Digby's Roar Profile

Thing is, we have seen this coming for some time in terms of our forwards from age grade level leading up to now, it has been highlighted for some time. Tricky balance to demand both high skill levels and physical dominance but we have generally headed too far in one direction, Vaaí and Lord are two perfect examples, exceptional skill levels but not quite there in a confrontational match. We do not see enough coming through particularly at lock in my opinion but it can be fixed, if we demand it from our players moving forward. Just seesm to be taking an age for the penny to drop.

A far from golden generation of forwards has left the All Blacks badly exposed

Aug

Great stuff mate, although I am a bit late to this one.

While improvements have been obvious, was always a concern that they would revert to the previous ingrained style under pressure and so it proved, it takes time to bed it in and get rid of those old habits.

What was dissapointing was that the warning shots were there for all to see in the last clash and we were not quite up for it, nor able to adapt to what was in front of us, same spreading of the forwards on attack, trying to play our way out of our own territory, frustrates me. When it is time to play narrow, stay narrow and utilise the obvious kicking strengths we have available. It is a territory game.

Anyhow, a good kick in the pants as I imagine France will take a similar approach, I am optimistic we can adapt and right now, I have Wellington to fall back on which is going well. 😁

ANALYSIS: 'Time to make the tough call' - South Africa raised the stakes, and the All Blacks folded

This is great 👍

What three hours in a bar taught me about RWC contenders - including the 'most confident 0-4 team on the planet'

Well, I would suggest the lengths non Kiwis will go to in order to shove NZ in as favourites is also quite amusing 😛

Im happy in my logic 😁

The Panel: Lessons have been learned, but are some World Cup options burned?

Didn’t even think about Roigard personally, good call though. As a Canes man I feel comfortable enough with his selection, I would argue it is deserved but would have been good to see a bit more of him recently.

That spoon and pot you are stirring gets bigger by the hour……

Thats a big pot you are stirring. 😂

Hey Nobody,

Both the French and Irish present stronger credentials but in my eyes, the Boks are favourites, they have a very experienced squad (players and around management) who has been there and done it before and for want of a noted goalkicker, would likely have a different record building up to this tournament. They have the right formula and mix to me and make me very wary, especially if Pollard squeezes back into the mix.

Hi Gary,

I have always had this suspicion that he has no respect for Australian rugby

For what its worth, it is certainly not the case.

It's not Eddie's first rodeo, but old school methods could leave behind a trail of broken bodies

Nothing to really aim at there mate though I would prefer to see Ross and Franks for Ofa and Nepo personally, Franks would be a valuable squad member I would have thought and if not injured, it would have been good to have Blackadder and Grace available to play with the loosie mix as well.

Kiwi View: Rookie's 'weird' treatment increases World Cup intrigue as fringe All Blacks look to grind down Wallabies

that would be a good trio to see 👍

All Blacks team: Foster eases Cane concern, reveals lock pecking order ahead of Bledisloe I

Jul

Ruh Roh 😱

Super Rugby Pacific tipping week 14: Five into two don't go

May

Blues will certainly cement something me ole mate 😂

What I couldn’t make sense of was that Mills at fullback in the same team, a player who had played centre for the title winning Blues in 2003 beating a Crusaders side with Leon at fullback. Crazy.

Good stuff JD, plenty to chew over in this 👍

Golden generations: McCaw's magnificent men, and the Dave Rennie gift that helped All Blacks make history

Alldritt played 30 in the same period! Thanks JD, this site has sent me down the rabbit hole 😂

Super Rugby Pacific tipping week 13: All aboard for the run to the finals

Interesting numbers to make direct comparisons against completed seasons in 21/22 (as the site defines it), would be good to know specific injury/other absences as well to truly digest –

Cane played 22, VDV 27
Savea 22, Doris 26
A Smith 22, JGP 25
Whitelock/Retallick 41, Beirne/Ryan 35
B Barrett 22, Sexton 20
J Barrett 25, Keenan 24

Seems the majority of ‘regular selections’ for both top sides the Irish played more games on average, loose forwards are interesting. VDV was also player of the year and played five more games than Cane. Can also be a sign they were more settled in their selections also to be fair.

Thanks for the site tip, interesting resource

No, was picking players off the top of my head before RR became a regularity in the game. A few who juggled went on to have longish careers, Kaino and Vito spring to mind, certainly after their international careers were done. Does it play a part? Maybe but I suspect its more about the individual than that specific policy given examples in the past.

Competitiveness is an issue, you are right but I still think this is a simple win to at least try and turn the tide of perception of negativity towards the comp.

Thanks JD, eye opening numbers if they include tests as well, though i am aware a few of those also had injuries to contend with but that All Rugby site seems a good resource, will have a play when able. 👍

Nope, no arguments here, it is good to have discussion around the issues, regardless of agreement, or lack of 😁 👍

At the end, it is neither the chicken or the egg that matter, they both need each other to exist.

RUPA has an important part to play, they are professional and this is their job but I question at times if they go too far in the name of conservatism and are blind to the struggles of the competition. Its deterioration is bad news for all involved and it is frustrating to see little in the way of arresting that and seeking improvement with such policies in place. Granted, it is not the only issue but it is one which can be addressed quickly.

Time will tell whether it truly assists with player longevity but given the length of careers older players like Nick Evans and Jimmy Gopperth have had, I am unsure it is really the case.

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