All Blacks vs Wales Test #2
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="589719" data-time="1466315198">
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<p>He seemed a good sort too, funny thing is for all the mocking he gets on the net I've never come across anyone who can point out a Ben Blair type game he had or specific howler he made. </p>
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<p>Well I think the team I picked typifies him and many Crusaders. Steady.....but with about as much spark as a firecracker in a torrential downpour.</p> -
<p>Cantabs can be very defensive at times. They need to realise that no-one really cares about them.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="589722" data-time="1466316115">
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<p>Cantabs can be very defensive at times. They need to realise that no-one really cares about them.</p>
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<p>Then why are you still going on about them?</p> -
<p>this is an AB v Wales thread right? </p>
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<p>You are all fluffybunnys! </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="589723" data-time="1466316689">
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<p>Then why are you still going on about them?</p>
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<p>Because you clowns clog up threads like this on how everyone hates you and how jealous everyone is of your success from the last decade when no-one cares.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="589725" data-time="1466316946">
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<p>Because you clowns clog up threads like this on how everyone hates you and how jealous everyone is of your success from the last decade when no-one cares.</p>
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<p>Ooooh, touchy about it a wee bit are we?</p> -
<p>Someone mentioned Moala-isn't he more a 12 than 13? (I believe he has played both at the Blues but 12s who go to 13 seem to be found out more-Lucky Luke, SBW not Crotty)..</p>
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Kudos to TJP for actually managing to check his supporting run, in the Savea try.
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Kinda lost interest in the "bias" discussion so this may have been said already, but on the centres I think Nonu and Conrad laid the blueprint with a 12 that can straighten the attack with a strong running game and a 13 that is very adept at linking with the outsides, making good decisions on when to pass etc. As it was by the end of their careers Nonu developed an outstanding linking game and Conrad greatly improved his ability to straighten the attack, making them the best 12-13 combo of all time, but I think the above blueprint is still the most effective. Which is why I far prefer Crotty at 13 with a more powerful ball runner inside him. He's a very good decision maker on both attack and defense, but he doesn't have such a dominant running game. I'd really like to see Fekitoa moved to 12 where we can use him for crash ball while he fine tunes the rest of his game. Defensively he will have more support with Cruds and Crotty either side of him telling him where to be as well.<br><br>
On that basis I see Crotty and Ngatai as our best bets at 13, and Fekitoa, Seta and later on SBW as our best bets at 12.<br><br>
Hansen - I hope you're reading this and taking notes. -
<p>I knew that Dagg was younger , </p>
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<p>But surprised they are on the same number of tests , it feels like Dagg has been around for ages and Smith has only recently replaced him </p> -
<p>I don't understand the complaining. I may have been watching through a fog of failed sobriety, but it looked like everyone played better than the week before, the Welsh included.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="589777" data-time="1466328272">
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<p>Anyone else find it slightly surprising to find Dagg and Ben Smith playing their 50th tests together - and that Israel is two years younger than Ben?</p>
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<p>Smith was only a peripheral AB in 2009-11 but has been a regular since 2012. Dagg was in the starting XV almost from his debut in 2010 until last year. In many ways their careers have been the inverse of eachother. </p>
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<p>Cruden and Barrett are on track to play their 50th tests at a similar time next year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="westcoastie" data-cid="589699" data-time="1466311086">
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<p><img src="http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_images/master/attachicon.gif" alt="attachicon.gif"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php?app=core&module=attach§ion=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=2040'>fwd pass.jpg</a></p>
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<p>Seems pretty clear that 1st Welsh try was forward. Even without my crude photoshopping skills, allowing for approximations of where the ball was released and received, it seems forward. </p>
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<p>Has there been much conversation on this?<br><br>
To the naked eye it looks forward. Is Wayne Barnes running that near touch-line. </p>
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<p>Look who the touch judge is?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="589788" data-time="1466331876"><p>Smith was only a peripheral AB in 2009-11 but has been a regular since 2012. Dagg was in the starting XV almost from his debut in 2010 until last year. In many ways their careers have been the inverse of eachother. <br>
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Cruden and Barrett are on track to play their 50th tests at a similar time next year.</p></blockquote>
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Peripheral in 2012 as well despite being for super Full-back 2011-2012. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="589775" data-time="1466327737">
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<p>I think Nonu and Conrad laid the blueprint with a 12 that can straighten the attack with a strong running game and a 13 that is very adept at linking with the outsides, making good decisions on when to pass etc. As it was by the end of their careers Nonu developed an outstanding linking game and Conrad greatly improved his ability to straighten the attack, making them the best 12-13 combo of all time, but I think the above blueprint is still the most effective. Which is why I far prefer Crotty at 13 with a more powerful ball runner inside him. He's a very good decision maker on both attack and defense, but he doesn't have such a dominant running game. I'd really like to see Fekitoa moved to 12 where we can use him for crash ball while he fine tunes the rest of his game. Defensively he will have more support with Cruds and Crotty either side of him telling him where to be as well.</p>
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<p>Don't forget how important a physical 12 is to support the 10. Nonu offered his 10s a crash ball bailout option if taking to the line wasn't working, and freed them up to reset for the next play. By the end of his career, Nonu had gone from a fast phyiscal player (who started on the wing for teh ABs remember), to the consumate 12</p>
<p>- physical</p>
<p>- skilled</p>
<p>- kicking capability</p>
<p>- defensive rock</p>
<p>- sublime passing game and distribution which (I reckon) turned into one of his most potent strengths</p>
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<p>asking for all that from new players is too much. Nonu was just sensational.</p>
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<p>Don't forget how he started his career, too. After the series vs Ireland in the mid 2000's, where he brutally missed BOD, many people said he'll never play for the ABs again. I couldn't disagree - looked flaky. Good coaches turn that around - he could have derailed, but instead went on to be one of the great 12s of all time.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pooler fan" data-cid="589394" data-time="1466242797">
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<p>Some good rugby played by both sides but Wales fell apart a little in defence in that 2nd half.<br>
Turning point was around the 50 minute mark when Naholo got away with a blatant yellow, a then that Warburton interception & Faletau dropped pass with the tryline beckoning. NZ then broke down field to score - a real 14 point turnaround.<br>
NZ irresistible at times, BB is a wonderful footballer as is Ben Smith & Dagg - these guys create space out of nothing. Fabulous players.</p>
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<p>Well done NZ. Another convincing win despite the late flurry from Wales.</p>
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<p>Once again quicker to react and take advantage of opportunities.</p>
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<p>Disappointing that Naholo didn't get a sit down for either/both offences.</p>
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<p>And hat off to Patchell. Questioned his selection, but proved me wrong.</p> -
Watching live at stadium I thought Faletau just had to catch it and he was in, 17-10 to Wales. Watching a replay on the telly the next day I was surprised to see he was still 40 out, isolated, and surrounded by faster defenders<br><br>
Another thing I noticed live and I was pretty much in line with from end on. When Petper stopped the game when the ball was passed over the prone Cruden - Wales had a 3 on 1. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="589813" data-time="1466365417">
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<p>Disappointing that Naholo didn't get a sit down </p>
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<p>Question for Mike and others (and genuinely not trolling) - what difference do you see between the first Naholo/Williams collision, and the second Naholo/Williams collision?</p>
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<p>I'm comfortable with both being ruled as penalties at worst, as they are two players contesting the ball in the air. However, that's not how these get ruled - basically if you are first off the ground, you are protected. Modern game, but seems uncertain - Stander got a red card for a late jump, and I recall Jared Payne copping a red for something fairly innocuous </p>
