Springboks v All Blacks
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funny, a few months ago, had we woken to the news of Aarons disabled access and being sent home from tour, thinking TJP starting....
Pretty strong side, guess the ABs have moved form needing specialist lock cover now too.
I woulda thought they'd have started Todd when Cane was innjured, so a little surprised they are doing it now, but think it is a good call.
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Don't understand the shock at Todd getting the start. He's been massive on defence during Super Rugby and the selectors no doubt expect those defensive skills to be necessary against the Boks. He's more similar to Cane than Savea, and Savea is probably not the type of player they are looking for for this particular game (to start with). I'm more surprised about Pat T not being picked.
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Yeah good side. I'm glad they kept Dagg of the two wingers (it was pretty good odds Naholo was going to get a run) as his boot and high ball take are very useful assets against a limited Bok team that will likely kick a lot in what look like possibly average conditions.
I think starting Todd gives them a bit more added impact from the bench that they didn't have last week (Charlie, Squire, Savea and Moala all on this week's bench and weren't on last week's bench is a big difference). I agree it looks like they want to play an up tempo game.
I think conditions could play a big role in this game being closer than expected - it's often very humid in Durban resulting in messy games with multiple handling errors. Combine this with predicted average conditions and I think this game could be a bit of a grind. If it was dry fine conditions I'd back the ABs to win in a canter.
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Apparently, the reason for Todd starting ahead of Ardie is that he (Ardie) needs a breather.
Hansen explains the selection here:
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Crotty and ALB retained
the rest is just minor footnotes...We do love us 2 loose forwards on the bench.
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Bit stink for Patty T but while he had a great game last week, he'll need a hell of a lot of those to knock BBBR or Whitelock off their podium.
Todd for Ardie is a bit of a surprise but not really a big one. I think Ardie's better off as an impact sub right now.
Happy Naholo's in for Savea.
Otherwise just common sense. First choice tight five. Kaino back in. TJP gets another start thanks to Aaron Smith being a dumbass. Crotty and ALB rewarded for looking a class above any other midfield combo we've had this year. And the successful Dagg/BFA combo is retained.
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@Stargazer said in Springboks v All Blacks:
Apparently, the reason for Todd starting ahead of Ardie is that he (Ardie) needs a breather.
Hansen explains the selection here:
Needs a rest after 1 full game, I'd take that with a grain of salt
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On Ardie, he was sucking in the big ones in the back end of last weeks test.
I do like Ardie as an impact player at this stage. He's very effective.
I hope the 10-12-13 axis will continue to develop and play well.
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@Stargazer said in Springboks v All Blacks:
Don't understand the shock at Todd getting the start. He's been massive on defence during Super Rugby and the selectors no doubt expect those defensive skills to be necessary against the Boks. He's more similar to Cane than Savea, and Savea is probably not the type of player they are looking for for this particular game (to start with). I'm more surprised about Pat T not being picked.
The shock for me in Todd starting is less on form, I think Ardie has been shit as an AB openside, more I thought the hype on Ardie would keep his spot. He got 8 & 9 out of 10 last week seemingly on the back of good leg drive when tackled & making some tackles none of which ticked the Wayne Smith "dominant" box. Tho' to be fair Pat T was the only guy actually making dominant tackles last week.
Interesting bit will be if Todd can emulate Cane in the offensive tackling aspect, Canes defence earlier this year was huge, not sold Todd has the heft to do that any more than Ardie.
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Have to say, I'm delighted for Matt Todd - a guy who's stuck around and stuck around when there was a lucrative alternative overseas.
And I'm delighted for the Canes supporting poster - I've forgotten exactly who - who gloatingly wrote that Matt Todd would never be an AB again. Suffer in your shit-filled jocks!
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@Chris-B. said in Springboks v All Blacks:
Have to say, I'm delighted for Matt Todd - a guy who's stuck around and stuck around when there was a lucrative alternative overseas.
And I'm delighted for the Canes supporting poster - I've forgotten exactly who - who gloatingly wrote that Matt Todd would never be an AB again. Suffer in your shit-filled jocks!
I don't think Canes4Life survived the awkward transition to the new software.
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@Bones said in Springboks v All Blacks:
I'm thinking Todd probably actually plays the linking game a bit better than Ardie too. Tire them out early using numbers and support then bring on "I'll just run it myself eh" Ardie.
I hope he's tall enough though
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@Bones said in Springboks v All Blacks:
I'm thinking Todd probably actually plays the linking game a bit better than Ardie too. Tire them out early using numbers and support then bring on "I'll just run it myself eh" Ardie.
Issue for me is more that Cane was outstanding leading our defensive line, that very agressive rush D we have been using has been the key to our defence this year.
The linking & the odd good run are WAY back in importance, every AB now links, Owen Franks has probably done more link work than any of our 7's this year, while Retallick has made more oustanding breaks than Ardie even factoring in time on the field.
It was really noticable v the Argies with no Cane or Kaino we were getting up fast on D but beyond Pat T no AB was regularly monstering the Argies in the tackle.
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@Bones said in Springboks v All Blacks:
@gollum Todd is very good at that aspect too though - he gets into trouble when on the back foot but his tackle strength belies his size I reckon.
Thats my hope, I haven't seen enough of him this year to know if he can bring that but if he delivers I think he's got a genuine shot of leap frogging Ardie given its the core skill we are looking for from our 7 at the mo'
