Bledisloe 2
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@canefan That we have to see - and we won't know for a year or two. But, I don't see him being a longterm fullback option.
Right now, I'd say he's significantly behind Ben Smith and Jordie as a test fullback option, and probably behind Dagg (actually IMO a fair bit). I'd probably try Havili ahead of him for the next test if they don't go with Dagg.
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Those calling for change at 15, I don't necessarily disagree but I think you're dreaming.
It seems the ABs have a plan in place re BFAs sabbatical, which is put DMac at 15 and have Smith/Dagg riding shotgun/babysitting. These coaches tend to stick by their players, so to suddenly change tact and play another rookie at 15, IMO it would be a massive vote of no confidence in DMac. Slightly different story if they put Dagg there with a Naholo or NMS on the wing, as that could be deemed a change in tactics...
Going to be one of the more interesting team namings coming up that's for sure...
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@Unite said in Bledisloe 2:
@akan004 said in Bledisloe 2:
@Stargazer said in Bledisloe 2:
@akan004 Cheika obviously missed two AB tries being disallowed.
With a coach who always feels the world is against his team, they will never improve.
Foley reckons the Wallabies were in control of the game right throughout. Is that why you gave up a 17 point lead, you farking idiot? I really hope we demolish them in Brisbane. Sick of them talking themselves up all the time.
That won't happen. They will be managing players as that Test is just before the EOYT. I expect they will name a team with a few fringe players and rest those that have had lots of minutes this year.
Who knows. We seem to play better overseas than we do here these days. Although Brisbane isn't a good ground for us. Just can't stand Cheika and co. Would not want to lose to that lot.
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe 2:
@Unite said in Bledisloe 2:
@akan004 said in Bledisloe 2:
@Stargazer said in Bledisloe 2:
@akan004 Cheika obviously missed two AB tries being disallowed.
With a coach who always feels the world is against his team, they will never improve.
Foley reckons the Wallabies were in control of the game right throughout. Is that why you gave up a 17 point lead, you farking idiot? I really hope we demolish them in Brisbane. Sick of them talking themselves up all the time.
That won't happen. They will be managing players as that Test is just before the EOYT. I expect they will name a team with a few fringe players and rest those that have had lots of minutes this year.
Who knows. We seem to play better overseas than we do here these days. Although Brisbane isn't a good ground for us. Just can't stand Cheika and co. Would not want to lose to that lot.
Got to kick an Aussie when they're down
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@Gunner I'm not sure what they'll do from here.
I think the plan was to have Ben babysitting DMac and it didn't really work. In fact, relative to how dynamic Ben was when they put him on the wing vs Wales last year - I think the Smith-McKenzie axis was a significant fail. Neither had much of a game.
If it was me, I'd go with a Ioane, Dagg, Naholo back three. But, I rate Naholo much higher than some here.
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe 2:
"Retallick lucky he didnt break Hanigans neck "
Clown going nuts in the PC.
it could have easily gone badly for BBBR on two occasions tonight. It did look a little arkward in the replay. I think Owens made the right calls though.
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@Gunner One thing though. Dmac was only in the squad because of Bender's sabbatical. Jordie was in the squad no matter what. Because of Jordie's injury, Dmac will see more game time than was originally intended. Havili has been called up because of Jordie's injury. Using him in one or two games is not necessarily a deviation from their original plan (Dmac was never going to start all tests at fullback in BFA's absence). It will indeed be interesting to see the team selections for the other RC tests.
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Could Ioane play 15? Bit desperate but Dmac was dire. We can't have a FB who loves to attack the line fook up that much.
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@Chris-B. said in Bledisloe 2:
@Stargazer said in Bledisloe 2:
They just showed a few examples of why Dmac's lack of height is a problem. When competing for the high ball with a much taller player (Folau, who obviously won the contest), when isolated at the back of the field (being run over) etc. It's clear why opposition teams will target him.
Yes.
The differences between test rugby and Super rugby (and Super rugby and NPC for that matter) is that your strengths tend to be shut down and your weaknesses exacerbated.
For someone like DMac - he's sort of Christian Cullen - 20 years too late. His broken field running will be way less effective, because he'll get less time, less space, and he'll be rounded up quicker. But, his size will be exploited more - with contestable balls, rag-dolling him in tackles, and bouncing him back or off in defence. His AB future is surely at first five.
I agree.
I'll hand it to him though, he's a tough little Maori. He got smashed in a tackle tonight and I thought he'd been snapped in half. But he got straight back up.
Also his offload in that Bender try was classic DMac. Did it brilliantly.
There's no doubt he would've been playing 10 the past two weeks in the NPC had Jordie been fit.
I reckon we see Dagg, NMS and Reiko next test.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe 2:
@Chris-B. said in Bledisloe 2:
@Stargazer said in Bledisloe 2:
They just showed a few examples of why Dmac's lack of height is a problem. When competing for the high ball with a much taller player (Folau, who obviously won the contest), when isolated at the back of the field (being run over) etc. It's clear why opposition teams will target him.
Yes.
The differences between test rugby and Super rugby (and Super rugby and NPC for that matter) is that your strengths tend to be shut down and your weaknesses exacerbated.
For someone like DMac - he's sort of Christian Cullen - 20 years too late. His broken field running will be way less effective, because he'll get less time, less space, and he'll be rounded up quicker. But, his size will be exploited more - with contestable balls, rag-dolling him in tackles, and bouncing him back or off in defence. His AB future is surely at first five.
I agree.
I'll hand it to him though, he's a tough little Maori. He got smashed in a tackle tonight and I thought he'd been snapped in half. But he got straight back up.
Also his offload in that Bender try was classic DMac. Did it brilliantly.
There's no doubt he would've been playing 10 the past two weeks in the NPC had Jordie been fit.
I reckon we see Dagg, NMS and Reiko next test.
Yes, I'd expect that, too. Or, more likely, Dagg, Naholo and Rieko.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Bledisloe 2:
Could Ioane play 15? Bit desperate but Dmac was dire. We can't have a FB who loves to attack the line fook up that much.
I'd leave Ioane where he is. Use this as a chance to give NMS and DMac reps in the first team to work out who will be there in 2019
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What a game, eh.
While there was little appreciation for my nerves, that was vintage Bledisloe, and I'm glad we got up in the end to honour the mighty Tree.
Shocking start by the ABs, Wallabies were crisp in passing, tight on defence, and pounced on mistakes. Genia clearly took a sip from the fountain of youth, great game.
Ioane fantastic, gees he is quick, always making metres. Our scrum was also mighty tonight. DMac, well he is brave, and he makes some good sniping runs, but bloody hell he needs to sort out his passing. Sometimes it is downright awful. I'm nervous about these continual head knocks for Crotty and Cane. Not good. SBW had a game to forget. ALB much better from last week.
Cheika is a dick. Dude, you lost because your kicker couldn't kick for shit. And I wouldn't be shitting on the refs, because your team got several favours out there in terms of 50/50 disallowed tries, and another than could have easily got one of your men a yellow.
