Making dominant tackles and blockbusting runs aren't only valuable in highlight reels though.

Fifita, J Barrett and Coltman.

They all turned up and played

@bovidae said in MOTM v Italy:

@roninwc Harris said he is a left-footer. The funny thing was he admitted he only kicked because he didn't think he could throw an accurate long pass with the greasy ball.

Throwing accurately is an issue.

@majorrage amusing thing is, if we had won by 25, I highly doubt they'd select 5 AB's let alone 8!

@act-crusader said in MOTM v England:

@nepia said in MOTM v England:

@jc said in MOTM v England:

Re DMac, I don’t remember if it was him but one of our knock ons was shown in the replay to have been punched out of his arms from behind by Farrell. Is that a penalty? My memory tells me it used to be.

DMac has had bad luck with that this year - he probably would have scored against the Boks if not for a direct hand hitting the ball and we probably would have scored in a phase if not for this one.

DMac is a punching bag for some on here but those were both just unlucky (or awesome skill by the defender both times).

He need not fear though because he will always have you and Crucial fluffing...

🤣 We're at baby levels compared with your master class of fluffing ... anything in red'n'black.

@gt12 said in MotM vs Japan:

I voted for Hemopo and Mo'unga, with Coles, Bridge, Laumape, Evans, and Proctor in reserve.

I wrote down some thoughts about someone who definitely wasn't MOTM here:

http://www.thesilverfern.com/2018/11/05/abs-versus-japan-how-was-fifita/

Some players just struggle to find their role at higher levels. We've seen plenty in the past and will see more yet.
I think Hansen has previously been quoted as saying that sometimes they select coals and give them a squeeze to see if they will produce a diamond. In other words...they take a punt based on athletic ability (Fifita), size (Bird) or promise (Goodhue, ALB, DMac).
In most cases they give the player a fair shot after observing them then providing feedback. If that doesn't work then they have a long road back.
There is no doubt that Fifita is an athletic talent. He has just struggled to transfer what he can achieve with that to higher level rugby.
I suspect that this is, in part, some of the reason for holding Akira back. The Fifita fast tracking failed and the backup is to give Akira as long as possible to learn his trade. I think when Akira finally makes an appearance in the ABs he will be vastly better prepared for the level.

@crucial said in MotM vs Australia III:

@sparky said in MotM vs Australia III:

@cgrant 100% agree. We will watch that game in four or five years time to remind us how good a player Ben Smith was.

BFA is not the biggest, not the quickest, but makes up for it with speed of thought, outstanding technique and determination. Surely a key part of the All Blacks side through to RWC 2019 if he stays fit

BFA looks to be in a similar mode to DC heading into his last RWC. All the ability, skill and knowledge to get there without busting a gut. When required will be able to still change up and play an absolute blinder.

Without getting too mn5, he looks to be in bloody good physical condition.

@roninwc said in MOTM All Blacks v Springbokke II:

Ardie 1st, then Mounga and finally went with Ioane.

Sorry @ploughboy I respectfully disagree. Ardie came in and really put his head down and hit rucks (something he was accused previously as a "leaner"). He was shifting bodies and making tackles. 3 turn overs with 2 of them game changers, the steal on their own tryline and then the steal to set up his own game winning try. Has really turned a corner.

Ardie’s steal on the goalline was The Game-Changer. Boks were ready to score and put the test match to bed. Ardie made sure that didn’t happen.

@chris-b said in MotM vs Pumas II:

@billy-tell said in MotM vs Pumas II:

Karl
Ardie
Codie

Karl with the greatest debut propping season ever for an AB.

Might need to kick a conversion to be ahead of Kent Lambert! 🙂

You'd have to go some to have a more startling debut than Lambert

In 1971 he was playing club rugby as a flanker.

In 1972 he decided to try out as a prop.

Within 12 months he represented NZ Universities, Junior AB's, made his AB debut as a mid weeker (kicking that conversion) made his test debut against Scotland (mighty Mouse Ian McLaughlin) scoring a try and NZ Maori. And competed in the Golden Shears.

All before he turned 21!!!!!

Then fucks off to league after helping beat the Lions in 77 because he can't afford to stay in rugby

@billy-tell Yep agree the water supply was first class

otherwise B Smith, Goodhue and Cody Taylor

Goodhue, ALB and DMac.

Man love for the backs.

@act-crusader said in MotM vs Australia II:

Henry and Hansen obviously didn’t read my emails

spam filters are a bitch

@antipodean said in MotM vs Australia I:

@cgrant said in MotM vs Australia I:

Naholo scored a fantastic try and ripped the ball from Koroibete's hands which led to Goodhue's try.

It' a mark of how depressed and resigned to defeat Wallaby supporters are that they aren't more outraged about that. Koroibete was clearly tackled and Naholo had to release.

A gif was posted on GAGR with someone having a little whine. After watching it I actually thing Naholo was in his rights as he didn't even make a tackle. The ball carrier went to ground voluntarily.

Cant post the gif here as the file size is too big, but here is a link to the thread page http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/threads/bledisloe-1-saturday-18-august-2018-anz-stadium-sydney.18318/page-28

@hooroo said in MotM vs France III:

S Barrett MoM, closely followed by DMac and then I went for Luke Whitelock. I thought he was awesome on defence and he is really nice in the tight.

Ooh err.

I'm surprised to see Ardie hasn't got any votes. I thought he was the best of the forwards, even as a sub, and made the most tackles. At least he looked interested!

Whoops only voted once and for Taylor which is who I said when asked by the bartender in the pub right after the game. Fark he was good!

Here's another cool one from reddit... Todd's goal line defense:

Nov 29, 2017 Watch Matt Todd - Goalline Defence | Streamable Watch Matt Todd - Goalline Defence | Streamable

Watch "Matt Todd - Goalline Defence" on Streamable.

Hames, Dmac and SBW for me. They created many inspirational moments for their team-mates in a toughie

Naholo, Cane and Hames.

@pakman said in MotM vs Barbarians:

TKB went close to my vote. His tactical decision making came just when we needed it and exposed the scratch nature of the oppo.

Agreed. He would have been my 4th choice.

For those criticising the decision to select TKB on this tour, would you have been confident if it was Pulu/Weber/Drummond coming on in the 2nd half?

I'd be having TKB on the bench in Paris. It won't happen though.