Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

Forums › Sports › Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

1 | ... | 244 | 245 | 246 | 247 | 248 | 249 | 250 | 251 | 252 | 253 | 254 | ... | 640

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100078 2-Oct-2018 14:10

Late hit on Barrett that wasn't even noticed.

https://twitter.com/DanSloan/status/1046198177362149379

That's pretty late. Considering they penalized Barrett for a no arms tackle (where it's seen on replays from other angles that he did)....

Batman

Mad Scientist
29724 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100139 2-Oct-2018 15:25

LookingUp:
The interesting thing for me this weekend will be whether the Boks shut Barrett down like they did the other week, or whether we've learnt something there. And, if they do, how long Shag leaves him there before giving Richie a crack.

It's quite clear we only have one test 10. There are other pretenders, but the incumbent's place is secure. Until they prove me wrong ... It's not like we're in the days of Carlos Spencer and John Mitchell ...

Anyway, if they can shut down BB then there isn't anyone else that we can field. If they can do that and then put points on the board, they deserve to win.

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100143 2-Oct-2018 15:32

Batman:
LookingUp:

The interesting thing for me this weekend will be whether the Boks shut Barrett down like they did the other week, or whether we've learnt something there. And, if they do, how long Shag leaves him there before giving Richie a crack.

It's quite clear we only have one test 10. There are other pretenders, but the incumbent's place is secure. Until they prove me wrong ... It's not like we're in the days of Carlos Spencer and John Mitchell ...

Anyway, if they can shut down BB then there isn't anyone else that we can field. If they can do that and then put points on the board, they deserve to win.

If BB was injured today, they would (most likely) play RM to start and DM as utility from the bench I'm guessing. They could potentially do it the other way around, but RM is the squads only specialist 10.

RM had a pretty decent 27 minutes off the bench last week, and whilst he is relatively inexperienced I think he'd go Ok. I suspect the AB's have faith he could do the job, or he wouldn't be there, he would again, be part of the end of year tour.

I'd *prefer* he had more game time before a BIG test, but at the same time, I'd back him to deliver regardless.

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100159 2-Oct-2018 15:55

South Africa $4.55 New Zealand $1.19 at the TAB today. I imagine those odds will shorten slightly for the AB's to 1.10 or so.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29724 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100174 2-Oct-2018 16:03

Test their number 2,3 Before a big test, agreed.

But the big test is next week so there is no before.

Numbers 2,3 are ok in regional competition, but untested at test level.

clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#2100198 2-Oct-2018 16:37

Batman: Test their number 2,3 Before a big test, agreed.

But the big test is next week so there is no before.

Numbers 2,3 are ok in regional competition, but untested at test level.

DM has played in 19 tests for the AB's and RM has 4 caps.

I wouldn't say untested internationally.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29724 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100218 2-Oct-2018 17:16

How many times have either of them started as 10?

Hatch

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Hatch (affiliate link).

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100232 2-Oct-2018 17:36

Batman: How many times have either of them started as 10?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/98581495/richie-moungas-display-for-barbarians-proves-all-blacks-have-issues-at-no-10

Not many times, but they played Sopaga in probably the biggest test of his career at 10 in SA at Ellis Park, and he went OK.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29724 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100243 2-Oct-2018 18:09

networkn:
Batman: How many times have either of them started as 10?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/98581495/richie-moungas-display-for-barbarians-proves-all-blacks-have-issues-at-no-10

Not many times, but they played Sopaga in probably the biggest test of his career at 10 in SA at Ellis Park, and he went OK.

Yup and because of that match, DC as given an ultimatum in the Bledisloe decider: perform or miss the world cup. (According to Wayne Smith)

tdgeek

29650 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100278 2-Oct-2018 19:34

News today was that if we lose our No.1 ranking is in jeopardy.

How does the ranking work? If you beat someone with a similar ranking you get points. If you beat someone ranked lower, less points. if you beat someone higher ranked, more points. Is that how it works, or is it based on win and win margins irregardless of who you beat?

Batman

Mad Scientist
29724 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100373 2-Oct-2018 22:10

tdgeek:

News today was that if we lose our No.1 ranking is in jeopardy.

How does the ranking work? If you beat someone with a similar ranking you get points. If you beat someone ranked lower, less points. if you beat someone higher ranked, more points. Is that how it works, or is it based on win and win margins irregardless of who you beat?

i think it's to do with ireland has a lot of points from spanking the europeans and other lesser places southern hemisphere teams.

and the way the irb points doesn't allow you to bank a huge lead, everyone is there or thereabouts on the table.

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100547 3-Oct-2018 10:29

My concern with this weeks game, is that we try too hard, and this causes handling and decision making errors that cost us dearly.

It's a fine balance between wanting revenge badly for a poor performance and pushing so hard you end up creating even more pressure.

tdgeek

29650 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100557 3-Oct-2018 10:45

That's sport. RSA being the underdog, targeted area's. They will try that again, knowing the AB's will know that. It depends who adapts to an unexpected strategy. AB's have always choked under pressure, they have that reputation in RWC's. A one off test is harder than a best of 5. This game is essentially a one off big test. Not for a trophy but psychologically.

Easy to say, but they need to play their game as well and as reliably as they can, the scoreboard will look after itself. The losing side will throw everything in the last 15, it may well be a nail biter.

Didnt I read a wee while back that RSA are losing players to overseas commitments?

clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#2100579 3-Oct-2018 11:10

tdgeek: AB's have always choked under pressure, they have that reputation in RWC's.

What a load of rubbish.

If we have ALWAYS choked under pressure we would have never won any close games in all of our history. We've won back to back World Cups with close games in the semi's and final.

tdgeek

29650 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2100585 3-Oct-2018 11:14

clevedon:

tdgeek: AB's have always choked under pressure, they have that reputation in RWC's.

What a load of rubbish.

If we have ALWAYS choked under pressure we would have never won any close games in all of our history. We've won back to back World Cups with close games in the semi's and final.

Dont blame me, the chokers comment arises every RWC. Winning the last two might temper that, but its often been mentioned. Prior to the last two our record wasn't that great, below where our rankings would have it

IIRC the first of the last two finals was 9-8. Not prepared to play their natural game. Not disimilar. Play to win, not to not lose

1 | ... | 244 | 245 | 246 | 247 | 248 | 249 | 250 | 251 | 252 | 253 | 254 | ... | 640