Olympic Optimism

Unco

His defence is fine. He's no Mils but he's also no Dagg or Barrett.
 
In other Olympics news, Val's back! Great fucking news especially after last night's disaster:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/304506/adams-wins-in-season-opener'>http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/304506/adams-wins-in-season-opener</a>

taniwharugby

I reckon with the open space his pace would paper over any of the cracks in his defence.

Wurzel

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Toddy" data-cid="581741" data-time="1463957071">
<div>
Would D.Macs brilliant attacking skills out way his woeful defence? Would 7s highlight this deficiency more, or could he get away with it?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
He'd defend as a sweeper surely, Serevei styles. Chase 'em down and drag them down.

hydro11

Huge amount of luck in 7's. We lost to the USA because in the 2nd half we couldn't even catch a kick off and had no ball. It wasn't the lack of an out and out freak. Fiji have been the best team all series but only won 3 out of the 10 tournaments so if that continues they only have a 30% of winning gold. We actually won 3 tournaments as well which is a promising sign.

MN5

I'm amazed TR is commenting on this thread given it's origin.
 
Fiji are a real shot to win their first EVER medal so would be decent for them if they could. I guess there's lot's of "crap countries" to quote Ali G who'll never get one so this is a massive chance for them.

taniwharugby

pretty sure I dont need to read anything written by your dad to know about the NZ Olympic prospects, but I appreciate your concern...

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="581748" data-time="1463959644">He'd defend as a sweeper surely, Serevei styles. Chase 'em down and drag them down.</blockquote> He's not quick enough to do that. There's plenty of pace in 7s.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="581880" data-time="1463979938">
<div>
He's not quick enough to do that. There's plenty of pace in 7s.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
DMac would be quick enough. Cama was never lightning fast when he played as a sweeper and Kaka would not be any quicker than DMac either, and isn't a great defender himself.

Toddy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="581743" data-time="1463957573">
<div>
His defence is fine. He's no Mils but he's also no Dagg or Barrett.
 
In other Olympics news, Val's back! Great fucking news especially after last night's disaster:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/304506/adams-wins-in-season-opener'>http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/304506/adams-wins-in-season-opener</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
 
DMac currently misses one out of every three attempts. He actually makes Dagg and Barrett look like solid defenders.

Crucial

DMac is so slippery he would make a great Sevens player until the opposition adjusted their defences to shut him down. Ben Smith likewise.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="581734" data-time="1463955036">
<div>
And while we're at it, the Warriors must know for Shaun Johnson's own professional wellbeing he needs to take a sabbatical from the Warriors woeful season. And where better to take a break than the sunny beaches of Rio.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Stop fucking about. Richie must be fit as buggery after his week of ultra-sporting and is sitting in a hot-tub waiting for Mitch's phone call.
 
Sorry, that should be Titch's phone call!

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="581895" data-time="1463984212">
DMac would be quick enough. Cama was never lightning fast when he played as a sweeper and Kaka would not be any quicker than DMac either, and isn't a great defender himself.
</blockquote>
 I'm not convinced, but Cama had that knowledge about where to be. Kaka is now getting that same feel for the game. Regardless of Damien's defence or pace, he couldn't hope to replicate the game knowledge in the time available.Sevens is no longer XVs rugby minus the tight five and some backs. 
I'd expect that's why Titch wanted players to play the series.

Bovidae

I'm definitely not saying that DMac could suddenly become a sevens players now, just that he has the speed, skill and footwork that could make him a very good sevens player in the future.
 
I agree with your last point, which is why Titch wasn't going to give any concessions to B Smith, Barrett, Savea etc.

MN5

I'll freely confess to not watching a lot of Sevens but can someone explain the nuances of how it has changed so much in the last few years ?
 
I remember in 98 when the firepower of Jonah, Cully, Vidiri, Randle, Reihana and ahem...Ralph were shoehorned into the team alongside old specialists like Rush and Seymour and it was a case of give them the Gold medal now, which they did........
 
There was talk on here last year of getting Read, SBW, Messam, Savea x 2 and Barrett and doing the same which obviously isn't going to happen.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="582038" data-time="1464043718">
<div>
I'll freely confess to not watching a lot of Sevens but can someone explain the nuances of how it has changed so much in the last few years ?
 
 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
It used to be a faster version of XVs with more open spaces. Now the structures and defensive patterns are such that it can be difficult to find a way through and harder to get a guy into space.
It is reffed a little differently as well. The tackle release in particular, the gate is much smaller etc etc.
Possession is the biggest key along with forcing an error and switching from D to A.
Nearly all teams now know how to use their firepower if given half a chance. Previously many would get an opportunity and freeze or not be organised on the switch.
Errors are severely punished.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="582039" data-time="1464044055">
<div>
It used to be a faster version of XVs with more open spaces. Now the structures and defensive patterns are such that it can be difficult to find a way through and harder to get a guy into space.
It is reffed a little differently as well. The tackle release in particular, the gate is much smaller etc etc.
Possession is the biggest key along with forcing an error and switching from D to A.
Nearly all teams now know how to use their firepower if given half a chance. Previously many would get an opportunity and freeze or not be organised on the switch.
Errors are severely punished.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Fair call dude, cheers for that. Even back in the old days "All Black X" would come back to 15s lighter and fitter after a stint in sevens. Thinking back to 98 only Jonah and Cully were AB regulars and if memory serves it was after the tri nations so they would have only missed some NPC ? the others I mentioned weren't but still more than good enough to tear teams to shreds given half a chance. It would have been a travesty if that team got anything less than the gold medal.....

Crucial

Don't forget that Cully could run the length of the field crowded with 29 other players so having only 13 there must have seemed like an open field. Jonah would just swat everyone aside.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="582044" data-time="1464044666">
<div>
Don't forget that Cully could run the length of the field crowded with 29 other players so having only 13 there must have seemed like an open field. Jonah would just swat everyone aside. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Forget ? how could I ? Vidiri and Randle were freakish attackers at times too, in an alternate universe both should have had much longer careers than they did. I suppose even then there was elements of specialization, after all Goldie and Tana weren't even mentioned as possible contenders for the team.

No Quarter

Jonah and Cully would probably walk into this 7s team, we're talking about two all time greats in terms of attacking prowess. Absolute freaks, I still miss watching them play :(

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="582058" data-time="1464046480">
<div>
Jonah and Cully would probably walk into this 7s team, we're talking about two all time greats in terms of attacking prowess. Absolute freaks, I still miss watching them play :(
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Based on what others have said would they ?
 
 I sure as hell miss them too.

The Silver Fern

Olympic Optimism