All Blacks v Pumas
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NMS and Dmac together in the back 3 is very short arse ,
Opposition coaches would see an opportunity there , to send some tall guys through to compete in the air
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@kiwiinmelb Izzy and SBW will just have to work doubly hard on D to make up for the lack of height then...SBW owes us one anyway
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@booboo said in All Blacks v Pumas:
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks v Pumas:
ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Ngani Laumape.
Return of the hot stepper.
Good to see Nehe back.
Little bit of rotation without going OTT. Good.
Sammy deserves a rest.
Would be fun to watch Laumape and Dubs together although I don't expect that to be plan A.
Only question for me is TKB on the bench. No problem in as much as he is clearly in the 3 best halfbacks, but as he's leaving are we missing a chance to get another 9 blooded? Or is Weber next in line and still not 100% so TKB is stop gap as nobody else is ready?
I think the options are way open for halfbacks. I'd say a close eye is being kept on the NPC with the likes of TTT and JT as youngsters finding their feet.
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@Crash said in All Blacks v Pumas:
@kiwiinmelb Izzy and SBW will just have to work doubly hard on D to make up for the lack of height then...SBW owes us one anyway
Yeah, he could drop a shoulder into any kick chasers.....
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Good to see Whitelock has been given a rest, although I assume that Retallick will need a break soon, too. Have no strong opinion on the choice between Romano and Barrett; Romano has more experience, Barrett more talent.
Interesting that they've gone for Fifita instead of Squire. It can't be about Squire needing a rest, because he hasn't played that much. Maybe it's because Savea is starting and they've played together at the Canes? For Savea, it's time to prove that he can start games, too.
Good to see TJP getting a start. I always think he's better as a starter than as a reserve. Time to prove something for him, too. A bit disappointed that Sopoaga doesn't get the start, but may they just wanted the TJP-Barrett combo, or Barrett's experience in light of all the other changes they've made in the backline.
Crotty not in the 23. Seems they want to keep him in one piece for the more difficult games against the Springboks. I assume Laumape can cover centre as well, because with BFA and Rieko not in the 23 either, he seems to be the only one option to replace ALB if he gets injured.
Great to see the skud back, and Dagger on the right wing for all the high balls. I'm disappointed that they don't use this game to test Havili. I can't imagine them giving him his debut against South Africa or in away games, unless Dmac is giving away tries again this weekend or when the RC is in the bag.
To me it's obvious that TKB is on the bench because Weber needs more match fitness. He only just got his first start of the year, last night. I have no doubt that Weber, if he stays fit and healthy, will be on the EOYT; there is no better candidate.
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Stoked for ALB TKB and NMS! Less stoked for SBW
Happy they are giving DMac a decent run at this level. He's a pass mark for me and would be excelling if he cut out a few of the errors.
With BFA gone, it is likely he will trot on out against SA too, I imagine.
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@Hooroo Yep I'm happy they're testing some of the squad members out and giving others a well earned break. I would like to see Havili get a run at some stage to see how he copes. Plus interested to hear Shag speak of Blake Gibson in one of the pressers (in Matt Todd's absence)
Building toward the 2019 WC starts here and now. -
@Stargazer I think Fifita is in the squad and this is the game that makes the most sense to give him a run. If you don't play him in this game he probably doesn't get a run in TRC. They obviously want some experience/leadership in the 23 too so Cane.
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I think he's got to make the most of it too. He's certainly got the potential, but yet to deliver. Were he to do so, he could really make the bench interesting, especially as 6/lock cover.
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@booboo said in All Blacks v Pumas:
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks v Pumas:
ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Ngani Laumape.
Return of the hot stepper.
Good to see Nehe back.
Little bit of rotation without going OTT. Good.
Sammy deserves a rest.
Would be fun to watch Laumape and Dubs together although I don't expect that to be plan A.
Only question for me is TKB on the bench. No problem in as much as he is clearly in the 3 best halfbacks, but as he's leaving are we missing a chance to get another 9 blooded? Or is Weber next in line and still not 100% so TKB is stop gap as nobody else is ready?
Who says they'll even have 3 full-time halfbacks in the squad after TKB leaves? It wasn't that long ago they only had Weepu and Cowan, with Ellis only called up when needed.
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@Stargazer Sonny Bill can cover centre and has done so in the past.
Big game for ALB. He's having second (test) season blues. Just a little concerned about our defence and who will be the backline leader.
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@Unco said in All Blacks v Pumas:
@booboo said in All Blacks v Pumas:
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks v Pumas:
ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Ngani Laumape.
Return of the hot stepper.
Good to see Nehe back.
Little bit of rotation without going OTT. Good.
Sammy deserves a rest.
Would be fun to watch Laumape and Dubs together although I don't expect that to be plan A.
Only question for me is TKB on the bench. No problem in as much as he is clearly in the 3 best halfbacks, but as he's leaving are we missing a chance to get another 9 blooded? Or is Weber next in line and still not 100% so TKB is stop gap as nobody else is ready?
Who says they'll even have 3 full-time halfbacks in the squad after TKB leaves? It wasn't that long ago they only had Weepu and Cowan, with Ellis only called up when needed.
I don't think there is a clear 3rd choice after TKB leaves. And the options are a little thin at the moment, so IMO I wouldn't be just getting anyone. Smith and TJP are pretty durable.
If DMac stays in the squad then perhaps he will be our emergency standby....
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@Unco said in All Blacks v Pumas:
@booboo said in All Blacks v Pumas:
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks v Pumas:
ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Ngani Laumape.
Return of the hot stepper.
Good to see Nehe back.
Little bit of rotation without going OTT. Good.
Sammy deserves a rest.
Would be fun to watch Laumape and Dubs together although I don't expect that to be plan A.
Only question for me is TKB on the bench. No problem in as much as he is clearly in the 3 best halfbacks, but as he's leaving are we missing a chance to get another 9 blooded? Or is Weber next in line and still not 100% so TKB is stop gap as nobody else is ready?
Who says they'll even have 3 full-time halfbacks in the squad after TKB leaves? It wasn't that long ago they only had Weepu and Cowan, with Ellis only called up when needed.
Still going to need that Ellis equivalent given some game time whether he's in the squad or not. Point stands.
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Yeah, I've seen that, but I personally don't see that much value in him as a straight up 6, unless he is some kind of project. My point was that he could cover 6/lock (not lock/6) in an era when both of our two front liners (and even Barrett) can go 80.
As injury cover, I think he's an interesting piece of the puzzle, if we are trying for full-on speed in the last 30.
Right now, the bench is pretty weak, so I assume they are trying to make Ofa the new Charlie (come back Charlie!), with Taylor plus ____?, a 6/lock like Fifita, Ardie, TJP, McKenzie (as 10 cover but coming on at 15), And Laumape/ALB there is plenty of power and speed.
Lots of those players need testing and experience of course, but I think that's where this year is most interesting. I feel like many are trying to guarantee a 23 spot.
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