All Blacks v France Test #2
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@antipodean said in All Blacks v France Test #2:
@nepia I have it on reasonable authority that there have been conversations on maintaining the integrity and impartiality of the position.
Swings and roundabouts...
I'm not totally comprehending this.
Are you saying his interjection re: Adam Thomson has been called out, 'unofficially ' but at executive levels?
P.S wow, Adam Thomson seems an age ago, is that from a pre-2011 tour?, Gosper must have been CEO for a very long time now.
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The Crusaders will play the French Barbarians this Friday so I expect Goodhue and Mounga to be released for this game : the French Barbarians look as "strong" as the national team and won't be pushovers, especially upfront where they have a number of big men.
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The coaches signalled before the 1st test that some of the squad might not even play, and that if the series was won before Dunners they would use the 3rd test to give new players an opportunity. Of course, Hansen and co might change their minds.
There maybe some minor tweaks in the 23 because of injury/wear and tear for this Sat but I don't expect many changes.
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@cgrant if he is released, I'd think he will likely play 12 too with Tamanivalu at 13...?
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@taniwharugby Only if the AB coaches specifically ask for Goodhue to play at 12. Against the Chiefs, Havili played at 12, with Goodhue at 13 and Tamanivalu at 14.
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Can't see forwards changing. I expect Fifita will get more game time this week. Interesting that he replaced Whitelock (L) rather than a lock. Scrum markedly less powerful with no established TH lock.
In backs run on, hard to see any change other than possibly in midfield. It would not surprise if Laumape got a run with ALB on pine.
Do hope Mo'unga and Goodhue get some game time in third.
BTW has Taufua been released from squad, which would justify Todd staying on?
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@pakman Taufua is injured and out of the series, but I think he's still with the squad (going by the photos I saw on instagram, but I'm not sure where/when they were taken). Todd is indeed staying with the squad.
Edit: Taufua is definitely still with the squad in Wellington (see Naholo's insta).
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@stargazer If Taufua is out, does this mean Akira Ioane comes in and gets gametime?
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@infidel said in All Blacks v France Test #2:
Squire will start on Saturday.
Watch a replay and see how much work he got through at Eden Park.
I'll have another look, because apart from one line out steal, I can't remember him being much chop - certainly he didn't make many metres, although he may have been clearing bodies all day and I didn't see it. He certainly didn't make as big of a splash around the field in comparison to the last time he played the french.
Stats suggest that Squire had the most carries (12), but only made 15 metres, a few less than Whitelock, who played 6 less minutes. Squire made 5 tackles and missed 1 in comparison to Whitelock's 4 with one miss.
From the stats, Cane originally looked like the worst loosie out there, but I see he lead the tackle count (6) and did that in 64 minutes, while making five passes, and conceding one penalty.
Based on the stats, all the loosies look alike, and Whitelock doesn't seem to pass enough (only 2?) which suggests he isn't really playing a Read game.
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@frank No, I understand from what has been said in the media that Todd is staying (initially, he was only there temporarily as injury cover for Cane) and takes Taufua's spot (despite Taufua still being with the squad, I assume because they want to give him game time at a later stage this year).
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@stargazer said in All Blacks v France Test #2:
@frank No, I understand from what has been said in the media that Todd is staying (initially, he was only there temporarily as injury cover for Cane) and takes Taufua's spot (despite Taufua still being with the squad, I assume because they want to give him game time at a later stage this year).
Perhaps if Akira comes in officially they have to pick up his food bill?
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@majorrage said in All Blacks v France Test #2:
Pichot has tweeted that he should have been cited after pressure from the UK brigade ...
In response to the Walrus claiming it was a criminal offence. Glad to know that Mr Jones is an expert on NZ criminal law now as well.
Loads of over-reactive people commenting based on a tiny clip at the worst possible angle. No showing how the French player ducked into contact.I have no problem with the incident being cited to assess properly, but accusations will fly after that as well.
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@majorrage I wonder if these guys take as much interest in the similar accidents in other games, no? Thought as much.
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Look, to add balance, I’d have no issue with Ofa being cited - they have cracked down hard on this part of the game lately.
I don’t blame ppl for asking questions given the Franks non citing from a cpl of years ago too.
Fair cop, as if an Retallick had been receiving end of Franks hand, and if Ioane had a fractured skull from exactly the same opposite incident, and French players not cited, I’d probably be angry.
Part of the ‘aura’ is more watch us Purely to criticize us and this opportunity suits their agenda. What would you rather, no dominance and little criticism?
