TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98)
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@nzzp interesting...no keeping powder dry now!
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@taniwharugby said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@nzzp interesting...no keeping powder dry now!
It's one thing to know wha tthe ABs are going to do, it's another to rewire your game to defeat it.
Dollars to donuts this has been practised in camp since christmas. Wonder if it will last to the final
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Welcome to welly, JAFA
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12252169&ref=rss
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I reckon that inside back combination( at their best ) may be the best equiped on taking on the rush defence with both players naturally comfortable passing after they have taken the ball to the line, and that is why Sbw keeps getting opportunities.
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Big Karl and Big Patty T. look like significant losers with this selection.
Ofa and Angus as the bench props would be concerning for both Karl and Nepo Laulala, since it points a bit to one of those two missing the RWC cut - and since Karl hasn't been given a run, maybe it's him in the gun.
Not picking a specialist lock on the bench and instead two two loosies would be pretty concerning for Tuipolotou, who's definitely 4th lock at best once Barrett is fit. I'm pretty surprised that they didn't choose Hemopo instead of Fifita, but this might be a pointer towards the pecking order in that regard as well. I think the AB selectors have mainly picked Fifita ahead of Hemopo?
I can also be colored pretty surprised that Todd is starting and neither Cane nor Ardie is in the 23.
Richie at 10, Beaudy at 15 is a very big call - it's exciting - but, hope neither of them gets injured! Not sure what the "significant" injury rate is for the starting XV in test rugby, but it must be more than one player per game.
Big game for SBW I think - needs to show he's worth persisting with.
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@Bovidae said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
5 am Thu morning is when the AB team is officially released. All is good in the world.
You would think that when the real team is announced that the token Chief and token Highlander in the pack named by @SouthernMann is just a hoax....
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I like the TJP/RM and BB at 15 combo if true. If it clicks it could be our best combination as A Smith's form has dropped off and TJP has improved, while RM is the form 10 right now.
If Todd has a great game then I'll be happy but think it could be a waste of a pick. At the very least he will be reliable in his work-rate but against a big Saffa pack I'm not sure if he can bring the right level of physicality.
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@Chris-B said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
Not picking a specialist lock on the bench and instead two two loosies would be pretty concerning for Tuipolotou, who's definitely 4th lock at best once Barrett is fit.
Patty T is safe to me. He is just locked in a weird position where he can't force play his way into the match day 22 and there seems little appetite to supplant him as the fourth best lock. They need to take specialist lock coverage given Whitelock/Rettalick will be carried in the squad if injured early but still have the potential of coming right for a semi or final.
He is a bit years Colin Slade, needs a modicum of game time to keep him fit, but otherwise he can just sit tight.
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Geez I'm with @Stargazer people really do underestimate Todd. He's a quality performer.
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@Bones said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
Geez I'm with @Stargazer people really do underestimate Todd. He's a quality performer.
Todd is fine. If Todd is head and shoulders the best loosie in your pack then you have a problem.
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@rotated said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@Bones said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
Geez I'm with @Stargazer people really do underestimate Todd. He's a quality performer.
Todd is fine. If Todd is head and shoulders the best loosie in your pack then you have a problem.
Said nobody to the Crusaders.
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@Bones yeah - Todd is bloody good. But I’ll be happier if your team is as advertised than I will be if Cane and/or Ardie are in the 23.
I think the boks will be looking to Marx, Kitshoff, Duane, Kwagga and Louw to really pressure your breakdown.
Todd’s a menace in his own right, but I’m hoping that’s one place we have an edge. Fuck know’s we’ll need it, If we have any hope of containing your attack. Really didn’t like the look of the Argie’s tackle stats against what seems to me a less threatening backline.
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@Bones said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
Geez I'm with @Stargazer people really do underestimate Todd. He's a quality performer.
Yes he is, but he doesn't dominate in the way Cane and Ardie do.
