All Blacks vs Fiji 2
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OK, watched with a 20 minute delay, but that was way better from the ABs - apart from the first 15 minutes which were shite. Far fewer mistakes and there was a lot more control in possession, some of the forward attacking play near the try-line was up there with what we had a few years back under the GOAT. Fiji defend like a lot of NH teams and that control was great to see.
Lots more physicality up front and 6/7/8 went really well. Jacobson was the pick for me but Akira was doing loads of un-noticed stuff. Ardie was on fire at times and it'll be interesting to see how he goes against a stronger team like Oz in a few weeks time.
I liked the 10/12/13 combination. ALB did OK in his first game after injury and against a pretty awesome defence and DH may have nailed down the 12 spot. Hope Foster sticks with this
Reiko's best game in Black for ages and if Jordan is out for a while then it's Reece & him as the starting wingers, if not the Reiko on the bench. DMac was average tonight on attack, but, jeez, his defence is exceptional. Think BB's my first choice with JB and DMac fighting for the bench slot - I'd go with DMac as he covers more positions.
Big question for me is: is this Foster's best starting XV and does he realise it?
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@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@chris-b said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@canes4life said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@frank lol I’ve had that pic for years.
Savea is perfectly fine as a 7 at international level. The problem at the World Cup is he had next to no time in that position leading into the Semi Final and was surrounded by an aging Read who you could argue shouldn’t have been there anyway.
Bullshit that he’s not upto it against the bigger teams. Are you blind, he’s been dominant tonight and I wouldn’t say Fiji are small.
With Cane out all year it’s going to be hard bringing him back if Savea and Papali’i dominate.
I hate to break this to you - because it turned out I was wrong...but, I distinctly heard Foster say midweek that Ardie is an 8 for us, but he can also play 7.
He can, but not as well as Jacobson and Sotutu, so he should shelve that idea.
Yeah agree Ardie looks good at 7 and Jacobsen has a massive work rate at 8 he has impressed.
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@chris-b that statement only further proves Foster is out of his depth as ABs coach.
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My very real fear is that Cane comes back and savea is in to 8, where he really isn't very good.
Savea at 7 is pretty sweet, even if not big on the ground today.
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This post is deleted!
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@victor-meldrew pretty close to it but swap Jordie for DMac IMO.
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@chris said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
OK, watched with a 20 minute delay, but that was way better from the ABs - apart from the first 15 minutes which were shite. Far fewer mistakes and there was a lot more control in possession, some of the forward attacking play near the try-line was up there with what we had a few years back under the GOAT. Fiji defend like a lot of NH teams and that control was great to see.
Lots more physicality up front and 6/7/8 went really well. Jacobson was the pick for me but Akira was doing loads of un-noticed stuff. Ardie was on fire at times and it'll be interesting to see how he goes against a stronger team like Oz in a few weeks time.
I liked the 10/12/13 combination. ALB did OK in his first game after injury and against a pretty awesome defence and DH may have nailed down the 12 spot. Hope Foster sticks with this
Reiko's best game in Black for ages and if Jordan is out for a while then it's Reece & him as the starting wingers, if not the Reiko on the bench. DMac was average tonight on attack, but, jeez, his defence is exceptional. Think BB's my first choice with JB and DMac fighting for the bench slot - I'd go with DMac as he covers more positions.
Big question for me is: is this Foster's best starting XV and does he realise it?
Big question for me is: is this Foster's best starting XV and does he realise it?
This is the big worry for me . is he going to pull out some stupid selection for The Australia game on August 7 -
@chris hope they pick this team for Bled 1
- De Groot
- Coles
- Laulaula
- Retaillick
- Whitelock
- Ioane
- Savea
- Jacobsen
- Smith
- Mo’unga
- Reece
- Havili
- Leniert-Brown
- Jordan
- J Barrett
- Taylor
- Bower
- Ta’avao
- S Barrett
- Papali’i
- Webber
- B Barrett
- Ioane
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@victor-meldrew I'm not sure that DMac covers more positions than jordie. Jordie had played in every position 10 out for the ABs, most starting, but midfield as a replacement. DMac doesn't cover the midfield or wing
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@canes4life said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@chris hope they pick this team for Bled 1
- De Groot
- Coles
- Laulaula
- Retaillick
- Whitelock
- Ioane
- Savea
- Jacobsen
- Smith
- Mo’unga
- Reece
- Havili
- Leniert-Brown
- Jordan
- J Barrett
- Taylor
- Bower
- Ta’avao
- S Barrett
- Papali’i
- Webber
- B Barrett
- Ioane
Don’t mind that at all the best 23 for sure I Reckon.
I am hoping Foster sees it but I will be on the edge of the couch selection week. -
@machpants said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew I'm not sure that DMac covers more positions than jordie. Jordie had played in every position 10 out for the ABs, most starting, but midfield as a replacement. DMac Durant cover the midfield or wing
In a tight game JB with a big boot to get us out of the shit maybe very useful.
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@chris said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@machpants said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew I'm not sure that DMac covers more positions than jordie. Jordie had played in every position 10 out for the ABs, most starting, but midfield as a replacement. DMac Durant cover the midfield or wing
In a tight game JB with a big boot to get us out of the shit maybe very useful.
Especially if he’s kicking past the ten metre line on his side.
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@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@chris said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@machpants said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew I'm not sure that DMac covers more positions than jordie. Jordie had played in every position 10 out for the ABs, most starting, but midfield as a replacement. DMac Durant cover the midfield or wing
In a tight game JB with a big boot to get us out of the shit maybe very useful.
Especially if he’s kicking past the ten metre line on his side.
Yep pretty handy in a tight arm wrestle.
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@chris said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@machpants said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew I'm not sure that DMac covers more positions than jordie. Jordie had played in every position 10 out for the ABs, most starting, but midfield as a replacement. DMac Durant cover the midfield or wing
In a tight game JB with a big boot to get us out of the shit maybe very useful.
It's a fine line and I'd be happy with either, TBH. DMac's boot isn't that much smaller, and I think he shades the Giraffe on defence.
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@chris said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@machpants said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew I'm not sure that DMac covers more positions than jordie. Jordie had played in every position 10 out for the ABs, most starting, but midfield as a replacement. DMac Durant cover the midfield or wing
In a tight game JB with a big boot to get us out of the shit maybe very useful.
It's a fine line and I'd be happy with either, TBH. DMac's boot isn't that much smaller, and I think he shades the Giraffe on defence.
His track back and turnover was brilliant to watch.
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I'd like to see Jordan get a shot at fullback. I think Mo'unga plays better at 10 when BB is not at fullback, but Dmac and Jordie haven't been convincing. Of the fullbacks in the squad, Jordan is the only one who hasn't worn the ABs 15 jersey yet. Let's play him there and see how he goes.
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@machpants said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew I'm not sure that DMac covers more positions than jordie. Jordie had played in every position 10 out for the ABs, most starting, but midfield as a replacement. DMac Durant cover the midfield or wing
Fair point. But I'd much prefer DMac covering a pivotal position like 10 to Jordie.
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@chris said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@machpants said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew I'm not sure that DMac covers more positions than jordie. Jordie had played in every position 10 out for the ABs, most starting, but midfield as a replacement. DMac Durant cover the midfield or wing
In a tight game JB with a big boot to get us out of the shit maybe very useful.
It's a fine line and I'd be happy with either, TBH. DMac's boot isn't that much smaller, and I think he shades the Giraffe on defence.
I like D Mac as well respect his toughness for a small man.
I like the physical presence of JB a bit more but he has his weak areas as well.
