All Blacks v Argentina II
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As I suspected, they've returned to what they think is their top team this weekend (bar injuries) whereas last week they were giving players rest with an eye to SA, and giving some of the bench players more minutes.
That said, I really don't agree with their top team in a number of areas.
Loose forwards is the most obvious one, with Blackadder selected at 6 again despite him struggling there at this level. Dalts and Cane should be fighting for the starting 7 jumper, neither are well suited to the bench. Blackadder and Sititi should be our options for the bench, and I favour Sititi for the impact he can bring as well as covering 8. My loosies would be 6. Finau 7. Dalts 8. Ardie with Sititi on the bench for impact.
At halfback, they identified Christie as a handbrake, but seem to be persisting with TJP who not only has exactly the same problem, but if fucking off to Japan. Ratima should be starting, and if they want experience on the bench in case things go pear shaped for Ratima then TJP could fill that role, but we really need to move on from him ASAP.
Jordie and Rieko have taken some heat recently, but are our best 12/13 pairing right now so I actually agree with their selections, the more they play together the better. ALB is the perfect bench option.
The back three looks good, Clarke the incumbent 11 and Jordan at 14 gives us some serious fire power that we've been lacking. Beauden at 15 is OK, but I would prefer him on the bench to close games but we don't have a lot of options there with Perofeta injured and Love a rookie. I know some Jordan fans will be dismayed to see another coach put him at 14 for the ABs, but I think that's the position where he can maximise his positives without exposing him defensively.
The tight five is what it is really due to injuries. SB and Pat T add a huge amount of grunt to the pack, and we are missing SB in the lineouts. Codie and Aumua is a really strong 1/2 punch at hooker so I am happy with them.
Overall it's a better team than last week, but injuries and ongoing selection issues leave us vulnerable again.
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On the positive side the changes on the wing should counter the kicking game. They went to Tele'a consistently at kickoffs and that target is gone now
Clarke should come in and do plenty of carries close to the ruck. Hopefully the forwards and large 12 decide to help out too
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
My takeaways from the starting XV.
I like the balance of the wingers better than Telea and Reece. Clarke and Jordan offer the Julian Savea/Ben Smith type balance.
Would you not start Ofa at loose head considering he’s been playing and Tamaiti hasn’t? Or are we just are just going throw another crusader straight into the starting xv who hasn’t played a lot of minutes at all this year….. not a shock. Thought having experience on the field would be a big thing in this game seeing as they harp on about how you can’t replace experience.
Shocked TJP is still starting, would prefer Ratima but I guess this is his chance to step up as a leader and prove why he should still be in the 23.
A shame De Groot has hurt his neck. Hope it isn’t serious.
And that experience is very valuable to close out a test.
That what was I thought as well, then I remembered to close out a test we need to be leading… pretty bold from the coaches don’t you think?
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
Lol Perenara
it makes me feel like im missing something obvious...what im looking for in players seems very very different to what paid professionals are looking for or they see things i dont...doesnt help my connection with the team
It can only be experience. Theres definitely nothing else
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@Landers92 experience at what? being average?
thats harsh, been great in the past....but surely experience doesnt trump form
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
Lol Perenara
it makes me feel like im missing something obvious...what im looking for in players seems very very different to what paid professionals are looking for or they see things i dont...doesnt help my connection with the team
You aren't missing anything. Most coaches take a while to make changes and default to giving the experienced player another chance to prove themselves - even in the face of overwhelming evidence - especially coming off a loss. Equal parts frustrating and predictable.
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@KiwiMurph its just disaapointing, i feel razor would be cut more slack if he was doing something completely different...and we coped the odd loss early in his run....than just doing more or less the same stuff that wasn't working before
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I don't think Argentina will be flat at all. Judging by some interviews they are looking for a series win. They made it clear they want two in a row.
The AB team looks nothing more than a shuffling of the deck chairs. I can't see how things are going to different, unless they decide to change the plan up. But have they picked the cattle to change things up? I don't think they have.
I am still concerned about kick off reception. Surely the Argies will kick long, high and deep again. Given our under 13 level kicking distance our only option will be the high kick and chase. I suppose our new 11 and 14 will help in that regard but it obviuisly still needs TJ to be accurate.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
I note the hugely underwhelming big dumb lump at 12 remains completely imune from accountability?
Razor has backed himself into a corner by making Jordie vice captain and without captain Scott Barrett around he's even less likely to drop Jordie
Jordie needs to be a bit more assertive like we saw last year.
So he needs to run straighterer and harderer?
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@voodoo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
I note the hugely underwhelming big dumb lump at 12 remains completely imune from accountability?
Razor has backed himself into a corner by making Jordie vice captain and without captain Scott Barrett around he's even less likely to drop Jordie
Jordie needs to be a bit more assertive like we saw last year.
So he needs to run straighterer and harderer?
i think he also needs to work to get an offload in the tackle, we we really just want crash ball then we should run a loosie out there, backs should be looking to spark something
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@voodoo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
I note the hugely underwhelming big dumb lump at 12 remains completely imune from accountability?
Razor has backed himself into a corner by making Jordie vice captain and without captain Scott Barrett around he's even less likely to drop Jordie
Jordie needs to be a bit more assertive like we saw last year.
So he needs to run straighterer and harderer?
i think he also needs to work to get an offload in the tackle, we we really just want crash ball then we should run a loosie out there, backs should be looking to spark something
yes, this is my point - he is a one trick pony atm (well, 2 if you count running straight and running hard as 2 things) - I can count on one hand the times I've seen him offload, and I can count on zero fingers the times he has put an outside into space
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Reminder that Fozzie never lost a rugby championship
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Reminder that Razor has a 0% win rate in The Rugby Championship
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
imagine being the only openside in the country who can't get selected? soul destroying.
Imagine being the best blind side in the country who can't get selected...
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@canefan said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
imagine being the only openside in the country who can't get selected? soul destroying.
Imagine being the best blind side in the country who can't get selected...
well, it's the top 2 really.
The best #8 in Super Rugby is playing NPC, and of the two top 6s, one is holding tackle bags, and the other is playing NPC.
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@Jet said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@Jet said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@Bones said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@Jet said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
For Darry's try, which was basically McKenzie and Barrett breaking away, it's Blackadder right on Darry's shoulder as he scores. Massive props to Darry for being up there too by the way.
So what you're saying is that this tearaway loose forward with a big motor was beaten to the punch by a to date run of the mill lock known for doing the tight stuff and not exactly having pace? 😬
Thats exactly what im saying. And guess where our open side flanker was.
Standing on our own 22 with his hands on his hips.
Blackadder started from a deeper position than Papalii and Dalton didnt try a leg to get there.
Dalton top left, Darry with white head tape to the right. Blackadder just inside 22.
Watch the footage. Dalton just stops and puts hands on hips. Darry and Blackadder chase McKenzie's chip and chase, overtaking Perenara en route half way up the field. Darry looks fair quick for a lock in the footage. Well done to him.
Dalton top left with hands on hips while the rest of the Allblacks try and score a try. He is still ahead of Darry and Blackadder at this point.
This is so wrong it isn't funny. Like really, really stupid.
The moment DMc kicked that ball Papali'i was offside. If he went further upfield he would simply have to turn around and move backwards, thereby cancelling any movement upfield.
Blackadder is strongly advantaged by being behind DMc, which is why he too waited until he was almost level.
Papali'i did exactly the right thing, which was to conserve energy in a situation where he could be of no use.
If Darry chased the kick from ahead of the kicker, then he was offside and it was a stupid play by him.
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
Lol Perenara
it makes me feel like im missing something obvious...what im looking for in players seems very very different to what paid professionals are looking for or they see things i dont...doesnt help my connection with the team
I'm exactly the same mate, I really hoped / thought I would be able to understand Razors selections more than this... but TJP just ustterly baffles me...its literally like driving down the road with the handbrake not quite off....
