All Blacks 2023
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Nice to see it confirmed, still stuck in a defensive time warp
Why All Blacks' near-century won't have Ireland or South Africa sweating
The All Blacks' 79-point win over Italy confirmed what New Zealand's main rivals already know.
You would think that beating a team from the Six Nations tournament by a margin of 79 points would be enough to make any World Cup-winning hopeful sit up and take notice. In fact, New Zealand’s demolition of Italy will only confirm what the likes of Ireland, France and South Africa already know: that if you give the All Blacks the gilt-edged opportunities they want, and play right into their hands, they will score a hatful of points.
Question and answers alike circle like vultures over the New Zealand defence. Its fundamental shape and philosophy has not changed much for the better part of 10 years, and in the knockout stages of World Cup 2023 it will be challenged like never before.
The All Blacks will operate their Venus flytrap, dragging the opposition attack wide with the honey of easy pickings, then the jaws will clap shut at the least sign of weakness at the ruck, and the counter-attack begins. It is a formula devised by ‘The Professor’, Wayne Smith, and it has proved its value and stood the test of time.
But the times have moved on, and the ghosts of the three wise men, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and ‘Smithy’, stand in the dim distance. The spectres of a decade of Kiwi dominance may just be ripe for exorcism.
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nice to see it confirmed, still stuck in a defensive time warp
Why All Blacks' near-century won't have Ireland or South Africa sweating
The All Blacks' 79-point win over Italy confirmed what New Zealand's main rivals already know.
You would think that beating a team from the Six Nations tournament by a margin of 79 points would be enough to make any World Cup-winning hopeful sit up and take notice. In fact, New Zealand’s demolition of Italy will only confirm what the likes of Ireland, France and South Africa already know: that if you give the All Blacks the gilt-edged opportunities they want, and play right into their hands, they will score a hatful of points.
Question and answers alike circle like vultures over the New Zealand defence. Its fundamental shape and philosophy has not changed much for the better part of 10 years, and in the knockout stages of World Cup 2023 it will be challenged like never before.
The All Blacks will operate their Venus flytrap, dragging the opposition attack wide with the honey of easy pickings, then the jaws will clap shut at the least sign of weakness at the ruck, and the counter-attack begins. It is a formula devised by ‘The Professor’, Wayne Smith, and it has proved its value and stood the test of time.
But the times have moved on, and the ghosts of the three wise men, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and ‘Smithy’, stand in the dim distance. The spectres of a decade of Kiwi dominance may just be ripe for exorcism.
So it has stood the test of time and it hasn't. Glad that was cleared up
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there is a difference between "not allowed" / "Barred" and asked not to attend to avoid being a distraction....would they cancel his contract if he did go?
in saying that....would the team have any idea if he was in the crowd of tens of thousands?
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2023:
there is a difference between "not allowed" / "Barred" and asked not to attend to avoid being a distraction....would they cancel his contract if he did go?
in saying that....would the team have any idea if he was in the crowd of tens of thousands?
i would say its the latter ,
I would guess the conversation went something like , can we ask you a favour , I think it would be better for all parties if you didnt attend the games live until you take over or the gossip media will have a field day ,
The cameras will find you etc etc ....
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He is not allowed trainings or anywhere near the AB's a bit more than your post was indicated to him.
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@kiwiinmelb but are the team watching the coverage?....i cant imagine they're whispering to each other in the changing room..."razor is here....25 rows back and 10 in from the aisle....no, the other aisle....no....aisle 54...54 is the one on the 10m line...no, the other 10m line"
just seems weird
@Chris said in All Blacks 2023:
He is not allowed trainings or anywhere near the AB's a bit more than your post was indicated to him.
thats fair enough...that WOULD be a distraction
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2023:
He is not allowed trainings or anywhere near the AB's a bit more than your post was indicated to him.
why would he need to go to trainings now ,
what benefit would that be to the team ?
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To observe what is and is not, being done,Get a feel for the WC.
Just basic coach info.Everything helps I suppose when you are taking over it is not hat unusual in some circles.
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@kiwiinmelb yeah I certainly cant see any reason why he'd need to be at any training (even the open ones)
That said, these guys are professional and should be able to deal with distractions, of which I expect there are many anyway.
I think for the most part, storm in a tea cup.
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@foobaNZ said in All Blacks 2023:
Am I crazy or was he shown on screen at game 1? Or maybe it was the SA warm up.
I think it's sensible him not to be there tbh, and I'm sure he agrees. Bit awkward if he's on the big screen then it cuts to Fozzy.
It was when the Pumas were playing. He was chatting with the Argie fans sitting next to him and behind him.
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Let's face it , it's either Marshall being a bullshitter or a reporter making things up. How is he barred from games? He would rightly not be invited to trainings as there no point, but we are all basically barred from trainings. To even pretend he's not allowed at games is rubbsih, he would have to somehow be barred from walking around the streets of Lyon etc, as the players go sightseeing etc. FFS took about a beat up!
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he shouldn't be at fucking trainings. That would be an enormous mistake. And if i was Ian Foster i would be fucking furious if he turned up.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2023:
That sounds fucking odd. What player at a RWC trying to make the game day 23 cares about the impressions of a bloke that doesn't have his first test for nine months?
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Can't see how they can stop him from attending All Black games though.
"Hello France, can you block this guy called Scott? He might distract our ABs..."
"Monsieur, distract your team, you say? Hmm..." -
Updated: Razor returns to NZ after Marshall claims he was barred from ABs
