Pumas v All Blacks
-
This game showed how much Cane was missed, particularly on defence. I didn't think Todd was that effective at the breakdown and we didn't see those dominant tackles that Cane delivers.
Savea hasn't impressed as either a starter or impact sub in the last month so I'm not surprised he isn't on the plane to SA.
-
-
@chris-b said in Pumas v All Blacks:
That's surely pointing to Kaino starting and Squire on the bench?
Possibly, but Squire did very well in his last game vs SA. Or Cane just plays the full 80 mins.
They can either:
(a) Have Tuipulotu as the reserve lock with Barrett as 6 cover (again), and Todd as a specialist 7 on the bench
(b) Use Read to cover 7 and include both Kaino and Squire in the 23 with no ToddWith no Retallick I don't think the ABs can afford not to have a lock in the reserves as an injury to Whitelock/Barrett means it's Chicago all over again.
-
with Ardie not having the impact off the bench, maybe it is time to let Cane go 80.
-
@bovidae Yeah - I think all three locks will be in the match day 23. That means there's five loosies to fill four spots.
I can't really see them dragging JK to Argentina and South Africa and not giving him some game time - and he's almost never come off the bench in recent times - plus, if the plan is to increase the tempo in the final third of the match, then JK's not really the man for that job. So I've got him as a strong favourite to start at 6. Kieran is bound to be at 8. Cane most likely at 7 (they could start Todd with Cane on the bench covering all three loose forward positions, but that's not been done before as far as I recall).
So - Todd or Squire sits on the bench and the other is just there as injury cover. Somehow, if just seems a bit unlikely to me that they'd send Fifita home and fly Squire to South Africa if they didn't plan to use Liam somewhere.
However, I've been wrong before.
-
@booboo said in Pumas v All Blacks:
@no-quarter said in Pumas v All Blacks:
Another awful cross field kick from Beauden to sum up the 2nd half to date.
Beaudie is doing a bit much of that.
Low percentage option in each case.
The downside is it has a high chance of turning possession over, but it does work successfully from time-to-time, and it keeps the defensive line stretched, which opens up space inside. Gots to keep 'em honest and on their heels.
-
Just watched a replay of that 96 Bledisloe test where we smashed the Aussies. It was interesting how much Mertz used the cross field kick and with pretty good effect. Probably as many as Barrett uses it. It’s a high risk high reward play for sure, but I don’t mind it given how flat opposition defences play these days.
-
Part of the problem is that Barrett was kicking to his men on the wing. That means the defenders are coming forward.
Better to kick in front of them, as that way the defender has to turn and look over his shoulder. The attacker going up is likely not even going to attempt to catch it anyway.
