Italy v All Blacks
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Backline not good
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The forwards are ok. The backs are still a mess. I like the way they have moved to constant 2nd man plays to change the point of attack. That combination between forwards and backs looks good - though try for France that cost us the game indicates it’s not without risk.
Not so much:
- Reiko on the crash - the ball goes to ground maybe 75% of the time?
- Midfield - would love to see our midfield do what Sititi does, stand players up, take a soft shoulder and unload to supporting player. Tactics, skill, execution….you would have to say that we offered very little here this year.
- Short kicking game - use less because most of the time it gives the ball away. Stop selecting BB at 1st as he can’t help himself.
- Wingers - Clarke offers power and aerial skill, both Telea and Reece haven’t proved as effective at international level with their elusiveness maybe not being as effective as sheer pace we have seen against us.
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@BerniesCorner Reiko isn't the answer at 13, never has been. We know he offers little variation in attack, and more importantly the opposition know that too.
He's extremely limited.
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@Halfback I'd have him on the wing.
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@BerniesCorner Does he still have the pace? Cynical me thinks he moved infield to prolong his career - fine, but he hasn't added any other weapons to him game. Opposition know all they need to do is shut him down and make their tackles, there's no through kicks or offloads coming from him.
Jordie needs to adapt too, it's like he read journalist praise about his crash ball all those years ago and thought "Yeah that's all I'll do from now on"
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@BerniesCorner said in Italy v All Blacks:
@Halfback I'd have him on the wing.
trouble is, as I recall, he was an 11. Clarke doesn't really deserve to lose that spot on what I have seen.
14 however looks open (depending on Jordan I guess). -
@Halfback said in Italy v All Blacks:
@BerniesCorner Does he still have the pace? Cynical me thinks he moved infield to prolong his career - fine, but he hasn't added any other weapons to him game. Opposition know all they need to do is shut him down and make their tackles, there's no through kicks or offloads coming from him.
Yeah I think you are cynical, I think he wanted 13, not simply to prolong his career. Even if he lost a little speed he'd still be rapid compared to most of our current wingers.
Jordie needs to adapt too, it's like he read journalist praise about his crash ball all those years ago and thought "Yeah that's all I'll do from now on"
Well that was what he needed to show when replacing Havili (I think) during the Foster era. And he is supposed to have a good boot. But yes either him or the tactics look very predictable.
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how did Cane and Savea do in this game?
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@nostrildamus Thoughts on Narawa to the wing? He looks to be a solid defender and reads the game well for me?
France sending a weaker team might play into our hands, allowing us to try some fresh debutants without getting too embarrassed. Higgins looks alright. I honestly believe that midfield is a huge problem.
Edit: Havilli is an absolute anomaly. Bro infuriates me, spends all his time on the golf course.
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
@BerniesCorner said in Italy v All Blacks:
@Halfback I'd have him on the wing.
trouble is, as I recall, he was an 11. Clarke doesn't really deserve to lose that spot on what I have seen.
14 however looks open (depending on Jordan I guess).Rieko played 14 earlier in his career
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
@Halfback said in Italy v All Blacks:
@BerniesCorner Does he still have the pace? Cynical me thinks he moved infield to prolong his career - fine, but he hasn't added any other weapons to him game. Opposition know all they need to do is shut him down and make their tackles, there's no through kicks or offloads coming from him.
Yeah I think you are cynical, I think he wanted 13, not simply to prolong his career. Even if he lost a little speed he'd still be rapid compared to most of our current wingers.
Jordie needs to adapt too, it's like he read journalist praise about his crash ball all those years ago and thought "Yeah that's all I'll do from now on"
Well that was what he needed to show when replacing Havili (I think) during the Foster era. And he is supposed to have a good boot. But yes either him or the tactics look very predictable.
My understanding, and I might have it a bit wrong , reiko played 13 in juniors and had a desire to return there ,
Similar to Jordie with 12 .
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@Halfback said in Italy v All Blacks:
@nostrildamus Thoughts on Narawa to the wing? He looks to be a solid defender and reads the game well for me?
I liked him, has potential in other positions, boot looked useful.
That injury and brief cameo maybe didn't help but I would have looked at him. I think Reece had a great super season but he just doesn't have those extra qualities apart from workrate at international level. Telea is a very frustrating player, I thought he was getting some speed back but apparently he looked slow again this game. His evasiveness, balance and strength though are quite unusual. Def looks better at 14 than 11.France sending a weaker team might play into our hands, allowing us to try some fresh debutants without getting too embarrassed. Higgins looks alright. I honestly believe that midfield is a huge problem.
I am reading huge wraps on Higgins. I should have a look.
Edit: Havilli is an absolute anomaly. Bro infuriates me, spends all his time on the golf course.
Must be playing golf with the coaches, I don't understand their love for DH, injury, lack of form, not compelling skillset at international level for the position they play him in. I may have mentioned Lam should be tested there a bit, I would have also been happy to see some QT.
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@Halfback said in Italy v All Blacks:
@nostrildamus Thoughts on Narawa to the wing? He looks to be a solid defender and reads the game well for me?
France sending a weaker team might play into our hands, allowing us to try some fresh debutants without getting too embarrassed. Higgins looks alright. I honestly believe that midfield is a huge problem.
Edit: Havilli is an absolute anomaly. Bro infuriates me, spends all his time on the golf course.
Narawa looks like next cab off the rank. Have no idea why Fihaki was called into squad. A travesty.
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@kev said in Italy v All Blacks:
Narawa looks like next cab off the rank. Have no idea why Fihaki was called into squad. A travesty.
Yeah you do!
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@kev I have seen some things from Fihaki which made me think he could be a prospect, but not in front of Narawa, and not yet. He needs 1 or 2 more super rugby seasons, and good ones at that.
Talea needs to get out onto his wing too, going looking for work is ok sometimes but he's always snooping around rucks being a scab when the try is on. It barely ever works though.
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
how did Cane and Savea do in this game?
Honestly not bad but not amazing.
Both had an eye on the plane home I think.
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The other player people have mentioned is Etene Nanai-Seturo?
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So that was a fitting end to our season. Ugh.
The Canes Golden Boy looked a bit average this match, probably below average in the first 20 before his try. The hated Canes 9 had a better game. Everyone has that bump game eventually though.
BB's kick passes go to no one too much of time now. The new players coming in don't seem to be aware that he'll do them constantly.
That stupid new law interpretation showed how stupid it is this weekend. We get penalised for a guy not moving out of the way and then get penalised for a guy trying to move out of the way (which I said would happen).
Why are we hitting Rieko on a short ball? Jeff Wilson was correct, it's a low % play especially when we should be using him in space.
Did anyone actually have a good game?
TJP and Cane - enjoy your NH $ and retirement. Despite the fan brickbats both have been good ABs.
