The Silver Fern

Been very impressed with Caleb Clarke this match. Busy, energetic and not falling over every time he catches the ball

Not to take anything away from the Argies, but there’s no excuse for an ABs team at home to play like that. Absolutely unacceptable. That’s a pretty rude reality check for this team.

This ABs team definitely feels like a diamond in the rough that’s starting to find its feet. Having said that, don’t underestimate how much Cane and some of the older heads have contributed. They may not be world-beaters anymore, but they know what hard yards and high performance feels like. There are signs of the potential there, and best of all, most of the positivity is from the new breed.

Barrett isn’t a captain’s asshole. I’m sorry.

I’ve enjoyed Va’ai again tonight. Great long term AB player.

Was at the game last night. Couple of observations:

• Va’ai and Ardie were very good
• Jordan is a weapon obviously, but prone to making bad calls from fullback
• Chips were useful on a heavy ground to turn the defense around initially, variation seems to be the key to upsetting rush defence
• Scrum a big part of ABs gaining upper hand
• kicking (place-kicking aside) is very average from ABs. Aimless field kicking (including box kicks) put us under pressure a few times, touch-finding never has any range. DMac and Beaudy are both wanting in those areas. Jordie with a howler near the end.
• Argies didn’t turn up and seemed pretty gutted at the end
• Disappointing how ABs lost shape after such a great start, but forgivable

If the Brumbies can beat Canes - Chiefs - Saders/Blues you’ve got to say they deserve the title. That’s a pretty intimidating run.

Cracking first half of rugby. Bokke are really testing us in defence. Luckily for the scoreboard they all seem to have tits for hands.

@Nepia said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@stodders said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@Darth-Sader said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@Duluth said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@Darth-Sader said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Give it to him Reado

Haha. He’s a sycophant. Part of the problem.

Yeah, but that’s about as hardball as I’ve ever seen Read

His legacy is being trashed. He’s angry

TBF, he was captain of the ABs when the legacy started being trashed ... this rot started under him and Hansen.

Read was a great player who never should have been captain. But he’s nowhere near being responsible for any of this trash.

Justin Marshall is a knob

James Lowe has successfully transformed himself into an insufferable Irishman

Hola!

Congratulations, Pumas. Totally out-played us.

@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:

ALB used to be known as Mr Reliable.

He is reliable… you can count on him for a yellow card in the 70th minute just about every game.

Lio Willie is a good foil for Ardie, I think. He’s industrious without being flashy.

Hey, at least our win rate against the French is now up to 25% from the last 4 games

For me the Springboks have always been the ultimate barometer for this team. So tonight was a very, very good result.

Razor’s painted himself into a corner with selections. He can’t afford to lose any games, but he also can’t afford to bench his supposed ‘marquee’ players and blood new combinations. He’s done well in the past by building his teams from scratch, however at this level I think the technical detail is a bit beyond him/his team. Unfortunate position to find out you’re not wearing any clothes.

This is the longest start to a game I think I’ve ever seen

@jimmyb said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe II:

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe II:

I'd love to see the tackle stats

Newell: 19
Scott Barrett: 15
Savea: 15 (7 in the last 20)
Holland and Lakai: 14
Parker: 12
Barrett: 11

Newell has really come on as an all round player this year