AB's v Samoa
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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.
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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.
