Tri-Nations

[Donny B.]

18-7 to Blacks at half time. Three tries to one, Carter off form with the boot

[Leinster Lout]

He isn't kicking well but by Bod is he running the show. Joy to watch

[Donny B.]

Poor stuff from Rolland there. Should have been a card for the ABs after they blatantly killed the ball after that break from the Boks. Didn't even give a penalty

[Donny B.]

Floodgates open now

[Donny B.]

AB's cost themselves a couple of tries at the end there with some uncharacteristically poor decision making.

No matter, finished 40-7. Six tries to one.

Well the phony war is over and the tournament starts for real next week with NZ v Aus.

[SCG]

Poor stuff from Rolland there. Should have been a card for the ABs after they blatantly killed the ball after that break from the Boks. Didn't even give a penalty

Have only just watched it, AB's (unfortunately) deserved to win. Agree there should have been a card. To be fair to Alain Rolland, it must be very difficult to referee the AB's, particularly in New Zealand, with the very one-eyed view Graham Henry and their media take. Look what at what to Alan Lewis when he, quite correctly, yellow-carded an AB in Cardiff last November. Graham Henry accused him of not having the level of fitness required, and he is no longer on the international panel. Still, here's hoping for the AB's to choke in the World Cup once again.

[Donny B.]

Poor stuff from Rolland there. Should have been a card for the ABs after they blatantly killed the ball after that break from the Boks. Didn't even give a penalty

Have only just watched it, AB's (unfortunately) deserved to win. Agree there should have been a card. To be fair to Alain Rolland, it must be very difficult to referee the AB's, particularly in New Zealand, with the very one-eyed view Graham Henry and their media take. Look what at what to Alan Lewis when he, quite correctly, yellow-carded an AB in Cardiff last November. Graham Henry accused him of not having the level of fitness required, and he is no longer on the international panel. Still, here's hoping for the AB's to choke in the World Cup once again.

Even the Kiwi commentators, who aren't exactly known for their impartiality, admitted it was illegal.

[Cianostays]

Poor stuff from Rolland there. Should have been a card for the ABs after they blatantly killed the ball after that break from the Boks. Didn't even give a penalty

Have only just watched it, AB's (unfortunately) deserved to win. Agree there should have been a card. To be fair to Alain Rolland, it must be very difficult to referee the AB's, particularly in New Zealand, with the very one-eyed view Graham Henry and their media take. Look what at what to Alan Lewis when he, quite correctly, yellow-carded an AB in Cardiff last November. Graham Henry accused him of not having the level of fitness required, and he is no longer on the international panel. Still, here's hoping for the AB's to choke in the World Cup once again.

Even the Kiwi commentators, who aren't exactly known for their impartiality, admitted it was illegal.

Pretty sure that was the only error he made in the game. He even had the gall to penalise McCaw for hands in the ruck Brave stuff in NZ.

As an aside I thought Justin Marshall was a pretty good analysist of the game. Enjoyed his contribution to the commentary.

[Donny B.]

Australia named an unchanged side for Saturday's daunting Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Auckland as they go in search of a rare victory at Eden Park.



The only changes to the squad which beat South Africa 39-20 in Sydney two weeks ago are the return to the bench of lock Dan Vickerman, scrumhalf Luke Burgess and wing Lachie Turner.


Both sides recorded bonus-point wins in their first Tri-Nations outings, with the All Blacks fresh off a 40-7 thumping of South Africa in Wellington, and the Wallabies face a formidable task.


New Zealand have not lost a Test at Eden Park in 17 years, but Australia coach Robbie Deans said he did not feel overwhelmed by the record.


"It's about now rather than the history," he said.


"The All Blacks do draw strength from their record at the ground, but playing at Eden Park is not something to be feared. It's a challenge, and an opportunity to be embraced and enjoyed.


"A lot of visiting teams will be aspiring to achieve something special at Eden Park this year (it is the venue for the World Cup final). This weekend we're the lucky ones - we get first crack."


Burgess returns to understudy Will Genia, after completing his recovery from a fractured hand, which he suffered in training before the Waratahs Super Rugby semifinal defeat.


After performing strongly through 80 minutes for his Sydney University club last weekend, Vickerman is back on the bench, from where he made his return to Test rugby last month against Samoa.


The 30 minutes Vickerman played from the bench during that match represented his first taste of Test rugby since 2008.


It was his 56th cap, which means the Wallabies have traded one experienced campaigner for another, as Vickerman has taken the place previously allocated to veteran Nathan Sharpe.


The third change amongst the run on reserves sees Waratahs wing Lachie Turner slot in, with selectors reverting to the traditional four-three split on the bench.


Deans said the changes represented a "horses for courses" approach.


"Burgess and Turner have both worked their way back into contention and have shown that they are now ready to go, while Vickerman really stepped up in training last week, and reinforced that for Sydney Uni on the weekend," he said.


"This is a contest we believe he is well suited to."


The change in emphasis on the bench, Deans added, highlighted the difference in nature between an Australia-New Zealand and Australia-South Africa Test.


"You saw the differences in approach last weekend," Deans said.


"For the South Africans, it's physicality first, second and third.


"The All Blacks employ more width and rely on speed of recycle and movement. They play the game wider and faster, which is why the extra speed and additional backline resources are required on the bench."


Tri-Nations betting odds.


Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Lachie Turner.

[Donny B.]

Kiwis drop both wings, despite them each scoring two tries!


New Zealand have made seven changes to their starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash against Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.


Despite hammering South Africa 40-7 last week, the All Blacks coaches have given their side a new look for the first Bledisloe Cup clash of 2011 with four forwards playing their first Tests of the year: Owen Franks replaces brother Ben at tighthead prop; Keven Mealamu is back at hooker; Brad Thorn is at lock alongside Ali Williams and Kieran Read is at number eight.


In the backs, Piri Weepu has been picked at scrum-half, making his first Test start since last year's 23-22 victory in Sydney.


Hosea Gear returns from his recent hamstring injury to start his first Test of the year on the left wing, while Sitiveni Sivivatu is on the right wing.


Head coach Graham Henry said the All Blacks would be expecting a completely different level of intensity on Saturday compared to that posed by the Springboks last weekend.


"There is no doubt that the intensity levels will rise for this Test," he said.


"It's game one in a two-match Bledisloe Cup series involving the teams ranked number one and two in the world. It's a hugely important Test and is going to be a massive challenge, but we are looking forward to that."


All Blacks midfielders Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will set a new milestone this weekend - they will play their 29th Test together, becoming the most experienced midfield partnership in All Blacks history - while Daniel Carter will play his 82nd Test and joins the 'top five' list of most capped All Blacks ever, behind McCaw (96), Muliaina (96), Sean Fitzpatrick (92) and Mealamu (83).


Injured prop John Afoa (cheekbone) was unavailable for selection while several other All Blacks who have had recent injuries are continuing their return to rugby.


Prop Tony Woodcock turned out for his North Harbour ITM Cup side against Manawatu on Tuesday, full-back Israel Dagg hopes to play for his Napier Pirates club side on Saturday, while Isaia Toeava will be available for Auckland's Battle of the Bridge match against North Harbour on Sunday.


Meanwhile, outside back Ben Smith, who was providing injury cover for the All Blacks squad, has returned to his Otago ITM Cup side.


The All Blacks and Wallabies have played each other 140 times, with 95 wins to the All Blacks, 40 to Australia and five draws. The last Test between the two sides was in Hong Kong last October which Australia won 26-24.


Tri-Nations betting odds.


New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.

[Danthefan]

Anyone watching NZ this morning? They are insanely good. 17-0 at HT.

[Donny B.]

Utterly ruthless in attack and awesome in defence, personified by the tackling of Carter!

[Donny B.]

Justin Bieber having a mare with the boot.

[flustered]

Dan Carter showing Cooper how to play the complete game from No 10!! if NZ dont win the World Cup i'll eat my hat, they are just unreal in every aspect!! As for Oz, the longer they play McCabe at 12 the better it is for Ireland at the World Cup!!

[nelly the elephant]

Anyone watching NZ this morning? They are insanely good. 17-0 at HT.

Any chance that Australia will be this bad in a few weeks time.......................or are the AB's just making them look that way?

[nelly the elephant]

Anyone watching NZ this morning? They are insanely good. 17-0 at HT.

Any chance that Australia will be this bad in a few weeks time.......................or are the AB's just making them look that way?

And as I type that.........................................what a try from the Ausssies.......

[Danthefan]

Aus aren't playing too badly imo. They'd beat us easily playing as they are I reckon.

And just as they score, NZ get one back, after the most blatant knock on you'll see from Read.

[Donny B.]

And another try right from the kick off for NZ. How did the ref miss Read's knock on though?

[ceemec]

Australia's failure to develop an international standard goal kicker since the departure of Mortlock is a damning indictment on them. For them to be chopping and changing their kicker 3 games before the WC is ridiculous. If JOC had nailed his kicks it would have been 20-16.

[Danthefan]

Despite the scoreline there's only a couple of % between these two teams imo. Goalkicking has been obviously a major problem for Aus, along with 7 non points awareded against them.