The Silver Fern

@brodean
I was feeling shit on Sunday Morn, decided to watch a replay cos I could and tried to concentrate on Blackadder only.
Mainly remember his defence. Maybe he attacked but can’t remember much apart from screwing CC, who was not happy and told him so.
Blackadder made a huge amount of tackles and “hit” a lot of rucks. Sometimes he would do 2-3 in a row, getting up and going again. Was crazy how many rucks he was at.
But, most of the tackles were “absorbing”. He would get the guy down but rarely pushed them back, made a good hit or put pressure on apart from being there. That could have been the next guys job?
He tried to release and steal about 1/3 of the time if he was in position, but got cleaned out most times and never succeeding that I saw. But was annoying as, at the ruck.
Is that his job? Just be in the way, create a bit of chaos?
The one dominant tackle I saw was on our line vs Koch I think, No 18. Great timing and hit him hard but didn’t result in anything.
I like Blackadder, but as a former fullback/wing I have zero idea if the above is effective forward play at test level or not.
In comparison, Cane hit less but smashed people.

Great game. Best I’ve seen in ages. Nice to feel a little hope and disappointment in a Super game, just like the old days.

Watching second half again.
Reserve props smashed English scrum which gave us heaps of momentum. Forward play in general seemed stronger.
Roigard made a big difference. Very quick decision making and he actually moves with the ball off the back of the ruck while making decisions making play more dynamic while Ratima is a touch slower and holds at base of ruck a lot more letting defence set themselves.
Even though BB didn’t have a great game and his kicking is painful, I think Ratima put him under pressure a few times with this slower play.
DM to start for me and BB in last 30 like 2nd Eng test.

I haven’t watched a test live in ages but I’m so glad I saw the first two days of this test. Great intimate ground, prices and quality for food and bev were pretty damn good. So freaking hot on the bank though with no shade. But it’s summer so expected.
The first day had everything I reckon. Great start from openers, slow middle overs and a real test of skill but some questionable shot making. Stokes bowled very well all day and probably looked the most dangerous to me. I love to hate that guy.
Finished with some great slogging as the 8 brews kicked in!
But the first hour of the second day was probably my most enjoyable as a cricketing tragic. A non believer would have hated it and myself and mates said as much.
Problem with 20/20 is it’s all one speed. Tests go up and down. Emotions change as much as the conditions can. It’s fucking great and I personally could watch forever.
We just frustrated the shit out of England in that hour. Santner was slapping everything, Not taking singles until ball four consistently with Big field changes happening. Great times!
Gotta say O’Rourke is the man. Proper pace bowling. Calm demeanour with no fear with the bat or ball. Also has an uncanny resemblance to a young Travolta, like a short haired Vinnie Barbarino. Hopefully he can have as long of a career.
Good win for us. Pity about the first test!

@BerniesCorner It was noticeable how much George was communicating clearly with Gardner, developing good rapport. S Barrett very few times, just seems absent, probably needing to concentrate on his own game as he has been a little flat recently.

That was a pretty cool test. I thought we were done for when Southee left his return so late. Still reckon that decision was crazy.
I think this team could do a lot better with an attitude that is 50% more attacking. We don’t have the crew to go full bazball. But this made me h..h..h..h..happy.

Sevu Reece is so active. I’m still surprised he wasn’t used a lot in the last EOY tour. I’m a blues supporter but I like him more than Clarke as an AB.

That kick to touch by Jordie was terrible.. put us under unnecessarily pressure

@Canes4life so we have Smith, Christie, Fakatava, Roigard, Weber, Perenara. Seems like a strong position. Who misses out? I think they’ll go with Smith, Christie (not my choice) with one other. For me Fakatava if they choose Christie but who knows?

I just can’t handle Beauden anymore. Looks clueless on attack.

@Victor-Meldrew I get the experience thing. But I don’t think we are good enough at the moment to play it safe. Weber/Perenara staying at home (aka an hr away at some French beach) and coming in if Smith is injured suits me. So it leaves room for a bolter. If Fakatava or Roigard, whatever. But we won’t beat Ireland or France by being predictable.

@chimoaus Still and sunny. Looks to be perfect but could be dewy

Conway must move over for Young in the next test right?
Just open with Williamson, he’s in so early anyway, I don’t think it will make much difference.

EDG might have a hard time starting for a while

@Donsteppa I think in cricket like Rugby there has to be a proportion of selections that are on form.
Form temporary/class permanent doesn’t always cut it.

Loving our lineout on both attack and defence. Maul defence awesome too

@antipodean the guy is awesome. If only he was 15 kg bigger

In actual Masters golf news - Brooks Koepka from LIV golf holds the lead by 3 probably giving PGA officials heart palpitations, an amateur is in 3rd place, Rory McIlroy shoots a 77 to miss the cut and Ryan Fox makes it.

@Tim I remember after Ellis Park last year, watching a SA commentary team talk up the positive difference Frizzell had in that test vs Ioane in the first. Didn’t quite believe it myself and was surprised they mentioned him so much. Obviously does some great work vs bigger packs. Looked amazing in the first 20