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All Black Coach - Ian Foster

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  • Victor MeldrewV Victor Meldrew

    @junior said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

    I should say, the fact that it was a 100-test veteran doing something so stupid, when faced with a potentially match-defining moment, is scarcely believable. This is why he should be nowhere near the captaincy, whoever the new coach may be.

    Yep. Which I why i don't blame Read even though I think his captaincy goes to pieces under pressure - something either he or the TWM should have sorted out long before RWC 2019. He can't be expected to do it on his own.

    Do wonder if Sam Cane will get the nod. He gets that steely look in his eyes rather than Read's wild-eyed look and doesn't give away too many dumb penalties considering his playing position

    rotatedR Offline
    rotatedR Offline
    rotated
    wrote on last edited by
    #763

    @Victor-Meldrew said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

    Do wonder if Sam Cane will get the nod. He gets that steely look in his eyes rather than Read's wild-eyed look and doesn't give away too many dumb penalties considering his playing position

    If we are picking the skipper on their eyes the power move is to get Richard Kahui back from Japan... or so the wife says.

    Victor MeldrewV 1 Reply Last reply
    3
    • rotatedR rotated

      @Victor-Meldrew said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

      Do wonder if Sam Cane will get the nod. He gets that steely look in his eyes rather than Read's wild-eyed look and doesn't give away too many dumb penalties considering his playing position

      If we are picking the skipper on their eyes the power move is to get Richard Kahui back from Japan... or so the wife says.

      Victor MeldrewV Away
      Victor MeldrewV Away
      Victor Meldrew
      wrote on last edited by
      #764

      @rotated

      Richard Kahui - what a loss he was.

      BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • R Offline
        R Offline
        reprobate
        wrote on last edited by
        #765

        I kind of agree, terrible judgement from Whitelock, but it was so out of character for him - and he's played plenty of important games including MOTM efforts in the last world cup knockouts, that it seems a bit harsh to say 'not captaincy material' based on one incident. Certainly the Crusaders have performed far better with him as captain than with Read.
        You need more than Sam Cane's steely look in the eyes, you need to tell people what to do, and what not to do, and keep it simple under pressure.
        As for whipping Ireland, the only impact that had was on over-confidence. We weren't tired from that game - it was never in doubt, we were able to sub early, and we had already missed the Italy game. And powder? England didn't adjust their tactics against us at the last minute after viewing the Irish game. We changed ours (poorly), dropped Cane, and we showed up without the right mindset - got smashed early and never recovered momentum, and the guys lost composure - that situation not helped by picking people like Jordie over B Smith, no Crotty etc.

        Victor MeldrewV Chris B.C P 3 Replies Last reply
        3
        • Victor MeldrewV Victor Meldrew

          @rotated

          Richard Kahui - what a loss he was.

          BonesB Online
          BonesB Online
          Bones
          wrote on last edited by
          #766

          @Victor-Meldrew really? To be honest I'd pretty much forgotten about him. Filled a role extremely well in 2011 but I'd hardly say we've missed him.

          Victor MeldrewV 1 Reply Last reply
          1
          • BonesB Bones

            @Victor-Meldrew really? To be honest I'd pretty much forgotten about him. Filled a role extremely well in 2011 but I'd hardly say we've missed him.

            Victor MeldrewV Away
            Victor MeldrewV Away
            Victor Meldrew
            wrote on last edited by
            #767

            @Bones

            Thought he had big potential at 11-13-14.

            StargazerS BonesB 2 Replies Last reply
            0
            • R reprobate

              I kind of agree, terrible judgement from Whitelock, but it was so out of character for him - and he's played plenty of important games including MOTM efforts in the last world cup knockouts, that it seems a bit harsh to say 'not captaincy material' based on one incident. Certainly the Crusaders have performed far better with him as captain than with Read.
              You need more than Sam Cane's steely look in the eyes, you need to tell people what to do, and what not to do, and keep it simple under pressure.
              As for whipping Ireland, the only impact that had was on over-confidence. We weren't tired from that game - it was never in doubt, we were able to sub early, and we had already missed the Italy game. And powder? England didn't adjust their tactics against us at the last minute after viewing the Irish game. We changed ours (poorly), dropped Cane, and we showed up without the right mindset - got smashed early and never recovered momentum, and the guys lost composure - that situation not helped by picking people like Jordie over B Smith, no Crotty etc.

              Victor MeldrewV Away
              Victor MeldrewV Away
              Victor Meldrew
              wrote on last edited by Victor Meldrew
              #768

              @reprobate said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

              You need more than Sam Cane's steely look in the eyes, you need to tell people what to do, and what not to do, and keep it simple under pressure.

              Agreed. The "steely eyes" comment was an allusion to calmness under pressure.

              canefanC 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • Victor MeldrewV Victor Meldrew

                @Bones

                Thought he had big potential at 11-13-14.

                StargazerS Offline
                StargazerS Offline
                Stargazer
                wrote on last edited by
                #769

                @Victor-Meldrew Kahui broke more often than Crotty/SBW. That crook shoulder killed his ABs and SR career.

                Victor MeldrewV 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • Victor MeldrewV Victor Meldrew

                  @Bones

                  Thought he had big potential at 11-13-14.

                  BonesB Online
                  BonesB Online
                  Bones
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #770

                  @Victor-Meldrew said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                  @Bones

                  Thought he had big potential at 11-13-14.

                  He fulfilled it!

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  2
                  • StargazerS Stargazer

                    @Victor-Meldrew Kahui broke more often than Crotty/SBW. That crook shoulder killed his ABs and SR career.

                    Victor MeldrewV Away
                    Victor MeldrewV Away
                    Victor Meldrew
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #771

                    @Stargazer said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                    @Victor-Meldrew Kahui broke more often than Crotty/SBW. That crook shoulder killed his ABs and SR career.

                    His glass shoulder certainly did.

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Victor MeldrewV Victor Meldrew

                      @reprobate said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                      You need more than Sam Cane's steely look in the eyes, you need to tell people what to do, and what not to do, and keep it simple under pressure.

                      Agreed. The "steely eyes" comment was an allusion to calmness under pressure.

                      canefanC Online
                      canefanC Online
                      canefan
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #772

                      @Victor-Meldrew said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                      @reprobate said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                      You need more than Sam Cane's steely look in the eyes, you need to tell people what to do, and what not to do, and keep it simple under pressure.

                      Agreed. The "steely eyes" comment was an allusion to calmness under pressure.

                      Cane is a good choice

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      1
                      • R reprobate

                        I kind of agree, terrible judgement from Whitelock, but it was so out of character for him - and he's played plenty of important games including MOTM efforts in the last world cup knockouts, that it seems a bit harsh to say 'not captaincy material' based on one incident. Certainly the Crusaders have performed far better with him as captain than with Read.
                        You need more than Sam Cane's steely look in the eyes, you need to tell people what to do, and what not to do, and keep it simple under pressure.
                        As for whipping Ireland, the only impact that had was on over-confidence. We weren't tired from that game - it was never in doubt, we were able to sub early, and we had already missed the Italy game. And powder? England didn't adjust their tactics against us at the last minute after viewing the Irish game. We changed ours (poorly), dropped Cane, and we showed up without the right mindset - got smashed early and never recovered momentum, and the guys lost composure - that situation not helped by picking people like Jordie over B Smith, no Crotty etc.

                        Chris B.C Offline
                        Chris B.C Offline
                        Chris B.
                        wrote on last edited by Chris B.
                        #773

                        @reprobate On the money, I think.

                        In hindsight, there's a lot of parallels to some of our previous losses in, especially, 2003 - but also 2007.

                        I think Mexted's psychic energy is amplified by pressure in RWC matches - so one thing you don't want to do is fall behind and especially behind by more than 7 points. I guess there's a few stirring comebacks in RWC history - France in 1999 for one (and 2007 for another) - but, I'm guessing that most teams that get ahead by more than 7 points in a RWC knockout match, win it.

                        So parallels with Tuilagi's early try and Mortlock's interception.

                        A parallel with 2007 is the inexperience we ended up with on the park at the death (Leonard/McAlister/Toeava). The thing that surprised me most about this campaign, was Hansen's willingness to shed his experienced old hands - because he'd been beating the "experience wins you the big games" drum for pretty much his entire (post-2007) tenure. I remember saying ,probably more than 18 months ago, that Hansen wouldn't supplant Beaudy with Richie this close to a RWC. But, actually, I think that was the right decision - Bea'unga was the point of difference that could have won us the Cup.

                        What probably wasn't the right decision was shedding all the experience around them. Even though, individually, each of the man-for-man decisions probably made sense - collectively, we ended up with too few wise heads when we needed them.

                        That's the question I'd really like to have seen Hansen answer - why he went away from that experience mantra.

                        And, as footnote, I think the other thing he "confused" himself on was the selection at 6. All along, he really wanted to play a Kaino/McCaw/Read style of loose trio - even early in the RC he was still saying we wouldn't see Ardie and Sam starting together as flankers. In the end he pretty much had to bite that bullet - but, I suspect at least in part the selection of Scott Barrett at 6 was influenced by his lack of belief in playing two opensides.

                        gt12G mariner4lifeM 2 Replies Last reply
                        5
                        • Chris B.C Chris B.

                          @reprobate On the money, I think.

                          In hindsight, there's a lot of parallels to some of our previous losses in, especially, 2003 - but also 2007.

                          I think Mexted's psychic energy is amplified by pressure in RWC matches - so one thing you don't want to do is fall behind and especially behind by more than 7 points. I guess there's a few stirring comebacks in RWC history - France in 1999 for one (and 2007 for another) - but, I'm guessing that most teams that get ahead by more than 7 points in a RWC knockout match, win it.

                          So parallels with Tuilagi's early try and Mortlock's interception.

                          A parallel with 2007 is the inexperience we ended up with on the park at the death (Leonard/McAlister/Toeava). The thing that surprised me most about this campaign, was Hansen's willingness to shed his experienced old hands - because he'd been beating the "experience wins you the big games" drum for pretty much his entire (post-2007) tenure. I remember saying ,probably more than 18 months ago, that Hansen wouldn't supplant Beaudy with Richie this close to a RWC. But, actually, I think that was the right decision - Bea'unga was the point of difference that could have won us the Cup.

                          What probably wasn't the right decision was shedding all the experience around them. Even though, individually, each of the man-for-man decisions probably made sense - collectively, we ended up with too few wise heads when we needed them.

                          That's the question I'd really like to have seen Hansen answer - why he went away from that experience mantra.

                          And, as footnote, I think the other thing he "confused" himself on was the selection at 6. All along, he really wanted to play a Kaino/McCaw/Read style of loose trio - even early in the RC he was still saying we wouldn't see Ardie and Sam starting together as flankers. In the end he pretty much had to bite that bullet - but, I suspect at least in part the selection of Scott Barrett at 6 was influenced by his lack of belief in playing two opensides.

                          gt12G Offline
                          gt12G Offline
                          gt12
                          wrote on last edited by gt12
                          #774

                          @Chris-B

                          I think that’s pretty much bang on. For me, the selection at 3 (correct but probably happened too late), 6 (incorrect strategy changing choice for no good reason), midfield (probably incorrect - ALB had been amaze balls at 13), and wing/fb/JB (incorrect - almost no experience at all) were all examples of the coaches going back on a WC winning strategy. Switch a few of those with more experience and we’d suddenly be much better equipped to deal with finals footy.

                          I’m still shocked that the selectors haven’t been givien a harder time for that.

                          Chris B.C 1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • J junior

                            @Victor-Meldrew said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                            @junior said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                            This mean that we had to play a "final" at the QF stage, which left us with little left for the SF against England.

                            I'm convinced that had the players kept their cool a la the 2015 lot, we'd have nicked that game.

                            Not blaming Read for the loss as he gives 110%, but the leadership in that game from him and the other senior players was sub-standard

                            Yes, true. There was a point after Ardie's try where momentum was in the balance. Unfortunately, Jordie fucked the kick off and we conceded a quick 3, handing the momentum back to them. Even then, we had the chance to plug the corner, score a converted try from the ensuing lineout and get within 3 with just over 10 mins to play. From there, momentum is all ours and the pressure is on England not lose their nerves and bottle it. Frustratingly, a lack of composure caused Whitelock to do something stupid, which, again, let England off the hook and handed momentum back to them.

                            Presented with those opportunities, I am absolutely certain the 2015 team would have wrangled a 7-10 point win.

                            EDIT - I should say, the fact that it was a 100-test veteran doing something so stupid, when faced with a potentially match-defining moment, is scarcely believable. This is why he should be nowhere near the captaincy, whoever the new coach may be.

                            antipodeanA Offline
                            antipodeanA Offline
                            antipodean
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #775

                            @junior said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                            EDIT - I should say, the fact that it was a 100-test veteran doing something so stupid, when faced with a potentially match-defining moment, is scarcely believable. This is why he should be nowhere near the captaincy, whoever the new coach may be.

                            I'm more concerned about the penalty reversal.

                            J 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • gt12G gt12

                              @Chris-B

                              I think that’s pretty much bang on. For me, the selection at 3 (correct but probably happened too late), 6 (incorrect strategy changing choice for no good reason), midfield (probably incorrect - ALB had been amaze balls at 13), and wing/fb/JB (incorrect - almost no experience at all) were all examples of the coaches going back on a WC winning strategy. Switch a few of those with more experience and we’d suddenly be much better equipped to deal with finals footy.

                              I’m still shocked that the selectors haven’t been givien a harder time for that.

                              Chris B.C Offline
                              Chris B.C Offline
                              Chris B.
                              wrote on last edited by Chris B.
                              #776

                              @gt12 Pretty much those positions.

                              With hindsight, I think Crotty and ALB in the midfield is the most crucial one.

                              Cane and Ardie on the flanks would have also left Scott Barrett to come off the bench.

                              I think they should have taken Big Karl and paired him and Ofa on the bench - leaving Ofa as the tighthead sub.

                              Ben Smith at a minimum instead of Jordie, but perhaps instead of Sevu Reece. Maybe Rieko ahead of Bridge - circumstances sort of conspired against Rieko getting opportunities to prove he should be there.

                              taniwharugbyT gt12G 2 Replies Last reply
                              1
                              • Chris B.C Chris B.

                                @gt12 Pretty much those positions.

                                With hindsight, I think Crotty and ALB in the midfield is the most crucial one.

                                Cane and Ardie on the flanks would have also left Scott Barrett to come off the bench.

                                I think they should have taken Big Karl and paired him and Ofa on the bench - leaving Ofa as the tighthead sub.

                                Ben Smith at a minimum instead of Jordie, but perhaps instead of Sevu Reece. Maybe Rieko ahead of Bridge - circumstances sort of conspired against Rieko getting opportunities to prove he should be there.

                                taniwharugbyT Offline
                                taniwharugbyT Offline
                                taniwharugby
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #777

                                @Chris-B given how well they played v SA too, they were who I thought they'd be looking at for Ireland and England...that said, Goodhue was probably the best AB v England.

                                Agree with your above, for years Hansen had always plumped for experience over form, then this year, he changed things up....

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                2
                                • Chris B.C Chris B.

                                  @gt12 Pretty much those positions.

                                  With hindsight, I think Crotty and ALB in the midfield is the most crucial one.

                                  Cane and Ardie on the flanks would have also left Scott Barrett to come off the bench.

                                  I think they should have taken Big Karl and paired him and Ofa on the bench - leaving Ofa as the tighthead sub.

                                  Ben Smith at a minimum instead of Jordie, but perhaps instead of Sevu Reece. Maybe Rieko ahead of Bridge - circumstances sort of conspired against Rieko getting opportunities to prove he should be there.

                                  gt12G Offline
                                  gt12G Offline
                                  gt12
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #778

                                  @Chris-B said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                                  @gt12 Pretty much those positions.

                                  With hindsight, I think Crotty and ALB in the midfield is the most crucial one.

                                  Cane and Ardie on the flanks would have also left Scott Barrett to come off the bench.

                                  I think they should have taken Big Karl and paired him and Ofa on the bench - leaving Ofa as the tighthead sub.

                                  Ben Smith at a minimum instead of Jordie, but perhaps instead of Sevu Reece. Maybe Rieko ahead of Bridge - circumstances sort of conspired against Rieko getting opportunities to prove he should be there.

                                  In hindsight I can’t disagree with any of those - Goodhue would be most unlucky, but he had been during the WC, so all that switching led to trouble, that’s a bit 2007ish as we should have had that combo playing together more and I think they just wanted the two best players, rather than the best combo (a little 1999ish too then).

                                  On the front row, I agree. It’s worth noting that Moli was good when he got a chance - however he was never going to be used in a big game, so it should have been Karl in the squad which would have given us a choice between Ofa, Karl, and Angus. I think they wanted Angus’ workrate late in the game but we got a bit less experienced and had others in positions they just aren’t as good at (Ofa).

                                  I think it was @dogmeat who said that Bridge was (supposedly) nailed on about 12 months out - but we never got to see him with Rieko or tried anywhere except on the left, so they had to see that problem arising.

                                  Chris B.C P 2 Replies Last reply
                                  1
                                  • gt12G gt12

                                    @Chris-B said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                                    @gt12 Pretty much those positions.

                                    With hindsight, I think Crotty and ALB in the midfield is the most crucial one.

                                    Cane and Ardie on the flanks would have also left Scott Barrett to come off the bench.

                                    I think they should have taken Big Karl and paired him and Ofa on the bench - leaving Ofa as the tighthead sub.

                                    Ben Smith at a minimum instead of Jordie, but perhaps instead of Sevu Reece. Maybe Rieko ahead of Bridge - circumstances sort of conspired against Rieko getting opportunities to prove he should be there.

                                    In hindsight I can’t disagree with any of those - Goodhue would be most unlucky, but he had been during the WC, so all that switching led to trouble, that’s a bit 2007ish as we should have had that combo playing together more and I think they just wanted the two best players, rather than the best combo (a little 1999ish too then).

                                    On the front row, I agree. It’s worth noting that Moli was good when he got a chance - however he was never going to be used in a big game, so it should have been Karl in the squad which would have given us a choice between Ofa, Karl, and Angus. I think they wanted Angus’ workrate late in the game but we got a bit less experienced and had others in positions they just aren’t as good at (Ofa).

                                    I think it was @dogmeat who said that Bridge was (supposedly) nailed on about 12 months out - but we never got to see him with Rieko or tried anywhere except on the left, so they had to see that problem arising.

                                    Chris B.C Offline
                                    Chris B.C Offline
                                    Chris B.
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #779

                                    @gt12 If that was the case, then after Bridge's outstanding 40 minutes vs Japan, Hansen probably should've phoned home and said we need to take this guy to Europe as an extra.

                                    I also recall being pretty surprised that they flew George to Buenos Aires for the first test of the year, but ended up playing Jordie (on the left wing) with Sevu on the right and Ennor on the bench.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • Chris B.C Chris B.

                                      @reprobate On the money, I think.

                                      In hindsight, there's a lot of parallels to some of our previous losses in, especially, 2003 - but also 2007.

                                      I think Mexted's psychic energy is amplified by pressure in RWC matches - so one thing you don't want to do is fall behind and especially behind by more than 7 points. I guess there's a few stirring comebacks in RWC history - France in 1999 for one (and 2007 for another) - but, I'm guessing that most teams that get ahead by more than 7 points in a RWC knockout match, win it.

                                      So parallels with Tuilagi's early try and Mortlock's interception.

                                      A parallel with 2007 is the inexperience we ended up with on the park at the death (Leonard/McAlister/Toeava). The thing that surprised me most about this campaign, was Hansen's willingness to shed his experienced old hands - because he'd been beating the "experience wins you the big games" drum for pretty much his entire (post-2007) tenure. I remember saying ,probably more than 18 months ago, that Hansen wouldn't supplant Beaudy with Richie this close to a RWC. But, actually, I think that was the right decision - Bea'unga was the point of difference that could have won us the Cup.

                                      What probably wasn't the right decision was shedding all the experience around them. Even though, individually, each of the man-for-man decisions probably made sense - collectively, we ended up with too few wise heads when we needed them.

                                      That's the question I'd really like to have seen Hansen answer - why he went away from that experience mantra.

                                      And, as footnote, I think the other thing he "confused" himself on was the selection at 6. All along, he really wanted to play a Kaino/McCaw/Read style of loose trio - even early in the RC he was still saying we wouldn't see Ardie and Sam starting together as flankers. In the end he pretty much had to bite that bullet - but, I suspect at least in part the selection of Scott Barrett at 6 was influenced by his lack of belief in playing two opensides.

                                      mariner4lifeM Offline
                                      mariner4lifeM Offline
                                      mariner4life
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #780

                                      @Chris-B said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                                      lack of belief in playing two opensides

                                      so he picks 3 locks and then plays a wide game plan

                                      the fuck is that?

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • StargazerS Stargazer

                                        @Wurzel said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                                        So the good oil is that Fozzie has the job with Razor as assistant. It's been made clear to Razor that turning down the gig as Ian's assistant would damage future aspirations.

                                        NZR know they can't sell Fozzie to the public without a popular figure like Robertson in his camp.

                                        For how many years? If it's only two years, and then Robertson taking over, that might not be the worst idea.

                                        P Offline
                                        P Offline
                                        pakman
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #781

                                        @Stargazer said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                                        @Wurzel said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                                        So the good oil is that Fozzie has the job with Razor as assistant. It's been made clear to Razor that turning down the gig as Ian's assistant would damage future aspirations.

                                        NZR know they can't sell Fozzie to the public without a popular figure like Robertson in his camp.

                                        For how many years? If it's only two years, and then Robertson taking over, that might not be the worst idea.

                                        Review after two years would make sense. If results there Foster gets to stay. If not, Razor moves up having had a chance to assimilate the set up.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • R reprobate

                                          I kind of agree, terrible judgement from Whitelock, but it was so out of character for him - and he's played plenty of important games including MOTM efforts in the last world cup knockouts, that it seems a bit harsh to say 'not captaincy material' based on one incident. Certainly the Crusaders have performed far better with him as captain than with Read.
                                          You need more than Sam Cane's steely look in the eyes, you need to tell people what to do, and what not to do, and keep it simple under pressure.
                                          As for whipping Ireland, the only impact that had was on over-confidence. We weren't tired from that game - it was never in doubt, we were able to sub early, and we had already missed the Italy game. And powder? England didn't adjust their tactics against us at the last minute after viewing the Irish game. We changed ours (poorly), dropped Cane, and we showed up without the right mindset - got smashed early and never recovered momentum, and the guys lost composure - that situation not helped by picking people like Jordie over B Smith, no Crotty etc.

                                          P Offline
                                          P Offline
                                          pakman
                                          wrote on last edited by pakman
                                          #782

                                          @reprobate said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

                                          I kind of agree, terrible judgement from Whitelock, but it was so out of character for him - and he's played plenty of important games including MOTM efforts in the last world cup knockouts, that it seems a bit harsh to say 'not captaincy material' based on one incident. Certainly the Crusaders have performed far better with him as captain than with Read.
                                          You need more than Sam Cane's steely look in the eyes, you need to tell people what to do, and what not to do, and keep it simple under pressure.
                                          As for whipping Ireland, the only impact that had was on over-confidence. We weren't tired from that game - it was never in doubt, we were able to sub early, and we had already missed the Italy game. And powder? England didn't adjust their tactics against us at the last minute after viewing the Irish game. We changed ours (poorly), dropped Cane, and we showed up without the right mindset - got smashed early and never recovered momentum, and the guys lost composure - that situation not helped by picking people like Jordie over B Smith, no Crotty etc.

                                          England had been planning for AB semi. Bringing Ford in worked fantastically for them. I think they correctly picked we'd be aiming to go wide to beat rush. Contrast with Boks in Final.

                                          I think we did change things a bit, but under pressure players reverted to what they'd been practising for last month.

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