Official 2015 Rugby Championship Thread

[OrbitalDawn]

Some big names left out of the Wallabies squad... O'Connor, Hunt, Cummins, Robinson, Alexander. First two not really a surprise, but the latter two is, I think.

Fullbacks:

Israel Folau

Wings:

Rob Horne
Joe Tomane
Henry Speight
Taqele Naiyaravoro
Drew Mitchell

Centres:

Adam Ashley-Cooper
Kurtley Beale
Samu Kerevi
Tevita Kuridrani
Matt Giteau

Flyhalves:

Bernard Foley
Matt Toomua
Christian Lealiifano
Quade Cooper

Scrumhalves:

Nic White
Nick Phipps
Will Genia

Props:

Tetera Faulkner
Sekope Kepu
Scott Sio
Toby Smith
James Slipper
Greg Holmes

Hookers:

James Hanson
Stephen Moore
Tatafu Polota-Nau

Locks:

Rory Arnold
Dave Dennis
Scott Fardy
Will Skelton
Rob Simmons
Dean Mumm
James Horwill

Loose Forwards:

Sean McMahon
Ben McCalman
Wycliff Palu
Michael Hooper
Scott Higginbotham
David Pocock

 

[APoc184]

I'm worried about the Boks.

After that Super Rugby final it is clear for all to see that New Zealand fitness level is in another universe.

Our players would have been dead on their feet after 30min of that.

I predict more kicking than usual for the Boks.

 

[APoc184]

Henry Speight has withdrawn from the Wallabies squad (compassionate leave).

Replaced by Nic Cummins.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

All Blacks side to face Samoa on Wednesday.

15 Israel Dagg, 14 George Moala, 13 Sonny Bill Williams, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock

Substitutes: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Charlie Ngatai

 

[Agent_Smith]

All Blacks side to face Samoa on Wednesday.

15 Israel Dagg, 14 George Moala, 13 Sonny Bill Williams, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock

Substitutes: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Charlie Ngatai

Correct me if I'm wrong, but at first glance it looks none of these players played in the Super XV final. If that is indeed the case, then that is a truly vulgar display of power; that the All Blacks can put out a team like this and still have the calibre of players who played in Saturdays final waiting in the wings.

We are well and truly f***ed!

 

[Fulcrum29]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but at first glance it looks none of these players played in the Super XV final. If that is indeed the case, then that is a truly vulgar display of power; that the All Blacks can put out a team like this and still have the calibre of players who played in Saturdays final waiting in the wings.

We are well and truly f***ed!

The All Blacks throughout history had enough depth to have at least three rotational teams available.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but at first glance it looks none of these players played in the Super XV final. If that is indeed the case, then that is a truly vulgar display of power; that the All Blacks can put out a team like this and still have the calibre of players who played in Saturdays final waiting in the wings.

We are well and truly f***ed!

Yeah, between the Highlanders and Hurricanes 17 players aren't available for this game. Crazy depth.

Glad for Moala. He's had a knockout season in a badly performing team.

 

[APoc184]

Samoa also announced:

Samoa
15. Tim Nanai-Williams, 14. Alofa Alofa, 13. Paul Perez, 12. Johnny Leota, 11. Alesana Tuilagi, 10. Tusi Pisi, 9. Kahn Fotuali’i, 8. Ofisa Treviranus (c), 7. Jack Lam, 6. Alafoti Faosiliva, 5. Kane Thompson, 4. Teofilo Paulo, 3. Census Johnston, 2. Ole Avei, 1. Sakaria Taulafo

Replacements: 16. Ma’atulimanu Leiataua, 17. Viliamu Afatia, 18. Anthony Perenise, 19. Joe Tekori, 20. Maurie Faasavalu, 21. Pele Cowley, 22. Faialaga Afamasaga, 23. Ken Pisi

 

[Solitude]

MyGaming Superbru Pool:

The Rugby Championship Predictor

http://www.superbru.com/rugbychampionship/pool.php?p=11398331
Pool name: MyGaming
Pool code: eelsheal

 

[Werner Harding]

I'm worried about the Boks.

After that Super Rugby final it is clear for all to see that New Zealand fitness level is in another universe.

Our players would have been dead on their feet after 30min of that.

I predict more kicking than usual for the Boks.

Not to worried about the Boks. Yes it was a fantastic final, but will NZ be able to keep it up until September?

 

[APoc184]

Not to worried about the Boks. Yes it was a fantastic final, but will NZ be able to keep it up until September?

My honest opinion?

Yes. And they might just get even better.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Pieter-Steph du Toit leaves Sharks

 

[MickeyD]

Almost time for Samoa vs All Blacks... who's awake??

 

[MickeyD]

Over enthusiast defense going to cost Samoa the game...

 

[APoc184]

Didn't watch but just read through all the tweets quickly. Seems like the All Blacks weren't all that convincing.

Final score: SAMOA 16 vs ALL BLACKS 25

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Almost time for Samoa vs All Blacks... who's awake??

I was. Didn't think anyone else would be.

Didn't watch but just read through all the tweets quickly. Seems like the All Blacks weren't all that convincing.

Final score: SAMOA 16 vs ALL BLACKS 25

It was a tough game. The heat played a big role. But they were in control the whole time and never looked like losing.

Samoan defence was very good, though. Explosive off the line and hit them hard.

Bit of rust is expected in the first game of the season, though.

 

[MickeyD]

Springboks

15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jean de Villiers.

 

[APoc184]

Not bad.

Jesse Kriel on centre does raise some eyebrows but we are thin on the centre reserves so it makes sense.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Springboks

15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jean de Villiers.

geezuz ........

 

[APoc184]

geezuz ........

Who would you have played?

I understand Reinach on the bench. Only now back from injury. So let him ease into it.