All Blacks 2023
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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?
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.
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i really hope he doesnt just walk back into the crusaders/AB's, Id hope over 4 years we have the next our guys coming through, come back and earn it...great? come back and handed it because no one else has stepped up? worrying
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i really hope he doesnt just walk back into the crusaders/AB's, Id hope over 4 years we have the next our guys coming through, come back and earn it...great? come back and handed it because no one else has stepped up? worrying
@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2023:
i really hope he doesnt just walk back into the crusaders/AB's, Id hope over 4 years we have the next our guys coming through, come back and earn it...great? come back and handed it because no one else has stepped up? worrying
I don't necessarily think it is as simple as that, but if you look at the current 10s, who will be the ones we are looking at over the next four years, I don't have any great conviction in any of them.
Blues:
Perofeta - Is he a 10? Is he good enough anyway?
Sullivan - Quality potential, but again, is he a 10?
Cashmore - Not seen enough, but unlikely to be that goodChiefs:
McKenzie - Will get first crack, and will in theory be the man in the interim, but how will he go when he loses a yard of pace... massively reliant on it
Ioane - No
Trask - Don't think soHurricanes:
Morgan - No
Cameron - Maybe? Hasn't really done it yet, perhaps next year is his year, but hardly strikes confidence, and isn't actually that youngCrusaders:
Burke - Potential, needs a big Super season, then we will see. Could be a squad option, but doesn't give me the vibe of a top All Black 10
Kemara - The fact the Chiefs didn't really want him might well speak volumes
Reihana - NoHighlanders:
Millar - Similar to Burke, but obviously less proven, and can't stay fit
Faleafaga - Reads the game exceptionally well, and is probably the best running 10 of any of the real up and comers, but his kicking game is massively lackingObviously there are Jacombs and others, but we are talking about a guy to be the All Black first five. Look at the recent All Black 10s, then look at those ones. Think it is entirely possible nobody fills the void, Mo'unga comes back, and has a good Super season, and fairly waltzs back in.
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2023:
i really hope he doesnt just walk back into the crusaders/AB's, Id hope over 4 years we have the next our guys coming through, come back and earn it...great? come back and handed it because no one else has stepped up? worrying
I don't necessarily think it is as simple as that, but if you look at the current 10s, who will be the ones we are looking at over the next four years, I don't have any great conviction in any of them.
Blues:
Perofeta - Is he a 10? Is he good enough anyway?
Sullivan - Quality potential, but again, is he a 10?
Cashmore - Not seen enough, but unlikely to be that goodChiefs:
McKenzie - Will get first crack, and will in theory be the man in the interim, but how will he go when he loses a yard of pace... massively reliant on it
Ioane - No
Trask - Don't think soHurricanes:
Morgan - No
Cameron - Maybe? Hasn't really done it yet, perhaps next year is his year, but hardly strikes confidence, and isn't actually that youngCrusaders:
Burke - Potential, needs a big Super season, then we will see. Could be a squad option, but doesn't give me the vibe of a top All Black 10
Kemara - The fact the Chiefs didn't really want him might well speak volumes
Reihana - NoHighlanders:
Millar - Similar to Burke, but obviously less proven, and can't stay fit
Faleafaga - Reads the game exceptionally well, and is probably the best running 10 of any of the real up and comers, but his kicking game is massively lackingObviously there are Jacombs and others, but we are talking about a guy to be the All Black first five. Look at the recent All Black 10s, then look at those ones. Think it is entirely possible nobody fills the void, Mo'unga comes back, and has a good Super season, and fairly waltzs back in.
@frugby ...you might be giving my 2 line post too much credit....i dont know...i would just HOPE that over 3 years we'll develop an international standard 10...because if we done...and he's in japan...then we could be in for a rough few years
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@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.
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris move on he be finished by then, new guys will come thru as they always do
I don’t see see any now and the u/20 first fives from 2023 are shit.
They better come along soon you don’t want a first or 2nd year rookie leading your WC campaign at first five, it takes experience,as proven in other world cups.
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris move on he be finished by then, new guys will come thru as they always do
I don’t see see any now and the u/20 first fives from 2023 are shit.
They better come along soon you don’t want a first or 2nd year rookie leading your WC campaign at first five, it takes experience,as proven in other world cups.
@Chris said in All Blacks 2023:
the u/20 first fives from 2023 are shit
I assume you see Harry Godfrey only as a fullback then, because he was class when he took over from Kemara at 10. Did Faleagaga even get a shot at 10? All I remember is Kemara disappointing.
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2023:
the u/20 first fives from 2023 are shit
I assume you see Harry Godfrey only as a fullback then, because he was class when he took over from Kemara at 10. Did Faleagaga even get a shot at 10? All I remember is Kemara disappointing.
Yep I see Godfrey as a FB mainly, his ability to run from the back is a threat which I like.
Faleagaga didn’t impress me much in the NPC.
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@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.
