Jeffrey
Chris McKivat (8)
So that was a weird first half.
Both teams actually like to play in the same exact way. Very quick ball from the forwards. The scummie distribures quickly. You beat the opposition on speed of attack.
From a deliberate, planning and coaching perspective, the Irish look to be the better team. They have a deceptive attack, with an established pattern of many runners around the 10, giving him so many choices depening on the defence. They have stronger ball carriers. And they spare less people clearing rucks, and are more effective doing so.
The Irish defence wasn't great, but for the first 20 mins, the ABs defence was shocking. No line-speed, placid, ran over.
But the ABs have constantly remained near or at the top for 1 major reason. They are clinical, and find points even when they are getting belted.
The first try was good, the second was a dropped ball, the third was just a brilliant kick from BB, and the fourth was a little bit of a mess.
3 of the 4 tries didn't come from coaching or planning. It just happened (and might not be replicable).
For the ABs.
- George Bower has been good. He has been ok at the scrums. But he has carried well and has always made ground.
- Sam Whitelock. Yes boy. How many times has he had to be the deception and the delay of passes.
- Scott Barrett. Was invisible in the first 20. But once the game started getting simple - i.e. just run straight and hit people, Scott is committed. He goes all in.
- BB. I don't know about his organisational skills. But his individual skills have never been in doubt. Made one excellent tackle on a rampaging Henshaw - not great, but good.
- Sevu Reece. Yes at times he looks lackadaisical and frivolous. But he always attacts defenders. And it was his try that was the watershed, shifitng momentum from one team to another.
The other ABs need to do a lot better.
Both teams actually like to play in the same exact way. Very quick ball from the forwards. The scummie distribures quickly. You beat the opposition on speed of attack.
From a deliberate, planning and coaching perspective, the Irish look to be the better team. They have a deceptive attack, with an established pattern of many runners around the 10, giving him so many choices depening on the defence. They have stronger ball carriers. And they spare less people clearing rucks, and are more effective doing so.
The Irish defence wasn't great, but for the first 20 mins, the ABs defence was shocking. No line-speed, placid, ran over.
But the ABs have constantly remained near or at the top for 1 major reason. They are clinical, and find points even when they are getting belted.
The first try was good, the second was a dropped ball, the third was just a brilliant kick from BB, and the fourth was a little bit of a mess.
3 of the 4 tries didn't come from coaching or planning. It just happened (and might not be replicable).
For the ABs.
- George Bower has been good. He has been ok at the scrums. But he has carried well and has always made ground.
- Sam Whitelock. Yes boy. How many times has he had to be the deception and the delay of passes.
- Scott Barrett. Was invisible in the first 20. But once the game started getting simple - i.e. just run straight and hit people, Scott is committed. He goes all in.
- BB. I don't know about his organisational skills. But his individual skills have never been in doubt. Made one excellent tackle on a rampaging Henshaw - not great, but good.
- Sevu Reece. Yes at times he looks lackadaisical and frivolous. But he always attacts defenders. And it was his try that was the watershed, shifitng momentum from one team to another.
The other ABs need to do a lot better.
