All Blacks vs Fiji 2
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A couple of points from Parsons about the game:
Ball carrying quality was a big factor in our poor ruck work.
ABs had a strong emphasis on counter attack from kicks, with the midfielders putting a lot effort into getting back when Fiji kicked. Also ties in with keeping a loose forward near each sideline.
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At least there will be a crowd this week.
Hamilton is abuzz with less than 2000 tickets remaining for the final match of the Steinlager Series at FMG Stadium Waikato approaching. Set to kick off this Saturday 17 July, fans will be treated to an international rugby double header featuring the second Steinlager Series Test between the All Blacks and Fiji at 7.05pm, and the deciding Rugby World Cup qualifying match between Tonga and Manu Samoa at 4.00pm. With less than 2000 tickets left, fans are being encouraged to purchase tickets quickly or miss out on the first Test in Hamilton since 2019 as the Flying Fijians look to improve on their impressive showing in Dunedin. “We saw a fantastic contest in Dunedin and the atmosphere in Hamilton promises to be electric,” NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said. -
@gunner said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
JB might be the backup midfielder again this Sat but there is no way you can have BB, JB and DMac in the 23 if Mo'unga is starting too.
BB would be the one to miss out in that situation. JB on the bench.
how about jordie on the wing?......
How about Dane Coles at 7?
I reckon Ofa could make a good 8, eh
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@mn5 said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@gt12 said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@mn5 And how many tries has Clarke scored? For people who go on about finishers, part of finishing is getting in the best position to score....
In terms of total tries, Bridge has a very good record - 11 tries from 12 tests.
Clark has only one from five tests.
However, Bridge's numbers are inflated by 5 against in Tonga in two tests, 2 against Japan, and 1 against Fiji.
If we compare their performances in the Rugby Championship (as that is the only international experience Clarke has), they are pretty similar.
In five tests, Clarke has one try against Argentina.
Similarly, in four tests, Bridge has one try in the Rugby Championship (although one against SA at the WC also).
None of that is counting the occasions when they both played in the same game and Clarke made a much bigger difference than Bridge e.g., Australia draw last year where Clarke came on in the 69th minute and made more metres in 11 minutes than Bridge managed in 80 while beating 4 men (Bridge beat one).
I thought that Bridge would be a similar player to BFA, but sadly he just doesn't have the footwork to be a force at this level. He can score tries if others create for him (like the try laid on by Havili this last week), but he doesn't create for others.
What ??????? He’s already the greatest playmaker the number 11 shirt has ever seen. Do you mute everything Justin Marshall says or what ?
When did Marshy say that?
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@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@mn5 said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@gt12 said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@mn5 And how many tries has Clarke scored? For people who go on about finishers, part of finishing is getting in the best position to score....
In terms of total tries, Bridge has a very good record - 11 tries from 12 tests.
Clark has only one from five tests.
However, Bridge's numbers are inflated by 5 against in Tonga in two tests, 2 against Japan, and 1 against Fiji.
If we compare their performances in the Rugby Championship (as that is the only international experience Clarke has), they are pretty similar.
In five tests, Clarke has one try against Argentina.
Similarly, in four tests, Bridge has one try in the Rugby Championship (although one against SA at the WC also).
None of that is counting the occasions when they both played in the same game and Clarke made a much bigger difference than Bridge e.g., Australia draw last year where Clarke came on in the 69th minute and made more metres in 11 minutes than Bridge managed in 80 while beating 4 men (Bridge beat one).
I thought that Bridge would be a similar player to BFA, but sadly he just doesn't have the footwork to be a force at this level. He can score tries if others create for him (like the try laid on by Havili this last week), but he doesn't create for others.
What ??????? He’s already the greatest playmaker the number 11 shirt has ever seen. Do you mute everything Justin Marshall says or what ?
When did Marshy say that?
Don’t quote me on it, I was drinking strong stout in a noisy pub so may have misheard.
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@nzzp said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@gunner said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
JB might be the backup midfielder again this Sat but there is no way you can have BB, JB and DMac in the 23 if Mo'unga is starting too.
BB would be the one to miss out in that situation. JB on the bench.
how about jordie on the wing?......
How about Dane Coles at 7?
I reckon Ofa could make a good 8, eh
@Bones has hacked this account
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@toddy said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@nzzp said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
I reckon Ofa could make a good 8, eh
He's no Carl Hayman
was waiting for this. Channeling your inner Fern
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@gt12 said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@mn5 And how many tries has Clarke scored? For people who go on about finishers, part of finishing is getting in the best position to score....
In terms of total tries, Bridge has a very good record - 11 tries from 12 tests.
Clark has only one from five tests.
However, Bridge's numbers are inflated by 5 against in Tonga in two tests, 2 against Japan, and 1 against Fiji.
If we compare their performances in the Rugby Championship (as that is the only international experience Clarke has), they are pretty similar.
In five tests, Clarke has one try against Argentina.
Similarly, in four tests, Bridge has one try in the Rugby Championship (although one against SA at the WC also).
None of that is counting the occasions when they both played in the same game and Clarke made a much bigger difference than Bridge e.g., Australia draw last year where Clarke came on in the 69th minute and made more metres in 11 minutes than Bridge managed in 80 while beating 4 men (Bridge beat one).
I thought that Bridge would be a similar player to BFA, but sadly he just doesn't have the footwork to be a force at this level. He can score tries if others create for him (like the try laid on by Havili this last week), but he doesn't create for others.
Talk about manipulating stats to get your point of view across. You don't work in academia, do you?
From another perspective, you have proven that Clarke is a poor finisher. Something I have noted from Super rugby as well.
The only thing I will concede is that Clarke does have the potential to be a great AB. But right now, on current form and past performances, Bridge should be in the ABs ahead of Clarke. -
@nzzp said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@frank said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
Ben Smith was the world's best fullback. He never lost form, as he proved in his performance against Wales for 3rd/4th playoff.
Bridge looked initially like he might be Ben Smith v2.0, but the gulf between them is vast right now.
Oh, how we miss the good old back three with Smith, Barrett (B)and Ioane. Such talent by comparison, even with Smith at 14
If you go back and watch the Tonga test, snip the good bits of Bridge and the good bits of Jordan out and you can reminisce on BFA.
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@tim said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bones the whole starting front row was poor, but Laulala and Bower in particular. At least Laulala can hit in defense.
Occasionally, but he’s also just another Owen Franks - makes 10 tackles, misses 2, and carries for fuck all.
We need more from our props!
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@gt12 said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@tim said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bones the whole starting front row was poor, but Laulala and Bower in particular. At least Laulala can hit in defense.
Occasionally, but he’s also just another Owen Franks - makes 10 tackles, misses 2, and carries for fuck all.
We need more from our props!
Yeah, it gets annoying when they're there under the guise of being a strong scrummager - when what that translates to is - wins slightly more scrums on his own ball.
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@bones said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@gt12 said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@tim said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bones the whole starting front row was poor, but Laulala and Bower in particular. At least Laulala can hit in defense.
Occasionally, but he’s also just another Owen Franks - makes 10 tackles, misses 2, and carries for fuck all.
We need more from our props!
Yeah, it gets annoying when they're there under the guise of being a strong scrummager - when what that translates to is - wins slightly more scrums on his own ball.
Its one thing I like about DeGroot - his scrummaging might be a work on, but he can also carry and is involved. The two young Crusader props could (will) also be very good, and I still have some hope for Moli - he’s a great ball carrier who can hold up a side.
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@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
As for his lack of pace, it was never a problem for Smith.
I always thought Conrad had a fair turn of pace at full gallop.
Agree with your points on JG though. Used to as solid as a rock at 13.
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
Hansen and Foster have built up a pretty solid body of work when it comes to ridiculous selections and/or playing players out of position to the detriment of that player and the team now.
- Dual playmaker at the RWC - absolute disaster, putting our senior 10 at the back to make way for a rookie that couldn't handle the pressure. Idiotic and has hurt both players form at test level.
- Benching Sam Cane for the RWC semi final when we knew England would try to bash us up front. Seriously what in the God Damn Fuck were they thinking.
- Forging ahead with Bridge on the wing instead of someone that actually offers threat.
- Playing Goodhue at 12 when he was cementing himself in the team as a world class 13. His form suffered badly as a result.
- Playing Jordie on the wing after what I regard as his breakout season for the Canes at 15. Absolutely stuffed his confidence at test level where he ended up trying too much as it's not his natural position at all.
- Not developing Akira Ioane as our 6, instead giving others who aren't up to it chance after chance. If player management isn't the absolute crux of their job then I don't know what they fuck they are doing in the role.
I'm sure I've missed some there. And further to that, instead of addressing the glaring issue of not getting go-forward up front, they've just decided to hell with it let's just spin it wide early and hope for the best. Arrogant and idiotic game plans against world class organised defenses that puts our players under all sorts of pressure and leads to a high error rate.
It's fair to say I have precisely 0 confidence in our coaches and selectors right now.
You missed their continually mucking around with ALB, a world-class midfielder.
I'd also add to your list their failure to bring James Ryan out of retirement to liven up the tight 5.
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James Ryan. Where have I seen that name before?
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
As for his lack of pace, it was never a problem for Smith.
I always thought Conrad had a fair turn of pace at full gallop.
Agree with your points on JG though. Used to as solid as a rock at 13.
Yeah, I never thought Smith was slow either - awkward, lumbering running style - but pace never was a glaring issue.
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@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
James Ryan. Where have I seen that name before?
You might be confusing him with James Blackie.
