Tri Nations: All Blacks vs Pumas: MATCH THREAD: Sat 14th Nov

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

The kiwis were complaning about the Boks not playing. They should be glad about it. They were fcuking nowhere.
Well done to Argentina, epic performance and so happy for you.
Hard luck nz, I'm sure Foster and co will fix this pretty soon.

Perhaps the "world champs" should have sacked up like the Argies and come out to play.

You want to take on the Boks? You can't even beat Arg.

Pumas! Well done lads. Putting nz wins over Aus in perspective.

Not commenting on results.

Just commenting on having the stones to actually turn up and play.

Like the Argies. They reaped the rewards while your boys stayed at home to protect "the brand".

[handyman]

Perhaps the "world champs" should have sacked up like the Argies and come out to play.

You want to take on the Boks? You can't even beat Arg.

Pumas! Well done lads. Putting nz wins over Aus in perspective.

Not commenting on results.

Just commenting on having the stones to actually turn up and play.

Like the Argies. They reaped the rewards while your boys stayed at home to protect "the brand".

Protecting the players against covid is and was the right thing to do.

I know you are angry know so I won't hold this line of posting aginst you.

Go well and I hope you feel better soon.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

You want to take on the Boks? You can't even beat Arg.

Pumas! Well done lads. Putting nz wins over Aus in perspective.

Not commenting on results.

Just commenting on having the stones to actually turn up and play.

Like the Argies. They reaped the rewards while your boys stayed at home to protect "the brand".

Protecting the players against covid is and was the right thing to do.

I know you are angry know so I won't hold this line of posting aginst you.

Go well and I hope you feel better soon.

12 of the Argies including the coach got COVID.

They still came over and played NZ.

And unlike you, they won.

[handyman]

Not commenting on results.

Just commenting on having the stones to actually turn up and play.

Like the Argies. They reaped the rewards while your boys stayed at home to protect "the brand".

Protecting the players against covid is and was the right thing to do.

I know you are angry know so I won't hold this line of posting aginst you.

Go well and I hope you feel better soon.

12 of the Argies including the coach got COVID.

They still came over and played NZ.

And unlike you, they won.

Calm down Jimmy. The perfect record vs Arg is gone forever, let it go son.

[Kiap]

You want to take on the Boks? You can't even beat Arg.

Difference between Arg and Boks

Amigos
Cojones
Hombres

[Cartman]

New entry on that list
Bloody fantastic record by the way

[Grandpa]

Foster out.

Brilliant after the event commentary, thank you... feels even worse second time around... that pass flew past my window too...

[Enzedder]

Aaron Goile's rankings from Stuff

Beauden Barrett: Sent back to fullback for this one but still couldn’t impose himself. Finally got more involved later on, but wasn’t able to conjure anything to test the quality Pumas' defence. 5

Jordie Barrett: Back on the wing but never got ball out wide. Copped an early knock which had him down on his knees. Harshly penalised for a ‘late’ hit on Carreras which Sanchez turned into three points. Bad knock on early in second half with big chance brewing, then subbed at 50th minute. 3

Anton Lienert-Brown: Off in 32nd minute for HIA before returning, but was a second consecutive quiet test, with very limited involvement. 3

Jack Goodhue: Some good physical carries on return, but was merely a battering ram against the blue and white wall. Off with 17 minutes to play. 4

Caleb Clarke: First try for the All Blacks will go down as a bittersweet one, as just a late consolation in this historic loss. Plenty of good early touches, but then not much play went his way. 5

Richie Mo’unga: Back in the driver’s seat but wasn’t able to steer the attack with enough variety or control. Couldn’t do much to stop first try when ball bounced off Bruni’s leg. Helped Whitelock hold up Matera over the tryline. Awful moment when kicking penalty dead in-goal right on halftime when golden opportunity presented. 4

Aaron Smith: Expected to re-spark things on return, but didn’t. Try-saving tackle on Imhoff to make up for letting Cubelli race past him moments earlier when he was appealing to ref Gardner. Off at 63rd minute. 5

Ardie Savea: Finally found a mouthguard following midweek rebuke from Chris Lendrum but was a far cry from his usually high energy and aggression and had no breakdown dominance. 4

Sam Cane: Did what he could among a rough cause. Several quality carries into contact. Big turnover penalty win early in second half. Scored team’s opening try in 53rd minute from smart quick lineout drive. 6

Shannon Frizell: Unable to stamp the physical mark expected on return to the side. Involved in a bit of the off-the-ball afters. Guilty of turning over possession at a couple of rucks. Subbed 10 minutes into second stanza. 3

Sam Whitelock: Helped Mo’unga in holding up Matera over the line. Poor offload turned possession over, then conceded the game-killing penalty at the lineout. 4

Patrick Tuipulotu: Returning after illness put him out last weekend. Good successful lineout challenge late in first half but coughed up the ball in contact on a couple of occasions. Off with 10 to play. 3

Tyrel Lomax: A first test start thanks to Ofa Tuungafasi’s suspension. Pinged at early second-half scrum. Led the team’s tackle count in his hour-stint. 5

Dane Coles: Pinged for a slap on the face of Bruni which saw ref Gardner reverse a penalty. Hit his lineout targets well, but nothing more. Subbed after 48 minutes. 3

Joe Moody: One of the only ones who could hold head high. First game back from concussion at Eden Park a month ago and put in an inspired 72 minutes. Made immediate impact with his very first tackle. Penalised at first scrum which cost three points. Several great hard carries. 8

RESERVES

Codie Taylor: Introduced eight minutes into second half and first lineout throw was picked off, but his next led to the first try. 6

Alex Hodgman: Got eight minutes at the end. N/R

Nepo Laulala: First game since Bledisloe II after going on paternity leave. On in 58th minute. Carry and scrum was decent. 5

Tupou Vaa’i: On for final 10 minutes. N/R

Hoskins Sotutu: Injected some much-needed dynamism in his half-hour. Superb run off the back of an attacking scrum, but threw a poor pass off another when a try looked on. 7

Brad Weber: On with 17 minutes left and had no option but to lift the tempo, then was another to catch the dropsies. 4

Rieko Ioane: On just after the half-hour for Lienert-Brown’s HIA, then permanently for Jordie Barrett on wing for final 30 minutes. Bad knock on with tryline looming with quarter of an hour left. 4

Damian McKenzie: On at 64th minute and made some dangerous snipes, but none that could make any real difference. 5

[Enzedder]

Well, we still haven't lost to the Pumas in NZ or Argentina.

[Lemoentjie]

Watched the whole replay. The thing that stands out for me is the intensity and aggression of the Pumas. Okay, they had this before, but it was so controlled and directed today. The All Blacks lost the physical battle.

It wasn't even a close win either, with the Pumas really hanging on at the end or getting some lucky calls from the referee. It was just domination.

[Trapper]

Watched the whole replay. The thing that stands out for me is the intensity and aggression of the Pumas. Okay, they had this before, but it was so controlled and directed today. The All Blacks lost the physical battle.

It wasn't even a close win either, with the Pumas really hanging on at the end or getting some lucky calls from the referee. It was just domination.

Yep, ABs just thought turning up was enough and got spanked by a far better team on the day. Argies were magnificent, played all the rugby, defended brilliantly and kicked our arse.

[Carter's Choice]

The kiwis were complaning about the Boks not playing. They should be glad about it. They were fcuking nowhere.
Well done to Argentina, epic performance and so happy for you.
Hard luck nz, I'm sure Foster and co will fix this pretty soon.

You are completely irrelevant to this thread and competition. Your union chose to stay home. Stick to chatting about COVID-19 please.

[Gumboot]

But, but, we were promised a clinical performance. Abortion clinic performance, more like.

Completely unacceptable. Heads must roll.

[Carter's Choice]

But, but, we were promised a clinical performance. Abortion clinic performance, more like.

Completely unacceptable. Heads must roll.

Heads will roll. Young players will have their international careers ended prematurely because Ian Foster couldn't organise a root in a brothel.

We knew that Ian Foster was a shit coach before he was appointed to his current role We know he's still a shit coach. But he will continue to drag the All Blacks down to his level because NZR would rather destroy the game in NZ than admit that it made a mistake.

[Grandpa]

But, but, we were promised a clinical performance. Abortion clinic performance, more like.

Completely unacceptable. Heads must roll.

Heads will roll. Young players will have their international careers ended prematurely because Ian Foster couldn't organise a root in a brothel.

We knew that Ian Foster was a shit coach before he was appointed to his current role We know he's still a shit coach. But he will continue to drag the All Blacks down to his level because NZR would rather destroy the game in NZ than admit that it made a mistake.

We need to pray that Argentina demolish NZ again next week... kick Foster while he is down... there is no place for sentimentality.. this is about the future of All Black Rugby... Foster could wipe out a dynasty inside 12 months if left to continue... he might single handedly destroy everything McCaw , Meads and Fitzpatrick built... he must be stopped...

[Ted.]

My take on Goile's ratings. Mine in red where they differ from his.

Aaron Goile's rankings from Stuff

Beauden Barrett: Sent back to fullback for this one but still couldn’t impose himself. Finally got more involved later on, but wasn’t able to conjure anything to test the quality Pumas' defence. 5

Jordie Barrett: Back on the wing but never got ball out wide. Copped an early knock which had him down on his knees. Harshly penalised for a ‘late’ hit on Carreras which Sanchez turned into three points. Bad knock on early in second half with big chance brewing, then subbed at 50th minute. 3

Anton Lienert-Brown: Off in 32nd minute for HIA before returning, but was a second consecutive quiet test, with very limited involvement. 3

Jack Goodhue: Some good physical carries on return, but was merely a battering ram against the blue and white wall. Off with 17 minutes to play. 4 - 3 largely ineffectual on attack and a bit at sea on defence. L

Caleb Clarke: First try for the All Blacks will go down as a bittersweet one, as just a late consolation in this historic loss. Plenty of good early touches, but then not much play went his way. 5 - 4 he mainly brought enthusiasm to the game, but a the couple of good things he did didn't outweigh some really dumb shit, the mark and kick for eg.

Richie Mo’unga: Back in the driver’s seat but wasn’t able to steer the attack with enough variety or control. Couldn’t do much to stop first try when ball bounced off Bruni’s leg. Helped Whitelock hold up Matera over the tryline. Awful moment when kicking penalty dead in-goal right on halftime when golden opportunity presented. 4 - 3 he needed to step up and take control of the game plan, instead he either shovelled it on or kicked poorly. A nice dash or two, but got isolated so all for nought. Yet another penalty wasted then noticeably conservative from then.

Aaron Smith: Expected to re-spark things on return, but didn’t. Try-saving tackle on Imhoff to make up for letting Cubelli race past him moments earlier when he was appealing to ref Gardner. Off at 63rd minute. 5

Ardie Savea: Finally found a mouthguard following midweek rebuke from Chris Lendrum but was a far cry from his usually high energy and aggression and had no breakdown dominance. 4

Sam Cane: Did what he could among a rough cause. Several quality carries into contact. Big turnover penalty win early in second half. Scored team’s opening try in 53rd minute from smart quick lineout drive. 6 - 4 tried his guts out but needed to give some orders arond the game plan out there (did Foster choose him as Cap because he would toe the party line?). That head/neck knock might have affected him more than he let on.

Shannon Frizell: Unable to stamp the physical mark expected on return to the side. Involved in a bit of the off-the-ball afters. Guilty of turning over possession at a couple of rucks. Subbed 10 minutes into second stanza. 3

Sam Whitelock: Helped Mo’unga in holding up Matera over the line. Poor offload turned possession over, then conceded the game-killing penalty at the lineout. 4 - 6.5 WTF were you watching Goile, he was the best forward out there for the ABs by some distance. Sadly, he was a lone ranger.

Patrick Tuipulotu: Returning after illness put him out last weekend. Good successful lineout challenge late in first half but coughed up the ball in contact on a couple of occasions. Off with 10 to play. 3

Tyrel Lomax: A first test start thanks to Ofa Tuungafasi’s suspension. Pinged at early second-half scrum. Led the team’s tackle count in his hour-stint. 5

Dane Coles: Pinged for a slap on the face of Bruni which saw ref Gardner reverse a penalty. Hit his lineout targets well, but nothing more. Subbed after 48 minutes. 3 - A fair rating, but at least he is accurate at set piece.

Joe Moody: One of the only ones who could hold head high. First game back from concussion at Eden Park a month ago and put in an inspired 72 minutes. Made immediate impact with his very first tackle. Penalised at first scrum which cost three points. Several great hard carries. 8 - WTF, an 8 in that shitshow. Nor was he better than Whitelock. 5.

RESERVES

Codie Taylor: Introduced eight minutes into second half and first lineout throw was picked off, but his next led to the first try. 6 - 3. Learn To Throw!!!

Alex Hodgman: Got eight minutes at the end. N/R

Nepo Laulala: First game since Bledisloe II after going on paternity leave. On in 58th minute. Carry and scrum was decent. 5

Tupou Vaa’i: On for final 10 minutes. N/R

Hoskins Sotutu: Injected some much-needed dynamism in his half-hour. Superb run off the back of an attacking scrum, but threw a poor pass off another when a try looked on. 7 - 4. At least he had a crack off the back (was it orders?), but ran into trouble, got turned and threw trhe comeback over the sideline.

Brad Weber: On with 17 minutes left and had no option but to lift the tempo, then was another to catch the dropsies. 4

Rieko Ioane: On just after the half-hour for Lienert-Brown’s HIA, then permanently for Jordie Barrett on wing for final 30 minutes. Bad knock on with tryline looming with quarter of an hour left. 4 - 3 doesn't know when to hold or pass i n the thick of it. Added pace and penettration but negated it with drops and poor passes/passes to people in a worse position.

Damian McKenzie: On at 64th minute and made some dangerous snipes, but none that could make any real difference. 5

[Ted.]

But, but, we were promised a clinical performance. Abortion clinic performance, more like.

Completely unacceptable. Heads must roll.

Heads will roll. Young players will have their international careers ended prematurely because Ian Foster couldn't organise a root in a brothel.

We knew that Ian Foster was a shit coach before he was appointed to his current role We know he's still a shit coach. But he will continue to drag the All Blacks down to his level because NZR would rather destroy the game in NZ than admit that it made a mistake.

We need to pray that Argentina demolish NZ again next week... kick Foster while he is down... there is no place for sentimentality.. this is about the future of All Black Rugby... Foster could wipe out a dynasty inside 12 months if left to continue... he might single handedly destroy everything McCaw , Meads and Fitzpatrick built... he must be stopped...

As much as I abhor the notion of not backing the ABs, especially when they are down, the reality is that, now more than ever, a pragmatic approach is called for and lynchings, unfortunately, are illegal.

[Wild Beef]

Largely agree with your changes Ted, though still a bit miffed with whitelocks offload to no one when he needed to be one of the players calming things down and stopping the silly errors. Doesn’t stop him being one of our best.

[Ted.]

Largely agree with your changes Ted, though still a bit miffed with whitelocks offload to no one when he needed to be one of the players calming things down and stopping the silly errors. Doesn’t stop him being one of our best.

Yeah, that got on my goat too, but it was all getting a bit desperate by then. It knocked 0.5 off his rating.

[Carter's Choice]

Largely agree with your changes Ted, though still a bit miffed with whitelocks offload to no one when he needed to be one of the players calming things down and stopping the silly errors. Doesn’t stop him being one of our best.

Yeah, that got on my goat too, but it was all getting a bit desperate by then. It knocked 0.5 off his rating.

Whitelock's error was not ideal but his effect size on the match was still greater than all the Hurricanes players combined.

[Wild Beef]

I hate you too AC

[MungoMan]

But, but, we were promised a clinical performance. Abortion clinic performance, more like.

Cruel but fair

[Enzedder]

Largely agree with your changes Ted, though still a bit miffed with whitelocks offload to no one when he needed to be one of the players calming things down and stopping the silly errors. Doesn’t stop him being one of our best.

Yeah, that got on my goat too, but it was all getting a bit desperate by then. It knocked 0.5 off his rating.

Whitelock's error was not ideal but his effect size on the match was still greater than all the Hurricanes players combined.

Harsh but fair - but that still doesn't mean he was a huge contributor either.

[handyman]

In tough times, people need to stand together. I'm flabbergasted by posters hoping for losses so that the coach gets fired. Zero accountability for the players, the best in nz.

[Dan54]

I been with no internet, having just got out of quarantine, but one certain poster rubbished me for suggesting I would maybe have played the same test as last week, I still think we should of in one way, we would of had a team fizzing to prove something. And the reason he gave me was he didn't want Barrett in 10 jersey because he was shit last week, not sure who we will play there next test going on that reasoning. I a RM fan, but I thought he was well below even what Barrett put out last week, much as I like RM, he seems to struggle if he has to decide under pressure? Hope I'm wrong and it a blip, but he needs a plan when they flying up at him on defence, perhaps the odd kick to corner. Goodhue struggled , but RM shovelled ball to him and that made it hard fror him, ALB was even worse I thought. Forwards I thought genrally were just beaten the shit out of, I thought Cane had another good game, Ardie is just not big enough to be 8 against a big aggressive pack, Frizzell disappointed me a little just ran into people without bending the line. But all in all I think brains weren't in it, showed right at start when they were throwing the ball around behind the advantage line. I really think theyw went out with supposedly first team lineup, thinking the game was won before kick off.

[Guy Smiley]

Watched a replay, working nightshift this week. Not happy. Texted a mate...

Just all of it. DMac hasn’t come back to his form pre knee op but he’s selected anyway ahead of other candidates. Jordie, FFS. Frizzell has moments but not games. Our front row is getting schooled. Whitelock is everywhere all the time and Pat Tuipoluto makes a mean Haka face. Rieko is listening to jump around jump around so hard the ball surprises him every fucking time. Beaudy spends too much time looking at photos of that time he was a star player. Aaron Smith just screams look at me look at me TJ I’m on the park while play goes on around him and just in case I didn’t hammer the point enough already, Jordie FFS.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Watched a replay, working nightshift this week. Not happy. Texted a mate...

Just all of it. DMac hasn’t come back to his form pre knee op but he’s selected anyway ahead of other candidates. Jordie, FFS. Frizzell has moments but not games. Our front row is getting schooled. Whitelock is everywhere all the time and Pat Tuipoluto makes a mean Haka face. Rieko is listening to jump around jump around so hard the ball surprises him every fucking time. Beaudy spends too much time looking at photos of that time he was a star player. Aaron Smith just screams look at me look at me TJ I’m on the park while play goes on around him and just in case I didn’t hammer the point enough already, Jordie FFS.

Harsh but fair.

[Carter's Choice]

Okay some thoughts on the match. I will try avoid commenting on Ian Foster further as I think I’ve said enough about him post match on other threads.

The All Blacks were out-muscled, out-hustled and out-enthused for almost the entire 80 minutes. The Pumas players were stronger, faster and fitter, which is a real worry for AB fans given they have barely played this year. Perhaps they were fresher? I can’t explain the difference, but the Pumas looked to be in amazing physical condition. Can we hire their S&C coach?

I also think the AB’s were gun shy physically after receiving a red and yellow card last week. The Pumas players were very keen to confront the AB players physically, and the AB’s players weren’t prepared to match up. We were reduced to slapping people, which resulted in early penalties and a team warning, and only negate to dampen whatever aggression was left in our players. From the moment our players received a team warning, we were suddenly boxing with one hand tied behind our backs.

The hustle and enthusiasm that the Pumas brought to the breakdown was clear and evident. They played in relatively narrow corridors in attack, which ensured that they could get superior numbers to every breakdown. Matera wasn’t part of a pod, he had free reign to roam wherever he wanted and we had no answer to his presence at the ruck contest. The clearest sign of a team’s general attitude is their work at the clean-out, and yesterday we were badly beaten in this facet. They put more bodies into the breakdown and their players attacked the ruck contests with more venom and physicality.

The Pumas’ superiority at the breakdown could be explained by their greater aggression and intensity and superior strategy in terms of the way they set up their pods. What cannot be explained is the Pumas superior set piece. Both at the scrum and the lineout, they bested their more well credentialed opponents. This was probably the most disappointing aspect of the match for me. Watching our scrum get penalised off the park, and our lineouts getting picked off for fun, was extremely frustrating. Sure the fact that we only had two genuine lineout targets didn’t help, but we needed to be better at set piece time. John Plumtree was meant to bring an edge and technical nous to our forward play, but we have regressed.

Our error rate, especially as the Pumas lead grew, was appalling. The players were under immense pressure and they couldn’t get through this. We don’t have a team that can play tight, dour, 10 man rugby. We don’t have the ability to narrow our attacking focus, and play for territory and possession. We needed to simplify things up. The Crusaders have shown for the past 4 years that the way to counter a rush defensive system is to play directly off the ruck. The closer to the breakdown, the less impact a rush system has. Yet we kept firing the ball to Mo’unga and Goodhue so they could get smashed. Aaron Smith loves the look of his long, bullet passes, but he needs understand that in many situations the best option is not to fire the ball into the midfield. We played perfectly into the Pumas hands. We needed to attack the narrow 'A' channels on either side of the ruck and use inside passes to create room for attacking runners. The rush defensive thrives on the ball being spread but struggles when the point of attack is narrow and the ball is being turned back inside. That's how you counter a rush system.

Overall the only player who I thought played close to his capacity was Sam Whitelock. And that’s just because he worked his ring off for 80 mins. Our backline was completely shut down by the Pumas defensive system and we had no plan B because our pods are set up to play with width. When we reverted to a narrow attack we were out numbered at every ruck because we had forwards out wide waiting to hit rucks that never eventuated.

Despite the trolling of many 'neutral', the problem is not about personnel. Our talent pool is fine. The issue is with our structures. If we continue to plan to play an open, expansive structure based on width and Aaron Smith firing bullets out into the midfield, we will keep losing like we did last night. If we plan to play a tighter, narrower and more combative style of play, we have the players to match the Pumas in a fortnight.

As an aside, can someone please tell me what’s the point of having Jordie Barrett in the team if we aren’t going to use his long kick to find territory? And what’s the point of a player like Damien McKenzie on the bench in a tight match like yesterday’s? There was no room out wide all game, and in that context McKenzie can do nothing. He is a great player to have when a game opens up, but again that isn’t elite test match rugby. Can someone please explain to our attack coach Brad Mooar this isn’t Super Rugby and committed test match defences don’t allow time and space for wide attacking players late in matches. I also think that the dual play maker setup is completely unsuited to this type of match. The dual playmaker setup requires time, space and width, and when no width is afforded to us BB spends the entire match out wide holding his dick.

[OomStruisbaai]

Crusader bevok. No word on your Richie?

[Carter's Choice]

Crusader bevok. No word on your Richie?

Richie? He turned up to play test match Rugby this year, unlike every single South African player.

[Turbster]

... and that's what I mean... the Crusaders, and even Carter (wink), understand that there are only two ways to counter a rush defence a) by playing directly from the ruck, or b) chipping into the space behind them, and we do neither. The day of the pods has come and gone. We must get the tighties back to five men you can throw a blanket over, two hunting the loose ball and getting to the breakdowns, and one to be everywhere, Reado style. Then our backs will have room to play! It gets on my tits when a lumbering tightie gets in the middle of a flowing back move reducing the pace to the lowest common denominator. In a way, we have to go back to go forward, or we are fxxxxxd.
So the problem isn't all the players, but the coaching team; Fozzie has never been successful. Plum showed his blinkers when he tried to justify Boshier's absence. Brad is a great fella, but ABs (?), Stormy has had what three years now, and we see no sign our defence has a plan or a philosophy, and honestly Greg Feek is an Irish hand-me-down.
Finally, the media intrusion into the team environment must be limited. Examples: RMo's cringeworthy interview of Frizzell and Reece, and the day after we get slammed by the Argies, up on Facebook pops BB's try against Argentina, 2017, God give me strength! Too much fxxxxxg skylarking, flash boots, peroxide hair, shit haircuts, and... oh save me...

[Carter's Choice]

I been with no internet, having just got out of quarantine, but one certain poster rubbished me for suggesting I would maybe have played the same test as last week, I still think we should of in one way, we would of had a team fizzing to prove something. And the reason he gave me was he didn't want Barrett in 10 jersey because he was shit last week, not sure who we will play there next test going on that reasoning. I a RM fan, but I thought he was well below even what Barrett put out last week, much as I like RM, he seems to struggle if he has to decide under pressure? Hope I'm wrong and it a blip, but he needs a plan when they flying up at him on defence, perhaps the odd kick to corner. Goodhue struggled , but RM shovelled ball to him and that made it hard fror him, ALB was even worse I thought. Forwards I thought genrally were just beaten the shit out of, I thought Cane had another good game, Ardie is just not big enough to be 8 against a big aggressive pack, Frizzell disappointed me a little just ran into people without bending the line. But all in all I think brains weren't in it, showed right at start when they were throwing the ball around behind the advantage line. I really think theyw went out with supposedly first team lineup, thinking the game was won before kick off.

Your entire test match analysis revolves around criticising Richie Mo'unga (or other Crusaders players), praising Sam Cane and absolving Ian Foster of any responsibility or accountability.

[Ymx]

Heads will roll. Young players will have their international careers ended prematurely because Ian Foster couldn't organise a root in a brothel.

We knew that Ian Foster was a shit coach before he was appointed to his current role We know he's still a shit coach. But he will continue to drag the All Blacks down to his level because NZR would rather destroy the game in NZ than admit that it made a mistake.

We need to pray that Argentina demolish NZ again next week... kick Foster while he is down... there is no place for sentimentality.. this is about the future of All Black Rugby... Foster could wipe out a dynasty inside 12 months if left to continue... he might single handedly destroy everything McCaw , Meads and Fitzpatrick built... he must be stopped...

As much as I abhor the notion of not backing the ABs, especially when they are down, the reality is that, now more than ever, a pragmatic approach is called for and lynchings, unfortunately, are illegal.

I doubt Foster will fall on his sword.

A grassy knoll might be the only solution then.

[Carter's Choice]

... and that's what I mean... the Crusaders, and even Carter (wink), understand that there are only two ways to counter a rush defence a) by playing directly from the ruck, or b) chipping into the space behind them, and we do neither. The day of the pods has come and gone. We must get the tighties back to five men you can throw a blanket over, two hunting the loose ball and getting to the breakdowns, and one to be everywhere, Reado style. Then our backs will have room to play! It gets on my tits when a lumbering tightie gets in the middle of a flowing back move reducing the pace to the lowest common denominator. In a way, we have to go back to go forward, or we are fxxxxxd.
So the problem isn't all the players, but the coaching team; Fozzie has never been successful. Plum showed his blinkers when he tried to justify Boshier's absence. Brad is a great fella, but ABs (?), Stormy has had what three years now, and we see no sign our defence has a plan or a philosophy, and honestly Greg Feek is an Irish hand-me-down.
Finally, the media intrusion into the team environment must be limited. Examples: RMo's cringeworthy interview of Frizzell and Reece, and the day after we get slammed by the Argies, up on Facebook pops BB's try against Argentina, 2017, God give me strength! Too much fxxxxxg skylarking, flash boots, peroxide hair, shit haircuts, and... oh save me...

It was around the 70th minute that the commentators mentioned that the AB's pack was playing very narrow. They said this as a criticism, as the AB's had stopped playing in pods because they were chasing the game and their structure fell apart. Interestingly, we looked better than we had done all match because we started to have sufficient numbers of players to contest the breakdown. We dominated possession for the final ten minutes of the match, put the Pumas under more pressure than we had done all match, and scored a try.

[Sards]

You want to take on the Boks? You can't even beat Arg.

Pumas! Well done lads. Putting nz wins over Aus in perspective.

Not commenting on results.

Just commenting on having the stones to actually turn up and play.

Like the Argies. They reaped the rewards while your boys stayed at home to protect "the brand".

Protecting the players against covid is and was the right thing to do.

I know you are angry know so I won't hold this line of posting aginst you.

Go well and I hope you feel better soon.

Rassie and Nienaber were afraid to lose....

The Pumas have shamed us.

End of the story.

[Sards]

In tough times, people need to stand together. I'm flabbergasted by posters hoping for losses so that the coach gets fired. Zero accountability for the players, the best in nz.

We can hardly comment. Our coach was too afraid to play.

[Gumboot]

Then there's our useless tactical kicking game. It's one thing to put up a testing short kick or cross kick when we're hot on attack after building a few quick phases with the defence stretched, and quite another to hastily kick hard-won turnover ball straight back to the fucking opposition.

[Jb1981]

Then there's our useless tactical kicking game. It's one thing to put up a testing short kick or cross kick when we're hot on attack after building a few quick phases with the defence stretched, and quite another to hastily kick hard-won turnover ball straight back to the fucking opposition.

Context each time (options on/pressure etc) is important, but it would be interesting to see a breakdown of who did most of our kicking. I’m appreciating the skill Ben Smith had under the high ball more and more now that he’s gone. His strike rate regathering a high kick is something we don’t have anymore.

[OomStruisbaai]

I been with no internet, having just got out of quarantine, but one certain poster rubbished me for suggesting I would maybe have played the same test as last week, I still think we should of in one way, we would of had a team fizzing to prove something. And the reason he gave me was he didn't want Barrett in 10 jersey because he was shit last week, not sure who we will play there next test going on that reasoning. I a RM fan, but I thought he was well below even what Barrett put out last week, much as I like RM, he seems to struggle if he has to decide under pressure? Hope I'm wrong and it a blip, but he needs a plan when they flying up at him on defence, perhaps the odd kick to corner. Goodhue struggled , but RM shovelled ball to him and that made it hard fror him, ALB was even worse I thought. Forwards I thought genrally were just beaten the shit out of, I thought Cane had another good game, Ardie is just not big enough to be 8 against a big aggressive pack, Frizzell disappointed me a little just ran into people without bending the line. But all in all I think brains weren't in it, showed right at start when they were throwing the ball around behind the advantage line. I really think theyw went out with supposedly first team lineup, thinking the game was won before kick off.

Your entire test match analysis revolves around criticising Richie Mo'unga (or other Crusaders players), praising Sam Cane and absolving Ian Foster of any responsibility or accountability.

He hit a nail there.

[Carter's Choice]

Then there's our useless tactical kicking game. It's one thing to put up a testing short kick or cross kick when we're hot on attack after building a few quick phases with the defence stretched, and quite another to hastily kick hard-won turnover ball straight back to the fucking opposition.

When you speak about clueless tactical kicking, one moment that stood out to me in the first half was Jordie Barrett receiving a long kick near his own 22, with plenty of time and space, and putting up a high midfield up-and-under for Richie Mo'unga to chase. The 6'5" unco Barrett kicking for the 5'6" 'best attacking kicking game in NZ' Mo'unga to chase and contest. Wtf?! I couldn't believe what I was watching.