RWC: All Blacks v South Africa (Pool B)
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Forecast for Yokohama for next Saturday evening is heavy rain.
Team I'd pick to take on the Boks:
Moody, Coles, Laulala, Whitelock, Tuitupolou, Savea, Cane, Read, A.Smith, B.Barrett, Ioane, Crotty, ALB, Bridge, B.Smith.
Bench: Taylor, Tu'ungafasi, Ta'avao, S Barrett, Todd, TJP, Mo'unga, GoodhueAgainst the Boks, it's all going to be about physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities.
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@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Against the Boks, it's all going to be about physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities.
As opposed to other sides, where we need not worry about those things? That's some top level analysis you have going there!
I reckon it's even simpler than "physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities". In my experience putting points on the board is the key.
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Forwards pretty obvious. Think they'll want Coles to be there for 50.
Could make a case for Smith/Mo'unga/SBW/Goodhue OR TJP/BB/Crotty/Goodhue, depending on emphasis, and injuries.
Bender to start at 15 or warm bench. Expect to see Rieko back, probably with Bridge on other wing. ALB logical midfield cover on bench.
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@sparky I'd say if Crotty is 12, Goodhue is 13, if ALB starts, Goodhue wont be in the 23 unless ALB is 12.
I think you have starting combos of SBW/ALB, SBW/Goodhue, SBW/Crotty, Crotty/Goodhue or the less likely combo, ALB/Goodhue....but any starting combo without Goodhue, Goodhue sits the match out completely.
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@Chester-Draws said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Against the Boks, it's all going to be about physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities.
As opposed to other sides, where we need not worry about those things? That's some top level analysis you have going there!
I reckon it's even simpler than "physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities". In my experience putting points on the board is the key.
I don't think it's about "physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities" but rather "discipline, physicality, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities". However, my mate reckons it's about "physicality, ruthlessly taking opportunities, composure and discipline" and I was talking to my Dad the other day and he reckons it's about "ruthlessly taking opportunities, physicality, composure and discipline."
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@Chester-Draws Honestly, mate if you're looking for "top-quality analysis", you should skip my posts.
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@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Chester-Draws Honestly, mate if you're looking for "top-quality analysis", you should skip
my poststhe Fern. -
@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Chester-Draws Honestly, mate if you're looking for "top-quality analysis", you should skip my posts.
Never a truer post...
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@No-Quarter said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Given we are highly unlikely to run teams off their feet in the first half, I prefer Smith at 15 and Beauden at 10 to start the test, then putting the dual playmaker role into action to finish the game.
I also have big concerns about Mo'unga starting when the heat is really on. He hasn't done well when our pack is on the back foot thus far in his career; think he is better utilised from the bench.
You probably dislike that two pivot formation as much as I dislike playing two opensides.
In all honesty, we probably need both of those things to be masterstrokes if we're going to win this RWC, because we don't have too many points of difference outside them.
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@Chris-B said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@No-Quarter said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Given we are highly unlikely to run teams off their feet in the first half, I prefer Smith at 15 and Beauden at 10 to start the test, then putting the dual playmaker role into action to finish the game.
I also have big concerns about Mo'unga starting when the heat is really on. He hasn't done well when our pack is on the back foot thus far in his career; think he is better utilised from the bench.
You probably dislike that two pivot formation as much as I dislike playing two opensides.
In all honesty, we probably need both of those things to be masterstrokes if we're going to win this RWC, because we don't have too many points of difference outside them.
Yeah, I’m not a huge fan of the dual opensides either. Smacking the Wallabies, while satisfying, didn’t really tell us a hell of a lot. Again in the 2nd 40 it could be master stroke as we run teams off their off their feet.
In summary: I’m worried about the first half against the big boys.
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The way some of you Nervous Nelly’s are going on it sounds like we are playing Ben Blair and DMac at 6 and 7 😀
Cane and Savea are fine in terms of their size. Just need to be a little more accurate at the breakdown. We haven’t historically won many turnovers at the breakdown against the Boks no matter who was playing, what we need is guys to slow the ball and then keep our own. That has more to do with timing and accuracy than their size.
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Dual opensides would provide a real speed advantage over Bok starters, who are slow. But if weather wet they will pound away to make most of size advantage.
In which case eliminating needless kicks back to them and ball retention generally wil be key.
Interesting on last Breakdown Foxy said unequivocally that Squire was the answer at 6. Also noted he's only available for a few weeks stint -- playoffs? -
@ACT-Crusader and decent clean outs.
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@pakman said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@ACT-Crusader and decent clean outs.
Our tight 5 aren’t shrinking violets when it comes to that.
Also one of the pleasing things that Savea has really developed over the last year is what Rodders became an expert at and that was shifting bodies. Still not up to where Rodders level, but has been more noticeable to me.
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@ACT-Crusader said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@pakman said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@ACT-Crusader and decent clean outs.
Our tight 5 aren’t shrinking violets when it comes to that.
Also one of the pleasing things that Savea has really developed over the last year is what Rodders became an expert at and that was shifting bodies. Still not up to where Rodders level, but has been more noticeable to me.
Agreed, but Franks brothers in Dublin still seems a high point (or maybe just a rosy memory).
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If my calculations are correct and what I have read is accurate, the team will be named at 9:45pm, Wednesday night...
.... unless @SouthernMann
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@Hooroo well given the timing of them naming the team to play Tonga, it is clear the rules have changed, maybe they wont even name a team at all?
