Not much to learn from a game like that, but I liked Vaaii's workrate and passing game, and thought Christie was very accurate with his passing.

Young De Groot did well with some ball carries, and that is something we need from our front rowers. QT was also pretty effective on the carry.

Looking forward it will be interesting to see if those guys can bring that accuracy and physicality against much better teams.

Ennor looked quite at home on the wing, he was pretty up and down at center, throwing too many passes that didn't need to go.

That try to Jordan off the line-out looks like something they'll put back in the bag and I bet we see it tried in a tight game against a much better opponent.

Just finished watching, I'm both annoyed and happy that we didn't crack the ton.

@nepia said in All Blacks vs USA:

Just finished watching, I'm both annoyed and happy that we didn't crack the ton.

I think you missed the last try.

@akan004 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@nepia said in All Blacks vs USA:

Just finished watching, I'm both annoyed and happy that we didn't crack the ton.

I think you missed the last try.

Yep, wrote that 30 seconds before the last try.

@kiwimurph and sill plenty of back up in Hall & Drummond, with other good young half backs coming through to.

@stag said in All Blacks vs USA:

@kiwimurph and sill plenty of back up in Hall & Drummond, with other good young half backs coming through to.

Bro, no and no.

It's pretty obvious why the NZRU are fighting hard on Fakatava's eligibility. TJ is well on the way out and the young guys either aren't ready or aren't big enough for the big boy tests.

Haven't read the thread but udging by the post above others are thinking along the same lines - the biggest take from the game for me is that it is well and truly time to put TJ out to pasture.

A real shame. I thought he was going to be something special when he first came on the scene but I reckon he has never been the same since his leg injury a few years ago.

@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs USA:

Haven't read the thread but udging by the post above others are thinking along the same lines - the biggest take from the game for me is that it is well and truly time to put TJ out to pasture.

A real shame. I thought he was going to be something special when he first came on the scene but I reckon he has never been the same since his leg injury a few years ago.

He doesn't pass with his legs!
His support play is still top notch it's the distribution that is crap.

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs USA:

Haven't read the thread but udging by the post above others are thinking along the same lines - the biggest take from the game for me is that it is well and truly time to put TJ out to pasture.

A real shame. I thought he was going to be something special when he first came on the scene but I reckon he has never been the same since his leg injury a few years ago.

He doesn't pass with his legs!
His support play is still top notch it's the distribution that is crap.

Maybe it stuffed him mentally?

So for the players that aren't inked into a top XV the question is whether they enhanced their chances.

I think the the starting props showed that they are good backups, Aumua probably didn't show that much, Vaa'i will have to start but the selectors will feel more confident after that.
Sotutu and Paps didn't really take their chance to shine. Jacobsen is fast proving that he has to be shoehorned in.
Christie stepped up. Tupaea looks a better option than Havili to me. The attack has more room outside him.
Bridge should be carrying the bags from now. Ennor worth a try off the bench.
DMac won't surpass JB and has to come back for the RWC once his payday is over. He has matured.

TJP and Bridge didn't do themselves any favours. Everyone else didn't harm their chances, but it's not the type of fixture you can make good judgements of when players who stick to their patterns don't get the opportunity to do their jobs because the opposition are so bad.

That training run and really that’s all it was, Will not make any impact on selections for Wales,Foster and the selectors will have already have their 23 locked in for The Wales game.
You can’t judge anyone on that game except TJ because if you pass that shit against that opposition then there is not much hope with pressure on from better teams,the opposition were worse than a club team .

@mn5 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

I know we have a bit of a laugh giving Bridge stick but seriously if he can’t make any ground in a game like this it is time that the selectors took note.

He's not even on the field?

Not that you’d notice anyway

What if you can't defend your wing against a team of this calibre and a winger who's a nobody?

You're a Scotland supporter?

In another dimension I might be understanding this.

There’s no way Bridge would make the mighty Scottish team

You don't have a single Bridge in Scotland? Well, I guess that explains the kilts.

@nta nice take Aussie.

@kiwimurph said in All Blacks vs USA:

ABs would have been better off if Perenara had signed with the Roosters. ABs looked better when Christie was on.

Didn't look like any injuries which is good.

Hard to read too much into much else. Could have been an even bigger scoreline if the ABs had picked a left wing who is an actual attacking threat.

That’s not saying much because Christie is not that good. But if a gulf because Smith and what we have.

@crazy-horse I agree. Probably reading the social media and press and mentally screwed. When he was at his peak he offered something that Smith did not. Different type of player. The top 4 inches is important. Ask Tiger.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs USA:

@mn5 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

I know we have a bit of a laugh giving Bridge stick but seriously if he can’t make any ground in a game like this it is time that the selectors took note.

He's not even on the field?

Not that you’d notice anyway

What if you can't defend your wing against a team of this calibre and a winger who's a nobody?

You're a Scotland supporter?

In another dimension I might be understanding this.

There’s no way Bridge would make the mighty Scottish team

You don't have a single Bridge in Scotland? Well, I guess that explains the kilts.

Lots of Bridges in Scotland. Difference is that they all go somewhere.

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs USA:

@mn5 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

I know we have a bit of a laugh giving Bridge stick but seriously if he can’t make any ground in a game like this it is time that the selectors took note.

He's not even on the field?

Not that you’d notice anyway

What if you can't defend your wing against a team of this calibre and a winger who's a nobody?

You're a Scotland supporter?

In another dimension I might be understanding this.

There’s no way Bridge would make the mighty Scottish team

You don't have a single Bridge in Scotland? Well, I guess that explains the kilts.

Lots of Bridges in Scotland. Difference is that they all go somewhere.

May I present the George Belhaven Memorial Bridge.
Hiding out on the wing for Southern Scotland, it can link on the odd occasion but is often stranded and isolated, especially when the pressure is on.
Depending on your browser, the bridge might be a tad invisible, or show (here) the wrong Bridge, one that gets you places .
Rest assured, on its day, (or tide), it's a playmaker.

Better photos here: https://unusualplaces.org/the-bridge-to-nowhere-belhaven-bridge/

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs USA:

TJP and Bridge didn't do themselves any favours. Everyone else didn't harm their chances, but it's not the type of fixture you can make good judgements of when players who stick to their patterns don't get the opportunity to do their jobs because the opposition are so bad.

Vai'i was pretty average I thought, he was the worst at stupid offloads and gave away a few stupid penalties. Busy, yes, but not accurate enough

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs USA:

TJP and Bridge didn't do themselves any favours. Everyone else didn't harm their chances, but it's not the type of fixture you can make good judgements of when players who stick to their patterns don't get the opportunity to do their jobs because the opposition are so bad.

Vai'i was pretty average I thought, he was the worst at stupid offloads and gave away a few stupid penalties. Busy, yes, but not accurate enough

I must have missed them, and the stats only have him with one turnover, 1 penalty conceded (edited thanks to Bovidae), 7 tackles made (none missed), and 10 passes (2nd in forwards), 12 runs (highest in forwards), 34 metres, 1 defender beaten, 1 clean break, 1 offload.

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs USA:

TJP and Bridge didn't do themselves any favours. Everyone else didn't harm their chances, but it's not the type of fixture you can make good judgements of when players who stick to their patterns don't get the opportunity to do their jobs because the opposition are so bad.

Vai'i was pretty average I thought, he was the worst at stupid offloads and gave away a few stupid penalties. Busy, yes, but not accurate enough

I only just watched on demand…I was going to pick vai’i as one of my three players of the match, very busy and still young so that’s the first think I look for in a young guy, enthusiasm and effort, compared to bridge who I think did almost nothing wrong…but had no effect on a game at all…I’d prefer enthusiasm

@gt12 Vaa'i conceded one penalty when entering the ruck from the side.

I was hoping to see more ball carries from de Groot. Not much different to our other props in his ability.

Ennor never looks that threatening at centre.

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 Vaa'i conceded one penalty when entering the ruck from the side.

I was hoping to see more ball carries from de Groot. Not much different to our other props in his ability.

Ennor never looks that threatening at centre.

Cheers - roughly what time in the game, I might rewatch and will try to catch that part?

@mrdenmore said in All Blacks vs USA:

OK, can someone explain the hairstyle atrocity adopted by so many of the All Blacks - Mo’unga and Tupea and Havili among them? They’re all sporting this curly perm at the back of their heads. Like an ‘80s mullet but teased into tight curls. My avatar Earle Kirton is spinning in his grave.

How do you spin in your grave if you’re alive ?

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 Vaa'i conceded one penalty when entering the ruck from the side.

I was hoping to see more ball carries from de Groot. Not much different to our other props in his ability.

Ennor never looks that threatening at centre.

Cheers - roughly what time in the game, I might rewatch and will try to catch that part?

In the 2nd half, and in the ABs half of the field. Also before Lord came on the field I think.

Vaa'i shows some nice touches as a passer.

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 Vaa'i conceded one penalty when entering the ruck from the side.

I was hoping to see more ball carries from de Groot. Not much different to our other props in his ability.

Ennor never looks that threatening at centre.

Cheers - roughly what time in the game, I might rewatch and will try to catch that part?

In the 2nd half, and in the ABs half of the field. Also before Lord came on the field I think.

Vaa'i shows some nice touches as a passer.

Cheers, I wonder if they gave it to Sotutu by mistake?

He supposedly has three.

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 Vaa'i conceded one penalty when entering the ruck from the side.

I was hoping to see more ball carries from de Groot. Not much different to our other props in his ability.

Ennor never looks that threatening at centre.

Cheers - roughly what time in the game, I might rewatch and will try to catch that part?

The first 20 or so he gave away a few, not on ESPN, but I'm pretty sure it was him

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 Vaa'i conceded one penalty when entering the ruck from the side.

I was hoping to see more ball carries from de Groot. Not much different to our other props in his ability.

Ennor never looks that threatening at centre.

Cheers - roughly what time in the game, I might rewatch and will try to catch that part?

The first 20 or so he gave away a few, not on ESPN, but I'm pretty sure it was him

In the first 20 of the game???

I think we only conceded one penalty during that time (ginga holding on) as pretty much every time we touched it we scored.

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

Cheers, I wonder if they gave it to Sotutu by mistake?

He supposedly has three.

Sotutu definitely conceded at least 2 penalties, including a high tackle.

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 Vaa'i conceded one penalty when entering the ruck from the side.

I was hoping to see more ball carries from de Groot. Not much different to our other props in his ability.

Ennor never looks that threatening at centre.

Cheers - roughly what time in the game, I might rewatch and will try to catch that part?

The first 20 or so he gave away a few, not on ESPN, but I'm pretty sure it was him

In the first 20 of the game???

I think we only conceded one penalty during that time (ginga holding on) as pretty much every time we touched it we scored.

Sorry I was meaning unneeded offloads, anyway far too long ago to remember! Games not good enough for me to watch again, I'll concede I could be talking utter bollocks, but that was my impression. Too many errors

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

Cheers, I wonder if they gave it to Sotutu by mistake?

He supposedly has three.

Sotutu definitely conceded at least 2 penalties, including a high tackle.

Yeah Sotutu got one at 22:30... not doing a Nisbo are you @Machpants ?

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

Cheers, I wonder if they gave it to Sotutu by mistake?

He supposedly has three.

Sotutu definitely conceded at least 2 penalties, including a high tackle.

Yeah Sotutu got one at 22:30... not doing a Nisbo are you @Machpants ?

Quite possibly!

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@gt12 Vaa'i conceded one penalty when entering the ruck from the side.

I was hoping to see more ball carries from de Groot. Not much different to our other props in his ability.

Ennor never looks that threatening at centre.

Cheers - roughly what time in the game, I might rewatch and will try to catch that part?

The first 20 or so he gave away a few, not on ESPN, but I'm pretty sure it was him

In the first 20 of the game???

I think we only conceded one penalty during that time (ginga holding on) as pretty much every time we touched it we scored.

Sorry I was meaning unneeded offloads, anyway far too long ago to remember! Games not good enough for me to watch Sassoon, I'll concede I could be talking utter bollocks, but that was my impression. Too many errors

I think you're very harsh.

I can only see one error during the first 22 minutes, which is when he attempts a long pass which gets batted down and we score from anyway.

2:50 runs and takes the tackle
5:07 tries a long pass on their 5 metre line which is knocked down and De Groot picks it up to score
7:13 beautiful short ball to De Groot
11:23 runs and takes the tackle
11:52 passes behind the pod to McKenzie (we get penalty)
12:04 strong run and takes the tackle
15:50 wins lineout
19:20 nice short ball to QT
21:54: Runs and takes the tackle.

I did he whole first half for Vaa'i - I think he was worse during this quarter in comparison to the first 20:

23:55: Runs to settle things down and takes the tackle. Next phase we score
27:55 loses the ball in the tackle with the line in sight but the tackle was high and we get the penalty
32:09 competes at the line out and knocks it on
35:02 this is the first bad one - it's an offload that didn't need to be thrown and goes to hand but was totally un-needed
35:11 Runs and takes the tackle
37:40 takes the kickoff and tackle

An interesting feature that I don't think anyone has mentioned, is that when Mo'unga went off, DMac took over the goal-kicking.

Seems like Beaudy is giving that away.

Be interesting to see who kicks when Richie and Jordie are paired together.

@chris-b said in All Blacks vs USA:

An interesting feature that I don't think anyone has mentioned, is that when Mo'unga went off, DMac took over the goal-kicking.

Seems like Beaudy is giving that away.

Be interesting to see who kicks when Richie and Jordie are paired together.

It would be hard to ignore Jordie’s form, he’s been great this year. Maybe Mo’unga for the short kicks and Jordie for the longer range kicks..?