Kiwi Newz: From The Frying Pan Into The Fire

If it wasn't enough that the All Blacks were comfortably beaten by their Antipodean rivals on the weekend, they now face the very real risk of tumbling down the rankings. Anything less than a win this weekend will see the reigning world champions plummet to 4th place, a loss of 16 points or more will see them occupy 6th place. With their backs firmly against the wall, there is much to play for. Can the Wallabies repeat their heroic efforts and regain the Bledisloe Cup for the first time in seventeen years? A trophy Aussies covet more than the Rugby Championship itself. If they do indeed prevail, they'll inflict an unprecedented wound in New Zealand rugby. Game on!

RANKINGS

1. New Zealand - 89.04
2. Wales - 88.89
3. Ireland - 88.69
4. England - 87.34
5. South Africa - 86.83
6. Australia - 84.41
7. Scotland - 80.17
8. France - 79.42
9. Japan - 77.21
10. Fiji - 76.98
11. Argentina - 76.29
12. Georgia - 74.42
13. Italy - 72.04
14. USA - 71.93
15. Tonga - 71.49
16. Samoa - 69.08
17. Spain - 68.15
18. Romania - 66.69
19. Uruguay - 65.18
20. Russia - 64. 81

This coming weekend there are a number of warm-up games taking place,  As stated by you Australia is playing NZ - but there is also SA playing Argentina.  

England is playing Wales again.   

Another win by Australia and by England could both mean that NZ slipped from the top of the log   If the Aussies win and Wales beats England there could be  problem for the log as a whole.   Wales will be on top followed by NZ - but who then,   Ireland will not play again this coming weekend.

Depending on the game outcomes the top 6 can change significantly depending on game outcomes. 

This coming weekend there are a number of warm-up games taking place,  As stated by you Australia is playing NZ - but there is also SA playing Argentina.  

England is playing Wales again.   

Another win by Australia and by England could both mean that NZ slipped from the top of the log   If the Aussies win and Wales beats England there could be  problem for the log as a whole.   Wales will be on top followed by NZ - but who then,   Ireland will not play again this coming weekend.

Depending on the game outcomes the top 6 can change significantly depending on game outcomes. 

I agree with you, I think New Zealand will win. However, they were absolutely dominating New Zealand before that card. They could barely get out of their half. Barrett was carded in the 40th minute of the first half. That was a fair amount of rugby. In that first half Australia had 81% possession and 87% territory. The numbers dipped in the second half to 53% possession and 67% territory. So, despite being a man down, New Zealand had much more ball and some more field position. They didn't look incapable of using the ball, but got sucker punched when they did. The way Australia played right through them, not merely exploiting the space of a missing man, that was the most alarming aspect of the game. Barrett being on hand wouldn't have changed that. If Australia can build on that newfound ability to play directly, their attack becomes exponentially amplified. In short, that would arguably make them the most dangerous attacking side in world rugby. That said, New Zealanders are a methodical task based people. They'll have had time to conjure a plan. 

so long as their plan is not to cheapshot hooper may work better.

im sure their major plan will be to manipulate peyper who is blind at best to kiwi cheating.

be good test of his credibility as well as whether the kiwis have lost their mojo