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Rugby Union
The Rugby Championship 2023
[2016 Rugby Championship] New Zealand v Argentina (10/09/2016)
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<blockquote data-quote="smartcooky" data-source="post: 816134" data-attributes="member: 20605"><p>I don't think it was quite as simple as that. </p><p></p><p>In the first half it soon became clear that the Pumas had worked out All Blacks defensive game plan, and they countered it very effectively. The All Black forwards were standing off the rucks and breakdowns and spreading out along the offside line, and the result was that, when the Pumas took the ball into contact, there were no All Blacks contesting, the Pumas correctly identified the centre of the breakdown as a weak spot so when they cleared the ball there was no defense close in on the fringes. They were able to pick and drive through the middle (the movement that led to their opening try started when a Pumas player hurdled his own player at the breakdown!). This resulted in a lot of pressure on Aaron Smith to do a lot of the tackling it. When the All Blacks took the ball into contact there was little cover, so we gave up a lot of turnovers. It was noticeable that there were a number if backs Crotty, Fekitoa & Ben Smith) getting in and doing the forwards jobs at the breakdown. It was so obvious that even the commentators remarked on it.</p><p></p><p>Even after they no doubt got a bollocking from Shag at half time, the plan didn't seem to change straight away, but then Sam Cane started really getting himself involved in the breakdowns Then he got injured and Ardie carried on. Shag pulled Aaron Smith (who wasn't having a good game) about 10 minutes earlier than he usually does, and his replacement, Perenara, began running the breakdown and getting more of his forwards involved. This was key in turning the match... suddenly the All Blacks were getting quick ball without the Pumas spoiling it and turning it over. With the commitment of extra players, the Pumas forwards were drawn in, so gaps began to appear in their defence, and our backs, particularly Barrett, exploited those gaps ruthlessly.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="smartcooky, post: 816134, member: 20605"] I don't think it was quite as simple as that. In the first half it soon became clear that the Pumas had worked out All Blacks defensive game plan, and they countered it very effectively. The All Black forwards were standing off the rucks and breakdowns and spreading out along the offside line, and the result was that, when the Pumas took the ball into contact, there were no All Blacks contesting, the Pumas correctly identified the centre of the breakdown as a weak spot so when they cleared the ball there was no defense close in on the fringes. They were able to pick and drive through the middle (the movement that led to their opening try started when a Pumas player hurdled his own player at the breakdown!). This resulted in a lot of pressure on Aaron Smith to do a lot of the tackling it. When the All Blacks took the ball into contact there was little cover, so we gave up a lot of turnovers. It was noticeable that there were a number if backs Crotty, Fekitoa & Ben Smith) getting in and doing the forwards jobs at the breakdown. It was so obvious that even the commentators remarked on it. Even after they no doubt got a bollocking from Shag at half time, the plan didn't seem to change straight away, but then Sam Cane started really getting himself involved in the breakdowns Then he got injured and Ardie carried on. Shag pulled Aaron Smith (who wasn't having a good game) about 10 minutes earlier than he usually does, and his replacement, Perenara, began running the breakdown and getting more of his forwards involved. This was key in turning the match... suddenly the All Blacks were getting quick ball without the Pumas spoiling it and turning it over. With the commitment of extra players, the Pumas forwards were drawn in, so gaps began to appear in their defence, and our backs, particularly Barrett, exploited those gaps ruthlessly. [/QUOTE]
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[2016 Rugby Championship] New Zealand v Argentina (10/09/2016)
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