All Blacks v Italy

pakman

I think it'll be something like:

Crockett, Taylor, Faumuina
BBBR, Barrett
Cane, Squire, Luatua
Smith, Sopoaga
ALB, Fekitoa (12)
Naholo, DMac, Ioane

Coltman, Moody, Ofa T, Todd, Dixon, TKB, Cruden, Seta T

Not sure where Pat T fits in overall thinking. Based on Saturday I'm not convinced he's a test starter. Has Sopoaga ever played fullback -- there would be an argument for Dagg in the 23?

Then Ireland

Crockett, Coles, Franks
BBBR, Whitelock
Cane, Kaino, Read
Smith, Cruden
ALB, Fekitoa
Savea, Smith, Dagg

Taylor, Moody, Faumuina, Barrett/Pat T/Luatua, Savea/Dixon, TJP, Barrett, Seta T/Ioane/Naholo

Whether or not Whitelock fully fit a big issue here. He and BBBR allow us to have two loosies on bench. Any doubts and we need a lock, or perhaps Luatua there. The latter allows a specialist 7. If a lock on bench, then Dixon's versatility a big plus.

Other issue is midfield cover. This would probably argue for Tamanivalu. But Ioane a chance depending on how Italy goes. Naholo has also been mooted as cover???

akan004

There's a video in the Herald of Hansen talking about the selections for the Italy game, so the team has obviously been announced. But I can't find it anywhere.

Frye

@akan004 this is what I get from that video.

2 Taylor/Coltman
5 Barrett
6 Dixon

8 Luatua
9 TKB

11/14 Ioane
15 McKenzie

21 Smith

No Quarter

That's a bloody cryptic way of naming the team! They like to keep us guessing don't they...

No Quarter

Getting snipets of info, sounds like Dagg has been selected as well.

ACT Crusader

@akan004 it goes something like...

W. Crockett
C. Taylor
O. Franks
L. Romano
S. Barrett
E. Dixon
M. Todd
K. Read
T. Cane
T. Lander
T. Blue
A. Lienert-Brown
S. Tamanivalu
I. Dagg
D. McKenzie

Stargazer

mariner4life

@ACT-Crusader is that joke the new Thursday?

Stargazer

It's 2.55am in Italy. The team can be named any minute now!

ACT Crusader

@mariner4life said in v Italy:

@ACT-Crusader is that joke the new Thursday?

alt text

Stargazer

All Blacks team named:

1.Wyatt Crockett (55)
2.Codie Taylor (12)
3.Charlie Faumuina (43)
4.Patrick Tuipulotu (11)
5.Scott Barrett (1)
6.Elliot Dixon (2)
7.Sam Cane - captain (38)
8.Steven Luatua (14)
9.Tawera Kerr-Barlow (24)
10.Aaron Cruden (44)
11.Waisake Naholo (9)
12.Anton Lienert-Brown (6)
13.Malakai Fekitoa (21)
14.Israel Dagg (58)
15.Damian McKenzie (1)

16.Liam Coltman *
17.Joe Moody (21)
18.Ofa Tu'ungafasi (3)
19.Brodie Retallick (57)
20.Matt Todd (6)
21.Aaron Smith (55)
22.Lima Sopoaga (5)
23.Rieko Ioane *

*new caps

http://www.allblacks.com/News/30100/all-blacks-team-named-for-test-against-italy

mariner4life

haha shit team. we're fucked. 0-2 on the tour to start.

taniwharugby

wow!

Stargazer

So from the travelling squad being rested are: Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Jerome Kaino, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Kieran Read, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith

Unavailable: Luke Romano

Injured: Sam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, George Moala

I wouldn't be surprised if Ioane comes on for McKenzie, with Dagg going to fullback, just to keep some experience in the backline (unless they move Cruden when Sops comes on, instead of subbing him off). Otherwise A Smith would be the only experienced player in the entire backline in the second half. I can't remember Ioane ever playing on the left wing?

Stargazer

Geez, Italy may be the weakest of the 6 Nations, but they're playing no 13 in the world rankings, not 31. Are they underestimating the Italians?

ACT Crusader

I think there will be some nervous moments on Sunday morning. Don't mind the front row, but the 4-8 has me just a little concerned.

9-10 a good combo but I can't say either are in any great form. New midfield combo and a back three that have never been on the park together.

Don't mind the bench so much and will look forward to seeing Ioane get a run at some stage (hopefully on the wing).

There will be a bit of pressure on the likes of Cane, Cruden and Dagg to step up and show leadership.

ACT Crusader

@Stargazer Are Fifita, Tamanivalu, Jordie Barrett not travelling?

mariner4life

Our success so far this year has been built on 2,4,5,8,9,10,13 and 15. None of those guys are playing, except ALB, and he's in a different spot. Each game has been similar, we stretch and stretch until one of those blokes blows the game open. Who is doing that this week?

That's NZ A, not the All Blacks. In a full strength side, 2 of those would start (and Dagg might not if we had everyone fit). This is a huge gamble.

Stargazer

@ACT-Crusader Correct. They have just not been picked, so didn't fit in "injured", "unavailable" or "being rested". Where Squire and A Savea fit is not clear. Not sure whether they needed the rest.

kiwiinmelb

That team says to me , they are throwing everything at Ireland the following week ,

And anyone that can benefit from a spell is getting one ,

Lets just hope they arent taking their Eye off the Italians too much .

The Silver Fern

All Blacks v Italy