Just digressing:

We all know the ABs haven't lost at Eden Park since 1994.

Two questions (ok 2 and a half), without Google:

1. When did the Springboks last win at Eden Park?
2. When did the the All Blacks last not win at Eden Park?
   2a. Against who? What year?

@booboo

1. 1937

2. It was a draw against the Lions in 2017. The ABs also drew against the Springboks there in 1994.

@sparky said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@booboo

1. 1937

2. It was a draw against the Lions in 2017. The ABs also drew against the Springboks there in 1994.

Spoilsport. But correct. Virtual chocolate fish to you.

@Frank you mean like when Mike Cron did that?

Plenty of issues in our national game that are.clear to see, yet doesn't seem anyone addressing it or even concerned there is nothing being done to rectify it.

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Frank you mean like when Mike Cron did that?

Plenty of issues in our national game that are.clear to see, yet doesn't seem anyone addressing it or even concerned there is nothing being done to rectify it.

Would have thought the likes of Spencer, Nonu, Jane, Carter, McCaw, Mealamu, Whitelock would all be guys that would be sought after to instill mindset, skills and training into this generation.

Instead we get Dagg acting like a fucking buffoon talking about betting.

Maybe Razor just isn't doing enough breakdances to clear his mind?

@Bones Dagg was part of the original bomb squad, he could probably be helpful.

Sure ex players dont always make good coaches, but I am sure some of these guys could provide some good input and things that helped them.

Posting here, although comments based on Pumas 2.

Three main areas of concern:

1. Aerial. We are holed below water line. Need AFL style coaching toot sweet;

2. Backline. Seemed impossible to run backline moves because forwards were constantly in the way. Can’t we just run some straight backline moves?
   DMac created space whereas BB was shackled by Puma D.
   Jordie seems clunky. Like to see miss passes straight to 13. Would have liked to see Tupaea get a run outside DMac at 12.
   Taking Proctor off for Quinn seemed to solve nothing. Would have been better to push Jordie into back three and let Proctor have a run with Tupaea inside;

3. Loosies. As I feared, the formulaic selection was a failure. A balanced trio needs to encompass a fetcher, a ball slower, jumper, cleaner, smasher, and explosive runner. To a degree who does which isn’t so important. We ended up with no real fetcher, no ball slower and no smasher. The second Puma try highlighted the need for a 6 who’s used to defending off scrums.
   In fact when Sititi came on it would have been better if Vaa’i had gone to lock, perhaps replacing Scooter, and Parker to six.
   I think TWM should treat Sititi and Savea as 8s, and only have one on field at a time, Parker and Finau as 6s and Kirifi and Jacobson as 7s, Lakai seems to genuinely cover 7 and 8, and would have been a better bet than RD at 7.

@Bones said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Frank you mean like when Mike Cron did that?

Plenty of issues in our national game that are.clear to see, yet doesn't seem anyone addressing it or even concerned there is nothing being done to rectify it.

Would have thought the likes of Spencer, Nonu, Jane, Carter, McCaw, Mealamu, Whitelock would all be guys that would be sought after to instill mindset, skills and training into this generation.

I'd love to hear Nonu's thoughts on this right now. Last time I saw him speak his analysis on an AB performance was superb and he didn't pull any punches. They should get him in to give his 2c on the issues with our backline right now, I bet it'd be illuminating.

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Bones said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Frank you mean like when Mike Cron did that?

Plenty of issues in our national game that are.clear to see, yet doesn't seem anyone addressing it or even concerned there is nothing being done to rectify it.

Would have thought the likes of Spencer, Nonu, Jane, Carter, McCaw, Mealamu, Whitelock would all be guys that would be sought after to instill mindset, skills and training into this generation.

> I'd love to hear Nonu's thoughts on this right now. Last time I saw him speak his analysis on an AB performance was superb and he didn't pull any punches. They should get him in to give his 2c on the issues with our backline right now, I bet it'd be illuminating.

He’s probably far too busy still playing like the absolute best ever 12 there has ever been. Legend.

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Bones said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Frank you mean like when Mike Cron did that?

Plenty of issues in our national game that are.clear to see, yet doesn't seem anyone addressing it or even concerned there is nothing being done to rectify it.

Would have thought the likes of Spencer, Nonu, Jane, Carter, McCaw, Mealamu, Whitelock would all be guys that would be sought after to instill mindset, skills and training into this generation.

I'd love to hear Nonu's thoughts on this right now. Last time I saw him speak his analysis on an AB performance was superb and he didn't pull any punches. They should get him in to give his 2c on the issues with our backline right now, I bet it'd be illuminating.

100%, too many yes men analysing the ABs these days. Kirwan was probably one of the media men who actually said what he thought, probably not surprising he is no longer working for ‘woke’ Sky Sport.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod pulling their punches and searching for positives while making excuses. Basically say all we have to do is win collisions. Also, we lost two to yellow cards and did "really well" to stay in the game.

Very disappointing.

@Frank said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

Aotearoa Rugby Pod pulling their punches and searching for positives while making excuses. Basically say all we have to do is win collisions. Also, we lost two to yellow cards and did "really well" to stay in the game.

Very disappointing.

Will take a listen tomorrow but that sounds disappointing. I do find that when Ross asks pointed questions about players/games etc when things have not gone well, he often gets shut down by James, with Bryn backing James up.

The fact that JP almost always refers to players by their first name or nicknames tells you he isn't going to criticise them.

Parsons is part of the NZRPA and Hall owes his entire career to Razor. They are hardly two objective voices.

ARP are most interesting when discussing other countries and they don't have ties.

For NZ topics I find them mostly a waste of time to be honest - the fact they are preferred to The Breakdown says more about The Breakdown than anything else.

Actually I remember JP (and Bryn Hall) once saying on the pod ,one of the best things they had found in playing high level sport, it taught them to be a bit more positive, and to in general look at why things went wrong, and look at systems etc, not just who to blame.
Who was the former Wallaby Ben Darwin who co wrote Gain Line Analytics, said almost all mistakes on field can be traced back to system/training mistakes, and it too easy to point fingers at players.

This just highlights a flaw that's always been pretty apparent, I'm not sure he's really talking out of turn here on Rieko.

I wasn't in favor of them moving Rieko back to the wing as he's at the age where his speed will be on the way out, and he's never really been great under the high ball. Can we really see him on the wing at the next WC? Ben Smith he is not.

He's at an age when it's time for him to focus on being a really good 13, and this is where the coaching group have got to wear it a bit - he can cover wing but he's a 13, so either pick him there or fucking leave him out.

Except Riekos been incredibly poor at 13 for years.

It's just quite depressing to see someone who is clearly not good enough for internationals getting an automatic 1st team pick over and over.

@Frank It's called towing the party line.

Rieko has easily been a better centre than what we have seen from Proctor so far at test level - and also comfortably better than ALB over the last four years at test level.

Proctor and ALBs games just aren't translating at test level.

I agree that Rieko should be considered as a 13 that covers wing. He's never been strong under the high ball.

People get over excited about Super form. Super Rugby is no longer the premier club competition.

Reece is another example of a player who has been great in Super Rugby and mediocre at test level.

@kpkanz said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

Except Riekos been incredibly poor at 13 for years.

It's just quite depressing to see someone who is clearly not good enough for internationals getting an automatic 1st team pick over and over.

Well, if you completely ignore the fact he's one of the best defensive centre's we've had in a long time, I guess you could make that claim. I've said before, but I think a team like SA would value Rieko at centre a LOT more than we do given how much ground he covers on defense. But we're very focused on our centre's creating tries while ignoring other crucial aspects of the role at that level. I firmly believe the issues with Rieko on attack is because our backline tactics have been poor for a long time now, which means we never utilise his speed on the outside shoulder to get over the advantage line. Using him as a crash ball merchant so often is just so dumb.

@Dan54 when Parsons was playing he always had some great analysis of games, players, was always good value.

Such a shame if these guys are being restrained on what they can and can't say now.

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@kpkanz said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

Except Riekos been incredibly poor at 13 for years.

It's just quite depressing to see someone who is clearly not good enough for internationals getting an automatic 1st team pick over and over.

Well, if you completely ignore the fact he's one of the best defensive centre's we've had in a long time, I guess you could make that claim. I've said before, but I think a team like SA would value Rieko at centre a LOT more than we do given how much ground he covers on defense. But we're very focused on our centre's creating tries while ignoring other crucial aspects of the role at that level. I firmly believe the issues with Rieko on attack is because our backline tactics have been poor for a long time now, which means we never utilise his speed on the outside shoulder to get over the advantage line. Using him as a crash ball merchant so often is just so dumb.

And now you're completely ignoring Rieko with ball in hand. It's extremely rare to see him do anything other than tuck and duck, heading directly at one or two defenders. Two hands, eyes up, feet before the tackle is as far from his mind as possible.

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@kpkanz said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

Except Riekos been incredibly poor at 13 for years.

It's just quite depressing to see someone who is clearly not good enough for internationals getting an automatic 1st team pick over and over.

Well, if you completely ignore the fact he's one of the best defensive centre's we've had in a long time, I guess you could make that claim. I've said before, but I think a team like SA would value Rieko at centre a LOT more than we do given how much ground he covers on defense. But we're very focused on our centre's creating tries while ignoring other crucial aspects of the role at that level. I firmly believe the issues with Rieko on attack is because our backline tactics have been poor for a long time now, which means we never utilise his speed on the outside shoulder to get over the advantage line. Using him as a crash ball merchant so often is just so dumb.

No argument that he's a great defender.
And he could actually be a better option than Proctor at 13..........sigh.

But the lack of skill development is terrible.

@OomPB said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

It's going to be make or break for the Springboks. Most of them will remember the previous test at Mount Smart. The All Blacks challenge will put some spring in that old age Springboks step.

Most of them have never played at Eden park

@Frank thing is, once they hit the ABs, even Super, development shouldn't be needed, should just be fine tuning, but that is the problem, so many skills are being ignored at lower levels.

@Frank said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@kpkanz said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

Except Riekos been incredibly poor at 13 for years.

It's just quite depressing to see someone who is clearly not good enough for internationals getting an automatic 1st team pick over and over.

Well, if you completely ignore the fact he's one of the best defensive centre's we've had in a long time, I guess you could make that claim. I've said before, but I think a team like SA would value Rieko at centre a LOT more than we do given how much ground he covers on defense. But we're very focused on our centre's creating tries while ignoring other crucial aspects of the role at that level. I firmly believe the issues with Rieko on attack is because our backline tactics have been poor for a long time now, which means we never utilise his speed on the outside shoulder to get over the advantage line. Using him as a crash ball merchant so often is just so dumb.

No argument that he's a great defender.
And he could actually be a better option than Proctor at 13..........sigh.

But the lack of skill development is terrible.

I think the key takeaway from @No-Quarter's post is that regardless of skills development the ABs backline tactics have meant he's never been able to shine in the areas certain members of the Fern think are all that counts. Yet, with Proctor in the role now he's facing the same criticism, suggesting could be a systemic issue rather than an individual issue.

I wouldn't mind seeing Ennor get a go because his fluffers seem to suggest he's more in the Smith mould than the other two, so it would be good to see if he could function in that way in the current AB system.

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Frank thing is, once they hit the ABs, even Super, development shouldn't be needed, should just be fine tuning, but that is the problem, so many skills are being ignored at lower levels.

Rieko is like his brother, freakish athleticism led to weaknesses in their game being papered over. I can understand that.

What I can't understand is the seeming lack of desire to address those deficiencies. Rieko is tall and quick. Look how little the Bok wingers are and they are good in the air. Why couldn't he get good under the high ball? Why couldn't training drills be set up to improve his passing or positioning on attack at center?

Compare to the legend that is Ben Smith. Far less gifted but kept working on his skills. Ends up being a complete player.

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

with Proctor in the role now he's facing the same criticism

Yeah true, as they've clearly played the same amount of test rugby, so it can't be just that Proctor has as much experience in a difficult position as Rieko has had in half of one of his many test seasons.

@Bones said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

with Proctor in the role now he's facing the same criticism

Yeah true, as they've clearly played the same amount of test rugby, so it can't be just that Proctor has as much experience in a difficult position as Rieko has had in half of one of his many test seasons.

Huh, a player can still get criticised on the actual game they play even if they haven't played many games.

Also, I said it was a systemic issue so wasn't attacking your boy Proctor (he hasn't lived up the hype yet but if @Canes4life didn't exist then that hype would be about 95% less).

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Bones said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

with Proctor in the role now he's facing the same criticism

Yeah true, as they've clearly played the same amount of test rugby, so it can't be just that Proctor has as much experience in a difficult position as Rieko has had in half of one of his many test seasons.

Huh, a player can still get criticised on the actual game they play even if they haven't played many games.

Also, I said it was a systemic issue so wasn't attacking your boy Proctor (he hasn't lived up the hype yet but if @Canes4life didn't exist then that hype would be about 95% less).

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Frank said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@kpkanz said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

Except Riekos been incredibly poor at 13 for years.

It's just quite depressing to see someone who is clearly not good enough for internationals getting an automatic 1st team pick over and over.

Well, if you completely ignore the fact he's one of the best defensive centre's we've had in a long time, I guess you could make that claim. I've said before, but I think a team like SA would value Rieko at centre a LOT more than we do given how much ground he covers on defense. But we're very focused on our centre's creating tries while ignoring other crucial aspects of the role at that level. I firmly believe the issues with Rieko on attack is because our backline tactics have been poor for a long time now, which means we never utilise his speed on the outside shoulder to get over the advantage line. Using him as a crash ball merchant so often is just so dumb.

No argument that he's a great defender.
And he could actually be a better option than Proctor at 13..........sigh.

But the lack of skill development is terrible.

I think the key takeaway from @No-Quarter's post is that regardless of skills development the ABs backline tactics have meant he's never been able to shine in the areas certain members of the Fern think are all that counts. Yet, with Proctor in the role now he's facing the same criticism, suggesting could be a systemic issue rather than an individual issue.

I wouldn't mind seeing Ennor get a go because his fluffers seem to suggest he's more in the Smith mould than the other two, so it would be good to see if he could function in that way in the current AB system.

I always felt Ennor was the heir to the 13 jersey but constant injuries keep costing him.
Still would like to see how he goes on the big stage

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Frank said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@kpkanz said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

Except Riekos been incredibly poor at 13 for years.

It's just quite depressing to see someone who is clearly not good enough for internationals getting an automatic 1st team pick over and over.

Well, if you completely ignore the fact he's one of the best defensive centre's we've had in a long time, I guess you could make that claim. I've said before, but I think a team like SA would value Rieko at centre a LOT more than we do given how much ground he covers on defense. But we're very focused on our centre's creating tries while ignoring other crucial aspects of the role at that level. I firmly believe the issues with Rieko on attack is because our backline tactics have been poor for a long time now, which means we never utilise his speed on the outside shoulder to get over the advantage line. Using him as a crash ball merchant so often is just so dumb.

No argument that he's a great defender.
And he could actually be a better option than Proctor at 13..........sigh.

But the lack of skill development is terrible.

I think the key takeaway from @No-Quarter's post is that regardless of skills development the ABs backline tactics have meant he's never been able to shine in the areas certain members of the Fern think are all that counts. Yet, with Proctor in the role now he's facing the same criticism, suggesting could be a systemic issue rather than an individual issue.

I wouldn't mind seeing Ennor get a go because his fluffers seem to suggest he's more in the Smith mould than the other two, so it would be good to see if he could function in that way in the current AB system.

You gotta get away with your provincialism obsession and particular hatred of all things Canterbury. It's boring.

Rieko hasn't developed his game either at wing under the high ball or kick reception. He also hasn't developed a good passing game at center and apparently that's the fault of two successive coaching regimes. Don't make me laugh. Where's the accountability?

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Bones said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

with Proctor in the role now he's facing the same criticism

Yeah true, as they've clearly played the same amount of test rugby, so it can't be just that Proctor has as much experience in a difficult position as Rieko has had in half of one of his many test seasons.

Huh, a player can still get criticised on the actual game they play even if they haven't played many games.

Also, I said it was a systemic issue so wasn't attacking your boy Proctor (he hasn't lived up the hype yet but if @Canes4life didn't exist then that hype would be about 95% less).

Weak argument. Nice try to distract with the provincial angle, but that just makes it more obvious you've got nothing else.