really entertaining game to watch, the attack from Argentina was sensational. The angles and depth they used was awesome to watch, really creative and caused the AB's some serious issues... They obviously targeted Aaron Smith around the ruck heavily and for the most part it worked. Really smart use of their wingers around the rucks and down the center of the field. Also good to see a game played in good spirit after that last disaster of a handbag swinging contest.
All Blacks obviously need to look at that and better plan for it happening again in future. They did get better protection around the Ruck and Perenara came on who is more physical than Smith. I actually think Perenara has come a long way, interesting hearing Gatland saying he things Aaron Smith is the best player in the world and that the AB's would really miss him if he wasn't available. I honestly don't believe that. I think Perenara is very close to smith, in super rugby Perenara ended the season the best 9 on form in super rugby. right now He's up there with Smith IMO.
Was kinda funny to have Gatland say that before the game then see Smith get pulled early and the replacement player have a big game and help turn the game around... kinda made him look a bit stupid. But part of it is mind games as well.
despite Argentina being so strong for 50min I was never really worried about the result. Seeing their forward pack lying around and hands on knees gasping for air at the 20-25min park it was obvious they were playing a game well beyond anything they could sustain for 80min. The big score turnaround wasn't quite that simple, it was a combination of the Argentinians tiring and the AB's adjusting their game. Maybe even more the latter.
its true Coles and Aaron Smith didn't have their best games and were maybe uncharacteristically poor but generally the Whole team played well.
Kaino Was amazing, infact if Gatland instead said Kaino was the best player in the world and the AB's would miss him, that would make more sense. We have a number of world Class blindsides as backup but holy cow, Kaino's physical game was on another level. best All Black #6 ever no doubt. All countries? Probably.
Same could be said for Retalick.
Cane was big again, we have Savea to over him but I think we will miss Cane. Hes been huge this season and constantly improving in the face public opinion which has been against him. bad timing for the injury though just when people are starting to see he well and truly deserves his starting place.
Barrett, again outside the goal kicking which still needs work. He was superb.
Crotty was really good, in particular on defense. He and Fekitoa were great on defense. and really it was good defense that prevented Argentina from getting ahead on the scoreboard when they were on the rampage.
Fekitoa has issues with decision making, pushes passes when they are not on, holds the ball when the pass is on. Loses the ball when we really need to maintain possession. Doesn't kick much but when he does kick the kick isn't on. The finish of the game was a perfect example. Sure it didn't matter we had the game won, but we got momentum around around that 80min mark and started gaining ground and he got some space down that side and kicked the ball when the kick simply wasn't on. It was like he used the kick as an option rather than looking to see if the kick was on and them making a decision to kick. Unless the result is close and needs to be sealed the AB's should always look to try and finish the game with points. Its good practice for games they need to come from behind or win with the final play.
I'm trying to warm to Fekitoa. Hes physically powerful and he obviously works really hard and gives it everything. Plays with Focus and intensity, he made some great tackles and showed good urgency when needed on defense. But hes really just not making many good decisions when that is so critical to playing at 13. Compare that to Conrad Smith who wasn't fast, big or powerful but what he did do was make good decisions - his game revolved around it. Decisions and technique - that was Conrad Smith in a nutshell. He hardly ever kicked, but when he did it was almost always the right decision. If the AB's are going to continue to select Fekitoa I think he needs additional coaching on his decision making. Drill all his skills till he can do them without thinking, so he can then focus his attention on reading the game and playing whats ahead of him.
While hes a big guy and powerful hes not demolishing defenses with his ball running. He needs better decision making to keep playing this level.
Savea had his best game in a long time. I'm still not sold, I still think we have better wingers who would do better given the chance. The way hes been playing he has 1-2 tests which are this quality a year. One swallow doesn't make a summer. Reminds me of when Dagg was in hi form slump from like 2012 - 2015. If he played 10 tests a year he was still really good in 1-2 of them and the rest he was average. Where in contrast Ben Smith would be really good in 8-9 tests and average in 1-2...
Ben Smith was Ben Smith. His 2nd try was the highlight of the test for me. What I liked about his game was when the AB's were on the back foot he did his absolute best to get involved and get momentum back.
Dagg, I wish he would kick goals full time like he did for the highlanders when he was at his best. He's an 80% kicker with good range.
Goal kicking may be the difference if we get into a dogfight against England or SA while Barrett is struggling to get his goal kicking right. ~60% goal kicking is enough for the AB's to win the rugby championship but we want 75%+ for lions tours and world cups. IMO Dagg has the ability and technique but he lacks big game confidence with his goal kicking. Barrett, big stage doesn't seem to bother him its just his technique hes struggling with, which seemed to be the result of some leg/ankle injuries hes had to deal with.
