All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II
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Sami, Ardie, DMac
Next best: Ioane, Moody, Jordie
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@act-crusader said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
Sami, Ardie, DMac
Next best: Ioane, Moody, Jordie
I thought about Dmac but it was mainly because he didn't do anything stupid. I'd have probably given him my fourth or fifth vote (edit: Ardie probably gets fourth as he was very accurate - equally highest number of runs (11) and 9 made none missed), but I went with Sami, Rieko, and Jordie. The first is obvious, the second is to do with his potency on attack (most metres with 97, plus 3 defenders beaten) even though he is still a bit inaccurate, and the third is because Jordie beat more defenders than any other (6), gave two offloads, made the tackles he needed to (3 made, none missed), caught his high balls, and made his kicks. He still does stupid things (that fucking free kick for example) so it wasn't perfect but I thought he showed that he should be at 15 next week.
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@dmx said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
say what you want about Bridge but he might be our best in the air.
He's looked nervous in previous outings but looked far more at home today. Some of his defence and high ball work was top notch.
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@bones said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
Pretty hard to pick on the 1st half - everyone went pretty well.
Went for Hoskins, Ardie and Quinn.
Fuck me. What does Taukieaho have to do to get a vote?
Playing jeopardy on the fern ?
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@bovidae said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
Good to see some love for Taukei’aho. JB, despite his brain explosion, and DMac for me. Blackadder was busy but he had the Ta$man PR machine in commentary which made him look better than he actually was.
Jesus, TJ was a hard listen. I think that triggered a few of the responses - seeing someone do something reasonable, and hearing the thrash wank that follows is enough to turn people off.
Overall, a really solid perfroamnce, particularly the first 48 min. Physicality was great, teh teamwork was really reallys trong. DMac was very very solid at 10; for a utility he can play there again.
JB has nailed the 15 spot. So big, so strong, so physical. Big workrate too.
Jordan and Bridge are like polar opposites - one flashy, but weak-ish on D, and creates incredibly well. The other is generally solid, but a less gangly Zac Guildford. Both with plenty to work on, but of the two Will has a far higher ceiling.
12 was very very good fora first outing. One thing I like about Foster is he seems to be getting in the 9's ears to just throw balls quickly and fast. When he focusses on passing, TJP is just fine - and Christie looked very rusty coming back from a long layoff.
Loose depth is exceptional. Ardie is outstanding, and height/bulk limited. PLays above his weight though. Sotutu is coming on, second season dips are common. Has the attributes. Blackadder is already better than his dad, but with the same work ethic. Bit more accuracy and he'll be bloody good. Still a wee way behind LJ and AI though.
PT is very disappointing at this level. Id on't know why, it's got to be mental; when he plays that big abrasive style he's dynamite, but he just seems to go missing in black. Va'ai was very solid, selectors have done well there.
Hookers doing very very well in out search fora post-Taylor/Coles future. The depth chart just ballooned, and that is sensational. As for props, we seem to be in a really good place right now, with plenty of competition.
OVerall, very very happy with the last few weeks. I still don't think reappointing Foster was a good move on his body of work at the time, but if you offered him now, most people would acknowledge what he's done. This team is playing well, much much better than last year. Really only 20 tests or so to the RWC, so I don't think many will be forcing their way in from outside the squad.
Taking us back to World no 1, and effectively sewing up the RC with two rounds to go is good work.
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@nepia said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
I definitely have to check out Ardie's game on my rewatch because on first watch he didn't stand out to me and I wouldn't have him near the MOTM poll voting but I see a number of posters are picking him in the thread.
I agree with you - don't think he was spectacular
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@nzzp said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
@nepia said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
I definitely have to check out Ardie's game on my rewatch because on first watch he didn't stand out to me and I wouldn't have him near the MOTM poll voting but I see a number of posters are picking him in the thread.
I agree with you - don't think he was spectacular
Me either I thought he was a bit quiet.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
@act-crusader said in All Blacks MOTM v Argentina II:
Sami, Ardie, DMac
Next best: Ioane, Moody, Jordie
I thought about Dmac but it was mainly because he didn't do anything stupid. I'd have probably given him my fourth or fifth vote (edit: Ardie probably gets fourth as he was very accurate - equally highest number of runs (11) and 9 made none missed), but I went with Sami, Rieko, and Jordie. The first is obvious, the second is to do with his potency on attack (most metres with 97, plus 3 defenders beaten) even though he is still a bit inaccurate, and the third is because Jordie beat more defenders than any other (6), gave two offloads, made the tackles he needed to (3 made, none missed), caught his high balls, and made his kicks. He still does stupid things (that fucking free kick for example) so it wasn't perfect but I thought he showed that he should be at 15 next week.
I wouldn't vote DMac either, didn't make many obvious mistakes, however the guy constantly runs to close to the line before passing and was still obvious in the second half, by doing so completely ruins any fluid backline move and doesn't allow his centres and wings enough opportunity. If the defence comes up quick out wide then you have no option but he completely takes options out of play at ten.
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Funny how we all see (or don't see) different things.
I went for Blackadder because of his industry and effort. Throwing yourself around like he did will result in a few errors but on the whole was a big contributor to the tackle area and allowing us to play how we wanted.
Taukeiaho for similar reasons. Got us going forward at the right moments.
My third went to TJP. Have never been a big fan but he has seemingly matured while in Japan and has stopped basing his game on talking. Has stepped up big time in Smith's absence.Reading some of the other comments I do wonder if some here actually watch what DMac has done in the last two games or are simply waiting for him to do a 'told you so' . His distribution is crisper and hitting the right spot way more than BB or RM have been doing. I still place him at third in the pecking order but I'd love to be in the backs with him passing. He puts the ball right in front of where you want to be running at the right moment. His timing and vision in that regard are excellent. That's a massive part in asking questions of the defence and tiring them out. BB in comparison tends to pass at the man.
I suspect that the coaches have pointed out to DMac that is his best point at this level and that he'll contribute more to the team concentrating on that than looking for knockout punches where others aren't necessarily on the same page.
I think he and Jordan are developing the kind of understanding that he used to have in Super with James Lowe, which if true, could give us some excitement. -
I'll have to rewatch it but Samsoni was attracting several defenders at a time, not going backwards and solid with ball security, given last week they gave Akira a lot of 2 tackler attention it would be rather mouthwatering to see them both on the field.
