We're away from our normal abode this morning, and though we WATCHED the All Blacks game, we didn't have any audio out of respect for our hosts!
Accordingly, it's hard to form a clear and concise opinion. Our overall impression was of a scrappy and error-ridden performance, a brave defensive display by the Irish (who seemed to be consistently ahead of the offside line) and a lack of cohesion from the All Blacks.
Feel free to correct us if we are wrong, but we got the impression that Andy Ellis didn't have the best of games, and that the backs were deprived of good ball. The back three looked good when they got the ball, but Carter, Nonu and Smith seemed to struggle.
And when was the last time that the All Blacks scored four tries in a test match, all by forwards? Kieran Reid had another barnstorming match, and has really stamped his mark on the No. 8 position. The scrum went well, the lineout was adequate, but the Irish seemed adept at slowing down the ball at the breakdown.
So that's our view, in a silent nutshell. We have the match at home on MySky, but we doubt that we'll get around to watching it upon our return. We hate to admit it, but we're pretty much rugbied-out!
8 comments:
Bloody great to see the Scots scalp the meat eaters!
Only heard the second half on radio sport here at Tech while I study structural theory, bet the boys will be disappointed not to keep a clean sheet try-wise...
A fair summary Inv although I am not sure that you gave the Irish enough credit. They did something that most other teams don't do - Aussies excepted - they ran the ball at the AB's and were prepared to spread it wide. Their problem was most of it was in their own half.
Sure the Irish rode the offside line but then most teams do AB's included if the refs let them. For the first time that I can recall O'Driscoll showed some of his skills against the AB's - that pick up for his try at full pace was top class. Had the Irish had Paul O'Connell they may have got even closer on the day.
While Carter got man of the match I actually thought Read was more deserving. While on Carter has he last that top end acceleration he used to have.
I said I would watch Nonu and did. This was probably his most disciplined game and he was mainly a link. No penalties or turnovers and only one missed tackle that I saw. He did get away with a late charge on O'Driscoll early in the game that a ref like Dickinson might have pinged him for.
Ellis was a bit disappointing he too has developed the three or four steps before passing routine. Mathewson had to deal with some rubbish ball when he came on - I hope he starts against Wales.
Smith was anonymous and SBW did not show up when he came on apart for one very good tackle that killed a threatening Irish move.
Elliott was solid without showing out like he did in the second half against Scotland but his lineout throwing was on the mark. The difference between he and Hore in that department was significant with Hore even giving away a free kick for delaying the throw - rust perhaps.
Joubert reffed the scrums better than any other ref on display over here this year but they were still a mess at times. Jerseys seem to be an acknowledged problem as regards binding.
Finally the tackle - my understanding is if you are the tackler you can play the ball from anywhere once you are on your feet - provided it is still only a tackle. McCaw has been hammered in the last two tests for this - has the rule changed.
Ciaron - I watched it and it was a bloody awful game. However the Yarpies were so poor the Scots deserved their win as they made fewer mistakes.
pdm;
Being half Scot, I'll take the win, ugly or not. :)
Hear Hear, I have a British Passport because my father was born in Scotland.
the Irish did a lot better than I thought. Reid is becoming a very good player. Re the Jocks, well, I guess I am part Scottish as my dad was born so yahaaa
jabba
I have just read the match summary of the worst All Black Captain ever - Stu Wilson. One of us was watching a different game - although we agreed Read was man of the match.
Where we differed was Ellis - Wilson said no steps I say he had Weepu disease taking steps before passing.
jabba - Read (not Reid) has always been a very good player. Six is his true position but because Henry and co have not developed a true no8 - Bourke being a prime example, Read is forced to fill the gap and is doing so very well.
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