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International Test Matches
[2014 EOYT] Wales vs New Zealand
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<blockquote data-quote="Helmy" data-source="post: 692807" data-attributes="member: 54698"><p>Even though he hardly looked any better against England. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> Personally what I've found with Cruden is that he's brilliant some games and then average the next two or three. But, because he's had a big crack at the position, we're more inclined to say he's the better of the three. He's not awful, per say, and I don't think Barrett was awful, either. I actually think Barrett looked better than Carter did against Scotland, especially once he moved to fullback. What hasn't been touched on is that even though Barrett was switched to fullback, there was a lot of interchange going on between Slade and Barrett over who was directing the back line plays, then the other might run in as the extra man and create the overlap. Therefore, I don't think that the genius was Slade to first five, but rather the combination of two first fives/utility backs (depends if you're the player or the selectors, there) taking it to the Welsh with differentiating running styles, which would have made their defensive advantage harder to maintain, especially, I dunno in the last 15 minutes or so...</p><p></p><p>Although, I'm not sure that it was just Barrett who was effected by the speed of passing required to beat the rush defence. Where, say a Ma'a Nonu or even a Crotty (?) might have been more reliable in getting the ball to Conrad Smith, the link frequently broke down with SBW, putting more pressure on an already under pressure Barrett. C Smith, who still had a good game, suffered as a result. He had a tidy game when he could of had MOTM with a better functioning back line. Still, how's about that pass (forward or not)?</p><p></p><p>Speaking of which, and I was never a Crotty fan, but I thought he had one of the more impressive tours and wouldn't mind seeing more of him at 12 and Smith at 13. I know there's always a tendency to have a bigger guy a la SBW or Nonu at 12, but Crotty's by no means little. Just a thought.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Helmy, post: 692807, member: 54698"] Even though he hardly looked any better against England. ;) Personally what I've found with Cruden is that he's brilliant some games and then average the next two or three. But, because he's had a big crack at the position, we're more inclined to say he's the better of the three. He's not awful, per say, and I don't think Barrett was awful, either. I actually think Barrett looked better than Carter did against Scotland, especially once he moved to fullback. What hasn't been touched on is that even though Barrett was switched to fullback, there was a lot of interchange going on between Slade and Barrett over who was directing the back line plays, then the other might run in as the extra man and create the overlap. Therefore, I don't think that the genius was Slade to first five, but rather the combination of two first fives/utility backs (depends if you're the player or the selectors, there) taking it to the Welsh with differentiating running styles, which would have made their defensive advantage harder to maintain, especially, I dunno in the last 15 minutes or so... Although, I'm not sure that it was just Barrett who was effected by the speed of passing required to beat the rush defence. Where, say a Ma'a Nonu or even a Crotty (?) might have been more reliable in getting the ball to Conrad Smith, the link frequently broke down with SBW, putting more pressure on an already under pressure Barrett. C Smith, who still had a good game, suffered as a result. He had a tidy game when he could of had MOTM with a better functioning back line. Still, how's about that pass (forward or not)? Speaking of which, and I was never a Crotty fan, but I thought he had one of the more impressive tours and wouldn't mind seeing more of him at 12 and Smith at 13. I know there's always a tendency to have a bigger guy a la SBW or Nonu at 12, but Crotty's by no means little. Just a thought. [/QUOTE]
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[2014 EOYT] Wales vs New Zealand
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