All Blacks vs Wales
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514">
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<p>I thought Savea was excellent when he came on but, after reading some comments on here and then watching game on replay, I was disappointed to see he wasn't wearing a red cape and shitting butterfly rainbows.</p>
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<p>The laser beam on his forehead was particularly effective, though</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514"><p>
Also in support of Cane, Tracey Nelson's stats has him on 32 first-three-to breakdown appearances, 11 ahead of the next best (Read and Kaino). And she doesn't count people turning up and doing nothing. <br><br>
I thought Savea was excellent when he came on but, after reading some comments on here and then watching game on replay, I was disappointed to see he wasn't wearing a red cape and shitting butterfly rainbows.</p></blockquote>
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Chief's fan ... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="587106" data-time="1465721584">
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<p>How much time does the guy need? He has been a professional rugby player for a good while now. <strong>As usual he showed poor (shocking) distance and variable accuracy.</strong> I hope Sopoaga gets a shot this series, there is little to separate those 2 in my mind, Cruden obviously a lot more experienced.</p>
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<p>Cruden's kicking wasn't terrible - he kicked 6 from 9 which is the same outcome as Biggar's 4 from 6. Biggar is an outstanding goalkicker and no-one is rushing to criticise him. Cruden's misses included a wide angled conversion (of J. Savea's try) and his first kick, a long kick (45-48m) which hit the posts but was well above crossbar height.</p>
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<p>As for your comment regarding "poor (shocking) distance" - Cruden was well short on one attempt (though not with another as stated above). He completely butchered that miss - the the second half penalty from a generous angle at about 45m tops - which is is unacceptable and a bit like a golfer getting under his drive. Fluffing a penalty attempt seems less acceptable than a conversion as no charge-down is allowed. In addition the game was tight at that time. I'm not sure why Cruden's technique seems to falter at times, but I though he struck 8 out of 9 kicks well.</p>
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<p>I thought his general play and field kicking were effective.</p> -
<p>If the only thing Sopoaga has over Cruden is goal kicking then that is not enough to get him the starting spot. We're not bloody England (no offense English posters), we want a first five that knows how to play attacking footy. There is none better then Cruden in that regard at the moment.</p>
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<p>Don't get me wrong, Sopoaga is class, but he's a level below Cruden at the moment.</p> -
<p>I think if there is one area Cruden may have over him, is the ability to read what is in front of him with ball in hand , </p>
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<p>And it is not that Lima is bad in this area ,he is pretty good too, i just think Cruden is exceptionally good, </p>
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<p>But Lima has goalkicking , and a harder running game , splitting hairs really, </p>
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<p>I think we probably need to see more of Lima at test level to really judge him </p> -
That break Cruden made that lead to Barnes having a brain snap was classic Cruden. Holding the ball up while the defense hung off, then ghosting through the gap. Just like the situation at 7 its great to have some depth (with experience) to fill in the massive hole left by two "goats".<br>
Would be nice if we could say the same about midfield. However once SBW comes back that might not be such an issue. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="587408" data-time="1465794799">
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<p>That break Cruden made that lead to Barnes having a brain snap was classic Cruden. Holding the ball up while the defense hung off, then ghosting through the gap. Just like the situation at 7 its great to have some depth (with experience) to fill in the massive hole left by two "goats".<br>
Would be nice if we could say the same about midfield. However once SBW comes back that might not be such an issue.</p>
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<p>The way you describe Cruden's running game is why he plays so well with SBW.</p> -
<p>when I re-watched that sweeping movement up the field, Cruden looked like he was just jogging along casually...but seems to move pretty rapidly still</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514">
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<p>Also in support of <strike>Cane </strike>Thorne, Tracey Nelson's stats has him on 32 first-three-to breakdown appearances, 11 ahead of the next best (Read and Kaino). And she doesn't count people turning up and doing nothing. </p>
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<p>Is it 2003 again? God, how many times was that sentence posted between 2002 - 2003. I'm pretty sure Redeye used to copy and paste it in after each AB game and adjust the figures. :)</p>
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<p>Interesting that she didn't include Cane's attempted tackle on Faletau as a 'slipped tackle'. Cane did a great job to even get there to attempt it (after Naholo fu*ked up), but surely it still counts as a slipped tackle??</p> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="587406" data-time="1465793615">
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<p>I think if there is one area Cruden may have over him, is the ability to read what is in front of him with ball in hand , </p>
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<p>And it is not that Lima is bad in this area ,he is pretty good too, i just think Cruden is exceptionally good, </p>
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<p>But Lima has goalkicking , and a harder running game , splitting hairs really, </p>
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<p>I think we probably need to see more of Lima at test level to really judge him </p>
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<p>Agree with all this and a reminder that if they're keen on that cross kick pass to the wingers, Lima does that better than all of them</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="587450" data-time="1465804096">
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<p>Agree with all this and a reminder that if they're keen on that cross kick pass to the wingers, Lima does that better than all of them</p>
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<p>Not sure you could do it any better than Cruden did it to Savea on Saturday....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="587452" data-time="1465804331">
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<p>Not sure you could do it any better than Cruden did it to Savea on Saturday....</p>
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<p>yeah but he fluffed at least two others from decent attacking ball</p> -
<p>problem is, had Lima been running the ship, the game may not have presented those opportunities....</p>
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<p>had 5 hours in the car today and spent alot of it listening to talkback...some funny stuff.</p>
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<p>One guy said that NZ arent that good, they are not an 80 minute team because they always rely on the bench to finish games for them!</p>
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<p>Was more venting about the All Whites though</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="587449" data-time="1465803966">
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<p>With Barrett the youngest nipping at their ankles, when the time comes around</p>
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<p>Christ almighty, let's all stop rubbing one out to a bloke who a ) hasn't played Super Rugby and b ) was a member of the first NZ team to lose to Ireland......</p>
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<p>Afterall the rest of the Whitelocks are pretty crap compared to Sammy boy.</p>
