Tri Nations Test Argentina v NZ ‘Nero Fiddles’ thread.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Jimmy, RMo made some really dumb sideways/backwards runs tonight.

At best, it was a mixed bag.

It wasn’t great.

What's the answer then?

Beauden shovelling it on relentlessly, no matter where he is on the field?

No matter how much he and his fans wish it were otherwise, the guy isn't a test first fives ring piece.

[Ymx]

First one was great positioning, great low pick up, and lovely running line with acceleration.

Second one was excellent intercept which was very well handled.

Last one, the break, was simply brilliant foot skills.

But, anyone would have got them. Anyway, you've some weird double down thing going on.

Affirmation bias runs strong in this one Luke.

Stop embarrassing yourself. You made a fool of yourself. And worse is the continued doubling down on your original comment.

[Ymx]

Jimmy, RMo made some really dumb sideways/backwards runs tonight.

At best, it was a mixed bag.

It wasn’t great.

What's the answer then?

Beauden shovelling it on relentlessly, no matter where he is on the field?

No matter how much he and his fans wish it were otherwise, the guy isn't a test first fives ring piece.

No one was banging on about BB and his past credentials. You’re making it up.

The answer is, as it often is with this drivel, shut up.

[FujiKiwi]

Jimmy, RMo made some really dumb sideways/backwards runs tonight.

At best, it was a mixed bag.

It wasn’t great.

What's the answer then?

Beauden shovelling it on relentlessly, no matter where he is on the field?

No matter how much he and his fans wish it were otherwise, the guy isn't a test first fives ring piece.

I haven’t seen any serious All Black fan on either bored suggest Beaudy should be at 10, for a couple of years at least now.

What’s the answer then? For Mo’unga not to run side to side like a headless chook, or even worse, like Damien MacKenzie.

[Taranaki Snapper]

O'Terry Black?

[Torquemada 1420]

Stop embarrassing yourself. You made a fool of yourself. And worse is the continued doubling down on your original comment.

You learn "doubling down" in a crossword last week and now feel the need to inject it into every conversation?

TBF, it makes you sound bright.......er.

[Torquemada 1420]

I haven’t seen any serious All Black fan on either bored suggest Beaudy should be at 10, for a couple of years at least now.

What’s the answer then? For Mo’unga not to run side to side like a headless chook, or even worse, like Damien MacKenzie.

Jimmy Gopperth surely?

[Ymx]

Stop embarrassing yourself. You made a fool of yourself. And worse is the continued doubling down on your original comment.

You learn "doubling down" in a crossword last week and now feel the need to inject it into every conversation?

TBF, it makes you sound bright.......er.

Thanks. Stay tuned for next weeks phrase.

Once I get over my “affirmation” bias.

[Enzedder]

Just watched the recording. Thanks to the forwards - dominated.

The backs were barely average across the park despite having the Rolls Royce platform to attack from.

6/10 - must do better

[Wild Beef]

Jimmy, RMo made some really dumb sideways/backwards runs tonight.

At best, it was a mixed bag.

It wasn’t great.

What's the answer then?

Beauden shovelling it on relentlessly, no matter where he is on the field?

No matter how much he and his fans wish it were otherwise, the guy isn't a test first fives ring piece.

There is no answer, there is no question. Incumbents are allowed to have off days, and I would call this an off day. If people are saying this is a good mounga performance then it’s a bit of an insult to mounga tbh. He is much better than that

[Dan54]

Just watched the recording. Thanks to the forwards - dominated.

The backs were barely average across the park despite having the Rolls Royce platform to attack from.

6/10 - must do better

Mate I agree wholeheartedly, the forwards were the difference tonight, it's almost like they remembered what their job was. I didn't think the backs were anything to get excited about, though I actually thought Goodhue went pretty ok at 12.

[Dan54]

11. Clarke
14. Reece
15. Jordan

Might go alright.

What about a fit Bridge?

You've twisted my arm.

10. Mo'unga
11. Bridge
12. Goodhue
13. Ennor
14. Jordan
15. Havili

23. Reece

You can't have that team, or you will get accused of shoehorning players in, Jordan is actualyy a 15, that gets put in on wing to find a place for him

[Ymx]

I’m watching you Dan I am

[Ymx]

But yes I agree, the story today was the forwards.

Front row killed the scrum
Second row did their job
Loosies blew them off the field esp Ioane (who redeemed himself).

I really want to watch this game again.

[Dan54]

I’m watching you Dan I am

[Dan54]

But yes I agree, the story today was the forwards.

Front row killed the scrum
Second row did their job
Loosies blew them off the field esp Ioane (who redeemed himself).

I really want to watch this game again.

Yep I am prepared to say after always being a huge critic of Akira, he certainly looked like he deserves a chance to see if he can keep this form up. I was actually most impressed with his lineout work etc.

[Flockwitt]

Yep, forwards ensured there was only going to be one result, which is all you can ask for.

As a comment on the Jordie discussion I've actually been very happy with Jordie's performance this AB season. Not as a 14 but on the personal development route. No brainfarts, maturing into a senior player for all that he's still effing young. A 14 needs to be able to beat the first player or keep the ball alive in heavy traffic, that's not Jordie and never will be. That's the coaches issue. I'm going to say though I'd pick him as our 15 as it stands. The player I'd like to see there against England and SA. When points and space are tight he's our best option I feel. Able to make the short angled power runs, safe in the air and tackle, and kick. Defense wins games and Jordie brings that. BB should be on the bench, or another, and hopefully we'll see that next year if Jordie has the same sort of soup season and Beaudan's away.

[Certain Navigator]

Jimmy, RMo made some really dumb sideways/backwards runs tonight.

At best, it was a mixed bag.

It wasn’t great.

All this criticism of the AB backs seems a bit overdone, and suggests Cane's 'brutal fans' comment may have been onto something. Yes, they kicked a lot, but that — obviously — was the game plan response to two weeks ago. Yes, not all of it was perfectly executed — it's never going to be when you kick that much — but a lot of it was, enabling the forwards to exert pressure at set piece. It would also have resulted in an early try but for Barrett's butterfingers.

As for Mo'unga twice having to run backwards/sideways, that's what happens when you get thrown hospital passes by the likes of Perenara. Far better to buy some time and allow your team to circle the wagons than to shovel it on and throw some other poor sod under the bus.

Bottom line: you don't beat Argentina 38-0 with a uniformly poor backline. A few deep breaths are in order.

[Ymx]

I thought the kicking was probably a deliberately over used strategy to stop an aggressive high concentration defence with good line speed.

[Not_Couch]

Jimmy, RMo made some really dumb sideways/backwards runs tonight.

At best, it was a mixed bag.

It wasn’t great.

All this criticism of the AB backs seems a bit overdone, and suggests Cane's 'brutal fans' comment may have been onto something. Yes, they kicked a lot, but that — obviously — was the game plan response to two weeks ago. Yes, not all of it was perfectly executed — it's never going to be when you kick that much — but a lot of it was, enabling the forwards to exert pressure at set piece. It would also have resulted in an early try but for Barrett's butterfingers.

As for Mo'unga twice having to run backwards/sideways, that's what happens when you get thrown hospital passes by the likes of Perenara. Far better to buy some time and allow your team to circle the wagons than to shovel it on and throw some other poor sod under the bus.

Bottom line: you don't beat Argentina 38-0 with a uniformly poor backline. A few deep breaths are in order.

Excuses, excuses.

Perenara didn't even play in the Argentina loss this year. Stop with the Dickmo excuses, you sound like a typical Crusaders fan, dumb as dog shit.

The TRUTH is, Rmo can't handle a decent rush defensive line, just like Beauden Barrett, you're in denial and it kills you.

[Dan54]

I thought the kicking was probably a deliberately over used strategy to stop an aggressive high concentration defence with good line speed.

Me too and said so at halftime, were they just off or was the fielf a metre or 2 narrower?

[Sandstorm]

I really want to watch this game again.

You love a thousand bad cross-kicks?

[Mr Bungle]

I really want to watch this game again.

You love a thousand bad cross-kicks?

That would be regarded as a dynamic attacking game were it the Boks. But yes, an a average game finishing wise for NZ.

[Not_Couch]

I really want to watch this game again.

You love a thousand bad cross-kicks?

Boks have yet to learn this skill, they are still marveling at the sight of a hundred mid field box kicks by Faf like deers in headlights.

[Cartman]

Rush defence also leads to bad kicks. You would expect that anyway otherwise it would be a pretty useless defensive tactic.

[Sandstorm]

I really want to watch this game again.

You love a thousand bad cross-kicks?

Boks have yet to learn this skill, they are still marveling at the sight of a hundred mid field box kicks by Faf like deers in headlights.

Kiwis

[sban052]

Mounga had a mixed night. He was the source of creativity in the game, it just did not all pan out, which is okay. I think keeping him in the saddle until the world cup will likely pay dividends. Once comfortable, this super rugby form will translate well.
Jordie on the other hand, I just cannot see him developing into a world class player, and I fear he is stunting the growth of other players. It would be great to see two wingers with pace or who are elusive, who can also catch. Can Jordan play right wing?
Forwards really stepped up - scrums, lineouts, backrow. I suspect Ioane has snatched the blindside from Frizell.

[Gumboot]

Yep, Akira had a great game.

Frizell, like Tuipulotu, had a terrific Supe season but hasn't been able to carry that form into test rugby.

[Monkey Magic]

Will be interesting to see how some of these guys go next year.

In particular Taylor looks like he is absolutely gassed- still playing alright but not as good as he has been. Could be just the drag if the year which included crusaders captaincy.

Frizzell didn't seem able to translate his great super rugby form to the test arena, while Akira looked good in his limited opportunities.

Whitelock has been good after seemingly being on his last legs last year.

Hopefully ennor comes back from injury strongly and fakatava pushes his claims further.

1 truncated year in and we might be slightly closer to knowing our best loose trio, midfield and back 3. But its still long way from the complete picture. Props and locks still look like we have wafer thin quality

[sban052]

I'm quite glad TJ is leaving for a year. His passing is just not good enough. Perfect opportunity to bleed another 1-2 halfbacks.
I'm not entirely sold on our centre pairing. I'm a big fan of both Goodhue and ALB, but are they too similar? Incisiveness may be an issue with our midfield.
Lock remains a massive issue. Whitelock will be 35-36 at the world cup. Will Brodie come back the same force as before? Tuipolotu cannot seem translate his form in super rugby to international rugby, and Barrett is prone to stupidity.

[Flockwitt]

I think the ABs are going to be a bit rocky regardless of who we've got for a while yet. Bedding in new half-backs which need to be done is all well and good, but where's the quality vs. prime sneaky and TJ? We need new hookers, but where's the quality vs. prime Coles and Taylor? We're not entirely happy with the mid-field, but what are the options? What will the ABs do when returnees like BB and TJ come back? A lot of WIP and balancing going to be needed this RWC cycle requiring an outstanding coaching team and patient NZ fans. We've got neither.

[sban052]

I think the ABs are going to be a bit rocky regardless of who we've got for a while yet. Bedding in new half-backs which need to be done is all well and good, but where's the quality vs. prime sneaky and TJ? We need new hookers, but where's the quality vs. prime Coles and Taylor? We're not entirely happy with the mid-field, but what are the options? What will the ABs do when returnees like BB and TJ come back? A lot of WIP and balancing going to be needed this RWC cycle requiring an outstanding coaching team and patient NZ fans. We've got neither.

Frankly, I don't think TJ is an international quality halfback. Too poor at the core role of passing.
Time to stick Auomoa on the bench with coles starting and bring him on to bleed him well.
Beaudan Barrett should need to earn his way back into the team through performances, and not be gifted an assigned seat.
I agree it's going to be rocky. I just wish I trusted the coaching team to grow a young team.

[Dan54]

I think we really need to be pushing the case for Vai at lock a lot more, and it may or may not have something to do with the fact it looks like the Naki is where I will be settling back here!

[Flockwitt]

Frankly, I don't think TJ is an international quality halfback. Too poor at the core role of passing.

But this is the issue isn't it. Poor at passing relative to who? He's at least as good as Justin Marshal. You get somebody like Sneaky come along, who when he did it was immediately commented that his passing was the best since forever, and suddenly everybody else looks poor in comparison. We had Carter, the most rounded 10 we could ever see, and relatively BB doesn't look as good, when he's at least as good most 10s in the business.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Mo? Out best back? Yes, from a very low bar, but even then you'd need to be deranged to come up with the streaming pile of opinionated bilge. Cross filed kicks, bombs, running sideways and backwards. That was just BBB, Mo was worse.

Fuck me the Canes mafia is out in force.

The only Barrett who should be starting, ironically, is Scott. He was industrious today, while his brothers were kicking the ball away and doing 2/3 of fuck all.

Will Jordan came on and reminded us all what Jordie isn't. An outside back with pace.

Beauden meanwhile once again dicked around doing fuck all, looking like a shadow of the 2016 WORLD RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR his fans masturbate to and by the way isn't a real award anyway. A popular vote players get pissed to and vote on for laughs.

Sorry, Jimmy, where did I praise Barrett or elevate him over Mo. One comment please, just one, or shut the fuck up.

The truth is, neither were especially good. In fact, both were poor.

Now, put your knee jerk, inferiority complex away, everyone is looking at it.

Recommended reading for the Mo'unga haters who blame every missed backline opportunity on him.

I reckon Stuff rugby reporter Aaron Goile has nailed it.

Richie Mo’unga: Much more trickery off the boot compared to a fortnight back, which kept the defence guessing, though several of the offensive bombs/wide kicks didn’t work out. Nice long ball for Coles to score opening try. Sensational linebreak to set up Clarke for should-be try. Kicked 6/7 off the tee – couple of excellent conversions but missed easy shot just before halftime. 7/10

[Trapper]

I find it hard to get excited by that game, error filled 1st half and a 2nd half that if not for a bit of individual brilliance would not have been much better. That was mostly an Argie B team, we should be putting teams like that away.
I think we have missed a huge opportunity this year getting young guys game time, the likes of Akira, Aumua, Jordan, Vai, Sotutu, Grace, Papalii etc or giving Joggie an extended run at FB.
We are supposed to be building for the next WC all I see happening is Foster putting out his tried and trusted in an effort not to lose and keep his job and in doing so, he’s not doing his job.

To me it’s been a wasted year.

I rate this year 5/5

[Guy Smiley]

To me it’s been a wasted year.

I rate this year 5/5

Uh huh

[the cursed]

I find it hard to get excited by that game, error filled 1st half and a 2nd half that if not for a bit of individual brilliance would not have been much better. That was mostly an Argie B team, we should be putting teams like that away.
I think we have missed a huge opportunity this year getting young guys game time, the likes of Akira, Aumua, Jordan, Vai, Sotutu, Grace, Papalii etc or giving Joggie an extended run at FB.
We are supposed to be building for the next WC all I see happening is Foster putting out his tried and trusted in an effort not to lose and keep his job and in doing so, he’s not doing his job.

To me it’s been a wasted year.

I rate this year 5/5

shirley a 3/6?

[Not_Couch]

Fuck me the Canes mafia is out in force.

The only Barrett who should be starting, ironically, is Scott. He was industrious today, while his brothers were kicking the ball away and doing 2/3 of fuck all.

Will Jordan came on and reminded us all what Jordie isn't. An outside back with pace.

Beauden meanwhile once again dicked around doing fuck all, looking like a shadow of the 2016 WORLD RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR his fans masturbate to and by the way isn't a real award anyway. A popular vote players get pissed to and vote on for laughs.

Sorry, Jimmy, where did I praise Barrett or elevate him over Mo. One comment please, just one, or shut the fuck up.

The truth is, neither were especially good. In fact, both were poor.

Now, put your knee jerk, inferiority complex away, everyone is looking at it.

Recommended reading for the Mo'unga haters who blame every missed backline opportunity on him.

I reckon Stuff rugby reporter Aaron Goile has nailed it.

Richie Mo’unga: Much more trickery off the boot compared to a fortnight back, which kept the defence guessing, though several of the offensive bombs/wide kicks didn’t work out. Nice long ball for Coles to score opening try. Sensational linebreak to set up Clarke for should-be try. Kicked 6/7 off the tee – couple of excellent conversions but missed easy shot just before halftime. 7/10

Who cares what a stuff writer has to say? That was probably the first Rugby game he's ever reviewed.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Nah Goile's pretty good. One of the better writers in a shallow Kiwi pool.