He's great. The English trio were much stronger in that first test. Ardie looks a bit hungover from Japan and I think NZ players aren't getting enough of this in super rugby
Really enjoyed this chat. It was a great game. Happy to see England playing so well. Our ABs are going to need a good plan to get over the line again this weekend.
It's good to hear that you guys were very happy with the game, as someone who doesn't watch rugby all that regularly I couldn't help but feel that we were watching sub standard rugby from both teams. I shouted plenty of times at England who ran up in "rush defence" only to then miss critical tackles. I also didn't agree with some of the ref's calls on the scrum. Like I said, I'm no expert, just happy that you guys can point someone like me in the right direction :)
forsyth bar stadium is a really hard place to kick, the wind gets in the open corners and swirls all over the place.. "theres no wind to contend with so why do they miss".
I remember when as soon as halfbacks touch the ball it’s game on now they build a bridge to tarabithia and they have time to make a decision I think this needs to change does my head in make them work for it
England’s issue with CCS and Martin is that if / when they’re injured (which is a part of rugby) England don’t have anyone like either of them waiting to replace them. They’re one-offs. When a NZ / SA / FR freak athlete is injured, the next one steps up…
@@MartinFromIowa I would say though that they did still lose - and that they were winning when CCS came off, but had zero go forward in the last 20 without him. Next week will be interesting. I think Borthwick has spoken before about power being a hard commodity to come by, I’m sure he’s got a long term plan to mitigate it… but jeez, if we had another 2-3 of those guys it sure would be easier!
I’m going to be honest I didn’t know much about some of the English blokes that were named but Jesus, that Blindside flanker they’ve got, Cunningham-South I think his name is… bloody enormous. Not only a massive body but the boy can move, very mobile and explosive. Can see him being the best blindside in the world over this next World Cup cycle. So impressive.
Russell was relieved of kicking duties at Bath earlier on in the season, and then he ended up being the best kicker, and almost flawless, in the six nations. So I don’t think taking a player off kicking duties will necessarily dent their confidence. Sometimes they just need a break from the pressure, which will allow them to practice their technique in training.
Great game…gutted we lost but really pleased for Razor, such a likeable guy & a real breath of fresh air. I do fear for our scrum though and…Eden Park 😢😢😢😢 I’ll take a great performance. Just can’t see us beating the hoodoo but we’ll see
I was at the game. Great atmosphere being the first ABs test of the year, only having 5 days to prep the team and knowing England are a bloody strong team. Shit it was intense! Physical as anygame ive seen in a long time. Cant wait for the next one now the rust has been shaken off!
I expect the AB’s forwards will turn up the heat on the English, if England try to play the same game plan this weekend it will be a big mistake. England need to be innovative and adapt quickly, the All Blacks will have plans in place for the rush defence.. it all starts up front.
A grand stand effort in the first test against formidable giants. A great test for my team and needed so much grunt to get to the finish line. A fine effort to the English but the bigger grunters won the day. Cheers
Jordie and Rieko though played centre in high school rugby if I'm not mistaken. Theirs was more a journey to get back to those positions. Jordie is a beast at 12 - when he was given that opportunity he made sure to make it stick. He made it known that he wanted that position.
I don't think its fair to say we haven't lost much in the back line. Mo'unga, Will Jordan, and Roigard are big losses. I'd also say Aaron Smith but he retired so its different.
None of Mounga or Roigard would have looked any better pinned behind the gain line as per the last game. I’ve seen Mounga in this position before and he looks ordinary when pinned down behind the gain line.
@@markthompson7817 I agree, Roigard and Mo'unga would have looked terrible with these systems as well, completely terrible for rush defense. The blues would have wrecked this england team up front rather than passing slow and deep 2nd passes under pressure putting themselves under even more pressure. McKenzie with amazing scramble under regular needless pressure.
Jordie Barrett played 12 games for Canterbury in the NPC in 2016, I'm sure during that season he played 1st five, 2nd five, and fullback. This was following on from his time at Lincoln University where the university won back to back titles in the Canterbury premier competition. Unfortunately he decided to join Beauden at the Hurricanes rather than sign for the Crusaders.
@@barneyboy2008 Ioane doesn't have the decision making of a top notch centre, but he's 105kg of super fast rugby player. Anton Leinert-Brown and Billy Proctor are better players if you're looking for safer choices for a tight match. Reiko might win the match with his physical brilliance or lose it with a dud decision. AB's lineout might come under some uncomfortable pressure against the Boks with Retallick and Whitelock no longer there.
On the goal kicking - McKenzie has been top notch at slotting his goal kicks through SRP this year and M.Smith is a very good goal kicker. The stadium has a roof and sides but is open at the corners, so you can get some tricky swirls of breeze, and both kickers missing a few suggests the conditions were difficult. Although Smith should have knocked over that penalty.
Jordie Barrett was playing in the centre's and then converted to fullback.....Rieko Ioane was playing in the centre's, then converted to wing.....they are both playing in their preferred/natural positions, 12 and 13.
@@mungoblizzard6114 Just "MY" opinion....Rieko Ioane is a shite 13 who has had chance after chance to prove me and many others wrong. 2019 Rugby World Cup has come and gone....he didn't "shine"....2023 Rugby World Cup has come and gone....he didn't "shine". In fact, All Black supporters are used to their 11s with statistics reading played 10 tests, scored 15 tries ala Joe Rokocoko, Jonah Lomu, Rieko Ioane etc....since Rieko has given up the 11 jersey and RE-verted to 13, well, I believe he would serve All Black Rugby better at 11. Jordie Barrett, well....1.95 m, over 100 kgs....ANYWHERE in the backline please....I'd even give him a go at 9. LOL
I really liked the English team especially the rush defence, but more so the playing what's in front players like the 1st, 15, winger, and the loose forward trio, even though the 6 missed I like his play. For me, I do not have the English negative attitude and like seeing the progress they are making. I agree, post EJ, I see an English identity, style, of play that suits them forming. Eden Park will be something special and we are not taking anything for granted and certain English metal and resolve hasn't changed and up for the battle.
Agree with Andy on the subs (also not a Currie fan, admittedly) and I agree Stewart could be a good center. Unfortunately, at Eden Park, I expect it won’t be so close. They missed a massive chance - and partly due to subs and not having a good place kicker.
hey england, george ford would have beaten us. I really like the fact England have gone with the fast 10 option and hes good for it like bb he has blistering speed, but the first players you pick in your team is ya first choice goal kicker, then your backup goal kicker.
As an England fan, obviously I want to win games. But.. I’d rather lose some close games with some young talent playing like this, and build something better, than play boring limited rugby.
Massive to here English point of viem, great comments . Your full back was emmence. Your team was fresh and the best I seen vs NZ other than RWC 2019 semifinals, but the maybe tired of long season with each other, ours are just starting again I think they will both be better and NZ will be stonger with whoever comes on esp from bench, But Eng bench no impact... other than the 12 year old baby face assassin. AB by 10+
Going more kick-chase missed the lesson from saturday. It was when eng brought the bench on and started kicking away all possession that NZ got on top. Randall a better bench option to keep up the pace imo. Insurprisingly given recent injuries Curry looked off the pace but dont love the alternatives.
I’d argue that Tom Curry is a starter kinda of player. If your bringing a back row on Dombrandt would be better suited due to attacking tired legs which worked for him in the 6nations he also knows CCS and could bring something a bit more different into the back row. Haters can hate he stepped up from when he was poor 🤷♂️
@@booey28 topped the turnover stats when he was first choice 8 before Earl, was the best 8 in the premiership arguably over Mercer and knows Marcus Smith inside out. 🤷♂️
The scrum battle is rarely won by “legal” means. No team is that much stronger or has that much better technique at this level .It’s whoever gets it over the opposition by whatever crafty (illegal) way they do it.
For me, Freeman is good but easy to tackle and takes the ball into contact a lot when it’s not necessary. I would like to see the same squad but Sleightholme to start. Him and Manny on either wing would mean both wingers are hard to put down!
Excellent podcast, agree wth just about everythin u guys said, xcept da scrum, ABs clearly hd da dominant scrum, hw dey got penalised while pushing England bak on their scrum was baffling, not cheatin, just a dominant scrum, KA PAI
With all the prep England had compared to the All Blacks you would think England would have smoked the ABS. The ABS had new coach few new players never played together as a team first hit out and played a good game.
The english props were purposely going backward on the hit to make the nz props overextended, making it look like they're pushing early. Porter was doing the same thing to malherbe, dirty tactics from a front row that was clearly not on the same level.
Don’t forget ABs haven’t won against ENG since 2018 and that was by one point. ENG is a great side, I won’t be surprised if they win this weekend. They are always in for a shot.
I thought it was pretty established that CCS doesn't have the tank to go the full 80 yet. Can't remember where I read it but it wasn't just a theory, I think Quins might have said it as well. I agree, in a perfect world he stays on but I think he was flagging pretty badly. On paper, Curry is a great replacement but he didn't have nearly the impact we needed.
@@plc2866 I don’t think it’s illegal, but it’s certainly not in the spirit of the game. Sure there’s gamesmanship and playing to win…….but there’s also just being a dickhead.
They were obviously just being (condescendingly) respectful to Japan. And NZ was there for the taking, 1 point difference in a match with lots of crap kicking
@@MartinFromIowa you are being kind to the pundits. NZ are at their weakest in the first game of the year, doubly so with such large changes. A 1 point difference is still a loss…same for both of us in the World Cup.
Im going to say it because Jim has a vendetta against him for unfollowing him😂. But Maro has been consistently good for England and sarries since last years six nation, great in the World Cup great for Sarries and this was a fantastic 9/10 performance. He’s one of our most consistent players. He’s set standards so high that a 7/10 performance for him is considered poor
Let's see how they both scrum at Eden Park with a more experienced ref. I rate the NZ front rowers as scrummagers. I think they will have the advantage but not by much. (I'm an Aussie - long suffering WB fan.)
It was such a good game to watch - I disagree with Jim, I was so glad we stuck with the gameplan from the end of the 6-Nations - the one against SA in the RWC was terrible to watch
It means the loose head prop takes a half step out and then comes in on an angle at the opposing tight head prop. The half step is really a very small step. The important part is their hips changing from square alignment to facing in and the flanker on their arse assisting with the drive into the ribs of the opposing THP.
@@Hiltok cheers I'll have to keep an eye out for it. So much dark arts in that front row that the average fan (like myself) isn't aware of. Instead of trying to do away with scrums I think they should focus more on it and get scrum experts in commentary to break down exactly what's going at scrum time. Similar to how they might in NFL or something
@@elhefe808 I agree that scrums deserve some expert commentary to explain the contest. It's a feature of the game and should be celebrated. As an Aussie, I'm continually disappointed in our commentators shrugging. Refs at international level have spent a lot of time training to spot illegalities in scrummaging. Sometimes they get it wrong, but nowhere near as often as people on the sidelines suggest.
I honestly feel England would win more under a better coach, SB makes strange decisions. Only reason we have at last natural speedsters wingers, is because daly could make it, It’s not pro active, it though default.
England is going to... box kick. If that is the only strategy to proactively approach the game (short of opposition error), then good luck beating tier 1 nations regularly. Just like Steve will be looking to influence the refs around scrums, Razor will be influencing around the offside line and speeding up of set piece. I don't think the game was close, NZ varied the attack so much and showed so many pictures they won't know what to prepare for this game. If you break down the stats, territory, possession, line breaks, ABs were a mile ahead. The reality is likely England held on by the skin of their teeth and they were up against a rusty ABs team who have been together 10 days and some guys have not played a game in over a month. Good luck to England this weekend, I really do hope they can cause an upset, it's good for sport, it gets people talking and interested. But they're up against it, they will need as much of that luck as they can get.
People just need to forget about adding the Foster era on to the all blacks history of stats lol those are given’s 🤨 ABs will go back to the modern day old skool way of playing which is a lot faster push the pressure still key players missing fk Japan for stealing Richie Mo lol Need Will Jordan Roigard
Lost the breakdown, yes NZ won a few jackels but the English dominated there in that the breakdown was nearly always in front of their gain line, with possession and without possession, that was huge until the subs came on.
weakness is number 6 finau for me he hasnt impressed much. we are missing Jordan and prob mo. also Retallick. n.z is lacking out n out locks vaii is more like a 6 as you can see by now how many turnovers he gets in every game. scot barret is our version of otojay and every man position type player. but il give you the heads up but Robertson is holding back . it just happened that he won the game but tuned out to be the best thing as he almost lost it, so it felt almost like a loss to n.z huge 'learnings' for want of a better word.
Why do Jordie and Rico play for different super rugby clubs is it to look stupid when they play together for the All Blacks the midfield is the weak link and they did nothing to fix it. Rugby NZ wasted players that could have been greats but never played enough together to build cohesive midfield.
great to hear some positive because usually your all too smug same as big bad and the ugly, I prefer soooo much the others that are out there squidge and rugby analyst, egg chasers. and two cents rugby. you are not as smug as the big the bad...... but being too out spoken is not cool and I dont like it. so much better dudes rather then your smug i know better usual. dig the rugby please and be pleasant. your better them big bad.... keep it up dudes!
NZ in 1st half 40 penalize able cheats, and 23 in 2nd. Why should we not say 4 eyes who does not watch very well. Worst of all minute 15.06 Scott Barritt enters blatently from the side taking out no 7 Underhill at last ruck before Sebu Rees try. Should have been penalty to Eng. and try disallowed ! Result was a huge farce. Pathetic refereeing. Nika Amashukila in WCup allowed Ireland 11 side entries before 12 of their tries v Romenië !
