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Tri Nations 2009-2011
Tri Nations: Springboks - All Blacks @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (20-8-2011, 15:05)
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<blockquote data-quote="Larksea" data-source="post: 432601" data-attributes="member: 43875"><p>I agree, sure the NZ public will be realistic about it but the AB's coaches and players won't use that as an excuse. The AB's under henry have never lost a game when they have rested players as far as I can remember and they won't want to start now.</p><p></p><p>All Blacks have the tallent to win, it comes down to the combinations fireing and players proving their potential.</p><p></p><p>The loose forwards need to fire, Thompson and Messam in particular but also Kaino who is a great player but sometimes lacks consistancy. I'm hoping for a massive game from Messam, he has all the skills, he's very physical, he can smash forwards on defence and he can run backs over or swat them off if they get in his way. He's strong at the breakdown pushing over the ball, creates havoc when he has space and players running off him out wide and his workrate is 2nd to none - he's a rare type of player that can do what's needed. If a team needs to defend he will top the tackle count or in open games he will be the top ball carrier and line breaker in the forwards all that and he's never injured no matter what happens he gets straight back up. But it's really important he puts a performance in on the park to prove that and give him confidence going into what will be the most important period of his professional life. I have a good feeling about messam I think he's looking very fit after spending a lot of time getting into shape since the super15 finished - I have a hunch he's been targeting this game for a big performance.</p><p></p><p>IMO Other players who are under a bit of pressure.</p><p></p><p>Hosea Gear - is the only one of the wing options not to impress so far, he can't afford a quiet game. When a game isn't going the way of players like Zac, Jane, Toeava, Sivivatu they go and find it Gear doesn't, he seems to wait for it to come even if he waits the whole 80.</p><p></p><p>Sam Whitelock - he was a big find last year but so far this year since his injury he hasn't been himself. I think in his last start he carried the ball 3 times for 3 meters, he's not winning a hell of a lot of lineout ball and he's been beaten in the tackle count and breakdown work by the likes of Crockett and the Franks brothers. So far the best way I can describe his game is he runs around being average or below in all areas. He needs to step up becuase I dont believe Boric or Donnelly would be that quiet.</p><p></p><p>Tony Woodcock - he's been out for months, he says he's now pain free but to me he looked well down on condition as good and experienced as he is the AB's shouldn't carry him through the WC if he can't do the job and to me he didn't look good enough in his ITM cup comeback.</p><p></p><p>SBW - this is his chance to silence his critics (again) his combination with Kahui has pretty awesome potential. Kahui is just the kind of player that will thrive outside SBW if he gets the offloads working (another is israel dagg - look for that during the game).</p><p></p><p>Toeava - has looked strong in ITM without burning the house down. Needs to lift his game to the next level - he's been groomed for years and now is his time to repay the faith.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Larksea, post: 432601, member: 43875"] I agree, sure the NZ public will be realistic about it but the AB's coaches and players won't use that as an excuse. The AB's under henry have never lost a game when they have rested players as far as I can remember and they won't want to start now. All Blacks have the tallent to win, it comes down to the combinations fireing and players proving their potential. The loose forwards need to fire, Thompson and Messam in particular but also Kaino who is a great player but sometimes lacks consistancy. I'm hoping for a massive game from Messam, he has all the skills, he's very physical, he can smash forwards on defence and he can run backs over or swat them off if they get in his way. He's strong at the breakdown pushing over the ball, creates havoc when he has space and players running off him out wide and his workrate is 2nd to none - he's a rare type of player that can do what's needed. If a team needs to defend he will top the tackle count or in open games he will be the top ball carrier and line breaker in the forwards all that and he's never injured no matter what happens he gets straight back up. But it's really important he puts a performance in on the park to prove that and give him confidence going into what will be the most important period of his professional life. I have a good feeling about messam I think he's looking very fit after spending a lot of time getting into shape since the super15 finished - I have a hunch he's been targeting this game for a big performance. IMO Other players who are under a bit of pressure. Hosea Gear - is the only one of the wing options not to impress so far, he can't afford a quiet game. When a game isn't going the way of players like Zac, Jane, Toeava, Sivivatu they go and find it Gear doesn't, he seems to wait for it to come even if he waits the whole 80. Sam Whitelock - he was a big find last year but so far this year since his injury he hasn't been himself. I think in his last start he carried the ball 3 times for 3 meters, he's not winning a hell of a lot of lineout ball and he's been beaten in the tackle count and breakdown work by the likes of Crockett and the Franks brothers. So far the best way I can describe his game is he runs around being average or below in all areas. He needs to step up becuase I dont believe Boric or Donnelly would be that quiet. Tony Woodcock - he's been out for months, he says he's now pain free but to me he looked well down on condition as good and experienced as he is the AB's shouldn't carry him through the WC if he can't do the job and to me he didn't look good enough in his ITM cup comeback. SBW - this is his chance to silence his critics (again) his combination with Kahui has pretty awesome potential. Kahui is just the kind of player that will thrive outside SBW if he gets the offloads working (another is israel dagg - look for that during the game). Toeava - has looked strong in ITM without burning the house down. Needs to lift his game to the next level - he's been groomed for years and now is his time to repay the faith. [/QUOTE]
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Tri Nations 2009-2011
Tri Nations: Springboks - All Blacks @ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (20-8-2011, 15:05)
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