Springboks v All Blacks 2
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That was a great test - not really in terms of the skills on display - but, the intensity.
Showed the value of running hard and straight into the defence - Sami T., Frizell and even Dave Havili prominent among others.
We started very nervously - the backs looking like they'd never met - but, started to get some cohesion and settled once we got points on the board. Looked like we were running the Jaapies off their feet towards the end of the half and forced them to call the cavalry early.
Unfortunately a couple of shit exits were costly and we let them back into the game either side of halftime.
In the end though, it was almost like the Ellis Park altitude factor played into our hands and we finished over the top.
Far from flawless performance - there'd be very few who didn't make a significant error - but, pretty much all of them came back to make a big play or two and contribute to the win.
Richie was an integral part of that victory - found some answers to the rush defence and helmed us around the field. People have been asking for him to play like he does for the Crusaders - he does and some of them start wetting their pants!
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On Fozzie, I'm guessing @chchfanatic is going to be close to the money and Fozzie likely knew he was gone before he left NZ.
But, Robinson's press conference surely has to tell the tale - either they're sacking him now or he's there till RWC - whether we've still got the Bled or not.
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Compared to last week, ABs were more accurate. Boks were less so.
It was a better all-around performance from NZ but ultimately still the same game plans on both sides - which is expected as you can't suddenly pull a new one out of your arse.
Whitelock deserves some plaudits for pulling apart the Bok lineout at critical times.
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@NTA said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
Compared to last week, ABs were more accurate. Boks were less so.
It was a better all-around performance from NZ but ultimately still the same game plans on both sides - which is expected as you can't suddenly pull a new one out of your arse.
Whitelock deserves some plaudits for pulling apart the Bok lineout at critical times.
There were some very noticeable differences in the way the ABs attacked both with our ruck work and the backline formation.
We committed more numbers to the breakdown - that meant more direct play from forward ball carriers and not being isolated. The setup was important rather than the accuracy.
We set up deeper - created space and was able to better (not perfect) deal with the rush D.
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@NTA said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
Compared to last week, ABs were more accurate. Boks were less so.
It was a better all-around performance from NZ but ultimately still the same game plans on both sides - which is expected as you can't suddenly pull a new one out of your arse.
Whitelock deserves some plaudits for pulling apart the Bok lineout at critical times.
We were more direct. That allowed us to control our breakdown and clean out more consistently. Kicking was generally better, but need to stamp out stupid stuff in our own danger zone
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Well just got home from golf and still happy reflecting on the game (test not my f***ing golf). I still believe one of best things I enjoyed in game was the close in running, I know I been harping on about it, but would prefer our forwards to run close to breakdowns and make 1m than wider out and make 5m and be isolated. Thought Frizzel was great at this. But whole lot looked pretty good to me and let's hope we get repeat performances. Enjoyed listening to Mounga after game , when he was saying they were coming to this point 2 weeks ago, just needed to get the last few things right, and spoke of how good Cane, Whitelock, BB, A Smith and Dane Coles have been on getting everyone on same page. Vey interesting I thought and he was adamant they all on same page and Havili added they all got Foster's back etc, which is what you want to hear I think.
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Pure Gold:
Lineout defence, JBs fantastic punt, SWs steal, De Groots look, Samisoni bring it on
SYP Moment:
Ref: 'Im good with the pass', Havillis' home made up n under in the 22 -
@mariner4life said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
Every single player except BB contributed positively. I reckon nearly everyone made errors but who cares? They didn't let them get them down
I'd add that every single player seemed to step up and do something individual to change the momentum when it mattered - Jordan taking a high ball under huge pressure, Clarkes try-saving tackle, Sam & Scooter's lineout steals. You can go on.
Loads of mistakes and plenty to work on, but that was a team win.
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@Chester-Draws said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
Foster does this. His teams look excellent with the wind behind their sails and when things go well. Then suddenly, at the first sign of stormy weather, the boat goes down.
If fronting up to the Boks at Ellis Park, having lost 5 Tests out of 6, being hammered the previous week and almost all of NZ calling for your head(s) on a plate isn't stormy weather, then I'd like to know what the fuck is. It wasn't error-free & it might not continue but last night's win was a huge test of character and they made the grade big-time.
Foster, his coaching staff, Cane and the whole team deserve huge credit for that win.
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@Chester-Draws said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
I'm not buying that any of our problems have been fixed, except by accident (BB being sore) and the injection of a good forwards coach (forced onto the head coach).
I agree, there's loads more to work on.
And I don't buy the idea that Ryan has made instant, lasting improvements either - we have to wait and see f they are (hopefully) sustained.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
Clarkes try-saving tackle
Was that the one where he did a regulation tackle on the guy he should be marking? Because he also did a try creating non tackle before it.
I've been really disappointed with Clarke. Missing that tackle on Am, not long before that he was running around getting knocked over at the slightest hint of a tackle. He's kinda shaping up as the Frizzell of the backs for me...
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@Victor-Meldrew said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
@Chester-Draws said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
I'm not buying that any of our problems have been fixed, except by accident (BB being sore) and the injection of a good forwards coach (forced onto the head coach).
I agree, there's loads more to work on.
And I don't buy the idea that Ryan has made instant, lasting improvements either - we have to wait and see f they are (hopefully) sustained.
Just a coincidence that his arrival has seen a marked improvement in several aspects of forward play 😉.
In fairness, the AB forwards had shown the ability to go up the guts in a couple of games (French Nov test being the best example), but this was a step up on anything I've seen from ABs since the Irish QF in RWC 2019.
If anything, it looks like Ryan has simplified what he wants the AB forwards to do. Reducing the complexity reduces the over thinking, which frees the players to express themselves.
It looked like the players played with a bit of freedom finally. The pack played like one too. Cohesive and following the plan. It has been a while since they have done that.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
@Chester-Draws said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
I'm not buying that any of our problems have been fixed, except by accident (BB being sore) and the injection of a good forwards coach (forced onto the head coach).
I agree, there's loads more to work on.
And I don't buy the idea that Ryan has made instant, lasting improvements either - we have to wait and see f they are (hopefully) sustained.
Telling quote from Ardie Savea:
“It’s a start, mate. The boys are stoked to get the dub (win), but in the back of my mind it’s only a start. Hopefully we can build on this, and take confidence. Jason [Ryan] has done an amazing job directing our forward pack where it needs to be.”
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@Bones said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
Clarkes try-saving tackle
Was that the one where he did a regulation tackle on the guy he should be marking? Because he also did a try creating non tackle before it.
I've been really disappointed with Clarke. Missing that tackle on Am, not long before that he was running around getting knocked over at the slightest hint of a tackle. He's kinda shaping up as the Frizzell of the backs for me...
Yeah he very clearly got his hands on him and then just slid off very innocuously.
….but he did bust De Allende and Kolisi and burst up field pretty effectively.
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@stodders said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
@Chester-Draws said in Springboks v All Blacks 2:
I'm not buying that any of our problems have been fixed, except by accident (BB being sore) and the injection of a good forwards coach (forced onto the head coach).
I agree, there's loads more to work on.
And I don't buy the idea that Ryan has made instant, lasting improvements either - we have to wait and see f they are (hopefully) sustained.
Just a coincidence that his arrival has seen a marked improvement in several aspects of forward play 😉.
Way too early to tell IMHO and as @nostrildamus and others have rightly pointed out, you can't expect instant improvement from a replacement coach. Would love to see it continue, though, against Argentina. They are a different proposition and that would be great to see.
In fairness, the AB forwards had shown the ability to go up the guts in a couple of games (French Nov test being the best example), but this was a step up on anything I've seen from ABs since the Irish QF in RWC 2019.
But they did it at the right time last night, weren't playing catch-up and managed the flow of the game really well. But it was only one game....
If anything, it looks like Ryan has simplified what he wants the AB forwards to do. Reducing the complexity reduces the over thinking, which frees the players to express themselves.
.Maybe, it would be a sensible approach and a quick win..
It looked like the players played with a bit of freedom finally. The pack played like one too. Cohesive and following the plan. It has been a while since they have done that.
And it seemed to me that across the team, the players relaxed a bit more and stopped trying too hard. Heck, they actually looked to be enjoying themselves out there at times last night
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Like others on here I thought Frizell had a pretty good game, perhaps his best in black. He has put in some bloody big shifts against the Saders so I can see why they keep going back to him. Hopefully he can build on this effort.
I hate to say it because I really want the guy to succeed, but it was noticeable when Akira came on and took the ball flat footed a couple of times.
Stuff
