All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test

[Tim]

Interesting that Ireland have done the exact opposite of their game plan of the last few years.

Our kicking game is much better tonight, and Gibson-Park has been terrible.

[Kirwan]

The good news with this lead is they put PGS out at six for a lot of minutes, move SB back into lock.

[kev]

@Kirwan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

This is amazing really

I can't tell you what we've done well, and we're hammering them

In the end only points matter

BB and JB kicked to keep them pinned back. The forwards upped the linespeed, and started tackling with some venom, we are passing around their defence and there is space.

We look fitter, and we are winning the scrum battle.

BB kicking still aimless, but shines in general play.

[broughie]

@mariner4life Agree and disagree. We get high on these wins but if this was SA and there was a forward and territorial battle would the result be the same? We do well in the helter skelter game but what about when it counts?

[No Quarter]

Ireland couldn't maintain their intensity for more than even 20 minutes. I thought they'd go at least 50 minutes but they looked gassed at the end there and the penalties started mounting.

ABs definitely started growing in confidence, Tupaea led the way there for the backs and the rest followed. Some really classy touches from Beauden as well, people massively over state how bad his punting is. It's not a strength but he can boot the hall 60m+ no worries, near the start he won the game of force back with a long kick into space and got us on the front foot.

Looking for a much more accurate second 40 to really put them to the sword.

[Bones]

O'Gara sounds like he wants to cry.

[Old Samurai Jack]

Tight five are doing their job. Ireland are swimming around at the lineouts and there is no clear separation when they attack the ball so the refs interpretations are keeping Irish forward pack in it.

[Frye]

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Ireland go to shit when Sexton is not there and now he failed the hia. Does that mean he's out for next weekend too?

Oh no, are we in for two weeks of Could'o'Doid the sequel?

Marshall saying Cane hit Sexton on the chin without mentioning that Sexton had fallen about a foot and was 6 inches off the ground lol.

There's got to be better commentators out there.

[Kirwan]

@Frye said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Ireland go to shit when Sexton is not there and now he failed the hia. Does that mean he's out for next weekend too?

Oh no, are we in for two weeks of Could'o'Doid the sequel?

Marshall saying Cane hit Sexton on the chin without mentioning that Sexton had fallen about a foot and was 6 inches off the ground lol.

There's got to be better commentators out there.

Mils would be fine as a replacement.

[Donsteppa]

I'm not normally a fan of one-sided hidings, but after the last few years against the Irish, I would take great delight if this game could turn into a cricket score in the second half.

5 down is basically Mitchell and Blundell batting together anyway...

[canefan]

Wow. After a slow start we came on strong. I want to see us control our breakdowns. No more Irishmen walking through the ruck to take our ball

[Toddy]

@Frye Yeah, was a good call from the ref/video ref as it was definitely a 'rugby incident'. Fluffybunny was almost on the ground.

[Victor Meldrew]

The things which impressed me is how they weathered the pressure, kept calm, and when they go some momentum, were really precise and pretty much error free. Big change change from last year - and this is the first test of the year when they are normally rusty.

Reiko is doing a lot of communicating, QT is really solid and calmness personified. AS is having a blinder, our D is good and our scrum has the wood on the Irish.

Still only half-time, but way, way better than I expected.

[Kirwan]

Really happy to see that speed from AS.

[canefan]

Can I say Scott Barrett is having a good game?

[Stockcar86]

@number9 said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

That last 20 minutes was much better from the ABs.

First 20 minutes - playing how the coaches told them
Last 20 minutes - playing their natural game

[kiwiinmelb]

Tupaea looks ok

[Frye]

@Kirwan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Frye said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Ireland go to shit when Sexton is not there and now he failed the hia. Does that mean he's out for next weekend too?

Oh no, are we in for two weeks of Could'o'Doid the sequel?

Marshall saying Cane hit Sexton on the chin without mentioning that Sexton had fallen about a foot and was 6 inches off the ground lol.

There's got to be better commentators out there.

Mils would be fine as a replacement.

I'd prefer KT but would take Mils.

[mariner4life]

Nice outfit for the rugby Te Nana FFS

Did he come straight from the races?

[Nepia]

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Tight five are doing their job.

Yeah, I don't think they've been as bad as a read through of this thread would suggest.