Tri-Nations - NZ vs AU - Page 3

Haydos · 28th July 2008, 18:57

Holy shit.

Thorn and Sommerville playing more effectively than the majority of loosies? That says something. Braid with 30 in the first half performed well but ultimately, shit - when our prop is making it first to the ruck more often than our Number 8 and Number 6, something is WRONG.

buckies · 28th July 2008, 19:55

I wanna see the Aussie breakdown stats per player.

Missed tackles also point the finger at Smith, which I've noted too. Defensively, he is weak, and often opts for the up the top scrag and eats a fend. Kahui missed none by comparison.

Ab · 28th July 2008, 19:58

So'oialo TENTH down the list of first-to-breakdown?

Reserves Lauaki and Smith with as many missed tackles as the first three STARTING players combined?

27 turnovers against 12 from the Wallabies.

ZoSo · 29th July 2008, 18:53

They're struggling with the ELVs and I just heard Hansen waffling on about the advantage Australians had due to AFL type play.

What a load of shit.

blur^ · 29th July 2008, 20:24

richie back and piri called up
that pretty much solves our 2 biggest problems

consistent ball from the rucks and quick ball to the backs

i reckon we will win at home.

Heresy · 30th July 2008, 00:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoSo

They're struggling with the ELVs and I just heard Hansen waffling on about the advantage Australians had due to AFL type play.

What a load of shit.

That's a load of shit comment, but I can understand the ELV call, to a point. Robbie Deans and the Crusaders had a complete grasp on how to best utilise them during the S14. In comparison, the last pre-ELV winners, the Bulls, came 10th last season, a lot of which can be attributed to their inability to adjust, whether at a player or coach level. We're not in such a bad position as the Bulls, as all of our players have played the ELV rules all season, but the coach hasn't.

mr selfdestruct · 30th July 2008, 09:08

Dan Carter got THIRTEEN line breaks, who said he was 'well contained'????

mr selfdestruct · 30th July 2008, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckies

I wanna see the Aussie breakdown stats per player.

Missed tackles also point the finger at Smith, which I've noted too. Defensively, he is weak, and often opts for the up the top scrag and eats a fend. Kahui missed none by comparison.

Fantasy Rugby doesn't do a stat for missed tackles but he MADE 22 tackles, that's a hell of a lot so I wouldn't be surprised if he missed he few too.

blynk · 30th July 2008, 09:57

My only concern with Weepu is, does he really care.

I know most players want to play in the Black jersey, but not really sure if his heart is in it.
On interviews with him, he said he would rather be selected on form than injury, and that he didn't see the game, and that he was watching a league game instead.

But is that worse than having a snail at number 9?

mr selfdestruct · 30th July 2008, 15:32

I'm sure most people on this forum would agree that Weepu would not be our first, second or third choice but with all 3 of our top half backs injured, I for one would prefer Weepu to have been named to start this game the day after the last loss so that he was in that frame of mind all week and training as if he anticipated to start. What the HELL is the point in 'bracketing' with Ellis and Cowan 'just in case' they're fit?? And even if they are which we all know they won't be, they're playing AUSTRALIA for fucks sake, how well did they do when they were fully fit??? They both got cut in half!!, they're only going to be on the field for part of the game and Weepu will have to pick up the pieces and get up to speed well after the kick off whistle is blown. I'm so not comfortable with that. Also I thought it was probably a good idea to shift McDonald to fullback and Mills to the wing so that we had two vastly experienced guys on the wings but now that McDonald has been ruled out we're screwed again!

blynk · 30th July 2008, 15:43

Not sure if I like Mils on the wing. I think he would be really good there, however, not enough ball gets to the wing for him to use to attack.

Ab · 30th July 2008, 19:16

I think this might be the end of Rangi's career - he's obviously really struggling to recover from this last head knock, and from what I've read such injuries sound cumulative. It's just not worth it to continue.

Phrack · 30th July 2008, 23:31

I think Cowan will become a great halfback. I'd be suprised if Ellis gets another game after Weepu plays and I don't think Leonard will recover fully from this injury and be as good as he was in the seasons before it. I reckon Weepu and Cowan is our strongest half back combo, and depending on what style of game you want to play with would determine who started.

Another area I wondered about, and I might be completely over looking someone, but who is a replacement 2nd 5 at the moment?

I am really looking forward to seeing how things go with a decent half back, whether it be Cowan or Weepu.

blynk · 31st July 2008, 09:45

MacDonald really needed to start wearing head gear a long time ago. In my opinion, he really needs to retire before he completely screws himself over (if its not already too late).

mr selfdestruct · 31st July 2008, 10:26

Phrack : Good call mate, another one for the "I hate Ellis" bandwagon

We don't have enough room in the squad for a reserve 12, Donald/Kahui could do it at a pinch.

At this point in the Tri Nations I'd prefer we played players a little out of position rather than introducing more inexperience.

mr selfdestruct · 31st July 2008, 11:59

Kahui on the wing, MINT.

herp · 31st July 2008, 18:00

I wonder when the day will come where Henry stops playing players out of position ie) Kahui on the wing.

herp · 31st July 2008, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by blynk

MacDonald really needed to start wearing head gear a long time ago. In my opinion, he really needs to retire before he completely screws himself over (if its not already too late).

Headgear offers little to no protection against concussion, it's more a mental thing for the players rather than an actually providing protection

xor · 31st July 2008, 18:42

I Like Weepu. Hopefully he can make something of himself this weekend.

I got the AB's by 7points this weekend

buckies · 31st July 2008, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr selfdestruct

Kahui on the wing, MINT.

pig · 31st July 2008, 21:21

Be interesting to see how Kahui goes out of position, i would probably been happier with Tuitavake or Wulf there tbh as i reckon they both deserve a chance.

mr selfdestruct · 1st August 2008, 10:26

we're a bit beyond 'giving people a go' at the moment I'm afraid. Kahui isn't really being played 'out of position'. He is a specialist Centre but he has a lot of experience on the wing as does Mills. Perfectly acceptable to put either of them there and it makes a lot more sense playing someone who had a good game last week in a different position that he's also competent in rather than bringing someone in cold.

blynk · 1st August 2008, 10:32

I never realised he has played so much on the wing. Not as bad of a decision than I first thought.

He will have a handful marking Lote though.

Helious · 1st August 2008, 11:56

I was thinking recently "what happened to our wingers" -- we used to be all about getting it out wide, creating the overlap and out running them with our wingers etc

see fuck all of that now

i don't really know much about rugby though ;p

ZoSo · 1st August 2008, 12:18

^ Umbrella Defence & offside cunts.
Plus our trend towards passing before the line, rather than actually drawing the player.

Haydos · 1st August 2008, 12:19

Nah.. other teams involve their wingers far more than we do, Australia and South Africa for instance.

Comes down to distribution in the centres, where we're using Maa "I can't catch, let alone pass" Nonu in a pivotal position.

Not to mention our half backs put our backs under pressure by stepping out several times before passing, our backline is always far too flat and we don't utilise tactics like the chip in behind the line like other teams do to ensure opposing backlines hang back a wee bit.

ZoSo · 1st August 2008, 12:29

Yeah as you say, they're deeper and run better angles, drawing the players. Whereas we're flat, don't draw the player and get shutdown with ease via umbrella defence, because our halfbacks don't clear it quick enough. Very hard to get it to the wings if they're in our line.

mr selfdestruct · 1st August 2008, 15:27

Amazing how Nonu takes a bashing from everyone for one knock on in last weeks game and none in the previous 3. It's not like he was alone, everyone but Carter knocked it on in the last game.

Ab · 1st August 2008, 22:26

Nonu can't kick. When he has the ball in hand, he is limited to running or passing. And we know he doesn't LIKE to pass. That makes him easy to mark. FFS, tiny little Matt Giteau lined him up and sat him on his ass last week.

In defense he seagulls around the defensive line looking to make big hits, and while he's doing it there's an enormous hole in the backline.

p-b · 2nd August 2008, 12:32

RIP MacDonald, if he does decide to call it quits.

Much maligned for being a 'journeyman' for not being flashy, but I thought he was the best fullback we had.

Chrono · 2nd August 2008, 12:34

Attending the game tonight, gonna get totally saturated in the Terraces but hopefully it's all good!
Going with the boys and the mrs' oh jeez.

Ard Righ · 2nd August 2008, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-b

RIP MacDonald, if he does decide to call it quits.

Much maligned for being a 'journeyman' for not being flashy, but I thought he was the best fullback we had.

Much maligned for being put in Cullen's spot, and for taking way too many head knocks.

untouchable · 2nd August 2008, 22:27

Absolute pwnage. Couldnt be happier. Dont have to listen to a whole bunch of whinging for a while now.

Heresy · 2nd August 2008, 22:41

Brilliantly done by Cowan. Once Leonard is back on form, I don't think we'll see Ellis again. He made a couple of poor choices with a few of his banana kicks over the ruck in the first half, but that one that lead to Woodcock's (dubious) second try was worth it. Complete contrast to one-dimensional Ellis, who looked like he was more suited to being behind the playtheball in league, repeatedly passing to the first receiver.

Best line out performance in memory.

blur^ · 2nd August 2008, 23:02

huge difference having quick ball to the backs and having mccaw at the breakdown

woodcock :O someone buy that man a beer

Helious · 3rd August 2008, 00:15

Woodcock had an awesome game, two tries in the first half! Almost a third.. Man of the match IMO ;p He set the tone for the whole game!!!

Cowan gets a thumbs up from me. You can definitely trust him with the ball and to make the right call and he's very confident.

Carter kicked well tonight, pretty much the best and most consistant player on the planet ;p

Nonu played well, completed plays.

Kahu generally played well and made a very efficient tackle on Tiqiri, nice and tight around the ankles

Williams unfortunately made a few errors

My faith is restored.

SpaceCowboy · 3rd August 2008, 00:15

gg ab's. although the handling errors were still painfully obvious, they managed to hold it together, and with a nice margin.

yea, ali, hes still not 100% there i think.

Chrono · 3rd August 2008, 01:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrono

Attending the game tonight, gonna get totally saturated in the Terraces but hopefully it's all good!
Going with the boys and the mrs' oh jeez.

It was FTMFW! Lost my voice but that's what the internet's for.

mr selfdestruct · 3rd August 2008, 02:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrono

It was FTMFW! Lost my voice but that's what the internet's for.

You and me both bro, a few of us missioned up for it and sat in the soon to be demolished South Stand. It was deafening when Nonu got that final try eh? Screamed myself horse hah!

I guess Haydos will shut the fuck up about Nonu now for a couple more weeks until he knocks the ball on again then the Nonu can't hold onto the ball to save himself taunts will be back in full swing.

He's the best 12 we have at the moment and everyone's allowed to have a bad day every now and then.

Ab: Nonu passes and I don't think he does it against his will and he's been doing it very well lately.

DeskJet · 3rd August 2008, 03:58

wow, what a difference in performances from last week. Just a much smarter game by the AB's playing for territory.

Was freakin sweet getting the bonus point as well, although I don't actually think the try should have been given, we'll take it !

30th July 2008, 09:08	#87
mr selfdestruct The Deliverator	Dan Carter got THIRTEEN line breaks, who said he was 'well contained'???? __________________ My real signature is not nearly as legible as this one.

30th July 2008, 15:32	#90
mr selfdestruct The Deliverator	I'm sure most people on this forum would agree that Weepu would not be our first, second or third choice but with all 3 of our top half backs injured, I for one would prefer Weepu to have been named to start this game the day after the last loss so that he was in that frame of mind all week and training as if he anticipated to start. What the HELL is the point in 'bracketing' with Ellis and Cowan 'just in case' they're fit?? And even if they are which we all know they won't be, they're playing AUSTRALIA for fucks sake, how well did they do when they were fully fit??? They both got cut in half!!, they're only going to be on the field for part of the game and Weepu will have to pick up the pieces and get up to speed well after the kick off whistle is blown. I'm so not comfortable with that. Also I thought it was probably a good idea to shift McDonald to fullback and Mills to the wing so that we had two vastly experienced guys on the wings but now that McDonald has been ruled out we're screwed again! __________________ My real signature is not nearly as legible as this one.

31st July 2008, 10:26	#95
mr selfdestruct The Deliverator	Phrack : Good call mate, another one for the "I hate Ellis" bandwagon We don't have enough room in the squad for a reserve 12, Donald/Kahui could do it at a pinch. At this point in the Tri Nations I'd prefer we played players a little out of position rather than introducing more inexperience. __________________ My real signature is not nearly as legible as this one.

31st July 2008, 11:59	#96
mr selfdestruct The Deliverator	Kahui on the wing, MINT. __________________ My real signature is not nearly as legible as this one.

1st August 2008, 10:26	#102
mr selfdestruct The Deliverator	we're a bit beyond 'giving people a go' at the moment I'm afraid. Kahui isn't really being played 'out of position'. He is a specialist Centre but he has a lot of experience on the wing as does Mills. Perfectly acceptable to put either of them there and it makes a lot more sense playing someone who had a good game last week in a different position that he's also competent in rather than bringing someone in cold. __________________ My real signature is not nearly as legible as this one.

28th July 2008, 18:57	#81
Haydos	Holy shit. Thorn and Sommerville playing more effectively than the majority of loosies? That says something. Braid with 30 in the first half performed well but ultimately, shit - when our prop is making it first to the ruck more often than our Number 8 and Number 6, something is WRONG.

28th July 2008, 19:55	#82
buckies	I wanna see the Aussie breakdown stats per player. Missed tackles also point the finger at Smith, which I've noted too. Defensively, he is weak, and often opts for the up the top scrag and eats a fend. Kahui missed none by comparison.

28th July 2008, 19:58	#83
Ab A mariachi ogre snorkel	So'oialo TENTH down the list of first-to-breakdown? Reserves Lauaki and Smith with as many missed tackles as the first three STARTING players combined? 27 turnovers against 12 from the Wallabies.

29th July 2008, 18:53	#84
ZoSo	They're struggling with the ELVs and I just heard Hansen waffling on about the advantage Australians had due to AFL type play. What a load of shit.

29th July 2008, 20:24	#85
blur^	richie back and piri called up that pretty much solves our 2 biggest problems consistent ball from the rucks and quick ball to the backs i reckon we will win at home.

30th July 2008, 09:57	#89
blynk	My only concern with Weepu is, does he really care. I know most players want to play in the Black jersey, but not really sure if his heart is in it. On interviews with him, he said he would rather be selected on form than injury, and that he didn't see the game, and that he was watching a league game instead. But is that worse than having a snail at number 9?

30th July 2008, 15:43	#91
blynk	Not sure if I like Mils on the wing. I think he would be really good there, however, not enough ball gets to the wing for him to use to attack.

30th July 2008, 19:16	#92
Ab A mariachi ogre snorkel	I think this might be the end of Rangi's career - he's obviously really struggling to recover from this last head knock, and from what I've read such injuries sound cumulative. It's just not worth it to continue.

30th July 2008, 23:31	#93
Phrack	I think Cowan will become a great halfback. I'd be suprised if Ellis gets another game after Weepu plays and I don't think Leonard will recover fully from this injury and be as good as he was in the seasons before it. I reckon Weepu and Cowan is our strongest half back combo, and depending on what style of game you want to play with would determine who started. Another area I wondered about, and I might be completely over looking someone, but who is a replacement 2nd 5 at the moment? I am really looking forward to seeing how things go with a decent half back, whether it be Cowan or Weepu. __________________ .......

31st July 2008, 09:45	#94
blynk	MacDonald really needed to start wearing head gear a long time ago. In my opinion, he really needs to retire before he completely screws himself over (if its not already too late).

31st July 2008, 18:00	#97
herp	I wonder when the day will come where Henry stops playing players out of position ie) Kahui on the wing.

31st July 2008, 18:42	#99
xor	I Like Weepu. Hopefully he can make something of himself this weekend. I got the AB's by 7points this weekend

31st July 2008, 21:21	#101
pig	Be interesting to see how Kahui goes out of position, i would probably been happier with Tuitavake or Wulf there tbh as i reckon they both deserve a chance.

1st August 2008, 10:32	#103
blynk	I never realised he has played so much on the wing. Not as bad of a decision than I first thought. He will have a handful marking Lote though.

1st August 2008, 11:56	#104
Helious	I was thinking recently "what happened to our wingers" -- we used to be all about getting it out wide, creating the overlap and out running them with our wingers etc see fuck all of that now i don't really know much about rugby though ;p

1st August 2008, 12:18	#105
ZoSo	^ Umbrella Defence & offside cunts. Plus our trend towards passing before the line, rather than actually drawing the player.

1st August 2008, 12:19	#106
Haydos	Nah.. other teams involve their wingers far more than we do, Australia and South Africa for instance. Comes down to distribution in the centres, where we're using Maa "I can't catch, let alone pass" Nonu in a pivotal position. Not to mention our half backs put our backs under pressure by stepping out several times before passing, our backline is always far too flat and we don't utilise tactics like the chip in behind the line like other teams do to ensure opposing backlines hang back a wee bit.

1st August 2008, 12:29	#107
ZoSo	Yeah as you say, they're deeper and run better angles, drawing the players. Whereas we're flat, don't draw the player and get shutdown with ease via umbrella defence, because our halfbacks don't clear it quick enough. Very hard to get it to the wings if they're in our line.

1st August 2008, 15:27	#108
mr selfdestruct The Deliverator	Amazing how Nonu takes a bashing from everyone for one knock on in last weeks game and none in the previous 3. It's not like he was alone, everyone but Carter knocked it on in the last game. __________________ My real signature is not nearly as legible as this one.

1st August 2008, 22:26	#109
Ab A mariachi ogre snorkel	Nonu can't kick. When he has the ball in hand, he is limited to running or passing. And we know he doesn't LIKE to pass. That makes him easy to mark. FFS, tiny little Matt Giteau lined him up and sat him on his ass last week. In defense he seagulls around the defensive line looking to make big hits, and while he's doing it there's an enormous hole in the backline.

2nd August 2008, 12:32	#110
p-b	RIP MacDonald, if he does decide to call it quits. Much maligned for being a 'journeyman' for not being flashy, but I thought he was the best fullback we had.

2nd August 2008, 12:34	#111
Chrono User Awaiting Email Confirmation	Attending the game tonight, gonna get totally saturated in the Terraces but hopefully it's all good! Going with the boys and the mrs' oh jeez.

2nd August 2008, 22:27	#113
untouchable	Absolute pwnage. Couldnt be happier. Dont have to listen to a whole bunch of whinging for a while now. __________________ Teddy Bear Junction, the worst scumhole in the galaxy.

2nd August 2008, 22:41	#114
Heresy yawn.	Brilliantly done by Cowan. Once Leonard is back on form, I don't think we'll see Ellis again. He made a couple of poor choices with a few of his banana kicks over the ruck in the first half, but that one that lead to Woodcock's (dubious) second try was worth it. Complete contrast to one-dimensional Ellis, who looked like he was more suited to being behind the playtheball in league, repeatedly passing to the first receiver. Best line out performance in memory.

2nd August 2008, 23:02	#115
blur^	huge difference having quick ball to the backs and having mccaw at the breakdown woodcock :O someone buy that man a beer

3rd August 2008, 00:15	#116
Helious	Woodcock had an awesome game, two tries in the first half! Almost a third.. Man of the match IMO ;p He set the tone for the whole game!!! Cowan gets a thumbs up from me. You can definitely trust him with the ball and to make the right call and he's very confident. Carter kicked well tonight, pretty much the best and most consistant player on the planet ;p Nonu played well, completed plays. Kahu generally played well and made a very efficient tackle on Tiqiri, nice and tight around the ankles Williams unfortunately made a few errors My faith is restored.

3rd August 2008, 00:15	#117
SpaceCowboy Here be dragons	gg ab's. although the handling errors were still painfully obvious, they managed to hold it together, and with a nice margin. yea, ali, hes still not 100% there i think. __________________ Peace. Last edited by SpaceCowboy : 3rd August 2008 at 00:19.

3rd August 2008, 03:58	#120
DeskJet	wow, what a difference in performances from last week. Just a much smarter game by the AB's playing for territory. Was freakin sweet getting the bonus point as well, although I don't actually think the try should have been given, we'll take it !