yes we may rely alot one foward n one back. but in the end rugby is a game of strengths. And like life, in rugby, you play to your strengths. People like Dan Carter and Richie McCaw are strengths in our team and so we utilise them as much as we can in order to win. Just like how England utilsed Johny Wilkinsons boot in the 2003 world cup. He was their biggest aset in that his boot won them the world cup that year. AB's are winning. It may not be pretty but they are winning. Gone are the days in where it was how the AB's won. (scoring try after try) But never the less they are WINNING!!! so what are we complaining about? lol
It is a worry when NZ has to rely on 1 key forward and 1 key back to win well...Need more breadth of talent and mongrel than that. Carter had a poor game by his high standards which meant the backs were often disjointed and had no hope of breaching the defence until the rhythm came back. Also need true ball-running forwards. One-offs from shallow is not ball-running, whereas guys running angles from deep off the half back or first five, as well as off other forwards is... and will do more to break the England type of defence... as will prudent grubbers etc. Best running from deep I have seen lately was the kiwis vs Oz. Wrong code though... I suspect these guys are starting to believe their own sychophantic press...NZ has to do better. B- only for effort and ticker.
1. stephen jones is just a sensationalist. He really does not know much about rugby, or at least his predictions are proven wrong about 99% of the time. He only keeps his job because everyone gets all excited about what he says because of the controversial nature of it, this article is a good example. 2. Give Zac time. I dont think Henry compared him to Kirwan, just said he reminded him of Kirwan in the way he positioned himself on attack. I am still waiting for the next Jeff Wilson to come along and thought maybe Zac, but last night he showed he is no Jeff Wilson. When carter made that cross kick pass to Guilford a little goldie special chip and chase would have been the ticket. Try time. But no. 3. Having said that, yes this is not the strongest team we've had. But we've done great givin what we have. And still time to develop into a top team. Im satisfied enough, given the manpower at the moment
Stephen Jones will bag the All Blacks evem if they beat everyone by 100 points, its just what he does. I don't know why people pay him any attention.
Blah Blah Blah. People used to moan when the All Blacks romped home with 30 point victories every week saying games were to pridictable now that the games are tightly contested the critics are still moaning. Some people never shut up maybe they shud find another sport to watch. The current rugby laws have determined the style of play teams use 2day razzle dazzle doesnt win games anymore. Alot of people fail to realise that the Southern Hemisphere teams were put at a disadvantage by Changing to the new Elvs rules which made for exciting rugby but called for more mobile and otherwise smaller fowards for the faster game, whereas the northern teams played the current rules with Rolling mauls and bigger foward packs and kicking oriented play. It has taken a bit of a transition for us to get back into that style of rugby which is why the current gap between Nrthrn and southern has closed dramatically. The All Blacks are Building nicely with some imppresive youngsters coming thru Guildford Jane Ross Franks slade Maitland Vito and some experienced players still to return Hayman Jack Williams Kahui Mealamu i think come 2011 The All Blacks will be a very exciting mix of new talent and experienced players and will be good for the time to get used to the new style of rugby and the Mauling. The Scary thing is for everyone else the All Blacks are far from peaking but yet are still No1 ranked and have not conceded a try to a northern hemisphere team since 2007. If we have managed to be no1 ranked thru a very average season things can only get worse for the rest of the World. I have no doubt we are bulding to something special 2011 Carl Hayman and Ali Williams wil give us back that edge we had in the fowards over every other team in the world.
Stephen Jones is bang-on with his story. A very average ABs outfit playing a very average England side to produce what was a very, very average game of what is becoming a very, very, very average sport. Bring back rucking.
It is easy to have a armchair opinion. The AB's are nowhere near there best which is a good thing. France and the Boks are at the top of their games. One thing that we have to do is support our nations in their preparation for the World Cup. Rugby has to the the winner and not the critics. Come on the AB's
Totally disagree. I really enjoyed the game as did the other 4 people who got up at 3.30am this morning to watch it. I don't think there's any other team who could get a significant portion of NZ out of bed on a sunday morning to watch them. I reckon the AB's are close to clicking on attack and scoring a brace of tries. GO THE AB's!!
While I think Stephen Jones is and always has been a one eyed British rugby writer, and while he has over reacted again, he does have a point. This is not a great All Black side. Too many mediocre players. Thompson, Ellis, Boric, Cowan, Donnelly etc. And am I the only one who thinks Zac Guildford is not as good as he is being made out to be. Comparing him to the great John Kirwan was a joke Graham.
Who cares??
