All Blacks vs Ireland
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What a fucking stupid time for a game. Noon on a Friday. I only realised it was on at the 3/4 mark... had to rush to nearest brewery and watch last 15 minutes on dodgy stream on work laptop. Curious as to what viruses I've picked up.
Pleased for the W, but it sounds like I didn't miss much?@Kruse said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
What a fucking stupid time for a game. Noon on a Friday. I only realised it was on at the 3/4 mark... had to rush to nearest brewery and watch last 15 minutes on dodgy stream on work laptop. Curious as to what viruses I've picked up.
You've got to be a bit more discerning in how and who you celebrate with!

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@Frank the cope is strong. Matt Williams called Ireland entitled.
The Monday review will be brutal for Ireland.
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@Frank said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
Shane Horgan - "South Africa on their day would have pumped this All Blacks team tonight"
What a moron comment.
No one cares, we could end up number 1 within the fortnight.
@kpkanz said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
@Frank said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
Shane Horgan - "South Africa on their day would have pumped this All Blacks team tonight"
What a moron comment.
No one cares, we could end up number 1 within the fortnight.
Scottish victory this weekend would put NZ straight into first place again.
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@NTA said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

"WOOO!! WOOOOOO!! I'm a genius again!"
We are a fickle lot , if he starts winning regularly he will be loved like every other successful coach
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@Jet said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
We really shut them down. I’ve got to say, I’d be all for starting roigard and having hotham on the bench. Ireland really need a refresh. Squad and tactics. But not our problem
Roigard is mustard.
It’s not even a conversation in my opinion.
It’s his jersey.
Nobody owns an AB jersey.
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
@Jet said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
We really shut them down. I’ve got to say, I’d be all for starting roigard and having hotham on the bench. Ireland really need a refresh. Squad and tactics. But not our problem
Roigard is mustard.
It’s not even a conversation in my opinion.
It’s his jersey.
Nobody owns an AB jersey.
Cam does
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Feels like Ireland are at the beginning of a steady decline. They have an ageing squad with a lot of key players getting long in the tooth. And the players primed to take their place just aren’t getting the big game experience due to the dominance of this team over the past few years.
Exactly the same thing happened with England leading up to 2003, then fell off a cliff after all those guys retired after the WC win.
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@Jet I think you're an Irishman masquerading on here as a kiwi, you know too much....
@The-Irishman said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
@Jet I think you're an Irishman masquerading on here as a kiwi, you know too much....
Hasta La Victoria Siempre
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Ireland will be hugely disappointed with their performance. So many unforced errors and so many silly infringements, they even got away with a bit at ruck time so the penalty count could have been even worse for them. That's the least accurate performance I have seen from them in a long time, though admittedly I don't watch them very often.
For the ABs - lots of positives after a win in enemy territory like that.
- Sititi is the real deal, he's either been very good or outstanding every time he has started. Today he was very good against a big Irish pack - at 22 that is quite incredible. The start he has had to his test career reminds me of the way the GOAT started... just seems made for it.
- DMac's clearances alone make him our best bet at 10 and he was also very good in all aspects of his play. Best 10 we have had since DC IMO.
- Rieko was awesome on defense and at ruck time, and always dangerous with the ball in hand holding a lot of attention.
- Our bomb squad made an immediate difference, I was calling for them to be brought on with Roigard at the 50 minute mark and I think if they were we could have arrested control a bit sooner. But we have the makings of a bench that is 'impact' instead of 'injury cover' there.
- SB, Vaa'i and PT locking combo is as good as any in the world. PT has really come of age as a leader after a standout Super season.
- Aumua was a beast at hooker, starting to realise his potential. Had an impact in all facets - ruck time, defense, ball in hand and solid at set piece bar one not straight, which under the new rules shouldn't have been called anyway.
I still think we are making too many errors and poor decisions that let the other side back in though - Ireland squandered a lot of opportunities in that 2nd 40 with unforced errors. But overall a step in the right direction, particularly with the bench closing out the game which has been absent all season.
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Jordan's strike rate is absolutely incredible. Ireland contained him well overall but he just always manages to find a way to get over the try-line - Cullen like in that regard.
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And one other thing - Roigard has a sweet left boot, gets huge distance which takes a lot of pressure off DMac at 10. I think we are better off with him starting and Ratima on the bench.
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@akan004 said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
I love this mad bastard.
Giving team talks in the huddle and I’m thinking “I wouldn’t even have you in my 23 bro”
Mad fucker.
@Jet said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
@akan004 said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
I love this mad bastard.
Giving team talks in the huddle and I’m thinking “I wouldn’t even have you in my 23 bro”
Mad fucker.
His last photo on that instagram slide - (for real)

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Is this a turning point for the ABs? I feel like we are just starting to click and some of the combinations, particularly off the bench are really starting to flourish.
What changes do we make for the French? I think Taylor will come back in for Aumua and Roigard for Ratima. I feel Tuipolotu is pushing a case to be a starter but he adds so much off the bench so pretty keen to keep him there. Wouldn’t mind Finau coming in at 6 and Savea shifting to 7.
I’d be happy with the following side tbh.
- Williams 2. Taylor 3. Lomax 4. Barrett 5. Va’ai 6. Finau 7. Savea 8. Sititi 9. Roigard 10. McKenzie 11. Clarke 12. Barrett 13. Ioane 14. Telea 15. Jordan Reserves: 16. Aumua 17. Tu’ungafasi 18. Tosi 19. Tuipolotu 20. Cane 21. Ratima 22. Barrett 23. ALB
@Canes4life said in All Blacks vs Ireland:
Is this a turning point for the ABs? I feel like we are just starting to click and some of the combinations, particularly off the bench are really starting to flourish.
I had a similar thought.
Not quite Paris 04 EOYT performance but it does feel like this team is starting to develop it's own identity.
Rather than deer in the headlights when going gets tough the team is starting to dig in.
There's now difference makers right across the 23 rather than just players making up the numbers.
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When was the last time the abs conceded only 5 penalties? Gotta be years ago...
I'm pissed that ESPN don't do their starts anymore, might not be totally accurate but at least it gave you something