All Blacks 2023
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
This will be official later
Points
1 (↑3) South Africa 92.48 (+2.78)
2 (↑4) New Zealand 90.91 (+3.22)
3 (↓1) Ireland 90.57 (-3.22)
4 (↓2) France 87.81 (-2.78)
5 (↑6) England 84.03 (+0.78)
6 (↓5) Scotland 83.43
7 (↑8) Argentina 83.07 (+2.52)
8 (↓7) Wales 80.64 (-2.52)
9 Australia 77.48
10 Fiji 76.38 (-0.78)That seems an absurd swing for 2 single tight results
@voodoo RWC is double points I think?
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@voodoo RWC is double points I think?
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2023:
@voodoo RWC is double points I think?
oh right, didn't know that. 3.22 points each for a 6.44 point swing seems just nuts for a 4 point win on neutral ground!
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McLeod says that the defensive system has changed for the opposition they expected to play against.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/how-scott-mcleod-transformed-all-blacks-defense/
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that's an interesting interview
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McLeod says that the defensive system has changed for the opposition they expected to play against.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/how-scott-mcleod-transformed-all-blacks-defense/
@Bovidae so they had.been keeping the powder dry...
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the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
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the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
"We had to develop our ability to defend the ball.
"Wherever the ball is, we had to put people in front of that.
Though we appeared to have sod all people in front of the ball when the Irish spread it to the fringes on the weekend so stuffed if I know what that means as well

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the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
There has been some talk of it for a while but not much with any specificity.
The Crusaders apparently use a version adapted from O'Gara
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/112674451/how-ronan-ogaras-lightbulb-moment-helped-transform-the-crusadersA bit more here about how it is used at La Rochelle
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/european-cup/ronan-o-gara-has-made-la-rochelle-ask-why-not-us-1.4552481 -
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
There has been some talk of it for a while but not much with any specificity.
The Crusaders apparently use a version adapted from O'Gara
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/112674451/how-ronan-ogaras-lightbulb-moment-helped-transform-the-crusadersA bit more here about how it is used at La Rochelle
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/european-cup/ronan-o-gara-has-made-la-rochelle-ask-why-not-us-1.4552481@gt12 even with our defensive issues of the past few years, I think our line defence, particularly our goal line defence has still been excellent, which is where they are probably able to be more focused on the ball than the space?
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Nice to see it confirmed, still stuck in a defensive time warp
You would think that beating a team from the Six Nations tournament by a margin of 79 points would be enough to make any World Cup-winning hopeful sit up and take notice. In fact, New Zealand’s demolition of Italy will only confirm what the likes of Ireland, France and South Africa already know: that if you give the All Blacks the gilt-edged opportunities they want, and play right into their hands, they will score a hatful of points.
Question and answers alike circle like vultures over the New Zealand defence. Its fundamental shape and philosophy has not changed much for the better part of 10 years, and in the knockout stages of World Cup 2023 it will be challenged like never before.
The All Blacks will operate their Venus flytrap, dragging the opposition attack wide with the honey of easy pickings, then the jaws will clap shut at the least sign of weakness at the ruck, and the counter-attack begins. It is a formula devised by ‘The Professor’, Wayne Smith, and it has proved its value and stood the test of time.
But the times have moved on, and the ghosts of the three wise men, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and ‘Smithy’, stand in the dim distance. The spectres of a decade of Kiwi dominance may just be ripe for exorcism.
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nice to see it confirmed, still stuck in a defensive time warp
That aged well!
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/why-all-blacks-near-century-wont-have-ireland-or-south-africa-sweating/
The All Blacks will operate their Venus flytrap, dragging the opposition attack wide with the honey of easy pickings, then the jaws will clap shut at the least sign of weakness at the ruck, and the counter-attack begins. It is a formula devised by ‘The Professor’, Wayne Smith, and it has proved its value and stood the test of time.But the times have moved on, and the ghosts of the three wise men, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and ‘Smithy’, stand in the dim distance. The spectres of a decade of Kiwi dominance may just be ripe for exorcism.
Yes sure what has Sir Wayne Smith won recently?!!
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nice to see it confirmed, still stuck in a defensive time warp
That aged well!
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/why-all-blacks-near-century-wont-have-ireland-or-south-africa-sweating/
The All Blacks will operate their Venus flytrap, dragging the opposition attack wide with the honey of easy pickings, then the jaws will clap shut at the least sign of weakness at the ruck, and the counter-attack begins. It is a formula devised by ‘The Professor’, Wayne Smith, and it has proved its value and stood the test of time.But the times have moved on, and the ghosts of the three wise men, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and ‘Smithy’, stand in the dim distance. The spectres of a decade of Kiwi dominance may just be ripe for exorcism.
Yes sure what has Sir Wayne Smith won recently?!!
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2023:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nice to see it confirmed, still stuck in a defensive time warp
That aged well!
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/why-all-blacks-near-century-wont-have-ireland-or-south-africa-sweating/
The All Blacks will operate their Venus flytrap, dragging the opposition attack wide with the honey of easy pickings, then the jaws will clap shut at the least sign of weakness at the ruck, and the counter-attack begins. It is a formula devised by ‘The Professor’, Wayne Smith, and it has proved its value and stood the test of time.But the times have moved on, and the ghosts of the three wise men, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and ‘Smithy’, stand in the dim distance. The spectres of a decade of Kiwi dominance may just be ripe for exorcism.
Yes sure what has Sir Wayne Smith won recently?!!
Aged fine, the ABs themselves said they changed their defence to play Ireland. Exactly as suggested in the article - McLeod basically agreed with Nick Bishop
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the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
You and me both. I consistently drill into players that if you're watching the ball you're unaware of the man running an angle into space or a soft shoulder you can't see.
It would be great if someone could actually find a video of these defensive coaches explaining it.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2023:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nice to see it confirmed, still stuck in a defensive time warp
That aged well!
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/why-all-blacks-near-century-wont-have-ireland-or-south-africa-sweating/
The All Blacks will operate their Venus flytrap, dragging the opposition attack wide with the honey of easy pickings, then the jaws will clap shut at the least sign of weakness at the ruck, and the counter-attack begins. It is a formula devised by ‘The Professor’, Wayne Smith, and it has proved its value and stood the test of time.But the times have moved on, and the ghosts of the three wise men, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and ‘Smithy’, stand in the dim distance. The spectres of a decade of Kiwi dominance may just be ripe for exorcism.
Yes sure what has Sir Wayne Smith won recently?!!
Aged fine, the ABs themselves said they changed their defence to play Ireland. Exactly as suggested in the article - McLeod basically agreed with Nick Bishop
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2023:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nice to see it confirmed, still stuck in a defensive time warp
That aged well!
https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/why-all-blacks-near-century-wont-have-ireland-or-south-africa-sweating/
The All Blacks will operate their Venus flytrap, dragging the opposition attack wide with the honey of easy pickings, then the jaws will clap shut at the least sign of weakness at the ruck, and the counter-attack begins. It is a formula devised by ‘The Professor’, Wayne Smith, and it has proved its value and stood the test of time.But the times have moved on, and the ghosts of the three wise men, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and ‘Smithy’, stand in the dim distance. The spectres of a decade of Kiwi dominance may just be ripe for exorcism.
Yes sure what has Sir Wayne Smith won recently?!!
Aged fine, the ABs themselves said they changed their defence to play Ireland. Exactly as suggested in the article - McLeod basically agreed with Nick Bishop
But the writer said "will operate" and that the times had moved on from Smithy. Not so sure.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
You and me both. I consistently drill into players that if you're watching the ball you're unaware of the man running an angle into space or a soft shoulder you can't see.
It would be great if someone could actually find a video of these defensive coaches explaining it.
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
You and me both. I consistently drill into players that if you're watching the ball you're unaware of the man running an angle into space or a soft shoulder you can't see.
One phrase I remember from reading Carwyn James book on coaching (arguably the most influential coach of all time) was: "It's not where the ball is, it's were the ball will or could be"
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Funny and to be fair, this is basically most of us.
https://twitter.com/jaredwright17/status/1714559438860714182
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
You and me both. I consistently drill into players that if you're watching the ball you're unaware of the man running an angle into space or a soft shoulder you can't see.
One phrase I remember from reading Carwyn James book on coaching (arguably the most influential coach of all time) was: "It's not where the ball is, it's were the ball will or could be"
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2023:
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
the ex-player and coach in me really wants to know what "defending the ball" is and how it works. Ball watching is a cardinal sin, so what exactly is the focus?
You and me both. I consistently drill into players that if you're watching the ball you're unaware of the man running an angle into space or a soft shoulder you can't see.
One phrase I remember from reading Carwyn James book on coaching (arguably the most influential coach of all time) was: "It's not where the ball is, it's were the ball will or could be"
And then Ardie walked in for a try as Carwyn was still looking in the stands for where the ball's going to land after the dummy.
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Random Friday afternoon thought, and no idea where to put this.
I think Richie Mo'unga will be the All Blacks first five at the 2027 World Cup.
@frugby said in All Blacks 2023:
Random Friday afternoon thought, and no idea where to put this.
I think Richie Mo'unga will be the All Blacks first five at the 2027 World Cup.
A real possibility his contract in Japan finishes in 2026 he would be 33 by the time the 2027 WC comes around, not old for a test First Five.
Ritchie has also hinted he would like to come back to the Crusaders for a couple of seasons and Razor rates him of course.