AB's v Samoa
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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.
Sport: Samoa call-up a "dream come true" for Kieron Fonotia
The former Crusaders centre Kieron Fonotia says playing for Samoa against the All Blacks is a "dream come true".
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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 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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@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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History in the making?
Three Barretts on the park together.
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http://www.allblacks.com/News/30964/all-blacks-team-to-play-samoa-named Scott gets game time. Jordie makes up the trifecta, and is kicking backstop?
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Strong looking side ,
Who else could work their way into that side ? Naholo
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB's v Samoa:
Strong looking side ,
Who else could work their way into that side ? Naholo
Read for Savea. Savea to bench. Bye bye Fifita. Cruden for Sopoaga. Possibly Naholo or Ioane for Savea or Barrett Jnr.
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB's v Samoa:
Strong looking side ,
Who else could work their way into that side ? Naholo
Romano could get on the bench. Ioane maybe if his form is irrepressible on Saturday in much the same way Naholo's was for the Highlanders perhaps he is a wildcard?
Outside of that just injuries.
Nicely done by Ben Smith, just the fourth back to captain NZ since David Kirk.
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Ben Smith (c)
Israel Dagg
Anton Lienert-Brown
Sonny Bill Williams - Crotty may start
Julian Savea
Beauden Barrett
Aaron Smith - Chance to claim the starting spot ahead of test one
Ardie Savea - Read obviously with Ardie to the bench
Sam Cane
Jerome Kaino
Brodie Retallick
Sam Whitelock
Owen Franks
Codie Taylor
Joe MoodieNathan Harris
Wyatt Crockett
Charlie Faumuina
Scott Barrett - Romano may be selected for test one due to experience
Vaea Fifita - Ardie to bench, Fifita drops out of the 23
TJ Perenara
Lima Sopoaga - Cruden to come in if fit due to experience
Jordie Barrett - SBW or Crotty depending who starts, Jordie drops out of the 23Overall the team is as expected, as close to a shadow test team while allowing a couple of guys more time to get themselves fit.
Tough for Rieko to make it, he has to either take Crotty or SBWs spot (unlikely) or J Savea's starting position (possible, but unlikely for test one).
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Very strong team, I really want to see the lineout function well. The Crusaders for whatever reason really struggled and handed over plenty of ball vs Lions.
I think discipline also needs to be at the forefront as any penalties vs the Lions will likely end in points in our 50.
I'm looking forward to the two games this weekend.
