England vs All Blacks
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The selectors are sort of being squeezed by the fact we have a bunch of options at 10,12,13 and 15. And one winger.
So it kind of does feel a little like the 99 scenario of trying to find a place for all our best players. But at least this time everyone is being played in their best spot.
So while i would much much prefer to have DMac off the bench with 20 to go, right now it probably suits us best to have him starting. Add in that Barrett is basically guaranteed 80 minutes, and that means it's Mounga that misses out, and it's not like he isn't making every post a winner as well.
The case could be made for starting Barrett at 15, but i am less sure of that after watching him "defend" the English openside on the weekend.
Or we buck all conventional wisdom and have a 4-4 bench split...
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@paekakboyz said in England vs All Blacks:
@duluth good question, but three things jump out. With a disclaimer that I'm a DMac fan.
- Height
- size re defending and making dominant tackles, especially for line defense and covering.
- risk that we get caught out in our structures in broken play if he's been involved earlier or has a floating mandate etc.
Which would all apply to NMS and yet have never been questioned when discussing him
@bones cause everyone is too busy talking about how slow(er) he is!! I don't see any of those areas as unique to DMac, but he was the focus of the conversation, and lets be real he's in the mix for 2019 whereas NMS isn't. Unless we see at least a couple of extra yards of pace come back for Nehe.
@Bovidae I'm not as sold on the you are 'only' a right or left wing, or that it applies equally for everyone. I get that players can have limitations with kicking, or have played the majority of their time on one side or the other. But I suspect Bridge could do a job on either wing if needed. Maybe that's what we need to test out?
@Duluth totally agree that we should be still pushing to find our final squad and strategies for the bench. I'm really excited about what the 2019 super rugby season might turn up, particularly for some of the new guys that have put their hands up. But I think we would have already seen DMac on the wing (actually, has he had a run there?? hmm
) by now if that option was on their radar. Doesn't mean it won't happen, maybe against Italy? -
@chris-b Given he's a fullback, it shouldn't be too difficult a transition.
@antipodean nah bro they go straight to centre
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@bones cause everyone is too busy talking about how slow(er) he is!! I don't see any of those areas as unique to DMac, but he was the focus of the conversation, and lets be real he's in the mix for 2019 whereas NMS isn't. Unless we see at least a couple of extra yards of pace come back for Nehe.
@Bovidae I'm not as sold on the you are 'only' a right or left wing, or that it applies equally for everyone. I get that players can have limitations with kicking, or have played the majority of their time on one side or the other. But I suspect Bridge could do a job on either wing if needed. Maybe that's what we need to test out?
@Duluth totally agree that we should be still pushing to find our final squad and strategies for the bench. I'm really excited about what the 2019 super rugby season might turn up, particularly for some of the new guys that have put their hands up. But I think we would have already seen DMac on the wing (actually, has he had a run there?? hmm
) by now if that option was on their radar. Doesn't mean it won't happen, maybe against Italy?@paekakboyz If the Crusaders don't play Bridge on the right wing why would the ABs?
He would need to be tested at SR level first.
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@paekakboyz If the Crusaders don't play Bridge on the right wing why would the ABs?
He would need to be tested at SR level first.
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@bovidae Canes didn't play Cullen at centre either. Needs must and all that. But yeah, maybe that's something we'll see in super rugby, or not if it doesn't fit for the saders.
@paekakboyz said in England vs All Blacks:
Canes didn't play Cullen at centre either.
Maybe thye knew it wouldnt be a great idea
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@paekakboyz said in England vs All Blacks:
Canes didn't play Cullen at centre either.
Maybe thye knew it wouldnt be a great idea
@taniwharugby along with everyone else aside from the coaches!!
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The selectors are sort of being squeezed by the fact we have a bunch of options at 10,12,13 and 15. And one winger.
So it kind of does feel a little like the 99 scenario of trying to find a place for all our best players. But at least this time everyone is being played in their best spot.
So while i would much much prefer to have DMac off the bench with 20 to go, right now it probably suits us best to have him starting. Add in that Barrett is basically guaranteed 80 minutes, and that means it's Mounga that misses out, and it's not like he isn't making every post a winner as well.
The case could be made for starting Barrett at 15, but i am less sure of that after watching him "defend" the English openside on the weekend.
Or we buck all conventional wisdom and have a 4-4 bench split...
@mariner4life said in England vs All Blacks:
Or we buck all conventional wisdom and have a 4-4 bench split...
Nah, No need, DMac covers nine
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@paekakboyz If the Crusaders don't play Bridge on the right wing why would the ABs?
He would need to be tested at SR level first.
@bovidae said in England vs All Blacks:
@paekakboyz If the Crusaders don't play Bridge on the right wing why would the ABs?
He would need to be tested at SR level first.
Really? Ya reckon the ABs aren't happy to play guys in positions they don't play SR in? I feel like you must be taking the piss...
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I think dmac is great at 15. He’s a genuine point of difference to every other team in world rugby. He’s also fearless in the air. I don’t have confidence in Naholo, Jordie is out of form, nms has been a poor choice this season. Selectors do need another choice at wing, maybe it will be bridge we see.
For me, DMac has to be involved in the first choice team - either using him as a 15 as they did at Twickenham and being replaced by Mounga, or as a super-sub replacing Mounga, Barrett or BFA.
Don't think he's quite there yet, despite his talent and heart, but looking forward a year or two when BFA retires, the idea of Mounga, BB and a mature DMac on the field at the same time is a scary prospect for the opposition.
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Comedy gold from Comical Eddie
England providing ‘public service’ to other nations, says Eddie Jones
• Comments come after Gary Graham switched to Scotland
• ‘We are providing players to Scotland, Wales, Ireland’Scotland, Ireland and Wales should be grateful to England for supplying them with ready-made Test players, according to Eddie Jones, following the decision of the Newcastle flanker Gary Graham to abandon his quest for a red rose cap and instead pursue an international career north of Hadrian’s Wall.
The Stirling-born Graham trained with England earlier this year and came close to featuring in last season’s Six Nations but has now declared for the land of his father George, who won 25 caps for Scotland between 1997 and 2002.
Jones believes it is merely the latest example of English rugby doing Scotland and other neighbouring countries a good turn. “I think England should be proud of what they do, providing players for Scotland, Wales, Ireland and whoever else. Is it a public service? Yeah, 100%.”
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For me, DMac has to be involved in the first choice team - either using him as a 15 as they did at Twickenham and being replaced by Mounga, or as a super-sub replacing Mounga, Barrett or BFA.
Don't think he's quite there yet, despite his talent and heart, but looking forward a year or two when BFA retires, the idea of Mounga, BB and a mature DMac on the field at the same time is a scary prospect for the opposition.
@victor-meldrew said in England vs All Blacks:
For me, DMac has to be involved in the first choice team - either using him as a 15 as they did at Twickenham and being replaced by Mounga, or as a super-sub replacing Mounga, Barrett or BFA.
Don't think he's quite there yet, despite his talent and heart, but looking forward a year or two when BFA retires, the idea of Mounga, BB and a mature DMac on the field at the same time is a scary prospect for the opposition.
Watching Dmac for the first time ever, I whole heartedly agree. Man has some serious balls, reads the game extremely well, and can exploit a gap like very few others.
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@nepia But, Razor needs to play your Hawkes Bay boy Israel on the right - at least initially.
I think we will see Will Jordan there too - and he may prove the answer to all questions!
@chris-b said in England vs All Blacks:
@nepia But, Razor needs to play your Hawkes Bay boy Israel on the right - at least initially.
I think we will see Will Jordan there too - and he may prove the answer to all questions!
If Will Jordan is the answer I think we might be asking the wrong question...
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The selectors are sort of being squeezed by the fact we have a bunch of options at 10,12,13 and 15. And one winger.
So it kind of does feel a little like the 99 scenario of trying to find a place for all our best players. But at least this time everyone is being played in their best spot.
So while i would much much prefer to have DMac off the bench with 20 to go, right now it probably suits us best to have him starting. Add in that Barrett is basically guaranteed 80 minutes, and that means it's Mounga that misses out, and it's not like he isn't making every post a winner as well.
The case could be made for starting Barrett at 15, but i am less sure of that after watching him "defend" the English openside on the weekend.
Or we buck all conventional wisdom and have a 4-4 bench split...
@mariner4life said in England vs All Blacks:
Or we buck all conventional wisdom and have a 4-4 bench split...
Or do a Cheika and name 24
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Comedy gold from Comical Eddie
England providing ‘public service’ to other nations, says Eddie Jones
• Comments come after Gary Graham switched to Scotland
• ‘We are providing players to Scotland, Wales, Ireland’Scotland, Ireland and Wales should be grateful to England for supplying them with ready-made Test players, according to Eddie Jones, following the decision of the Newcastle flanker Gary Graham to abandon his quest for a red rose cap and instead pursue an international career north of Hadrian’s Wall.
The Stirling-born Graham trained with England earlier this year and came close to featuring in last season’s Six Nations but has now declared for the land of his father George, who won 25 caps for Scotland between 1997 and 2002.
Jones believes it is merely the latest example of English rugby doing Scotland and other neighbouring countries a good turn. “I think England should be proud of what they do, providing players for Scotland, Wales, Ireland and whoever else. Is it a public service? Yeah, 100%.”
@victor-meldrew said in England vs All Blacks:
Comedy gold from Comical Eddie
England providing ‘public service’ to other nations, says Eddie Jones
• Comments come after Gary Graham switched to Scotland
• ‘We are providing players to Scotland, Wales, Ireland’Scotland, Ireland and Wales should be grateful to England for supplying them with ready-made Test players, according to Eddie Jones, following the decision of the Newcastle flanker Gary Graham to abandon his quest for a red rose cap and instead pursue an international career north of Hadrian’s Wall.
The Stirling-born Graham trained with England earlier this year and came close to featuring in last season’s Six Nations but has now declared for the land of his father George, who won 25 caps for Scotland between 1997 and 2002.
Jones believes it is merely the latest example of English rugby doing Scotland and other neighbouring countries a good turn. “I think England should be proud of what they do, providing players for Scotland, Wales, Ireland and whoever else. Is it a public service? Yeah, 100%.”
Reciprocated by the Ospreys teaching Underhill how to put in a MOTM performance
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Anyone watch The 1014 on the England - AB game?
Very good so always with some interesting stuff.
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I posted it in the up thread, very cool as always.
@machpants ah I was out of the office that day...doing, er, that work stuff.
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@pakman said in England vs All Blacks:
@stargazer said in England vs All Blacks:
Amazing that there was a big article in today's Times (London) that offside adjudged when half touches ball. It stated that at that point Lawes was onside. Then Ofa steps forward (but articles says too late to matter). The above implies that so long as Ofa's foot outstretched before TJP picked up the ball Lawes was obliged to back-peddle, which he did not. In other words Ofa's step was decisive?
Immediately wrong. When the halfback lifts the ball.
@booboo said in England vs All Blacks:
@pakman said in England vs All Blacks:
@stargazer said in England vs All Blacks:
Amazing that there was a big article in today's Times (London) that offside adjudged when half touches ball. It stated that at that point Lawes was onside. Then Ofa steps forward (but articles says too late to matter). The above implies that so long as Ofa's foot outstretched before TJP picked up the ball Lawes was obliged to back-peddle, which he did not. In other words Ofa's step was decisive?
Immediately wrong. When the halfback lifts the ball.
Yes, I was amazed a chunky article in the 'quality' press would be constructed around an incorrect understanding of the laws.
The other point is that if Ofa hadn't stepped forward Lawes would have been onside when TJP picked up the ball. Small margins.
And appalling ball protection by ABs.
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@booboo said in England vs All Blacks:
@pakman said in England vs All Blacks:
@stargazer said in England vs All Blacks:
Amazing that there was a big article in today's Times (London) that offside adjudged when half touches ball. It stated that at that point Lawes was onside. Then Ofa steps forward (but articles says too late to matter). The above implies that so long as Ofa's foot outstretched before TJP picked up the ball Lawes was obliged to back-peddle, which he did not. In other words Ofa's step was decisive?
Immediately wrong. When the halfback lifts the ball.
Yes, I was amazed a chunky article in the 'quality' press would be constructed around an incorrect understanding of the laws.
The other point is that if Ofa hadn't stepped forward Lawes would have been onside when TJP picked up the ball. Small margins.
And appalling ball protection by ABs.
