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Is this knockout-round qualifying match between Ireland and New Zealand simply too close to call? A lot of predictions have been made. Predictions to…
I was speaking to Italian supporters as they were leaving the Stade de France, and when they found out I was from New Zealand…
We’re just hours away from one of the most anticipated matches in years. We are now at the height of prediction season, but really,…
This past weekend saw the All Blacks demolished by a South African team that seems to have found their way. Aside from some strong…
One of the biggest points of difference among the top-seeded teams will be their preparation for the World Cup, starting September 8th in Paris.…
So, New Zealand versus England and South Africa versus Wales. If we all put our objective hats on, these semi-final match-ups are no surprise.…
In a few hours, the New Zealand and Ireland teams will be announced from their respective hotels in Tokyo. Assuming there have been no…
After the Namibia match coach New Zealand Steve Hansen commented that “you have to be mentally right to perform at the level you want…
Sixty-three points to nil. It was always going to be a one-sided match - the top team in the world versus one that came…
The All Blacks will play Canada on Wednesday, and few if any observers give Canada - ranked 22nd the world - a chance of…
World Cup rugby has taken over Japan, not just in Tokyo, and not just in other venues where games are being played. But in…
It was an electric, captivating and entertaining Test match. For the first eighteen minutes of the Rugby World Cup match between South Africa and…
The All Blacks will field a strong team for their opening match of the World Cup. The team reflects a blend of experience and…
From now until the RWC officially begins there will be a continued frenzy of predictions. Everyone has an opinion, which is what makes it…
My best guess is Christie is there for his defensive abilities – and may only come on if Smith is injured or reduced to crawling.
Will the All Blacks' bench be the difference-maker against Ireland?
Agree. Also, when you have powerful and/ elusive wings and centre they need to come into the back line early and run different lines, create the overlaps and so on. Opportunities will also open up on the blindside as Ireland hesitate with its defensive play. NZ needs to play to its strength and not be so predictable.
Will the All Blacks' bench be the difference-maker against Ireland?
Agree, and vary the attack and kick intelligently.
Will the All Blacks' bench be the difference-maker against Ireland?
Given the line up maybe Whitelock comes on and Barrett shifts to #6. – and Cane only replaced if injured.
Will the All Blacks' bench be the difference-maker against Ireland?
Hope to be proven wrong with Christie being selected over Roigard. If NZ are able to put a lot of points on the board early on, then sure, Christie may work well later, if he even comes on. My guess is that he may only come on if he has to due to Smith getting injured.
Will the All Blacks' bench be the difference-maker against Ireland?
That last sentence 4 of 6, is the Big worry. But surely the brain trust (on and off the field) can come up with options. If not, why not? OR … maybe New Zealand must simply accept that the other top elite teams (Ireland, South Africa and France) know how to beat the All Blacks.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Exactly. And interestingly, sometimes there were ideal moments to kick in some places and these kicks were not made. Easy to say, of course, when you’re in the stadium or watching the big screen at home. The ABs won’t get to the semis or win the Cup if they play like they did in the second half. That’s where you ask “Why” – Why did the 2nd half go the way it did? 1) Isolate the problems, 2) look at their knock-on effects, and 3) address the problems …. 4) check if the solutions worked. So … is there a masterplan with all this detailed??
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
I don’t have the detailed data for that on this last match Loosey, but it surely must exist as its not that hard to create a spreadsheet with the details associated with every kick. It will be quite revealing.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
I think Leicester Fainga’anuku needs to be getting a lot of play time, EC Aces. He also needs more experience, so play him in the next 3 games and see what happens. And maybe its time for BB to be on the bench, although I would hope he doesn’t come on to kick and nothing else. Will Jordan may not be The solution at FB, but at the moment i don’t think he can do worse. Having J. Barrett back will make a big difference too.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
There’s a book written many years ago called The Rose by Umberto Eco. In the book the lead character is asked to find the serial killer. He doesn’t find a serial killer but instead finds all the murders were unrelated, it just seemed like there was one murderer; using the evidence, he finds all the killers. The point really, is that the AB ‘problem’ is in fact, many problems. There is a need to unpack them all and address them with multiple different fixes (there are some classic organizational improvement approaches required). It won’t help if the team is provided the “X Playbook”, but what will help is after identifying (isolating) each problem, look at the knock-on effects if that problem is not addressed. Like … A) No clean ball from lineouts? … then a1) pressure on halfback, a2) lost time to send the [good] ball out, a3) greater pressure on #10 to execute pass/kick/run, a4) ball passed across backs, but little direct forward movement, a5) the more lateral the movement the further and faster the loose forwards need to be running to support backs and / or get to the breakdown before the opposition (there are lots of examples like this, some more challenging than other — eg, ABs losing the breakdown battles … – most likely, in the AB context, there will multiple problems to emerge and their many effects detailed). Positions #9, #10, #12, also need to be able to vary their play and keep the opposing side guessing. Let’s face it, if the All Blacks don’t get a lot of ball, they can’t afford to kick it away. And maybe the blindside needs to be used much more often. I’m pleased to see Blackadder back. He’s not ‘The solution’ by any means, but he can/will make a difference to many of the challenges faced.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Yes I agree Colin, Sam Cane has played really well this year — but I’d like to see Ardie Savea play there and see how the ABs go with him at 7. Problem with that though is AS does not normally play there for the ABs so here we go again, making another switch. A possibility in 2024 perhaps? There’s no simply solution to the current state of the AB Game — it’s not a perfect storm, but a storm it still is. Leadership must Lead.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Agree moaman. And the finishing was off, considerably. I’m not sure if many changes will be immediately visible straight away, assuming they are even made. I think we’ll know more about the AB’s QF chances once we see what they do versus Italy. But playing like they did in the opening match will not see them make the Semis.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Overcoached may be part of the problem. It’s why I’d like to see some or all of the team play with less structure overriding everything. You need some structure for sure, but it’s as if the coaches need to give the players more freedom, and empower them to take the opportunities if they sense them.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Noticing that too, – he doesn’t seem as fast as he once was. Fair enough, but it becomes quite limiting as a fullback.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Agree! And that’s a biggy – if the plan is not working, there has to be a Plan B. And the on-field leaders have to be making the decisions to adapt & adjust.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Agree. Yeah, the players and their different positions is a bit of a backdrop to all this – but i don’t think it will change in the RWC. Having J. Barrett back will help things I think, as he gives more options at 2nd 5, even though some would say he should be full-back!
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Agree. I’m seeing Australia put good pressure on teams by putting the high ball up into the opposition 22, plus low, long ranging kicks into space, and mixing it up with strong running by the backs. Something for the ABs to look at.
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Thanks Emery, Yeah – not all the kicks were bad – but there were the other related aspects – some weren’t contested (some were, but badly), and when you’re behind in points later the game they have to really count because you’re giving away possession. They need to vary their play more because a) kicking gets predictable, and b) when the AB backs ran with the ball they looked dangerous and gained lots of metres. M
'Why did they kick it all the time?' - the All Blacks tactic that failed them in Stade de France
Thanks Jacko – and yes I agree — this is exactly the kind of game to test the Dmac off the bench in a high pressure RWC match. In the final 15-20 minutes he’ll have huge opportunities to make a difference, especially if his teammates have done their bit and the French players are lagging in the heat and atmosphere.
New Zealand's bench controls their fate for World Cup opener against France
Unfortunately, this was posted after the team announcement – disappointing team selection in my view – and I stand by the article all the same. With the team set to play I worry the All Blacks won’t get sufficient ball to make big headway. That, coupled with a so/so bench – lack of real impact I suspect – and I think France will wear the ABs down. The likes of Roigard and Lester won’t have the big match experience for later in the tournament if they don’t play now. Losing this match is not the end of the tournament, but the QF is looking much more likely. BUT ~~~ I really hope I am proven wrong.
New Zealand's bench controls their fate for World Cup opener against France
Thanks Terminator —- yes agree – I’d drop Clarke if Ian Foster calls and asks me. I was thinking that with 5 props – as you say, if HIA becomes an issue, then that would be sufficient to request a replacement from RWC. Maybe that’s not possible. I think the All Blacks will win or lose the big matches in the forwards, so there needs to be some big guys along with speed and versatility, with big motors – and a bench that will put pressure on the other forward packs when they come on. I think Roigard could also help out around the breakdowns big time too.
Is seven weeks enough time for the All Blacks to learn, reset and adapt before the World Cup quarter-finals?
I did. It was written by me about a week and a half b4 the match. Many comments to follow.
It might be a 'friendly' - but taking on the Boks at Twickenham is still oh so crucial for the All Blacks
Agree, and also interesting to see how the All Blacks bench front row do in the 2nd half. An absorbing match for sure.
It might be a 'friendly' - but taking on the Boks at Twickenham is still oh so crucial for the All Blacks
Will be fascinating seeing how the ABS bench do in the last 20 minutes—- could be valuable key insights for later on in the RWC matches.
It might be a 'friendly' - but taking on the Boks at Twickenham is still oh so crucial for the All Blacks
BB needs a HUGE game. Less wayward kicking and more linking up with his wings. Let Richie be the playmaker. Not one for predictions … but … I think Ireland will kick more than usual – to put pressure on the ABs back 3. They’ll gain territory, as well as potentially receiving easy ball kicked back by BB. Hopefully the coaches and BB have already discussed this.
Will the All Blacks' bench be the difference-maker against Ireland?