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I don't think Kaino is a big loss given they have Messam who can step straight in and play a similar role. Nonu is a huge loss. I fully expect To'omua and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) to dominate the centres now.

Would like to see McCabe get involved more too. Play more of a Digby role and go looking for the ball. Horne was superb I thought with very limited opportunity.

Maybe that's why we haven't won a Bledisloe in 10 years. Pick players who can adapt to conditions or don't pick them.

I wouldn't say dropped. I would say selecting a player for the conditions. Foley would better in those conditions. Isn't it expected to be wet at Eden? If its dry I don't mind seeing Beale at 10, but in wet weather give me Foley.

I'm not sure what the point of a slower, less dynamic but solid backline is. Given that being "solid" was not a problem on the weekend. Even with Beale at 10 we defended superbly and I would say overall a solid performance. We lacked some penetration and spark in attack. Id go with: 9...

Agreed. To'omua seems to play 10 times better with Quade inside him too.

They play different roles in the back-line. Beale is the primary play-maker. To'omua the secondary. So to a large extent that sentence is correct. Although you phrased it as such that To'omua's primary role of tackling and running the ball into the defence is less important.

Beale's job was to create something. anything. That is why is was picked over Foley. He did not even show a glimpse of being threatening in any aspect of game. No running threat, No passing threat. If you wanted a player to just do the basics right you might as pick Foley, a player who also...

To be fair To'omua's role in the team is much different to Beales. To'omua straightens the attack and is a rock on defence. He made mistakes but at least he did his job well. Or at worst we saw glimpses of him doing his job. Beale's job was to create something. He did not do this at all.

White's decision making was horrible. Phipps wasn't much better when he came on but I at least think he deserve's a chance. His sniping runs would come in handy and the All Blacks are all over White's box kicks.

Don't get me wrong Braveheart I don't hate the guy I just don't think he has produced anything on the Test arena in the last 2-3 years, until he does I will remain critical.

Disagree about To'omua. He often straightened the attack and took it to the line and made some half-breaks. Exactly what we needed and expected of him. What we needed from Beale and what was expected of him was a little spark. Is this an unfair expectation? No. Its is simply a different...

Refer to (i think) 2007. Fourie De Preez used it very successfully. I think it was when Jake White was coaching and they won the world cup.

Agree'd. With a good kick then theirs a very good chance Falou will regain possession. With a kick slightly off then theirs a very good chance we will put on a load of pressure on the kick-returner and force a turn-over. The All blacks seem to do this well. We have the best high ball taker in...

Agree with most of this. Kuridrani would have been handy last Saturday a player who can bend the line and get us some go forward. Hard on AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) but he can move back to 13 after Speight becomes available. White or Phipps, I don't really mind either way. I support Foley over Beale. It is...

Didn't he drop To'omua after his ordinary debut at 10 against the ABs?

Positives. Hooper was immense. Slipper was immense. Scrum was great. I thought Horne was great too.

Past Hooper hater here. I will be fucking myself tonight. Past cristism of him not being pyschial and aggressive enough at the breakdown is now gone. He was moving big bodies and tackling strong, as well as his usual threatening ball running. Impressive. Still a Beale hater.

So we have a man-up for 20 minutes of the match and still can't get points on the board. Such a good chance gone.

Maybe he'll be so good he'll replace Falou. Yeh you heard it here first.