Italy v All Blacks
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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.
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@nostrildamus
think out with injury but yeah looks strong all round player -
@Nepia said in Italy v All Blacks:
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.
I think Cane was better than “good” if not quite at “legend” status.
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@Nepia said in Italy v All Blacks:
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.
I agree too regarding Ioane with what Wilson said. We use Ioane on attack like he's Levi Aumua.
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@Halfback said in Italy v All Blacks:
@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.
This. Fihaki is a good prospect, but Nawara definitely deserves a shot first. I’ve been a Reece fan in the past, but he’s not up to it.
Outside of Caleb, I’m not 100% convinced on any of the other positions - Jordie hasn’t progressed (or is unbalanced with the players around him), Reiko just doesn’t seem to have the game awareness or distribution to thrive at 13, Telea is a bit slippery, but lacks pace. Jordan is a rockstar, but seems to struggle with some of the fullback fundamentals, 10 I would continue to develop DMac for the time being. It’s patently obvious BB isn’t the answer moving forward, his structural play and field kicking just isn’t up to it. Still a great skills/instinct player though, so would keep him in the squad. -
I'm not a big believer in world rugby rankings, but just to put this win in perspective, at 9, Fiji is ranked one above Italy.
I don't think France are only 4th, by the way. -
@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
I'm not a big believer in world rugby rankings, but just to put this win in perspective, at 9, Fiji is ranked one above Italy.
I don't think France are only 4th, by the way.Scotland are above England and Wales and that’s all that matters.
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@MN5 said in Italy v All Blacks:
Scotland are above England and Wales and that’s all that matters.
and with recent changes, their odds are firming against the Wallabies.
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
@MN5 said in Italy v All Blacks:
Scotland are above England and Wales and that’s all that matters.
and with recent changes, their odds are firming against the Wallabies.
Jeez look at you getting on the Scots bandwagon !
All aboard, plenty of room !
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What happened to Levi Aumua, by the way, was he a one trick pony or just not well used at the Crusaders?
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@MN5 said in Italy v All Blacks:
Jeez look at you getting on the Scots bandwagon !
All aboard, plenty of room !
I've been on the Scottish bandwagon ever since that time I won't mention in a Highlands castle. But I'll still give you shit for supporting them. It's the Scottish way.
But Wallabies are a hard team to predict this year. Recent injuiries won't have helped them as they still don't have much depth.
Now back to kicking the deflating corpse of freeflowing, spectacular NZ rugby.. -
@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
I'm not a big believer in world rugby rankings, but just to put this win in perspective, at 9, Fiji is ranked one above Italy.
I don't think France are only 4th, by the way.And also, a Samoan 2nd string side beat this Italy side a few months back too.
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
What happened to Levi Aumua, by the way, was he a one trick pony or just not well used at the Crusaders?
Both?
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
What happened to Levi Aumua, by the way, was he a one trick pony or just not well used at the Crusaders?
Both. The Crusaders always tried to work him into the action off about 3rd or 4th phase until they finall realised that he's a player that you just give the ball to him to smash you through the advantage line and then look to play off him.
