Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth)
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@voodoo He wouldn't be starting if James was fit. We thin the cupboard is bare in NZ, it's worse in Oz which is why he's been handed the opportunities he has.
He's certainly improved from his disastrous first outing where he looked all the world to be a rabbit in the spotlight.
Joe Powell got a heap of caps...
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@antipodean I'm just not really sure what he does well? Kicking is average from hand and tee. Doesn't take the line on. Not very direct. Lots of floaty passes. What's his skillset that sets him apart?
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@kiwimurph said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kev said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
Comparing the Crusaders and Blues backlines over the years, generally they have not had the explosive talent but have always got the results.
At Super Rugby level - absolutely.
At test level - the Crusaders are hardly a factory of gun AB wingers......
Again that depends what you think is a gun. They have 3 in the current squad. Not too bad.
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@voodoo said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@antipodean I'm just not really sure what he does well? Kicking is average from hand and tee. Doesn't take the line on. Not very direct. Lots of floaty passes. What's his skillset that sets him apart?
More because he’s young and if your 1st choice is not available it’s the perfect time to build experience. He showed in Super rugby and even the French series that he has a running game, but he’s on a steep learning curve against the ABs where the space is rarely there.
There’s not many other options out there hence the Quade [fake news] talk.
He’s not the only one on the side throwing floaty passes either - looking at Toomua there.
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@machpants said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
Aside from Bridge, I'm happy with that
Oh I didn't know Bridge didn't like that team, but anyway, well done, Bridgie! 3rd best winger in NZ! Or Foster's love child. Or both, perhaps.
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@antipodean said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
Nor have I seen him casually hit a dropkick.
Hang on, we've got enough AB loose forwards up on assault charges!
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@kev said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kiwimurph said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kev said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
Comparing the Crusaders and Blues backlines over the years, generally they have not had the explosive talent but have always got the results.
At Super Rugby level - absolutely.
At test level - the Crusaders are hardly a factory of gun AB wingers......
Again that depends what you think is a gun. They have 3 in the current squad. Not too bad.
You said over the years. Caleb Ralph, Scott Hamilton.....
Rico Gear? - but i'm not sure shifting south because you've got Howlett, Rok, Caucau and Mils ahead of you really counts.
Not that Blues haven't had their share of average AB outside backs - Wulf, Halai and Atiga come to mind.
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@kiwimurph Rico Gear is a good Gisborne lad! Hurricanes country. Was he connected with the Blues?
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@booboo it is s a nefarious plot to shut the Fern down through apathy over nothing to rant about.
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@old-samurai-jack said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kiwimurph Rico Gear is a good Gisborne lad! Hurricanes country. Was he connected with the Blues?
Crucial part of the 2003 side.
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@gt12 Dirty poaching bastards! Typical!
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@old-samurai-jack said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@gt12 Dirty poaching bastards! Typical!
He was all over the show, so I'm sure that the Hurricanes had a chance if they had thought to ask. Google tells me he played for:
1999: Blues
2000: Landers
2001: Saders
2002 - 2004: Blues
2005 - 2007: SadersAnd during that time Auckland, BOP, Canterbury, North Harbour, Ta$man, and Nelson Bays (before it got eaten up).
Then he pissed off overseas.
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@kev said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
To go against the grain, there is nothing wrong with George Bridge - relative strengths are decision making, accuracy and work rate. Certainly doesn’t have Reiko’s speed or Caleb’s tackle breaking capability but very useful. A team is always about a mix of skills and combinations, and his performances at test level have been good. Comparing the Crusaders and Blues backlines over the years, generally they have not had the explosive talent but have always got the results. Having a useful forward pack helps.
I think part of the bias against him , in game style he goes against the usual style of 11 we normally select ,
Inga and Jonah started something I think we now warm to .
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@kiwiinmelb said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kev said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
To go against the grain, there is nothing wrong with George Bridge - relative strengths are decision making, accuracy and work rate. Certainly doesn’t have Reiko’s speed or Caleb’s tackle breaking capability but very useful. A team is always about a mix of skills and combinations, and his performances at test level have been good. Comparing the Crusaders and Blues backlines over the years, generally they have not had the explosive talent but have always got the results. Having a useful forward pack helps.
I think part of the bias against him , in game style he goes against the usual style of 11 we normally select ,
we loved Ben Smith, who had hte decision making, accuracy and work rate. Bridge sometimes has some of that. Honestly, I urge you to go back and watch the Ireland QF, and watch him run in space s traight into defenders. It is mesmerising.
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@nzzp said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kiwiinmelb said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kev said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
To go against the grain, there is nothing wrong with George Bridge - relative strengths are decision making, accuracy and work rate. Certainly doesn’t have Reiko’s speed or Caleb’s tackle breaking capability but very useful. A team is always about a mix of skills and combinations, and his performances at test level have been good. Comparing the Crusaders and Blues backlines over the years, generally they have not had the explosive talent but have always got the results. Having a useful forward pack helps.
I think part of the bias against him , in game style he goes against the usual style of 11 we normally select ,
we loved Ben Smith, who had hte decision making, accuracy and work rate. Bridge sometimes has some of that. Honestly, I urge you to go back and watch the Ireland QF, and watch him run in space s traight into defenders. It is mesmerising.
Yeah Ben smith played at 14 , like Cory , and then we had the more explosive type on the left
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@kiwiinmelb said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@nzzp said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kiwiinmelb said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kev said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
To go against the grain, there is nothing wrong with George Bridge - relative strengths are decision making, accuracy and work rate. Certainly doesn’t have Reiko’s speed or Caleb’s tackle breaking capability but very useful. A team is always about a mix of skills and combinations, and his performances at test level have been good. Comparing the Crusaders and Blues backlines over the years, generally they have not had the explosive talent but have always got the results. Having a useful forward pack helps.
I think part of the bias against him , in game style he goes against the usual style of 11 we normally select ,
we loved Ben Smith, who had hte decision making, accuracy and work rate. Bridge sometimes has some of that. Honestly, I urge you to go back and watch the Ireland QF, and watch him run in space s traight into defenders. It is mesmerising.
Yeah Ben smith played at 14 , like Cory , and then we had the more explosive type on the left
I don't think Bridge would be loved at 14 either. He's a slower, less gangly Zac Guildford
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@nzzp said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kiwiinmelb said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@nzzp said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kiwiinmelb said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
@kev said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):
To go against the grain, there is nothing wrong with George Bridge - relative strengths are decision making, accuracy and work rate. Certainly doesn’t have Reiko’s speed or Caleb’s tackle breaking capability but very useful. A team is always about a mix of skills and combinations, and his performances at test level have been good. Comparing the Crusaders and Blues backlines over the years, generally they have not had the explosive talent but have always got the results. Having a useful forward pack helps.
I think part of the bias against him , in game style he goes against the usual style of 11 we normally select ,
we loved Ben Smith, who had hte decision making, accuracy and work rate. Bridge sometimes has some of that. Honestly, I urge you to go back and watch the Ireland QF, and watch him run in space s traight into defenders. It is mesmerising.
Yeah Ben smith played at 14 , like Cory , and then we had the more explosive type on the left
I don't think Bridge would be loved at 14 either. He's a slower, less gangly Zac Guildford
Probably right , we seem to have found our man in Jordan as well,
but it may help his cause
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Ben Smith invariably made metres in the tackle if he did not slip right through and I haven't seen that from Bridge yet.
