Bledisloe #2
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@Bovidae they should save Garces for French schoolboy rugby.
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I have my expectations set pretty low, so will be pleasantly surprised if we retain the Bledisloe with this comedy backline. Seriously, has Fosters fingerprints all over it, feels like they are trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat.
At least the human statue got replaced in the front row.
Should be an interesting crowd to be part of, I think it might get pretty hostile out there, won't be fun for Aussie.
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@NTA said in Bledisloe #2:
@nzzp said in Bledisloe #2:
Not sure if it's been posted, but the TAB have the Wobbles at $4.85. If you fancy throwing your money away
Fixed.
Stop it.
We're the underdogs.
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@Chris-B said in Bledisloe #2:
@Paekakboyz You'd think that if Ennor was on the inside track he'd be playing in this game. If he gets picked it will be on the back of 12 minutes of test rugby.
I'm not sure what they will do with Josh Ioane - but, if Beauden is the first choice fullback then surely you have to take Ioane to play some time in the minnow games - well, that's what I'd think.
From the way Hansen was talking about what if Ben or Rieko blow hamstrings or tyres, I'd say they're pretty safe - so from the 17 backs in the frame (original 16 picks + Crotty) I'd think three miss out and it will be a midfielder and two outside backs - I reckon Laumape, Ennor and one of Bridge or Reece or just possibly Jordie.
Leaving:
Smith, Perenara, Weber
Mo'unga, J. Ioane
SBW, Crotty, Goodhue, ALB
B. Barrett, R. Ioane, Smith, Bridge*, J. Barrett- or Reece
Interesting take, but I tend to agree with others that Ioane will be on standby.
I think for 12/13 things will come down to Crotty (injuries permitting) or Laumape. Of course SBW/Kerevi could influence that.
Precedent would suggest five 'back three', in which case Reece and Ennor are probably competing for last place. Jordie's utility value -- 10/14/15 -- would probably get him in. Reece has the X factor TWM are looking for but how he goes against Koroibete will be a big factor.
But as you suggest, four at back would allow four locks to cover BBBR, although one would also need to cover 6. At that point it gets very interesting as I think Benda/Rieko/Bridge safe, meaning that last place would be a real fight.
Ennor's lack of gametime doesn't bode well.
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@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe #2:
@Bovidae they should save Garces for French schoolboy rugby.
Whinging
pomsKiwisThe guy is a decent ref, and the forum is pathetic the way people whine on all the time about him.
Let's not mention the NZ Herald with their "wasn't a red card" crusade this week, and you can see why Stephen Jones whips himself up into a state of frenzy.
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@Billy-Tell No ref should ever “make a deal” that contravenes the laws of the game. He has to live with that shit just like we do.
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every country does one eyed, every franchise, every region, every club. Anyone who goes holier than thou on parochialism is a Muppet.
Who gives a fuck what wannabe Englishman boyo Jones says
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@pakman It's the other @Chris who is talking about 4 locks and 6 loosies, and it's far from a bad theory. I hadn't really thought about an 18-13 split, but he could easily be right and I follow the logic if Big Brodie is a bit marginal.
But, IMO the rest of the structure is a bit of an arse cover - "Oh, we didn't have three decent 10s once Damien was injured". If they don't select Ioane and it burns us, I'm going to say it was a dumb selection. I can't see where the relative upside among an extra outside backs is.
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@Chris-B I wouldn't discount J Ioane from selection just because he hasn't played yet. In hindsight they should have brought him on in BA in a close test but I can understand why they didn't want to put him in that situation. Three 1st 5s were taken in 2015, with Slade filling that 1st 5/fullback role that DMac would of this year, and BB now does. In 2011, only 2 1st 5s were selected but we ended up using 4. Weepu did provide cover, as TJP might.
You can easily cover for a winger (e.g., ALB) so I wouldn't be selecting too many specialist wingers. I wouldn't be surprised if JB has been discussed by the coaches as a 1st 5 option for the lesser pool games if J Ioane isn't chosen.
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@Bovidae Yeah - we're still discussing hypotheticals.
I can see why they haven't used him yet - but, I'm still advocating, and even expecting, that they'll pick him in the final squad.
Of course, if we lose tomorrow due to our forwards getting their arses handed to them, then I'll probably look like even more of a rugby savant and Steve can pm me.
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@Billy-Tell oh well, fuck off then if it is such a problem for you.
You whinge and bitch about players, why cant people express thier views on how the ref went too?
I already said above I felt he had no choice in the RC.
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@Machpants said in Bledisloe #2:
When the RWC squad named,, or have to be named by?
8th September squad to be announced, so they could wait until after Tonga
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@Billy-Tell said in Bledisloe #2:
The guy is a decent ref,
He's a decent ref some of the time. Personally, I don't think he's of international standard.
As for the Fern, the most outrage directed towards a Ref I can recall in its long and illustrious history, was against Romain Poitre for his ridiculous red-carding of Bismark Du Plessis ( a bokke, BTW) in 2013
