Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#1813659 6-Jul-2017 10:50

Regarding struggling under the high ball, it's noticable the Lions go up and look to get a hand in our guys vision to disrupt and maybe knock the ball back to their side, rarely have they tried to claim the ball. I suspect this is why we have had issues. Ben Smith struggled in the first test even.

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Dingbatt

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#1813680 6-Jul-2017 10:59

I must admit when I woke up this morning and saw the team they had picked I thought wtf. But they have gone for experience on the wings (Dagg and Savea vs Ioane and Naholo) which will help Barrett (J) at fullback and Laumape at centre. If it's not working then there is the opportunity to bring in Fekitoa or slip Barrett(B) to fullback and bring on Cruden. At least Cruden will maintain his record of never having lost a test when he was the starting first five.
I guess you have to trust the brains trust that they know what they're doing, but starting Laumape is s risk that would have been better taken against Australia.

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#1813691 6-Jul-2017 11:07

Dingbatt: I must admit when I woke up this morning and saw the team they had picked I thought wtf. But they have gone for experience on the wings (Dagg and Savea vs Ioane and Naholo) which will help Barrett (J) at fullback and Laumape at centre. If it's not working then there is the opportunity to bring in Fekitoa or slip Barrett(B) to fullback and bring on Cruden. At least Cruden will maintain his record of never having lost a test when he was the starting first five.
I guess you have to trust the brains trust that they know what they're doing, but starting Laumape is s risk that would have been better taken against Australia.

Yes, I was quite surprised as well, especially since Laumape seemed defensively compromised in that second test. I am not sure how he goes on missed tackles for the Hurricanes.

I've been impressed with Jordie Barrett and he gives us a second kicker. Not sure I would have started him at 15, but again, in Steve I trust.

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#1813728 6-Jul-2017 12:00

itxtme:
Yeah definitely a big game. I think Dagg struggled under the high ball (like a 65% success rate) and Ioane was OK but not stand out. So it makes sense to put him back in his favoured wing, and he has played well there for the AB's this last 2 seasons. I just dont know if Julian has it any more... Big chance for Feketoa, have not seen anything like his breakout season, and being dropped last week surely should have motivated him!

Jordie a better fullback than Dagg? We'll find out in 2 day's time!

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#1813744 6-Jul-2017 12:24

^ haha definately unproven at this level. I dont necessarily want to say he is better (yet), but Dagg has been hot on the right wing, so makes sense to have him there. In the canes game against Lions CJ had no issues under the high ball. Agree Ben was out of sorts, in the first test (?concussion related - or maybe just pressure).

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#1813761 6-Jul-2017 12:44

To me the All Blacks have picked a team to play a very specific game plan. I expect them to run Savea and Laumape hard at Sexton and Farrell as well as the big forwards down the same channel. They'll try and bash them early and often. I think they question their willingness to get hit hard time and time again and that they will fall off tackles. It's also the easiest way to kill the rush defence, play hard flat and tight and get a roll on.

At the same time it seems to me that they've picked their 3 best aerial players at the back. Barrett also has a more refined kicking game than Dagg which lets them play the high ball game on the counter attack. This is one of the things that Ben Smith brought to the game which Dagg isn't quite as strong at. Savea is underrated in the air.

It also gives them two strong options for tactical kicking which should free Beauden Barrett up and not let the Lions target him as easily. The Lions have been very good with charge downs this tour (Aaron Smith in the first test had a number charged down).

JonnyCam

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#1813856 6-Jul-2017 14:20

networkn:

Fekitoa needs a big game too, he hasn't impressed me for the Highlanders this season.

I think he's been good defensively, but attempts too much with ball in hand.

If he can draw and pass (well) more then he's so much more of an asset. Frustrating from a Highlanders fan point of view when he dies with the ball, but he has saved the day tackle wise.

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#1813857 6-Jul-2017 14:22

JonnyCam:

networkn:

Fekitoa needs a big game too, he hasn't impressed me for the Highlanders this season.

I think he's been good defensively, but attempts too much with ball in hand.

If he can draw and pass (well) more then he's so much more of an asset. Frustrating from a Highlanders fan point of view when he dies with the ball, but he has saved the day tackle wise.

I've said it before here, he seems to move a heap, without actually going anywhere. He has little or no offloading game, and doesn't present the ball well when tackled, at least that is my memory of him.

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#1814021 6-Jul-2017 17:03

Ok so ioane is "sick" and Ben Smith has an "inner ear malfunction" apparently. Are they still under warranty?

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#1816072 8-Jul-2017 22:28

I feel very sad about the outcome. 12 Years I've waited for it, I expected 3-0 but at the very least I expected 2-1 to the AB's. The Lions played really well to nullify the AB's quick game. I don't think they are quite right though, I haven't seen that many errors by the AB's for a long time.

That last reffing decision (and to be clear I had issue with at least 5 prior) was outrageous. ALB should have been left to play on, he was in for sure.

JS did better this game, but not enough for my money, though I am not as convinced as some in Ioanes suitability as a replacement. His drop in the first few minutes was a shocker.

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#1816081 8-Jul-2017 23:14

Game always spoiled by the ref eh. That's why I don't really put too much energy into refereed or judged sports. Usually the referee or judges influence the outcome of big matches. That's how they roll. 400m sprint however, first across the line.

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#1816084 8-Jul-2017 23:34

If our kicker was as good as their kicker, we would have won all 3 games.

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#1816095 9-Jul-2017 01:43

They should've let Jordie Barrett kick goals.

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#1816120 9-Jul-2017 08:52

kiwifidget:

If our kicker was as good as their kicker, we would have won all 3 games.

If the Lions don't keep dropping the ball inside the ABs' 22 they could have won all 3 games too! [ok my memory of the 1st test isn't very good but there were some close moments that could have gone either way]

Dingbatt

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#1816123 9-Jul-2017 08:55

Feel a bit flat about the result. From the perspective of the overall good for the sport, the drawn series was the best result. The Lions supporters go home not unhappy, and will probably mean tours will continue in the future.
On reflection the biggest mistake Poite made in the final minutes was not allowing the All Blacks to play the obvious advantage from the 'accidental' offside which had Lienert-Brown with just Williams to beat for a run to the line. You can always refer back to the TMO once play breaks down.
Crockett gets penalised for laying prone, pinned, but clear of the ball. Lions halfback milks a penalty by deliberately throwing the ball into him. Both were technically a penalty, but only one was awarded.
Kicking is not easy, but the Lions missed none, the ABs (Barrett) missed two. In the end that is something NZ rugby needs to seriously address. We were spoilt with Carter, and even Cruden, but we need a better kicker than Barrett(B). That might be Barrett(J), but he is the future (fullback). The present is still Smith(B).

Stick a fork in Julian Savea, he is done.

The officiating of this series was subpar. There I said it.

Edit: Clarified some phrasing.

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