Japan vs All Blacks
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Eight of those guys will make the RWC squad, seven or so will probably be involved in the ABs in 2020. For the others this is the highlight of their All Blacks career.
Mixed bag of a team. Stoked to see Dane Coles back in Black. Pleased to see Dalton Papali'i there who will hopefully have a long career in Black. Delighted for Matt Proctor who has toiled away for the Hurricanes and Wellington for a couple of seasons and been the lynch pin of their backlines. George Bridge is another player who has been in excellent form for a couple of years and deserves his shot at test rugby. Ofa T is developing into a world-class prop who can play on both sides of the scrum. Patrick Tuipulotu is another playing who is beginning to deliver on his obvious talent
There are a few dodgy sections though. I can't think of a more mediocre player to have been All Black captain than Luke Whitelock. Tough seeing such a journeyman as All Black skipper. Akira Ioane should be the starting 8 for this team. Jackson Hemopo at Lock is a strange call. Bizarre to see the Crusader number 3 First Five as an All Black. Biggest bolter in years. I have seen nothing in Brent Cameron's career to suggest he is remotely a player of All Blacks quality.
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@sparky said in Japan vs All Blacks:
@bones Too short and light to be a modern test lock. He is the same height and five kgs lighter than the starting Openside in this Test.
Pari Pari Parkinson would have been a better choice.
It doesn't show in his play and that's all that matters.
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@no-quarter said in Japan vs All Blacks:
@rapido said in Japan vs All Blacks:
Awesome. Looking forward to this.
Has that "could the midweek team lose to Neath or Ulster' kind of feel to it from the touring days, except its a Saturday.
Yeah, except this counts as a test. First ever losses to Ireland and Japan would be a fucking monumental black mark against Hansen despite his record.
Oh piss off. ABs by fiddy.
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@booboo said in [Japan vs All Blacks]
Oh piss off. ABs by fiddy.
Agree with this.
All the worrywarts in this thread, ABs or NZ A or whatever are paying 1.02 on Betfair to win this game.
That is an attacking backline and solid forward pack, barring catastrophic early injury to Mo'unga, I'm picking a one sided affair.
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Jordie probably needs to have a good game ,
He is only a kid and has heaps in front of him but has kind of dropped down a little in the pecking order , I think most of us had him ahead of Dmac not so long ago ,
And now he could have the improving Bridge breathing down his neck
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@kiwiinmelb Agree with this. Jordi was exceptional in 2017 but has dropped back this year. He risks George Bridge and perhaps Will Jordan over-taking him.
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Although JB was a touch hyped (understandably makes good press with the brothers etc) he still offers a bit more to a RWC squad than those named.
At one point it was debateable which of JB or DMac was surplus though and with the rise of Mounga that is even more the case. If the DMac back to 15 experiment continues (and we will be able to judge better next week) then he may not make Japan next year. Usually only room for 4 outside backs although if DMac is still counted as 3rd 10 then JB is looking to take the 4th spot behind BFA, Ioane and Naholo.
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Jordie needs to have a go at his natural position which is 12.
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@sparky I noticed a South African - Wimpie Van Der Walt - named at lock for Japan and thought at least they have got themselves a giant Saffa lock as they often struggle for lineout height. Then I googled him and he is listed as 1.87m and 102 kgs so I think Hemopo will be fine. They are obviously going for mobility!
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@rancid-schnitzel said in Japan vs All Blacks:
Jordie needs to have a go at his natural position which is 12.
They really teed that one up for you
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@rancid-schnitzel said in Japan vs All Blacks:
Jordie needs to have a go at his natural position which is 12.
He'd have to fight off Ardie first.
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Should do it in a canter. Two considerations that give me slight pause. First team in 5-10 years that:
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I can genuinely see the lineout going off the rails. Hasn't been an issue since BBBR but manylate 00 tests were unbearable as we struggled to gain any momentum because of crooked throws and poor timing.
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Has a bench that isn't an weapon itself. If things are going pear shaped around the 60 minute mark there are big questions about how much experience is worth over fresh legs.
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@sparky said in Japan vs All Blacks:
@mimic Thorne was never a journeyman, just not as spectacular in the backrow as his partners McCaw or Collins. Blackadder captained a team to victory in Super Rugby three years in a row.
He was so fucking invisible even his supporters used to endlessly chant his name hoping he'd put his hand up so they could see him.
