[2017 Rugby Championship] Round 1: Australia v New Zealand (19/08/2017)

[Larksea]

yeah dmac was not perfect by any means but the fact that this was his first proper opportunity and hes only 22 should put it into perspective. It was impressive really. You could say it was dmac who first put the wallabies defense into panic mode which started the flood of points in the first half.

I really liked the way he played. when things were going against the AB's he was up trying to get into everything and get things back on track, unfortunately the ball didn't come his way at the right time. and that one offload didn't get to Perenara, he should have learned a lot from the game and its also about establishing combinations so he can be used effectively more often.

one aspect of dmacs game I think he may be the best in the world at is his ability to get into position and support quickly when there is a turnover or a linebreak.

two examples of this are the big midfield bust that SBW made and the try that mckenzie scored. track McKenzie during those passages of play and see how freakishly fast he gets from fullback position right up to support. If you see the overhead/spider cam view of it its pretty mind blowing.

 

[mania]

yeah dmac was not perfect by any means but the fact that this was his first proper opportunity and hes only 22 should put it into perspective.

agree. dmac is showing a lot of game. his enthusiasm cannot be denied. i like these kinds of players. always wanting to make the next play and always looking to inject themselves in at any opportunity. with time will come accuracy.
these are good times to be an ABs supporter

 

[Five Meters Out]

I was really keen for Falou to found 'offside' in the lead up to his try, merely to see what Ref Barnes would then rule. Would he rule the traditional 'Penalty' or the more modern, fashionable, 'French interpretation' of "Accidental offside = scrum".

 

[Larksea]

going back over the replay I think the TMO/producer was the main cause for the incorrect call and confusion. at the point in time when the call is made by barnes the TV was going back and forwards frame by frame at the point in time when the ball hits Ben Smiths leg! At that point Folau and kuridrani looked to be near side by side. but its not till a few frames later that the ball comes up and hits kuridrani which is the critical point in time. at that point Folau is clearly ahead of kuridrani - that becomes really clear when you consider the other angle, that is now Nigel Owens saw it as offside and called it correctly early on after seeing both replays.

I'm not sure who was in control of the replay at that time but the fault probably lays with the TMO who should have requested they rock and roll that later point when it actually hits kuridrani.

in the past now but it was a strange situation... it seems like sometimes the harder TMOs and referees look at a situation the more wrong they get it

 

[Five Meters Out]

The TMO referrals are a dogs breakfast. I'm sure there are psychological studies that show initial gut impressions will get it right the majority of times.
As such the Ref needs to go with what he sees. He's the BOSS. If he's got doubt or the Touch judge comes in with a different view, Ref then goes to the TMO. He should say loud and clear (so we can all hear) "I see it this way and this is how I will rule." "Unless you can say I've definitely got it wrong, I will rule as I've seen it". There should be no "I can't tell" or "it looks 50-50 to me" or "me and the TMO disagree so you need to rule" from the Ref. At the same time he waves the Captains away - they play no part in it.
This way it's clear cut. Folou gets his try, Barrett gets his try, and the Lions prop is penalised for offside in the Lions v AB's 3rd Test.

 

[RoosTah]

Are people really still talking about this?

On to next week, I just read that the Wallabies "have faith" in their defensive strategy and are going to stick with it lol.

With that in mind I'm picking at 70 point thrashing this Saturday

 

[Larksea]

yeah I think both teams will have a lot they will want to improve on.

The AB bench and just the players swapping/transitioning in that period of the game needs to be worked on, with new players on the field and the bench. New combinations etc. I do see the potential for that new points record being extended again. It was unusual for the standards to drop with Perenara coming on I dont think it was all his fault, maybe he tried to rush things a bit but the quality of ball wasn't as good either.

I'd like us to stick with the same team, in particular dmac at 15. I hope they persist with him there and hold dagg back to take over at 14 after this game when Ben Smith goes on holiday.
Crockett is unlikely to play, a knock like he took you would expect them to play it cautious even if he seems to come right.. but that's not always the case. I'd hope Hames comes in for him. Moody and Crockett are the only genuine looseheads in the squad so I expect someone will be called in.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

NMS, Havili, Moli, Hames and Akira Ioane have all joined the squad in Dunedin. Obviously that means that Kaino still isn't being considered. Unsure why Havili's been called in, didn't think he was coming in till Bender left.

I expect Dagg to start at 14 with Bender at 15. Would be good to see DMac get another run there, but not too bothered because after this weekend that position is his to take.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

NMS, Havili, Moli, Hames and Akira Ioane have all joined the squad in Dunedin. Obviously that means that Kaino still isn't being considered. Unsure why Havili's been called in, didn't think he was coming in till Bender left.

I expect Dagg to start at 14 with Bender at 15. Would be good to see DMac get another run there, but not too bothered because after this weekend that position is his to take.

Do you reckon Akira will get capped this RC? I hope so.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Do you reckon Akira will get capped this RC? I hope so.

I don't reckon... Read's the captain so will hold that 8 jersey and I can't see him cracking the bench ahead of Savea or Fifita. Then again they did say that they'll be using more rotation than usual this RC to keep guys fresh... and Akira is the only other specialist 8... so IF Kaino doesn't come back and Akira remains with the squad then it's a possibility. Still doubt it though.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I don't reckon... Read's the captain so will hold that 8 jersey and I can't see him cracking the bench ahead of Savea or Fifita. Then again they did say that they'll be using more rotation than usual this RC to keep guys fresh... and Akira is the only other specialist 8... so IF Kaino doesn't come back and Akira remains with the squad then it's a possibility. Still doubt it though.

Can't help thinking it would be pretty foolish for Read not to be rested at all and seeing as I can't see the ABs facing any real competition this RC I'd have thought the coaches would rather blood Ioane in his first choice position rather than just play Kaino or Squire at 8. That said I'd have thought that without injuries there's no chance of Ioane going to the World Cup (It'll probably be the current 6 back rowers with 3 locks, Fifita covering lock won't it?) so the coaches may be completely disinterested in getting Akira game time.

Has Squire ever started a game for the ABs at 8? Or even come off the bench there or moved there late in a game? If not then actually your 8 stocks of players who actually have international experience there are looking quite thin.

 

[Larksea]

I know the hurricanes squad here wont like me saying this but Ardie Savea hasn't been super effective off the bench recently. Someone like Akira may be a good bench option for impact.

it is good to have that open side option on the bench though sometimes cane gets the crap knocked out of him during games. I think people may finally be starting to appreciate Cane and see why he is consistently being selected at 7.

 

[Penne Rara]

There was one angle that showed Folau was clearly and obviously offside. It was from the sideline camera in front and to the right of the players, and the only one that showed the impact of the ball against Kuridrani's left thigh, and it showed Folau front. We saw this angle once, and Barnes stopped the replays before we could see it again.

Its this one starting at 1:31:21 of the YT video

I think from that angle it's still tough to spot a CLEAR offside. Folau is a big guy, he'll look as if he was in front of any other dude if they were standing side by side. Personally I don't see a CLEAR offside even though I'd like to see one. Surely there are other questions Barnes could have asked the TMO that could have changed the way these tight situations were ruled?

 

[Penne Rara]

I know the hurricanes squad here wont like me saying this but Ardie Savea hasn't been super effective off the bench recently. Someone like Akira may be a good bench option for impact.

it is good to have that open side option on the bench though sometimes cane gets the crap knocked out of him during games. I think people may finally be starting to appreciate Cane and see why he is consistently being selected at 7.

I believe Ardie is not an openside flanker. He carries the ball so well and with so much strength it would be a shame to keep him at 7 where there's more grinding and rotten job to do.

 

[The Jones Boy]

I know the hurricanes squad here wont like me saying this but Ardie Savea hasn't been super effective off the bench recently. Someone like Akira may be a good bench option for impact.

it is good to have that open side option on the bench though sometimes cane gets the crap knocked out of him during games. I think people may finally be starting to appreciate Cane and see why he is consistently being selected at 7.

I like Ardie, but I would dearly like to see young Akira get a run, he is dynamic and powerful.

 

[ncurd]

I look forward to reading this thread after the game and there be not one complaint of Barnes' performance or decisions and being praised universally by all Kiwi posters on here. At least you'll all have Owens to look forward to reffing the 2nd Bledisloe game.

Man I wish someone hasn't predicted accurately where this thread will go. Instead of reading how the game went we've had pages over one decision that didn't matter in the grand scheme thing of things.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Man I wish someone hasn't predicted accurately where this thread will go. Instead of reading how the game went we've had pages over one decision that didn't matter in the grand scheme thing of things.

Well, for one thing, Ground We Won has been banned now, so he won't be spewing his drivel any longer on this forum. Hopefully it'll make the forum a better place.

I think in both RC matches the referees were sub par, that's maybe why they got the first match on the schedule? hopefully things will get better now. I just wish we had more competent SH referees to ref our own SH tournament... But Alas, it's just Jackson, Gardner and Peyper at the moment...

 

[ncurd]

As far as I'm aware the dishing out of internationals reffing cap has nothing to do with Hemisphere. The thing is I struggle to think of an international ref I don't have a problem with from time to time.

Unless it is decisive decision I struggle to see why anyone cares enough.

Glen Jackson and JP Doyle are the only ones I like we don't get JP but he always looks good in premiership matches and the few internationals I've seen him done. Jackson probably just hasn't caught my ire yet for something. Point being international refs go on long enough they will catch someone in your team for a poor decision eventually. No point in getting worked up unless it had a dramatic effect on the game.

 

[The Jones Boy]

I've never had a problem with Nigel Owen, he's an awesome ref.
I used to like Steve Walsh as well. He couldn't ref us but he was a sharp referee. A little too fond of his mirror at times but thats forgivable when he lets a game flow.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Well, for one thing, Ground We Won has been banned now, so he won't be spewing his drivel any longer on this forum. Hopefully it'll make the forum a better place.

Permanently banned?
Or a temporary reprimand?