Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18

[mariner4life]

Ive seen Michael Hooper win ball as well, doesn't mean he's an option except as the surprise. Generally doesn't work twice in a week.

Still, if can win the ball at 2, Smith's pass makes it still good attacking ball.

[Derpus]

Is Sotutu a good lineout target?

[taniwharugby]

@mariner4life according to ESPN stats, George Bridge won a lineout...although I assume a quick throw counts for a lineout win

[Tim]

@Derpus Yep. And decent at attacking the opposition throw too.

[Snowy]

@Derpus I'd say yes. SRA anyway - we shall see at test level. He's also dangerous off the back of the lineout as a runner and off loader. The problem with Ardie is he has to win it first - he can do the rest.

[Old Samurai Jack]

@mariner4life Mmm...maybe was a bit harsh but along the lines of "you have to expect a contest", " you can't always get the results you want", " type lecture.

[taniwharugby]

@Old-Samurai-Jack so the old ewes got what ewes wanted type of thing

[mariner4life]

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

@mariner4life Mmm...maybe was a bit harsh but along the lines of "you have to expect a contest", " you can't always get the results you want", " type lecture.

doesn't matter, my opinion is set

Never liked that jaffa, right back to when we used to rip the piss out of him for being a pussie on the field.

[nostrildamus]

One upside from the team announcement is now I know Ian Foster reads my posts closely .. and then does the exact opposite.
Sounds like an ex-girlfriend.
What a midfield: keep your friends close and your mullets closer. Good to know the Barretts can afford kickbacks, and Ardie must be a top 8 given his towering height.
But Foster is slipping, playing a winger who is actually fast and in position is a surprise innovation.

[nostrildamus]

Can anybody water a Foster interview?
I lasted about 30 seconds-would rather watch paint vomit.
Must be a tactic to keep the charisma dry.
Poor Sotutu.

[Crazy Horse]

@nostrildamus sadly the mullet is gone

[taniwharugby]

@Crazy-Horse thats when the problems started!

[ACT Crusader]

@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

@Kirwan said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

So that shows he was going to pick Bridge too, until he got injured.

Not sure you can conclude that.

I agree.

I think there were a couple of scenarios, for example if B. Barrett didn’t come right then a Jordie/Clarke/Bridge back 3 probably would’ve started for test 2.

All 3 played well/better when that change occurred for the last 19 minutes.

[ACT Crusader]

@Gunner said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

@Tim said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

Our lineout looks pretty vulnerable. A skinny rookie lock, no targets at 7 or 8, and an unproven six (is he any good as a target?).

Sotutu should be starting at 8, and would give an option.

Pretty sure I’ve seen Savea taking plenty of lineout ball?

Ardie has been used on our throws since he first came into the ABs.

I like Ardie’s game but the back row mix still doesn’t feel right.

[akan004]

Who else is hoping that Ardie's wife will go into labour this weekend?

[Snowy]

@nostrildamus said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

Can anybody water a Foster interview?

I'm not sure that I would piss on him if he was on fire the way things are going.

[nostrildamus]

@Crazy-Horse What? Nooo! Next you'll be me telling me Ofa learnt from that weird pencil sharpener to the head experiment...

[ACT Crusader]

@Duluth said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

I'll mention a positive

Great to see Hodgman get a bench spot. He's been on a steady improvement for a few years now. A well earned debut

Plenty of other spots to disagree with.. in particular Sotutu should've got a start

I think another positive is Coles starting over Taylor.

Taylor looked flat last week. Two quality rakes so it’s a good sign to keep both hungry.

[Toddy]

Was watching some old highlights and come across the 2nd test against England in 2004 - Henry's second match in charge. Team was:

15. Nick Evans
16. Mils Muliaina
17. Tana Umaga
18. Dan Carter
19. Joe Rokocoko
20. Carlos Spencer
21. Justin Marshall
22. Xavier Rush
23. Marty Holah
24. Jono Gibbes
25. Keith Robinson
26. Chris Jack
27. Carl Hayman
28. Keven Mealamu
29. Kees Meeuws
30. Andrew Hore
31. Tony Woodcock
32. Jerry Collins
33. Craig Newby
34. Andrew Mehrtens
35. Sam Tuitupou
36. Byron Kelleher

[mariner4life]

@Toddy said in Bledisloe Two: Auckland, October 18:

Was watching some old highlights and come across the 2nd test against England in 2004 - Henry's second match in charge. Team was:

15. Nick Evans
16. Mils Muliaina
17. Tana Umaga
18. Dan Carter
19. Joe Rokocoko
20. Carlos Spencer
21. Justin Marshall
22. Xavier Rush
23. Marty Holah
24. Jono Gibbes
25. Keith Robinson
26. Chris Jack
27. Carl Hayman
28. Keven Mealamu
29. Kees Meeuws
30. Andrew Hore
31. Tony Woodcock
32. Jerry Collins
33. Craig Newby
34. Andrew Mehrtens
35. Sam Tuitupou
36. Byron Kelleher

in before it gets changed

that bench is so big it puts Michael Cheika to shame