Saturday, July 29, 2006

Bledisloe 2 2006

So we lost - its all over for another year. I am currently working on my hangover after a massive night at the stadium watching the mighty Wallabies (and Mark Gerrad) do everything but score a try in being beaten by Richie McCaw (and the rest of his All Black friends) but mainly by Richie.

Was a great match, no kiwi will ever admit it but it was a tussle from start to finish.

The fastest match I think I have ever watched, it was 30 minutes in before I even really started to get a feal for the rythm. The first half wasn't flash- really just notable by the NZ props fucking with our man Rodney and Homles GD. and Rockocko (no idea on the spelling) s great pace.

The second half was a cracker, the aussie line out got on top so we had all sorts of ball and our outside backs were looking dangerous. The NZ defence was supurb, Larkham and Giteau had no time all day (although at the same time neither did Carter). Mortlock was probably the best back on the field, his burst to nearly break the game open was excellent. Latho, and Macdonald probably shared the points, Rockocko was the best wing, Larkham and Carter and Grogan and Kehlleher all sort of cancelled each other out. So the difference was the fact that tiquri and gerrard just are not up to it. I don't know what the go is with Tiquiri I hope he finds some form next year. But we just have to get rid of Gerrard, first he didn't have the gas to finish off the break of the match by Mortlock, then he droped one cold with a REALLY good chance of getting over. Both moments really could have grabbed us a win.

I don't know what the solution is, perhaps its time to stop the two big wingers policy and bring in an Ioane or Mitchell, guys with genuine pace who are slippery enough to get around gaps... the Australian big is better policy doesnt appear to be working. I like the idea of a balance, one big guy and one whippet fast guy. Kind of like the Robinson/Cohen match that won the last worlds cup.

Despite this chat its really just taking away from what the real story of the match was- Ritchie McCaw- he was awesome - I just watched the replay and he deserved his man of the match award. He was a line out option, tackled his little heart out, and stole heaps of our ball - the count was 8-1 in about the 70th minute mark.

In Australia we talk up George Smith so much, but really I have never seen him have that impact on a game like Ritchie and Schalk can. Its so heart breaking Shalk is out because the prospect of this All Black side playing a stronger Saffie's side on the High Vedlt would be very, very good.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

We Need Rod, We Need Hugh, and We NEED TUNE

Right, so haven't been posting much lately - and their is a reason, the rugby has sucked and Rod has been injured.

Last week against the All Blacks we were quite terrible in patches- and I think we all know why.

We Need Rod

Shepardson is a good super 14 prop - but this is the big dance and we need our best Dancers - look no further then Rod Blake, unfortunatly this injury is not going away fast enough, but hopefully the Zone is back on deck for the Bledisloe in Bris Vegas in a fortnight - then in the Couldron we will see what those dirty Kiwi's are made of. Its been ten years since fucking Frank Bunce stole the game from us (with one of the best tries this blogger has ever seen) and it will be time for revenge.

We Need Hugh

Okay - so I agree with the whole four big line out jumpers thing, but you need the right personel. And we don't have it at the moment. Elsom is good, but patchy. Fava is solid at best, and chisholm is a second rower - no question. We need McMennimen from the Reddies- of course he is injured but when he comes good we need him as soon as possible. Just imagine a Smith, Roe/Elsom, McMennimen back row, with Heenan and Waugh on the bench to cover both the row and the loose trio - would be golden. It will come for the back five- they just need time.

We NEED TUNE

Who the fuck is Mark Gerrard???? Sure he can kick knuckles but who cares - get Tune out on the pitch, we need match winners, not solid finsihers. We have the most over rated man in rugby out in number 11 to finsih tries for us, we need our other two back three members (thanks the lord for Latham) to be create opurtunities. Look at Rupeni, Rockcokko (Two years ago), Gear and Sivavtu (You could throw Robinson, and Lomu in their if you want a bit of history to flavour it) the great wings aren't finishers- they create oppurtunities for themselves. Gerrard and Tiquiri never seem to create something out of nothing (despite what the press will say - Come up with something original Jim Tucker), and that's fine, but you can only afford to have one of those.