43 replies to this topic

[Luigi]

But can the ABs go unbeaten this 3N?

[SimonAdd]

Luigi said:

But can the ABs go unbeaten this 3N?

Frankly, they bloody should.

[davidav]

I believe that if they can beat SA in SA this year then, in the words of Barack Obama, Yes We Can.

[Bones]

Luigi said:

But can the ABs go unbeaten this 3N?

Yep....but until Saturday so can Australia...

[Paj]

Of course they will, it's a World Cup next year.

[LAKiwi]

As always with the TriNations - it's the away wins that are the key to this. This weeks game will be the first test of how we back up our impressive (as always) home displays. Would be nice to go unbeaten in this year tri-Nations. I'd take the trophy first - but that would be nice icing!

[dK]

davidav said:

I believe that if they can beat SA in SA this year then, in the words of Barack Obama, Yes We Can.

I thought that was Bob the Builder:D

[da_grubster]

possibly, I would imagine that they might lose one of the away games to Aus or the SA match @ Soccer city.

If we do, it will bring out all the idiots rejoicing in the fact that we have 'peaked early' again!

[jegga]

It's a pretty big ask, have we done this in a year where we played each other three times?I can recall stuff ups like Rustenburg ruining it for us.My guess is no.

[Hooroo]

Go read the "Win one more game and we have the record" thread!

Davidav obviously has

[Duluth]

Luigi said:

But can the ABs go unbeaten this 3N?

Of course it's possible and I think the team has the ability. But you can say that most years and some better squads have failed before.

While I don't rate this Australian side highly, they do play a possession game and they do have the ability to score tries (particularly when they stop being glory hogs and play as a team) so they'll be a threat if the AB standards drop.

SA in SA will be fascinating. As bad as some of the coaching decisions have been so far, they do have time to correct things now. They completely misread the tactics going in to Auckland but I question if it is possible to fundamentally change your game in one week before the next Test.. and then the next one..

Edited by Duluth, 28 July 2010 - 11:32 AM.
shite grammar, spelling

[BartMan]

I think it'll be good if we lose one game this year - because WE do something stupid, not because we are beaten soundly like the Bokke over the last three weeks.

However, I would also like to go through undefeated, as it'll put the fair of black back into the atmosphere....!!!

[rotated]

The '05, '06 and '07 teams all failed and were better, with more depth. That said I think they can and will - but will lose in Hong Kong.

Theoretically, if the ABs play to their potential the 3N and Bledisloe Cup will be over for another in year in 10 days.

[mimic]

although the AB teams were better back then.. can u say the opposition is worse?

[Nepia]

Damn you Luigi! You Jinx. (We know thats what you wanted to do despite your first post claim!)
I think we might drop one to Australia - but hope we don't of course.

Edited by Nepia, 28 July 2010 - 01:11 PM.

[Knock On Wood]

We learn so much more about our strengths and weakenesses by losing than by winning that I almost hope that both the Boks and the Wallabies beat us!

I haven't seen the Boks Wallabies game as I was working on the weekend, but I think if the Wallabies can successfully target Cowan and Carter that they could do us on the weekend.

[ECNP]

Knock On Wood said:

We learn so much more about our strengths and weakenesses by losing than by winning that I almost hope that both the Boks and the Wallabies beat us!

I haven't seen the Boks Wallabies game as I was working on the weekend, but I think if the Wallabies can successfully target Cowan and Carter that they could do us on the weekend.

I was thinking the same thing. Leading into next year i'm hoping that we still have the sense of nervousness about whether we'll be good enough. In 2007 it bit us on the bum with France - completely dominating them for 3 years previously and then losing in a the big one.

Although rugby purists will kill me for this, for lead up to world cup 1 loss to Aus & SA this year and a loss to SA in 2011 (but SA have to beat Aus both times in 2011). Just to ensure no sense of complacency in the world cup. Plus if any northern hemisphere team get on a roll between now and then a poor win to us against them would be good too.

[taniwharugby]

mimic said:

although the AB teams were better back then.. can u say the opposition is worse?

were they? As with everything, they evolve, not to mention there is a core group still playing that were part of those teams as well, who you would say are better now, than back then.

[Virgil]

No matter what happens the All Blacks can never win anyway, a poor season like last year and its all doom and gloom.
But they sweep all before them like currently...its bloody peaking too early!

[Sambo]

don't buy into the theory we need a loss. Saying that i think we have a great chance to go unbeaten but i can't see it. I fully expect one away loss, likely the boks, however Aus is more than capable so we could see a Bok & Wobblies away loss. But i fully expect us to win the tri's and keep the bled. I would love to see us go unbeaten and continue through the EOYT unbeaten as well. I want the test record (outside of Urgay??). Taking us beyond the Bok & AB tied test record would be awesome.

[rotated]

taniwharugby said:

were they? As with everything, they evolve, not to mention there is a core group still playing that were part of those teams as well, who you would say are better now, than back then.

The team from Paris 2004 to Cardiff 2006 is a competitor in the greatest All Black team of all time debate - a completely different league to this side.

Of the current squad Mealamu, Carter, Woodcock, Mils and Joe all peaked during that period and have slipped to varying degrees - McAlister has slipped so much he isn't even in the squad anymore. Smith and Nonu are peaking now. You can never really tell with Piri and McCaw is just McCaw.

Save for our second lock, at various points with that side you could make the argument that we had the best player in the world in every position. This one, not so much...

[Bones]

I don't buy that Carter, Woodcock and Mils have slipped - and even Mealamu is playing some of his best rugby.

[Sambo]

Bones said:

I don't buy that Carter, Woodcock and Mils have slipped - and even Mealamu is playing some of his best rugby.

agree and i would also argue if lucky gets extended game time in ITM hopefully EOYT and next yrs S15 he will be Nonu's back up next year.

[taniwharugby]

rotated said:

The team from Paris 2004 to Cardiff 2006 is a competitor in the greatest All Black team of all time debate - a completely different league to this side.

Of the current squad Mealamu, Carter, Woodcock, Mils and Joe all peaked during that period and have slipped to varying degrees - McAlister has slipped so much he isn't even in the squad anymore. Smith and Nonu are peaking now. You can never really tell with Piri and McCaw is just McCaw.

Save for our second lock, at various points with that side you could make the argument that we had the best player in the world in every position. This one, not so much...

dont forget woodcock, he's slipped too...I think Sivi has also slipped so far he cant make the squad either

[da_grubster]

rotated said:

The team from Paris 2004 to Cardiff 2006 is a competitor in the greatest All Black team of all time debate - a completely different league to this side.

Of the current squad Mealamu, Carter, Woodcock, Mils and Joe all peaked during that period and have slipped to varying degrees - McAlister has slipped so much he isn't even in the squad anymore. Smith and Nonu are peaking now. You can never really tell with Piri and McCaw is just McCaw.

Save for our second lock, at various points with that side you could make the argument that we had the best player in the world in every position. This one, not so much...

They obviously had a better depth in the squad as it was at the height of the R n R program and Henry cut a swathe through Europe alternating with differing teams each week to secure a Gran Slam.

It would be interesting to do a head to head over our best match day 22 in 2006 to now. the run on teams would be fairly close with the present bench suffering in comparison

[Red Beard]

dK said:

I thought that was Bob the Builder:D

Very good!

[Luigi]

Nepia said:

Damn you Luigi! You Jinx. (We know thats what you wanted to do despite your first post claim!)
I think we might drop one to Australia - but hope we don't of course.

Nah mate, I knew none of you could dare ask the question so as a Pom I was just trying to do you a favour by opening the discussion.

[Kirwan]

Luigi said:

Nah mate, I knew none of you could dare ask the question so as a Pom I was just trying to do you a favour by opening the discussion.

There have been two threads recently about this. One was forecasting an unbeaten run to the RWC final(!) and Hooroo's was "just" getting the world record run of wins. We aren't a shy bunch.

[da_grubster]

Kirwan said:

There have been two threads recently about this. One was forecasting an unbeaten run to the RWC final(!) and Hooroo's was "just" getting the world record run of wins. We aren't a shy bunch.

dont forget Hooroo's thread about the team we should play in the final!!

The only one we need now is where to hold the tickertape parade after we win and the offerring to the mocker gods will be complete.

[the_doctor]

da_grubster said:

The only one we need now is where to hold the tickertape parade after we win and the offerring to the mocker gods will be complete.

John Key will probably offer to lead it down the cycleway...