Japan v All Blacks

[ACT Crusader]

@No-Quarter I’d say we have about 17 or 18 guys that could be in our top XV and we don’t necessarily lose anything. Beyond that we are still in unknown territory with a number of players.

On Japan, they are a pretty disciplined side in terms of how they maintain their defensive pattern. They played really well tonight and they had a couple of standout performers. Well done to them and their coaches.

[Machpants]

Tackling was 77%

[Tim]

Worst moment of the game was early on, when Sotutu kicked down field into space off turnover ball and there was no support for him. Absolutely terrible kick chase from Reece and the rest. 100% should have been a try or penalty.

[Frank]

@Tim said in Japan v All Blacks:

The Ioane/Papalii/Savea trio wasn't perfect, but the defence was a hell of a lot better than that. Start them every big game until the world cup.

You're not a Blue supporter by any chance?

[Tim]

@Frank Have you seen a better defensive performance than that from us in recent times? No tries until Mounga was charged down in the 2nd half, then not another until almost full time when the subs were on.

[Frank]

@Tim said in Japan v All Blacks:

@Frank Have you seen a better defensive performance than that from us in recent times? No tries until Mounga was charged down in the 2nd half, then not another until almost full time when the subs were on.

And against the might of Japan no less!

[Tim]

@Frank I'm talking about the game against Australia? Did you watch it? None of those players started today.

[Tim]

Anyway, can't see us going far next year while handicapped by MacLeod's terrible, and terribly antiquated, defensive plans.

[canefan]

@Tim said in Japan v All Blacks:

Anyway, can't see us going far next year while handicapped by MacLeod's terrible, and terribly antiquated, defensive plans.

I still don't know how he survived the axe

[canefan]

Still time to bin McLeod after the EOYT

[Tim]

Lomax and Tu'ungufasi looked good when they came on. We have three good props now (de Groot).

[Tim]

What's the best team available for the next game?

1 de Groot
2 Taukei'aho
3 Lomax
4 Barrett
5 Whitelock
6 Ioane
7 Papalii
8 Savea
9 Smith
10 Mo'unga
11 Clarke
12 Barrett
13 Ioane
14 Jordan
15 Barrett

16 Coles
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Laulala
19 Tuipulotu
20 Sotutu
21 Christie
22 ALB
23 Perofeta

It would be great to have Tu'ungufasi as the bench tight head (Laulala is set piece only), but loose head reserves are chop too. Newall has been poor so far. Too young.

[Victor Meldrew]

@Tim said in Japan v All Blacks:

Lomax and Tu'ungufasi looked good when they came on. We have three good props now (de Groot).

Would be good if we could say the same about 9's. I think we'd be stuffed if Nugget gets injured. Christie is good off the bench but looked slow today. Fakatava's injury could really hurt us.

[taniwharugby]

Scanning this thread I'm glad I didn't watch...

[Kiwiwomble]

Biggest take away was how much I enjoy watching Japan play, they just seem to love playing

[Tim]

Just a reminder that we conceded 31 points against Japan. I assume that's another record.

Defence wins big games, and MacLeod still has a job ... Madness.

[chimoaus]

Fuck Marc Ellis must have had some skills to score 6 tries vs Japan.

[sparky]

@Victor-Meldrew The way things are going, I can see TJP back in the All Black squad as backup 9. Is Willi Heinz going to be available for the RWC? I think he might be a better bet than Christie too.

[Tim]

@Victor-Meldrew Well Hodgman was the standout loose head in Super Rugby, was very good in 2020 for the ABs, but seems to have been banished from any rep teams since then. Something is rotten ...

[Tim]

Frizzell's defence is always poor, but at least this year he has been good at link play and cleaning attacking rucks. Awful at both today. Really regressed to form.