RWC: All Blacks v South Africa (Pool B)
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Very pleased to see what I think is our best midfield combo starting a big test. It was excellent a couple of years ago and good to see it back.
Powder is no longer dry.
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Man Rieko left right out, that's a pretty significant fall from grace even when you consider his minor injury. Really hope he's not going the way of his brother off field, as he's one of the most naturally gifted players I've ever watched. Or is he still injured?
I'd like to say I'm not happy with the team but to be honest I hadn't really decided my own top 23, there's quite a few combinations that would work.
Hooker and halfback we have amazing 1 - 2 punch combos. I lean towards TJP and Codie starting, but either way gives us a point of difference.
If Patty T can keep up his form, but off the bench against a tiring defense, he could well wreck some havoc in the final 20 - 30 minutes of this test.
Rookies on both wings is a bit of a risk, but they're in form and BFA can always sub on if one of them is having a mare.
We'll need Richie to play a lot better than he did in Wellington in the first half when the pressure is on.
And finally, stoked for @mariner4life that his man-crush is starting. Well deserved, he's been consistently our best midfielder for ages now. SBW off the bench makes sense, he's too old to go 80 these days but a 20 minute burst to finish could work very well.
@No-Quarter said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Man Rieko left right out, that's a pretty significant fall from grace even when you consider his minor injury.
Goodhue's the other that's fallen out of favour. Prior to his injury I would have thought he was the lock in the midfield with the other 4 contenders jockeying to be his partner. Not that I have a problem with the combo chosen.
I still don't like Reece in the team but then I railed against MacKenzie's selection right up until he got injured and we missed him. Long after I secretly knew he was quite good.
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Decent team. A few surprises.
Still don’t think dropping the worlds best winger is a good idea. Lets hope Reece and Bridge can live up to the hype. Will be interesting to see how Reece copes under the high ball.
@pukunui said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Decent team. A few surprises.
Still don’t think dropping the world best winger is a good idea. Lets hope Reece and ridge can live up to the hype. Will be interesting to see how Reece copes under the high ball.
Isn't it amazing how just one letter can completely change a team?
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@No-Quarter said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Man Rieko left right out, that's a pretty significant fall from grace even when you consider his minor injury.
Goodhue's the other that's fallen out of favour. Prior to his injury I would have thought he was the lock in the midfield with the other 4 contenders jockeying to be his partner. Not that I have a problem with the combo chosen.
I still don't like Reece in the team but then I railed against MacKenzie's selection right up until he got injured and we missed him. Long after I secretly knew he was quite good.
@dogmeat said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Goodhue's the other that's fallen out of favour.
not so sure, Goodhue has only played what, 9 tests? SO while he has appeared tha heir apparent for the past 2 years, he has played buggar all.
I expect they prefer ALB who is a bit more explosive going forward
If it was a final rather than a pool match I wonder if this side would be much different against same opposition?
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@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
An error not to pick Reiko Ioane IMHO. Great try scoring record against the Boks.
I agree, but maybe his calf injury is playing up still? Someone is claiming that on PR.
I still think there was too much luck involved for Bridge and Reece - if they'd been selected for the Perth game things might not be going so well for them ... and likely little to do with them too.
Anyway, we know that Hansen likes to take a punt on "unknown" wings - he did the same at the last RWC.
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@Frank said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Hooroo said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@SammyC said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Like that team... Crotty/ Lienert-Brown is my favourite midfield.
Isn't Frizell a lucky hua!!
Hopefully there is no need to use him.
Why? Great call though, it's very rare the bench gets used these days eh.
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@Bones I'd prefer Frizell off the bench too against this mob. We need size against these guys and we have that coming off the bench with Patty and Frizell there.
@African-Monkey said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Bones I'd prefer Frizell off the bench too against this mob. We need size against these guys and we have that coming off the bench with Patty and Frizell there.
I reckon we get a bit too carried away with the size thing. Frizell's running game will be very handy in the final quarter, he runs good lines and is great at finding holes. I'd say he'll replace Cane.
I like Tuipulotu off the bench, I think it really suits him - I get the feeling he's got a good rugby mind so a bit like Weepu used to he uses what he's seen to his benefit. Plus my overriding impression/memory of him is coming off the bench and stealing a lineout.
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Compared to the AB team that played SA in Wellington only 5 starters remain (Moody, Whitelock, Read, Mo’unga and B Barrett). 16 players in the 23. A different picture for the Boks.
@Bovidae and while it is a running joke, I do genuinely think we were keeping our powder dry up until Bled 2, where we had little choice but to roll out some big changes that we were hoping to hold off until RWC.
Thats not to say the Bokke wont have improved either and not have been holding back themselves.
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@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
An error not to pick Reiko Ioane IMHO. Great try scoring record against the Boks.
I agree, but maybe his calf injury is playing up still? Someone is claiming that on PR.
I still think there was too much luck involved for Bridge and Reece - if they'd been selected for the Perth game things might not be going so well for them ... and likely little to do with them too.
Anyway, we know that Hansen likes to take a punt on "unknown" wings - he did the same at the last RWC.
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@African-Monkey said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Bones I'd prefer Frizell off the bench too against this mob. We need size against these guys and we have that coming off the bench with Patty and Frizell there.
I reckon we get a bit too carried away with the size thing. Frizell's running game will be very handy in the final quarter, he runs good lines and is great at finding holes. I'd say he'll replace Cane.
I like Tuipulotu off the bench, I think it really suits him - I get the feeling he's got a good rugby mind so a bit like Weepu used to he uses what he's seen to his benefit. Plus my overriding impression/memory of him is coming off the bench and stealing a lineout.
@Bones Yes I see Frizell coming on for Cane too. I see the thinking with Todd there but personally prefer having the bigger man on the bench.
Tuipulotu is a very good bench option, always has been. It virtually been that last test against the Aussies where he showed what he's capable of. I prefer him over Scott Barrett in most aspects but Barrett is probably slightly more reliable come lineout time so yeah, can see why Barrett is starting. Happy to see Patty come on with 20-25 to go though.
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@Bovidae and while it is a running joke, I do genuinely think we were keeping our powder dry up until Bled 2, where we had little choice but to roll out some big changes that we were hoping to hold off until RWC.
Thats not to say the Bokke wont have improved either and not have been holding back themselves.
@taniwharugby said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Bovidae and while it is a running joke, I do genuinely think we were keeping our powder dry up until Bled 2, where we had little choice but to roll out some big changes that we were hoping to hold off until RWC.
Agreed, but like @Nepia I don't think Bridge and Reece were their first-choice wingers at the start of the RC. Circumstances, form and taking their opportunities have meant the plans have changed. I was fully expecting Hansen to be more conservative and start BFA in this game.
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@taniwharugby said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Bovidae and while it is a running joke, I do genuinely think we were keeping our powder dry up until Bled 2, where we had little choice but to roll out some big changes that we were hoping to hold off until RWC.
Agreed, but like @Nepia I don't think Bridge and Reece were their first-choice wingers at the start of the RC. Circumstances, form and taking their opportunities have meant the plans have changed. I was fully expecting Hansen to be more conservative and start BFA in this game.
@Bovidae yeah the Bridge/Reece thing is surprising given the quality of ball they got vs the Perth backs.
I was more meaning the dual pivots and showing a bit of our hand that was forced on us after the Perth debacle.
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@pukunui said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Decent team. A few surprises.
Still don’t think dropping the world best winger is a good idea. Lets hope Reece and ridge can live up to the hype. Will be interesting to see how Reece copes under the high ball.
Isn't it amazing how just one letter can completely change a team?
@Bones said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@pukunui said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Decent team. A few surprises.
Still don’t think dropping the world best winger is a good idea. Lets hope Reece and ridge can live up to the hype. Will be interesting to see how Reece copes under the high ball.
Isn't it amazing how just one letter can completely change a team?
Sorry, Breece and Ridge.
