@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

The biggest point of difference which has you guys frothing over Roigard (deservedly) is not the speed of his service, it’s his ability to run from the base of the scrum, ruck and maul

That keeps defences guessing and reigns in the rush defence

TJ and Christie are easy to read which results in DMac getting swamped

Cortez has better speed of delivery than both of them and will grow into attacking with ball in hand as he gets more game time

100% agree, that's why I'm stoked Cortez gets an opportunity this week. We need a sniping halfback just as much as we need a halfback that can clear the ball swiftly. Roigard and Cortez are probably the two that do have that right mix in their game.

@MiketheSnow lack of running from the base was an issue with Smith for a few seasons, making his game predictable, knowing he would simply pass, or when a 9 shapes to kick.

However, he did reintroduce his running game last year, which helped us.

@MiketheSnow bang on - the pod system requires this as well, even if your HB is quick to the ruck and has a great pass if a pod is standing one off the ruck it's pretty obvious where the ball is going to go. If the HB never runs the defence can turn off their brain as to what the HB is doing and just rush the pod.

If the HB snipes off the ruck the defence has to watch the HB, then rush the pod which buys the pod a little bit of time and space. It's all inches and seconds but they all add up for your team being able to get go forward ball or not.

For the most egregious example of not passing in front of the man but to his body, watch the All Blacks' game against Italy from 2021 (I think it was) where Brad Weber went off early and Finlay Christie took his place. NZ struggled so much in that game and a massive factor was Christie's consistently terrible passing. Thank God for the rolling maul...

@taniwharugby
When Mark Shaw was 20, he was playing for Belsize Park RFC in London. Rare was the Saturday when the opposing forward pack was not enraged and outraged. He had a talent for generating power with a punch that travelled no more than 12 inches.

@ARHS said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

That seems an under strength Fijian team too. No Botia Tuisova Matavesi Masi Ravutaumada etc. Are both teams treating this like a bit of an exhibition match? Could be plenty of action if they do. But not so good for the diehard fans who want to see all the best players from both teams.

Blackadder and Proctor are playing….

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@ARHS said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

That seems an under strength Fijian team too. No Botia Tuisova Matavesi Masi Ravutaumada etc. Are both teams treating this like a bit of an exhibition match? Could be plenty of action if they do. But not so good for the diehard fans who want to see all the best players from both teams.

Blackadder and Proctor are playing….

Anything less than Blackadder walking on water post match to cross to Mexico is a failure

@bayimports said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@ARHS said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

That seems an under strength Fijian team too. No Botia Tuisova Matavesi Masi Ravutaumada etc. Are both teams treating this like a bit of an exhibition match? Could be plenty of action if they do. But not so good for the diehard fans who want to see all the best players from both teams.

Blackadder and Proctor are playing….

Anything less than Blackadder walking on water post match to cross to Mexico is a failure

I heard he actually took out the Trump sniper while warming up for training.

@nzzp said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

I like the look of Lam at 12, but I think he's played 3 or 4 games there at Super - as a makeshift. Going straight into the ABs doesn't seem right - you'd want some experience there surely.

I can wait
I'll qualify all my future "would like to see"

I rate JB and R Ioane - still think tactics could favour them better, but against England it was basically trench warfare.
If only we had an extra lineout forward, maybe someone who was good at basketball and also rather handy at lineout in Super and dynamic around the field...

@cgrant Perfect for Fiji.

@pakman
None of them are in the squad, that's why I made the suggestion for the All Blacks XV.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@nzzp said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

I like the look of Lam at 12, but I think he's played 3 or 4 games there at Super - as a makeshift. Going straight into the ABs doesn't seem right - you'd want some experience there surely.

I can wait
I'll qualify all my future "would like to see"

I rate JB and R Ioane - still think tactics could favour them better, but against England it was basically trench warfare.
If only we had an extra lineout forward, maybe someone who was good at basketball and also rather handy at lineout in Super and dynamic around the field...

Someone get in touch with Vaea Fifita

@cgrant said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@pakman
None of them are in the squad, that's why I made the suggestion for the All Blacks XV.

Sorry, I am in the wrong thread.

How are UK Ferners planning to watch?

@cgrant said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@pakman
None of them are in the squad, that's why I made the suggestion for the All Blacks XV.

I know, but those fellas playing Fiji would be matching fire with fire!

@pakman said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

How are UK Ferners planning to watch?

I'm looking forward to this one just to see how Razor adjusts the gameplan to address the weaknesses vs England. Clearly a different opposition but I hope they work hard on exits, lineouts and gain line success close to the ruck.

@bayimports said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

Anything less than Blackadder walking on water post match to cross to Mexico is a failure

But it's a brilliant road trip. I did err when I thought the first female hitchiker on the way down from San Diego said "Do ya wanta"?

Great combo, Niggles and the Proctologist.

Ma’a is too cool for school. Geez it’s been years and I still miss him. Hasn’t been adequately replaced at 12

Both him and Mils look like they could still run out for the ABs and carve up.

@MN5 said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

Ma’a is too cool for school.

Both him and Mils look like they could still run out for the ABs and carve up.

he did say he was still playing? Still looks bloody strong. Man, we've had trouble replacing him!