Rugbology Aug 8 2023.

Quick taps ........ Eddies zero for 4 but says he's going to win the cup! : Is there anyone in Dunedin still anti their covered stadium? : 1 month to go !!!!

All Blacks.

Thankfully for NZ, Bled2 was a game of 2 halves after the Wallys dominated pill, territory, accuracy and the scoreboard in the first 40. The ABs struggled to get anything going basically making a mess of just about everything they tried and were fortunate to only be 3-17 down at oranges. Out they came after a rev up and straight away they looked more urgent. Scored a try only 4 mins in, handling improved, scrum fronted, injected some number ones and ended up dominating the second 40 as much as the Wallys controlled the first. Points didn’t come easy as Eddies boys fought to the end but one last scrum surge leading to a Ritchie Mo penalty just before the hooter got the ABs home.

In the end an intriguing game due to the ABs having to dig themselves out of a big hole which in the end they managed to do. No real players of the game for me although Leicester was a handful with the ball, Finau much better in 2nd 40 as looked a wee bit lost in the first half AB muddle, Ardie does an amazing amount of smashing and bashing whilst once Smith and Mo’runga grabbed the tiller, the ship steadied impressively.

Daughter #2 informed me it was a very exciting game to be at with a loud, happy atmosphere and whilst Dunners rocked afterwards, ultimately the right team won! Thanks for the man in the stand report Millie.

RWC Squad.

I don’t have much of an issue with the squad as it was fairly well signposted but David Havili should buy a lotto ticket - immaculate timing in his case and the wingers should collectively buy the selectors a flash holiday post the RWC.

The 18-15 squad mix was a tad unexpected with an extra prop, only 5 loosies but 5 wings if we count Jordan as one. One too many for me and at least 1 big loosie short (Finau) leaving us with the 2 smallest no8s for the RWC and after Frizzel little physical horsepower at 6. Loosies get hammered at RWCs whilst the speed merchants tend to only tweak the odd muscle or hammy and I think Fozzy has got this wrong.

The problem is as I’ve banged on about before, we have failed to uncover and develop any big, grunty and athletic 8s. They need big bulky frames and equally large tireless, accurate, unforgiving engines but Sotutu and Akira don’t have the latter, Blackadder does although his probably stuck in overdrive whilst Grace has it all but has been foiled by injury. NZ needs to take some of the shorter locks running through the NPC and shove some into 8 , eg Zack Gallagher and Jesse Parete - we just cannot keep only producing and accepting wee Luke Jacobsens for the boot. I know he’s now turned into a world class lock, just imagine if Fozzy had converted Scooter Barrett to no8 back in 2020 ………… but once he installed Cane as his skipper, he had to find a place for Ardie and that was that. Yes, we all agree Ardie boxes well above his weight but just imagine a loose trio of Ardie at 7, Scooter at 8 and Frizzel at 6 ………. boom !

However, it is what we have so off we go.

RWC.

First round of matches up North as they warm up their squads with fairly meaningless results. England probably the most surprising although to be honest, the Poms historically tend to find figuring out their 1st XV, a bit of a struggle. Round 2 next weekend with first choice starters injected should provide a better fix.

Mind you, not much point in any team worrying too much about RWC form as Eddie Jones has already confirmed the Wallys are going to win it.

NPC.

A TV feast last weekend with 7 provincial battles across the country and all except one were pretty competitive. Auckland got out of jail after the hooter in Tauranga, Otago made life difficult for a stacked Tasman, a high scoring entertainer between the Naki & Counties, the Penguin-rooters gave Waikato a big fright in the deep south, Manawatoo held the Beehive boys in a vice for the best part of 70 minutes, the Magpies slipped past Harbour, just but Canterbury hammered the Taniwha up North. Too early to make a call on player form but looking forward to next weekend.

Also love the stories around the NPC and one report that was sent in concerned Rugbologist Matt Newman and his old Counties cronies who hurtled off in a mini-bus from Pukekohe on a roadie through the Waikato, King Country ending in New Plymouth for the weekend. These boys have a long-standing tradition in terms of these road trips and Matt confirms they’re as dedicated as ever and have a few more planned. Huge !

That’ll do for now ………………. remember to pass this on to anyone who you think will enjoy it !