AB's v Samoa
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Somewhere in Rotorua, a large group of men are handing over some embarrassing laundry.
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Pretty entertaining game in the end. Good to get that first test out of the way.
How good is ALB?
How good is BBBR?
How good is BB?Thought both Ardie and Jules were good tonight. Some very nice touches by Jules and moves to equal second top AB try scorer with 46. Ardie with a nice tackle to save that "certain" try for Samoa early in the game.
Scott and Jordie Barrett also had some nice touches. Happy for Scott to be the bench lock in the big tests.
Aaron Smith had a couple of hiccups eg. a few poor kicks and that pass into touch but man his bullet pass is great to watch. Happy for him to start and TJP to come on with 20-30 mins to go and tear it up.
SBW not as good as he was for the Blues against the Lions. I'd probably have ALB and Crotty starting for the first test.
Still don't like this ref. The penalty against BB for holding on at 27min where he was poking out on side of the ruck with the ball under his chin and the Samoan player was tugging at something down near BBs legs and won the penalty was laughable. Fake news.
Oh and Fuck off Marshall.
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Read will come in and Fifita will drop out and otherwise I reckon there's a good chance that will be the 23.
Cruden may come in for Sopoaga if he's fit.
Ordinarily, I'd say Romano would come in for Scott Barrett, but given a few question marks around the capacity of Read and Kaino to play 80 minutes, I reckon they might opt for Barrett's extra mobility.
Rieko Ioane might change some minds if he has a blinder tomorrow night - could still push Julian or Jordie out of the team, but I think highball security and especially having a good kicking game might see Jordie keep his place on the bench.
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@Chris-B you think Crotty won't make the cut?
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@No-Quarter Certainly not starting.
I guess it depends on whether he's really fit and how comfortable they are with Ben or Jordie (or Sopoaga) covering in the midfield.
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@No-Quarter said in AB's v Samoa:
@Chris-B you think Crotty won't make the cut?
It would appear the plan was originally for him to be at 13. After tonight can't see ALB being demoted. So question is who will be third back replacement. So many options!
Romano would suit a tighter game, and better scrummager. But Barrett (S) lives up to name in loose. Style choice. -
@pakman said in AB's v Samoa:
@No-Quarter said in AB's v Samoa:
@Chris-B you think Crotty won't make the cut?
It would appear the plan was originally for him to be at 13. After tonight can't see ALB being demoted. So question is who will be third back replacement. So many options!
Romano would suit a tighter game, and better scrummager. But Barrett (S) lives up to name in loose. Style choice.I had Crotty pencilled in at 12 with SBW on the bench covering the midfield and wing.
Personally I think midfield cover is more important then wing/fullback where we have other options, so I think Crotty will come into the 23 for Jordie. Whether he starts or not will be interesting to see.
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@Chris-B. said in AB's v Samoa:
I guess it depends on whether he's really fit and how comfortable they are with Ben or Jordie (or Sopoaga) covering in the midfield.
You already have 3 players in the starting XV who either play at FB or can cover there. Jordie is redundant as you do need midfield cover, and we've yet to see him play there. So either Ioane or Crotty/SBW wear the no.23 jersey. BFA in the midfield wasn't a raging success.
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@Rapido said in AB's v Samoa:
TJP's crappy unnecessarily flat supporting line again putting a try decision into the TMOs hands.
He always does this. But it's not just him, it's a trend with the modern player. Shits me no end especially when there is no need whatsoever to do this.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB's v Samoa:
Looks like some posters got their wish, Julian Savea isn't playing....
Looks like he came out of the sheds at halftime.... well done that man
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Just saw replay.
Some really good tries.
In the immortal words of M4L:
The BB, SBW and ALB combo makes my dick hard.
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@Chris-B. said in AB's v Samoa:
@No-Quarter Certainly not starting.
I guess it depends on whether he's really fit and how comfortable they are with Ben or Jordie (or Sopoaga) covering in the midfield.
Ardie.
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In big tests Ben Smith plays 80 and at fullback.
I still think they will want a midfielder on the bench for the Lions.
Just watched it again and Manu really lost their shape. The ABs are lethal when opposing teams have staggered defensive lines.
Most pleasing thing for me other than seeing the debutantes get a hitout, was Aaron Smith's confidence. His organising and instructing of the forwards was excellent. Really helps the tight forwards at the ruck and getting set for the next phase.
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@Stockcar86 said in AB's v Samoa:
Congrats @Higgins on Fifita making his AB debut
Thanks. I elected to watch the match up in the Isherwood Lounge at the Wellington Football Club along with the best part of 180 other Axemen, the place where it all began for Vaea. Managed to find a nice corner to myself where I was able to sit back and quietly contemplate and reminisce in solitude on the long and tough five year journey to get this far rather than get caught up in the general excitement of Vaea becoming the Axemen's 17th All Black (and first since Dion Waller back in 2001).
