Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3286396 25-Sep-2024 19:55

Handle9:

I was being serious when I said there are Plumbtree and Moarr vibes about this team. They don't appear entirely to buy what all the coaches are selling.

It'll be interesting to see what leaks out of the end of season review.

I agree with your assessment there too. I feel like there is a definite alignment issue somewhere in amongst it all.

I am quite puzzled by the 50 minute fall away, I doubt it's a fitness/diet thing.

It's like they have been told to play one way for x period of time then start implementing the 'new' stuff and there isn't a clear and simple enough picture for that.

GV27

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#3286538 26-Sep-2024 11:17

networkn:

I agree with your assessment there too. I feel like there is a definite alignment issue somewhere in amongst it all.

I am quite puzzled by the 50 minute fall away, I doubt it's a fitness/diet thing.

It's like they have been told to play one way for x period of time then start implementing the 'new' stuff and there isn't a clear and simple enough picture for that.

They can keep up. It's not a conditioning issue.

I'm starting to think the punch they are missing is the locks. Retallick and Whitelock were basically the most commanding players on the field and frequently were rallying the team behind the posts and during breaks in play.

We haven't selected benches with pitbulls / the (ugh) bomb squad approch where you put all of your eggs in the impact player basket - that's easy. You just choose other players. But when you come back from half time, a little unfocused, you concede and heads go down a little, who is there in that team leading the huddle behind the posts making sure you strike back and don't give away another one? Who's making the plan for the kick-off?

I don't know who it is. Maybe that's who we need to be picking if we don't have them there already, even if they're not the most technically proficient player.

GV27

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#3286539 26-Sep-2024 11:22

Plummer not even in the squad, Havili straight in, Reece starting.

Think I'll give this one a miss.

Earbanean

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#3286542 26-Sep-2024 11:44

GV27:

Plummer not even in the squad, Havili straight in, Reece starting.

Think I'll give this one a miss.

Two new starters are a Blues (Barrett) and a Chiefs (ALB). Two new bench are a Blues (Tuipulotu) and a Crusader (Havili). So the four promoted players = 2 x Blues, 1 x Chiefs and 1 x Crusaders. And somehow out of that you get a massive Crusaders conspiracy. How do you feel about 5G towers?

itxtme

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#3286546 26-Sep-2024 11:48

Havili in, no sight of Proctor and Reece... Oh my

GV27

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#3286548 26-Sep-2024 11:50

Earbanean:

Two new starters are a Blues (Barrett) and a Chiefs (ALB). Two new bench are a Blues (Tuipulotu) and a Crusader (Havili). So the four promoted players = 2 x Blues, 1 x Chiefs and 1 x Crusaders. And somehow out of that you get a massive Crusaders conspiracy. How do you feel about 5G towers?

Well evidence says they're safe.

Not seeing much evidence to justify persisting with Reece week-in, week-out.

Like I've said before, I quite like backing winning teams, I can understand if some Crusaders fans have forgotten how that works.

Earbanean

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#3286550 26-Sep-2024 11:56

GV27:

Well evidence says they're safe.

Not seeing much evidence to justify persisting with Reece week-in, week-out.

Like I've said before, I quite like backing winning teams, I can understand if some Crusaders fans have forgotten how that works.

I'm not much of a Reece fan either, but who are you saying you'd start on the right wing from the squad available for this game?

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GV27

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#3286555 26-Sep-2024 12:26

Earbanean:

I'm not much of a Reece fan either, but who are you saying you'd start on the right wing from the squad available for this game?

We have someone playing fullback would would make a better winger than Reece is as a winger.

But if you want someone not in the squad and available who'd be better: Hoskins Sotutu.

E: Serious answer: Tele'a, dropped for having games considerably better that what Reece seems to be able to serve up and stay in the team.

itxtme

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#3286627 26-Sep-2024 13:38

Earbanean:

I'm not much of a Reece fan either, but who are you saying you'd start on the right wing from the squad available for this game?

Rieko of course, he is a winger after all. Would have been good to give two specialist centers another go rather than using a converted winger..

Earbanean

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#3286629 26-Sep-2024 13:45

GV27:

We have someone playing fullback would would make a better winger than Reece is as a winger.

But if you want someone not in the squad and available who'd be better: Hoskins Sotutu.

E: Serious answer: Tele'a, dropped for having games considerably better that what Reece seems to be able to serve up and stay in the team.

Yeah, fair point about Tele'a. I'd kind of forgotten about him. I don't think he's played well this year, but I'd probably still have him ahead of Reece.

People are upset about Havili ahead of Proctor on the bench, but I don't see it that way. Proctor doesn't cover 12, so an injury to ALB wouldn't be adequately covered. Havili wins on versatility. With Jordie out, I think if Proctor plays, he needs to start. Personally, I'd start him ahead of Rieko, but this has been a conservatively selected team right across the park - and there's no Crusaders bias anywhere in the 13 decision.

The starting 15 is pretty conservative with minimal changes, but I reckon how/when they use the bench will be the real talking point. Cane will come off (to an ovation) and then what happens? Ardie to 7, Satiti to 8? Does DMac come on at 10 or 15? Does Havili replace ALB, or do they shuffle out with ALB to 13 and Rieko to wing?

GV27

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#3286639 26-Sep-2024 14:20

I still reckon pushing the boat out with Plummer on the bench, Mackenzie starting at 10, Barrett off the bench as a 15 to replace Jordan and then bringing Tele'a into the fold ahead of Reece would have given us a better fit for what is effectively a dead-rubber game. Gives Mackenzie his start, Plummer his game time and gets us a look at Tele'a again after a while not seeing him start.

Seemed like the smart move with an eye to the future given this game won't count for much but hey, instead we've got Reece back, Havili straight into the squad and Jordan at full-back while Mackenzie comes off the bench.... I'm just not sure what we're finding out with this set-up that we don't already know.

Handle9

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#3286716 26-Sep-2024 15:27

Ugh. Barrett goal kicking. We’ve been here before.

Unfortunately McKenzie is the only reliable kicker with Jordie and Perofeta out. Plumber has been even more hot and cold through his career than Beauden.

Handle9

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#3286717 26-Sep-2024 15:53

itxtme:

Earbanean:

I'm not much of a Reece fan either, but who are you saying you'd start on the right wing from the squad available for this game?

Rieko of course, he is a winger after all. Would have been good to give two specialist centers another go rather than using a converted winger..

Rieko was a centre converted to a winger. He played all his development rugby as a centre and has played there far more than he ever played wing.

Even when he played at wing he never played on the right so you'd be converting a converted centre from the left to the right.

GV27

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#3288093 30-Sep-2024 12:01

I missed most of this game, toddler put-down in the first half, crying infant in the second.

Given how little was riding on that game, I allowed it.

Handle9

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#3288397 30-Sep-2024 23:51

I enjoyed the game on Saturday. I don't think we played especially well but we looked committed and much calmer. Australia were really strong in the first half and they were able to withstand it and go in to halftime well ahead.

Joe Schmidt still designs the best strike moves. That blindside move was so good.

There's a long way to go but this was a nice step forward. I'd be saying thanks for everything to Sam Cane and TJ for the northern tour. They are both better than the alternatives but I think it's time to move on. They have both been really successful players and are good men and it's time to move on.

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