Who should start at 10 in Bledisloe I?
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@siam thing is, it is the opinion of Hansen and Co that do matter, not us, I suspect they will leave Dmac at 10/15 off the bench.
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The "playing behind a dominant pack" argument has been over-used, when talking about Mo'unga as an AB first five-eighth. In some instances, it will give him more time to make decisions, but he still has to make the right decisions. And some of the other great stuff he does on the field, has nothing to do with playing behind a dominant pack. Example:
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The only problem RM has concerns the way that the Ab coaches want to use the 10 reserve, which is as a cover of 10, who can come on a make an impact from 15. They've made it reasonably clear that Dmac is playing that role, so although he does a lot from first receiver, he generally comes on at 15, because they want BB to have 80 at 1st five, in the same way that they wanted DC to have 80 at 1st.
I suspect that BB is off at the end of next year, so if RM is patient, he should have the starting position in 2020.
I'd give him a start in one or two tests this year, one of two for Dmac.
Given that I'm pretty sure that BB is going overseas post WC, and his quality at 15, my preferred pair would BB and RM with RM doing the old Cruden role.
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@taniwharugby you sure about that Hansen/opinion thing?
I'm wary of a second half game plan that involves a nippy little fella running sideways till a whole opens up as a line breaking strategy
I think Mckenzie is a terrific player, back 3 really. Mounga has just completed a Carter esque apprenticeship this season, he can break a line and he's got the confidence of ABs when controlling a game. He's ready
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I'm actually really stoked that Mounga has stepped up to another level. When Sopoaga announced he was leaving I was pretty cheesed - the year before a world cup may be good for him, but certainly not good for the ABs. They have invested in him, and he'd got a great result in SA with his start. Looked to be comfortable at that level, and going to get better.
If Mounga shat the bed this season, who are you looking at? Blues don't have anyone, DM and BB we know about -- you're into backups or untested players.
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Its worth remembering the whole 10 cover/15 impact bench requirement only made a return after the Lions series when Cruden left. Between then and the Rwc final it was mostly a "proper" 10 on the bench.
My preference would be BB to start with RM on the bench for several reasons.
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RM provides a bit of a different style to BB (as Cruden/Sop did) which can be useful if things aren't working for BB. Dmac just seems to play the BB game with the risk dialed up to 10.
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Instead of trying to recreate the "BB impact at 15" from 2014/2015 with Dmac, why not use the real BB to provide that impact? He has proven time after time that he can still do freakish things after playing 79mins. Especially if given a bit more space by moving to 15.
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Dmac is arguably our 4th best 15 behind Smith, Jordie and BB. I would prefer those guys to be on the park and only change things around if BB at 10 isn't working.
Having said all that my money is on Dmac getting picked on the bench for the foreseeable future.
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@pakman said in Who should start at 10 in Bledisloe I?:
I can't say I've noticed any particular aspects, but I imagine Ritchie has picked up some great wisdom from ROG, who was a first rate tactical 10.
From someone who has been part of the team coaching RoG, I think
https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/08/01/whos-knocking-on-the-door-at-number-ten/
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@pukunui said in Who should start at 10 in Bledisloe I?:
Having said all that my money is on Dmac getting picked on the bench for the foreseeable future.
You could be right, but on the other hand, if Hansen wants to develop Mo'unga as a test player before the RWC then he's got to give him plenty of time this year, because next year there's only the (presumably six) Rugby Championship tests.
There's still eleven tests this year and if I was dividing them up I'd do something like:
Beauden 6 starts 2 bench (including 1st two Bleds, England and Ireland)
Richie 3 starts 4 bench
DMac 2 starts 5 bench -
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@machpants said in Who should start at 10 in Bledisloe I?:
Razor about Mo'unga "...he was tough on defence..." & "Now he is brave on D..."; he maybe 'tough' and 'brave' but he was also 'poor' with 80% of his tackle attempts missed.
That is a genuine concern. Laumape made him his bitch, although he wouldn't be the first or last.
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@rancid-schnitzel Yeah I'm not doubting his other skills tho, and he is a worthy AB squad member, but D his Achilles. Most 10s are not great, with the tanks that come their way, but he was even being hidden on D in some set ups like Oz teams do. Not good IMO.
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@machpants said in Who should start at 10 in Bledisloe I?:
Razor about Mo'unga "...he was tough on defence..." & "Now he is brave on D..."; he maybe 'tough' and 'brave' but he was also 'poor' with 80% of his tackle attempts missed.
Let's be fair. Not everyone can be Henry Honiball.
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BB has missed an average of 1.7 tackles per game
RM has missed an average of 1.8 tackles per game
DM has missed an average of 1.9 tackles per gameSopoaga and Jantjes are the worst at 2.7 and 2.8 respectively
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@taniwharugby said in Who should start at 10 in Bledisloe I?:
BB has missed an average of 1.7 tackles per game
RM has missed an average of 1.8 tackles per game
DM has missed an average of 1.9 tackles per gameSopoaga and Jantjes are the worst at 2.7 and 2.8 respectively
So Richie’s defense isn’t a “genuine concern” then
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@sammyc he has missed less tackles than both BB and DM, but as a % his missed tackles is alot higher, as he probably isnt required to make as many as the other 2, who have played alot more minutes too.
BUt simply comparing stats is never a great way to compare.
RM 22/57
DM 28/75
BB 27/73 -
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I'm not sure, TBH, but I am not calling for DMac to be on the field at 10 at all! He's a liability in a tight test, minnows and emergencies only for me - fullback maybe. But the way the Saders defence stood up, maybe we should start hiding our ten in the ABs?
