All Blacks v France Test 3
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I'd prefer Mounga to start, even just to see how he goes.
I reckon they need to make some calls around some players. Squire's been unlucky with injuries, but I don't think he or Fifita are the answer at 6. I don't know who is though. There doesn't seem to be a genuine enforcer type running around at blindside. Squire may be a better bet as a no.8 galloping down the tramlines. They can't all be stars, but Luke Whitelock is pretty limited at test level. They need to take a punt on Akira now. He's played plenty of Super Rugby against the players in the RC and should be thrown in the deep end to see what he can do.
I'm not that convinced about Jordie (yet). A better balanced back three would be Naholo, Ioane, and B. Smith.
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@nepia Akira is still training with the AB squad in Dunedin (as he was in Auckland and Wellington). Will be interesting to see what the ABs do in regards to blindside flank with Squire presumably out (and Taufua out). Fifita at 6 I assume is the most likely (EDIT I see he is out with concussion) but do they look at giving Frizell at crack 6 or on the bench or does Akira get a chance.
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@kiwimurph Fifita took a head knock too.
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@bones said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Good to see them replacing Harris with Riccitelli.
Cue multiple articles in the UK press about NZ poaching from Italy
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@bones said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Good to see them replacing Harris with Riccitelli.
Cue multiple articles in the UK press about NZ poaching from Italy
He's the wrong colour.
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@gunner said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Akira gets a start surely?
He’s at least got runs on the board by playing well in super rugby, where Frizell has barely played 80 minutes of super rugby.Yup, without even mentioning the massive shift he put in for the Maori v the Lions. I have absolutely no doubt about his ability at test level.
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@gunner said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Akira gets a start surely?
He’s at least got runs on the board by playing well in super rugby, where Frizell has barely played 80 minutes of super rugby.Yup, without even mentioning the massive shift he put in for the Maori v the Lions. I have absolutely no doubt about his ability at test level.
Where though? I think he is more an 8 than a 6 now. Does LW move to blindside or get dropped.
My preference is that AI gets a run at 8 but we need more than LW at 6. Maybe roll the dice and have two rookies with LW on the bench?
It's a pity that we have to be finding a future player because if we want a strong experienced player that won't let the side down I would be quite happy for JK or Messam to come back to fill a gap. -
@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@bones said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Good to see them replacing Harris with Riccitelli.
Cue multiple articles in the UK press about NZ poaching from Italy
Not this year.
"Deflector Shields at maximum power, Captain".
"Thank you, Mr Scott".
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@victor-meldrew Why Italy?
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@stargazer
Being sarcastic/ironic about the UK press. One of the major UK papers famously accused NZ of poaching Kev Mealamu from Tokaroa.... -
@victor-meldrew Ha, Tokoroa! If only he had been from Whangamomona! :smiling_face_with_open_mouth:
By the way, I've seen Saffas talk about calling up Riccitelli (because they weren't happy with Marx' replacement).
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@stargazer
Being sarcastic/ironic about the UK press. One of the major UK papers famously accused NZ of poaching Kev Mealamu from Tokaroa....Isn't Oakura one of the sister islands of Tokoroa? Still, Durban probably isn't that close to either
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@stargazer
Being sarcastic/ironic about the UK press. One of the major UK papers famously accused NZ of poaching Kev Mealamu from Tokaroa....IS this one actual fact, or a myth? I've heard it many times, even used it in argument with people like the BBWC, but never actually read it myself .. a quick google search has people talking about it, but no link.
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@majorrage It was Stephen Jones c 2003-4 and peak "poaching" mania" IIRC . Questioned why Kev didn't play for his country of birth like his brother Luke did. Remember reading it and saying WFT?
I think Eddie Butler said Kev was from the Tokaroa islands on a TV commentary, but TBF just a simple mistake.
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@nepia said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
On Akira, maybe they're using Read as the blueprint for him - you all might remember, Cantabs certainly will, that Read was actually held back from elevation to the ABs initially.
Read started his super career playing on the blindside, and it wasn’t until his second season that he really settled as our no8 and after a strong season he made the ABs that same year for the EOYT. Rodders was still around for 2008 as the incumbent.
I was a huge Rodders fan so it didn’t make much difference to me.
