@junior said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@MajorRage said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

Has anyone forced their way into the top 23 if SA Selection for game one is the top 23 ?

Weber perhaps?

Game changed when he came on great pass and runs great support lines would not have thought that was a chance to take TJs spot before the WC but Webber was very good.

I agree. I can't see how anyone thought he was anything other than excellent when he came on (at least compared to TJP). He kept it simple, did his job, got the ball out quickly, backed-up well and, importantly, didn't try to do too much himself. Based on that performance, I'd feel much more confident having him to come on and guide us home in the last 10 mins of a RWC knockout match.

Really?!?! You would have Webber supplant TJP, who at times has challenged A Smith hard for the starting job this year, based on 35 minutes against Canada? You set your bar much lower than me

@Jailbreak7 said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

Frizzle is still a bit of a "jurys out" headscratcher moment.
He started very well, but faded as the game wore on.
Thought Weber speeded up our backline play and gave the backs more freedom to stretch the attack. But I take the point about replacing A Smith in a Quarter/semi/final with him, he is dynamic but TJ has the experience, and seems to have better perspective in the big games.
Can see Todd easily making the bench.
The conundrum is BBBR and how they will accommodate him.

Completely disagree with that. TJP has had one decent game against big opposition and that was in 2014 against England at Twickers where he guided our pack around like a professional dog-walker. He's been absolutely shit in every big test he's come on since then - none more so than Lions 2 and 3, where he completely bottled it (and let's not forget Boks 1 in 2018). There's a good reason why, despite having a significant period out with injury beforehand, TKB usurped him as the preferred bench option in the big matches at the last world cup.

@canefan said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@junior said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@MajorRage said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

Has anyone forced their way into the top 23 if SA Selection for game one is the top 23 ?

Weber perhaps?

Game changed when he came on great pass and runs great support lines would not have thought that was a chance to take TJs spot before the WC but Webber was very good.

I agree. I can't see how anyone thought he was anything other than excellent when he came on (at least compared to TJP). He kept it simple, did his job, got the ball out quickly, backed-up well and, importantly, didn't try to do too much himself. Based on that performance, I'd feel much more confident having him to come on and guide us home in the last 10 mins of a RWC knockout match.

Really?!?! You would have Webber supplant TJP, who at times has challenged A Smith hard for the starting job this year, based on 35 minutes against Canada? You set your bar much lower than me

I actually set it quite high for halfbacks, but my metrics might be different to others. TJP is a great rugby player with a good "rugby brain", hence why he scores so many tries by running really good support lines. My problem is that's not what he should be doing - he's a halfback not an openside flanker. His pass is shit, his kicking is shit, he's selfish and greedy, his option-taking is often poor, he plays for himself more than the team and - crucially - he's not calm or smart enough to be entrusted with such a key role (at which he's not particularly proficient technically), particularly in such a crucial match. I'd much rather have Weber there in such moments, because at least you know he'll pass fast and accurately to the guys who should be taking control (e.g. Mo'unga and Barrett) rather than trying to be a hero and do it all himself.

@junior

2007 called, ah, it's Brendan Leonard, saying something about his game not suiting knock out rugby.

@gt12 said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@junior

2007 called, ah, it's Brendan Leonard, saying something about his game not suiting knock out rugby.

...Kelleher in 1999 and to a lesser extent 2003 after Marshall got his ribs smashed.

All jokes aside, and apologies if it's been mentioned above, but three brothers playing for the same team in the WC and all scoring tries in the same match.

One of the stories of the WC.

Of any WC.

@gt12 said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@junior

2007 called, ah, it's Brendan Leonard, saying something about his game not suiting knock out rugby.

That's a fair comment and I agree it was one of the most epically retarded selections in AB history (in my view). But that's for the same reason why I don't rate TJP - Leonard looked awesome because he was quick and scored some nice tries. However, like TJP, he was technically horrible. Of course, we only found out he was a deer in the headlights when the pressure was on in the 2007 QF. I accept that we know about the same amount about Weber's temperament and he may also crumble like a biscuit in a high pressure situation. However, we already know that TJP is volatile and reacts poorly in high-pressure situations, so why would we select him for such a situation given this knowledge?

@rotated said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@gt12 said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@junior

2007 called, ah, it's Brendan Leonard, saying something about his game not suiting knock out rugby.

...Kelleher in 1999 and to a lesser extent 2003 after Marshall got his ribs smashed.

The other option in 2003 was Devine, who I would have chosen because of his technical proficiency, the fact he'd been the incumbent number 2 for most of the year and the fact that he had a good combo with 'Los. Of course, Kelleher's experience was the deciding factor - which it seems to be in the TJP vs. Weber debate (to the extent that there is one) - and we all know how useful that experience was (it proved equally useful again in 2007...)

@junior said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@canefan said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@junior said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@MajorRage said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

Has anyone forced their way into the top 23 if SA Selection for game one is the top 23 ?

Weber perhaps?

Game changed when he came on great pass and runs great support lines would not have thought that was a chance to take TJs spot before the WC but Webber was very good.

I agree. I can't see how anyone thought he was anything other than excellent when he came on (at least compared to TJP). He kept it simple, did his job, got the ball out quickly, backed-up well and, importantly, didn't try to do too much himself. Based on that performance, I'd feel much more confident having him to come on and guide us home in the last 10 mins of a RWC knockout match.

Really?!?! You would have Webber supplant TJP, who at times has challenged A Smith hard for the starting job this year, based on 35 minutes against Canada? You set your bar much lower than me

I actually set it quite high for halfbacks, but my metrics might be different to others. TJP is a great rugby player with a good "rugby brain", hence why he scores so many tries by running really good support lines. My problem is that's not what he should be doing - he's a halfback not an openside flanker. His pass is shit, his kicking is shit, he's selfish and greedy, his option-taking is often poor, he plays for himself more than the team and - crucially - he's not calm or smart enough to be entrusted with such a key role (at which he's not particularly proficient technically), particularly in such a crucial match. I'd much rather have Weber there in such moments, because at least you know he'll pass fast and accurately to the guys who should be taking control (e.g. Mo'unga and Barrett) rather than trying to be a hero and do it all himself.

Savage........but can't say I disagree either. TJP should've improved a lot over the last WC cycle, but not sure I see it

...........so is TJ playing his way out?

@TeWaio said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@junior said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@canefan said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@junior said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@MajorRage said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

Has anyone forced their way into the top 23 if SA Selection for game one is the top 23 ?

Weber perhaps?

Game changed when he came on great pass and runs great support lines would not have thought that was a chance to take TJs spot before the WC but Webber was very good.

I agree. I can't see how anyone thought he was anything other than excellent when he came on (at least compared to TJP). He kept it simple, did his job, got the ball out quickly, backed-up well and, importantly, didn't try to do too much himself. Based on that performance, I'd feel much more confident having him to come on and guide us home in the last 10 mins of a RWC knockout match.

Really?!?! You would have Webber supplant TJP, who at times has challenged A Smith hard for the starting job this year, based on 35 minutes against Canada? You set your bar much lower than me

I actually set it quite high for halfbacks, but my metrics might be different to others. TJP is a great rugby player with a good "rugby brain", hence why he scores so many tries by running really good support lines. My problem is that's not what he should be doing - he's a halfback not an openside flanker. His pass is shit, his kicking is shit, he's selfish and greedy, his option-taking is often poor, he plays for himself more than the team and - crucially - he's not calm or smart enough to be entrusted with such a key role (at which he's not particularly proficient technically), particularly in such a crucial match. I'd much rather have Weber there in such moments, because at least you know he'll pass fast and accurately to the guys who should be taking control (e.g. Mo'unga and Barrett) rather than trying to be a hero and do it all himself.

Savage........but can't say I disagree either. TJP should've improved a lot over the last WC cycle, but not sure I see it

I agree and his development (or lack thereof) has been incredibly disappointing.

Technically he's not up to scratch - he reminds of a cricketer who looks shit-hot smashing a white ball around 20/20 leagues all over the globe, but who turns to shit as soon as he's playing in whites and facing a swinging red ball (I'm looking at you Jason Roy).

@NTA said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

C'mon Canada score a fucking try. Even a point! Need to get up at 5

Hard luck, Nick. These All Blacks are ruthless.

@NTA said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

Didn't make 70.

Soft.

Saving that for when we play Australia.

modules:composer.user_said_in, @MiketheSnow, RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B)

All jokes aside, and apologies if it's been mentioned above, but three brothers playing for the same team in the WC and all scoring tries in the same match.

One of the stories of the WC.

Of any WC.

Slightly disappointed that Jordie didn't drop the ball cold too, even better stat then!

Poor ole Ioane is a shadow of his former try scoring days.

@Hooroo said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

Poor ole Ioane is a shadow of his former try scoring days.

I don't think Reiko's Fortnite addiction has helped him prepare mentally or physically for the Rugby World Cup.

So disappointing how the Ioane brothers have turned out when you think what they could have achieved in NZ Rugby.

@sparky said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):

I don't think Reiko's Fortnite addiction has helped him prepare mentally or physically for the Rugby World Cup.

What the fuck would you possibly know about his personal life? Don't make up shit just to have something even more over the top to post.

@Tim

I know you're a fan of his, but I don't think I am exactly alone in being disappointed with how Reiko's been playing.

I wouldn’t write him off altogether, I think it’s a form, confidence, timing , mojo thing ( all the above ) , like a batsman out of touch, he may just need that one good game for it all to click,

But for now, this wc is right now, stick with the two in the best form imo

@sparky Again, what do you know about his video game schedule, and why are you posting about it?