AB Test Team v France.
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This season we have too often tried to play too much rugby without earning the right. When we had the McCaws, Nonus and Smiths we could do that because the right had been earned just by them being there but without them and without BBBR, BFA, Whitelock etc we can't expect to run around everyone.
this.
We have to earn the right.
I'm a bit curious as to why the tactic to run everything from the #9 in the first BIL test was shelved so quickly because geezus that was effective.
Maybe we didn't want to continue to show that. Maybe it was just by circumstance that we ran things that way.
Until SBW' red card, we were up by a whole bunch in that 2nd test too.
And in the third we blew enough chances to win by 21.All said & done, the trials and tribulations we're going through now is only a good thing. And it is Test rugby, I guess its not meant to be easy.
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@westcoastie said in AB Test Team v France.:
This season we have too often tried to play too much rugby without earning the right. When we had the McCaws, Nonus and Smiths we could do that because the right had been earned just by them being there but without them and without BBBR, BFA, Whitelock etc we can't expect to run around everyone.
this.
We have to earn the right.
I'm a bit curious as to why the tactic to run everything from the #9 in the first BIL test was shelved so quickly because geezus that was effective.
Maybe we didn't want to continue to show that. Maybe it was just by circumstance that we ran things that way.
Until SBW' red card, we were up by a whole bunch in that 2nd test too.
And in the third we blew enough chances to win by 21.All said & done, the trials and tribulations we're going through now is only a good thing. And it is Test rugby, I guess its not meant to be easy.
Probably because Gatland analysed and correctly identified that is exactly what we were doing.
However I agree completely, the hard direct runners coming off A Smith's shoulder worked a treat.
I would return to that - mix it up of course, but it was bloody effective. -
I think good fortune (as in we had very little) some well executed tactics (rush defence) and a few unfavourable calls conspired against us...
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@crash Analysing and Identifying It is different to Negating It and It's effectiveness.
Its just that we've shelved that so completely its all a bit curious. The AB's can be so goddam effective almost when we choose to be. I really hope we have a statement game on this tour, and I really want that to be vs Wales. Solid wins vs France & Scotland, then smacking the shit outta the Welsh.
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It is interesting. Hard not to believe that ABs would have had first dibs. That said, we're likely talking French v NZ XVs, so not hugely significant. Expect Fifita to start that game, so they may have felt that Akira is too samey and Lucky Luke offers better balance.
Had looked at teams and hard to discern whether French XV will be much tougher oppo than French Barbers. -
@mn5 said in AB Test Team v France.:
Luke Whitelock ?
Fern meltdown in t minus 10.....9.....8......
It's incredibly difficult to shake a reputation huh?
Whitelock L has looked the goods the last couple of years.
I might have gone with Akira ... but have no issue with Luke.
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@pakman said in AB Test Team v France.:
It is interesting. Hard not to believe that ABs would have had first dibs. That said, we're likely talking French v NZ XVs, so not hugely significant. Expect Fifita to start that game, so they may have felt that Akira is too samey and Lucky Luke offers better balance.
Had looked at teams and hard to discern whether French XV will be much tougher oppo than French Barbers.There's another side to this as well. Akira is eligible for both the ABs and Māori ABs. Luke Whitelock, on the other hand, isn't Māori, so can't play for the Māori ABs. Also, he's only in the squad as injury cover. No guarantees he'll actually play.
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@tim said in AB Test Team v France.:
Whitelock was completely outplayed by Ioane a few weeks ago in Mitre 10 Cup. His selection is a joke.
Not a highlanders fan huh? If it’s not Squire it’s whitelock who is pure shite.
Might have gone with Akira myself but whitelock is a better play than when first called up.
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Yes it’s a tough crowd here, did not watch much Mitre 10 but Whitelock was outstanding in Super Rubgy this year, one of Highlanders best. Much tighter than any of our rangeier number 8 s who Hansen seems to prefer. Would walk into the test team in any other country.
