Barrett had 53 possessions (27 passes; 26 runs) in the loss to Ireland. Three less than Aaron Smith. Is he hogging too much ball? Are the All Blacks running too much play through him? Are they becoming predictable? Does he need more support? They seemed to be out of ideas for long stretches of the game. It was Ireland who did most of the bamboozling with some nice attacking sequences and plays.
You are right - maybe because he is the first five eight - maybe that has something to do with it
I think the AB backline was detrimentally affected by Barrett taking on too much himself - but also by the efforts to get to Ioane as quickly as possible and hoping he will damage the defense of the Irish..
Is it not time to move Barrett to full back and use Mo'unga at flyhalf? Coming from the back Barrett with his pace and reading of the game would be a better proposition.
I think the AB backline was detrimentally affected by Barrett taking on too much himself - but also by the efforts to get to Ioane as quickly as possible and hoping he will damage the defense of the Irish..
Is it not time to move Barrett to full back and use Mo'unga at flyhalf? Coming from the back Barrett with his pace and reading of the game would be a better proposition.
They haven't as much go forward ball this year as in times gone by.
Inevitably attention turns to the 10.
Put BB at 10 for the Boks during the England game and watch 30 points fly past England in no time.
He's the ABs best player and they need to give him the momentum he needs to do what he does better than anyone else in the world.
No mystery really.
I don't want to post the numbers just yet, not until the season is finished, but I will say that New Zealand have no trouble bringing their wings into the game. There are a few things I want to look at in a few weeks as far as New Zealand are concerned. Barrett pops up everywhere, so maybe that gives the impression of him hogging the ball. Against Ireland, the ball was mostly transfered to Barrett, McKenzie, Read and Ben Smith. Perenara and Mo'unga dominated out of the subs.
I've spotted some issues with the Boks. A clog in the distribution chain. Our wing participation is significantly less than New Zealand's because of it.
