All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II
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@Bones said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Its speed of clearance and decision making
The first period of play when Smith came on made it the most evident. Was just bang bang bang. Smith was at every breakdown before it even happened and just feeding players. Those 2-3 seconds are huge when you're trying to hit lines or runners
By the end of the game it was very hard for me to watch the other players, his ability to not just get to but predict accurately where every ruck and breakdown was about to happen and position himself was like a free masterclass. We have been very lucky to have Aaron Smith in the All Blacks.
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@Tordah said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Still, thought McKenzie had a bit of a mare. Crap attacking kick option, needlessly kicked dead once, shit defense on McReight.
His insistence on playing out from deep looked to me like he was playing what he'd been told. An uncomfortable game plan combined with crap ball could throw anyone. I'd have been throwing the ball at the coach, it's pretty unfair.
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@Bones said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@Tordah said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Still, thought McKenzie had a bit of a mare. Crap attacking kick option, needlessly kicked dead once, shit defense on McReight.
His insistence on playing out from deep looked to me like he was playing what he'd been told. An uncomfortable game plan combined with crap ball could throw anyone. I'd have been throwing the ball at the coach, it's pretty unfair.
Yes because that earlier game where he was playing flat he was a different player. I wonder if they were trying something out or they just don't think Christie can handle passing to a flat 10?
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@frugby said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@Bones said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@frugby said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@Bones said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Its speed of clearance and decision making
The first period of play when Smith came on made it the most evident. Was just bang bang bang. Smith was at every breakdown before it even happened and just feeding players. Those 2-3 seconds are huge when you're trying to hit lines or runners
I will counter by saying, I'm not sure that is as much of a criticism of Christie as it is a praise of Smith. Nobody in the world offers the speed and consistency and service he does - not even Dupont. In that regard, he is the best.
Nah man, Christie was slow to get there and then compounded that by being slow to make a poor decision. Which leads to things like props throwing the ball to no one.
Find me a halfback with something even close to the speed of delivery of Smith. Weber is probably the nearest, but even then it is a noticeable drop.
Not to say Roigard and Fakatava aren't really good, but they aren't close to Smith when it comes to speed of delivery.
It's not about being Smith good, it's about being halfback good.
At least pick one of the 3 facets there to get right - arrival, distribution or decision making.
Not tackling.
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Seems to me Lomax, De Groot are our top two, Newell and WIlliams (in that order) have potential, Laulala is back in the rear, not sure exactly where I'd put Ofa, doesn't really stand out anywhere but didn't make obvious errors to me either..
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Is Finau really challenging Shannon? I'd imagine Shannon shades him in the lineouts (as that is "apparently" a perceived strength) but Finau looks more physical. If Jacobson is the clear utility backup, that makes things even harder for Akira (also a 6/8).
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Is Finau really challenging Shannon? I'd imagine Shannon shades him in the lineouts (as that is "apparently" a perceived strength) but Finau looks more physical. If Jacobson is the clear utility backup, that makes things even harder for Akira (also a 6/8).
I don't think he is, but it was great to see we have someone who can easily step up at 6 without Frizzel. I saw in the pre match highlights Finau wearing 8 for the chiefs too...
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@SBW1 said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
LOL -
They give Finlay Christie a 6 and Aaron Smith a 6. -
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I know I am a small petty man - but by gawd I like watching Eddie Jones rage a bit - that said the Wobblies are still a good sniff in RWC - that draw and that team - barring injuries - will be dangerous enough
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@Frank said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
LOL -
They give Finlay Christie a 6 and Aaron Smith a 6.Thanks, I certainly shan't read that one
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@Mattasaurus said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
I know I am a small petty man - but by gawd I like watching Eddie Jones rage a bit - that said the Wobblies are still a good sniff in RWC - that draw and that team - barring injuries - will be dangerous enough
He's been worse than Cheika used to be! Doesn't look happy eh.
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@Mattasaurus said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
I know I am a small petty man - but by gawd I like watching Eddie Jones rage a bit - that said the Wobblies are still a good sniff in RWC - that draw and that team - barring injuries - will be dangerous enough
Eddie vs Cheika during England vs Australia was top box stuff, shame this year didn't seem to have the same fireworks but at least Cheika got some revenge:
Eddie Jones’ rivalry with Michael Cheika reignites as Wallabies hunt seven-year first
Jones’ rivalry with Cheika reignites as Wallabies hunt seven-year first
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Aus with the choke
Not mental, they ran out of air
Excellent comeback from NZ. The big time players stood up big time
Fitting way for Nugget to say goodbye
Feel for DMac. Shit being outside Ginge and made terrible choices under pressure
At this stage, Eddie will be the happier of the two coaches going into the RWC
Barring injuries and some seriously stupid play they should win the Pool and meet Argentina in the QF
By that stage, it's a case of last man standing but their passage to a SF and a massive over achievement based on current results and ranking looks more likely than NZ's
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@Donsteppa said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
No way should Finau or Christie be getting on the plane.
50% correct at full time
