The Rugby Championship 2018

[Derpus]

Oh i enjoyed the Bok win much more than than i enjoyed watching the turgid Wallabies believe me. Anyways. i guess we can move on.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Squire doesn't need surgery but will nevertheless be out for the remainder of the Championship:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/spor...-liam-squire-out-three-weeks-with-injury.html

Doesn't look like they're replacing him so DP's favourite crossworder will likely start in BA & presumably at Loftus the week after.

 

[PaarlBok]

I'll tell you why, not that it will make you happy.

Neutrals want to see the All Blacks lose. Simple. They always win so an All Blacks loss is always the most interesting outcome. The Springboks were well ahead and good value for their lead, until the final 20.

Then suddenly you have 6-7 questionable penalties conceded by the Springboks, among other strange advantages (30 metres over the ad line, turnover called back for scrum, etc) and they are back in the game.

Perhaps the perception of bias is just that. Maybe Nige was spot on with each and every decision. I have my doubts. Regardless, the perception of bias will always be there when the penalty count suddenly switches mid-match to favour only the one side, correct or otherwise, and it allows them back into the match.

To be honest, the Springbokke played kak during that time. Our biggest problem is prymary school knock ons & vision when we try to play the phases. Against the Wallabies it was fatal. If we have won that one we would at least have challence the All Blacks for the title.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

AB fly out for BA on Friday so no-one being released to play M10 Cup this week, but Jackson Hemopo is having a run tonight for Manawatu v Mako so I wouldn't be surprised if he's flown over to Pretoria early next week as otherwise they're a little thin in the loose forward department.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Kieran Read not going to BA, will rejoin the AB in Pretoria. Fifita will go to BA then fly home & Hemopo will do both the BA & SA legs.

All Blacks squad for Argentina and South Africa: Forwards: Liam Coltman, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Tim Perry, Angus Ta'avao, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Kieran Read (unavailable for Argentina test), Ardie Savea, Luke Whitelock. Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...ieran-read-not-touring-with-team-to-argentina

 

[Dismal Pillock]

6 Dick Frizzle
7 Cane
8 Luke Shitelock

this has first ever loss to the Argies written all over it.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^^ based on Shag's pre-departure comments I think it'll be:

6. Hemopo or Fifita (non-starter on bench)
7. Cane
8. Frizell

But, yeah, no Moody, Retallick or Read could be a problem for us esp if Pumas continue to attack the pocket behind & 1-2m either side of the ruck (which they surely will as it's working so well for them).

 

[Dan54]

I can't see him going for anyone but Luke at 8, probably for his defence in the pocket as much as anything. I don't think he has played badly in a test, so don't see why he wouldn't start.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Shag reckons AB game management in Wellywood was the worst he's seen since Cardiff in '07:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/o...ks-up-boks-defeat-as-valuable-teaching-moment

As with Cardiff, if the guys on the park aren't gunna change the game plan when it's clearly not working it's then up to those in the stands to order the change & if it still doesn't happen to drag players until the message gets through. Shag failed to do that in Cardiff (albeit he was only Ted's 2IC that day) & again in W'ton so I think it's a bit rich for him to be now bitching about something he had direct & ultimate control over.

I watched the game with a group of mainly league followers & even they could see that playing up the guts footy when SA were a man down in the backs was flat out stupid. I can kinda forgive them going for the three-on-two play at the end 'cos if DMac gets on the outside of le Roux he's a hero, but they really needed to take full advantage of that one-man advantage earlier in the half & had they done so the whole three-on-two v drop goal debate is irrelevant.

 

[zer0]

I also didn't like Read's shifting of responsibility to the 'game drivers', or whatever the term was. Basically Barrett and Perenara. Bitch, you're the captain. I don't care if you usually run things via a committee, times like these you need to go full autocrat and tell people what they will be doing. Couldn't see McCaw surrendering game deciding decision making to gung-ho players like Barrett and Perenara.

Perenara: So yeah Beaudy and I had a chat and we're gonna run the ball, ay.
GOAT: No. We're taking the drop goal.
Perenara: Nah, yeah we could do that, but me and Beaudy have got this mean as plan we use at the 'Canes in these situations.
GOAT: *slap* Bitch, we're taking the drop goal. I've already told Damien to get into position. If you throw a pass to anyone but him off this scrum, then so help me god you'll never wear that black jersey again in your life.

I feel the correct decision would've been made were Whitelock captain. He knows full well how to drive home his teams advantages, and gives zero f*cks whether they're pretty or not, so long as they're successful. That maul everything game against the Blues a few years ago, when something like 20 points down, immediately springs to mind.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^ if TJ's to be believed they were setting for the DG (sure as shit didn't look like it to me nor obviously le Roux & friends but, hey, just for shits & giggles let's believe him, mkay?) but then TJ saw that DMac had drifted & the guy marking him hadn't so, sweet bro, we got us a three-on-two! (& if you believe that have I got an awesome bridge you can buy for a really, really good price).

Complete & utter leadership fail on- & off-field IMO & that's taking nothing away from SA who were just phenomenal on the night.

 

[Derpus]

The hand wringing over a narrow loss to a Springboks team playing out of their skin is most enjoyable. Please continue.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^ provided the lessons are learned (as they were after Cardiff, if only for 10-&-a-bit years ) it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. There's a considerable school of thought that the RWC opener v SA will be to the 2019 campaign what the Pool match v France was to the 2011 campaign, even if they win in Pretoria next week.

 

[Dan54]

I am still a little amused after the Boks beat us for a good part of the 80 minutes, you think the decision in the last minute to run and not take droppy is what cost the match! I actually thought the decisions made on defence might of been a little more concerning. Pretty sure they will sort it out, and I doubt it will play on their minds too much about deciding to have a crack when they thought they had a gap. A Smith did similar earlier when he took a quick tap, which I at time thought was a bigger mistake than attempting dropkick, and as I said to wife at that stage (as I did for Jordie's quick throw in) isn't that why we love watching them play, as a lot of these things come off and we all go wow you are awesome, but you will also live with times even if not all that often when they don't work.

 

[dru]

^^^Yes, I would imagine few AB fans are particularly wringing their hands right now.

In spite the dire situation for the WBs, it was a good pair of results for Southern Hemisphere rugby.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

TJP might be a great defender and handy sniping around the line but he clearly has some byronbrain wiring that when exposed can be tugged to unravel​

 

[Dan54]

^^^Yes, I would imagine few AB fans are particularly wringing their hands right now.

In spite the dire situation for the WBs, it was a good pair of results for Southern Hemisphere rugby.

I agree dru and would go as far to say it they were bloody good results for rugby in general! ABs can be beaten by a team playing well, and Argentina showing that they deserve to be amongst tier one nations can only make everyone see how healthy the game is, regardless of what the naysayers would have us believe!

 

[Derpus]

I agree dru and would go as far to say it they were bloody good results for rugby in general! ABs can be beaten by a team playing well, and Argentina showing that they deserve to be amongst tier one nations can only make everyone see how healthy the game is, regardless of what the naysayers would have us believe!

Like Agustin Pichot, the head of World Rugby stating that the international game is on the verge of collapse?

Healthy my arse.

 

[MonkeyBoy]

Like Agustin Pichot, the head of World Rugby stating that the international game is on the verge of collapse?

Healthy my arse.

Isn't Pichot the Vice? If so the head Gosbert? said it was also fine Left hand v Right hand...

 

[Derpus]

Isn't Pichot the Vice? If so the head Gosbert? said it was also fine Left hand v Right hand.

you are correct