Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#1879454 8-Oct-2017 16:43

Ten minutes in, penalty for playing the ball in an offside position. No hesitation, arm up, whistle blown, penalty. Have they changed the rules since the Lions tour?
Not a red card, barely a yellow. Doesn't matter whether it was red or yellow because it was only 5 minutes from the end. It will go to the judiciary, but I expect it to be thrown out. And didn't the Springboks then score a forward try with only 14 players?
Garces out of his depth again.
Much more of a match that you would expect between these two teams. And good for the ABs to realise they aren't all conquering all the time.

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#1879468 8-Oct-2017 17:45

Handle9:

That was a thoroughly entertaining test match, a real old school battle. While the red card was to the letter of the law I think that the IRB have gone too far with the red cards. There was no intent in the late tackle and these types of red cards are ruining the spectacle.

The development of the All Blacks depth in the rugby championship has been excellent. The emergence of Mackenzie, Laulala, Hames, Scott Barrett, Squire and Ioane has given us a good platform for 2019.

Mackenzie made a real step up today, with the tackle and then straight up to reclaim the ball being the best example. He's still got a way to go but the extended run of playing time has done a lot for his development. Give him 2 more years and he'll be a strike weapon off the bench in the same mould as Barrett in the last world cup.

Laulala has also been a revelation. His scrummaging is excellent but he is now starting to carry the ball with real purpose. He puts pressure on Owen Franks which can only be a good thing. I was very concerned about the All Blacks props when we lost Moody, Franks and Faumuina but Mike Cron has done exceptional work again to develop the next level down.

To be honest, the tackle on Sopoaga was a pretty late one...

And don't forget David Havili!

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#1879516 8-Oct-2017 20:34

I hope to see a lot more of David Havilli over the coming months. I am very excited to see what the Crusaders look like next year with even more backline talent coming.

It was a great test nice to see the Boks looking more competitive. I think however they were made to look largely better than they were because of AB mistakes.

Malcolm Marx who after the game in Albany I had called to be dropped from the matchday 23 was quite simply exceptional. So was their #1 whose name I know but can't recall as I type. DM often reminds me a little of Malakai Fekitoa both in how much praise he gets and for how often he seems to move his feet and "seems" to be doing stuff without going anywhere. Having said that, when he gets some space he is compelling. I seriously hope his error rate and decision making overall improve.

The game between Australia and Argentina was awful to watch comparatively and honestly listening to the Australian commentators, who I normally don't mind and who are often pretty fair and balanced, prattle on about how great Australia was, when they were decidedly average, was awful as well. They didn't give Argentina an inch of compliment.

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#1884444 16-Oct-2017 16:32

What a weekend of Rugby. Concerned to see so many red and yellow cards.

Was surprised to see Crusaders struggle so much with Auckland, they looked out of sorts and Auckland had everything to play for.

Waikato probably deserved relegation, but on the whole, so did Auckland. It's concerning to see so many teams struggling in Auckland across both codes.

Awesome to see Richie Mo'unga called into the AB's, his form definitely was good this year and last. Not sure he will play, but still, nice he is considered.

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#1884462 16-Oct-2017 16:52

networkn:

What a weekend of Rugby. Concerned to see so many red and yellow cards.

Was surprised to see Crusaders struggle so much with Auckland, they looked out of sorts and Auckland had everything to play for.

Waikato probably deserved relegation, but on the whole, so did Auckland. It's concerning to see so many teams struggling in Auckland across both codes.

Awesome to see Richie Mo'unga called into the AB's, his form definitely was good this year and last. Not sure he will play, but still, nice he is considered.

How will Canterbury go without Mo'unga in the finals?? :P

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#1884481 16-Oct-2017 17:44

sonyxperiageek:

networkn:

What a weekend of Rugby. Concerned to see so many red and yellow cards.

Was surprised to see Crusaders struggle so much with Auckland, they looked out of sorts and Auckland had everything to play for.

Waikato probably deserved relegation, but on the whole, so did Auckland. It's concerning to see so many teams struggling in Auckland across both codes.

Awesome to see Richie Mo'unga called into the AB's, his form definitely was good this year and last. Not sure he will play, but still, nice he is considered.

How will Canterbury go without Mo'unga in the finals?? :P

I admit to being anxious about it, ultimately though, in my books, the AB's come first!

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#1884598 16-Oct-2017 21:30

networkn:

sonyxperiageek:

networkn:

What a weekend of Rugby. Concerned to see so many red and yellow cards.

Was surprised to see Crusaders struggle so much with Auckland, they looked out of sorts and Auckland had everything to play for.

Waikato probably deserved relegation, but on the whole, so did Auckland. It's concerning to see so many teams struggling in Auckland across both codes.

Awesome to see Richie Mo'unga called into the AB's, his form definitely was good this year and last. Not sure he will play, but still, nice he is considered.

How will Canterbury go without Mo'unga in the finals?? :P

I admit to being anxious about it, ultimately though, in my books, the AB's come first!

I'm sure Lima Sopoaga will be fine! :-)

Sony

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#1884601 16-Oct-2017 21:35

I'm sure Lima Sopoaga will be fine! :-)

He was bought in for cover in case Barrett can't play due to concussion concerns. He would feature from the bench. It's somewhat unlikely they would put Sopoanga in for 80.

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#1886200 19-Oct-2017 12:07

Nice to see Matt Todd apparently moving up the openside pecking order.

Other than having not many other options, I still can't see Naholo becoming the player that everyone seems to think he can be at test level. He has been injured a lot, which I understand takes it's toll, but even when fit he isn't Savea or (insert any number of other AB's wingers in the past 12 years+)

He does seem to flourish pretty well at lower levels. I hope he finds his test legs and soon. A lot of faith has been provided him.

It's a little bit hard to know what Aussie side will be present this week. The more they talk, the less they offer in recent times and they have been talking up their game a bit this week.

It would be nice to see a complete performance from the AB's this week. No buttoning off or starting slowing, a lot less errors.

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#1886681 20-Oct-2017 09:03

Today I read about the locking issues in the AB's. It's not something I had specifically considered but agree nonetheless. After Brodie and Whitelock, there is no-one else of their calibre in the group or even on the horizon. In almost every other position we have some great talent coming through. Maybe Scott Barrett. Luke Romano is a good lock, but not in the same league as BR for example.

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#1886687 20-Oct-2017 09:06

So it's more than just Wallabies swarming Sopoaga. Nice distraction.

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#1886692 20-Oct-2017 09:11

If the Wallabies are smart they will try and swarm the least experienced players. If I were them I'd be targetting 10 Lima and Aaron Smith and Waisake Naholo.

If our forwards aren't very strong this game, I expect us to have a pretty hard time.

We need to watch their backs as well.

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#1886801 20-Oct-2017 10:18

networkn:

We need to watch their backs as well.

I'm pretty sure our coaching staff have covered that.

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#1886819 20-Oct-2017 10:59

networkn:

If the Wallabies are smart they will try and swarm the least experienced players. If I were them I'd be targetting 10 Lima and Aaron Smith and Waisake Naholo.

If our forwards aren't very strong this game, I expect us to have a pretty hard time.

We need to watch their backs as well.

When I have seen the Wallabies, they don't play very smart (read shrewd, dirty, etc). ABs however, get away with a lot of cheeky stuff stuff. I don't expect the Wallabies to win the cheeky games department. But if they have Will Genia they are half a threat. The last time the Wallabies did well in the cheeky games department were when George Gregan was playing.

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#1887627 22-Oct-2017 00:22

Ugh, that was gut wrenching. Congrats to the Wallabies who managed to contain their mental fortitude and defensive line against what must have been a properly motivated AB's side.

Not panicking right now, but it's a concern. I still maintain DM is just too small. (I am not stating he is at fault for the win, though it's a real shame he didn't get that final kick across).

Penalties (discipline) cost us massively (again).

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