New Zealand vs Argentina, Nov 14, 2020

[Equalizer]

I knew the day my NZ Aunty's horse won the Zipping Classic at Sandown (250K thank you very much) todaythat the All Blacks couldn't possibly win. Too much karma.

 

[TSR]

That was a proper test match. There were virtually no try scoring opportunities in the entire match. Time in the oppo 22's was what, a couple of minutes for each team?

It seemed like the NZ players were "trying" but were not at all confident as to what the game plan was. Or even if there was one besides run it up at them and they'll fold and quick ball and unleash the backs and boomfa. When it didnt work at the coalface they... just kept trying to do it because there was no plan B.

That is fucking garbage coaching.

Establishes the blueprint to beat these AB's. Slot your kicks. Stop them at the coalface and make your tackles. All of them. That's all Argentina did and all they had to do against the pre-programmed automatons that disgraced the black jersey today.

It was one of those games that showed it is rubbish to play down games with low tries/high penalty kicks.

Hard fought, lots of heavy contact and shots. No lack the of effort to play, but defence was excellent at cutting down space. Very entertaining.

 

[ForceFan]

Very happy with the performance of the 4 players who are coming to the WF for 2021.

Julian Montoya, 27yo Hooker, looks like a very mobile big forward - played >70 mins.
Tomas Cubelli, 31yo SH, looks as good as ever and combined well with Sanchez - played >70 mins.
Santiago Medrano, 24yo Prop, looks like a good back-up for K-bomb - very willing around the park - played 10 mins.
Tomas Lezana, 26yo BRow, good impact over his 10 minutes - good back-up for Stander.

 

[Silverado]

Except they have heaps of gas, they haven't played all year. Confidence and momentum go a long way in sport. Write the Pumas off at great peril, the Kiwis did. Remember the recent losses we had to them?

You might be right, but we had a win against the ABs last game too, so confidence and momentum won't be the issue. It'll be interesting to see how much the Pumas have in the tank physically and emotionally after such a good and hard fought win against the Wobs who will be fresh. Totally agree that we need to have our best team on the field and have no complacency. Should be another great game

 

[John S]

So is it telling something about our cattle that Cheika and Ledesma couldn't get a similar performance out of the wobs?

 

[Equalizer]

Very happy with the performance of the 4 players who are coming to the WF for 2021.

Julian Montoya, 27yo Hooker, looks like a very mobile big forward - played >70 mins.
Tomas Cubelli, 31yo SH, looks as good as ever and combined well with Sanchez - played >70 mins.
Santiago Medrano, 24yo Prop, looks like a good back-up for K-bomb - very willing around the park - played 10 mins.
Tomas Lezana, 26yo BRow, good impact over his 10 minutes - good back-up for Stander.

Twiggy owns Harvey Beef. He'll keep these boys fed with steak!

 

[Rugrat]

Yeah saw that, the guy is sky high on spiked cake. Argies havent played since RWC2019. They'll come out breathing fire for the first 20 but the last 20 will be Floodgate City. NZ 72-7.

This is my favourite pre game comment.

 

[Penguin]

You might be right, but we had a win against the ABs last game too, so confidence and momentum won't be the issue. It'll be interesting to see how much the Pumas have in the tank physically and emotionally after such a good and hard fought win against the Wobs who will be fresh. Totally agree that we need to have our best team on the field and have no complacency. Should be another great game

It's made the competition very interesting indeed. I'm looking forward to next Saturday with much more anticipation than I did before 4pm this afternoon. Experimentation is out!

 

[Silverado]

So is it telling something about our cattle that Cheika and Ledesma couldn't get a similar performance out of the wobs?

They had pretty good success together at the 2015 RWC

 

[TSR]

So is it telling something about our cattle that Cheika and Ledesma couldn't get a similar performance out of the wobs?

Well, it certainly says something about Cheika’s tactics.

Argentina employed a well executed kicking strategy and an uncomplicated, hard working defence system and between the two it kept NZ under constant pressure.

Not to say we don’t have/haven’t had issues with our players - we did & we do - but tactically this is chalk & cheese with Cheika’s strategy at the Wallabies.

 

[Penguin]

Well, it certainly says something about Cheika’s tactics.

Argentina employed a well executed kicking strategy and an uncomplicated, hard working defence system and between the two it kept NZ under constant pressure.

Not to say we don’t have/haven’t had issues with our players - we did & we do - but tactically this is chalk & cheese with Cheika’s strategy at the Wallabies.

I think Chieka is getting far too much credit here.

 

[Derpus]

Cheika did get a similar performance from the Wallabies, though.

I think this had very little to do with him.

 

[cyclopath]

Argentina have been playing very physical, confrontational rugby for some time. Often let down by too many errors. Today they made hardly any, executed set piece well, and kicked well. It's not new. It was just very, very good.

 

[Pfitzy]

Argies have zero fear, a big pack that looks fitter than it ever has, and backs with bags of pace and handling skills to boot. They will be a challenge, and have showed that you don't need a lot of actual game time to be ready for the big show IF your head is in the right space and you're playing for each other.

Looking at you, Bokke.

 

[Silverado]

I think Chieka is getting far too much credit here.

Yep. The Wallabies went to shit when Ledesma moved on

 

[KOB1987]

Cheika did get a similar performance from the Wallabies, though.

I think this had very little to do with him.

I’m trying to work out how Cheika getting a very similar performance out of two separate teams had nothing to do with him.

I actually think it had a lot to do with him. Changeing it up is his specialty, and that’s what the Argies needed.

 

[Derpus]

I’m trying to work out how Cheika getting a very similar performance out of two separate teams had nothing to do with him.

I actually think it had a lot to do with him. Changeing it up is his specialty, and that’s what the Argies needed.

Hrmm. Well, doing it once/50 odd matches aint much to crow about.

 

[qwerty51]

I think Chieka is getting far too much credit here.

Who got them up for this game? Who do you reckon gave them the believe they could beat the All Blacks under all the adversity they faced? I don't know for sure but it reeks of Cheika. Matera referenced the lack of respect during the game.

'THEY DON'T RESPECT YOU'

Cheika's DNA for sure.

Cheika always felt handicapped by the Australian public (rightly or wrongly) introducing a kicking game. No such issues with Argentina.

 

[Brumby Runner]

There comes a time when loyalty to a lost cause becomes a case of blind insanity. Two or three one-eyed posters on here atm.

 

[Froggy]

If we must go down the Cheika path on this thread,I think history clearly shows he has a big impact with a team when he gets there for the first two or three years. That was the case with Leinster, the Tahs and the Wallabies. After that, when the sugar hit wears off, and other coaches work out how to combat him, he needs to move on. That happened with the first two I mentioned, but not the Wallabies.