Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3096314 29-Jun-2023 18:25

timmyh:

Anyway, I'm done with this but I'm still going with the Chiefs being the more consistent side across the competition, beating Crusaders comfortably in two matches and only just losing the 3rd despite huge penalty count and 3 yellow cards, yes one of which should've been a red.

What part of the competition is unfair if the most consistent team loses in the grand final, to the second ranked team? Are you saying we should have skipped the Grand final because if they lost it's unfair?

It's unlikely the scoreline would have been as tight as it was with the Chiefs having to play 14 men for yet another 10 minutes. The knock-on effect would have been much more significant at the end of the game.

You're not making any sense to me.

GV27

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#3097510 30-Jun-2023 06:00

networkn:

I never mentioned anything about the Crusaders and penalties. I said that the Crusaders haven't conceded a TRY from a rolling maul in 7 years (Including against the Brumbies for whom in the last 5 years, has been their most successful try-scoring mechanism). That means they have successfully defended it, making it quite defendable, IF you know how and have the skills. I guess if I was a coach against the Crusaders I'd likely not bother spending much time on the rolling maul given how successful their defence has been of it, but I've seen plenty of attempts, so whilst I can't verify your comment that they haven't had to defend as many, it would warrant some evidence.

I know Auckland's go-to on a goal-line has been a scrum for a few seasons now. It really depends. Mind you for a rolling maul to work, you have to get the line-out straight and I think that's the bit the Blues have struggled with.

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#3097540 30-Jun-2023 09:33

GV27:

I know Auckland's go-to on a goal-line has been a scrum for a few seasons now. It really depends. Mind you for a rolling maul to work, you have to get the line-out straight and I think that's the bit the Blues have struggled with.

NZ's lineouts haven't been that great in general. Even the Crusaders for whom it has been a traditional strength, had wobbly periods this season. Not sure what the deal is.

On the plus side, it's good signs that Codie Taylor looks to be back in some form, we are going to need him at the end of the year. Having said that, his SR form last season was amazing, so I was quite surprised to see him not performing as well during the test season.

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#3098737 2-Jul-2023 18:23

Ian Fosters daughter got selected for the white ferns, quite a significant event, for her and her parents and family.

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#3098789 2-Jul-2023 23:38

Congrats to the Black Ferns who utterly dominated the Walleroo's last week. What a performance, though probably made to look better than they were given how awful Australia were. NZ made the gain line easily, defensively they dominated tackles.

Demant and Bremner in particular showing a continuation of form, and the new center, Brunt, had an absolutely fantastic night.

Conversely, NZ u20's were dominated by the U20 French team. Having said that, they were outweighed between 10 and 40KG! in the tight 5 per player. They have a 150KG Prop that is 18. It's pretty hard to defend that weight difference. Ireland have done it, so NZ will need to look at what they are doing.

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#3100219 5-Jul-2023 14:09

Who is Manie Libbok ? Apparently, the starting 10 for SA against SA. Never heard of him. I guess one of the many downsides of us not playing SA more regularly. Fairly unusual to blood a new test 10 on a RWC year?

Edit: Looks necessary as they have lots of their 10's out injured.

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#3100848 7-Jul-2023 08:46

Thoughts? Obviously resting a few players and with an eye on next week.

All Blacks team to play Argentina in Mendoza on Sunday morning.

All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Emoni Narawa, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Josh Lord, Scott Barrett, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor.

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networkn

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#3100857 7-Jul-2023 09:12

It feels slightly like we aren't affording Argentina the respect they deserve, but I guess there isn't a huge amount on the line. We have already lost to Argentina away and at home, and it's probably worth testing some new players in a less critical game?

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#3100871 7-Jul-2023 09:50

Disappointed they didn't give the likes of Shaun Stevenson, Samipeni Finau and Cam Roigard a role off the bench for this one. Happy with McKenzie at 10 but not sure what Beauden has done this year to warrant a place at fullback, not to mention Caleb Clarke.

networkn

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#3100875 7-Jul-2023 10:01

maoriboy:

Disappointed they didn't give the likes of Shaun Stevenson, Samipeni Finau and Cam Roigard a role off the bench for this one. Happy with McKenzie at 10 but not sure what Beauden has done this year to warrant a place at fullback, not to mention Caleb Clarke.

I suspect Clarke is on notice. If they don't see him produce some magic in the next 2 games he plays, aside from injury, hard to see him taken to the RWC. He is a liability on defense and is pretty one-dimensional on attack right now.

He has loads of potential, but he hasn't reproduced his breakout season form. I personally think it was a big mistake for him to head away to the 7's instead of building on what he was producing.

I don't think Roigard is there to play a big role, but rather to be in the environment initially.

The AB's are typically pretty rusty at the start of the season, add lots of new faces it all starts to come apart.

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#3101313 8-Jul-2023 14:04

networkn:

It feels slightly like we aren't affording Argentina the respect they deserve, but I guess there isn't a huge amount on the line. We have already lost to Argentina away and at home, and it's probably worth testing some new players in a less critical game?

We have not lost to Argentina in Argentina. Agreed the team is far from the best, but would you look at who is playing center 😅

networkn

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#3101317 8-Jul-2023 14:23

itxtme:

We have not lost to Argentina in Argentina. Agreed the team is far from the best, but would you look at who is playing center 😅

Well, with what they have invested in him, it's unsurprising he has reached a reasonable level at centre. Having said that, you probably could have converted Joe Moody to center with the same amount of time and attention ;)

I don't believe we will lose tomorrow's match, though like in any sports match, it depends which Argentina team turns up.

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#3101735 9-Jul-2023 19:01

AB's XV - A pretty dour match where not too many people would have made much of a case for being promoted. Maybe I am being a bit harsh given the 30c, but it all looked pretty rusty, and at times didn't even have the quality of a Super Rugby match. We should have won by a much more comfortable margin.

Black Ferns v Canada. It looked like it was going to be another romp, but Canada showed some grit and made a pretty impressive comeback, somewhat off the drop in accuracy and intensity from the BF's. In the end, a pretty comfortable win.

AB's vs Argentina. With a decidedly shaky start, we got many points early with some good touches. Initially, I was a little worried our forwards weren't up for it, but they controlled set piece and stretched a pretty unenthusiastic and uninspired Argentina side. It wasn't nearly as good in the second half and to be honest, the scoreline flattered us with Argentina being as bad as I've seen them in recent years. I expect SA to be a significantly more robust challenge, though we are showing signs we are up for it. Lots of talk about DM taking the starting 10 against SA but really!? He was a pretty mixed bag. Some nice touches, but several characteristic mistakes. Clarke didn't help his case any I don't think.

networkn

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#3101833 10-Jul-2023 10:17

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300924337/all-blacks-captain-sam-cane-to-face-sanzaar-scrutiny-over-pitchinvader-incident

I am of two minds about this. Firstly, security should have handled this, it probably wasn't ideal for the player(s) to get involved. On the other hand, play silly games, win silly prizes. You aren't allowed to be on the pitch for many good reasons.

networkn

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#3102029 10-Jul-2023 11:04

Wow, Eddie Jones will be wondering what in the name of all that is Holy, he has taken charge of. That was awful by Australia.

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