Japan vs All Blacks

MN5

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Stargazer

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taniwharugby

Ofa Tuungafasi (22)
Dane Coles (56)
Angus Ta'avao (1)
Patrick Tuipulotu (19)
Jackson Hemopo (2)
Vaea Fifita (7)
Dalton Papalii *
Luke Whitelock - captain (6)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (1)
Richie Mo'unga (5)
Waisake Naholo (24)
Ngani Laumape (8)
Matt Proctor *
Nehe Milner-Skudder (12)
Jordie Barrett (7)
Liam Coltman (3)
Tim Perry (5)
Tyrel Lomax *
Dillon Hunt *
Gareth Evans *
Mitch Drummond *
Brett Cameron *
George Bridge *

Hooroo

8 new caps for giggles

Bovidae

I had a feeling they might look to play Ofa at LH.

Higgins

So Jackson Hemopo is a lock afterall.

akan004

@higgins Only against 5 foot Japanese players.

taniwharugby

the backline has 57 caps, Dane Coles has 56.

No Quarter

The only point of interest for me is Dane Coles. So good to see him back, nothing against Codie that kid is world class, but Coles is the most influential hooker I have ever watched. If we can get him fit and in form for the WC we will have two absolute weapons in Codie and Coles.

mariner4life

That, right there, is NZ A.

Tim

Pretty tough on Bryn Hall.

Stargazer

@taniwharugby So the "unlucky" extras are Aumua, O’Neill, Hall and Havili. Havili possibly the unluckiest one, because he actually is a test-capped player and had an excellent season, but yeah, Jordie is in "the" squad and apparently they don't need proper midfield cover (in the reserves or elsewhere in the starting XV).

Bovidae

@stargazer It was going to be Havili or Bridge in the reserves, not both. I would have went for the former as he can cover midfield.

akan004

@stargazer I felt Havili was poor during Super Rugby. Not as good as he was last year.

KiwiMurph

Papalii starting 7 and not Hunt. That's the right call. Bidwell wrong again.

Stargazer

@bovidae I'd hoped for Naholo on the right wing, Bridge on the left, Havili on the bench, and NMS sent to the MABs.

Stargazer

@akan004 Only the first part of the season, when he seemd short of confidence, but he was massive on defence and support play all season. He improved steadily during the season and after the June break, was as good as he was last year.

Bovidae

@stargazer said in Japan vs All Blacks:

@bovidae I'd hoped for Naholo on the right wing, Bridge on the left, Havili on the bench, and NMS sent to the MABs.

Apart from Perry, the players used during the season as injury replacements are all starting. Coltman ahead of Aumua for the same reason, but Coles was always going to start.

Stargazer

@bovidae Yeah, I know. I just find it odd. If Laumape goes down, I suppose Jordie will move to 12; if Proctor goes down, they'll move either Naholo or Jordie to centre. I just don't think that's a good idea. Except for his lack in experience at test level, I think Bridge is currently much better than NMS.

Nepia

@tim said in Japan vs All Blacks:

Pretty tough on Bryn Hall.

Not to those of us who thought he was lucky to be there in the first place.

Havili's stocks have dropped, from test player last year to almost Akira rated this year.

The Silver Fern

Japan vs All Blacks