Bledisloe #1
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We got out-muscled across the park, backs and forwards - Wallabies had too many big men running at too many smaller men - winning the collisions - and that was exacerbated when Scott Barrett got sent off.
First fix is to keep 15 men on the field.
Second fix is to get Retallick back.
Third fix is to play a bigger 6 and a bigger 12.
Fourth fix is to look at the props - probably need to find someone who has more dynamism around the park.
That was an underpowered AB team out there. Need to find more power.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe #1:
A bit of hypa-bowl goes a long way after an AB loss.
Never a fan of losing especially to the Aussies, but I do like that we are going to have to come up with something different. I’m optimistic about what lies ahead for Eden Park. Aussies on a high, we’re in a hole - has the makings of a big test match.
alright mate. normally, i am with your. but...
being that your bloked are filling the big fucking holes in our team, and have been doing the same for a couple of years, and one of them is now suspended
how do we just switch on next week?
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe #1:
Our pack needs a rethink with basically no games left between us and the world cup. that is not an ideal proposition.
What do you mean in terms of a rethink? Was it you who posted earlier it had an air of the 2003 pack about it? I can see some similarities - but ultimately all the cattle was there for a very, very strong pack.
I don't really see what changes can be made at this point. Rettalick changes a lot and in the loose you have to ignore the numbers and trust that the only three bonafide test quality loosies can calibrate things with experience before a QF.
I hesitate to give Hansen and co excuses because they've pretty much covered them all but it's not unreasonable to expect Cane to continue to improve post neck surgery and Read to peak for the tournament.
If Rettalick comes back firing the ABs would not be the first team to win a RWC with two world class locks, a world class hooker, a flawed but good loose forward trio and ageing prop combo. It's the 9-15 piece of the puzzle which is the concern.
I'm open to suggestions, particularly around the prop area, but in every other spot the die is cast and all we can do is pray for continuing good health and fitness for Brodie/Cane/Read.
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@Victor-Meldrew
I agree somewhat about SBW, but for the next match we need his strength and creativity.
I also think Rieko isn't as good as he was, but some of that is rest of the team being bossed about too much, other team's rush defence. Today he showed some good skill staying in at speed several times. He can stay at left wing all the way through to the RWC Final....Seems like this over the hill team lacks the many magic moments per test of years past.
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@rotated yep, that was me, and i still stand by it
We have technical forwards, but no dudes who can win the shitfight up front. Retallick is our only point of difference.
Our starting props and locks are not power runners. Actually nor are any of our loosies. How do we beat down the defensive line? We were owned in contact by Australia tonight, and that was pretty much the number one forward pack
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@Chris-B Retallick is the key, as well as a bigger and more physical no 6 (just don't know if we have one). Hopefully BBBR can come back in time and not redislocate his shoulder again when he's back. Apparently the chances of that happening is pretty high.
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Australia beating New Zealand means Wales are unofficially top of World Rugby's rankings
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@Duluth said in Bledisloe #1:
Australia beating New Zealand means Wales are unofficially top of World Rugby's rankings
second ban-able offense in 5 pages
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe #1:
@Chris-B Retallick is the key, as well as a bigger and more physical no 6 (just don't know if we have one). Hopefully BBBR can come back in time and not redislocate his shoulder again when he's back. Apparently the chances of that happening is pretty high.
Agree, not sure it was Sio and Alaalatoa's ball running which hurt us in H1.
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Not sure we shouldnt start with Taylor instead of Coles either.
Obviously Franks has to go, Smith to fullback and BB to ten, but maybe Whitelock as captain so we can sub Read if we need to.
You just know these clowns with have Fifita on the bench covering lock next week.
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@Duluth said in Bledisloe #1:
Australia beating New Zealand means Wales are unofficially top of World Rugby's rankings
When was the last time we weren’t number one?
Edit. Ok read the article, ten years
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Flip side. The Wallabies were fucking good. This wasn't bog orndinary footballers they ran over tonight, this was good players they made look 2nd rate. Owned territory, owned possession, played all the football. That was a big confidence boost.
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@Bovidae said in Bledisloe #1:
To put a positive spin on tonight, we lost to the Wallabies in Australia in both 2011 and 2015 so everything is going to plan.
The ABs need to win at fortress Eden Park, of course, or all bets are off.
Not just win, but actually show that we are capable of physically dominating them up front. If we don't show that and sneak a win through our backs, then I don't like our chances at all in Japan.
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe #1:
@rotated yep, that was me, and i still stand by it
Oh I don't disagree with you I see plenty of the parallels particularly around Read/Thorne and ball running props. I guess my point was in 2003 the right combination was ultimately in Sydney that night and in less than a year was evident.
Do we have a ball running prop that we can parachute in or is someone like Jacobson who is perhaps ready beyond his years or do they have the balls to drop Read?
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe #1:
@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe #1:
A bit of hypa-bowl goes a long way after an AB loss.
Never a fan of losing especially to the Aussies, but I do like that we are going to have to come up with something different. I’m optimistic about what lies ahead for Eden Park. Aussies on a high, we’re in a hole - has the makings of a big test match.
alright mate. normally, i am with your. but...
being that your bloked are filling the big fucking holes in our team, and have been doing the same for a couple of years, and one of them is now suspended
how do we just switch on next week?
I think we got a bit shell shocked by how some of the bigger bodied Wallaby forwards hit the line. The reason our missed tackle count was so high. A lot of those were first up guys falling off OZ forwards running at pace and sting.
It’s a very new pack for the Aussies. So they had front foot ball and had a halfback that knows how to use it (not Genia and Phipps who both fluff about).
So defensively we make a few adjustments.
Am a bit concerned about Cane as he got banged up a bit tonight. Not concerned about what he offers but more about him getting the stuffing knocked out of him.
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@Kirwan said in Bledisloe #1:
Not sure we shouldnt start with Taylor instead of Coles either.
Obviously Franks has to go, Smith to fullback and BB to ten, but maybe Whitelock as captain so we can sub Read if we need to.
You just know these clowns with have Fifita on the bench covering lock next week.
I far prefer we start with Taylor and TJP for the early exchanges, then finish with Coles and A Smith when the game opens up.
