Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#2079382 26-Aug-2018 14:22

It must be a worry to other test playing nations that Whitelock and Retallick can last the entire 80 minutes at such a high work rate. The pair are the foundation that the coaches have the luxury of surrounding by six other forwards. Read has yet to be back to his best, but showed signs of it last night.
With Cane's HIA, is it Matt Todd's time?

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#2079383 26-Aug-2018 14:29

Hammerer:

networkn:

Comments were made about neck rolls on Pocock and fairly enough too. Should have been at least 1 yellow to the AB's. It's dangerous. Someone is going to get seriously hurt.

I was surprised that the commentators said nothing and the referees didn't do anything about it. And Pocock wasn't the only one being neck rolled - pulled by the neck and/or head - but he was the most obvious.

There was one incident covered. I think it was Marshall who questioned if it was a cardable offense.

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#2079384 26-Aug-2018 14:33

Dingbatt: It must be a worry to other test playing nations that Whitelock and Retallick can last the entire 80 minutes at such a high work rate. The pair are the foundation that the coaches have the luxury of surrounding by six other forwards. Read has yet to be back to his best, but showed signs of it last night.
With Cane's HIA, is it Matt Todd's time?

He's in Japan, but if he wasn't I don't have much doubt he would have been starting with Savea as impact off the bench.

I agree about BR and SW, they are insane players.

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#2079389 26-Aug-2018 15:11

networkn:
He's in Japan, but if he wasn't I don't have much doubt he would have been starting with Savea as impact off the bench.

Oh, I had forgotten that. I wonder who would be the starting 7 if Cane isn't fit in a fortnight? I believe Savea's ultimate value is as an impact player.

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#2079535 27-Aug-2018 09:41

Dingbatt:

He's in Japan, but if he wasn't I don't have much doubt he would have been starting with Savea as impact off the bench.

Oh, I had forgotten that. I wonder who would be the starting 7 if Cane isn't fit in a fortnight? I believe Savea's ultimate value is as an impact player.[/quote

I agree on Savea. I agree, we are looking a little shaky on quality 7's right now. I've always rated Todd, I thought it was curious he went to Japan, I wonder if he jumped or was pushed?

Seems like both Crotty and Cane are expected back.

I've never heard Hansen talk about the toll of games the way he has recently. He called the week off a God send.

Lots of talk about BB vs DC. BB is a freak, but he lacks the all-round game and longevity (because he's not finished his career), and I think comparisons are premature. I think like with most things, it's easier to judge what's in front of you, but people have short memories.

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#2079784 27-Aug-2018 15:24

networkn:

I agree on Savea. I agree, we are looking a little shaky on quality 7's right now. I've always rated Todd, I thought it was curious he went to Japan, I wonder if he jumped or was pushed?

The game has changed. The skill set that Todd has is not as useful in modern game plans where teams win 95%+ of their ruck ball. You saw that with the evolution of McCaw from a smaller classical NZ 7 to a much bigger player who was more physically disruptive. Pocock is the most feared flanker at poaching the ball and he only wins 2-3 turnovers a game.

They are looking for guys who are bigger, or can get bigger, to provide more drive into rucks and physical impact on defence. The 7 also needs to be able to carry now which is where a smaller player like Todd isn't as effective.

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#2079790 27-Aug-2018 15:31

networkn:

Oh, I had forgotten that. I wonder who would be the starting 7 if Cane isn't fit in a fortnight? I believe Savea's ultimate value is as an impact player.

I think the Herald reckoned Shannon Frizzell would be there when it looked like Cane picked up a niggle a day or so before the second test.

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#2080312 28-Aug-2018 15:09

Handle9:

networkn:

I agree on Savea. I agree, we are looking a little shaky on quality 7's right now. I've always rated Todd, I thought it was curious he went to Japan, I wonder if he jumped or was pushed?

The game has changed. The skill set that Todd has is not as useful in modern game plans where teams win 95%+ of their ruck ball. You saw that with the evolution of McCaw from a smaller classical NZ 7 to a much bigger player who was more physically disruptive. Pocock is the most feared flanker at poaching the ball and he only wins 2-3 turnovers a game.

They are looking for guys who are bigger, or can get bigger, to provide more drive into rucks and physical impact on defence. The 7 also needs to be able to carry now which is where a smaller player like Todd isn't as effective.

It's an interesting point you make.

Matt Todd is 105KG, Cane is 103KG.

During SR Todd had a massive season for the Crusaders, week in and week out he is one of their best defensively and tackles made vs missed are strong in his favour. I can't speak to his ability to clear bodies, but I've never heard it mentioned a shortcoming.

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#2081862 31-Aug-2018 12:50

So NZ Rugby bought 40% of the Blues Franchise back from Bolton. I am not sure how I feel about this. I have for a long time been mentioning here that I felt that the coaching and players had all changed multiple times and that really left leadership higher up as a potential issue. It seems that NZR have agreed and want to have more of a say.

I do have concerns about this in terms of NZR influencing players to move to the Blues from other franchises to bolster them.

I am not convinced that Tana Umaga is the best choice as coach, but it's going to be an interesting next season.

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#2082651 2-Sep-2018 09:05

'Phil Gifford: We're now in a golden age for All Black rugby' This was the headline on Stuff today. Much of the article I agree with but when you come to Australia I'd say part of the reason the All Blacks are so dominant across the ditch is that the Aussies don't really care. One commentator said that the viewing figures for the Bledisloe Cup was something like 1 in 75 people in Australia watching the match. And how many of those would be Kiwis living in Australia?! That's like going into a bar & not being able to find one person you'd be able to have a discussion with about Rugby. Wouldn't happen in NZ but could in Australia.

Last year I read that in Australia there are more kids taking part in Karate, Taekwando, and Judo than Rugby, in fact it may have been just Karate.

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#2082657 2-Sep-2018 09:25

amiga500:

'Phil Gifford: We're now in a golden age for All Black rugby' This was the headline on Stuff today. Much of the article I agree with but when you come to Australia I'd say part of the reason the All Blacks are so dominant across the ditch is that the Aussies don't really care. One commentator said that the viewing figures for the Bledisloe Cup was something like 1 in 75 people in Australia watching the match. And how many of those would be Kiwis living in Australia?! That's like going into a bar & not being able to find one person you'd be able to have a discussion with about Rugby. Wouldn't happen in NZ but could in Australia.

Last year I read that in Australia there are more kids taking part in Karate, Taekwando, and Judo than Rugby, in fact it may have been just Karate.

I feel that the quality of the top international sides is low across the board. So it makes an AB match a win being a given. Not nearly as compelling as a match against an excellent AUS side, or RSA in SA in the old days.

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#2082719 2-Sep-2018 12:15

tdgeek:

amiga500:

'Phil Gifford: We're now in a golden age for All Black rugby' This was the headline on Stuff today. Much of the article I agree with but when you come to Australia I'd say part of the reason the All Blacks are so dominant across the ditch is that the Aussies don't really care. One commentator said that the viewing figures for the Bledisloe Cup was something like 1 in 75 people in Australia watching the match. And how many of those would be Kiwis living in Australia?! That's like going into a bar & not being able to find one person you'd be able to have a discussion with about Rugby. Wouldn't happen in NZ but could in Australia.

Last year I read that in Australia there are more kids taking part in Karate, Taekwando, and Judo than Rugby, in fact it may have been just Karate.

I feel that the quality of the top international sides is low across the board. So it makes an AB match a win being a given. Not nearly as compelling as a match against an excellent AUS side, or RSA in SA in the old days.

Agreed! I'd like the AB's to be winning about 60-70% of their matches - not by them getting worse, but by the other sides improving.

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#2084732 6-Sep-2018 09:57

I wonder what the weather will do in Nelson this weekend, could make for an interesting result.

Lots of big players rested and I must admit to a few nerves seeing so many relatively new faces, though I 100% agree with putting them on the park. As SH said, it's about testing and building our depth. I think if we front up in the forwards, we should be ok. Our set peice will be key. I feel reassured having Brodie still in the starting line up.

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#2084758 6-Sep-2018 10:27

Weather is going to be perfect in Nelson. It always is. I can't wait for the game, going to be fantastic.

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#2084799 6-Sep-2018 10:44

Does anybody else reckon there will be more people watching the Warriors than the ABs this weekend? :P

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