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Good luck, Monsieur Poite!; Planet Rugby

Started by Just_win10 REPLIES196 VIEWS· 22 Aug 2014, 23:41
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JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
22 Aug 2014, 23:41
#1
22 Aug 2014, 23:41#1

The All Blacks and Wallabies sought pre-match talks with referee Romain Poite on Friday as they try to avoid giving away penalties in their highly-anticipated return Rugby Championship Test.

With both sides smarting from last week's 12-12 draw in Sydney, the respective head coaches were keen to minimise any uncertainty in Auckland.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has already claimed an apology from last week's ref, South African Jaco Peyper, for a series of debatable calls, including one yellow card.

"I've seen Steve's interpretation of what the referee said so if there's talk about free kicks at scrum time there were only three free kicks against the All Blacks but there were still 14 penalties against them in the game", said Wallabies boss Ewen McKenzie .

"It depends on which bit you want to look at. So we'll talk about the scrums."

McKenzie arguably has more to fear from Poite, who is seen to favour the dominant pack and was severe on the Wallabies in last year's deciding British and Irish Lions Test.

The All Blacks, who fell one short of a record 18th Test win last week, have played five internationals with the Frenchman in charge and never lost.

The Australian coach said he would be talking to Poite and last week's referee Peyper, who is also in Auckland as an assistant referee for the Saturday's Test.

He said the Wallabies were also unhappy with some of Peyper's decisions in a rain-soaked Sydney, but added "teams have to look at themselves over time rather than look at one game".

And he warned that Australia would not be cowed by their record at Eden Park, the All Blacks' spiritual home, where they have not won a game since 1986.

"They were going for a world record last week and didn't get there," said McKenzie.

"We know what they're capable of. They're a very consistent side and have been the most consistent team for 100 years, we know that. It doesn't mean they win every game."

Hansen said he would also try to clarify points of the law with Poite as the All Blacks seek to re-establish supremacy and lock up the trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup for the 13th year in a row.

Captain Richie McCaw said the home side were hoping to step up a gear after last week's game, which they were lucky to escape with a draw.

"It felt like a loss after the game," said McCaw.

"We want to make sure we come out and do better this week."

The Wallabies will field an unchanged side while the All Blacks have changed three for a Test which is forecast to be played in dry weather and hard ground.

Injured centre Ma'a Nonu has been replaced by Ryan Crotty, in his first Test start, partnering Conrad Smith who was absent last week attending the birth of his son.

Liam Messam comes in for the injured Jerome Kaino in the forwards.

Although the Australians have not won at Eden Park since before most of the current players were born, captain Michael Hooper said not having experienced the fortress was a good thing.

"We're thinking about the improvements we can make on the field rather than the whole picture going around it," he said.

JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
22 Aug 2014, 23:44
#2
22 Aug 2014, 23:44#2
Lol, the photo says it all Who would want this man's job? He probably doesn't want it himself.
BE
Beeno1Captain40,032 posts
23 Aug 2014, 00:14
#3
23 Aug 2014, 00:14#3
 Compare what mcaaaw said to the bleats of kbbs after the game:

Captain Richie McCaw said the home side were hoping to step up a gear after last week's game, which they were lucky to escape with a draw.

"It felt like a loss after the game," said McCaw. 

He actually said even more so after watching the game.

Beeno telling it like it is. 

Roman must know a Bissie type "error" will be the end of his career. Maybe we will get a decent offici ation


JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
23 Aug 2014, 00:19
#4
23 Aug 2014, 00:19#4
I agree Beeno, Roman better not give a red card our hooker.
BE
Beeno1Captain40,032 posts
23 Aug 2014, 00:32
#5
23 Aug 2014, 00:32#5
 hahahhaha JW but I think if there is a danger its Roman is in the abs camp. However he knows he cannot afford to be too partial this time round. Kaplans remarks have put pressure on him to act and he had better do his job otherwise there will be big f allout.
But enough of this. Lets hope the game is a cracker and may the BEST side WIN!
There would appear to be more steel in this Oz side than previously.
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
23 Aug 2014, 00:40
#6
23 Aug 2014, 00:40#6
 JW
I think that Poite will be much more careful aftr the Eden Park fiasco last year - he got send off from reffing any internationals for three months and then got called in to start reffing internationals between lower-ranked teams.   He took nearly nine months before he was called upon to ref higher-ranked teams again.  
The article is true - Poite, like most NH refs - is hard on scrumming problems, but they are also hard on problems in maul and breakdoiwn situations.
That leads me to believe that the Aussies will be on the receiving end of penalties for scrumming and if the AB's misbehave in the maul and ball recovery processes like they did last Saturday - they will aso be penalized.   On the other hand Poite gave - rightfully so - the Aussies a hard time in the Lions test - but they deserved thorougly the hard time and the team was changed substantiallly since then.   I think the Wallabies are a subntantially better team than hey were same time last year.
In essence - it is an interesting scenario tomorrow a nd I am looking forward to th match.           
JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
23 Aug 2014, 01:04
#7
23 Aug 2014, 01:04#7
Beeno: as I said on another thread other refs will not publicly criticize Kaplan - he is one of their own & their job is tough enough without a public squabble.
I hope the ref is fair & that's what most expect. He won't be perfect that we know. It is good that the SH teams get NH refs we need them for our prep for the RWC.
CL
ClaydogClub Pro691 posts
23 Aug 2014, 01:48
#8
23 Aug 2014, 01:48#8
If at the end of the game no one talks about him he will have done a good job. Hopefully everyone will focus on the quality of the wallaby win and the destruction of Eden park as the bastion of AB supremacy. 
BO
bobbok...Captain10,129 posts
23 Aug 2014, 02:29
#9
23 Aug 2014, 02:29#9
 Hopefully Inspector Clousseau doesn't spend tonight trying to kiss AB arse attempting to make up for last week's pied piper .
PA
PapamoaClub Pro683 posts
23 Aug 2014, 07:56
#10
23 Aug 2014, 07:56#10
 He has a tough job. The pressure is on him just as much as the players. Good luck indeed. Just don't screw it up.... Or if you screw up, just keep the screw ups consistent.
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
23 Aug 2014, 10:41
#11
23 Aug 2014, 10:41#11
 We will certainly know in an hours time.  Whjat I dioslike intensely is to remember the ref name and not the game performances after a game.   That means the ref was bullsh!t and that is the long and the short of it.  
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