how Gatland's men cope with the pressure of Eden Park.

There should be some good chat in the crowd too, assuming there will be decent travelling and expat support.

[Buggaluggs]

Probably be close with 10 mins left. ABs will then score10 points to gloss the score. Next two tests will be ugly, I expect.

[Mellsblue]

Eden Park, this Saturday.

Still, history counts for nothing, right?

Depends how often the coaches played and coached against each other

[Hooky]

There isn't a hope in hell of us winning any of the tests.

[Lizard]

Eden Park, this Saturday.

Still, history counts for nothing, right?

Depends how often the coaches played and coached against each other

Dead right. I'm pleased someone in the class is paying attention.

[Numbers]

There isn't a hope in hell of us winning any of the tests.

I'd like to disagree with this but can't

[Ross. S]

There isn't a hope in hell of us winning any of the tests.

I don't think we'll beat their club side TBH

[Numbers]

There isn't a hope in hell of us winning any of the tests.

I don't think we'll beat their club side TBH

The chances are very slim as we will be fielding a weakened team between test weekends.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The first test is kind of interesting since this is THE match that Gatland would love to win (for an outside chance of getting the big job) and has some kind of chance (not much tho') of catching NZ undercooked. So if he has thought of ANY tricks or cunning moves since the world cup he will employ them on Saturday. And hopefully the players will give 100% for 80+ minutes in the hope of rugby immortality (well, in Wales anyway).

Of course they would need to be utterly different from the hopeless team which England nearly thrashed. There's a tiny chance of a win - IF Wales play at their best. But I expect we'll be outclassed and trailing heavily by half time. Prove me wrong guys!

[Sandydragon]

Im not optimistic. Perhaps if we had looked like a rugby side against the English then perhaps, just perhaps we might have caught the All Blacks a bit cold. But frankly we looked like a pub side at times in Twickenham. And the excuse of doing a lot of physical work instead of skills is wearing a bit thin.

[kk67]

Eden Park, this Saturday. I have my ticket.

There is at least one member of the current All Blacks squad who was not even born the last time the All Blacks lost at Eden Park.

But there is a ray of hope. One of the few teams not to have had a chance to break that streak is Wales, who have not faced the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1988.

On the other hand, Wales' Eden Park record is not too flash, having played and lost 4 tests there - 1969 and 1988 tours, and RWC2011 Semi and Bronze finals. (Wales did not play Auckland on any tour to NZ.)

Still, history counts for nothing, right?

....in other respects, there's the element of Read, Cane, Savea, Whitelock, Kaino, Smith, Dagg, Barrett, Cruden etc.

Is Retallick not playing..?. That's something.

[Ross. S]

So if he has thought of ANY tricks or cunning moves since the world cup

Bahahahahahahaha

[Son of Mathonwy]

So if he has thought of ANY tricks or cunning moves since the world cup

Bahahahahahahaha

Yeah, I'd be more hopeful if he'd thought of a single cunning move in his whole career.

[morepork]

The first test is kind of interesting since this is THE match that Gatland would love to win (for an outside chance of getting the big job) and has some kind of chance (not much tho') of catching NZ undercooked. So if he has thought of ANY tricks or cunning moves since the world cup he will employ them on Saturday. And hopefully the players will give 100% for 80+ minutes in the hope of rugby immortality (well, in Wales anyway).

Of course they would need to be utterly different from the hopeless team which England nearly thrashed. There's a tiny chance of a win - IF Wales play at their best. But I expect we'll be outclassed and trailing heavily by half time. Prove me wrong guys!

If Wawwen is ever going to get his cock out, yes it would be this game.

[Buggaluggs]

Rumor from the training paddock is that a couple of cheeky moves are being practiced. 1) Give it to Jamie Roberts and have him attack the 10-12 channel. 2) Kick with random direction and distance. ABs could be in trouble here.

[Ross. S]

Rumor from the training paddock is that a couple of cheeky moves are being practiced. 1) Give it to Jamie Roberts and have him attack the 10-12 channel. 2) Kick with random direction and distance. ABs could be in trouble here.

Where does Gats get these genious plans? AB's don't stand a chance

[Son of Mathonwy]

Rumor from the training paddock is that a couple of cheeky moves are being practiced. 1) Give it to Jamie Roberts and have him attack the 10-12 channel. 2) Kick with random direction and distance. ABs could be in trouble here.

Uncharted territory. Anything is possible now.

[kk67]

Rumor from the training paddock is that a couple of cheeky moves are being practiced. 1) Give it to Jamie Roberts and have him attack the 10-12 channel. 2) Kick with random direction and distance. ABs could be in trouble here.

Where does Gats get these genious plans? AB's don't stand a chance

Shaddup, Buggs...!!

[Lizard]

Radio Sport this morning was all about how great Welsh supporters are. They played a MilStad recording of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau at least 3 times during my commute.

[Lizard]

Your PR guys seem to be doing well. This was in today's paper:

Chris Rattue: Ten reasons to show Wales some love

After years of bashing Welsh rugby, a change of tack. It's time send a little love the way of Wales because:

1) At the risk of being patronising,...deep down, deep, deep, deep down, some of us would love Wales to win one of these tests against the All Blacks (not that it is going to happen).

Imagine the celebrations. A Welsh win would do world rugby a power of good. Put it this way: the Olympic sevens is shaping up as fascinating because it is tricky picking a winner from a host of candidates big and small, and a team from a tiny place like Fiji could grab the gold medal.

The world of 15s is too predictable. Knowing who is going to win almost all the time is BORING, even if the winner is us. And Wales is a little country - it's got fewer people than New Zealand although they do top up their stocks in England. Then again - the All Blacks do a bit of topping up from the Pacific Islands.


2) Wales have endured 60-plus years of pain against the All Blacks with a limited amount of moaning, especially over a couple of disgraceful 1978 All Black lineout dives to draw a penalty. Compare that to all the long-running whinging and conspiracy allegations whenever the All Blacks lose a big game.

3) The longest losing run in an alleged rivalry has become a story in itself. Playing Wales is a chance to reminisce about the 1950s, when you could leave the front door unlocked and never get anything stolen...not that there was much to steal back then.

4) Wales was an important development step for the coaches who would win the World Cup for New Zealand, twice.

5) The singing. There's one huge difference between New Zealand crowds and Welsh crowds when it comes to singing. Welsh singing involves a tune. New Zealand singing sounds as if someone is drilling a big tunnel under the stadium. Welsh singing is incredibly stirring.

6) Some fans don't like penalty kicks, but they're more exciting than a lot of other stuff that goes on in rugby. Wales often have the world's best goalkickers. Absent fullback Leigh Halfpenny gets a lot of the attention, but Dan Biggar is even better statistically.

"King" Barry John revolutionised our kicking when he toured with the Lions in '71, and the Welsh still seem to see this as an art form. (remember Neil Jenkins).

7) Anyone who followed rugby in the 1970s will retain a soft spot for Wales. Welsh flair and its influence on the Lions rocked when flairs were in. Back then, we had the bog standard footy players and Wales were the glorious entertainers. A lot of what came next is not pretty for Wales, but no one should forget the majesty they brought to rugby in a golden era for the sport. The greatest try of all time, by the Barbarians against the All Blacks in 1973, involved six Welshmen and one Englishman which says a lot.

8) Wales don't like England (cheap shot against England I know, but I'm running out of ideas).

9) This has absolutely nothing to do with rugby...but many years ago I had one of the happiest and funniest days of my life, desperately clinging to a docile horse while pony trekking with mates in Welsh mountains. A wonderful memory.

10) The Welsh rugby team keep turning up down here - give them credit for that. They have won only one out of 29 tests in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and that was against the Wallabies in 1969 which is a long time between rare bits. The Welsh rugby team must approach a long distance flight the way Tiger Woods looks at a fire hydrant. But the Welsh have made it, on another hopeless mission.

- NZ Herald

Not bad from the guy who previously wrote that: Wales are rubbish. They are the village idiots of rugby union.

[Lord Llandaff]

I'm expecting a similar score to Eden Park 1988...

[Lizard]

I'm expecting a similar score to Eden Park 1988...

Don't be silly. 8 tries to 1 beatings of tier 1 nation are a thing of the past.

Except France, RWC2015 QF.

And Ireland, 3rd test 2012.

[Sandydragon]

I'm expecting a similar score to Eden Park 1988...

Don't be silly. 8 tries to 1 beatings of tier 1 nation are a thing of the past.

Except France, RWC2015 QF.

And Ireland, 3rd test 2012.

If our defence was working, I'd be inclined to agree with the notion that it will be within a couple of scores. But in our (failed) attempts to develop an attacking play that doesn't include Jamie Roberts carrying the ball into multiple defenders from a standing start, our defence appears to have gone to rat shyte. England aren't the finished product yet but put 5 tries past us; anything could happen this weekend.

If we do concede a few early tries, it might mean that we see our 60 minute point adoption of attacking rugby a bit earlier.