All Blacks vs Wales

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="575164" data-time="1461727042">
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I think he's the real deal to be honest.
 
Just has that rare combination of qualities that you get in only that very top bracket of young players. Very similar to J Rok and J Savea in that regard.
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Yeah I think his performances in some of these games has been better than just 'handy'.
 
Going by stats on NZ Herald, Damien Mckenzie, who is having a masterful season, has beaten 36 defenders, made 15 clean breaks and run for 621 metres. In comparison, Rieko Ioane, in half as many games, has beaten 18 defenders, made 10 clean breaks and run for 300 metres.
 
Obviously these particularly three stats are only looking at ball-in-hand attack, but I think it's still impressive from someone's first 4 games of Super Rugby, and in a team that is struggling on attack.
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="575169" data-time="1461728035">
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Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times. 
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.
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Savea's first Super Rugby season was 2011 and he was anything but assured, in fact he was quite poor at times and from memory he might have even been dropped at one point. It was year 2 of Super Rugby 2012 that he made the big leap. Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="575169" data-time="1461728035">
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Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times. 
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.
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Not so sure on Savea IMO, but agree on Rok.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="575170" data-time="1461728102">
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Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.
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Didn't Rok only score 4 tries for the Blues that year? I remember he was hardly banging down the door to be selected for the All Blacks and to many he was a surprise when he was.
 
However once he was given the 11 jersey for the All Blacks he was dynamite.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="575170" data-time="1461728102">
<div>
Yeah I think his performances in some of these games has been better than just 'handy'.
 
Going by stats on NZ Herald, Damien Mckenzie, who is having a masterful season, has beaten 36 defenders, made 15 clean breaks and run for 621 metres. In comparison, Rieko Ioane, in half as many games, has beaten 18 defenders, made 10 clean breaks and run for 300 metres.
 
Obviously these particularly three stats are only looking at ball-in-hand attack, but I think it's still impressive from someone's first 4 games of Super Rugby, and in a team that is struggling on attack.
 
 
Savea's first Super Rugby season was 2011 and he was anything but assured, in fact he was quite poor at times and from memory he might have even been dropped at one point. It was year 2 of Super Rugby 2012 that he made the big leap. Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.
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Shit those were the days, Super Rugby was just awesome to watch then and fuck a duck that backline was incredible. Was Tuitupou at 2nd five most of the time ? I remember Mils being centre and Howlett playing at the back and the two Fijians ripping everyone to shreds ( but Rok was definitely the lesser of the two ). Carlos Spencer playing "World class without brain explosions" ( copyright Canes4life ) was a thing of beauty too.

ACT Crusader

Man I remember Savea as a 19-20 year old tearing it up in his first year of ITM Cup. Scored 9 tries that season and everyone was talking straight to ABs from Provincial rugby for the 2010 EOYT. 
He made the Canes squad in 2011 despite the Canes having a bit of talent in the backs and had a good season I thought. What I recall is that there was a bit of rotation in the Canes backs that season as there was with the Blues in 2003. 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="575186" data-time="1461731758">Shit those were the days, Super Rugby was just awesome to watch then and fuck a duck that backline was incredible. Was Tuitupou at 2nd five most of the time ? I remember Mils being centre and Howlett playing at the back and the two Fijians ripping everyone to shreds ( but Rok was definitely the lesser of the two ). Carlos Spencer playing "World class without brain explosions" ( copyright Canes4life ) was a thing of beauty too.</blockquote>
 
Rico Gear was in that side as well.

MajorRage

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="575169" data-time="1461728035">
<div>
Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times. 
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.
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I remember Savea being woeful in his first season of super rugby. I've been wise with my super rugby watching this year and thus have yet to see the blues play a full game, but from what I've read,he at least seems to be more than holding his own - more than can be said for Savea
 
(unless we are talking about breakfast, lunch or dinner - but that's another convo)

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="575183" data-time="1461731509">
Didn't Rok only score 4 tries for the Blues that year? I remember he was hardly banging down the door to be selected for the All Blacks and to many he was a surprise when he was. 
However once he was given the 11 jersey for the All Blacks he was dynamite.</blockquote>
 
Agree. That was my recollection.

mimic

I'm anti-auckland grammar, but even i must admit i'm looking forward to the future of Reiko. The guy runs great lines and his best position is centre. Can't really compare him to Roks and Savea cos he isn't a winger. Hes a centre who is being blooded in (and quick enough) to play on the wing. I sure hope Tana will give him tips on playing in the midfield..

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="575203" data-time="1461739287">
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I'm anti-auckland grammar, but even i must admit i'm looking forward to the future of Reiko. The guy runs great lines and his best position is centre. Can't really compare him to Roks and Savea cos he isn't a winger. Hes a centre who is being blooded in (and quick enough) to play on the wing. I sure hope Tana will give him tips on playing in the midfield.. 
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Be easy on Auckland Grammar it's been a long time since they've produced anyone good like the Ioane's lol but yes I definitely look forward to seeing him develop. There's room for improvement on the defensive side of his game but that'll no doubt improve imo the more he plays at super rugby level.

mariner4life

Savea was pretty shit until he all of a sudden transformed into the star he became. 
Kind of like Dane Coles

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="575203" data-time="1461739287">
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I'm anti-auckland grammar, but even i must admit i'm looking forward to the future of Reiko. The guy runs great lines and his best position is centre. Can't really compare him to Roks and Savea cos he isn't a winger. Hes a centre who is being blooded in (and quick enough) to play on the wing. I sure hope Tana will give him tips on playing in the midfield.. 
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He can give him tips on playing on the wing too, and then transitioning to the midfield. 
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="575218" data-time="1461746047">
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Savea was pretty shit until he all of a sudden transformed into the star he became. 
Kind of like Dane Coles
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Agree with this at Super level, hugely hyped age grade, came into senior rugby and was a dud his first Super year and then took off after that.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="575127" data-time="1461711108">
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3-0 is probably what will happen but I'm just sensing a bit of the whole "Moff Tarkin not getting ready to evacuate in his moment of triumph" theme here.
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Ha ha. Not from me.
 
If we were playing you after WC 2011 then maybe we'd come away with a win, but this team isn't good enough / deep enough.

pooler fan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="575230" data-time="1461751502">Ha ha. Not from me. 
If we were playing you after WC 2011 then maybe we'd come away with a win, but this team isn't good enough / deep enough.</blockquote>
We're sterile, boring & lifeless at the moment. And that's on a good day ! 
Seriously though, any Welsh side coached by Gats will work & run hard but be pretty average going forward. We're too predictable to win the 6nations these days so NZ will find us easy pickings. (As usual)

Catogrande

Sadly I have to agree with you Pooler. Predictable going forwards - doesn't mean you can always stop them but they are somewhat one dimensional. Mind you NZ are in a transitional period (although they seem to handle transition better than most), so if you're going to do it this is probably your best chance for some years.

Cookie

Passion v aura. Welsh passion on the decline but aura is indestructible even in times of transition!

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cookie" data-cid="575260" data-time="1461770088">Passion v aura. Welsh passion on the decline but aura is indestructible even in times of transition!</blockquote>
 
Very true Cookie, although I have blocked out the transition from 1997 to 1998

taniwharugby

that was during Auras sabbatical

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="575217" data-time="1461746042">
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Savea was pretty shit until he all of a sudden transformed into the star he became. 
Kind of like Dane Coles
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Coles scored some pretty spectacular tries early in his career but Red Beard and Bart confirmed that his scrimmaging was sub par at the time.

kiwiinmelb

I think the main issue savea had early was catching the high ball , and it affected his overall confidence . 
Once he corrected that , everything else fell into place for him.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales