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The Rugby Championship 2023
[2014 TRC] Argentina v New Zealand in La Plata (27/09/2014)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 674960" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Right then. A few thoughts on the match. I was pretty happy overall with the AB's performance, but I felt Argentina played right into the AB's hand. The AB's thrive on turnover ball and Argentina duly obliged by turning over the ball time, and time, and time again. I thought we matched Argentina in the scrums, and our lineout functioned well. There were a few concerning aspects about the AB's performance however. Argentina breached our defense far too easily at times - it was only their poor execution that prevented them from scoring a few more tries. Argentina are credited with <a href="http://www.espnscrum.com/the-rugby-championship-2014/rugby/match/207973.html" target="_blank">13 line breaks </a> - that's a lot of line breaks for the AB's to concede. </p><p></p><p>The biggest concern for me was the fact Argentina looked the stronger side at the send of the match. Traditionally once the AB's get a good lead they run away with the match, but in recent times the AB's have faded worryingly in the 2nd half. It is difficult to work out whether this is due to the substitutes or the fading performances of the starters, but I can recall numerous times these last few seasons where we have struggled at the end of games (Wales 2012, In France last year, the 2nd England test this season immediately come to mind). Obviously there are worse problems to have - and it hasn't cost it yet - but it something we need to be careful about.</p><p></p><p>Onto the players....</p><p></p><p>- Franks and Crockett did their jobs. I'm getting more confidence in Crockett every week. Moody again was solid off the bench (which is good given his lack of experience), but he never seems to have a big work-rate on defense....</p><p></p><p>- Mealamu's demise has been greatly exaggerated. He isn't the player he once was, but he had an excellent game in my opinion (a couple of questionably straight lineout throws aside). He must be incredibly hard to tackle, as he always appears to be trying to burrow under the legs of the defense...</p><p></p><p>- Sam Whitelock showed how much he has been missed. He was everywhere. I hope Retallick's injury isn't serious, as we need him versus South Africa.</p><p></p><p>- Kaino made some mistakes and pushed the limits a bit at the breakdown, but his line speed on defense was impressive, and he made one great run with the ball (the NZ commentators confused him with Fekitoa...). McCaw impressed again, particularly at the breakdown. I couldn't believe my eyes when he accelerated through that gap and broke the line! Read made some good hits, but was pretty quiet compared to the other loosies.</p><p></p><p>- A Smith was good again. I was really impressed at his commitment when going for the loose ball, and he dealt well with the scrappy ball he got on occasion (something he doesn't always do). </p><p></p><p>- Barrett was.... ok. He kicked his goals, but the rest of his game was pretty average. He seldom threatened with ball in hand, made a number of handling errors, and his general play kicking wasn't great. I suppose he did make a couple of good kicks - if Savea hadn't been slightly in front of him the AB's would have had a couple more tries...</p><p></p><p>- Fekitoa was impressive. Very impressive. He still is working on his distribution but his passing was better than expecting, he was a threat with ball in hand (as always), and punishing in defense. I would be happy if Nonu played that well in the AB's 12 jersey....</p><p></p><p>- Savea had no right to score the try he did. It was incredible. If he got his timing right he could have scored at least one, possible 2 more. I still think Ben Smith is wasted on the wing, but he had a couple of good touches. Dagg actually played pretty well. He hit the line well on a couple of occasions (both resulting in tries), and his passing was more accurate than usual. Despite this I would still prefer Smith at fullback - imagine how much damage he would do if he had as many touches - and as much space - as Dagg received. If the AB's selectors are going to continue to play Smith on the wing they need to give him a license to roam around a bit more. He is often at his best at first or 2nd receiver, as when he runs with the ball in two hands he can cause a lot of issues for the opposition defense (this skill is far less valuable when he is the last man on the chain on the wing...).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 674960, member: 24910"] Right then. A few thoughts on the match. I was pretty happy overall with the AB's performance, but I felt Argentina played right into the AB's hand. The AB's thrive on turnover ball and Argentina duly obliged by turning over the ball time, and time, and time again. I thought we matched Argentina in the scrums, and our lineout functioned well. There were a few concerning aspects about the AB's performance however. Argentina breached our defense far too easily at times - it was only their poor execution that prevented them from scoring a few more tries. Argentina are credited with [URL="http://www.espnscrum.com/the-rugby-championship-2014/rugby/match/207973.html"]13 line breaks [/URL] - that's a lot of line breaks for the AB's to concede. The biggest concern for me was the fact Argentina looked the stronger side at the send of the match. Traditionally once the AB's get a good lead they run away with the match, but in recent times the AB's have faded worryingly in the 2nd half. It is difficult to work out whether this is due to the substitutes or the fading performances of the starters, but I can recall numerous times these last few seasons where we have struggled at the end of games (Wales 2012, In France last year, the 2nd England test this season immediately come to mind). Obviously there are worse problems to have - and it hasn't cost it yet - but it something we need to be careful about. Onto the players.... - Franks and Crockett did their jobs. I'm getting more confidence in Crockett every week. Moody again was solid off the bench (which is good given his lack of experience), but he never seems to have a big work-rate on defense.... - Mealamu's demise has been greatly exaggerated. He isn't the player he once was, but he had an excellent game in my opinion (a couple of questionably straight lineout throws aside). He must be incredibly hard to tackle, as he always appears to be trying to burrow under the legs of the defense... - Sam Whitelock showed how much he has been missed. He was everywhere. I hope Retallick's injury isn't serious, as we need him versus South Africa. - Kaino made some mistakes and pushed the limits a bit at the breakdown, but his line speed on defense was impressive, and he made one great run with the ball (the NZ commentators confused him with Fekitoa...). McCaw impressed again, particularly at the breakdown. I couldn't believe my eyes when he accelerated through that gap and broke the line! Read made some good hits, but was pretty quiet compared to the other loosies. - A Smith was good again. I was really impressed at his commitment when going for the loose ball, and he dealt well with the scrappy ball he got on occasion (something he doesn't always do). - Barrett was.... ok. He kicked his goals, but the rest of his game was pretty average. He seldom threatened with ball in hand, made a number of handling errors, and his general play kicking wasn't great. I suppose he did make a couple of good kicks - if Savea hadn't been slightly in front of him the AB's would have had a couple more tries... - Fekitoa was impressive. Very impressive. He still is working on his distribution but his passing was better than expecting, he was a threat with ball in hand (as always), and punishing in defense. I would be happy if Nonu played that well in the AB's 12 jersey.... - Savea had no right to score the try he did. It was incredible. If he got his timing right he could have scored at least one, possible 2 more. I still think Ben Smith is wasted on the wing, but he had a couple of good touches. Dagg actually played pretty well. He hit the line well on a couple of occasions (both resulting in tries), and his passing was more accurate than usual. Despite this I would still prefer Smith at fullback - imagine how much damage he would do if he had as many touches - and as much space - as Dagg received. If the AB's selectors are going to continue to play Smith on the wing they need to give him a license to roam around a bit more. He is often at his best at first or 2nd receiver, as when he runs with the ball in two hands he can cause a lot of issues for the opposition defense (this skill is far less valuable when he is the last man on the chain on the wing...). [/QUOTE]
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[2014 TRC] Argentina v New Zealand in La Plata (27/09/2014)
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