All Blacks vs Pumas I
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Talk about a game of two halves. The Argies are one of my favourite non-AB test teams and they came to play with physicality speed creativity and confidence. The first half was test rugby at its best, but once the subs came on we flicked the switch and pulled away. So many guys had great games, BB is on an all world level, I thoroughly enjoyed the match. The Argies must have thought "WTF happened?" at the final whistle
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Forwards were mixed.
Excellent scrum. Couple of bad long throws by Coles but in general secure and no problems with Puma maul.
But in loose we struggled.
Agree, without watching replay, that it seemed Joubert had very loose definition of tackle/release. We released promptly and had ball stolen (clean out wobbly). Pumas often didn't release and went again. Only saw it penalised after about 65?!
No wonder Nuggett was doing a Moore.
But in terms of physicality our starting front row seemed second best. Pumas treated pick and go like gridiron scrimmage and often knocked guards back several metres. Cumulative impact was to gain 20 metres or more over phases.
Bench front row seemed to rectify that, as Puma cattle started blowing.
Thought a few starters looked jaded -- front row, Coles in particular -- and Reid was quiet by his standards.
Cane again huge, but Savea also brings on his own blend of catch/stop me if you can.
Kaino had a number of 'where you think you going boy?' moments -- love it! -
good game of footy. coles below his best, outplayed by creevy. kaino was excellent, there was some dodgy defence on the inside ball from their 10, crotty very bloody good again, fekitoa okay - and that was a fucking great pass off the deck that put savea away. ben smith so good, savea looking better, barrett stays starting no question now.
the argies have got better. in the world cup they lost games because of their lack of control in the ruck - and that has definitely improved. they still make too many mistakes, but their adventure is great to watch, and will see them get better and better, and hopefully tear some teams apart - they certainly had their moments against our defence. no real dirt from them either, good to see. -
Pumas -- that was the best display against us this year. Kudos.
Respect and thanks for a great test.
Make sure you give the Wombats a ringbarking they'll never forget.
@pakman said in All Blacks vs Pumas I:
Pumas -- that was the best display against us this year. Kudos.
Respect and thanks for a great test.
Better than Wales in the 2nd test?
5 minutes into the 2nd half when the ABs upped the tempo and Cane and Read started ramping up the physicality, I thought the Argies were going to really struggle to keep up.
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Kearns is a c*nt. He said he loved the shoulder charge from Coleman in Bled 2.
What message does that send to a kid at home? Illegal play, sorry dangerous illegal play, is to be commended? He alluded to during Bled 2. I think the time has come for the guy to go. He hates NZ and now his opinions are potentially dangerous for the game.
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@Rocky-Rockbottom said in All Blacks vs Pumas I:
Poor Cruden, hasn't put a foot wrong yet he’s stuck there playing pocket pool in the flaming tire-tracked carpark waiting for Marty to come back from the future
That shot of his face after the Beauden-Crotty try... he had that mix of "YES!!! All Blacks Try!" and "Shit, well - that's me on the bench forever"
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@Bones said in All Blacks vs Pumas I:
@Siam mate you're having a mare. Wrong thread and Heyneke?
Yeah mate slight navigation issue...
The heyneke mention pertains to what Alister has achieved, or rather not
