The Silver Fern

Have players become protected due to their brand power for the All Blacks brand??
It's like its no longer a NZ rep team but a club/franchise.

@ShaquilleOatmeal although after playing 6 games where kicking game has been being the game plan, BB did play the passing and side to side game on Saturday, 1st time this year, it was pretty rusty.
While Ardie is suited to finishing the last 20 or set up with two ruck happy Flankers. Ardie followed the expansive game plan setting himself among the backs out wide, link player etc on Saturday.

@kpkanz we didn't revert to box kicks, just played the same wide game. Boks however used there kicks more which we failed to catch.

@pakman right at 61 mins or so, the lineout fell apart with Taukei'aho off, Boks captalized three times, the ABs just got done on the turnover ball and looked dejected, hope codie is back in 2weeks.

On watching the replay we ran a complete different game plan this week, we limited box kicks and up n unders, something we haven't played much at this year.

We went side to side which worked until the 60th minute, we failed to execute twice in the 22 where we could have scored.

Our kicks we're from our 22, long range. The offensive kicks we're grubbers, chips, crossfield etc, this is 50/50, didn't work at all when tried.

We didn't defuse the Springbok kicking game, they owned it and it worked this week.

The last 20 mins, When Taukei'aho went off, the line out collapsed on attack, Springboks captalized several times. We subbed Parker, Sititi and the replacements weren't covering where they were.

We need our injured players back, as after that we are not up to standard.
We also need the fringe squad playing to keep up there game, bring the AB XV to the same country and have those 10 or so extras start for them nearby somewhere.
If we are going to play the same team roughly 6 out of 7 games, and not rotate to build depth, they need to be playing proper rugby.

We need a 10, but nz rugby with the double play maker role havent developed a proper 10 throughout our Super Rugby teams, the closet to a pocket 10 is Cameron, but he hasn't kicked on like he was supposed to.
Plummer was close in 24 with Cotters game plan.
We can't wait for Richie M and rely solely on him.

Razor hasn't even gone down to the boys.

Boks are outstanding at the moment!

@His-Bobness which is just baffling from Razor and Co, you would think they would have encouraged more running by now or just dropped him for Love or dmac etc.
Or if there happy with the shuffle passes, create something with dummy runners or have him shuffle pass wider to runners.
Or get some variation from him, chip, cross kick, shuffle pass, up and under, round the back, inside pass, wide cut out pass, keep the opposition guessing.

Great intensity in wet, both teams play was affected by the conditions and used the conditions.
The ref was ok, he does like to make his presence felt usually.
ABs were accurate in both the 22s.
Felt Taukei’aho went well thrown in there early. Vaa’i was huge, all over the boks and just enjoyed the game by the looks.
Parker is a great wall to have at 6 and had support from both Savea and Sititi who stayed tight often.
Sititi didn’t look too bad after limited rugby, good all round at tackles, carries, metres.
Christie did well I thought for where he’s at and at this level.
BB had some nice assists on the tries which were defining, couple good kicks, couple bad.
The kicking game is here to stay between the 22s, where just not gunna be the ball in hand multi phase team until inside our 22.
Proctor had a better game, quietly went about his work, Conrad like even.
Back three went alright together, dmac secured the high ball well. Jordan was better, still missed a few, more support around this time.
Good shift from Tupaea and great try.

Eden Park record secure…… but a wallaby could be hiding over the fence, ready to raid the lush green paddock

Absolute cracker in the wet!! Forwards are fantastic at the moment.

Love it aye, hooks his hands under the torso!

Did Kirifi throw a punch??

Good 12 there!!

Parker!!

@canefan need a impact back, only difference maker could be Tupaea into 12 and Jordie one out to 13, give him some more space.

@Tim top shift from Vaa’i!!

Great game, just full on everything, one upping each other on different parts of the game.

I think the full RWC cycle is good as it gives enough time to get players through that you want.
But saying that, with the complete management change, Razor kept the same team last year but this he has changed about 8 or 9 players in the starting lineup, these guys have only really played 4 games together. So he is almost a year behind or more if players don’t work out.

@ACT-Crusader I don’t think he plays as tight defensively as we need. It’s his first big game back we don’t and we don’t want him hesitating against the boks! His combo with Parker could be good if they work together and let Ardie range wide.