RWC Week 1: France v All Blacks
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To be optimistic, let's go back to the 2015 RWC.
The pecking order of the halfbacks at the start was (1) Smith, (2) TJP, (3) TKB. By the time the playoffs started TKB had overtaken TJP to be Smith's backup. There is time for Roigard to prove his worth before the game that really matters.
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@Machpants said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
I'm intrigued that people think the non-selection of Roigard is far more important and a bigger talking point than the selection of Papalii on the blindside.
Also, if anyone lives overseas and can go to the bookmaker, would love to know the odds on Nepo over 2.5 knock-ons. In that heat, he won't catch a thing!
Because, from the squad, who else do you pick? No neck up six error was made by foster weeks ago, but he's made the back up nine error today
I think there is a very legitimate conversation about picking Jacobson. Big call to go with three opensides. Without knowing, I'd suggest this would be the smallest loose forward trio the All Blacks have picked in a WC match since the 90s.
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Without knowing, I'd suggest this would be the smallest loose forward trio the All Blacks have picked in a WC match since the 90s.
It's basically the same size as the Cane/Read/Savea trio that played a few games in the last world cup (Savea at 6)
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Winning this games doesn't necessarily give us the easier QF anyway, just creates momentum and confidence.
@Darren exactly, loosing tells anyone else theyre in with a sniff and any team has one game where they play above themselves
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@BerniesCorner said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Huge patience. Cut out the 50:50's
DONT F*CK ABOUT IN OUR OWN HALF. KICK IT!!!....that mean changing our actual gameplan
we've literally spent the last 6 years developing a game plan of open them up quick from anywhere on the pitch or kick, of bombs and cross field kicks in our own half to catch out the rush and of offloading in and around the tackle
@Kiwiwomble said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@BerniesCorner said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Huge patience. Cut out the 50:50's
DONT F*CK ABOUT IN OUR OWN HALF. KICK IT!!!....that mean changing our actual gameplan
we've literally spent the last 6 years developing a game plan of open them up quick from anywhere on the pitch or kick, of bombs and cross field kicks in our own half to catch out the rush and of offloading in and around the tackle
My main gripe with this is that our kicking game, especially in regards to contestable kick's is just plain awful. Half the time it appears that the team doesn't even know a contestable kick is going up (as no-one gets there to put pressure on the receiver).
The times where we do appear to know what's going on we send up a couple of people who are invariably outnumbered by the defenders .The concept of picking on a defender who's isolated and putting bodies around them to contest the kick appears to have been lost.
If there is a plan I'm finding it very difficult to follow as it appears to be "we haven't gone forward off several rucks I'm going to panic and kick it to the sidelines and hope someone chases".
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@Kiwiwomble said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@BerniesCorner said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Huge patience. Cut out the 50:50's
DONT F*CK ABOUT IN OUR OWN HALF. KICK IT!!!....that mean changing our actual gameplan
we've literally spent the last 6 years developing a game plan of open them up quick from anywhere on the pitch or kick, of bombs and cross field kicks in our own half to catch out the rush and of offloading in and around the tackle
My main gripe with this is that our kicking game, especially in regards to contestable kick's is just plain awful. Half the time it appears that the team doesn't even know a contestable kick is going up (as no-one gets there to put pressure on the receiver).
The times where we do appear to know what's going on we send up a couple of people who are invariably outnumbered by the defenders .The concept of picking on a defender who's isolated and putting bodies around them to contest the kick appears to have been lost.
If there is a plan I'm finding it very difficult to follow as it appears to be "we haven't gone forward off several rucks I'm going to panic and kick it to the sidelines and hope someone chases".
@Windows97 and sometimes as few as 3 or 4 phases
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so that's it, team is named. come on lads, feed 'em!
It's pretty much up to the players now, they are the ones who need to perform. Every single player picked is super experienced, there are zero excuses. Get in and get the job done. It's a cliche, but it's a cliche for a reason, they just need to execute.
of the "contentious" selections
I've seen DP play huge games in black, he needs to bring that. Basically play like he did against England
ALB is the most complete midfielder in the country, so he needs to find a way to contribute that compliments the guy inside him, and the guy outside him.
Everyone else would have been picked anyway, so zero reason not to step up.carn the fucking lads!
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@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Without knowing, I'd suggest this would be the smallest loose forward trio the All Blacks have picked in a WC match since the 90s.
It's basically the same size as the Cane/Read/Savea trio that played a few games in the last world cup (Savea at 6)
@Duluth said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Without knowing, I'd suggest this would be the smallest loose forward trio the All Blacks have picked in a WC match since the 90s.
It's basically the same size as the Cane/Read/Savea trio that played a few games in the last world cup (Savea at 6)
Paps smaller than Reado? Surely?
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@Duluth said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Without knowing, I'd suggest this would be the smallest loose forward trio the All Blacks have picked in a WC match since the 90s.
It's basically the same size as the Cane/Read/Savea trio that played a few games in the last world cup (Savea at 6)
Paps smaller than Reado? Surely?
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@Duluth said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Without knowing, I'd suggest this would be the smallest loose forward trio the All Blacks have picked in a WC match since the 90s.
It's basically the same size as the Cane/Read/Savea trio that played a few games in the last world cup (Savea at 6)
Paps smaller than Reado? Surely?
@frugby according to current stats, they are the same height and DP 2kg heavier...so his size isnt an issue, its how he plays and how they have played him
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@Duluth said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Without knowing, I'd suggest this would be the smallest loose forward trio the All Blacks have picked in a WC match since the 90s.
It's basically the same size as the Cane/Read/Savea trio that played a few games in the last world cup (Savea at 6)
Paps smaller than Reado? Surely?
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@Duluth said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Without knowing, I'd suggest this would be the smallest loose forward trio the All Blacks have picked in a WC match since the 90s.
It's basically the same size as the Cane/Read/Savea trio that played a few games in the last world cup (Savea at 6)
Paps smaller than Reado? Surely?
looks a lot smaller, plays much smaller, and a completely different player. Read was a genuine power runner, and a world class lineout option. Dalton, Ardie and Cane are all 7s. Read was an 8 who could have been a decent 6 or even a decent lock.
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@akan004 said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
The Roigard non selection is silly but it also shows how inflexible Foster is. I really don't know why we even bothered having the ABs in SR when clearly form doesn't matter to the guy, he had already picked this AB team at the start of the year.
The same criticism can be made against Henry and Hansen for sticking with Nonu at 12 despite being crap in SR.
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@akan004 said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
The Roigard non selection is silly but it also shows how inflexible Foster is. I really don't know why we even bothered having the ABs in SR when clearly form doesn't matter to the guy, he had already picked this AB team at the start of the year.
The same criticism can be made against Henry and Hansen for sticking with Nonu at 12 despite being crap in SR.
You're the biggest Foster fluffer in the world.
Comparing Christie to Nonu, you're reaching new lows here bud. -
If anyone, who understands rugby and have watched rugby the last 2 years, still picks Christie ahead of Roigard then they don’t deserve an opinion. Your opinion is invalid. Don’t give one. You don’t have one.
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Can't wrap my head around the Christie selection.
Passing: Smith > Roigard > Christie
Speed to ruck: Smith > Roigard > Christie
Kicking game: Roigard > Smith > Christie
Running game: Roigard/Smith > Christie
Defense: Christie > Roigard/SmithNot sure the one benefit outweighs the negatives.
Obviously Roigard only has two caps, but, he could have another 4 before the play offs if we pick him.
Also - a bit worried about lineout time with that backrow. Finau at 6 would have looked good right now...
Fortunately French aren't full strength, so, I back us to do the job but it'll need to be done by the starters. If it's close I worry about Christie closing out the game.
@foobaNZ you can’t be saying Aaron smith has the same running game as Roigard. I agree with pretty much all else. Aaron smith is arguably the best halfback of all time. He’s not a world class ball runner at all. That’s not his thing.
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@foobaNZ you can’t be saying Aaron smith has the same running game as Roigard. I agree with pretty much all else. Aaron smith is arguably the best halfback of all time. He’s not a world class ball runner at all. That’s not his thing.
@Yeahtheboys I'd say Christie's speed to ruck is up there with Smith too, he seems supremely fit, its the lack of clear decision making once he gets there that lets him down.
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@foobaNZ you can’t be saying Aaron smith has the same running game as Roigard. I agree with pretty much all else. Aaron smith is arguably the best halfback of all time. He’s not a world class ball runner at all. That’s not his thing.
@Yeahtheboys Roigard does pip him there, you're right. I just didn't want to bring in to question Smith starting as my main point was Roigard > Christie. I still think Smith snipes well though.
Very few half backs score that try Roigard did last test, probably only Dupont.
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Oh hell no
But everyone was having a bad day, nice to bring on someone to turn the game around a bit. Just don't think Christie does that. He is not going to add a spark that might make a difference.
I'm just not liking the makeup of this team, and the squad in general just seems to be selected badly.@Darren said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Oh hell no
But everyone was having a bad day, nice to bring on someone to turn the game around a bit. Just don't think Christie does that. He is not going to add a spark that might make a difference.
I'm just not liking the makeup of this team, and the squad in general just seems to be selected badly.That was a great little confidence boost for Roigard, by far the best thing to come of that warm up match. But the game was gone, and it was a warm up match, so there was no pressure on him at all. Against the French at home in a WC opener? Yeah that's a different kettle of fish and I can see why they wouldn't want to expose him to that this early in his career. Some pool games for him to make his case and get more comfortable in the black jumper, and he's every chance of making the bench in the quarter.
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@foobaNZ you can’t be saying Aaron smith has the same running game as Roigard. I agree with pretty much all else. Aaron smith is arguably the best halfback of all time. He’s not a world class ball runner at all. That’s not his thing.
@Yeahtheboys said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@foobaNZ you can’t be saying Aaron smith has the same running game as Roigard. I agree with pretty much all else. Aaron smith is arguably the best halfback of all time. He’s not a world class ball runner at all. That’s not his thing.
Smith and Gregan were the two HB's I've seen at getting to the ruck and clearing the ball quickly.
Gregan covered a multitude of sins within the Aussie forward pack at the time. To be fair to the Aussie forwards they were exceptionally well drilled and their positional play and timing to hit the ruck was excellent, but so often they would lose the counter ruck and start to get pushed back but Gregan would swoop on in there and clear the ball to the next pod and they would do this ruck after ruck.
A second longer and there would have been a turn-over, but bloody Gregan was always there firing the ball out to next runner...would drive me crazy watching the game, but I could only marvel at his skill.
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@Darren said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Oh hell no
But everyone was having a bad day, nice to bring on someone to turn the game around a bit. Just don't think Christie does that. He is not going to add a spark that might make a difference.
I'm just not liking the makeup of this team, and the squad in general just seems to be selected badly.That was a great little confidence boost for Roigard, by far the best thing to come of that warm up match. But the game was gone, and it was a warm up match, so there was no pressure on him at all. Against the French at home in a WC opener? Yeah that's a different kettle of fish and I can see why they wouldn't want to expose him to that this early in his career. Some pool games for him to make his case and get more comfortable in the black jumper, and he's every chance of making the bench in the quarter.
@No-Quarter That's indeed a fair enough point.
I guess my fear (and maybe that of others) is that Fozzie has already decided that it's the Smith/Finlay combination for this WC and no matter how well Roigard plays in the limited opportunities he gets he's not going to crack the 23.
Time will tell.
