All Blacks XV v Barbarians
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks XV v Barbarians:
@cgrant said in All Blacks XV v Barbarians:
Lack of physicality up front for the AB XV. Christie was everywhere but he is not strong enough to be effective. Jacobson was outmuscled by Mercer. Gardiner was good in open play but was nowhere to be seen in the tight exchanges. Tamaiti Williams is not a tight head prop. Even in the NPC, he was not at ease on this side of the scrum. He should concentrate on the loose head IMO but with Jager out, I fear the Crusaders will use him on the tight head as they have Moody (?), Bower and Brewis for the Nr.1 jersey. McAllister had a game to forget. Makalio did better when he came in. Dickson was very good during the first spell before fading during the second. I was expecting more from PT. A few strong carries though. Aidan Ross was solid but failed to show that he is AB material. Cortima brought his dynamism and strength when he came in. He was pretty good. DMac tried too much at times, but we are used to it. He showed a few moments of sheer brilliance, such as his pass for the first try and his kick for Stevenson. The latter again showed his class but seemed lost at times. His positioning was caught badly a few times. He is a better wing than fullback IMO. Nankivell was outstanding till his injury. Sullivan did well when he came in and showed his pace. Aumua and Heem were mostly anonymous. All in all, it seems that the team lineup against Ireland A was far better, particularly in the loose forwards.
Well summarised. MMT more impactful than Jacobson at 8 IMO.
NZ XV did well considering they were so behind with 2 yellow cards.
Ngatai waddles like a burst duck but still made incisive 'runs' - weird to watch.
Also weird-Christie looked like a boy AND an old man!
Yes Razors team looked better coached - did he really only have 2 weeks?From time Maori Jesus did reply haka we woz doomed.
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First 5 minutes.
Aumua and Nankivell with some great appearances, Christie walks into a ruck standing up and gets blown out for the turnover, Stevenson then shows ridiculous talent and pumps it 60 odd from the Marler kick.
Then Nankivell and DMac combine smoothly to put Heem over with an accuracy we're dying to see at the next level...
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Halftime.
The good:
Nankivell and Aumua looking very comfortable indeed,
Dickson with some good aggression.
Stevenson stevensoning.
DMac on attack.The bad:
Williams and Christie well and truly out of their depth.
Tuipulotu, Jacobson and Faingaanuku invisible.The where:
Is razor. -
