Bledisloe #2
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@BerniesCorner said in Bledisloe #2:
Steven Hansen smarter than Steven Jones
I have a chicken that is smarter than Stephen Jones (actually I have 6 chickens that are, and I only have 6 chickens).
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@Machpants said in Bledisloe #2:
@jegga nope, as was pointed out in the commentary blog, she's the only national leader around who doesn't get booed
Weird , I'm seeing reports she did when she went up for the Bledisloe presentation and the Guardian saying she didn't when she was introduced earlier.
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@mariner4life Yeah they seemed to drop their heads once Leali'ifano missed those penalties when they were in control. They also should have scored before he missed his 2nd kick.
Well done and great to see a lot of guys put their hands up and it's been long overdue (people will say keeping the powder dry etc.), but this is to be expected against an average Aussie outfit with all respect who got a touch up not long ago by a 2nd string Springbok side.
So, is that the end of Franks and Bender? I think yes for Franks who has had a great career but he's slowed down dramatically and doesn't look like he has another gear left in him. Bender I'd take as I feel that he still has something to offer and I'm still not fully convinced by Mo'unga and BB despite it going better this week. I still prefer it happening in the 2nd half of big tests against more tired opposition but if they go with it then so be it.
Tuipulotu or Scott Barrett? I think both will go and although I feel Tuipulotu offers more when in full flight and is more dominating in the contact as was shown last night, Barrett at this stage may get the gig on the bench (assuming Retallick is back) because he can cover 6 with Todd as the other loosie on the bench. We don't really need Todd and I'd rather we had someone who can cover everywhere (mainly 6 or no.8) in the back row like Papali'i/Jacobsen/Akira (I know his name is forbidden on here these days for obvious reasons) as we already have 2 great 7s in the squad but again, if he goes then so be it.
What do we do with the midfield? Plenty of decent options there. Goodhue would almost be a certainty at 13 if fit (or is he), but inside him will always be up for debate. I think they go with SBW but either way I'm not fussed. ALB was awesome last night and has the ability to play both 12 and 13 equally as well. I don't think even the coaches know who they're gonna go with there, it really is a tough one. I guess they'll take Crotty as back up as well with Laumape missing out.
What do we do with our back 3? Before the test last night I would have said Ben Smith, Ioane and JB and I would still stick to it in big tests as those NH sides are really gonna test us under the high ball but lets be honest here, the RM/BB combo is here to stay so the big debate remains as to who we're gonna pick on the wings. Reece and Bridge were both outstanding last night that can't be denied, but for defensive purposes, I'd still have Rieko and JB on the wings. Yes I know nothing got past Bridge and Reece last night, but we're gonna have much tougher tests to come and 1 test where the Aussies went back to their old ways doesn't change my opinion on that. Rieko will come right (he hasn't really been that bad tbh), and despite JB being hated by a lot of people rightly or wrongly, he still remains a very good player in my eyes and a very solid bet on the right wing and also made some big defensive plays out there yesterday when he came on.
Then there are other debates such as Moli or Tu'inukuafe. For me, it's a no brainer, Tu'inukuafe goes. He's performed there before and is currently playing very well in the Mitre 10 Cup after suffering with his health during the Super Rugby season. Moli is a project player who has barely done anything to be there in the first place and should be back learning his trade at the lower levels before coming back.
Who starts out of Coles and Taylor. I'm a huge fan of Codie Taylor and although he's probably behind a fully fit Coles, that may change if Coles continues to do dumb shit like he did last night. Throwing White around like he did was unneessary and will cost us in more important situations so again, Coles is probably slightly ahead at this stage, but that could easily change. Who gets the third spot? Probably Harris. Coltman is good over the ball but can't throw to save his life and Aumua is far too raw if an injury happens. I like the kid but he needs to learn his trade at the lower levels similar to Atu Moli, so Harris probably gets it by default.
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@Siam said in Bledisloe #2:
Reece continues to remind me of Nehe. Jinky, dangerous, similar little man defence, and even same top end pace😉
Nehe was superb in 2015 and if Reece can match that, then we've got another genuine try scoring threat for defences to worry about.
And like NMS his defense is a bit of a worry. I'd take Bridge on the right and Rieko on the left if we are starting Beauden at 15.
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@jegga said in Bledisloe #2:
@Machpants said in Bledisloe #2:
@jegga nope, as was pointed out in the commentary blog, she's the only national leader around who doesn't get booed
Weird , I'm seeing reports she did when she went up for the Bledisloe presentation and the Guardian saying she didn't when she was introduced earlier.
Probably that nasty old queen from Australia, Alan Jones.
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@No-Quarter Yeah the Semi against the Boks where Du Preez kicked to him all day and Habana literally out jumped NMS every time. It proved to be irrelevant in the end but would have been talked about a lot more had we lost.
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Can't be bothered reading the whole thread and Im more a league and NFL man but who is our third first five option? Remember hearing earlier in the year that Cruden might be sign with NZRU in time for RWC.
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@Sneakdefreak Josh Ioane.
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@African-Monkey yup that's what worries me. People forget how damn close that game was, it was real trench warfare.
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@No-Quarter That's why I'd have JB on the right wing, and yes, I'm still shocked to this day that the Boks threw long with 10 to go 5 metres out and missed the target when I was certain they would go to their strength and go to front and rumble over or at the very least, win a penalty for Pollard to knock over because he wasn't missing that day.
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@African-Monkey said in Bledisloe #2:
@No-Quarter That's why I'd have JB on the right wing, and yes, I'm still shocked to this day that the Boks threw long with 10 to go 5 metres out and missed the target when I was certain they would go to their strength and go to front and rumble over or at the very least, win a penalty for Pollard to knock over because he wasn't missing that day.
Jordie is outstanding under the high ball but he's been really inconsistent this year, for both the Canes and the ABs. Some great mixed in with some awful, we can't afford brain farts in a tight knockout game.
That said, Bridge doesn't have a heap of experience either. The right wing spot is wide open.
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@No-Quarter said in Bledisloe #2:
@African-Monkey yup that's what worries me. People forget how damn close that game was, it was real trench warfare.
Yeah I was, and still am, of the opinion that leaving Charles Piutau out of the 2015 squad for two rookies was a mistake. NMS provided some good highlights, but was a liability in our one stinker of a knockout game.
Big difference to this time though, Piutau was absolutely awesome back then, in 2019 we have guys who are flat, mediocre, or maybe just gotten too old.
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@No-Quarter Yeah I get that. I do feel though that if he's told at he'll be playing in the one position instead of being thrown around everywhere, then we'll see the best of him. He gets my (irrelevant) vote to start on the right wing and is still a very good player in my eyes.
