All Blacks v Ireland II
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@nzzp Fuck me that NZH subbie's a piece of work. Click-bait headline or what - "I think they showed a little bit of arrogance there and lack of respect with some of their selections."
Isn't that effectively what 90% of the posts here were saying after the game?
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Think there is an argument for Sops to start and although Ardie carried well in the latter half, there is still room for a seven in the style of Todd whose support line and linking play are excellent.
I say SBarrett has earned a a start alongside BBBR and lets get the Beast mode back into Kaino and a return to an athletic and dominant Read. -
So...Kaino injured.
Moody to get redemption
Smith-BB
LOCKS back and dagg back. -
All Blacks named.
Kaino out.
Whitelock and BBBR back though.
Julian Savea needs a much better performance than the rubbish he served up in Chicago.
All Blacks: Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Malakai Fekitoa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Waisake Naholo.
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only real surprises on the bench.
I expected PT on the bench, but maybe there is doubt on the locks, so a more like-for-like replacement was the safer choice (SB has played the house down on his two chances though, good on him). And a straight winger as our back reserve.
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Shocked to see Barrett there. Scott Barrett that is. The rest as per program.
Am a bit over Fekitoa in the midfield and would prefer ALB at 13 but if we tighten in the right areas and everyone else is on their game - particularly in defence - it shouldn't be an issue.
A pissed off Kaino would have been useful in this fixture but we will survive.
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Not a good sign for PT as it seems that Scott Barrett and Squire are preferred options as cover off the bench now.
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I'm actually more worried about Squire than S Barrett - having said that 2 proper locks will help Squire do his thing I reckon. It's a real chance for him to show he's up to the 6 jersey. S Barrett has looked money in his two All Black appearances. Ireland looked ready for our big physical runners in Chicago and held up PT a number of times (he was running quite upright). Barrett provides different question marks to the defence.
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@KiwiMurph was Kaino they held up wasnt it?
We will miss Kaino...
But as above, with BBBR and SW back, hopefully Squire can get stuck into his own role.
For me the Moody over Crockett along with Julians continued selection (although he is probably lucky Naholo hasnt struck any form at this level) is probably the most disappointing.
Hopefully Moody will repay the faith with 0 penalties this week.
Hansen mentioned we had 16/21 errors that shouldnt and owuldnt normally occur, along with 12 penalties we shouldnt be conceding.
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Would be interesting to know when Kaino picked up 'slight calf strain' -- assume it was at least a week ago.
Well done, Scott Barrett! Very interesting that AB scrum and maul finished well against Ireland last time out with Barrett at TH lock and Read at LH.
Assume Moody has been warned 'if in doubt to leave it out'. My only minor gripe is that for me Cruden start/BB bench has better early game management/late impact than vice versa, but not a new or original POV. -
@taniwharugby Him also but I thought PT as well. He certainly wasn't bowling people over like he was versus Italy.
Regardless of selection a good start for the ABs will be discipline - don't give the Irish cheap field position or numbers advantage (Moody)
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Whereas that line Scott Barrett ran was sublime. One thing which really impressed me was Irish defensive 'spacing'. Their line in general play and in kick chase was both straight and even -- the gaps early on for PT and Kaino were tight and probably required a conscious effort in taking the tackle to get to ground and accurately present the ball for ruck, rather than trying to power through.
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Really disappointed Kaino is out. This is the type of game where he goes lights out.
Fekitoa, if you're going to turn into that composed but explosive centre that we need, let it be this game.
Fucking exciting, but I'm going to be a nervous wreck at kick off. I can't handle hearing it from my Irish mates if they put two in a row on us.
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@African-Monkey said in Ireland II:
Not a good sign for PT as it seems that Scott Barrett and Squire are preferred options as cover off the bench now.
PT is only young so time on his side. But I've said for a while now that right now he doesn't have the motor that the AB selectors want from a lock. An impact player yes and a pretty good one.
S Barrett a different player is an endurance man. So if they need a lock or even a 6 to replace Squire to go the distance, Barrett could do that job.
I like this side and I reckon Squire is going to have a big one.
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@rotated said in Ireland II:
Shocked to see Barrett there. Scott Barrett that is. The rest as per program.
Am a bit over Fekitoa in the midfield and would prefer ALB at 13 but if we tighten in the right areas and everyone else is on their game - particularly in defence - it shouldn't be an issue.
Fekitoa will be fine. He's played well enough in black all year and he'll be particularly good with ALB creating. Defensively he's the best centre running around in New Zealand.
@akan004 said in Ireland II:
Prefer PT on the bench over Barrett. Other than that it's a good team and should be too strong for Ireland.
Ordinarily, I'd say that the coaches would agree, but it seems they're a bit gun shy after the injuries in Chicago and that both our locks are coming back from issues.
