KiwiM
Arch Winning (36)
The joys of us AB supporters huh? We have won the RC , Bled cup but we lose one test and we now seem to need to change the team, tactics etc etc. I not rubbishing what anyone says , just having a quiet chuckle that we lose a test as AB supporters a lot of us see the answer is we need to change everything. I agree we do tend to struggle against in the real tough physical confrontation now and then, but seem to recall winning the WC in '11 and '15 by playing similar to how we play now, I would argue that the problem is the skill factor is what has slipped a bit. I also tend to think we played well on Saturday (not great, but I doubt anyone but Boks would of beaten us), the Boks were better, and sometimes that is what happens, you have to look at how well other team plays and give them credit.
I would add it also shows that you need young fellas to learn to play under pressure , something a lot of them haven't had up until last couple of weeks.
The forward packs for the 2011 RWC and 2015 RWC AB teams are in a different stratosphere to the forward pack we have seen the last two tests.
The depth of the 2015 ABs was insane - i'd suggest every bench forward from the 2015 RWC final would start in the AB pack we've seen the last 2 games with the possible exception of Ben Franks (Franks, Mealamu, Faumuina, Vito, Cane).
Basically - this forward pack isn't a patch on packs from 2011/2015. Having said that, I do think the current pack can be improved if Samisoni starts at hooker, Moody and Ofa get their form back and you add back in Whitelock and Cane.