Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="607928" data-time="1471825562">
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The sight of Hoopah being hoisted in the lineout put me in mind of dwarf tossing.
 
I feel sorry for Pocock, he must have achieved 5-6 ruck turnovers in that match but his colleagues were way too slow in their decision making to make anything of it.
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Those turnovers were great, he is without a doubt the best there has ever been at that. You put some big munters at 6 & 8 and you've got far more balance. I don't rate Hooper at test level, he's far more suited to Super rugby. A bit like Adam Thomson, just doesn't handle the increased physicality of test footy.

KiwiMurph

Hoopah would be better suited to coming off the bench to provide some impact in the second half...and McMahon is probably better suited than Hoopah at that.

mariner4life

Actually, Adam Thompson is a great comparison. Except Adam could jump in a lineout...

Rancid Schnitzel

As I understand it, Pocock can't be captain because of his conviction for hugging mining equipment. Just on him, his ability to pilfer the pill is second to none. But he does sweet FA else. He obviously can't be used in the lineout and offers zero with the ball in hand. Our props are probably more dangerous with the ball that he is. Even Franks.
 
I think the most positive thing is that they can only get better. That was the shittiest Aus display since the dark days of Greg Smith. Foley can be world class on his day, but can also have some horrible Barry Crockers.
 
Ultimately if they actually select a proper 8 who can also be used in the lineout and Foley and the backs get their shit together then they could still be an outside chance next week. I can't see the ABs backing that up. That first half was arguably the best half of rugby from an AB team. In terms of tactics and execution it was absolutely farking sublime. Reckon they would have cracked 60 if Crotty had stayed on and Barrett stayed at 10.

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="607943" data-time="1471827573">
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. I can't see the ABs backing that up. That first half was arguably the best half of rugby from an AB team. In terms of tactics and execution it was absolutely farking sublime. Reckon they would have cracked 60 if Crotty had stayed on and Barrett stayed at 10.
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The form this week will be interesting. Still haven't seen it, but listening to others it seemed like the execution was top notch, and the complete inverse of what the Wallabies did.
 
So if the Wallabies lift and the ABs don't quite get to those heights next week, it'll probably look a lot better. That's why its important to give the majority of our starting lineup another crack: redemption.

akan004

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="607904" data-time="1471823096">
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Reddit Rugby Union is a useful place to check:
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/4ysfsa/2016_trc_r1_australia_vs_new_zealand/'>https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/4ysfsa/2016_trc_r1_australia_vs_new_zealand/</a>
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Could someone upload a version with NZ commentary. Listening to Kearns all night took away a little bit from a geat AB performance. Cheers.

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="607898" data-time="1471821964">
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Foxtel can go eat a dick. After not recording both the RC matches on Saturday night/Sunday morning (but somehow managing to record the Warriors) and then not having an replays on Sunday I found a highlight package to record. Go to watch it, but, no rugby, instead half of it is an interview with Dean Jones and the other half if is darts. :mad1:
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I'm pleased I gave Foxtel away.
 
I was making the same point on Saturday night; the balance in the backrow is half the problem. They need to select one of Hooper or Pocock. Get a bloke who actually plays eight to play there - someone who can run and pass with the ball. That's not Poocock. Then get someone who can defend offensively and jump at blindside.
 
I'd also have a good look at the workrate of the tight five on the weekend.
 
The idea that you give these guys an opportunity to redress their performance is the wrong option to take. Mentally they'll not want to front the All Blacks in New Zealand again. Time to show them a shit performance is rewarded with carrying the water.
 
But then you're dealing with a coaching staff that thought their best option was to saddle the team with guys coming back from Europe who haven't been playing rugby.

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="akan004" data-cid="607954" data-time="1471828430">
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Could someone upload a version with NZ commentary. Listening to Kearns all night took away a little bit from a geat AB performance. Cheers.
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Can you hear it over the sound of yourself fapping? ;)

Rancid Schnitzel

Yep, although I guess injuries will force a few changes. Giteau, Horne and Toomua all out. The England series showed they desperately need a playmaking 12, but with Giteau and Toomua out I don't think theres anybody else. Kerevi is not a test 12. Ultimately Foley will have to pull his finger out. It's not like Kwade is breathing down his neck so his spot isn't under pressure.
 
In the forwards, they have to fark off this Pooper thing and get a proper 8. It was nice while it lasted, but with the element of surprise gone there really is no point anymore.

reprobate

i've been thinking a bit more about what i would do if i were cheika.
aussie depth right now isn't great. hooper and pocock, while obviously limited in some ways, are both much better players than the other options - and when your depth is shit, i think you've got to get the best guys on the field and find a way to make it work. all this 'get a proper 8 who can run with the ball' - well, there just isn't one.
 
there is no australian lineout forward that is going to consistently steal our ball, so i would give up on that as a realistic tactic - sure throw someone up, niggle and disrupt, but if you select height to try and do that then i think you lose more than you gain, and you're trying to fight a battle you're not going to win.
 
there is absolutely no reason that you can't win your own lineout ball with a small lineout and with limited options, you just need to be clever about it and execute well - do that, and you can keep the midgets.

antipodean

I wonder how far away Jed Holloway is from being fit? Or just get Jake Schatz - he can't be any worse than the other donkeys.

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="607970" data-time="1471829927">
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I wonder how far away Jed Holloway is from being fit? Or just get Jake Schatz - he can't be any worse than the other donkeys.
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Holloway had a full shoulder reco scheduled once he wasn't going to be picked I believe. Questions exist over his fitness and abrasiveness and Cheika never really put him on the field at the Tahs.
 
But he's only 23 so if he turns in a good season next year, he surely becomes an option.

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="607965" data-time="1471829423">
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there is absolutely no reason that you can't win your own lineout ball with a small lineout and with limited options, you just need to be clever about it and execute well - do that, and you can keep the midgets.
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Samuel Whitelock and Brodie Retallick choose to disagree with this.

MajorRage

It must be tempting to change not much to give the guys a shot at redemption.
 
I'd change up front the mongrel. Fardy, Palu and Skelton in. Try and get a few cheap shots on Read, Barrett, Brodie.
 
In the backline, I'd be tempted to give Quade a shot, but there is a risk of complete meltdown there. Foley is an excellent player, seen it before, so is worth sticking with. Defo start Phipps, drop Kuridrani and put AAC at centre. If Drew is available, get him in the wing. So, bearing in mind I've no idea about injuries/availability, I'd go
 
same front row, Douglas, Skelton, Fardy, Palu, Pocock, Phipps, Foley, Whoever, AAC, DHP, Mitchell, Folau

Frye

They were probably just short of a gallop. Drop Hooper and stick a proper 8 at 8 (McCalman) and it's actually a pretty rugged pack (ok, with the exception of Simmons). A lot of these guys just aren't playing to their potential - Moore, Sio, Fardy are good players, they need to start playing like it.

Wairau

Nepia, I sent you a PM about this. I will try and help.
Crucial, I couldn't PM you. Send me a message.
 
About the game-Great first 60, enjoyable to watch when they steadily accumulate points. I wasn't very impressed with the last 20 minutes or so, the reserves didn't have the same edge for us to finish well, and Australia did well - and I hope Hansen will reinforce to the team that if they play like that, they might lose the next game. Not that they will, but they need to keep a better focus.

taniwharugby

Interesting some of the daft headlines about the bugging thing...
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83415486/are-the-all-blacks-just-being-paranoid-about-sydney-bugging'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83415486/are-the-all-blacks-just-being-paranoid-about-sydney-bugging</a>
 
Surely they are only being paranoid if they think they are being bugged, and either aren't or have no proof, whereas they have found a bug, meaning it isnt paranoia, just fact?

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="607988" data-time="1471831500">
Interesting some of the daft headlines about the bugging thing... <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83415486/are-the-all-blacks-just-being-paranoid-about-sydney-bugging">http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83415486/are-the-all-blacks-just-being-paranoid-about-sydney-bugging</a> 
Surely they are only being paranoid if they think they are being bugged, and either aren't or have no proof, whereas they have found a bug, meaning it isnt paranoia, just fact?</blockquote>
 
Ha! Hardly paranoia when they found one!

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="607886" data-time="1471819140">
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Is Michael Hoopah actually a good test match player? He's quick, but he's not very effective, and he fucks their lineout. Pocock is good for a couple of defending turnovers a game to save points, but what does he create? And he fucks their lineout. Fardy gives away too many penalties, and is an ordinary carrier, but at least he can win a lineout. McCalman was very disappointing. 
 
Simmons can run a lineout, can apparently push in a scrum, but is effective as wet tissue around the track. Douglas is well under done.
 
The biggest problem for Aus is, even if they make the same observations as me, what do they do about it? They've got nothing to come in. 
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I've watched that WC final from last year a few times and I thought in the first half Hooper was superb. Far more prominent at the breakdown than Pocock and IMO caused the ABs more problems when he was in there.
 
Agree the biggest issue is replacing whoever the masses want to drop. OZ have historically had a superb starting lineup plus 3-4 others. However once there are injuries and a coupled of out of form players, there is a lot of head scratching about who's next in line.
 
Development of skills to move with the times has also been an issue. Our tight forwards across Super and test rugby have ball playing skills without it being a detriment to their core duties.

jegga

Recalling the horror of our lineout in the Oliver Hammetuer era and the wallabies Eales captained I'm enjoying this immensely . Also I'm of the opinion Cheika is an arseclown so there's that too.

The Silver Fern

Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)