@african-monkey said in All Blacks 2022:
@bones Eklund's never gonna overtake any of these hookers but yeah, wouldn't disagree with that.
He's a bit like Coltman and used to throw like him but improved in that area where as Coltman never did.
Eklund just needs to grow a fluffy beard, as apparently that's all Coltman needed to get a black jersey.
@nepia said in All Blacks 2022:
@african-monkey said in All Blacks 2022:
@bones Eklund's never gonna overtake any of these hookers but yeah, wouldn't disagree with that.
He's a bit like Coltman and used to throw like him but improved in that area where as Coltman never did.
Eklund just needs to grow a fluffy beard, as apparently that's all Coltman needed to get a black jersey.
His throwing was always bad, but there were one or two seasons where he was pretty much a second openside flanker - he'd get a ridiculous number of turnovers. His running game wasn't too bad then either. If he could've improved with his throwing and maintained that form, he would've been pretty handy option
A bit of a nothing article from AAP that's on RugbyPass. But really scrapping the bullshit for this starting line "After 12 Super Rugby titles, the Crusaders often are a reliable bellwether for the state of New Zealand rugby."
ABs period of real domination 2010~16, 0 Crusaders wins, ABs turn to shit 2017+ 5 Crusaders wins. You could start from 05 on, but that side were mentally weak, and needed a terrible loss in 07 to turn them around. 09 was also annus horribilus - lots of Crusaders wins there!
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
@machpants I'm hoping that for the first time in 5-6 years the Crusaders AB's are pacing themselves. Taylor has previously played like a man possessed during Super rugby only to then limp through test matches. Whitelock doesn't appear to be putting it all the line at the moment. Mo'unga looks only slightly better than Garden-Bachop etc.
It's what I'm hoping anyway.
@toddy said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants I'm hoping that for the first time in 5-6 years the Crusaders AB's are pacing themselves. Taylor has previously played like a man possessed during Super rugby only to then limp through test matches. Whitelock doesn't appear to be putting it all the line at the moment. Mo'unga looks only slightly better than Garden-Bachop etc.
It's what I'm hoping anyway.
I don't care that they are being shown up. I think it is good for the ABs (if the selectors take notice)
Other sides are playing a more physical style against them and not allowing their weak runners and 'soaking' tacklers any leeway.
If this means that the ABs ditch the Bridges, Havilis, Taylors and Moodys then all the better.
Their real weakness is the loose forwards though. Lots of very busy but non-dominant players.
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
How can you lose a series when each side won one game, lost one game and drew one game? If anything the All Blacks were clear winners of the series given the following a la 20/20 cricket tie breakers
Points scored 66 Points conceded 54
Ties scored 5 Tries conceded 3
Conversions 4 Conversions conceded 2
@higgins said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
How can you lose a series when each side won one game, lost one game and drew one game? If anything the All Blacks were clear winners of the series given the following a la 20/20 cricket tie breakers
Points scored 66 Points conceded 54
Ties scored 5 Tries conceded 3
Conversions 4 Conversions conceded 2
Because it was in NZ and we didn't win, that's a loss as far as I'm concerned. The Lions were pretty shit, and turned up so late and with so little prep. But we had a dumb red card, then a dumber decision to put Savea back on the wing where he shelled a couple of almost cert tries, and choked like '07.
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@higgins said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
How can you lose a series when each side won one game, lost one game and drew one game? If anything the All Blacks were clear winners of the series given the following a la 20/20 cricket tie breakers
Points scored 66 Points conceded 54
Ties scored 5 Tries conceded 3
Conversions 4 Conversions conceded 2Because it was in NZ and we didn't win, that's a loss as far as I'm concerned. The Lions were pretty shit, and turned up so late and with so little prep. But we had a dumb red card, then a dumber decision to put Savea back on the wing where he shelled a couple of almost cert tries, and choked like '07.
Let's not forget the idiotic play at the end of test 3 (notwithstanding the "deal")
@machpants the lack of research in some rugby pass articles is bewildering. Click bait is all it is.
@higgins said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
How can you lose a series when each side won one game, lost one game and drew one game? If anything the All Blacks were clear winners of the series given the following a la 20/20 cricket tie breakers
Points scored 66 Points conceded 54
Ties scored 5 Tries conceded 3
Conversions 4 Conversions conceded 2
Cos this happened
@junior said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@higgins said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
How can you lose a series when each side won one game, lost one game and drew one game? If anything the All Blacks were clear winners of the series given the following a la 20/20 cricket tie breakers
Points scored 66 Points conceded 54
Ties scored 5 Tries conceded 3
Conversions 4 Conversions conceded 2Because it was in NZ and we didn't win, that's a loss as far as I'm concerned. The Lions were pretty shit, and turned up so late and with so little prep. But we had a dumb red card, then a dumber decision to put Savea back on the wing where he shelled a couple of almost cert tries, and choked like '07.
Let's not forget the idiotic play at the end of test 3 (notwithstanding the "deal")
Farking TJP. I'm still snippy about that, cost us the chance of a win in the series.
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
Because it was in NZ and we didn't win, that's a loss as far as I'm concerned. The Lions were pretty shit, and turned up so late and with so little prep. But we had a dumb red card, then a dumber decision to put Savea back on the wing where he shelled a couple of almost cert tries, and choked like '07.
Gats gets a lot of stick on here, but I really rate him as a coach. That Lions side were very well drilled.
What doesn't get much air time is the injuries that smashed the ABs, and left the Lions largely untouched. Losing Ben Smith, a midfield that had Laumape on debut -- Naholo getting his arm broken, it just was really an unlucky series for the ABs
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
Because it was in NZ and we didn't win, that's a loss as far as I'm concerned. The Lions were pretty shit, and turned up so late and with so little prep. But we had a dumb red card, then a dumber decision to put Savea back on the wing where he shelled a couple of almost cert tries, and choked like '07.
Gats gets a lot of stick on here, but I really rate him as a coach. That Lions side were very well drilled.
What doesn't get much air time is the injuries that smashed the ABs, and left the Lions largely untouched. Losing Ben Smith, a midfield that had Laumape on debut -- Naholo getting his arm broken, it just was really an unlucky series for the ABs
Well he wasn't smart enough to come up with such a great move as "Israel Dagg to hit it up one out".
