Comments on: Three bucks for Blacks’ Ireland Test

By: Freerider(Freerider)

Freerider(Freerider) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:43:51 +0000

@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-18: Spot on.

By: lepel(lepel)

lepel(lepel) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:12:01 +0000

@spartan(spartan)-27: He has piles of mongrel, yes, but he has a whole helluva lot of rugby brains too. That's what makes him good.

By: lepel(lepel)

lepel(lepel) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:11:14 +0000

@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-18: Read is the best 8 in the world atm. Wonderful player. Bokke seriously missing a good 8. As soon as we drop Spies we'll become a whole lot more competitive.

By: Bokhoring(Bokhoring)

Bokhoring(Bokhoring) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:24:07 +0000

@Transformation(Transformation)-28: Nope - on rugbystats the effected one is called pilfers, and on versuco "breakdown - won possession"

By: Transformation(Transformation)

Transformation(Transformation) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:18:36 +0000

@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-24: isn't that stat actually turnovers effected instead of "conceded"?

By: spartan(spartan)

spartan(spartan) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:05:33 +0000

Thompson is only there as loose forward cover because
Sam Cane is the new , heir apparent to McCaw
As to the difference between number 8s
The 1 in black is relentless , he will be coming at you direct , down route one
straight over you straight through you it matters not
but you will have to deal with him and he will make you have to do it
again and again and again
when he has the ball and when you have the ball
he asks tough questions of the opposition. All day
The 1 in green should be the same
but sadly he is definitely not
For Spies own sake I hope he comes good

By: >^..^< katman(katman)

>^..^< katman(katman) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:41:21 +0000

That’s a great match 22. They lose nothing when hitting the substitutes bench.

Victor Vito has really impressed me in recent matches for the Canes. Glad he’s starting ahead of Thompson.

Cruden has also been good, but he’ll know that there’s a pack of talented flyhalfs not far behind, particularly Barret from the Canes.

These guys will be tough in the Tri-Nations.

By: bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)

bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:22:53 +0000

This is a great looking side… in fact the only SH team guaranteed to win despite the bookies writing the Welsh and Poms off…

By: bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)

bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:21:22 +0000

@guangzhoupoes(guangzhoupoes)-21: Don't be selective... he's also near the top for 'turnovers' conceded with a huge 29... @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-22: Matt Todd a better option for McCaw than Thompson... I know they've been grooming Thompson for quite some time... but IMO and this is subjective... he's a bit of a bush-pig and doesn't have the smarts that many open-siders have...

By: Sasuke(Sasuke)

Sasuke(Sasuke) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:16:09 +0000

@guangzhoupoes(guangzhoupoes)-21: lol

By: Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)

Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:04:30 +0000

@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-20: Adam Thompson isn't the best back up to McCaw, get real no one is. One day we will have to come to the realization that Richie wont be around, but that day hasn't come yet. The difference between Read and Spies is the ability to read a game and manoeuvere himself into positions where he can best contribute, Spies on the other hand has restricted himself to the belief that he has to play tight with his eyes down charging into opposing players forgetting he is a LOOSE forward

By: guangzhoupoes(guangzhoupoes)

guangzhoupoes(guangzhoupoes) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 06:02:08 +0000

@BreakdownBoy

Adam Thompson stats for Super 15 so far this year. First figure is rank, second is number of runs/lineouts etc

Most Runs: 4. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)132
Most Lineouts Won: 5. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)55
Most Tackles Made: 9. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)160
Most Run Metres: 19. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)687
Most Pilfers: 11. Adam Thomson (Highlanders)4

AND

Most missed tackles: 3. Willem Alberts (Sharks)31

By: BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)

BreakdownBoy(goodstuff) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:50:14 +0000

@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-18: The AB's have poor replacements for those two, Read is an amazing player, the sad thing is that Spies has everything if not more than Read has physically, the only difference is attitude and the elusive mongrel factor. Read is the perfect #8, I think he is more a key player to the AB's then McCaw. Adam Thompson is the best backup for McCaw? He would not even make the SA barbarian team.

By: BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)

BreakdownBoy(goodstuff) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:46:52 +0000

Ratalick is no sloach at lineout, has stolen some good opposition ball in that facit of play.

I do believe the NZRU wished they bagged Tamalolo before he played for Tonga. That man is a monster.

By: Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)

Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:45:35 +0000

@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-14: If Read and McCaw go down it will even the odds. If your no8 goes down however Bokke odds improve.

By: BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)

BreakdownBoy(goodstuff) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:44:59 +0000

AB backline depth list:

15 – Dagg/ Taylor/ Smith
14 Guildford/ Jane/ Maitland
13 Smith/ Kahui/ Fruean
12 SBW/ Nanu
11 Savea/ Gear/ Ranger
10 Carter/ Cruden/ Barrit
09 Smith/ Weepu/ Ellis/ Cowan

WOW pure attacking power!

By: Mr Black(Mr Black)

Mr Black(Mr Black) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:43:35 +0000

Good team.

Irish wont come close to an upset.

3 – 0 for Blacks comfortably.

By: Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)

Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:42:22 +0000

@DAS(DAS)-12: Ma'a Nonu will be raring to go come Championship time also, Hansen spoilt for choice in the backs, will have to unearth some locks though if we are to stay ahead of the chasers

By: BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)

BreakdownBoy(goodstuff) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:38:31 +0000

The AB’s are spoiled for talent in the backline it’s not even funny.

New Zealand have great depth at 9/ 10/ 12/ 13/ wings abd FB!

Where they are weak are at 4-8 in terms of depth, if Read and McCaw go down, then they are stuffed.

They have great TH as well, most likely the best balanced team in world rugby, this rugby championship is gonna be a tough one for HM.

Rugby Championship predictions:

1. All Blacks
2. Bokke
3. Woblies
4. Argies

By: Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)

Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:34:14 +0000

@Transformation(Transformation)-7: Thats how we like our coaches, daring and may I add progressive. You mention poor old Issac Ross, you know he wasn't up to it.He was found out and discarded, that is the way of the Abs. No use hanging on to someone who is gun shy. Don't worry about Ab debutantes, they'll do ok, you've seen them play, so all is well.