All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour
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Next year will be telling when Ireland tour at the end of their season. If they win away for the first time ever, sound the alarm. If they lose comprehensively, it says more that until there is a global season, outside of the world cup, it is very difficult to judge where teams are against each other.
ABs have one chance at redemption this year. It was 2004 when they put down a signature performance against France in the last game on that NH tour. The players and coaches need to do the same next weekend.
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@stodders Muliaina; Howlett (Nonu 55), Smith (Mauger 68), Umaga (capt), Rokocoko; Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock (Somerville 62), Oliver (Mealamu 52), Hayman, Maxwell (Williams 52), Jack, Collins, McCaw, So'oialo.
I was there. Was awesome.
I'll be happy if we play structured, patient rugby with reasonable possession
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@mofitzy_ said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@majorrage
You either want Foster gone or embrace failure.This Star Wars, “you’re either with me or against me”, talk is really really funny.
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@berniescorner said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@stodders Muliaina; Howlett (Nonu 55), Smith (Mauger 68), Umaga (capt), Rokocoko; Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock (Somerville 62), Oliver (Mealamu 52), Hayman, Maxwell (Williams 52), Jack, Collins, McCaw, So'oialo.
I was there. Was awesome.
I'll be happy if we play structured, patient rugby with reasonable possession
NZ were the best because they respected the basics. That seems to be missing a bit. Too many extra passes/offloads, not enough running with menace. ABs need to go back to respecting the ball again and learn to cherish it. NZ look a little spooked when in possession once it goes past 3 or 4 phases.
When kicking offensively, it has to be with purpose with the aim of contesting. Pressure needs to be exerted, which means no more stupid penalties. ABs defended brilliantly in their own 22 today without conceding penalties for some time. It can be done.
You only have to be slightly off your game to get a whooping at the top of the game. Will Foster give the team another chance or will he tinker again? What a quandary.
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@mofitzy_ said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Lowe and JGP are Maori. Not white guys with Irish grannies but Maori, facing the haka and winning. Fucking hilarious. This is the future the NZRU chose with Foster.
Out of curiosity, how many Maori would another country need before it's OK for them to have their own haka?
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@stodders I think this is what really stands out to me this year, under pressure the AB's cannot string phases together or build momentum. They often revert to miracle passes etc and often turn over the ball.
The forward and back interplay of Ireland today was a dream to watch, the ability to hold onto the ball, pass into space and gain metres was beautiful.
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Because one team played on the front foot, and one team went static ball to static ball.
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@stodders I think this is what really stands out to me this year, under pressure the AB's cannot string phases together or build momentum. They often revert to miracle passes etc and often turn over the ball.
The forward and back interplay of Ireland today was a dream to watch, the ability to hold onto the ball, pass into space and gain metres was beautiful.
We used to have a very effective halfback-lock-prop interplay on phase play.
Whitelock was essentially used as a second playmaker and get the short pass to a hard running prop. Using Whitelock in those situations sucked in at least one defender and created a bit of space for another forward runner and the result was go forward.
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@stodders I think this is what really stands out to me this year, under pressure the AB's cannot string phases together or build momentum. They often revert to miracle passes etc and often turn over the ball.
The forward and back interplay of Ireland today was a dream to watch, the ability to hold onto the ball, pass into space and gain metres was beautiful.
On today's evidence alone, the Irish forwards now have better ball handling skills than the ABs. Only, I don't buy it. NZ players still have the skills, but the mentality has to shift to doing core jobs. The ABs really do miss the Frank's brothers and Woodcock. They did so much clearing work at rucks it was unreal. The AB props need to be the piano shifters again. The balance just seems off in the pack especially. Too many players, not enough workhorses willing to do the dirty work.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Because one team played on the front foot, and one team went static ball to static ball.
Best part of our game was when we started taking it from the base and running direct. And funnily one of the better passages was when Reece was playing like a halfback!!
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@act-crusader said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Because one team played on the front foot, and one team went static ball to static ball.
Best part of our game was when we started taking it from the base and running direct. And funnily one of the better passages was when Reece was playing like a halfback!!
He's really good around the ruck, I think there is a serious opportunity to use him in a roaming role.
But that would involve a significant mindset change. And us playing very narrow and tight.
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@canefan said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@stodders definitely feels like too many ball players right now, not enough grafters
More players Like R Thorne, Blackadder Snr and T Randall then
Ugh
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Because one team played on the front foot, and one team went static ball to static ball.
ABs have developed their fitness program to produce players with explosive power, capable of busting the advantage line and freeing hands to support runners. It worked well in the past and allowed them to play close to the gain line to exploit their better decision making and handling skills.
That was then. Especially with the forwards. The powerful packs have ball players now too. The Bok and Irish packs can play and they can bludgeon.
NZ set the trend for the last 20 years. Like with any era, they come to an end. NZ needs to innovate again if they want to lead and dominate again.
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Getting hold of the ball and holding onto it would be a start
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@canefan said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@stodders definitely feels like too many ball players right now, not enough grafters
More players Like R Thorne, Blackadder Snr and T Randall then
Don't go too far. In fairness, Randall was a v good player. Wasted talent IMO. Reuben Thorne was a bit like Peter O'Mahoney is for Ireland. Dependable.
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@berniescorner said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Getting hold of the ball and holding onto it would be a start
That's the tactics. NZ are scared to hold onto it. If they aren't making ground, it turns into a hot potato and it has to be kicked away. Which would be fine.if the defensive line was being used an offensive line to create turnover opportunities or force mistakes from which to transition into.
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@act-crusader said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@mofitzy_ said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@majorrage
You either want Foster gone or embrace failure.This Star Wars, “you’re either with me or against me”, talk is really really funny.
It's so funny! Look at all these chicken littles since 2015! Always saying that we're in decline and lack physical forwards! They even think Ireland are a threat! But we just keep on winning all the time so of course we appoint the same coaches and play the same tactics! HA HA HA HA HA All these panicking fools! I'm above it all!
