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.