Bledisloe II
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Even if they fix their own throws we can easily shift tactics on ours and they are still defending 2 on 4 in the air. Not having the equivalent of Squire and Read as targets really compromises them.
I doubt the scrum will be as poor this weak, they had some no names on for a while there and the 50/50 calls not going their way early set them on the back foot not wanting to rack up penalties and a perception from Peyper that would stick badly.
A question for the scrum club. In those early ones where Franks was just lying flat on the ground yet the Convicts were penalised, was that from the loosehead sliding up over his back? If so, it was a very good spot from Peyper because it looked like the only one going to ground was in black. -
As usual the only real discussions in the lead up for the ABs will be the numbers 11-15.
ALB/Goodhue worked well and looked a keeper however there will be a temptation to give Laumape a chance as ALB makes a better balance on the bench.
If the back three is BFA/JB/WN with DMac on the bench then there are three fullbacks available and still a need for midfield cover. I still think that maybe ALB is being considered as a centre/wing cover for 2019. It is a role we have always considered good for RWCs with Kahui and SBW having previously taken up the mantle.
ALB didn't get that chance on the weekend after Crotty went off but I suspect the selectors would still like to see him come on in the last 20 for a tired wing.
IF BFA and JB start I would like to see them swapping around on defence/attack. BFAs vision and game reading is so superior from 15 that he will often stifle an opposition foray or clean up after a desperate tackle.
I would also like to see the Barrett bros take a dual kicking role with JB taking long range shots. I never get why we always stick with one kicker. Having someone that can punish the opposition from 50m is a killer. -
Given how good Smith was at fullback i am loath to move him. The selectors picked wingers, use them. If they aren't good enough why did you pick them?
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@crucial re laumape why play an inferior player for 2/4 of the game? That doesn't make sense
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
Given how good Smith was at fullback i am loath to move him. The selectors picked wingers, use them. If they aren't good enough why did you pick them?
So are you think NMS comes in?
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@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
Given how good Smith was at fullback i am loath to move him. The selectors picked wingers, use them. If they aren't good enough why did you pick them?
So are you think NMS comes in?
Yep. That's the bed they made
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial re laumape why play an inferior player for 2/4 of the game? That doesn't make sense
Depends on whether they view him as inferior and the gameplan in mind. I doubt they have him in the squad to carry bags and would be looking to put him on the field.
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@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial re laumape why play an inferior player for 2/4 of the game? That doesn't make sense
Depends on whether they view him as inferior and the gameplan in mind. I doubt they have him in the squad to carry bags and would be looking to put him on the field.
He's inferior
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
Given how good Smith was at fullback i am loath to move him. The selectors picked wingers, use them. If they aren't good enough why did you pick them?
So are you think NMS comes in?
Yep. That's the bed they made
I wouldn't argue with that, just wonder how they are planning on using JB and fitting him into longer term plans. He isn't a winger and they don't rate him as a midfielder.
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial re laumape why play an inferior player for 2/4 of the game? That doesn't make sense
Depends on whether they view him as inferior and the gameplan in mind. I doubt they have him in the squad to carry bags and would be looking to put him on the field.
He's inferior
I have to agree. I'm an ALB fan. I just wonder if the attack may look at a change up in tactic to unsettle the Wobs rush defence. Tell Laumape to do the one thing he probably isn't inferior at which is hard angled running (at Beale/Foley)
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@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
Given how good Smith was at fullback i am loath to move him. The selectors picked wingers, use them. If they aren't good enough why did you pick them?
So are you think NMS comes in?
Yep. That's the bed they made
I wouldn't argue with that, just wonder how they are planning on using JB and fitting him into longer term plans. He isn't a winger and they don't rate him as a midfielder.
He's the 2nd best fullback. He needs to wait until Smith can't play.
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@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial re laumape why play an inferior player for 2/4 of the game? That doesn't make sense
Depends on whether they view him as inferior and the gameplan in mind. I doubt they have him in the squad to carry bags and would be looking to put him on the field.
He's inferior
I have to agree. I'm an ALB fan. I just wonder if the attack may look at a change up in tactic to unsettle the Wobs rush defence. Tell Laumape to do the one thing he probably isn't inferior at which is hard angled running (at Beale/Foley)
I completely understand the reasoning there. I just think it's silly to pick a guy because he likes running in to people really hard.
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@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
Given how good Smith was at fullback i am loath to move him. The selectors picked wingers, use them. If they aren't good enough why did you pick them?
So are you think NMS comes in?
Yep. That's the bed they made
I wouldn't argue with that, just wonder how they are planning on using JB and fitting him into longer term plans. He isn't a winger and they don't rate him as a midfielder.
Full Back but only when Smith is not available or the dead rubber match in Tokyo.
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@mariner4life @Crucial Laumape came in as cover for SBW. Williams is back in training so Laumape for me goes back to Manawatu to work on his communication with his 1st 5. Doesnt play this weekend again maybe Tokyo.
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@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe II:
@crucial re laumape why play an inferior player for 2/4 of the game? That doesn't make sense
Depends on whether they view him as inferior and the gameplan in mind. I doubt they have him in the squad to carry bags and would be looking to put him on the field.
He's inferior
I have to agree. I'm an ALB fan. I just wonder if the attack may look at a change up in tactic to unsettle the Wobs rush defence. Tell Laumape to do the one thing he probably isn't inferior at which is hard angled running (at Beale/Foley)
I completely understand the reasoning there. I just think it's silly to pick a guy because he likes running in to people really hard.
The early version of Nonu was just that.
Which may go someway to explaining that it took until 2008 for Nonu to become a regular starter.
Having said that, I do really like Laumape and want to see him get a shot. He's pretty bloody quick too, so could well be fighting out ALB for his place. Which means he may get a shot this weekend on the bench.
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@wreck-diver said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life @Crucial Laumape came in as cover for SBW. Williams is back in training so Laumape for me goes back to Manawatu to work on his communication with his 1st 5. Doesnt play this weekend again maybe Tokyo.
I do admit that my theories are based on SBW not being available (thought he wasn't going to be if they are making noises about Aso).
If SBW comes back in then he's the direct replacement for Crotty. -
@chester-draws said in Bledisloe II:
The Springboks regularly pick no true openside and seem to get away with it.
Really? Are you sure you're not just getting confused by their openside wearing 6? Louw is definitely an openside, where does van Staden usually play?
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@wreck-diver said in Bledisloe II:
Gowden didn't pull any punches "Cheika must pay the price for a team whose appalling skill level makes a mockery of the professional footballer tag, and arrogant, holier-than-thou attitude does not warrant any respect from those sick and tired of a pedestrian outfit who constantly makes fools of themselves in the big games."
Just caught up with that article and even though it is written in a slightly sensationalist manner Growden makes some good points. Cheika's style isn't working. The players say they all buy in but to me they come across as puppets of the coach.
See how on the weekend, straight after the game Cheika was waffling on about letting things get to them when decisions didn't go their way. Personally, I couldn't see that. I didn't see any heads hanging or noticeably frustrated players but I'll give him the benefit of knowing the players better than I do.
What I did notice though was players talking to media a day later quoting this back as one of the issues but saying it came out as a player run hard look at what happened. Hmm looks to me like they were led by the nose to those conclusions. Not to mention that their coach is the worst in test rugby at visibly showing that decisions against him frustrate him. If he wants calmer heads on the field he needs to look in the mirror at the example he sets.
I don't think they really have the rugby brains in that team to self analyse but the coach then gets shown up as a fail because it is all on his shoulders.
I have no idea whether here are better options in the wings. I haven't seen any evidence of Larkham being what is needed but maybe he just needs the opportunity. If you had to pick from the current Super Rugby coaches you'd probably consider Wessels who at least manages to get some silk purses from sows ears occasionally -
@crucial said in Bledisloe II:
@wreck-diver said in Bledisloe II:
@mariner4life @Crucial Laumape came in as cover for SBW. Williams is back in training so Laumape for me goes back to Manawatu to work on his communication with his 1st 5. Doesnt play this weekend again maybe Tokyo.
I do admit that my theories are based on SBW not being available (thought he wasn't going to be if they are making noises about Aso).
If SBW comes back in then he's the direct replacement for Crotty.I do find it interesting Hansen talking about Aso, while he is injured, when SBW by all accounts is ready to come back and they have Laumape already in as cover...maybe they see Aso as this mid-field/wing player more than others?
