Bledisloe II
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@hooroo said in Bledisloe II:
@chris-b said in Bledisloe II:
@reprobate said in Bledisloe II:
Naholo looks to be finding his feet properly at that level now which is good news.
Fatties all pretty good, squire (!?) and bbr (as usual) in particular.
As others have pointed out - Naholo has struggled to reproduce his Highlander's form for the ABs, but I think after picking up a couple of good tries last week, he's starting to believe that he belongs in the team. Previously, I reckon he's maybe been a bit over-awed.
Squire's probably been a bit harshly judged at times for not being a ready-made replacement for Kaino. Tough gig - replacing perhaps the best ever AB blindside. Needs to grow into the role and seems to be coming along quite well.
Squire was outstanding. More than happy for him to call 6 'his'.
Have to agree. His best game in black on Saturday.
He's slowly but steadily grown into the 6 spot and looks a key part of a settled loose trio.
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For anyone wondering how the Aus defence coach stats look, he has worked miracles to concede 25.86 pts a match against Tier One countries since joining the set up. Nearly got to 30 last year.
That's far worse than the numbers he got shit for with the Tahs.
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@mn5 said in Bledisloe II:
@sammyc said in Bledisloe II:
@mn5 said in Bledisloe II:
@pakman said in Bledisloe II:
@cyclops said in Bledisloe II:
@rancid-schnitzel said in Bledisloe II:
I liked Moody's try. Showed great strength. Very unheralded player, but does a shit load of work in tight and hits like a train.
That was a great try. Hope Owen Franks watches some replays, look what can happen when a big strong prop hits the ball at top speed.
In Owen's case that's 3 mph though?
Again, for a guy who is very possibly the strongest bloke in the team his lack of power as a ball carrier is baffling.
It’s not baffling if you understand basic physics....he’s almost certainly the slowest in the team.
Kinetic energy = 1/2 mass x velocity squared
Well yeah but he also loves his Olympic weightlifting and that builds explosiveness like nothing else.
According to CrossFit clips he trains for explosiveness? Not sure he controls his body position well when he takes contact. If he could incorporate Ardie's positioning things might change.
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Noticed Franks never seems as effective against Sio. Seems Sio pulls slightly back at engagement meaning Franks can't get any weight on without risk of being pinged for early engagement.
Seem to recall NTA has previously commented that this is typical LH shenanigan, so disappointing we haven't managed to overcome it.
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@pakman This might be a controversial call but I believe Laulala has overtaken Franks as our no 1 tighthead. I think he is at least as good as Franks as a scrummager and is a lot better around the park. If they select Laulala ahead of Franks when he returns, it will be interesting to see if they choose to go with Franks off the bench or discard him from the 23 all together as there are other players who offer more impact when they come on.
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@akan004 I'd like to see him play some rugby before making that call. I'm a fan but a number of posters raised concerns about his defence when he was playing. As awful as Franks' propensity to drop before the tackle is, he offers a shitload around the park in terms of defence, breakdowns and distribution. Plus hasn't been such a penalty magnet so far.
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe II:
@pakman This might be a controversial call but I believe Laulala has overtaken Franks as our no 1 tighthead. I think he is at least as good as Franks as a scrummager and is a lot better around the park. If they select Laulala ahead of Franks when he returns, it will be interesting to see if they choose to go with Franks off the bench or discard him from the 23 all together as there are other players who offer more impact when they come on.
Franks I don't think is an option off the bench he starts or he's not in the 23
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@wreck-diver it's 5 years ago, but he did a pretty fucken good job off the bench against Ireland!
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@bones said in Bledisloe II:
@wreck-diver it's 5 years ago, but he did a pretty fucken good job off the bench against Ireland!
I just think at this stage in his career he's a starter and our 1 tight head.
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe II:
@pakman This might be a controversial call but I believe Laulala has overtaken Franks as our no 1 tighthead. I think he is at least as good as Franks as a scrummager and is a lot better around the park. If they select Laulala ahead of Franks when he returns, it will be interesting to see if they choose to go with Franks off the bench or discard him from the 23 all together as there are other players who offer more impact when they come on.
Hasn’t the guy been injured for 12 months, so how does he suddenly leap frog Franks?
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@gunner said in Bledisloe II:
@akan004 said in Bledisloe II:
@pakman This might be a controversial call but I believe Laulala has overtaken Franks as our no 1 tighthead. I think he is at least as good as Franks as a scrummager and is a lot better around the park. If they select Laulala ahead of Franks when he returns, it will be interesting to see if they choose to go with Franks off the bench or discard him from the 23 all together as there are other players who offer more impact when they come on.
Hasn’t the guy been injured for 12 months, so how does he suddenly leap frog Franks?
No way Laulala is a better scrummager than Franks, but to me he is the next best we have, and capable of becoming world class, which I don't think applies to JTA, Ofa or Angus T. Much better runner than Franks, but then again so is most of the Fern! Once fit, it's realistic to see Laulala as starter from 2020 on, not before then.
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@gunner said in Bledisloe II:
@akan004 said in Bledisloe II:
@pakman This might be a controversial call but I believe Laulala has overtaken Franks as our no 1 tighthead. I think he is at least as good as Franks as a scrummager and is a lot better around the park. If they select Laulala ahead of Franks when he returns, it will be interesting to see if they choose to go with Franks off the bench or discard him from the 23 all together as there are other players who offer more impact when they come on.
Hasn’t the guy been injured for 12 months, so how does he suddenly leap frog Franks?
The same way Ngatai became our best 2nd 5 after Nonu left....
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@act-crusader said in Bledisloe II:
@gunner said in Bledisloe II:
@akan004 said in Bledisloe II:
@pakman This might be a controversial call but I believe Laulala has overtaken Franks as our no 1 tighthead. I think he is at least as good as Franks as a scrummager and is a lot better around the park. If they select Laulala ahead of Franks when he returns, it will be interesting to see if they choose to go with Franks off the bench or discard him from the 23 all together as there are other players who offer more impact when they come on.
Hasn’t the guy been injured for 12 months, so how does he suddenly leap frog Franks?
The same way Ngatai became our best 2nd 5 after Nonu left....
Playing for the chiefs?
