AB performances

[Laney]

That wasn't so great. Poor quality ball from the breakdown destroyed our play again.

Hewett: Played very tight. OK job but having trouble at scrum time

Oliver: Awesome with ball in hand, really powerful. Filled in at scrumhalf well. People are going to give him strife for his throwing, but I only saw one bad throw. The French had a tall back row and jumped really well, this is what disrupted our lineout.

Somerville: I think hes there as a scrummager, and he got pushed about a bit today. Class player, he'll come back stronger. Terrific tackle early in the game.

Jack: Played to his usual high standard.

Williams: Good in the lineouts. Not strong enough in the scrums. Poor option taking turning over possession.

Thorne: I've been convinced. Hes not up to the job of 6 or captain. His ineffectiveness is causing problems at the breakdown. That punch took the cake, absolutely stupid and not the sort of action befitting an AB captain.

McCaw: Awesome as always, except for a few handling errors in the first half.

Collins: Great going forward. Got caught a few times by the French, but his body strength and control means he always presents the ball well. Has trouble at the back of the scrum when its under pressure. Shouldn't have stayed on after being injured (again).

Devine: Good pass. Goes missing quite often. Some poor option taking, needs to get the ball out to 1st 5 more often. Was poorly protected, and got driven back before releasing a number of times. Kelleher showed him up in toughing it out in those conditions.

Spencer: Doesn't control his backline very well. Not a 'general'. Backs seemed very flat and static. Could we see some more backline moves please? Kicking was good. Can be too greedy. Maybe should be playing further out in backline?

Rokocoko: High workrate, tremendous finisher and tremendous pace. Ideal international wing. Problems under the high ball, but this should be easy enough to work on and iron out.

Carter: Playing and kicking fantastically well. Looks set to win 2nd five off of Mauger.

Umaga: Playing below his usual standards. Doesn't have the distribution skills of a natural centre. Sometimes I miss Mark Robinson.

Howlett: All class. Quietish game for him though. I'd hate to be that good and on the right wing with a 1st five with a weak right pass.

Muliania: Has really translated to test football well. Injects himself well from fullback and has great handling skills. I'd like to see how he fares at centre sometime.

Mealamu: Terrific play again, good throwing too (admittedly the French lineout was weaker by this point). Needs to be given a start in 3N.

Meeuws: Strong bastard, great with ball in hand. Seems to be scrumming much better now. Should have earnt a place in the starting lineup.

Thorn: Powerhouse, and improving lineout jumper. Can't see him being risked over 80 though.

Holah: Didn't play long enough to show his wares.

Kelleher: Played pretty well when he came on, much better under pressure than Devine. Can't see him hanging round after Marshall gets back though.

The squad is a pretty good one and they'll be up for it as they bond more over the coming months. But I would make some changes based on what I've seen in these three games.

Maling in for Williams. Just as good in the lineouts, a better scrummager. Doesn't have the handling and running skills, but Jack has those anyway.

Broomhall in for Thorne: move Collins into 6. Broomhall steady at the back of the scrum. Quick off the mark. Hasn't put a foot wrong for the ABs.

If McDonald isn't up to it we need a new fullback. Can't decide between Blair or Cullen. Probably Cullen as he played S12 and Blair is only just back.

Also, Mehrts needs some test match game time. Bring him into the squad, probably for Ralph.

OK, I've spouted enough shit for now I think

[Stripe]

yeah that was a below par performance .. but then again .. that was france .. the opposition. is it just .. what? i dont know .. those guys see black and start playing out of their skins?

their results in argentina might be deceptive. argentina have proved quite difficult to play at home, as nz should well realise. and that side tonight did quite a good job of playing the all blacks. their scrum was stronger and their lineout more dominant. still we held possession and territory advantage pretty easily. what does that MEAN!?

i do think the backline is still not right. i want to see what merhtens will do with this backline. carlos has had three quiet matches by his standards. he is doing the running thing all right but those outside him are suffering from poor supply it seems.

if we shout BRING BACK CULLEN loudly and often enough will he be picked for 3N?

g'nite.

[BlueThunder]

This backline is one of the most promising All Black backlines I have seen for a long time. We are finally beggining to see just how important quick ball is for a backline. All of those tries the All Blacks scored would never have been scored had Marshall been on the field. They were created by quick ball, spread out wide at pace.

This backline plays like an All Black backline should, it is full of pace and flair and the players are not afraid to spread the ball wide. With Devine/Kelleher at halfback and Spencer at firstfive we play to our strengths, that are so obviously outwide.

Howlett: All class. Quietish game for him though. I'd hate to be that good and on the right wing with a 1st five with a weak right pass.

HA! I would like to see what Dougy thinks about playing outside Spencer, they play fucken brilliant together! Right pass or not, they are a fantastic combo.

[Laney]

This backline is one of the most promising All Black backlines I have seen for a long time.

I can't wait for someone to unlock that promise!

OK, Carlos had a hand in all those tries, but if we look at it:
one try was an inside pass to the left wing on the angle, that was created by poor French defence and the pace of howlett, the other two were created by breaks by collins and carter, all carlos did was shift the ball effectively.

I know you want to back your man but hes not playing to the top of his potential.

[Laney]

their scrum was stronger and their lineout more dominant. still we held possession and territory advantage pretty easily. what does that MEAN!?

We're good at winning set pieces and holding on to possession, but not at winning clean and quick ball?

[ugly ref]

I think Spencer has his positives, but I think the malaise of Umaga has a lot to do with Spencer's drifting and ad-libbing with the ball even off set pieces.

Umaga is a guy who needs to run into space and the ball to be fed to him by a guy who can work to a plan, I think Carter suffered vs Wales too but seemed to cope better today.

But SPencer, especially off set pieces needs to use Umaga on the crash more, to look when Umaga is ready off the ball not dribble an off-load out after he's dummied, shimmied and then decided he can't do anything with it.

Otherwise we are not utilising one of our best attacking weapons.

Ugly

[Geeves]

It is good to be able to sit back and enjoy a quality game of rugby without having to worry about who won.  

I would rate this game as the most enjoyable since the Super 12 as there was plenty of give and take with little domination (except for about 20 min when Rokocoko got his three tries) by either side.

It was positive rugby by both sides and after watching England's efforts of killing the ball this style of rugby is far more enjoyable to watch. And I really hope they crash and burn in the RWC.

However, the set peices for all the Tri-Nations sides needs some serious work.  As the other countires they have played (except Wales) have had very solid performing forwards.  This sort of highlights the difference in styles b/w the Tri-Nations sides and the rest of the world that may be due to the points system in the Super12.

[3me]

The All Blacks were looking good when they give their backs a run. I reckon their speedy backs will be lethal against any opposition including the Wallabies. I don't know why the All Blacks didn't scored more tries in the 2nd half but I suppose the French did very well despite the loss. Surprisingly, the French did not concede a lot of silly penalties like they did in Argies. Well, that's French rugby for you, always unpredictable.

[Nathan]

1 reason we didn't score any more tries - Andre Wat"are you talking about"son found a foward pass where one did not exist. Hard to say for sure but I think that try might have killed the French off psycologically if it had been scored.

I'm actually pretty pleased with what I saw last night, although the lineout losses brought back some BAD memories. Let's hope it's just a passing phase.  
Muliaina looked impressive. I wonder if JM will still bring Leon back into the team even if available.

[Stripe]

yeah .. it was a good game to watch from a non-partisan point of view .. or trying to imagine one ... that first 15 minutes by the french was quite impressive ... then us ... second half was a bit messy but a lot to keep everyone entertained ...

[England Jim]

"It was positive rugby by both sides and after watching England's efforts of killing the ball this style of rugby is far more enjoyable to watch. And I really hope they crash and burn in the RWC."


getting pushed around by a second string French team really isn't going to persuade anyone that the AB's have the greatest rugby style in the world.  and certainly isnt going to persuade Woodward to change a record breaking team.  why is it that in this country we can't see what is so entertaining about error strewn performances?  winning (you'll have to trust me) is much more fun.

[Geeves]

Subjective preference there England Jim when I am watching a neutral game.  As I prefered the more open nature of the game b/w France and NZ as the use of the ball was far more creative than the English play.  However, unlike Aus at the moment the Poms are hitting the ball at speed.

But the most creative play I have seen in ages was by the Pumas.  As I find watching the creativity in play more enjoyable than crash and bash. Especially when the Wallabies aren't involved.  

But as you say when your home country is involved, the win is the most important factor.  Like I still remember that 76-0 game in Brisbane.

And please don't confuse me with a kiwi. And I am still going to enjoy the Poms not winning this RWC as I believe the tactics will backfire sooner or latter.

[Tesrof]

My first impression after watching the game on video last night (I missed it live - family are more important) was one of disappointment.  We had no forward control and couldn't protect Devine.  McCaw, Jack and Collins had good games (add in BT when he came on) the rest of the pack showed they're only average.  Thank God for Rokocoko!

Our lineouts were [again] poor.  Time to say Good Bye to Anton Oliver - how many years is it going to take him to learn how to co ordinate his throwing with his jumpers?

Sommerville & Hewett were beaten in the scrums and weren't seen in general play.

Ali Williams - that was the worst I have seen him play.  The commentators say he won 1 lineout!  Hells Teeth - who's deciding where the ball gets thrown.

Reuben Thorne - he made some tackles but spent too much time seagulling around.  When he is in a ruck or maul his body position is terrible - he stands almost verticle looking at what's happening around him rather than trying to control the play (or lead the way by example.)

Carlos - three average games in a row.  Come back Mehrts!

Umaga also had a forgettable game, while Carter seemed to play really well.  Something's not right and it'll take a second viewing to see why Carter had a lot of room and Umaga didn't.  Any ideas?

About 6 months ago we were discussing who our wingers would be.  Howlett & Rokocoko have answered that.  Barring injury someone's going to have to play exceptionally well to displace them.  My fingers are still crossed for Jonah!

Halfback - is it reality that our halfbacks have to put up with opposition forwards in their face?  If our forwards aren't good enough then get Marshall to a faith healer quickly.  Bugger the backs the ball Marshall gets is too slow anyway!

Hopefully I'll feel happier after watching it a second time tonite.

Cheers
T

[cantabulous]

This backline is one of the most promising All Black backlines I have seen for a long time. We are finally beggining to see just how important quick ball is for a backline. All of those tries the All Blacks scored would never have been scored had Marshall been on the field. They were created by quick ball, spread out wide at pace.

This backline plays like an All Black backline should, it is full of pace and flair and the players are not afraid to spread the ball wide. With Devine/Kelleher at halfback and Spencer at firstfive we play to our strengths, that are so obviously outwide.

CRAP!!!!!

They say that the Number 10 is the man who runs the team during the game right??
Forget the captain. He only decides when to kick for penalties or go for touch?

Then Carlos needs a kick up the arse.

How many bloody times does he have to run sideways across the field??
Or throw passes to the inside runners (who go nowhere) time after time!
It would be nice to see the ball given to the midfielders with some space rather than have them try and make something out of what little space Carlos has given them after virtually running them into the sideline.

And his tactical kicking was a bit average, I mean, why the fuck do you just kick the ball aimlessly into the middle of the field (right into the opposition arms) when you are on defence. Should you be trying to relieve the pressure and find touch??
It seems that he forgets when to kick and when to run. He gets in a mindset, either kick all the time or run all the time but can’t mix it up!!

Bring Back Mehrts (BBM)

Or give Mauger or Carter a go at number 10.

How about no Carlos for a game or 2 and have Mauger and Carter at 10 and 12.

Everyone says combinations so why not try that one??

[BlueThunder]

CRAP!!!!!

They say that the Number 10 is the man who runs the team during the game right??

Yes and Spencer did that to perfection in the super 12 and last years NPC, he made the rest of the first fives in  the Southern Hemisphere look stupid,  including Mehrts!!! maybe if Mehrts had some decent gametime he would have been able to prove that his defense and physical side of his game is up to it BUT HE HASNT!
 

How many bloody times does he have to run sideways across the field??
Or throw passes to the inside runners (who go nowhere) time after time!

Umm would that be the time that Spencer ran across field drew in the defense and then unleashed Rocokoco for his second try with a perfect inside pass?

It would be nice to see the ball given to the midfielders with some space rather than have them try and make something out of what little space Carlos has given them after virtually running them into the sideline.

In the Super 12 Spencer has superior players in the midfield, particularly Tuitupou. Maybe Carter isnt up to Tuitupou's standard Mils and Gear tend not to drop the ball as much as Umaga either

And his tactical kicking was a bit average, I mean, why the fuck do you just kick the ball aimlessly into the middle of the field (right into the opposition arms) when you are on defence. Should you be trying to relieve the pressure and find touch??

Maybe you should ask Mehrts that, it is a hallmark of his game

How about no Carlos for a game or 2 and have Mauger and Carter at 10 and 12.

Heres and idea, how about no Cantabs! they (apart from maybe Jack) just aren't up to international standard.

It was the Canterbury/Otago (and Ali ) forwards that let us down against France. Who cares about the backs, the forwards are too lazy to give them decent ball anyway.