Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#1892080 29-Oct-2017 10:03

tukapa1:
networkn:Probably the form 10 in the country right now. It will be interesting to see how he goes at test level.

You mean the form 10 in the Mite 10 Cup? I'd agree with that but not the form 10 in the country.

I doubt you'll see Mounga play a test match in a hurry barring injury.

Unless the All Black selectors borrow someone's red and black spectacles ;-)

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#1892191 29-Oct-2017 17:30

Dingbatt:
tukapa1:
networkn:Probably the form 10 in the country right now. It will be interesting to see how he goes at test level.

You mean the form 10 in the Mite 10 Cup? I'd agree with that but not the form 10 in the country.

I doubt you'll see Mounga play a test match in a hurry barring injury.

Unless the All Black selectors borrow someone's red and black spectacles ;-)

I don't think those are ever given up!

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#1895804 6-Nov-2017 09:44

Another disappointing performance from the AB's again this weekend. We look very disjointed, and Scott McLeods first match in charge of defense didn't go as well as he would have liked.

Nahalo was good this game, on of his best. BB not as much (What happened to his running game?!), I think Kaino might be done sadly, looks like another injury that might end his tour. George Bridge and Ritchie Mo'unga both played well, the Bus didn't I don't think. The SA number 7 had an storming game, shame he couldn't convert that last try.

At least the second half we looked somewhat better but man we seem to be struggling to make a lot of our first up tackles.

Fifita had a good run, but again, WTF is up with not passing. There was a scoring opportunity for sure if he just passed the ball. Seems he can't run and pass at the same time!

I noticed it mentioned in one of the editorials recently and foo foo'd it, but since then I have noticed it a lot. That being, that the AB's do tackle higher than a lot of other international teams. It's quite risky for the player being tackled. I understand we are trying to stop offloads but still.

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#1895808 6-Nov-2017 09:52

I'd blame our fairly poor performance on Damien McKenzie

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#1895810 6-Nov-2017 09:54

clevedon:

I'd blame our fairly poor performance on Damien McKenzie

That's a bit harsh, it was his first error free game in a black jersey :)

Hammerer

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#1896033 6-Nov-2017 14:01

I didn't enjoy the game much because most of the players I enjoy watching were not playing. The Barbarian's early lead kept me interested - shame they couldn't sustain the pressure. They made it difficult for our 9s and 10s so no surprise that BB didn't run much. That's also probably why our most successful attacks were out wide.

From recent games it seems like the All Blacks can only play fluently if one new/newish player is introduced to the back line or forwards. But if there are more widespread changes then fluency becomes a vain hope.

I can see the benefits of a broader pool of All Black players but I'm wondering it it would be better to have new player development in a NZ A team. I'd be for it just to get to watch the better All Black players playing together more often.

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#1896034 6-Nov-2017 14:02

Hammerer:

I didn't enjoy the game much because most of the players I enjoy watching were not playing. The Barbarian's early lead kept me interested - shame they couldn't sustain the pressure. They made it difficult for our 9s and 10s so no surprise that BB didn't run much. That's also probably why our most successful attacks were out wide.

From recent games it seems like the All Blacks can only play fluently if one new/newish player is introduced to the back line or forwards. But if there are more widespread changes then fluency becomes a vain hope.

I can see the benefits of a broader pool of All Black players but I'm wondering it it would be better to have new player development in a NZ A team. I'd be for it just to get to watch the better All Black players playing together more often.

I agree. I wonder if SH knew it would be like this year, with a change in coaching staff and they are blooding lots of new players for the RWC. I am wondering if we can expect more of the same for the next 12 months.

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#1896041 6-Nov-2017 14:16

I expect so because I expect that will want a larger pool of players to increase the likelihood that the best players will be a) well used to All Black coaching and b) able to fit into the setup without requiring a long induction.

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#1896042 6-Nov-2017 14:17

Hammerer:

I expect so because I expect that will want a larger pool of players to increase the likelihood that the best players will be a) well used to All Black coaching and b) able to fit into the setup without requiring a long induction.

I do wonder how many of our current list will make the RWC. I expect Dagg to be done, Kaino to be gone.

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#1896054 6-Nov-2017 14:30

networkn:

I expect Dagg to be done.

Probably true, sadly.

Again, we have a surplus of excellent players in all positions - even if the AB selectors don't agree for no. 9.

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#1896078 6-Nov-2017 14:48

Hammerer:

networkn:

I expect Dagg to be done.

Probably true, sadly.

Again, we have a surplus of excellent players in all positions - even if the AB selectors don't agree for no. 9.

I agree. It takes good lot of character to come from the outer, esp after missing a RWC, to work hard and become one of the best wingers around. Like you say though, we do have some excellent talent coming through in the backs. I think Havili and Bridge are going to be special. They remind me a lot of Dagg and Jane. I am really looking forward to seeing more of them in Black and also for the Crusaders next year.

Australia Rugby stocks are on the rise. I see they moved Reece Hodge to 10 and he looks ok there.

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#1896100 6-Nov-2017 15:20

I watched the game with an open mind. Expecting a festival game between the All Black B team and the NZ Invitational, I mean Canterbury Invitational, I mean the Barbarians.
From memory all of the tries, bar one, were scored by NZers, which bodes well for NZ rugby.
Julian Savea seems to abandoned his toolbox of skills, relying only on his bullocking opponents out of the way. Still, if I was him, I wouldn't be in a hurry to head back from Europe. With the fragility of Naholo he may be required before the tour is over.
Although the Romano and S.Barrett played well, the absence of Whitelock and Rettallick was evident.
I watched Charlie Ngatai play for the NZM against Canada, and wished he was included in the ABs because I think there is still something missing in the midfield.

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#1896117 6-Nov-2017 15:26

Dingbatt: I watched the game with an open mind. Expecting a festival game between the All Black B team and the NZ Invitational, I mean Canterbury Invitational, I mean the Barbarians.
From memory all of the tries, bar one, were scored by NZers, which bodes well for NZ rugby.
Julian Savea seems to abandoned his toolbox of skills, relying only on his bullocking opponents out of the way. Still, if I was him, I wouldn't be in a hurry to head back from Europe. With the fragility of Naholo he may be required before the tour is over.
Although the Romano and S.Barrett played well, the absence of Whitelock and Rettallick was evident.
I watched Charlie Ngatai play for the NZM against Canada, and wished he was included in the ABs because I think there is still something missing in the midfield.

I think pretty much missing our entire tight 5 is hurting us. When our forward front up, we do an awesome job of winning.

re Savea I agree regarding his one dimensional play. From what I understand, he was asked to add to his game by the AB's selectors and I don't see that at this level, though he showed a little more of it during the Mitre10 cup.

LOL @ Canterbury Invitational, was a little like that, though to be fair they all played quite well.

Ngatai was good I agree. He is compelling, though who do you push out of midfield? Crotty when fit seems deservedly there, ALB plays well, it would be interesting to see Ngatai/Crotty combination, though I think Crotty ALB would be my preferred option.

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#1896119 6-Nov-2017 15:29

Yeah, I kind of think Ngatai provides now, whereas Laumape is a man for the future. Certainly wouldn't include him ahead of Crotty or Lienert-Brown.

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

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#1896122 6-Nov-2017 15:34

Dingbatt: Yeah, I kind of think Ngatai provides now, whereas Laumape is a man for the future. Certainly wouldn't include him ahead of Crotty or Lienert-Brown.

Given what I think the AB's are doing, which is developing players for the future, I can't see Ngatai fitting in. There is a bit of a log jam. He does get to play for the MAB which is some consolation I guess.

It's a shame, but there are so many great Rugby players who will never get a sniff of the AB's jersey, such is the embarrassment of riches we have.

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