AB's v Samoa
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Shag obviously wary of the Lions by wheeling the test side out this week.
J Barrett is fucking lucky to be there.
Fifita is even luckierI assume S Barrett is there over Romano because he needs the run?
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@mariner4life don't know if it is so much wary as in a few guys need a run and we need to hit the field running given we are usually a bit rusty, which isn't usually so bad in the 1st test against a depleted Wales/Ireland/France or England.
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@MN5 said in AB's v Samoa:
@pukunui said in AB's v Samoa:
@Crucial said in AB's v Samoa:
When was the team named?
Wednesday (GMT)
Strong team. Looking forward to seeing how Ardie goes at 8. Also interested to see how tgey use Jordie.
In there for his lineout height no doubt
Jordie? Well the Canes used him there a few weeks back so worth a try.
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@Crucial the Cardie
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Not sure about the wingers. Dagg doesnt appear to be up to speed and Savea has been pretty nard most of the season (which is ironic because he didn't show up fat this year). Ioane looked like he was born to play test rugby the other day and deserves a shot.
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The anti-Savea talk is so tedious. We get it every AB season. Meanwhile his strike rate continues at about a try a game. We see how he goes against Samoa.
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@Billy-Tell said in AB's v Samoa:
The anti-Savea talk is so tedious. We get it every AB season. Meanwhile his strike rate continues at about a try a game. We see how he goes against Samoa.
He really hasn't had too many genuine challengers for his jersey recently until now. Naholo constantly gets injured. I don't think Julian Savea is the same athlete that he was in 2012-14. Reminds me a little bit of how Rokocoko changed during his career. Having said that Rieko will really need an exceptional performance for the Maori (including high accuracy such as high ball takes etc) to get close to the 11 jersey just yet.
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@TeWaio said in AB's v Samoa:
Prediction: Rieko will be the starting 11 by the 2019 RWC, with >20 test tries by then , and J Savea won't make that squad.
The times, they are a-changing.
I wonder what odds you'd get on Rieko being the top RWC try scorer this far out?
History suggests you are correct. Jules is 26 now turning 27 in a couple of months, which is about the age a lot of AB wingers careers start to tail off and they are replaced by the next up-and-comer.
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@KiwiMurph I think Rok adapted his game a bit better than Savea seems to be doing that enabled him to prolong his career with slightly less scrutiny.
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@taniwharugby said in AB's v Samoa:
@KiwiMurph I think Rok adapted his game a bit better than Savea seems to be doing that enabled him to prolong his career with slightly less scrutiny.
Rok got ripped apart on the fern when he lost that attacking spark he had. It's pretty brutal being an AB outside back unless you're capable of switching to the midfield.
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@Crucial said in AB's v Samoa:
When was the team named?
Thursday morning NZ time. When else would/could it be named....
Haven't been a fan of Ardie at no8 this season, but I'm not expecting much resistance from this Manu side. It will be interesting to see how they use him in attack.
I'm hoping Aaron Smith can regain some form.
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@Billy-Tell said in AB's v Samoa:
The anti-Savea talk is so tedious. We get it every AB season. Meanwhile his strike rate continues at about a try a game. We see how he goes against Samoa.
Give it a rest. I'm a Canes fan and a Savea fan, but he's been as ordinary as hell this season. Is it a farking crime to want someone else in who is in better form?
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB's v Samoa:
Haven't been a fan of Ardie at no8 this season, but I'm not expecting much resistance from this Manu side. It will be interesting to see how they use him in attack.
Yeah, I'm not a fan of Ardie at 8 as well. He lacks physicality against the bigger packs. Sure he's got good leg drive with ball in hand, but you don't see him making dominant tackles that you want from your loosies.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in AB's v Samoa:
@Billy-Tell said in AB's v Samoa:
The anti-Savea talk is so tedious. We get it every AB season. Meanwhile his strike rate continues at about a try a game. We see how he goes against Samoa.
Give it a rest. I'm a Canes fan and a Savea fan, but he's been as ordinary as hell this season. Is it a farking crime to want someone else in who is in better form?
It was a generic comment and not aimed at you personally.
If Savea is crap for NZ and Naholo, Ioane or later NMS play better, then I'll be happy to see the change.
He's just become a favourite player for a wee slag IMO, despite still regularly crossing the chalk for the ABs.
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@Billy-Tell said in AB's v Samoa:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in AB's v Samoa:
@Billy-Tell said in AB's v Samoa:
The anti-Savea talk is so tedious. We get it every AB season. Meanwhile his strike rate continues at about a try a game. We see how he goes against Samoa.
Give it a rest. I'm a Canes fan and a Savea fan, but he's been as ordinary as hell this season. Is it a farking crime to want someone else in who is in better form?
It was a generic comment and not aimed at you personally.
If Savea is crap for NZ and Naholo, Ioane or later NMS play better, then I'll be happy to see the change.
He's just become a favourite player for a wee slag IMO, despite still regularly crossing the chalk for the ABs.
I think its largely due to him having quiet super rugby seasons lately, by the time selection comes around people start to question him ,
The strange part with him , it feels like his career is coming to an end soon ,his better days are behind him, yet he is only 26
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@Billy-Tell said in AB's v Samoa:
He's just become a favourite player for a wee slag IMO, despite still regularly crossing the chalk for the ABs.
A couple of ventures into obesity in a high performance team generally doesn't ingratiate yourself to the fan base.
Dagg crossed more last season and there is equal criticism of him and most would be less than optimistic of his prospects of making it to the next RWC.
Falling off at 26/7 is what has happened to all our raw 'physical gifts' type players. Cullen, Wilson, Lomu, Joe Roks, Sivivatu all didn't make it past that point.
If NMS or Naholo could stay fit Savea would likely be in the headlights already.
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despite the calls for him to play 13, its looking like they are grooming reiko as an 11 for now , still a bit raw, but plenty of natural talent
will be interesting to see how this develops
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I am far from ready to trust Naholo to a long term spot. Flaky and injury prone. Mad wheels though.
I reckon Jules is gonna rip it up.
