@canefan said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
That was in Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Also if you want to become expert at anything they say you need to practice at least 10000 hours
the 10,000 hours had been debunked I thought?
@nzzp said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@canefan said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
That was in Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Also if you want to become expert at anything they say you need to practice at least 10000 hours
the 10,000 hours had been debunked I thought?
Dunno, just regurgitating what I read. I would imagine it's a lot of hours. Of course you need some natural skill as well
@ACT-Crusader said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
Canada will be a tougher prospect than Namibia but will they offer more resistance than Italy?
Tonga 33, Canada 23 in the Pacific Nations Cup doesn't really bode well for them, unless they've acquired some significant reinforcements.
Canada is on a 5-game losing streak, including a loss to Leinster. The interest will be Ardron and Olmstead.
@Chris-B said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@ACT-Crusader said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
Canada will be a tougher prospect than Namibia but will they offer more resistance than Italy?
Tonga 33, Canada 23 in the Pacific Nations Cup doesn't really bode well for them, unless they've acquired some significant reinforcements.
So Tonga were keeping their powder dry in Hamilton...
I think we will put our wings away for now - they will tinker with the midfiled and I think they will change the front row, plus give Reado and Cane a break.
I'm pretty happy wiht our performance - except for our start, but we have certainly upped the tempo.
Ithink out of all the coaches, Shag will be the happiest with Schmidt a close second.
@Jailbreak7 given Cane didn’t play a full game against the Boks I say he gets a run with Todd against Canada to give Ardie a spell.
@rotated it is. But counterintuitively, if you are younger and smaller v your peer group (like many kids born late in the year) but manage to stay in the top grade, when you finally hit your growth spurt, you’re more likely to succeed at the top level.
Lots of factors, but the biggies are mental toughness, being forced to perfect technique to compete and not being reliant on relative speed and size.
Another issue with that study is that jnr hockey players get very few touches of the puck so the extra ice time first line players get becomes a huge advantage over time. It turns out that as against that oft-quoted study having access to a rink outside of practice/games (in the backyard or down the road) is a bigger predictor than early year birthdate.
Back on topic - back in Toronto after my jaunt to Japan and the boys here are desperate for the Maple Leafs to put up a good showing.
But even with Sir Ted’s help most of the former Canadian test players are not confident. The days of Canada competing by fielding a vicious pack of lumberjacks, rigpigs and autoworkers with some flash if slightly raw backs are over.
Fact is that Canada has adapted to professionalism slower and worse than any other T2 nation. Some of that is structural but mostly it is that the game here has always been shockingly poorly governed with no vision and bags of provincialism.
A story I have never been able to confirm but which is perfectly believable (and illustrative) was that in the 90s when the 5 nations looked to expand they tested the waters with Canada before approaching Italy. And Rugby Canada rejected the approach out of hand because they believed it would be too expensive for Canada to participate!
This whinge of a post is really just to set up what my wish is for this squad: that the Rumballs, Hearns and Sears-Durus and others pick up contracts in top competitions. Unless and until that happens Canada will continue to underperform.
@Smuts said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@rotated it is. But counterintuitively, if you are younger and smaller v your peer group (like many kids born late in the year) but manage to stay in the top grade, when you finally hit your growth spurt, you’re more likely to succeed at the top level.
My mate has a theory (in classic Fern style) that a lot of great basketballers grow late. As you say, they need mental toughness and grit and skills to survive, and then get the physical attributes. If you're massive early, unless you're Yao Ming or Shaq, you get lazy and just dominate physically.
We see this all the time in Rugby; schoolboy superstars used to running around slower and weaker opponents, suddenly finding that doesn't work against good D. Takes time to up--skill, and some never do
Been thinking quite a bit about this game and strategy for the AB's from here.
11 days between the Boks and Canada means lots of time for rest and recuperation but then only a 4 day turn around for Namibia. And then 6 days for Italy.
IMHO, they need to go with the bulk of the first choice squad for this next game and Italy and the support squad against Namibia.
So by employing such a strategy, the top AB team gets a rest of 11 days for Canada and then another 10 days before Italy. That my friends is plenty of rest before the knock out stages.
Clearly Canada from their first showing aren't going to be much of an opposition (sadly) but we need to make sure the combinations get more time together. Much like how the warm-up game against Tonga turned out, this will be a contested training run. So why not give the top team another run together to keep working on the combinations especially in the key areas:
The dual pivot
Centre combination
With that said, I think Ardie needs a rest, he's been a 1 man army throughout the Super Season and for the AB's. Swap in either Frizzel or Todd and things shouldn't be upset too much. But Ardie starts against Italy and then on wards into the knock out rounds.
The Mo'unga and Barrett dual pivot role, I can only see it getting more effective the longer they play and with this strategy as I've suggested, this gives them two more matches allowing them time to read and work off each other, build the understanding and teamwork.
After the last few games and especially the Bok's game, the biggest question that remains has to be, what does our centre pairing look like going into the knock out round.
IMHO, based on form over the whole year, ALB is now our premier 12/13 depending on partner. As far as I am concerned, ALB has to be in the starting line up. So who to partner him?
As much as it seems almost alien to me, not a huge SBW fan to be honest, I think it has to be either SBW starts, especially against North Hemisphere teams, with Crotty on the bench, or Crotty starts and SBW is on the bench.
Obviously this leaves Goodhue on the outer and in my honest opinion, whilst he was awesome in his breakout year, the past 12 months he's been rather quiet, solid but not spectacular. I know this opinion won't be well accepted by the cantabrians but oh well.
As for the back 3, I'm not sold on Reece at all, I think his positional play and habit of rushing in or worse, going for the million 2 one intercept gives me major doubts. I do think that Bridge looks really comfortable, a natural at this level and should be retained. I then think it's a choice of Rieko or Ben from Accounts in place of Reece.
That said, it's gotta be Rieko right, with Ben on the bench? Or the other way around? Oh, that's right, Ben gives a lot more options on the bench and therefore, Rieko starts and Ben is on the bench. That way we are covered across the board.
It was said on the TV news last night that 2 separate AB teams are training as preparation for the Canada and Namibia games. Hansen and co will have mapped out which players are involved in each game. I agree about resting Ardie, Whitelock is another who should be on limited minutes.
@Bovidae said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
It was said on the TV news last night that 2 separate AB teams are training as preparation for the Canada and Namibia games. Hansen and co will have mapped out which players are involved in each game. I agree about resting Ardie, Whitelock is another who should be on limited minutes.
Good point @Bovidae Whitelock is another who has had a huge number of minutes this year and needs a break.
When we have three players who can easily take some minutes at lock - Tuipulotu, Barrett and Frizell.
And if BBBR can get onto the park for a pool game, all the better!!!
Fuck yes, I'm getting excited. I honestly think compared to other RWC's, we have a pretty clear way forward baring major injuries. But then our depth, well that's what separates us from the pack right!
@taniwharugby That makes sense, and the rugby journos all think most of the top XV won't play against Canada. There will have to be some players involved in both of the next 2 games, whether starting or on the bench.
Looking at the intervals between games:
SA to Canada -> 11 days
Canada to Namibia -> 4 days
Namibia to Italy -> 6 days
Italy to QF -> 7 days
Even for the team that played SA there will be 2-week gap between games. I reckon some inter-squad games might be happening again.
After the towelling Canada got at the hands of Italy, this is going to be complete demolition. They dropped a lot of ball against the Azzuri, but they could not deal with the linespeed of Italy, so they're no hope against the midweek ABs who want a crack at the big games.
Fucking tough pool for the beaver retrievers.
@Bovidae said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@taniwharugby That makes sense, and the rugby journos all think most of the top XV won't play against Canada. There will have to be some players involved in both of the next 2 games, whether starting or on the bench.
Looking at the intervals between games:
SA to Canada -> 11 days
Canada to Namibia -> 4 days
Namibia to Italy -> 6 days
Italy to QF -> 7 daysEven for the team that played SA there will be 2-week gap between games. I reckon some inter-squad games might be happening again.
With all due respect, I think it is the other way around, play the first team against Canada and then Italy, giving plenty of rest balanced with game time.
The 2nd string team plays against Namibia which has a much shorter turnaround.
That way the top combinations have more time for work ons.
In this scenario, Namibia unfortunately ends up being the placeholders but based on the draw and the win against the Boks, there isn't any other way IMHO
@RoninWC said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
With all due respect, I think it is the other way around, play the first team against Canada and then Italy, giving plenty of rest balanced with game time.
The 2nd string team plays against Namibia which has a much shorter turnaround.
That way the top combinations have more time for work ons.
In this scenario, Namibia unfortunately ends up being the placeholders but based on the draw and the win against the Boks, there isn't any other way IMHO
There will be pros and cons for each option. Excluding BBBR, the likes of Ioane and Goodhue will need to play sooner rather than later. They last played in Perth on Aug 10, 7 weeks and counting.
Edit: Rieko might have played for Auckland after that - not 100% sure.
Minutes played...
Moody 50/ Tu'ungafasi 30
Coles 40/ Taylor 40
Laulala 50/ Ta'avao 30
Whitelock 80
Barrett 75
Tuipulotu 40
Savea 80
Cane 40
Read 80
Frizell 5
Smith 61 / Perenara 19
Mo'unga 66
G. C. Bridge 80
R. S. Crotty 50 / SBW 30
A. R. Lienert-Brown 80
S. L. Reece 80
B. J. Barrett 80
B Smith 14
Jordie Barrett 0
Ioane 0
Goodhue 0
Weber 0
Todd 0
Retallick 0
Coltman 0
Moli 0
Can make up the team from that if everyone gets a run in the first 2 games
@RoninWC said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Bones IMHO, I think they do. Much like what happened in '15, keep the top team together and get them minutes without tiring them out too much.
Isn't that optimal? Surely, combinations just aren't across positions but the whole team?
I think there'll be periods where we see a large number of the "top team" together, as well as periods of "number 1" plays. But I can't see them wanting to show their hand too much before the quarters.
I fall in the camp of the bestish team against Canada and Italy. Dirttrackers against Namibia on the short turnaround. You has a long break after Bok game a long break prior to that , so from here in its pretty much a game a week for the frontline. That said you may see Moli, Goodhue and Fritzelll, starting or in 23 against Canada,
@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Crucial why not JB?
Because I think Ben Smith will start at 15. He is more important to have time under the belt and confidence. JB will come on from the bench.
@Crucial said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Crucial why not JB?
Because I think Ben Smith will start at 15. He is more important to have time under the belt and confidence. JB will come on from the bench.
I can see Barrett starting right wing against Namibia. There is no compelling reason to play Reece or Bridge on short rest.
Whoever is the 3rd 10 will likely get at least a 20 minute stint there at some point - could be Jordie too.
Centre combo is the interesting one. They want to give everyone a run, but they've been doing that for four years, its about time the chosen two settled down and developed a combo for at least 2 of the next 3 games.
@rotated said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Crucial said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Crucial why not JB?
Because I think Ben Smith will start at 15. He is more important to have time under the belt and confidence. JB will come on from the bench.
I can see Barrett starting right wing against Namibia. There is no compelling reason to play Reece or Bridge on short rest.
Whoever is the 3rd 10 will likely get at least a 20 minute stint there at some point - could be Jordie too.
Centre combo is the interesting one. They want to give everyone a run, but they've been doing that for four years, its about time the chosen two settled down and developed a combo for at least 2 of the next 3 games.
For this game I think the aim will be to start SBW and Goodhue with the aim of them getting up to speed. Crotty is the obvious reserve but he could also sub the 10 and have someone like JB go into 12.
For backs I’m thinking something like
TJP
Mounga
Rieko
SBW
Goodhue
Reece/JB
Bender
Weber
Crotty
JB/BB
@Crucial said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@rotated said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Crucial said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
@Crucial why not JB?
Because I think Ben Smith will start at 15. He is more important to have time under the belt and confidence. JB will come on from the bench.
I can see Barrett starting right wing against Namibia. There is no compelling reason to play Reece or Bridge on short rest.
Whoever is the 3rd 10 will likely get at least a 20 minute stint there at some point - could be Jordie too.
Centre combo is the interesting one. They want to give everyone a run, but they've been doing that for four years, its about time the chosen two settled down and developed a combo for at least 2 of the next 3 games.
For this game I think the aim will be to start SBW and Goodhue with the aim of them getting up to speed. Crotty is the obvious reserve but he could also sub the 10 and have someone like JB go into 12.
For backs I’m thinking something like
TJP
Mounga
Rieko
SBW
Reece/JB
BenderWeber
Crotty
JB/BB
You are the anti-Cheika.
@rotated said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
Centre combo is the interesting one. They want to give everyone a run, but they've been doing that for four years, its about time the chosen two settled down and developed a combo for at least 2 of the next 3 games.
According to Fozzie that isn't the philosophy anymore. They want an interchangeable pool of centres and see that as a strength.
@Crucial said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
According to Fozzie that isn't the philosophy anymore. They want an interchangeable pool of centres and see that as a strength.
He has also said they know who their best centre combo is, even if the rest of us don't from the outside looking in (yet).
I don’t know if you are referring to next game or in general, but it seems to me if you play your strongest team against Italy that’s three weeks after the Boks game, you definitely want a hit out before that but you don’t want it on a short week, so it only makes sense for bulk of first team to play this week after having had a good break, with the dirt trackers playing 4 days after that. To me after that tough first game the schedule is perfect. An opportunity to build every week and stay game ready with no short weeks for the 1st team.
Thing is that you've actually only got 8 dirt trackers - i.e. guys who didn't play the first game (and Frizell for Todd, Patty T for Retallick IMO).
So, for me, those eight guys all play both of the next two games - mixed and matched with the starting 23. And then the top 23 (as far as possible) play Italy and the play-off games.
The Canada game looks the ideal opportunity to give Jordie Barrett some match time at First Five Eight and get up to speed playing number 10 at International level.
@sparky said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
The Canada game looks the ideal opportunity to give Jordie Barrett some match time at First Five Eight and get up to speed playing number 10 at International level.
@DMX said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
I don’t know if you are referring to next game or in general, but it seems to me if you play your strongest team against Italy that’s three weeks after the Boks game, you definitely want a hit out before that but you don’t want it on a short week, so it only makes sense for bulk of first team to play this week after having had a good break, with the dirt trackers playing 4 days after that. To me after that tough first game the schedule is perfect. An opportunity to build every week and stay game ready with no short weeks for the 1st team.
Well sure, if that's the way you think rugby must be done, then it wouldn't make sense. They know what their top side is (if there even is one) and also what plays/plans work when and against who pretty much. What value is there in saying everyone gets played and then not following through? I keep hearing the ABs are getting an easier quarter and also can't play more than 3 decent level games in a row - why does the top team need to play twice before hitting the finals?
@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Canada (Pool B):
if there even is one
I think that is it. There isn't a first 15 (or 23) - at this point anyway.
There will be different strategies for different opposition. Some guys will need to play more if they have been injured or out of form, others will need a break. I don't like playing guys out of position but even that might have to happen when you are only allowed a squad of 31 and have a couple of easier games.