All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II
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@nzzp said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
@nepia said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
I definitely have to check out Ardie's game on my rewatch because on first watch he didn't stand out to me and I wouldn't have him near the MOTM poll voting but I see a number of posters are picking him in the thread.
I agree with you - don't think he was spectacular
Me either I thought he was a bit quiet.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
@act-crusader said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
Sami, Ardie, DMac
Next best: Ioane, Moody, Jordie
I thought about Dmac but it was mainly because he didn't do anything stupid. I'd have probably given him my fourth or fifth vote (edit: Ardie probably gets fourth as he was very accurate - equally highest number of runs (11) and 9 made none missed), but I went with Sami, Rieko, and Jordie. The first is obvious, the second is to do with his potency on attack (most metres with 97, plus 3 defenders beaten) even though he is still a bit inaccurate, and the third is because Jordie beat more defenders than any other (6), gave two offloads, made the tackles he needed to (3 made, none missed), caught his high balls, and made his kicks. He still does stupid things (that fucking free kick for example) so it wasn't perfect but I thought he showed that he should be at 15 next week.
I wouldn't vote DMac either, didn't make many obvious mistakes, however the guy constantly runs to close to the line before passing and was still obvious in the second half, by doing so completely ruins any fluid backline move and doesn't allow his centres and wings enough opportunity. If the defence comes up quick out wide then you have no option but he completely takes options out of play at ten.
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Funny how we all see (or don't see) different things.
I went for Blackadder because of his industry and effort. Throwing yourself around like he did will result in a few errors but on the whole was a big contributor to the tackle area and allowing us to play how we wanted.
Taukeiaho for similar reasons. Got us going forward at the right moments.
My third went to TJP. Have never been a big fan but he has seemingly matured while in Japan and has stopped basing his game on talking. Has stepped up big time in Smith's absence.Reading some of the other comments I do wonder if some here actually watch what DMac has done in the last two games or are simply waiting for him to do a 'told you so' . His distribution is crisper and hitting the right spot way more than BB or RM have been doing. I still place him at third in the pecking order but I'd love to be in the backs with him passing. He puts the ball right in front of where you want to be running at the right moment. His timing and vision in that regard are excellent. That's a massive part in asking questions of the defence and tiring them out. BB in comparison tends to pass at the man.
I suspect that the coaches have pointed out to DMac that is his best point at this level and that he'll contribute more to the team concentrating on that than looking for knockout punches where others aren't necessarily on the same page.
I think he and Jordan are developing the kind of understanding that he used to have in Super with James Lowe, which if true, could give us some excitement. -
I'll have to rewatch it but Samsoni was attracting several defenders at a time, not going backwards and solid with ball security, given last week they gave Akira a lot of 2 tackler attention it would be rather mouthwatering to see them both on the field.
