All Blacks end of the year tour

Yeah, I know. That's what sucks. After experiencing a game in a proper world-class stadium in a non-residential area, I know what we're missing out on. Getting there wasn't a hassle. Getting in wasn't a hassle. Getting out wasn't a hassle. 75,000 people, strolled in and strolled out, straight into the middle of Cardiff city, where all the roads are closed off for the evening and a big street party starts, even though the local fans didn't get the result they were looking for.

Wales =

They could always go back to the South Harbour days of poaching every player north of the Waitemata.

The thing is, most major stadiums around the world are like that, i.e. not in the middle of nowhere.

One more game for the Grand Slam... and we haven't yet conceded a try. If we can keep that up for next week, that's an achievement that may never be repeated.

Sides for the weekend:

NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.

ENGLAND: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Danny Care; 8 Nick Easter, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 James Haskell, 5 Nick Kennedy, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 3 Phil Vickery, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Tim Payne. Reserves: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Tom Croft, 19 Tom Rees, 20 Harry Ellis, 21 Danny Cipriani, 22 Dan Hipkiss.

Again, Happy with selection.

Looking forward to seeing a Wellington boy Riki Flutey playing for England.

Lavea had a terrific first season with the Storm, won NRL rookie of the year etc, and then faded into obscurity. He had one good year behind the best forward pack in the league and then after that when things got a little tougher, he couldn't handle it. Switching back to rugby was the smartest thing he ever did.

Interesting to see they've gone with Flood over 'the next Dan Carter' Cipriani

Here's hoping we make an emphatic parting statement this weekend

I've watched Cipriani play against SA and looked average at best.

I'm hoping for a hiding also, but after my predictions for Munster game, I'll just bite my tongue.

Six months ago, we were looking at a year of rebuilding for the All Blacks. Lowered expectations due to the exodus of players.

Now we're looking at a Grand Slam in very convincing fashion and have the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup in the cabinet.

Henry must be doing something right

A woefull SA side destoyed them last weekend. I can't it being any harder for the AB's!

Not a bad game of rugby, again following the similar pattern of grinding it out in the first half and then taking it away from the opposition by stepping up a couple of gears in the second half.

oh and lol australia lol. wd wales!

My To-Do List, by Graham

- retain Bledisloe - check!
- win Tri-Nations - check!
- Grand Slam in the northern hemisphere - check!

Wrong. Henry said there was only one thing on his to-do list:
- win world cup 2007

And he failed.

Yeah good game in deed.

However there are so many passes/kicks that just didn't stick...

I'm kinda gutted about Australia loosing tbh. It would off been cool to see southern hemisphere teams not loose one match against northern counterparts. Just to shut up those arrogant northern hemisphere sports writers more than anything else.

Is this the first team to get a grand slam without conceding a try? Got to be a record...

This abs side reminds me of an old school Auckland side (i.e. record shield era)... always had a hard time in the first half, but played a blinder in the second... really, the best way to play rugby

Good call, mutant. Very reminiscent of those dominant Auckland sides of the 90s.

Yeah, at the very least he had to win everything this year and even then it would never be redemption for the RWC07, plus it's gotta be said - the standard of rugby this year, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, has been shit. WC hangover perhaps.

Big ups though. It's been a good season.

BBC had an intersting point to say with regards to the domination of the Sthrn teams...

ELV's = Fitter, faster and stronger players, who can play with a higher level of intensity cos we've been playing ELV's all year.... and the Northern teams just got left behind. As seen by the second half demo jobs the AB's do as the fitness differences shine.

Yeah, fully Damien.

Clubs are introducing ELVs this upcoming season. Our coaches and management told us to turn up to preseason training with a reasonable level of fitness, or we'll get left behind!

Off to the Baabaas-Aussie game at Wembley on Wednesday, should be good.

What fucks me off, is that I can't find any broadcasting for this game... This has been the case for many years now for Barbarians games. Stupid really.

Anyone interested in watching it, I found it on P2P site. Really good site. Watched most of the Super 14 last on it.

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=25743&part=sports

Teams:

Wallabies: James O'Connor, Lote Tuqiri, Ryan Cross, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Brett Sheehan, Richard Brown, George Smith (capt), Dean Mumm, Hugh McMeniman, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu. Reserves: Adam Freier, Ben Alexander, Peter Kimlin, David Pocock, Luke Burgess, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell.

Barbarians: Percy Montgomery, Joe Rokocoko, Rico Gear, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Francois Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Richie McCaw, Schalk Berger, Jerry Collins, Johann Muller, Bakkies Botha, Cencus Johnson, John Smit (capt), Federico Pucciarello. Reserves: Mark Regan, Rodney Blake, Chris Jack, Nick Koster, George Gregan, Ollie Smith, Shane Williams.


Barbarians... Holly fucking jesus. Wallabies will get smoked!

Haha whut! That Barbarians team is ridiculous.. 12+ maybe

Holly, Australia 13 Barbarians 6 after first half!

It would be tough for the Barbarians to win. A thrown together team with limited preparation against a team that has played multiple games together this year.

Dude, Aussie defense is unbelievable! Barbarians attacking like men possessed too... Fucking awesome game.

Fuck me Shane Williams has the meanest acceleration in the world!

Jerry Collins scores the try, 20 mins to go.

13-11

18-11 to Aussies. What a fucking thrilling game of rugby! Fuck...

The Best Player in the World!!

Mr Athlete himself..blown archilles.

how the hell that donut gets in the aussie team is beyond me...

England are taking complaints about Sunday morning's ref to the IRB.

...

http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsarticle=9246

England's was one of the most mindlessly filthy displays I have ever seen. Probably the worst in terms of just blatant, sustained and silly play. The only thing preventing them from having half the team on the sideline was the referee trying not to let the game become a complete farcical.

Was kind of annoyinbg wathcing the Aussies kick penalties for most of the first half forcing the Baabaa to follow suit to stay in touch. Was an okay atmosphere but too many antipodeans meant the crowd was a bit subdued... Honestly compared to the Brits Kiwis/Aussies suck as far crowd atmosphere goes.

Call of the night was at the bar, after an Aussie was day dreaming and my mate managed to order our pints ahead of him. The Aussie guy realised what happened and looked a bit miffed so my mate said:

"Gotta be brave round here mate, not just kick penalties."

Oh yeah and Shane Williams I kept losing sight of himm because he was too fast for my vision to keep up with.