man what a game, looked like an aussie rules game a lot of the time with players spread out everywhere
I felt with the score ~ 15-14 just before half time the ABs were going to win then that Messam try on the hooter sealed it. I felt for the boks to win they needed a good lead in the first half as the AB's bench and fitness would win the 2nd half
Ben Smith was Ben Smith, Boks seemed like they started to give up on the high ball when he was around. And what do you know he now has the record for tri nations/championship trys in one season with 8, 10 test trys all up this season. He did get wrong footed a couple times against habanna, that does not mean hes slow as someone suggested. He kept pace habanna a couple times early the one time they started a run from similar orientations Ben actually looked a bit faster.
Anyone still doubting me after i said he should be up for IRB player of the year after like the 1st or 2nd test this year?
Retalick and Messam had huge games
Read was pretty special
Savea really good again
Conrad smith also really good
Barrett was pretty special off the bench, as I predicted pre game his performance was critical, when he comes on in the 2nd half he becomes the fastest player on the park, one bad tackle but he more than made up for that, scored a try and saved another, generally really good direction and energy. IMO hes clearly elevated himself above Cruden but hes also made himself an ideal impact/2nd half player. You may think that try he saved was a freak thing but Barrett has actually done similar things a few times already in his short career.
Nonu very so-so some ok running but some bad work on defense, real lack of urgency and effort in the leadup to two of the springbok trys. did kinda make up for it with one very good tackle on the line saved a try.
I've been one of Ben Franks biggest supporters, but that was just stupid i cant support that and he may be having a bit of a break from test rugby now. Not because of a ban he wont get a ban it was nothing. But that yellow card let the boks back in at a time the door was all but closed. He did play well when he came back on but the damage was done and you could tell Hansen was not happy about it. Im gutted for franks but he only has himself to blame.
forgot to mention, absolutely critical was the AB's defense of the maul and lineout drive. That in itself basically won the match.
I felt with the score ~ 15-14 just before half time the ABs were going to win then that Messam try on the hooter sealed it. I felt for the boks to win they needed a good lead in the first half as the AB's bench and fitness would win the 2nd half
Ben Smith was Ben Smith, Boks seemed like they started to give up on the high ball when he was around. And what do you know he now has the record for tri nations/championship trys in one season with 8, 10 test trys all up this season. He did get wrong footed a couple times against habanna, that does not mean hes slow as someone suggested. He kept pace habanna a couple times early the one time they started a run from similar orientations Ben actually looked a bit faster.
Anyone still doubting me after i said he should be up for IRB player of the year after like the 1st or 2nd test this year?
Retalick and Messam had huge games
Read was pretty special
Savea really good again
Conrad smith also really good
Barrett was pretty special off the bench, as I predicted pre game his performance was critical, when he comes on in the 2nd half he becomes the fastest player on the park, one bad tackle but he more than made up for that, scored a try and saved another, generally really good direction and energy. IMO hes clearly elevated himself above Cruden but hes also made himself an ideal impact/2nd half player. You may think that try he saved was a freak thing but Barrett has actually done similar things a few times already in his short career.
Nonu very so-so some ok running but some bad work on defense, real lack of urgency and effort in the leadup to two of the springbok trys. did kinda make up for it with one very good tackle on the line saved a try.
I've been one of Ben Franks biggest supporters, but that was just stupid i cant support that and he may be having a bit of a break from test rugby now. Not because of a ban he wont get a ban it was nothing. But that yellow card let the boks back in at a time the door was all but closed. He did play well when he came back on but the damage was done and you could tell Hansen was not happy about it. Im gutted for franks but he only has himself to blame.
forgot to mention, absolutely critical was the AB's defense of the maul and lineout drive. That in itself basically won the match.
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