Bledisloe III: The Deadest Rubber of them all

[Mikey Brown]

Oh, and Sam Cane at the end. He doesn't seem to be kicking on for me. He just seems to go missing a bit.

I thought he had a pretty good game. The thing about him, IMO, is that is the level of player he is. He's pretty good. He makes a lot of tackles competently, and grafts hard. He does a decent job. The difference is that at Cane's current age, McCaw was freaking amazing. Pulling off astonishing turnovers and tackles, and pretty much always one of the top 3 AB's on the paddock in every test. Cane just isn't that level of player. Doesn't mean he's no good, but he's never going to be a McCaw or Kronfeld or Jones level of openside.

As on outsider who's seen very little of him, does Ardir have it in him to be that level of player? Or has he not got the substance to back up the flash?

[morepork]

I'd have to defer to resident locals here Mr. Brown. I like Ardie Surveyor, but his role will ultimately be defined by the loosie mix. Vaea Fifita is also an option at 6, currently competing with the lord of the bogans, Liam Squire. There is an argument for Cane being "steadier" than all of the above. Gives away a few penalties but.

[cashead]

Ardie Savea's overall tackle count is higher, and he's the superior pure athlete out of the two of them, while I'd rate Todd as the superior jackal to both of them. Cane, when in an ideal loose forward mix (i.e. Kaino and Read with him) tends to be quite picky about his rucks, but works as the better link player. He's the obvious continuity candidate in a post-Richie All Blacks, but all three have completely different strengths. I'd say Cane is the best balanced openside out of him, Todd and Savea - Ardie's recent indifferent form notwithstanding.

[rowan]

Be interesting to see the touring squad after this . . .

& there it is: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... thern-tour

Good to see Asafo Aumua in there... but no outside backs from Wellington area??

[Spy]

Pretty much agree with Cashead's assessment. I don't think Savea has shown enough when he's been given a start to demand that he should displace Cane as the go-to starting 7.

[J Dory]

Just watched the game, already new the outcome but was still glued to the screen, hell of a match. Nice one Aus, could have gone either way but Australia took their chances. More games like that please (except with NZ winning).

[scuzzaman]

Yeah. Didn't really like that but it seems to be a regular thing with these dead matches at the end of the season.

Maybe it's the All Black's way of contributing to the popularity of rugby union in Australia? Other than gate takings it doesn't seem to serve any other purpose than to prove we can be beaten by a side that plays for 80 minutes.

[rowan]

Be interesting to see the touring squad after this . . .

& there it is: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... thern-tour

Good to see Asafo Aumua in there... but no outside backs from Wellington area??

Maori All Blacks squad:

Backs: Ambrose Curtis, Sean Wainui, Charlie Ngatai, Teihorangi Walden, Rob Thompson, Tim Bateman, Ihaia West, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Brad Weber, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Jonathan Ruru.
Forwards: Akira Ioane, Jordan Manihera, Sam Henwood, Dan Pryor, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Jarrad Hoeata, Keepa Mewett, Chris Eves, Ross Wright, Marcel Renata, Tyrel Lomax, Ash Dixon (capt), Liam Polwart.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty ... d=11935907

[rowan]

Sure am looking forward to seeing Asafo Aumua in action. Hope he gets a reasonable amount of game-time in at least one of the tests, and isn't just used as a 4th 1/4 impact player or anything...

[rowan]

J Savea called up for Baabaas to face ABs at Twickers in November. The sparks are sure to fly!

Also called up are the Crusaders’ Super Rugby winning playmakers Mitchell Drummond and Richie Mo’unga, Chiefs prop Atu Moli and lock Dominic Bird and Highlanders flanker Dillon Hunt.