@nzbloke said in All Blacks 2021:
@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2021:
@nzbloke said in All Blacks 2021:
@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2021:
God I was waiting for the “smith is no better than TJP chat to start”
The smith box kicks too much is so 2017, that hasn’t been a problem for years, yes he went through a phase where he was kicking away possession but like the pro he is he took that criticism and changed, you would be hard pressed to see him box kick now without at least one chaser knowing exactly what’s going on and the rest of the line coming up for the counter which means it is very much the game plan
Other than Smith's pass tell me all these other areas in that position where he's better than TJ, Weber etc ???
It's common bloody sense to weight the ball from a box kick so your players chasing have a chance of regaining it again - what I'm saying is it's a low percentage kick to overdo, think about it ? the ball only travels about 30 metres, even when it's an accurate one you have less than a 50/50 chance of regaining possession in the air back as the other sides players are moving forward towards it... also, like any sport you vary your tactics, so you don't become predictable.
Do you honestly think the box kick is a top tactic to break down a rushing defence ? also find it brainless when a players box kick lands well within his own territory, better to kick the ball out near halfway, even if the other team get the lineout throw, by having the lineout you settle things down, having more time to set your defence.
You know we had this discussion before aye?
Might just be me but I’d always considered passing to be pretty important for a halfback
Listing all the areas where smith is better than tj would be listing all the aspects of rugby…so I’m just going to say rugby…smith is better at rugby than tj…currently at least
Yeah, we had the same discussion before on another sports site... but you still haven't really answered it.
Naturally having a good passing game is very important for any halfback to have, we all know Smith is better in that area than any of our other 9's - he basically relies on two things though, passing & a heap of aimless box kicking... but also a halfback needs to make darting runs, add a few well waited grubbers into space etc, mix it up, having more skilled options on attack constantly keeps the opposition in two minds, making that 9 even worth more value to the team.
have you watched Smith play?? You are right when you say he has a great pass, but I not sure you have noticed one of his other greatest assets is how fit he is, he is always at breakdown waiting to clear ball, and it's not as coomon as may think. The try ABs scored against Ireland in overtime a few years back, from start to finish of the movement Smith handles the ball about 10 times, that is extraordinary for a player who started the match to keep getting vthere and hitting players with passes. His pass is not only quick but by far the most accurate I have seen, his ability to hit one player he wants on the run is best by far of any I have seen. He is actually pretty handy on the break, but as Kiwiwomble rightly says he just a better rugby player than others named. as his decisions are generally so good! Hell I a Canes man, but TJ who has his own strengths is nowhere near Smith's all round game!
