Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2024 7:16 am
Which selections outside of Perofeta ahead of Beauden Barret? I feel like that one had been coming for a while anyway based on Blues performances.
Blackadder at 6 was widely expected, with Jacobson not making the sqaud. Finau is the form choice, unfortunately.
Puja
Blackadder is a weird one. Half the country and most of the pundits think he is indispensible. The other half see a hard worker but don't understand what all the fuss is about. I'm on the fence but think Finau is the more exciting selection.
Reece has been having an unbelievable year in a struggling team. They have definitely picked two wingers who like making things happening themselves and looking for work.
Think most people expected Barrett until Jordan is back, but Perofeta is the more exciting choice.
Patrick Tiupoloto is interesting. Had to start on form, the question is whether he is an experienced stopgap or whether he could be about to come into his own at international level. Absolute talisman for the Blues.
Is Perofeta actually a full-back? I was under the impression that he was a 10 most of the time?
Not sure about that. He played 7 games at 10 and 4 at fullback this season for the Blues. I didn't watch Super Rugby in detail but it looks like he lost out to Plummer for the 10 spot but was moved back to 15 where's had experience before, in the big games at the end of the season.
All Rugby suggests he has 41 starts at 10 compared to Furbank's 14. Maybe as much a 10 as 15 instead of a 15 that can offers playmaking skills and can do a job.
Is Perofeta a bit like DMac and Beauden whereby NZ value what he can do in attack but aren't sure about his all round game so move him to 15 so that he's still there to inject impetus into the attack but not given the full pressure of running the game. I'm thinking early doors Cipriani.
He was first choice 10 at the Blues but then got injured. While he was out Plummer nailed down the 10 spot. When he came back, he slotted in at 15, which was handy as the first choice 15 (Sullivan) had got injured in the meantime. Played plenty at both, but probably seen as more of a ten.
Well Reece does have previous for being more than a bit of a knob...
I particularly liked the bit in that article where the interviewer circles back round to ask whether the All Blacks have looked at the England attack and Reece talks about big ball carriers and kicking to compete in the air hinting that either he's a bit thick or that the ABs haven't looked at the final games from the 6N. I'm hoping the ABs haven't followed the changes in the England attack and are going to get caught cold.
I'm always slightly amazed when players say they don't know anything about their opposite numbers. Even if you don't, you say something bland about them being a good player you don't go and write their pre match pep talk for them. "Yeah, they're only good for kick chase and so I've not bothered watching any analysis of how they play" is how I'd take that. I'm sure Freeman and IFW will be desperate to make sure he knows more about them tomorrow.
twitchy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 05, 2024 10:06 am
I'm sure he doesn't watch the prem but you would have thought they would have at least had a small amount of pre game prep.
They must have analysts. You'd also nip over to YouTube and have a quick look at your opposite number if you didn't know who they were right. Just in case they've got a go to step or something that you can pick out to maybe give you an edge at the weekend.
FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Jul 05, 2024 10:12 am
They must have analysts. You'd also nip over to YouTube and have a quick look at your opposite number if you didn't know who they were right. Just in case they've got a go to step or something that you can pick out to maybe give you an edge at the weekend.
FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Jul 05, 2024 10:12 am
They must have analysts. You'd also nip over to YouTube and have a quick look at your opposite number if you didn't know who they were right. Just in case they've got a go to step or something that you can pick out to maybe give you an edge at the weekend.
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Fri Jul 05, 2024 10:43 am
No, but FKAS pretty-much literally asked to watch that fucking advert!
I found it, and declined to hit "play"
That's the Boks. Maybe you should send the advert over to Reece and the ABs.
Well Reece does have previous for being more than a bit of a knob...
I particularly liked the bit in that article where the interviewer circles back round to ask whether the All Blacks have looked at the England attack and Reece talks about big ball carriers and kicking to compete in the air hinting that either he's a bit thick or that the ABs haven't looked at the final games from the 6N. I'm hoping the ABs haven't followed the changes in the England attack and are going to get caught cold.
I'm always slightly amazed when players say they don't know anything about their opposite numbers. Even if you don't, you say something bland about them being a good player you don't go and write their pre match pep talk for them. "Yeah, they're only good for kick chase and so I've not bothered watching any analysis of how they play" is how I'd take that. I'm sure Freeman and IFW will be desperate to make sure he knows more about them tomorrow.
Yep. This is what I’m hoping too.
I’d give Robertson a lot more credit than that though. I saw a recent interview with him praising Marcus Smith and saying test rugby needs creative players (or words to that effect) so I doubt they really do think we’ll be playing like we did in the RWC SF.
Too much analysis of social media. We know the threats England offers and rest assured, box kicks are not on the menu. I hope both come to play, and curse all you English students of the game.
