Match thread

Kiwiwomble

@Duluth said in All Blacks XV v Japan:

Don't really see the point of playing PGS. Would've like to have seen Lio-Willie again.. or if they wanted size in the trio try Suafoa at 8

yeah, as much as i dont like it...i can understand when they pick departing players for the AB's...if theyre the clear fav in a position....but if the ABXV isn't abouta stepping stone from super to international for the next generation....im not sure whats it for

Stargazer

@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team.

The games are used to keep them match fit, and - I suppose - to determine a pecking order if there isn't one already.

@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV v Japan:

@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team

A bit of both, surely. Expose a greater number of players to international, esp now as we only play Oz

Kiwiwomble

@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV v Japan:

@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team.

The games are used to keep them match fit, and - I suppose - to determine a pecking order if there isn't one already.

but in the case where 1st - 3rd choice in each position are off with the AB's...these guys have to be at best 3rd choice (some overlap im sure) but mostly 4th - 6th...that sounds perfect for development, feeling like saying we'd rather spend money on guys we know are leaving purely to avoid something 2011 RWC 1st 5 situation is what will piss of young guys coming through

ACT Crusader

@Bones said in All Blacks XV v Japan:

@Duluth said in All Blacks XV v Japan:

Don't really see the point of playing PGS. Would've like to have seen Lio-Willie again.. or if they wanted size in the trio try Suafoa at 8

You've got to think they're really looking hard at PGS for a world cup surprise ticket, have involved him in plans last year but don't want too much material available for opposition?

Kudos if so, because they've clearly also been up front with him about his role.

If there is any input from the AB coaches, the PGS at #8 for two straight games and yet Jacobsen in the main squad won’t have seen any playing time.

Whilst I recognise that the ABs is not some glorified ‘give every one a go’ team, PGS being persisted with does make one think.

taniwharugby

@ACT-Crusader yeah some players you do wonder how we can view them so differently to them.

Bovidae

PGS wasn't in the 23 that played the Japan XV. Nareki, Proctor and Lam are others who didn't play in game 1. I'd say they had decided on who was playing the "test" from the original traveling squad before leaving NZ.

ACT Crusader

@taniwharugby if you’ve ever been on a stats or analysis team and reviewed games just focussing in on one player, it’s quite a different what you notice, especially when your focus is on specific things the players does (or doesn’t do).

I did a little bit of basketball player analysis (all post game) and I was amazed at what I was able to pick up that I didn’t when just watching the game live. Couple that with other data and it can paint a different picture.

taniwharugby

@ACT-Crusader yeah appreciate all that, but the glaring issues some players seem to have, how the stats paper over them...

ACT Crusader

But even with glaring issues you can sometimes live with them if there are other things that they are doing and the other option has issues too.

Or you throw all of that out the window and just select the guy that plays in red n black….

nostrildamus

The NZ XV side almost looks more settled than the ABs!

Stargazer

I think that Japanese team looks very similar to last week's team, but with last week's bench players starting and some starters moving to the bench.

Nepia

Bell is one funny looking mofo.

Duluth

Nareki almost fucked that try up

Canes4life

Love sets up Proctor for the first try.

Canes4life

Perofeta in after easily slicing through the Japanese backline.

Duluth

Perofeta nice step. AJ Lam with a good chase at kickoff to setup the turnover

Duluth

There was no advantage from that scrum pen

Duluth

Shit from Nareki again

gt12

How many errors from Nareki?

Canes4life

Lovely from Proctor again. Try no 2 for him tonight. The Goodhue and Proctor centre combo looks classy.

Duluth

@Canes4life

Proctor has been defending well too. Some good work just before Strange got isolated and Japan scored

Duluth

That’s better Nareki

Torian

Great from Nareki and Proctor

SouthernMann

Fantastic 40 20 and try set up from nareki. Yes he screwed up a couple of times. But, it is all about pumping the positive.

Canes4life

Proctor for a first half hat trick. Can he replicate Marc Ellis and score 5

Canes4life

Yeah Zarn Sullivan ain’t better than Love. How good was that.

Duluth

Quick decision from Love, good hands AJ