Italy v All Blacks
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@Halfback said in Italy v All Blacks:
@kev I have seen some things from Fihaki which made me think he could be a prospect, but not in front of Narawa, and not yet. He needs 1 or 2 more super rugby seasons, and good ones at that.
Talea needs to get out onto his wing too, going looking for work is ok sometimes but he's always snooping around rucks being a scab when the try is on. It barely ever works though.
This. Fihaki is a good prospect, but Nawara definitely deserves a shot first. I’ve been a Reece fan in the past, but he’s not up to it.
Outside of Caleb, I’m not 100% convinced on any of the other positions - Jordie hasn’t progressed (or is unbalanced with the players around him), Reiko just doesn’t seem to have the game awareness or distribution to thrive at 13, Telea is a bit slippery, but lacks pace. Jordan is a rockstar, but seems to struggle with some of the fullback fundamentals, 10 I would continue to develop DMac for the time being. It’s patently obvious BB isn’t the answer moving forward, his structural play and field kicking just isn’t up to it. Still a great skills/instinct player though, so would keep him in the squad. -
I'm not a big believer in world rugby rankings, but just to put this win in perspective, at 9, Fiji is ranked one above Italy.
I don't think France are only 4th, by the way. -
@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
I'm not a big believer in world rugby rankings, but just to put this win in perspective, at 9, Fiji is ranked one above Italy.
I don't think France are only 4th, by the way.Scotland are above England and Wales and that’s all that matters.
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@MN5 said in Italy v All Blacks:
Scotland are above England and Wales and that’s all that matters.
and with recent changes, their odds are firming against the Wallabies.
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
@MN5 said in Italy v All Blacks:
Scotland are above England and Wales and that’s all that matters.
and with recent changes, their odds are firming against the Wallabies.
Jeez look at you getting on the Scots bandwagon !
All aboard, plenty of room !
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What happened to Levi Aumua, by the way, was he a one trick pony or just not well used at the Crusaders?
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@MN5 said in Italy v All Blacks:
Jeez look at you getting on the Scots bandwagon !
All aboard, plenty of room !
I've been on the Scottish bandwagon ever since that time I won't mention in a Highlands castle. But I'll still give you shit for supporting them. It's the Scottish way.
But Wallabies are a hard team to predict this year. Recent injuiries won't have helped them as they still don't have much depth.
Now back to kicking the deflating corpse of freeflowing, spectacular NZ rugby.. -
@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
I'm not a big believer in world rugby rankings, but just to put this win in perspective, at 9, Fiji is ranked one above Italy.
I don't think France are only 4th, by the way.And also, a Samoan 2nd string side beat this Italy side a few months back too.
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
What happened to Levi Aumua, by the way, was he a one trick pony or just not well used at the Crusaders?
Both?
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
What happened to Levi Aumua, by the way, was he a one trick pony or just not well used at the Crusaders?
Both. The Crusaders always tried to work him into the action off about 3rd or 4th phase until they finall realised that he's a player that you just give the ball to him to smash you through the advantage line and then look to play off him.
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
So how would you rank De Groot and Williams at the moment? Or is it difficult to tell?
Both world class scrummaging props that put us in a good position for next few years.
Williams edges him around the field a little but feel Ethan is maligned a lot more than he deserves on the part... either way both will be destroying opposition front rows for the next few years -
@Nepia watched the first half, and Rieko always gets the ball and the tackler. The same can be said for most of our backline passing. We are obsessed with tight pop passing to cut through the line. It's rarely pretty or effective. One guy who consistently seems to run nice lines and gets space is Will Jordan
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@canefan said in Italy v All Blacks:
@Nepia watched the first half, and Rieko always gets the ball and the tackler. The same can be said for most of our backline passing. We are obsessed with tight pop passing to cut through the line. It's rarely pretty or effective. One guy who consistently seems to run nice lines and gets space is Will Jordan
It especially looks ugly in tough NH conditions.
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@African-Monkey said in Italy v All Blacks:
@canefan said in Italy v All Blacks:
@Nepia watched the first half, and Rieko always gets the ball and the tackler. The same can be said for most of our backline passing. We are obsessed with tight pop passing to cut through the line. It's rarely pretty or effective. One guy who consistently seems to run nice lines and gets space is Will Jordan
It especially looks ugly in tough NH conditions.
To be fair, playing in zero degrees doesn't sound great
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Ok now I see why they like BB
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360497399/all-blacks-player-ratings-ethan-de-groot-beauden-barrett-shine-scrappy-win-over-italyReads like a different game to this thread though.
And WTF?"22. David Havili (Lienert-Brown, 62min): A couple of decent touches, and very handy tackle on Ioane. 6"
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@canefan said in Italy v All Blacks:
@Nepia watched the first half, and Rieko always gets the ball and the tackler. The same can be said for most of our backline passing. We are obsessed with tight pop passing to cut through the line. It's rarely pretty or effective. One guy who consistently seems to run nice lines and gets space is Will Jordan
It's the ABs DNA, according to Wayne Smith.
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@nostrildamus said in Italy v All Blacks:
Ok now I see why they like BB
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360497399/all-blacks-player-ratings-ethan-de-groot-beauden-barrett-shine-scrappy-win-over-italyReads like a different game to this thread though.
And WTF?"22. David Havili (Lienert-Brown, 62min): A couple of decent touches, and very handy tackle on Ioane. 6"
Sounds like Razors innovative ‘tackle a teammate’ initiative
