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The Rugby Championship 2023
[2014 TRC] New Zealand v Argentina in Napier (06/09/2014)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 670423" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Barrett's goal-kicking is usually "15x better" so it isn't too worrying <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /> </p><p></p><p>That is the worst I have ever seen him kick, and I believe a lot of it may have been down to the <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11320511" target="_blank">ankle issues</a> he was having late last week, which was the reason Dagg rather than Barrett was kicking to touch from penalties. I have no doubt his kicking will be substantially better next match.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Cruden's kicking is flat, and he doesn't get a lot of distance (40m max), but it is reasonably accurate. I had a quick look through his kicking stats at test level (collated from <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm" target="_blank">here</a>). He has kicked 91/120 at test level - 76% - which is IMO an acceptable level. That certainly isn't in the same realms of Halfpenny, Steyn etc, but he isn't a liability in this regard. Does it concern me we don't have a world class goal-kicker? Slightly. The AB's game-plan does revolve somewhat about accumulating points and building scoreboard pressure, so we do need someone who can reliably accumulate points. Having a goal-kicker averaging 85%+ would be ideal, but I would rather have Cruden with all his skills kicking at ~75% than a Morne Steyn (with all his "skills") kicking at 90% <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>In terms of the front row, again I do agree it is a weaker area for NZ, but I won't be losing too much sleep thinking about it. For me our lack of depth is a bigger concern that our starting front row. Despite missing out first choice LH we actually held up pretty well at times against the Pumas (unlike South Africa before us). Obviously Argentina won the scrum battle, but we certainly weren't destroyed - 2/4 of our tries were directly from scrums! A front-row of Woodcock, Coles, and Owen Franks can hold it's own against most sides. If one of these starters are injured we are in a bit more trouble though. Crockett did ok against Argentina, but I still worry he will be penalised every scrum he packs down in. Moody made a good impact from the bench, but is still very inexperienced at this level. On the TH side Charlie Faumuina - our anointed backup to Owen Franks - has been disappointing and recently dropped from the bench due to lack of fitness. Ben Franks did well against Argentina but I still think he is better on the LH side, and he does have discipline issues. At hooker Coles is backed up by the 102 year-old Keven Mealamu, followed by Nathan Harris. I would love to point out he strengths and weaknesses of Harris but I don't know if anyone has actually seen him play before <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> (I think he has a total of 4 starts at Super rugby level).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 670423, member: 24910"] Barrett's goal-kicking is usually "15x better" so it isn't too worrying :p That is the worst I have ever seen him kick, and I believe a lot of it may have been down to the [URL="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11320511"]ankle issues[/URL] he was having late last week, which was the reason Dagg rather than Barrett was kicking to touch from penalties. I have no doubt his kicking will be substantially better next match. Cruden's kicking is flat, and he doesn't get a lot of distance (40m max), but it is reasonably accurate. I had a quick look through his kicking stats at test level (collated from [URL="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm"]here[/URL]). He has kicked 91/120 at test level - 76% - which is IMO an acceptable level. That certainly isn't in the same realms of Halfpenny, Steyn etc, but he isn't a liability in this regard. Does it concern me we don't have a world class goal-kicker? Slightly. The AB's game-plan does revolve somewhat about accumulating points and building scoreboard pressure, so we do need someone who can reliably accumulate points. Having a goal-kicker averaging 85%+ would be ideal, but I would rather have Cruden with all his skills kicking at ~75% than a Morne Steyn (with all his "skills") kicking at 90% :) In terms of the front row, again I do agree it is a weaker area for NZ, but I won't be losing too much sleep thinking about it. For me our lack of depth is a bigger concern that our starting front row. Despite missing out first choice LH we actually held up pretty well at times against the Pumas (unlike South Africa before us). Obviously Argentina won the scrum battle, but we certainly weren't destroyed - 2/4 of our tries were directly from scrums! A front-row of Woodcock, Coles, and Owen Franks can hold it's own against most sides. If one of these starters are injured we are in a bit more trouble though. Crockett did ok against Argentina, but I still worry he will be penalised every scrum he packs down in. Moody made a good impact from the bench, but is still very inexperienced at this level. On the TH side Charlie Faumuina - our anointed backup to Owen Franks - has been disappointing and recently dropped from the bench due to lack of fitness. Ben Franks did well against Argentina but I still think he is better on the LH side, and he does have discipline issues. At hooker Coles is backed up by the 102 year-old Keven Mealamu, followed by Nathan Harris. I would love to point out he strengths and weaknesses of Harris but I don't know if anyone has actually seen him play before ;) (I think he has a total of 4 starts at Super rugby level). [/QUOTE]
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[2014 TRC] New Zealand v Argentina in Napier (06/09/2014)
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