All Blacks vs Wales
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="586538" data-time="1465638596">
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<p>Crotty played well; Fekitoa was the weakest of the mid-field pair.</p>
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<p>Agreed.</p>
<p>I'm changing my mind 5 minutes later.</p>
<p>Fekitoa - goooooooone</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="586536" data-time="1465638466">
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<p>Thought he was fine, he is unlikely to go anywhere unless Ngatai is fit</p>
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<p>Yeah he was ok. Sums him up really, which isn't a bad thing.</p> -
<p>Could go either way, wholesale changes for rotation. Or acknowledgement that the first test is always messy and combinations take time.</p>
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Great game to watch for a neutral.<br>
We did OK, glad we tried to play a more expansive game. But our guys aren't used to playing at that pace and were totally out on their feet at the end.<br>
Thought the Blacks bench was superb & made a huge difference.<br>
Nothing wrong with that pass by Cruden that Barnes judged forward either. I'd have given the Faletau try too just for the audacity to steal the ball like he did ;)<br>
Faletau was superb once again for us, the guy has a monstrous engine. His battle with Reed (best 8 on the planet) throughout the series would be worth the entrance fee alone for me.<br>
Hope our reserves can play some good stuff & beat the chiefs on Tuesday but I'm not too hopeful. Our depth isn't great. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="586532" data-time="1465638317">
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<p>Savea made a good impact. But jeez it is going to get tiresome reading his cheerleaders just over egging it</p>
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<p>? I was the first to say great impact but also asked why was Cane replaced rather than why wasn't one of the old fellas like Kaino?</p>
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<p>Should I not have also said why BB came onto field when clearly he lifted back play? Weirdly I think a Welshman might have been the best player ion either team until BB came on.</p> -
Hilarious reading back on this thread after the red mist has cleared and the game is over. <br><br>
I think some of the criticism is over the top. A combination of first test of the season, new combinations, new full time captain, players with limited test experience starting. <br>
Add to that a very good Welsh performance. <br><br>
The only concern for me is Julian Savea. Sure a number of players have to improve both experienced an newer players, but as has been evident in Super rugby this season, Julian has been very indifferent. Being stood up like that and then effectively being anonymous in attack is worrying. <br><br>
You could point to issues with almost every player, but he is one of the experienced guys that has been around for a few years and was once an automatic selection. He will be disappointed with his effort tonight. -
<p>I think J Savea should be in the stand next week, but Hansen may be more loyal.</p>
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<p>Naholo is a tricky player to read. Brilliant at some things and shithouse at others. If you could sub teams off and on like in the NFL he'd be perfect...</p>
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<p>Fekitoa looks like a headless chook relative to Crotty. If we're judging impact runs off the bench the way we are for the loosies, Tamanivalu would also slot in next week......</p> -
<p>Hmm. Think we have to be a bit careful binning players after the 1st test of the season. Sure Naholo was a mare under the high ball and made a lot of mistakes but he was also facing a classy Welsh side and facing George North who has to be the best winger in the NH by a mile with a shed load more experience than he has. GN is scary in fact - beast. I thought Naholo came back well and hardened up a lot towards the end so I think he should get another go. I'm not sure he should start though but wouldn't be surprised if he does. Agree bring in Dagg and shift in Ben.</p>
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<p>To me the biggest problem appeared to be a bit of leadership nous and direction in the first half. We we're playing last 20 catch up Rugby in the first half. Again it was the first test though so don't think we should overreact. The centres also looked a bit laboured compared to what we're used to. Thought Patrick looked good when he came on. Was pleasantly surprised the scrum held up well as had some misgivings there. Feels bad to say this but I'm not convinced about Sam Cane, but never have been. Again, needs more time in the starting position.</p>
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<p>The Welsh were bloody great for long periods, it's a shame they don't seem to compete for the full 80, that's their achilles heel. I do think they lack belief too which isn't helping. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="586552" data-time="1465639198">
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<p>Hilarious reading back on this thread after the red mist has cleared and the game is over.<br><br>
I think some of the criticism is over the top. A combination of first test of the season, new combinations, new full time captain, players with limited test experience starting.<br>
Add to that a very good Welsh performance.<br><br>
The only concern for me is Julian Savea. Sure a number of players have to improve both experienced an newer players, but as has been evident in Super rugby this season, Julian has been very indifferent. Being stood up like that and then effectively being anonymous in attack is worrying.<br><br>
You could point to issues with almost every player, but he is one of the experienced guys that has been around for a few years and was once an automatic selection. He will be disappointed with his effort tonight.</p>
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<p>The whole point of posting live is to vent the red mist. Objectivity is for Sunday morning onwards...</p>
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<p>Agreed on Savea.</p> -
Firstly what the fuck Barnes. World rugby seriously needs to sort out the tmo situation. Either just play it on the big screen for the ref to decide or actually listen to the tmo decision. Its hard enough to get right without refs making the procedure up as they go. <br><br>
AB defence was shit in that first half particularly. Mainly around the ruck and on the kick chase. <br><br>
Naholo was frustrating. Showed glimses of absolute class and power. Then would fuck up. Savea didnt help his image being beaten on the outside a few times.<br><br>
Im different to others. Thought Kaino was decent but Cane was quiet. We didn't get many turnovers at the ruck or even pressure them and that is one of his key roles. <br><br>
Don't rate fekitoa and this game didn't change that. Needs work because his signature outside break isnt working anymore. <br><br>
Bench was awesome. BB added pace and Ardie was good in the movement before the Naholo try. <br><br>
Cruden played pretty well and his running came out in the final 15min. Kicking for goal not great. <br><br>
Moving forward we will be better with whitelock back. Hopefully Ngatai back soon with crotty to 13. Naholo and Savea to fight for the left wing spot with B Smith at 14 and either Barrett or Daggat 15 until NMS returns. Would like Ardie to get astart in the 3rd test if we win next week. Despite what some think Cane doesn't own that 7 jersey so needs to outperform his team mates to get it. <br><br>
Forwards to get a lesson on pressuring the breakdown.<br><br><br>
Ps. Fuck Barnes that was a shocker. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JayCee" data-cid="586551" data-time="1465639124">
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<p>Tuipulotu deserves to start next week (assuming Whitelock is still out).</p>
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<p>As long as he's there somewhere. His lineout steal was a turning point.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="586532" data-time="1465638317">
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<p>Savea made a good impact. But jeez it is going to get tiresome reading his cheerleaders just over egging it.</p>
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<p>Looks like I hit a nerve with the BOP/Chiefs Mafia who dominate this forum.</p>
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<p>Cane tackled and tackled tonight. Warburton got the better of him at the break down though. Delighted with Ardie Savea's debut and impact off the bench. He'll keep learning and getting better. I suspect he'll be the starting All Blacks Openside by the end of the year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="586534" data-time="1465638434">
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<p>Cane?</p>
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<p>Yeah, I thought he put in plenty of effort throughout in defence and he was close behind during a couple of the All Black tries. Kaino did well too, including high involvement in those last twenty minutes, and Romano in my opinion.</p>
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<p>I'm not so sure about Savea (who doesn't seem to be maturing as I thought he would), Fekitoa - I think he missed a couple in defence - and Naholo. He's a runaway train when he gets going but he badly needs someone up in the cabin doing the navigating for him and screaming at him when it is time to shovel the <strike>coal</strike> ball.</p>
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<p>I thought Wales played well but so did the All Blacks. You blokes are hard markers!</p> -
<p>i think ben smith is lucky everyone else in the backline was shit..</p>
<p>cos i thought he had probably his worst game in black.. so many errors</p>
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<p>i'd replace him with dagg</p>
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<p>edit: and before anyone talks about his huge play.. naholo made more plays than him.. and savea was able to catch and score a try as well..</p> -
<p>AB's were great in the first 20 and last 20, fucking awful in the middle.</p>
<p>The Cruden "forward" pass no try decision was a shocker. It clearly left his hands going backwards, and Barnes is the only person on the planet who saw the footage differently. (And what the fuck was with the argument with the TMO. Ayoub got asked the question, he answered clearly and correctly and Barnes disagrees. Ludicrous.)</p>
<p>AB good: Read, A Savea, Naholo (an average of brilliant and awful) Harris, Barrett, Cane, Cruden, A Smith, B Smith, Moody, Franks, Kaino</p>
<p>AB poor: Fekitoa (completely at sea), J Savea, Coles (stupid penalties), Retallick (uncharacteristically bad handling, missed tackles)</p>
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<p>For Wales, North is a beast, halfback is nippy, Warburton is tough at the breakdown, and Biggar is a great kicker (despite the Riverdance leading up to.)</p> -
Almost had to hold my breath every time they ran at the Bus. Ball protection in first half almost non-existent. Hence failure to turn territory into points. And having two poachers on wing was definitively exposed. TBF substitutions pit that right. <br>
will be interesting to see how wise men react for second. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="586558" data-time="1465639306"><p>Looks like I hit a nerve with the BOP/Chiefs Mafia who dominate this forum.<br><br>
Cane tackled and tackled tonight. Warburton got the better of him at the break down though. Delighted with Ardie Savea's debut and impact off the bench. He'll keep learning and getting better. I suspect he'll be the starting All Blacks Openside by the end of the year.</p></blockquote>
God you and c4l act the knob when your fluffing is called out. I'm a welly boy and I find the constant cheerleading tiresome so how does that fit in with the chiefs domination crap you spout?
