Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

Forums › Sports › Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

1 | ... | 556 | 557 | 558 | 559 | 560 | 561 | 562 | 563 | 564 | 565 | 566 | ... | 640

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3107921 25-Jul-2023 16:19

@handle9 how do you think we are shaping up for the RWC?

Whilst not supremely confident at this point, I am seeing promising signs, especially in our tight 5.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

Handle9

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3107923 25-Jul-2023 16:23

I'm really not keen to come back in to this thread. I've stopped enjoying posting in it.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3107970 25-Jul-2023 16:33

/me shrugs.

OK.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3108745 27-Jul-2023 12:25

All Blacks team named:

1. Ethan de Groot (15)

2. Codie Taylor (78)

3. Tyrel Lomax (25)

4. Brodie Retallick (101)

5. Scott Barrett (60)

6. Shannon Frizell (27)

7. Dalton Papali’i (24)

8. Ardie Savea (72 - captain)

9. Aaron Smith (116)

10. Richie Mo’unga (46)

11. Mark Telea (3)

12. Jordie Barrett (50)

13. Rieko Ioane (61)

14. Will Jordan (22)

15. Beauden Barrett (114)

Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (22)

17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (51)

18. Nepo Laulala (47)

19. Samuel Whitelock (143)

20. Luke Jacobson (12)

21. Cam Roigard *

22. Anton Lienert-Brown (60)

23. Caleb Clarke (17)

Probably mostly in line with expectations. Caleb Clarke still being persisted with is a small surprise I guess, though given the loyalty they have shown other players probably not massive (even if a little frustrating).

Interesting Cane isn't playing at all, but I guess they will need to rest some players and give others time in the saddle just in case.

Dingbatt

6741 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3112101 5-Aug-2023 17:08

Phew! That was a close one. (Edit: NZ 23 Australia 20)

A chaotic first half, possibly because of so many changes from last week.

Clarified a few things for me though.

Taylor is the number one 2.

Mo’unga is the number one 10 (then Barrett, then McKenzie).

Smith is still the best 9.

Fainga’anuku ahead of Clarke.

McLeod, Stevenson and Finau had good debuts. Although Stevenson took a while to settle in. Not sure if any of them will be named in the RWC 33, but I wouldn’t be going whitebaiting while the RWC is on if I was them. Stevenson in particular as cover for J.Barrett, Jordan, Telea, Fainga’anuku and Clarke (if he sneaks in).

So much was made of the Springbok’s “Bomb Squad”. The ABs had a pretty effective Bomb Squad come on in the second half. Admittedly against a tiring Wallabies team, but boy did they make a difference!

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

heavenlywild

5045 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3112152 5-Aug-2023 21:20

Wallabies blew it.

It may be the only best performance for them this year and they couldn't capitalise.

The ABs were disorganised from the changes and when they got their act together it was plain to see they were the better team.

Buying a Tesla? Use my Tesla referral link and we both get discounts and credits.

tukapa1

724 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3112155 5-Aug-2023 22:04

Take aways for me from this second to last World Cup warm up game;

Nepo Laulala should have played his last test match.

Taukei'aho is the number 1 hooker.

Scott Barrett is clearly the premier lock in NZ now and the issue is that neither Retallick or Whitelock are impact players so neither suits a bench position.

Finau took his chances well today, especially in the second half, and should get a World Cup spot.

Cane is the top number 7 in the country this year by some way.

Ardie holds the team together by himself at times and todays match was a loss if he hadn't held up that try.

Weber is still the second best halfback in the country by a long way.

Mounga finally showed why he should be the starting 10 for all games.

Dmac showed why he shouldn't be a starter in any games.

McLeod played his first and last AB's test this afternoon.

Having to play Ennor shows how weak we are in the midfield once you move beyond Jordie/Reiko/ALB.

Stevenson warmed into his work and had a good effective game by the time the fulltime whistle went. He should replace Clarke in the World Cup squad (but won't).

Jordan is class at fullback or on the wing. Second name that gets written down when considering your backline.

Finlay Christie is at best the 4th best halfback in the country (but in reality is probably 5th) but as he has been a pet project I expect he will continue on his way to the World Cup. Let's hope we don't lose Smith to injury because it will be asking a lot to expect Roigard to take us all the way.

I expect the World Cup squad announced on Monday will be a 19/14 split, and that the squad that gets announced will be easy enough to pick depending on inside injury information.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3112917 7-Aug-2023 17:43

What a great team announcement. The best I have seen. Going to Napier, involving the community, the comments by everyone acknowledging the hardship in that region, and making the AB's available for access to the public, has a warm and fantastic feel.

I want to say I am surprised by Clarke's inclusion, and disappointed by Christie (though his 1st half service of the ruck on Saturday was possibly the fastest and cleanest I've ever seen from him), though the alternative, Weber, didn't excite me much either. Gutted for Moody and Goodhue.

Gotta really feel for all the people who were in contention who missed out.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3112923 7-Aug-2023 17:57

Saturday nights game was quite an interesting match.

The biggest (and huge takeaway from it) was the self-belief they both had, and gained, from being able to come behind, with an experimental team, to grind out a win. RM has ice in his veins.

DM should never start at 10 again. He has proven that whilst exciting to watch sometimes, he lacks the vision and game management to run a team the way someone like RM or BB have.

Codie Taylor is our number one hooker in my opinion. Laulala was included in the WC Squad, though I wouldn't have taken him. Taukei'aho has been far from the form he was in last year, I think they over played him and expectations/hype have had an effect. I really hope he can get some of last years outstanding form back.

I was super pleased we won, we changed a LOT of players, and I expected it was quite possible to lose, though I felt much more comfortable after the first 5 minutes of the second half when we started to show some forwards dominance, which helped bring down out error count. I can't recall seeing the AB's fall off more tackles than in that first 30 minutes, it was pretty alarming.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3113960 9-Aug-2023 22:17

So good to see some familiar names running out for Canterbury in the NPC. Players like Crotty and Romano and Ben Funell who has been away for what seems like forever!

Jack Goodhue played for Northland, looks like he is going pretty OK. Rene Ranger is still playing (and attracting yellow cards like a moth to the flame!).

Blair Murray is a freaking bolt of lightning. He is seriously quick.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3113961 9-Aug-2023 22:30

I have no idea what we are going to do for 10 for the AB's in 2024. Perofeta can't even get a starting position at 10 for Taranaki, MacKenzie has shown over and over he is too erratic at 10 for the AB's.

It's not like for the last few generations of AB's teams where there has been someone obviously pounding on the door of the incumbent.

JPNZ

1519 posts

Uber Geek

#3114000 10-Aug-2023 08:13

networkn:

I have no idea what we are going to do for 10 for the AB's in 2024. Perofeta can't even get a starting position at 10 for Taranaki, MacKenzie has shown over and over he is too erratic at 10 for the AB's.

It's not like for the last few generations of AB's teams where there has been someone obviously pounding on the door of the incumbent.

Does the conversation on picking overseas players finally happen again? Ala Mo'unga and Fainga'anuku?

Panasonic 65GZ1000, Onkyo RZ730, Atmos 5.1.2, AppleTV 4K, Nest Mini's, PS5, PS3, MacbookPro, iPad Pro, Apple watch SE2, iPhone 15+

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3114010 10-Aug-2023 08:47

JPNZ:

Does the conversation on picking overseas players finally happen again? Ala Mo'unga and Fainga'anuku?

I doubt it somehow. I am not sure if Robertson is in favour or not.

maoriboy

997 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#3114032 10-Aug-2023 09:45

I wonder if Brett Cameron comes into the thinking of the Ab's coaches for 2024? Has had a taster of the AB's previously, was part of the Crusaders machine a few years back and was playing good footy in Super rugby up until his injury. If he can do well for Manawatu this NPC and kick on for the Canes next year, he may well be in with a shout.

JPNZ

1519 posts

Uber Geek

#3114061 10-Aug-2023 10:50

networkn:

JPNZ:

Does the conversation on picking overseas players finally happen again? Ala Mo'unga and Fainga'anuku?

I doubt it somehow. I am not sure if Robertson is in favour or not.

He is thats why I asked...

"And Robertson also said he's open to having conversations about selecting players from overseas to represent the All Blacks in the future - currently a no-go under NZ Rugby rules"

Panasonic 65GZ1000, Onkyo RZ730, Atmos 5.1.2, AppleTV 4K, Nest Mini's, PS5, PS3, MacbookPro, iPad Pro, Apple watch SE2, iPhone 15+

1 | ... | 556 | 557 | 558 | 559 | 560 | 561 | 562 | 563 | 564 | 565 | 566 | ... | 640