Overall it's been a positive series from an All Black perspective. Winning all 3 tests was the bare minimum requirement doing it using some of the great new talent on show in super rugby was an added bonus and finishing the series in style with a record result was the icing on the cake. Winning that tight game when the Irish threw everything at the AB's was just as important, finding a way to win a game the AB's probably should have lost will be a good experience for the new guys. It's been a mark of the AB's in particular since just after the 2007 world cup they seem to be good at finding a way to come out on top in the 50/50 games and retaining that trait is going to be important for keeping the silverware they have got.
First point i think is the style of play under the new coaching. I think you can see the influence of foster in particular in the way the back line is operating, also is the impact of SWB at 12 rather than Nonu. Nonu is a tricky customer but SBW has a few more skills he brings to the table and maybe even more effective at sucking in defenders than Nonu, I think Sonny's defense is better as well, his strong point is his urgency getting back into the line after he's made a tackle and that is one of Nonu's major flaws so the gap in that area is vast. And we saw his kicking game come into action as well.
Defense is still very good, Henry really set the example way back when he became AB coach and really pioneered the modern defense patterns used these days by a lot of teams. It's really just a case of maintaining that structure and attitude and adapting it for the players being used.
Going through the ranks
Front row: Nothing really to comment on here, same coach (Cron) and same players for the most part, lineouts were very god at times so throwing/lifting was good from the fatties. if anything 5 props in the squad is not required, maybe it was because there is not a 2nd prop who is a genuine option for both sides. I think they need to find one to add room for an extra halfback or hooker or maybe loose forward (loosies maybe the most injury prone positions?)
Locks: Retalick has been a great find, solid debut very good in the next game and added some impact off the bench in the final test. Almost a ready made world class test lock! Some signs that Romano may hop Williams in the pecking order, maybe not as good in the air but a good ball carrier and good at the ruck/maul. Whitelock secures his spot as the #1 lock. Hoeata and a few others will really be putting the pressure on Romano and Williams for selection.
Lose forwards: maybe the area that has the most going on, obviously initially all the talk was over who would replace kaino. We've not found an answer to that question with Vito, Thomson and Messam getting one test each. That's not enough to draw a conclusion on but with the next Selection we may see the first cut. Of those Messam I think had the greatest impact and did the best job of adding the Physicality that was a big part of Kaino's game. Also showed that he can do some good work at the lineout with 2 takes some good lifting and he got himself up and in the way of the irish at times - enough for a pass mark in that area which is seen as his weakness compared to Thomson and Vito. The big part of Messams game where he outdid the others was his tackling. Stopping the opposition momentum and making tackles that create turnovers or give the defense momentum. I was hoping vito would be next in the pecking order but of the three he looked the least effective. Rugby Championship selection is going to be very interesting in this area unless one of these guys is injured. If anything I think Messam should reclaim his spot that I think should have been his for the last year or so anyway.
But the most interesting development in this series that could potentially affect all three positions is the emergence of Sam Cane. This guy has been under the watchful eye of Ian Foster for i think at least three years now and he worked hard to secure his services at the chiefs and "foster" him into professional rugby and it seems he had good reason too. he looks every bit a test player from his first touch of the ball. So what does that mean? While I think it is Richie McCaw's ticket to number 6. To prolong his carrier and make sure we still have lots of speed in the back row McCaw should make way for Cane at 7 and Captain the team from 6 when Read returns. And Messam should be first backup with his ability to cover 6,8 and 7 in a pinch. maybe look to bring in Luke Braid or Brad Shields to get some experience before 2015. But from the sounds Hansen is making he is instead going to use Cane as McCaw's backup to take some workload off him.
Either way I think Cane needs to be eased into test football the same way he is being eased into super rugby for the chiefs sharing the #7 duties with Latimer
9: Smith is now confirmed as #1 halfback. Question marks over weepu but I guess someone needs to lead the Haka.
10: Carter is still the best 10 in the world but for the first time ever we have a number of genuine options. In the past we had Carter then Donald then really nothing. now we got Carter, Cruden, Barrett and Slade - great depth. I think over time Barrett is going to keep improving and put a lot of pressure on the others.
midfield: pretty much sorted, SBW and Smith are a great combination, Smith as good as ever and SBW growing all the time and when Nonu does get his chance it will be worth the price at the gate just for that. he has a history of bouncing back when he's under selection pressure. Some nice dry black powder saved for the Rugby Championship.
Wings: A real headache position now, Kahui is out for the rest of this year. Savea was brilliant one game but showed he's maybe not ready for the big games yet in his 2nd. Guildford and Gear were solid. Ben Smith I think was very good. I would also look at Ellison as someone who's worth a look. Still questions over future selection. Jane will be back, Smith should stay so who out of Gear, Savea and Guildford gets to stay. It may come down to Savea vs. Gear with Guildford being ok to cover 14 as well. I think Savea just needs more time, he's kinda ideal with an eye on 2015. maybe give him a run in the championship, keep him in the squad, project for foster. But he has a lot of work to do, I think 2011 showed that come world cup time defense and accuracy is far more important than Lomu like size and power or attacking x-factor, which is what made Kahui the #1 choice over the likes of Gear, Guildford and Sivivatu
fullback: Dagg is still obviously the man, he's not quite been at his best but I think that may just be from the fact he does not have Jane on one side and Kahui on the other beside him. Those three in combination I think are best in the world
First point i think is the style of play under the new coaching. I think you can see the influence of foster in particular in the way the back line is operating, also is the impact of SWB at 12 rather than Nonu. Nonu is a tricky customer but SBW has a few more skills he brings to the table and maybe even more effective at sucking in defenders than Nonu, I think Sonny's defense is better as well, his strong point is his urgency getting back into the line after he's made a tackle and that is one of Nonu's major flaws so the gap in that area is vast. And we saw his kicking game come into action as well.
Defense is still very good, Henry really set the example way back when he became AB coach and really pioneered the modern defense patterns used these days by a lot of teams. It's really just a case of maintaining that structure and attitude and adapting it for the players being used.
Going through the ranks
Front row: Nothing really to comment on here, same coach (Cron) and same players for the most part, lineouts were very god at times so throwing/lifting was good from the fatties. if anything 5 props in the squad is not required, maybe it was because there is not a 2nd prop who is a genuine option for both sides. I think they need to find one to add room for an extra halfback or hooker or maybe loose forward (loosies maybe the most injury prone positions?)
Locks: Retalick has been a great find, solid debut very good in the next game and added some impact off the bench in the final test. Almost a ready made world class test lock! Some signs that Romano may hop Williams in the pecking order, maybe not as good in the air but a good ball carrier and good at the ruck/maul. Whitelock secures his spot as the #1 lock. Hoeata and a few others will really be putting the pressure on Romano and Williams for selection.
Lose forwards: maybe the area that has the most going on, obviously initially all the talk was over who would replace kaino. We've not found an answer to that question with Vito, Thomson and Messam getting one test each. That's not enough to draw a conclusion on but with the next Selection we may see the first cut. Of those Messam I think had the greatest impact and did the best job of adding the Physicality that was a big part of Kaino's game. Also showed that he can do some good work at the lineout with 2 takes some good lifting and he got himself up and in the way of the irish at times - enough for a pass mark in that area which is seen as his weakness compared to Thomson and Vito. The big part of Messams game where he outdid the others was his tackling. Stopping the opposition momentum and making tackles that create turnovers or give the defense momentum. I was hoping vito would be next in the pecking order but of the three he looked the least effective. Rugby Championship selection is going to be very interesting in this area unless one of these guys is injured. If anything I think Messam should reclaim his spot that I think should have been his for the last year or so anyway.
But the most interesting development in this series that could potentially affect all three positions is the emergence of Sam Cane. This guy has been under the watchful eye of Ian Foster for i think at least three years now and he worked hard to secure his services at the chiefs and "foster" him into professional rugby and it seems he had good reason too. he looks every bit a test player from his first touch of the ball. So what does that mean? While I think it is Richie McCaw's ticket to number 6. To prolong his carrier and make sure we still have lots of speed in the back row McCaw should make way for Cane at 7 and Captain the team from 6 when Read returns. And Messam should be first backup with his ability to cover 6,8 and 7 in a pinch. maybe look to bring in Luke Braid or Brad Shields to get some experience before 2015. But from the sounds Hansen is making he is instead going to use Cane as McCaw's backup to take some workload off him.
Either way I think Cane needs to be eased into test football the same way he is being eased into super rugby for the chiefs sharing the #7 duties with Latimer
9: Smith is now confirmed as #1 halfback. Question marks over weepu but I guess someone needs to lead the Haka.
10: Carter is still the best 10 in the world but for the first time ever we have a number of genuine options. In the past we had Carter then Donald then really nothing. now we got Carter, Cruden, Barrett and Slade - great depth. I think over time Barrett is going to keep improving and put a lot of pressure on the others.
midfield: pretty much sorted, SBW and Smith are a great combination, Smith as good as ever and SBW growing all the time and when Nonu does get his chance it will be worth the price at the gate just for that. he has a history of bouncing back when he's under selection pressure. Some nice dry black powder saved for the Rugby Championship.
Wings: A real headache position now, Kahui is out for the rest of this year. Savea was brilliant one game but showed he's maybe not ready for the big games yet in his 2nd. Guildford and Gear were solid. Ben Smith I think was very good. I would also look at Ellison as someone who's worth a look. Still questions over future selection. Jane will be back, Smith should stay so who out of Gear, Savea and Guildford gets to stay. It may come down to Savea vs. Gear with Guildford being ok to cover 14 as well. I think Savea just needs more time, he's kinda ideal with an eye on 2015. maybe give him a run in the championship, keep him in the squad, project for foster. But he has a lot of work to do, I think 2011 showed that come world cup time defense and accuracy is far more important than Lomu like size and power or attacking x-factor, which is what made Kahui the #1 choice over the likes of Gear, Guildford and Sivivatu
fullback: Dagg is still obviously the man, he's not quite been at his best but I think that may just be from the fact he does not have Jane on one side and Kahui on the other beside him. Those three in combination I think are best in the world
(if not there's always Keven). Other than that, I think he's good to sub on when we're 20+ points up. :lol:
