Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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395 posts

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#1390860 21-Sep-2015 06:44

joker97: So DC not first receiver in the Second half ... Anybody knows what he was playing? General Manager?

In fact there was no dedicated first receiver I the second half, just random whoever wants it! ??? But it was never DC!

Very confused

I think it was more the Argies running out of steam in the second half which allowed us to play with some dominance. They showed up to play which was great for us. Probably would've preferred it to happen in the last game instead of the first, but it was a good test.

Another person to show up was SBW, wow he made a great difference. Attacked the line, made a good few breaks and off-loads. Aaron Smith also had a great game. Conrad Smith on the other hand made quite a few errors. His yellow card was probably more a 'team' yellow but otherwise he wasn't his normal stable self.

I think DC and BB were both playing the first five <-> fullback role which is why you didn't see him. His goal kicking was on point today (even though most of them were rather easy) but it made the difference really. His running game not so much.

A lot to work on, but it was to be expected. I picked them to win <13 so it was about right. Another try or 2 once we started running all over them would've helped, but that game (barring something crazy happening) should set up the final pool places.

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Batman

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#1390865 21-Sep-2015 06:58

No BB wasn't first receiver either. Well sometimes yes but not dedicated. Who knows. Add you said was probably part of the plan. The ABs looked jet lagged. Takes me a week to get over 5 time zones. Probably 2 weeks for 12.

Dingbatt

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#1390906 21-Sep-2015 08:40

I don't know about jetlagged but definitely rusty. But to be expected, England and South Africa were rusty as well, and lucky for us it didn't cost us the points.
I didn't think DC was MIA and the bench provided the impact once the starting XV had worn the Argentineans down. Particularly impressed by the impact Faumaina made. Milner-Skudder will have nightmares overnight for the fumble that let a try go begging. It didn't matter in the end but was kind of a reflection of the whole game, where moves that would normally come off were snatched at and fumbled.
Conrad Smith's yellow card was marginal, and when the Argentineans did exactly the same thing in an almost identical position in the second half, it was "play on, first arriving player".
Not sure about McCaw's head space if he intentionally tried the leg trip that got him yellow carded. He's as much a target now for the locals as Quade Cooper is here.
The hostile British crowd is to be expected and will be good to get the ABs used to it prior to playing any of the home nations.

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blair003

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#1390938 21-Sep-2015 08:51

I hope we don't get Wayne Barnes in another big game, he still doesn't know how to referee the breakdown. In the second half we bombed two tries so made it harder on ourselves than it needed to be. Good to see Sonny Bill being a lot more direct in his running lines though and a lot of positives to take away.

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#1390961 21-Sep-2015 09:25

Definitely not jetlagged. Rusty is what we are.

The game would almost have been an anti-climax for the team who have been in England for 10 days, with the build up and hype. We looked a little flat for a while. Bench helped. SBW had a good game.

The Yellow to Richie was a poor decision by him, unsure about the Smith card though.

Smith looks a LOT better on the wing.

Lots of missed tackles.

Carters game was ok, can't expect too much when your forwards aren't going forward. I continue to have concerns about the cleanout thought it was better than earlier in the year, but our forwards aren't fronting the way they should be. Our passing is too flat often as well, it's allowing defenses up and puts us under pressure. We looked a lot better when we were passing slightly deeper.

We are exposed under the high ball. Even Argentina is beating us there for crying out loud!

Savea had a better game, much busier, but he isn't getting into space as well.

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#1390982 21-Sep-2015 09:57

networkn: Definitely not jetlagged. Rusty is what we are.

The game would almost have been an anti-climax for the team who have been in England for 10 days, with the build up and hype. We looked a little flat for a while. Bench helped. SBW had a good game.

The Yellow to Richie was a poor decision by him, unsure about the Smith card though.

Smith looks a LOT better on the wing.

Lots of missed tackles.

Carters game was ok, can't expect too much when your forwards aren't going forward. I continue to have concerns about the cleanout thought it was better than earlier in the year, but our forwards aren't fronting the way they should be. Our passing is too flat often as well, it's allowing defenses up and puts us under pressure. We looked a lot better when we were passing slightly deeper.

We are exposed under the high ball. Even Argentina is beating us there for crying out loud!

Savea had a better game, much busier, but he isn't getting into space as well.

Wales got a RED for attempted lift in NZ, so a yellow could be given/justified for jsut about anything. Just depends on the mood of the ref

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#1390984 21-Sep-2015 09:58

blair003: I hope we don't get Wayne Barnes in another big game, he still doesn't know how to referee the breakdown. In the second half we bombed two tries so made it harder on ourselves than it needed to be. Good to see Sonny Bill being a lot more direct in his running lines though and a lot of positives to take away.

Barnes will be there. I'd say he'll get a semi at least if not semi and final. He is up there on the northen hemisphere's radar.

I've watched enough non NZ RWC to know that 15 people need to understand the ref to win the RWC. Or get favour from the ref. Which won't be given to NZ.

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Dingbatt

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#1391013 21-Sep-2015 10:09

I don't think Barnes had a bad game. At least he can spot a forward pass now! If anything he was guilty of not penalising Argentina for slowing the ruck ball down.
Argentina's rush defence was giving the backline no time. If it hadn't been for Aaron Smith's rapid clearances it would have been even worse.
SBW is still the offload king.
Richie has admitted the legtrip was stupid and he knew he was off to the bin. Glad it didn't cost us the game.

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blair003

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#1391028 21-Sep-2015 10:24

Dingbatt: I don't think Barnes had a bad game. At least he can spot a forward pass now! If anything he was guilty of not penalising Argentina for slowing the ruck ball down.
Argentina's rush defence was giving the backline no time. If it hadn't been for Aaron Smith's rapid clearances it would have been even worse.
SBW is still the offload king.
Richie has admitted the legtrip was stupid and he knew he was off to the bin. Glad it didn't cost us the game.

Argentina deliberately killing or slowing down ruck ball is what I'm talking about. It's the type of call (non-call in this case) that leads to defense stifling attack which makes for a boring game.

Everyone does it but some of the Argentinian stuff was very blatant and should have been dealt with more harshly.

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#1391032 21-Sep-2015 10:30

Argentina were very good. They have come a long way and do try to use the ball a lot more these days.

Our forwards and game plan are a bit of a concern though. I really would like to see us focus a bit closer to the ruck and use a lot more inside balls early. When we play a confrontational style no one can stick with us - it's when we try and run around people without establishing a dominant platform that we throw stupid passes and turn the ball over in the breakdown. Give the forwards some easy targets early and let them hit the opposition loosies hard before trying to go too wide.

SBW did that really well by running very straight and physically dominating before trying to pass. It made such a difference. It was also good to see Barret look a lot better. If he fires he makes a huge difference off the bench.

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#1391042 21-Sep-2015 10:34

Handle9: Argentina were very good. They have come a long way and do try to use the ball a lot more these days.

Our forwards and game plan are a bit of a concern though. I really would like to see us focus a bit closer to the ruck and use a lot more inside balls early. When we play a confrontational style no one can stick with us - it's when we try and run around people without establishing a dominant platform that we throw stupid passes and turn the ball over in the breakdown. Give the forwards some easy targets early and let them hit the opposition loosies hard before trying to go too wide.

SBW did that really well by running very straight and physically dominating before trying to pass. It made such a difference. It was also good to see Barret look a lot better. If he fires he makes a huge difference off the bench.

Great Summary. I too, believe we are going wide too early.

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#1391057 21-Sep-2015 11:00

the DC of old would have kicked tactically to gain ground. didn't see any, well didn't see him do anything to be honest other than kick easy penalties. didn't even attempt longer distance (40-45m) ones

blair003

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#1391058 21-Sep-2015 11:03

To be fair, SBW came on fairly late and Nonu looked dangerous early on when the Argentinians were up and everyone was fresh on defense. For a solid guy he has such soft hands and good footwork.

Carter was fine imho, he didn't try to over achieve just played his part. Kicked 6 from 6 and generally delivered good/flat ball to his outsides, defended well.

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#1391068 21-Sep-2015 11:15

joker97: the DC of old would have kicked tactically to gain ground. didn't see any, well didn't see him do anything to be honest other than kick easy penalties. didn't even attempt longer distance (40-45m) ones

Not sure where you were looking at then. I saw plenty of DC. No point in kicking for the sake of it.

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#1391121 21-Sep-2015 12:14

Should we mention the elephant in the room... Kieran Read

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