Bledisloe #1
-
Let's not forget that Barrett's foul wasn't out of the blue. He did it because we were in desperate straits, and needed to stop them before they scored another try. Tiredness and desperation do that.
-
So finally completed my after the match thread read through, as entertaining as ever.
Firstly, the Wallabies played bloody good rugby, they were direct and beat us up in the forwards.
Secondly was watching with an Aussie mate who was wondering whether to place a bet on the Wallabies, as soon as Garces was mentioned before the game I said chuck some money on them as he's a leveller.
I'm not sure if I think Barrett deserved the red for that, but if that's the bar then that's the bar and every player needs to watch themselves. But, did I read someone in the thread say they thought Barrett was having a good game? He did one stand out tackle but was average the rest of the half.
There seems to be some shitfights over the backs but the game was won up front by the Aussies. They had front foot ball all game and denied the ABs ball for crucial parts of the game.
After the Boks game I said that I thought the ABs weren't playing direct deliberately before the RWC and I think this was another game that highlights that. They just seemed to go side to side for most of the game, hell even Laumape didn't run hard and straight for most of the time he was on. I hope that we're just foxing ....
Don't really want to wade into the 10 debate but I don't think Mo'unga was as bad as made out and I don't think Barrett was as relatively good as made out. Firstly on defence since it was a source of debate, Mo'unga makes his tackles and Barrett is still an awesome cover defending and still a bit iffy front on. Secondly they are both prone to stupid kicks. Thirdly, there was barely any structure to the ABs attack aside from the side to side, but I'm not sure if we blame the tactics, the pack, or Mo'unga (or indeed a senior back like Barrett or Smith).
Read and Savea are getting the share of loose forward plaudits but I think Cane put in a decent shift. He was making tackles and being a nuisance in rucks putting his body on the line in a pack that didn't really put their bodies on the line that much. But, we need a frikkin 6, a proper one, or if we are going to play the two 7s lets turn Cane 100% into one and just tell him to smash people. If not then bring back Frizzell or give Hemopo a go (basically anyone from the Highlanders
).So much of the midfield play was ALB getting flat foot ball and trying to run or jink on to some front foot ball. Ioane oddly had a better game than in his last couple but in reality he was mostly starved of decent ball.
One thing I noticed from the Wallabies and credit to them is that they were taking out AB's behind the ruck line as "clean outs". Was annoying me at the time, but if you can get away with it keep doing it.
At the very least I'm now very much looking forward to next weeks match!
-
Some interesting ratings and comments on The AB's in this article
-
@nzzp said in Bledisloe #1:
@junior said in Bledisloe #1:
@E-African-Troll said in Bledisloe #1:
@akan004 said in Bledisloe #1:
his defence as well but still rate him above Perry
In case anyone has doubts about the validity of S Barrett's Red Card:
Hmmm... mitigating factors might play a factor in his sentencing.
what mitigating factors? It was stupid and clumsy, and a Red is a valid outcome. I don't think it was malicious or cynical, just very poor technique and decision making
I can see them rebuking the following arguments: reactionary contact, ie not in open play with a good chance to line him up; Hooper was falling as contact was made and after Barrett had committed to contact; and initial contact was on the upper back, sliding up to the neck and then head.
Now, at best, I think this may take it down to a 4-week suspension from the staring point of 6. However, I reckon it will stay at 6 weeks in order to send a message before the RWC.
-
@Chris said in Bledisloe #1:
Some interesting ratings and comments on The AB's in this article
What farking game did those clowns watch? Christ on a bike that is shitty journalism.
-
I actually had to check the date to make sure it was yesterdays game.
-
@Rancid-Schnitzel well I am in Brisbane watching it which is along way away but I reckon I saw it better than these clowns
-
-
@E-African-Troll A bit rich coming from Georgina, who is well known for being a whinger over the years. Gregor is usually pretty balanced to be fair, I don't even really think he's an ABs supporter. He's from Scotland and rarely shows any bias towards the ABs.
-
@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe #1:
average ref if I am being nice about h
Better get used to French Refs: There will be 4 of them coming to Japan
I like the Frenchie refs
They give teams a fair crack at the breakdown as well as being strict at scrums
-
-
Scott Barrett has an unlikely supporter
-
-
@Tim said in Bledisloe #1:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12257673
thanks John, when we want your opinion we'll call you aye?
-
It has been interesting to read this thread from beginning to end in one go.
Team announced: Thank Fark. That really is our best team apart from Retallick. The Wobblies are in for a world of hurt.
Post Game: Hanson's shit. Team's shit. Tactics shit. Captain Shit. Wallabies brilliant. We are doomed. Worst loss ever. We need to bring in more Blues/Crusaders (delete depending on your provincial bias).
The only bit I really agree with is the Wallabies were brilliant. The shame of the game for me is that we really didn't see enough IMO to determine if the two experiments held any promise although I agree Smith looked ponderous. I'm also struggling to remember when tandem open sides has ever worked for us. To be fair Hanson came out against the idea but I guess Savea's form and the lack of bona-fide 6's made it worth a go. I didn't read too many complaining about it earlier in the week. As such I think it is worth persevering with. We know what the other options at blindside are.
The one player I thinks has well over-stayed his welcome is Franks.
It confirmed what I have thought for the last 4 years; Retallick is our most important player. When he went down against the Boks I feared our RWC defence was in tatters.
We looked much better when we kept hold of the pill instead of aimlessly hoofing it downtown. I think we created at least two dead cert tries if the 15th man had been there to take the final pass.
How good were Aussie? Very, very good. How good did we allow them to be? Too friggin good...
-
@dogmeat said in Bledisloe #1:
Post Game: We need to bring in more Crusaders
To be fair I was saying that pre-game 😀
