RWC: All Blacks v South Africa (Pool B)

[Bones]

@pukunui said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

Decent team. A few surprises.

Still don’t think dropping the world best winger is a good idea. Lets hope Reece and ridge can live up to the hype. Will be interesting to see how Reece copes under the high ball.

Isn't it amazing how just one letter can completely change a team?

[Siam]

Big battle of little halfbacks for an hour or so

[sparky]

An error not to pick Reiko Ioane IMHO. Great try scoring record against the Boks.

[taniwharugby]

@dogmeat said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

Goodhue's the other that's fallen out of favour.

not so sure, Goodhue has only played what, 9 tests? SO while he has appeared tha heir apparent for the past 2 years, he has played buggar all.

I expect they prefer ALB who is a bit more explosive going forward

If it was a final rather than a pool match I wonder if this side would be much different against same opposition?

[Nepia]

@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

An error not to pick Reiko Ioane IMHO. Great try scoring record against the Boks.

I agree, but maybe his calf injury is playing up still? Someone is claiming that on PR.

I still think there was too much luck involved for Bridge and Reece - if they'd been selected for the Perth game things might not be going so well for them ... and likely little to do with them too.

Anyway, we know that Hansen likes to take a punt on "unknown" wings - he did the same at the last RWC.

[Bovidae]

Compared to the AB team that played SA in Wellington only 5 starters remain (Moody, Whitelock, Read, Mo’unga and B Barrett). 16 players in the 23. A different picture for the Boks.

[African Monkey]

@Bones I'd prefer Frizell off the bench too against this mob. We need size against these guys and we have that coming off the bench with Patty and Frizell there.

[Bones]

@African-Monkey said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

@Bones I'd prefer Frizell off the bench too against this mob. We need size against these guys and we have that coming off the bench with Patty and Frizell there.

I reckon we get a bit too carried away with the size thing. Frizell's running game will be very handy in the final quarter, he runs good lines and is great at finding holes. I'd say he'll replace Cane.

I like Tuipulotu off the bench, I think it really suits him - I get the feeling he's got a good rugby mind so a bit like Weepu used to he uses what he's seen to his benefit. Plus my overriding impression/memory of him is coming off the bench and stealing a lineout.

[taniwharugby]

@Bovidae and while it is a running joke, I do genuinely think we were keeping our powder dry up until Bled 2, where we had little choice but to roll out some big changes that we were hoping to hold off until RWC.

Thats not to say the Bokke wont have improved either and not have been holding back themselves.

[raznomore]

I would have preferred BB come on later and have Ben From Accounts start.

I like Reece & Bridge and SBW on the bench. He's better in broken play when the defence is tired as is BB.

[raznomore]

@sparky I just think Reiko has been a bit limited and while I think he's still our best wing when in form he's currently 3rd in the pecking order IMO.

[Frank]

@Nepia
Reiko Ioane didn't actually play that well for the ABs in 2018, let alone 2019.

[African Monkey]

@Bones Yes I see Frizell coming on for Cane too. I see the thinking with Todd there but personally prefer having the bigger man on the bench.

Tuipulotu is a very good bench option, always has been. It virtually been that last test against the Aussies where he showed what he's capable of. I prefer him over Scott Barrett in most aspects but Barrett is probably slightly more reliable come lineout time so yeah, can see why Barrett is starting. Happy to see Patty come on with 20-25 to go though.

[Bovidae]

@taniwharugby said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

@Bovidae and while it is a running joke, I do genuinely think we were keeping our powder dry up until Bled 2, where we had little choice but to roll out some big changes that we were hoping to hold off until RWC.

Agreed, but like @Nepia I don't think Bridge and Reece were their first-choice wingers at the start of the RC. Circumstances, form and taking their opportunities have meant the plans have changed. I was fully expecting Hansen to be more conservative and start BFA in this game.

[Chris B.]

Radiosport played a clip from the press conference saying that Matt Todd has a shoulder injury - could have played in a knock out match, but they're not risking him for this.

[taniwharugby]

@Bovidae yeah the Bridge/Reece thing is surprising given the quality of ball they got vs the Perth backs.

I was more meaning the dual pivots and showing a bit of our hand that was forced on us after the Perth debacle.

[pukunui]

@Bones said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

@pukunui said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

Decent team. A few surprises.

Still don’t think dropping the world best winger is a good idea. Lets hope Reece and ridge can live up to the hype. Will be interesting to see how Reece copes under the high ball.

Isn't it amazing how just one letter can completely change a team?

Sorry, Breece and Ridge.

[Tim]

Would prefer Taylor, Tuipulotu, and SBW starting.

[Bones]

@Chris-B said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

Radiosport played a clip from the press conference saying that Matt Todd has a shoulder injury - could have played in a knock out match, but they're not risking him for this.

Yeah yeah, sure he did.

Only the first game and Frizell already gets his chance to start tearing it up. Who would've thought?

[Chris B.]

That must be the smallest set of starting backs we've fielded in a very long time. Against a major team anyway.

ALB and Bridge the biggest at 96kgs.

Smith, Mo'unga and Reece all less than 90kgs.