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<blockquote data-quote="Larksea" data-source="post: 806192" data-attributes="member: 43875"><p>I must admit I am itching to see Mckenzie get a run in test footy and I'm gutted he did not get a go in that third test. That 23 jersey should have been his.</p><p></p><p>watched the game again last night.</p><p></p><p>Actually thought Dixon had an ok debut, people scoring him ~5 but I think he did better. Pass mark at least, he seemed to fly into rucks and did some important clean outs.</p><p>Squire though did make a genuine impression. he could settle in the squad very quickly with more showings like that.</p><p>naholo looked very dangerous and fit into midfield pretty well but he did drop the ball like 3 times in a row during a period where the AB's were looking to seriously put wales away it really stunted the momentum.</p><p>Sam Cane despite the card had a very good game, in fact he has improved as this series has gone on. The card was unlucky, the 3rd penalty of his was the clear milk from the welsh 9 throwing the ball into him and the one he got carded for was kinda harsh as well. I also think he should have been clearly warned. Ref shouldn't just send a player for repeated infringements. He should be warned first.</p><p></p><p>one thing is clear is that Ben Smith, Dagg and Barrett really operated well in combination with each other on attack. And it boosted their collective confidence. IMO the trick is to fill out the rest of the backline to complement them.</p><p></p><p>For the midfield we firstly need guys who can tackle, and tackle to a high standard. We really dont have a clear and obvious 12-13 combo right now.</p><p></p><p>Options I like the look of:</p><p></p><p>12, Crotty 13, Moala</p><p>12, SBW 13, Moala</p><p>12, SBW, 13, Ngatai</p><p>12, Ngatai, 13, Moala</p><p></p><p>pretty obvious I like Moala's traits. Physical presence, can defend, can beat players on attack with size or footwork and has good speed. hes shown he can kick and pass. he showed in 40min more than we have seen from Fekitoa in a log time.</p><p>Crotty is experienced and reliable, tackles well and makes good decisions. His game needs to be focused on accuracy and good decisions.</p><p>SBW IMO is a very good defender, physical in defense. high work rate and impressive offload game which is brilliant if those around him are in the same playbook. Can cause issues if players dont expect his passes or have some experience taking them.</p><p>Ngatai is the complete package, his point of difference is that he is a genuine playmaker with his attacking game. And he has a very smart kicking game. intelligent on attack and defense.</p><p></p><p>The big loser IMO is Fekitoa, not enough form for too long to keep maintaining his spot in the squad. Completely outdone by the 40min Moala got on the field, Moala broke the line pretty much every time he had even just a bit of space to work with. Fekitoa plays with good energy but just has not been effective enough. he has size but hes not breaking the line enough. Its just not quite there for him right now. Maybe his uniform needs to be a little bit tighter? Who knows... Fact his he has been just average in the highlanders backline as well. Even Faddes is impressing more than him, and right now I'd rather have buckman. It just seems like a long time since we've seen Fekitoa at his best. The first year he made the highlanders and All Blacks he was unstoppable. but that was a couple years ago now...</p><p></p><p>Savea has to drop out unless he can find form for the canes. This was his big chance to show everyone he still had it, dropped his first touch of the ball and then his next touch he conceded a turnover as well. Nothing he tried worked. HE powered through a couple of tackles but most of what he did failed.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Larksea, post: 806192, member: 43875"] I must admit I am itching to see Mckenzie get a run in test footy and I'm gutted he did not get a go in that third test. That 23 jersey should have been his. watched the game again last night. Actually thought Dixon had an ok debut, people scoring him ~5 but I think he did better. Pass mark at least, he seemed to fly into rucks and did some important clean outs. Squire though did make a genuine impression. he could settle in the squad very quickly with more showings like that. naholo looked very dangerous and fit into midfield pretty well but he did drop the ball like 3 times in a row during a period where the AB's were looking to seriously put wales away it really stunted the momentum. Sam Cane despite the card had a very good game, in fact he has improved as this series has gone on. The card was unlucky, the 3rd penalty of his was the clear milk from the welsh 9 throwing the ball into him and the one he got carded for was kinda harsh as well. I also think he should have been clearly warned. Ref shouldn't just send a player for repeated infringements. He should be warned first. one thing is clear is that Ben Smith, Dagg and Barrett really operated well in combination with each other on attack. And it boosted their collective confidence. IMO the trick is to fill out the rest of the backline to complement them. For the midfield we firstly need guys who can tackle, and tackle to a high standard. We really dont have a clear and obvious 12-13 combo right now. Options I like the look of: 12, Crotty 13, Moala 12, SBW 13, Moala 12, SBW, 13, Ngatai 12, Ngatai, 13, Moala pretty obvious I like Moala's traits. Physical presence, can defend, can beat players on attack with size or footwork and has good speed. hes shown he can kick and pass. he showed in 40min more than we have seen from Fekitoa in a log time. Crotty is experienced and reliable, tackles well and makes good decisions. His game needs to be focused on accuracy and good decisions. SBW IMO is a very good defender, physical in defense. high work rate and impressive offload game which is brilliant if those around him are in the same playbook. Can cause issues if players dont expect his passes or have some experience taking them. Ngatai is the complete package, his point of difference is that he is a genuine playmaker with his attacking game. And he has a very smart kicking game. intelligent on attack and defense. The big loser IMO is Fekitoa, not enough form for too long to keep maintaining his spot in the squad. Completely outdone by the 40min Moala got on the field, Moala broke the line pretty much every time he had even just a bit of space to work with. Fekitoa plays with good energy but just has not been effective enough. he has size but hes not breaking the line enough. Its just not quite there for him right now. Maybe his uniform needs to be a little bit tighter? Who knows... Fact his he has been just average in the highlanders backline as well. Even Faddes is impressing more than him, and right now I'd rather have buckman. It just seems like a long time since we've seen Fekitoa at his best. The first year he made the highlanders and All Blacks he was unstoppable. but that was a couple years ago now... Savea has to drop out unless he can find form for the canes. This was his big chance to show everyone he still had it, dropped his first touch of the ball and then his next touch he conceded a turnover as well. Nothing he tried worked. HE powered through a couple of tackles but most of what he did failed. [/QUOTE]
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