All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test

[Donsteppa]

I'm not normally a fan of one-sided hidings, but after the last few years against the Irish, I would take great delight if this game could turn into a cricket score in the second half.

5 down is basically Mitchell and Blundell batting together anyway...

[canefan]

Wow. After a slow start we came on strong. I want to see us control our breakdowns. No more Irishmen walking through the ruck to take our ball

[Toddy]

@Frye Yeah, was a good call from the ref/video ref as it was definitely a 'rugby incident'. Fluffybunny was almost on the ground.

[Victor Meldrew]

The things which impressed me is how they weathered the pressure, kept calm, and when they go some momentum, were really precise and pretty much error free. Big change change from last year - and this is the first test of the year when they are normally rusty.

Reiko is doing a lot of communicating, QT is really solid and calmness personified. AS is having a blinder, our D is good and our scrum has the wood on the Irish.

Still only half-time, but way, way better than I expected.

[Kirwan]

Really happy to see that speed from AS.

[canefan]

Can I say Scott Barrett is having a good game?

[Stockcar86]

@number9 said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

That last 20 minutes was much better from the ABs.

First 20 minutes - playing how the coaches told them
Last 20 minutes - playing their natural game

[kiwiinmelb]

Tupaea looks ok

[Frye]

@Kirwan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Frye said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Ireland go to shit when Sexton is not there and now he failed the hia. Does that mean he's out for next weekend too?

Oh no, are we in for two weeks of Could'o'Doid the sequel?

Marshall saying Cane hit Sexton on the chin without mentioning that Sexton had fallen about a foot and was 6 inches off the ground lol.

There's got to be better commentators out there.

Mils would be fine as a replacement.

I'd prefer KT but would take Mils.

[mariner4life]

Nice outfit for the rugby Te Nana FFS

Did he come straight from the races?

[Nepia]

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Tight five are doing their job.

Yeah, I don't think they've been as bad as a read through of this thread would suggest.

[Bones]

@canefan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Can I say Scott Barrett is having a good game?

He's into everything but very erratic. Curse of the Barrett. Trying hard but lacking accuracy.

[African Monkey]

Hah, funny how a try against the run of play can change the whole game. We were well on the back foot and Ireland should have had a penalty before that Reece try and now its game over!

Our big name players BB, Smith and Cane really starting to take control of things out there. Some nice touches from Tupaea with Jordin and Reece also looking good out there.

[kev]

@canefan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Can I say Scott Barrett is having a good game?

Straightens the attack nicely.

[canefan]

Our back 3 have been outstanding. In fact the backline have looked better and better now that the forwards are starting the lay a platform. Loved the scrum penalty we got too

[Kirwan]

@Frye said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Kirwan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Frye said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Ireland go to shit when Sexton is not there and now he failed the hia. Does that mean he's out for next weekend too?

Oh no, are we in for two weeks of Could'o'Doid the sequel?

Marshall saying Cane hit Sexton on the chin without mentioning that Sexton had fallen about a foot and was 6 inches off the ground lol.

There's got to be better commentators out there.

Mils would be fine as a replacement.

I'd prefer KT but would take Mils.

Either would be fine, lean towards the AB for Test colour man.

[Chris]

@canefan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Can I say Scott Barrett is having a good game?

Yep he has got over the advantage line and pulled off some good tackles.
The 2 main forwards getting over the advantage line has been Scott Barrett and Bower.

[mariner4life]

@kev said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@canefan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Can I say Scott Barrett is having a good game?

Straightens the attack nicely.

Playing a good locks game

[chimoaus]

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Hah, funny how a try against the run of play can change the whole game. We were well on the back foot and Ireland should have had a penalty before that Reece try and now its game over!

Our big name players BB, Smith and Cane really starting to take control of things out there. Some nice touches from Tupaea with Jordin and Reece also looking good out there.

This, that Mortlock moment really turned the game.

[Nepia]

@canefan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Can I say Scott Barrett is having a good game?

Good with ball in hand, headless chook when he's near a ruck without the ball in hand.