All Blacks vs Wallabies in Perth

OK so a few observations.

The tight five went well, no complaints at all there. In fact, some of the blokes I've been a bit dubious about in the front row have really looked good. Albeit against Australia, with the real forward tests to come. S Barrett had one of his better games.

I'm not a fan of the loose forward mix. I don't see Papali'i as a genuine 7 but do see him as a good option elsewhere and/or a really, really good bench option. Savea there for mine, with Jacobsen at 8. But credit to Ioane for his performance yesterday and his general upward sweeping arc this year and to a lesser degree last year.

I'm not quite ready to accept he's the long-term answer at 6 but he does solve a few issues there in terms of height, athleticism and defensive impact. As above though, let's see the same impact against SA before anointing him as our permanent 6. Impressive thus far in '21 though.

Weber went well and Perenara also when he came on. His kick ahead to set up Bridge was exactly what Banks should have done earlier when Reiko ran him down and this is symptomatic of the All Blacks' play vs the Wallabies.

Another fine display in combination from Havili'i and ALB. I had always said ALB was a better 12 than 13, and I maintain that position, but Havili'i has certainly claimed that spot now. If ALB is a slightly lesser centre than second-five it's not apparent in his play at the moment which is a credit to how well he's playing at 13.

B Barrett. OK in general play without standing out in a really good team performance (take from that what you will) but appalling goalkicking. Kicking like that in a tight test would cost us a game. It's just not good enough. One of them was a sitter.

The back three or back five all played well. The red card was garbage. To the point where I missed the incident live, walked into the room at the tail end of a replay with a red being discussed and assumed it was for the Aussie interfering with Barrett in the air (which also would have been a shocker of a call)! At least we had that 20 minute and replacement rule to fall back on. Phew.

N

nostrildamus
September 5, 2:39pm

I loved seeing some of the passing in this game, reminded me of Nonu (here he is last year)

Billy Tell
Billy Tell
September 5, 4:47pm

Bower has grown one me. Couldn’t understand his initial selection but he’s been solid.

If Toke could sort his throwing id have him ahead of Taylor who has been underwhelming.

BBBR best game since his return.

Akira’s best game in black.

Thought Weber was fine.

As much as I like goodhue at 13, the havili/alb combo is making a compelling case.

Reiko is a winger who can cover 13.

It will be nice to see some other team than Aussie. A few ferns pundits still rate rennie as a fantastic coach but if he wasn’t called rennie, results are pretty underwhelming.

J

junior
September 5, 5:51pm

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

Fuck that first try was absolute sex.

To be honest almost all the tries were a little bit jizz worthy. Even Havili’s was enough to justify a semi

N

nostrildamus
September 5, 6:32pm

Having watched a very fuzzy 80 minutes a few things stood out for me:
Jordie would be an excellent 15 if he didn't have these things happen to him. I thought he just took the wrong options when he was younger but now I am moving towards the feeling there is a large voodoo doll with a blond mop on top. While he has all the physical attributes (and even towers over the AB 8, who would have thought), weird things just seem to happen when he is around, normally after he has just done something special (his speed on that try was never shown on the wing, for example)...

Our wings are more than fine (and I was quite taken by Jordan's kicking game). I do wonder if he could soldify in terms of defending, and move eventually to 15. Might solve a few problems we are having with a red card Bartlett (who said 2 out of 3 aren't bad?) As for Ioane, apart from a much improved workload over past years, and his zip returning, great tackling effort around the park and backing up his team mates! I have a feeling centre has actually helped him at wing.

ALB was ALB, tidying up everyone's else's mess and generally just being in the right place at the right time. So was his partner at 12, who still makes mistakes but still seems to have half an x-factor, I'm looking forward to seeing him against tougher, more experienced midfield opposition, but he's good. Would also like to see him tried at conversions. because the usual suspects have been... suspect. I think even Mounga hasn't been fully firing this season.

BB-what can we say, a frustrating 10 who still has a good game, seems to be able to do anything when in form, but if his speed has diminished slightly (I say if, I just have not seen that Tesla S special from him lately) he doesn't quite seem to be the tinny world-beater of days of yore. Can still pull out some lovely kicks but as for place-kicking, I think he waas hard done by the linesman at least once or twice. He actually did hoof it down the middle of the field once and I wonder if his place-kicking is just a little conservative rather than weak. Some good defensive tackles by the way. Deserved his place overall.

As others said, Weber's passes were pretty good in the first half, very concise and business-like. Not an Aaron Smith (and I seriously question our RWC chances without him) but I thought for at least the first half his service was good and he unleashed a good box kick or two. Seemed a little suspect at times tackling but he is built like a cardboard chicken.

Ardie was good, very good (and Ethan was one of the better replacements I thought), Paps had a few mistakes, a penalty or two but was hardworking, Akira was manhandling everyone and made linebreaks look too cool for school. He was diligent at the rucks and watched everything, I think his fitness levels were excellent.

Our locks I thought weren't quite as prominent but far more impactful than the opposition, Brodie occassionally looked terrifying, SB made a few mistakes but was workmanlike (but also missed a tackle I'm sure Whitelock would have made).

Our props, especially the maligned ones were good, I thought both hookers were mostly very good, for me the biggest weakness wasn't the coaching or the selection of the 15, but the bench. They're regulars but they defend more like Swiss cheese than All Blacks. DMac is a magnet for forwards near the tryline, 18 and 19 have terrible technique or footwork, and..

...I'll stop ranting now because I actually felt sorry for the Wallabies, they tried hard, Hooper kept launching his broken body at everything, the Fijians were again missiles, but their loose forwards are aimless, (their 8 stood out for his macheted hair rather than for his work around the field), their locks are just making up the numbers, and I suspect their bench is stronger than the starters (although I concede White always looks good off the bench, but 9 isn't the problem). 10 certainly is a problem, his confidence is gone, he is just too young. And the make up of the midifield is suspect. Easy said, but perhaps they should, gasp, consider moving Hodge to 10. At least then they'll get the penalties.

G

Gunner
September 5, 6:41pm

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

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

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

Akira Ioane's big work ons:

Jackling. He's a big guy, but that's not an excuse. Gets the odd turnover for the Blues but gives away ruck penalties too. May lack confidence as well as skills there.

Link play. Not a traditional big six strength, but could up fitness and improve decision making to get involved more in support. First half of 2019 Super Rugby his link play was excellent, maybe lacks confidence or decision making of when to switch lines.

Decision making of when to stay on his lines and when to hit the ruck or link off his line. Does this very well late in the game, but could increase involvement in first 50 minutes by being able to pick when to get involved. That kind of decision making could be the difference between a very good player and a great player.

I thought after watching today his only work on for me is a huge nit pick, but I would've preferred to see him take those tries himself - extra pass makes room for a mistake and getting those tries himself maybe has an effect on the oppo"s head space too? Best game in black for me, although admittedly against a fairly ordinary Oz.

I agree with this, almost like he was showboating that the gams is too easy for him, look at how unselfish I am etc. Just run over that last defender!!

Poor old Akira can’t win can he.
Ah well, we can always go back to back Shannon Frizzell.

kiwiinmelb
kiwiinmelb
September 5, 7:30pm

@old-samurai-jack said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):

Haven't seen a performance from a NZ No.6 like tonight since peak Kaino. Akira's influence was huge.

Look forward to see how he goes against the boks

taniwharugby
taniwharugby
September 5, 7:48pm

Haven't read right back, but have we had 3 reds in our last 4 games v Aus???

Will the 20 min RC see more reds issued?

C

cgrant
September 5, 7:54pm

@akan004 said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):

Tate McDermott is a superstar in the making.

sparky
sparky
September 5, 7:59pm

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

Haven't read right back, but have we had 3 reds in our last 4 games v Aus???

Will the 20 min RC see more reds issued?

Same problem in the 2021 Six Nations. Too many publicity-hungry referees giving out ridiculous red cards. Ruining the game. Today's was the most absurd of the lot.

taniwharugby
taniwharugby
September 5, 8:15pm

This will always be worth a re-post

Machpants
Machpants
September 5, 8:18pm

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

This will always be worth a re-post

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

This will always be worth a re-post

I like the bit with them running over breakaway advert

KiwiPie
KiwiPie
September 5, 8:27pm

Anyone else hear Marshall say that the pickup from the ruck for the disallowed try was fine and immediately relax knowing it would be disallowed?

Machpants
Machpants
September 5, 8:28pm

Good point by Ozzie journo

If there is one area of concern for the All Blacks arising from the match – apart from Beauden Barrett’s abominable place kicking – it is this. They were caught a few times, too slow to re-form close to the ruck, and while Foster acknowledged the strength of the Wallabies in targeting this area, and some potential mitigation around positional and personnel disruption, he duly recognised that this is an area where the All Blacks need to improve sharply.

That presents a conundrum for Akira Ioane, who impressed again in the close channels during the first half. That’s exactly where All Black fans over the years have liked to see their number six; with his sleeves rolled up and his shoulders smacking hard into the opposition.

Yet it was out wide where Ioane tore the game apart

Akira and Ardie mean only one close in 'expert', when we really need two. If our hookers were like Marx, we'd be fine, but they are wide boys too.

shark
shark
September 5, 8:38pm

@taniwharugby That was certainly B Barretts' best moment in the game.

shark
shark
September 5, 8:40pm

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

Good point by Ozzie journo

If there is one area of concern for the All Blacks arising from the match – apart from Beauden Barrett’s abominable place kicking – it is this. They were caught a few times, too slow to re-form close to the ruck, and while Foster acknowledged the strength of the Wallabies in targeting this area, and some potential mitigation around positional and personnel disruption, he duly recognised that this is an area where the All Blacks need to improve sharply.

That presents a conundrum for Akira Ioane, who impressed again in the close channels during the first half. That’s exactly where All Black fans over the years have liked to see their number six; with his sleeves rolled up and his shoulders smacking hard into the opposition.

Yet it was out wide where Ioane tore the game apart

Akira and Ardie mean only one close in 'expert', when we really need two. If our hookers were like Marx, we'd be fine, but they are wide boys too.

This is the point I made re Ioane. Impressive but let's see if he can grunt it up against SA.

Machpants
Machpants
September 5, 8:43pm

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

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

Good point by Ozzie journo

If there is one area of concern for the All Blacks arising from the match – apart from Beauden Barrett’s abominable place kicking – it is this. They were caught a few times, too slow to re-form close to the ruck, and while Foster acknowledged the strength of the Wallabies in targeting this area, and some potential mitigation around positional and personnel disruption, he duly recognised that this is an area where the All Blacks need to improve sharply.

That presents a conundrum for Akira Ioane, who impressed again in the close channels during the first half. That’s exactly where All Black fans over the years have liked to see their number six; with his sleeves rolled up and his shoulders smacking hard into the opposition.

Yet it was out wide where Ioane tore the game apart

Akira and Ardie mean only one close in 'expert', when we really need two. If our hookers were like Marx, we'd be fine, but they are wide boys too.

This is the point I made re Ioane. Impressive but let's see if he can grunt it up against SA.

He might not get called on to do it, ABs have a loose forward and a hooker wide. Seems like Akira is the loose forward to go wide, might change Vs SA tho

voodoo
voodoo
September 5, 9:22pm

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

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

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

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

Akira Ioane's big work ons:

Jackling. He's a big guy, but that's not an excuse. Gets the odd turnover for the Blues but gives away ruck penalties too. May lack confidence as well as skills there.

Link play. Not a traditional big six strength, but could up fitness and improve decision making to get involved more in support. First half of 2019 Super Rugby his link play was excellent, maybe lacks confidence or decision making of when to switch lines.

Decision making of when to stay on his lines and when to hit the ruck or link off his line. Does this very well late in the game, but could increase involvement in first 50 minutes by being able to pick when to get involved. That kind of decision making could be the difference between a very good player and a great player.

I thought after watching today his only work on for me is a huge nit pick, but I would've preferred to see him take those tries himself - extra pass makes room for a mistake and getting those tries himself maybe has an effect on the oppo"s head space too? Best game in black for me, although admittedly against a fairly ordinary Oz.

I agree with this, almost like he was showboating that the gams is too easy for him, look at how unselfish I am etc. Just run over that last defender!!

Poor old Akira can’t win can he.
Ah well, we can always go back to back Shannon Frizzell.

Whatchu talking bout Willis?

He was fucking awesome. Best player on the paddock. Like Bones said, a huge bit pick, but just cos he was awesome doesn't mean we can't discuss work ons!

shark
shark
September 5, 9:27pm

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

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

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

Good point by Ozzie journo

If there is one area of concern for the All Blacks arising from the match – apart from Beauden Barrett’s abominable place kicking – it is this. They were caught a few times, too slow to re-form close to the ruck, and while Foster acknowledged the strength of the Wallabies in targeting this area, and some potential mitigation around positional and personnel disruption, he duly recognised that this is an area where the All Blacks need to improve sharply.

That presents a conundrum for Akira Ioane, who impressed again in the close channels during the first half. That’s exactly where All Black fans over the years have liked to see their number six; with his sleeves rolled up and his shoulders smacking hard into the opposition.

Yet it was out wide where Ioane tore the game apart

Akira and Ardie mean only one close in 'expert', when we really need two. If our hookers were like Marx, we'd be fine, but they are wide boys too.

This is the point I made re Ioane. Impressive but let's see if he can grunt it up against SA.

He might not get called on to do it, ABs have a loose forward and a hooker wide. Seems like Akira is the loose forward to go wide, might change Vs SA tho

I'm trying to think of times when we've beaten SA using a wide ranging 6.....

booboo
booboo
September 5, 9:31pm

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

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

Red card there, another Barrett

Shouldn't be - 100% accident. Never looks at the chaser, leg goes out as a natural balance outcome.

Tackled in the air ...

KiwiMurph
KiwiMurph
September 5, 9:31pm

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

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

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

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

Good point by Ozzie journo

If there is one area of concern for the All Blacks arising from the match – apart from Beauden Barrett’s abominable place kicking – it is this. They were caught a few times, too slow to re-form close to the ruck, and while Foster acknowledged the strength of the Wallabies in targeting this area, and some potential mitigation around positional and personnel disruption, he duly recognised that this is an area where the All Blacks need to improve sharply.

That presents a conundrum for Akira Ioane, who impressed again in the close channels during the first half. That’s exactly where All Black fans over the years have liked to see their number six; with his sleeves rolled up and his shoulders smacking hard into the opposition.

Yet it was out wide where Ioane tore the game apart

Akira and Ardie mean only one close in 'expert', when we really need two. If our hookers were like Marx, we'd be fine, but they are wide boys too.

This is the point I made re Ioane. Impressive but let's see if he can grunt it up against SA.

He might not get called on to do it, ABs have a loose forward and a hooker wide. Seems like Akira is the loose forward to go wide, might change Vs SA tho

I'm trying to think of times when we've beaten SA using a wide ranging 6.....

We've beaten them with a wide ranging 8 (in Read).

booboo
booboo
September 5, 9:41pm

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

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

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

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

Why does this rule exist? Why can't you crawl if not tackled?

Rugby is a game played on your feet.

So jumping should be banned too? Diving?

It's hardly a handy skill though. Who cares if some bloke wants to try crawling

You can't tackle someone who is "off their feet"

@voodoo the post made my point. How do you stop someone crawling when you can't dive on someone on the ground?

booboo
booboo
September 5, 9:41pm

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

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

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

good work fatties

Havili not that big

he didn't do the work! Just took the glory

So you're saying he's a back?

voodoo
voodoo
September 5, 9:42pm

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

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

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

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

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

Why does this rule exist? Why can't you crawl if not tackled?

Rugby is a game played on your feet.

So jumping should be banned too? Diving?

It's hardly a handy skill though. Who cares if some bloke wants to try crawling

You can't tackle someone who is "off their feet"

@voodoo the post made my point. How do you stop someone crawling when you can't dive on someone on the ground?

Indeed, I thanked Antipodean for reminding me of that

booboo
booboo
September 5, 9:46pm

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

So will they put Dmac at fullback to replace Jordie, and bring Bridge on when BB goes off, or, will Bridge replace Jordie? I hope the first.

Edit: third option is moving Jordan to fullback and Bridge playing on the wing.

Or not taking off BB. It's not compulsory to replace the 10. We just do because we generally have a good one on the bench available.

Kiwiwomble
Kiwiwomble
September 5, 9:49pm

I thought weber was fine, he wasn't smith but no one is, and thats something thats needs to be kept in mind, calling for the ball from 30m out and expecting it on your chest at pace on the run might just be 5-10m too far for him, as it fro most people

booboo
booboo
September 5, 9:51pm

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

Dishing out red cards for accidental contacts like these might just incentivize more dangerous play from the opposing player when contesting for the ball. If Koroibete hadn't had tackled Barrett in the air, he wouldnot have gotten facekicked. The laws are just confusing now.

So Koroibete run a into Jordie's boot.

A little later there was direct contact to the head with force between BBBR's shoulder and Hoopah!'s head, and no card ...

shark
shark
September 5, 9:56pm

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

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

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

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

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

Good point by Ozzie journo

If there is one area of concern for the All Blacks arising from the match – apart from Beauden Barrett’s abominable place kicking – it is this. They were caught a few times, too slow to re-form close to the ruck, and while Foster acknowledged the strength of the Wallabies in targeting this area, and some potential mitigation around positional and personnel disruption, he duly recognised that this is an area where the All Blacks need to improve sharply.

That presents a conundrum for Akira Ioane, who impressed again in the close channels during the first half. That’s exactly where All Black fans over the years have liked to see their number six; with his sleeves rolled up and his shoulders smacking hard into the opposition.

Yet it was out wide where Ioane tore the game apart

Akira and Ardie mean only one close in 'expert', when we really need two. If our hookers were like Marx, we'd be fine, but they are wide boys too.

This is the point I made re Ioane. Impressive but let's see if he can grunt it up against SA.

He might not get called on to do it, ABs have a loose forward and a hooker wide. Seems like Akira is the loose forward to go wide, might change Vs SA tho

I'm trying to think of times when we've beaten SA using a wide ranging 6.....

We've beaten them with a wide ranging 8 (in Read).

And a tight 6 in Kaino. If Ardie is playing that Read role then Ioane doesn't fit the model (although the game plan may differ to those glory days of Read/McCaw/Kaino). If Ioane is to play that wide role that's fine too but then either Savea plays it tigher or we play Jacobsen at 8 (Savea at 7) or swap Savea and Papali'i's roles.

booboo
booboo
September 5, 9:59pm

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

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

Can't teach pace

Actually you can. In the US it is 76.2 centimetres (30 inches).

Ploise exploin?

Bovidae
Bovidae
September 5, 10:00pm

The roles of the 6 and 8 can be interchangeable, as long as they know what they are meant to do within their structure. Remember that Read played the tighter role when Squire was used in the wider channels.

shark
shark
September 5, 10:02pm

@bovidae Yep, that was later when Read wasn't suited to that wide role anyway.

booboo
booboo
September 5, 10:03pm

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

Ok I officially love Akira he has x Factor real teamwork there he could have scored himself.
I am converted.

Leap on the bandwagon, we have room

booboo
booboo
September 5, 10:08pm

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

Skillz

(TM)

@LandP

nzzp
nzzp
September 5, 10:13pm

This will be an unpopular opinion, but sober NZZP now thinks that a Red was the right call.

It was a reflex action by JB to losing balance, but ultimately if you raise your sprigs you open yourself up to the ref. No matter the intent, raised sprigs to the face are going to result in a Red every time. If JB doesn't lift his foot, then it's play on, but as soon as that happens I think Red is the right call. Reckless play, but that's life.

booboo
booboo
September 5, 10:14pm

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

Tackler must release. So....

So does the ball carrier?

MN5
MN5
September 5, 10:16pm

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

This will be an unpopular opinion, but sober NZZP now thinks that a Red was the right call.

It was a reflex action by JB to losing balance, but ultimately if you raise your sprigs you open yourself up to the ref. No matter the intent, raised sprigs to the face are going to result in a Red every time. If JB doesn't lift his foot, then it's play on, but as soon as that happens I think Red is the right call. Reckless play, but that's life.

Some English twit on a page on FB thought the red was justification for Umaga and Mealamu “getting away with thuggery” in 2005.

I got some popcorn and was ready to read all the hateful comments but someone deleted it. Stink.

booboo
booboo
September 5, 10:17pm

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

Much more of this and I may have to consider that maybe Foster isn’t completely clueless.

Sacrilege

nzzp
nzzp
September 5, 10:18pm

@mn5 said in Wallabies vs All Blacks 3 (Perth):

Some English twit on a page on FB thought the red was justification for Umaga and Mealamu “getting away with thuggery” in 2005.

The media have a lot to answer for.

booboo
booboo
September 5, 10:20pm

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

Interesting stat that the Wallabies had more carries and metres made?

@nostrildamus made my point.

Often the better team will have less time in possession because they'll score earlier in possession, and the lesser team will throw waves of attack against a better D.

NTA
NTA
September 5, 10:20pm

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

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

Tackler must release. So....

So does the ball carrier?

And both of them "immediately". ?