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BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?)

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allblacks
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BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?)
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  • BonesB Offline
    BonesB Offline
    Bones
    wrote on last edited by
    #148

    X factor? It's getting a bit weird here where people have completely blanked Crottys play the last year or two. The guy creates plenty of space in the midfield with guile and isn't exactly incapable of making yards up the middle. Plus his combo with ALB was fantastic for the ABs.

    No QuarterN 1 Reply Last reply
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  • W Offline
    W Offline
    Wreck Diver
    wrote on last edited by
    #149

    The AB forward pack is good enough to handle the Lions forwards. We have a strong set piece which has allowed us to score try's. I think we will take them on up front and pick go around the ruck which gets the backs on their heels and then we can go wide.

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  • ACT CrusaderA Offline
    ACT CrusaderA Offline
    ACT Crusader
    replied to Chester Draws on last edited by
    #150

    @Chester-Draws said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    @Frye said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    @mariner4life said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    The Lions aren't going to squash our forwards like they did to the Maori, and last night as well. The Blues, while early in the tour, matched them up front (and even shaded them in certain areas) but were able to break the Lions open with skill. That last try to win it was fucking great, but also high risk on a couple of occasions.

    I am not overly concerned about the need for a rock solid defensive midfield, as i don't think they are bringing anything any of our midfield options would be able to deal with. However someone who can unlock that rush defense with an in-contact offload would be invaluable.

    Something has gone badly wrong if we are relying on that level of magic to win this test. I'm surprised to hear the "x" word popup considering the dark days we used to live in, where the ball would be shoveled out to our flair players in a vain hope that they did something with it.

    And we risk then being beaten like the Crusaders. And not win like the Blues.

    Beauden has shown all season he needs space. He ain't going to get it.

    Our wingers, assuming we go with Dagg and Julian will struggle to break the line just man on man (Savea will bend it, sure, but not break it).

    So where are our tries coming from? I think we need real threats in midfield. If we drop an offload, they are unlikely to pounce fast enough to matter, but if they stick we should be able to convert.

    The Crusaders found that no matter how good your forwards, lack of real penetration in the backs will have us lose.

    The Crusaders did create limited opportunities through our young centre Goodhue, we just didn't finish them off. But I agree we didn't make enough of them and that is where we sorely missed Crotty. He does create the space and he (and Todd) really know how to keep the ball alive.

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  • kiwiinmelbK Offline
    kiwiinmelbK Offline
    kiwiinmelb
    wrote on last edited by
    #151

    is it just me , or does this gatland coached side remind you of the boks of a few years ago ,

    the rush defense , and plenty of up and unders with chasers

    W ACT CrusaderA MartyM 3 Replies Last reply
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  • kiwiinmelbK Offline
    kiwiinmelbK Offline
    kiwiinmelb
    wrote on last edited by
    #152

    I actually think its a blessing in disguise the Crusaders got showed up by the Lions ,

    Im expecting a few of our tight forwards go into this game with a point to prove

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  • W Offline
    W Offline
    Wreck Diver
    replied to kiwiinmelb on last edited by
    #153

    @kiwiinmelb The 2009 Boks? Yes.

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  • ACT CrusaderA Offline
    ACT CrusaderA Offline
    ACT Crusader
    replied to kiwiinmelb on last edited by
    #154

    @kiwiinmelb said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    is it just me , or does this gatland coached side remind you of the boks of a few years ago ,

    the rush defense , and plenty of up and unders with chasers

    Or the ABs under Henry when our up and under kick and chase game putting defensive pressure on the opponent was one of our main attacking weapons.

    It's hard to say really given the midweek Lions team has played different to the Saturday teams. And even then the two Saturday games were played quite different given conditions.

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  • C Offline
    C Offline
    cgrant
    wrote on last edited by
    #155

    It's going to rain on Saturday : good news for Gatland and the BIL !

    UniteU 1 Reply Last reply
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  • No QuarterN Offline
    No QuarterN Offline
    No Quarter
    replied to Bones on last edited by No Quarter
    #156

    @Bones said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    X factor? It's getting a bit weird here where people have completely blanked Crottys play the last year or two. The guy creates plenty of space in the midfield with guile and isn't exactly incapable of making yards up the middle. Plus his combo with ALB was fantastic for the ABs.

    I only have SBW starting as he has fitness and form in the last two matches, whereas Crotty is coming back from an (admittedly) short-term injury, but an injury nonetheless. I had Crotty starting originally but I think SBW has done enough to warrant a start. I want Crotty on the bench though.

    BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
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  • MartyM Offline
    MartyM Offline
    Marty
    replied to kiwiinmelb on last edited by
    #157

    @kiwiinmelb And if Elliott Daley is selected, their very own Francois Stern to knock over 60m kicks

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  • A Offline
    A Offline
    akan004
    wrote on last edited by
    #158

    Yelden reckons it's going to be a Crotty/SBW midfield.

    kiwiinmelbK 1 Reply Last reply
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  • F Offline
    F Offline
    Frye
    wrote on last edited by
    #159

    All Blacks named 5am nzt?

    P 1 Reply Last reply
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  • P Offline
    P Offline
    pakman
    replied to Frye on last edited by
    #160

    @Frye Believe so. 18.00 in UK.

    1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • Billy TellB Offline
    Billy TellB Offline
    Billy Tell
    replied to nzzp on last edited by
    #161

    @nzzp said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    @Chester-Draws said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    The Crusaders found that no matter how good your forwards, lack of real penetration in the backs will have us lose.

    I'd say though that every back in the ABs is a level or two above teh Crusaders. Except maybe Dagg.

    Also don't forget the Saders loosies and backs are used to getting ball on a plate by the outstanding tight 5. So if they don't get clear dominance, then it's a bit unfamiliar. The Blues, on the other hand, are well used to shite ball.

    Also, Aaron Smith>> Bryn Hall. Flat passes to SBW with runners ... you know yuo want it 🙂 Throw in a bit of yelling about offside, and boom. Two tries and we should get enoguh penalties to win

    Well yes you're right Dagg is not above Dagg...

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  • UniteU Offline
    UniteU Offline
    Unite
    replied to cgrant on last edited by
    #162

    @cgrant said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    It's going to rain on Saturday : good news for Gatland and the BIL !

    It is meant to be showers isn't it up until 12ish then clear off to a fine afternoon/evening? I know it's Auckland and that might all change at the drop of a hat.

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  • BonesB Offline
    BonesB Offline
    Bones
    replied to No Quarter on last edited by
    #163

    @No-Quarter said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    @Bones said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    X factor? It's getting a bit weird here where people have completely blanked Crottys play the last year or two. The guy creates plenty of space in the midfield with guile and isn't exactly incapable of making yards up the middle. Plus his combo with ALB was fantastic for the ABs.

    I only have SBW starting as he has fitness and form in the last two matches, whereas Crotty is coming back from an (admittedly) short-term injury, but an injury nonetheless. I had Crotty starting originally but I think SBW has done enough to warrant a start. I want Crotty on the bench though.

    Pretty sure the selectors have made it clear they prefer returning incumbents to start, where they're less of a liability than off the bench.

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  • rotatedR Offline
    rotatedR Offline
    rotated
    wrote on last edited by
    #164

    I'm not sure why things have swung to the point where we are starting with the BI impregnable rush defence & box kicking and working back from there?

    Even if their plan is relatively successful it is still a bit of a high wire act that relies on total accuracy off the boot, in the chase and off the line. A big difference between '08 Boks and this lot is the Lions don't own the lineout so NZ will always have a release valve even if everything is custard.

    Speaking of custard - if the rush defence does prove to be an issue - Hansen will have up his sleeve the ability to push Barrett back to 15 in the second half circa 2014-15 to create space. SBW poses his own unique challenges for the rush as we saw in the RWC final.

    Is there a read on Cruden vs Sopoaga off the bench? Seems to be Lima based on last week - but you would think Cruden would have been released if third banana?

    NepiaN 1 Reply Last reply
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  • NepiaN Offline
    NepiaN Offline
    Nepia
    replied to rotated on last edited by
    #165

    @rotated IIRC Cruden wasn't available last week due to injury.

    rotatedR 1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • rotatedR Offline
    rotatedR Offline
    rotated
    replied to Nepia on last edited by
    #166

    @Nepia said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

    @rotated IIRC Cruden wasn't available last week due to injury.

    I see, do you think he comes onto the bench or has Lima done enough?

    NepiaN 1 Reply Last reply
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  • NepiaN Offline
    NepiaN Offline
    Nepia
    replied to rotated on last edited by
    #167

    @rotated If over his injury I expect he comes on to the bench, he's been there done that with the ABs - and if they weren't going to use him they probably wouldn't have selected him as he's off overseas.

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