I've already done a mini-review of last night's great All Black victory, but I promised more, so instead of rehashing the game, here's how I rated the individual AB's last night. Feel free to tear them to shreds, or add you own.Mils Muliaina: Solid at the back, and very good under the high ball. Added punch on his limited attacking opportunities - 7
Richard Kahui: Defended well, with one copybook try-saving tackle. Put the Aussies under pressure several times with enthusiatic chases - 7
Sitiveni Sivivatu: Not his best game in black. Pulled out of a tackle as Ashley-Cooper scored for Australia - 4
Conrad Smith: Missed a tackle on Mortlock when Australia scored, but otherwise sound - 6
Ma'a Nonu: improved as the game opened up -two tries was a good result for some strong running - 7
Dan Carter: Kicking was much improved from Sydney and he dictated the game for the AB's - 7.5
Jimmy Cowan: Put injuries and off-field issues behind him and played a blinder. Snappy passing, good kicking and an aggressive attitude gave a Man of the Match performance - 9.5
Rodney So'oialo: Back at #8 where he should be. Big workrate, and thrived without the pressure of captaincy - 8
Jerome Kaino: Also looked happier back at blindside. Sound all-round game - 7
Richie McCaw - Played his heart out, even though he looked short of a gallop at times. Outstanding leadership - 9
Ali Williams: Another cracking game. Just the blemish of a dropped ball when a try was begging. Great work at lineout time - 9
Brad Thorn: Like So'oialo he has a huge workrate. Strong at the lineout, and made some thunderous tackles - 8
Greg Somerville: Strong game "below the radar" - 7
Andrew Hore: Gets better with every match he plays. Accurate throwing and lively arounnd the field - 7.5
Tony Woodcock: Two tries, and a great all-round game which disspelled the "myth" - 9.5
6 comments:
Very fair summary IV
I can't remember a better lineout performance . A great team effort. Maybe we need the AB Party in this years election.
Cheers Lou - but I'd rather that we keep politics and sport seperate. It was bad enough seeing the PM at Eden park last night - she looked about as happy as I do when I'm in the dentist's chair!
Greetings from beautiful warm and sunny Hervey Bay. I was having a quick catch up, saw your review and couldn't resist.
Fair summary I watched at the local RSL - about 50 people in the room and 6 NZers watching the game.
A very good forward effort and nice to see a referee doing a proper job on the scrums rather than penalising the stronger scrum.
Too mmany silly penalties from So'oialo but a good game otherwise. McCaw made a huge difference to the leadership in particular. I would still like to see Kahui in the midfied and Sivivatu's work rate was such that he must be under pressure to keep his place. Nonu finshed very well but turned the ball over a time or two too many.
An excellent win considering the PM was at the game - is that her first win?
Will check in again from Coolangatta later in the week -its a hard life but someone has to do it!!!
Good to hear from you pdm - it's a helluva job you've got, but I suppose someone's gotta do it! Guess you'll be spending a bit of time at the Twin Towns club next weekend.
Was it coincidence that they had Buck to rev them up before the game?
And can we please kill off this bloody hopeless new haka? I thought for a moment the ref was going to blow half time before it finished.
Can't agree with you Adolf - I reckon that Kapa O Pango is brilliant, and they seem to play better after doing it. And the crowd loved it last night - there was a roar when they realised it wasn't "Kamate" that was being performed.
BTW - not just Buck, but 'Tree talked to the boys during the week, and probably told them he'd deal to them if they didn't front up!
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