Them Rugga Boys: Aaron Smith

Showing posts with label Aaron Smith. Show all posts

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

All Blacks v England - in review

(also published on Pink Rugby)

The All Blacks have recently wound up their series against England, coming away with a 3-0 winning streak. As one would predict, as one would hope. But it wasn't all smooth sailing, far from it

actually...

Test 1 and test 2 were both down to the wire and in reality, the All Blacks were lucky to secure two wins. I felt that in the first test in particular, the All Blacks were outplayed by the English, and it was pure luck that they somehow got more points than the English. The second game was more evenly contested, but the English were very unlucky to not win after their second half comeback.

Test 3 was the one game that gave All Blacks fans some hope. There was a notable improvement in both their attacking and defensive game, and for the first time in the series, the All Blacks looked like the All Blacks.

The backs were especially impressive:

Julian Savea was on fire, smashing through the English like they were five year olds (scoring three tries on the way)
Cory Jane had one of his best games in the last couple of years
Aaron Smith was good with ball in hand – and scored two tries - but his kicking game leaves a lot to be desired
Malakai Fekitoa made his starting debut for the All Blacks and he didn't look out of place in the #13 jersey. He made some powerful runs and worked well with Ma'a Nonu. This is one guy that you can say deserved his place in the All Blacks, without a doubt. I bet John Kirwan is kicking himself for dropping Malakai from the Blues! He has been more outstanding for the Highlanders in 2014, than the Blues team in its entirety!
Ben Smith overtook Israel Dagg as the first choice fullback. How could he not? Smith's game – attacking, defensive and kicking - has been far more comprehensive and complete in 2014, and his performance on Saturday night confirmed that. Steve Hansen needs to stop playing him on the wing, it is a waste of his talents. Here's hoping Hansen and co have given up on the idea of playing him at #13! Easily the player of the series.

After the first test the English media were very quick to pounce, suggesting (proclaiming?) the All Blacks had lost their 'aura', and were no longer the peak of rugby perfection. What they failed to take into account was the fact that prior to the first test, the All Blacks had had a total of FOUR training sessions together. No team can be expected to play cohesively and impressively after four training sessions. After the second test, the English media spoke of a 'much improved' All Blacks team, and after the third test? The English media were extremely quiet.

So where does this leave the All Blacks, in the lead up to the Rugby Championship?

Simply, I think the All Blacks are in a good position for the Rugby Championship. If you compare their performance in the first test, with their performance in the third test, the improvement was vast. It was almost as if they were two completely different teams. That just goes to show how quickly the All Blacks develop as a team when they have a decent amount of time together.

A lot was made of the All Blacks' less than impressive first couple of tests, but I think it was a good

thing for them to have such tough opposition first up. All Blacks supporters tend to expect the All Blacks to win by a convincing margin in every single game they play. The reality is, NO team can win every game, and NO team can make it through the season without being challenged. It is GOOD for the All Blacks to have three tough tests first up, because it better prepares them for games against South Africa and Australia, which are sure to be tough contests!

Saturday, 6 July 2013

All Blacks v France... As I Saw It...

(also published on Pink Rugby)

The wifey and I drove to New Plymouth for the third test

The All Blacks came away from their recent Steinlager Series against les Bleus having won all three

Who doesn't love a good haka?

tests. It was to be expected. The French did, however, prove to be very worthy opponents, particularly in game one and game three, making the All Blacks work for both wins.

This is what went down...

Game 1 – Eden Park (Auckland)

score: 23-13

This game was a very physical but scrappy one, with both teams making a lot of mistakes and appearing unable to string anything fluent together. It was the first game for the All Blacks – who had only had three training sessions prior to the game – so the scrappy, mistake prone play was to be expected. New Zealand won the game 2 tries to 1, and though it was a messy game, it was quite clear there was a lot better to come from the All Blacks.

Tries: Aaron Smith, Sam Cane

Stand out player: Ben Smith – set up one try and made 95 running metres. Very dangerous running with ball in hand!

Oh Captain, Our Captain...
Richie McCaw was in the stands watching the 3rd test
... no doubt wishing he could get out on the field
& get the job done!

Game 2 – [the new] AMI Stadium (Christchurch)

score: 30-0

Without a doubt, the All Blacks best game of the series - holding the French scoreless in a great defensive effort - which was matched by their attacking prowess. Large improvements had been made from the week beforehand, the team starting to look more like the All Blacks that the country know and love. Even without Dan Carter or Richie McCaw on the team. The backs put on an excellent display, with all three tries to the home team, being scored by backs.

Tries: Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett

Stand out player: Israel Dagg – great under the high ball and found plenty of space behind the French defence when returning kicks. Made some threatening runs with the ball toward the end.

Man of the series, Ben Smith

Game 3 – Yarrow Stadium (New Plymouth)

Score: 24-9

While this game was a step up in comparison with their first test performance, it was a lacklustre affair in comparison to the second test. There was an apparent lack of attacking continuity and the All Blacks were unable to string together enough phases to look threatening. Dan Carter's performance with the boot was a little off – earning him lots of boos from the New Plymouth crowd – all anxious for hometown hero Beauden Barrett to get on the field. When Barrett did eventually make it on the field – with two minutes left on the clock - he rewarded his thousands of fans by scoring his second try in as many weeks. Coach Steve Hansen had said earlier in the week that three new caps would get 'plenty' of game time in the second half, but due to the All Blacks (it has to be said) crappy performance, the new caps weren't put on until there were only 10 minutes left on the clock.

It must have been a painful experience for Richie McCaw, who was watching from the stands.

Hometown hero & scorer of tries
Beauden Barrett

Tries: Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett

Stand out player: Ben Smith – the clear cut performer of the night. High workrate, some explosive running, and a nice little try at the end of the first half. Even made a few good kicks throughout the night.

To sum it all up...

Player of the series: Ben Smith.

He was the only player that went from strength to strength with each game, and consistently impressed in all aspects of his game.

Question answered: Super XV form – can they step up?

Ma'a Nonu and Israel Dagg BOTH stepped up to the mark in the black jersey, after less-than-impressive Super XV campaigns, to date. It was [a great] relief to see.

Question asked: Super XV form – why can't they step up?

So why the hell can't Ma'a Nonu or Israel Dagg perform at their peak for their franchises? Is it a case of them both being with the wrong franchise?

And a related question asked: Ma'a Nonu, what the hell were you thinking?

After an encouraging test series with the All Blacks, Ma'a Nonu came off the bench for the Highlanders against the Crusaders, and ended his Super XV season. Spear tackles are NEVER cool, Nonu. NEVER. You deserved that red card. Know what else isn't cool? A head high tackle on Dan Carter, earning you an off field yellow card to add to your pretty array of cards received this season.

That leads me to another related question asked: Where to from here, for Nonu?

Mr Todd, looking VERY good in black

Will Ma'a Nonu be left franchiseless after this year's Super XV is (officially) over? The man causes nothing but trouble wherever he goes. The Highlanders will be better off without him, and I'm going to go as far as to say that the NZRU will be better off without him on their books, as well.

What I learnt, on a personal level: Matt Todd looks spectacular in the black jersey. I hope to see him in it more often. Also, for a white boy he has a surprisingly fierce haka face.

And on a final note: Kudos to the St Johns team at Yarrow Stadium, and the staff at Taranaki Base Hospital Emergency Department. Your great service and treatment almost made my sprained ankle an enjoyable experience.

Okay, a final final note: Be careful when climbing over seats to get to your assigned seat at the rugby. Take special care to look out for uneven ground, which you could potentially stand on awkwardly, and then sprain your ankle. Just saying.

Thursday, 11 April 2013

Highlanders.... shakes head

(also published on Pink Rugby)

When it was announced that the Highlanders had the services of Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and

I too would be bowing my head in shame

Brad Thorn for the 2013 Super Rugby season, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very competitive team. Between them, the three new signings have 231 All Blacks caps, and 305 Super Rugby caps – when added to the likes of Andrew Hore, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very magical team for 2013. Definitely the team to watch!

Some very impressive pairings automatically came to mind – Hore and Woodcock in the front row, Thorn and Jarrad Hoeata together in the locking department, then in the backs Aaron Smith feeding the ball to Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear and Ben Smith. Ten players with All Black & Maori All Blacks experience, it seemed like a no brainer. As an ex-Highlanders supporter I must admit that I

Elliot Dixon
... tats AND the man can play!

perience to the team. While I'm sure their knowledge and experience has been beneficial to the other players on the team, it seems that the Highlanders have become almost a 'retirement home' for players. Rather than playing with the energy and vitality of younger players, all these new, experienced signings seem to be making little impact at all on the team, almost as if they'd be happier sitting down to a game of BINGO or crib, while sipping on a sherry.

When you look at numbers (as I regularly do, having a fetish for rugby statistics), on paper the Highlanders have the oldest average age, at 25.7 years, followed by the Hurricanes on 25.1, the Chiefs on 24.8, the Blues on 24.0 and the Crusaders on 23.7. When analysed even further – focusing solely on forward packs, the Highlanders again have the oldest age average, at 27.9 years, with the four other teams averaging between 25.1 and 25.9 years. These averages make it clear that while age can often mean experience – it doesn't always translate into success.

As we enter round nine, it seems that the Highlanders coaches are shaking things up to try and get

One can watch the Highlanders lose....
and perve at Phil Burleigh....

that elusive first win of the season – All Blacks Aaron Smith and Colin Slade have been dropped, in favour of some lesser-known names. I personally think this is a good thing – because it HAS been all the 'lesser' knowns from the team, who are performing well this year. The likes of Elliot Dixon, Phil Burleigh (who also has the added benefit of being some major eye candy!) and Kade Poki have been playing exceptionally well. I think it's time for the coaches to stop waiting for the bigger names (namely any player who has worn the black jersey in the last 24 months) to finally step up, and for them to instead give the lesser-knowns a chance to prove their worth.

Jarrad Hoeata.
Just cos he's hot.
Unlike the Highlanders.

While I'm at it, perhaps the Highlanders lack of success is all down to the 'Nonu Curse'. Think about it it. 2011 – Hurricanes play badly. With Nonu. 2012 – Blues play badly. With Nonu. 2013 – Highlanders are playing badly. With Nonu. Yes, perhaps it's unfair to suggest, but I guarantee you it is a thought that every Kiwi rugby fan has had over the past couple of weeks. I would go as far as to say that the 'Landers will secure their first win without Nonu on the field.

OF COURSE it's not all bad. If the Super XV was a sexy-man competition, the Highlanders would be sitting in the top four, especially when Tamati Ellison comes back from injury in the next couple of weeks.

Saturday, 1 December 2012

Movember Mo-Men (week 4)

I saved (some of) the best until last!

Movember 22nd - Julian Savea
... another one who does the mo relatively well.

Movember 23rd - Stephen Donald
... the man won the RWC2011 for New Zealand...
even if the mo looked dreadful I would be full of praise.

Movember 24th - Sam Whitelock
Falls under the category of SURPRISE MO!
and doesn't look half bad...
Still in existance post Dec 1st as well!


Movember 25th - Israel Dagg & Richie McCaw. feat. Prince William. I'm sure that Prince William felt that Izzy's mo-nstrosity took some of the attention way from his receding hairline... the same can be said about Izzy's receding hairline too... nicely played Iz, nicely played.


Movember 26th - Aaron Smith quite possibly the most surprising of all the moustaches... relativley thick & dark for such a little fella... VOTE PEDRO!

Movember 27th - Conrad Smith
Conrad was going for 'cop mo' look, circa 1960's-1970's
& as a tribute to his father! how sweet

Movember 28th - Kieran Read
... another one for whom the mo doesn't look dreadful
but he looks a lot better with scruff!

Movember 29th - Luke Romano
considering the man has size 17 flippers (sorry, feet),
I thought his mo would be a lot more epic...

And naturally, the VERY best was saved for the VERY last day of Movember... And I post these photos in honour of my fiancée, who I believe has become very fond of the McAwful/McAwesome mo! Somehow he managed to pull it off. The wearing of the mo, I mean. He didn't pull the actual mo off. That would hurt.

Movember 30th - Mr Movember himself, Richie McCaw

It's only appropriate to finish off with Lauriel's favourite movember McAwesome mo...

Sunday, 24 June 2012

Came. Soared. Kicked Ass.

Really - the picture says it all.

I don't really need to say more - but I will. Putting it plainly, last night the All Blacks kicked Irelands ass, when they played the third & final test match in the Steinlager Series.

The team celebrating their awesomeness
... but where the hell are DC and Zaccy????

I presumed the All Blacks would win - because, lets face it - the All Blacks always win, and very very very rarely is an All Blacks loss against a team other than South Africa or Australia. However last weeks 22-19 scoreline did leave me a little concerned - but deep down I KNEW the AB's would win. The game in Christchurch can be largely blamed on the weather I think - the cold, slippery ball, the cold, slippery ground, the cold, slippery players (hmmm...). It came down to who kicked well, and who was in the right place at the right time. Thank fuck the AB's had been in the right place at the right time (well, Dan Carter had been). STILL.. the fact the AB's weren't putting forward their 1st string side did leave me a little worried - my guess was that there would be a 35-20 scoreline, in favour of the All Blacks.

Another sublime Smith offload

THAT pass from Cruden to SBW

I did not need to worry one tiny little bit, as it turned out. From the beginning the All Blacks were the dominant team, particularly in the midfield, where Aaron Smith showed what a little pocket rocket he is - speedy passes, speedy running, an uncanny knack to find spaces... The two Aaron's played extremely well together... and I do have to say that for the 30? minutes Aaron Cruden was on, he was ON FIRE, and looked as though he had been in the team for a matter of years and years and years - he wasn't quite Dan Carter, but shit. That kid can play!!! He had a particularly good connection with SBW - they linked up a lot, and one particular link up - a gorgeous little pass by Cruden, just before he hit the ground, led to SBW getting his first try of the 2012 AB's season. That leads me to a despressing admission. SBW also had a great game. His offloads were sublime, and often led to tries or awesome little runs - infact I believe it was a chip kick by SBW that led to Izzy getting his try.

[try scoring] moves like Dagger

That leaves the perfect opening to talk about Izzy. WHAT A GAME! The man kicked and passed and ran like a pro - a mad feat, considering the fact he had a sore foot/ankle (not sure which). Infact, literally seconds before he got his try, the commentators were saying that Izzy was in a bad way, and wouldn't be sticking around much longer. NEK MINNIT he was running toward the tryline, then dived over for what was an awesome try. When he stood up his did get up a little gingerly, but he stayed on for the rest of the game - much to the shock of everyone, I think.

The only thing that could have made Izzy play any better, was having his right hand (well, right wing) man - Zaccy, on the field with him...

But don't get me started on that.

Ben Smith. *frowns*
That try should have been Zac's. *frowns more*

Same Cane, try #1

Another player that did uberly well, was Sam Cane!!!! Sam took the #7 position, whilst Richie moved to the #8 - and I have to say, it was a very good combination, and the way Mr McCaw played in #8, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was his natural position. But Sam. Two tries on his run-on debut, a lot of good running and passing... I have a feeling that one Mr McCaw would have been very proud of how his protégé played... When Sam came off he got a rather loud ovation from the crowd, and rightly so. He played his 20yo ass off.

Interesting to note as well, that three of the best players of the match were Chiefs boys, and that 5 of the 9 tries scored, were also by Chiefs players (two of them, Cane & SBW, each scoring twice).

Out with the old, in with the new.
Fuck off Piri. Aaron Smith is here to stay.

Thinking about it, the only union that didn't really have any players making any impact on the game, was the Blues. But that really isn't a surprise, is it? Piri made fuck all impact on the game - I personally would have sooner seen Aaron Smith stay on. Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock were pretty 'meh' as far as the hooking role went... they did their jobs, but were nothing spectacular. I don't think there were even any other Blues in the team. Ma'a Nonu was in the squad but was the ONLY player to miss out on a role in any of the games. I'm wondering if there are some internal politics going on there... is Ma'a on his way to announcing that he's leaving Aotearoa for Japan or a Euro club? Part of me hopes not, but part of me - again, is 'meh'... He hasn't made much of an impact this year. The All Blacks certainly coped well without him.

I'm not even going to sum up the performance - okay, so admittedly by reviewing the game (in my own way), I have done that - but I think there is someone who can sum it up a lot better than me, without saying a single word...

You can judge how the nation felt about the game
by the demeanour of Captain Fantastic...
and he looks pretty fucking happy!

And hey... Mr Dagg looks pretty happy too!

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Them Rugga Boys & Their Ink... and Proof the World Isn't Perfect.

The All Blacks are awesome - purely because they ARE the All Blacks, who by nature are the kings of the world... but a lot of them also have tattoos - which is just another way in which they are awesome and really should rule the world.

Except Sonny Bill.
He can rule Australia.
Piss off, SBW.

I now present, 'Them Rugga Boys & Their Ink'...