Next day match report from the stadium

@Chris said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Foster Hinted at some new players to be selected we may see some changes for the EOYT.

I don’t see any stand outs outside the squad yet
Some young guns coming through but vastly inexperienced.

Maybe a couple of projects will be selected.

Isn't that what the ABs XV team will be used for?

Additions to the senior squad, I'd say that points at players who are experienced and in some cases may have already been there. I sure hope not it's Asafo Aumua, but it's a possibility (I'd prefer George Bell, but he's very green). Dmac is another one, although he's been hot and cold in the NPC, too, thus far. If they need another halfback, maybe Weber. Not sure whether Cullen Grace will be fit in time, but he'd be another option if he's available. At lock, maybe Josh Dickson.

@Paekakboyz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Chris PUJ if fit? I know he's been in the mix but I hope we see some more 12/13s in the squad. I wonder if Aidan Morgan maybe be bolter as well. We seem to collect 10/15 so having another specialist 10 to check out could be good.

PUJ hasn't been very convincing. Maybe his twin, although he breaks often. Morgan, same comment as Dmac but way too green (even for the ABs XV).

@Chris Did Foster also hint at players being dropped?

@Paekakboyz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Chris PUJ if fit? I know he's been in the mix but I hope we see some more 12/13s in the squad. I wonder if Aidan Morgan maybe be bolter as well. We seem to collect 10/15 so having another specialist 10 to check out could be good.

We're only allowed a RWC squad of 33 - I'd imagine an 18/15 split - which will allow four midfielders.

I reckon, barring injury, you can just about lock in ALB, Havili and Rieko - so we need one more from Goodhue, Tupaea, RTS and anyone else - plus potential need for injury cover. There's not much time to build the guys we have - the current combo, plus Tupaea and RTS. I'd be a bit surprised to see anyone else new in the equation unless Schmidt has a plan that necessitates a big munter like TUJ.

On the same note - lock in Mo'unga and Beauden and one of DMac or Perofeta as the third first five - with the other a back up.

At halfback lock in Smith and Christie and one of....etc.

@Stargazer said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Chris said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Foster Hinted at some new players to be selected we may see some changes for the EOYT.

I don’t see any stand outs outside the squad yet
Some young guns coming through but vastly inexperienced.

Maybe a couple of projects will be selected.

Isn't that what the ABs XV team will be used for?

Additions to the senior squad, I'd say that points at players who are experienced and in some cases may have already been there. I sure hope not it's Asafo Aumua, but it's a possibility (I'd prefer George Bell, but he's very green). Dmac is another one, although he's been hot and cold in the NPC, too, thus far. If they need another halfback, maybe Weber. Not sure whether Cullen Grace will be fit in time, but he'd be another option if he's available. At lock, maybe Josh Dickson.

@Paekakboyz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Chris PUJ if fit? I know he's been in the mix but I hope we see some more 12/13s in the squad. I wonder if Aidan Morgan maybe be bolter as well. We seem to collect 10/15 so having another specialist 10 to check out could be good.

PUJ hasn't been very convincing. Maybe his twin, although he breaks often. Morgan, same comment as Dmac but way too green (even for the ABs XV).

@Chris Did Foster also hint at players being dropped?

Not really,He mentioned when they selected the new props after the SA 2nd test in an interview,He was asked about how well he thought they played and he mentioned it would be followed by some new faces to be selected this season in a view to the WC.
He mentioned new caps and fresh blood new enthusiasm to be added .

I assume the EYOT is the time do that.

It is refreshing to have Christie coming off of the pine instead of Perenara of past seasons.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Paekakboyz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Chris PUJ if fit? I know he's been in the mix but I hope we see some more 12/13s in the squad. I wonder if Aidan Morgan maybe be bolter as well. We seem to collect 10/15 so having another specialist 10 to check out could be good.

We're only allowed a RWC squad of 33 - I'd imagine an 18/15 split - which will allow four midfielders.

I reckon, barring injury, you can just about lock in ALB, Havili and Rieko - so we need one more from Goodhue, Tupaea, RTS and anyone else - plus potential need for injury cover. There's not much time to build the guys we have - the current combo, plus Tupaea and RTS. I'd be a bit surprised to see anyone else new in the equation unless Schmidt has a plan that necessitates a big munter like TUJ.

Versatility will be the Key,You need to cover all options a long way to get players over to France if anyone goes down.

Blackadder would be the type of player needed plays all 3 positions.

@Frank said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Rieko played well and put his outsides away, albeit with his passes generally being harder to take than what they should have been.

Yeah, it feels wrong to nit pick, he was great as was the whole team. But it was pretty noticeable that his delivery was just a bit off, nothing sympathetic there. Easy work-on though, the rest of his game was ace

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Paekakboyz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Chris PUJ if fit? I know he's been in the mix but I hope we see some more 12/13s in the squad. I wonder if Aidan Morgan maybe be bolter as well. We seem to collect 10/15 so having another specialist 10 to check out could be good.

We're only allowed a RWC squad of 33 - I'd imagine an 18/15 split - which will allow four midfielders.

I reckon, barring injury, you can just about lock in ALB, Havili and Rieko - so we need one more from Goodhue, Tupaea, RTS and anyone else - plus potential need for injury cover. There's not much time to build the guys we have - the current combo, plus Tupaea and RTS. I'd be a bit surprised to see anyone else new in the equation unless Schmidt has a plan that necessitates a big munter like TUJ.

I am not into projects and RTS should be no where near the All Blacks at the moment. Nothing but league reputation and desire to promote talent before performance gets him in the squad. He was stood up and run around by Murray yesterday playing Northland. Not the first time his defence has shown to be poor - and he had the same issues playing league. They have wasted the opportunity to develop someone else who has been playing rugby for the last decade. If he comes right then pick him but the free pass he is getting just doesn’t stack up.

@Chris said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Paekakboyz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Chris PUJ if fit? I know he's been in the mix but I hope we see some more 12/13s in the squad. I wonder if Aidan Morgan maybe be bolter as well. We seem to collect 10/15 so having another specialist 10 to check out could be good.

We're only allowed a RWC squad of 33 - I'd imagine an 18/15 split - which will allow four midfielders.

I reckon, barring injury, you can just about lock in ALB, Havili and Rieko - so we need one more from Goodhue, Tupaea, RTS and anyone else - plus potential need for injury cover. There's not much time to build the guys we have - the current combo, plus Tupaea and RTS. I'd be a bit surprised to see anyone else new in the equation unless Schmidt has a plan that necessitates a big munter like TUJ.

Versatility will be the Key,You need to cover all options a long way to get players over to France if anyone goes down.

Blackadder would be the type of player needed plays all 3 positions.

There will be some harsh decisions in the loose forwards.

Quite likely they'll only take five (unless they only take 14 backs).

Cane, Savea, Frizell, Papali'i, Ioane, Sotutu, Blackadder, Sowakula, Grace, Jacobson.

Quite a few of these guys won't be going.

Ryan clears up the handshake fail. Seems like a top bloke.

@chimoaus I can listen him, not all platitudes and PR speak. And not a boring voice git like Foster, voice has some inflection

@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Ryan clears up the handshake fail. Seems like a top bloke.

Very impressed he made himself accountable but didn't say what the actual mistakes were
Don't give future opposition any hints!

@chimoaus he looks like a bloke who's stepped out of a Coast pub and into an AB polo. Looks bloody good coach, it's awesome how great players and coaches get thrown up from anywhere.

We lose our meritocracy at our peril

I wonder with his comment about Frizzel being a bit dinged up they throw Akira at the Aussies, he carved them up last year.

Hope Sotutu and Papalii get the chance if Frizzell is injured.

@ARHS Not a fan of Papali'i in there unless he's a starting 7. He's ineffective off the bench and would rather have someone who adds a bit of punch like Sotutu, and would have Akira starting. Hes been fine this year despite the usual criticisms.

I do think they'll go with Barrett at 6 with Retallick in the starting lineup though and keep Papalii on the bench sadly.

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

It is refreshing to have Christie coming off of the pine instead of Perenara of past seasons.

Thought his passing was quicker than smith tbh. I would personally prefer either smith or Christie with Fakatava on the bench as he has a different style to the other two. Another player who seems to have been forgotten.

@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

It is refreshing to have Christie coming off of the pine instead of Perenara of past seasons.

Thought his passing was quicker than smith tbh. I would personally prefer either smith or Christie with Fakatava on the bench as he has a different style to the other two. Another player who seems to have been forgotten.

Fakatava hasn't been particularly good in Black - struggling to reproduce the form that got everyone excited over the last few years. He'll come back, but Christie is ahead at the moment for me

@nzzp LOL, as if you can judge a player's performance in the first 18 and 19 minutes of his test career, coming on when the ABs were already being hammered.

@Stargazer said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@nzzp LOL, as if you can judge a player's performance on his first 18 and 19 minutes of his test career, coming on when the ABs were already being hammered.

can only call it a I see it. I expected more - my memory was loose passing and not great decision making. He's a talent, but hasn't put it out there recently.

@nzzp "Recently", again that was 18 and 19 minutes off the bench in the 2nd and 3rd test against Ireland, at a stage of the game when we were already under the pump big time. He hadn't played since his last Highlanders game (4 June). Since July, he has only had an excellent second half for the Magpies. That's all the rugby he has played.

@nzzp said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

OK, next day match report from the stadium.

HTown was great fun. What an awesome day out - in the sun, charcoal lamb rotisserie at a mates, helped smash a keg of beer, and then down to the ground. FMG is one of the good rugby watching grounds in the country (proper rectangle; NH and Dunedin are in the mix), but fark me the crowd was all over the place. Peopel are just up and down all the time, don't care what's happening on the field, and hte low angles mean it's really easy to have the view blocked. On the other hand, vocal, and 7 pitch invaders (!) so ya get that. @NTA no issues yelling at the kicker, Ireland can do the quiet, people can do whatever they hell they want at the ground... it's more our mindset than rule following.

That said, we were about 2 rows away from being in teh rain, so happy times First time in teh stand, normally we like to stand in the green zone, but got lucky getting seats with the weather.

So, ABs were very clinical, very accurate, and low error rate. The chip is a legit tactic to find space against the rush; you could see why it was being done. Sometimes worked, sometimes didn't - but the threat of the little dink puts people in two minds, and that slows down a defensive line.

Forward pack were sensational. Really committed and dominant. ST a monster, rest of the tigh went well. Set piece was strong. Loosies good, and particularly Sam Cane who monstered people all night, and actually linked and got aroudn the paddock well. Good work. Ardie played the Savea position again, and Fritzel got into plenty of work in the dark spaces. Cane was amazing I thought, particularly with the weight he has carried

Aaron was good, but got run over 2-3 times in defence. Noticeable that his box kick was going for length from the 22 - and it generally worked to exit us to about the 40. His pass was sweet. RM was a mix ... some really good stuff, but also some brave Test match decisions. Still small... which goes to the downside of Havili - his size. He's not a bail out option, and with Smith and Mounga that's quite undersized inside backs. Played well, some smart decisions, but at risk of getting ragdolled on both sides of the ball. That said, (like at 6), picking someone and sticking with them is better than chopping and changing ... that led to 2019 and no idea about our midfield or 6.

Rieko was sensational. Pace, skill and positioning. His defensive work is very strong and folk often don't see it. His pace is sublime, and turning that argie inside out for his try was magnficent.

Will Jordan seems very off, and has a hgih error rate. Would see Reece there instead. Clarke was solid on kickoffs (most went to him), did his best to hurt people when running, but otherwise didnt' see a lot of ball. Jordie isn't what he was, but seems more likely to bring his A game. We were talking about it - I'd take Jordie over Jordan because of teh defence, the punt and the aerial skills. Jordan with ball in hand at lower levels is sensational ... but struggles to put that out there in tests against good opposition, particularly this year.

Ref was fine.

Honestly, the abiding memory was the backs actually doing something - and the accuracy rate through the roof. The last try was sweet; we'd run the Jordie play onto the ball earlier, so ran the same play with a different option. Was bloody good to watch. So fair play Foster, I thought you should have gone a long time ago, but string some of these performances together and I'll have to eat humble pie.

Good fun, lovely day out, the newish expressway makes getting to HTown so smooth.

I mean, this was probably enough to win post of the year, but you had to keep going and show off didn't you

"What an awesome day out - in the sun, charcoal lamb rotisserie at a mates, helped smash a keg of beer, and then down to the ground"

@Stargazer you realise my response was to him being referred to as a player who was 'being forgotten' by another poster. I don't think he's forgotten, but offered some perspective as to why. I think he's a talent, and I hope he succeeds ... but there's more rose tinted provincial glasses being worn on here recently than I've seen for ages. Probably a product of poor coaching, poor selection and AB losses.

Bounce it back to you - do you think he's forgotten? And do you think he's played well for teh ABs?

Side note: how do you find out how many minutes Christie has played -- is it easy to find anywhere?

@nzzp said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

OK, next day match report from the stadium.

HTown was great fun. What an awesome day out - in the sun, charcoal lamb rotisserie at a mates, helped smash a keg of beer, and then down to the ground. FMG is one of the good rugby watching grounds in the country (proper rectangle; NH and Dunedin are in the mix), but fark me the crowd was all over the place. Peopel are just up and down all the time, don't care what's happening on the field, and hte low angles mean it's really easy to have the view blocked. On the other hand, vocal, and 7 pitch invaders (!) so ya get that. @NTA no issues yelling at the kicker, Ireland can do the quiet, people can do whatever they hell they want at the ground... it's more our mindset than rule following.

That said, we were about 2 rows away from being in teh rain, so happy times First time in teh stand, normally we like to stand in the green zone, but got lucky getting seats with the weather.

So, ABs were very clinical, very accurate, and low error rate. The chip is a legit tactic to find space against the rush; you could see why it was being done. Sometimes worked, sometimes didn't - but the threat of the little dink puts people in two minds, and that slows down a defensive line.

Forward pack were sensational. Really committed and dominant. ST a monster, rest of the tigh went well. Set piece was strong. Loosies good, and particularly Sam Cane who monstered people all night, and actually linked and got aroudn the paddock well. Good work. Ardie played the Savea position again, and Fritzel got into plenty of work in the dark spaces. Cane was amazing I thought, particularly with the weight he has carried

Aaron was good, but got run over 2-3 times in defence. Noticeable that his box kick was going for length from the 22 - and it generally worked to exit us to about the 40. His pass was sweet. RM was a mix ... some really good stuff, but also some brave Test match decisions. Still small... which goes to the downside of Havili - his size. He's not a bail out option, and with Smith and Mounga that's quite undersized inside backs. Played well, some smart decisions, but at risk of getting ragdolled on both sides of the ball. That said, (like at 6), picking someone and sticking with them is better than chopping and changing ... that led to 2019 and no idea about our midfield or 6.

Rieko was sensational. Pace, skill and positioning. His defensive work is very strong and folk often don't see it. His pace is sublime, and turning that argie inside out for his try was magnficent.

Will Jordan seems very off, and has a hgih error rate. Would see Reece there instead. Clarke was solid on kickoffs (most went to him), did his best to hurt people when running, but otherwise didnt' see a lot of ball. Jordie isn't what he was, but seems more likely to bring his A game. We were talking about it - I'd take Jordie over Jordan because of teh defence, the punt and the aerial skills. Jordan with ball in hand at lower levels is sensational ... but struggles to put that out there in tests against good opposition, particularly this year.

Ref was fine.

Honestly, the abiding memory was the backs actually doing something - and the accuracy rate through the roof. The last try was sweet; we'd run the Jordie play onto the ball earlier, so ran the same play with a different option. Was bloody good to watch. So fair play Foster, I thought you should have gone a long time ago, but string some of these performances together and I'll have to eat humble pie.

Good fun, lovely day out, the newish expressway makes getting to HTown so smooth.

This woulda got a upvote for the food alone…….Great ferning !

@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Thought his passing was quicker than smith tbh.

He's also a vastly different player than Smith. He speeds up the short game hugely when he comes on, but it's noticeable when he has to get that wide pass, it's a bit more loopy/laboured - however with the work he does in close it doesn't matter as much as there's more space wider by that stage anyway.

@booboo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@booboo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Recall @Gibbt describing Tomas Lavanini rocking up to the Judiciary like Norm rocking into Cheers.

Cheers?

Cheers.

@Mackerzzzz I seem to recall you may a young pup.

Cheers was a TV sitcom about a bunch of peeps hanging about a bar in Boston.

Google it.

@canefan said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@booboo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Recall @Gibbt describing Tomas Lavanini rocking up to the Judiciary like Norm rocking into Cheers.

Cheers?

Where everybody knows your name

What he said.

Norm was a frequent client.

@booboo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@booboo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@booboo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Recall @Gibbt describing Tomas Lavanini rocking up to the Judiciary like Norm rocking into Cheers.

Cheers?

Cheers.

@Mackerzzzz I seem to recall you may a young pup.

Cheers was a TV sitcom about a bunch of peeps hanging about a bar in Boston.

Google it.

@canefan said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@booboo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Recall @Gibbt describing Tomas Lavanini rocking up to the Judiciary like Norm rocking into Cheers.

Cheers?

Where everybody knows your name

What he said.

Norm was a frequent client.

Good show,and enjoyed having a beer at cheers bar in Boston, while wife was running Boston Marathon in 96. I can see the judiciary all just saying "Thomas", as he heads for his usual cheer!

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Those teal tracksuits are a fucking disgrace

The Argie ones? Look like prison garb.

@booboo said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Those teal tracksuits are a fucking disgrace

The Argie ones? Look like prison garb.

farking smurfs from where we were sitting

@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@MajorRage said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Think tonight I see @MiketheSnow view point on Richie M.

Still better than BB for me but he had a poor decison making test.

RM thinks he’s Michael Jordan

The sooner he realises he’s Scottie Pippen the quicker NZ regain their Best in the World mantle

Who the f is that

Dude, I'll accept you're young but surely you've watched The Last Dance? I mean COVID lockdowns plus Netflix ...

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

It is refreshing to have Christie coming off of the pine instead of Perenara of past seasons.

We seem in a way better place at 9 than we were last year. There's a gap between Smith and the rest, but the rest are at least capable of closing out a game and not doing anything stupid.

@antipodean said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

LOL at Coles; "de vuelta en tu caja"

Help with the context. I get the translation. Did he actually say it? What time? Was that what led to the shove at handshakes?

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

It is refreshing to have Christie coming off of the pine instead of Perenara of past seasons.

We seem in a way better place at 9 than we were last year. There's a gap between Smith and the rest, but the rest are at least capable of closing out a game and not doing anything stupid.

I am still cross with TJP for flapping around in Lions 3 with the scrum awarded from the infamous 'we ave a deal'. Let the Lions halfback kick the ball out and take off- good play there and we are in with another penalty or try.

Arrrrr still annoying.

For the people saying Jordan was good on the kick chase - what are you seeing? Was it a specific chase or two?

I thought our kick chase was poor, apart from Ardie (who blitzed past a once again half pace Jordan).

There were a couple of grubbers I roughly recall he got close to, but he could have actually done a lot better if he committed and ran full pace.

@Bones I agree, and Ardie blitzing him on that kick chase was pretty concerning, he should have been leading the charge with Ardie coming in for the turnover. He just doesn't seem as energetic since he was out with Covid - maybe still has some symptoms? Reece is definitely worth a go on the right wing.

@No-Quarter yeah he looks lost at times. Definitely appears to be in a deep funk, but the way he's coasting about, it really does look like what someone mentioned a few tests ago - a petulant child. It's most likely not, but he really appears to not be trying. Not something you could accuse Reece of.

@Bones although he does seem to have that effortless look about him. Like when he puts the hammer down he motors but doesn't look like he's trying. I was worried about Ardie beating him to make that tackle, but wondered if Jordan evened up in case Ardie missed or to receive a snaffle ball.

I prefer jordie at the moment for sure. But how good that we can say 2/3 of our back trio are out of sorts and we still hammer the pumas!

@Paekakboyz said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

he does seem to have that effortless look about him

Granted, but it's pretty easy to see he's not going all in, purely from the slow pace.

I recall Ardie went past him too, or have I got that wrong? If I'm right, I really can't forgive him for easing up on the chase to allow for someone behind him to maybe miss ?

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

Those teal tracksuits are a fucking disgrace

They look like the trouser suits the Air New Zealand air hostesses used to wear in the 70s. Trendy.