AB's v Wales
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@act-crusader said in AB's v Wales:
I’d prefer PT to come off the bench. The best rugby he’s ever played for the ABs has been in an impact role off the bench to close out games.
I just worry about Barrett's lack of size against the larger NH packs. I agree, Tuipulotu is perfectly suited as an impact sub, as long as he gets more than 20 mins off the bench.
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I think we need to take a look at the bench options. Although not in favour with things originally we need to look at it now.
Pat t and Akira off the bench for me with Aumua (I'm done with Harris) let's see what impact they bring.
In the backs we don't have much options. Maybe laumape is a difference maker, if alb ain't starting I'm not sure I see his value as impact.Starters predictable with Barrett in. As for wing I wld not put goodhue there, u20 is massive difference to tests!! Inclined to start Taminavalu.
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@bovidae said in AB's v Wales:
What were the possession and territory stats for the SA test at Albany?
Those stats can be misleading and not indicative of the final score.
Looks like 52% Territory and 55% Possession to the AB's. No doubt what you do with it when you have it is more important that simply holding onto the ball. I guess I just get frustrated with unforced turnovers where a silly play/penalty gifts the ball back to the opposition.
I really think our set piece has saved us this year, the scrum and lineout overall have been excellent. Its our errors, poor kicking and just a lack of direction in general play that seems to be hurting us.
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@bovidae said in AB's v Wales:
@act-crusader said in AB's v Wales:
I’d prefer PT to come off the bench. The best rugby he’s ever played for the ABs has been in an impact role off the bench to close out games.
I just worry about Barrett's lack of size against the larger NH packs. I agree, Tuipulotu is perfectly suited as an impact sub, as long as he gets more than 20 mins off the bench.
I totally agree about Barrett (S). And still seems a bit odd that he was on bench for NZ XV but not in 23 for Scotland.
And also prefer Patty T for impact. But with BBBR and Romero out we need a power lock to start, and PT was excellent in that role for NZ XV, so give him a shot, I say. -
@gunner said in AB's v Wales:
@billy-tell said in AB's v Wales:
@gunner said in AB's v Wales:
We’re in serious danger of losing this one.
Wales I’m not sure. If it was England or Ireland I’d have us as underdogs which is a bit sickening.
I'm not saying Wales are favourites, but they're as good a chance right now than they have been in a long while.
I'm always pretty confident that the ABs will win, but I just feel a bit uneasy about this one...
True. If we click and NZ don't then we could sneak a win.
Conversely, if NZ click and we don't then it could be a 30-40 point drubbing like the bad old good old days.
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@mikethesnow said in AB's v Wales:
@gunner said in AB's v Wales:
@billy-tell said in AB's v Wales:
@gunner said in AB's v Wales:
We’re in serious danger of losing this one.
Wales I’m not sure. If it was England or Ireland I’d have us as underdogs which is a bit sickening.
I'm not saying Wales are favourites, but they're as good a chance right now than they have been in a long while.
I'm always pretty confident that the ABs will win, but I just feel a bit uneasy about this one...
True. If we click and NZ don't then we could sneak a win.
Conversely, if NZ click and we don't then it could be a 30-40 point drubbing like the bad old good old days.
I actually think the ABs will click because of Gatland's comments this week!
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@no-quarter said in AB's v Wales:
I'd really like to see Akira get some game-time in this one. Fifita and Squire are both flat track bullies, and are not the answer long term. Neither of them could put in a performance like Akira did for the Maori vs the Lions while the rest of the pack got their asses handed to them. I see him as our long term 6 following Kaino's retirement.
I think this is nonsense.
I am not a long term Akira watcher, but went to the NZ Maori v French Barbarians game in Bordeaux, and was staggered by how much of the time Akira was walking around behind the play as a passenger. Was also in Rotorua so have some idea of the Akira upside.
Squire is streets ahead of Akira currently, and has the potential to be a great AB 6 IMHO.
Wouldn't want to quote the AB selectors in my defence, as we seem to disagree on other selections, but they seem to be with me on this one.
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@infidel said in AB's v Wales:
@no-quarter said in AB's v Wales:
I'd really like to see Akira get some game-time in this one. Fifita and Squire are both flat track bullies, and are not the answer long term. Neither of them could put in a performance like Akira did for the Maori vs the Lions while the rest of the pack got their asses handed to them. I see him as our long term 6 following Kaino's retirement.
I think this is nonsense.
I am not a long term Akira watcher, but went to the NZ Maori v French Barbarians game in Bordeaux, and was staggered by how much of the time Akira was walking around behind the play as a passenger. Was also in Rotorua so have some idea of the Akira upside.
Squire is streets ahead of Akira currently, and has the potential to be a great AB 6 IMHO.
Wouldn't want to quote the AB selectors in my defence, as we seem to disagree on other selections, but they seem to be with me on this one.
It must be remembered comparing Squire playing 6 vs Akira playing 8 isn't exactly the same thing.
Akira was playing 6 for the Maori (and for the Blues v Lions) as opposed to number 8 which is where he was playing in Bordeaux. Akira also came on at 6 for the ABs in Lyon and looked better than he did in Bordeaux. I can't remember the last time Squire played 8.
I think an argument can be made Akira is better suited to playing 6 at this point in his career than 8.
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Thanks for the clarifications here.
From what I saw in Bordeaux, I wouldn't be changing my opinion on Akira.
As you are saying Akira is better suited at 6, I would still say Squire is a mile ahead of Akira at 6 currently.
Not saying Akira can't make it as either 6 or 8, but my thinking is he needs to lift his workrate/attitude over current output. Would love to see him in the mix. It is possible Akira could be a better option at 8?
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@billy-tell said in AB's v Wales:
@gunner said in AB's v Wales:
We’re in serious danger of losing this one.
Wales I’m not sure. If it was England or Ireland I’d have us as underdogs which is a bit sickening.
Ooh a second one! Keep ‘em coming. 😉
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I've whacked $10 on Wales at $7.50. Seems a good bet given our form, injuries, and we often suck in the last game of the year
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@mariner4life I'd do the same, except I never bet against the All Blacks.
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@mariner4life said in AB's v Wales:
I've whacked $10 on Wales at $7.50. Seems a good bet given our form, injuries, and we often suck in the last game of the year
Those look to be very good odds, bookies know something we don't obviously. Or perhaps we are just too harsh on our beloved team.
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@mariner4life thats a nice return but you won't see it. This is the statement game. Wales are going to get raped.
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@infidel said in AB's v Wales:
Thanks for the clarifications here.
From what I saw in Bordeaux, I wouldn't be changing my opinion on Akira.
As you are saying Akira is better suited at 6, I would still say Squire is a mile ahead of Akira at 6 currently.
Not saying Akira can't make it as either 6 or 8, but my thinking is he needs to lift his workrate/attitude over current output. Would love to see him in the mix. It is possible Akira could be a better option at 8?
The two bolded comments seems to contradict. He played 8 in Bordeaux.
Yes I am suggesting Akira is better suited to 6 than 8 at this stage of his career - it's a less complex position to play and he can just get stuck in. I don't think it's a coincidence Akira's best performances this year have come at 6.
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@infidel said in AB's v Wales:
@no-quarter said in AB's v Wales:
I'd really like to see Akira get some game-time in this one. Fifita and Squire are both flat track bullies, and are not the answer long term. Neither of them could put in a performance like Akira did for the Maori vs the Lions while the rest of the pack got their asses handed to them. I see him as our long term 6 following Kaino's retirement.
I think this is nonsense.
I am not a long term Akira watcher, but went to the NZ Maori v French Barbarians game in Bordeaux, and was staggered by how much of the time Akira was walking around behind the play as a passenger. Was also in Rotorua so have some idea of the Akira upside.
Squire is streets ahead of Akira currently, and has the potential to be a great AB 6 IMHO.
Wouldn't want to quote the AB selectors in my defence, as we seem to disagree on other selections, but they seem to be with me on this one.
I remember thinking Akira seemed half hearted in that match. Wondered if he was thinking he wanted to get through injury free so as to make it into the NZ XV game and get his AB jersey.
From the Blues games I saw this year I think he's currently better at 6, but against that he doesn't have the tackling impact which Squire brings and I think the ABs are looking for in their 6s.
All said and done though, other than at scrum time, does the number on their back make much difference?
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@kiwimurph said in AB's v Wales:
@infidel said in AB's v Wales:
Thanks for the clarifications here.
From what I saw in Bordeaux, I wouldn't be changing my opinion on Akira.
As you are saying Akira is better suited at 6, I would still say Squire is a mile ahead of Akira at 6 currently.
Not saying Akira can't make it as either 6 or 8, but my thinking is he needs to lift his workrate/attitude over current output. Would love to see him in the mix. It is possible Akira could be a better option at 8?
The two bolded comments seems to contradict. He played 8 in Bordeaux.
Yes I am suggesting Akira is better suited to 6 than 8 at this stage of his career - it's a less complex position to play and he can just get stuck in. I don't think it's a coincidence Akira's best performances this year have come at 6.
Also means that he can play on the front foot more. Moving forward to tackle or to support/clean out. Number 8 usually has to carry the role of forward sweeper as well meaning you need to make good decisions on whether to go in, hold behind or drop back.
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@pakman said in AB's v Wales:
From the Blues games I saw this year I think he's currently better at 6, but against that he doesn't have the tackling impact which Squire brings and I think the ABs are looking for in their 6s.
Bullshit. He has more physical impact on the tackle by far. Watch Squire against Australia in Brisbane this year. He no impact - so often he was second tackler and added nothing. Combine with his ruck inspecting. Then watch the semifinal against the Crusaders - he did nothing.
Very low work rate player who was dumped from the Chiefs for it. The most overrated player in NZ by far.
