Terrific display by Boks forwards. Their lineout was the winning of the game. But I thought a few of our guys were well off their game. Thought Akira was missing for the tackle or clean out quite a few times so was quite surprised they took Jacobson off as he seemed more accurate and involved. Felt that was a tactical error. Neither of our hookers had a happy match either. Savea very competitive but I felt he could have imposed himself more on the ref. And poor tactical call not to kick to the corner when time nearly up.
Has Beauden's punting length and accuracy dropped off a bit? Weber gave him great service tonite so no excuses there. He and Reece were pretty good and constructive.
Anyways Bok reserve front row locks and loosies won them the match. And we shot ourselves in the foot with lineout errors and catch and pass inaccuracies. Congrats SA

Geez Foster is amazing taking charge of so many roles normally done by NZRU and other staff. The attempts to rubbish him on things he is not really involved in staggers me. Shows how little fans understand.

@frank said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):

@stargazer said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):

@crucial said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):

That Ferald article still seems to be the only news. Must have had some inside sauce overnight and everyone else is waiting on Perth to wake up.

I saw Andrew Mulligan tweet the outcome, early this morning, but he deleted the tweet, so I couldn't post it.

This is the stuff article.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/126315375/all-blacks-fullback-jordie-barrett-reportedly-escapes-further-ban-for-red-card

A Sanzaar spokesman confirmed to Stuff a statement was due out from the judiciary around noon (NZT).

Awesome if true.
REALLY want to see the end of DMac at 15 for a while.
Completely unconcerned with justice.
(if it were DMac for the exact same offence I would support a ban for a few weeks)

Unbelievable - but this is the fern....

Surprised not to see much comment on the string of red-cardable offences in the weekend's internationals - especially after the NH decision not to allow Red Card replacement after 20 minutes. After the weekend I think that is an extremely poor decision.

In watching matches this is what I though I saw, and is always open to interpretation. I have not re-watched and base this on initial impressions only:
a) Two players leap up for the ball and (both?) heads hit shoulders. Red Card Argentina
b) Player sets for tackle, but opponent passes well forward and catching player starts to duck for unexpectedly imminent contact. Medium contact to chin. Red Card USA
c) Player grabs jersey of opponent burrowing into ruck legitimately, and immediately knees him in the face. Opponent goes off straight away. Yellow Card only England
d) Player gets a bit of a hospital pass and shuffles across directly into the line of an exocet missile that launches into his chin sending him flying. Not worthy of review Fiji

With all the talk about mitigation and intention, I thought the first two were yellows due to obvious mitigation. But, the sendings off impacted significantly on the matches.

The other two seemed to be intentional acts with reckless disregard for opponent safety - but on the first one the Referee used the code word 'clumsy' to influence the TMO and it was just a yellow. The commentator suggested he was stepping into the ruck - where there was another head on the ground, and he barely missed another one after the knee. The second incident was not replayed on slow-mo as far as I can recall.

I am no doubt biased in my view of what I saw, but do wonder how much card decisions depend on who the player is, which team they are from, and whether their team is playing at home. And I must question whether the TMO's are listening to the biased hometown commentary prior to the referral.

I wonder what it would take for an England captain to be red-carded at Twickenham, or the Fijian captain in front of a partisan audience?

What do Ferners think? In my eyes this demands a rethink of the 20 minute red card, as I think the referees make plenty of judgement errors because the stakes are too high - and they don't want to make a call that would see them pilloried if judged unwarranted. That tends to favour home teams.

Thought Weber much better than TJ. Lot of crucial tackles but commentators never credit him. Some inaccurate passes but quick service nonetheless

@kiwi_expat Isn't that a rather naive interpretation by you? Do you not agree that the premise of Super rugby is at odds with the preparation for International rugby? The need to score more tries and secure bonus points may tailor player's instinctive reactions. And why on earth would our super coaches train predominantly for a battle of attrition as per topflight test rugby, when they have an elongated season to gather enough points for a favourable draw in play-offs.

I think Foster is spot on. And that is not a bad reflection on the Super coaches at all. (I may have missed Foster criticising the ability of the coaches you named - in which case I would agree with your criticism of that) They just train what is demanded for their players and for their Super rugby outcomes. It is Foster's job to modify the player's learned play from Super rugby to suit a game plan for international play. Maybe that is why we instinctively throw 50 50 passes and try to play wide early, because it works far more in Super rugby, with defences not as robust there.

It would also seem obvious that exposure to different playing styles will better prepare players for international rugby. Playing against South African, Australian, Kiwi, Argentinian and Japanese teams had Super coaches adapting their game plans and strategies, and players learning how to cope with the changing strategies of many evolving opponents.

Perhaps the Irish benefit from being in European competition..... I certainly think that Aotearoa Super rugby has not helped the AB's, while the move of South African into Europe has benefited Ireland, France etc. Lord forbid, it may have even left one of two players a trifle weary by late November.

Enjoyed that. Vindicates the work of the coaching staff. Hope to see their contracts extended Monday.
Thought we were dominated by Aussie loosies and Tate in first half but Dalton was much more effective after halftime and Taylor and the locks were great throughout. Akira and Ardie came into their own too. Liked the work of Samisoni after he came on and suspect he adds to scrum power. Enjoyed the 58m kick on a quiet night for DMAC. Surprising Aussie did not target him with high kicks. Well controlled Mounga.
Much better spectacle this week.

Just back from a marvellous time at the sevens. Bit of a deja vu feeling about NZ Men. The Mikkelsen/Collier combination was deadly whenever play was sent that way (far too rarely) because they showed huge energy at the contact point, Ng Shiu was great throughout, Ware was more effective than usual and showed good anticipation, Nareki showed lots of promise, and Molia was very solid throughout.

But, the others showed a continuation of previous issues that have prevented us reaching full potential. Ravouvou just could not connect with support players, and Knewstubb mishit far too many dropouts and goalkicks and was a bit hesitant on defence. Sam Dickson shows lots of endeavour, but is not as sharp and accurate as he used to be. Gregory still seems a step hesitant on defence. And Koroi - well how many 'strikes' do you let him have with his tackling technique.

Plenty of visible work-ons - but still a lack of explosiveness and outright speed. The Fijians were mesmerising with this. Tuimaba, Botitu, Nasoko, Naduva, Tuwai, Mocenacagi etc. The first three were incredibly skilful.

Well done to NZ women. Great spectacle.

Just back from a wet day out, including this match. Really a match of two halves, in appalling conditions. The masterstroke came with the substitutions - big bruising front-rowers - and a lot of go forward, and the influence of Hazel Tubic. She had an ability to gain lots of ground in the rain and mud, while nobody else seemed capable.

There were a lot of rapt NZRU staff close to me in the stand. Plenty to cheer about, with a great crowd and an even better result to start the buildup to the World Cup.

@canefan but he didn't show near as much as Warbrick did in the trial matches. I think they have added the right guy.

@Victor-Meldrew
I felt Ireland gained too many metres in contact once our bench came on. Increased drive in defence needed in my view. So hope to see Fakatava and Ross come onto bench, Jordan in for LF, hookers swapped and Akira or Sotutu for PGS.

Thought this was a bit of a horror fest. Not a great game from Doleman. Should have carded Hill for the first incident right under his nose. He didn't and it went downhill from there.
I thought the telling point was the impact of the Aussie reserve forwards. Matt Phillip was just huge. Faingaa and Sio too.
Hill should sit out the rest of the tour alongside Swain. Cynical deliberate dirt...

@ploughboy I would be ok with Wrampling and Bridge. Still think Narawa has upside.

@FakatavaAllBlack I would welcome him. Quality Super rugby player in an area we are very weak.

Looks like this was all scripted by OMC

@Stargazer Vakatawa back and a deserved chance for Hastoy.

Top display from 10 to 40 minutes. Enjoyed both Sullivans a lot and thought Weber played a composed intelligent game in tough conditions to lead the way. Dickson Harmon Suafoa and Norris showed impact in the forwards.
Shame we lost a bit of poise in second half. Bench was mediocre.
Coombes and Timoney looked very good. But the front row could be a worry for Ireland now with so many injuries.

@FakatavaAllBlack He would be a very good option.

@Bovidae I am pretty happy with that selection. Looks like Knewstubb and Mikkelsen were injured, so Carter and Clark come in. Leo and Tangitau both make it, and add that extra pace (and will push Molia for a spot). I was hoping Featherstone would be a bolter with his energy and physicality, but Clark's greater pace holds him out. Reckon they need to change the handling technique though, or it will be targeted by defenders.

It might all come down to our accuracy with kick-offs an kick reception. They have got a well balanced squad.

This will be interesting, with some very tough calls. 23 players used in squad, including Cook-Savage, and Mikkelsen who did not play. I was hoping to see much more of Moses Leo and Rhodes Featherstone, but others got more chances. Felt they might be the types to surprise the better teams with their pace and energy at the collision respectively. Cook-Savage is one for the future with his precision kicking capability. For me, Rokolisoa is the big improver, but some of the other more experienced hands are at risk from the likes of Tangitau, Carter, Solo, Rush and Clark.

I think they need a new threat or two, who the big teams are not familiar with - to vie for gold or silver. Else, I think we can be shut down too readily. It won't be Vai, with his injury. Just hope Mikkelsen can be fit for this one, as his ability to change the line of attack quickly, or force errors with his defence in the middle of the park, will be missed hugely.

What do others think? Not a lot of discussion on the men's sevens this year.