All Blacks MOTM v Tonga
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@stargazer said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
@stag On the Fern they love to hate Bridge. The Fern is like that group of boys at high school that pick one kid they like to bully. I think it all started when the ABs coaches gave the starts on the left wing to Bridge instead of Rieko in 2019, which angered some Rieko fans here, despite Bridge having a good season and Rieko playing below his usual level. Bridge playing for the most hated franchise doesn't help him, either. The Fern's pack mentality is a little pathetic, but it is what it is.
I was supportive of Bridge taking Rieko's spot in 2019. Rieko was poor that season. Bridge deserved his shot.
Unfortunately the evidence since is that Bridge really struggles to create anything on his own.
Bridge really struggles to beat defenders on his own. His complete lack of any kind of step or quick feet means he presents a fairly easy target coming up against a quality defensive line - in other words big tests. Even tonight he struggled against effectively a club team.
As for Rieko I can understand why non Blues fan don't like him. I will say I think he's starting to grow up - he's less mouthy, aggro etc and I think taking on a leadership role at the Blues has helped.
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@kiwimurph yeah this is it eh, but the sensitivity of a lot of blues fans to any criticism of a Ioane can be pretty bizarre. I mean RS said above he'd far prefer Roane to Bridge, but made a criticism of his character (and let's face it, he has that reputation because he often used to act like an egg on the field), and @tim has RS not preferring Roane.
Apparently I hate him as @Kirwan says, but he can't give me a reason why.... and here I thought K was against all the new age disagreement equals hate stuff...
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@kirwan said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
@blackeyeagain said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
Couldn't resist and voted G. Bridge - sorry as you were 😉
Ouch. Pity votes show how badly he played.
He played well ... just ... very ... slowly...
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Anyway, I went Jacobsen, Aoane and DMac.
Several others in contention.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
@stag On the Fern they love to hate Bridge. The Fern is like that group of boys at high school that pick one kid they like to bully. I think it all started when the ABs coaches gave the starts on the left wing to Bridge instead of Rieko in 2019, which angered some Rieko fans here, despite Bridge having a good season and Rieko playing below his usual level. Bridge playing for the most hated franchise doesn't help him, either. The Fern's pack mentality is a little pathetic, but it is what it is.
Not your finest work Gazer
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@bones said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
@bones He didn't play well today, did he? But I did give him a vote because of the vitriol he churned up here today. Brilliant!
Played like a guy returning to rugby after a couple of years out. Warmed up a bit in the second half, but that first half was everything you don't wanna see from an AB winger.
If Clarke or Ioane played the same game I'm sure SG and stag would agree.
He's a bit Collins isn't he?
Great description.
I've not read the Fern reactions as I was out to dinner and just watched the game.
When I said above that there were several others in contention I did not I Clyde Bridge in that.
Personally I thought he did everything OK, but it seemed when he got the ball he was running in treacle. The pace just stopped.
Based on his game tonight I'd hate to see him in any big games. Adequate squaddie at best on that form.
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Well this thread went down hill fast ...
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@tim said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
@bones said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
I like the juxtaposition of cherry picking stats though
That's a pretty good stat to pick for a centre.
It doesn't make him the best centre. Just as most lineout wins doesn't make you the best lock or hooker.
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Keep it seemly fullas.
I've deleted some of the less than desirable posts.
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@kiwimurph said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
As for Rieko I can understand why non Blues fan don't like him. I will say I think he's starting to grow up - he's less mouthy, aggro etc and I think taking on a leadership role at the Blues has helped.
He's growing into the 13 role, but I'm not convinced he's done enough to nail down the 13 slot just yet. (My instinct is a Havilli/ALB combination could be a winner).
But I really like the way he's fought back from a pretty crap 2019 season to become a serious contender for the 13 jersey. We've seen plenty of other stars at 11/14 who seem to give when the magic wears off and tale the money in France, credit to him for sticking with it.
