joker97:

networkn:

joker97: Shoulder charge is a yellow card offense. Not sure why failed eye gouging attempt is not an offense. Our tight five are notoriously dirty.

 

I'm sorry what? Examples please?

Dirty tactics are written all over the internet by non NZ sites, just search, but I did my search and yes those articles are few and far between. Also some on youtube, also few and far between. I can't find anything written about tight five other than Dane Coles' temper in the past. So that must just be my own observations, sorry. I am referring to the props (other than Faumuina) and Sam Whitelock ... very cynical, again my observation. Cannot recall them all but the one that sticks in my head is Sam's trip on ?Adam Ashley Cooper on a promising counter that led to "that try" by BB at the RWC final.

I do recall when the tide was the other direction, when the Aussies were holding the upper hand, they were also pretty dodgy, but I was too young to appreciate that ... I think it happens in all sports. 

Well, what a first half the AB's had against Argentina. Having said that, I have serious questions about us in the second half. Worst second half I've seen us have in a long time. Falling off tackles, poor decision making. Not often I agree with Rattue, but I felt Read made some fairly questionable decisions and didn't show the leadership we have known from him. Something I expect he will address, such is his class.

ALB had a great game, DM not so much. I am really concerned at the new generation of players who run "around" with the ball, but don't make any ground. Fekitoa is a player in that vein. Sometimes it works out well in confusing the defense leaving gaps, but often it's not really effective. 

Crotty has done well in 12, and I suspect his place is fairly secure, it will be interesting to see what comes of the 13 Jersey. Moala and ALB have both played well, and I don't think Fekitoa has been that great this year. 

I also watched the SA/AU game. The thing I'd say about that was that yet again Barnes had one of the worst refereeing games I've seen in a long time, including *3* missed forward passes. Morne Steyne was excellent from the boot on the whole, I thought his test days were over, but he could be there a while. Adriaan Strauss played out of his skin at Hooker. I think Hooker is becoming one of those positions that can change a game right now. Coles would easily be #1 then Creevy, then Strauss. I was somewhat surprised by Chiekas comments about laziness in his team, I thought both teams went hammer and tongs. 

I'd like to see some contest against SA next week. If they win by a big margin I'm not watching any more tests ...

Tough crowd. Yes the second half was far from perfect, but after building up a lead like they did in the first 40 it is very easy to take you foot off the pedal. Every coach tries to stop teams from doing it, but it is human nature unfortunately. I am not worried in the slightest. It wasn't our top 15 by any stretch but guys like ALB really stepped up - he was sublime as a distributor and did his job of putting his outsides (and others) into space very very well.

They fell off a few tackles and lacked a little discipline when defending our line, but the intent was there and we held them out for long periods. And I am sure Hansen will be quite happy he actually has a few *work-ons* for this week. 

I really think we as a rugby public are taking the performances of the ABs a little bit for granted. They are awesome at the moment. Truly awesome. They don't look like getting beaten by anyone. That won't last for sure, but I don't think we should be *looking* for reasons to bag them just yet!

I am predicting another comfortable win against the Bokke this weekend. They will be tougher at home no doubt, but they are very much in a rebuilding phase (aside from the veteren Steyne who I thought had retired!). Lets just enjoy our dominance while it lasts!!

SumnerBoy:

 

I am predicting another comfortable win against the Bokke this weekend. They will be tougher at home no doubt, but they are very much in a rebuilding phase (aside from the veteren Steyne who I thought had retired!). Lets just enjoy our dominance while it lasts!!

 

I must have been spoilt during the days of Lomu, Cullen and Merthens and then Carlos Spencer and Joe Rocokoco ... we one some, lost some, it was exciting. Just not exciting anymore ... maybe I've grown old and grumpy lol ... come on rest of the world, catch up!

joker97:

 

I'd like to see some contest against SA next week. If they win by a big margin I'm not watching any more tests ...

 

I am literally floored by this. When the AB's lose, we hate on them and criticise the hell out of EVERY aspect, coaching, individual players, we dissect every play in slow motion etc. 

When we play well and kill the opposition we are critical because it's not exciting enough. 

/me SMH 

I am LOVING this AB's side and really enjoying the skills on show, as far as I am concerned, I'm completely happy for us to win every game by 20 points. I don't enjoy contests that are super tight because I am on the edge of my seat for every play. I don't mind feeling like that sometimes.

We are playing Italy and the USA, they shouldn't be tight, the rest of the years tests should be pretty straight forward.

SumnerBoy:

 

Tough crowd. Yes the second half was far from perfect, but after building up a lead like they did in the first 40 it is very easy to take you foot off the pedal. Every coach tries to stop teams from doing it, but it is human nature unfortunately. I am not worried in the slightest. It wasn't our top 15 by any stretch but guys like ALB really stepped up - he was sublime as a distributor and did his job of putting his outsides (and others) into space very very well.

 

They fell off a few tackles and lacked a little discipline when defending our line, but the intent was there and we held them out for long periods. And I am sure Hansen will be quite happy he actually has a few *work-ons* for this week. 

 

I really think we as a rugby public are taking the performances of the ABs a little bit for granted. They are awesome at the moment. Truly awesome. They don't look like getting beaten by anyone. That won't last for sure, but I don't think we should be *looking* for reasons to bag them just yet!

 

I am predicting another comfortable win against the Bokke this weekend. They will be tougher at home no doubt, but they are very much in a rebuilding phase (aside from the veteren Steyne who I thought had retired!). Lets just enjoy our dominance while it lasts!!

 

Yeah agreed on almost all points. I don't think I am being too hard on the AB's for the second half, it's just stuff to work on like you say. Always striving to be better is how we stay at the top.

networkn:

 

joker97:

 

I'd like to see some contest against SA next week. If they win by a big margin I'm not watching any more tests ...

 

 

 

 

I am literally floored by this. When the AB's lose, we hate on them and criticise the hell out of EVERY aspect, coaching, individual players, we dissect every play in slow motion etc. 

 

When we play well and kill the opposition we are critical because it's not exciting enough. 

 

/me SMH 

 

I am LOVING this AB's side and really enjoying the skills on show, as far as I am concerned, I'm completely happy for us to win every game by 20 points. I don't enjoy contests that are super tight because I am on the edge of my seat for every play. I don't mind feeling like that sometimes.

 

We are playing Italy and the USA, they shouldn't be tight, the rest of the years tests should be pretty straight forward.

 

 

 

The ABs aren't playing the US are they? They are playing IN the US (against Ireland).

trig42:

 

networkn:

 

joker97:

 

I'd like to see some contest against SA next week. If they win by a big margin I'm not watching any more tests ...

 

 

 

 

I am literally floored by this. When the AB's lose, we hate on them and criticise the hell out of EVERY aspect, coaching, individual players, we dissect every play in slow motion etc. 

 

When we play well and kill the opposition we are critical because it's not exciting enough. 

 

/me SMH 

 

I am LOVING this AB's side and really enjoying the skills on show, as far as I am concerned, I'm completely happy for us to win every game by 20 points. I don't enjoy contests that are super tight because I am on the edge of my seat for every play. I don't mind feeling like that sometimes.

 

We are playing Italy and the USA, they shouldn't be tight, the rest of the years tests should be pretty straight forward.

 

 

 

 

The ABs aren't playing the US are they? They are playing IN the US (against Ireland).

 

Sorry yes, I meant to write that but didn't remember to. 

Ireland (We play them twice) might be a challenge for us. I don't expect too much from Italy, but they have been competitive against us before. France possibly. 

networkn:

 

joker97:

 

I'd like to see some contest against SA next week. If they win by a big margin I'm not watching any more tests ...

 

 

 

 

I am literally floored by this. When the AB's lose, we hate on them and criticise the hell out of EVERY aspect, coaching, individual players, we dissect every play in slow motion etc. 

 

When we play well and kill the opposition we are critical because it's not exciting enough. 

 

/me SMH 

 

I am LOVING this AB's side and really enjoying the skills on show, as far as I am concerned, I'm completely happy for us to win every game by 20 points. I don't enjoy contests that are super tight because I am on the edge of my seat for every play. I don't mind feeling like that sometimes.

 

We are playing Italy and the USA, they shouldn't be tight, the rest of the years tests should be pretty straight forward.

 

 

 

i think i'm just getting old and grumpy

I was disappointed at the swinging arm of Joe Moody. I'd like to see that behaviour stopped immediately. 

Also what's with opposition throwing away our players boots? :) 

The All Blacks are an amazing team. They can win convincingly even when they the risk factors are ramped up: replace much of the first-string team, introduce new caps, change settled combinations, play players out of their preferred positions, and all that in a hostile arena in a very different time zone. Amazing!

Just as amazing to me was my enjoyment watching Australia lose to South Africa in what I would normally see as a rather uneventful and boring game. The game felt more exciting than the NZ vs Argentina game simply because it was on a knife edge almost the entire game. With relatively little territory SA made the most of their chances while AU bobbled their many opportunities. Some of the Springbok players were playing a lot more consistently than I've seen them play all year, e.g. their captain.

networkn:

I was disappointed at the swinging arm of Joe Moody. I'd like to see that behaviour stopped immediately. 

Also what's with opposition throwing away our players boots? :) 

 

Dingbatt:

networkn:

 

I was disappointed at the swinging arm of Joe Moody. I'd like to see that behaviour stopped immediately. 

 

 

 

Also what's with opposition throwing away our players boots? :) 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Moody was dragged as soon as his 10 minutes were up in the bin. Exactly the right decision by the coach. A step further would be to drop him from the next game. Don't throw the punch no matter what the provocation. Turn the other cheek, because the only look-in other teams get is when they are playing against 14 ABs.
Other types of (perceived) foul play, as in some of the dangerous tackle calls, there is room to give the player the benefit of the doubt as far as being dropped goes.

Agreed. If I was SH he would be out of the match day 23 for the next game. I rate Joe Moody, we would miss him, but it's about what's best for the team long term, and him learning consequences of actions is important. Dane Coles has learned to channel his frustration.