All Blacks vs Springboks - Twickenham
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The Springboks did what they always do and we didn’t adjust. This perplexing failure of the ABs to deal with the predictable is the biggest worry.
They didn’t adjust quickly enough to the referee, who like most northern hemisphere whistlers seemed to intent to show his superiors his affinity with every minor clause in the rule book.
They knew what the Boks would bring, but continued to put themselves under unnecessary further pressure with poor exits, dropped balls and constant infringements.
Their heads clearly weren’t in the right place and the Boks, having had their arses smacked in Auckland a couple of months ago, were up for this one.
I don’t think the ABs turned into a bad team overnight but I do believe this humiliation suggests the mental fragility that bedevilled them for much of the past four-year World Cup cycle is still there.
Perhaps they’re reading too many of their own positive press notices or perhaps many of the veteran members of the team like Beauden Barrett feel they’re on a victory lap. Either way, there’s a residual flakiness to the team. If their tails aren’t up, they are instantly flustered and then compound the damage with stupid errors and acts of outright stupidity like that of the other Barretts.
What is the source of it? While Schmidt and Ryan have clearly brought the team forward on a technical basis, the top two inches are missing and that comes down to Foster. He seems a genuinely nice bloke and is clearly well-regarded by many of the players. But the mental softness I think comes from him, as shown in his own undying loyalty to Cane as captain and Beauden Barrett.
Can they turn it around in the WC proper? I very much doubt it. World Cups are won by teams with strong set piece, impregnable defences, astute kicking, mental and physical discipline and an ability to adapt to the ref.
On all those measures, I wouldn’t be putting money on the ABs.
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@Steve said in All Blacks vs Springboks - Twickenham:
Its Jordie and Rieko or bust at this stage and I say that as someone who thinks Rieko isn't a centres arsehole.
Yep. The dice has been rolled and at least the pair aren't injured. I'm sure Jordie will be as pissed off with his performance as we are and go away and work on things.
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@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks vs Springboks - Twickenham:
Hammering
Boks barely got out of 3rd gear
We didn't get out of first, so not completely flattering.
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@His-Bobness France will be pissed they don't have any real opposition going into the QF.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks vs Springboks - Twickenham:
Sam Cane’s underwhelming captaincy is a massive concern. I don’t think he’s strong enough of a leader to take us to the World Cup.
Have to agree with that. Form better this year but not sure he is the best 7 we have. Never sure about his captaincy. While I think of it, what the fuck are we going to do next year without Brody R and Sam Whitlock? The locks are going to be a big drop off. Barrett has been good but has just let us down completely. Was sort of led into a false sense of hope after the RC but now realize why Foster should never have been given the job. Fuck this just sucks.
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@His-Bobness said in All Blacks vs Springboks - Twickenham:
The Springboks did what they always do and we didn’t adjust. This perplexing failure of the ABs to deal with the predictable is the biggest worry.
They didn’t adjust quickly enough to the referee, who like most northern hemisphere whistlers seemed to intent to show his superiors his affinity with every minor clause in the rule book.
They knew what the Boks would bring, but continued to put themselves under unnecessary further pressure with poor exits, dropped balls and constant infringements.
Their heads clearly weren’t in the right place and the Boks, having had their arses smacked in Auckland a couple of months ago, were up for this one.
I don’t think the ABs turned into a bad team overnight but I do believe this humiliation suggests the mental fragility that bedevilled them for much of the past four-year World Cup cycle is still there.
Perhaps they’re reading too many of their own positive press notices or perhaps many of the veteran members of the team like Beauden Barrett feel they’re on a victory lap. Either way, there’s a residual flakiness to the team. If their tails aren’t up, they are instantly flustered and then compound the damage with stupid errors and acts of outright stupidity like that of the other Barretts.
What is the source of it? While Schmidt and Ryan have clearly brought the team forward on a technical basis, the top two inches are missing and that comes down to Foster. He seems a genuinely nice bloke and is clearly well-regarded by many of the players. But the mental softness I think comes from him, as shown in his own undying loyalty to Cane as captain and Beauden Barrett.
Can they turn it around in the WC proper? I very much doubt it. World Cups are won by teams with strong set piece, impregnable defences, astute kicking, mental and physical discipline and an ability to adapt to the ref.
On all those measures, I wouldn’t be putting money on the ABs.
Ive felt for a long time that Beaudy is playing touch footie. He isn't taking contact, he isn't aggressively taking it to the line.
Look at DC's final performance in 2015. The tackling was superb. Body on the line stuff. Beaudy is throwing the odd skip pass, the odd chip kick. All icing. But there is no cake.
Boot the fucking leather off it down to their end. Come to claim a high ball and clean everyone out who gets in your way.
Look at Dagg or Ben Smith. They were a presence back there.
Beaudy is ruining his legacy.
Give me Will Jordan at 15, Telea and Narawa or Leicester on the wings. It couldn't be any worse.
Jordan should have had way more time at 15 than he has had so far. He should be getting his hands on the ball as much as possible. He scored with his first touch today.
Same goes for Roigard and Jacobsen in their respective shirts. Under utilised.
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@His-Bobness I don’t think the ABs are a poor team now. I just think the strategy they have is wrong. It all starts with a high risk kicking game. A blindside bomb in their 22, cross kicks in our 22… the mindset is wrong for tight test matches.
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The mental fragility has been there since 2017 under Hansen. I think it's actually improved, but still a long way to go and ain't going to be properly fixed under Foster's tenure.
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NH scribes will be cleaning the front of their pants up and getting ready to type up a storm now.
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@Mattasaurus And it’s deserved at least on that showing.
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@booboo said in All Blacks vs Springboks - Twickenham:
@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks vs Springboks - Twickenham:
Hammering
Boks barely got out of 3rd gear
We didn't get out of first, so not completely flattering.
Both SA’s choice
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks vs Springboks - Twickenham:
One bonus is there is absolutely no expectation from me we will win this WC, probably first time I have ever gone into a WC feeling that. I can enjoy the cup without pressure and if we do turn it around I will be stoked.
Have to totally agree. Well said that man.
