All Blacks v Italy
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Ioane reasonably good on debut. Didn't get the ball enough to really make his mark but he did well when he got a chance and scored a try. Coltman didn't get enough minutes to make an impression.
Dmac a mixed bag & has yet to convince that he is a test player. Barrett on the hand did impress. He had a really good game.
Sops did make good use of the little time he got on the field. Todd also solid as ever, even when playing out of position. Retallick didn't have his best night on the paddock.
Stand-outs: the starting front-row & ALB
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Elliott Dixon has been a flop at international level. Definitely not the long term replacement for kaino.
I'd give Akira Ioane a shot but you can almost make a case for shields or even taufua given what Dixon has brought to the table.
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Did Steven Kerr-Barlow lead the haka? Was the quickest in a long time.
Lima was great on attack, but that fake attempted tackle when Italy scored was about a million times worse than the Italian 9's one for Fekitoas first try.
Speaking of Fekitoa; live, his thighs are ridiculous. I thought it was Ofa and Charlie carrying him out on their shoulders until I saw them warming up elsewhere.
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@Billy-Tell said in v Italy:
Elliott Dixon has been a flop at international level. Definitely not the long term replacement for kaino.
I'd give Akira Ioane a shot but you can almost make a case for shields or even taufua given what Dixon has brought to the table.
The only thing being, Dixon would be a replacement for Read. Forget numbers on backs.
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For those that missed it , a decent highlights package here ,
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@Billy-Tell said in v Italy:
Elliott Dixon has been a flop at international level. Definitely not the long term replacement for kaino.
I'd give Akira Ioane a shot but you can almost make a case for shields or even taufua given what Dixon has brought to the table.
I think it will depend on super rugby form next year and who is putting their hand up the most ,
But if we get to selection time next year and others are showing more , he could find himself missing out IMO .
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So the 'dirt trackers' got things back on track and will get the big boys focused...
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@kiwiinmelb said in v Italy:
@Billy-Tell said in v Italy:
Elliott Dixon has been a flop at international level. Definitely not the long term replacement for kaino.
I'd give Akira Ioane a shot but you can almost make a case for shields or even taufua given what Dixon has brought to the table.
I think it will depend on super rugby form next year and who is putting their hand up the most ,
But if we get to selection time next year and others are showing more , he could find himself missing out IMO .
I have no doubt Dixon will perform at Super Rugby level - that's why he made the ABs in the first place. However, he has been very underwhelming at the higher level. Didn't shine in a game where NZ ran all over Italy.
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@Billy-Tell said in v Italy:
@kiwiinmelb said in v Italy:
@Billy-Tell said in v Italy:
Elliott Dixon has been a flop at international level. Definitely not the long term replacement for kaino.
I'd give Akira Ioane a shot but you can almost make a case for shields or even taufua given what Dixon has brought to the table.
I think it will depend on super rugby form next year and who is putting their hand up the most ,
But if we get to selection time next year and others are showing more , he could find himself missing out IMO .
I have no doubt Dixon will perform at Super Rugby level - that's why he made the ABs in the first place. However, he has been very underwhelming at the higher level. Didn't shine in a game where NZ ran all over Italy.
Yeah but the selectors should take that into account im sure , they are generally pretty smart when selecting for test purposes , I think there will be a lot of eyes on Akira's development over the next couple of years ,
But you are possibly right with Dixon, could have a touch of Adam Thompson about him , fantastic super rugby player , didnt translate so well to the higher level,
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The funny thing with Dixon ,
When he wasnt in the squad , there was a chorus led by the media , particularly the radio sport crew, What does Dixon have to do ? why isnt he in there ? that grew louder and louder
Now he has been selected , he is the forgotten man
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@kiwiinmelb He's one of those cult heroes who does a few spectacular things to get the crowd behind him, plays for the Highlanders who would be most peoples 2nd favourite team just to up his cult hero status a little bit more and puts tape around his head in an unconventional way to get himself a few more popular votes behind him. He's passable at Super Rugby level but there are much better options than him at the next level.
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@African-Monkey are you suggesting the coaches and selectors are drawn into this cult status that certain media and fans have of him and that is why he's selected?
Because I'd love to know who all these other much better options are that the selectors seem to be overlooking.
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Some stats from the game:
Dixon - Luatua
Tries 1 - 1
Carries 11 - 11
Metres 80 - 37
Clean breaks 3 - 2
Defenders beaten 2 - 0
Offloads 1 - 1
Try assists 1 - 0
Passes 7 - 9
Lineout catches 3 - 4
Tackles 5 - 7
Missed tackles 0 - 0
Turnovers conceded 0 - 1
