Bledisloe II
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@nepia said in Bledisloe II:
@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe II:
I just had a look on TAB but they dont seem to have put odds up yet for Franks to score 'a' try, might be worth a dollar or 2, if it blows out might be a sentimental pass to him over the tryline for him to fumble...
I reckon that 'fumble' will be on purpose too - has to keep his record and reputation intact.
rugby's Geoff Allott
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
What we really need is for someone to completely shit the bed in a test. It's been a while now.
Naholo's playing this weekend isn't he?
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Qantas Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday 25 August, 5.35pm AEST
- Scott Sio (46 Tests)
- Tatafu Polota-Nau (83 Tests)
- Allan Alaalatoa (24 Tests)
- Izack Rodda (8 Tests)
- Adam Coleman (24 Tests)
- Lukhan Tui (8 Tests)
- Michael Hooper (c) (83 Tests)
- David Pocock (70 Tests)
- Will Genia (91 Tests)
- Bernard Foley (59 Tests)
- Marika Koroibete (12 Tests)
- Kurtley Beale (75 Tests)
- Reece Hodge (28 Tests)
- Jack Maddocks (1 Test)
- Dane Haylett-Petty (22 Tests)
Finishers
16. Folau Faingaa*
17. Tom Robertson (22 Tests)
18. Sekope Kepu (95 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (86 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (4 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (65 Tests)
22. Matt Toomua (34 Tests)
23. Tom Banks*
*denotes uncapped -
@kiwimurph Opportunity for redemption?
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No Arnold yet again which I don't understand. Maddocks is overrated and the bench hardly looks threatening.
Am expecting a stronger Wallaby showing this week as it was clear that Genia, Hooper and TPN were lacking match fitness last week, but the ABs should also be a lot better after a fairly scratchy performance in Sydney.
Can't see the Wallabies beating this AB team. NZ by 15- 20.
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@antipodean You would think a back three of 11. Maddocks 14. Haylett-Petty & 15. Banks would be better suited to defuse the All Blacks attack. Koroibete has plenty of gas but always seems to find his way out of position. He could also be more of a weapon coming off the bench.
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe II:
No Arnlod yet again which I don't understand. Maddocks is overrated and the bench hardly looks threatening.
Arnold doesn't call lineouts which means he has to stay on the field for 80mins.
Maddocks is just a winger with the ignorant arrogance of youth; "what Eden Park hoodoo?" The one you're about to be part of matey.
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@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe II:
I just had a look on TAB but they dont seem to have put odds up yet for Franks to score 'a' try, might be worth a dollar or 2, if it blows out might be a sentimental pass to him over the tryline for him to fumble...
Who was that prop the Poms had in 2013 who kept dropping the ball? Every time it came near him he freaked out. It was like someone was throwing a bomb at him.
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@kiwimurph Dont get the logic there. So ALB has a good game off the bench so he is a natural 23. I guess I am not sold of Laumape and see no reason why a player who perform well coming off the bench can not assume the starting position. Will maybe Laumape will show me that he is more than a direct runner.
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@shark said in Bledisloe II:
@bovidae said in Bledisloe II:
@taniwharugby Injury was not a factor according to the Stuff article.
"We wanted a specialist second five," explained Hansen. "Alby (Lienert-Brown) has been playing a lot of his rugby at 13. Whilst we're very happy with his performance [in Sydney], we love what he does for us off the bench.
"He brings a security, a sense of understanding of what's needed in that area and Ngani is more of a starting-type player. It just made sense."
Yep nice one Shag. You may as well put the NH contact under ALB's fucken nose yourself. You could have equally said: "We didn't pick Ngani in the initial squad and wanted him instead to go away and work on his communication, which he's done for an entire game. Alby was outstanding for us at 12 in Bledisloe 1 in what was virtually a starting role but despite that we've brought Ngani straight back in ahead of him".
ALB, Laumape and Goodhue would have to be the three blind mice if they can't see that SBW and Crotty are just hanging on for next year's RWC and then the field is open for them to fight out who sits on the bench.
Given the rate at which the first two are accruing injuries, it will be pretty surprising if all three of these guys don't get to the RWC and probably play in whatever knockout matches we participate in.
This one is throwing Laumape a bone while they can. When SBW comes back, NL will have to head back to Mitre 10 Cup - unless they decide to put Crotty in cotton wool for the rest of the year, which isn't a bad idea.
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Good to see the gloves come off a bit this week.
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@stargazer See, when Steve explains it, it almost makes sense.
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@broughie If you are looking for evidence just watch a replay of the Hurricanes vs Chiefs quarter final this year. Laumape blew Ngatai and ALB off the park and shut down everything they threw at him. He is far from one dimensional and your comment probably suggests you haven't watched any Hurricanes games this year. There was a reason he was named Canes player of the year - he has been brilliant and probably deserves an opportunity more than ALB.
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Half the forum will have to say "I was wrong" after the match on Saturday
Will it be those who think Laumape is a one-dimensional battering ram...
...or those who think Laumape is a bit better than that?
Humble in victory, gracious in defeat - let's see which poster have the goods...
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@billy-tell said in Bledisloe II:
Half the forum will have to say "I was wrong" after the match on Saturday
Will it be those who think Laumape is a one-dimensional battering ram...
...or those who think Laumape is a bit better than that?
Humble in victory, gracious in defeat - let's see which poster have the goods...
what about those of us who think Laumape is more than a one-dimensional battering ram, but that ALB is still a better player? How will that be proven on Saturday?
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Hansen is being a little precious over the Whitelock presentation. If someone looked back when the other centurions were presented with their caps, not all the opposition players would have stayed on the field either. But I'm sure there will be more than 4 Wallabies out there on Sat night.
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@billy-tell said in Bledisloe II:
Half the forum will have to say "I was wrong" after the match on Saturday
Will it be those who think Laumape is a one-dimensional battering ram...
...or those who think Laumape is a bit better than that?
Humble in victory, gracious in defeat - let's see which poster have the goods...
what about those of us who think Laumape is more than a one-dimensional battering ram, but that ALB is still a better player? How will that be proven on Saturday?
I suspect you'll have to wait a little bit longer there lad.
Only a fool would use 1 single game to decide that sort of question. ALB has a heap more tests than Laumape, so that would be comparing apples and pears.
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Laumape was kept quiet in the 3rd Lions test so an organised defence can negate his runs. He'll be running down Beale's channel a lot.
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@billy-tell said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@billy-tell said in Bledisloe II:
Half the forum will have to say "I was wrong" after the match on Saturday
Will it be those who think Laumape is a one-dimensional battering ram...
...or those who think Laumape is a bit better than that?
Humble in victory, gracious in defeat - let's see which poster have the goods...
what about those of us who think Laumape is more than a one-dimensional battering ram, but that ALB is still a better player? How will that be proven on Saturday?
I suspect you'll have to wait a little bit longer there lad.
Only a fool would use 1 single game to decide that sort of question. ALB has a heap more tests than Laumape, so that would be comparing apples and pears.
so your earlier post was all bullshit then? okay, cleared up.
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@bovidae I seem to remember the ABs actually making presentations to centurions in the opposition ranks after tests? Here was one time anyway: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11324575
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If Laumape shows he's up to it, then the one to fall may well be Crotty. While fit he is worth his place, if his eternal breakdowns disrupt the team then maybe not. Especially if he is playing at 12, which I don't think is his best position.
SBW is often broken but is a much better player anyway IMO and at least finishes if he starts, so doesn't disrupt pre-game plans.
However, lots of players get second-year blues, so we need to wait on Goodbye. It gives me confidence that his rise has been steady, not meteoric like ALB or NMS, but next year people will do rather a lot more homework on him and we might see his faults exposed.
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@bovidae said in Bledisloe II:
Laumape was kept quiet in the 3rd Lions test so an organised defence can negate his runs. He'll be running down Beale's channel a lot.
All of the AB backs were kept quiet against the Lions, though I remember him making a break or two in the third test so not completely contained. He also wrecked havoc against their B team which is why he was selected for the 3rd test.
His form hasn't been great this year, I was really hoping he'd develop his game further, but he is very far from one-dimensional. In his 2nd Super season he displayed all the skills - hard running, deft chips and a great passing game putting the likes of Aso away on a regular basis. Hence the comparisons with Nonu.
I do think ALB deserves the starting spot given his form this year, but this isn't the most controversial selection - Laumape has the goods and if the AB coaches think they can get the best out of him then he will be a force to be reckoned with.
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The ABs made heaps of breaks against the BIL in the 3rd test, they just didn't finish them off - Savea being especially butter fingered. They weren't contained much IMO, just were poor at finishing.
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@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
I did think they may go ALB on the bench as a known quality with versatility and a desire to develop Laumape.
Seems to me they've had a desire to develop players at 12 & 13 since the Nonu/Smith departure 3 years ago - and we still don't have a settled, reliable midfield combination.
Big worry IMHO.
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@victor-meldrew said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
I did think they may go ALB on the bench as a known quality with versatility and a desire to develop Laumape.
Seems to me they've had a desire to develop players at 12 & 13 since the Nonu/Smith departure 3 years ago - and we still don't have a settled, reliable midfield combination.
Big worry IMHO.
I'd disagree with that. I think Crotty & SBW are clearly the desired first team combination. It's just that both are made of glass and that option isn't available to us as often as we'd like.
Goodhue looked fine last week, ALB has also been good, and now Laumape is given another shot.
For me, it's a long way down our list of worries. I'd have blind side, aging of Ben Smith, inability of our props to keep their fists to themselves, Beauden Barret to kick goals and Naholo to avoid yellow card brain farts all as worries far above and beyond our centres.
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@beardie said in Bledisloe II:
@bovidae I seem to remember the ABs actually making presentations to centurions in the opposition ranks after tests?
Yes, they showed that on the TV news tonight. I'm talking about whether all the opposition stayed on the field for the presentation to the other AB centurions. It was great that the ABs did acknowledge JdV but I'm not sure they have done that on every previous occasion. George Smith and Adam Ashley-Cooper also played their 100th tests against NZ.
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@no-quarter said in Bledisloe II:
@bovidae said in Bledisloe II:
Laumape was kept quiet in the 3rd Lions test so an organised defence can negate his runs. He'll be running down Beale's channel a lot.
All of the AB backs were kept quiet against the Lions, though I remember him making a break or two in the third test so not completely contained. He also wrecked havoc against their B team which is why he was selected for the 3rd test.
There weren't many other options available come the 3rd test. Crotty was injured (sound familiar?), SBW was suspended and BFA was also injured. Fekitoa was on the outer but made the bench. So Laumape and ALB it was.
I'm interested to see what Laumape can do. He has a familiar face at 1st 5 so that combination won't be a problem but he hasn't played with Goodhue before.
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@bovidae said in Bledisloe II:
@beardie said in Bledisloe II:
@bovidae I seem to remember the ABs actually making presentations to centurions in the opposition ranks after tests?
Yes, they showed that on the TV news tonight. I'm talking about whether all the opposition stayed on the field for the presentation to the other AB centurions. It was great that the ABs did acknowledge JdV but I'm not sure they have done that on every previous occasion. George Smith and Adam Ashley-Cooper also played their 100th tests against NZ.
Bollox, I remember the AAC match (He's one of my fave Ozzie players) and the ABs mentioned him often in the build up. I can't find a Gregan image but ABs are all about respect - and smashing those respected blokes into the turf!
EDIT: Gregan played his hundy vs the Boks, that's why no image.
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@majorrage said in Bledisloe II:
@victor-meldrew said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
I did think they may go ALB on the bench as a known quality with versatility and a desire to develop Laumape.
Seems to me they've had a desire to develop players at 12 & 13 since the Nonu/Smith departure 3 years ago - and we still don't have a settled, reliable midfield combination.
Big worry IMHO.
I'd disagree with that. I think Crotty & SBW are clearly the desired first team combination. It's just that both are made of glass and that option isn't available to us as often as we'd like.
Goodhue looked fine last week, ALB has also been good, and now Laumape is given another shot.
For me, it's a long way down our list of worries. I'd have blind side, aging of Ben Smith, inability of our props to keep their fists to themselves, Beauden Barret to kick goals and Naholo to avoid yellow card brain farts all as worries far above and beyond our centres.
I think if you asked Hansen, he'd say that SBW and Crotty are our No. 1 combination, but I'm not sure that's what he'd be completely thinking.
Goodhue is "The way of the future" and I reckon they'll try pairing him with various combinations. By the time RWC comes around, I'll be surprised if he's not the starting centre for the big games - if he's not, he will be shortly after.
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It's funny when these disrespect things come up every now and then, I am basically looking all this rugby thing from the outside to in and for me it looks that the All Blacks are the side that most respect their opponents. Of course when you win everything for a decade people are going to look for any flaws in you, but disrespecting their opponents isn't one of them.
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@chris-b 100% agree in regards to Goodhue. He reminds me so much of Conrad Smith. He reads the game brilliantly, manages to snake his way through defenses minus super speed and has a cool and calm demeanor that allows our outsides to flourish. Now to find that Nonu-esque player to partner him for the next 10 years.
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The powers at be may not agree but I can see Jordie as out long term 12. He could be devastating with his size and skillset crashing into the line and could be a great partner with Goodhue and to whoever that 1st five may be after the world cup - most probably Mo'unga, unless Beaudy sticks around.
More of this please.
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@sapetyvi Yeah Nonu even gave John Smit his boot on his 100th test!
Three All Blacks even spoke on the field afterwards, and obviously the whole team and crew were there to show their respect.
"Three of the more experienced All Blacks - the captain Richie McCaw, lock Brad Thorn and hooker Keven Mealamu - spoke of how they felt for Smit and the immense "disappointment" he must have felt after losing such a huge game in such a desperate way.'
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Few thoughts:
With Laumape attached to squad, was it always a thought to give him a run in second game?
Crotty and ALB are very skilful, but not effective crash ballers. AB backs were ineffective off set piece in BC1 and Laumape allows them to try a different approach.
Defences often tighter in first 60, which could argue for crash baller. When things loosen up, a player like ALB, with good footwork and tactical awareness, is ideal to come on.
Goodhue seems to have an old fashioned centre's approach of keeping straight, maintaining space for winger, and drawing the man before passing. Sure he'd make a go of 12, but his skills at 13 seem rare nowadays, so a shame to waste them.
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@kiwimurph said in Bledisloe II:
Good to see the gloves come off a bit this week.
All Black locks should marry tall women in order to have tall children who would later grow enough to become AB locks.
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@majorrage said in Bledisloe II:
It's just that both are made of glass and that option isn't available to us as often as we'd like.
That's what I meant by a reliable combination.
I'd be more than happy with ALB & Goodhue getting regular starting slots. The more experience they get between now and RWC2019 the better
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Hansen didn't know who to choose between ALB and Laumape, so he watched 1.50 of this video featuring the two. And just like that...........
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Tries 1 & 3 he should have drawn and passed.
Shit tackling saw him score
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@canes4life Hard to compare super rugby and combinations. Laumape also had Barret on the inside of him. That being said I acknowledge that he is a direct runner and don’t have anything against the man. I don’t see the comparisons to Nonu that some suggest. And ALB was pretty dam good last week. Laumape will also be playing as an AB and will be on the winning team which will often mask weakness that may be exposed with better competition.
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