Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#2102877 7-Oct-2018 13:17

It's unusual that the Springbok's tank was empty with ten minutes to go. They would normally have the advantage at altitude but not this morning.
I thought Smith (A) had a pretty average game despite scoring a try. Getting caught behind the first scrum in identical fashion to a fortnight ago and giving away a kickable penalty. He was hard done by not gaining the penalty for throwing the ball into the retiring SA number 7 though. It's up to the retiring player not to interfere with the play. But Smith's play seemed ponderous compared to Perenara.
Whether it was due to oxygen debt, or just the right man for the job, things lit up when Mo'unga came on, Barrett (B) went to fullback and Smith (B) to the wing.
SBW seemed almost anonymous and maybe there are better options in the mid backs now. Or just SA's rush defence meant there was no time available.
What today's win will do is instill in the new guys to never give up. Things looked hopeless with 11 minutes to go. History shows otherwise.

The All Blacks are really missing two people. Brodie Retallick and Wayne Smith.

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Handle9

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#2102939 7-Oct-2018 17:43

Batman:

So it's either great game or poor refereeing then eh, depending on how you see it!

Why can't it be both?

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#2102946 7-Oct-2018 18:29

Dingbatt: It's unusual that the Springbok's tank was empty with ten minutes to go. They would normally have the advantage at altitude but not this morning.
I thought Smith (A) had a pretty average game despite scoring a try. Getting caught behind the first scrum in identical fashion to a fortnight ago and giving away a kickable penalty. He was hard done by not gaining the penalty for throwing the ball into the retiring SA number 7 though. It's up to the retiring player not to interfere with the play. But Smith's play seemed ponderous compared to Perenara.
Whether it was due to oxygen debt, or just the right man for the job, things lit up when Mo'unga came on, Barrett (B) went to fullback and Smith (B) to the wing.
SBW seemed almost anonymous and maybe there are better options in the mid backs now. Or just SA's rush defence meant there was no time available.
What today's win will do is instill in the new guys to never give up. Things looked hopeless with 11 minutes to go. History shows otherwise.

The All Blacks are really missing two people. Brodie Retallick and Wayne Smith.

I don't know what you expect Aaron Smith to do behind a pack that isn't delivering quality ball. He had one poor pass all night and consistently at the ruck first. Same for Barrett, if the pack can't give them decent ball they don't function well.

The De Klerk tackle was a scrum problem from a set move. If the scrum gets the loose head side up they de Klerk can't get to him as he'd have to run around Reid or be offside. He's being coached to do what he did.

Sonny Bill and Crotty were invisible as they didn't have the ball. Sonny Bill didn't defend as well as usual but neither

The tight five really struggled until the subs came on and injected some energy, and that flowed through to the rest of the pack. The three best go forward guys in the tight five are Coles Retalick and Moody. With them out the pack doesn't have the same edge to it. Whitelock and Franks are work rate players and to me Franks hasn't been the same coming back from his injury last year.

There were at least two breakdowns where we had pods and weren't good enough to recycle the ball. If you have two forwards on the ball and you're unable to win the breakdown there is a problem with the ruck technique or discipline.

Some of the kicking was a bit aimless but when you have back foot ball and no time to pick spots every back in the world struggles.

The only guy who didn't add something off the bench was Perry. He was not good and I don't see what he brings. The missed tackle that led to the try was just awful.

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#2103075 8-Oct-2018 07:19

Just read that Sam Cane broke his neck, had surgery, is recovering, out for season, no concerns.

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#2103096 8-Oct-2018 08:18

While a fractured neck vertebrae is serious, it isn't a broken neck, and I wish some media wouldn't call it that to sensationalise.
Having had a school friend suffer a broken neck and die playing rugby, I am aware of the difference.
I wish Sam a successful recovery, in time for RWC 2019, but not at the risk of his future health.

“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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#2104100 9-Oct-2018 19:46

I have to admit, after watching the AB's struggle through 65 minutes, I must admit I had lost faith in them to win that match. I honestly couldn't believe they snatched victory. The Boks outplayed us in so many positions, but mostly up front.

As I predicted, Malcolm Marx (who surely now must be the worlds best hooker until Coles comes back to take it back), de Klerk and Stephan de Toit had great games.

Our defence was staunch in the first half but I am pretty concerned about some of the poor tackle attempts made in the second that led to tries. To my mind, McLeod just isn't a patch on Wayne Smith.

I was very frustrated with the AB's repeated attempts to go around and over the Springboks forwards instead of being direct and taking it up the middle, incidentally what won us the game in the end. I don't think that center pairing worked for us this game.

BB kicking was one of the few highlights. Richie Mo'unga has the goods at test level I think, I'd like to see more of him, though it's hard to suggest BB doesn't start at 10.

Ben Smith was very quiet but to be fair with our forwards getting owned every which way for at least the first 60 minutes, it's hard to see the backs playing well.

Retallick, Moody and Squire would have made a difference in that game to my mind. I am not Squires biggest fan because I think he is a bit of a thug, but it's hard to deny his physicality.

Amazing was the determination and focus and probably Reads best game as Captain for a long time. It's easy being captain when you have the scoreboard and set-piece dominance.

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#2104101 9-Oct-2018 19:49

I can't believe Argentina let Australia off the hook! Crazy! They had complete dominance and Australia was woeful. Chieka must have threated firstborn children and fiery punishment for those players to wake up and play the way they did.

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#2104148 9-Oct-2018 21:45

One post you are very happy the Boks let the ABs off the hook and praise the ABs.

Next post you are scathing about Argentina letting the Wallabies off the hook and slamming the Wallabies for winning.

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#2104150 9-Oct-2018 21:51

I think you are having a comprehension failure.

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#2104226 10-Oct-2018 08:14

networkn:

As I predicted, Malcolm Marx (who surely now must be the worlds best hooker until Coles comes back to take it back), de Klerk and Stephan de Toit had great games.

Even if Coles came back the same, Malcolm Marx is a better player. His tight game is better.

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#2104264 10-Oct-2018 09:02

Jas777:

networkn:

As I predicted, Malcolm Marx (who surely now must be the worlds best hooker until Coles comes back to take it back), de Klerk and Stephan de Toit had great games.

Even if Coles came back the same, Malcolm Marx is a better player. His tight game is better.

Not sure about that honestly. I think they both have strengths and weaknesses, I think Coles is probably faster and beats more defenders, which isn't traditionally where hookers have excelled, but that the AB's/Coles seemed to make into a thing.

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#2105497 10-Oct-2018 12:09

Wondering where I will be able to watch the AB's vs Australia 3rd Bledisloe whilst in Melbourne.

Will be 3pm. Anyone here have any ideas what channel it might show? I presume a decent sports bar may show it given it's an Australian game.

Question is, do I dare turn up to an Aussie Sports bar for an AB's/Wallabies Fixture wearing an AB's Jersey? :)

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#2105523 10-Oct-2018 12:38

networkn:

Wondering where I will be able to watch the AB's vs Australia 3rd Bledisloe whilst in Melbourne.

Will be 3pm. Anyone here have any ideas what channel it might show? I presume a decent sports bar may show it given it's an Australian game.

Question is, do I dare turn up to an Aussie Sports bar for an AB's/Wallabies Fixture wearing an AB's Jersey? :)

We went to a good sports bar upstairs at the Crowne Plaza a few years ago to watch a game there, the crowd was pretty tame.

I'm in Melbourne next week but only for five days, so I can't back you up unfortunately.

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#2105529 10-Oct-2018 12:45

Last time we were there for a test we went to a place near my hotel close to the same place, can't recall it's name, the crowd were good sports when they lost.

10 years ago I was in a similar situation, and I was lucky to escape alive, and I was very quiet throughout.

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#2105572 10-Oct-2018 13:19

So I think I might be the only one not wringing their hands and being kept awake at night by the prospect of playing England and Ireland this coming trip North, or even not so worried for the RWC?

I mean, the past 2-3 tests haven't been our best, and I think we have some work on's, but I don't see the need to hit the panic button. We still won the RC for the 8th time, and Ireland have beaten us once in all the time we have played them. England are all over the shop form wise.

We would have to have a really nightmare run to lose our #1 ranking and I don't want to do that, but I believe Hansen has control and a plan. May not be apparent right now. Mid field I am not entirely certain about right now, but we have weeks to prepare and sort any issues out.

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