Match thread

taniwharugby

@No-Quarter the Saffas put alot of numbers in just as disruptors.

Dan54

@Chris-B said in England Vs All Blacks:

@No-Quarter said in England Vs All Blacks:

@jimmyb said in England Vs All Blacks:

@stodders said in England Vs All Blacks:

@Victor-Meldrew said in England Vs All Blacks:

@frugby said in England Vs All Blacks:

This All Blacks team is screaming for some X-Factor on the wing.

For me that's Will Jordan. He really doesn't have the skills to be a Test 15.

Who does? I’m not convinced by Love (I think he is a 10). Who are the alternatives? NZ are crying out for the new Israel Dagg to make his appearance.

And here's the other thing, Jordie is still in the team, and is an even better player than he was back then, and has the skillset to completely diffuse opposition bombs which are a key weakness for us right now. Jordie is so much better at 15 than Jordan it's not even funny.

They've had Jordie in the backfield fielding bombs this year and he's dropped his fair share.

I watch most teams play, and yet to see a player take all high balls, whether chasing or receiving.
Also with noone beinge able to screen now, it makes it even harder.

Chris B.

@No-Quarter said in England Vs All Blacks:

@Chris-B "completely diffuse" is a bit of hyperbole on my part but he's easily our best under the high ball. As per my post in another thread, I don't like the way chasers are allowed to just jump up and slap it back without a genuine attempt to catch it, makes it unfair on the person fielding the kick.

It would be interesting to do a detailed season-wide analysis of catching high balls to verify who is best (and worst). Not just a raw score of catches and drops - but, looking at catches in traffic and outcomes compared with expected outcomes - some sort of rational scoring system and commentary.

Unfortunately, it would probably require "someone" to watch all the games again. Maybe he (or she!) can do it next year! πŸ™‚

No Quarter

@Chris-B that's not how I do things on the Fern, I base my analysis on vibes and feelings, and if someone corrects me with data I demand they be BANNED!

@Chris-B said in England Vs All Blacks:

@No-Quarter said in England Vs All Blacks:

@Chris-B "completely diffuse" is a bit of hyperbole on my part but he's easily our best under the high ball. As per my post in another thread, I don't like the way chasers are allowed to just jump up and slap it back without a genuine attempt to catch it, makes it unfair on the person fielding the kick.

It would be interesting to do a detailed season-wide analysis of catching high balls to verify who is best (and worst). Not just a raw score of catches and drops - but, looking at catches in traffic and outcomes compared with expected outcomes - some sort of rational scoring system and commentary.

Unfortunately, it would probably require "someone" to watch all the games again. Maybe he (or she!) can do it next year! πŸ™‚

No need, 3 groups.
Clarke is best, Jordie a close 2nd.
Then McKenzie, then Beauden, then Jordan.
Then Ioane, Carter and Reece.

Our main problem though is that the other teams kicks are far more contestable than ours, and their attacking chase and defence of are better organised.

frugby

@Victor-Meldrew I could get in behind that... but not sure Love is the superstar fullback to offset it.

Chris B.

@reprobate I jotted down the kick results for Boks 1.

They were quite a lot different to that, but one game has very little statistical value.

Any rumours for the team this week?

Does that mean De Groot shifts to first five

Bovidae

Rieko is definitely on the outer.

KiwiMurph

ALB sucks as a bench option

Gets a bench spot

Make it make sense....

Bovidae

@KiwiMurph Says more about them not trusting LF or RI as 12 cover. They should have been bold and gone with a 6:2 split too.