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.
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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@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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@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.
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@victor-meldrew he's only 24, might have been a bit early to write him off a couple of years ago after only a season or two in the jersey!
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@kirwan said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
@crucial said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
4 of Jordan’s 5 could have been strolled in by anyone (well nearly anyone)
I still can’t make out if this guy scores easily or is the luckiest rugby player ever.He’s one of those “lucky” players, makes it look easy. Reminds me of Cullen.
Another player Will Jordan reminds me of is Doug Howlett. Serious gas and very good at the timing his runs to be in the right place and the right time. A poacher's instinct for the try line. Pace and a good rugby brain. Obvious choice for AB Right Wing for the next few seasons. Will Jordan will score a hatful of tries in international Rugby.
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@bones said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
@victor-meldrew he's only 24, might have been a bit early to write him off a couple of years ago after only a season or two in the jersey!
Def not writing him off! Just pointing out that he's fought thru a rough patch which I think is great.
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@sparky said in All Blacks MOTM v Tonga:
very good at the timing his runs to be in the right place and the right time
Yep. A good player makes his own luck. Footballer Gary Lineker was one of the best strikers England has ever produced but was criticised for "only scoring easy goals".
I remember the German manager commenting that it was amazing how many times Lineker found himself relatively unmarked in the box and wished his players worked as hard to be so lucky...
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Bridge played well on debut against Japan in 2018 in a BaaBaas style match that was incredibly open (Japan scored a bunch of tries as well). Since then the AB coaches just seemed to fall in love with him, despite never stepping up against any of the top teams. I have memories of him being put in space and doing less than nothing with it, when in a tight test it's crucial that your outsides can make the most of any chances to score. Just really frustrating to watch.
The "hate" for Bridge isn't against him as a person, it's frustration that he continues to be selected above players that offer FAR more on the wing than him. It's difficult to score tries when your wing brings zero attacking threat, exactly the same reason people despised having Jordie on the wing as well. Not particularly quick, no step to speak of, just really offers nothing in that position at the top level.
It was a shame Rieko was affected by injury when the 2019 WC came around, and we didn't have many other options there as the AB selectors just forged ahead with Bridge against all logic and reason. It was one of many black marks against their selections and tactics leading into and during that WC.
And then we had Clarke in absolutely irresistible form after the RWC, but Bridge continued to get selected ahead of him until injury forced the ABs to pick him, and we immediately saw the benefits of having a winger that offers threat with ball in hand out there again. It's just braindead selections and tactics from the AB coaches - most of our ire should be directed at them rather than players like Bridge or Jordie who they keep chucking on the wing when it's clear they don't belong there.
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@nepia it’s the way he carries on after he scores a try or the way he gets up in other players faces when they’ve done something he doesn’t like. He’s one of those guys that thinks he’s better than he actually is aswell IMO.
He might be a great bloke off the field but he can come across as a right twat on the field at times.
