AB's v Samoa
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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).
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Amazing how when Conrad Smith retired we thought there would be a big hole to fill that may take years. Various names were thrown about but only through circumstance of injury did this ALB kid get plucked out as almost a last resort and thrown in the deep end.
Conrad who? -
@MiketheSnow said in AB's v Samoa:
And the understatement of the evening goes to
"The All Blacks threatening the offside line there"
Tsunaming it would be more apt.
Just practising mate. If we do it against the Lions and get away with it it will be a case 'can dish it out but can't take it'. If we get pinged we can ask the ref to watch the Lions as well to make things fair.
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@Crucial said in AB's v Samoa:
Amazing how when Conrad Smith retired we thought there would be a big hole to fill that may take years. Various names were thrown about but only through circumstance of injury did this ALB kid get plucked out as almost a last resort and thrown in the deep end.
Conrad who?Thinking about this and I may have mentioned it last year or something.
I don't see why the selectors may not also see ALB as wing cover. I know he was used there a fair bit earlier in his career at NPC/Super and age group too maybe? Or am I thinking Thompson again?
Certainly has the skill set.
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@Bones said in AB's v Samoa:
@Crucial said in AB's v Samoa:
Amazing how when Conrad Smith retired we thought there would be a big hole to fill that may take years. Various names were thrown about but only through circumstance of injury did this ALB kid get plucked out as almost a last resort and thrown in the deep end.
Conrad who?Thinking about this and I may have mentioned it last year or something.
I don't see why the selectors may not also see ALB as wing cover. I know he was used there a fair bit earlier in his career at NPC/Super and age group too maybe? Or am I thinking Thompson again?
Certainly has the skill set.
He'd handle wing easily. Far more simple for a centre to cover wing than the other way. He has the gas, haven't seen the highball skills too much though.
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Assuming SBW/ALB is the starting combination I don't see Hansen planning to substitute either.
The question then becomes do you go the safe route in Crotty and ensure you best possible positional cover or Ioane/Barrett and ensure maximum firepower off the bench (knowing BFA can slide to centre and is skilled enough to hold his own). I consider Barrett's improved goal kicking as a weapon off the bench of sorts.
Going from his track record unless Hansen determined Smith would be a liability covering centre or SBW/ALB is carrying a niggle - I'd say it's almost certain he will go with the aggressive option.
Down by 2 with 20 minutes to go how do you pull the trigger on Crotty for SBW or ALB?
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@Crucial said in AB's v Samoa:
Amazing how when Conrad Smith retired we thought there would be a big hole to fill that may take years. Various names were thrown about but only through circumstance of injury did this ALB kid get plucked out as almost a last resort and thrown in the deep end.
Conrad who?Much like how Conrad essentially got it by default in 2008 after a bit of an exodus - although Smith had been around for a while he was similarly unfancied.
One thing you have to say about Hansen's selectors is their "hunch" selections seem to pay off far better than Henry's did when someone was plucked from obscurity.
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It will interesting to see whether Fekitoa backs himself to improve or takes the easy (& lucrative) option and fecks off to France.
If you take out the older midfielders (Crotty, SBW), then the likes of ALB, Ngatai, Goodhue, and Laumape look this season much better options.
I much prefer ALB at 13 than 12. And SBW offers a lot on attack. But I suspect Crotty might still get the pick for his defensive reading of the game. It's probably the only real debatable call for next week, along with the 23 shirt. As much as there are better attackers, the ABs are not going to let Dagg's aerial skills and punt go to waste against a kicking Lion side. How much would the Lion like to be able to afford to leave out Naholo and Ioane from their back division...
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I suspect fekitoa will go now , if it was a question of loyalty in the beginning, he probably wouldve been playing for tonga in the beginning anyway .
Big money offer in France , feels on the outer with the abs now , I'm guessing he will move on . ( just a guess , happy to be proven wrong)With all midfielders fit I lean towards Crottys mistake free game in the early stages , with sbw doing more damage as the game loosens up.
