@Jnr said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:
@Jailbreak7 said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:
@frugby said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:
Parker an interesting one. They clearly feel they need the archetype, but don't feel he is ready to go just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if he is again unused this week - but to me it makes it highly likely they want to get Frizell back involved.
The loose forwards remain the area I'm least sure about and they also seem to be the area the coaches are least sure about. What's the best combination? Are all the jobs being covered? Who plays where? How will a smaller trio fare against South Africa? And if Jacobson is out, we'll see yet another combination this weekend. That could give Parker an opportunity, either as a starter or off the bench.
I don't think we have the balance right as yet in our loose forward mix. I'm far from convinced by Ardie as captain - and player for that matter. LJ and Segner were far more effective hitting rucks, moving bodies and turning ball over...Ardie is planly in the twilight of his career, sure no-one doubts his commitment, but there are other more effective players and ball carriers.
Segner has been a revelation this season winning and contessting LOs, carrying strongly and turning over ball. I would like to see him at 7, LJ (If fit) at 6 and Lakai at 8..
I think Ardie hit close to 50 rucks against the French. It was a key part of the reason we got such quick ball.
He also made the most carries that game.
Even though he came off early against Italy he was top 4 for both carries and tackles.
To do that while clearly needing a rest and after an jnjury early in the game shows he's still a vital component of the team.
Did he really? That would be great if so - but it is a hell of a lot more rucks than usual, he averaged about 15 per 80 minutes for Moana.
Against Italy he was 4th for carries per minute and 7th for tackles per minute. Wallace Sititi - who had the worst game in the history of the known universe - was 3rd and 5th (without the advantage of playing for a shorter period).
He was 9th and 12th vs France when playing 80 (which illustrates the per minute advantage of guys who play part-games).
I'm not particularly down on him, but those carry and tackles per minute vs France are about the same as what he did for Moana, so I'd be very surprised if he kept that workload the same but hit 3 times the amount of rucks.
The loose forward balance, and even what they're aiming for, remains a bit of a mystery to me.