john leibermeisen

Roar Rookie

Joined November 2016

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Great article Digger,

Hey guys just off tack a bit, what this years AB’s matches have shown me is a desire to prove they were capable of moving on post Mccaw, Carter, Mealamu etc etc and for the RC they did just that, emphatically! What’s concerning is how they have tailed off, by their own standards and fans expectations, so badly. Forget Italy, they were always going to cop a backlash, but the authority, confidence, slickness and cohesion just seems missing, they seem a bit flustered….pushing passes, discipline, which is shocking and the general attitude. I may be wrong, truly, but there’s just…something missing or wrong. They lost so much experience with recent retirements but looking at the current team there are many players who have played 50-60 plus tests, some 30-40 and for the life of me I can’t figure why no one can take charge in the sense of discipline, tactics, on and off feild behavior. I don’t think Read is a leader, he’s captain and an undoubtedly superb player and ambassador for the game and how its to be played, but as an outright leader of men I just don’t think it’s in him. I feel often hes one of the boys, whereas Mccaw, Fitzpatrick, Shelford, John Eales, Lochore, Steve Waugh were bonafide leaders. They could divorce themselves from everything to focus on leading….not too sure if it sounds right but he doesn’t strike me as having those qualities. I began to think they rolled on from the RWC on unbelievable talent and class but when they lost Retallick and Whitelock, and Kaino moving to lock it actually made me see how little depth we have, sure prop, hooker, openside….halfback, first 5 and back 3 seem to be fine but I’m more worried about the ball winning capabilities from lock and no 8 and the lack of depth in those areas coming through along with a solid centre combo. And the experienced guys just aren’t stepping up. It’s a curve ball for sure but I’d like to see TJP in a captaincy role, I think he has something about him that triggers things. I may be wrong. I would like to see Sopoaga given a decent crack if only to really strengthen our kicking and playmaking options. He’s never let the team down. But where to fit Barrett, I know I know. Grotty is the glue in te mid feild and a great thinker/organiser but injury prone, SBW an outstanding athlete but not a general in my opinion but thats me. All thoughts are welcome.

Five talking points from Ireland vs All Blacks

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Rugby

2016