[2014 TRC] New Zealand v South Africa in Wellington (13/09/2014)

[Big Ewis]

^ quality of course but a couple of key injuries in there. Also 14.Smith 15.Dagg again. Can't blame em, Dagg's on top form again, and they can't just not play B.Smith so to the wing he goes.

 

[tenpm]

I get that 14. Smith and 15. Dagg is a much better option than the other way round, but I feel like we lose so much by playing Smith at wing. He was completely anonymous last week against Argentina.
Also, has anyone else noticed that Savea is the only 'specialist' winger for the All Blacks? Their other options are Smith (fullback), Piutau (fullback), Jane (former fullback), Fekitoa (centre)...

 

[William18]

Henry always wanted his wingers to be good under the highball. All of the wingers with the exception of Fekitoa are very effective under the highball and most of them are good kickers. Savea isn't but he more than makes up for that. Hosea Gear was never favoured because he wasn't god under the high ball.

 

[Darwin]

Disappointing to see Dagg again at fullback, but it is not at all surprising. Perhaps the only slight surprise in the side is Jane on the bench. I can only assume they want specialist wing cover to help deal with South Africa's kicking game, but it does leave us a bit thin in terms of midfield cover (Ben Smith obviously is covering both 12 and 13 this match).

Great to see Tuipulotu back - I just hope he hasn't been rushed back too soon.

 

[sharkfan]

Fekitoa?

 

[Larksea]

How to beat the All Blacks:
1. First time tackling
2. Off load in the tackle
3. Run into gaps, run into space
4. Be unpredictable on the attack
5. Win the collisions
6. Win the breakdown contest
7. Dominate the lineout
8. Dominate the scrum
9. Fly half must kick very accurately and kick everything over
10. Ref must not make a mistake
11. STOP KICKING POSSESSION AWAY!!

Sounds very easy, doesn't it

in other words play a perfect game of rugby!?

For SA in particular and other teams as well one key to beating the AB's has been keeping the game tight and getting intercept trys.

 

[Larksea]

yeah Tuipulotu back allows Luatua to start

allows for a bit more size and presense in the lineouts than if Cane was starting.

 

[nzlizard]

All Blacks team named:

1 Wyat Crockett
2 Dane Coles
3 Owen Franks
4 Brodie Retallick
5 Jeremy Trush
6 Steven Luatua
7 Richie McCaw (c)
8 Kieran Read
9 Aaron Smith
10 Aaron Cruden
11 Julian Savea
12 Ma'a Nonu
13 Conrad Smith
14 Ben Smith
15 Israel Dagg.

Reserves:

16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Joe Moody, 19-Patrick Tuipulotu, 20-Sam Cane, 21-TJ Perenara, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Cory Jane

Dagg was alright last week, his hands were a bit average but the conditions were harsh.

Thought Fekitoa should have been in the squad but understand why Jane is, doesn't do much for Fekitoa's development though, to me that is a key thing for the next 12 months.

Cane needs game time as well, he was beast when he came on last week.

Maybe drop Mealamu and bring in whoever was going to be going on tour and give them some game time.

Either way a strong squad and we are building lots of depth.

 

[ianw16]

Either way a strong squad and we are building lots of strength

Yep there is that. Seem to have more players available than most. Carter, Cruden or Barrett? No Kaino or Mesam, so lets try Luatua. No Whitelock, lets try Thrush. If he's not about, then Romano isn't a bad option! Smith or Dagg at fullback? Not exactly short of players at wing/fullback.
Mind you, we can't match the Aviva or Top 14 for REALLY GOOD players.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Thrush woooo! I like Thrush.

 

[nzlizard]

Mind you, we can't match the Aviva or Top 14 for REALLY GOOD players.

In what way, as in Top 14 / Aviva has better players than Super 15?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Thrush woooo! I like Thrush.

You will need a cream for that...

 

[Icemn]

All Blacks team named:

2 Dane Coles
5 Jeremy Trush
9 Aaron Smith
10 Aaron Cruden
11 Julian Savea
12 Ma'a Nonu
13 Conrad Smith
15 Israel Dagg.

Reserves:

21-TJ Perenara, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Cory Jane

Hurricanes... is it because they might have home advantage being Wellington and all

 

[sharkfan]

What's going on here? Rivalry for nr 10 turning a bit sour?

 

[William18]

Hasn't Barrett just missed a kick before that photo was taken?

 

[Bazzy]

Hate the fact that media are writing SA off. Almost every AB vs SA game is intense. I reckon the game this Saturday is going to go down to the wire.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

No Barret, Messam or Cane (at least starting.. though that is an ominous AB bench) is a bonus for us IMO. I am more afraid of them than Luatua. Hope I don't have to eat my words. I'm looking forward to the game and hope we can make a good show of it and no more BS. I don't know if I can watch one more ref ruining a game.

 

[Big Ewis]

MEANWHILE



accurate as of Sept 6th, 2014.

Richie McCaw's into his 130's and will get 131 this weekend. With Brian O'Driscoll retired and set in stone at 141, McCaw is sure to overtake that total. Finishing off this tournament, being on the trip to Europe in 2 months, then possibly 2015 mid-year tests and TRC and surely the next WC, he'll become the most capped player of all of the timings for certainty. Sir ten tea.

 

[Icemn]

MEANWHILE

View attachment 3252

accurate as of Sept 6th, 2014.

Richie McCaw's into his 130's and will get 131 this weekend. With Brian O'Driscoll retired and set in stone at 141, McCaw is sure to overtake that total. Finishing off this tournament, being on the trip to Europe in 2 months, then possibly 2015 mid-year tests and TRC and surely the next WC, he'll become the most capped player of all of the timings for certainty. Sir ten tea.

do NH International players, play more games a year then the SH International players?

In saying that, it will take a SH player longer to overtake/equal a NH player's # of games...

anyways, its a bit unfair to compare these stats as they will always be overtakes as the number of games each year increased...

poor Sean Fits Patrick only played a number of games a year and that has now probably tripled since

 

[Chikwa]

Bingo.
Aussie have done us no favours by beating the Boks in Perth.
This saffer team will be gunning for glory at the cake tin.
AB pack will have a lot of pressure questions asked of them.

Sa never come with a defeatist attitude . Last year they were sure they were hard done by the sending off of Bismarck . Back in joburg though they lost . The defeat was blamed on their strategy of chasing 5 tries. Meyer really believes victory is a more a probability than a possibility.Home ground advantage should be the difference.The loosies need to be at their best.Keiran read has not hit the heights of last year and we do know where lua tua is in terms of form.The law of averages says the boks are due a result soon. Tough game !