The Tale of the Tape—Wallabies vs All Blacks, Brusbane 27 Aug 2011

Here are the key basic stats for tomorrow’s test match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks, to be held at SunCorp Stadium Brisbane, 7.30pm local time 27 Aug 2011.

Starting line ups:

Australia

 

15. Kurtley Beale

14. Adam Ashley-Cooper**

13. Anthony Fainga'a

12. Pat McCabe

11. Digby Ioane **

10. Quade Cooper

9. Will Genia *

8. Radike Samo

7. David Pocock

6. Rocky Elsom

5. James Horwill (capt)

4. Dan Vickerman

3. Ben Alexander

2. Stephen Moore

1. Sekope Kepu.

Reserves: Saia Fainga'a, Salesi Ma'afu, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess.


*Genia is yet to pass a fitness test following a training collision.

**in Australia the #11 denotes right wing, and 14 left wing

Changes: Australia make 4 changes from their last test against South Africa 2 weeks ago, and 4 changes from their last game against the All Blacks. Adam Ashley Cooper moves out from centre to wing. The Wallabies have had a different  number 8 and different locking partner for Horwill for all of the last 3 tests.

The most notable change is James O’Connor who has been left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons.

Should Genia be declared unfit then surely Luke Burgess will replace him, but this opens up a dilemma for Deans, since he only has 2 specialist number 9s in his World Cup squad.

NEW ZEALAND

15. Mils Muliaina

14.Cory Jane

13. Conrad Smith

 12. Ma'a Nonu

 11. Zac Guildford

 10. Dan Carter

 9. Piri Weepu

 8. Kieran Read

 7. Richie McCaw (capt)

 6. Adam Thomson

 5. Sam Whitelock

 4. Brad Thorn

 3. Owen Franks

 2.  Keven Mealamu

 1. Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava.

It says something about how much depth the All Blacks have when they can afford to make 12 changes from their last test against South Africa (only Whitelock, Mealamu and Woodcock stay in position, with Adam Thompson moving to #6 replacing Jerome Kaino) and still be fairly strong favourites.

The All Blacks make 5 changes from the starting line-up that beat Australia at Eden Park, with then-starters Sivivatu, Gear, and Crockett not making the World Cup Squad.

There appear to be no major injury worries, with Woodcock’s match fitness appearing to be the only minor worry. Henry has chosen to leave Boric in the stands, meaning that he will be severely lacking game-time come World Cup kick-off in 2 weeks.

Record:

All time:

In Australia played 72, NZ winning 45, Australia 23 and 4 draws

In Brisbane played 17, NZ winning 14, Australia 1 and 2 draws

Last 5 years:

Played 18, NZ winning 15 Australia winning 3

In Australia: Played 7, NZ winning 5, Australia 2

In Brisbane Played 2, NZ winning both occasions in 2008 and 2006

Games in Brisbane have been quite rare in the last 2 decades, with the ARU preferring to play the All Blacks in bigger grounds in Melbourne and Sydney.

Team comparisons:

Australia seem to be going for size, New Zealand going for experience….

Total caps:

Australia: 433

New Zealand: 765

Backs:

Australia: 147

New Zealand: 365

Forwards:

Australia 286

New Zealand 400

The packs:

Australia:

Experience 286 caps (ave 35.75)

Weight: 911 kg (ave 113.87)

Combined height: 1541cm (ave 192.625 cm—that’s just under 6’4)

Front Row

Experience: 94 caps

Weight: 354 kg (ave 118kg)

Combined height: 563 cm (ave 188cm)

Second Row:

Experience: 84 caps

Weight: 236kg (ave 118kg)

Combined height: 403 cm (ave 201.5cm—6’7” and a bit)

Horwill 200 cm, Wickerman 203 cm

Loose Forwards:

Experience: 108 caps

Weight: 324 kg (ave 108kg)

Combined height: 563 cm (ave 188cm)

New Zealand

Experience 400 caps (ave 50)

Weight: 887 kg (ave 110.87)

Combined height: 1524cm (ave 190.5 cm—that’s exactly 6’3)

Front Row

Experience: 183 caps

Weight: 343 kg (ave 114.3.5kg)

Combined height: 550 cm (ave 183cm)

Second Row:

Experience: 68 caps

Weight: 218 kg (ave 109kg)

Combined height: 398 cm (ave 199cm—6’6” and a bit)

Whitelock 202 cm, Thorn 196 cm

Loose Forwards:

Experience: 149 caps

Weight: 326 kg (ave 108.7kg)

Combined height: 576 cm (ave 188cm)

Pack comparisons:

Experience: NZ+ 114

Weight: Aust +24kg

Combined height: Aust +17cm

Front Row

Experience: NZ+ 89

Weight: Aust +11kg

Combined height: Aust +13 cm

Second Row:

Experience: Aust +16

Weight: Aust +18kg

Combined height: Aust +5cm

Loose Forwards:

Experience: NZ +41

Weight: NZ +2kg

Combined height: NZ +13cm

Some interesting facts:

-This is the biggest forward pack Australia have ever fielded

-Australia have never beaten NZ at the new Suncorp Stadium

-All of the All Blacks except Mils Muliaina were born in New Zealand, making this the least diverse All Blacks team in a while, while in the Australian team there are 6 overseas born players.

-two of the players, Quade Cooper and Keven Mealamu were born in Tokoroa

More RWC squads named.

South Africa

Backs: Francois Steyn, Gio Aplon, Patrick Lambie, Bryan Habana, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Juan de Jongh, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar.

Forwards: Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Jannie Du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, John Smit (captain), Tendai Mtawarira, Guthro Steenkamp.

England:

Backs (13): Delon Armitage, Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Mark Cueto, Matt Banahan. Shontayne Hape, Mike Tindall, Manusamoa Tuilagi, Toby Flood, Jonny Wilkinson, Joe Simpson, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Youngs.

Forwards: (17): Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Andrew Sheridan, Matt Stevens, David Wilson, Dylan Hartley, Lee Mears, Steve Thompson, Louis Deacon, Courtney Lawes, Tom Palmer, Simon Shaw, Tom Croft, Nick Easter, James Haskell, Lewis Mood, Tom Wood.

Wales:

Forwards: H Bennett, R Bevington, L Burns, L Charteris, B Davies, T Faletau , P James, G Jenkins , A Jones, A-W Jones, R Jones, D Lydiate, C Mitchell, K Owens, A Powell, S Warburton (C)

Backs: A Brew, L Byrne, J Davie, L Halfpenny, J Hook, S Jones, T Knoyle, G North, M Phillips, R Priestland, J Roberts , L Williams, Scott Williams, Shane Williams

Ireland

Forwards: R Best, T Buckley, T Court, S Cronin, L Cullen, S Ferris, J Flannery, C Healy, J Heaslip, D Leamy, S O'Brien, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, M Ross, D Ryan, D Wallace

Backs: I Boss, T Bowe, G D'Arcy, K Earls, R Kearney, F McFadden, G Murphy, C Murray, The Cry-baby (capt), R O'Gara, E Reddan, J Sexton , A Trimble, P Wallace

Scotland

Forwards - John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines, Allan Jacobsen , Alastair Kellock (captain), Scott Lawson, Moray Low, Euan Murray, Ross Rennie, Alasdair Strokosch, Richie Vernon

Backs - Joe Ansbro, Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Nick De Luca, Max Evans, Ruaridh Jackson, Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks, Chris Paterson.

France

Forwards: Fabien Barcella, Julien Bonnaire, Luc Ducalcon, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Imanol Harinordoquy, Guilhem Guirado, Nicolas Mas, Romain Millo-Chluski, Raphael Lakafia, Lionel Nallet, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Pascal Pape, Louis Picamoles, Julien Pierre, Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski.

Backs: Vincent Clerc, Patrice Estebanez, Cedric Heymans, David Marty, Maxime Medard, Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson, Morgan Parra, Aurelien Rougerie, David Skrela, Damien Traille, Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili.

Australia

Backs: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess, Will Genia.

Forwards: Ben McCalman, Radike Samo, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (c), Rob Simmons, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Saia Faingaa, Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Japan

Forwards: Hisateru Hirashima, Naoki Kawamata, Yusuke Aoki, Shota Horie, Hiroki Yuhara, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Nozomu Fujita, Hitoshi Ono, Toshizumi Kitagawa, Luke Thompson, Justin Ives, Takashi Kikutani, Michael Leitch, Sione Vatuvei, Ryukoliniasi Holani, Itaru Taniguchi

Backs: Fumiaki Tanaka, Tomoki Yoshida, Atsushi Hiwasa, James Arlidge, Murray Williams, Yuta Imamura, Ryan Nicholas, Koji Taira, Alisi Tupuailai, Hirotoki Onozawa, Kosuke Endo, Takehisa Usuzuki, Shaun Webb, Taihei Ueda

USA

Forwards: Inaki Basauri, Chris Biller, Todd Clever, Pat Danahy , Eric Fry, JJ Gagiano, Nic Johnson, Scott LaValla, Mike MacDonald, Brian McClenahan, Mate Moeakiola, Shawn Pittman, Hayden Smith, Louis Stanfill, Phil Thiel, John van der Giessen (Unattached)

Backs: Paul Emerick, Tai Enosa, Colin Hawley, Nese Malifa, Taku Ngwenya, James Paterson, Mike Petri, Blaine Scully (Unattached), Junior Sifa, Andrew Suniula, Roland Suniula, Kevin Swiryn, Tim Usasz, Chris Wyles

Canada

Fiji

Forwards: Campese Ma'afu, Deacon Manu (captain), Setefano Somoca, Waisea Daveta, Viliame Veikoso, Tuapati Talemaitoga, Sunia Koto, Seko Kalou, Leone Nakarawa, Wame Lewaravu, Rupeni Nasiga (Nadroga), Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Sisa Koyamaibole, Akapusi Qera, Netani Talei, Masi Matadigo, Malakai Ravulo.

Backs: Nemia Ranuku, Vitori Buatava, Waisea Luveniyali , Seremaia Bai, Nicky Little, Albert Vulivuli, Gabirieli Lovobalavu, Ravai Fatiaki , Vereniki Goneva, Napolioni Nalaga, Michael Tagicakibau, Kini Murimurivalu, Iliesa Keresoni.

Tonga

Forwards: Aleki Lutui, Ephraim Taukafa, Ilaisa Ma'asi, Alisona Taumalolo, Kisi Pulu, Soane Tonga'uiha, Halani 'Aulika, Taufa'ao Filise, Paino Hehea, Sione Timani, Tukulua Lokotui, Joseph Tu'ineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Finau Maka, (Captain), Viliami Ma'afu, Samiu Vahafolau, Sione Vaiomo'unga

Backs: Taniela Moa, Thomas Palu, Samisoni Fisilau, Kurt Morath, Siale Vailea Piutau, Alipate Fatafehi, Andrew Ma'ilei, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, William Helu, Fetu'umoana Vainikolo, Alaska Taufa, Viliame 'Iongi, Vungakoto Lilo (Vice Captain).

ALL BLACKS SQUAD--correction: Kaino is in

The NZRFU's press release incorrectly omitted from their press release Jerome Kaino, Corey Flynn and Anthony Boric.


Phew!!!!!!!!   For a moment there I thought Mr Henry had gone insane.

That means I got 27/30  

ALL BLACKS SQUAD ANNOUNCED

Here are the 30 players chosen to represent New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup 2011:


Forwards: John Afoa, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Adam Thomson, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock and Victor Vito.

Backs: Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu and Sonny Bill Williams.






So how did I go with my predictions??


I got 25/30.


I correctly predicted that both Joe Rocokoko and Sivivatu wouldn't make it.


Big Shock: NO JEROME KAINO!!!!  that is a huge call!!!!


I had:

1. Richie McCaw (c)
2. Mils Muliaina (vc)
3. Daniel Carter (vvc)
4. Owen Franks
5. Ben Franks
6. Tony Woodcock
7. Wyatt Crockett
8. John Afoa
9. Andrew Hore
10. Corey Flynn
11. Keven Mealamu
12. Brad Thorn
13. Sam Whitelock
14. Ali Williams
15. Anthony Boric
16. Liam Messam
17. Jerome Kaino
18. Adam Thompson
19. Keiren Read
20. Jimmy Cowan
21. Piri Weepu
22. Andrew Ellis
23. Colin Slade
24. Ma'a Nonu
25. Conrad Smith
26. Sonny Bill Williams
27. Robbie Fruen
28. Cory Jane
29. Israel Dagg
30. Zach Guildford

ALL BLACKS vs SPRINGBOKS PORT ELIZABETH....as it happened.

ANOTHER SCREW-UP ON ATTACK!!!   what a frustrating game from a NZ point of view.

another big run from Toeava--which he drops...story of the game.

10 minutes to go..SA running the clock down.


12 minutes left--I can't see NZ getting 2 converted tries.....


HUGE RUN BY TOEAVA!!!!NZ on attack...stolen by SA that's the game surely.


63.00  What's that Paul Simon song?  Slip sliding away....slip sliding awaaaaaayy!!! The ABs have not scored for 30 minutes, but man their boots look flash.


61.00 time running out...MASSIVE COLLISION in midfield, SA penalized (??) another weird call 2 players just ran into each other.

59 Slade with a terrible unforced error--he fucks up again, Graham Henry looked unimpressed.

SLADE OFF--Weepu on at #10 Slade has had a shocker


58 Springbok penalty from the scrum--I think SA she win now--I can't see NZ coming back from 13 points...SA lead 18 -5 this will take something very very special

56.00 Weepu warming up--to replace Slade....Slade has not played well at all

55.00 Toeava and Dagg having great games--gee I didn't have either in my WC team....

54.00 the speed of the game is definitely slowing up--both teams going to the air.

52 SA starting to slow the game down, good ruthlessness from the Springboks, they lead y 10 points so the ABs have to come to them.

51 minutes gone--time for the bench to come on.

You really get the feeling the All Blacks must score soon.



The ref is having a shocker---rubbish calls, he is letting the Springboks ref the game.  Thi is where McCaw is missed

46.00 Sorry another internet outage...COWAN TRY!! off a forward pass....will they let it go...not allowed....we will hear about this the TMO cannot judge on things that happened before the ball crosses the line....taht will be a real talking point.   15-5 still SA....


42.00 NZ maintain with the back attack, but the springboks are starting to to play very very close to the off side line

41.00 penalty right on half way for NZ--now Steyn kicked 2 from there, but Slade can only kick it out...interesting.


ABs regain. they have to score first if they want to win...poor kick from Cowan. SA 22 drop-out

40.00 here we go 40 minutes to go. SA kick off.


message from Phil, Australia: "Is Money Bill Williams really all that?"

Shit I hate those Hyundai ads with Grant Nisbett and Mr Universe---

ok--Coffee finished, been to the loo. I wonder if fitness will decide this game--10 points is nothing in today's game. NZ would surely have the edge there, wouldn't they?

Well what a weird game of rugby--NZ with all the ball, but keep screwing it up, SA living on scraps but scoring all the points....got me buggered.   time for a coffee, sugar?


HT_ SA 15 -5 drop goal attempt fails.

39.00 Springboks backs know the ABs have the wood on them here, Still you win games with points, not on prettiness.

38.00 txt from my mum of all people: "NZ players don't seem to know what to do without McCaw..." thanks mum.  true.

35 Slade misses...he is having a poor game all round actually.

34.00 NZ TRY!!!!!!  jeeezuz  FINALLY SBW puts Kahui into a half gap and Kahui goes over on shear determination 15-5

33.00 All Blacks starting to play some poor rugby here--they looked overwhelmed.

Sorry for the outage--we are in a hotel. The Angus Inn wi-fi in Lower Hutt is shit.

Springboks now taking control of the game they've scored a penalty and have just got a driopgoal--15 -0 SA, the Alll blacks have to score or this game is over..


21.00 Another break from Toeava!!!   AND AGAIN THEY FUCK IT UP!!!  FFS!!!

19.00 NZ penalty in front, springboks forced to hold the ball in the ruck--Slade she kick this....no!!!  he makes a pretty average job of it still 9-0 SA


16.00 All Blacks backs just going through tackles easily here..oh oh SA penalty, same place as before....this she be 9 -0, and you'd have to say against the run of play....he gets it easy SA 9 -0 !!!!

14.00
ALL Blacks hot on attack!!  no way through...SA desperate defense on their own line....stiill going

Springboks saved by a defensive penalty.


12.00 NZ Penalty probably a bit far for slide . Roussouw injured--by his own player, blood everywhere. Slade goes for distance.

10.00 Steyn does indeed slot it--6 -0

8.00
SA scrum...collapse....penalty...a bit of biffo.... this is right on half way Steyn should kick this too....

7.00 Steyn kicks it SA 3 - 0

6.00 SA penalty--midfield ABs holding the ball on the ground

5.00
Another all Blacks near try--Fourie intercepts 6 metros out and saves another certain try--the All Blacks she have scored 2 tries.


4.00

loads of kicking--ends with NZ scrum. Gee NZ are just going through tackles at a rate....

1.40 SBW drops it SA scrum..thompson runs the Springbok out

1.00
All Blacks on Attack!!!!  big break down field, just can't turn it into a try--great run from Dagg

3.08

Jeez finally let's have some rugby--NZ kicking off.


3.06
Is it just me or are the anthems getting longer?? here comes the Haka...it's the old one  Ka mate ka mate.
Saffies meet it with Ole ole ole chants.

3.02
what a beautiful stadium-bult of course for th Football World Cup last year. NZ's anthem....

Welcome everyone to SportsGeek's coverage of the All Blacks vs Springboks match.

You would have to say that the Springboks have everything to lose here--they have rested their "injured" players, are playing at home, have lost their last 3 test matches. All this against an understrength All Blacks team.

I would go so far as to say that if the Springboks don't win--their World Cup is over.

SPORTS GEEK WILL BE GIVNG RUNNNING COMMENTARY OF THE ALL BLACKS GAME TONIGHT FOR BRITISH EXPATS

TUNE IN AT 0255 NZST (That's 1600 in Britain--I think.


__________that is all-----go back to work. 

Broncos vs Warriors from Brisbane

40.00 The longest hLFTIME IN HISTORY!!!more Lockyer Bullshit. Lockyer himself would be hating this and would want to just get on with the game

39.00 BRONCOS TRY NZ 12-8    terrible conversion score stays at 12-8....and that's halftime

30.00 Kick misses NZ 12-4

29.00 WARRIORS TRY!!! Maloney runs it up the guts and puts a long ball to Locke who just jets into the wing NZ 12-4

20.00 Warriors penalty--high shot....he....kicks it NZ 8-4

14.00 Kick is good NZ 6-4

12.00 WARRIORS TRY!!!  JOHNSON RUNS 60 METRES ALL BY HIMSELF!!!!  runs through 6 tackles!!  4-4


6.00 Kick misses B 4-0

kicking off late...No doubt there'll be loads of bullshit with Lockyer...

5.00 TRY Brisbane Hodges B 4-0 looks ominous for the Warriors

Live Blogging ALL BLACKS v WALLABIES

Well you know, a win's a win. Patchy win, but who gives a shit? that big trophy stays here.


That's it. It's all over NZ 30-14. Austr have won the second half 14-13, but never looked like they were going to win...NZ hold the Bledisloe for another season

78.00 30-14  That would probably be a fair reflection of the game--NZ absolutely deserve to win

76.00 Aust TRY!!!!  Elsom NZ30-12. Good play all around, Aust find the gap too little too late. Conversion is over 30-14

74.00 NZ penalised

73.00 NZ penalty--gee that's a bit tough McCaw again. NZ on attack with the line out

72.00 Aust look punch drunk here, NZ in complete control now

70.00 Aust are out on their feet here NZ have a lot more room for improvement, but have won this coasting at times

69.00 SBW on for Nonu

68.00 Cater slots it 30-7

67.00 NZ penalty from the scrum/....McCaw calls for the points, should be easy for Carter. Carter has had a very good game. SBW coming on.

64.00 It's all going south for Australia, they are starting to make mistakes and concede possession. 15 minutes to go.  NZ with a chance; Cooper throws a crazy pass. NZ 5 m scrum. Cooper's immaturity being exposed

62.00 back again. NZ scrum...more resets  I've timed 8 minutes of scrum resets so far...they have to change that after the WC

60.00 20 minutes to go--I can't see Aust coming back from here, NZ know how to put a game away for the night...ya know I really think NZ can improve on this effort, but I don't think Aust have much more in the tank.

58.00 Hore and Ellis coming on...scrum taking forever to take

56.00 NZ seem to have found another gear...they she go from here, they own the last 20 minutes of a test

54.00 Carter gets the 2 points 27-7  Colin Slade on for Sivivatu (??). Sivivatu has a shiner on his left eye

53.00 NZ TRY!!!!  Sivivatu try--Conrad Smith breaks from the kick-off!!!!  there was a knock-on from Keiran Read--ref didn't see it, so it didn't happen 25-7

52.00 great kick from Cooper- NZ20-7

51.00 AUSTRALIA TRY!! turnoverWellington born Ioane scores bad defense from NZ 20-5

50.00 Crocket off for the other Franks brother...interesting move there

49.00 McCaw wins a key ball in the ruck...nice play captain

48.00 NZ slowly but surely starting to dominate the game...

47.00 DROP KICK!!  it's over Carter 20-0 where the hell did that come from?

45.00 Another shocking line out from NZ...keep the ball...NZ on attack now

43.00 NZ just look a bit sloppy knock on from their own line-out.

42.00 he kicks.....misses again...bad luck

40.00 ok hee we go.. and McCaw knocks on ..Aust penalty from th scrum

the stats say that Aust had 70% of the ball....no points but


Aust can feel a bit annoyed....they haven't played that bad...NZ have just turned possession into points, Aust haven't it's just that simple.

40.00 siren goes, NZ lead 17-0 at half time.  NZ winning with its defense at the moment--



39.00 Aust deserve a try--NZ defensive penalty

37.00  Aust again on attack.....NZ scrum however 8 metros from their own line...stats tell us Aust has had 65% of the ball...more bloody scrum resets...

36.00 you know this score flatters NZ--aust haven't played all that bad...

33.00 penalty Aust Mealamu the villain Aust to kick... 5 metros from the left....30 metres out....he.....misses 17-0 it stays

32.00 again Aust go to this 9 man rugby...aust on attack....

he ......  misses score stays 17-0

McCaw off side right from the kick-off Aust going for the kick...15 metros from the sideline, 35 metros from the posts....

28.00 no trouble for Carter---NZ 17-0

27.00 TRY NZ!!!!!!! Mealamu gets a great forwards try under the post!!!! NZ 15-0  Mealamu you fucking legend....

26.00 NZ on attack!!!

24.40 all that ball produced nothing for Aust  10-0 it stays...NZ scrum 18 metres out

23.50 Sivivatu is bloody crap isn't he?

22.40 NRL style kick to the corner...goes dead...NZ to restart 22

22.00 Aust on attack--scrum collapses...

20.00 12 phases...Aust 7 metres short...Aust awarded 5 m scrum time off McCaw blood

19.00 Aust holding the ball England style

18.00 Australia start with 9 man rugby here...

17.00 Aust on attack--tackled and put out 5 m short..NZ clear from the lineout

16.00 Kaino injured....

15.00 good running rugby all round

Austr scrum--ends up in another Aust penalty

it's all happening! NZ take the early throw...run it up   fast action all round....

11.05 big tackle from Read...ABs starting to control the game

9.00 Kick did not go 10 m   NZ scrum

8.15 Carter slots it  NZ10-0

7.30  TRY NZ!!!!!!!  Sivivatu breaks to the right--forwards come in, KAino sets up the ball for Nonu

NZ 8-0

7.00 both sides playing well...Weepu breaks down the line!!  ABs ball

6.00 it's good  NZ 3-0

4.45--NZ penalty--Pocock flops on the ball--kick for Carter about 36 metres out--centre ground

4.15 Conrad Smith intercept!! NZ on attack!!

3.00 Australia with ball--looking good with ball...5 meters out frm NZ line

ABs go early--freekick aust--

Nonu is given turnover ball, screws it up, Australia scrum.

Australia secure the kick off....run it

7.36 NZ to kick off

7.35 Haka over let's have some rugby

7.33 the Haka!!!  looks like the the new one...it is!!!

7.31 a much hotter girl singing GDNZ..well if it was decided on the anthems NZ would win 50-0

7.29 some chick with too much hair sings Advance Australia Fair...terrible singing....where do they find these girls?

7.28 All Blacks will have the wind in the first half...here they come....!!!!

7.20 15 minutes to go. This is the 66th time the All Blacks have played on Eden Park--they've only ever lost ten. They have not lost a match at Eden Park since 1994...by France

7.13 All Blacks heading into the sheds--big applause

7.10 Sky Sport interviewing David Tua--a never was...who cares?

7.08 so nervous.....less than 1/2 hour to go...

7.03 Danny from Timaru asks: who would benefit from rain?". hmmmm    probably Australia you'd have to think--they base their play on set pieces a bit more and have a slighter back line.

7.00 rain radar looks pretty sweet--nothing of any significance--a shower or two is possible but no signs yet.

6.55 Met Service report that there has been absolutely no rain today in Auckland, current temperature is 13 deg cel, with 28km westerly--that's not insignificant so the toss will matter.

6.50: 45 minutes to kick-off....not much to report. Welcome to Sports Geek's coverage of the first test of the Bledisloe cup

Tale of the Tape

Sports Geek will be live blogging from both big games tonight, but first....

Here's today's teams for the first Bledisloe Cup test, Eden Park, 6 August 2011

NZ:
15. Mils Muliaina (96 tests)
14. Sivi Sivivatu (44)
13. Conrad Smith (47)
12 Ma'a Nonu (58)
11. Hosea Gear (6)
10. Dan Carter (81)
9. Piri Weepu (46)
8. Kieran Read (30)
7. Richie McCaw (96)
6. Jerome Kaino (39)
5. Brad Thorn (50)
4. Ali Williams (63)
3. Owen Franks (22)
2.Keven Mealamu (83)
1. Wyatt Crocket (5)

Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Adam Thompson, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, SBW

Australia:
15. Kurtley Beale (16)
14. James O'Connor (28)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (53)
12. Pat McCabe (3)
11. Digby Ioane (13)
10. Quade Cooper (25)
9. Will Genia (24)
8. Ben McCallum (11)
7. David Pocock (31)
6. Rocky Elsom (66)
5. James Horwill (25)
4. Rob Simmons (7)
3. Ben Alexander (26)
2. Stephen Moore (57)
1. Sekope Kepu (5)

Reserves: Saia Fainga'a, Pekahou Cowan, Dan Vickerman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, Anthony Fainga'a

Let's start with an analysis of experience:

Total tests played (starting 15 only):
NZ: 766. average tests per player: 51.07, SD: 28.077

Aust: 390 average per player: 26, SD:18.52

Front rows:
NZ: mass: 337kg, experience: 110 tests
Aust: mass: 354kg, experience: 88 tests

Second row:
NZ: mass: 228kg, experience: 113, heights: Ali Williams: 2.02 metres, Brad Thorn: 1.96m
Aust: Mass: 230, experience: 32 tests. heights: Horwill 2.00m, Simmons 2.00m

Loose forwards:
NZ mass: 319kg, experience: 165 tests, Heights: Reid 1.93, McCaw 1.87, Kaino: 1.96
Aust: mass: 313kg, experience: 108 tests, Heights: McCallum 1.92, Pocock 1.81, Elsom: 1.97

Forward Packs:
NZ mass: 884kg (ave 110.5 kg), experience: 388 tests (ave:48.5)
Aust mass: 897kg (ave 112.125kg), experience: 228 (ave 28.5)

Halves:
NZ experience: 127 tests
Aust experience: 49 tests

Midfield:
NZ mass 199 kg, experience: 105 tests
Aust mass: 190kg, experience 16 tests

Back 3:
NZ mass: 293kg experience: 146tests
Aust mass: 273kg, 57tests

Bench:
NZ: 4 forwards, 3 backs experience: 131 tests
Aust 4 forwards, 3 backs, experience: 126 tests

stats:

Overall:

played 140 games. NZ win: 95, Aust 40, 5 draws

in NZ: NZ 48, Aust 15, 1 draw

last 5 years:
NZ 14, Aust 3, 0 draws
in NZ: NZ 7, Aust 0, 0 draws   Australia have not beaten NZ in NZ since 2001, and have not beaten NZ at Eden Park since 1986

Too early? Here's my 30 that I would choose for the World Cup

Here's my 30 that I would choose for the World Cup

1. Richie McCaw (c)
2. Mils Muliaina (vc)
3. Daniel Carter (vvc)
4. Owen Franks
5. Ben Franks
6. Tony Woodcock
7. Wyatt Crockett
8. John Afoa
9. Andrew Hore
10. Corey Flynn
11. Keven Mealamu
12. Brad Thorn
13. Sam Whitelock
14. Ali Williams
15. Anthony Boric
16. Liam Messam
17. Jerome Kaino
18. Adam Thompson
19. Keiren Read
20. Jimmy Cowan
21. Piri Weepu
22. Andrew Ellis
23. Colin Slade
24. Ma'a Nonu
25. Conrad Smith
26. Sonny Bill Williams
27. Robbie Fruen
28. Cory Jane
29. Israel Dagg
30. Zach Guildford

Keep your bags packed and stay in shape:

• Ben Smith
• Isaia Toeava
• Sivi Sivivatu
• Daniel Braid
• Jarrad Hoeata
• Alby Mathewson
• Hosea Gear
• Aled De Malmanche
• Jamie Lachlan Mackintosh
• Hika Elliot
• Neemia Tialata

I would be leery about taking McAlistair (who's ruled himself out pretty much), Stephen Donald, Joe Rocokoko, Rudi Wulf and Ben Smith--(Dagg, Jane and Guildford are just better all-round players now)

Reserve Prop to me is a problem--I'm still not convinced that Afoa is the answer, but I've put him in because he's played a lot of test minutes in the last 12 months. 

Video at the game--

That's me yelling "Take the scrum Take the scrum!!!" and then Richie took the scrum I say:"Good man..he's finally listening to me, Richie's listening to me"

So What the Hell Happened??

Here's what happened--I was settled in and getting ready for the teams to come in, and a guy in a cheap suit came into the box and told me that I wasn't authorised to live blog the game at the venue, and that if I continued blogging that tey would confiscate my laptop.

He then pointed to two rather large guys in bright yellow jackets outside.

So sorry readers--I got shut down. 

LIVE BLOGGING FROM THE ALL BLACKS v SPRINGBOKS TEST

sorry, I've just been closed down! I'm not allowed to do commentary!!!
7.06 time for the tale of the tape

the front rows:
All Blacks:



7.01 the temperature has really dropped outside. The players are warming up, just going through their rituals. the ground is about a 1/4 full, but the concourse and the inner tunnel is packed.

There is a real buzz in the capital today--no-one is paying much attention to the "injured 21" --this is an All Black vs Springbok test match--the biggest game in world rugby.

6.53  Well welcome everyone to this live coverage from Westpac Stadium.. I've got my coffee, and the hot chips are on the way.

The weather has been good all day--a bit cold but a nice clear July day in Wellington. The wind has died down a bit but it's still there and should pick up during the game. Tellingly, line for over-priced coffee and over-priced chips was longer than the queue for over-priced beer.

We've been out on Lambton Qy all day playing "spot the former star".

best of all: no rain all day! the ground will be dry

The first step...

The All Blacks' road to the 2011 Rugby World Cup begins tonight in Wellington when they face a sub-par South African side. It's a match that the All Blacks will be expected to win, and to win well, but there are plenty of sub-plots to keep our interest.

The side is getting closer to a first-choice All Black team. Clearly Brad Thorn, Kieran Reid and Tony Woodcock will be in the top All Black line-up come RWC time, and it's great that Woodcock will be playing for North Harbour in the next few days. Thorn's expected return next week leaves Ali Williams and Sam Whitelock competing for one position against the Wallabies.

The loose forward mix is interesting. We have no doubt that Adam Thompson will be competent at #8, and in combination with McCaw and Kaino, the All Blacks have a strong loose forward trio tonight capable of providing the impetus for an expansive game. McCaw and Thompson may swap places at times tonight, but neither holds a candle to Reid, who has the potential to develop into one of the greats in the role. We have no qualms about him having another week off to recover from an arduous Super Rugby campaign, not Brad Thorn who is the consummate professional, and will be back fit and ready next week.

The backline has a RWC look to it, with the exception of the wings. Cory Jane will be looking to have a huge game tonight as he tries to salvage something from his personal season from hell. Zac Guilford was the form winger in Super Rugby, but play didn't really run his way last week. The Carter/Nonu/Smith combination has a settled, experienced feel, and we'll be looking for Sonny Bill Williams to make an impact in the second half if Nonu can soften up the defence.

Whether or not the "real" Springboks are in camp at Rustenburg will be irrelevant tonight. This is a test match between rugby's most bitter rivals, and that is the attitude that the All Blacks must take onto the Westpac Stadium pitch tonight. Nothing less will be acceptable. A dominant performance and a comprehensive victory will be the best first step that the All Black's can take toward's rugby's biggest prize.

LIVE BLOGGING ALL BLACKS vs SPRINGBOKS TONIGHT

Tonight The Sports Geek will be live blogging from Westpac Stadium for the All Blacks test, from a corp box....if you live outside NZ and South Africa, or can't get it on TV then keep up with events as they happen.

The game kicks off at 1935 NZST--that's 0835 London time



Comments will be open, no log on required

21 Injured Players....? What's the odds of that?

Hmmmm good thing the Gman knows a thing or two about statistics....

The way I see it it's a case of a binomial probability distribution.

Let's say we get 21 players. Let's also be generous to de Villiers and say that the probability of any one player being injured is 30%. (actually it's more like 10-20% but we'll give him the benefit of the doubt)

What is the probability that ALL 21 of those players are injured?

Well....it's 1 in 104,600,000,000.


104,600,000,000 is 16 times the population of the planet. You are 27,251 times more likely to win lotto than have all 21 players injured at the same time.

Again--would you buy a used car from this man?

The David Tua Post

It is with a sad heart that I write this post. Anyone who puts on the gloves, gets in the ring and fights another professional heavy weight deserves automatic respect, and David Tua deserves respect not just for that, but for also repopularising boxing in New Zealand. Hats off to him for that.

Respect big man--you are a great man, and you are an honourable man.

My own boxing career was rather bizarrely cut short back at university when my dentist stopped me from fighting because when I was 8, 7 of my teeth were smashed out by a cricket ball, I had to have extensive plastic surgery to the front of my mouth--including the removal of a number of nerves. At the time I had a  4 - 0 (3)  record. I never lost my love of the Sweat Science though.

I think this is Tua's last fight.

I never believed the hype about Tua, he simply did not have the speed, skill or reach to become World champion--despite what the willing NZ press said and despite the army of professional Las Vegas bullshit artists talking him up, Tua was never a genuine contender to be a world champ.

This became painfully obvious when Tua had his first (and last) title fight (for a real title anyway) against Lennox Lewis 11 years ago. Lewis had a 7 inch height advantage and a whopping 14 inch reach advantage over Tua. Consequently, the fight followed a similar format the recent Klitscho-Hayes fight, with the bigger man staying in the middle of the ring and landing continuous jabs.

That night Lewis' jab was basically glued to Tua's forehead and a tiring Tua was left flailing into air.

Tua's bad loss that fateful night seemed to be the catalyst of the end--within months he had an acrimonious break-up with his management team, had trouble finding fights and suffered financially.

Most importantly, he was never again seriously regarded as a genuine contender (if he ever was).

He is not a contender for another big fight, let alone a title fight. The truth is that he would not be sanctioned for a fight against one of the top heavy-weight contenders now because it would actually be dangerous. There would be a genuine risk that Tua would be seriously hurt.

For about the last 2 years Tua has basically been working on his retirement package: Hyping fights against non-events and building up the bank account.

Who can blame him? My hope is that he gets a good income after his career and doesn't hurt himself from one too many fights.

Tua has only fought one fight in America (where the real money is) since 2007, and that was his draw with Barrett; when The American put Tua on his ass for the first time in his career.

With that said, the match up between Tua and Monte Barrett is intriguing. I watched the video of the last fight they had and it was actually a pretty good even fight.

Barrett has a 5 inch height advantage, and an 8 inch reach advantage, he is also strong on both hands and moves around the ring a bit quicker. He is also the wrong side of 40.

Tua is a bigger hitter, but the defense he had  to use against the two-handed Barrett last time neutralised that advantage somewhat.

The main thing for Tua will be his weight. He has fought hard with the BF% his whole career, but the shape he was in for the Cameron fight was appalling (below), and he claimed to have shed 26kg in training.

Officially he is listed as 263pounds (119kg) but I've seen him as late as last week and he is more like 290. To be brutally honest Tua is past it, he is over-weight for a fight, and is lucky he's fighting an old man. A younger, stronger fighter would hurt him.

So who will win Gman?

I think Tua in 3, by KO. The longer the fight goes the worse for Tua, who will come out wanting to attack the head early. If the fight goes more than 7 rounds then it will be a points decision to Barrett.