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Joined July 2022
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These young up-and-coming players who move overseas to play pro rugby – which international team are they going to play for? 17-18 when they move, 5 years and they’re ready for international rugby. Ties to RA? Limited.
The Wrap: Wallabies scrape a win but the team, and the code, have entered Chinese water torture territory
Was at the Twickenham match, and the Boks most definitely were slowing the game down. Short bursts of impressive, fast, power rugby – and which the ABs couldn’t deal with. But after any period of play that went beyond a few phases there was a change of boot, or a prop on his knee. The Bok props in particular were blowing. But that is rugby at the moment, and the Boks have adapted and exploited it better than most. I wish it wasn’t so and hope it changes, but that is irrelevant – all teams have to deal with how the game is allowed to play out (including how it is paced) and have to play in a way that maximises their strengths within that. The Boks currently do this, the ABs currently sometimes do and sometimes don’t. But you’d have to be blind to not see that the Boks are better served with a lower ball in play time and the ABs better served with a higher. The trick the ABs have to learn is how to win with a low bip against eg SA or France
Mamma Mia! All Blacks almost hit a ton against Italy to make World Cup statement as Smith scores hat-trick
2022 they beat Wales 22-21
WORLD VIEW: 'Awake and angry' ABs produce 'total carnage' in 'statement and spectacle' win - but Ireland great reveals flaw
“… Mounga to take kick-offs and touchfinders, go back to how footy is ment to be played 1st five runs the cutter …”
Yes and yes again.
Btw I just don’t get the short touch finder tactic from JB. So what if one out of five goes too long or fails to find touch. The other 4 get us an extra 15 m upfield.
ANALYSIS: 'Time to make the tough call' - South Africa raised the stakes, and the All Blacks folded
They tactically showed very little to nothing (on purpose?) and seemed almost naive in their approach. Their attacking structure was very static, giving easy D reads for the Boks. They really struggled with the refereeing also – Cane appeared very unhappy at multiple stages, and seemed unprepared for this refs interpretations.
One thing obvious at the ground at least was the Boks had full control of the pace of the game – damn it was slow – and the ABs were incapable of increasing it (not least because they couldn’t retain possession for more than a few phases, or if they did they would end up losing a line out or giving away a penalty in the scrum). The Boks front row especially got gassed after a few phases, but since that rarely happened (and when it did they just took a knee anyway) it made no difference.
ANALYSIS: 'Time to make the tough call' - South Africa raised the stakes, and the All Blacks folded
Was at the game, low down on the try line (where Marx scored, more on that later), saw BB’s kick. He clearly mis-kicked it, wobble-sliced off his boot. Looked like from my angle that he was trying to clear, not kick-pass, he just f’ed it up as he panicked a bit and rushed it. Was obvious they were having big problems with the bok rush D, and was not only BB that panicked (although he did so in several occasions).
The Marx try was such a poor read by the AB D. It happened right in front of us (3rd row) and it was obvious it was on and the SA line out was preparing for it. No comms on the AB side. Smith was left alone to deal with a rampaging bull and was blown down like he wasn’t there.
An odd match to watch. Some random thoughts – when the ABs stopped giving away penalties and didn’t drop the ball, they made ground fairly easily without doing very much – this was the comments also of many of the SA crowd. But come 2nd half, a quick try to the Boks and it was all Hail Mary stuff. No patience, no depth, one or two off the ruck (assuming the ball wasn’t dropped) – that was it. Roigard made a huge difference when he came on. Telea was able to break the first line but would get caught right after. Mounga was superb and very brave under the high ball – and took some punishment for it. Our loosies were too light and were blown away. Esterhuizen is a very big boy. JB and RI didn’t obviously communicate that much. All in all – it looked like we were 5% off all over and no one was able to rectify that on the park.
ANALYSIS: 'Time to make the tough call' - South Africa raised the stakes, and the All Blacks folded
I suspect it will be Ofa on the bench instead of Williams, and Havili instead of Alb – gives more positional cover (2/5 and FB, with LF covering wing and centre) and adds to the kicking game
Kiwi View: This All Black team can win the World Cup but is it better than 2019?
To be fair, the last one of those was right at the end of the game when victory was assured, and they tried to run out without committing the bok D, got caught, outnumbered and turned over. That for me was a bit disappointing – would have much preferred them to be utterly ruthless, played for territory and shut the Boks out. A slight worry for me there.
There is a whiff of myth about this Springboks side - and they were badly exposed by All Blacks' coaching team
I think our D is much tighter and more aggressive than it was a couple of years ago BB – compare this match with the last AB-Irish test in Ireland for example. As has been mentioned by Highlander and others above, even Ioane has improved significantly and is much more connected now with his in- and outsides than he has been earlier. Not perfect yet by any means, but getting better
There is a whiff of myth about this Springboks side - and they were badly exposed by All Blacks' coaching team
I thought DP showed on Saturday very clearly why Cane is the starting 7. He just wasn’t as physical and accurate.
There is a whiff of myth about this Springboks side - and they were badly exposed by All Blacks' coaching team
But weren’t the Force dumped in 2018, several years after TW returned to NZ?
All Blacks debut for Aussie-raised rookie, Mo'unga back at 10, Springboks rocked by death of captain's dad
Presumably they just want his bulk there, as he doesn’t cover much else than LW. Although is he the surprise 2nd five cover ?? 😂
There must be a specific plan for him – otherwise they are simply using up a bench spot for a more-or-less single position outside back reserve. A spot that could have been used for an additional loose forward reserve, for example.
All Blacks debut for Aussie-raised rookie, Mo'unga back at 10, Springboks rocked by death of captain's dad
Come on NZ Roar, get out of bed! 😂
McKenzie recalled, Stevenson snubbed, debutant winger named as All Blacks reveal team to face Cheika's Pumas
Interesting that Lord has seemingly leapfrogged Vaa’i. Would be great to know the reasoning behind that, especially given the limited game time Lord has had this year. Not saying it’s wrong, but would be keen to hear why
McKenzie recalled, Stevenson snubbed, debutant winger named as All Blacks reveal team to face Cheika's Pumas
Presumably Tamaiti Williams is not there because of his big shift in SR. Can’t otherwise understand the prop bench.
McKenzie recalled, Stevenson snubbed, debutant winger named as All Blacks reveal team to face Cheika's Pumas
That back 3 offers little on the kicking front. Clarke not a kicker, BB can’t kick far. Checka will have taken note.
McKenzie recalled, Stevenson snubbed, debutant winger named as All Blacks reveal team to face Cheika's Pumas
What are the odds that Arron Smith actually said that.
If NZR’s PR team is going to make up player quotes, at least they could try to make it sound like it didn’t come from the mouth of a 45 year-old management consultant.
'Whoever greenlit this should be jailed': Social media's brutal reaction as ABs unveil 'worst jersey of the World Cup'
How long before NZR has to step in I wonder? Will they? Even ignoring SRP, its not good for the ABs that we have SR-class players barely getting playing time in some NZ franchises, while at the same time the Highlanders are struggling to convince my grandma to start.
There are 3 reasons (probably more, but 3 will do) for choosing to play for a SR team: opportunity, money, loyalty. Those choosing loyalty are already there. So that leaves the first two. Money could be sorted by NZR directly if they chose to do so, but it would likely cause problems with the other NZ SR teams. Was/is Mark Ellis putting together some “friends of the Highlanders” to try to help on the money side (or have I mixed that up with something else)? Opportunity – perhaps some sort of player loan system? A fringe player could e.g. move to the highlanders for a season & get good game time whilst remaining part of their original franchise – perhaps a lower hurdle in the minds of some.
It’s a problem that all NZ SR teams – and SR itself – should be concerned about. I am – I get no joy from seeing the Highlanders get whipped by every other NZ team again and again. But are they?
Fozzie's Dan Carter moment: All Blacks face crunch call on Barrett ahead of RWC as ghosts of '19 remain
Some great points Geoff. Would add to your “messages to other franchises”: develop a top class set piece. The Crusaders have that (especially their lineout), and which they use to punish, punish and punish again their opposition.
SR teams tend, for what ever reason, to undervalue the set piece. The team that doesn’t – the Crusaders (*) – keeps winning it. Co-incidence?
(*) The Brumbies too, being strict – and it helps them to outperform what their roster would otherwise suggest. Very close to the finals this year and last (certainly last year were hugely unlucky).
The Wrap: Epic Super Rugby Final delivers a double win for the All Blacks
😂
Shades of 12th Man Richie in some of Foster’s team reaction comments: “and I couldn’t agree with myself more on that one”
'Total belief': Cane still All Blacks captain as FIVE debutants named in TRC squad, gun fullback misses out
I think you’re right.
I hope you’re right…
'Total belief': Cane still All Blacks captain as FIVE debutants named in TRC squad, gun fullback misses out
Agree that Nankivell ahead of Levi Aumua is a head scratcher, especially given the former’s impending departure. Odd. Maybe Foster just forgot?
'Total belief': Cane still All Blacks captain as FIVE debutants named in TRC squad, gun fullback misses out
Surely Williams and Newell (once fit) are ahead of the Blues pair. Williams certainly outplayed Tu’ungafasi on Friday. Laulala in to provide live scrum oppo for the 1st choice props? Whilst being a back-up the coaches (well, Foster) are familiar with?
'Total belief': Cane still All Blacks captain as FIVE debutants named in TRC squad, gun fullback misses out
Will be a good game I expect. Was impressed by some of the backline attacking patterns starting to be used by the Brumbies – good use of depth and multiple options off that. Several times they easily made ground against the Canes, who struggled for similar levels of penetration. As an AB fan (and assuming DMac will be somewhere near the ABs 23) I am hoping DMac gets well tested again – the best prep is facing a challenge, not having an easy ride…
The Reds' blueprint that can help Brumbies topple the Chiefs, and the key selection quandary facing Larkham
Re: the Whitelock turnover, IRT I was concerned too that he was part of the tackle. But having seen some analysis of it afterwards, he wasn’t – it was Retallick who tackled, and Whitelock who went straight on the ball the second it touched the ground. Superb timing.
Thought Savea had en excellent case for a turnover penalty several phases prior, and the clear neck roll on Ioane as he was about to jackle a few phases before that also went unremarked by ref and TMO. But thems the breaks – there are always decisions that fall slightly on the side of one team or the other. Normally they more or less balance out over 80 mins
The Wrap: Why that was the All Blacks' greatest ever RWC win - but the road to fourth title is still a rough one