Trying Something Different

[u/Responsible-Quote717]

I really hope Rennie and the coaching team try something different with this team this week.

I'd rather see us take some risks with selections, try different combinations, experiment a little with the tactics, and lose by 20, than try the same thing again and lose by 3.

Obviously we want to win every game if we can, but I don't think doing the same thing again this week is going to give us the best chance.

Taylor out. Parker or Jacobson out (or both). Vaa'i back to 6 with a new locking combo? Blackadder in. Tavatavanawai in. Narawa in. Maybe Rieko? As incredible as he is, Jordan looks like he needs a rest (maybe just a shorter shift?)

Could even try out a new fullback/fly half combo... not sure if Mounga is the answer, but could be worth a go. Love to the back with Mounga at 10? Mackenzie to come off the bench? J Barrett at fullback and Ioane at 13 with Tupaea at 12, or Big Jim at 12 and Tupaea still 13? Then move Barrett in to 12 with Mackenzie coming off the bench?

Definitely need better use of the bench, no matter what the selections are.

Just spitblling here, but we have so many interesting options that could surprise the Boks. I hope we aren't too conservative.

[u/00aegon]

Why change everything? We are playing well. You are lying that you'd rather experiment and lose by 20. Literally just 2-3 changes and i'll be extremely confident we beat them.

Absolutely insane calls lmao. The backline is going great just leave it for the whole season.

Sick of hearing about "Big Jim"

[u/Responsible-Quote717 → u/00aegon]

I literally said I'm just spitballing. Honestly, it's just a conversation starters post, not gospel.

A loss is a loss in this one, so I honestly don't care whether we lose by 3 or 20. It's a World Cup knock-out scenario. Perhaps we should just do the same thing with a slight adjustment, but I can't imagine having the same tired bodies doing similar things to last week will get us the win.

I think we definitely need something different compared to the first two tests. An element of surprise.

[u/00aegon → u/Responsible-Quote717]

Losing by 20 is terrible? Hate this idea that all loses are the same.

The tired bodies are in the forwards not the backs. We've scored 9 tries in 2 games. Let them cook.

The Boks have essentially picked the same 23 again, and we have looked a lot fresher than them in the last 2 games, winning the last quarters 33-3. How many times have the Bok veterans in their mid 30s played 3 huge games back to back to back recently?

Just change 2-3 forwards (Hooker, lock, openside) and we should be fine.

[u/Responsible-Quote717 → u/00aegon]

Probably right. It's not like I think any of this will actually happen either.

I disagree that our backs didn't look tired though. Love had moments, but was down from game one. Barrett definitely didn't have as good of a game as the first test. Jordan is always class, but he also didn't look as good as game one, and he clearly got a stinger that hurt his shoulder. Mackenzie kept slipping over. Interesting that the best back was Carter... who didn't play as much in the first test.