Bledisloe 2 2023 @ Dunedin 12:35PM Sat 5 Aug

[Namerican]

As others have said it seemed like other locks (Neville, Swain etc.) Offered more than we've seen from Arnold. Though perhaps he's still getting used to the setup - I've never seen him play in Europe so I have no idea if he can play much better than this.

The maul has to be improved. There is no reason it should be THAT bad.

Agree on Sio, Samu, Gleeson, resting Valentini, resting Koriobete even, can't see any reason to persist with Uelese.

Think otherwise the backline last game is the best they can offer and should be kept the same and in same positions, #9 aside (no opinion on that).

 

[Dctarget]

Ala'alatoa is out for the season, Hooper might be too. Bell should start over Slipper or at least play entire 2nd half.

Who’s captain?

 

[Tomthumb]

Ala'alatoa is out for the season, Hooper might be too. Bell should start over Slipper or at least play entire 2nd half.

Who’s captain?

This is a good point. leadership does seem to be lacking quite a bit atm

I guess Tate is next up, but he's not an 80 minute player either. Kerevi?

 

[qwerty51]

Slipper is probably going to start at TH

 

[Brumby Runner]

Fattie, not sure about that. I thought he went OK but the lack of turnovers is an issue, I suspect Eddie will start McRight in Dunedin.

Tom did effect one turnover but it was overturned by the TMO intervention that saw a penalty go the ABs way for a completely separate incident (might have been Kerevi's yc and penalty I think). That's as many as others have been usually making throughout Super and tests these last couple of years.

 

[fatprop]

Fattie, not sure about that. I thought he went OK but the lack of turnovers is an issue, I suspect Eddie will start McRight in Dunedin.

Until we.fix the cleanouts and get dominant tackles he is superfluous

 

[emuarse]

Until we.fix the cleanouts and get dominant tackles he is superfluous

So does that man McRight should facilitate his retirement fund right now?
He is probably a more strident tackler than a lot of the rumbling pack.
As for cleanouts; you have to be there on the field at break down in the first place.
Something which McRight does quite well.

 

[Slim 293]

I actually thought the thing Eddie would've appreciated more than the tackle count about Hooper, particularly in the first half, was his cleanout work at the rucks when we had the ball...

I'm not sure what number he wears going forward, but rather than hanging out wide I think he needs to continue that role of making cleanouts, making lots of tackles, but get in some more carries and up the physicality in defence.

If Eddie continues him in the 7 jersey, I think we need a 6 in the mould of Gleeson, Samu or even Wilson.

 

[RugbyReg]

I am staggered by the people who bleated loudly about McReight getting 'constantly' blown off the ball seem very quiet about the times Hooper suffered that fate last weekend.

Well...staggered is probably too strong a word...

 

[John S]

I am staggered by the people who bleated loudly about McReight getting 'constantly' blown off the ball seem very quiet about the times Hooper suffered that fate last weekend.

Well...staggered is probably too strong a word...

I might not be staggered by this, but definitely intrigued.

 

[LeCheese]

I am staggered by the people who bleated loudly about McReight getting 'constantly' blown off the ball seem very quiet about the times Hooper suffered that fate last weekend.

Well...staggered is probably too strong a word...

100%, and for both of them I'd wager (and it looks like) it's often very intentional - they miss the pilfer, pull out of the ruck, and reload to have a crack at the next

 

[fatprop]

So does that man McRight should facilitate his retirement fund right now?
He is probably a more strident tackler than a lot of the rumbling pack.
As for cleanouts; you have to be there on the field at break down in the first place.
Something which McRight does quite well.

You need to pick the side that works and will work within their limitations, I don't see a specialist fetcher doing more than breaking even (turnovers vs penalties conceded) in this group

 

[Fireworks]

What's the view on Slipper's ability to play THP? I haven't seen much of him at THP since he's mostly played LHP. He's not the biggest prop out there (117kg) but with his experience can he anchor down a scrum at THP?

 

[Tomthumb]

What's the view on Slipper's ability to play THP? I haven't seen much of him at THP since he's mostly played LHP. He's not the biggest prop out there (117kg) but with his experience can he anchor down a scrum at THP?

He's not great there at all, but due to injuries he's the best by default

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Who are the other THP candidates, out of interest?

 

[Dctarget]

Who are the other THP candidates, out of interest?

the Rebels boys, Talakai & Fa'amausili.

 

[Eddie's Eyebrows]

the Rebels boys, Talakai & Fa'amausili.

Talakai isn't with the squad though... Fa'amausili, Nongorr or both will be in line for Saturday. Hardly fills me with confidence.

 

[rugbyAU]

Do we know how long Topou's out for?

 

[Dctarget]

Do we know how long Topou's out for?

He looks to be training with the team in NZ.

 

[Dctarget]

Are we expecting a Christy Doran special leaking the team today?