All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2
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One day you would expect the 6-2 split is going to bite them on the arse in a big game , it’s a matter of time imo
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I understand why people want Scott Barrett on the field and I understand why they want him to to be a 6, but I just don't see it working. He's not quick enough off the mark, too slow to the breakdown, not explosive enough, too slow off the scrum, not quick enough in support of the ball. None of which is a problem at lock. Trouble is, Whitelock is the key lineout lock, and Retallick does everything Barrett does but at his best he's better and bigger. Barrett is pretty much the 5.5 to the old Taine Randell 6.5. In most AB teams he'd be a sure thing, but to me he just doesn't quite fit in a side containing arguably our 2 best locks ever.
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@reprobate not sure people 'want' SB at 6, is more that some of the issues we have at 6 are papered over if we play him there.
Really think this is an opportune time to give Finau a run, see if he is the physical presence we need, or more in the Fifita mold.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
I understand why people want Scott Barrett on the field and I understand why they want him to to be a 6, but I just don't see it working. He's not quick enough off the mark, too slow to the breakdown, not explosive enough, too slow off the scrum, not quick enough in support of the ball. None of which is a problem at lock. Trouble is, Whitelock is the key lineout lock, and Retallick does everything Barrett does but at his best he's better and bigger. Barrett is pretty much the 5.5 to the old Taine Randell 6.5. In most AB teams he'd be a sure thing, but to me he just doesn't quite fit in a side containing arguably our 2 best locks ever.
I'm not convinced the 2 older locks are as dynamic and dominating around the field as they were a few years ago.
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@reprobate I actually think a lot of it has to do with the unconscious things good players do in their position after doing it for so long. I highly doubt Richie consciously thought about his running lines, or where he needed to be, it was the hours and hours of game time at 7 that made it instinctive for him.
SB terrible read at 6 letting in that try may not be that he is too slow, just a lack of time at 6 to notice the nuance of the opposite 8 leaving the back of the scrum or maybe the skill of leaving the scrum a moment early in anticipation of the 8 making a run. When you play 90%+ of your games at lock he simply has not had the game time to develop the nuance that Frizell, Ioane or Finau have.
Shoehorning locks into 6 and 6 into lock often just does not work as the players must get a little confused about the minor differences in those roles.
If we want our All Blacks playing in certain positions, then their needs to be clarity around them playing those spots in super rugby.
Of course, there are exceptions with BB slotting into 15 easily but he has played a lot of games at 15 and that is possibly his best position anyway.
The reason Dmac is playing so well is he had a very successful year at 10 running the ship for the Chiefs and the time at 10 in Japan. His first stints at 10 before he left looked nothing like he does now.
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So, the big question...
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Watch: 'Deadly' Mark Telea sends reminder to New Zealand that the Blues have two superstar wings
Mark Telea, who was a permanent fixture on the left wing prior to the Super Rugby suspension in March but shifted to the right-hand side of the park to accommodate for Clarke post-lockdown has sent a healthy reminder of his abilities.
Mr. T can prop both sides.
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@pakman said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
Who's covering 12, Son of Eroni?
I’m getting a bit tired telling people that Ardie is cover and in an emergency they could move Ioane who has also played 12.
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@ACT-Crusader If they have to move Rieko they WILL be getting desperate.
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@pakman said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
@Nogusta said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
@Bovidae yep Telea (L) and Jordan (R) starting wings. Clarke will be on the bench I'm hearing 🤔
That makes senses if Telea is comfortable there.
Who's covering 12, Son of Eroni?
If Clarke is on the bench maybe that means they won't have a specialist 10 on the bench? (there's probably another 10 at starting 15)
A halfback, a midfielder & Clarke on the bench?
