@Smudge said in All Blacks v France III:
@Duluth said in All Blacks v France III:
So, thoughts on that chip kick from the captain?
One of the dumbest things I've seen from a senior All Black in a loooooong time.
Right up there with attending a Coldplay concert.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v France III:
Just couldn't have a 23 without a Barrett
Thank fŭck for that.
What does everyone think of Jordie at 12 btw?
Thoughts to generate some chat again.
Anyone who watched that and doesn't think Finau belongs in test rugby shouldn't bother logging back in, just go post on reddit rugby. He was our most effective loose forward for the majority of the match while the other two swanned about doing dumb shit.
Anyone who watched DMac calmy pass the ball to dangerous areas, kick with accuracy and depth, and just calmly guide us around, and doesn't think he should own that 10 jersey should also not bother logging back in.
The fact Jordie Barrett has come back from Europe playing this well is a damning indictment on our domestic coaching. He's night and day better than last year, so thank you Ireland.
If Razor puts Barrett back to starting lock given the form of the other two guys it would be a disgraceful piece of selecting.
Geez the French have some depth. They played bloody well, that #8 was a fucking menace. Their forwards were so strong too, stopping us over and over again. Credit to the big lads who eventually got over the top of them.
Good test and a good win.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:
If Razor puts Barrett back to starting lock given the form of the other two guys it would be a disgraceful piece of selecting
Tuipulotu, Holland & Vaa'i > Barrett
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:
while the other two swanned about doing dumb shit.
Thought Papali'i really improved the cleanouts when he came on. Sometimes it's easier to look good as a sub though. So hopefully he gets a chance to start at some stage.
That's unlikely, as the loose forward coach seems very confused
I thought Finau's clean was his stand out attribute. His body position is so good, and it's not flashy it just assertively secures the ball. He was also really busy.
So I'm still furious about that dropkick attempting a chip kick 10m out from our own tryline. The very opposite of calm, effective, inspirational leadership.
His next impact was to lose the ball in contact in our own half and immediately place the team under pressure.
The next time I spotted him he was hanging back from a ruck that needed support, no doubt waiting on someone else to secure the ball so he could pick it up and immediately hand it over again.
Proof positive he had a stinker is somewhere north of the 60min mark after the French were penalized at a ruck, TJ on commentary said he'd had a Captain's knock.
Also as I long predicted the genius selection of Savea and Kirifi on the field at the same time has the obvious end result. One player who won't do the hard work with another entirely too small to be effective against a good French pack.
Thank Christ the much maligned Finau stood up.
And that Jordie was on the bench to save the day.
@antipodean said in All Blacks v France III:
One player who won't do the hard work with another entirely too small to be effective against a good French pack
Kirifi needs to realise the player he is, not the player he wants to be.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:
Thoughts to generate some chat again.
Anyone who watched that and doesn't think Finau belongs in test rugby shouldn't bother logging back in, just go post on reddit rugby. He was our most effective loose forward for the majority of the match while the other two swanned about doing dumb shit.
Anyone who watched DMac calmy pass the ball to dangerous areas, kick with accuracy and depth, and just calmly guide us around, and doesn't think he should own that 10 jersey should also not bother logging back in.
The fact Jordie Barrett has come back from Europe playing this well is a damning indictment on our domestic coaching. He's night and day better than last year, so thank you Ireland.
If Razor puts Barrett back to starting lock given the form of the other two guys it would be a disgraceful piece of selecting.Geez the French have some depth. They played bloody well, that #8 was a fucking menace. Their forwards were so strong too, stopping us over and over again. Credit to the big lads who eventually got over the top of them.
Good test and a good win.
Yep I will eat my words on Finau he did stand up I was impressed by him for once, hopefully he keeps going that way.
ALB was a penalty magnet again. I think he's not capable of playing 13 at this level as he doesn't have the pace to cover the gap our defensive structure provides the opposition. So at best he's down the pecking order of 12s.
@antipodean said in All Blacks v France III:
ALB was a penalty magnet again. I think he's not capable of playing 13 at this level as he doesn't have the pace to cover the gap our defensive structure provides the opposition. So at best he's down the pecking order of 12s.
The one thing he does have is good vision, just often not the tools to implement it. He did rush up quite a bit to stunt the French attack.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:
@antipodean said in All Blacks v France III:
One player who won't do the hard work with another entirely too small to be effective against a good French pack
Kirifi needs to realise the player he is, not the player he wants to be.
Yeah he took quite a while to get into a groove in SR too, but that's probably a luxury at this level (especially at his age).
I feel there are still more questions than answers right now.
This may ruffle a few feathers but DMac's best place in test match footy is coming into the game as an impact player. I'm not convinced with Beauden as our starting 10 either.
Fabian Holland has taken to test match rugby like a duck to water.
Time to move on from ALB, Reece and Tuipulotu
Clearly daylight between Roigard and the other halfbacks. Ratima has been average this series.
Jury is still out around Proctor at 13 but RI is not the answer so maybe Proctor just needs a bit more time in the saddle.
General play kicking has been poor as has receiving kick offs and exits.
@1kiwi said in All Blacks v France III:
Tuipulotu
considering no one would be speaking like this about Patrick, who is the other Tuipulotu?
As expected though, big personnel changes resulted in a very disconnected performance. Who would have thought?
@1kiwi said in All Blacks v France III:
Time to move on from ALB, Reece and Tuipulotu
Bold way to drive traffic back.
Thought Love was really good, awesome to see a fullback running it back at pace instead of hitch kicking on the spot and being driven backwards or throwing a shitty pop pass to no one.
Jordan should get some time at centre....
