ABs backs Developing a Pattern

Some thoughts on this game and the ABs in general after just getting around to watching this game.

Bridge - I would love him to be a better finisher, but I think the coaches would have been happy with his game if I am right about the way they are wanting to play. The back three as a collective appeared to have expanded roles. We saw a continuation of the duel playmaker system with McKenzie continuing to pop up at first receiver. What I think has been expanded upon, and why the likes of Bridge have been selected, is we are seeing three fullbacks as opposed to the two fullback and wing thingy we have seen in the past. We saw Bridge and Jordan popping up in positions on attack that we would normally see the fullback occupy.

This would also explain Reece, who also plays this role at the Crusaders. Apart from Nareki as a long shot, I don't see any other currently available wing in NZ showing they can play this way despite being better 'finishers' than Bridge. And as @Crucial mentioned in the AB thread, we saw loosies (mainly Papalii and Ioane) hovering on the 'wing' which suggests they are happy for players to take the contact rather than pinning their ears back and risk getting sent into touch.

I think J Barrett and Jordan are now in a shoot out for the 14 jumper, unless JB shows he can play the second playmaker role as well as McKenzie or BB (unless of course they decide BB is the best bet at 10 which wouldn't surprise me).

As for the forwards, who knows? Not really a game we can gather too much intel from.