AB's v Samoa
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@Chris-B. in previous years we've gone into a test like this with what ended up being a very different lineup to the first big test.
A number of guys need some serious game time, but others will need a lighter workload to freshen up for three consecutive tests.
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@ACT-Crusader True - but, then they've released 6 guys to the Maori and Highlanders and Read, Coles, Crotty and Cruden are all unlikely to play in this game, so there's not too many variations can be made within the squad 33.
I can't see the point in playing Tu'ungafasi. Scott Barrett certainly needs the game time and I expect him to play here, but not in the first test. Sopoaga will need to back-up from the Highlanders game and one of Jordie or Laumape sits on the bench.
Pakman's team with my suggested variations would mean everyone getting a game this week except Ofa, Romano and Laumape - plus they'll need to dip into their stand-by pool for a loose-forward.
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Realise I missed that Naholo playing for Clan. UK press full of Warburton saying he doubts he'll make first test and would not expect to start Maori match.
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@Stargazer nah, we are rumoured to be stronger at scrum time so he'll ping Samoa all night.
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@taniwharugby LOL, don't want that either. Just want a game that's entertaining and where the lead role is not played by the ref.
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Any idea when the team is named?
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@chimoaus said in AB's v Samoa:
Any idea when the team is named?
The team is:
1 Viliamu Afatia - Racing 92 - Vailoa Palauli/Salelavalu/Sapapali'i
2 Maatulimanu Leiataua - Bayonne - Manono/Safune
3 Census Johnston - Toulouse - Lalomanu/Falevao
4 Chris Vui -Worcester Warriors - Foaluga/Lano /Saasaai
5 Faatiga Lemalu - Saracens - Faleasiu/Lefaga
6 Piula Faasalele - Toulouse - Magiagi/Nofoalii
7 Jack Lam - Bristol - Gaitavai/Malie/Taga
8 Faifili Levave - Mitsubishi - Lalomanu/Fasito'o-Uta
9 Kahn Fotualii - Bath - Faleapuna
10 Tusiata Pisi - Bristol - Lefaga Safaatoa /Toamua
11 Tim Nanai Williams - Chiefs - Manono/Falelatai
12 Alapati Leiua - Wasps - Malie
13 Kieron Fonotia - Ospreys - Apia
14 Albert Nikoro - West Scarborough - Vaiala/Vaiusu
15 Ah See Tuala - Northampton Saints - Moamoa/Gaitavai16 Seilala Lam - Nevers - Gaitavai /Malie/Taga
17 Nephi Leatigaga - Piacenza - Saleloga/Siumu
18 Paul Alo-Emile - Stade Francais - LeulumoegaTuai/Fasito'o-Tai/Falefa
19 Taiasina Tuifua - Lyon - Lauli'i
20 Alafoti Faosiliva - Worcester Warriors - Afega/Tuana'i
21 Auvasa Falealii - Nevers - Letogo/Lefaga Gagaifo
22 D’Angelo Leuila - Papatoetoe - Gaitavai/Fagalii
23 Ken Pisi - Northampton Saints - Lefaga Safaatoa /Toamua -
holy shit, how old is Census Johnson?
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@mariner4life Levave must be getting on a bit too.
Bloody good backline.
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@Nepia said in AB's v Samoa:
@mariner4life Levave must be getting on a bit too.
Bloody good backline.
Three former Mako$ in that backline and another in the pack!
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Interesting to see the dominance of European based players. Sign of the times I guess in regards to earning potential.
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He's also in the Blues dev squad.
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@booboo said in AB's v Samoa:
I found this amusing:
22 D’Angelo Leuila - Papatoetoe - Gaitavai/Fagalii
Used to stay with an uncle from that suburb, he may have played for that well known team.
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Some serious pace for Samoa at 13.
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14 Albert Nikoro - West Scarborough - Vaiala/Vaiusu
A winger from west Scarborough? Not good enough to make the full Scarborough team?
I remember in the 95 World Cup, and it was quite amusing to see an unknown Auckland club rugby player like George Harder carving up against test opposition.
Somehow, I don't think this will be quite the same.
What League do they play in? Yorkshire?
That Samoa are calling up an amateur or semi-pro outside back from low level English club rugby is quite sad. -
@Rapido said in AB's v Samoa:
14 Albert Nikoro - West Scarborough - Vaiala/Vaiusu
A winger from west Scarborough? Not good enough to make the full Scarborough team?
I remember in the 95 World Cup, and it was quite amusing to see an unknown Auckland club rugby player like George Harder carving up against test opposition.
Somehow, I don't think this will be quite the same.
What League do they play in? Yorkshire?
That Samoa are calling up an amateur or semi-pro outside back from low level English club rugby is quite sad.Not really, Nikoro has been close to Super rugby standard in the past - maybe they think they can get him up to standard?
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Nikoro has bounced around a lot - Auckland, Ta$man, Waikato, Perth and now in the UK. I'm probably missing other stops.
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The Samoan back 3 would look a lot better with Melani Nanai and Matt Duffie in there instead of Tuala and Nikoro.
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@booboo said in AB's v Samoa:
I found this amusing:
22 D’Angelo Leuila - Papatoetoe - Gaitavai/Fagalii
Could be worse, he could have Eden in there instead.
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West Scarborough play int the West Australian Premiership; ideal prep for taking on the All Blacks
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@Wurzel said in AB's v Samoa:
West Scarborough play int the West Australian Premiership; ideal prep for taking on the All Blacks
Oh, wow.
WA club rugby? Not Yorkshire club rugby.
Well, suppose he's conditioned to hard grounds then rather than a playing on cold Tuesday night v Grimsby etc ......
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@Dice said in AB's v Samoa:
@booboo said in AB's v Samoa:
I found this amusing:
22 D’Angelo Leuila - Papatoetoe - Gaitavai/Fagalii
Could be worse, he could have Eden in there instead.
That would be funny.
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I take it they aren't naming the team today. Maybe they are pulling a Cheika and delaying the final team naming to rattle the opposition.
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@Tim said in AB's v Samoa:
@Dice said in AB's v Samoa:
Matt Duffie
I thought he was a safe white boy?
Seeing this team actually reminded me that he's eligible for Samoa. I remember seeing his name in a wider team list for the Samoan league team a number of years ago.
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@Dice said in AB's v Samoa:
@Tim said in AB's v Samoa:
@Dice said in AB's v Samoa:
Matt Duffie
I thought he was a safe white boy?
Seeing this team actually reminded me that he's eligible for Samoa. I remember seeing his name in a wider team list for the Samoan league team a number of years ago.
That's Rugby League, though - you only have to visit the Otara Markets to be eligible for the Samoan league team.
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@chimoaus said in AB's v Samoa:
Interesting to see the dominance of European based players. Sign of the times I guess in regards to earning potential.
Looking at the starting XV, everyone played rugby in NZ except for Viliamu Afatia who I don't know about... I guess some could argue that Jack Lam grew up Austalian..
But yes, very hard to pick a player from a super rugby team, as it would give them a pay cut... And let's be honest, most of the young guys still in NZ will try to be All Blacks first, and it's not until they hit their 30s and realise it's not possible, do they move on...
Most who realise that they can't crack the ABs will move overseas as some earn more than super rugby players... It's ridiculousAlso, Matt Duffie is of Samoan descent.
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Hoping to see Naholo and Ioane as the wings.
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@mimic said in AB's v Samoa:
@chimoaus said in AB's v Samoa:
Interesting to see the dominance of European based players. Sign of the times I guess in regards to earning potential.
Looking at the starting XV, everyone played rugby in NZ except for Viliamu Afatia who I don't know about... I guess some could argue that Jack Lam grew up Austalian..
But yes, very hard to pick a player from a super rugby team, as it would give them a pay cut... And let's be honest, most of the young guys still in NZ will try to be All Blacks first, and it's not until they hit their 30s and realise it's not possible, do they move on...
Most who realise that they can't crack the ABs will move overseas as some earn more than super rugby players... It's ridiculousAlso, Matt Duffie is of Samoan descent.
I think this explains why you don't see many SR players in Samoan/Fijian/Tongan squads:
Fonotia is eligible to play for the Manu through his grandfather, who was born in Samoa, and says it's something he had always wanted to do. He spent three years at Super Rugby level with the Crusaders but says the opportunity to play test rugby only eventuated after his switch to the Ospreys club in Wales. "It was sort of one of those things I had to do when I got overseas, by the way sort of Super Rugby rulings of foreign players (with only a limited number of non-New Zealand eligible players allowed in each franchise) the easiest time for me was when I went overseas," he said.
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Worth flagging up that this will be a Raeburn Shield match as well since the All blacks are the holders
Samoa have previously held the shield back in 1999 having won it off of Wales.
Do like the Facebook page to stay up to date and dhow your support.
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The Ioane brothers and TKB will be playing Saturday night for the Maori so not considered for Friday night ABs v Samoa.
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Ioane is with the Maori though so not likely to feature. Surely it will be Savea and Dagg.
What happens if the Lions beat the ABs in the last test? Do they take the Raeburn shield?
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The Lions are not eligible as they are not a national team but a "composite" team.
If the All Blacks retain it then the next challenge is Australia in august during the rugby championship.
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As mentioned in the other thread, the AB team will be announced at 5 am on THURSDAY.
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@Davesofthunder said in AB's v Samoa:
The Lions are not eligible as they are not a national team but a "composite" team.
If the All Blacks retain it then the next challenge is Australia in august during the rugby championship.
Thought that might be the case.
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All Blacks team to play Samoa at Eden Park tomorrow night:
Ben Smith (c), Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moodie.
Reserves Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Vaea Fifita, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Jordie Barrett.
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Looking at that team, it's going to be a cricket score
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