RugbyRebels

Looking forward to this one. Am off to Dunedin on Thursday (via Auckland) and have always felt that could be a game we nick. And though I am unapologetically a glass half full type of a bloke I have been encouraged by the way we have played (apart from the Chiefs game obviously, would need to be a glass 99.999recurring type to take positives from that).

What do others think?

I think it is a fantastic place to watch rugby.

I also think Saison is an under-appreciated style of beer. As far as I know, Tonic is still the only real option for good beer in town.

EDIT: I forgot the new Emersons brewery has just opened today and it has a bar and possibly a restaurant. I was just chatting with the main man Richard Emerson on Saturday. Go there!

I think the odds are still against us, but bearing in mind that we get better the longer we spend in the Welsh camp and there is no midweek distraction, I think we have a better chance than we did last Saturday.

It would still be a shock for us to win mind. A very significant shock.

Apparently, Jamie Roberts may be a selection doubt after his clash of heads last Saturday and undergoing a second bout of assessment after the game.

It is unusual for Roberts to make so many defensive errors, you have to wonder if he was fully fit to continue playing, despite passing the HIA. With the test series now consigned to the distain, it might be a golden opportunity to open things up a bit and bring Scott Williams into 12 and just see how he and Foxy get on. Its not as if we have anything to lose.

Sandydragon wrote:Apparently, Jamie Roberts may be a selection doubt after his clash of heads last Saturday and undergoing a second bout of assessment after the game.

It is unusual for Roberts to make so many defensive errors, you have to wonder if he was fully fit to continue playing, despite passing the HIA. With the test series now consigned to the distain, it might be a golden opportunity to open things up a bit and bring Scott Williams into 12 and just see how he and Foxy get on. Its not as if we have anything to lose.

Would be nice to see Roberts get a rest. Apart from defensive issues, he is very predictable in attack and his one-way approach holds no surprises for the opposition. Easy to defend against when you know what's coming. Since it looks as though Patchell is not going to play FH for Wales, it might be interesting to try and reinvent him as a play-making 12. He is big, fast, has monster boot and is a natural footballer. (Not suggesting it should happen in this game).

I'd love to see Patchell tried at 12 at some stage. As for Saturday, I'd drop Jamie, injured or otherwise.

Saison wrote:Looking forward to this one. Am off to Dunedin on Thursday (via Auckland) and have always felt that could be a game we nick. And though I am unapologetically a glass half full type of a bloke I have been encouraged by the way we have played (apart from the Chiefs game obviously, would need to be a glass 99.999recurring type to take positives from that).

What do others think?

I think you need to see the glass as substantially more than half full to think you are going to win. I think this is your least good chance of winning. These have been the ABs first Tests since winning the RWC and losing some all time greats. They'll get better as the series continues as well.

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:

Saison wrote:Looking forward to this one. Am off to Dunedin on Thursday (via Auckland) and have always felt that could be a game we nick. And though I am unapologetically a glass half full type of a bloke I have been encouraged by the way we have played (apart from the Chiefs game obviously, would need to be a glass 99.999recurring type to take positives from that).

What do others think?

I think you need to see the glass as substantially more than half full to think you are going to win. I think this is your least good chance of winning. These have been the ABs first Tests since winning the RWC and losing some all time greats. They'll get better as the series continues as well.

If it is half full, it's a huge glass and a very potent drink. I'm thinking a yard half full of absinthe.

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:

Saison wrote:Looking forward to this one. Am off to Dunedin on Thursday (via Auckland) and have always felt that could be a game we nick. And though I am unapologetically a glass half full type of a bloke I have been encouraged by the way we have played (apart from the Chiefs game obviously, would need to be a glass 99.999recurring type to take positives from that).

What do others think?

I think you need to see the glass as substantially more than half full to think you are going to win. I think this is your least good chance of winning. These have been the ABs first Tests since winning the RWC and losing some all time greats. They'll get better as the series continues as well.

You may say that but by the same argument the second test was less likely to be successful than the first. However we got a better result in the second test.

This said as before, our chance of winning is very small, and is pretty much dependent on our not having the traditional 15 minutes where we go to sleep somewhere in the match.

A bit of luck would help too.

Son of Mathonwy wrote:

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:

Saison wrote:Looking forward to this one. Am off to Dunedin on Thursday (via Auckland) and have always felt that could be a game we nick. And though I am unapologetically a glass half full type of a bloke I have been encouraged by the way we have played (apart from the Chiefs game obviously, would need to be a glass 99.999recurring type to take positives from that).

What do others think?

I think you need to see the glass as substantially more than half full to think you are going to win. I think this is your least good chance of winning. These have been the ABs first Tests since winning the RWC and losing some all time greats. They'll get better as the series continues as well.

You may say that but by the same argument the second test was less likely to be successful than the first. However we got a better result in the second test.

This said as before, our chance of winning is very small, and is pretty much dependent on our not having the traditional 15 minutes where we go to sleep somewhere in the match.

I'd say you were less competitive in the second match than the first, albeit the score ended up closer. By 60 minutes it was all over bar the shouting, they lifted out some key players and you scored a couple of consolation tries. It depends on whether they get their selection right and what the aims might be towards the end of the game. It's possible that you'll be closer, but I expect you to be carrying a bigger deficit at half time and at full time and I doubt you'll ever look like you could win this one.

Mellsblue wrote:

Eugene Wrayburn wrote:

Saison wrote:Looking forward to this one. Am off to Dunedin on Thursday (via Auckland) and have always felt that could be a game we nick. And though I am unapologetically a glass half full type of a bloke I have been encouraged by the way we have played (apart from the Chiefs game obviously, would need to be a glass 99.999recurring type to take positives from that).

What do others think?

I think you need to see the glass as substantially more than half full to think you are going to win. I think this is your least good chance of winning. These have been the ABs first Tests since winning the RWC and losing some all time greats. They'll get better as the series continues as well.

If it is half full, it's a huge glass and a very potent drink. I'm thinking a yard half full of absinthe.

Sandydragon wrote:Apparently, Jamie Roberts may be a selection doubt after his clash of heads last Saturday and undergoing a second bout of assessment after the game.

It is unusual for Roberts to make so many defensive errors, you have to wonder if he was fully fit to continue playing, despite passing the HIA. With the test series now consigned to the distain, it might be a golden opportunity to open things up a bit and bring Scott Williams into 12 and just see how he and Foxy get on. Its not as if we have anything to lose.

Rob Evans & Tomas Francis to start according to the beeb. Roberts fit and will play, Samson Lee drops to bench.

Well, we're running out the "B" team so it's game on:

1. Joe Moody (13)
2. Dane Coles (38)
3. Charlie Faumuina (35)
4. Brodie Retallick (49)
5. Samuel Whitelock (74)
6. Elliot Dixon
7. Sam Cane (33)
8. Kieran Read - captain (86)
9. Aaron Smith (49)
10. Beauden Barrett (38)
11. Julian Savea (42)
12. Ryan Crotty (17)
13. George Moala (1)
14. Ben Smith (50)
15. Israel Dagg (50)

16. Codie Taylor (4)
17. Wyatt Crockett (47)
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
19. Luke Romano (23)
20. Liam Squire
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (20)
22. Lima Sopoaga (1)
23. Waisake Naholo (5)

Lizard wrote:I think it is a fantastic place to watch rugby.

I also think Saison is an under-appreciated style of beer. As far as I know, Tonic is still the only real option for good beer in town.

EDIT: I forgot the new Emersons brewery has just opened today and it has a bar and possibly a restaurant. I was just chatting with the main man Richard Emerson on Saturday. Go there!

Looking fiorward to it. My friend down there used to be a MB for Emerson's

Saison wrote:Looking forward to this one. Am off to Dunedin on Thursday (via Auckland) and have always felt that could be a game we nick. And though I am unapologetically a glass half full type of a bloke I have been encouraged by the way we have played (apart from the Chiefs game obviously, would need to be a glass 99.999recurring type to take positives from that).

What do others think?

Lizard wrote:Well, we're running out the "B" team so it's game on:

Where's the Chiefs guy - McKenzie?

I can't see any further than my view on the last two games, very gloomy.

At least we are not being completely outclassed, well not so far at least, but there is a significant gulf between us and the ABs. We lack precision in our play. We are in a year long trough, these things happen in rugby for no clear reason. Things will be better next year, maybe even in the autumn.

.

Stream?

Oh my god, an all black just got done for obstruction. I have seen it all now.

Dagg is back

Stop kicking the fecking ball away.

still kicking the ball away poorly then to NZ - thecoaching team is nothing if not consistent at least, well worth their contract extensions

One last chance for a try.

Blown it.

Again, the commentators appear surprised that the ref isn't looking at binning an AB. Have they not watched before?