Carters take on things...10...Structure first..freedom of expression second

As a small divergence from tonights Boks match for us downunders, food for thought for the Cooper Carter clash next week.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5362841/Dan-Carter-the-space-invader-calling-the-shots

It illustrates pretty much the comparison of the two players and perhaps its because Carter has the players around him that makes his style important. More about continuity from a team perspective than individual brilliance.

Same extends to Cooper. His style works in a team pattern that has to rely on less structure and rather making the most use of the ball that is available.

Given the structure should be in place relatively early tonight I would expect Carter to be showing more expression in his game if he's true to his comments.

Looking forward to the clash next week.

Still fine in Welly tonight for th match. Little windy now but perfect other than the temperature.

I like this bit

"There's no point just seeing space sometimes because you need your team-mates to help you really exploit weaknesses.

"We do a lot of work against different defensive lines, so guys are making the call in [from the outsides], so we are all on the same page." "


Its all about "awareness", what the point of "headline spotting" headless chicken running into space if your own players don't know why you are running into that space.

Carter knows its all about been structured first, then aware, then you can make the right decisions whether a short break, long run, mis-pass, chip, grubber etc etc

Looking aside from the Cooper versus Carter,apart from the obvious Cooper
may well pull off some outrageous move that will turn a game.
Dan Carter will usually take the right option each time,the
same happened in the Spencer/Merthens and Fox /Botica debates.
Take a wider view your side, you are the All Blacks ,Media world wide are rubbing there hands waiting for you to lose a match.It does`nt happen that
often,so players take the safety first option which consistently wins matches.
Australia are less inhinbited,over the years unfairly or not they are perceived as the weakest of the 3N sides.Most NH sides fancy there chances 50/50 versus them.
Usually AB sides have a solid forward base to work with,and often over the years were over coached.
When your expectations are when you go into a match,you can try anything you`ve nothing to lose,THAT makes you a very dangerous animal indeed.
Since Hong Kong all I have read about is the Great Australian side conquerors of the All Blacks etc.aside on the brink of great things powered by Cooper/Genia.
Fine ,but keep it in proportion they have lost 10 of there last 11 versus the All Blacks and 2 of there last 3 by England .
Now they have the makings of a good forward platform,plus a lot of very good young backs coming through.
They will be in a better postion next year ,as both Boks and All Blacks will have the inevitable access of players leaving for NH,most of OZ players are staying.

Yes carter played well tonight. Horses for courses with the 2 10s.
Carters goal kicking was poor so the dif could have been more.
I think weve seen enough to give oz a run next week.