Dan54
David Wilson (68)
No real surprises, didn't really think LF could stay at 13 with his defence, and guess they thought they needed ALB to cover 12? I would of otherwise personally have rather seen Ioane on bech (or in 13 jersey).
All Blacks & AB XV Northern Tours 2025
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
- Start date
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Well we lost that well and truly. Funnily enough not too pissed. I not sure we are strong enough to deserve a Grand Slam etc, kind of a thing great teams do. The Poms were bloody good to , real focused, never seemed to panic. I was actually quite impressed with the 2 drop kicks too, a lesson to all, take points when you can.
waiopehu oldboy
Rocky Elsom (76)
Beaugan should've been hooked immediately after missing touch the second time. Just unacceptable at this level.
zer0
Greg Davis (50)
Didn't watch and cbf finding a replay, but it does seem an interesting contrast of team trajectories since they met in Robertson's first three tests. England have obviously been developing with a plan and have clear evidence of improvement. The ABs, meanwhile, are still the same muddled mess of the last two seasons.
Very Foster-esque.
Indeed, every passing test it seems more and more likely another Schmidt rescue operation will be required. On the other hand, Robertson sinking of his own accord in 2027 means we will not have to put up with the cringe dancing and he can be safely jettisoned and can go coach Fiji, or wherever it was he threatened to go on one of his Foster-era whinges.
Very Foster-esque.
Indeed, every passing test it seems more and more likely another Schmidt rescue operation will be required. On the other hand, Robertson sinking of his own accord in 2027 means we will not have to put up with the cringe dancing and he can be safely jettisoned and can go coach Fiji, or wherever it was he threatened to go on one of his Foster-era whinges.
WFDS
Herbert Moran (7)
In other news, fork found in kitchen!
Linerunner2023
Syd Malcolm (24)
Again another fast start then stop playing
B Barrett is quickly loosing his ground as a champion player the more tests he plays, should be 15 on on the bench - just doesn’t have the desire to put test match pressure on
D Mac must start and next year mounga and McKenzie keep Barrett on the bench
in the backs Carter and proctor arnt quite there yet! Fainunuku and Jordan were the best
In for towards Lakai was great! Tbh Parker also isn’t quite there and should have just played sititi there instead with savea and Lakai
england should be favs for 6 nations
this ABs teams is just way to inconsistent atm such a big difference between their best and worst week in and out or even 20 min spells in games
B Barrett is quickly loosing his ground as a champion player the more tests he plays, should be 15 on on the bench - just doesn’t have the desire to put test match pressure on
D Mac must start and next year mounga and McKenzie keep Barrett on the bench
in the backs Carter and proctor arnt quite there yet! Fainunuku and Jordan were the best
In for towards Lakai was great! Tbh Parker also isn’t quite there and should have just played sititi there instead with savea and Lakai
england should be favs for 6 nations
this ABs teams is just way to inconsistent atm such a big difference between their best and worst week in and out or even 20 min spells in games
Willin1
Chris McKivat (8)
Embarrassing disjointed capitulation.
BB‘s a liability. Huge gulf between Roigard and Ratima. (A fit Hotham clearly #2).
DMac usual champagne or shit.
ALB to never wear black again.
Huge pressure on Razor now after two disappointing years. As a crusaders supporter I thought he would work well for the ABs but it’s not working out. Time to get a strong message from NZ rugby to shape up or ship out.
BB‘s a liability. Huge gulf between Roigard and Ratima. (A fit Hotham clearly #2).
DMac usual champagne or shit.
ALB to never wear black again.
Huge pressure on Razor now after two disappointing years. As a crusaders supporter I thought he would work well for the ABs but it’s not working out. Time to get a strong message from NZ rugby to shape up or ship out.
Dismal Pillock
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Leaking 25 unanswered points
Barrett with his obligatory 2 crucial touch misses.
Eng losing SIX lineouts and NZ too dumb to capitalise
Letting that braying blonde Boris Johnson grandson twat win against us
Barrett with his obligatory 2 crucial touch misses.
Eng losing SIX lineouts and NZ too dumb to capitalise
Letting that braying blonde Boris Johnson grandson twat win against us
molman
John Thornett (49)
There is still some real class and ability in this side, but boy do they lack the ruthless finishing that the old NZ teams had who could just grind out wins. They really had England in hand and then let them back in. Those two drop goals really changed the dimension of that first half where I feel NZ were playing the better rugby, controlling the game well. Too many individual moments that lost the ABs this game. Some of the critisim of B Barrett may be a tad harsh, but those two misses for touch arn't excusable, but he does still see space well.
Roigard is class and it was a real step down with him coming off. The Taylor yellow card I felt was rather harsh and really impacted the game.
Boy do I hate seeing England winning and Pollock is really unlikable unless your English. Annoyingly this English team is going to be rather good come the RWC.
Roigard is class and it was a real step down with him coming off. The Taylor yellow card I felt was rather harsh and really impacted the game.
Boy do I hate seeing England winning and Pollock is really unlikable unless your English. Annoyingly this English team is going to be rather good come the RWC.
Linerunner2023
Syd Malcolm (24)
That’s it - class and ability is there
The ruthless edge of old to put teams away even if they are really playing well or not at your best just is not there any more
17 nil v Scotland and neally lost
12 nil v England early
Even beating Argentina and SA at half time before a heavy defeat to SA
Barrett has the ability but isn’t playing with focus as a world class 10 - despite being very capable - like he doesn’t care anymore
Sititi needs to start in the backrow
And they need to figure out the backline next year
also the Leroy Carter no tackle and Jordan not going for the ball late which England picked up and scored were bad errors at this level
molman
John Thornett (49)
Feel like there is a mental edge lacking with this team. They're obviously well coached and able to pull teams apart. You see that with their ability to push out to those large leads. When they go to the playbook they have some real nice plays and some of the skillwork is exceptional.
The Barretts do seem to have mellowed somewhat. I include Scott who doesn't seem to have the same fire. I guess it's hard to have the same drive when you've really done it all. You could see how much more England wanted this win.
I know a lot of the old NZ teams had a real focus on excuting on each and every action. You minimise the mistakes, you focus on performing each action. You win every micro contest within a game. You reset if you do make a mistake and win the next micro contest. This team however, just a little too much compounding when the pressure comes on. Things getting unecessarily sloppy at times.
It'll be interesting to see if Robertson can find the winning formula again.
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Dismal Pillock
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
molman
John Thornett (49)
I tell you what, I'll trade him for JOC (James O'Connor) and even throw in a Edmed if you like
Dismal Pillock
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I tell you what, I'll trade him for JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and even throw in a Edmed if you like
waiopehu oldboy
Rocky Elsom (76)
Every game Beaugan does at least one thing that reminds you how great he used to be. In between it's touch finders that don't, laboured/ inaccurate passes that put his outsides under pressure, aimless kicking etc.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
BB actually missed one kick, Roigard missed the second one. Think he must of taken it because BB has injured leg? Which makes you woner why Robertson didn't replace him!!Leaking 25 unanswered points
Barrett with his obligatory 2 crucial touch misses.
Eng losing SIX lineouts and NZ too dumb to capitalise
Letting that braying blonde Boris Johnson grandson twat win against us