Tri Nations Rugby Union

[redroar]

I would'nt be overly anxious about the NZ pack. Any inexperience they have from 4-8 is offset by SA inexperienced front row(cant see van der linde going past 60 mins) with two rookies on the bench as back up.

I'm actually more confident about NZ-9 then I was during the week. Keeping VanNierkirk at 8 and bringing 'fatty' Pieterson back in only strengthens the suspision that DeVilliers may be out of his depth.

Alternatively Matt Goddard is reffing tomorrow. This man must sleep with his whistle he loves blowing it so much. Potential penalty fest making under 40pts an attractive bet.

[Pie-chucker]

One more bet for me. Like the odds.

3pts NZ 16-20 @ 7-1
5pts NZ 21-25 @ 10-1

[eliteman]

acutally 12-17 SA are leading but how is it looking like? coming back behind and to take the lead is possible for All Blacks actually or i must give it up?

[Computer Guy]

if they get their ass into gear they'll win but they need a right rollicking at HT to give them the impetus.

15-17 HT

[Snodser]

Originally Posted by Snodser

Still think the Boks will win outright .

NZ 28 - 30 SA

[traeth]

Hope you had money on that great call snodser , South Africa were lucky at the end with that Januarie try , ball could have bounced in any direction but decided to go to his hand , the All Blacks played better in the second half but these "new" rules do induce the teams into kicking the ball live which the S.A. played a lot better this week.
South Africa should now be on a high for Australia next week

[Snodser]

I have traeth

[Snodser]

Just saw the game(not live over here) & have to admit I haven't fully got my head around these ELV's.

Anyway, still convinced the 'Boks will win the Tri.
The Blacks were not bad but there was one thing that stood out imo.

What do they do if anything happens to Carter?

Without him they are less than ordinary..........

[Snodser]

Where'd everybody go ?

[Pie-chucker]

To the false beard shop so as I can sneak back into the pub. Wrong by 20 points.

[Snodser]

Fair play Pie, fair play

[traeth]

next weekend match , k.o. 11:05

South Africa looked good against the All Blacks , Australia did not impress me at all against Ireland or a very weakend French side.
I'm very tempted to go with South Africa to overcome the handicap but this week I may hang on until I certain of my bet.

these early prices from sportingbet
Australia v South Africa
Handicap Prices
Australia +3 1.833
Tie +3 15.00
South Africa -3 2.00

Match Prices
Australia 2.375
Draw 15.00
South Africa 1.727

[traeth]

this news from the bbc about S.A.'s "problems" at hooker

South Africa captain John Smit has been ruled out of the rest of the rest of the Tri-Nations after undergoing surgery on his injured groin.
The 30-year-old was injured in his side's 19-8 defeat by New Zealand on 5 July and missed their thrilling 30-28 win over the All Blacks on Saturday.
Smit's absence leaves South Africa short of options at hooker.
Second-choice Bismarck du Plessis has been banned for three games, leaving Schalk Brits as the next in line.
The Boks have also called up the uncapped 23-year-old Cheetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss as cover for Saturday's Test against Australia

[redroar]

With all due respect to Oz if I had to have a weakened front row in the Tri Nations it would be against them.

Points a plenty in this game will be getting my bet.

[redroar]

South Africa team: Conrad Jantjes, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Schalk Brits, Gurthro Steenkamp

Thats a better team then last week in my opinion. Spies was always a starter at 8 in my book, jantjes was their best player in the first test at steyn can only do better then jacobs.

It's hard to comment on the Aussie's haven not seen them play a tough test yet, bar the one against the jaded Irish second team that they could have easily lost.

Any insight would be welcome as I'm seriously on the fench here.