June International Test: New Zealand vs. Wales [3rd Test] (25/06/2016)

[Aotearoa_]

Wonder why Tuipulotu isn't getting more game time over Romano as well. Also Squire off the bench compared to Ardie..

 

[GoTheNaki]

Wonder why Tuipulotu isn't getting more game time over Romano as well. Also Squire off the bench compared to Ardie..

It's been said by Hansen that clearly, Tuipolutu features straight behind Whitelock and Brodie. So it's now time for Romano to show he can do what Tuipolutu can do, and what is asked from him.

 

[Aotearoa_]

Barretts kicking isn't that bad compared to sopoaga when you consider that Barrett has half his games in the windiest city in NZ and an oval ground that makes it worse and Sopoaga has half his games indoors. Barrett is fine at reading a game I dont buy that, his stats on attack and distributing are impressive and from what I recall he handles the ball a LOT more than the other 10's around. He does a lot of the phase play and donkey work that other 10's dont. A couple of years ago barrett had questions on his defense and I would actually say right now hes the best defending 10 we have and its quite a big advantage he has over Sopoaga in that area.

Barrett has only started something like 6-7 of his 37-38 tests at 10, I think this notion that he cant start at test rugby really isn't based on anything valid and is at the very least out dated.

Barrett's kicking is not fine compared to Sopoaga's. Barrett's technique is pretty bad, he casually strolls up and wallops it, he doesn't strike it cleanly. Sopoaga has a far superior technique and kicking success percentage is at 75% compared to Barretts 63%. Barrett also barely makes half his penalty kicks, kicking at just 53% success as well, which at test match level is probably the worst you will find in the top tier nations.

Defensively Barrett does edge Sopoaga slightly, but it's incredible close, with tackle success at 75% again for Sopoaga and 79% for Barrett.
Barrett also has him beat in the running game, but that goes without saying. But Sopoaga certainly holds his own.

This would have been a good opportunity for Sopoaga in his home ground, I'd imagine he will get a run off the bench hopefully, we will see.

Anyhow, I think Sopoaga is coming into fill Colin Slades role essentially. But I still stand by what I say, Sopoaga is more of a starter and Barrett comes on and finishes off teams. He has one of the most important roles in the team Barrett, our bench often wins us the game and a guy like Barrett is absolutely perfect to come on as a match winner or to kill teams off, it's blatantly obvious and why it has been employed so often.

 

[cyRil]

with Ardie Savea dropped (the Welsh will be relieved about that)

You can say that again.

 

[AzaMatt]

is Ardie Savea injured or just dropped? i thought he was outstanding

 

[TobesHodges]

Scrolling through these comments.. The AB's squad and outer squad depth makes me ill..

 

[Aotearoa_]

I think Hansen is trying to build further depth giving Squire an opportunity from the bench and we know how good Ardie is already and this is a dead rubber. We have lost Vito, McCaw and Messam from the backrow and guys like Luatua have faded into obscurity, I partly blame the Blues management and coaching staff for allowing some of these players to not develop properly.

We definitely need some more capped players in the backrow, especially if an injury or two were to happen. Squire has been groomed for awhile now as well, so it was only a matter of time before he was brought into the frame, same goes for Tu'ungafasi.

Taufua should really have been giving a call up to, anyway Squire can work as a utility backrower and he's been great off the bench for the Landers this season.

 

[Ospreylian]

I'd like to see that, but I'm told he had a poor game against the Chiefs and is still looking short of full fitness after his knee injury. Has to be given a serious run-out in the Autumn tests though.

Not to mention the fact the last two tests are the best international games I think I've seen from JD2 since the Lions tour. He has finally decided to start being more sensible in attack and show his class again. Having said that I am a huge Scott Williams fan and in the long term would love to see him solidify a starting spot when he gets back to full fitness.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Not to mention the fact the last two tests are the best international games I think I've seen from JD2 since the Lions tour. He has finally decided to start being more sensible in attack and show his class again. Having said that I am a huge Scott Williams fan and in the long term would love to see him solidify a starting spot when he gets back to full fitness.

For 1 game, just to see how it went I'd like to see Roberts back to his original position of wing, with S. Williams-Davies centres, North the other wing and L. Williams fullback. Just for the s***s and giggles.

 

[austingtir]

is Ardie Savea injured or just dropped? i thought he was outstanding

Saving him for the Rugby championship I reckon. Hansen knows he can afford to shuffle players around in this game. He's done this in a crap load of third tests to start the season now.

Hansen is an expert at evaluating what players he needs to win games.
'

 

[Aotearoa_]

Saving him for the Rugby championship I reckon. Hansen knows he can afford to shuffle players around in this game. He's done this in a crap load of third tests to start the season now.

Hansen is an expert at evaluating what players he needs to win games.
'

Have to agree, Hansen knows players strengths and qualities very well, that's why the All Blacks have become an almost unbeatable force no matter the situation, his injections off the bench into certain matches have been nothing short of genius. A patient composed operator, we must absolutely retain him until the 2019 RWC.

 

[GoTheNaki]

*crickets*

GO THE MIGHTY ALL BLACKS?!

 

[austingtir]

Savea two MASSIVE mistakes early on... Jesus wept.


If I was wales id be kicking it to him non stop now.

 

[TobesHodges]

Julian the juggler

 

[GoTheNaki]

If only Moala did that every game, all season. :/

- - - Updated - - -

Nah, he's lost that.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Although the try was denied, Moala's already looking far better than Fekitoa and Seta. SBW/Ngatai-Moala looking very attractive ATM.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Why doesn't Moala play thi.... Nvm, Blues..

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Ludicrous 30+ yard looping pass from Aaron Smith in that move. Just too good.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Again, Moala looking great ATM. Get him to a better SR franchise and he will be world class. On another note, I reckon Coles could've scored that if he backed himself on the outside.

 

[AzaMatt]

why do we continue to kick to the back three, every single time they counter attack to our 22. keep the god damn ball. and when we get to their 22 we try to batter our way over. same bloody story