Turned internet off my phone, left the radio off at work, didnt talk to any one of the 500 tradesmen on the site Im working on in case they told me the result and rushed back home only to watch MMT go down. Pretty disappointed.
Our halves, who were brilliant against Samoa earlier this year, didnt really factor. Foster was good but I dont know where Langi was.
For all the noise about our great forward pack I thought they didnt really step up apart from Fuifui and Manu. Taumalolo had some great plays but didnt promote the ball as well as I had of hoped. The rest were largely ineffective but did their basic job.
The hare brained plays that Nafe played as hooker and the greed shown by some out of dummy half was hair losing bad.
Fisihaha was either hot or cold. Mostly the latter.
Have to say I was impressed with the centres and wingers. Konrad looked like a forward and Taufua was on point with his defence.
Game plan didnt really allow the backs space and they stuck with the one off the ruck for far too long. Biggest disappointment was the jersey pulling tackles. SMH. Goal kicking was the other let down but I dont feel it should have ever been a factor.
The team I saw today would get pummeled by the big 3 and the Samoan team that played the Kiwis.
In saying that I have to tip my hat to Scotland for their tenacity and courage. Their young fullback was great and their captain punches well above his weight. Kane Linnetts professional foul, although a dog act, was clever and probably won them the game by stopping a near certain try.
Back to the drawing board...
Man of the Match
Darren Lockyer Sika Manu
