If we win Bled 2, are you happy heading into the end of year tour?
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Barrett won't be cut, but I hope he doesn't start any games on the EOYT.
The All Blacks are probably better off leaving Cane and Perenara behind, but I can also completely see both of them being selected. At least if Lakai travels, he might benefit from spending a few weeks rooming with Cane. I think between Ratima, Roigard (assuming he's completely back to full fitness) and possibly Christie/Hotham, there are enough options at halfback to cut Perenara altogether.
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We will have enough halfback options. I think BB's place needs to be taken up by another.
Reece redeemed himself somewhat, playing better than Telea but I still would like to see Narawa at some point. -
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@frugby said in If we win Bled 2, are you happy heading into the end of year tour?:
@brodean said in If we win Bled 2, are you happy heading into the end of year tour?:
Rassie took over when the Boks were at their lowest nadir with Coetzee.
Robertson got a side where the bulk of the players were a whisker away from winning and RWC.
And from that team you've taken out:
Retallick and Whitelock (An all-time great locking pairing and 2x 100+ Cappers)
Frizell (Starting blindside)
Smith (An all-time great halfback and 100+ Capper)
Mo'unga (Starting First Five, Clearly Razor's preferred option and 50+ Capper)This is quite a different side.
But not much of a drop in quality. We haven't had a step-down with Scooter and Vaai, Frizell was rocks and a few diamonds. And after Ratima got the call thru Christie's injury we've been OK at 9.
The elevation of Mo'unga to GOAT status and the impact his departure has had on Robertson's results is way OTT
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Much, much better game today. More composure overall and less headless chicken stuff. Bench went much better.
Not breaking out any champagne though, It was pretty much a lost rubber game so perhaps that reduced any nerves and it was against a team ranked 10th
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@Machpants said in If we win Bled 2, are you happy heading into the end of year tour?:
Ok so we won, I'm not happy with progress. My happiness will be seeing if razor had the guts to leave a fair few behind and bring others in. And who he plays in the 23
He had the opportunity to do that in this game and didn't. I think we'll see pretty much the same squad on the EOYT with maybe Lakai and poss. another midfielder added.
Robertson will be looking for results rather than development after coming 3rd in the RC. Wasted opportunity IMHO.
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Comparing Rassie with Robertson is logical if you're developing a team.
But Robertson isn't doing that - he's picking and using players with a limited shelf-life in games where the result isn't all that critical. And that's the big problem.
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@Frank Be confident and say it yourself if that's what you believe!
Havili - if they take five midfielders he'll be the fifth.
Christie - probably not.
Cane - for the past month it has looked an awful lot like they think he's still the best openside in New Zealand. What have you seen the makes you think they think someone else is better?
TJ - I wouldn't b surprised.
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@Chris-B said in If we win Bled 2, are you happy heading into the end of year tour?:
@Frank Be confident and say it yourself if that's what you believe!
Havili - if they take five midfielders he'll be the fifth.
Christie - probably not.
Cane - for the past month it has looked an awful lot like they think he's still the best openside in New Zealand. What have you seen the makes you think they think someone else is better?
TJ - I wouldn't b surprised.
Jesus I was joking.
You're actually serious. -
@Victor-Meldrew said in If we win Bled 2, are you happy heading into the end of year tour?:
Much, much better game today. More composure overall and less headless chicken stuff. Bench went much better.
Not breaking out any champagne though, It was pretty much a lost rubber game so perhaps that reduced any nerves and it was against a team ranked 10th
I was super nervous at the 30 minute mark
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11 Clarke 13 Proctor 14 Ioane 15 Jordan. It's not difficult
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@BerniesCorner The interesting call is Jordie Barrett or ALB at 12. Much though I admire Jordie's skills and talent, ALB gave a more composed performance today and made better decisions.
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@sparky Yeah they are both good on their day. Obviously frustrating we haven't seen Proctor outside them.
Ioane's a winger in my book.
The new guys have yet again come to the party. Williams and Tosi were magnificent today.
Vaai is a total nuisance to play against. Good stuff.
I would go Sititi 8, Savea super sub. Try Lakai at 7. Disappointing if Lakai doesn't make EOYT.
Bit frustrating seeing slower loose forwards and wings picked when other quicker options are available.
Super encouraging to see Jordan and Clarke find some form. -
@BerniesCorner Reiko Ioane's a world-class Wing, who can play Centre but it doesn't entirely suit his skill set.
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@sparky said in If we win Bled 2, are you happy heading into the end of year tour?:
@BerniesCorner The interesting call is Jordie Barrett or ALB at 12. Much though I admire Jordie's skills and talent, ALB gave a more composed performance today and made better decisions.
I don't understand why they're used so differently though. Barrett is used to run straight and take out tacklers, then alongside him they use Ioane to run straight and take out tacklers. What gives?
ALB is asked to do a completely different job and I don't see why Barrett's skillset can't be used for the same thing (I mean fuck, he's a kicker too, but when do we see that).
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I didn't think I would be happy but yes I am
-most of the new talent look better value than the old guns
-the best current 10 question seems settled for me
-the potential of Jordan at 15 is clear
-ALB is making a stronger claim for 12 (they floated him around a bit, we have 2 solid 13 options IMO plus Big Leicester returning)
-Ratima Tosi Williams and Williams are stayers
-the skills gaps are clear
-our line defence and lineouts are improving
-we smashed our second-half voodoo (and the Wellington curse)
