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The Rugby Championship 2023
[2014 TRC] New Zealand v Australia in Auckland (23/08/2014)
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<blockquote data-quote="Larksea" data-source="post: 666956" data-attributes="member: 43875"><p>My random observations from the game.</p><p></p><p>I think the stage for the result was set when McCaw spent 10 in the bin and though it was just 3-3 the All Blacks were the stronger team. Then when the Aussies went down a man the All Blacks totally dominated.</p><p></p><p>I thought the referee was better, though as I pointed out Hoopers technique at breakdowns was very questionable and he got away on multiple occasions crabbing into the side of rucks/tackles from offside rather than coming in the gate. And there was the incident were Palu held back Savea without the ball to basically save an All Black try that was missed. I thought all 3 cards were a bit harsh but not wrong, not incorrect as the two from the week before, Barretts card in particular was flat out bad call. I'm sure the aussies have some incidents to bring up as well but IMO Hooper and the Palu hold had a big impact on the game.</p><p></p><p>Coles is fantastic, I honestly never thought he could turn into such a good test player. He was always a small but fast and fit hooker that was a bit hot headed and slowly over a few years hes must now be considered one of the best hookers in the world and he's totally outclassing the legend Mealamu. Coles is just what NZ needed with Hore and Mealamu aging. And I still think the wrong hooker was retired. Hore had peformed much better than Mealamu over the last few years. Sure Hore lost his pace but he was always an absolute beast at rucks and mauls.</p><p></p><p>Retalick well I think hes been the best lock in NZ and the world for the last 2 years but now after 2 years of standout performances week in week out more people are saying it. I don't know if there is another lock ever that was at such a high level at set piece time doing a locks core roles AND as good around the field in general play, ball carrying, rucks, mauls, defense combined with that WORKRATE which is phenomenal. Ive said it many times that NZ's two best players week after week season after season are no longer McCaw and Carter, its Retalick and Ben Smith.</p><p></p><p>Cruden was awesome as well, probably was his best game in Black. But I do think he shines in games like this where the AB's are generally dominant. In bigger, closer games I'd rather have carter there for his better defense and longer kicking range for both territory and goal kicking.</p><p></p><p>Crotty was really good, really really good and it's a shame he was injured. hes got all the skills, may be not Nonu's footwork but I'd take Crotty for defense over Nonu any day.</p><p></p><p> Conrad Smith was as reliable as ever.</p><p></p><p>Really good performance from the pack in general, all of them coles and retalick being the obvious standouts. McCaw's two trys and the penalty try were all basically combined forward efforts. Messam shelled 3 but two of those were from maybe the two worst passes the AB's threw the whole game. Shame because he actually threw some really good/important passes at times and for most of the game he led the All Blacks defensive line off the mark. I think the Aussies only scored after he came off.</p><p></p><p>Aaron Smith was superb as well, his game is becoming more and more critical to the AB's. going into the Springbok games I think Smith is going to become a target. Who knows but past springbok teams have targeted All Black halfbacks for special treatment.</p><p></p><p>Great impact from the bench in particular from Barrett, Cane and Fekitoa. Plus that fantastic run from Luatua for the cherry on the top. McCaw is still playing well but when Cane is on the field you see what we do miss having a lightning fast young 7 running around.</p><p></p><p>I really like Ben Franks I think he should be starting with Woody injured but he needs to stop giving away cards. His discipline seems to be an ongoing issue at test level. The last thing a team wants is replacements going to the bin. You can't have your fresh players sitting on the sidelines. They are the guys that need to lift and do extra work the last 20min.</p><p></p><p>I like the balance of the side with Barrett on the field, I think the AB's generally lack players with all out pace but when Barrett is on the field he is usually the fastest in either team and it adds another dimension to the AB attack, and defense as he showed mowing Israel Falau down.</p><p></p><p>Ben Smith and Savea were superb again, Savea with his pressure and finishing. Smith for his all round game and was a threat pretty much every carry.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Larksea, post: 666956, member: 43875"] My random observations from the game. I think the stage for the result was set when McCaw spent 10 in the bin and though it was just 3-3 the All Blacks were the stronger team. Then when the Aussies went down a man the All Blacks totally dominated. I thought the referee was better, though as I pointed out Hoopers technique at breakdowns was very questionable and he got away on multiple occasions crabbing into the side of rucks/tackles from offside rather than coming in the gate. And there was the incident were Palu held back Savea without the ball to basically save an All Black try that was missed. I thought all 3 cards were a bit harsh but not wrong, not incorrect as the two from the week before, Barretts card in particular was flat out bad call. I'm sure the aussies have some incidents to bring up as well but IMO Hooper and the Palu hold had a big impact on the game. Coles is fantastic, I honestly never thought he could turn into such a good test player. He was always a small but fast and fit hooker that was a bit hot headed and slowly over a few years hes must now be considered one of the best hookers in the world and he's totally outclassing the legend Mealamu. Coles is just what NZ needed with Hore and Mealamu aging. And I still think the wrong hooker was retired. Hore had peformed much better than Mealamu over the last few years. Sure Hore lost his pace but he was always an absolute beast at rucks and mauls. Retalick well I think hes been the best lock in NZ and the world for the last 2 years but now after 2 years of standout performances week in week out more people are saying it. I don't know if there is another lock ever that was at such a high level at set piece time doing a locks core roles AND as good around the field in general play, ball carrying, rucks, mauls, defense combined with that WORKRATE which is phenomenal. Ive said it many times that NZ's two best players week after week season after season are no longer McCaw and Carter, its Retalick and Ben Smith. Cruden was awesome as well, probably was his best game in Black. But I do think he shines in games like this where the AB's are generally dominant. In bigger, closer games I'd rather have carter there for his better defense and longer kicking range for both territory and goal kicking. Crotty was really good, really really good and it's a shame he was injured. hes got all the skills, may be not Nonu's footwork but I'd take Crotty for defense over Nonu any day. Conrad Smith was as reliable as ever. Really good performance from the pack in general, all of them coles and retalick being the obvious standouts. McCaw's two trys and the penalty try were all basically combined forward efforts. Messam shelled 3 but two of those were from maybe the two worst passes the AB's threw the whole game. Shame because he actually threw some really good/important passes at times and for most of the game he led the All Blacks defensive line off the mark. I think the Aussies only scored after he came off. Aaron Smith was superb as well, his game is becoming more and more critical to the AB's. going into the Springbok games I think Smith is going to become a target. Who knows but past springbok teams have targeted All Black halfbacks for special treatment. Great impact from the bench in particular from Barrett, Cane and Fekitoa. Plus that fantastic run from Luatua for the cherry on the top. McCaw is still playing well but when Cane is on the field you see what we do miss having a lightning fast young 7 running around. I really like Ben Franks I think he should be starting with Woody injured but he needs to stop giving away cards. His discipline seems to be an ongoing issue at test level. The last thing a team wants is replacements going to the bin. You can't have your fresh players sitting on the sidelines. They are the guys that need to lift and do extra work the last 20min. I like the balance of the side with Barrett on the field, I think the AB's generally lack players with all out pace but when Barrett is on the field he is usually the fastest in either team and it adds another dimension to the AB attack, and defense as he showed mowing Israel Falau down. Ben Smith and Savea were superb again, Savea with his pressure and finishing. Smith for his all round game and was a threat pretty much every carry. [/QUOTE]
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[2014 TRC] New Zealand v Australia in Auckland (23/08/2014)
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