Nobody looks for Jaco.
Bledisloe II @ Eden Park
- Thread starter Dctarget
- Start date
Nobody looks for Jaco.
ACR
Desmond Connor (43)
I'll take a 2013 Read at 8, a 2017 Rieko at LW, a 2013 B.Smith at FB, a 2011 Kahui at RW, a 2005-2015 Dan Carter at 10, a 15 y/o McCaw at 7, a 2014 Retallick playing both lock positions, and a 2007 Carl Hayman playing as the front row.
And Smith over TJP, every day. BB makes the bench.
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
seems fair to me, if you get beaten by the wallabies twice in a row deserve to drop to sixth.And yet people tell me it's a good system.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Shag could fix things pretty easily with a few selections. Bring in big Karl, Weber at 9, Bogan back to 10, Nonu in at 12 and the accountant to 15. Akira fucking Ioane?
I think he's pretty fucked regardless of what he does in the second row, though.
Then again, i was banging on about how it was mad they hadn't done 10 Mo'unga -15 BB and that's been pants.
I think he's pretty fucked regardless of what he does in the second row, though.
Then again, i was banging on about how it was mad they hadn't done 10 Mo'unga -15 BB and that's been pants.
I don't think the 10-15 combo lost it. They got beaten up front. And I realise that is a statement one gets to make once a decade.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Ay but it didnt work very well against the Argies or SA either.
zer0
John Thornett (49)
I thought the backs (wingers aside) were alright when they had possession. Problem was they barely had any. Either because it took the forwards 40 minutes to wake up, or because they kicked away half of what scraps they had (maybe as part of RWC shenanigans, maybe not). Even with relatively meagre possession, they did score four tries. Though they'll probably be hamstrung this weekend by Trundley Bill. Would like to see Bridge and Ennor in the backfield with Barrett, but that's pretty unlikely. We might get one (likely Bridge) if we're luck, but not both.
As for the pack, I assume they're allowed to make changes to the squad, but they'd surely have been announced by now. Which means Hansen is working with what he's got. So no Tu'inukuafe, Nonu or whoever. That being the case, I expect Tuipulotu to be paired with Whitelock. The only other option in the squad is Hemopo, but I suspect he'll be starting at blindside for his physicality and jumping. Hansen is, unfortunately, utterly wedded to Read at #8, which means Savea will be demoted to the bench to make way. That means he'll be relying on unreliable carriers in Tuipulotu and Read to step up and support Coles in carrying the ball. Maybe they'll step up, maybe they won't.
Rest of the starters will probably be the same. 'Give them a chance to redeem themselves', or some such. He does have Laulala, though, but I doubt he'll start. Best that could realistically be hoped for is him and Tu'ungafasi on the bench, along with Taylor. If I'm right, and Hemopo starts, it'll mean FFSita is probably on the bench to cover lock. Though I'd much prefer Todd, and have Hemopo cover lock. Taylor, Laulala, Tu'ungafasi and Savea pack a good collective punch, so there's that at least.
EDIT: TL;DR this what we'll probably get (what I'd do in bold brackets):
1. Moody
2. Coles
3. Franks (Laulala)
4. Tuipulotu
5. Whitelock (C)
6. Hemopo
7. Cane
8. Read (C) (Savea)
9. A.Smith
10. Mo'unga
11. Ioane (Ennor)
12. Williams (Laumape)
13. Lienert-Brown
14. B.Smith (Bridge)
15. Barrett
16. Taylor
17. Ta'avao (Moli)
18. Tu'ungafasi
19. Fifita (Todd)
20. Savea (Read)
21. Perenara (Weber)
22. Laumape (J.Barrett)
23. Reece (or B.Smith)
dru
David Wilson (68)
It just does not matter. The perfection of the ABs (and I’m not being sarcastic here) is simply what it is. Our last shot at these guys was surprisingly and astoundingly effective.
Next, I hope, Wallabies make no changes, just do like last time. I’d love to say “but more” but no. Reality. Like the last one boys.
And if the ABs think they will sort it with juggling players, they may have already lost. Needs a “B” Plan boys. Are you that good? (You have been.)
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
The All Black forwards just need to pitch and it will be a massively different ball game already. That's where the lost and it's something they can fix by simply changing their attitude - which I think everyone expects they will.
The Wallabies' pack on the other hand will have to sustain last week's intensity to be within a shout.
The Wallabies' pack on the other hand will have to sustain last week's intensity to be within a shout.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Personally I wouldn't make to many changes in backline, but suspect there will be a couple, one forced (Goodhue) and somehow think they might still want to look at Reece or Bridage before naming WC squad. Forwards will I think see Hemopo or Fifita at 6 (need to sort lineout), and maybe Laulala at prop? Tend to agree with dru about maybe just sticking with as many as they can and saying ok boys fix it!!
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
Yeah, just fix it would be my mantra. Chopping and changing - without it being planned well in advance in any event - could just lead to more confusion and uncertainty which is the last thing needed.
I think the All Blacks have a very good plan in place for the RWC. You should see Rassie Erasmus' face when probed on whether the All Blacks are on the down (in Afrikaans unfortunately, otherwise I would have you look at it). In any event his words echoed his facial expression of "Are you mad? We are not falling for that!"
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
To me the biggest issue is that on the one hand we have props being told they have to do more than scrum & lift in the lineouts, but then we pick props who are neither carrying into contact nor cleaning out nor making many tackles & aren't providing a dominant scrum either.
Stick a cattle products up their collective arses & I think we'll go a long way towards addressing the lack of possession & in particular go-forward possession issues. AB scored four tries with ~1/3 possession in Perth, up that closer to 50% (& obviously reduce Straya's share from ~2/3 to ~1/2) & we might just see a different result.
Issue no. 2 IMO is they've taken the "it's easier to defend than attack" theory a little too far. It's one thing to be kicking long & pinning the other guys in their 22 but everyone has multiple exit options now so it's not as easy as even 2-3 years ago. Then there's the constant chip-kicking from Beaugan which looks a million dollars when it works but is cheap pill for the opposition when it doesn't (which is most of the time).
Stick a cattle products up their collective arses & I think we'll go a long way towards addressing the lack of possession & in particular go-forward possession issues. AB scored four tries with ~1/3 possession in Perth, up that closer to 50% (& obviously reduce Straya's share from ~2/3 to ~1/2) & we might just see a different result.
Issue no. 2 IMO is they've taken the "it's easier to defend than attack" theory a little too far. It's one thing to be kicking long & pinning the other guys in their 22 but everyone has multiple exit options now so it's not as easy as even 2-3 years ago. Then there's the constant chip-kicking from Beaugan which looks a million dollars when it works but is cheap pill for the opposition when it doesn't (which is most of the time).
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
Funny enough I was thinking about your first point since Saturday - wondering whether Shag and his team would consider that effort a pass, even given their current trajectory where they intend to peak later. I was wondering whether big Karl may be a better bet.
You want to win the real tight exchanges first anyway before you can start thinking about roaming as a forward.
Personally I think the All Blacks are trying to reinvent once more in the sense that they want both, but they are not there yet and it's a diet, training and conditioning issue which is yet to bear fruit, but it may. If it does bear fruit they will have the most mobile and skilled forward pack combined with a very strong set-piece & power.
I always felt the All Blacks are already there, but I think they are trying to take it up a notch even further.
Leaner, more mobile, but with equal strength as the bigger and slower bloke. Basically a clone of Coles all over for the respective positions.
Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
Worrying noises coming out of camp with selectors and Beale pretty strongly hinting changes will be made.....
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
It seemed pretty clear to all and sundry prior to the game that the plan was to try some combinations in Perth and different ones in NZ. I can understand the dilemma, stick to the original plan or deviate from it? It's possible that not all of the players they ran out in Perth were regarded as first choice.
The good news is that 1) I don't think they will touch the forward pack (except maybe Pocock on the bench) which is where we won the game, and 2) if we do make a couple of adjustments in the backs at least there are 3 people agreeing to do it.
Where is that info coming from BTW?
Brumbieman
Dick Tooth (41)
OH I know there was a plan, but that was probably created before we had our biggest ever win against the Orcs.
The point of tinkering is to find your best team - once you've found it you play them week in week out to get as many wins as possible on the board, and build a strong belief within that team.
It's one game - ONE GAME with everything on the line - why in the hell would you change a thing? Just double down, go again and go harder!
The point of tinkering is to find your best team - once you've found it you play them week in week out to get as many wins as possible on the board, and build a strong belief within that team.
It's one game - ONE GAME with everything on the line - why in the hell would you change a thing? Just double down, go again and go harder!