Anytime the Bulls are winning means theres something not right in rugby.
Commentators talked bout the possession difference but steyn kicked
every ball away. Such a simple gameplan from the crusaders. Passing the
ball from side to side with a fatty (normally Franks or Crockett) taking
it up in midfield before Ellis quickly redistributed to Carter (who
simply doubled round the midfield ruck all game) to continued to feed
the ball the same way. Result was side to side play from the crusaders
with one ruck centre field each time. That tired out the Bulls' pack,
and coupled with a safer game in their own quarter complemented by
belief and confidence in their own setpiece took away the bulls' one and
only game. Made it look easy. Good to see Carter back on his game, too.
Try pick a nz super backline on current form:
9 dont think anyone in world rugby comes close to kerr-barlow at the
moment. Followed by perenara and weepu, weepu would get nod as back up
simply because perenara's game too similar to kerr-barlow.
10 before last wkd's games i'd have said cruden perhaps backed up by
noakes. Blues backs are nigh on unstoppable so the 1st5 gets credit even
though his defence is suspect. Now it's all carter backed up by cruden
OR slade (reliable, minimal error rate and trustworthy defender).
Barrett doesnt get a look in and never should have in my opinion. And
too much of a turnstyle in defence. Maybe with age his time will come
but he doesnt merit being called an AB.
12 Dont know bout this one. One option is Cruden at 10, Carter at 2nd.
Highlanders' Burleigh looks good as does Blues 2nd5 Saiili. Nonu...lazy lazy lazy.
13 Great as nanai williams has been he will and has been found out vs
big centres. Conrad smith has been made to look like a boy defensively
on 2 or 3 occasions. Rene Ranger is the go here.
11/14 Watching Gear and Savea battle it out for the AB spots has been
great. Gear is hard as nails....and not a small boy. Doubt there's many
players that hurt more to tackle than him. Savea has upped his skill
level and it's been incredible watching him leap for high balls and
including deft chips in his game. Cant look outside these 2.
15 Tell me a better fullback around on current form than Piutau.
Ideas?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete9 Still Kerr Barlow
ReplyDelete10 Carter on song
12 Kahui has hit the ground running and already looks form back in the Super XV. Crotty doing ok but need someone special to finally get rid of Nonu.
13 Although the AB selectors wont discard Smith, I'd have Ranger here. Responsibility has improved his defence, and always a handful ball in hand. Not short of speed.
11 Better and better every game...Savea.
14 Hard as nails, great finisher, the Maori Mexican, Hosea Gear.
15 I imagine the selectors see him as Conrad's successor down the road but for now the best and safest 15 in NZ, Ben Smith