Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Smpl Mnmlst
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#3307418 10-Nov-2024 08:13

Just watched Oz v England played overnight. What a superb high-scoring game - best game I’ve seen in years. No spoilers here in case people are still to watch it. It see-sawed backward and forward right into overtime and was a massive cliffhanger.

It lacked all the frustrations I have experienced in ABs games over the past year or so. Great open-running rugby, ultra-long phases, few stoppages. Both teams played out of their skins with amazing skills.

If you have the slightest inclination to watch it, do so - absolutely fantastic.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

tukapa1

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#3307419 10-Nov-2024 08:24

cshwone:
tukapa1: I believe we should play a B team against Ireland given the 6 day turn around and send the rest ahead to France to prepare for that game

Let's face it, only dropping the one game to Ireland, the world number 1, on this end of year tour would be a massive success given where the ABs are.

That aged well :)

Ha! Yep, got that one way wrong, although the way the Irish played a B team still may have got the win!

Hopefully Taylor is back from his HIA for France cos I'm not sure Aumua could go another 80. Been fantastic for him to finally get some decent game time though. Bell just isn't up to it, but good of Robertson to gift him another cap sending him on just before the final whistle.

I honestly thought we would take home two out of four wins from this tour, so (presuming no banana skin against the Italians) we will return a better ratio than that.

Not far behind the Boks in the rankings now.

networkn

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#3307574 10-Nov-2024 18:50

eracode:

Just watched Oz v England played overnight. What a superb high-scoring game - best game I’ve seen in years. No spoilers here in case people are still to watch it. It see-sawed backward and forward right into overtime and was a massive cliffhanger.

It lacked all the frustrations I have experienced in ABs games over the past year or so. Great open-running rugby, ultra-long phases, few stoppages. Both teams played out of their skins with amazing skills.

If you have the slightest inclination to watch it, do so - absolutely fantastic.

This was probably match of the year for me. I haven't enjoyed one as much as I did this, since probably the Quarter final against Ireland at the last RWC. It was what I'd call a classic. Very very entertaining.

Interestingly, one of the most fun games I've watched tactically, perhaps ever, was England vs Argentina when England got a Red card in the first 10 minutes off the back of some terrible form. The way they controlled that game was masterful.

networkn

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#3307623 10-Nov-2024 22:29

So, AB's versus Ireland.

Much was made of Ireland beating US at home, yet very little is being made of us convincingly outplaying the #1 team at home. We have actually knocked them from #1. I feel like Ireland have become quite cocky in the last 3 years.

It was, by some margin, Dmacs best game in black. There has been some pushback on critcism of Dmacs Game Management in general, but in an interview this week, he admitted it has been quite a challenge for him, as he hasn't met it as expected. He did very well yesterday. If he played like that each week, he can hang on to the 10 jersey.

We are still making too many mistakes and poor judgement calls, but at least our penalty count and general discipline improved.

itxtme

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#3307656 11-Nov-2024 08:39

That's now two weeks in a row Roiguard came on and made an immense difference to the ball speed and quality. Makes one rue the chances of RWC where Foster refused to play him in the late finals. I have felt BB and Mckenzie are different but similar. They are the best two 10s we have and both make a great impact off the bench. So if BB is available he should be in for Perofeta. Italy will be a chance to give the other combinations an opportunity.

networkn

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#3307692 11-Nov-2024 11:47

Referring in the Northern Tour has been extremely average. Both Berry and Gardiner made basic and repeated mistakes in the last few weeks, stuff you wouldn't expect to be missed.

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networkn

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#3307858 11-Nov-2024 20:56

This was a very different style of Rugby, with some pretty scary contact and some pretty average refereeing.

lchiu7

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#3309292 15-Nov-2024 10:28

Looks like Robertson has gone back to BD for #10 preferring DMac off the bench. This aligns with the view (albiet an Australian one) that the aclaim over DMac's performance in the test against Ireland was misplaced. He kicked some penalties to be sure, but isn't that his job?

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/11/12/all-blacks-revival-after-feeble-failures-should-be-applauded-but-dmac-acclaim-is-absolute-cobblers/

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networkn

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#3309293 15-Nov-2024 10:32

I think he had a good game probably his best in black, however, it's been slow to come and I can understand the view he is inconsistent.

A win tomorrow would be massive, would shut a few critics up at least.

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#3309324 15-Nov-2024 11:47

Wakrak

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#3309333 15-Nov-2024 12:15

lchiu7:

Looks like Robertson has gone back to BD for #10 preferring DMac off the bench. This aligns with the view (albiet an Australian one) that the aclaim over DMac's performance in the test against Ireland was misplaced. He kicked some penalties to be sure, but isn't that his job?

https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/11/12/all-blacks-revival-after-feeble-failures-should-be-applauded-but-dmac-acclaim-is-absolute-cobblers/

Yeah, watching the game, I thought he was okay... Some of his decision-making was a bit off. Running into spaces where he had no support.

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itxtme

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#3309345 15-Nov-2024 12:36

I think they are very similar in what they offer. I have said before and still believe that they are interchangeable but both should not start. Happy to see Roigard, I think he will be given a long game this week. My only meh pick would be Reece, but limited options with injuries.

When I first saw the team on Stuff it had ALB starting and Reiko at wing. Thought my dreams had finally come true.

networkn

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#3309363 15-Nov-2024 13:08

Pretty much our strongest available team.

Earbanean

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#3309382 15-Nov-2024 14:21

networkn: Pretty much our strongest available team.

If everyone was fully fit then I don't think Finau and Reese would justify their places. However, in terms of fit and healthy cattle, they're probably best.

I thought there was an outside chance they'd start Tuipulotu and move Barrett to blindside. Especially considering we have a more mobile openside and with Cane missing could maybe use a bit of 'trench warfare' out of our blindside.

networkn

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#3310019 18-Nov-2024 09:28

That was a fun game. We showed some excellent cohesion and attack.

That display during the Haka was probably the most impactful presentation of it, I've ever seen. Quite something.

Surely, surely, we are done with Reiko for a while? He needs to learn to catch and pass. Whatever he offers on defence above the other options isn't worth what we lose with his mistakes and his non-existent attack.

I'll be surprised if Reece plays again for a bit too. We have showed the faith and selected him, and whilst he does some good things, again, the balance isn't good enough.

To be honest, to lose by 1 point to the French at home after the tough schedule we have faced, is a reasonable go of it. We should finish up 3/4 which is at least 1 better than I expected/hoped for.

We have played all the top teams this year, and to be honest, I think whilst it's been extremely frustrating to watch at times, we have been within a try of winning almost all of those matches. That is decent enough start, esp when we talk about having replaced all but 2 of our AB's Coaching and Management team. We look compelling already, so building on that will be interesting.

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