All Blacks v France Test #1
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@Nepia can't say I agree with you re: Jordie. Thought he was all class, particularly under the high ball and also injecting himself into the line. BFA had an error riddled game and IMO it looks like his age is finally starting to catch up with him. He does still offer a lot, but I am starting to wonder if thr next WC may be a bridge too far.
Sounds like a plot line for a Chris Rattue article...
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@tim said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
Hansen also confirmed Crusaders loose forward Jordan Taufua, who was not considered for the test, was out of the series after scans revealed a tear in his calf, while there was better news on midfielder Sonny Bill Williams who had been cleared to resume training this week after his minor knee procedure and could be available for the third test against France.
Really disappointing news for Jordan Taufua. He's having a stellar season, is finally called up by the AB's and then he's ruled out of the series due to an injury. I wonder whether this is the same injury he suffered during the first ABs camp? I hope he'll get another chance soon.
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@junior said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@kirwan This. Fairly sure there was a match last year where we got a red card, controlled most of the remainder of the match and very nearly won (not to mention the match against England you mentioned). The reason why the score blew out is because the French gave up - not because they were reduced to 14 men.
I thought I read a funny comment from shag. In response to the French coach calling us cheaters, he said we've been called cheaters for 100 years. Classic
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@canefan said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@junior said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@kirwan This. Fairly sure there was a match last year where we got a red card, controlled most of the remainder of the match and very nearly won (not to mention the match against England you mentioned). The reason why the score blew out is because the French gave up - not because they were reduced to 14 men.
I thought I read a funny comment from shag. In response to the French coach calling us cheaters, he said we've been called cheaters for 100 years. Classic
He's obviously a fantastic coach but not sure why people think he's a character.
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@mn5 said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@canefan said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@junior said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@kirwan This. Fairly sure there was a match last year where we got a red card, controlled most of the remainder of the match and very nearly won (not to mention the match against England you mentioned). The reason why the score blew out is because the French gave up - not because they were reduced to 14 men.
I thought I read a funny comment from shag. In response to the French coach calling us cheaters, he said we've been called cheaters for 100 years. Classic
He's obviously a fantastic coach but not sure why people think he's a character.
He's dry as but as demonstrated in Weight of the Nation, it's all a front
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@canefan said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@mn5 said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@canefan said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@junior said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@kirwan This. Fairly sure there was a match last year where we got a red card, controlled most of the remainder of the match and very nearly won (not to mention the match against England you mentioned). The reason why the score blew out is because the French gave up - not because they were reduced to 14 men.
I thought I read a funny comment from shag. In response to the French coach calling us cheaters, he said we've been called cheaters for 100 years. Classic
He's obviously a fantastic coach but not sure why people think he's a character.
He's dry as but as demonstrated in Weight of the Nation, it's all a front
He does have a lot of weight
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I’m afraid they’ll have to choose between Dmac and Mo’unga for the 22 Jersey. I think that Mo’unga becomes Cruden during the 2015 WC - starts if Barrett is injured, but is not in the 23 if not.
I think they see Barrett playing 80, and are hoping that Dmac can play the old Barrett role. It’s risky as fuck because he’s not close to Barrett’s class at 10 (and there is better in the squad to cover an injury ), but he can be a difference maker late in a game from full back so makes a more powerful bench option.
Laumape has the inside running for the bench spot, but much of this will depend on SBW and Crotty’s fitness. ALB has generally been very good in that role.
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@gt12 yeah, the thing that's easy to forget is Barrett is still there right... So why doesn't he cover fullback, playing the Barrett role...
From what I've seen I'd be more comfortable with Mounga at ten than DMac. He could even cover fullback but wouldn't have the impact of DMac of course.
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Yeah I think they are trying to recreate that dynamic impact we had coming off the bench a few years back , thats been missing a bit
Rolling the dice a touch , looks great if Beaudan stays fit for the 80 , I dont mind it for now as an experiment to see how it goes , if he gets injured early in a game , others will say 'told ya so '
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Yep, that’s true, but I guess the question becomes whether another 10 coming on can control the game as Barrett can?
I’d have said probably until this game, where I thought Barrett had one of his better nights being a proper, drive it around 10, while still being dangerous as a rugby player. If he plays like that, I think Mo’unga is aways away - Cruden to Carter, to continue the metaphor.
The danger happens if Barrett becomes injured - of course - but if they persist with Jordie and give him Dagg like 1st receiver carries, he should still be there when Dmac comes on - and won’t be subbed. The question is whether the two of them together could get us past England, Ireland, Sth Africa, France, Aus?
If it’s part of the coaches’ plan, I bet we see Beauden subbed this year for them to test it.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
I’m afraid they’ll have to choose between Dmac and Mo’unga for the 22 Jersey. I think that Mo’unga becomes Cruden during the 2015 WC - starts if Barrett is injured, but is not in the 23 if not.
I think they see Barrett playing 80, and are hoping that Dmac can play the old Barrett role. It’s risky as fuck because he’s not close to Barrett’s class at 10 (and there is better in the squad to cover an injury ), but he can be a difference maker late in a game from full back so makes a more powerful bench option.
Laumape has the inside running for the bench spot, but much of this will depend on SBW and Crotty’s fitness. ALB has generally been very good in that role.
Considering the shaky start to his test career, DMac is coming along nicely. He carved up against a tiring frog D line last night
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@canefan said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@gt12 said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
I’m afraid they’ll have to choose between Dmac and Mo’unga for the 22 Jersey. I think that Mo’unga becomes Cruden during the 2015 WC - starts if Barrett is injured, but is not in the 23 if not.
I think they see Barrett playing 80, and are hoping that Dmac can play the old Barrett role. It’s risky as fuck because he’s not close to Barrett’s class at 10 (and there is better in the squad to cover an injury ), but he can be a difference maker late in a game from full back so makes a more powerful bench option.
Laumape has the inside running for the bench spot, but much of this will depend on SBW and Crotty’s fitness. ALB has generally been very good in that role.
Considering the shaky start to his test career, DMac is coming along nicely. He carved up against a tiring frog D line last night
I think they always saw him as that guy that might add something from the bench ,
But their hand was forced into starting him last year due to others being unavailable
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@gt12 said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
Yep, that’s true, but I guess the question becomes whether another 10 coming on can control the game as Barrett can?
I’d have said probably until this game, where I thought Barrett had one of his better nights being a proper, drive it around 10, while still being dangerous as a rugby player. If he plays like that, I think Mo’unga is aways away - Cruden to Carter, to continue the metaphor.
The danger happens if Barrett becomes injured - of course - but if they persist with Jordie and give him Dagg like 1st receiver carries, he should still be there when Dmac comes on - and won’t be subbed. The question is whether the two of them together could get us past England, Ireland, Sth Africa, France, Aus?
If it’s part of the coaches’ plan, I bet we see Beauden subbed this year for them to test it.
I suppose the obvious question is whether or not BB, having played 50 at 10, could provide impact moving back to 15, where he has been lethal. Would like to see this get a run.
If it works it opens up quite a few possibilities, Mo'unga on bench being one. If not, there is judgement of whether DMac's dubiousness at 10 is a risk worth taking for his impact off the bench at 15. To be weighed gainst the steadier option.
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@gt12 I think you are pretty much right.
I think they'd see Beauden as someone who is only going to be subbed if injured. So if you plonk Mo'unga on the bench - a guy who's a specialist first five - then he's unlikely to take the field (except in a BB emergency) and hence "a wasted resource".
Small element of rolling the dice, but DMac will know that he doesn't have to make as much play for the ABs as what he does for the Chiefs (in the same way Mo'unga will know re. the Crusaders).
In reality, we're probably better off regardless than in 2011 when the Beaver ran onto the field in the Final!
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@Chris-B I agree. My biggest gripe with this team was DMac on the bench, but I am really pleased for him - his best outing in black to date and did everything you could ask for in terms of impact. Certainly proved me wrong.
Also, given the way the ABs like to up the ante in the 2nd 40, I can see why they'd prefer both Beauden and DMac on the field, rather than Mo'unga at 10 and Beauden at 15.
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
@Nepia can't say I agree with you re: Jordie. Thought he was all class, particularly under the high ball and also injecting himself into the line. BFA had an error riddled game and IMO it looks like his age is finally starting to catch up with him. He does still offer a lot, but I am starting to wonder if the next WC may be a bridge too far.
Actually, you were the main poster I was thinking about after reading the thread
. Personally, I just don't see what you see (competent but not outstanding), plus I think you're harshly underrating BFA, he was class once the ball started getting to him in the 2nd half and that's one of the issues with him on the wing, he's not involved enough. -
@Nepia I'm touched you were thinking of me
I probably am being harsh on BFA as he's set the standard so high, but I definitely see a bit of a decline in his game. He's nowhere near the error free player he once was - E.G. he was very poor under the high ball in this test so I was glad to have Jordie taking them on defense. I think Jordie is pretty much a lock for the 15 jersey in big games.
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I would still prefer BFA as the starting fullback at this point in time.
I'm also puzzled that Jordie has more MOTM votes than Beauden.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks v France Test #1:
I would still prefer BFA as the starting fullback at this point in time.
I'm also puzzled that Jordie has more MOTM votes than Beauden.
Probably some cross fertilisation - people voting for a Barrett.
