The Silver Fern

The Brumbies were on fire but too many journeymen in that Chiefs line up. Some of the basic defensive positioning was dire. The intent you couldn't fault but the rugby IQ was seriously missing.

If you are going to take out those two blokes, you'd better take an elephant gun with you. Os is one of my favourite Boks of all time.

Farrell...., well...if that isn’t white privilege I don’t know what is.

On Mr. Hemepo, everytime I have seen him in black he looks the goods. The "wise" selectors went with other options that were just baffling to be honest. A physical 6 who is industrious with a big ticker......nah too obvious.

@mikethesnow said in Ireland Vs All Blacks:

An aside, how id Kearney escape a yellow?

Common sense

Barnes was really good except that imaginary forward pass. Common sense with the aerial battle and thought he didn't let the crowd get to him too much. Those penalties in the last part of the 1st half were so dumb from the ABs they should have been yellow for "retarded play".
Akira is not being picked exactly because of the nature of the game last night. If that comment needs further explanation then you need to go back and watch Akira play without the blinkers on.
It is obvious to most except us AB fans that the team is in decline. Some of the pre-game analysis from the more knowledgeable NH punters was spot on.

This was not a game for 2018 Akira at all.

ALB and Goodhue are the next long term midfielders if they ever get a chance to form a combo.

And the panic ensues......
Better team won today hands down. Irish forwards a cut above ABs especially the loosies. Read and BBBR were really, really poor. Headless chook stuff when composure and tight test match strategy was needed. Actually, Ireland were such a better team tonight that I am not even fussed. Just nodded and clapped my hands.

Sorry but you can’t start your run from the middle of the ruck. You have to start from the last man's feet, right? No try.

@sparky said in Japan vs All Blacks:

Hemopo had a good game and is worth another run in Black at some point. He might edge out Patrick Tuipulotu or Pari Pari Parkinson for the RWC squad fourth lock spot.

You are kidding, aren't you? Hemopo might edge out Pat T? Surely anyone can see Hemopo adds so much more than Pat T.

@kiwimurph said in Japan vs All Blacks:

**Mounga, Tahuriorangi and Coles seemed to be the best of the starters. Mounga and Coles need to be in the 23 next week.

Evans and Bridge best of the bench. Would like to see how both of them would go with a start but they are back to NZ unfort.**

Some great tries by Japan. Concerns remain on defence for ABs. A lot of one on one misses. I lost count of how many tackles Naholo missed.

Jordie is lucky to be in the 32 for Europe. I'm not sold fullback is his best position.

This sums it up for me as well. Jodie is only 21 so I think he&ll make a few people eat their words in the future. Not at the moment tho...

SA by 15

You all sound like those two old judges off the Muppets. Looking forward to this. Love seeing some of the next generation come through.

Watching Akira closely. Canterbury almost get a turnover because Akira is the first to the ruck but just watches everyone else do their job. The ball spills lose and he kicks it ahead causing havoc. What an enigma!

@machpants said in AB EOYT 2018:

You don't need a Japanese passport to play rugby for Japan, passports are irrelevant to World Rugby rules. He was born there he's eligible according to WR. The Japanese RU might have their own rules, like France do now, I dunno.

Didn't know that!

Relax guys..... geez...Japanese passports aren't given away willy-nilly. It is based on parentage not where you were born / or any other common sense criteria.

FFS Akira is only 23. When did Kaino become a regular starter?

On the less controversial side, that is a very strong propping squad.

I sent a mail to my family in NZ straight after the game saying, "Don't stop believing....oooh oooh" and now everyone from the AB coach to here on the forum are quoting the same thing.
Was a classic ding-dong highveld game against the traditional brutal foe. I loved it. The Blue Bulls (one of the best names in sports history...makes me laugh anyway) at their peak and the Boks of yesteryear played a type of game that can only be described as "blitzkrieg." High intensity, big buggers running straight, tactical kicks for the corners, never letting the opponents get organized etc. We saw a return to that last night. How many teams have been completely buried by a motivated SA side. Last night the ABs hung in there and eventually came out on top. Lucky but we'll take it.
Some thoughts I have been having recently. Big Karl T and Franks are too similar type players to play together. Big units who are strong at set piece and and do the core duties well. But not big carriers and can be exposed defensively by more fleet footed players. Moody+Franks or Karl T+ Ofa etc seem a better balance esp. defensively.
They need a 6 with a big defensive shoulder in the mould of Collins/Kaino with some go forward. I keep thinking maybe Cane is the answer there now with the resurrection of Ardie. Any chance of enticing Vermeulen to NZ?
Scott Barrett doesn't get the love he deserves on here. Big motor and doesn't take a step back. Good back up for the two greats we have at the moment.
ALB and Goodhue need to be played together to develop a combo. To my mind they are the future and the future is here.
Richie running the cutter, BFA and Rieko on the wings and Beauden Barrett at fullback needs to be tried as well.