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Westpac Stadium, Wellington (24/08/2013, 06:35 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistants: Craig Joubert
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman
New Zealand
TBD
Australia
TBD
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3821_8878523,00.htmlThe All Blacks managed to win the 2011 World Cup even with three of their fly-halves succumbing to injury. Success in the tournament, even in the face of adversity, has left the coaching staff confident that their squad has enough depth to produce the goods.
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3821_8878722,00.htmlAustralian captain James Horwill pleaded that referee Craig Joubert take sterner action and use his cards for repeat offences, but the South African didn't oblige.
Weepu is not an option?
Weepu is not an option?
I like Slade's better all around game than Taylor's. But I'm comfortable as them being emergency options.
Hopefully Barrett is ok though.
Also +1 to the Ben Smith at 10 - I mean, what can't he do?
weepu would not seriously be considered, there are better options. Heck I'd pick Parker or Horrell or Robbie Robinson maybe even Nokes or tyler bleyendaal over weepu but when you get down to 5th & 6th choice options that is when Israel Dagg or Ben Smith also become serious options not just jokes. Fact is Ben Smith could do it in his sleep, just need to find a goal kicker. Dagg is a superb goal kicker but he may not be keeping up with practice because he has not been required to since leaving the highlanders.
Not rushed like SBW was - simply because he doesn't have the off-field hype and the apologists that come with it. If it were SBW, they'd be pickets all over the NZRU by now.We will probably have to agree to disagree but IMO of course Weepu is a serious option, it's a bit silly to suggest otherwise to be frank.
If it came down to a choice between Weepu and the likes of Parker, Horrell, Robinson, Sopoaga or who ever, then I think right now the ABs would opt for the experience of Weepu and the familiarity he has with the AB environment and structure vs bringing a complete rookie into arguably the toughest level of international rugby. You might be right and some of the others you suggest may be in many ways considered better options (certainly long term) but the ABs are traditionally quite conservative with selections, particulalry at pivot - think Donald in the RWC. Let's hope it doesnt come to that though. Hopefuly Cruden and/or Barrett will be fixed. Maybe Benji might be rushed over?? No-one has suggested that yet...
Weepu as cover for fly-half, with Carter, Cruden and Barrett possibly injured and not available...
Not rushed like SBW was - simply because he doesn't have the off-field hype and the apologists that come with it. If it were SBW, they'd be pickets all over the NZRU by now.
http://www.allblacks.com/news/23045/All-Blacks-medical-update---Cruden-and-Barrett-outRomano out til November with groin tear
Cruden out for up to 6 weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury
Barret out with calf strain, expected back for Argentina on September 7
If thrush was an option surely he would be in the squad? I did see somewhere that maybe he's injured? Personally I'd have Luatua or Luke Whitelock on the bench ahead of thrush.