All Blacks v Wales Test #3

Provincial Stalwart

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="592098" data-time="1466975570">
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probably shoulda added the caveat to your praise of BB too then....?
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Don't worry TR, Barrett came in for some of my special brand of damning praise too. I stated he risked being seen as a flat track bully for beating up on Wales.

No Quarter

Thought Dixon's comments post-game were interesting. Said he felt fine on defense, but on attack he struggled to keep up, found himself out of position a bit. Think that shows the pace the All Blacks play the game - Wales play more like a SR team but the ABs are on a level above. IMO A Smith is the main reason for that, his speed to the ball and fast decision making are out of this world, I can imagine it would be hard to keep up playing alongside him, let alone trying to defend against it.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="592101" data-time="1466976587">
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I'm not sure whether it's "a lot [of my] posts" - this will be my 105th according to the counter , and I can't recall dozens and dozens of anti-Moala posts. Maybe one or two expressing reservations about him along the lines of his weakness being his distribution and some of his decision making post-break, which he displayed again on Saturday night along with many positives. If you make a break and then the team don't capitalise because you commit an error or make a wrong decision, then that's disappointing.
 
Moala is a very good line breaker (fatty in front of him or not) and has pretty good feet. He carved up Jonathan Davies in that line break in first half injury time from deep in our half. As I said before, he played well and took his chance. Of course I cannot forecast how another player would have done in his position in the same circumstances but I just think he was served up the proverbial armchair ride by the team's lift in performance (in comparison to the previous two weeks) and Wales' exhausted display. We were carving Wales up at will and Barrett and Dagg also made several breaks.
 
Moala's definitely in the mix for the RC squad and well done to him.
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Well Fekitoa and Taminuvula didn't do as well, I guess that was just circumstances conspiring against them though rather than Moala actually doing good.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="591596" data-time="1466847101">
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nothing, he just added fuck all, in stark contrast to his competitor PT.
 
fuck you are precious about Canterbury players
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Re Romano
 
He made Ofa T look good at scrum time that's not easy to do
 
 
but agree, PT is the better impact sub

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="592168" data-time="1466988039">
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Re Romano
 
He made Ofa T look good at scrum time that's not easy to do
 
 
but agree, PT is the better impact sub
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In seriousness though, I suspect that was a big factor in the decision, plus to give all locks game time. Over the course of the series Romano probably only played 15-20 minutes more than PT.
 
Whilst I think PT has provided superb impact off the bench and it's an amazing story his comeback, I'm also of the view that there's no need to rush him. Play the 30 yo and use his experience where necessary. PT is only 23. The guy has a good 8-9 years of test footy ahead of him.

bobily

I also don't think there is any need to rush Tuipulotu, but the selectors seem to view the bench as their own positions now. For example, Beauden Barrett is pretty much a specialist supersub (though whether this will continue is debatable - though I think it should and will). Same goes for Charlie Faumuina. I think, if you pick the squad with the specialist bench lock position in mind, then you have to go for Tuipulotu.
 
Another alternative is two loosies (Squire and Savea?) with Read going to lock. However, this perhaps leaves us a bit light on experience in the loose forwards, and they didn't try it out against Wales, so I wouldn't expect it for the RC.

taniwharugby

which begs the question, if BB claims the 10 jersey, does that push Cruden out or does he have a role as Impact player from the bench?

KiwiPie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="592074" data-time="1466945413">
<div>As others have said Cane didn't have his best game but should be better next time.
 
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Cane seemed to be trying to impose himself at the rucks a la Richie in the first half - like Richie he risked being penalised and he was - hence the yellow. Thought he came on strong once he was back on the field, lovely pass to Dane Coles, and the steal before Dagg's final strolling try. And he makes a lot of strong tackles (as do a fair few of the forwards). I sense a growing force on the internet for Ardie Savea but they really needed to start him in one of these games if they are thinking of throwing him into a RC match as starter.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiPie" data-cid="592271" data-time="1467005581">
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Cane seemed to be trying to impose himself at the rucks a la Richie in the first half - like Richie he risked being penalised and he was - hence the yellow. Thought he came on strong once he was back on the field, lovely pass to Dane Coles, and the steal before Dagg's final strolling try. And he makes a lot of strong tackles (as do a fair few of the forwards). I sense a growing force on the internet for Ardie Savea but they really needed to start him in one of these games if they are thinking of throwing him into a RC match as starter.
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Yeah Cane did well. If it was the GOAT getting penalised/carded like that we'd be congratulating him for playing on the edge ... although due to his mana he likely would get away without being carded.

Frank

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="592273" data-time="1467006126">
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Yeah Cane did well. If it was the GOAT getting penalised/carded like that we'd be congratulating him for playing on the edge.
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No we wouldn't. The whole point is not to get penalized. Or are you joking??

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="592273" data-time="1467006126">
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Yeah Cane did well. If it was the GOAT getting penalised/carded like that we'd be congratulating him for playing on the edge ... although due to his mana he likely would get away without being carded.
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Cane did a lot more the second time round. Lots of quality tackling, the sensational delayed pass to Dane Coles, and generally solid. Poor choices for the yellow though - cynical stupid stuff like that in front of the ref isn't great.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="592275" data-time="1467006380">
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No we wouldn't. The whole point is not to get penalized. Or are you joking??
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Well of course we wouldn't congratulate for getting penalised, playing on the edge = yes.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="592277" data-time="1467006389">
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Cane did a lot more the second time round. Lots of quality tackling, the sensational delayed pass to Dane Coles, and generally solid. Poor choices for the yellow though - cynical stupid stuff like that in front of the ref isn't great.
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dunno if I'd say the play that got him the YC was cynical, more clumsy IMO.
 
I expect penalties aside, he is playing to a game plan, and if he isnt playing to the coaches expectations, then there is this other fulla waiting in line who some think is the 2nd coming

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="592078" data-time="1466948260">
I'm happy for them to choose fb based on conditions. Thought Ben Smith was close to sensational in the RWC but as he moves to wing etc when BB comes on (unless BB seals the 10 spot) it seems to be fine as long as he is on the field (but preferably not midfield).</blockquote>We have a lot of flexibility right now. Dagg Smith NMS can all play wing and 15 at a pinch, and BB can play there too

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="592282" data-time="1467007302">
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dunno if I'd say the play that got him the YC was cynical, more clumsy IMO.
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Pulling the 9 into the ruck is stupid. Cynical, probalby - it's not the sort of thing that you achieve much with, and can get smashed for by the ref. Misguided might be a politer way of putting it

taniwharugby

rewatch it, I dont think his intention was to pull him (the 9) in, he was driving through head down, and he grabbed a player with his right arm to ensure he was bound and as he has pulled to get a bind what would normally be a bound forward, but it was the 9 who wasnt part of the ruck on the opposing side
 
That said, is a daft rule really, the Welsh did the exact same thing several minutes later but got away with it as it was Naholo who they pulled into the ruck, not the 9, happens all the time to those who are not wearing 9 on thier back.

Marty

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiPie" data-cid="592271" data-time="1467005581">Cane seemed to be trying to impose himself at the rucks a la Richie in the first half - like Richie he risked being penalised and he was - hence the yellow. Thought he came on strong once he was back on the field, lovely pass to Dane Coles, and the steal before Dagg's final strolling try. And he makes a lot of strong tackles (as do a fair few of the forwards). I sense a growing force on the internet for Ardie Savea but they really needed to start him in one of these games if they are thinking of throwing him into a RC match as starter.</blockquote>
 
Cane led every category that matters, very good performance, possibly helped by getting a 10 min rest. 
Hopefully will develop some GOAT-like guile to make himself less obvious to the officials. Loved it when Webb bullet-passed the ball into his head as he tried to make himself inconspicuous on the wrong side of the ruck. 
I reckon Ardie will get a start against Argentina, hopefully can show he's got a 60/80 minute game at this level.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="592340" data-time="1467018523">Cane led every category that matters, very good performance, possibly helped by getting a 10 min rest. </blockquote>
 
I thought Cane played pretty well. High workrate. Excellent tackler. 
In terms of stat leaders Crockett led the team in winning breakdown turnovers. Cane also topped the tally for missed tackles.

Toddy

Cane has a huge engine and would be the 2nd best tackler in the squad (imo). However, the 4 penalties and YC point point to a below average game for me. Take those out and I'd have probably voted him top 3. The penalties seem a bit out of character for a guy who's usually a very accurate player. Still think he's got quite a gap on Sevea for the 7 jersey. Was interesting that Savea wasn't needed for the third test. Probably shows where he is in the pecking order.

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Toddy" data-cid="592367" data-time="1467025953">
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Cane has a huge engine and would be the 2nd best tackler in the squad (imo). However, the 4 penalties and YC point point to a below average game for me. Take those out and I'd have probably voted him top 3. The penalties seem a bit out of character for a guy who's usually a very accurate player. Still think he's got quite a gap on Sevea for the 7 jersey. Was interesting that Savea wasn't needed for the third test. Probably shows where he is in the pecking order.
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I think that pecking order was well & truely established everwhere bar the Fern before the series started.
 
The more worrying poiint for the "Ardie is the future" group on here would be Squire having a far bigger impact off the bench in his one test than Ardie had in his 2. If you watched all 3 & were told one of them is a one man linebreaking machine you'd be thinking it was Squire... I rate Ardie hugely as an impact player, but Squire looked better (albeit against a demoralised & exhausted Wales)

The Silver Fern

All Blacks v Wales Test #3