Pommie BaaBaa & Froggie XV
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Watching the second half,
Laumape deserves some more chances with the top side, with the best guys around him. Certainly we look better attacking-wise comparing him vs SBW. Not sure how good/bad his D was (nothing obviously shocking so thats a bonus)Ardie went to 8 for Kaino.
Naholo showed good recovery to chase down the try that was disallowed, should've got a yellow card for stupidly taking out the BaaBaa 11 in the air (65min) mostly he showed good awareness for where he was in relation to high balls for the rest of the game.
Mostly we stopped doing dumb shit in the second half, thus not giving the ball away so much.
Sopoaga trys hard, needs more time to get anywhere near putting the pressure on Barrett for the 10.
Kwagga Smith was real-good for BaaBaas. I wouldn't mind him in the AB's based on that game.
Overall, not that bad, the bulk of that side will be better for the run when they come up against the French - was really a Junior AB's team wasn't it?
You'd hope the "top side" aren't too ring rusty for the French test.
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That was a good bit of fun. Well done Baabaas, they gave it a good crack and scored some great tries - awesome to see from a scratch team.
Owens let plenty go, as expected, which would have been a bit frustrating in a test but it didn't faze me today - all in the spirit of keeping the game nice and open.
Luatua is absolutely awesome, right in the prime of his career. Sucks he's not eligible because he is some player now.
For the ABs, we were very loose in the first half as expected and it didn't pay off, giving up intercepts that led to tries. 2nd half we brought Cane on who helped tidy up the ruck and we played a lot more tight and direct, ensuring the win. All good. Wouldn't read too much into that performance.
Laumape had a strong game too, good to see.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the match, long live the Baabaas!
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@kiwimurph said in Pommie BaaBaa & Froggie XV:
Fun game to watch.
Was impressed by Laumape. Thought he was the standout AB.
Thought Seta completely outplayed The Bus - selectors made the right (and obvious) call.
Both number 8s Kaino and Whitelock were anonymous. This could be the end for Kaino.
If Luatua stayed with the AB's - theres your starting #6 and Kieran Read cover straight away. Big loss. Charles Piatau level loss.
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@no-quarter said in Pommie BaaBaa & Froggie XV:
For the ABs, we were very loose in the first half as expected and it didn't pay off, giving up intercepts that led to tries. 2nd half we brought Cane on who helped tidy up the ruck and we played a lot more tigt and direct, ensuring the win. All good. Wouldn't read too much into that performance.
And also TJ Perenara got benched. I like this guy (for the Hurricanes) Gilbert Enoka needs to do some mental work with him for him to succeed with the AB's
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Saw the game this morning - I agree with @KiwiMurph, Laumape was great, made lots of good decisions and took his chance. He's knocking on the door to run with the top 15.
Fifita should be shot for fucking up that try - illustrated perfectly by Luatua who looked for people in a better situation than him, and as a result they scored.
Naholo was probably our best player in the first half, which is a bit worrying, although I though both locks got through plenty of work. I thought Harris was poor, and Hames was a bit of not much around the field. Kaino was kind of anonymous, but I noticed him making a few tackles. We looked much better when Cane came on.
Mounga took his chance well, Bucky made a lot of nice touches, and Kwagga was, I think, deservedly MOTM.
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@rocky-rockbottom said in Pommie BaaBaa & Froggie XV:
Kaino parked out on the wing while the forwards are failing to secure breakdown ball? Maybe it was tecticul...
Babas jaunty, assured and flamboyant til they ran out of puff
AB's wonky and ponderous til babas ran out of puff.ffs.
some of those guys should be sitting in the stands for the rest of the tour.
It was carnival rugby, that was all. The closest you can get to 'a freindly' in rugby. No need to read anything into it
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@hooroo said in Pommie BaaBaa & Froggie XV:
@rocky-rockbottom said in Pommie BaaBaa & Froggie XV:
Kaino parked out on the wing while the forwards are failing to secure breakdown ball? Maybe it was tecticul...
Babas jaunty, assured and flamboyant til they ran out of puff
AB's wonky and ponderous til babas ran out of puff.ffs.
some of those guys should be sitting in the stands for the rest of the tour.
It was carnival rugby, that was all. The closest you can get to 'a freindly' in rugby. No need to read anything into it
And bring on more of it. It was fun, stupid fun, but fun.
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I watched this game a bit sleepy , so missed a bit of detail ,
But don't remember much from Jules Savea , was half expecting the return of the bus as he tries to make a statement,
Could it be , that game did him more harm than good ?
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@kiwiinmelb said in Pommie BaaBaa & Froggie XV:
Could it be , that game did him more harm than good ?
I think it did him no harm because his form this year isn't close to good enough for a return. It might have calmed down some boosters who suggest that his non-selection was a mistake, but I doubt the AB selectors are in that group.
Seta T looked better, and I would suggest he's only in the squad because so many outside backs are out.
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Savea SHOULD stand out in NPC, as should many of those near AB selection (Aumua, Goodhue, Duffie as the newbies all stood out)
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Thought we lacked control and composure at crucial times especially in the first half. Too keen to go wide early without doing the hard yards. The introduction of Cane and TKB improved this area.
Catch and Pass must be on the menu for this weeks learnings surely. The amount of dropped ball was ludicrous.
Naholo was good value, Romano worked hard and Laumape grabbed his chances. We worked better as a unit with Cane and TKB on the field.
We sure as hell better get a succession plan in place for halfback, as when TKB goes, I am not comfortable with the thought that TJ is second in line. Support play was fine but I'm sure he thought he was on a basketball court with those bloody loopy passes he was throwing for Luatua.
Thought Harris, Havili and Jules all comfortably played their way out. Was Kaino playing?
For the Baabaas Kiwis hopefuls, was impressed with Moli, Bridge (who outplayed Havili) and Luatua served up a timely 'don't you forget about me' reminder to Shag of what he still offers. Jury still out on Mounga who looked very good but went missing at times.
Bird and Whitelock did nothing outstanding, but were solid, and didn't do their chances any harm either.
All in all glad to get that one out of the way - now on to France. -
@kiwimurph thats the thing, he should be, but wasnt for most of the M10 cup, so was odd with some calls for him to be included in the AB EOYT squad.
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@kiwimurph said in Pommie BaaBaa & Froggie XV:
Until the playoffs - Julian Savea wasnt standing out in Mitre 10 Cup either.
Did people watch the final? I remember him straight up just missing two bombs. We all know in international rugby strengths like speed, size and power are less relevant while weaknesses like being poor under the high ball or a low work rate are going to be spotlighted. I didn't see any evidence in the Mitre Ten Cup that Julian had sorted out the deficiencies in his game. The try he scored in the final, he would be unlikely to score in a tight test.
Julian Savea needed to take more ball at second receiver last night.
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I honestly haven't come across anyone saying Savea should be in the squad for some time now.
