Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown & Dublin Duel
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My guess is the locking combo v Ireland will either be Romano and PT because of their experience in the ABs, or Romano and Barrett, because they've played together regularly for the Crusaders (due to rotation of Whitelock, esp early in the season).
Romano and PT have never started as a combo for the ABs, have they?
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@Stargazer said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
My guess is the locking combo v Ireland will either be Romano and PT because of their experience in the ABs, or Romano and Barrett, because they've played together regularly for the Crusaders (due to rotation of Whitelock, esp early in the season).
Romano and PT have never started as a combo for the ABs, have they?
Romano and PT have only ever been selected in the same test once and that was earlier this year in the Wales test. And PT replaced Romano.
I can't see them starting together.
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@akan004 said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
@taniwharugby said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
So do Romano and PT start?
Balance doesnt look right with them there, but can we afford to start one of Barrett or Fifita?
When was the last time we toured without a lock above two.metres? Getting clean lineout ball could be an issue.
Thrush and Tuipulotu against the US a few years back and they went pretty well, albeit against a tier 2 team. Good thing is I think Pat is better now than he was back then, bad thing is I don't think Romano's ever been as good in a black jersey as Thrush was in 2014.
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Could Luatua be a roughie to start. Fifita would be there for insurance.
Hansen seemed pretty bullish on Scott Barrett getting game time.
Is Coles in doubt also?
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@Stargazer said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
My guess is the locking combo v Ireland will either be Romano and PT because of their experience in the ABs, or Romano and Barrett, because they've played together regularly for the Crusaders (due to rotation of Whitelock, esp early in the season).
Romano and PT have never started as a combo for the ABs, have they?
PT is miles ahead of Romano nowadays so I'd far prefer PT and Barrett to start with Romano on the bench as cover. Not too worried about our own lineout, we have plenty of options so height is not really an issue, but I can't see us stealing much ball without Brodie and Sam who excel in that area.
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I think there are reservations about whether both Romano and TP can go the distance of 80 minutes at a high level. Plus both play the same role it seems.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
I think there are reservations about whether both Romano and TP can go the distance of 80 minutes at a high level. Plus both play the same role it seems.
Could we see 3 locks in the 23 ?
Losing these 2 could have wider ramifications than just losing our 2 best locks , could affect our impact off the bench too .
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They'll go with the much superior Romero over Romano, and Tuipolotou to start. Barrett on the bench probably, Luatua an outside chance. Read takes so many lineouts for us these days that our own lineout will be fine - much harder to replace the motors those two giants have, in my opinion. opposition lineout ball gets tougher - could try throwing read up, or just accept we're getting less this game.
whoever they choose, those 2 blokes are a massive loss at the same time. best in the world, both of them, and their replacements wouldn't be in the conversation.
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@kiwiinmelb i'd be picking a straight lock on the bench, and a loosie who can cover lock. i think whoever starts they're both likely to need replacing before our loosies.
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@reprobate said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
They'll go with the much superior Romero over Romano, and Tuipolotou to start. Barrett on the bench probably, Luatua an outside chance. Read takes so many lineouts for us these days that our own lineout will be fine - much harder to replace the motors those two giants have, in my opinion. opposition lineout ball gets tougher - could try throwing read up, or just accept we're getting less this game.
whoever they choose, those 2 blokes are a massive loss at the same time. best in the world, both of them, and their replacements wouldn't be in the conversation.
Good point, he's much better than Tuipulotu.
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@reprobate said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
@Bones better i agree, but not sure if the difference is as much as Romero. i still reckon they should give reiko a run too.
Looking like a pretty handy side once you throw in Keiran Reid and Anton Leinert-Brown. Hopefully TJ Peranara is in the mix.
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@reprobate said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
@Bones had it too easy for too long with all these smiths. i'm going back to calling him pat.
speaking of names, how good a name is Facundo (Isa)?
It's pretty good, but as I noted in the Black Ferns thread, the NZ 8-9 combo of Savage-Cocksedge is a pearler.
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@reprobate said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
They'll go with the much superior Romero over Romano, and Tuipolotou to start. Barrett on the bench probably, Luatua an outside chance. Read takes so many lineouts for us these days that our own lineout will be fine - much harder to replace the motors those two giants have, in my opinion. opposition lineout ball gets tougher - could try throwing read up, or just accept we're getting less this game.
whoever they choose, those 2 blokes are a massive loss at the same time. best in the world, both of them, and their replacements wouldn't be in the conversation.
I don't know, I rate PT pretty highly. Sure he may not be as good an aerial lock as the big two, but he offers a level of physicality that is only matched by Kaino in the forwards. Given a bit of game time, he could become world class very quickly.
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@akan004 said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
@reprobate said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
They'll go with the much superior Romero over Romano, and Tuipolotou to start. Barrett on the bench probably, Luatua an outside chance. Read takes so many lineouts for us these days that our own lineout will be fine - much harder to replace the motors those two giants have, in my opinion. opposition lineout ball gets tougher - could try throwing read up, or just accept we're getting less this game.
whoever they choose, those 2 blokes are a massive loss at the same time. best in the world, both of them, and their replacements wouldn't be in the conversation.
I don't know, I rate PT pretty highly. Sure he may not be as good an aerial lock as the big two, but he offers a level of physicality that is only matched by Kaino in the forwards. Given a bit of game time, he could become world class very quickly.
Think that's a bit of a misconception about PT. Not sure if he's used too much but seems to be very good in the air - he's had quite a few crucial steals for the AB's at least.
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@reprobate said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:
i like pat, but when was the last time he played 80 minutes?
Absolutely a concern.
but ...
Would love to see him start and get the best part of a game. But it's been a long time since he got game time. Same with Romero.
Personally I'd go with those two plus Lewertooer on the bench.
Ciaran Reed and Gerard Kyneaux to cover lock from the starters.
Leave Ardy as impact loosie.
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Toner's best lock partner, Iain Henderson is also out through injury. So it'll be either Ryan or Dillane starting alongside him, I reckon, with the other on the bench.
