The Silver Fern

We are not learning We are not earning the right to go wide. Our forwards are not doing what they should do.

Not close unless there’s an affirmative action agenda for redheads.

@Victor-Meldrew The diagram on the right is a better illustration of what’s going on in Foster’s head and the lack of direction in the all blacks.

Watched the game last night. Nothing wrong with Akira. He was one of the brighter lights. Just did not have any support and it would have been different with Paps at 7. They understand the upright tackles. Why don’t they use him in the lineout? He has been a good option in the past. For my criticism of Retallick he wasn’t bad. Park seem to be able to make meters off the base of the ruck whereas Smith was either contained or reverting to quick passing to his outsides. Irish defense organized so the options for JGB was running hard at 3 players, kicking or moving sideways. No lack of effort. Ofa was taken out by a shoulder to the head by Aki or did I miss something? Ardie did some good stuff but doing too much by himself and isolated.

@African-Monkey Clarke is damn good under the high ball.

I am looking forward to the ABs playing anyone including the Boks or England. We have to find out where we stand and sooner better than later.

There appears to be too much attrition these days at 2nd five and center. SBW and Crotty are prime examples. I do prefer to have defined positions so if ALB is the choice right now then I hope they stick with him and Reiko. More X factor in Reiko than Goodhue. Give them a chance to gel. Same with Sotutu. Throw him in the fire. I don’t like Ardie at 8 and I agree Cane is not the player he used to be. Injured and I don’t see him being their in 4 years so caretaker captain? Ardie will probably fill the void when Cane is injured and 7 is really his position. He did not have a very good north south.

I want to see the ABs play because I like rugby, it’s a new year and hopefully a new approach to our game (I am not convinced with Foster) and foremost I am tired of a virus dictating how we live.

Jordie, Clarke, Reiko, ALB, one of the cantabs, BB, Smith, Sotutu, Cane, Akira, Whitlock, PT, moody, Taylor and Laulala (Moanga, Perenara and Goodhue, Ofa, Coles, Big T, Vaai, Papalii)

@SammyC Although I am not a Crusader supporter I surely don’t want the Jags to win because it will be a good result for rugby. I want the Crusaders to win and perhaps smash them doing it :-).

@gt12 get over yourself. Considering who he was coaching and their injuries he did a pretty good job. So you should direct your anger towards is the New Zealand rugby football union for the safe and stupid selection of Foster when they should have been considering more astute coaches like Rennie. So far as I'm concerned, he's welcome to anywhere back in New Zealand.

@cgrant I lean towards Coles and Taukei'aho myself.

First coach to lower the expectations of the ABs for a good clump of Kiwi's.

That first half performance was the smartest I have seen out of the Blues. Played to their strengths in the forwards, had the Blues going backwards and with no possession then cleaned up when the opportunity arrived. Ioane boys were immense and that was a pretty complete game from Akira. He did everything in his core duties and more. A few will be happy too that there was no lip from him either. Great away win.

@NTA do you know fuck all about soccer but that was pretty educational :-).

Good work by Whitelock too. Not flashy but a good team player.

What’s the point of this thread?

The sad thing about this game is that we could win but everything is still not headed in the right direction.

@Frank said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

Have we ever had two Polynesian locks as the starters?

Who cares. Can they play?

Well behaved Akira and excellent work rate. Would not be out of place in Black with more support around him.

Smith needs to start showing some leader ship. He is the one who sending it wide all the time. Organize the forwards ffs. Isn’t that what a halfback is supposed to do?

Played soccer most of my life but played hooker for Te Kawau at age 11. My soccer skills helped out but I was a weed but brave. When I returned home in my late teens played wing in Nelson and did most of the kicking. My first year playing was interesting. I was targeted because I was a soccer player and the first preseason against Wanderers I got on the bottom of a ruck and some jerks boot was directed towards my face. I was able to avoid and she was on. One of the forwards pulled me away from the scene and said they would take care of things. I learned that you can not tackle without your arms after a classic well timed shoulder to shoulder. I also seemed to incur the wrath of the Rackley brothers except for Jeff who was the brightest bulb in the family and a good guy. Good memories and sorry for waffling.

Not based on the final penalty because I am not here to whinge but Garces is not up to international standards as a referee and I think both sides would agree.