The 'Big Three' all recorded victories, what did you think of the games?

Question

My Thoughts:

New Zealand

Thought they played amazingly well, it's the first time I've seen a near-perfect game to kick off the international season. Debutant's - Savea, A Smith, Retallick played great and as per normal Read/McCaw/Vito/Franks Bros did what they did best. Sonny Bill is finally finding his groove and it'll be hard for Nonu to get back in now, his attitude still needs working on but he is all class, Dagg also hit form after a quiet season so far with the Saders, and showed why he's the #1 Fullback. I'm still convinced that Ellis should be their instead of Weepu, now it's a toss up between Ellis/Weepu/Smith for the future of the Scrumhalf position.

Australia

If Australia lost, I'd imagine the headlines this morning would have read "Horne Blows Australia's Chances" which of course is referring to Rob Hornes brain explosion in the first half. Pocock/Genia/Higgenbottom played great last night and Barnes was at his best, I felt Wales played a bit odd, not the Wales I'm used to, maybe they thought they had it easy with the Wallabies backing up 4 days later after a game with the Scots. Priestland looked off at flyhalf, I think I recall he dropped the ball twice 5 metres from the try line. All round it was a great back and forth game.

I didn't actually get to catch the South African game as it was too early and I had to get up this morning for work but they did pip England 22-17 (Nice to see De Villiers with a try and win on his first game as captain), also Argentina won their game with Italy 37-22.

Extra Question: Is Adam Ashley-Cooper underrated?

AAC in my opinion has been the most consistant player for the Wallabies/Waratahs through-out the years playing as fullback/centre/second five, the whole 9 yards and once again proved his worth last night, I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.

Answer 1

NZ gave Ireland a battering, Savea was absolutely superb and he should be pushing Kahui/Jane/Guildford for a place in the team. Savea for me is the total package 16 stone 6'4" and he reminds me of another former All Blacks winger. His work rate is superb and he made a great hit on Rob Kearney. The game could have been closer had Ireland taken their chances, but to be fair to them their number one finisher was injured (Tommy Bowe) as well as Paul O'Connell and Stephen Ferris. I felt the Irish were particularly impressive in the loose where I feel they may have shaded the AB's. I feel Ireland have a promising set of youngsters and they would have relished the chance of being tested on the grandest stage of them all, so I think Ireland missed a trick.



With the exception of Halfpenny and maybe Jonathon Davies I'd say the Wales backline is quite overrated. Barnes was superb and it's still beyond me how he doesn't get the number 10 jersey ahead of Quade Cooper when he is a much better passer, tackler and runner as well as not buckling under pressure. Wales were made to look the part by a relatively poor Wallaby side with a world-class half-back, Genia proved he was the best at his role in the world. Wales' own scrum half Mike Phillips looked very average when his pack were in reverse gear. Priestland has been poor since the 6 Nations, I feel Dan Biggar should be in ahead of him. It won't get any easier for Wales as Australia were playing a pretty sub-standard line-up, whereas Wales were playing their full strength line-up minus Roberts who was off the pace in the 6 Nations and given by the way he plays Wales can expect to see him sidelined for the large parts of his career.



BQ: I come from Newcastle so we don't get to see much Super 15 rugby, but it's widely accepted that him, Fourie and O'Driscoll are the best centres in the world.

Answer 2

I sometimes wonder if I watch the same game as some people. NZ dominated every where but none more so than the loose forwards, Kieran Read was outstanding, Richie was Richie and Vito /Thompson were good. SOB did OK stole a few balls but was rarely seen else where, Heaslip was a non event can't remember the blindside doing much. AB line out was very good where usually it's a weak point SA/Aus might need a new game plan than kick out and pressure the line out. I think that game proved my point, the Heineken cup means diddly to International rugby.



Only watched a little of the Aus game but what I saw was Genia playing well and once again in another question I said if Genia plays well Aus can win.... Surprise Genia MOM and Aus won.



Did not see any of the SA game, not surprised with the result..... Not watching the replay have settled in to watch BB go CELTICS



I rate AAC Aus needs to find him a position and leave him there, centre looks best bet once the pretty and bad boys come back.



Ps Ace BOD was the best centre in the world, Conrad outplayed him again last night. BOD looked ineffectual hardly a ringing endorsement for best player in the world.

Answer 3

The ABs were just too good. A very good game from McCaw. Smith and Sonny Bill were two others to stand out.



The Wallabies had a win and Genia wasa brilliant. Our outside backs never really saw a lot of ball but having a 12 who doesn't (or can't) pass doesn't help. What was it, two passes last night? He runs hard and tackles well but so does Ben Mowen and you wouldn't put him in at 12. Decision still out the the Wallabies, the Welsh dropped a lot of ball so had they hung on, anything could have happened. Best game from Barnes in a long time.



Didn't see the Boks game but reports indicate a lot of kicking.



A-C, no. He is one of those players who seems to perform for his country and that is all. He has had some pretty ordinary performances for both the Tahs and Brumbies. On Super 15 form, he shouldn't have been in the team, but like others in the team, he is one of the coach's favourites.

Answer 4

That was not really an amazing Allblack performance. Too many errors, and too many half chances and opportunities not finished.



You shouldn't be surprised if Nonu starts at 12 this weekend without blinking. A Smith needs to get a hair cut and try passing the ball to Mr Carter instead of going blindside every time a coconut. Retallick was unreal, did his job brilliantly and deserves full credit.



AAC is a dynamo in 15s and 7s - he is a credit to Australian rugby, if he was a touch bigger and looked like a bad *** rather than a prep-school light weight, the whole world would be screaming his praises, he shouldn't be able to do the things he does, but he does and he just keeps going hard out for the full 80 - huge engine on a little man.

Answer 5

England couldn't cope with SA's power game, let their ball carriers over the gainline far too easily and even though we competed well at the breakdown, you just can't let a team like SA get too much front foot ball. Our kicking was terrible and the kick chase even worse. Having two centres who can't kick not looking like such a good idea now and kicking from hand from the halfbacks was just poor 90% of the time.



On the plus side we only lost by 5. Our scrum held up well with debutant Marler facing quite a daunting debut at 21, which is pretty young for a prop. Good continuity in attack with several line breaks although a bit lacking in execution, when SA had a chance they took it, England knocked on or gave away a penalty instead.



Changing the halfbacks for the next test is a must, Flood has to start at 10 and I'd be tempted to start Care at 9 for his better kicking game than Youngs, who was crap today for the most part (I mean scrum halfs have to able to pass right?). Definately keep the same back three, all were very strong today, particularly under the high ball, which is obviously essential against SA.



Missed oppurtunity today, best England player: Robshaw/Brown



Unfotunately missed most of the other two games so can't comment.

Answer 6

All great offerings.The one with the quality danger of being damaged is Dimaggio's consecutive video games with successful streak.That one you handiest ought to be fortunate. Here are a few extra to reflect on: Walter Johnson's 113 profession shutouts.No one within the final 50 years has greater than 60. Most pitchers do not even get 113 wins of their whole careers. Hack Wilson's 191 RBIs in a season and he did it in a 154 sport time table.The A.L. list is 184 by means of Lou Gehrig and that one is untouchable too. Here is my favourite stat which I feel is first rate.Jim Palmer the HOF pitcher for The Baltimore Orioles pitched for 17 years had over 270 profession wins,received 20 or extra video games in a season eight instances and no longer as soon as did he ever stop a Grand Slam homerun. It is rough to assume that he under no circumstances had a bases loaded main issue so this stat merits point out.

Answer 7

ABs v Irel result was predictable. The Irish never stopped trying but really the ABs are on another level which the Irish have no answer to. -- at the moment !



Aust v Wal was a bit more closer -- result wise. The Welsh looked good in the second half with ball in hand but the Aussies did enough to win with Genia in good form. Barnes is too conservative for my liking. If Cooper is available ( is he in trouble again ? ) Deans should use him as a impact player to get classy backs like Ioane and Ashley Cooper more opportunities.



Didn't see the SA v Eng game but again the result was not unexpected. It does prove that the gap between super/ tri-nations rugby and heineken/6th nations is wide.