Two matches to go: and although the Springboks took an early lead in their match against Australia, the Wallabies took the victory. So how does this change the fantasy league?
In all the stuff I read leading up to the Tri-Nations, Australia wasn't given a chance. What's going on? Do the other teams just not want to win it?
posted by bperk at 10:01 AM on July 09, 2007
Everyone had NZ hyped up, but that is because they beat all their opposition while Australia and SA had been beaten or had had close encounters n with other teams. However, Australia and SA had both been experimenting with their teams, whereas NZ are fairly settles. Plus, they are the All Blacks, every time they play they are the favourites. SA put out a second rate team for this match so I wasn't surprised that Australia got the win. And they'll be doing the same against NZ so expect another loss from them. The big match will be Australia V NZ, even the build up will be fun.
posted by Fence at 12:28 PM on July 09, 2007
I'm not in this league, but I thought I'd drop by anyway. I can't believe Australia has a chance to actually win this thing - at the beginning I thought they wouldn't even get a single win. But the money should still be on the ABs. Although being World Cup year, the NZ press and public are going through psychological hell - "Surely we can't stuff it up again? Peaking at the wrong time? Oh God, the Wallabies have already won it TWICE!" And the team is far from settled, Fence. Seven changes for the Springbok game, they have real problems at outside centre and people are starting to turn on Dan Carter. Not the preparation they were really looking for.
posted by owlhouse at 05:17 AM on July 10, 2007
Not totally settled, but they weren't trying out unknowns like SA and the Aussies in their Northern Hemisphere tours. I'd quite like NZ to lose, they've been guilty of a lot of moaning lately, but at the same time, that'd result in a bit of a backlash as the RWC, so maybe I'm hoping they win the Tri and lose in the WC. You can never write off the ABs though, and they do play some great rugby, so it is still hard to see anyone else winning.
posted by Fence at 05:14 AM on July 11, 2007
I'd still bet on them for the Tri-Nations. But I think their odds are lengthening for the RWC, as you say. Anyway, I figured you'd want to see them lose after the O'Driscoll thing in the first Lions Test. I watched it in a bar in Samoa, and even the most gung-ho Samoan were ashamed of what Tana Umaga and Kevin Mealamu did. Both are Samoan, by the way.
posted by owlhouse at 03:27 AM on July 12, 2007
Ah, it isn't that. Well maybe a little, but I always like seeing the favourites lose, especially when they are as grumpy as NZ seem to be this season.
posted by Fence at 03:30 AM on July 12, 2007
posted by Fence at 08:38 AM on July 09, 2007