All Blacks v France Test #1
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@kev said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@stargazer I’m with you Richie is class and will make step up no issue.
Put Perofeta behind that Crusaders pack he would look a different player. Vice Versa Mounga to the Blues.
He has a long way to go to erase that Lions performance, when he didn’t have his Super Rugby armchair ride - which he won’t have in Tests.
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Good second half.
The yellow card thing has been covered. Not a good call. Cane lucky not to cop a card. French just gave up after the card though and deserved to get flogged. They didn't really threaten with the ball either.Taylor probably my MOTM. Jordie and Rieko not far behind.
Dmac and Laumape good off the bench. Dmac showed what he can do when he doesn't just run sideways. Still bombed that try near the end though. Had a support player inside unmarked.Biggest concerns were the back row and midfield.
Back tow were pretty anonymous. Very little go forward. Cane off his best but hasn't played for a while. Still can't understand why Akira wasn't picked.Crotty/ALB were ok once ALB stopped dropping it but Laumape showed how valuable a hard ball runner is. Would live to see Crotty/Goodhue start while SBW is out. Laumape can stay as the bench impact.
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@machpants said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
Cane deserved a yellow but Ofa was a shoulder to head, he'll get cited I think
Yeah i think ofa might be in a bit of trouble there. Unless they come up with some sort of mitigating circumstances like they did with Squire last week.
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Interesting commentary thread - players' careers ended just before they make "player of the year" plays, hopeless to brilliant, zeroes to heroes.
I think Hansen will be pretty happy with that. Everything worked out pretty well. Fairly slick second half performance for what was the first test of the year.
Depending on injuries and citations, I think we'll see a pretty similar team for next week - maybe one change in the backline - and then maybe a few more changes in the third test.
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I wonder if they might gove Taufua a nench spot next week instead of Ardie. I guess the third test is most likely.
Was a bit surprised they didn't give Fifita 10mins at lock given he was supposedly covering there in thos game. It wouldn't have given them much of an idea but at least it would start to paint a picture of whether or not he is capable. -
@kirwan said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@stargazer said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@kirwan Ah, yes, of course, Jordie!
I’d consider Jordie to cover 10 over DMac as well.
Based on what?
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@stargazer That shouldn't be too hard if you assume they're only making that "commitment" for the original 33 man squad.
With Retallick and SBW ruled out, they've only got to find places for eight more guys across two tests. I think people like JTA, Frizzell and TTT will be planned only to get a few minutes off the bench, somewhere.
Wouldn't be hard to give either Naholo or Goodhue a start in the second test and also, as Pukunui suggests, stick someone like Taufua on the bench.
I reckon they'll be hoping to give Mo'unga a start in the third test and plonk Beaudy on the bench as cover. Which leaves NMS to get a run somewhere - probably in the third test - maybe a back three of Naholo, NMS, BFA for that one?
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righto, quick match report.
Beer was tasty. It wasn't what Eden Park sells.
Weather was dry but cold.
Codie was excellent.
Ryko Yoarney did well to grab a brace - but weirdly ran away from the posts.
Ref was slightly random, particularly with cards/high tackle penalties
France were good for 40. I have no idea what Steveo said at half time, but it bloody worked. 44-0 in a half is some scoreline.
ALB and RC aren't physical enough. Wouldn't mind seeing Laumape at 12. I miss Nonu
Also, I miss BBBR.
JB is tall, skinny, white, fast, accurate and quality. Colour me impressed.
Some great tries live, they'll live on in my hazy memory for soem time.
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yeah the mid-field balance isnt right at present, maybe NL/RC or RC/JG
Cant see any other combo due to inexperience
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@crucial said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@kirwan said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@stargazer said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@kirwan Ah, yes, of course, Jordie!
I’d consider Jordie to cover 10 over DMac as well.
Based on what?
That when he goes into first receiver he doesn’t play like a headless chicken?
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Much better second half. That card was fucked though. Ruined the game.
Laumape needs to start.
Ben Smith started to get the hang of wing again in the second half.
Locks went well.
Karl T great work.
Codie T man of the match.
DMac looks great running into huge gaps but doesnt really answer any questions about a tight game.
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The double tackle on Remy Grosso by Sam Cane and Ofa Tu'ungafasi has caused serious injury to Grosso, more in particular Ofa's shoulder. He has a double facial fracture, according to the website Rugbyrama. One is a sinus fracture. He's been advised not to travel back to France immediately, because the pressure in the plane is considered a risk.
According to the same article, the French management have asked the citing commissioner to examine the footage of the incident (as they can do under the rules).
Obviously, there's again a lot of talk of one set of rules for the ABs and one set of rules for the rest. I've been lurking on a few French forums and they go as far as saying that the high tackles from Cane and Ofa were deliberate, and that Ofa's shoulder hit to Grosso's face amounts to assault that should be prosecuted (but won't be because of, "All Blacks"). Apparently, referees are still scared of the ABs and, therefore, do not penalise them. These comments do not only come from French rugby fans, but I've also seen them again from English speaking rugby fans, and media.
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@kiwimurph said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
DMac looks great running into huge gaps but doesnt really answer any questions about a tight game.
The guy’s on a hiding to nothing with some people isn’t he?
He is hardly perfect and certainly hit and miss at times but the coaches realise the value of when he does something good it is very good.(and back themselves to try and reduce the very bad).
You can hardly deny what a player brings when two touches of the ball result in two tries. I’ll take that any day.
That first try wasn’t a huge gap. That was classic Cullen like play where he spotted an opportunity from deep and accelerated into the right place on the right line at the right time. Only players with great instinct do that. Cullen was brilliant at it because he also glided at speed very deceptively and seemingly popped up from nowhere.
I think DMac did his job today very well and only pushed the situation once in a poor way.
He tries to create scoring chances and as long as he comes out on the right side of the ledger it’s a win.
