All Blacks MOTM v Wales
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Whitelock, Blackadder, Jordan
Honourable Mention: Savea, J. Barrett, Perenara
Mention: B. Barrett, Papali’i, R. Ioane
😎
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Just finished watching and am absolutely astounded at Blackadder being awarded MOTM points. My half time notes specifically mention how quiet he was in the first half and nowhere near his best from previous tests, especially compared to his loosie mates Papali'i and Savea. Seems to be the new Fern fan favourite.
- Don't take this as me not liking Blackadder, he's been great this season.
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I rewatched and while he wouldn't make my top three, Papili'i was rock solid on defense, a quick check says he topped ESPN's tackle count with 11 (in 60 minutes) and no misses. The AB's have him defending very centrally in the 10/12 channel where the traffic is highest, he sweeps when defending the counter attack as you expect from a 7.
Looked to be playing within himself (vs Blackadder, who was not) but almost everytime he got involved it was impactful ... including the try and a couple of turnovers. In particular he made a couple of 50/50 tackles where you expect you expect your loosie may get skinned.
btw I thought Rieko got skinned at 78:10 on first watch, second watch suggests something went wrong with the AB defensive system/comms between Weber and Mounga just before this scrum? Havili and Rieko got pinned with a 3-on-2. Views on this?
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Savea, Papali'i and Whitelock.
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@kirwan said in All Blacks MOTM v Wales:
BB and Ardie were the two easy picks, and I went for Dalton for the crucial turnovers, great defence a well taken try.
Best game from BB in some time.
Beauden was also dominant against the Argies
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks MOTM v Wales:
@kirwan said in All Blacks MOTM v Wales:
BB and Ardie were the two easy picks, and I went for Dalton for the crucial turnovers, great defence a well taken try.
Best game from BB in some time.
Beauden was also dominant against the Argies
Backline has more space when he’s at ten as he runs straight. RM is happy to go backwards to make a break, which screws everything up outside him.
JB being the main goalkicker means it’s a straight pick on the ten attributes now.
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@kirwan said in All Blacks MOTM v Wales:
RM is happy to go backwards to make a break
very much like 7s or touch
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Which is why I prefer Mo'unga off the bench. His style of play can really exploit tired defenses. When he starts against the more physical sides he goes missing completely. Not that Beauden is a natural 10 that will control the game, but he can handle the physical stuff a lot better and is not afraid to run hard and straight when required.
