Ireland NZ Tour 2022

[Dan54]

Great post.

Dalton is bigger than people realise. He's 193cm and 113kg.

As for the ball running - that's why Samisoni should be the starting hooker - his ball running is elite.

It might not work as with the reasons you suggest above but to me it's worth a shot given there's no answer at 6.

My main issue with it is Cane and Papali'i get injured a lot.

The two best defensive tackling loosies are Cane and Papali'i - starting both might bring some starch to the defensive which is badly needed.

Yep, as I have said before Dalton is just about our biggest loosie. I got called out for suggesting Dalton looked like he could be a good 6 on another forum a few weeks ago. With all due respect to Jeffery, I think Dalton can be quite physically dominant, he not really a shrinking violet by any means. Was interested to see Cane taking a few lineout balls on weekend, but understand none would be a dominant lineout jumper. Do you remember in 2019 when ABs played Barrett at 6 against England in WC ,because England had no big loosies in lineout, and were playing 2 players that played a lot at openside ? They just threw elsewhere (you know too their locks) and let their loosie cause havoc with second phase.
If we were picking loosies on lineout Grace from Crusaders would be top of the list, much as I had great hope for Sotutu even most Blues fans will admit he has never come on. I hope Akira comes back ok and actually plays like he can, well as good as he did in one test, I know he got it in him if he stops thinking he a star and is not required to work. Only other thing I would perhaps slightly disagree with Jeffery's good post, is the next time someone says we lack a Kaino, I switch off from their thoughts, Kaino has gone and you know what, we haven't got a Nonu/Smith combo anymore, you play the rugby that suits the players you have. For years ABs lead the way in how game was played, now we have people saying we need a Kaino type player at 6, a Nonu at 12 etc, show lack of imagination.

 

[RebelYell]

Yeah, Grace impresses me. Reminds me of Liam Wright.

 

[Jeffrey]

Yep, as I have said before Dalton is just about our biggest loosie. I got called out for suggesting Dalton looked like he could be a good 6 on another forum a few weeks ago. With all due respect to Jeffery, I think Dalton can be quite physically dominant, he not really a shrinking violet by any means. Was interested to see Cane taking a few lineout balls on weekend, but understand none would be a dominant lineout jumper. Do you remember in 2019 when ABs played Barrett at 6 against England in WC ,because England had no big loosies in lineout, and were playing 2 players that played a lot at openside ? They just threw elsewhere (you know too their locks) and let their loosie cause havoc with second phase.
If we were picking loosies on lineout Grace from Crusaders would be top of the list, much as I had great hope for Sotutu even most Blues fans will admit he has never come on. I hope Akira comes back ok and actually plays like he can, well as good as he did in one test, I know he got it in him if he stops thinking he a star and is not required to work. Only other thing I would perhaps slightly disagree with Jeffery's good post, is the next time someone says we lack a Kaino, I switch off from their thoughts, Kaino has gone and you know what, we haven't got a Nonu/Smith combo anymore, you play the rugby that suits the players you have. For years ABs lead the way in how game was played, now we have people saying we need a Kaino type player at 6, a Nonu at 12 etc, show lack of imagination.

I hear what you guys are saying about Dalton but let's agree to disagree.

I have some trauma from the disintegration of the lineout at the WC semis as Dan mentioned. Itoje is slightly "under-height" as a lock while we had 2 locks above 2.02, Barrett at 198, and Read who has always been a great lineout jumper. It's not like our locks are just tall but lack lineout skills. Sam has always been a good lineout operator, while Brodie probably sealed the game in that tough contest at twickenhem in 2018 with 3 line-out steals.
Yet somehow we conspired to struggle on our own lineout (losing twice iirc, with other instances of general untidiness), while not pinching any of theirs.

With only 18 tests left to the WC, I hope RTS (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) gets a shot at 12, though the umaga-jensen brothers (perhaps with Thomas slightly edging it) provides a certain presence in midfield like Bundee Aki or Jonathan Danty. I also hope Leicester makes the team - he deserves it after all the work he has put in and offers straight-up physicality that others don't. Unfortunately, this WC might be too soon for Telea and Nareki (unless he has a storming 2023 as he did in 2021).

 

[Jeffrey]

BTW, if anyone saw Leinster vs Leicester, and Munster vs Toulouse, bloody hell - I hope all of those blokes make the plane and they don't rest anyone. We are going to get one hell of a test if they are healthy.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

In Tom Taylor's critique over the weekend there was an offhand reference to Ireland also playing two matches v Maori All Blacks & Dan54 has reported that the NZR website confirms at least one. I guess wrangling Provincial opposition at that time of year is just too disruptive of Club rugby to be viable which is a shame but I'd settle for two midweek MAB fixtures. Shit, if one of them is here in the Tron I'd probably go (RotoVegas is a bit far on a work night).

 

[Dan54]

Fortunately WOB, if it on work night I will just have the next day off.

Oh that's right I retired so quite happy to have a couple of days away with Mrs Dan!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ be sure to book into a just-for-tourists motel or hotel, you don't wanna go near the ones being used for emergency housing. Same applies to Hamilton FWIW.

 

[Dan54]

^ be sure to book into a just-for-tourists motel or hotel, you don't wanna go near the ones being used for emergency housing. Same applies to Hamilton FWIW.

Mate I do that anyway, same applies in Levin too.

 

[Dan54]

Have just purchased tickets for 3rd test in Wellywood!!! So YEEHAAA!!!!

 

[KevinO]

Have just purchased tickets for 3rd test in Wellywood!!! So YEEHAAA!!!!

Jealous

 

[Jeffrey]

Finlay Christie credited Joe Schmidt for the Blues' recent success.
We know from the Irish that Schmidt is a details person. And he is relentlessly all about rugby. (from Irish accounts in the past - It's every from head movements of the opposite centre that typically happens before he steps left, where you stand in alignment, and how much effort you are producing vis-a-vis the team's effort across the 80 mins.)
Christie elaborated that a big part of Schmidt's influence is on defence - in particular work-rate and intensity. Schmidt stresses the need to contribute without the ball - which really is about getting into the right positions quicker.

To be honest, I don't think the Blues' defense is really fantastic. But we can only hope that when Schmidt gets involved with the ABs, it can only be a good development. Everything about what Christie said is what the ABs need.
1 - details
2- intensity
3 - workrate
4 - and a new nutritionist (please, no more scones after training and that "eating doesn't need to be boring" rubbish; the fat in the scones lowers the absorption of (already as it is) very poor carbohydrates in the scone, with negligible protein content, it's pretty fucking criminal immediately after training; and the ratio of berries to protein powder in the protein shake cannot, for the love of god, be equal. You don't need so much anti-oxidants for fuck's sake) and S&C coach (enough of watt bikes and running from a triathlete, the ABs are fit enough, they are just physically lacking) please.

 

[Dan54]

I not sure where you read the scones thing Jeffery, but I pretty sure they have a nutrtionist who is pretty good, I was reading an article just a couple of weeks back about their diets etc, and they pretty well taken care of from what I could see.
And was interested to Read Nugget Smith talking about the GPS etc all the player wear. and even their training is tied into Ks run during game, and the amount of high intensity ks they do etc etc during game, and it defines your training over next week. Didn't realise until I read it they also count the collisions etc during game. Certainly makes you have a grin when we get people that quote ESPN stats for decinding who has done what during the game.
I like you have been impressed with Schmidt's work with Blues on defence, though if the players have to be reminded about workrate and intensity, maybe Rangi hasn't been doing his job very well over last couple of years.

 

[Jeffrey]

I not sure where you read the scones thing Jeffery, but I pretty sure they have a nutrtionist who is pretty good, I was reading an article just a couple of weeks back about their diets etc, and they pretty well taken care of from what I could see.
And was interested to Read Nugget Smith talking about the GPS etc all the player wear. and even their training is tied into Ks run during game, and the amount of high intensity ks they do etc etc during game, and it defines your training over next week. Didn't realise until I read it they also count the collisions etc during game. Certainly makes you have a grin when we get people that quote ESPN stats for decinding who has done what during the game.
I like you have been impressed with Schmidt's work with Blues on defence, though if the players have to be reminded about workrate and intensity, maybe Rangi hasn't been doing his job very well over last couple of years.

Let's just say some inside information, Dan.

A few folks have been talking about who goes into a World 23 at the moment. Here's my go. This is just on form; I think Reiko is a better 11 for example.

1. Cyrille Baille
2. Julien Marcharnd
3. Tadgh Furlong
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Maro Itoje (who's normally a 4, but will do ok at 5)
6. Calen Doris
7. Ardie Savea
8. Gregory Alldritt
9. Antoine Dupont
10. Jonny Sexton
11. Marika Koirebete (Gabin Villiere is deceptively good too)
12. Gael Fickou
13. Reiko Ioane
14. Cheslin Kolbe (this is probably the most controversial because he hasn't played much; but he's you know... Kolbe)
15. Freddie Stewart (Hugo Keenan has also been excellent)
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Ellis Genge
18. Uini Antonio (Sinckler and Tupou have been slightly off this year)
19. Paul Willemse (Who is out injured like right now, but has been exceptional this year)
20. Tom Curry (edges out Pablo Matera, just. honourable mention to Josh Van Der Flier; Kolisi hasn't been great this year; Evan Roos hasn't been tested at the highest level)
21. Faf de Klerk (Jamison Gibson-Park is playing really well, but he's had Rolls-Royce treatment with the way the pack is going)
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Joshua Tuisova (yea get him on with 30 to go).

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Itinerary confirmed:

June 29: Māori All Blacks vs Ireland at 7:05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

July 2: All Blacks vs Ireland at 7:05pm, Eden Park, Auckland

July 9: All Blacks vs Ireland at 7:05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

July 12: Māori All Blacks vs Ireland at 7:05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington

July 16: All Blacks vs Ireland at 7:05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Not really surprised they went with FMG rather than RotoVegas, Tron has a bigger ground & better infrastructure esp for tourists.

 

[Dan54]

Well booked Motel in Hamilton for Maori game, so just got to get online Friday for some tickets.
Might have to see if Gov't gives extra payment on pension for rugby trips at the rate I going!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Bye bye, TJP...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

Bye bye, TJP...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Wondering how the pecking order will end up! Nugget, Fakatava and Christie ot Weber?/ Like what Weber is doing, nut still a littkle worried about his decision making at times.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ Christie #3 in my book but wouldn't be too unhappy if they picked Weber.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Looked up 2013 AB's vs Ireland

ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith;

Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Steven Luatua, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Charlie Faumuina, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ryan Crotty

So odd to see so many of those names on the bench still chugging around now.....

 

[Dan54]

And one starting line up I wish was still here. Steven Luatua, still playing pretty good rugby up North