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Joined November 2017
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Amongst the dread of New Zealand rugby media following the All Blacks’ latest calamity in the Republic - I thought I’d take a look…
From the mind of a truly unqualified couch-coach, I’ve used the small hiatus in international rugby, to ponder aloud what I’ve thought to be…
Clarke & Ioane – Thunder (thighs) & Lightning?
ANALYSIS: Tactical tweaks that transformed the All Blacks
Nice article H, plenty of food for thought… and still plenty of room to improve, I reckon. While Rieko did look great attacking down the left wing – I’m a believer that he has actually been on the wrong side this whole time!
I’d encourage anyone to have a look at any of his highlight clips, keeping note of his primary ball-carrying/planting hand: https://youtu.be/0nzxrhLN3KI
He seems like he is a prototypical right winger – slamming the ball down with the right hand, with left hand out of the way/useful for fending.
ANALYSIS: Tactical tweaks that transformed the All Blacks
AAANNNNDDD they’re kicking the can down the road again! Probably hoping a few days of positive words and ‘I told ya’ sound-bites from the old boys will quell the critics…
REACTION: 'I've got no idea' - Foster questions remain despite ABs proving they're 'one heck of a team'
‘Hey Richie, if you could just save my job really quick, then you can jump back on the bench next time!’ 👍
All Blacks team: Mo'unga to start, young prop in line for debut, Frizell named at No.6 over Ioane
Agreed, to an extent. I look at the general conditioning & fitness appearance of our players, and it appears that we’ve gone too far in search of ‘aerobic fitness’ – guys who are intent on trying to play the game faster & faster… as opposed to bigger, heavier players that may not have the same fitness levels – but are more dynamic in their play.
It can still be an advantage, in some instances, but it’s gone too far in one direction, away from the reality that Rugby will always have some degree of ‘stop-start’ and set-piece action – where size/strength are still weapons in their own right!
NZ rugby has enough talent to turn this around
We should at least get to see Dominic ‘Big Bird’ back in the NPC after his French stint – along with Isaia Walker-Leawere (who went well against the Irish), and Pari Pari Parkinson (assuming his injury curse doesn’t come back).
No silver bullets, but hopefully added competition…
Wallabies' weakness ABs will expose, Foster facing rugby hell, and how the Boks will lift the trophy: TRC predictions
There’s your team’s ideal recruitment target for next season!
Whether it’s the Highlanders or the Canes – someone needs to get those twins playing together regularly again – and then I think we’ll see the very best of them…
All Blacks squad for Springboks series suggests Foster is about to make the same mistakes all over again
I wonder how many of Razor’s assistants will they go through, before they admit Fozzie is the dud part of the machine!
Rugby News: Two All Blacks coaches axed, Tonga qualify for RWC, Boks bring back Cup winning veterans
Like an injured animal in the wild, they’ll thrash about in a dangerous manner – but ultimately, the issue of poor game-plans/selections won’t be overcome by emotions. If the Boks keep calm and apply pressure, they’re well-equipped to maul us off the park!
To your last point, I would offer the counter-point to ponder: NZ fans/media (and even our coaches) often lament when our talent is drained by overseas forces – and yet here is a guy showing passion for his country, a loyalty/faith in an employer (that frankly, doesn’t deserve it) – and an un-matched level of success in our highest club competition…
The question should be, if that doesn’t count for much – why should anyone stay?
'I'm always under pressure:' Defiant Foster remains ABs coach, Cane call made, as squad named for TRC
We will simply hear about how travelling to SA is a massive challenge, and respect to the Boks for blowing us off the park – ‘but don’t criticise, we’re improving!’
'I'm always under pressure:' Defiant Foster remains ABs coach, Cane call made, as squad named for TRC
Rumor has it Caleb Clarke’s hamstring MIGHT heal for this series too! 😂
Who needs healthy, readily available players anyway!!!
'I'm always under pressure:' Defiant Foster remains ABs coach, Cane call made, as squad named for TRC
Irrelevant. I guess the experts see the Aki clean-out differently than myself. But Porter has been cited post-game, indicating it WAS fortunate that he was not shown a red card at the time.
Rugby News: Jones switches to Reds, Forrest backs RA in Super fight with NZ, Ireland on top of rankings
But the Irish clearly haven’t completely adapted – have they? They were just VERY fortunate that the officials somehow missed multiple head-contact instances – whereas last week they didn’t.
Rugby News: Jones switches to Reds, Forrest backs RA in Super fight with NZ, Ireland on top of rankings
Regardless of the moaning of some fans, and biases towards our own team/s, I’m sure we all just want consistent rules, applied consistently by officials – even if you’re loath to admit it.
ANALYSIS: Lacking belief and constrained by uncertainty, the All Blacks are suffering in the land of the long dark cloud
Not necessarily. But to dismiss the significance of a RC/non-RC decision, on any contest, is disingenuous.
ANALYSIS: Lacking belief and constrained by uncertainty, the All Blacks are suffering in the land of the long dark cloud
Thanks for the article Geoff! I’m no fan of Foster and how the team is operating – but the discrepancy in punishment for Porter’s headclash is frustrating, and could rightly be pointed to as a major factor in the series.
Retallick having his cheekbone broken, the ABs losing a hugely influential player (low force, no danger was the call from some?!) for only a yellow card to occur as punishment, was a great result for Ireland at that point!
But, given the fact they leaked two tries when they were a man down for 10 minutes – one can only wonder what would happen if they had to play out the remainder of the test with 14 men (like the ABs had to, last week).
But I guess that’s just the lottery of rugby union officiating at the moment. Chaos.
ANALYSIS: Lacking belief and constrained by uncertainty, the All Blacks are suffering in the land of the long dark cloud
Ooh apparently Scott Barrett could be crocked…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/all-blacks-v-ireland-scott-barrett-in-doubt-for-deciding-test-in-wellington/ZVWCROWCY3WZARTVKVUIK3QXF4/
If it were true, I actually hope they give Vai’i the start at #6, to try and emulate the larger presence and lineout strength in the role!
All Blacks vs. Ireland: RTS named for debut, Havili to No.12, Scott Barrett back to flanker, Irish make one change
I do actually wonder whether we’re at the point now, where Fozzie may need to consider the ‘loyalties’ of some of these players… I mean for guys like Havili, Mo’unga & Jordan, two very different paths could unfold from this result.
They can work their butts off this week, to help inspire a win, and secure an embattled coach’s job. The same coach who wants to shuffle their roles, and doesn’t see their form in Super Rugby as enough to warrant consistent starting positions.
Or things could go pear-shaped, and suddenly their club coach (who sees them as crucial cogs in his team) could become a suitor for the ABs role…
All Blacks vs. Ireland: RTS named for debut, Havili to No.12, Scott Barrett back to flanker, Irish make one change
Don’t forget Georgia smashing their own ‘glass ceiling’ this weekend to beat Italy!
Little heart, zero discipline: The falsest of All Black dawns collapses in a heap
Damn, Kellaway is a big loss – I was looking forward to him stamping a claim to that #15 jersey!
I think Wright would be a handy alternative – with the ability to assume some playmaking capacity, if required. Keep it simple for Petaia initially starting on the wing – and if they’re comfortable, allow a bit of inter-changing of roles throughout the game!
Wallabies CONFIRMED: Kellaway and Ikitau OUT, Petaia at 15, Frost set for debut, Taniela returns, Suli kept waiting
So what I’m hearing is: Nelson Asofa-Solomona may have an itch to be scratched in the XV-man code??
Now that guy would be a dynamic lock/loosie!
Suli's secret weapon: The man who got Wallabies' World Cup wannabe back on track after post-NRL 'struggles'
Well if there’s an NZ, Australian/Pacific, and Japanese champion – perhaps just invite the Euro/SA champion along to a single location around July – for two weekends of elimination games (randomly drawn) to determine a ‘world club champion’?
Are Rugby Australia bluffing?
AJ Lam is not gonna be joining the Highlanders, sorry. He is actually a very valued member of this Blues team, and has stepped up every time he’s had his chance.
Talk to other Kiwi fans (non-Blues ones), and it’s THEY who choose not to see the talent. So why move south only to be benched for Sam Gilbert & Jona Nareki?
This is who the All Blacks should pick for the first Ireland Test
Using the very line/logic that was argued against him after Ellis Park… The audacity! 😂
Rugby News: Boks coach explains alpha move, Rennie's demand after disaster, RWC's Aussie rights deal secured