Posts by Russell Brown
-
Field Theory: All Blacks v Wallabies Tensionfest, in reply to Raymond A Francis,
My only problem was the use of the boot by NZ, kicking the ball at this level is just delivering the ball to the oposition hoping they will drop it or knock it on
It only worked against the aussies because the either kicked back or rather allowd our boys to catch itIt worked because the ABs' kicking and chasing was very good and that put the Wallabies under pressure.
-
Tracey Nelson's Haka stats are published! *Massive* games from O Franks and Thorn. And Richie, natch.
-
Field Theory: All Blacks v Wallabies Tensionfest, in reply to John Armstrong,
All Blacks were great, but I still think that performance was about seventy per cent of what they are capable of (opening twenty minutes aside, which was probably about ninety per cent). I hope to see fewer up-and-unders next week and a lot more ball in hand for the backs. If it clicks against France we’ll win it by thirty points..
I suppose it was, as our league friends say, "finals footy", in which it made more sense to defend a lead via the forwards than take unnecessary risks -- but like you, I hope that the ABs can really open up in the final. That backline going nuts for the last 30 mins would be a nice way to finish.
But I am trying not to regard the result as a done deal ...
-
Field Theory: All Blacks v Wallabies Tensionfest, in reply to Sacha,
Whereas Cruden seems to hang on to the ball a bit too much for my liking. Maybe just needs more development.
My guess is that the coaches told him to back himself early, rather than just shoveling the ball along. I'm okay with that.
-
There was a point during the QF against Argentina last weekend where we got a look at what the All Blacks had in store.
At about the 50 min mark, McCaw and Thorn raised the intensity of their play at the tackle and breakdown and I thought "this is how they plan to play the semi".
And they did. The controlled ferocity of the All Black forwards at the breakdown last night was incredible. Even where they couldn't drive the Wallabies off their own ball, they shunted them back and took Genia out of the game.
Players stepped up and made key tackles at key times -- that effort by Owen Franks in the midfield that won a penalty was incredible. Cooper(?) had every reason to think he was going to step a front-rower and he just got demolished.
-
Hard News: The Sound of Music, in reply to Crunchy Weta,
Then again, I dream of hearing ‘Point That Thing Somewhere Else’ before a game, and that ain’t gonna happen.
I think you're on to it Russell. Just for you... and it's so good!
Wow -- thanks!
-
Field Theory: All Blacks v Wallabies Tensionfest, in reply to Dave Patrick,
Here’s hoping Sonny Bill picks up a one-game ban for his yellow card
I wouldn't think so. As dangerous tackles go, that was harmless.
and we never see that particular side-show in an Al Black jersey again – or at least until he’s played some rugby and got rid of the league-isms in his game (running with ball in one hand, instinct to take the tackle rather than look for support when he’s broken through, no-arms tackles), and earned his place in the team.
Oh, c'mon. SBW topped the tackle count in the game against Canada, has made more line breaks and offloads than anyone else in the competition, handled wing well despite never having played there, etc. He's not perfect, but I'd much rather have him on my side.
-
Hard News: The Sound of Music, in reply to BenWilson,
In the mid 90s, I was once paid to do a focus group on ...
This amuses me. You are one of the more singular people I know. You'd be a nightmare for a market researcher :-)
-
Hard News: The Sound of Music, in reply to BenWilson,
One of the things I find most incongruous about NZ music at the games is that they always, always, evoke thoughts of people who would most likely have been very much on the anti-tour side. It doesn't cause nice feelings, I feel just that little bit alienated from the game every time. The kind of people who dig kiwi music and the kind of people who like rugby, as cliches, would seem to be very different tribes.
¿Que?
I think the two have become inseparable in the last 20 years. The big game-day tunes like 'Why Does Love Do This To Me?'and 'Slice of Heaven' are an established part of the rugby experience and I think -- particularly on their OE -- young New Zealanders relate strongly to both music and the All Blacks as signifiers of home.
And the musicians? Neil Finn wrote a rugby song. Shayne Carter's a big rugby fan, Sam Flynn Scott and James Milne ditto. Scribe called his debut album The Crusader for a reason. Tiki Taane and Optimus Grime both created new works for the RWC 2011 opening ceremony.
And Don McGlashan -- who with Blam Blam Blam famously got in a brawl at Lincoln University during the 1981 tour, and who formed Right Left and Centre to record 'Don't Go', which urged the All Blacks not to tour South Africa in 1985 -- actually wrote the music for the RWC 2011 opening fireworks show.
-
Hard News: Thanks, Steve. For everything., in reply to Martin Lindberg,
I think I will honour him by rewriting some stuff at work in old-school C. Java can bite me – pft!
You're a wild man!