AB EOYT 2018
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@kiwiinmelb Yeah it is interesting, tho less so with Eng missing a lot of their best pack. I think the ABs will out scrum/lineout/maul the English, and Eng have been shite at the breakdown for the last few years. So even if they try the stiffle/rush, I just don;t see it working for them. I think our midfield, if crappy SBW/Crotty slowmo combo, will get a hard work out against Manu who looks back near his best. They've got fast wings but not great on defence. Not 'worried' about Eng anymore than any game, we could lose if we play crap and Eng play great, Ireland is another kettle of fish. Breakdown and grind and low error rugby is their thing. No Murray is a big bonus of the ABs tho, he turns teams around like no other from ruck kicks.
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@stargazer they only have 51 other players, they should call up 2 replacements.
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Tackle more than five times in a hundred minutes.... 🤪
Body Poms trying to jinx us: The Times of London claimed it was "inconceivable New Zealand will not return to Yokohama's Nissan Stadium next November to contest the Rugby World Cup final, and on current evidence equally difficult to see past the defending champions lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy there"
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@tim Wouldn't mind if they blooded someone else but doesn't look like they will. Walker-Leauwere or Strange is someone I'd think of taking.
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@african-monkey said in AB EOYT 2018:
@tim Wouldn't mind if they blooded someone else but doesn't look like they will. Walker-Leauwere or Strange is someone I'd think of taking.
If it was just a fill in to hang around with the squad for a week in Japan I'd assume they'd take Strange rather than grab one of the Maori locks? Isn't Hemopo in Japan? He probably provides enough cover.
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@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
@african-monkey said in AB EOYT 2018:
@tim Wouldn't mind if they blooded someone else but doesn't look like they will. Walker-Leauwere or Strange is someone I'd think of taking.
If it was just a fill in to hang around with the squad for a week in Japan I'd assume they'd take Strange rather than grab one of the Maori locks? Isn't Hemopo in Japan? He probably provides enough cover.
Yeah true, forgot about Hemopo. Wouldn't suprise me if this is Hemopo's last test in the black Jersey along with a few others.
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@machpants said in AB EOYT 2018:
Tackle more than five times in a hundred minutes.... 🤪
Body Poms trying to jinx us: The Times of London claimed it was "inconceivable New Zealand will not return to Yokohama's Nissan Stadium next November to contest the Rugby World Cup final, and on current evidence equally difficult to see past the defending champions lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy there"
Pfft. That’s nothing. The Times of Dublin had a story about a government minister inquiring if it was just a waste of money sending the Irish squad to the World Cup for Rugby Football next year after watching the match in Japan where the All Black Team had overwhelmed their opponents. The money would be better directed at developing mini-camps at GAA clubs. Most of Ireland agreed on a radio phone-in show. Fortunately, there’s an upside to this as Mr Smith’s services would not be required after Christmas and it was understood that he was planning to return to Australia anyway to oversee the All Black team personally.
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@african-monkey said in AB EOYT 2018:
@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
@african-monkey said in AB EOYT 2018:
@tim Wouldn't mind if they blooded someone else but doesn't look like they will. Walker-Leauwere or Strange is someone I'd think of taking.
If it was just a fill in to hang around with the squad for a week in Japan I'd assume they'd take Strange rather than grab one of the Maori locks? Isn't Hemopo in Japan? He probably provides enough cover.
Yeah true, forgot about Hemopo. Wouldn't suprise me if this is Hemopo's last test in the black Jersey along with a few others.
It would be pretty surprising to me, and probably to the selectors also I'd say. Is he leaving rugby?
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Dane Coles pulls out of captaincy race for Japan test
Returning hooker Dane Coles has withdrawn himself from consideration for the All Blacks captaincy against Japan this weekend. Coles' experience among a team that will be composed of promising provincial rookies had him earmarked as a frontrunner for the role in Yokohama. But after a lengthy injury-enforced hiatus from the international fold, Coles said he wasn't interested in the additional pressure and responsibilities that come along with being skipper of the All Blacks. "Just because of the year I've had, I've got to be little bit selfish here and it's probably not the best thing for me to do," Coles said. "Whoever that is, I'll support him. I've still got a lead role, if I play, in this team to help.That will likely see the captain's armband worn by Highlanders forward, Luke Whitelock. -
@sparky Well you can count Harris and Coltman out. They provide no impact whatsoever.
If Aumua can have a big year the Hookers will be Taylor, Coles & Aumua.
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@canes4life Harris and Coltman are strong scrummagers, not so sure about Aumua.
All three of those hookers have problems with lineout throwing. Kind of important for a hooker.
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@bovidae Yeah but Aumua who is in his development phase of his career is already on par with Coltman and Harris, so can only see him getting better within the next year. He could be a real weapon for the All Blacks off the bench come World Cup if he can get back to peak fitness. However if Taylor & Coles stay fit they are pretty much a lock for our top 23.
