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 cincydooley wrote:
I think that's for their last World Cup, Ensis. I'm pretty sure Kaimo and Smith are going to play for another year or two.

Perhaps.... lord knows the Highlanders still need Ben Smith a great deal

Great game and well done the ABs.

Apart from the yellow card Australia were never in it, although I think the loss of Giteau early on was a big blow. Beale and Kuridrani were never going to match his vision and distribution. Great try by Nonu and Carter was kicking beautifully as well as managing the game.

Interesting to see how the All Blacks go in the Championship next year with key players retiring, especially losing your fly half and both centres.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

 motyak wrote:
Yeah he's a freak. It'll be a shame/relief to see him go when he does. Is he also going after this, or is it just McCaw? I've heard both.

I saw an article/picture floating around that it was 6 All Blacks playing their "last" game in the black shirt today... I think it was McCaw, Carter, Mealamu, Kaino, B. Smith..... and possibly Nonu (but I can't seem to remember the 6th person)



And heck of a match. That 79th minute try by Barrett was a real thing of beauty.

McCaw, Carter, Nonu, Mealamu and Conrad Smith are definitely retiring, and I suspect Woodcock won't be back either. Kaino's probably got another year or two, but may not last till the next world cup. Still, Read, Vito and Cane looks pretty tasty. Barret will probably move to fly half permanently now, but it'll be interesting to see where they go with the centres, who'll play alongside Sonny Bill.

 grrrfranky wrote:
Still, Read, Vito and Cane looks pretty tasty. Barret will probably move to fly half permanently now, but it'll be interesting to see where they go with the centres, who'll play alongside Sonny Bill.

IMO, I think they'll be going with Fekitoa a lot more. He's not quite polished yet, but he's still young and when he's got ball in hand, he can do some exciting things.

Missed the game, but congrats to the winners!