Triumphrat

Tbirdnz

The AB's play the World Champions this Saturday in Wellington, South Africa are sending their full team which will test the AB's new 'instant' team, some of whom haven't been really tested.

Great chance for the 'Boks to win their first test in NZ for over 6 years.

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Ride on !

propforward

Indeed - but the All Blacks continue to show a lot of flair, and some quite exciting possibilities. I think this could be a good game. Don't know if it will be broadcast in the states - I'll have to check.

I see Martin Johnson has been appointed England manager - this could be a positive turn for England - he was an inspirational captain and really understands what his players can do.

We shall see. I would love to see England return to NZ like they did in 2003.

Pity it took 5 years to get here though.

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DaveB

I hope so .

Let's hope it's an entertaining game. Any predictions for the final outcome of the Tri Nations?

DaveB.

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haggis95

But they're good at this!

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propforward

That was a particularly good demonstration of the Haka - done with real feeling.

Sometimes these days it gets delivered without the same feeling - or seems that way. Maybe just because there are so many more international tests that seeing it is not the rarity it used to be.

Nevertheless, when delivered the way it was in that vid - awesome and awe inspiring. I remember watching that particular Haka encounter live - fanatastic seeing the two teams deliver their respective challenges with such feeling.

Good stuff! No other sport comes close!

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propforward

Well, I'm no expert, and I don't think I can predict the winner, but I reckon SA, NZ and Oz will be in the top 3 teams in that tourney.

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richb

As a matter of curiosity, why are the All Blacks allowed to do the Haka, when no other team (leaving aside some of the Pacific Islanders who have their own version) has such a similar display of stylised aggression and threatened violence? I'm not complaining, just curious. If it doesn't give some psychological advantage, then why do it? If it does, is that "fair"?
I think England should come on and do a bit of Morris Dancing (Google it!), jangling the bells on their socks and whacking sticks together. At the very least the AB's would be so busy crying with laughter that they wouldn't notice as England ran the first ten tries past them.

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Tbirdnz

Yes the haka goes down well but one player wouldn't have been too keen about it, in the NZ Herald the rugby columnists rate each players individual play and give scores out of 10 after the game.
One player got only one comment, "Good haka !"


Well the Boks will take some beating bringing just about their full World Cup team and an incentive of taking on the AB's on their home turf. The AB's have lost their captain to injury after the tests against England and the team are still looking for player combinations with some rookie players but it should be a good game. It will be much tougher against the Boks than England.

For the tri-nations champions, I'll let you know after this game !

Looking forward to it.


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Ride on !

haggis95

In one game a few years ago Ireland linked arms and marched in a vee formation towards the All Blacks - once. They were fined!

Re: Morris dancing - it takes a real man drinking real ale to do that!

The scots could just lift their kilts - and give us all a laugh.

The Welsh -if you've ever played against a welsh team that looks like they've all been used for pit props you'll know they don't need a chant or dance!

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stanegoli

Ah yes, looking forward to a fine game.
Hope one of our local sports bars carries the game so I get to watch.

Come Monday we can all argue the outcome