As the All Blacks face a crunch semi-final against Australia on Sunday, I decided to call up some of my student friends in Dunedin and get a “pulse check” on the big game. If the All Blacks where to win it would be their first World Cup final appearance since 1995.
Australia are coming into the tie on a high after beating former world champions South Africa thanks to a James O’Conner penalty which sealed a 11-9 victory for the Wallabies. But will the men in Black have enough for victory? The likes of Richie Mccaw and Colin Slade are out for the tie along with talismanic Dan Carter who has been ruled out of the tournament can the All Blacks get the result? It’s time for the students of Dunedin to call the result.
“Target our boy Quade and we’ll get the win.” Liam Farley.
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| Weepu will have to overcome Heartbreak to kick the AB'S to the final |
Liam is confident for an All Blacks big performance especially against old rivals, despite the Aussies beating the Springbok’s “Australia only just scraped through against a poor South Africa side they can't be too cocky either,the All Blacks better hope the Aussies don't employ a similar defensive strategy as the Puma's did, which seemed to choke any bigger set plays the All Blacks tried to make.”
But it’s not all doom and gloom for the AB’s “Our scrumming seems better, but our backline will have to kick it up a gear, I think if we also target Quade with our forwards we can force some errors, he has been awful so far, I hope that continues.” Liam’s hoping on a tight win for the AB’S and onwards to the final.
Liam’s Tip- Australia 20- New Zealand 26
“The Aussie’s will beat the Kiwi’s and the country will be in a state of shock.” Jordy Bowman
Proud Australian Jordy Bowman is backing the Wallabies much to the distain of her housemates. “I’ve been getting plenty of abuse for supporting my national team in New Zealand during the World Cup, I should get my revenge come Sunday.” Jordy points to flanker David Pocock as the potential match winner. “We really missed him against the Irish, and his physical performance against South Africa was amazing, he’ll be the difference against the All Blacks pack.”
“All Blacks will be rattled by their injury losses; Cooper will finally play like he's meant to, and New Zealand will be rioting in the streets come 11pm Sunday.” Boasted Jordy, with the Wallabies coach Robbie Deans the biggest source of pride for the Aussie in New Zealand, “Can you imagine if a Kiwi coach beats the All Blacks and then lifts the World Cup for Australia, he wont be allowed to come back home!” Jordy went for a repeat score for the Australians that seen them through the Quarter-Final against South Africa.
Jordy’s Tip- Australia 11- New Zealand 9
“Despite the players out we will still win, and be in the final.” Shaun Ferguson
Shaun Ferguson on the other hand is all for a gutsy tournament defining victory for the All Blacks despite but the apparent lack of personnel. “If we where to loose it will be purely mental, we need to play proper AB football from the start and get it to our backs and attack. We seem to play nervous rugby early on in the important games which leads to mistakes across the pitch.”
Australia who last won a test at Eden Park in 1986 will still be a major threat, but Shaun thinks it’ll be a team effort to get the win. “I think we will have 3 key men on the pitch on Sunday. Weepu will have a big match and overcome personal heartache; all of New Zealand will be supporting him. Sonny Bill will continue where he has left off and terrify the Aussies. But I think Brad Thorn will be a colossus in the pack. If they all play well New Zealand will win, simple as.” Shaun has gone for strong AB win, firmly convincing himself of a big victory.
Shaun’s Tip- Australia 23- New Zealand 37
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