All Blacks vs Pumas II
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It's a bit of a poisoned chalice even for DMac to play first five.
I'd be pretty unhappy to see anyone else have to spend a protracted period there, because test rugby against a competitive team is no place for a makeshift first five.
But, it would surely be Jordie if someone had to - or just maybe TJ. Has he played there for the Canes?
Havili struggled playing there in Super rugby because his main qualification was probably being better than Brett Cameron. I wouldn't put him there, regardless - because you'd then have Quinn Tupaea at second five helping out.
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DH has all the attributes for a 1st Five. I know his outing for the Crusaders was not a big success but if you remember what happened during this game, he was very good in the first half before a nightmare second half.
If he had to play there, then ALB should be the 2nd Five. -
Although I don't like any of options, with 2 years to a RWC I don't think we should be shuffling players around now the AB's are starting to show a more coherent structure based on specialization (and competition per place). 6-7-8 and 12-13 starting to look much better.
Havilli is a class act, but he's still bedding down at 12 - yet still offers way more potential than anyone we've seen there since Nonu. If Havilli and ALB play, leave them at 12 and 13.
I'd treat it like RWC 2007, down to #3 or #4 first five. Who would play at 10 in 2023 if RM and BB are both injured? Risk a loss as a team learning experience now. If DMac, play DMac at 10, if Jordie play Jordie at 10, DMac at 15.
AND if DMac at 10, tell the b_gger (when he runs) to run straight and direct until the AB's are 20 ahead. At least that way the team knows what the f*ck he's doing. If he can't do that at 10 now, imho drop him because ... he's never learning ... and there are certainly 2 better options at 15 by the RWC.
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@frye said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
No idea why there is debate about 10. DMac clearly has the most experience and even if he isn't exactly a world class first five he's still an excellent 3rd choice. Jordie should be left at fullback for the next 3 tests.
@frye Exactly ... if you can't trust DMac to start at 10 in this game (assume he trains there a lot), you can't trust him to start in a "must win" RWC game.
On form Jordie looks like the starting 15, and #2 goalkicker behind RM to me. Just needs to cut out the flying kung-fu kicks
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@l_n_p said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
AND if DMac at 10, tell the b_gger (when he runs) to run straight and direct until the AB's are 20 ahead. At least that way the team knows what the f*ck he's doing. If he can't do that at 10 now, imho drop him because ... he's never learning ... and there are certainly 2 better options at 15 by the RWC.
This cracks me up. The guy canāt win with critics. If he plays it straight then āhe didnāt do muchā. If he uses his abilities to search for gaps then heās a headless chook.
Apart from the occasional tidy up of a loose ball when he looks for a way to get in front of the forwards he plays pretty straight these days. In fact IMO he errs on the side of caution as if hearing the cries of critics ringing in his ears.
I rewatched last weeks game after he came on trying to work out why he was copping it on here and apart from not being BB in a purple patch he did exactly what was needed. He fed the runners passes at holes to run on to. Had one pass that slipped out of the hands at Reece (but others had similar incidents) and one beautiful one behind the defence that Bridge didnāt read quickly enough and spilled.
We need 10s that have abilities to crack defences. BB and RM are very good at doing it their way and DMac is the clear third rank.
The big question is more around the construct of the 23 and who is available. It looks more and more that if all are available then a bench spot will go to either of BB or RM. DMac provides the option when rotating or resting others and is our best option for that role. -
@crucial Funnily enough RMo is another who runs across field quite a bit too. You watch the difference between RMo and BB is that BB tends to play flat and run into gaps in front of him, RMo tends to have a little more room and drift acroaa field looking for gaps. Just difference in style and DMac probably a bit more like RMo.
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
So we must be getting the sauce this morning? Anyone having a guess at the team?
Surely it's the "B" team equivalent?
I don't mind if we have a close win against Argentina. Full Focus is now on SA for me.
Actually looking more forward to the Curtain Raiser this weekend than our game.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
It's a bit of a poisoned chalice even for DMac to play first five.
He's played a fair few Tests at 10 and did OK (though his form seems to have dropped off since his injury) so there's no excuse/reason for not picking him and him going well again.
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@hooroo said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@chimoaus said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
So we must be getting the sauce this morning? Anyone having a guess at the team?
Surely it's the "B" team equivalent?
I don't mind if we have a close win against Argentina. Full Focus is now on SA for me.
Actually looking more forward to the Curtain Raiser this weekend than our game.
Yep, this is a good chance to work on gaps in our depth, like hooker and lock, halfback and 10.
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@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@hooroo said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@chimoaus said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
So we must be getting the sauce this morning? Anyone having a guess at the team?
Surely it's the "B" team equivalent?
I don't mind if we have a close win against Argentina. Full Focus is now on SA for me.
Actually looking more forward to the Curtain Raiser this weekend than our game.
Yep, this is a good chance to work on gaps in our depth, like hooker and lock, halfback and 10.
Totally. Not keen on a loss but prepared for less than "normal" performance for a win. One of those frustrating games
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@hooroo said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@hooroo said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@chimoaus said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
So we must be getting the sauce this morning? Anyone having a guess at the team?
Surely it's the "B" team equivalent?
I don't mind if we have a close win against Argentina. Full Focus is now on SA for me.
Actually looking more forward to the Curtain Raiser this weekend than our game.
Yep, this is a good chance to work on gaps in our depth, like hooker and lock, halfback and 10.
Totally. Not keen on a loss but prepared for less than "normal" performance for a win. One of those frustrating games
I think if the "B" players are starting that it will be less of a drop off that you see in a game when the subs come on. Some of those players have careers to play for, so not only do you get freshen up the "A" guys, but you get a more fired up team off the back of a thrashing.
I expect another 30 something to not much thrashing. Argies got hammered physically last week.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
I am picking Ardie plays at 7 in this game because Papalii and Ioane won't be able to go 5 games in 5 weeks. I suppose they could use Blackadder there but he might be best at 6 or on the bench.
I'd likes to see how Blackadder goes at six, so we have a clear backup for Akira. Has the advantage of not having to pick the woman beater again.
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@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@bovidae said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
I am picking Ardie plays at 7 in this game because Papalii and Ioane won't be able to go 5 games in 5 weeks. I suppose they could use Blackadder there but he might be best at 6 or on the bench.
I'd likes to see how Blackadder goes at six, so we have a clear backup for Akira. Has the advantage of not having to pick
theanother woman beater again.Yeah one is enough for the 23
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@machpants said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@bovidae said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
I am picking Ardie plays at 7 in this game because Papalii and Ioane won't be able to go 5 games in 5 weeks. I suppose they could use Blackadder there but he might be best at 6 or on the bench.
I'd likes to see how Blackadder goes at six, so we have a clear backup for Akira. Has the advantage of not having to pick
theanother woman beater again.Yeah one is enough for the 23
ughh. That's true.
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
@chris-b said in All Blacks vs Pumas II:
It's a bit of a poisoned chalice even for DMac to play first five.
He's played a fair few Tests at 10 and did OK (though his form seems to have dropped off since his injury) so there's no excuse/reason for not picking him and him going well again.
He's pretty much been just an occasional first five for the Chiefs, though, for at least the past couple of years.
But, it's a poisoned chalice for him, because he'll get judged as a first-five (see last week) - even though, in reality he's largely a fullback who can cover in a pinch.
