BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?)
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@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 winWell yes you're right Dagg is not above Dagg...
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@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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@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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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?
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@akan004 said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
Yelden reckons it's going to be a Crotty/SBW midfield.
I remember the day before the WC squad was announced , he picked Naholo and NMS in and Dagg and Piutau out , was the only one that got it , from that day I always take notice of his selections .
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Cruden in doubt apparently , has been bracketed with Lima, decision made today .
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@Tordah said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
Could someone explain to me how Anton the Great did not make the starting team?
Because Crotty has been the best and most consistent midfielder in super rugby this year.
ALB was great against a shit Samoa team but hasn't been so good for the Chiefs this year.
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All players In the 23 will play their part anyway, I don't see someone like alb as dropped so much , Julians a different story
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@mariner4life said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
ALB admitted himself in an interview recently that his form hasn't been the best this year. Think it was when he was all over the NZ Herald modelling the new jersey.
A bit easier to look good against Samoa when you're lining up against Kieren Fonotia (he made Matt Faddes look like a superstar when we played the highlanders last year).
Anyway, personally I like Crotty/LB.... Sonny Bill made a couple of bad defensive plays last week, although he was bloody good in that Blues game.
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@SammyC said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
@Tordah said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):
Could someone explain to me how Anton the Great did not make the starting team?
Because Crotty has been the best and most consistent midfielder in super rugby this year.
ALB was great against a shit Samoa team but hasn't been so good for the Chiefs this year.
I'm happy with Crotty, but think it should have been Crotty instead of SBW.
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@SammyC 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?):
ALB admitted himself in an interview recently that his form hasn't been the best this year. Think it was when he was all over the NZ Herald modelling the new jersey.
A bit easier to look good against Samoa when you're lining up against Kieren Fonotia (he made Matt Faddes look like a superstar when we played the highlanders last year).
Anyway, personally I like Crotty/LB.... Sonny Bill made a couple of bad defensive plays last week, although he was bloody good in that Blues game.
You are missing part of the timeline. ALB started hitting his straps just after that and has had a number of very good games in a row.
I would have thought a Crotty/ALB as well but I don't know the playing structures the coaches have planned
