Tri-N Nations Game 1: Australia v New Zealand

[DeeGan]

Tri-N Nations Game 1: Australia v New Zealand

Who will win?

Who will be the M.O.M?

Post your thoughts on this game in this thread before the opening Test at Telstra Stadium.

Cheers

DeeGan

[Dakink]

I think Aus will win - though NZ always promise much and this time they have a better 'feel' about them.


MOM - Another toughy. You obviously have to look at the class impacy players like Johns & Lockyer. Might be a forward this time though. Ill comment further when I see the starting teams.


Should be a cracker. A lot will depend on how the NZ team handle the 5\8 position. T

[Super Cronk]

Australia will win by a comfortable margin.

MOM- Andrew johns

I reckon the aussie team will be more mobile then the other teams and the backs will be way to strong and go on a try scoring spree!

[Teegy]

Australia by 13+

Lockyer as MOM

[..::Coops::..]

Aus 22- 8
MOM Andrew Johns
FTS Gasnier

[Friend]

Australia to win 30-6.
MOM Andrew Johns.

[PARANoIR]

Australia by a lot.

Johns or Minichiello MOM.

[Inferno]

Kiwis by 8, just to be different.

Vagana or Jones for MOM.

[Coaster]

Australia by 30

MoM - Minochello after he scores 4 tries, he will love running off a Johns/Lockyer combo

FtS again the Count

[Queenslander]

Australia to win 24-8
MOM: Steve Price

[kazza broncos chick]

Aussie 24-10
Lockyer MOM
Inferno wat are u thinkin??? NZ sif they've got a chance!LOL

[Inferno]

we'll see.

I can't wait to see more of Vagana at 5/8. Hopefully will tear Locky a new one

[Steelers]

I hope NZ win (just to see the look on Bennett's face) but AUS will more than likely win.

M.O.M
Stacey Jones
or
Andrew Johns

[DeeGan]

Who will win?

Australia

Call me bias, though this Australian team should get home quite comfortably against a spirited NZ team who will make the first 20 minutes of each half quite an arm wrestle.

NZ Pride will ensure that the NZ team will be competitive early though the sheer class of the Australian team led by Lockyer, Johns, MInichello and the like will get us home.

Expect some 'ring rust' from the Aussies which will keep the NZ team in this one, though once we settle in, we have too many strike weapons to be troubled.

Who will be M.O.M?

Take your pick.

You have the two best players (Johns, Lockyer) in the world in the halves for Australia, big game specialist Anthony Minichello, Steve Price (M.O.M in his only 2 appearances in a rep jersey in 2005), Buderus, Gasnier (who can tear apart any team on his day) plus two rookies in O'Donnell and King who will feel 10 feet tall when they pull on their green and gold jersey.

In short, TOO MANY too choose from so if your taking the punt, you need to look for some value though look to the guys who will dominate with the ball.

Take one of either Johns, Lockyer, Minichello from the backline with Buderus, or Price in the forwards.

Do not discount Matt King as a roughie for a spectacular debut tonight. This guy is just a brilliant rugby league player who is not overawed by the occasion. King will score a try or two and more than like save the same amount putting together some flashes of brilliance returning the ball.

If pushed for one nomination, I will take Darren Lockyer who will be intent on playing himself back into form and dismiss any talk that Barrett is a possible contender for his five-eight spot. Lockyer as captain has 4 or so M.O.M. awards so he will be hard to go past here.

EDIT: I have chucked $10 on Lockyer and another $10 on Steve Price who will be our main go forward man tonight. It all starts up front and Price (who will be in any of my fantasy teams for rugby league) loves the occasion.

What will the score line be?

I am hesitant here given this our first hit out.

Lockyer and Johns will take time to gel and get a feel for each other out there which will perhaps hold us back a little plus alot of these guys have not played for some weeks.

I will nominate: AUS 32 - NZ 16

Again, NZ will be tough in the early stanza's of each half though we should be too good and run over them in the back end of each half.

Cheers

DeeGan

[DeeGan]

Aussie 24-10
Lockyer MOM
Inferno wat are u thinkin??? NZ sif they've got a chance!LOL

Though I have Australia winning this one comfortably in the end, NZ have alot going for them in this opening match.

- No expectation
- An Aussie side expected to be a little rusty
- More physical side
- Stacey Jones is back in the halfback position

Writing off NZ as having no chance is a little premature, sure they are under strength, though you have to respect them in any test match they play. See 2003 Test at Auckland, NZ smacked us 30-16.

DeeGan