Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022
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Ah yes, the annual Ardie Savea is amazing because he runs a lot.
A test #8 needs to want to hit rucks, and be effective when he does do it. A #8 also needs to be physical in the tackle.
Test rugby is not won by YouTube highlights.
Should be the first name on the bench. Should not start at 8 if playing a decent calibre pack (therefore can start against Australia).
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@crucial this would work if that is the case and perhaps more dynamic running from all our forwards especially the tight five. I would be happy with Ardie around the fringes with a little more space. I think the attractiveness of a big running 8 is seen across the world in guys like, past and present, Picamoles, Felatau, Vanipola and of course that aussie guy that took us to the woodshed often, Kefu.
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Hats off to the Blues for helping RTS feel at home. That was a very Warriors esq final 10 minutes.
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@broughie said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:
@dan54 international level is different but if you think he is the solution to 8 so be it. I admire his toughness and his game.
Mate I know international is different and so do many of the critics who had him at 8 for world XV last year. I waiting to hear what qualities he lacks to be a good test 8. He defends well , he runs with ball in hand, links with backs.
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@mariner4life said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:
Ah yes, the annual Ardie Savea is amazing because he runs a lot.
A test #8 needs to want to hit rucks, and be effective when he does do it. A #8 also needs to be physical in the tackle.
Test rugby is not won by YouTube highlights.
Should be the first name on the bench. Should not start at 8 if playing a decent calibre pack (therefore can start against Australia).
Obviously you never watched Kieran Read a lot, he didn't hit a lot of rucks, wasn't overly agressive at the tackle, just did all his jobs bloody well as Ardie seem to. Most loosies don't hit rucks whether they 6,7, or 8, they are either the one setting up or usually setting up in attack or defence, watch the 6N test from this weekend and see which 8s do it. Besides all else NZ rugby doesn't have to say 8 does this or that so we should, we should pick players that do a job we want them to do, not what's written in manuals!
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@broughie said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:
@dan54 We could argue to win till the cows come home. I prefer a bigger number eight that dents the defense with hard running. Ardie seems to wiggle through the defense through hard running.
Exactly mate, I have no problem with that at all, as you say YOU prefer to play a certain way, that doesn't make either of us right. I just don't dismiss players that fit my idea of a player in certain positions.
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@broughie donbrant is huge also
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@muddyriver Yeah. I watched a bit of the England Wales game today and I was wondering who that big hua was.
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I a like that Dombrandt, but Eddie is reluctant to play him at times.
I just don't see any 8s in NZ that I would have in ABs ahead of Ardie though,
I know it just opinion, but loosies roles have changed so much in last few years, and the old they have to be such and such a build etc etc doesn't really work. -
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@broughie said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:
@dan54 We could argue to win till the cows come home. I prefer a bigger number eight that dents the defense with hard running. Ardie seems to wiggle through the defense through hard running.
And his defense is pretty passive. Not great going backward.
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@nzzp said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:
@dan54 you say that about sizes and shapes, but the height is important. You need one ideally two lineout options.
Yep up to a point, 8 doesn't have to be a lineout option, it's always handy to have extra lineout options, but I wouldn't play a lesser No8 just so I had another 3-4 cms. I not saying all points aren't valid , but I still cannot name a better 8 in NZ when taking overall skills etc required for the job. I am quite happy if others think there are better ones, but I kind of waiting to hear them. I have hopes for Sotutu and Cullen Grace, but they haven't quite got there yet.
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@frank said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:
@broughie said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:
@dan54 We could argue to win till the cows come home. I prefer a bigger number eight that dents the defense with hard running. Ardie seems to wiggle through the defense through hard running.
And his defense is pretty passive. Not great going backward.
Ok I understand you not keen on him, but I think to say he a passive defender is a stretch. You must of been upset with the likes of Read, Zinzan etc etc. Who are all the attacking defensive 8s around?
I would repeat , he was picked in world rugby's dream team for 2021, so he doing something right.
