I never thought DMac was 100% convincing when he played at 15 for the ABs; but since he went to Japan and came back as a 10 for the Chiefs and now the ABs, I’m all on the bandwagon. Still to see him do this in a tough battle against say a big contact team, but not feeling so panicked at not having Mounga next year.
Oh I agree with that for sure; but I don’t think this result is just Italy not being good. ABs have done the work, they won the collision, won the break down, won the set piece, maintained their discipline, and played with accuracy & variety. They kept Italy out of the game and dictated the way it was played.
IRE or SA will be a completely different game, and they will be able to wrest control of the game if they lose it in the way that Italy were not. Although if the ABs keep improving from this they are looking like the team that hurt SA in NZ earlier this year. The difference between this ABs team and other eras is there’s a question mark on if they can do it.
If they can, then whoever faces them in the quarters will need to win like its a final, and what that might do with 2 games remaining afterwards is food for thought.
I never thought DMac was 100% convincing when he played at 15 for the ABs; but since he went to Japan and came back as a 10 for the Chiefs and now the ABs, I’m all on the bandwagon. Still to see him do this in a tough battle against say a big contact team, but not feeling so panicked at not having Mounga next year.
That’s it, isn’t it, doing this against a team giving up a ton makes it look easy. Ireland (or SA I hope!) the big test in a fortnight
His little grin while settling before the kick looks a little movie psycho henchman to me. Plays well though.
Oh I agree with that for sure; but I don’t think this result is just Italy not being good. ABs have done the work, they won the collision, won the break down, won the set piece, maintained their discipline, and played with accuracy & variety. They kept Italy out of the game and dictated the way it was played.
IRE or SA will be a completely different game, and they will be able to wrest control of the game if they lose it in the way that Italy were not. Although if the ABs keep improving from this they are looking like the team that hurt SA in NZ earlier this year. The difference between this ABs team and other eras is there’s a question mark on if they can do it.
If they can, then whoever faces them in the quarters will need to win like its a final, and what that might do with 2 games remaining afterwards is food for thought.